US3147684A

US3147684A - Photographic document-copying apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3147684A
Application number: US246469A
Authority: US
Inventors: Gold Nicholas; Arthur J Sable
Original assignee: Polaroid Corp
Current assignee: Polaroid Corp
Priority date: 1962-12-21
Filing date: 1962-12-21
Publication date: 1964-09-08
Anticipated expiration: 1981-09-08

Description

Sept; 8, 1964 GOLD ETAL 3,147,684

1 PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENT-COPYING APPARATUS Filed De c. 21, 1962 I a Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 8, 1964 N. GOLD ETAL PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENT-COPYING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 21, 1962 INVEN OR. m"; WM

ATTORNEYS Sept. 8, 1964 N. GOLD ETAL 3,147,684

PHOTOGRAPHIQ DOCUMENT-COPYING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 21, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INST R. xf

; ATEOZRNEYSI -tion or deterioration with time.

'tus represents a substantial capital investment requiring a 3,147,684 PHOTOGRAPHIC DDCUMENT-COPYING APPARATUS Nicholas Gold, Arlington, and Arthur J. Sable, Boston,

Mass, assignors to Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge, Mass, a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 21, 1962, Ser. No. 246,469

11 Claims. (Cl. 95-45) This invention relates to photographic apparatus and particularly to apparatus for photographically copying documents.

Document-copying apparatus of the type with which the presentinvention is concerned generally comprise means for exposing a photosensitive image-recording sheet in conjunction with an original (document) tobe copied to produce an image-in the image-recording sheet and means for processing the image-recording sheet to produce therefrom a visible copy of the original. Processing is dry and is accomplished by superposing the exposed image- .recording sheet with a second or image-receptive sheet and distributing a processing liquid between the superposed sheets to clfect the formation of a transfer image on the second sheet preferably by a silverhalide difiusiontransfer reversal process such as is described in U.S.

Patent No. 2,662,822, issued December 15, 1953 in the name of :Edwin H. Land. The document-copying apparatus of this'type is designed to produce a plurality of :foreachcopy are provided as separate sheets rather than portions of continuous sheets; the processing liquid is pro vided in a container which is part of the apparatus, in a quantity sufficient to produce a plurality of copies; and/ or the processing is a wet process in which either or both sheets are immersed in the liquid rather than a dry process in which the liquid is confined between the sheets "and .does TIlOlI come into contact with the apparatus.

Heretofore, document-copying apparatus-has constituted permanent equipment designed to utilize expendable material'swhich are replenished when required due to deple- Naturally, such apparasubstantial minimum of use in order to make itspurchase economically feasible. To this is added the not inco-ir siderable trouble and expense "of replenishing the supply of sheet mate-rials and processing liquids which are not only consumed .butbecome waste due to deterioration with time and malfunction and improper operation of the apparatus.

An object of the invention is to provide novel and improved document-copying apparatus of the type described which is reliable and dependable inits operation, produces copies of high quality, is initially provided with the sheet materials necessary for and consumed in the production of a predetermined number of copies and is characterized by a construction which is sufficiently inexpensive to :permit the discarding of the entire apparatus when the sheet materials which it initially comprises are consumed 'in the production of a predetermined number of copies.

Another object of the invention is to providedocumentcopying apparatus of the character described designed to be operated manually and requiring for its operation no other outside-or internal source of power, with exposures being made by ambient light.

United States Patent ice - Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus possessing the construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts, 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 of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is aperspective view of a document-copying apparatus embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG- URE 1 shown in an inverted position;

FIG. 3 is a'fragmentary sectional view of the apparatus of FIGURE '1 taken substantially midway between the sides;

FIGS. 4, .5 and 6 are fragmentary sectional views taken respectively along the lines 44, 55, 6-6 of FIG. 3, illustrating details of the construction of the apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view partially in section illustrating a component of the apparatus;

' FIGS. '8 and 9 are fragmentary sectional views of components of the apparatus illustrating the-operation'thereof;

FIG. 1-0 is a fragmentary perspective viewof a portion of a sheet incorporated in the apparatus; and

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 11-11 of FIG. 3 illustrating the construction of a component of the apparatus.

The document-copying apparatus of the invention is designed to be expendable following its useto make a predetermined number of copies, and accordingly its construction is simple and inexpensive and its :operation is manual. With the exception of the containers of processing liquid, each holding sufficient liquid to produce .a copy, the apparatus, including the sheet materials, is completely self-contained; and designed 'to be operated manually in the presence of ambient light (which is used for exposures), requiring only a generally -flat surface for supporting the apparatus during its operation. The operation of the apparatus is uncomplicated, yet reliable,

and the apparatus is capable of producing high-quality copies in a minimum of time with a minimum of effort and expense, utilizing materials which which .the apparatus is initially loaded and supplied and which need no further preparation and do not deteriorate rapidly with age. a

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 through 3 of the drawings wherein there is illustrated document-copying apparatus embodying the invention. The apparatus comprises a generally parallelepiped shaped housing 1 0 having side walls 12' and 14, end walls 16 and 18, anupper wall 20 and alower wall 22, it being understood that the expressions upper and lower are used for the purposes of. description and not in a limiting sense to denote the position in which the apparatus must be disposed during operation. In order to provide for the most inexpensive and "economical construction for the housing, the latter may take the form shown in which the side walls are formed of material such as sheet metal having substantial structural strength and designed tosupport a majority of .the operating elements and materials of the apparatus. The upper, lower and end wallson the other hand are not required to have the structural strength of the side walls and are formed of a less expensive material, such as card board, which is joined to the side walls by crimping the edges of the side walls in engagement with the edges of the upper, lower and end walls which, incidentally, may comprise a single blank of a suitable light-opaque sheet material.

The upper wall 20 of housing 10 is formed with a rectangular opening having an area at least equal and preferably slightly greater than the originals which the apparatus is designed to copy. This opening in upper wall 20 is designated 24 and the upper wall is provided with a rectangular supporting frame 26 disposed in surrounding relation to the opening. The frame is formed, for example of an organic plastic material and is provided for purposes which will be described hereinafter. Lower wall in the apparatus. A rectangular frame 30 formed of a pliant material such as foam rubber, is secured to the outer surface of lower wall 22 in surrounding relation 1 such image-recording sheet material, herein designated 32,

is provided on a conventional spool 33 supported at its ends on

side walls

12 and 14 intermediate the ends of the housing adjacent the end of opening 24 nearest end wall 16. Image-recording sheet 32 is approximately equal 'in width to the width of the original documents which the apparatus is designed for copying and has a length which is many times the length of such documents so that the apparatus is capable of producing, with the materials with which it is initially loaded, a predetermined large (e.g. 100) number of copies. Image-recording sheet 32 comprises a photosensitive image-recording material 'such' as a gelatino silver halide emulsion carried on a suitable support sheet such as paper.

Ambient light for exposing the image-recording sheet is admitted to the housing through opening 24, and the apparatus includes means for controlling the admission of light into the housing and means for positioning successive areas of the photosensitive sheet for exposure in superposition with original documents to be copied. The apparatus disclosed is designed to produce direct copies, that is, copies made by exposing the image-recording sheet -to light transmitted through the original, and accordingly the layer of photosensitive material is provided on the surface of sheet 32 which faces upper wall 20.

Opening 24 is provided with a light-transmitting window 34 supported in frame 26 which may be formed of an organic plastic material and is provided with a groove for engaging the edges of window 34.- The window,

which may be transparent or translucent, is capable of transmitting light actinic to the image-recording sheet and comprises a relatively stiff or rigid sheet material such as glass or a suitable organic plastic material such as one of the acrylics. In this regard, it is noted that both a the frame and the window may comprise a single element formed of an organic plastic material with the frame 'portion of this element rendered opaque, for example,

by the provision of an opaque coating on its surfaces.

Means are provided for supporting successive areas of sheet 32 within the housing in position for exposure underlying window 34. In the form shown, these means comprise a rectangular tray 36 having a bottom wall 38 at'least coextensive with window 34 and upstanding end and side walls designated 40 each formed with an outwardly projecting flange 42. Engaged within the end and side walls of the tray and supported on bottom wall 38 thereof is a pad 44 formed of a pliant material such as an elastomeric or polymeric foam. The thickness of pad 44 is such that the upper surface of the pad projects substantially above end and side walls 40 of tray 36. Supporting frame 26 includes side members 46 formed with inwardly facing channels 48 in whichfia'nges '22 is also formed with an opening, designated 28, at T least coextensive in size with the copies to be produced as resistance welding, riveting, etc. f Means are provided in the housing for preventing ex posure of image-recording sheet 32 by light admitted through opening 28 and for guiding the photosensitive sheet from spool 33 into position for exposure between pad 44 and window 34. These means comprise a member in the form of a continuous wall, designated 54, formed of a light-opaque sheet material such as metal to provide a first section 56 extending from forward wall 20 adjacent an end of frame 26 between the latter and end Wall 16 toward rear wall 22 to a location adjacent rear wall 22 at an edge of opening 28; a second section 58 extending from the first section across a portion of opening 28 'toward end wall 18 and generally parallel with lower generally parallel therewith. Wall 54 is joined at its lateral edges to

side walls

12 and 14 and provides, in conjunction with forward wall 20,

side walls

12 and 14 and an end portion, designated 64, of support tray 36,

a chamber for enclosing a supply of image-recording sheet 32 mounted on spool 33 and having an exit passage 66 defined by end portion 64 of frame 26 and fourth section 62 of wall 54.

On one of end walls 40 of tray 36 is engaged for limited movement in a recess, or recesses, formed in a supporting plate or plates 68 engaged between the third and fourth sections and 62 where the sections join; and the flange 42 at the opposite end of tray 36 is engaged in a channel 70 in a supporting member 72 formed for example of an organic plastic material and supported at its ends on

side walls

12 and 14.

The apparatus includes means for preventing the admission of light through window 34 except when it is desired to make an exposure and for controlling the duration of the exposure. These means comprise a door 74 mounted at one edge on frame 26 for pivotal movement between a closed position in which the door is superposed with window 34 and extends beyond the edges of the window to prevent the admission of light therethrough and an open position displaced from the window to permit the admission of actinic light through the winan area of sheet 32 supported against the window by pad 44. The exposure is made by opening door 74 for a predetermined period, so that the original must be introduced into the apparatus between the photosensitive sheet and the window while the door is closed and without admitting light to expose the image-recording sheet. During exposure, the image-recording sheet and original superposed therewith are urged into superposition and against window 34 by springs 50, but, between exposures,

pad 44 is required to be displaced from window 34 to permit the introduction of an original document into the apparatus between the window and pad. In the form shown, the means for displacing pad 44 away from winarrangement.

'dow 34 comprise engagement members 76 on side Walls '40 of tray 36 which extend through openings in side members 46 of supporting frame 26 outwardly beyond the upper and outer surface of window 34. When door 74 is closed, it engages the outer ends of members 76 displacing the members inwardly against the bias of springs '50 and displacing the upper surface of pad 44 away from window 34 to permit the introduction of an original between the pad and the window and the movement of the image-recording sheet therebetween. When the door is open to make an-exposure, the pad automatically moves forward under the bias of springs 50 compressing the original and image-recording sheet between the pad and window.

The apparatus is provided with a slot or passage aligned with the space between pad 44 and window 34 through which an original document may be introduced into position for exposure underlying window 34. This passage may be provided in either of the side walls of the housing and would then extend through one of the side members 46 or the passage may, as shown, extend through the housing at the end thereof closest end wall 18. In the first-mentioned arrangement, engagement members 76 .will, of necessity, be provided on the end walls of the tray rather than the side walls thereof along with other minor departures in structure being necessitated by this In the arrangement shown, the housing is provided with a short upper wall 78 joined toend wall 18 and extending to a position adjacent supporting member '72 and underlying end section designated 80 of frame 26. A passage designated 82, through which the original is introduced is defined by end section 80 and upper wall '78 and is provided with a suitable light-sealing mater'ial such as flocking 85 to prevent the admission of light into the housing through passage 82. Since the original may be smaller in size than window 34 yet, during exposure, should be centered with respect to the window, provision is made in the form of means, which .are not a part of the apparatus, for introducing the I original into the apparatus.

These means comprise an envelope formed of a light-transmitting material equal in width to the width of passage 82 and having a length such that a section'of the envelope will project from the housing through passage 82 when an original, contained in the envelope, is in position for exposure between windoW 34 and pad 44. The sheet material comprising the wall of the envelope which'is located between the original and the image-recording sheet supported on pad- 44 is made preferably as thin as possible in order to locate the original and image-recording sheet in the closest pos- ,sible relation when the door is opened and the sandwich .compris'ing the envelope, original and image-recording pressure-applying membersand a quantity of the process- 7 ing liquid, provided on one of the sheets, is distributed between the sheets to .form a sandwich as the sheets are moved relative to and between the pressure-applying members. The apparatus includes a supply of image-receptive sheet 84 which may comprise paper substantially equal in width and length to sheet 32 and coiled upon a conventional spool $6 mounted at its ends on

side walls

12 and 14 adjacent end wall Y18 and underlying upper Wall A guide member 88 formed, for example, of sheet metal is provided between spool 86 andupper wall 78 "for guiding sheet 84 from a location adjacent end wall 18 toward the opposite end of the housing in close proximity to the inner surface of upper wall 78 and thence into superposition with image-recording sheet 32 which is guided from between pad 44 and window 34 around supporting member 72 toward lower wall 22 into engagement withsheet 84.

Sheets 32 and '84 are guided intosuperposition between a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members which perform the functions of superposing the sheets, distributing a processing liquid between the superposed sheets and collecting excess processing liquid following the treatment of each enclosed area of sheet 32 so that the liquid is not distributed in contact with the next succeeding exposed area of the image-recording sheet. The pressure-applying and liquid-collecting means of the invention comprise a pressure-applying member of the type disclosed in the copending US. Patent application Serial No. 224,644 filed September 19, 1962 in the name of Arthur J. Sable; and in the form shown, comprise a channel mounted at its ends on

side walls

12 and 14 and supporting a resilient deformable member 92 formed of a polymeric or elastomeric foam and having a generally planar upper surface provided with a covering layer 94 of a flexible material, such as polyethylene, which has a low coefficient the width of the areas of the sheets to be treated with the processing liquid, which width "is less than the width of the sheets, and including a sheet-engaging surface designated 98 which lies in astraight line and is juxtaposed with the surface of covering layer 94 of deformable member 92. Pressure-applying member 96 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 8 in its operative or pressure-applying position in which resilient deformable member 92 is compressed and the resiliency of member 92 serves to provide the uniformly distributed compressive pressure necessary to dis tribute a processing liquid between

sheets

32 and 84 as the sheets 'areadvanced in superposition between

members

92 and 96, the former having a length at least equal to the width of the sheet materials comprising the apparatus.

In order toprovide for ease of manufacture, fabrication and assembly of the apparatus and the expendable materials which comprise the apparatus, the processing liquid for each exposed area of the image-recording'sheet is provided in a tubular straw-shaped container of the type shown and described in US. Patent No. 3,047,387 issued July 31, 1962 in the name of Edwin H. Land. Each container, one of which is shown and designated 100 in FIG. 3, includes a cavity sealed at both ends and filled with a predetermined quantity of the processing liquid'sufficient to treat an exposed area of the imagerecording sheet. The container includes a seal at one end of the cavity designed to become unsealed in response to the generation of hydraulic pressure within the, liquid in the container, and the fluid contents of the container are discharged therefrom by the progressive application of compressive pressure to the container commencing at the opposite end of the cavity as the container is moved lengthwise toward this opposite (or leading) end relative to a surface on which the liquid is to be dispensed. 'In the apparatus of the invention, means are provided for allowing container 100 to be introduced into 'the apparatus into the position shown in FIG. 3, between

sheets

32 and 84 in the region thereof at which the sheets converge into superposed relation that is, between ;guide member 88 and support member 72; and for progressively applying compressive pressure to the container as it is withdrawn lengthwise from the housing between and across the sheets in order to dispense the liquid contents of the container as an elongated mass supported on and extending across sheet 84 on an area thereof extending transversely of sheet 84 in the region of the leading edge of the area of sheet 84 which is superposed with an exposed area of sheet 32. These means comprise a funnel-shaped passage 102 leading to a pressure-applying device comprising lateral guide walls 104,

a fixed pressure member 106, and a movable pressure member 108. Movable pressure member 10-8 is mounted for pivotal movement between guide walls 104 toward and away from fixed pressure member 106 and is biased table.

--s,147,es4

7 by a spring 110 toward the fixed pressure member. The construction of the pressure members and the spring are such that as container 100 is introduced into the housing through passage 102 between guide walls 104, pressure liquid contents of the container from the trailing end thereof onto sheet 84. Pressure member 108 also cooperates with pressure member 106 and guide walls 104 for preventing the admission of light into the housing through passage 102.

As the sheets are advanced between the pressure-applying

members

96 and 92, the liquid is distributed from the mass in which it was dispensed, between the sheets,

, laminating the sheets to one another to form a sandwich which is advanced within the housing toward the opposite end thereof across opening 28. During the initial processing of the image-recording sheet 32, the sheet remains photosensitive and the sandwich is required to ,be formed and advanced in a light-free environment. This environment is provided by supporting the apparatus on a generally fiat surface with frame 30 in contact with the supporting surface, for example, the top of a Frame 30, being resiliently deformable, forms a lighttight seal between lower wall 22 and the supporting surface preventing the admission of light through opening 28 into the processing chamber defined by the supporting surface,

side walls

12 and 14, end walls 16 and 18 tray 36, frame 26 and

upper walls

20 and 78.

The tray and pad 44 cooperate with side members 46,

supporting member 72 and wall 54 to maintain this processing chamber lighttight when door 74 covering window 34 is opened.

As means for advancing the sheets through the apparatus, there is provided within the end of the housing between end wall 16 and the first section 56 of wall 54 a take-up spool 112 of a conventional design connected through a pinion gear 114 and drive gear 116 to a manually operable crank 118 mounted on the exterior of side wall 14. The apparatus is initially provided with sheet 32 extending from spool 33 between window 34 and pad ,44 around supporting member 72 into superposition with sheet 84 between

members

92 and 96, and with sheet 84 extending from spool 86 around guide member 88 between the latter and upper wall 78 into superposition with sheet 32 between

members

92 and 96 from which the two sheets, or one of the sheets, or a leader attached to one or both of the sheets, extend across opening 28 into contact with second section 58 of wall 54 and thence into engagement with spool 112 to which the sheets, sheet or leader are attached. Processing of each area of the image-recording sheet to form a positive transfer image in the image-receptive sheet requires that the sheets remain in superposition in a light-free environment during a predetermined minimum processing period which may be several seconds. To insure that this minimum processing period is allowed, spool 112 is driven by crank 118 through drive gear 116 and pinion gear 114 at a speed much less than the speed ofrotation of the crank making it virtually impossible to advance the sheets through the apparatus at an unreasonably fast rate. Moreover, crank 118 has a small diameter making it difiicult to manually rotate the crank at a rate faster than the rate calculated to provide for a minimum processing period.

At the end of the processing period, the area of the image-receptive sheet containing a positive-transfer image constitutes the copy of the original and is separated from the processed area of the image-recording sheet. To

accomplish this, the apparatus is inverted so that the processed sandwich is accessible through opening 28 in lower wall 22, to separate an area of sheet 84 compris ing a positive copy from the superposed area of the imagerecording sheet which is now considered waste. The area of sheet 84 comprising a copy is severed at its leading edge from the remainder of sheet 84 extending from second section 58 toward spool 112 and remaining laminated with sheet 32. This area of sheet 84 is then stripped from sheet 32 and is again severed at its trailing edge in the vicinity of the pressure-applying members which distribute the processing liquid. To facilitate the severing and stripping operations, sheet 84 is provided on the surface thereof which faces sheet 32 with a succession of strips each secured to sheet 84 at the leading edge of an area of the sheet which is superposed with an exposed area of sheet 32 and is to comprise a finished copy. Strips 128 extend transversely of sheet 84 from edge to edge thereof and are formed of a material having a greater tensile or tear strength than sheet 84. Strips 120 may comprise filamentous elements such as fine threads comprise ribbons of a thin, sheet material such as the polymers having relatively high tear strength, polyethylene terephthalate resins being especially well suited for this purpose. Sheet 84 may be grasped at one edge and torn, as shown in FIG. 2, along the edge of strip and to facilitate grasping of the edge of the sheet and initiating tearing thereof, sheet 84 is provided with portions at one edge each precut or at least weakened along a line extending inwardly from the edge toward an adjacent edge of strip 120. In the form shown in FIG. 10, this portion, designated 122, is cut along a line 123 extending from a point on the edge of sheet 84 spaced from the leading edge of strip 120 inwardly and toward the leading edge of strip 120 to a point at said leading edge.

Portion 122 may then be grasped between the fingers 'for tearing sheet 84 along the leading edge of sheet strip 120.

Sheet 84, as it is torn along strip 120 from another portion of sheet 84, is stripped from sheet 32 and withdrawn from the housing through opening28. To facilitate the severance of this area of sheet 84 at its trailing end, a cutter bar 124 is provided within the housing having a sharpened edge 126 located adjacent the path of movement of the sandwich and member 92. By virtue of this construction, withdrawal and stripping of this area of sheet 84 and severance of the sheet at the trailing edge of this area is accomplished in a single motion, as shown in FIG. 2, when the sheet is drawn against sharpened edge 126.

The sheets are advanced through the apparatus manually and means are provided for indicating to the operator of the apparatus each time a suflicient length of the sheets has been advanced to process an exposed area of the photosensitive sheet and to move another unexposed area of the photosensitive sheet into position for exposure. In the form shown, these means comprise a reference mark in the form of a line 128 at the leading edge of each area of image-receptive sheet 84 and a window 130 in upper wall 78 through which the reference line becomes visible as sheet 84 is advanced between guide member 88 and window 30. The reference indicia or line 128 may comprise strip 120 and the reference indicia window 130, and guide member 88 are so located that advancement of the sheets is discontinued when the reference indicia becomes visible through window 130.

The processing liquid for each area of the image-recording sheet to be treated is usually provided in a quantity in excess of that required so that following distribution of the processing liquid in contact with an exposed area of the image-recording sheet and a corresponding area of the image-receptive sheet, a mass of the liquid remains between the sheets where the sheets enter between

members

92 and 96. Means are provided for preventing this 9 mass of liquid from being distributed beyond the trailing edges of the processed area into contact with the next successive exposed areaof the image-recording sheet.

These means, termed trapping means, comprise means for spacing member 96 away from member 92 during the initial movement of the sheets between the members to effect processing of an exposed area of the image-recording sheet whereby distribution of the processing liquid is temporarily discontinued, and the excess processing liquid remaining at the trailing edge of the processed areas is collected and retained between the sheets rather than being distributed further. In order to trap and retain the excess processing liquid, pressure-applying member 96 is generally rectangular in cross section and is mounted forpivotal movement about an axis located approximately midway between sheet-engaging surface 98 and the opposite surface of member 96 so that sheet-engaging surface 98 can be moved through 90 from the operative or pressureapplying position shown in FIG. 8, to the inoperative or trapping position shown in FIG. 9, at which there is a substantial gap between pressure-applying member 96 and deformable member 92. Pressure-applying member 96 is mounted for pivotal movement about the aforesaid axis on the ends of a pair of arms 132 each mounted for pivotal movement at its opposite end on one of

side walls

12 and 14. Pressure-applying member 96 is resiliently biased by a torsion spring 136 into the inoperative or trapping position thereof, spring136 being engaged at one end in arm 132 and at its other end with a pin 138 projecting axially from the end of the pressure-applying member 96. A tab 140 is turned inwardly from arm 132 and acts as a stop against which pin 138 abuts in the inoperative position of the pressure-applying member.

Means are provided on the ends of pressure-applying member 96 for pivoting the pressure-applying member into its operative fluid-spreading position and in the form shown comprise a pair of sheet engagement members 142 each having a periphery which is cylindrical with respect to the aforementioned axis about which member 96 is pivotable and having a radius approximately equal to the distance between the aforesaid axis and sheet-engaging surface 98. Engagement members 142 are positioned for engaging the image-recording sheet at its lateral margins and the cylindrical surface of each of the sheet engagement members is constructed and designed to promote frictional engagement with the sheets. This can be accomplished by knurling or otherwise roughing the cylindrical surfaces of members 142, if the latter are formed of metal, or forming members 142 of material such as rubber having a high coefficient of friction. In the operation of the apparatus, when advancement of the sheets is discontinued and the processing liquid distributed between and in contact with the adjacent surfaces of an exposed area of sheet 32 and another area of sheet 84, the pressureapplying member 96 is in operative position shown in FIG. 8 with a mass, designated 144, of the excess processing liquid being located in between the sheets where the sheets converge into superposition adjacent member 96. Rotation of pressure-applying member 96 through 90 to the inoperative position of FIG. 9 is prevented by frictional engagement of

members

96 and 142 with sheet 32, and this condition prevails until

members

96 and 142 are displaced from member 92 permitting pressure-applying member 96 to pivot under the bias of spring 136 into inoperative position. Arms 132 are pivotable to move'sheet engagement members 142 toward and away from member 92 and include control members 134 which extend from the end of the arm on which member 96 is mounted, through openings in side member 46 of the housing. beyond the upper surface of window 34. In this construction, door 74, in the closed position, engages control members 134 thereby holding pressure-applying member 96 and sheet engagement members 142 against the sheets disposed between

members

92 and 96, and in order to permit rotation of member 96 with respect to member 92 out of engagement with sheet 32 when door 74 is moved to its open position in order to expose an area of the image-recording sheet. When door 74 is opened, sheet engagement members 142 are no longer urged or held in engagement with sheet 32 thereby allowing member 96 to pivot into inoperative position during the initial advancement of the sheets for processing the next succeeding exposed area of the image-recording sheet.

When door 74 is closed to terminate the exposure of an area of sheet 32, members 142 are again urged into engagement with sheet 32 so that during theinitial portion of the subsequent movement of sheet 32, members 142 and pressure-applying member 96 are pivoted against the bias of spring 136 in a counterclockwise direction (viewing FIGS. 8 and 9), into a position in which sheet engagement surface 98 is engaged with a portion of sheet 32 located between member 96 and member 92 so that continued movement of the sheets continues the rotation of member 96 into the operative position of FIG. 8. During this pivotal movement of member 96 from inoperative to operative position, the mass 144 of liquid left over from producing the previous copy is trapped and retained between portions of the sheets which have been advanced between the pressure-applying members and which are located between successive exposed areas of the imagerecording sheet. In order that the sheets may be advanced between

members

96 and 92 subject only to frictional engagement with covering layer 94 and sheet engagement surface 96, each of members 142 is relieved at the portion thereof which is closest member 92 when member 96 is in operative position. Stated differently, in this operative position of member 96, each of members 142 includes a surface portion 146 which is spaced from the pivotal axis of member 96 by a distance substantially less than the distance separating the axis and sheet engagement surface 98.

To operate the document-copying apparatus of the invention, the apparatus is placed on a supporting surface with lower wall 22 facing the supporting surface and frame 30 engaged with the supporting surface. The original document to be copied is introduced into the lighttransmitting envelope as previously described and introduced through passage 82 into position for exposure between an area of sheet 32 supported on pad 44 and window 34. Door 74 is then opened for a predetermined period the length of which depends on the brightness of the ambient light thereby permitting the upward movement of pad 44 clamping the original envelope and sheet 32 between the pad and the window during exposure. When the door is opened, member 96, if it had been in operative position, is allowed to pivot under the bias of spring 136 into inoperative position. The door is then closed displacing pad 44 from window 34 and holding members 142 in engagement with sheet 32. The envelope containing the original document may then be withdrawn from the housing, although this is not necessary, a con tainer of processing liquid is then introduced through passage 102 in the housing and then withdrawn from the housing causing its fluid contents to be distributed as an elongated mass on sheet 84. Crank 118 is then rotated to advance the sheets through the apparatus until line 128 becomes visible through window 130. During the initial advancement of the sheets, pressure-applying member 96 is rotated into its operative position, any excess processing liquid from the previous copy is trapped between the sheets and thereafter the processing liquid, dispensed from the container onto sheet 64, is distributed between the exposed area of the image-recording sheet and a corresponding area of sheet 84 to form a sandwich which is advanced into the processing chamber previously described underiyingopening 28. The apparatus is then inverted to provide access to opening 128 so that the operator can tear sheet 84 against sharpened edge 126 of cutter bar 124. The apparatus may then be righted and supported on a support surface with frame 30 in contact therewith and the operation repeated for another copy at any time when such other copy is desired.

The apparatus may be employed to make a copy or copies as often and at whatever intervals are desired and convenient; and inasmuch as the liquid for each copy is provided in a separate container and does not deteriorate with age as is the case in conventional copying apparatus in which the processing liquid for a number of copies is contained in a container through which one or both of the sheets is passed for wetting the sheet. There are no liquids to spill, and the waste materials, with the exception of collapsed containers, are contained Within the housing and are discarded along with the housing and operating components of the apparatus when the sheet materials have been expended to make copies. It is contemplated that storage chambers may be provided within the apparatus between tray 36 and lower wall 22 for holding both the filled and emptied containers so that storage and disposal of the limited waste material is provided for in a single, expendable and disposable apparatus. The only materials which are handled by the operator are the .containers of processing liquid, which are merely introduced into and withdrawn from the housing, and the finished copies. The process, as previously noted, is substantially dry so that neither the apparatus nor the operator comes into contact with the processing liquid. The .construction of this device is quite simple comprising a minimum of elements which are easy to fabricate of inexpensive materials and can be assembled without difficulty. The construction of the components of the apparatus is simplified because the apparatus is required to produce a limited number of copies, and it is economically possible to discard the apparatus after the limited number vof copies has been made and still produce copies at cost competitive with known copying conventional methods and apparatus.

Since certain changes may be made in the above apparatus 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. Photographic document-copying apparatus comprising, in combination:

a housing including side walls, end walls, an upper wall having a light-transmitting section and a lower wall having an opening therein connecting with the interior of said housing;

a light opaque door mounted for movement between a closed position in which said door covers said lighttransmitting section and an open position in which a said light-transmitting section is uncovered to admit light'therethrough into said housing;

a supply of a photosensitive image-recording sheet material mounted within said housing adjacent one end of said light-transmitting section;

shielding means disposed between said opening and said supply of said image-recording sheet for preventing exposure of said image-recording sheet by light admitted to said housing through said opening;

light opaque support means mounted within said housing between said opening and said light-transmitting section for supporting portions of said image-recording sheet in position for exposure against said lighttransmitting section;

resilient means for biasing said support means toward said light-transmitting section;

means coupledwith said support means for coacting with said door to displace said support means away from said light-transmitting section when said door is in closed position; a

, one of said end and side walls being formed with a passage for admitting an original document to be copied into said housing between said light-transmitting section and a portion of said image-recording sheet supported on said support means between the latter and said light-transmitting section; a supply of a second sheet mounted within said housing adjacent the opposite end thereof from said supply of said image-recording sheet;

processing means located within said housing adjacent said supply of said second sheet for guiding said portions of said image-recording sheet into superposition with areas of said second sheet'and distributing a processing liquid between said sheets to form a sandwich; take-up means located within said housing at the end thereof adjacent said supply of said image-recording sheet for advancing said image-recording sheet and the sandwich which it comprises from said processing means across said opening toward said take-up means and storing said image-recording sheet and portions of said second sheet following processing thereof; and means for, actuating said take-up means to advance said sheets through said apparatus.

2. The photographic apparatus of claim 1 in which said second sheet includes a succession of said areas adapted to be superposed with said portions of said image-recording sheet and is provided with reference indicia intermediate said successive areas; and said upper wall is provided with a window through which one of said reference indicia is visible when one of said portions of said image-recording sheet is in'position for exposure underlying said light-transmitting section.

'3. The photographic apparatus of claim 1 in which a pliant, light opaque pad is provided on the outside of said lower wall surrounding said opening for providing a lighttight seal between said lower wall and the surface on which said lower wall is supported.

,ter is in said closed position.

5. The photographic apparatus of claim 1 in which said take-up means comprise a member upon which said sheets are coiled and said means for actuating said take-up means comprise a manually operable crank coupled to said member through speed reduction gears.

6. The photographic apparatus of claim 1 in which said opening is rectangular and is at least equal in width to said second sheet; and sheet severing means are provided within said housing near the edge of said opening adjacent said processing means.

7. Photographic document-copying apparatus comprising, in combination: a housing including side walls, end walls, an upper wall having a light-transmitting section and a lower wall having an opening therein approximately equal in size to said light-transmitting section and communicating with the interior of said housing;

a light opaque door mounted for movement between a closed position in which said door covers said light-transmitting section and an open position in which said light-transmitting section is uncovered to admit light therethrough into said housing;

light opaque support means mounted within said housing between said opening and said light-transmitting 13 section for supporting portions of said image-recording sheet in position for exposure against said light transmitting section and preventing exposure of said portions by light admitted through said opening; resilient means biasing said support means toward said light-transmitting section;

means coupled with said support means andcoacting with said door to displace said support means away from said light-transmitting section when said door is in closed position;

one of said end and side walls being formed with a passage for admitting an original document to be copied into said housing between said light-transmitting section and a portion of said image-recording sheet supported on said support means between the latter and said light-transmitting section;

means for sealing said passage against the admission of light;

a supply of a second sheet mounted within said housing adjacent the end thereof opposite said supply of said image-recording sheet;

means for guiding said portions of said image-recording sheet from between said light-transmitting section and said support means into superposition with areas of said second sheet adjacent said supply of said second sheet;

processing means for distributing a processing liquid between superposed portions and areas of said imagerecording and second sheets to form a sandwich;

take-up means located within said housing at the end thereof adjacent said supply of said image-recording sheet for advancing said image-recording sheet and the sandwich which it comprises from said processing means across said opening toward said take-up means and storing said image-recording sheet and portions of said second sheet following processing thereof; and

means for actuating said take-up means to advance said sheet through said apparatus.

8. The photographic apparatus of claim 7 in which said opening is at least equal in width to said second sheet and at least equal in length to said light-transmitting section; and a continuous pliant light opaque pad is provided on the outer surface of said lower wall in surrounding relation to said opening for providing a lighttight seal between lower wall and the surface on which said lower wall is supported during advancement of said sheets through said apparatus.

9. The photographic apparatus of claim 7 in which said second sheet includes a succession of said areas at least coextensive with said portions of said image-recording sheet and adapted to be superposed therewith, and is provided with reference indicia each located intermediate said successive areas; and said upper wall is provided with a Window for rendering each of said reference indicia visible when one of said portions of said image-recording sheet is in position for exposure underlying said lighttransmitting section.

10. The photographic apparatus of claim 7 in which said supply of said photosensitive and second sheets, said support means, said resilient means, said processing means, said take-up means, and said means for actuating said take-up means are mounted on said side walls.

11. In photographic apparatus in which successive areas of a photosensitive image-recording sheet are exposed in conjunction with original documents, in combination:

a housing;

a light-transmitting panel in a Wall of said housing;

a light opaque cover for said panel mounted on the outside of said housing for movement between a closed position in which said cover prevents the admission of ambient light into said housing through said panel and an open position in which said panel is uncovered to admit light therethrough into said housing;

support means mounted on the inside of said housing adjacent said panel for movement toward and away from said panel;

resilient means for urging said support means toward said panel to support said areas of said image-recording sheet against said panel in position for exposure to ambient light transmitted by said panel; and

means coupled with said support means for coating with said cover to displace said support means from said panel when said cover is in closed position to permit introduction of an original document into said housing between an area of said image-recording sheet and said panel.

No references cited.

Claims

11. IN PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS IN WHICH SUCCESSIVE AREA OF A PHOTOSENSITIVE IMAGE-RECORDING SHEET ARE EXPOSED IN CONJUNCTION WITH ORGINAL DOCUMENTS, IN COMBINATION: A HOUSING; A LIGHT-TRANSMITTING PANEL IN A WALL OF SAID HOUSING; A LIGHT OPAQUE COVER FOR SAID PANEL MOUNTED ON THE OUTSIDE OF SAID HOUSING FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN A CLOSED POSITION IN WHICH SAID COVER PREVENTS THE ADMISSION OF AMBIENT LIGHT INTO SAID HOUSING THROUGH SAID PANEL AND AN OPEN POSITION IN WHICH SAID PANEL IS UNCOVERED TO ADMIT LIGHT THERETHROUGH INTO SAID HOUSING; SUPPORT MEANS MOUNTED ON THE INSIDE OF SAID HOUSING ADJACENT SAID PANEL FOR MOVEMENT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID PANEL; RESILIENT MEANS FOR URGING SAID SUPPORT MEANS TOWARD SAID PANEL TO SUPPORT SAID AREAS OF SAID IMAGE-RECORDING SHEET AGAINST SAID PANEL IN POSITION FOR EXPOSURE TO AMBIENT LIGHT TRANSMITTED BY SAID PANEL; AND MEANS COUPLED WITH SAID SUPPORT MEANS FOR COATING WITH SAID COVER TO DISPLACE SAID SUPPORT MEANS FROM SAID PANEL WHEN SAID COVER IS IN CLOSED POSITION TO PERMIT INTRODUCTION OF AN ORIGINAL DOCUMENT INTO SAID HOUSING BETWEEN AN AREA OF SAID IMAGE-RECORDING SHEET AND SAID PANEL.