Abstract: A photographic apparatus for providing an instant film system for transmission electron microscopes includes a film carrier and film unit handling apparatus compatable with existing TEM equipment. Film carrier plates, each standardized to accept an instant film sheet and to subsequently enable automatic separation of the latter, are varied in exterior configuration to conform to each type of TEM unit, and a single processor is provided for handling film processing with carrier plates utilized in any of the TEM units. The carrier plates are standardized to enable automated separation of individual exposed film sheets from the respective carrier plates in the processor, and a transfer base or transfer box is provided to cooperate with the receiver box of a given TEM design and with the processor which includes a reciprocating slide feed mechanism by which each individual film unit is ejected from the box.

Abstract: A wet film cassette and transport system for photographic diffusion transfer films having initially separate wet and dry film components. At least the wet component is contained in a tightly sealed enclosure defined by a cassette having inner and outer, relatively rotatable receptacles. Each of the receptacles is provided with a peripheral axially oriented slot, a leading end portion of the wet film projecting at all times through the slot of the inner receptacle but being capable of retraction into an annulus between the inner and outer receptacles by relative rotation of the two receptacles. Retracting movement of the inner receptacle moves a sealing pad carried thereon to a position closing the slot opening of the outer receptacle.

Abstract: A photographic apparatus for providing an instant film system for transmission electron microscopes includes a film carrier and film unit handling apparatus compatable with existing TEM equipment. Film carrier plates, each standardized to accept an instant film sheet and to subsequently enable automatic separation of the latter, are varied in exterior configuration to conform to each type of TEM unit, and a single processor is provided for handling film processing with carrier plates utilized in any of the TEM units. The carrier plates are standardized to enable automated separation of individual exposed film sheets from the respective carrier plates in the processor, and a transfer base or transfer box is provided to cooperate with the receiver box of a given TEM design and with the processor which includes a reciprocating slide feed mechanism by which each individual film unit is ejected from the box.

Abstract: A photographic apparatus for providing an instant film system for transmission electron microscopes includes a film carrier and film unit handling apparatus compatable with existing TEM equipment. Film carrier plates, each standardized to accept an instant film sheet and to subsequently enable automatic separation of the latter, are varied in exterior configuration to conform to each type of TEM unit, and a single processor is provided for handling film processing with carrier plates utilized in any of the TEM units. The carrier plates are standardized to enable automated separation of individual exposed film sheets from the respective carrier plates in the processor, and a transfer base or transfer box is provided to cooperate with the receiver box of a given TEM design and with the processor which includes a reciprocating slide feed mechanism by which each individual film unit is ejected from the box.

Abstract: Film advancing apparatus for moving a thin, planar, resilient film unit at least partially from a film cassette. The apparatus includes a member for applying a force to one end of the film unit while simultaneously blocking its movement through an egress in the film cassette, thus causing the film unit to assume a flexed stressed configuration. When the egress is unblocked, the resiliency of the film unit provides a force for moving an opposite end of the film unit out of the film cassette via the egress as it assumes its original planar configuration.

Abstract: Apparatus having a first chamber, for receiving a film cassette containing a plurality of film units of the instant type, and a second chamber, into which the film units are adapted to be sequentially advanced subsequent to their photographic exposure. The second chamber includes a film counter mounted in lighttight relation therewith for indicating the number of exposed film units contained within the second chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing a roll of self-developing type film. The film and a length of flexible sheet material are unwound from their respective spools and laminated to each other with a layer of processing liquid located therebetween prior to being wound as a laminate upon a rotating drum. After the formation of a visible image within the film, a drive train is energized to drive the spools in a direction which unwinds the laminate from the drum and simultaneously rewinds the film and sheet material upon their spools. The drive train is continuously connected to the drives for the spools and includes a clutch arrangement which insures that the rotation of the drum in an unwinding direction is under the control of the sheet material drive while the torque delivered to the film drive keeps the film taut without becoming the dominant force in rotating the drum.

Abstract: An applicator for applying a photographic processing composition to a length of sheet material. The applicator includes a reservoir for containing a supply of photographic processing composition in a substantially non-oxidative environment, and an elongate member mounted for axial movement for transferring a predetermined quantity of the processing composition from the reservoir to the exterior of the applicator whereat the processing composition is applied as a coating to the sheet material.

Abstract: There is disclosed a photographic apparatus of the instant developing type which permits exposing, processing and viewing of the film without the necessity of removing the film from the camera. Included is a film disk containing a plurality of film assemblies, each including a strippable negative sheet which is removed from the film assembly at a viewing station for facilitating viewing of the positive image transparency at such viewing station.

Abstract: Apparatus, e.g., a camera back, for locating a film cassette containing a plurality of individual, pre-mounted transparency film frames of the self-developing type in position for exposure. The apparatus includes a lighttight chamber into which the film frames are moved subsequent to their exposure. After the exposure of one or more of the film frames, the apparatus may be coupled to a film processor wherein the exposed film frames are individually removed from the lighttight chamber, processed, and delivered to the operator. The apparatus also includes a film advancing member which automatically removes a dark slide from the film cassette as it is being loaded into the apparatus.

Abstract: A pocket-size still camera of the self-developing type includes a film chamber with a rotatable platform supporting a self-developing film unit for rotation. A stepping motor is provided for rotating the platform and film unit in incremental steps to permit successive sections of the film unit to be exposed. An exit slot is provided in the film chamber to allow discharge of the exposed film unit through a pair of processing rollers. An embibing chamber is located adjacent the exit slot so as to receive the film unit for the appropriate embibition time.

Abstract: A multipurpose audio/visual film cassette (10) including supply and takeup spools (26, 28) in which opposite ends of a film strip (30) are coupled for alternate winding and unwinding during passage through a first path for film exposing, processing and projecting operations with an audio tape (54) also coupled at least on one end with the supply spool (26) and interwound with the film strip (30) to pass through a separate path, and a stripping and separating web (80) is coupled at least on one end to the supply spool (26) and preferably extending directly to the takeup spool (28) in a third path with the web (80) being arranged to overlie the side of the film strip (30) on which processing fluid is deposited and wound in convolutions between such side and the audio tape (54) to prevent adherence of the audio tape (54) to the film strip (30) and to strip a negative emulsion layer from the film strip (30) after processing.

Abstract: An applicator is provided for depositing a coating of processing fluid on a moving run of photographic film strip which includes a single fluid reservoir having an opening in an exterior surface through which processing fluid may pass. A nozzle plate is provided also having a fluid opening therein and a reservoir facing surface which is configured to be urged toward the reservoir exterior surface and to sealingly engage and to cooperate with the reservoir surface so that fluid may flow through the nozzle plate opening when the plate and reservoir are in such confronting relation. A tear tab is initially interposed between the reservoir and the nozzle plate in sealing engagement around the opening in the reservoir exterior surface so that it initially seals processing fluid in the reservoir. Removal of the tear tab from the reservoir results in release of the fluid contained therein.

Abstract: Photographic apparatus including a miniature camera for exposing, processing and viewing small format positive image transparencies. A film cassette carries a plurality of film units of a type in which each unit includes a self-contained pod of processing fluid. After exposure of a given film unit, that unit is moved from an exposure position, past a spreader bar to spread processing fluid over the exposed area of the film unit and to a viewing position in which the processed film unit is presented in a camera window through which it may be examined by light passing through the camera window and the film unit.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for reducing the force imparted at the junction between the pull strip and the film strip in a multipurpose film cassette wherein the pull strip is employed to remove a tear tab closure initially sealing a supply of processing fluid. The pull strip is formed with a free end portion adapted to engage a tactile discontinuity in the film strip upon winding of the film strip upon a film spool. The pull strip is provided with a strip of high friction material which, upon continued advancement of the film strip, engages the surface of the outermost convolution of film strip advancing to the reel and which, upon such engagement with the film strip, cooperates with it to resist at least a portion of the force imparted through the pull strip during removal of the tear tab closure, thereby reducing the force imparted to the junction between the pull strip and the film strip.

Abstract: An emulsion stripping apparatus for removing spent layers of photographic materials from a film strip connected permanently at opposite ends to supply and take-up spools rotatable within a multi-purpose cassette in which the film strip is contained without removal during exposure, processing and projection. A stripping web of the same width as the film strip is connected releasably at one end on the supply spool and extends to the take-up spool but is not physically connected to the take-up spool. When a processing operation occurs in which the film strip is coated with processing fluid and rewound on the supply spool, the stripping web becomes interwound with the processed film strip. At the end of such processing rewind, the end of the stripping web initially extending to the take-up spool now extends in a general tangential direction from the periphery of the filled supply spool.

Abstract: Method and fluid applicator apparatus usable in a photographic film cassette and including a pressure pad having a film engaging surface for slidably supporting successive incremental portions of a strip of photographic film in a given plane as the film strip progressively advances in a given direction across a nozzle opening through which processing fluid is deposited on the film's emulsion surface having a particle engaging surface depending from the film engaging surface and facing in a direction opposite to the direction to divert particles impinging thereagainst in a manner and direction so that they are prevented from being caught by the particle engaging surface of the pressure pad.

Abstract: In apparatus for transfering an elongated strip of material wound upon and attached to a first spool from the first spool to a second spool to which the other end of the strip is attached in response to driving torque applied to the second spool, means are provided for terminating the driving torque upon the second spool substantially immediately following passage of all of the elongated strip of material from the first spool to the second spool. In a preferred embodiment means are provided to cooperate with and rotate with the first spool during the transfer of the elongated material to the second spool. Upon complete passage of the strip of material to the second spool, the first spool ceases to rotate and means rotating with the first spool is configured to undergo and axial outward movement at this time as a result of its rotational inertia. This axial outward movement is utilized to trigger a signal causing termination of application of driving torque to the second reel.

Abstract: A film strip carried in a multipurpose film cassette is provided with a conformation thereon which cooperates with structure carried by a processor disabling valve which may be slidably advanced, when engaged by the conformation, upon film advancement. The conformation comprises an aperture provided in the central region of the film strip which is adapted to engage a film strip engaging finger provided on the slide valve. The film strip engaging finger is disposed in a region between a pair of spaced film guiding fingers which engage only the outermost edges of the film strip. The spaced film guiding fingers and other structure in the cassette cooperate to guide the film strip in a curved S-shaped path during normal film advancement thereby. The film strip is further provided with a pair of elongated longitudinally extending slots on opposing sides of the centrally disposed slide valve engaging aperture.

Abstract: A multipurpose audio/visual film cassette including supply and takeup spools in which opposite ends of a film strip are coupled for alternate winding and unwinding during passage through a first path for film exposing, processing and projecting operations with an audio tape also coupled at least on one end with the supply spool and interwound with the film strip to pass through a separate path, and a separating web is coupled at least on one end to the supply spool and preferably extending directly to the takeup spool in a third path. The separating web is arranged to overlie the side of the film strip on which processing fluid is deposited so as to be wound in convolutions between such side and the sound tape in order to prevent adherence of the sound tape to the film strip as a result of being interwound therewith before the processing fluid has dried.