Abstract: In a film cassette, a spool core is supported for rotation in an unwinding direction to thrust a leader section of a filmstrip coiled about the spool core through a film passageway to the exterior of the cassette. A pair of flanges are arranged in spaced relation along the spool core to overlie opposite longitudinal edges of the filmstrip to radially confine the filmstrip. The flanges are adapted to permit the longitudinal film edges to force the flanges farther apart to allow the filmstrip to escape the confinement of the flanges to permit the leader section to the thrust outside the cassette. According to the invention, the leader section is relieved to permit its forward edge to be thrust clear of a light-trapping means in the film passageway before the longitudinal film edges begin to force the flanges apart, whereby when the spool core is rotated in the unwinding direction any resistance the light-trapping means and the flanges present to film movement is more easily overcome.

Abstract: In a film cassette, a film spool comprises a spool core supported for rotation in an unwinding direction to thrust a leader section of a filmstrip coiled about the spool core from the cassette and in a winding direction to return the leader to the cassette, and a pair of flanges positioned along the spool core to overlie opposite sides of the film roll. The flanges have respective central openings through which the spool core axially extends to normally permit each of the flanges to be independently rotated relative to the spool core in the unwinding and winding directions.

Abstract: A film cassette comprises a spool rotatable in an unwinding direction to thrust a leader section of a film roll coiled about the spool out of the cassette and in a winding direction to rewind the leader into the cassette; a pair of flanges coaxially arranged along the spool to normally permit each of the flanges to be independently rotated relative to the spool in the unwinding and winding directions and to radially confine the film roll within skirted peripheries of the flanges; and a film stripper received between the leader and the next-inward convolution of the film roll to free the leader from the flanges by inducing the leader to flex the flanges slightly away from one another at their skirted peripheries responsive to rotation of the spool in the unwinding direction.

Abstract: In a film cassette capable of propelling a non-protruding film leader to the exterior of the cassette shell, a camming flange is rotated coaxially with respect to a film spool in a film unwinding direction to deflect one of the flanges of the spool firmly against the outermost convolution of the film roll wound on the spool. This enables rotation of the spool in the same direction to propel the film leader out of the cassette shell.

Abstract: In a film cassette, a film spool comprises a spool core supported for rotation in an unwinding direction to thrust a leader section of a film roll coiled about the spool core to the exterior of the cassette and in a winding direction to return the leader to the interior of the cassette, and a pair of flanges positioned along the spool core to overlie opposite sides of the film roll to radially confine the film roll within skirted peripheries of the flanges. The flanges have respective central openings through which the spool core coaxially extends to normally permit the flanges and the spool core to be independently rotated in the two directions.

Abstract: A film cassette comprises a film spool supported inside a lighttight shell for rotation to thrust a filmstrip coiled about the spool automatically to the exterior of the shell, and a film exposure status indicator supported for rotation relative to the shell from an unexposed position for providing a visible indication that the filmstrip is unexposed to an exposed position for providing a visible indication that the filmstrip is exposed. The status indicator includes a lock-out means arranged for engagement by a blocking member in a camera to prevent insertion of the cassette into the camera, when the status indicator is in the exposed position, and a cut-out located with respect to the lock-out means for receiving the blocking member to allow insertion of the film cassette into the camera, when the status indicator is in the unexposed position.

Abstract: A film cassette comprises a spool rotatable in unwinding and winding directions to thrust a leader section of a film roll coiled about the spool from the cassette and to return the leader to the cassette; a pair of flanges coaxially arranged along the spool to normally permit each of the flanges to be independently rotated relative to the spool in the two directions and to radially confine the film roll within skirted peripheries of the flanges; and a film stripper received between the leader and the next-inward convolution of the film roll to free the leader from the flanges by inducing the leader to flex the flanges away from one another at their skirted peripheries responsive to rotation of the spool in the unwinding direction. According to the invention, the spool has a pair of integral disks located within the skirted peripheries of the flanges to include the film roll between the disks.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing light sensitive sheet or roll material includes a plurality of processing stations for applying solutions to the surface of the material. A movable endless web partially immersed in a wash tank has a portion of its path outside of the tank for transporting sheet material to be processed past the processing stations.Means are provided for placing the sheet material on the web at one end of the path portion outside the tank and for removing the material at the other end of the path portion. The continuous circulation of the web through the wash tank removes any processing solutions and debris from the web.Means are provided for periodically purging the processing stations with cleaning solution which is also removed in the wash tank.

Abstract: A film cassette comprises a lighttight cassette shell, and film information indicia consisting essentially of a series of optically readable photoreflective and non-reflective bits. According to the invention, sensor positioning means is fixed to the shell for supporting a photoreflective type optoelectronic sensor a suitable distance from the optically readable bits to establish a substantially optimal angle of reflection for the optoelectronic sensor to read the film information indicia.

Abstract: A film metering pawl suitable for use with a motorized film drive has a perforation sensing tooth with a sloping leading edge that allows the tooth to be cammed out of each perforation by the perforation leading edge during prewind/rewind. The pawl also has an integral ramp which cooperates with a fixed pin to be lifted out of each perforation during frame-to-frame film advance beyond registration positions between exposures, without the necessity for mechanical connection to the camera exposure system. An infrared sensor monitors pawl position for motor drive/synchronization purposes.

Abstract: Sensor apparatus is intended to be used with a film cassette which includes optically readable film information indicia and a viewing aperture for viewing the film information indicia. The sensor apparatus comprises an optoelectronic sensor for reading the film information indicia, and a mount for the optoelectronic sensor complementarily shaped with respect to the viewing aperture to fit only part way into the viewing aperture to critically position the optoelectronic sensor relative to the film information indicia.

Abstract: A photographic camera is to be used with a film cassette having a film exposure status indicator normally secured in an unexposed position for providing a visible indication that a filmstrip within the cassette is unexposed and releasable from the unexposed position to permit its movement to an exposed position for providing a visible indication that the filmstrip is exposed. According to the invention, the camera includes a loading chamber configured to receive the film cassette with the status indicator secured in the unexposed position, and release means located in the loading chamber for releasing the status indicator to permit its movement to the exposed position.

Abstract: A viewfinder for a tele/pan camera includes a slidable U-shaped bracket having three spaced eyepiece lenses with associated reticles and two spaced auxiliary lenses. The bracket is shiftable relative to the optical axis of a fixed panoramic lens and spherical mirror, to provide changes in viewfinder magnification and fields of view corresponding to "pan," "normal" and "tele" settings.

Abstract: An electrically operated shutter for photographic apparatus, particularly cameras, wherein a movable element for blocking and unblocking the light path to the film is operated by the bending and unbending of a bimetallic element upon heating by electric current and subsequent cooling, preferably with the use of heat sink means moveable into heat transferring relation with the bimetallic element to hasten cooling.

Abstract: A magnetic head is mounted on a camera film platen which is supported for constrained movement relative to the camera body to maintain a precise relationship between an information track recorded on the film and a film edge. The magnetic head is pivotally mounted on the film platen. Means are provided to establish one angular orientation of the head to establish one angular orientation of the head with respect to the film during prewind to read information recorded by the film manufacturer and a second different angular orientation during transport of the film in the opposite direction during film exposure to record information relating to film exposure. This enables a camera to distinguish between information recorded by the manufacturer and information recorded by a camera to determine if mid-roll interrupt occurred and, if so, the location of the last frame exposed.

Abstract: A film metering mechanism has parallel pawl and blade elements with apertures that align in the beam of an infrared detector to slow down a camera drive motor when a pawl tooth senses a perforation during film advance, prior to reaching a drive motor stopping point. The pawl has a cutout with upper longitudinal and ramp surfaces that engage a fixed pin. The blade has a stepped surface that shifts contact between two pawl pins in correspondence with the relative location of the cutout surfaces and the fixed pin.

Abstract: A contact carrier is pivotally coupled to a body portion that defines a chamber for receiving a power source battery, to support a door for pivotal movement with the contact carrier between a closed position covering the chamber and an open position uncovering the chamber. The contact carrier includes an electrically conductive contact for making electrical connection with a corresponding contact of the battery and to bias the battery into the chamber, when the door is closed. The door and the contact carrier are translationally coupled to permit the door to be translated relative to the contact carrier in the closed position to latch the door. Thus, since the contact carrier remains stationary during latching movement of the door, the electrical connection between the two contacts will not be disturbed.

Abstract: In a film cassette, a spool core is supported for rotation in an unwinding direction to thrust a leader section of a film roll coiled about the spool core to the exterior of the cassette and in a winding direction to return the leader to the interior of the cassette. A pair of flanges are arranged in spaced relation along the spool core to radially confine the leader. The flanges are adapted to be flexed apart to permit the leader to readily escape the confinement of the flanges when the spool core is rotated in the unwinding direction. According to the invention, the leader has respective edge portions for flexing the flanges apart in succession when the spool core is rotated in the unwinding direction, whereby the leader can more easily overcome any resistance the flanges may present to movement of the leader outwardly of the flanges.