Abstract: A yieldably resilient shock absorber is provided, which is disposed in driving relationship between a pair of gears in a photographic apparatus drive system. The yieldably resistant shock absorber is confined within an annular chamber or channel defined by complementary structure of the two gears and is adapted to absorb forces due to sudden stoppage of the film strip or to resistance to movement of the film strip by compressing the resilient shock absorber member within the confining channel. Upon cessation of the forces imposed upon the yieldable resilient shock absorber, frictional engagement between the outer surfaces of the deformed shock absorber member and the confining walls defining the channel result in a controlled release of the absorbed energy.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the InventionThis invention relates to photographic apparatus and, more particularly, to an improved drive system for advancing and rewinding film in a film cassette inserted into the photographic apparatus.2.

Abstract: A doctoring surface conformation for applicator nozzle structures in photographic film cassette contained processors by which a coating of processing fluid may be deposited on a moving run of an exposed film strip. The doctoring surface conformation is defined as a planar surface spaced in parallel relation to the film strip which is urged toward a pair of guide tracks positioned on opposite sides of the planar surface. The sides or edges of the doctoring surface are delimited by vertical walls converging in the direction of film strip travel so as to develop a suitable hydrodynamic force in the processing fluid while minimizing the capture of minute foreign particles such as dust which may be carried on the surface of the film strip to be coated.

Abstract: A back projection viewing screen comprising two parallel transparent sheets of plastic, each having its faces optically configured. The surfaces have the following characteristics arranged in the order from the projection side to the viewing side: (1) an ordinary circular Fresnel lens to which a light frosted texture has been applied; (2) a series of parallel vertical convex circular lenticulations joined by sharply defined cusps; (3) a series of parallel vertical convex lenticulations joined by sharp cusps and having an elliptical cross-section. The lenticulations on this third surface have a very different periodicity from that of the second surface to avoid the possibility of moire patterns; (4) the viewing surface of the screen is defined by a series of parallel horizontal convex lenticulations, each having a convex elliptical cross-section.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement is provided for supporting an idler roller which is adapted to backup a constant speed drive capstan in a multipurpose photographic film cassette having a sound capability. The roller support includes a C-shaped bracket having an intermediate leg and upper and lower legs which extend respectively above and below the roller and which are provided with openings to receive and support a mounting pin which extends through a central opening in the roller. The lower leg is attached to a sidewall of the housing and the upper leg is provided with an extension which is adapted to engage a structural portion of the cassette in a manner to resist the force imparted to the upper end of the idler roller mounting pin by the drive capstan.

Abstract: A rear projection viewer apparatus of the type wherein a projected image is projected towards a primary viewing screen which when in its operative viewing position forms the front of the viewer, the front viewing screen being attached to other portions of the viewer housing so that it may be moved to an inoperative position. A second rear projection screen substantially smaller than the first screen is mounted within the viewer housing in a manner where it may be moved from an inoperative position where it does not interfere with projecting to the primary viewing screen to an operative position wherein the images may be projected upon the rear thereof. Means are provided for automatically moving the small auxiliary screen from its inoperative position to its operative position in response to manual displacement of the primary viewing screen from its operative position to its inoperative position.

Abstract: A photographic system for processing and viewing film contained in a cassette with a processor for applying processing fluid to the film strip having valve means to seal the processor at the conclusion of fluid application. An absorbing pad is positioned on the film strip to absorb any excess fluid deposited on the film prior to complete sealing of the applicator system.

Abstract: A rear projection viewer apparatus of the type wherein a projected image is projected towards a primary viewing screen forming the front of the viewer, the front viewing screen being removably located with respect to other portions of the viewer housing so that it may be removed from the path of the projected images. A second rear projection screen substantially smaller than the first screen is provided. The small screen and selected portions of the viewer housing are provided with complementary structure for selectively locating the second screen at an operative position substantially normal to the projection axis and at a location therealong substantially closer to the image projecting means than the first rear projection screen when it is in its operative position.

Abstract: A backup support arrangement is provided against which a film strip, carrying a magnetic sound track adjacent one edge, is biased by a sound recording/playback transducer in a multipurpose photographic film cassette having a sound capability. The support arrangement engages the side of the film strip opposite the side carrying the magnetic sound track and is resiliently mounted in a manner such that the force imparted upon the backside of the film strip is distributed so that a significantly greater biasing force is imparted upon the backside of the film strip adjacent the edge carrying the magnetic sound track than upon the remainder of the film strip.

Abstract: A doctoring surface conformation for applicator nozzle structures in photographic film cassette contained processors by which a coating of processing fluid may be deposited on a moving run of an exposed film strip. The doctoring surface conformation is configured to present a plurality of relatively small entrance channels at the upstream or entrance end thereof and a single exit channel at the downstream or exit end thereof. In the preferred embodiment, the doctoring surface conformation is defined by a plurality of first inclined surfaces extending from the vicinity of the trailing edge of the fluid applicator nozzle and converging in the direction of film strip movement towards the surface of the film.

Abstract: A programmable viewing system for processing and viewing cassette contained photographic film strips, in which the film is driven through forward and rewind advancement for film development operations and then automatically projected and again rewound, includes an electronic switching arrangement for de-energizing the system drive motor at the termination of the development rewind to prevent cinching or stressing of the film strip on the spool while developing fluid reacts with the exposed emulsion. Then the motor is automatically turned on again after completion of the fluid reaction period.

Abstract: An arrangement for trapping foreign particles such as dust in advance of deposition of processing fluid on a moving run of film strip contained within a multi-purpose film cassette includes at least a pair of longitudinally spaced depending blades forming a recess or channel transverse to the longitudinal axis of the film for collecting dust particles sufficiently large to interfere with the application of processing fluid to the film. Smaller particles which project above the surface of the emulsion on the film strip less than the thickness of the processing fluid coating are permitted to pass through the processing unit without interference to a doctoring surface by which the processing fluid is applied.

Abstract: A programmable viewing system for processing and viewing cassette contained photographic film strips including a chassis defined by a centrally disposed vertical plate-like casting on which all internal viewer components cooperable mechanically and/or optically with the cassette are mounted together with a cassette well by which the cassette may be registered with such viewer components. A programming cam disc is rotatably carried by the casting for controlling both electrical switches for controlling an electronics logic system as well as shiftable viewer component positioning members, one on each side of the casting. The programming cam disc further controls cassette ejection. The spools of the cassette are driven by an electric motor through a clutch.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for positively retaining a slidably displaceable valve member in its stored position prior to initiation of the processing cycle in a multi-purpose film cassette of the type containing a photographic film strip for exposure, processing and viewing without removal from the cassette. A latching arm forming a part of the valve member is configured to prevent displacement of the valve member at all times prior to the movement of the pressure plate to the position it occupies during high speed continuous advancement of the film. Movement of the pressure plate to this position results in release of the latching arm and accordingly permits displacement of the valve member to its final position where it serves to seal off the processing fluid nozzle.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for positively retaining a slidably displaceable valve member in its stored position prior to initiation of the processing cycle in a multi-purpose film cassette of the type containing a photographic film strip for exposure, processing and viewing without removal from the cassette. A latching arm forming a part of the valve member is configured to prevent displacement of the valve member at all times prior to the movement of the pressure plate to the position it occupies during high speed continuous advancement of the film. The pressure plate is in operative engagement with the latching arm and movement of the pressure plate to this position results in positive displacement of the latching arm by the pressure plate to a position where the latching arm is no longer operable to prevent displacement of the valve. The valve is then free to be displaced to its final position where it serves to seal off the processing fluid nozzle.

Abstract: A processing fluid receptacle of a photographic processing fluid applicator for use in a photographic film cassette capable of processing latent images on exposed film without requiring removal of the film from the cassette. The receptacle has an aperture which is initially releasably sealed by a web comprising two sections angularly disposed relative to each other with one section folded over the other. One section serves to seal the aperture, the arrangement being such that when a pulling force is exerted on the other section, the web is peeled off the receptacle in such a way that separation initially takes place along one margin of the aperture only.

Abstract: Apparatus for facilitating the achievement of locking engagement between the film strip contained in a film cassette of the type in which the film may be exposed, processed and projected without removal from the cassette, and a pull-strip for removing a tear-tab closure initially sealing a supply of processing fluid within the cassette. The supply end of the film strip contains a bottle-shaped aperture through which a tapered latching tongue provided at the free end of the pull-strip passes upon initiation of rewind after exposure. The supply reel hub is provided with a latching tongue receiving surface lying below the film receiving surface of the hub which, upon continued advancement of the film strip, receives and supports the latching tongue to fold it back upon itself.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement in apparatus for carrying out the submerged arc surfacing of metallic work pieces with metal electrode strips melting in an electric arc while forming welding beads upon the work piece. A slag breaker comprising a series of parallel plate portions disposed substantially perpendicular to the surface of the electrode strip is positioned on the leading side of the electrode strip adjacent the region of the electric arc. The slag breaker serves to break up an accumulation of fused flux particles which tend to form a sheet in front of the welding arc which, if permitted to form would block the flux feed into the welding arc on the leading side. The slag breaker thus serves to prohibit formation of such a sheet and thereby permits uniform flow of flux to insure complete submergence of the arc in the flux material thus minimizing the chance of the arc flashing through the flux burden and resulting in defects in the deposited cladding material.

Abstract: A fuel handling machine for a liquid metal cooled nuclear reactor in which a retractable handling tube and gripper are lowered into the reactor to withdraw a spent fuel assembly into the handling tube. The handling tube containing the fuel assembly immersed in liquid sodium is then withdrawn completely from the reactor into the outer barrel of the handling machine. The machine is then used to transport the spent fuel assembly directly to a remotely located decay tank. The fuel handling machine includes a decay heat removal system which continuously removes heat from the interior of the handling tube and which is capable of operating at its full cooling capacity at all times. The handling tube is supported in the machine from an articulated joint which enables it to readily align itself with the correct position in the core. An emergency sodium supply is carried directly by the machine to provide make up in the event of a loss of sodium from the handling tube during transport to the decay tank.

Abstract: A method for patterning or texturing the surface of glass manufactured by the float process. The method comprises depositing particulate carbon onto the surface of a continuous ribbon of heat softened glass which is being drawn across a molten metal bath, the ribbon being cooled into a structurally integral sheet during this process. The deposited carbon attacks the surface of the glass to thereby produce a patterned or textured finish thereon.

Abstract: A device is provided which is installed in a reactor prior to carrying out refueling operations and which accurately locates and isolates a selected core location to permit rapid withdrawal and insertion of fuel subassemblies at that location. A shielded plug designed to cooperate with the refueling apparatus is inserted into an access port in the reactor head. A structural shroud extends down from the plug and carries at its lower end a radially floating, hexagonal spreader tube with mechanisms to rotate it for angular alignment purposes and a linear drive for inserting it into the core. The upper end of the spreader tube serves as a guide for leading the fuel handling apparatus into alignment with the chosen subassembly.