GB1401016A - Cartridge opening device - Google Patents

Abstract

1401016 Breaking open film cartridges EASTMAN KODAK CO 8 Sept 1972 [9 Sept 1971] 41868/72 Heading G2X A device for breaking open film cartridges 1 has means for supporting the take-up chamber 7 so as to prevent movement in at least one direction, and also for forcing the remainder of the cartridge in the same direction so that it fractures. As shown, the device is mounted on a vertical plate 13. A plate 17 carrying a tapered spindle 24 is secured to plate 13 by pins 18, 19, 20 but spaced therefrom by spacers 21, 22, 23. Spindle 24 fits into a similarly-shaped recess 25 in the take-up chamber 7, see also Fig. 2 (not shown), rotation of chamber 7 on the spool being limited by stops 27, 28. A guide arm 15 can pivot on a pin 31 secured to plate 17, and is urged anticlockwise by a spring 32 against a stop 36 on plate 17. In loading a cartridge into the device, the take-up chamber 7 is slid along a guide surface 33 extending from arm 15 until it seats on spindle 24, and is retained there by an offset portion 40 of guide 33. Such loading can conveniently be carried out under darkroom conditions. A breaker lever 16 having a handle 44 is also pivoted on pin 31, and is urged in a clockwise direction by a spring 41, the spring having arms 42, 43 abutted respectively against the under-side of handle 44 and a backstop wall 45 of plate 17. Lever 16 includes an offset portion 46 and a bumper 47, and in the rest position bumper 47 abuts against backstop wall 45, When the cartridge is mounted on the device, handle 44 and hence lever 16 is pivoted anti-clockwise, so that a blade 49 and jaw 50 come into contact respectively with the central part 8 and the supply chamber 5 of the cartridge. The whole cartridge is thus pivoted anti-clockwise on spindle 24 until a shoulder extension 29 on chamber 7 abuts against stop 27, so that chamber 7 can rotate no further. If rotation of lever 16 is still continued further, then the cartridge is fractured, and parts 8 and 5 broken away from chamber 7, so that the film can now be extracted (Fig. 6). A shield 53 protects the operator against any flying fragments.