US3002437A - Photographic products - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 3, 1961 v. K. ELORANTA 3,00 37 PHOTOGRAPHIC PRODUCTS Original Filed July 16, 1958 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 amok.

ATTORNEfi Oct. 3, 1961 v. K. ELORANTA 0 7 PHOTOGRAPHIC PRODUCTS Original Filed July 16, 1958 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 (faw- M ATTORNEYS (JNVENTOR.

Oct. 3, 1961 v. K. ELORANTA 3,002,437

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRODUCTS Original Filed July 16, 1958 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORN EYS Oct. 3, 1961 v. K. ELORANTA 3,002,437

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRODUCTS Original Filed July 16, 1958 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

M KMMMW ATTORNEYS V. K. ELORANTA PHOTOGRAPHIC PRODUCTS Oct. 3, 1961 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Original Filed July 16, 1958 INVENTOR.

M W f 6-0 ATTORNEYS Oct. 3, 1961 v. K. ELORANTA PHOTOGRAPHIC PRODUCTS 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Original Filed July 16, 1958 AfToRNEYs Oct. 3, 1961 v. K. ELORANTA 3,002,437

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRODUCTS Original Filed July 16, 1958 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 MN 0 I o! NVENTOR. m

W1 8* ATTO R N EYS 3,002,431 a T PHOTOGRAPHIC PRODUCTS U cd 5m Patent 0 Vaito K. Eloranta, Needham, Mass assignor'to Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge, Mass, a corporation of Del aware Original application Julyl6 1958 Ser. No. 749 024. Divided and this application Aug. 25, 1960, Ser. No.

47 Claims. (Cl. 95-13) and processed by a fluidcomposition distributed between the f photosensitive sheet and another sheet superposed therewith. Whether in the form of a camera, or a film pack or film pack holder intended to be employed in conjunction with a camera or other exposure means, such apparatus generally includes means for holding a photosensitive sheet for exposure, means, such as apair of pressure-applying members, for distributing a processing fluid between the photosensitive sheet and another sheet superposed therewithfland means for effecting the move-' ment ofthe sheets between'thepressure applying members. Generally, apparatus of the type with'which the present invention is concerned is intended to be employed with a plurality or assemblage of film units, each comprising a photosensitive sheet, asecond sheet and a container of fluid processing composition.v The photosensitive sheet is exposedfand thereafter processed by being moved in superposition withthe second sheet between a pair of s pressure-applying members for distributing the fiuid processingcomposition between the sheets. A preferred ar rangement for superposing the sheets and moving them between the pressure-applying members has been to proto be superposed therewith, said means including a spacing element disposed between said photosensitive and second sheets and spring means for biasing said element so as to urge said photosensitive sheets into position for exposure; and to provide apparatus of the above type wherein said spring means includes means for engaging and retaining said second sheets within said apparatus during movement of another of said film units through and from said apparatus. t

Further objects of the invention are: to provide a novel photographic film assemblage adapted to use in the apparatus of the invention and comprising a plurality of film units, each of which includes a photosensitive sheet, a second sheet and leader means connecting. said sheets and means for enclosing said, film units withssaid photosensitive sheets arranged in stacked relation for exposure, said second sheets arranged in stacked relation apart from said photosensitive sheets and'each of said leader means being so disposed within said enclosure means that it can be partially withdrawn from said enclosure means without affecting the movement of said film unit which it comprises, and thereafter canbe completely withdrawn for moving said photosensitive and second sheets of said film unit into superposition and from said enclosure means; toprovide a filmassemblage as described wherein said enclosure means comprises a cover sheet, for said photosensitive and second sheets,including means for' withdrawing said coversheet from said assemblage, and means for engaging edge portions of said assemblage; to provide film assemblagesas described including'rneans for separating said stacks of photosensitive and second sheets vide a leader or leaders attached to each film unitand 5" projecting from the apparatus whereby they may be grasped for moving thesheets comprising the film units within the apparatus .and for drawing the film units be: tween the pressure-applyingmembers.

' Objects of the invention are: to provide novel photographic apparatus for exposing and processing photosensi- -tive elements of film units, each comprising a photosensitaining a plurality ofsaid film units with said leaders 1 contained completely within said apparatus and means for advancing a portion of eachof said leaders, one at a timeand in proper sequence, from said apparatus; to provide apparatus of the type described comprising a pair of pressure-applying members between which said film units are adapted to be withdrawndirectly from said apparatus and means for feeding said leaders, one at a time, from said apparatus between said pressure-applying members; to provide apparatus as described comprising manually engageable means movable through a predetermined distance for moving a leader attached to a film unit through "a substantially greater distance between a pair of pressure-applying members from said apparatus;

'andto provide apparatus as described characterized by its compactness, simplicity and inexpensivene'ss of construction and its ease and dependability of operation.

Other objects of the invention are: to providesphotographic apparatus ofr'the type described includinglmeans and urging said photosensitive sheets into position for exposure; to provide film assemblages as described wherein said means for urging said photosensitive sheets into position for exposure includes means for retaining said said photosensitive and second sheets in separated rela- 7 tion.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel photographic film unit adapted to use in the photographic apparatus of theinvention andto be incorporated in the film assemblage of the invention, said film unit including a photosensitivesheet, a second sheet, leader means connecting saidrsheets, second leader means attached to the first-mentioned leader means for cooperating with the latter tomove said photosensitive sheet from a positionapart from said second sheet, in a plane, generally parallel with said second sheet, into superposition therewith and moving both of said sheets between a pair of pressure-applying members.

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

, 'Iihe invention accordingly comprises the, apparatus possessing the construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts, and the product possessing the features, properties and the relation of components which are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a film unit embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective View of one form of film pack comprising a plurality of film units shown in FIG. 1 FIG. 3 is a longitudinal, sectional view of the film pack of FIG. 2 taken substantially midway between the sides;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one of the components of the film pack of FIG. 2

FIGS. 6 and 7 are, respectively, plan and elevational views of another component of the film pack of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is asectional view, taken substantially midway between the sides, of photographic apparatus in the form of a camera embodying the invention;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 99 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line 10-40 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another form of film pack embodying the invention;

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal, sectional view of the film pack of FIG. 11 taken substantially midway between the 7 sides;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line 13--13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a component of the film pack of FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary sectional view taken adjacent one side through photographic apparatus in the form of a camera embodying the invention;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of another form of film pack embodying the invention;

FIG. 17 is a longitudinal, sectional view of the film pack of FIG. 16 taken substantially midway between the es.

of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 isa perspective view of a component of the film pack of FIG. 16;

FIG, 20 is a perspective view of another component of the film pack of FIG. 16;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view, partially in longitudinal section, of another form of assemblage of film units shown at one stagein its assembly;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the assemblage of FIG. 21; and 7 FIG. 23 is a fragmentary, sectional view of another form of a camera embodying the invention.

Generally, the photographic apparatus of the invention may be in the form of a camera, camera back, film pack, film pack holder or cassette adapted to be employed with a film pack or assemblage comprising a plurality of individual film units. cludes means for holding the film pack during exposure, means for feeding individual leaders attached to said film units from said apparatus in proper sequence whereby each ieader may be grasped for withdrawing a film unit from the apparatus following exposure thereof, and means for effecting the processing of each film unit as it is withdrawn from the apparatus. The film pack or assemblage comprising the invention and adapted to be employed in said apparatus includes a plurality of film units, each comprising a photosensitive sheet, a second sheet adapted to be superposed with the photosensitive sheet following exposure thereof, a container of a fluid processing composition adapted to be distributed between the superposed photosensitive and second sheets to effect the processing thereof, and leader means for moving the photosensitive and second sheets into superposition and in engagement with means for distributing the processing fluid.

Reference is now made to FIGS 1 and 3 of the draw ings wherein there is illustrated a 'fil'm unit 8 embodying FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along the line 18-18 The apparatus inl the invention. Film unit 8 comprises a first or photosensitive sheet 10 and a second or image-receiving sheet 12. The photosensitive sheet is generally rectangular and comprises a layer of photosensitive material carried on a suitable support. The photosensitive material may comprise any of the materials used in photography, ineluding, for example, the silver halides or other photosensitive heavy met-al salts having a developable latent image formed therein by exposure, the ferric salts and the diazonium compounds. The support for the photosensitive layer may comprise any of the flexible sheet materials generally used for film :base including paper, plastics and the like, and is preferably opaque to light actinic to the photosensitive material, or it includes a layer which is' opaque to actinic light. Second sheet 12 is at least coextensive in area with the area or frame of the photosensitive sheet to be exposed and also comprises a flexible sheet material such as paper, plastic and the like. The second sheet, in the form shown, is substantially coextensive in size with. the photosensitive sheet and is also opaque to light actinic to the photosensitive material. While the second sheet may merely aid in the spreading of a fluid processing composition in a thin layer on the photosensitive sheet, in a preferred form of the film unit the second sheet is adapted to provide a support for a positive transfer image produced, for example, by a silver halide diffusion-transfer reversal process, such as described in U.S. Patents Nos. 2,543,181,

. providing a leader for connecting the photosensitive and second sheets, properly locating or registering the sheets relative to one another when the sheets are superposed, mounting a container of a fluid processing composition, cooperating in the spreading of the fluid in a layer of predetermined thickness between the photosensitive and second sheets, determining the area to be processed and the dimensions of the transfer image produced in the second sheet and collecting any excess processing fluid. Carrier sheet 14 comprises a trailing end section 16, a rectangular intermediate section 18 preferably coextensive with second sheet 12, a first tapered or convergent section 20 and a second tapered or convergent section 22, the latter two sections being adapted to function as leaders. and for mounting a container of processing fluid. Image-receiving sheet 12 is mounted on intermediate section 18 with the receiving layer of sheet 12. located adjacent the. carrier sheet. Intermediate section 18 is provided with a generally rectangular aperture 24 defining the area of the image-receiving sheet against which the fluid processing composition is spread and wherein a transfer image is produced. The lateral margins of intermediate section 18 adjacent the sides of aperture 24 cooperate in a manner to-be described for confining the processingfluid between the sheets and for controlling the thickness of the layer of fluid spread between the sheets. Photosensiti've sheet :10 is secured at its. leading edge to the end edge of second tapered section 22 with the emulsion surface of the photosensitive sheet facing in the same direction relative to the carrier sheet as the image receiving layer ofsecond sheet 12. A trailer sheet 26 is provided attachedto the trailing, edge of photosensitive sheet Hand is adapted to'cooperate with trailing end section 16 of carrier sheet 14 for collecting and reta-ining excess'pr'ocessing fluid in a manner to be described hereinafter. i

- A narrow, elongatedfleader strip- 28 is. provided scmired to second tapered sec-tion 22 at the juncture of sections 20 and :22: substantially midway between the leading edge of second sheet 12 and the leading edge of photosensitive sheet 10. The first and second tapered sections of the carrier sheet are adapted to be folded at thispoint midway between the photosensitive and second sheets and the film unit is processed by drawing leader 28 and :the tapered sections in superposed relation'between means for applying compressive pressure to the film unit. The photosensitive and second sheets are thus registered with one another in superposed relationby drawing on leader- 28 so as to cause the tapered sections to fold at a point intermediate the leading edges of the photosensitive and second sheets. As ameans forovercorning any tendency of'fii'sttapered section 22 to peel from leader 28 where the leader and tapered section are attached, the two tapered sections 20 and 22 may be made somewhat longer than the minimum required and portions of the surfaces of the tapered sections opposite leader '28 on both sides of the fold of crease are adhered to one another.

The photosensitive and second sheets are adapted to be processed by a fluid composition carried in a rupturable container, designated 30, mounted on first tapered sec tion 20. The container is formed substantially as shown in the above-mentioned US. Patent No. 2,543,181 and comprises a rectangular blank of fluidand air-impervious sheet material folded longitudinally-upon itself to provide two walls bonded together at their'margins to form an elongated cavity for the processing fluid. The longitudinal seal is weaker than the end seals and. is adapted to become unsealed in response to hydraulic pressure generated within the fluid contents of'the container by the application of compressive pressure thereto. Container 30 is mounted'on first tapered'section'20 on the 6 section 36. A lip 56 is "providedonend wall 44 adapted to be folded over "the trailing end of forward wall 46 for r'etaining'the two housing sections in assembled position. In the assembled position of the housing sections there is formed a housing having a. rectangular opening in its foriivardwall and a narrow slot or opening 58 in its leading end wall between the rear edge of leading end wall 54 andrear'wall 40. 9 a

Mounted withintthefilm pack housing is a substantially flat pressure plate 60 having dependent flanges 64 at its sides, a rolled end section 66 at its trailing end and a folded edge portion68 at its leading f end, the folded edge portion, beingprovidedfor the purpose of adding structural stability to the pressure plate. The pressure extending toward the trailing end of the housing and the forward wall thereof and connected by a transverse member 74. Spring 70 also includes a pair of engagement 76 extending from'transverse member 74 in a'direction opposite spring'arms 72 and constructedto perform a function which will be described in greater detail hereinafter. Spring arms" 72 are adapted to 'bear against the rear of pressure plate 60,: urgingit towardthe" forward Film unit 8, when assembled for exposure, is positioned with first and second tapered sections 20 and 22 folded at the first tapered'section adjacent the. leading edge of the second sheet against the image-receptive surface of the secondsheet. Second tapered section 22 is folded adjacent the leading edge of photosensitive sheet 10-sof that the latter is folded. back against the first and second tapered sections with the emulsion surface ofthe photosensitive sheet facing in the same direction as the image-receptive surface of thesecond sheet. It will be noted'that in this'position of film unit 8 the photosensitiv'eflayer of the photosensitive sheet is located outermost so that it can be. exposed. The image-receptive layer of the seeondsheetfaces inwardly and the first and second tapered sections of the carrier sheet are disposed between the photosensitive and second. sheets. Container 30, in this assembledposition of the film unit, is disposed with the longitudinal edge, adapted to become unsealed, facing the ,trailin-g-end of the second sheet and the leading end of the photosensitive sheet.

An assemblage offilm units, in the form of a film I pack 34, is illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 7 of the drawings. The film pack comprises a housing formed of a rear. section 36 and a forward section .38 preferably adapted to fabrication from thin sheet metal. Rear section 36 includes a rear wall 40, side walls 42 andan end wall 44. Forward-housing section 38 comprises a for ward wall 46 having a rectangular exposure aperture 48, side walls'Stl, a trailing end wall 52 projecting from the forwardiwall by substantially the same amountas the side walls and; a leading end wall 54 which projects from the wallof the film pack housing.

Each film unit 8 or the film pack; is disposed within the housing with the photosensitive she'e thereof located forward of the pressure plate betweemthe pressure plate and the forward wall of the housing. The rectangular intermediate section 18 of each film unit 8 is bent around rolled end' section 66 and the second sheet, first and second tapered sections and leader-strip are disposed behind-the pressureplate between it and the rear wall of the housing. A- plurality of film units 8 are pro'videdin; the housing, eacharranged in the same manner with the locatedbetween spring arms 72 and "the pressureplate so that the forceof the springs is transmitte'd' to the pressure plate through the second sheets. It will noted that the ends of spring arms 72 are so located with respect to tapered sections: 20 and-12 that does 'not bear against the tapered sections.

I that'only areIa'tiveIy short portionof theleaderstrip projects beyond the leading'jedge'of the second sheetffroin between the 'second sheet andj'fthe photosensitive sheet. Thissho'rt leader portion, designated 78, of ,leader strip 28 projects fromthe housing through slot 58. The trailer sheets '26,.attached to the trailing ends ofthe'photosensitive sheets, are folded around and behind the trail: ing end of pressure plate 60 so as to lie between the latter and the second sheets and portions oftthe carrier sheet also disposed behind the pressureplate. .Trailing end section 16 of each carrier sheet, whichextends from the trailingind'of eachjsecond sheet, is folded forward upon itself and is bent around the rolled and section 66 of the'pre's'sure plate so as to lie between the rolled end section and the trailing end wall of the housing.

A means is provided for precluding exposure of photosensitive sheets ltl by light enteri'ng'the slot 58. In the from shownithis comprises an elongated sheet of 'a light opaque material substantially-equal inwidth to forward wall and substantially longer-thanthe forward 7. wall. Light-shielding sheet 80 is secured to the inner surface of forward wall 46, is provided with an aperture 82: coincident with aperture 48 in the forward wall, and includes a leading end section 84 disposed adjacent leading end wall 54 and extending rearward and between the portions of trailer sheets 26 folded around the leading end of pressure plate 60 and the second and carrier sheet stacked behind the pressure plate. The film pack assemblage also includes means for closing apertures 48 and 82 to prevent exposure of the photosensitive sheets through said apertures. last-mentioned means comprises a. pair of. cover sheets 86 located in superposed relation across apertures 48, and 82 between the forward wall and the foremost photosensitive sheet 10. Cover sheets 86 are formed of a light-opaque sheet material, for example black paper, and both sheets are provided in superposed relation to preclude any chance of exposure of the foremost photosensitive sheet due to minute holes in the cover sheets. A leader 88 is provided connected to the leading end of the cover sheets located at the trailing end of the film pack.. Leader 88 extends around the rolled end section of the pressure plate between the second elements and rear wall 40 of the rear housing section. Leader sheet 88 is folded back upon itself and includes a leading end section 90 projecting from the housing through slot 58. The fold in the leader sheet isprovided to permitpartial withdrawal of the leader sheet,

from the housing prior to movement of cover sheets 86 in response to withdrawal of the leader sheet.

The forward and rear, housing section, the spring and the pressure plate should have some structural strength and rigidity and, accordingly, are preferably formed of sheet metal. "The two housing sections are retained together at their leading ends byany suitable means such as tapes or by tabs 89 formed on theside walls 42. of the rear housing section. V

Another form of film pack embodying the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 16 through 21. This film pack designated 91, is characterized by an assembly which eliminates the front and rear housing sections, thereby effecting a saving in the material required for the film pack housing. The film pack 91 comprises a pressure plate 92, similar in most respects to pressure plate 60, having two lateral dependent flanges 94, a rolled trailingend section 96, and a folded leading end section 98. Lateral flanges 94 include spring portions 100 which project inwardly toward one-another and mount pairs of spring arms 102 extending generally parallel to flanges 94 and biased away from pressure plate 92. The arrangement of film units 8 and cover sheets 86 is essentially the same as the arrangement thereofin film pack 34. Instead of a housing, however, there is provided a U-shaped enclosure member 104 having two lateral portions 106 for engaging the sides of the film pack and a transverse end portion 108 for engaging the trailing end of the. film pack. Enclosure member 104 comprises a strip of sheet metal having a U- shaped. or channel-shapedcrosssection and is engaged around. the side and the trailing end of the film pack. The film pack also includes a retaining member .110 formed of sheet metal and secured at the leading end of the. film pack in engagement with the leading ends of lateral portions 106 for retaining the enclosure member in surrounding relation to the film pack. Retaining member 110 in the form shown comprises a single blank of sheet metal folded to form an L-shaped transverse member 111 having a forward portion 112 which extends in front of the leading edge portion of the film pack and, together with. lateral portions .106 and end portions 108 of enclosure member '104, cooperates to define an aperture in the front of the film pack. Transverse member 111 includes an outer end wall portion "114 adapted to provide a, leading end wall for the film pack. The. trans.- verse. member includes an inner end wall portion 1 16 providing slots adapted to receive theleading endsections o la eral portions 106. Retainina member 110 al o neludes end sections 118 which extend rearward to; the exterior of lateral portions 106 at the leading ends of the latter and thence toward one another at the rear of lateral portions 106. End sections 118 include folded sections 120 which are engaged around portions of the leading ends of lateral portions 106.

A rear wall is, provided for the film pack assemblage by a rectangular panel '122 formed of a relatively rigid sheet material such as cardboard. Panel 122 is secured toleader sheet 88 and is disposed behind the second sheet within the enclosure formed by U-shaped member 104. When the film pack has been loaded into the camera or other apparatus which is to be employed, panel 122 may be withdrawn along with cover sheet 86 from the film pack by drawing on leader 88 and the leading end section thereof. As previously noted, the pressure plate includes two pairs of spring arms 102 which project inwardly toward one another from lateral flanges 94 of the pressure plate. The second sheet of the film unit, together with panel 122, is disposed between spring portion and the pressure plate so that spring arm 102 will bear against the inside of the channelshaped lateral portions 106, thereby urging the pressure plate forward toward the front of the film pack so as to position the photosensitive sheet for exposure against the forward sides of channel-shaped lateral portion 106 and end portion 108 and forward portion 112 of transverse member 111. In still another alternative embodiment of film pack 91, the springs maybe eliminated entirely and springs maybe provided as elements of the camera or apparatus in which the film pack is intended to be employed.

. Reference is now made'to FIGS. 8 through 10 of the drawings wherein there is shown photographic apparatus embodying the invention and adapted for employing film packs of the type described. The apparatus maybe in the formof a cassette, film pack adapter or film pack holder for use with a camera or, as shown, in the form of a camera 124 comprising a forward housing section 126 and a rear housing section 128. Forward housing section '126 includes a forward housing wall 130 having a recessed section 132 including an aperture 134 through which exposures can be eifected. A hinged forward wall -136 is provided for covering recessed section 132 and mounting a conventional lens and shutter assembly 138, the latter being connected to recessed section 132 by a collapsible bellows 140 secured at one end to the lens and shutter assembly and secured at its rear end to-the recessed section around aperture 134. :In lieu of forward wall 136, lens and shutter assembly 138 and the bellows 140, the forward and rear housing sections of the apparatus maybe constructed in the form of a camera back or film pack adapter intended to be mounted on and coupled with the back of a camera.

Rear housing section 128 includes .a rear wall 142 which cooperates with forward housing section 126 to provide a chamber 144 behind aperture 134 for containing a film pack, of the type described, in position for exposure across aperture 134. This film pack, for example that designated 34 and shown in FIG. 2, is adapted to be mounted in chamber 144 with forward wall 46 of the pack against the rear surface of recessed section 132 and with aperture 48in alignment with aperture 134. Resili ent means such as pads 146 may be provided on rear wall 142 for holding the film pack against recessed section 132 of forward wall 130. Rear housing section 128 is prefably pivotally mounted on forward housing section 126 adjacent one end of the housing, herein shown and designatedfor purposes of description as the upper end of the housing, by hinge 148, thereby permitting the separation of the two housingv sections for loading of a film pack into chamber 144. Suitable latch means (not shown). of conventional type are providedv at the opposite (lower); end of the housing for retaining the two housing sections together in the closed more sbownin the drawings The film comprising the pack are adapted to be exposed and thereafter pmcesed by being withdrawn from the camera between a pair pf pressure-applying membersfor distributirg'aprocessing between the photosensitive and second sheets of each .film unit. Oamera 124, accordingly, comprises a pair of pressureapplying members in the form of elongated rolls 150. and

, unit is drawn thcrebetween. a means for mounting pressure-applying ro'lls ldll and 152, there is provided a generally. U-shapedflsuppott member '154 having a pair of parallel arms 156 joined by a connecting member 158. Each of arms 156 includes a keyhole shaped slot 160. Roll 150 is: provided with stub shatte 162. at its endsrotatably journaled in bushings 164 engaged in slots. 160. Roll 152 is mounted in a similar manner for rotation about stub shafts 166 extending from its ends and journaled in bushings 1 168: engaged in slots 160. A spring 170,-is provided mounted intennediate its ends on connecting member 158=between the latter and roll 152 with its ends "in: engagement with bushings 168 for urging roll 152.. toward roll" 150. 1

Spreading of the processing fluid from a container 30 between a phobo sensitivesheet and second sheet 12 is efiected byadvancing the sheets in superposition between rolls 150 and 152 commencing with the leading end portion's ofthe sheets'in region of the container. In order to insure spreading of the'fluid in a layer of predetermined depth completely over the area of the second sheet bordered by aperture 24, the amount of fluid usually-provided in container 30 is inexcess of that required forthe layer of fluid. Trailing end'section 16 and trailer sheet 2t? are adapted to cooperate with rolls 150 and 152 for collecting and retaining any excess fluid spread from 'between the trailing ends of the photosensitive and second sheets. This-is accomplished by. constructing the pressure-applying rolls and bushings 164 and 168 so that the bushings 'engage one another and retain the rolls spaced apart from one another by a fixed minimum amount providing" a gap between the rolls having a depth, substantially greater than the} combined thickness-of the trailing end section 16 and trailer sheet 26. By virtue of this arrangement, as the trailing end section and trailer sheet move between the rolls, a space is provided between the trailing end section and trailer sheet in which excess fluid may be collected and retained. The minimum depth of the gap between rolls 150 and 152 is approximatelyequal' to the combined thicknesses of photosensitive sheet 10, second sheet 12 and the layer of lluid' to be spread therebetween,

As previously noted, trailing end section 16 is folded back upon itself to form two adjacent portions which cooperate to function. in the manner of a container for collecting, and, retaining any excess processing fluid. As the. photosensitive and second sheets aredrawn between the, pressuremplying members, the folded sections of trailingendsection- 16 tend to remain spaced apart slightly sothat any excess processing fluid enters between the two folded sections. andis retained therein as the folded sections, move between the pressure-applying members, in spite of any application on. compressive pressure to the folded sections by the pressure-applying meinbers. .This form of trapping means finds particular utility where the minimum. gap betweenthe pressure-applying members is small so that the spacing. between the trailing end section; 16 and trailer sheet'l2i is nlsosmnll and might prove ipsuflicient to. retain all. of the. excess fluid squeezed second sheets. 7

from between the trailing ends of the and It has beenfound that the fluid. p seeing composition isspread by th&-pI6S8lJl'0.-' -P1) Y 8, mmb1$ between the sheets, along a front shaped in the. form ofa tongue so that only the intermediate portions of trailing end tion 16 and trailer sheet 26 (trapping sheets) perform a trapping function-t. Means. may be provided in'thc apparatus. camera to: causing the fluid to .be advanced, during spreading, along a front which more closely approximates-a straight line perpendicular to the direqion of, spreading of tlhefluid. In this/way: thes'cnl'n'e width of the 'trappingshee'ts-is allowing time trapping sheet to be made: shorterandstill provide the ping space. Themeans for accomplislu'ng this moremie form'spreadingcomprism a second, or auxiliary, pair of pressure-applyingmembern The pre'ssum-applyiag members oi the pair are biased toward one an,- other so. as to exert insufficient pressure to rupture the container of processing-fluid. Rupture of the container and spreading of the'fiuid is accomplished by the primary pair of pressure applying members while the second pair function to restrict the spreading of fluid in the region of the mid-pontion of the sheets and are so constructed as; to primarily on the midportion of the sheets.

' Pressure-applying. rolls 150:and 152, support member 15.4. their elementscomprise a unit mounted on forward housing section 126 between forward wall 130 and rearwall 142 adjacent the lower end of thecamera housing; An opening 172 is provided in the lower end of the housing in alignment with the gap between the pressure-applying rolls to permit tmvement of the sheet materials between the rolls and Item the camera I i The film pack, within the camera, is positioned for exposure and disposed entirely within the camera with leaders 78 and 90 located within the camerl on the inside of rolls 1 50 and 152. The camera, accordingly, includes means for advancing leaders 78 and 90,- one at a time, between the pressure-applying rolls from. the camera through opening 172 in the lowerend of the camera housing where the leaders may be grasped for drawing cover sheets and the film units-from the camera between the pressure-applying rolls. In order to maintain the overall size of the camera as small as possible, the spacing between the pressure-applying rolls and theloweror leading end of the film pack is kept to a minimum and is, in fact, substantially less than the length ofthe leader advanced between the rolls from the camera through passage 172. Accordingly, the means for ad position intermediate thepressure-applying rolls and the film pack, are movable in engagement with the leaders through a distance which is substantially less than the distancethat the leaders are moved.

The leader advancing means are manually operable from the exterior of the camera and, in the form shown, comprise a pair of rolls 174 having friction-generating surfaces, adapted to engage the leaders while rolls 174 are simultaneously moved downward toward pressureapplying rolls 150. and 152) and are rotated (counterclockwise); Ro1ls 174 are mounted adjacent rear wall 142 between the lower or leading end of the film pack and pressure-applying rolls and 152 are adapted; to be displaced toward the front of the camera for engaging and advancing the leaders To facilitate engagement of the leaders there is provided a backing member located linlfront ofthe leaders and against which rolls 1 .74. are adapted to act. Rolls 174. are formed of a material having a highcoelll'cient of friction such as rubber; while the leaders, being: formed of paper, and the near surfaceof backing member 176 have a relativelylower coemcient 0t friction so the rolls can engage imd the rearmost leader relative to any remaining leaders and to the backing member. v

- As a means for mounting and rotating rolls 174, there is provided a support plate 178 preferably formed of a resilient sheet material such assheet metal. Support plate 17 8 is elongated and generally rectangular in shape and includes a pair of upstanding support brackets 180 on one end extending parallel to one another toward the front of the'camera housing for mounting rolls 174. Rolls 174-are secured to the end of a shaft 182 mounted for rotation on support brackets 18!) with the rolls disposed outside of the brackets and the peripheries of said rolls projecting forwardof the brackets. Support plate 178 is secured at its end opposite rolls 174, to a slide plate 184 mounted for sliding or reciprocating rotating movement against the inner surface of rear wall 142 by a retaining plate 186. Slide plate 184 is wider than support plate 178 and is engaged at its edges between rear wall 142 and portions of retaining plate 186 surrounding a slot 188 in the retaining plate. Retaining plate 186 is so formed and slot 188 is so dimensioned as to permit support plate 178 to extend through slot 188 and be reciprocated in the direction of the ends of the camera housing.

Support plate 1 7 8 is normally positioned with its lower end (mounting rolls 174) against slide plate 184 and, being resilient, can be deformed forward away from the slide plate for moving rolls 174 toward backing member 1176 and into engagement with leaders located between the rolls and backing member. A manually engaged button 190 is secured tosupport plate 178 and projects rearward from the housing through an opening 192 in slide plate 184 and a slot 194 in rear wall 142. Button 190 is adapted to be engaged and pressed inward and downwardfor simultaneously deforming support plate 178 so as to move rolls 174 forward toward member 176 into engagement with leaders and for moving the support plate and rolls downward toward rolls 150 and 152 with rolls 174 held in engagement with a leader.

As a preferred means for rotating rolls 174 in a counterclockwise direction as said rolls are moved downwardly toward rolls 150 and 152 in engagement with a leader held against backing member 176, there is provided a negator spring 196 secured at one end to shaft 182, coiled around the shaft in a counterclockwise direction and secured at its other (upper) end with respect to rear wall 142, preferably on retaining plate 186 above rolls 174. By virtue of this arrangement, as shaft 182 and rolls 174 are displaced downwardly relative to the camera housing, negator spring 196 is caused to uncoil, imparting a counterclockwise rotary movement to the rolls. The negator spring performs the additional function of returning rolls 174 upward to their initial position when button 190* is released by virtue of the tendency of the negator spring to recoil itself.

2 An alternate arrangement (not shown) for rotating rolls 174 as they are displaced downwardly and returing the rolls from their displaced position may comprise a flexible connecting element such as a wire cord or the like, fixed at one end to the camera housing at a position above rolls 174. A section of the flexible element intermediate its ends is coiled around shaft 182 in a counterclockwise direction and is secured to the shaft. The element is connected at its other end to an extension spring which is in turn connected to the upper end of support plate 178. In thisarrangement, as the rolls are moved downward, the portion of the connecting element between the fixed end and the point of attachment to shaft 182 and which is wound around the shaft unwinds from the shaft, rotating the shaft and rolls. A portion of the connecting element between the shaft and the spring is coiled on the shaft and the spring is tensioned so that, when button 190 is released, the spring returns the rolls from their displaced position.

Camera 124, when'loaded with a film pack such as film pack 34, is adapted to be employed for making photographs by first engaging button 190 and pressing the button inward and downward for advancing leader connected to cover sheets 86 between pressure-applying rolls and 152 through passage 172 from the camera. Leader 90 may then be grasped for drawing cover sheets 86 around the end of pressure plate 60, from the film pack, between the pressure-applying rolls, and from the camera. Each film' unit is processed following exposure in a similar manner. The operator engages button 190, pressing it inward and downward for advancing a leader 78 between the pressure-applying rolls from the camera, so that the leader may be grasped for drawing the photosensitive sheet 10 around rolled end section 66 of pressure plate '60 into superposition with the corresponding second sheet 12, and then drawing the photosensitive and second sheets in superposition between the pressure-applying rolls from the camera. During movement of second tapered section 22 and then the photosensitive sheet around the trailing end of the pressure plate and into superposition with the second sheet, first tapered section 20 is required to roll upon itself, this action being facilitated by virtue of the taper of the two sections and by creasing or prefolding the carrier sheet along a transverseline at the junction'of sections 20 and 22.

As cover sheets 86 or a photosensitive sheet 10 are being drawn around the end of pressure plate '60 and behind the pressure plate from the film pack, frictional forces may be exerted by the moving sheets on the sheets remaining in the pack, tending to move the second sheets 12 contained in the pack from the pack toward the pressure-applying rolls. Means are provided for preventing movement of the second sheets through opening 58 from the pack and, in the form shown, this means comprises short dependent flanges 198 on the ends of engagement arms 76. Engagement arms '76 extend through opening 58 in the leading end of the film pack and flanges 198 project toward the front of the film pack so as to engage the leading edge of the rearmost second sheet 12 and prevent movement of the rearmost second sheet through opening 58 from the film pack. Engagement arms 76 extend on opposite sides of leaders 90 attached to the film units so as not to interfere with movement of the leaders and so as to engage the leading end of the rearmost second sheet during movement of the leaders through opening 58. When the photosensitive sheet of a film unit has been drawn into superposition with the second sheet of the same film unit, which second sheet is the rearmost second sheet of the pack, the two sheets are drawn through opening 58, defleotingthe free ends of engagement arms 76.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 11 through 14 of the drawings wherein there is shown another form of film pack, designated 250, embodying the invention and comprising a housing or container 252 adapted to be fabricated form stiff paper or cardboard, and having, as its only metal pant, a pressure plate 254 formed of thin sheet metal. Container 252 is generally parallelepiped in shape, having a rectangular forward wall 256 and a rear wall 258, both substantially equal in width to film unit 8 and equal in length to the portion of film unit 8 comprising photosensitive sheet 10 and trailer sheet 26 or the portion comprising second sheet 12 and portion 78 of leader 28 projecting beyond the leading end of the second sheet. Forward and rear walls 256 and 258 are joined together by side walls 260 and a trailing end wall 262 to form a container open at its leading end. A leading end wall 264 is provided joined to forward wall 256 and extending toward rear wall 258 across the open leading end of container 252 for partially closing the leading end of the container. Container 252 is preferably formed from two blanks of relatively stiff sheet material such as cardboard, with side walls 260 and end wall 262 comprising overlapping portions of the two blanks. End wall 264 preferably comprises a flap on the leading end of the panel of the blank comprising forward wall 256 and is folded across the open leading end of the container after a plurality of film units 8 and pressure plate 254 have been loaded into the container. The flap 13 comprising leading endwall 264-is held in place by tabs 266 secured toside walls 260. Forward wall 256 is provided with a rectangular exposure aperture 268 through whichphotosensitive sheets positioned within thecontainer are adapted to be exposed.

Pressure plate 254 is substantially rectangular in shape, being approximately equal in width to film units 8 and including rearwardly extending lateral flanges 270, a rolled end section 272 at its. trailing end between lateral flanges 270 and a step or raised section 274 at its leadingend having a substantially flat support surface and a generally U-shaped cross section. Pressure plate 254 is mounted within container 252 with flanges 270 disposed against side walls 260 and extending toward rear wall 258 and step 274 located adjacent leading end wall 264. A plurality of film units 8 are mounted within container 252 in essentially the same mariner as in film pack 34 with photosensitive sheets 10, located between pressure plate 254 and forward wall 256, in alignment with exposure aperture 268 and with second sheets 12 and the leaders dispersed behind the pressure plate between it and rear wall 258. Trailer sheets 26 are disposed in a recess 276 formed by the forward side of step 274, while portions 78 of leaders 28 are located Within the. container supported on the rear surface of step 274 between the latter and rear wall 258. ,Film pack 250 also includes cover sheets 86 located across aperture 268 in closing relation thereto and a leader 88 having a leading end section 90 also supported on step 274.

A portion'of photographic apparatus, such as a camera adapted for employing film pack 250, is illustrated in FIG. of the drawings and includes pressure-applying means and leader means substantially as shown and'described in connection with camera 124;. This apparatus differs from camera 124, however, in regard to the means for supporting the leaders for engagement with rolls 174, this last-rnentioned means being a part of the film pack instead of the camera; and with regard to the spring for urging pressure plate 254. and the photosensitive sheets forward into position for exposure and the means for engaging and retaining'the leading ends of the second sheets in the film pack during withdrawal movement of a leader from the film'pack, .the last-mentioned means comprising elements of the camera rather than the film pack. I

. To. permit rolls 174'to engage leaders supported on the rear surface of step 274, rear wall 258 is provided with a generally U-shaped recess or cut-away section 278 in the region of rear wall 258 overlying step 274. A pair of L-shaped engagement members 280 are provided pivotally mounted at the intersection of the arms of each of said members on rear wal-l142 at opposite sides of rolls 174. Each of engagement members 280 is mounted with one arm extending forwardly toward step 274 and with the other arm extending upwardly adjacent rear wall 142 for positioning the first-mentioned arm. Means such as tension springs 282 are provided for. urging engagement members 280 in a clockwise direction (viewing FIG. 15) into the operative position shown. The forwardly extending arms of members 280 are adapted to engage the leading edge of the rearmost film unit adjacent opposite sides of leaders 90 and portions 78 for preventing movement of the second sheets during withdrawal movement of a leader. I I

A pair of springs 284 are provided mounted at their ends on rear wall 142 adjacent the sides of the camera housing. The free ends of springs 284 are adapted to ex-.

tend forwardly for engaging flanges 270 of the pressure of the container.

self at intermediate section 214 so that the two sections plate 254, of a film pack 250 mounted within the camera wall 258 and side walls 260. A relatively, flexible sheet.

material, such as black paper, plastic, cloth 'or thelike,

may be provided for covering openings 286 to prevent the admission of light through the openings into the film ack.

p Still another form of film pack 200embodying the invention is illustrated in FIGS.'21 and 22 of the drawings and comprises a plurality of film unitsv 8,cov er sheets 86. and a container or envelope 202 for enclosing the film and cover sheets. The construction of film pack 200. is such as to eliminate the necessity for a rigid container or housing, a pressure plate and springs for biasing the pressure plate, these elements being provided as part of the apparatus in which the film pack is adapted to be exposed and; processed. Envelope 202 is substantially' equal in length and width to film unit 8 as shown in FIG. 1, that is, equal in length, to the portion of the film unit including first and'second tapered sections 20 and 22, photosensitive sheet 10 and trailer sheet and adapted to be positioned for exposure in front of the pressure plate. Envelope 202, in the partially assembled form of the film pack shown in FIG. 21, comprises a first rectangular panel 204, a second rectangular panel 206,

and a trailing end panel 208 and side panels 210 connectingthe first and second panels to form a container open at one end, the open end being designated the leading end.

Envelope 202 comprises two sections, the first'or leading end section including the open end of the container being approximately equal in length to the portion of him unit 8 including second sheet 12, and adapted to contain the second sheets of a plurality of film units. The second or'trailing section is substantially longer than thefirst section, being approximately equal in length to a photosensitive sheet and trailer sheet 26, and is adapted to contain the photosensitive and trailer sheets of a plurality of film units. A rectangular exposure aperture 212 is provided in the portion of first panel 204 comprising the second section of envelope 202 whereby photosensitive sheets positioned within the second section may be exposed. The first and second envelope sections are ond sections at intermediate section 214 back upon.

one another (as shown in FIG. 22), so that the two. sections of second panel 206 are disposed innermost adjacent one another a'ndthe first and second sections 0 first panel-204 are disposed outermost.

I Film pack 200 is assembled by introducing aplurality of film units 8 into envelope 202 in stacked relation with trailer sheets 26' located at the trailing end of the envelope against end panel 208 and photosensitive sheets 10 underlying exposure aperture 212. A pair of cover sheets 86 are introduced alon'gwith the film units so as to close exposure aperture21 2. The second sheets and the leaders of the film units and cover sheets are disposed within the first section of the container with the leading end portions of the leaders projecting through the open end The container is then folded upon itof first panel 204 located outermost and with a portion of the second section of the container, which is longer than the first section of the container becauseof the for joining the two sections of the container adjacent the open end of the container and at the lateral margins of the two sections, for retaining the two sections in the folded, assembled position with a space between the first and second container sections.

It will be noted that, except for the trailer sheets, the film units in the assembled pack 200 are arranged in substantially the same positions as they are in pack 34, shown in FIG. 3. The photographic apparatus in which pack 200 is adapted to be employed includes a spring and pressure plate, the pressure plate being adapted to be positioned between the first and second sections of the container and the spring being adapted to act against panel 204 of the first section of the container. Photographic apparatus of this type is illustrated in FIG. 23 of the drawings in the form of a camera 218, similar, insofar as the exposure means, pressure-applying means and leader-advancing means are concerned, to camera 124, shown in FIG. 8. Camera 218 includes a backing member220 against which rolls 174 operate, and a space 222 is provided between backing member 220 and forward wall 130 adapted to receive and hold the trailing end portion of the second section of container 202.

A pressure plate 224, having lateral flanges 226 projecting rearwardly at its edges and a rolled end portion 228 at its upper end, is provided in chamber 144. Pressure plate 224, similar in most respects to pressure plate 60, is mounted for pivotal movement at its lower end on pins 230 secured in backing member 220 and projecting into slots 232 in the lower ends of flanges 226. This mounting arrangement not only permits the pressure plate to be pivoted about pins 230 but allows for movement of the pressure plate toward and away from recessed section 132. A generally H-shaped spring 234, similar to spring 70, is mounted within chamber 144 on rear wall 142. Spring 234 includes a pair of spring arms 236 ex tending upwardly and forwardly and a pair of engagement arms 238 extending downwardly and forwardly toward the upper end of backing member 220.

Film pack 200 is adapted to be loaded into camera 218 by removing the rear housing section and pivoting the free end of pressure plate 224 outward so that the film pack can be slipped over the pressure plate so that the two sections of envelope 202 are disposed on opposite sides of the pressure plate and rolled end portion 228 thereof is located against the inside of folded intermediate section 214 of envelope 202. The pressure plate is then pivoted forward so that the second section of the container, including the photosensitive sheets, is disposed between the pressure plate and recessed section 132 with exposure aperture 212 of the container coincident with exposure aperture 134 in recessed section 132. The first section of the container is located behind the pressure plate and the rear housing section 128 is then moved to a closed position so that spring arms 236 bear against the film pack, urging the pressure plate and photosensitive sheets forward against recessed section 132 into position for exposure. 7 i

As a means for preventing movement of the rearmost second sheet from envelope 202 toward the pressureapplying rolls during withdrawal of a leader from the envelope and during movement of a photosensitive sheet 10 from the second section of the envelope into the first section of the envelope into superposition with the rearmost second sheet, engagement arms 238 of spring 234 are provided with short, forwardly projecting flanges 240 adapted to engage the leading edges of the second sheets and function in a similar manner to flanges 198, previously described in connection with the construction and operation of camera 124. Y This application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 749,024, filed July 16, 1958.

Since certain changes may be made in the above apparatus and product 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:

1. A photographic product comprising a photosensitive sheet including a frame adapted to be exposed within photographic apparatus, a second sheet having an area approximately coextensive with said frame and adapted to be superposed therewith for aiding in the distribution of a fluid processing composition between said frame and area, a connecting element at least equal in length to said.

16 second sheet, said connecting element being joined at its ends to the leading ends of said photosensitive and second sheets, and a leader attached to said connecting element intermediate said leading ends of said sheets, said connecting element being folded adjacent said leading end of said second sheet into superposed relation with said second sheet, said photosensitive and second sheets being disposed with the leading end of each of said sheets located adjacent the trailing end of the other and with said connecting element located between said photosensitive and second sheets, said leader being attached to said connecting element between the latter and said photosensitive sheet and extending therebetween, fromits point of attachment to said connecting element, toward said leading end of said photosensitive sheet and being folded upon itself so as to extend from between said photosensitive sheet and said connecting element and said second sheet at the leading end of said second sheet.

2. The photographic product of claim 1 wherein said photosensitive sheet comprises a photosensitive material selected from the classconsisting of the heavy metal salts, ferric salts and diazonium compounds and said second sheet comprises a material for receiving a transfer image resulting from treatment of said photosensitive sheet following exposure thereof by a fluid processing composition distributed between said photosensitive and second sheets.

3. A photographic product comprising a photosensitive sheet including a frame adapted to be exposed within photographic apparatus, a second sheet having an area at least coextensive with said frame and adapted to be superposed therewith for aiding in the distribution of a fluid processing composition between said frame and area, a connecting sheet at least equal in length to said second sheet, said connecting sheet being joined at its ends to-the leading ends of said first and second sheets, a portion'of said connecting sheet being creased along a transverse line intermediate said leading ends of said photosensitive and second sheets, and a leader attached to said connecting sheet at said creased portion, said connecting sheet being folded adjacent said leading end of said second sheet into superposed relation with said second sheet, said photosensitive and second sheets being disposed with the leading end of each of said sheets located adjacent the trailing end of the other and with said connecting sheet located between said photosensitive and second sheets, said leader being attached to said connecting sheet between the latter and said photosensitive sheet and extending therebetween, from its point of attachment to said connecting sheet, toward said leading end of said photosensitive sheet and being folded upon itself so as to extend from between said photosensitive sheet and said connecting and second sheets at the leading end of said second sheet.

4. The photographic product of claim 3 wherein said photosensitive sheet comprises a photosensitive material selected from the class consisting of the heavy metal salts, ferric salts and diazonium compounds, and said second sheet comprises a material for receiving a transfer image resulting from treatment of said photosensitive sheet following exposure thereof by a fluid processing composition distributed between said photosensitive and second sheets.

5. The photographic product of claim 3 wherein said connecting sheet is creased along a transverse line substantially midway between the leading edge of said frame of said photosensitive sheet and the leading edge of said area of said second sheet.

6. The photographic product of claim 3 wherein said connecting sheet is substantially equal in width to said photosensitive and second sheets in the end regions of said connecting sheet at which it is joined to said photosensitive and second sheets, and the sides of said con necting sheet taper from said end regions toward the line at which said connecting sheet is creased.

joined at its ends to the leading ends of said photosensitive and second sheets, a leader attached to said connecting sheet substantially midway between the leading edges of said frame and area,said connecting sheet being folded adjacent the leading end of said'second sheet into superposed relation with said second sheet, a rupturable container of said fluid processing composition attached to said connecting sheet between the latter and said second sheet at a location on said second sheet intermediate the a point of attachment of said leader to said connecting sheet and said leading end of said second sheet, said container eing elongated and having a discharge mouth at onev longitudinal edge extending transversely of said sheets, 1 and hinge meansfor mounting said container'with said discharge mouth directed away from said leading end of said second sheet and with said container spaced along said second sheet and said connecting sheet from said leading edge of said area a distance at least equal to the width of said container, said hinge means being secured to said connecting sheet and to said container along the longitudinal edge thereof opposite said discharge mouth, said photosensitive and second sheets being disposed with, the leading end of each of said sheets located adjacent the trailing end of the other with said connecting sheet being located between said photosensitive and second sheets, said leader being attached to the opposite surface 7 of said connecting sheet from said container and extending between said connecting sheet and said photosensitive sheet, from its point of attachment to said connect- ".ing sheet, toward said leading end of said photosensitive sheet and being folded upon itself so as to extend in the opposite direction from between said photosensitive sheet.

and said connecting and second sheets at the leading end of said second sheet.

17. A photographic product comprising a photosensitive sheet including a frame adapted to be exposed within photographic apparatus, a second sheet having an area at least coextensive with said frame and adapted to be superposed therewith for aiding in the distribution of a fluid processing composition between said frame and area, a connecting sheet at least equal in length to said second sheet, said connecting sheet being joined at its ends to the leading ends of said first and second sheets, a portion of said connecting sheet being creased along y a transverse line intermediate said leading ends of said photosensitive and second sheets, a leader attached to said connecting sheet at said creased portion, said connecting sheet being folded adjacent said leading end of said sec ond sheet into superposed relation with said second sheet, a rupturable container of said processing composition attached to said connecting sheet between the latter and said second sheet at a location on said connecting sheet intermediate said creased portion and said leading end of said second sheet, said container being elongated and having a discharge mouth at one longitudinal edge extending transversely of said sheets, and hinge means for mounting said container with said discharge mouth directed away from said leading end of said second sheet toward the trailing end thereof and with said container spaced from the leading edge of said area of said second sheet along said second sheet and connecting sheet a distance at least equal to the width of said container, said hinge means being secured to said connecting sheet and to said container along the longitudinal edge thereof opposite said discharge mouth, said photosensitive and second sheets being disposed with the leading end of each of said sheets located adjacent the trailing end of the other and with said connecting sheet located between said photosensitive and second sheets, said leader being attached to said connecting sheet between the latter and said photosensitive sheet and extending therebetween, from its point of attachment to said connecting sheet, toward said leading end of said photosensitive sheet and being folded upon itself so as to extend from between said photosensitive sheet and connecting and second sheets at the leading end of said second sheet.

18. The photographic product of claim 17 wherein said photosensitive sheet comprises a photosensitive material selected from the class consisting of the heavy metal salts, ferric salts and diazonium compounds, and said fluid processing composition comprises an agent capable of reacting with said photosensitive material following exposure thereof to effect the formation of a visible photo- 7 graphic image.

19. The photographic product of claim 18 wherein said fluid composition includes an agent capable of reacting with said photosensitive material to produce transferable image-forming substances, and said second sheet comprises a material for receiving said image-forming substances and supporting a visible transfer image.

20. The photographic product of claim 17 wherein said photosensitive sheet comprises a photosensitive silver halide and said fluid processing composition comprises a silver halide developer.

21. A photographic product including a plurality of film units each comprising a photosensitive sheet including a frame adapted to be exposed, a second sheet having an area approximately coextensive with said frame and adapted to be superposed therewith for aiding in the distribution of a fluid processing composition between said frame and area, a connecting element extending between the leading ends of said photosensitive and second sheets and a leader attached to said connecting element intermediate said leading ends of said sheets, said connecting elementsv being folded adjacent said leading end of said second sheet into superposed relation with said second sheet, said photosensitive and second sheets of each of'said film units being disposed with the leading end of each of said sheets located adjacent the trailing end of the other and with said connecting element located between said photosensitive and second sheets, said leader of said cach film unit being attached to said connecting element thereof between said connecting element and said photosensitive sheet and extending therebetween, from its point of attachment to said connecting element, toward said leading end of said photosensitive sheet and being folded upon itself so as to extend from between said photosensitive sheet and said connecting element and said second sheet at said leading end of said second sheet, a housing for enclosing said film units, and separating means within said housing for dividing said housing, said photosensitive sheets being positioned within said housing in stacked relation adjacent one side of said separating means, said second sheets and said connecting elements being positioned in stacked relation adjacent the opposite side of said separating means with said connecting elements bent around one end of said separating means adjacent said leading ends of said photosensitive sheets and said leaders projecting from said housing adjacent said leading ends of said second sheets.

22. The photographic product of claim 21 wherein said housing includes forward and rear Walls between which said separating means is mounted, said photosensi tive sheets being disposed between said separating means and said forward wall, said forward Wall including an opening at least coextensive with said frames of said photosensitive sh ets for permitting exposure of the latter, a light-shielding element is provided disposed within said housing between said photosensitive sheets and said forward wallacross said opening, said light-shielding element including a leader bent around the end of said separating means adjacent leading ends of said pnotosensitive sheets and extending between said separating means and said rear wall from the end of said housing adjacent said leading ends of said second sheets, said housing being provided with an opening therein adjacent the leading ends of said second sheets through which sa d leaders comprising saidfihn units and said leader 21 a hbniprising said light'shielding element extend from said hom g- 23. The photographic product of claim 21 wherein said housing includes forward and rear walls at least coextensive in area with said photosensitive and second sheets, said separating means is at least coextensive in area with said photosensitive and second sheets and is disposed between said forward and rear walls, said photosensitive sheets are located between said forward wall and said separating means, said forward wall is provided with an exposure aperture, and said product includes a resilient means for urging said separating means toward said forward wall for urging said photosensitive sheets against said forward wall across said aperture in position for exposure. I

24. The photographic product of claim 23 whereinsaid resilient means comprises a spring mounted on saidw w V 25. The photographic product of claim 23 wherein resilient means comprises springs mounted on, said separating means adjacent the lateral edges thereoffor bearing against said rear wall of said housing.

26.- The photographic product of claim 23 wherein said housing comprises generally coextensive forward and rear walls connected by side walls, said separating means comprises a generally flat plate, at leastequalin width to said film units, disposed between said forward and rear walls and having flanges at its sides extending toward said rear wall on opposite sides of said film units, said photosensitive sheets being located between said separating, means and said forward wall, said rear and side walls having openings at their common edges for allowing means, comprising the photographic apparatus inwhich said product is employed, to project into, said housing'into engagement with said flanges for urging said separating means toward said forward wall and retaining said photosensitive sheets in position for exposure against said forward wall across said aperture therein.

27. The photographic product of claim 23ywherein said separating means comprises a generally fiat plate extending from side to side of said housing and having lateral flanges projecting toward said rear wall adjacent I opposite sides of said film units.

28; The photographic product of claim 27 wherein said resilient means comprises springs mountedon said lateral flanges for engaging therear wall of said housing and urging said separating. means toward the forward wall.

29. The photographic product of claim 21- wherein said housing comprises a forward wall having an exposure aperture therein at least coextensive with said frames ofsaid photosensitive sheets and a rear wall, said photosensitive sheets being positioned in a stack between forward wall and said separating means with said flames in alignrnent with said aperture, and said product includes a light-shielding element provided in said housing between said photosensitive sheets and said forward wall, said light-shielding element extending across said aperture in closing relation thereto and being bent around said end of said separating means adjacent said leading ends of said photosensitive sheets, and a leader coupled ing a frame adapted to be exposed, a second sheet having area approximately coextensive with said frame and adapted to be superposed therewith for aiding in the distribution of a fluid processing composition between said frame and area, a connectingelemenfjoined at its ends ins ' 22' to the leading ends of said photosensitive and eesnd sheets and a leader attached to said connecting element intermediate said leading ends of said sheets, 'said con necting element being folded adjacent said leading end of said second sheet into superposed relation with said second sheet, said photosensitive and second sheets of each of said film units being disposed with the leading end of each of said sheets located adjacent the trailing end of the other and with said connecting element located be tween said photosensitive and second sheets said leader being attached to said connecting element between the latter and said photosensitive sheet and extending there between, from its point of attachment to said connecting element, toward said leading end of said photosensitive sheet and being folded upon itself so as to extend from between said photosensitive sheet and said connecting element and said second sheet at the leading end of said second sheet, and means for enclosing said film units an a, positioning said photosensitive sheets together in stacked relation and said second sheets and connecting elements together in stacked relation apart from said photosensitive sheets, with said leaders extending from between said sheets at the leading ends of said second sheets. l 31. A photographic product including a plurality of film units each com-prising a photosensitivesheet including a frame adapted to be exposed, a second sheet having" an area approximately coextensive with said frame and adapted to be superposed therewith for aiding in the dis} tribution of a fluid processing composition between said frame and area, a connecting sheet joined its ends to the leading ends of said first and secondsheets, a portion of said connecting sheet being creased along a transverse line intermediate said leading ends of said photosensitive and second sheets, and a leader attached to said connect ing sheet at said creased portion, said connecting sheet being folded adjacent said leading end of said second sheet into superposed relation with said second sheet, said photosensitive and second sheets of each 'of said film units being disposed with the leading end of each or said sheets located adjacent thetrailing end offlthe other and with said connecting sheet located between said photosensitive and second sheets, said leader being at} tached to said connecting sheet between the latter and said photosensitive sheet and extending therebetween, from its point of attachment to said connecting sheet, toward said leading end of said photosensitive sheet and being folded upon itself so as to extend from between said photosensitive sheet and said connecting sheet and second sheet at said leading end of said second sheet, and means for enclosing said film units and positioning said photosensitive sheets together in stacked relation and positioning said second sheets and connecting sheets together in stacked relation apart from said photosensitive sheets, with said leaders extending from between said sheets at the leading ends of said second sheets. I

32. The photographic product ofclaim 31 wherein said photosensitive sheet comprises a photosensitive ma terial selected from the class consisting" of the heavy metal salts, ferric salts and diazonium compounds, and said fluid processing composition within said container includes an agent capable of reacting with said photm sensitive material following exposure thereofto efiect the formation of a visible image.

33. The photographic product of claim- 31 wherein said connecting sheet is creased along a transverse lino substantially midway between the leading edge of" said: frame of said photosensitive sheet and the leading edge of said area of said second sheet. I

34. The photographic product of. claim 31 wherein said connecting sheet is substantially equal in width to said photosensitive and second sheets in the region of said connecting'sheet at which it is joined to said photosensitive and second sheets, and the sides of said con necting sheet taper from said end regions toward-the line at which said connecting sheet is creased.

Images