US2780972A - Photographic apparatus and process - Google Patents

Description

M- N. F-AlRBANK PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND PROCESS Feb. 12, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 29, 1953 IN VEN TOR.

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NW MW NW Feb; 12, 1957 M. N. FAIRBANK PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND PROCESS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 29, 1953 INVENTOR. aw BY United States Patg t Q r Corporation, Cambridge, Mass, a corporation of Delaware Application September 29, 1953, Serial'No. 382,944

11 Claims. (Cl. 9513) I This invention relates to photography and more particularly to novel photographic apparatus.

An object of the invention is' to provide a novelphoto' graphic'apparatus which is adapted to expose a first 'strip of photosensitive material and to process said strip by superposing' on said first strip a second strip with'a layer of liquid processing composition between said strips, and maintaining the strips in superposed relation during a predetermined processing time.

Another object of the invention is to provide appara tus adapted to continuously guide an exposed strip of photosensitive material into superposition with a second strip and to spread a layer of liquid processing composition between the superposed strips.

Still another object of theinvention is to provide iu apparatus of the above type, superposing meansadapted to spread processing liquid between thefirst and second strips andto advance said superposed strips along a curved path.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in apparatus of the above type, means adapted to superpose and advance the strips along a curved path without relative movement between associated surfaces of the superposedstrips.

Still further objects of the invention are toprovide,in apparatus of the above type, means associated with'said superposing means and defining a uniformly curvedsupport surface whereon said superposed stripslmaybe advanced in a curved path, and means for advancing said superposed sheets along said curved path and for separating said moving sheets at the'end'of a predetermined processing time.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus possessing the construction, combination of elements'aiid arrangement of parts, and the process involving the several steps 'and the relation and order of one or more of such-' 'steps with-respect to each of the others which are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure,, and the scope ofthe application of which will be indicated in the'claims. I

Fora fuller'understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had' to the follow. ing detailed description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings whereini v V Figure 1 is a diagrammatic, fragmentary, sectional-view or photographic apparatus embodying the herein-disclosed invention;

Fig. 2 is asectional view taken along the Iine'FZ of Fig 1;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic, fragmentary, sectional view illustrating, in detail, the herein-disclosed invention; and

Fig." 4 is adiagrammatic, fragmentary, sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the herein-disclosed invention.

The photographic apparatus herein disclosed generally includes means for exposing an elongated sheet or strip 2,780,972 Patented Feb. 12, 1957 ice of photosensitive material and accomplishing a predetermined processing of the sheet by providing on said sheet a layer of liquid capable of accomplishing said processing. The apparatus may comprise means definirig a surface on which the exposed photosensitive sheet is superposed and means for spreading a layer of processing liquid between the surface and the sheet. In the preferred form of the apparatus the exposed photosensitive sheetis processed by superposing it on a second sheet or stripand spreading a thin layer of processing composition between 'the'sheet s. By way of example, the photosensitivesheet includes a silver halide layer, thesecond sheet includes a silver precipitating layer, and the processing compositionincludes a developer, a silver halide solvent and an alkali. In the presence of this layer of processing composition a latent image in the photosensitive sheet is developed to silver and a solublesilver complex is formed from unexposed silver halide, is transierred by imbibition to the second sheetand is there developed to silver to' produce 'a silver image. The photographic process and various species and alternative forms of photosensitive and other sheets herein referred to are described in detail in Patent No. 2,543,181, issued to Edwin ,H. Land on February 27, 1951 for Photographic Product Comprising a Rupturable Container Carrying a Photographic Processing Liquid,

Wliilethe apparatus has been"illustrated in the accompanying drawings as a photocopy ,camera, it is un dcrs'toofd that the invention is adapted for use in other types of photographic apparatus such as motion picture camcra'sand the like wherein frames of a photosensitive strip are" exposed in rapid succession, and is especially useful in apparatus of the type described in application Serial No.'245,692 filed September 8, 1951 by Edwin H.

for Photographic Apparatus, now abandoned.

The apparatus may also be used alone, without photo- 'grap'hiqexposure means, for processing stripsof photosensitive material which have been exposed in inp'e'ndent apparatus. p I H H jA 'a jmeans for superposing the first photosensitive strip one second strip and spreading a laycrofprocess- 'ing composition between the strips, there is provided a pair of surfaces between which and with respect towhich the strips are adapted to be advanced insuperposedrelation with a liquid-receiving space therebetween. The superposing means is so arranged that as the two strips are superposed thereis provided a V-shaped liquid-holding" space converging to an apex connecting with the liquid-receiving space between the surfaces of twojsheets. Means are provided for feeding the processing liquid directly into said liquid-holding space wherein itis held until withdrawn by the strips defining and passing by this space. The volume rate of how of processing liquid is preferably adjusted with respect to the movement of the strips so that atjall times the quantity of liquidin the liquid=holding space is the minimum sufiicientto deposit a' layer of the desired thickness between the strips. Various apparatusand means including disposable liquid containers for feeding the processing liquid and spreadlayer of saidliquid between a photosensitive sheet and asecond sheet are described in detail in Patents NQ's.:'2f,52 O,6 -l1,;iSSud August, 25, O,'2,558,8-58, issued'luly 3, 1951 and 2,563,343 issued August 7, 1951 to Edwin Land for Photographic Apparatus.

T,'o' processthe first strip, it is superposed on a second strip'with a thin layer of processing liquid therebetween and the superposed strips advanced at a constant speed through the apparatus. The first strip continues in superposition with the second strip during a predetermined processingftinie after which it is separated from the second strip"at'the end of the'predeter'mined processing peiiod.

It is thus apparent that the distance or length of the path 'face or the path of 'the contact between the curvature of the support surface, one

posed and before processing has of photosensitive material and of the superposed sheets between the initial point of superposition and the terminal point of superposition is functionally related to both the speed of advancement of the superposed first and second strips and the time required for predeterminedly processing said strips. More precisely, the distance between the points of initial and tertninal superposition is equal to the product of velocity at which the superposed strips are fed between their termind points of superposition and the predetermined processing time required for superposition of particular first and second strips. It is also apparent that when the sheet materials and processing composition used are of the type which require a substantially long processing period, or it is necessary, as in a motion picture camera, to advance the strips at substantially rapid speeds, the path of the superposed strips between the initial point of superposition and the terminal point of superposition may become excessive, thereby requiring apparatus of considerable bulk. Since it is desirable to maintain the apparatus at a minimum size and preferably of a size which renders it portable, it is necessary to keep small the actual distance between the superposing means and the separating means. This actual distance may be kept at a minimum by providing means for advancing the superposed strips along a curved path between their initial and terminal points of superposition.

A curved path is provided for the strips between their initial and terminal points of superposition by means defining a curved support surface along which the sheets are advanced so that their path conforms to the curvature of said support surface. Since movement of the surface of the first strip with respect to an associated surface of the second strip on which it is superposed may result in disruption of the processing and distortion or blurring of the image formed, it is essential that the strips be superposed and advanced along a curved path without relative movement between associated surfaces of the superposed strips. It is important, therefore, that the support surface in contact with which the superposed strips are advanced be circular and that its diameter be uniform throughout its length. However, where the diameter of the support surthe sheets is relatively large, small variations in curvature will result in negligible movement between the strips, causing no appreciable disturbance of associated surfaces of the first and second strips, and may be considered of no consequence.

The superposing means may be so constructed and arranged that the sheets are superposed and advanced therethrough in a curved configuration conforming to the end of which is adjacent the superposing means. Alternatively, the sheets may be superposed and advanced through the superposing means in a straight path and then be made to conform to a curved supporting surface. This may be accomphshed, without causing disruption of the processing or d stortion of the image due to relative movement of associated surfaces of the superposed strips, by maintaining at a minimum the distance between the initial point of superposition and the end of the curved surface at which the sheets assume a curved configuration. It is in this manner that the strips are curved immediately after being superadvanced to the extent where it is affected by relative movement of the sheets.

In another embodiment of the invention, the first strip the second strip are superposed on a curved support surface advancing at the same speed as the strips, and a layer of processing composition is spread between associated surfaces of the first and second strips. Further still, the first strip of photosensitive material and the second strip may be superposed and supported on a surface of uniform curvature and thereafter the processing liquid is spread between the strips after they are advanced along the curved support surface. In this embodiment, successive frames of the exposed first processing liquid, carried in rupturable containers associated with areas of the second strip, is spread between the strips by advancing said strips between the curved support surface and a pressure-applying member.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown, diagrammatically, a preferred form of apparatus embodying the present invention, this apparatus being illustrated as a photocopy camera comprising a housing, not shown, carrying a lens and shutter assembly schematically indicated at 10 supported by bellows 12. As a means for positioning supplies of a photosensitive strip and a second strip, there are provided spools 14 of conventional design on which are coiled a first strip 16 of photosensitive material and a second strip 18. Means are provided for positioning frames of the first strip in the focal plane of lens 10, this means comprising, by way of example, two pairs of rollers or sprockets 20 between which the strip is advanced and held in position for exposure. In the form shown, either or both rollers of each pair may be driven and the strip may be advanced either intermittently for exposure of separate frames or advanced continuously.

As a means for feeding and guiding exposed photosensitive strip 16 into superposition with second strip 18,- there is preferably provided a pair of pressure-applying. rolls 22 and 24 so positioned that as the sheets pass be tween them in face-to-face relation there exists a liquid-' receiving space between the strips. This liquid-receiving space may be created by providing a space between the two rolls slightly greater than the combined thickness of' the two strips. In another form of the invention, the two rolls may be resiliently urged toward one another so that the space may not exist in a static condition of the rolls, but may be created by the pressure of a viscous processing liquid passing between the strips, causing separation of the rolls or of the resilient surfaces thereof.

Means are provided for feeding a predetermined volume of processing liquid at a controlled rate into a liquid-holding space wherein it is held until Withdrawn by the surfaces of the converging strips defining this space. The liquidfeeding means comprises a disposable container 26 having a body portion 23 and a deformable tubular neck 30 ending in a discharge nozzle 32 and means for forcing a predetermined volume of processing liquid to flow from body portion 28, through neck portion 30 and nozzle 32. The container, body and neck are formed of a flexible sheet material which is not affected by the processing liquid, for example a plastic such as plasticized ethyl cellulose or methyl methacrylate. Container 26 is supported on plate 34 with neck 30 being so supported that nozzle 32 extends into the liquid-holding space between the converging sheets. Means are provided for causing the liquid to flow from body portion 28 of the container into neck 30 and from there through nozzle 32 into the liquidholding space. The liquid may be forced from said body portion by hydraulic pressure created in the liquid contained therein by such means as a weighted plate 38 adapted to rest on the container body portion. For impelling the processing liquid through neck 30, there are provided a plurality of rollers 40 adapted to successively engage longitudinal portions of said neck to press together the walls thereof and squeeze the processing liquid toward chains 42 supported on and driven by sprockets 44 mounted in a fixed relation to support member 36 so that the axes of rollers 40 move during a portion of their travel in a plane parallel to the surface of member 36. The rollers are uniformly spaced along the drive chains in such a manner that at every moment there are at least two of said rollers in engagement with said neck. In

' operation sprockets :44 and drive chains .42 are-rotated in a counterclockwise direc tion,-'.asnviewed in Fig. v1,? and rollers are caused .to. engage therwalls of neckz30t and 1 presssaidwalls together when moving -from left tokright.

A predeterminedvolume .of-rprocessing liquidvtrappedlin the; neck between a pair of said-rollers" is impelled to'ward nozzle -32 at .a controlled rate untils-disengagement of-tthe leading roller from. the neck .permitszathe' liquid .to be forced through said nozzle. by. the action .of. the following roller 1 on the neck.

-Forsuperposing the first stripv16 on second strip 13 and advancing. the two strips along :aecu'rved .path', .there are; provided; in a preferred form' of t the invention, a

7 pair of pressure-applying rolls 22:: and 24 and a/support member 46 defining-a uniformly -curved supportv siir'face 48 along which thesuperposed strips are advanced during processing. The first and second strips are superposed-and advanced between -rolls 22 and 24 forspreadirig the --processing liquid between the strips, and then drawn in contact with support surface 48 so that the path of the strips conforms"to thecurvature of said support surface.

Inasmuch as it is essential to proper processing that there be; no relative movement between-associated surfaces of the superposed sheets :du'ring processingfit is desirable either that the sheets be in a curved configurationat the time they are superposed and the liquid spread therebetween or that the superposed sheetsbe made to conform to the curved surface 48 of support member-46 after the j processing liquid has been spread -but-before'processing has progressed materially. =To effect the curvature of the sheets before processing has progressed materially,-the end 50 of support 1 nember46 is"shaped, as shown jin Fig. 3, so as to conform to the-curvature ;of roll 22;and is positioned closely adjacent or in contact with roll 22 so that end 52 of, support surface 48 is locatedbetween rolls '22- and 24, and the distance between the point' of superposition of the sheets and the =end'52 of supportsurface 48 on which they assume a curved path is maintained at an absolute minimum. The center of curvatureot support.surfaces 48 may be so positioned that theisupport surface lies'in a curved surface which is substantially 'tanget with the surface of roll 22 at the point of superposition of the sheets. The sheets may thenbe super posed in a substantially straight path, and immediately thereafter be made to assume a cu'rved configuration conforming to support surface 48.

, In' a preferred embodiment of they invention illustrated in Fig. l, pressure applyin'g rolls 22 and 24, areso positioned with respect to support surface 48 that thestrips, as they are drawn between thepressure-aPplying lrolls,

. assume a curved configuration during their passage between their. initial point of superposition and the end 52 of support surface-43. Rolls'22 and. 24 are so positioned, ,as shown in F ig. 1,,that a plane through the axis' of the rolls makes an acute angle witha plane through'the point of superposition'of the strips and the centerof curvature of the support surface 43. In'other words, the support surface lies in a curved surfacewhich is not tangent to roll 22 at the point of superposition of the strips but is tangentthereto at a point arcuratelyspaced along vthewsurface of roll 22 from the point of super- ;position of the strips. With 22 and "24 so positioned,

. the superposed strips passing between them and advanc- .curved path conforming to -;-surface -,48 of-support-;rnernher 46; there is providedja pair-of driverollst54 antf-56. --Thesefl=driverollsalso serve as a means for: separating the first strip 1,6 fronrsecondstrip 18Eatthe-endofthtair predetermined processing time. Theg'superposed strips follow acurvedpath from their initialzpoint-of superposition betweenpressure-applying r0lls'22, and- 24 positioned-at end fitl ofsupport-member, to their-terminal 1 pointof superpositionbetweenEdrive rolls 54 and 56 posictioned at thexotherend SS ofsup'port member 46. -Drive rolls and 2'36; aretadapted toreceivefirst and-second strips 16 and .ifi-therebetween .andwtozseparate the-strips from one anotherxas-ithey are advanced. Either orsboth rolls may be rotated; by suitablesdrive means so as to advance 'theisuperposed strips at a constant speed. "-To facilitate drawing the superposed strips along surface 48, the surfacesof the driverollsi54andi56 may be formed of a frictiomgeneratingmaterialsuch as rubber. 'aTo'prvent any'relative ntovement between associated surfaces of firstand se'condstrips: 161and 18 just prior 'to'their separation from one another due to variation in the curvature of thein path, end'58 of support member-'46 .isshaped to conform with the surface of drive roll 56 so that end '60 of support surface extends into the bite of drive rolls 54 and 56.

Tofper'mit the superposed sheets to be advanced at a.

more rapid sp'eed or to'a llow for a'reduction in 'the length of the path between their initial and terminal points of superposition, the predetermined processing time requir'ed fora particular combination of first and second sheets and-liquid processing composition may be varied by heating boththe processing liquid and thesuperposed sheets i as 1 they are advanced along the surface 48 -of supportinember 46. For thispuipose suitable heating elements (not shown) maybe provided forelevating-the temperature of support 1nember. 46-.and, if 'desiredfpressure-applying ro lls'22 and24 as well.

After separationof the first and second strips Hand 18, first strip 16 extends from roll 54 to take-up spool 62 and second strip 18 extends from roll 56 to take-up spool 64. Suitable drive meansare provided for rotating the take-up spools 62 and 64 for coiling the first andsecond strips thereon.

In anotheriembodiment of the invention the pressure applying rolls are-utilized for curving the first and second strips as they are being superposed and for advancing" the strips in a curved path conforming to the curvatureof a support surface. This curving of the strips as they are superposed may-be effected by advancingone ofthe'strips at'a greater speed'than the strip on which it-is being superposed so that the associated surfaces of the two strips are advanced at the same speed while the outside surfaces of the strips in contact with'the surfaces of the pressureapplying rolls are-advanced atdifferent'speeds, thereby causing the superposed strips to curve toward the slower moving surface.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, a controlled curvature canbe imparted to the superposed firstvand second sheets 16 and 13 by advancing the surface of sheet 16 which is in contact with roll 24 at a faster speed than-the surface of sheet 18 in contact with .roll 22, thereby causing the sheets to be curved toward sheet 18. This may be accomplished by rotating roll'24'at a greater speed than roll 22 when both rolls are, as shown, or". equal diameter. -Alternatively, the same result may be achieved lay-making roll 24 of a greater diameter than roll-22iand rotating both rolls at the same speed. it is apparent that when:.the curvature of the sheets is controlled bywvarying the'relative surface 'speeds'of the pressure-applying rolls 22 and 24, the radius of curvature of the sheets is inversely pro portional to the difference between the surfacens'pee'ds of said rolls. By superposing strips 16 and 18 and urving their path in this manner at their-point of superposition and then advancing thesuperposedstrips along a curved surface 48 of like curvature positioned in a. surface egrsop'm 7 tangent to the surface of the slower moving roll 22 at the said point of superposition, the curvature of the strips .remains constant throughout the processing period and there is no relative movement between associated surfaces of the strips.

Referring now to Fig. 4 there is illustrated still another embodiment of the invention wherein a rotatable drum 66 cooperates with a pressure-applying roll 68 to superpose an exposed first strip 16 of photosensitive material on a second strip 18, to spread a layer of processing liquid between the strips, and to advance the strips along a curved path conforming to the surface 70 of said drum 66. It is to be understood that the hereindisclosed embodiment of the apparatus includes means (not shown in Fig. 4) heretofore described for mounting a supply of a first strip of photosensitive material, for exposing said first strip, and for feeding a predetermined volume of processing liquid to the superposed strips.

In the form shown, first strip 16 and second strip 18 are advanced between roll 68 and drum 66 so that a liquid-holding space is defined and formed by the convergent surfaces of the two strips. Suitable liquid-feeding means (not shown) are provided for causing the processing liquid to be discharged through a nozzle into said liquid-holding space wherefrom it is withdrawn by the strips passing by and defining this space. The processing liquid forms a layer in a liquid-receiving space between .associated surfaces of the two strips, said space being created either by providing a space between roll 68 and drum 66 slightly greater than the combined thickness of the two strips, or by causing roll 68 to be resiliently urged toward drum 66 so that the space is created by the pressure of a viscous processing liquid passing between the strips, causing separation of the roll and the drum or of the resilient surfaces thereof.

Drum 66 not only acts as one of a pair of pressureapplying members, but serves as a member having a curved surface 70 along which the strips are advanced in a curved path during processing. The superposed strips advanced between roll 68 and drum 66 are drawn around and in contact with the surface 70 of drum 66 so that the path of said strips conforms to the round surface of said drum.

As a means for separating the superposed strips from one another, there is provided at least one separating roll. 72 positioned substantially tangent to the surface of said drum at a predetermined point of separation of the strips. The circumferential distance along the surface 70 of drum 66 from the point of superposition of the strips to said point of separation is adjusted so that the strips 16 and 18 are separated from one another when a predetermined processing has elapsed, this distance being functionally related to the processing time required and the constant speed of the strips. The first strip is separated from the second strip by drawing said first strip around roll 72 and coiling it on a take-up spool 62 while the-second strip 18 is advanced in a direction tangent to the surface 70 of said drum and is coiled on take-up spool 64.

Because the superposed strips conform to and are in contact with the surface of a circular drum from the time processing is initiated at their point of superposition until processing is completed at their point of separation,

there can be no relatve movement between associated surfaces of the superposed strips with subsequent freedom from processing defects caused thereby. The superposed strips may be advanced through the apparatus by driving take-up spools 62 and 64 by suitable means, or

by driving said spools and either drum 66, pressure roll 68 or separating roll 72, or any combination'thereof.

While a preferred use of the apparatus has been described above wherein a processing liquid is spread between the surface of the photosensitive strip and the surface of a second strip, other uses of the apparatus are feasible in those cases where the processing liquid may be spread between the surface of the photosensitive strip and any second surface moving at the same speed. This processing may be accomplished by the apparatus shown in Fig. 4 by eliminating the second strip and spreading the processing liquid between photosensitive strip 16 and the surface of drum 66. In order that the apparatus may be so used, surface 70 of drum 66 is formed of a material to which the processing liquid does not readily adhere and which is inert to said processing liquid, for example polished stainless steel or an alkaliinert plastic. In this case, roll 68 and drum 66 are spaced a sufficient distance apart so that a liquid-receiving space exists between the surface of photosensitive strip 16 and surface 70 of drum 66. The liquid is fed or carried into the liquid-holding space defined on one hand by the surface of the photosensitive strip and on the other hand by the surface 70 of drum 66. As the photosensitive strip passes by this liquid-holding space, a thin layer of liquid is applied to the surface thereof and a layer of liquid adheres to or is absorbed by the photosensitive strip and accomplishes the desired processing.

While superposing means have been shown as comprising either a pair of pressure-applying rolls or a rotatable drum and a roll, it is to be understood that there may be provided other superposing surfaces such as curved plates or bars which are nonrotatable and the strips may be superposed by advancing them between a roll and a uniformly curved surface of a support member.

In the various forms of the invention, portions of the apparatus may be suitably hinged or removably mounted to facilitate loading thereof and suitable light seals are provided where necessary to prevent fogging of the photosensitive materials employed.

While the processing liquid has been shown as being supplied in a disposable container from which it is fed at a controlled volume rate into a liquid-holding space between the convergent surfaces of the sheets as they are superposed, the processing liquid also may be supplied in rupturable containers associated with and secured adjacent to areas of the second sheet. Frames of the photosensitive sheet are superposed on areas of a second sheet and the processing liquid contained in said containers is spread between the superposed sheets by passing said sheets between a pair of pressure-applying members. The photosensitive sheet may be advanced and processed in a curved path by superposing the sheets on the surface of a rotatable drum or on a uniformly curved surface of a stationary support member and advancing said sheets between said surface and a pressure-applying member capable of rupturing the containers and spreading the liquid therein between the sheets.

Since certain changes may be made in the above apparatus and process without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

l. A photographic apparatus for exposing and processing a strip of photosentitive material, said apparatus comprising, in combination, means for superposing a first strip of photosensitive material on a second strip with a thin layer of processing composition therebetween, said processing composition being so constituted as to require the superposition of associated portions of said first and second strips for a predetermined processing time in order to effect the predetermined processing of said photosensi tive strip, said predetermined processing including the transfer of reagents from said first strip to said second strip, said superposing means being adapted to superpose said first and second strips at a predetermined initial point of superposition, separation means for separating said first and second strips at a predetermined terminal point of superposition, means for feeding said superposed first and second strips between said initial and terminal points of-superposition,support means providing a-curved-guide surface in contact with which said superposedfirst and -.-second strips'are advanced in a curved pa'thbetween said initial and terminal points of superposition, said feeding means cooperating with said guide surface 'to advance said superposed strips along a curved path conforming to the curvature of said guide surface Without variation in'the curvature of said super-posed'strips and relative movement :between associated surfaces of the superposed strips, .and means for heating 'said support means to raise the temperature of the superposed first and second strips and the layer of'processing composition there'between as they are advanced in contact with said guide surface.

2. A photographic apparatus for exposing and processing a strip of photosensitive material, said apparatus comprising, in combination, means for superposing a first strip of photosensitive material on a second strip with a thin layer of processing composition therebetween, said processing composition being so constituted as to require the superposition of associated portions of said first and [second strips for a predetermined processing time in order to effect the predetermined processing of said photosensitive strip, saidipredetermined processing including the transfer of reagents from said first strip to said second respect to..-the external surface of theother of said superposed strips in contact with the other of said pair 'of surfaces while associated internal surfaces of said superposed strips are substantially stationary with respect to one another, separation'means for separating said first and'second strips at a predeterminedterminalpoint of superposition, means for feeding said superposedfirst and second strips betweentsaid initialandterminal points of superposition, and support means providing a curved guide-surface betweensaid initial and terminal points of superposition on which said, superposed first andsecond' strips are guided in'a curved path, a, saidrsupport means being so positionedwith respect to said superposing, feeding and separating meanszthat saidasuperposed stripsare advanced without substantial variation .in curvature and relative. movement between associatedsurfaces of saidsuperposed strips, the curvature ofssaid guide surface conforming -to the curvature simparted to said superposedstrips bysaidsuperposing means.

3., A photographic apparatus for exposingjandtprocessing a strip of photosensitive material, said apparatus comprising, in combination, means "for ;.superp.osing a =first=strip of photosensitive 'materialon a second strip with a thin-layer oftprocessingcomposition therebetween,

1 said processing compositionibeing :so constituted as to require the'superposition of j-associated;. portions-- of -.said -first and second strips for .a-1predeterminedgprocessing time in'order'tto;effectthepredetermined processing of said photosensitive strip, said predetermined processing including the transferof reagentsfromsaid 1firstsstrip to mined initialzpointofsuperpositions and to impartacurvature'to said strips, said *superposing means comprising a pair. of pressure=applying rolls of equal diameter :between which said superposed firstland' second tstrips: areamoved' and means for Jrotating'i atl vleast zone ;of csaidapressureapplyingirolls at a diiferent'gspeedtfromxhat of the other 1 of said pressure applying 'rolls, 'theipredetermined curvature impartedto the strips being a function :of'-the;difference in the relative rotational speeds 5' of :said 5 pressuresaid" second :strip, said asuperposinga means-being 1 adapted 55 (to superpose :rsaidzfirst and: second :strips -ataagpredeterapplying rdlls,wseparation :means for separating said" first and second strips ata predetermined terminal pointflof superpositiommeans for feeding saidfirst and-second -strips'=between-=said initial and terminal points of isup'erposition, and support means including a curved guide member having a-curved guide surface of substantially "uniforrnradius in :contact with which said superposed first and second strips are advanced-in a curved path between saidinitial and terminalipoints of superposition, oneend of said guide memberconforming to-and-being positioned closely adjacent one of said pressure-applying rolls, said guidemember and the center of curvature of .said'guidesurface being so positioned with respect to the axes of said :pressure-applying rolls that the first and second strips are advanced into contact with said guide surface without variation in curvature and relative movement between associated surfaces, of the superposed strips, the' curvature *of said j guide surface conforming substantially'to theinitial curvature imparted to said superposed strips by saidpressure-applying "rolls.

'4. A photographic apparatus for exposing and process inga strip ofphotosensitive material, said apparatuscomprisiug, in combination, means for ,superposing a first strip-of photosensitive material .on a second strip with a thin layer of processing'composition therebetween, said processing composition being so constituted as to require ;the superposition'of associated portions of said first and second strip s for' apredetermined processing time in order to effectthe predetermined'processing of said photosensit-ive strip-said predetermined processing including the transfer of reagents from said first strip to said second strip, said supei posing means'being adapted to superpose said'first andsecond strips at an initial point of super- ,position and to impart a; predetermined initial curvature to said strips, 'said'superposin'g' means comprising a pair of pressure applying rolls of unequal diameter-between which said superposed: first and second strips are moved .and meansfor'rotating'said pressure-applying rolls at the same speed, separation rneansfor separating said first andsecond stnips'at a predetermined terminal point of superposition, meanslforfeeding said superposed first and second strips between sai'd'initial and terminal points of superposition, and support means providing a curved guide surfaceextending between said initial and terminal points of superposition on whichv said superposed first and second'stripsare guided in a curved path, the curvature of said guide surface'being substantially, uniform and conforming to the initial curvature imparted to said strips, said support member being so constructed andpositionedwith respect to said pressure rolls as to advance saidsuperpose'd Strips into contact with saidsupport surface without variation in curvature of said strips and relativejmovementbetween associated surfaces of said superposed stnips.

'5. A,photographic apparatusforexposing and process- ,ing a strip of photosensitive material, said apparatus .compri'sing in combination, means for superposing a first strip of ,photosensitive materialon a second strip with t a 'thintlayerof processing composition 'therebetween, said processing composition being so constituted as to require the superposition of associated portions of said first and second strips for a predetermined processing time inorder to effect the predetermined processing of said photosensitive strip, said predetermined processing including the :transfer of reagents from saidfirst strip to said second strip, said-superposing means being adapted to superpose said first and second strips at a predetermined initial point of superposition, support means providing a curved guide vsurface, said superposing means being, so positioned as .to advanceysaid superposedffirst and second strips into .contact with said guide surface, and means for moving said guidemeans to advance said superposed strips posi- :tioned thereon in a curvedpath conforming to said, uide =;surface:between saidinitialpoint of superposition and a terminalzpointofsuperposition.

6. In photographic apparatus including means for exposing a strip of photosensitive material, in combination, means for processing a first strip of photosensitive material by superposing said first strip on a second strip with a layer of processing liquid therebetween, said processing means comprising support means providing a cylindrical support surface, means for guiding successive portions of one of said first and second strips into position on said support surface, superposing means comprising a pressure-applying member positioned adjacent said support surface for guiding the other of said first and second strips into superposition with said one of said first and second strips with a liquid-receiving space between said strips, means containing a quantity of processing liquid and adapted to feed said processing liquid into said liquid-receiving space at a controlled rate so as to deposit a layer of processing liquid of the desired thickness between the superposed first and second strips, said processing liquid being so constituted as to require the superposition of associated portions of said first and second strips for a predetermined processing time in order to effect the predetermined processing of said photosensitive strip, said predetermined processing including the transfer of reagents from said first strip to said second strip, said superposing means being adapted to superpose said first and second strips at a predetermined initial point of superposition, and means for rotating said support means so as to advance said superposed strips positioned on said support surface in a uniformly curved path between said initial point of superposition and a terminal point of superposition.

7. In photographic apparatus including means for exposing a strip of photosensitive material, in combination, means for processing a first strip of photosensitive mate rial by superposing said first strip on a second strip with a layer of processing liquid therebetween, said processing means comprising support means providing a cylindrical support surface, means for guiding successive portions of one of said first and second strips into position on said support surface, superposing means for guiding the other of said first and second strips into superposition with said one of said first and second strips and distributing a processing liquid carried by one of said strips in a layer between the superposed first and second strips, said superposing means comprising a pressure-applying roll positioned adjacent said support surface, said superposed strips being adapted to be advanced between said pressure-applying roll and said support surface, said processing liquid being so constituted as to require the superposition of associated portions of said first and second strips for a predetermined processing time in order to effect the predetermined processing of said photosensitive strip, said predetermined processing including the transfer of reagents from said first strip to said second strip, said superposing means being adapted to superpose said first and second strips at a predetermined initial point of superposition, separation means for separating said first and second strips at a predetermined terminal point of superposition, and means for rotating said support means so as to advance said superposed strips positioned on said support surface in a uniformly curved path between said initial and terminal points of superposition.

8. A photographic apparatus for exposing and processing a strip of photosensitive material, said apparatus comprising, in combination, means for superposing a first strip of photosensitive material with a second strip with a thin layer of processing composition therebetween to form a sandwich, said processing composition being so constituted as to require the superposition of associated portions of said first and second strips for a predetermined processing time to effect the transfer of reagents from said first strip to said second strip, said superposing means being adapted to superpose said first and second strips to form said sandwich at a predetermined initial point of superposition and being so constructed and arranged as to im part a predetermined curvature to said sandwich, said superposing means comprising a pair of pressure-applying rolls between which the superposed first and second strips are moved and means for rotating said pressure-applying rolls at different speeds, means for advancing said sandwich from said initial point of superposition to a terminal point of superposition, and support means having a curved guide surface extending substantially from said initial point of superposition to said terminal point of superposition, the curvature imparted to said sandwich by said superposing means being functionally related to the difference in rotational speed of said rolls so as to conform the curvature of said sandwich to the curvature of said guide surface, said means for advancing said sandwich and said pressure-applying rolls being so constructed and positioned with respect to one another and said guide surface as to cooperate with the latter to advance said sandwich in contact with said guide surface along a path conforming thereto while maintaining constant the curvature of said sandwich so as to preclude relative movement between the associated surfaces of said strips.

9. A photographic apparatus for exposing and processing a strip of photosensitive material, said apparatus comprising, in combination, means for superposing a first strip of photosensitive material on a second strip with a thin layer of processing composition therebetween, said processing composition being so constituted as to require the superposition of associated portions of said first and second strips for a predetermined processing time in order to effect the predetermined processing of said photosensirive strip, and processing including the transfer of reagents from said first strip to said second strip, said superposing means being adapted to superpose said first and second strips at an initial point of superposition and to impart a predetermined initial curvature to said strips, said superposing means comprising a pair of members providing a 7 pair of strip-engaging surfaces between which said superposed first and second strips are moved, said pair of stripengaging surfaces being so positioned with respect to one another as to cause the external surface of one of said superpoosed strips, in contact with one of said pair of surfaces, to move with respect to the external surface of the other of said superposed strips in contact with the other of said pair of surfaces while associated internal surfaces of said superposed strips are substantially stationary with respect to one another, means for feeding said superposed first and second strips between said initial point of superposition and a terminal point of superposition, and support means providing a curved guide surface in contact with which said superposed first and second strips are advanced in a curved path between said initial and terminal points of superposition, said feeding means cooperating with said guide surface to advance said superposed strips along a curved path conforming to the cuivature of said surface and said initial curvature imparted to said strips without variation in the curvature of said superposed strips and relative movement between associated surfaces of the superposed strips.

10. A photographic apparatus for exposing and processing a strip of photosensitive material, said apparatus comprising, in combination, means for superposing a first strip of photosensitive material on a second strip with a thin layer of processing composition therebetween, said processing composition being so constituted as to require the superposition of associated portions of said first and second strips for a predetermined processing time in order to effect the predetermined processing of said photosensitive strip, said predetermined processing including the transfer of reagents from said first strip to said second strip, said superposing means being adapted to superpose said first and second strips at an initial point of superposition and to impart a predetermined initial curvature to said strips, said superposing means compris ing a pair of pressure-applying rolls mounted for rotation and having strip-engaging surfaces between which said superposed first and second strips are moved, and means for rotating said pressure-applying rolls, the last-mentioned means and said rolls being so constructed and arranged as to effect the movement of said strip-engaging surfaces at different speeds relative to one another whereby the outer surfaces of the superposed strips are caused to be moved relative to one another so as to impart a predetermined curvature to the superposed strips as they are moved between and in contact with said strip-engaging surfaces, means for feeding said superposed first and second strips between said initial point of superposition and a terminal point of superposition, and support means providing a curved guide surface extending between said initial and terminal points of superposition on which said superposed first and second strips are guided in a curved path, the curvature of said guide surface being substantially uniform and conforming to the initial curvature imparted to said strips, said feeding means and said support member being so constructed and positioned with respect to said pressure-applying rolls as to advance said superposed strips into contact with said support surface without variation in curvature of said strips and relative movement between associated surfaces of said strips.

11. A photographic apparatus for exposing and processing a strip of photosensitive material, said apparatus comprising, in combination, means for superposing a first strip of photosensitive material on a second strip with a thin layer of processing composition therebetween, said processing composition being so constituted as to require the superposition of associated portions of said first and second strips for a predetermined processing time in order to effect the predetermined processing of said photosensitive strip, said predetermined processing including the transfer of reagents from said first strip to said second strip, said superposing means being adapted to superpose said first and second strips at a predetermined initial point of superposition and to impart a curvature to said strips as they are superposed, said superposing means comprising a pair of pressure-applying rolls of equal diameter between which said superposed first and second strips are moved and means for rotating at least one of said pressure-applying rolls at a different speed from that of the other of said pressure-applying rolls, the predetermined curvature imparted to said strips being a function of the difference in the relative rotational speeds of said pressureapplying rolls, means for feeding said superposed first and second strips between said initial point of superposition and a terminal point of superposition, and support means providing a curved guide surface in contact with which said superposed first and second strips are advanced in a curved path between said initial and terminal points of superposition, the curvature of said guide surface being substantially uniform and conforming to the initial curvature imparted to said strips during superposition, said feeding means and said support means being so con structed and positioned with respect to said pressureapplying rolls as to cooperate for advancing said superposed strips along a curved path conforming to the curvature of said guide surface between said initial and terminal points of superposition without variation in the curvature of said superposed strips and relative movement between associated surfaces of said superposed strips.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,87 8,279 Langsner Sept. 20, 1932 2,516,398 Land July 25, 1950 2,558,858 Land July 3, 1951

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