Abstract: A transport chain includes chain links having respective nests for receiving spindles, each supporting a bank of film discs. The chain is advanced to convey spindles received in the nests successively along a transport path to photofinishing equipment, for example. A stop member is disposed in the transport path proximate the photofinishing equipment to stop the forwardmost spindle as the chain continues to advance. The forward end of a rocker arm is raised by the forwardmost spindle stopped in the transport path, which lowers a rearward end of the rocker arm into the transport path to block the next following spindle from advance with the chain. In this way, separation is maintained between the two banks of film discs supported on the forwardmost and next following spindles.

Abstract: In a diffusion-transfer processor for use with successive pairs of donors and receivers, back-side wetting of the receivers is prevented by (a) passing the meniscus of activator, which collects at the entry nip of the lamination rollers, through a gap between the rollers after exit of each pair from the rollers, and (b) removing the activator passed through the gap from the roller that contacts the back sides of the receivers to dry that roller before contacting the back side of the next receiver.

Abstract: In a camera, first and second blades are operable in a first mode as diaphragm and shutter blades, respectively, for effecting a first aperture-shutter speed combination and are operable in a second mode as shutter and diaphragm blades, respectively, for effecting a second aperture-shutter speed combination. A selector is movable to operate the first and second blades in either one of the two modes. The first aperture-shutter speed combination has a relatively low exposure value and the second aperture-shutter speed has a relatively high exposure value.

Abstract: A camera door and body are configured to allow only limited access to the camera interior for film loading, in order to shield interior mechanisms from foreign particles and tampering, and to allow greater or unlimited access to the camera interior should it become necessary, for example, to clear a film jam in the camera or to repair or clean an interior mechanism.

Abstract: A photographic camera is adapted to receive a film container which supports a filmstrip having a normally curled leader extending from the film container. As the film container is loaded in the camera, means on the camera deflects successive longitudinal edge portions of the curled leader into a substantially straight line, incrementally uncurling the film leader, and guides the uncurled leader, straightened edge portions first, into a film passageway in the camera.

Abstract: In a bottom-loaded camera, a bottom door is manually opened to allow insertion of a film container into the camera and a back door is automatically opened, in conjunction with the opening of the bottom door, to move a pressure plate on the back door to provide space for locating film from the container in the camera. Closing the bottom door closes the back door.

Abstract: In a camera, a pressure plate is urged against a film frame to hold the film frame in the focal plane of a picture-taking lens during exposure. A resiliently flexible strip, mounted on a loading door of the camera, is normally disposed in a storage plane. An actuating pin, which engages the flexible strip when the loading door is closed, connects the strip to camera mechanism, such as a shutter release. The actuating pin operates, in response to movement of the shutter release, to partially bow an intermediate portion of the strip from the storage plane by sliding a first portion of the strip in the storage plane toward a second, stationary portion of the strip. Bowing of the strip moves the intermediate portion toward the exposure plane to urge the pressure plate against the film frame before exposure and establishes a resilient force in the bowed portion for returning the strip to the storage plane after exposure.

Abstract: In film processing apparatus, a series of transfer members are respectively associated with successive baths of processing solution for transporting a plurality of film discs supported on a spindle from one bath to the next bath by transferring the spindle from one transfer member to the next transfer member over each bath.

Abstract: A camera body houses a rotatable pinion disposed in engagement with a fixed rack for translation along the rack as the pinion is rotated. A manipulatable portion of the pinion exteriorly projects through a slot in the camera body, enabling the pinion to be manually rotated. A slide member rotatably supports the pinion and is supported within the camera body for translation by the rotated pinion in adjacent overlapping relation to the slot. In this way, the slide member maintains the slot substantially closed to dirt or other foreign matter during the various stages of rotation of the pinion. A control element, adjustably movable for focusing or exposure control, is operatively coupled to the slide member for movement by the slide member in response to manual rotation of the pinion. A visual indicator on the slide member is viewable through a window in the camera body for indicating the proper setting of the control element.

Abstract: A coupling bar, to which a leading portion of a web has been secured, is engageable with a moving belt for transporting the web. To attach the coupling bar to the moving belt, gripper members of the coupling bar are positioned to straddle a reduced width section of the moving belt. The gripper members are spaced apart a distance greater than the width of the reduced section, but less than the width of a belt section which follows the reduced section. Accordingly, after the reduced width section of the moving belt is advanced from between the gripper members, the following wider section will be moved into edgewise engagement with them. By this means, the coupling bar is attached to the moving belt without the belt having to be stopped or manipulated.