New Envelope System for Quickload, ReadyLoad and Polaroid Holders

[Joanna Carter]

Joanna, let me see if I understand what you are proposing:

1,2,3,4,5 Correct so far.

Can you make these for a cost that allows a price that is competitive with existing Quickloads? That will be a key to their long-term survival in market, as I'm sure you already know. And since they are not reusable, a stable source in the long term is what we would need.

That is the hope, but it will all depend on the number of people who want to avail themselves

Even though I would have to load them myself, which undermines slightly one of my requirements, I think I could live with that to gain access to my preferred films. So, I'm definitely a potential buyer, if I understand what you are suggesting.

Thank you.

[Atul Mohidekar]

Hi Joanna,

This is a great idea if you could pull it off. A system like this one could not only fill the void created by the demise of Fuji Acros QuickLoad film and Kodak ReadyLoad system but also will allow usage of other LF sheet films (with the QuickLoad holder) that were never available in the convenient QuickLoad/ReadyLoad packaging format.

Regards,


// Atul

[Joanna Carter]

However, I'm just wondering if Fuji own the patent for the holder design/mechanism, and, if so, how much it would cost to buy into that design, assuming they would let you. It may be worth approaching Fuji first, before you expend too much time on the design.

I have checked the patents that I can find on the IPO site and, as far as I can tell, as long as I don't outright copy their envelope design, which I am not, we should be OK. Also I am not copying the whole system, just providing an alternative envelope that happens to fit, not only their holder but also the Kodak and Polaroid.

[Patrick Dixon]

I think it would be very bad PR for Fuji to sue for patent infringement when they won't (or don't consider it commercially viable) to produce QLs for themselves. I doubt Joanna would be going to the trouble if they hadn't discontinued Acros QL without notice, although her solution might well have other benefits.

[Drew Wiley]

Hope you do succeed. However, with new ideas if the first batch of a product has
unresolved quality issues, which is frequently the case, you get a black eye, and folks
aren't very forgiving. There's a significant leap from a working prototype to mass
producing something of consistent quality. And you'd need a source for holders. I use
a modified 545 holder because it's more reliable and holds film flatter than the dedicated Kodak and Fuji holders. But by the end of Summer, it looks like my Acros
Quickloads will all be used up, and I"ll either be back to a changing tent or the old
Mido holders, which for me at least, weren't 100% reliable. My priority is getting my
backpack weight down in the mtns. on longer trips. I have a true cleanroom, so
loading film cleanly isn't an issue. Keep us posted!

[keeds]

I didn't think they had discontinued QL Acros. They just weren't importing to the US or UK. I thought it was still available for import in sufficient quantities. 20 boxes into the UK?

[Joanna Carter]

I didn't think they had discontinued QL Acros. They just weren't importing to the US or UK. I thought it was still available for import in sufficient quantities. 20 boxes into the UK?

Unfortunately, no. Fuji have totally stopped production of Acros in QL, preferring to only sell 4x5 in cut sheet packs. That certainly gave me a strong impetus to finalise the design and do something about it.

[Struan Gray]

Joanna, you might want to look into Tetra-pak/Elopak milk and drinks containers for inspiration on envelope materials. They are made of (coated)cardboard-polymer-aluminium-polymer, and are both light tight and ultrasound/heat weldable. An envelope made of this could well be robust enough to be re-used, yet thin enough to fit in existing Quickload/Readyload holders. The packaging companies buy rolls of the ready-printed and laminated card from specialist coated paper suppliers.

I hope this works out for you.

[Vick Vickery]

I'm certainly interested...do you have a timetable in mind??? Keep us posted!

[Struan Gray]

PS: IMHO Quickchange failed because it was too expensive for the one-time use Fuji officially supported, but did not have proven robustness (or any guarantee from Fuji) for reloading for professional shooting. For my amateur use it works very well, but for more than 30 sheets or so Quickload is more compact and lighter, so is more attractive for backpacking trips.