Multi-purpose film cassette processor having slideable nozzle plate

An applicator for depositing a coating of processing fluid on a moving run of a photographic film strip, the applicator comprising:

• a first chamber for initially retaining a quantity of processing fluid;
• a second chamber for receiving the processing fluid when released from said first chamber, said second chamber including an exterior surface having an opening therein through which the processing fluid may pass from said second chamber to the film strip;
• selectively operative means for blocking said opening following deposit of the coating of processing fluid;
• said blocking means including a blocking member;
• means for mounting said blocking member for displacement across said chamber opening from a first position wherein said blocking member is in unblocking relation to said chamber opening to a second position wherein said blocking member is in blocking relation thereto;
• and
• selectively operative means for releasing the processing fluid from said first chamber to said second chamber, said releasing means including means for precluding displacement of said blocking member from its said first position prior to operation of said releasing means to release the processing fluid.

A photographic film cassette for use with other apparatus for initially advancing a cassette retained film strip in a given forward direction while recording images thereon, then in a rewind direction opposite said forward direction while coating said film strip with processing fluid, and subsequently again in said forward direction, said cassette comprising:

• a housing;
• a chamber for receiving said processing fluid, said chamber having an exterior surface including a chamber opening therein through which said received processing fluid may pass from said chamber;
• a nozzle plate having a plate opening therein;
• means for mounting said plate in adjoining relation to said chamber surface for movement along a given axis from a first position wherein said plate opening is at least in partial alignment with said chamber opening to permit passage of said fluid to a second position wherein said plate opening is out of alignment with said chamber opening to thereby block fluid passage therethrough;
• means responsive to the other apparatus for advancing said film strip in either of said directions and for guiding said film strip within said cassette housing along a given path with one major surface of said film strip traversing said nozzle plate in a direction parallel to said given axis;
• a film support pad located in adjoining relation to said plate with an intervening portion of said film strip interposed therebetween;
• means for coupling said pad to said plate for partial movement therewith along said given axis from a first position to a second position;
• means when said pad is in its said first position for biasing said pad toward said plate so as to sandwich said intervening portion of film between said pad and plate;
• means for holding said plate in its said first position, during said initial advancement of said film strip, and for releasing said plate, prior to said subsequent advancement of said film strip, for movement therewith to its said second position in response to said subsequent advancement;
• and
• means responsive to displacement of said plate and pad toward their said second positions for displacing said pad substantially perpendicularly away from said plate by a distance exceeding the thickness of said film strip to thereby allow free passage of said film strip between said pad and plate for cassette operation subsequent to coating of said film strip with processing fluid.

A processor for a multi-purpose cassette containing a strip of photographic film during exposure, processing and projection, said processor being operative to deposit a uniform coating of processing fluid on a moving run of said film strip after exposure and comprising:

• means for defining an initially sealed reservoir of processing fluid having an exterior surface with a reservoir opening therein configured to pass processing fluid from said reservoir to the film strip when the fluid is released from said reservoir;
• a nozzle plate having a nozzle opening therein;
• means for mounting said plate with one major surface in engagement with said exterior reservoir surface and its other major surface overlying said film strip for slideable movement relative to said exterior reservoir surface from a processing position in which said nozzle opening is at least partially aligned with said reservoir opening to a projection position in which said plate opening is out of alignment therewith such that said plate blocks said reservoir opening;
• a pressure pad underlying said film strip and said nozzle plate whereby said run of said film strip passes between said nozzle plate and said pressure pad;
• means for supporting said pressure pad for movement from a processing position in which said pad is yieldably biased against said film strip and said nozzle plate to a projection position in which said pressure pad is spaced from said nozzle plate by a distance greater than the thickness of said film strip to thereby allow free passage of said film strip between said nozzle plate and said pressure pad subsequent to film strip exposure and processing;
• and
• selectively operative means for releasing said fluid from said reservoir and for retaining said plate and pad in their respective processing positions prior to release of the fluid, said releasing and retaining means including means displaceable from an initial position wherein said reservoir is sealed and said plate and pad are retained in their said processing positions to a subsequent position where said fluid is released from said reservoir and said plate and pad are released for movement to their projection positions.