GB2128593A

GB2128593A - Web transfer between stations

Info

Publication number: GB2128593A
Application number: GB08229873A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Ernest Abrams
Original assignee: HADLAND JOHN
Current assignee: HADLAND JOHN
Priority date: 1982-10-19
Filing date: 1982-10-19
Publication date: 1984-05-02
Also published as: GB2128593B

Abstract

A web e.g. photographic film is transferred between two stations e.g. typesetter and processor by means of a rotatable device (3) with storage spools (1, 2). Web is simultaneously wound onto spool (1) from the typesetter and from spool (2) into the processor. When spool (1) is full, and spool (2) is empty, the housing (3) rotates through 180 DEG and the winding/unwinding processes are repeated. Each spool (1, 2) is positioned in a light-tight housing (4, 5). Photodetectors (6, 22) determine when the rotation will occur. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Film transport This invention relates to transfer apparatus and in particular to transfer apparatus used for transferring an elongate web such as photographic film or paper, from a typesetter to a processing machine.

Known apparatus of this type includes a lighttight cassette. This cassette is removably attached to the outlet of the typesetter such that film from the typesetter can be fed into the cassette. Typically the film has a length of up to, for example, 30 metres. A schematic diagram of such an arrangement is shown in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

The film from the typesetter typically emerges emulsion side down, whereas it must be fed into the processor emulsion side up. Typically, in such transfer apparatus, when the film has been fed into the cassette, the cassette is normally removed from the typesetter and attached to the processor, thereby achieving inversion of the film.

This manual disconnection and re-connection of the cassette is slow in operation and requires the need for an operator.

The present invention provides transfer apparatus for take-up and output of a length of elongate web in a tape transport system, the apparatus comprising a storage device for the web, a housing for the storage device including a port which provides web-feeding communication to and from the storage device, means for rotating the housing between a first position, at which web can be fed through the port for take-up by the storage device and a second position, at which the web can be fed from the storage device so as to be outputted through the port.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an automatic transfer apparatus which does not require an operator, is quicker in operation than known apparatus and inherently provides automatic feed and inversion of the tape between the typesetter and the processor.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a known transfer apparatus; and Figure 2 is a diagram of a transfer apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

As may be seen from Figure 2, a transfer apparatus includes one or more rotatable spools (1, 2) in a housing (3). Each spool is enclosed within a respective spool housing (4, 5) each of which is light-tight if photographic film is to be taken up on the spools.

In the following description, photographic film is described as being used in the transfer apparatus. However, as stated above, other types of tape may readily be employed.

In operation, film 10 from the typesetter is fed past a typesetter output photodetector 6. This photodetector 6 detects the leading edge of the film 10 as it emerges from the typesetter. A signal is sent from the photodetector 6 to cause a motor (not shown) to rotate spool 1 (as shown) in spool housing 4. The motor is preferably mounted externally of spool housing 4 but internally of housing 3. Alternatively, a clutch (not shown) may be operated so as to cause spool 1 to rotate. The film 10 passes into spool housing 4 via entrance 8 thereof. The film 10 is automatically taken up by spool 1.

In the typesetter art, it is known that when film is being fed from a typesetter, it is possible for the film to be partly pulled back into the typesetter and then re-fed out. To overcome this difficulty, the spool 1 is preferably driven via a slipping clutch (not shown), in order that the spool 1 may be rotated in the opposite direction against the drive of the motor, when the film is being pulled back into the typesetter.

After sufficient film 10 has been produced by the typesetter, the film 10 is cut inside the typesetter and a signal is sent to the transfer apparatus to de-energize the motor for the spool 1. The length of the film 10 is then stationary.

A signal is then sent from the typesetter to the transfer apparatus, thereby causing inlet rollers 7 to contact the film 10. The inlet rollers 7 are then driven in synchronism with the motor for the spool 1 such that the length of film 10 is taken up on spool 1. When the trailing edge of the film 10 passes the typesetter outlet photodetector 6 after a suitable delay of time the inlet rollers 7 are retracted from contact with the film 10 and the motor for the spool 1 and the inlet rollers 7 is deenergized.

With the length of film 10 substantialiy in spool housing 4, a further motor 20 is energised automatically so as to cause rotation of the housing 3, preferably about an axis 21 transverse to the length of the film 10. The housing 3 is rotated until the entrance 8 of spool housing 1 is positioned proximal to the inlet of the processor.

At that position a pair of outlet rollers 21 is brought into contact with the protruding edge of the length of film 10. The outer rollers 21 are energised and the film 10 is fed from spool 1 into the inlet guide of the processor. The outlet rollers 21 are preferably driven at a speed to match the inlet speed of the processor. The outlet rollers 21 remain in contact with the film for a sufficient period for the film to be taken up by rollers in the processor itself. This may be achieved by, for example, mounting a processor inlet photodetector 22 proximal to the inlet of the processor, the photodetector being actuated by passage of the leading edge of the film 10 thereby to send a signal to release and de-energize the rollers 21 after an appropriate time delay.

The film 10 is then pulled out of spool housing 4 by the rollers in the processor.

As is shown in Figure 2, in a preferred arrangement of the present invention, the housing 3 contains two spools (1, 2). Spool 2 has a spool housing 5 and is preferably mounted on a line with spool 1 and axis 21 of housing 3. The arrangement is such that when spool 1 is being loaded with film from the typesetter outlet, the entrance 23 of spool housing 5 is adjacent the inlet mechanism for the processor.

When spool 1 is loaded, housing 3 is rotated about axis 21 by 1 80 degrees, thereby positioning the entrance 8 of spool housing 4 adjacent the inlet mechanism for the processor and the entrance 23 of spool housing 5 adjacent the outlet mechanism of the typesetter.

The interchangeability of the position of spools 1 and 2 allows spool 1 to be loaded while spool 2 is being unloaded, and vice versa.

A detector 24 may be located inside the assembly to detect the position and,'or rotation of the housing 3.

The photodetector 22 at the processor inlet also ensures that the housing 3 cannot be rotated when film 10 is being passed from a spool housing into the processor.

It may be clearly seen that the arrangement of the apparatus results in automatic inversion of the film when being transferred between the typesetter and the processor In addition, the operation of the apparatus can be made automatic, being activated by signals from the typesetter, the processor and the respective photoutatectors.

Claims

1. Transfer apparatus for take-up and output of a length of elongate web in a tape transport system, the apparatus comprising a storage device for the web, a housing for the storage device including a port which provides webfeeding communication to and from the storage device, means for rotating the housing between a first position, at which web can be fed through the port for take-up by the storage device and a second position, at which the web can be fed from the storage device so as to be outputted through the port.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the storage device comprises a spool which is arranged to be driven by a motor.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 comprising a plurality of web-storage devices, each having a respective housing and port as aforesaid, the devices being mounted on a common carrier so as to be movable successively between the first and second positions.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 comprising two web storage devices as aforesaid.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 further comprising means for detecting the approach of the web to the port of a web storage device in the first position to initiate take-up of web by that tape storage device.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 further comprising means for stopping take-up of the web by a storage device in the first position.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 further comprising means for initiating outputting of the web from a storage device in the second position.

8. Apparatus according to any foregoing claim for use with a web carrying a photographic emulsion, the inside of each storage device being light-tight.

9. Apparatus for take-up and output of a length of web substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.

10. A web transfer system comprising apparatus as claimed in any foregoing claim.

11. Processing apparatus comprising a typesetter arranged to output an elongate photographic medium bearing a latent image of type-set information, a transfer device arranged to receive said medium and including a storage device, a housing for the storage device including a port which provides elongate medium-feeding communication to and from the storage device and means for rotating the housing between a first position, at which the medium can be fed through the port for take-up by the storage device and a second position, at which the medium can be fed from the storage device so as to be outputted through the port and a processor arranged for input of the elongate medium from the transfer device for developing the latent image on the elongate medium.