Abstract: A transparency film assemblage having a film frame of the instant or self-developing type and a roller assembly specifically adapted for use with the assemblage during the spreading of a processing liquid between an emulsion side of the film frame and a strip sheet. The film assemblage includes a sheet of material having a tab at one end which when pulled, subsequent to the spreading of the processing liquid between the film frame's emulsion side and a strip sheet, removes the strip sheet from covering relation with the film frame while simultaneously covering the film frame's emulsion layer which is now attached to the strip sheet. The roller assembly includes a pair of rollers which are configured to provide a sequence of gaps having varying predetermined thicknesses during the movement of a film assemblage therebetween.

Abstract: A transparency film assemblage having a film frame of the instant or self-developing type and a roller assembly specifically adapted for use with the assemblage during the spreading of a processing liquid between an emulsion side of the film frame and a strip sheet. The film assemblage includes a sheet of material having a tab at one end which when pulled, subsequent to the spreading of the processing liquid between the film frame's emulsion side and a strip sheet, removes the strip sheet from covering relation with the film frame while simultaneously covering the film frame's emulsion layer which is now attached to the strip sheet. The roller assembly includes a pair of rollers which are configured to provide a sequence of gaps having varying predetermined thicknesses during the movement of a film assemblage therebetween.

Abstract: A film processor in which a length of sheet material is removed from a supply reel, coated with a layer of processing liquid, and directed to a laminating station whereat it is superposed with a photographically exposed premounted film frame of the instant type to initiate the formation of a visible image within the film frame. The processer includes guide means for directing the sheet material from the supply reel to the laminating station comprising a pair of rollers about which the sheet material is partially wound. The pair of rollers are mounted for simultaneous movement toward and away from a processing liquid applicator so as to intermittently coat the sheet material with a layer of the processing liquid. During such movement, the axes of the rollers move in parallel with a first plane in which the sheet material approaches the rollers and with a second plane in which the sheet material moves away from the rollers, thus keeping the total length of the first and second paths constant.

Abstract: A multipurpose audio-visual film handling cassette is provided wherein an audio information bearing magnetic tape is interwound with a photographic film strip upon coplanarly mounted supply and takeup spools and wherein the film strip and the audio tape are passed along different paths for photographic and audio operations to be performed thereon. The film strip and the magnetic tape are interconnected and advanced through the multipurpose cassette in a manner such that a free tape loop is formed exterior of the cassette at an audio station during the exposure/recording and project/playback modes of operation of the cassette. The manner of interconnection between, and the respective paths of the tape and film strip, result in the disappearance of the tape loop at the end of each of these operational modes and still further, no loop is formed exterior of the cassette during the processing and subsequent rewind modes of operation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for reducing frictional drag on a strip of photographic film moving in a film cassette between a pressure pad and a fluid processor nozzle, and for more effectively controlling the processing fluid thickness on the moving film. Formed on such a nozzle is at least a pair of pressure pad engaging surfaces spaced laterally beyond the film's longitudinal margins so as to cooperatively engage with a pair of generally correspondingly spaced nozzle engaging surfaces of the pressure pad. Between the nozzle engaging surfaces on the pressure pad is at least one raised film supporting member. Such film supporting member can support the film in a predetermined spaced relation to the nozzle so that the film need not engage the nozzle while spacing the film's edge rails from the remainder of the pad.

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: A doctoring surface conformation for applicator nozzle structures in photographic film cassette contained processors by which a coating of processing fluid is deposited on exposed film strip moving in a given direction of film advancement. The conformation includes a first doctoring surface extending from adjacent a trailing portion of a nozzle opening, when viewed in the given direction, and converging in the given direction toward the film strip. Terminating by a given distance from the film strip is an edge of the first surface which enables such surface to trap particles of at least a predetermined size carried by such film strip.

Abstract: A doctoring surface conformation for applicator nozzle structures in photographic film cassette contained processors by which a coating of processing fluid may be deposited on a moving run of an exposed film strip. The doctoring surface conformation is defined as a planar surface spaced in parallel relation to the film strip which is urged toward a pair of guide tracks positioned on opposite sides of the planar surface. The sides or edges of the doctoring surface are delimited by vertical walls converging in the direction of film strip travel so as to develop a suitable hydrodynamic force in the processing fluid while minimizing the capture of minute foreign particles such as dust which may be carried on the surface of the film strip to be coated.

Abstract: A doctoring surface conformation for applicator nozzle structures in photographic film cassette contained processors by which a coating of processing fluid may be deposited on a moving run of an exposed film strip. The doctoring surface conformation is configured to present a plurality of relatively small entrance channels at the upstream or entrance end thereof and a single exit channel at the downstream or exit end thereof. In the preferred embodiment, the doctoring surface conformation is defined by a plurality of first inclined surfaces extending from the vicinity of the trailing edge of the fluid applicator nozzle and converging in the direction of film strip movement towards the surface of the film.

Abstract: Apparatus for facilitating the achievement of locking engagement between the film strip contained in a film cassette of the type in which the film may be exposed, processed and projected without removal from the cassette, and a pull-strip for removing a tear-tab closure initially sealing a supply of processing fluid within the cassette. The supply end of the film strip contains a bottle-shaped aperture through which a tapered latching tongue provided at the free end of the pull-strip passes upon initiation of rewind after exposure. The supply reel hub is provided with a latching tongue receiving surface lying below the film receiving surface of the hub which, upon continued advancement of the film strip, receives and supports the latching tongue to fold it back upon itself.

Abstract: A processor for multi-purpose film cassettes of the type containing photographic film during exposure, processing and projection, the processor having a nozzle plate slideable from an initial processing position in which a nozzle opening therein is aligned with a discharge opening in an initially sealed processing fluid reservoir to a projection position in which the nozzle plate seals the reservoir discharge opening. A pressure pad supported by spring means biases the film toward the nozzle plate during processing and is cooperable with the nozzle plate to effect a separation of the nozzle plate and pressure pad to allow unobstructed passage of the film strip during projection subsequent to processing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing a layer of processing fluid on an exposed film strip contained with the processing fluid and fluid depositing means in a multipurpose film cassette of the type in which the film strip is exposed, processed and viewed by projection without removal from the cassette. The processing fluid is doctored onto the emulsion side of the exposed film strip during rewinding movement of the strip under an applicator nozzle opening. The film strip is supported under a biasing force toward the nozzle approximating in magnitude the hydrodynamic force developed by doctoring the processing fluid against the other side of the film strip thus to achieve a net balance of forces on opposite sides of the film strip so that foreign particles such as dust and the like will pass the doctoring surface without deleterious accumulation of such particles thereon.