The present invention relates to photographic film units that are adapted to be processed by distributing a low viscosity liquid between two layers of the unit.

Conventional film units which are immediately processable typically include a first sheet having an imaging portion and a second sheet coupled to the first sheet to establish a space for receiving a processing liquid. In most commercial film units of this type, the processing liquid is supplied in a containment pouch (commonly called a "pod") disposed at one end of the film unit.

Processing is initiated by progressively advancing the film unit between a pair of pressure rollers which ruptures the pouch, expels its liquid contents between the sheets and drives the liquid across the imaging portion. A spacer separates the sheets and controls the quantity of the distributed liquid that is available to the imaging portion for processing.

For numerous reasons known to those skilled in the art, the processing liquid should completely cover the imaging portion to a predetermined uniform depth. Moreover, such coverage should be obtainable regardless of the orientation of the film unit relative to horizontal, over a wide range of temperatures and without reliance on particular skills of the user.

Because of difficulties previously encountered in handling low viscosity liquids, the usual practice has been to add a thickener to the processing liquid. Although low viscosity liquids may flow more easily, like water, they are considered difficult to control during spreading particularly when the

orientation of the film unit and the resulting effects of gravity are not predetermined. Highly viscous liquids, on the other hand, are considered easier to control and remain essentially immobile after spreading regardless of the orientation of the film unit.

U.S. Patents No. 2,982,650 (issued May 2, 1961 to Land) and No. 3,069,266 (issued December 18, 1962 to Land) describe "podless" diffusion transfer photographic film units in which a low viscosity liquid composition is drawn from a reservoir and distributed between two sheets by capillary action. Such attempts have not, however, overcome the drawbacks already mentioned. The liquid is applied to the film unit along one edge of the film unit in a manner that is undesirably sensitive to the orientation of the film unit. Additionallly, liquid flow is induced entirely by capillary action, which may be satisfactory in some applications, but is undesirably slow in others.

Still other approaches using low viscosity liquids in relatively small transparency units are discosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,541,938 (issued November 24, 1970 to Harvey). In these approaches the liquid is injected between the sheets through a syringe or from a small blister pouch that, at least insofar as the application of the liquid is concerned, does not appear to be orientation sensitive. However, no means are suggested for controlling the flow of the liquid once it is injected between the sheets. Instead, a camera mechanism engages the sheets to distribute the liquid with pressure. Although satisfactory for their intended purposes, these approaches are difficult to apply to larger formats and require undesirably

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complex camera mechanisms. In addition, the film unit itself must be capable of containing the liquid under pressure and releasing any excess of the liquid after processing. It is the object of this invention to provide a film unit generally of the type described, including an access means for introducing a low viscosity processing liquid into the space between the sheets, but with more reliable coverage in spreading than in the prior art.

This object is accomplished by provision of liquid directing means configured to resist flow of a low viscosity liquid in a direction away from the access means while permitting spread of the liquid in a direction transverse to that direction, the resistance being sufficient to reduce curvature of the wavefront flowing outwardly from the access means and to distribute the processing liquid over said imaging portion in a continuous layer. In the preferred embodiment the liquid directing means comprise barriers to flow in the form of spaced parallel ridges which extend in the transverse direction and are positioned to be contacted by the liquid flowing between the layers. When the liquid flowing in the predetermined direction contacts a ridge, it tends to move along the ridge before it crosses the ridge. In this manner, as the liquid moves from ridge-to-ridge, a relatively square wavefront is maintained. In an alternative embodiment, the liquid directing means comprise stripes that have different degrees of hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity and that extend in the transverse direction on the surface of one or both of the layers. Alternate stripes retard liquid flow in the predetermined direction to enhance the flow along the stripes in the transverse direction.

The flow controlling means has particular utility in a film unit that has an access means in the form of a small aperture for introducing the processing liquid into the space between the sheets and an opposed venting port for releasing air as it is displaced from the space by the liquid. In such a film unit, the liquid directing means assists in directing the liquid from the aperture into a wavefront that extends across the full width of the film unit and thεn advances in a relatively square wavefront along the length of the film unit.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a film unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, with portions broken away. Fig- 2 is an enlarged cut-away view of a first end portion of thε film unit illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cut-away view of a second end portion of the film unit illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the film unit illustrated in Fig. 1 depicting an example of a pattern of flow of the liquid as it progresses from one end of the film unit to the other. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a film unit in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a. portion of the film unit illustrated in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of another alternative embodiment of the film unit, corresponding to the enlarged cut-away view of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of another alternative embodiment of the film unit. Referring first to Figs. 1-3, a preferred embodiment of a film unit in accordance with the

present invention is depicted comprising a photosensitive sheet L2 and a cover sheet 1_4 that are coupled together in closely-spaced superposed relationship by a spacer 1_6 and mask 1J5. In use, the film unit is adpated to be exposed to a scene and processed by a liquid to form a photographic print representing the scene. The liquid is introduced into the space between the sheets and is distributed there to initiate the processing of the film unit and to bring about the formation of the print.

More specifically, the photosensitive sheet 12 includes a support _20 and layers λ of photosensitive emulsions that are suitable for recording a latent image. During processing the latent image is developed in a manner that brings about the release of an imagewise distribution of dyes that migrate by diffusion transfer to an image-receiving layer _24. There the dyes are immobilized for viewing as the final print. The photosensitive layers are exposable from one face of the film unit, through the cover sheet 14, which is made transparent for that purpose, while the print is viewable from the other face, through support 20, which is also transparent. Further details of the processing chemistry are not considered necessary to the present disclosure.

The mask 18 is secured to the photosensitive sheet around the perimeter thereof to create a border frame surrounding imaging area 2Λ . When the film unit is exposed, the latent image is formed in the emulsion layers within this imaging area. Similarly, during processing, the liquid outside of the imaging area is blocked by the mask to create a distinct white border surrounding the final picture. Thε spacer lj5 extends substantially entirely around the perimeter of the film unit, and is secured

to the maks on one side and to the cover sheet on the other side to space the photosensitive and cover sheets apart by a predetermined amount.

Considered together, the above-mentioned parts comprise a layered structure in which two of the layers are spaced apart for receiving the processing liquid therebetween. This space is substantially entirely closed by the sheets, the mask, and the spacer, to prevent the escape of the liquid once it has been introduced between thε layers. Liquid delivery means in the form of an access port J28 is provided in a border region at one end of the film unit for introducing the processing liquid into the space between the sheets. Similarly, a venting port 3_2 is provided in the border area at the end opposite the access port for releasing air that is displaced from between the sheets by the liquid. As depicted in Fig. 1, the access port is a relatively small aperture extending through the cover sheet. The aperture is small enough that any gravitationally induced hydraulic head will be insignificant, and the processing liquid can be introduced in a manner that is substantially uneffected by the orientation of the film unit. At the same time, however, the aperture is large enough to permit sufficient liquid flow to quickly fill the space between the sheets when coupled to an outside source of the processing liquid. The venting port, on the other hand, can be smaller, so long as it is large enough to release the displaced air. As depicted in Fig. 1, a pocket 3_8_ is located in the spacer 16b adjacent each venting port to trap liquid before it reaches the vents. Of course, other more elaborate schemes could be employed to trap the liquid.

Thus, although the film unit is intended to contain the introduced liquid without leaking, it is not airtight and need not stand up to liquid pressures other than those that may be used to induce liquid flow.

The processing liquid is a low viscosity solution having handling characteristics much like water, for example, with a viscosity in the range of 0 to 250" cps.. It is constituted like presently available commercial processing liquids, but without a thickener. The liquid is introduced through the access port, from which it spreads outwardly to fill the space between the two sheets. Such spreading can be achieved solely by capillary action, but in the preferred embodiment, it is augmented by introducing the liquid under slight pressure, such as 0 to 3 psi. In addition to spreading the liquid more quickly, within several seconds for a typical film unit, the pressure differential provides some assistance in maintaining the spacing between the sheets in the imaging area so flexible sheets can be employed without collapsing against each other.

Should a uniform depth of the processing liquid be important in connection with some processing chemistries, it can be accomplished by using relatively thick sheets having sufficient rigidity so they will remain flat and evenly spaced. In another approach, the sheets can be backed on one or both sides by flat surfaces in the ca ra or film container. The sheets can be drawn to such surfaces by vacuum, for example, or pushed against the surfaces by the internal pressure of the processing liquid.

Referring now more specifically to Figs. 2 and 4, spreading means are provided in the space between the sheets for controlling the flow of the

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liquid as it moves from the access port across the imaging area to the venting ports. Thε flow is controlled by liquid directing means that present a greater resistance to the flow of the liquid in a predertermined direction compared to a direction transverse to the predetermined direction without completely blocking the flow of liquid at any point. In the disclosed embodiment the predetermined direction is longitudinally along the film unit from the end of the film unit that contains the access port to the end that contains the venting ports. The transverse direction is across the film unit. Referring to Figs. 1-3, the directing means comprise two series of ridges 4_2 and ^4_ extending transversely of the film unit at its opposite ends in the border regions. At the leading end, adjacent the access port, the ridges are disposed between the access port and the imaging area. At the trailing end the ridges are between the imaging area and the venting ports. When the liquid is introduced into the space between the sheets it flows away from the access port to the first ridge. The ridge then acts temporarily as a barrier to liquid flow in the longitudinal direction, inhibiting flow across the ridge. Instead, at least some of the liquid is diverted to flow along the ridge, or transversely of the film unit, until the space on the upstream side of the ridge is entirely filled. The liquid then spills past the ridge and proceeds to the next barrier ridge where the process is repeated. It is entirely possible that some liquid may move over a ridge before the space upstream of the ridge is entirely filled. Still, however, the tendency for the liquid to flow transversely is sufficient to significantly augment its lateral flow. This enhances the flow pattern in the sense of forming a wavefront that is

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less likely to entrap air or to miss a portion of the imaging area. It also makes more liquid available to portions of the imaging area that are relatively far from the access port, such as along the lateral edges, Fig. 4 depicts the wavefront at various stages in its progress along the film unit. The set of ridges 42 at the first end of the film unit enhance the wavefront between the access port and the imaging area. From there, the wavefront proceeds across the imaging area to the second set of ridges 42 at the second end. At the second end, any deterioration of the wavefront that may have occurred in the imaging area is corrected to ensure that the trailing end of the imaging area will be adequately covered, and to smooth the wavefront so it will reach all of venting ports at approximately the same time.

Numerous techniques are available for forming the ridges, including grooving the sheets between the locations desired for the ridges. In a film unit having overall dimensions of 3 inches by 4-1/22 inches (7.62 by 11.43 centimeters), for example, the sheets might be spaced apart by 1 to 5 mils (25 to 125 microns), and have ridges that are .28 to 4 mils (7 to 100 microns) high with a pitch of approximately 1 mil (25 microns) . Although the ridges may extend into the space between the sheets, they do not entirely block fluid flow and do not deplete more than an insignificant amount of the processing liquid from the imaging portion. It has been found that small ridges, say in the range of .28 to .35 mils (7-9 microns) are adequate when capillary forces are the sole motivating force, and that ridges of larger size are preferable when a pressure differential is employed to move the liquid. In the preferred embodiment shown in Figs.

1-4, the ridges have been located only in border

areas where they will not degrade the exposure or viewing of the imaging area. It should be understood, however, that the ridges could extend entirely across the imaging area. In some applications, the ridges may not be considered objectionable in the imaging area, either because they are relatively small or because in a particular film format, the imaging area is both exposed and viewed from the face of the film unit opposite the ridges.

Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6, an embodiment is depicted where the directing means comprise parallel stripes of different degrees of hydrophobicity or hydrophilicity extending transversely of the film unit in the imaging area. Stripes _2_, 5_4_, 5_6_ and 5J3, etc., are more hydrophobic than the surfaces between the stripes, to present greater resistance to liquid flow in thε longitudinal direction than in .the transverse direction. The resistance differential is the result of an increase in the resistance to flow in the predetermined direction, a decrease in the resistance to flow in the transverse direction, or both. It can be accomplished by suitable surface treatments, that roughen the surface, for example, so it has a differεnt tεxture in striped patterns. Preferably, however, striped coatings of materials are applied to one or both of the sheets to change the interaction between the liquids employed and the film unit surfaces.

Fig. 7 (corresponding essentially to Fig. 2) depicts another embodiment which is similar in many respects to the film unit illustrated in Fig. 1, except that only a single ridge 162 is provided and the ridge extends somewhat further, approximately, one third of the way, into the space between the

sheets. Thε ridge 162 extends transversely across most or all of the width of the film unit in the border area adjacent access port 128. As in the embodiment according to Figs. 1-4, the liquid will flow radially outwardly from thε access port until the wavefront engages the ridge 62. At that point the ridge acts as a barrier presenting a resistance to further longitudinal flow while the liquid continues to move transversely along the ridge to fill the space between the sheets upstream of the ridge and to establish a wavefront that extends across the entire width of the imaging area. The liquid spills over the ridge and proceeds across the imaging area. Yet another embodiment is depicted in Fig.

8, comprising recessed stripes 282, 284 and 286 extending transversely across the film unit much like the stripes 52, 54, 56 and 58 in Fig. 5. The recesses are approximately .4 mils (10 microns) deep and 1.6 mils (40 microns) across.

It should now be apparent that a film unit in accordance with the present invention provides significant advantages not available from the teaching of the prior art. Liquid spread is controlled in a film unit by directing the liquid in desired directions without significantly depleting liquid from the area occupied by the directing means. Liquid applied to the film unit at a point source is quickly redistributed to extend across the full width of the film unit for enhanced coverage of the imaging portion. Low viscosity liquids are employed, while minimizing gravitational effects on the liquid flow, so the distribution of the liquid is relatively insensitive to the orientation of the film unit.

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The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.

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