Film catcher

Photographic apparatus for processing and releasably retaining an exposed film unit of the type including a plurality of superposed layers including photosensitive and transparent layers, and a processing composition including an opacifying agent which is adapted to be spread across the photosensitive layer comprising:

• means for supporting the film unit in position for exposure of the photosensitive layer;
• pressure-applying means including a pair of juxtaposed members between which the exposed film unit is adapted to be advanced leading edge first during spreading of the processing composition;
• means defining an exit opening located forwardly of said pressure-applying means through which the film unit is adapted to be advanced to the exterior of said photographic apparatus;
• and
• means for releasably engaging opposite surfaces of a trailing end of the exposed film unit after it has moved out of engagement with said pressure-applying means, said engaging means including a coil of opaque sheet material having a portion mounted adjacent said exit opening in position to be engaged by the leading edge of the exposed film unit as it moves out of engagement with said pressure-applying means for movement toward a first position wherein said sheet material is at least partially uncoiled and is located in lighttight relation with a predetermined area of the transparent layer and a second position wherein said sheet material is substantially in its coiled configuration and frictionally engages the transparent layer near the trailing end of the exposed film unit.

Photographic apparatus for processing an exposed film unit including a pod of processing fluid located adjacent a leading edge thereof and arranged to release the processing fluid retained therein responsive to a compressive force being exerted thereagainst, the film unit further including a photosensitive layer, said apparatus comprising:

• a housing formed of opaque material, said housing being configured to retain at least one of the exposed film units at a given position and to define an opening through which the film unit may be advanced from said housing;
• a pair of elongated juxtaposed members located intermediate said given position within said housing and said opening and arranged to first exert a compressive force on the pod to release the processing fluid retained therein and then to subsequently direct the released processing fluid progressively over the photosensitive layer responsive to the exposed film unit being advanced from its given position within said housing through said opening;
• and
• means for retaining the film unit in a substantially fixed position after its photosensitive layer has been treated with the processing fluid and a major portion thereof has been advanced through said opening and for automatically temporarily substantially protecting at least one side of the film unit which is located exteriorly of said housing from ambient light rays as it emerges from said housing through said opening, said means including an opaque member initially mounted within said housing and arranged to automatically temporarily extend exteriorly of said housing as the unit is advanced through said opening.