Method of and apparatus for transferring film

A method for use in shuttling at least a photosensitve film unit housed in a film container, wherein the container has an exposure opening, that is carried by a shuttle mechanism between an image recording apparatus whereat a film unit can be exposed, and a film processing apparatus wherein the film unit can be removed from the film container and the shuttle for processing and wherein the container has an exposure opening, said film shuttling method comprising the steps of:

• providing a portable shuttle housing assembly which removably receives the film container therein, wherein the housing assembly includes an exposure aperture registerable with a container exposing opening when the container is received within the housing assembly for allowing exposure of a film unit presented at the exposing opening;
• providing the housing assembly with a movable light blocking means which is movable between at least first and second light blocking conditions and a light unblocking condition;
• placing the shuttle and the film container in operative relationship with an image recording apparatus such that the image recording apparatus actuates the blocking means whereby the blocking means moves automatically from the first light blocking condition to the unblocking condition for allowing exposure of the film unit through the exposure aperture of the shuttle and the exposing opening;
• preventing exposure of the film unit automatically by actuating the blocking means to move from the unblocking condition to the second light blocking condition before the shuttle is out of operative relationship with the image recording apparatus;
• transferring the shuttle from the image recording apparatus to an operative relationship with a processor which processes the film unit;
• ejecting the film unit from the film container and the shuttle in the processor by automatically moving the blocking means from the second light blocking condition to at least a partially unblocked condition for allowing withdrawal of the exposed film unit from the film container and the shuttle;
• and,
• returning automatically the blocking means from said partially open condition to said first blocking condition by a mechanism of the processor while in the processor;
• whereby the shuttle can be removed from the processor and film in the container is blocked from light and is ready for another exposure by transferring the shuttle back to the image recording apparatus.

A method for use in shuttling at least a photosensitive film unit housed in a film container between an image recording apparatus whereat a film unit can be exposed, and a film processing apparatus wherein the film can be removed for processing and wherein the container has an exposure opening, said film shuttling method comprising the steps of:

• providing a portable housing assembly which removably receives the film container therein, wherein the housing assembly includes an exposure aperture registerable with the container exposing opening when the container is received within the housing assembly for allowing exposure of a film unit presented at the exposing opening;
• the housing assembly being constructed to cooperate with an image recording apparatus in an exposing mode of operation, and with a film processing apparatus in a processing mode of operation;
• providing the housing assembly with a movable blocking means which is movable between at least a first light blocking condition, a light unblocking condition;
• and a second light blocking condition;
• and,
• automatically controlling movement of the movable blocking means, in response to actuation by the image recording apparatus, between at least the first light blocking condition and the unblocking condition relative to the exposure aperture when the aperture is in registration with the exposing opening for allowing exposure of a film unit when the blocking means is in the unblocking condition;
• and, controlling movement of the blocking means, in response to a second actuation by the image recording apparatus, from the unblocking condition to the second blocking condition to terminate exposure.

A system for use in shuttling at least a photographic film unit housed in a film container that is carried by a shuttle housing assembly, between an image recording apparatus, whereat a film unit can be exposed, and a film processing apparatus wherein the film can be removed from the film container and said shuttle housing assembly for processing, said system comprising:

• a portable shuttle housing assembly which removably receives the film container therein, wherein said housing assembly includes an exposure aperture registerable with a container exposing opening when the container is received within said housing assembly for allowing exposure of a film unit presented at the exposing opening;
• said housing assembly including light blocking means operable between a light blocking condition, and a light unblocking condition for exposing and preventing exposure of the film unit;
• an image recording apparatus which is operable with said shuttle housing;
• said image recording apparatus including means for actuating said blocking means when said shuttle housing is in operative relationship with said image recording apparatus, such that said image recording apparatus actuates said blocking means whereby said blocking means moves automatically from said light blocking condition to said unblocking condition for allowing exposure of the film unit through said exposure aperture of the shuttle and the exposing opening of the container, and actuating said blocking means to move from said unblocking condition to said light blocking condition to terminate an exposure before said shuttle housing is out of operative relationship with said image recording apparatus;
• a film processor which is operable with said shuttle housing for processing the film unit;
• said processor including means for ejecting the film unit from the film container and said shuttle in said processor by automatically moving said blocking means from said light blocking condition to at least a partially unblocked condition for allowing withdrawal of the exposed film unit from the film container and said shuttle housing;
• and,
• means in said processor being operable for returning automatically said blocking means from said partially open condition to said blocking condition, whereby said shuttle housing can be removed from said processor and film in the container is blocked from light and ready for another exposure.