Abstract: A light-tight enclosure (10) for storing and dispensing a roll (12) of photosensitive web material (14) wound about a hollow cylindrical core (42) having open opposite ends (32, 34). The enclosure comprises a flexible opaque bag (16) with opposite sidewalls (18) extending between opposing rearward and forward portions (20, 22) and between opposing upper and lower portions (24, 26). Each sidewall has a central aperture (28, 30) therein congruent with each core end. The rearward portion defines a closable opening for receiving the roll. A shallow neck portion (36) projects from the forward portion to an end thereof defining an exit slot (40) for dispensing the web material. An annular ring (48) is light-tightly bonded to the inner surface of each sidewall congruent with the central apertures.

Abstract: A valve assemblage (10, 50) for controlling the flow between fast and second containerized systems (C.sub.1, C.sub.2) having first and second openings (A,B), respectively. The assemblage comprises a first valve assembly (12, 52) positioned at the first opening of the fast containerized system and a second valve assembly (14, 54) positioned at the second opening of the second containerized system. A piston (20, 84) in the first valve assembly, when in a first position opens an entrance port (18, 100) for receiving fluid from or passing fluid into the first containerized system; and correspondingly, a retractable sleeve (36, 136) in the second valve assembly (14, 54) opens an entrance port (30, 122) in a proboscis member (26, 110) having a channel (28, 118) and outlet (32, 142, 144) for passing fluid to or receiving fluid from the second containerized system.

Abstract: An apparatus for indicating the presence or absence of a sheet within a cassette. The apparatus includes a plate and a mask stationarily mounted on a first side of the plate. An indicating element is movably mounted in overlapping orientation to the mask for one-dimensional movement between a first position wherein the indicating element and the mask define a first pattern indicative of the absence of the sheet, and a second position wherein the indicating element and the mask define a second pattern indicative of the presence of the sheet. A spring biases the indicating element in the first position, and a movable member moves the indicating element to define the second pattern when the sheet is positioned within the cassette. Alternatively, the indicating element is stationarily mounted and the mask is movably mounted for one-dimensional movement.

Abstract: A valve assembly for dispensing a measured quantity of a gelatinous semisolid material into a receptacle comprises a cylindrical housing provided with a piston actuatable to move through the throughbore of the housing to a cap provided with a cylindrical sleeve. Mounted within the sleeve is a hollow valve body connected to a sealing member having an end of circular cross-section and a slidable hollow cylindrical body provided with an orifice whose cross-section is substantially equal to that of the end of the sealing member. The barrel is connected to the valve body by springs. In the valve closed position the end of the sealing member is situated in the barrel orifice, preventing the dispensing of the gelatinous material; in the valve open position the barrel is pushed away from the sealing member, allowing the material to be dispensed. The barrel returns to the valve closed position after the material has been dispensed.

Abstract: A combined shipping and dispensing package for fluid containers has an outer container and an internal packing. The internal packing has mating support members, each having a rib section with openings with extending, compliant jacket walls that form cavities to receive and support the fluid containers. Collar portions are formed in the rib section and upper cavity walls to provide support for dispensing conduits extending outwardly of the fluid containers. Compliant spacer walls extend laterally from the rib section to provide lateral support and shock absorption for the jacketed cavities. The package may be used for direct positioning of the fluid container dispensing conduits onto mating fluid receptacles on associated processing equipment without removing the fluid containers from the package.

Abstract: Flow control system (10) for controlling the flow between first and second containerized systems (12,14) has a first flow control member (20) positioned in the first containerized member (12) for cooperating with a second flow control member (22) positioned in the second containerized system (14). The first flow control member (20) has a fluid flow channel (28) in fluid communication with a proboscis member (50) having a through channel (58) in the second flow control member (14). Displacement of the flow control members (20,22) toward and away from one another enables the proboscis member (50) to open and, alternatively, close communicating fluid flow channels connecting the first and second containerized systems (12,14), without apparent leakage.

Abstract: A water-resistant camera housing comprises a pair of housing sections, and a waterproof sealing band covering a seam between the housing sections to provide a water-resistant seal for the seam. The pair of housing sections are joined at an integral flexible hinge in line with the seam to constitute a single-piece housing. The sealing band has a pair of opposite end portions that are located adjacent one another over the flexible hinge.

Abstract: A light-tight enclosure (10) for storing and dispensing a roll of photosensitive web material (32) directly in a cooperating apparatus without need for an auxiliary cartridge. The web is wound about a cylindrical core (34, 68, 74) having flush, closed opposite ends (36) and an axial bore (38) in each end. The core may be closed by integral ends or by fullfitting plugs (76). The enclosure comprises a flexible opaque bag (12) with opposite sidewalls (16) extending between opposing rearward and forward portions (18 and 20) and between opposing upper and lower portions (22 and 24). Each sidewall has a central aperture therein congruent with each core end. The rearward portion defines a closable opening for receiving the roll. A shallow neck portion (26) projects from the forward portion to an end (28) thereof defining an exit slot (30) for dispensing the web material.

Abstract: A system and method are taught for transferring fluids between a container and an associated apparatus for using the fluid. Interface members (52, 68; 86, 88) on the container (80, 82) cooperate with sensor probe assemblies (54, 70; 90-108) and a controller (56) in the associated apparatus to indicate the status of the container as full or partially full of fresh liquid, emptied of fresh liquid, or full or partially full of effluent liquid. The likelihood of delivering the wrong liquid to the associated apparatus is minimized. The invention is particularly useful for delivery of liquid chemicals to a photographic processor apparatus.

Abstract: A hand-held spray pump includes a pump mechanism which may be pre-assembled and a pump housing which receives and encloses the pump mechanism. The pump mechanism includes a minimal number of inexpensive parts which are slidably assembled and snapped together. The housing includes a body portion and a cover portion with the body portion slidably receiving a trigger for operating the pump mechanism and for slidably receiving the pump mechanism. After the pump mechanism has been inserted into the body portion, the cover is snap-fitted over the pump mechanism. By utilizing the aforedescribed configuration, the pump housing may be readily changed without requiring changes in the configuration of the pump mechanism.

Abstract: A cassette (10) has a tubular web core (12) onto which is wound a web (14) of photosensitive material to form a web roll. The web roll is housed within a substantially rectangular jacket (16) which has an exit slot (20) extending substantially from one side edge of the jacket (16) through which the web (14) may be drawn from the cassette (10). Moreover, cassette (10) comprises a pair of end caps (22) having tubular hub members (25) insertable into opposite ends of tubular core opening (39) defined by sleeve portion (38) of tubular web core (12) for rotatably supporting tubular web core (12). In the preferred embodiment, each hub member (25) has at least one flexible lock (44) at the free end thereof such that when the flexible lock (44) rotatably engages core grooves (36), separation of the end caps (22) from the jacket (16) is prevented.

Abstract: A method of preventing clockspringing of a web wound inside a cassette (10) having a tubular web core (12) onto which is wound a web (14) of photosensitive material to form a web roll. The web roll is housed within a substantially rectangular jacket (16) which has a exit slot (20) extending substantially from one side edge of the jacket (16) through which the web (14) may be drawn from the cassette (10). Moreover, cassette (10) comprises a pair of end caps (22) having tubular hub members (25) insertable over opposite ends of tubular core opening (39) defined by sleeve portion (38) of tubular web core (12) for rotatably supporting tubular web core (12). In the preferred embodiment, each hub member (25) has at least one flexible lock (44) at the free end thereof such that when the flexible lock (44) rotatably engages core grooves (36), separation of the end caps (22) from the jacket (16) is prevented.

Abstract: A tray and dispenser for holding and dispensing individual film packets from a stack of film packets provided in a tray. The tray comprises a bottom wall, an first end wall, a second end wall, and two substantially parallel side walls. The side and end walls extend upwardly from the bottom wall and terminate in an upper rim to define an open top and a recess for receiving a stack of film packets. The second end wall is provided with a support surface for supporting a stack of film packets placed in the recess when the tray is placed in the vertical position. The bottom wall of the tray is provided with ribs for spacing the stack of film packets a predetermined distance from the surface of the bottom wall and forming a rear space behind the bottom packet. The second end wall is also provided with an access opening for allowing access to the packet disposed on the bottom of the stack of film packets when the tray is placed in the substantial vertical position.

Abstract: A light-tight cassette (10) has an anti-clockspringing method for preventing clockspringing of a wound roll of web material (14) within the cassette (10) during storage and shipment. The web material (14) is mounted on a tubular web core (12) arranged to rotate about an axis within the cassette (10). Cassette (10) has at least one end cap (22) having a tubularly shaped hub member (34). Hub member (34) has a diametrically extending bar (38) for receiving an anti-clockspring means comprising a fork (44) having a central member (52) comprising spaced anti-rotation arms (42,44) for receiving bar (38). Fork (44), moreover, comprises at least one flexible latch finger (46) that latchingly engages the end cap (22) and a flexible lock finger (48) that is wedged between and into an annular gap formed when the hub member (20) is inserted into the web core (12) for locking the web core (12) against rotation.

Abstract: An improved light-tight web cassette 10 is disclosed for holding and dispensing a roll of photosensitive web material. The web cassette 10 comprises a tubular core 12 onto which a roll of web 14 material is wound. A jacket 16 surrounds the web roll and is provided with side edges 18. A pair of end caps 22 is provided, each end cap 22 having a central openings 28 and a peripheral recess 24 for receiving the end edges 18 of the jacket 16 in light-tight relation. A core plug 34 is provided for each end cap 22 which is adapted, when pressed through the central opening 28 into the tubular core 16 to an assembled position, to press and hold the end edges 18 of the jacket 16 into the recesses 24 of the end caps 22 in light-tight relation. Core plugs 34, moreover, holds the end caps 22 against the end of core 12.

Abstract: A tray and dispenser for holding and dispensing individual film packets from a stack of film packets provided in a tray. The tray comprises a bottom wall, an first end wall, a second end wall, and two substantially parallel side walls. The side and end walls extend upwardly from the bottom wall and terminate in an upper rim to define an open top and a recess for receiving a stack of film packets. The second end wall is provided with a support surface for supporting a stack of film packets placed in the recess when the tray is placed in the vertical position. The bottom wall of the tray is provided with ribs for spacing the stack of film packets a predetermined distance from the surface of the bottom wall and forming a rear space behind the bottom packet. The second end wall is also provided with an access opening for allowing access to the packet disposed on the bottom of the stack of film packets when the tray is placed in the substantial vertical position.

Abstract: A cassette for wound web material has an anti-clockspringing mechanism for securing the web against movement during storage and shipment. The roll of web material is mounted on a tubular core (12) arranged to rotate with the roll of material within the cassette (10).The cassette (10) has a jacket (16), end caps (22), and core plugs (34) for securing the end caps (22) onto end edges (18) of the jacket cassette (10). Each of the end caps (22) has a plurality of radially extending spaced apart stop (32). The anti-clockspringing mechanism comprises an arm (56) on the core plug (34) movable between a core-blocking position in which the arm (56) extends into a space between two adjacent ribs (32) and is retained therebetween for preventing rotation of the web roll, and a core-unblocking position on which the arm (56) is disengaged from the ribs (32) for allowing web rotation.

Abstract: A dispensing pump having a minimal number of molded plastic components is configured to have a relatively low. profile when mounted on a spray container. The pump includes a base having a chamber depending downwardly therefrom within which is received a piston biased by a spring. The piston has a piston rod which extends upwardly through the base for coupling with one leg of a L-shaped handle pivoted on the base. Upon squeezing the handle, the handle rotates to lift the piston to pressurize liquid in the container. The liquid is dispensed laterally of the base through a valve body which includes a rotatable valve element seated therein. The rotatable valve element rotates about an axis perpendicular to the valve body and includes both an opening for releasing a stream of liquid from the pump and an opening for releasing a spray of liquid from the pump. In order to refill the chamber with liquid from the container, a dip tube extends from the base and is in communication with the chamber.

Abstract: A light-tight enclosure for storing and dispensing a roll of photosensitive web material wound about a hollow cylindrical core having open opposite ends. The enclosure comprises a flexible opaque bag with opposite sidewalls extending between opposing rearward and forward portions and opposing upper and lower portions. Each sidewall has a central aperture therein congruent with each core end. The rearward portion defines a closable opening for receiving the roll. A shallow neck portion projects from the forward portion to an end thereof defining an exit slot for dispensing the web material. A collar fits tightly inside each core end, with an annular flange thereon facing axially outward. An annular ring is attachable to each collar in spaced, inward-facing relation to the flange.