Photography – Self-developing camera
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-26
2001-10-16
Adams, Russell (Department: 2851)
Photography
Self-developing camera
C396S159000, C396S517000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06304725
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an instant camera. More particularly, the present invention relates to an instant camera capable of spreading processing solution in each photo film unit in a stably controlled manner.
2. Description Related to the Prior Art
A widely available instant camera is used with a photo film pack, which includes plural photo film units of a self-processing type. Each of the photo film units has an exposure surface, and a processing solution pod disposed on one edge of the exposure surface. The solution pod contains processing solution. The photo film pack has a case of a box shape, which encloses the photo film units light-tightly to be sold as a product. When the instant camera is loaded with the photo film pack, it is possible to take photographs without handling each of the photo film units individually.
When an exposure is taken in an instant camera on the exposure surface of the photo film unit with light from a photographic subject, the camera causes the photo film unit being exposed to moved to the outside. In the course of this exiting movement, a pair of spreader rollers nip and squeeze the solution pod, and causes the processing solution to flow from the solution pod to the exposure surface, to develop the exposure surface.
There are various ways conceivable for improving the quality of a printed image on the photo film unit in the instant camera. Among them, JP-B 3-72975 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,226,519) suggests spreading of the processing solution to the exposure surface in a uniform manner. A spread control surface is formed with the photo film outlet in the case to contact the exposure surface in the photo film unit. When the processing solution flows from the solution pod, the spread control surface spreads the processing solution on the exposure surface before the spreader rollers spreads the processing solution. Thus the spread control surface causes the processing solution to extend to lateral portions arranged in the film unit width direction, which would be impossible if the spread control surface were not added to the spreader rollers. According to this prior art, the quality of the printed image can be heightened. Also the cost of the photo film unit can be reduced by optimizing the amount of the processing solution as contained.
To stabilize the effect of the spread control surface controlling the spread of the processing solution, it is necessary to regularize a contacting position, contacting pressure, and other contacting states between the spreader rollers and the spread control surface. The case of the photo film pack consists of a combination of plural parts formed from plastic material with a small thickness, and is likely to be deformed due to irregularities in the size occurring at the molding time or assembly time, and twisting or distortion in the shape according to temperature or the like. A problem lies in that a relative position between the spread control surface with the spreader rollers is likely to change, so as to change the control of spreading the processing solution.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an instant camera capable of spreading processing solution in each photo film unit in a stably controlled manner.
In order to achieve the above and other objects and advantages of this invention, an instant camera has a pack chamber loadable with a photo film pack, wherein the photo film pack has a stack of plural photo film units of a self-processing type, a case contains the stack of the photo film units, each of the photo film units includes a solution pod and an exposure surface, the exposure surface is processed by spreading of processing solution from the solution pod after being exposed by photographic subject light, and the photo film units are respectively ejected through a photo film outlet in the case. In the instant camera, a spreader roller set is constituted by first and second spreader rollers, for pressing and conveying an exposed one of the photo film units advanced from the pack chamber, the spreader roller set squeezing the solution pod to spread the processing solution on the exposure surface. A spread control member is disposed between the photo film outlet and the spreader roller set, for pushing the one photo film unit in a first direction substantially perpendicular to an advance thereof during the advance, to control distribution of the processing solution on the exposure surface.
In a preferred embodiment, the pack chamber includes a photo film passageway for passing the one photo film unit advanced from the photo film outlet toward the spreader roller set. The spread control member is one of two walls defined in the photo film passageway, and at least partially covers the photo film outlet.
The spread control member includes an inclined face, disposed on an end thereof, opposed to the photo film outlet, for guiding a front end of the one photo film unit being advanced toward the spreader roller set.
The spread control member is so disposed as to bend the one photo film unit convexly in the first direction between the photo film outlet and the spreader roller set.
Furthermore a camera outlet is disposed outside the spreader roller set, for ejecting the photo film unit externally from the instant camera, the camera outlet being positioned offset from a position between the first and second spreader rollers, to push the one photo film unit in the first direction.
The first spreader roller is movable in the first direction, is biased by a spring, and applies regular force of pressurization to the one photo film unit in cooperation with the second spreader roller. The spread control member is disposed on a side of the first spreader roller with respect to the photo film outlet.
A camera outlet ejects the one photo film unit externally from the instant camera after having passed the spreader roller set, wherein the one photo film unit is bent substantially in an S-shape by the camera outlet, the spreader roller set, the photo film passageway and the photo film outlet while advanced.
In a further preferred embodiment, the photo film units have a size equal to a size of an ID-1 type card defined by JIS X6301 or ISO 7810.
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Asakura Katsuyoshi
Kitagawa Kiichiro
Adams Russell
Fuji Photo Film Co. , Ltd.
Nguyen Hung Henry
Sughrue Mion Zinn Macpeak & Seas, PLLC
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