Abstract: An integrated merchandise display and return package is disclosed that allows merchandise, such as a roll of photographic film, to be packaged in a container which can have a protective barrier and displayed in a retail outlet. The exposed film may be returned to a photoprocessor in a return carton that is removably attached to the container.

Abstract: A substantially closed processing station designed to disperse chemicals for uniformly coating or otherwise contacting an emulsion-coated or other surface is disclosed. The station includes opposed chemical chambers, each of which is covered with a perforated film and, optionally, a screen-like material, between which materials the photographic film or other substrate passes. Distension of the upper perforated film ensures contact between the film (or the screen) and the photographic film moving through the station while minimizing the pressure on and resulting abrading of the substrate's surface. Because the matched peripheries of the upper and lower chambers are closely fitted, the processing station is virtually sealed from the surrounding atmosphere and little degradation of the processing chemicals occurs even after extended periods of nonuse.

Abstract: A system of substantially closed processing stations designed to disperse chemicals for uniformly coating or otherwise contacting an emulsion-coated or other surface or strip is disclosed. The system comprises one or more slotted stations through which developing chemicals are transmitted into shallow sinks. The chemicals uniformly contact the strip as it travels over the sinks and subsequently are removed from the strip along with by-products of the reaction by wipers or ribs and disposed through disposal slots in the stations. The ribs also agitate the chemicals and emulsion to assist uniform developing of the strip. Because the processing station is virtually sealed from the surrounding atmosphere, little degradation of the processing chemicals occurs even after extended periods of nonuse.

Abstract: A coater applies ultraviolet curable coating material to the opposite sides of roll film by a double-sided coater which employs offset coating rolls and smoothing bars. A splice detector responds to the occurrence of a splice upstream of the coater and causes the splice region to move through the coater without applying coating material to the splice region, by lifting the emulsion side of the film off of the coating roll as the splice passes and by temporarily and sequentially interrupting the operation of the smoothing bars and the offset applicator roller on the non-emulsion or base side, concurrently with the passage of the splice therepast. In a second embodiment, the film is lifted by lifting bars off of both coating rolls and tension on the film is concurrently decreased in the coater to prevent marking of the surface of the coated film by the final smoothing bars.

Abstract: A film coater apparatus applies an ultraviolet light curable coating to the opposite side of filmstrips in which the filmstrip is initially supported at one end on a plastic leader, includes a coater formed with complementary leader guiding passageways in the opposite side walls of the coater which guide the leader through the coater in non-contacting relation to the offset coater applicator rolls and to the smoother bars so that coating material is not built-up on the leader. The coater apparatus is self-threading and includes an inlet drive roll, an ultraviolet light curing chamber, and an outlet drive pinch roll assembly which serves to grip the leader and thereafter to grip and drive the filmstrips through the coater. The outlet pinch rolls provide a draw or tension to the film to assure the desired delivery of the filmstrips through the coater and in contacting relation to the coating and smoothing elements therein.

Abstract: A coater applies ultraviolet curable coating material to the opposite sides of roll film by a double-sided coater which employs offset coating rolls and smoothing bars. A splice detector responds to the occurrence of a splice upstream of the coater and causes the splice region to move through the coater without applying coating material to the splice region, by lifting the emulsion side of the film off of the coating roll as the splice passes and by interrupting the operation of the smoothing bars and the offset applicator roller on the non-emulsion or base side, concurrently with the passage of the splice therepast.

Abstract: Spindled photographic film discs are coated with an ultraviolet light curable protective coating apparatus which receives a developer spindle carrying a plurality of film discs at a receiving station. Carry-in arms transfer the spindle into a coating station through a door and deposit the spindle at a location where the lower films on the stacked discs are partially submerged in a pool of coating liquid. A drive gear engages a spur gear on the spindle and slowly rotates the spindle for applying the coating evenly to the discs. Carry-over arms engage the spindle and carry it about the circumference of the drive gear, first lifting the spindle above the coating material and then causing the spindle to be spun at a relatively high rate for removing excess material from the discs. The carry-over arms thereafter transport the spindle through a second door and into an ultraviolet curing region while maintaining the rotation of the discs during curing.