JP3232104B2 - Photographic film apparatus and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION RELATED APPLICATIONS CROSS-REFERENCE This application is pending pending U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application No. 08/808040, entitled "Photographic Apparatus and Method," filed March 4, 1997, with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. , And 1997
Film Assemb, filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on March 10,
lage ", which is related to US Provisional Patent Application No. 60/040254.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to photographic film devices and methods of manufacturing the same, and more particularly to self-developing photographic film devices and methods of manufacturing the same.

Heretofore, various instant development film devices and their associated methods of manufacture have been proposed. Although such devices and manufacturing methods are various, a more simplified self-developing film is manufactured so that the film device can be manufactured at low cost and with high reliability, thereby obtaining a low-cost film device as a whole. Efforts have been made to provide equipment. It will also be appreciated that the savings of a few cents in the production of individual film pieces can be substantial, since the commercially produced films are generally quite large.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an improved self-developing film unit. A developer supply assembly including a friable developer reservoir at a front end of the film unit; and a first and second upper layer, one of which can be exposed to form a latent image, and the spacer assembly includes a first and second upper layer. 1
And a self-developing image recording assembly connected therebetween to the second layer to provide a development space therethrough for the passage of developer and excess development at the rear end of the film unit and passing through the development space. A liquid trap assembly for collecting liquid and a liquid passage fluidly connecting the reservoir to a front end of the development space for introducing developer from the friable reservoir into the development space and initiating development of the latent image. Including,
A first liquid-tight connection assembly is provided, and a second liquid-tight connection assembly including a liquid passage for liquid coupling the rear end of the development space to the trap assembly for entering developer into the trap assembly. The first connection assembly includes:
It has one end portion sealably secured to an outer surface of the reservoir and a second end sealably secured to an outer surface of a front end of the image recording assembly. The second coupling assembly includes a rear end of the image recording assembly and one end sealably secured thereabout, and an opposite end sealably secured to an outer surface of the trap assembly. Have.

In one illustrated embodiment, an image recording assembly includes a photoreceptor layer and an image receptor layer overlying and coextensive with the photoreceptor layer. Preferably, the receptor layer and the photoreceptor layer are of the integral diffusion transfer type, and the spacer assembly means comprises a pair of adjacent spaced apart, generally parallel, long rails coextensive with opposing peripheries of the layers. including. In such an embodiment, each of the first and second fluid tight coupling assemblies is made of a pair of resilient flexible sheets, which are hermetically connected to each other to form a respective liquid. The passages are defined and are made of a foldable and rollable material, which facilitates folding and unfolding and allows for its winding action during film unit unfolding.

In another exemplary embodiment, a braking assembly protruding from the film unit and connected to the reservoir is provided and engagable with a stop in the imaging device, thereby braking the linear advancement of the film unit. In this illustrated embodiment, the braking means includes a filament that extends generally parallel to the reservoir.

In another illustrated embodiment, the front end of the reservoir of one film unit and the rear end of an adjacent film unit extend and interconnect in a longitudinal end-to-end relationship with each other such that the front ends of the adjacent film units are aligned. , A plurality of film units and means for individually connecting each linear pair of film units connected in end-to-end relationship. In another embodiment shown,
An interconnecting means is provided for including an interconnecting sheet forming at one end a part of the first connecting means and at the other end a part of the second connecting means.

Also provided is a method of forming a self-developing film unit of the type described above, and a film apparatus thereof, and its manufacture.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to produce a new and improved film apparatus and a self-developing film apparatus that is relatively simple and easy to operate and provides a relatively high yield of a reliable and flexible film apparatus. Is to provide a method.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new film device that can be made in a variety of ways, using a variety of materials, without making the resulting film device incompatible with the camera for which it is intended to operate. It is to provide an improved film device. It should be understood that in most cases, if the structure of the film apparatus is slightly different, the associated camera will usually have to be redesigned. Thus, the present invention allows various film structures to be used in conjunction with the same camera without requiring a camera redesign.

The above and other objects of the present invention will become apparent by reading the detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, similar structures are numbered the same across multiple figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating one preferred method of producing a film according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a film device that can be manufactured according to the present invention.

 FIG. 3a is a top view of the film device of the present invention.

FIG. 3b is a side view of the film apparatus of FIG. 3a during assembly.

FIG. 3c is a side view of one embodiment of the film apparatus of FIG. 3a after assembly.

FIG. 3d is a side view of another embodiment of the film apparatus of FIG. 3a after assembly.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the structure of an integral film piece before being divided into individual film units used to make the film apparatus of the present invention.

 FIG. 5 is a schematic view of one manufacturing method of the film.

6 and 7 are a perspective view and an end view of one version forming the pod.

FIG. 8 shows one version of a portion of a pod made in accordance with the present invention.

 FIG. 9 is a diagram showing one version of the trap.

 FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another version of the trap.

11 and 11a show another version of making a trap.

FIG. 11b shows another version of making pods and traps.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a schematic version of a temporarily assembled film unit.

FIG. 13a illustrates one step in producing the film frame of FIG.

FIG. 13b illustrates one step in assembling a plurality of the film frames of FIG.

FIG. 13c shows the connection between the film units shown in FIG. 13b in more detail.

14a to 14c illustrate yet another method of making a trap according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a film device according to the present invention in a folded state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION As noted above, pending US Provisional Patent Application No. 60/040254, filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on March 10, 1997, and
"Photograp," filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on March 4, 997
No. 08 / 808,040, entitled "Hic Apparatus and Method," which are incorporated herein and are incorporated herein by reference.

In FIG. 2, a portion of a longitudinally extending photographic film apparatus 10 is shown as including a plurality of alternately spaced self-developing film units 12, but as will be described below, the film unit Can be a self-developing peeling type. Coextensive pairs of connecting pieces 14a-c and covering pieces 15a-c are alternately connected to each of the film units 12, thus forming a continuous longitudinal film device. Conveniently, the film apparatus 10 is divided into separate individual image units or frames 16a, b, which are weakened or fragile portions on one of several pairs of connecting pieces 14b. It extends longitudinally from 18 to a similar portion 18 on an adjacent pair of several pairs of trailing pieces 14a. In some embodiments, 10-12 pieces can be made. Actually, several hundred pieces can be connected continuously. As described below, weakened or vulnerable parts 18
Preferably has a structurally weakened section so that successive individual pieces of the pieces 16a, b can be easily separated. FIG. 1 shows one sequence for producing the film device of the present invention.

Basically, each of the film pieces 16a, b is comprised of one of the film units 12, a friable reservoir or pod 20 containing developer located adjacent the leading edge of the film unit 12, and a film unit. A trap 22 adjacent the trailing edge of the unit 12; Trap 22 is adapted to collect unconsumed excess developer from the friable pod during development of film unit 12. Both the friable pod or container 20 and the trap 22 are glued and secured to the pair of connecting and covering pieces in various successive steps, for example, by a molten adhesive, as described below. A hot melt laminator is used to secure the pods and traps to the connecting and covering sheets as desired. The cooperating connection piece and cover piece pairs can be made of various materials, and in this embodiment can be a masking material of the type used in self-developing technology.

The sandwich structure of each film unit will be described. Each film unit is identical, so a description of one is sufficient. Originally, the layers of the image receptor layer or sheet 30 were included in the sandwich structure, the layers of the photoreceptor layer or sheet 32 generally coextensive in overlapping relationship therewith, and the film unit between the sheets 30 and 32 A pair of longitudinal rails 34a, b are provided spaced apart along the periphery of. Although not shown, the film unit 12 can be peelable, in which case the respective layers 30, 32 can be separated after development. In one example of a release-type film, the photoreceptor can be made of a so-called "Excedrin" type, in which light is transmitted, and is generally a coextensible, overlayable covering sheet having a pair of side rails. Reach Such a covering sheet is releasably attached to the photoconductor. In such an embodiment, the cover sheet and rails could be replaced by members 30 and rails 34a, b and removed from the superposition relationship after the image has been developed. Other strip separation configurations are also contemplated.

Please refer to FIG. 2 to FIG. One method of manufacturing the integrated film device uses a one-turn laminated film sandwich structure. The rolled sandwich structure is cut generally transversely to define each film unit 12. Both the web width of the sandwich and the cut distance in the transverse direction can be varied, thereby forming film units of various sizes and aspect ratios. Thus, the illustrated film unit outline represents many different variations possible due to the sandwich construction.

To form a rolled laminated sandwich structure, the photosensitive sheet material piece 30 and the image receiving sheet material piece 32 are
The feed roller (not shown) is fed into a gap between a pair of rotating rollers facing each other and brought into close contact with each other in a co-extensive state. At the same time, a pair of rail material strips is simultaneously supplied along the opposing longitudinal edges. Each piece of rail material comes from its appropriate roll. The rail has a thickness suitable for the particular film apparatus that uses the rail. This rail is sandwiched between the sheets 30 and 32 as described above, thereby being positioned along opposite longitudinal edges of these sheets. Heat and pressure conditions are selected depending on the time that results in the desired lamination. The pressure and time are selected in a known manner to heat the heat sensitive material to achieve the desired adhesion. For example, both rollers can be made of steel, both can be made of rubber, or one can be rubber coated and the other made of steel. Thereafter, it is preferable to wind the appropriately laminated sheet around a spool to form a film supply roll. When winding the film supply after lamination on a reel, a composite sandwich, particularly 2
The radius of the reel and the winding tension must likewise be carefully selected so as not to cause excessive bending of the facing parts of the sandwich located between the book rails 34a, 34b.

When feeding the sheet and rail from the roll to the roller gap,
It is important to maintain the correct tension inside each seat and rail, and between the seat and rail, respectively.
Since the film feeder has a composite structure, the image receiving layer 30
If the tension between the photoconductor layer 32 and the photoconductor layer 32 is not uniform, curling of the film supply body after lamination may occur. For example, if the tension in the supply of image receptor layer 30 is higher than the tension in photoreceptor layer 32 before the roller gap, image receptor layer 30 is stretched and relaxed, ie, contracted, after lamination. Thus, the film supply 18 causes curl, at the same time the photoreceptor layer 32 forms a convex surface, and the image receiving layer 30 forms a concave surface.

As mentioned above, the heat from the laminating process also adversely affects the properties of the photographic sheet, and possibly other materials and components. Thus, one or more rollers
Rollers are made so that they do not come into contact with the surface of the image receiving layer 30 and / or the photoreceptor layer 32 except for the side edges of the film supply including the rail portions 34a and 34b. This may be achieved by longitudinally extending radial recesses in one or more rollers, which may be filled with a low thermal conductivity material, such as a rubber compound. Obviously, this concept can be applied to other film structures than the embodiment shown in FIG.

Rail materials generally include a PET base, which is
A thin layer of another material, preferably a composite such as paper / fiber,
Alternatively, any of the liquid coatings that preferably provide the desired thickness when dried are disposed thereon. Then, an adhesive that melts when heated is applied to both sides of the rail. The activation temperature of the adhesive depends on several factors, including the amount of coating per unit area. As described above, the thickness of the rail cross section is adjusted in order to facilitate measurement sensitivity matching. One way to accomplish this is to make one layer somewhat more optimal rail thickness and the other layer even thinner so that its thickness can be varied according to the requirements of obtaining correct measurement sensitivity.

One of the advantages of the sandwich relationship described above is that the measurement sensitivity relationship between the photoreceptor and the image receiving piece can be adjusted very simply and appropriately in a known manner, thereby providing a gap between the image receiving layer and the photoreceptor layer. Can be set by adjusting the rail thickness. Because of the requirement that the image receptor layer 30 and the photoreceptor layer 32 be measured sensitively to each other and to the rail portions 34a, 34b, the film supplier in the various embodiments discussed below provides a measurement sensitivity for these layers. It is preferred to pre-assemble in a factory where properties can be measured and adjusted if necessary.

Although the above embodiments disclose one option for rails, the present invention includes those that do not require a rail between the image receptor layer 30 and the photoreceptor layer 32. Therefore,
The aforementioned mechanical gaps required for spreading are achieved by stepped rollers. However, sandwiching the rails eliminates the need for fairly expensive stepped rollers for the film unit. In practice, a relatively inexpensive generally cylindrical spreading roller could be used instead.

FIG. 4 shows a segment of a portion of a film unit. The individual film units 12 are cut continuously, for example by assembling and cutting with a hand cutter, or by a high speed mechanical chopper. Other cutting devices, such as lasers, can also be used. Two layers 30,3
2 and rail portions 34a, 34b define side openings 36 between the rail portions for the passage of developer. Preferably, the image receiving layer 30 and photoreceptor layer 32 of each individual film unit 12 are coextensive, and most preferably the rail is coextensive with the periphery over the entire length of the film unit 12. Thus, film unit 12 does not require additional processing after separation. The separate cut is preferably perpendicular to the film plane, but may be cut at an angle to reduce the volume of residual developer remaining in the space near the leading and trailing edges of each of the film units 12. it can.

Although the film units can be cut from a rolled laminated sandwich structure, other film unit manufacturing methods are possible. For example, with reference to FIG. 5, one of other preferable manufacturing methods will be described. As shown, a piece of photosensitive material 32 travels along a first path in the direction of the arrow, and a piece of image receiving material 30 travels along a second path in the direction of the arrow and moves at right angles to the original. . In such a method, the image receiving pieces are secured to the image receiving piece with transverse rail pieces 33 made of a suitable rail material at appropriately spaced intervals, as is known in the art. Each of the rails 33 can have a width that is at least twice the desired film unit side rail width. Each rail 33 can be cut centrally along a cutting line indicated by the reference numeral 35 to form a segment of two rails 34a, 34b. The result of the cutting action is to form an individual sheet of the image receptor layer having a pair of appropriately spaced side rails. The appropriately sized photoreceptor layer 32 is then cut and glued or adhered to the side rails 34a, 34b by lamination, thereby providing the appropriate film unit.
Form 12.

Having described several methods for making a film unit, the pod 20 and its attachment to the film apparatus 10 will now be described with reference to both FIGS. 2-4 and 6-8. It will be appreciated that many different pod structures that can be made by known pod making methods can be used in film equipment. In this embodiment, the pod
20 is a composite sheet structure 40 made of a vinyl layer inside
And an intermediate layer of aluminum and an outer layer of paper. Pod sheet 40 is folded in the center. A puddle of liquid reagent is applied to the resulting trough, sealing the upper edge 42 as well as the edges of both folds, thus completing a pod of a predetermined length. The top edge seal consists of a predetermined bond that is weaker than the other seals, so that the pod can be broken along the top edge seal, allowing for the distribution of the developer. The pod is cut to the appropriate longitudinal dimension, i.e., to the desired image width depending on the film type used, filled with a known developer and filled with a side edge and a crushing edge opposite the non-crushing side of the pod. , But not necessarily in this order, but by layering to provide a liquid-tight seal. If desired, each pod can be sealed transversely along seal line 44, thereby creating a vinyl-to-vinyl contact and forming a subsection of the pod. The formation of such a transverse seal,
Achieved by heat bonding together the vinyl inner layers of the opposing flaps of the pod. The seal can later be cut along the seal line to form a shorter, predetermined length pod. However, in this embodiment, the pods are positioned along the bottom of the V-shaped trough (see FIG. 6).
23, which differs from known pod structures in that it is used as a pod advance prevention means as described below. The resistance provided in this regard creates a reaction force greater than the tensile force in the film unit, thereby breaking the fragile portion 18 and thereby separating it. However, the string structure creates a resistance that directly interacts with the rollers in the camera rather than the walls of the pod itself. In addition, the strings have the secondary function of creating alignment protrusions or stops that help to properly position the film unit following the desired focal cone in the camera. To form this string stop, the string 23 is placed in the bottom of the trough and the portions of the trough immediately above the string are laminated together. In this regard, the vinyl surface inside one leg 41 is laminated to the vinyl surface inside the other leg 41 in a laminated manner. Thereafter, the pod is filled and sealed by a known method as described above. The strings thus provide a ledge that initially engages the rollers, thereby reducing the risk of premature crushing of the pod. The string separates the undesired tensile forces that act directly in terms of breaking the pod.

Although the strings are disclosed, geometrically arranged cross sections with other materials are contemplated. Of course, the end of the string was removed and inserted into the pod. Other similar techniques can be used to form such a damping projection, by molding or placing a structure on the connecting member, or by inserting a material between the connecting piece and the covering piece. Is also contemplated. The present invention also contemplates having a pod that can be made of various materials that can take various shapes. In addition, the pods can include metal structures or structures made of materials that help resist cutting by scissors or the like to prevent unwanted crushing of the pods due to cutting. It is further contemplated that other equivalent braking structures could be used in place of the protrusions.

One embodiment of the trap will be described with reference to FIGS. It is common in various embodiments that the individual traps located on the film device 10 are separated, for example cut to a desired length from a pre-assembled, preferably continuous tape. The trap structure is formed by the method set forth in the first-mentioned pending application, and therefore does not require this detailed description. Traps generally serve to collect and neutralize excess developer. In addition, the trap helps to spread and pull apart the developing roller, so that the roller does not continue to force the liquid to break the trap seal and move the liquid to the next undesirable unit. In this embodiment, a trap mask 60 having a generally V-shaped profile is provided, which has one of the folds 62 heat sealed at the bottom to one of the connecting sheets and a top cover sheet. Other folds heat sealed
It may have one of 64. Pieces of well-known trap material
66 is heat sealed to the inner surface of the fold 62. This trapping structure is provided over the entire width of the connecting piece. FIG. 10 shows another version of the trap, in which case a piece 66 of trap material is folded in the middle and both folds 66a, b
For example, the connecting sheet and the covering sheet are appropriately secured by lamination and bonding of the disclosed type, respectively.

After describing the formation of the pod and the trap, the cooperating pair of the connecting piece and the covering piece will be described. In this regard, reference is made back to FIGS. 2 and 3. As mentioned earlier, these cooperating pairs provide a liquid-tight liquid between the friable container 20 and the leading edge of the film unit 12, and between the trailing edge of the film unit 12 and the trap 22. Define a passage. The covering piece is generally coextensive in width with the connecting piece and is located on top of the connecting piece. The connecting piece and the covering piece are secured at their respective ends to the leading edge and the trailing edge of the film unit 12, for example by means of a suitable hot-melt adhesive. Furthermore, the pair of connecting piece and covering piece are located along the side edges 26a, 26b near the friable vessel 20 and in the trap 2
It is secured along side edges 28a, 28b near 2 and is liquid tightly sealed. In the region between the friable container 20 and the trap 22, the pair of the connecting piece and the coating piece are bonded so that the friable container 20 and the trap 22 are liquid-tightly sealed from the surrounding environment by, for example, a hot-melt laminate. They are attached to each other by an agent or heat sealing. In one alternative arrangement, the connecting piece and covering piece pairs are secured liquid-tight at the film unit 12 along the respective lateral portions 42a, 42b end-to-end, for example by heat sealing. Furthermore, there is essentially a "zero line gap" between the pair of connecting piece 14 and covering piece 15. This zone of the zero line gap is dimensioned to contain only a small amount of residual developer after development. This zone can accumulate any excess chemical, otherwise the excess chemical will "back flow" into the aperture 36 of the film unit 12, creating an undesirable image configuration. Other advantages are
The relatively rigid part of the image unit 12, namely the friable container 20
And the part where the trap 22 is secured to the pair of connecting pieces can be removed from the cooperating camera without bending,
All other parts of the connection pair are easily bent.

Referring first to FIG. 3c, in the first embodiment, one covering piece 15a1, 15a2 is provided for each pair of connecting piece and covering piece. The coating pieces 15a1 and 15a2 have substantially the same length and the same width as the pair of the connection pieces 14, for example, the peripheral edges 26a and 26a.
b, 28a, 28b, in the area between the friable container 20 and the trap 22 along the stack of coextensive pairs of connecting pieces 14 in the manner described above, e.g. by sealing, secured by this. . Instead of using the covering piece apart from the connecting piece to provide the liquid passage, a single connecting piece with a large width can be used, and this width can be folded longitudinally at the center, so that There is only one lamination along the contiguous edges. The liquid passage may also be made in a single piece through a suitably formed tubular cavity for carrying the developer.
Of course, the film unit must be inserted into the opposite end of the tubular cavity.

As noted above, the film device 10 preferably includes a structurally weakened portion 18. Portions 18 are weakened by, for example, perforations to facilitate separation of adjacent image units 16a, b, etc. The perforations preferably define convenient tabs 40 for pulling the front image unit from a cooperating camera (not shown) as shown, thus facilitating manual development and reducing the cost of the camera. Enable design. The tab 40 remains on the leading image unit separated by pulling after separation. However, other methods suitable for separating successive image units 16, such as notches along the side edges or external cutters, can be used, and the presence and location and shape of the tabs shown in each figure are not limited to the invention. It should be understood that this is merely an example of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 3d, the adjacent covering strip 15a1 of FIG. 3c is replaced by a first covering strip 15, which is preferably sealed by a liquid-tight seal along the rim 46b to form a film unit. The area extending over the friable container 20 and the leading edge of the film unit 12 is sealed and replaced by a second coating strip 15a, which is preferably a liquid-tight seal along the edge 46a. And the area extending over the rear edge.

In a cooperating camera (not shown), the image units 16a,
During development of b, etc., a suitable spreading roller (not shown) crushes the friable container 20 from the friable container 20 to the leading edge of the film unit 12 and into the opening 36. The developer is spread through. Any excess developer exits the trailing edge of film unit 12 and travels to trap 22.

A preferred method for attaching and / or securing and / or sealing the various elements and components together is by lamination with heat or pressure using an adhesive that is responsive to heat and / or pressure, and by gluing or welding It should be understood that other methods are also contemplated. Such attachment methods are well-known in the art. As mentioned above, the preferred process used to join the various components of the film apparatus 10 is to apply adhesive, pressure and / or heat, and this process is called lamination. The most preferred lamination method is to use a rotating laminator,
In this case, the components to be laminated are put into the roll gap between the heated rollers while applying pressure between the rollers in an overlapping state. In the present invention, the photosensitive sheet, the plurality of strip-shaped rail sheets, and the image receiving sheet are removed from the individual supply rolls in this order, and are joined by being put together in a gap between a pair of driven rolls. Appropriate guide pulling means are arranged in a conventional manner to align the sheets together. The rollers are adapted to provide the appropriate pressure and temperature and to equalize the pressure and temperature across the rollers so that the hot melt adhesive disposed on the exposed surface of the rail material melts properly.

With reference to FIGS. 11 and 11a, another trap configuration and a method of manufacturing the same according to the present invention will be described. As shown
The connecting piece 14 has a trap mask 70, and the proximal end 70a of the trap mask 70
Attach by gluing in 2. Folding the distal end 72b of the trap mask over the piece 74 of trap material,
Secured at the transverse edge of the film unit 12, thereby forming a trap 76. The side edges of the trap mask are then glued to the side edges of the connecting pieces, thus defining a self-contained trap.

In the embodiment of FIG. 11b, the pod structure of FIGS. 6 to 8 can be placed, for example, on the connecting piece 14 adjacent to the trap 76, and the covering sheet 78 can be secured in the middle to cover the pod. , The opposite free end of the covering sheet 78 to the film unit 12 adjacent at one end to the trap 76 at the other end.
Respectively. In this embodiment,
There is no need to sharply fold over the trap mask 70, and a portion of the trap mask 70 will have some excess. The excess allows for adhesion to it, and the likelihood of heat from the laminating lamination step that causes the trapping material 74 to adhere to itself when in the folded state is small.

FIG. 13 shows another embodiment, in which the trap
Both 76 'and pod 80 can be folded and connected to film unit 12 in the same manner as trap 76 of the previous embodiment. A pod and a trap are previously secured in each connection piece 14 as described in the formation of the trap 76 above. Then, as shown in FIG.
6 'can be continuously connected, for example, by a pair of connecting pieces 82. The connecting piece 82 can be made of a masking material and is glued to the opposite end of the film piece. See FIG. 13b. The connecting piece 82 is suitably heat sealed between the film pieces 16 'between them. The connecting piece 82 preferably has a brittle portion (not shown) so as to facilitate separation of the pieces as described above. Although the present embodiment discloses that the connection piece is made of a masking material, the present invention discloses that the connection piece 82
It is also envisioned that can be made of a variety of materials, such as paper, which can be adjusted relatively easily and which preferably have a reliable tear characteristic. Film pieces 16 'pre-assembled to interconnect with other pieces in this manner
Forms a device that is likely to utilize most of the assembled pieces on a piece. This structure has the advantage that if one of the film pieces is not formed correctly, it is not necessary to consider the film piece connected to the piece as a waste. Rather, it is necessary to discard and replace only those pieces that are not formed correctly or that are not attached.

14a to 14c schematically show various steps in the formation of another trap arrangement of the present invention. In this embodiment, the trap is folded twice and a piece 66 'of trap material is
Is secured at the joint surface of the two overlapping trap masks 60a and 60b by lamination or the like. Then 2
The two masks 60a, 60b are folded as shown in FIG.
In this way, the upper fold piece and the lower fold piece can be secured to one of the upper and lower connection sheets and one of the cover sheets.

Then, the previously assembled self-contained piece can be secured in the previously assembled pod, trap and connecting means. The use of pre-assembled units is particularly advantageous, for example, in production planning where manual work is used, especially in darkroom adjustment. In this context, the pre-assembled piece units can be shipped as separate units with pre-assembled pre-assembled pods, traps, connection sheets or cover sheets. One of the other methods is to provide a pod and trap previously connected to the connecting piece, then assemble the film unit in the darkroom, and then to the coated sheet to reach the assembled film device made according to the present invention. And laminating the covering layer over the components requiring the above.

According to the invention, the film pieces can be formed by pre-assembled components or continuously. According to the present invention, the structure of the present invention and its manufacturing method are very versatile, the film device can have various structures, and can be used in the same photographic device that wants to operate the film device Can be. This is because a single film format is dedicated to the camera, and if the structure of the film and / or the method of manufacturing such a film changes, it is very likely that such a film will not be usable in the intended photographic equipment. High. This is advantageous over known methods.

Having described what is presently considered to be the preferred embodiment of the present invention, various changes can be made therein without departing from the present invention, and such changes and modifications are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is readily apparent to one skilled in the art that the claims are intended to be included as such.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (31) Priority claim number 958, 902 (32) Priority date October 28, 1997 (Oct. 28, 1997) (33) Priority claim country United States (US) (31) Priority number 959,361 (32) Priority date October 28, 1997 (Oct. 28, 1997) (33) Priority country United States (US) (72) Inventor Parsons, Harry, Earl. United States 01803 Hill Circle, Burlington, Mass. 43 (56) References JP-A-2-251953 (JP, A) JP-A-52-52630 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB G03C 8/42 501

Claims (15)

(57) [Claims] 1. An improved self-developing film unit comprising: a developer supply means including a friable developer reservoir at a front end of the film unit; and first and second upper layers, one of which is exposed. A self-developing recording means, wherein a spacer means is connected between the first and second layers to provide a developing space therebetween for the passage of a developing solution; Liquid trap means at the rear end of the unit for collecting excess developer passing through the development space, and for introducing the developer from the friable reservoir into the development space to start development of the latent image A first liquid-tight connection means including a liquid passage for liquid-connecting the reservoir to a front end of the development space; and a development space for introducing a rear end of the development space into the trap means for introducing the developer into the trap means. Trailing end And a second liquid-tight connecting means including a liquid passage for liquid-connecting the liquid to the trap means, wherein the first connecting means has one end portion sealably fixed to an outer surface of the reservoir, and a front end of the image recording means. A second end sealably fixed to an outer surface of the portion, wherein the second connecting means includes a rear end of the image recording means and one end sealably fixed therearound; And an opposite end sealably fixed to the outer surface of the trapping means, wherein the image recording means comprises a photoreceptor layer, and an image receiving cover which covers the photoreceptor layer and is coextensive therewith. Wherein the image receiving layer and the photoreceptor layer are of the integral diffusion transfer type, and wherein the spacer means extends generally parallel and spaced apart from and adjacent to the opposing peripheral edges of the two layers. A pair of rails, each of said first and second liquid connection means comprising a pair of resilient flexible Made of sheets, these flexible sheets are hermetically joined together to form respective liquid passages, and are made of a foldable and rollable material, thereby facilitating its folding and deployment, An improved self-developing film that enables the winding action of a folded object during film unit bending.
unit. 2. The liquid passage in the first and second liquid connection means, wherein the liquid passage is normally collapsible to provide a zero-line gap between the two means when subjected to a compressive load by a deployment mechanism. An improved film unit according to claim 1. 3. The improved film unit according to claim 1, wherein said trap means is surrounded by said pair of sheets of said second connecting means. 4. The improved film unit according to claim 3, wherein said trapping means is a sheet of developing trap material extending generally across the longitudinal extent of the film unit. 5. The film unit further includes braking means protruding from the film unit and coupled to the reservoir, the braking means being engageable with a stop in the imaging device, thereby braking advancement of the film unit. An improved film unit according to claim 1. 6. An improved film unit according to claim 5, wherein said braking means comprises a filament extending generally transversely to a longitudinal extent of the film unit. 7. The trapping means includes a generally folded trapping assembly extending across the longitudinal extent of the film unit, one of the trapping assemblies.
4. The improved film unit of claim 3 wherein one flap has a surface secured to a wall defining a passage and another flap is not secured to a wall defining a passage. 8. The trap means includes a generally folded trap assembly extending across the longitudinal extent of the liquid trap, one flap of the trap assembly being secured to a wall portion defining the passage. 4. The improved film unit of claim 3 having a surface and another flap secured to an opposite wall portion defining said passage. 9. A film unit having a plurality of film units extending in end-to-end relationship in a longitudinal direction and connected to each other, including a fragile connection between adjacent film units. An improved film unit according to claim 5. 10. A method of forming a self-developing film unit, comprising: providing a friable developer reservoir, one of which is exposed to form a latent image.
Providing a self-developing image recording means, comprising: a second upper layer; and a spacer means connected between the first and second layers and providing a developing space for passing a developing solution therebetween. Providing a liquid trap means for collecting excess developing solution passing through the developing space; anda fluid passage for introducing the developing solution from the friable reservoir into the developing space to start development of the latent image. Providing a first fluid connection means including a liquid connection of the reservoir to the front end of the development space; and providing a second liquid connection means including a liquid passage for moving the developer from the development space to the trap means. Liquid connecting the rear end of the phenomenon space to the trapping means, wherein the step of liquid connecting the reservoir to the developing space can be sealed to an outer surface of the reservoir. 1 a fixed first connecting means
And a second end sealingly fixed to an outer surface of a front end of the image recording means, wherein the step of liquid-connecting the second connection means comprises a rear end of the image recording means. Comprising one end sealably secured to and about the outer surface of the portion, and an opposite end sealably secured to the outer surface of the trapping means, wherein the image recording means comprises: A photoreceptor layer, and an image receiving layer covering and coextensive with the photoreceptor layer, wherein the image receiving layer and the photoreceptor layer are of an integral diffusion transfer type, and A pair of spaced apart, generally parallel extending rails co-extensive with opposing perimeters of the layer, wherein each of the first and second liquid coupling means is a pair of resilient flexible members; Made of sheet, these flexible sheets are hermetically bonded to each other How road to form, and made of possible winding foldable material, thereby together to facilitate deployment and folding thereof allows for take-up action of the bending in the bending of the film unit. 11. A method of forming a self-developing film unit, comprising: a) providing a linearly spaced first sheet and a second sheet; b) one of which is exposed to form a latent image. A first and second coextensive upper layer that can be formed, and a developing space connected between the first and second layers and through which a developer is passed to start development of a latent image. Providing self-developing image recording means, comprising: c) securing the outer surface of the leading edge of one layer of the image recording means to the inner surface of the first sheet; and the trailing edge of the one layer. Securing the outer surface to the inner surface of the second sheet; d) securing the friable reservoir to the inner surface of the first sheet at a location remote from the leading edge of the one layer; e) developing liquid trap means. At a distance from the trailing edge of the one layer F) joining the third sheet to the first sheet in superimposed relationship along its periphery, thereby surrounding the reservoir and recording the rear of the third sheet. G) bonding a fourth sheet to the second sheet in superimposed relation along its periphery, thereby surrounding the trapping means, and The front part of the four sheets is sealed tightly on the outer surface of the trailing edge of the other layer of the image recording means, thereby forming a liquid passage between the friable means and the developing space, and a liquid passage between the developing space and the trap means. Forming a. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing a sheet comprises:
12. The method of claim 11, including forming each of the second, third, and fourth sheets from a resilient, flexible material that is each foldable and rollable. . 13. The step of providing a sheet has a pliable portion such that the pliable portions of the joined pair generally align with each other and define a fragile or weakened portion that can be separated when pulled. 13. The method according to claim 12, comprising providing each of the first, second, third, and fourth sheets. 14. The method according to claim 11, further comprising securing braking means on one surface of the joined adjacent sheet pair so as to be able to engage to restrain movement of the film unit. The described method. 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein securing the braking means comprises securing the braking means at a front end of the reservoir.