Abstract: Apparatus for receiving a film cassette containing a roll of film, and a film take-up spool mounted within the apparatus and constructed so as to facilitate the attachment of a leading end (leader) of the film thereto. The take-up spool includes a first member which is rotatably supported within the apparatus and a second member which is pivotably connected to one end of the first member for movement between a first position wherein the leader may be laid across the first member and a second position in which the leader is clamped between the first and second members. The second member is moved into the second position in response to the closing of a loading door.

Abstract: A disposable, manually operable, film processor of the type which is adapted to superpose the emulsion side of an exposed strip of self-developing transparency type film with a length of sheet material having a layer of processing composition thereon and wind the resulting laminate upon a take-up roller until visible images have been formed in the film. After formation of the visible images, the laminate is unwound from the take-up roller and the film stripped from the sheet material and directed outside of the processor. An interlock is provided for insuring that the processor's loading door is opened before the laminate can be unwound thereby insuring the movement of the film to the exterior of the processor.

Abstract: A photographic system for coupling together discrete photosensitive and image receiving sheet elements of a self-developing film unit, after the photosensitive sheet element is exposed, bringing the coupled sheet elements into superposition, and applying a compressive pressure progressively along the length of the superposed elements to distribute a processing composition therebetween. The system is especially useful from handling large format, e.g. 8.times.10 size, film units and includes a processor for receiving a cassette holding the photosensitive sheet, and a sheet advancing mechanism for advancing an image receiving sheet into the forward end of the cassette, through an access slot therein, wherein the image receiving sheet element becomes coupled to the photosensitive sheet.

Abstract: A shutter mechanism for a camera has a plurality of shutter elements each of which is associated with a predetermined elemental area of a photosensitive film frame located behind the shutter mechanism. Each of the shutter elements is selectively operable independently of the other elements for transmitting light from a scene being photographed to the film area with which the shutter element is associated. Initial acutation of the shutter mechanism causes simultaneous opening of each shutter element for initiating exposure. Then, each shutter element is independently closed in accordance with a predetermined amount of light being incident on the given film area. Thus, the amount of light incident on various elemental areas of the film frame is independently controlled to compress the range of scene brightness to within the linear range of the film.

Abstract: A collapsible camera apparatus of a type having at least two sections connected in pivotal relation to each other with a substantially planar surface associated with one section pivotal about a line orthogonal to a second substantially planar surface associated with the other section, further includes circuit board means angularly and permanently prefolded in interconnecting relation between the planar surfaces in a manner whereby the angular prefold remains substantially uneffected by pivotal motion between the sections. The circuit board is arranged to flex in a gradual manner over an extended length portion thereof thus accommodating pivotal motion between the camera sections without flexing the printed circuit board means about its angular prefold.

Abstract: A film advancing-fluid spreading apparatus for progressively distributing a released mass of a processing composition across an exposed photosensitive layer of a film unit carrying a pod wherein the processing composition is contained. A pair of pressure-applying members having juxtaposed surfaces are rotatably mounted for contacting and advancing upper and lower surfaces of the film unit therebetween to distribute a layer of the processing composition across the photosensitive layer of the film unit. One of the pair of pressure-applying members includes a pinion axially coupled thereto which receives energy from a motor connected to a power transmitting system including a coupler whereby energy is transferred from the motor to rotate the pinion in a predetermined direction.