Abstract: In a photographic film unit having a pair of sheets connected in superposition with a photosensitive layer located between the sheets, a container carrying a quantity of fluent processing composition is arranged to provide for the discharge of the composition to between the sheets. A fluid receiver or trap is provided at the opposite edge of the sheets to receive and store excess processing composition after it has been spread between the sheets. The improvement comprises a trap construction wherein an intermediate sheet, which is disposed between the pair of sheets and is coupled to both of them, extends from between the pair of sheets at the trailing end thereof and is folded around one of the sheets at that end to form a trap cover over the trap volume between that folded portion and the outside surface of that one sheet. Spacing elements are formed by embossing the trailing end of that one sheet and fluid flow slits are formed by slitting the trailing edge of that sheet.

Abstract: A photo-identification card comprises a plastic laminate permanently encasing a photographically-exposable film chip that is developable by a single processing fluid. The laminate includes a core spacer having a compartment for receiving the chip with the spacer surrounding substantially the entire edge perimeter of the chip. Transparent cover panels, fused to the spacer by plastic-to-plastic bonds, physically protect the chip while permitting exposure and viewing through the laminate. Access ports are provided leading from the exterior of the laminate to the compartment for delivering the processing fluid to the chip.

Abstract: A film pack, which includes a stack of instant-processing film units received in a housing, has a slide plate that is permanently coupled to the housing for reciprocal movement between a first position residing in the stack and a second position removed from the stack. Initially the slide plate serves as a dark slide to shield the film units from fogging through an exposure aperture in the housing. When reciprocated, however, such as in a processing camera, the slide plate is guided to enter the stack behind the forwardmost film unit, and to remove that unit from the housing through an exit slot. The slide plate can also support the forwardmost film unit in the exposure position, shield other than the forwardmost unit from exposure when the film units are transparent, and assist in controlling processing of the film units.

Abstract: A photographic film unit, including a film disk carried on a hub, has a mass of firm material deposited between the disk and the hub so that the mass, rather than the dimensions of the respective parts, accurately determines the relative film-to-hub alignment. The hub initially fits loosely in a central film-disk aperture. The material, a thermo-plastic, is then melted ultrasonically to flow between the disk and the hub, eliminating the looseness, and maintaining the disk on the hub in accurate alignment. According to one disclosed embodiment, the thermoplastic material adheres a retainer ring to the hub with the film disk captured therebetween. The thermoplastic then fills the interstices between the ring, the hub, and the disk to exclude foreign matter, such as processing fluids.

Abstract: A photographic cartridge assembly includes a photosensitive film disk rotatably received between opposed parallel walls of a thin cartridge casing. The casing is adapted to be opened, to release the disk for processing and printing, by prying the casing apart until it fractures at one edge and then tearing the casing from the fracture toward the opposite edge. In order to insure that the resulting opening is at a predetermined location in the casing, and is large enough to remove the disk, channels are provided in a casing wall to lead the tear along two paths extending oppositely around the periphery of the disk from the one edge to the opposite edge.

Abstract: A preregistered instant-processing film unit including an internal dark slide and adapted for use in exposure apparatus having processing rollers. The film unit includes a leader that carries "saddle detents" or detent shims located on opposite sides of the dark slide and having a caliper greater than the thickness of the dark slide. The shims are positioned to receive the rollers, both to provide sufficient clearance for removal of the dark slide therebetween and to hold the rest of the film unit in position while the dark slide is removed.

Abstract: A processing apparatus has a processing chamber configured to receive a plurality of cylindrically-shaped film units. The film units comprise a plurality of film discs supported by a central aperture on an elongated shaft, in spaced relation and with the disc faces normal to the shaft axis, and end drive discs slightly larger in diameter than the film discs. The drive discs have a guide lug extending from their exposed sides and guide grooves are provided in the processing chamber interior. The first inserted film unit is directed into driving engagement with a drive means located at the lower portion of the chamber and subsequently inserted film units are directed into driving relation with the unit therebeneath. Processing fluids are sequentially introduced and discharged from the chamber with the film units rotating to effect film development.

Abstract: An instant-processing film unit of the preregistered, integral type includes an internal dark slide which protects the unit from exposure prior to use. The film unit includes a photosensitive element and a cover sheet between which the dark slide is removeably positioned to shield one side of the photosensitive element from light. Exposure from the other side is prevented by an opaque layer in the element itself. When used with an opaque processing composition, the unit can be handled in daylight, without fogging, both before and after exposure. The film unit is adapted for use in commercially available adapters for professional type cameras.

Abstract: An instant-processing film unit of the preregistered type is adapted for use in commercially available adapters for professional type cameras. The film unit includes a photosensitive element for recording a processable latent image, a cover sheet for facilitating the distribution of a processing composition over the element, and an internal dark slide removably positioned between the photosensitive element and cover sheet for shielding one side of the element from premature exposure. The dark slide extends from between the photosensitive element and cover sheet through an opening at one end of the film unit, and is provided with an opaque hood which is attached to the dark slide and encloses the opening to protect such end from light leaks.

Abstract: A preregistered, instant-processing film unit including an internal dark slide removeable from an end section of the unit and a light seal for preventing daylight fogging of the unit from said end section. The film unit includes a photosensitive element for recording a processable latent image. A cover sheet is connected to the photosensitive element and the dark slide is removeably positioned between the element and sheet. The light seal includes a strip coupled to the photosensitive element and folded into the dark slide so that the strip is released by the act of removing the dark slide.

Abstract: A non-contacting electrical coupler for connecting a linearly movable radio frequency load to a stationary radio frequency power source both having a mean operating wavelength of .lambda.. The coupler comprises a pair of stationary parallel first generally tubular conductor members, each of which have an axially extending opening through the wall thereof. Terminal means are provided near a first end of the first conductor members connecting each of them to opposite sides of the power source. The first conductor members are connected together at a point located a distance substantially equal to odd multiples of .lambda./4 from the first end. A pair of movable second conductor members are disposed substantially coaxially one within each of the first conductor members. Each of the second conductor members have a length substantially equal to .lambda./4 and are axially movable within the first conductor members.

Abstract: Apparatus for moving a tool such as an ultrasonic transducer into and out of engagement with a workpiece comprises actuating means including a piston and a toggle linkage between the piston and the tool. One end of the linkage is coupled to the tool, and the other end engages resilient means which yields after the tool first engages the workpiece and then moves resiliently toward its original position to maintain the tool in contact with the workpiece as yielding occurs.

Abstract: Ultrasonic method and apparatus having improved turn-on. Low level power is furnished to an unloaded transducer to start it running at a desired frequency. High level power is then furnished the transducer for performing the ultrasonic operation while loaded. The high level power is stopped and the low level power is maintained, reduced or stopped before the load is removed.

Abstract: A layer of magnetic particles in a resin binder on a carrier is smoothed by effecting relative movement between the carrier and a vibrating ultrasonic horn having a surface in contact with the layer. The carrier can be a web of fully coated magnetic tape or of striped motion picture film; and can be passed over a solid metal anvil or can be drawn tautly over the horn without requiring an anvil. The horn can be perpendicular to the carrier for hammering the layer; or it can be essentially parallel to the surface of the carrier, and either transversely or longitudinally extending, for scrubbing the layer smooth. The smoothing procedure can also be performed while the carrier is immersed in a solvent for removing dirt particles. Advantageously the procedure is performed when the binder is fresh and less than fully cured; but it can also be performed by heating a resin binder to the desired plasticity before the smoothing operation.

Abstract: A photographic film unit with lateral and transverse edges having a pair of sheets connected in superposition with a photosensitive layer located between the sheets. A container carrying a quantity of fluent processing composition is arranged to provide for the discharge of the composition to between the sheets. The improvement comprises an integral intermediate sheet disposed between the pair of sheets and coupled to both of them at the lateral marginal portions thereof and separating such lateral marginal portions of the sheets by a predetermined amount. A portion of the intermediate sheet extends from between the pair of sheets at one end thereof and is secured transversely to one of the sheets at that end and is folded away from that sheet over itself within the compass of that sheet to define a compartment for fluent processing composition. The intermediate sheet has a centrally disposed exposure aperture and lateral edges which are in register with the lateral edges of the other sheets.

Abstract: In a photographic film unit having a pair of sheets connected in superposition with a photosensitive layer located between the sheets, a container carrying a quantity of processing composition is arranged to provide for the discharge of the composition to between the sheets at the leading end of the film unit. A fluid receiver or trap is provided at the trailing end of the film unit to receive and store excess processing composition after it has been spread between the sheets. The trap includes trap spacing means, trap cover means, and trap-venting means formed of a plurality of holes through the trap cover means. The improvement comprises a processing-composition-impervious layer on the surface of and substantially coextensive with the trap spacing means adjacent the trap cover means whereby the processing composition is restrained from reaching the trap-venting holes without restraining air or gas from reaching the venting holes for escape from the film unit.

Abstract: Apparatus comprises a tool member (U) such as a sonic transducer, a fixture (F) for a workpiece, an anvil member (A), one of the members being stationary and the other being movable toward and away from the stationary member, a carriage (31) for the movable member, first means such as a piston rod (49) for holding the carriage up in ready position, second means such as a valve (VI) for releasing the first means to cause the carriage to descend to the workpiece, and third means such as a piston rod 51 for retarding descent to a velocity less than the free fall gravitational velocity. An automatic control system comprises sensing means, control relays and timing relays for activating the movable member, for energizing the tool member, for timing the period of energization, and for assuring dwell of the movable member in contact with the workpiece after the tool is deenergized.