JPH0145056B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improved apparatus for forming corrugations at the ends of a strip of flexible material such as photographic film.

Processing of such films is problematic because the film tends to curl. To this end, the film is typically transported through the processor by hanging or wrapping the film around the rollers or roller-like members used in such processors. This can cause serious problems such as interrupting the passage of the film through the developing machine, blocking the developing machine, stopping the developing machine, and even damaging the film. A widely used technique to address these problems is to attach a separate straight "leader" to the leading edge of the film itself. This separate leader serves to guide the film through the processor without encountering problems due to curl of the film itself. However, this technique has its own significant drawbacks.

The attachment and detachment of the leader is quite time consuming and cumbersome, the leader can become unintentionally separated in the developing machine, the connection between the leader and the film can be a source of difficulty, and so on.

To solve all of these problems at once, the invention described in U.S. Pat. are doing. This new technique physically deforms the end portion of the film as it is guided through the processor. This deformation is of such a nature that this end portion of the film no longer has a tendency to curl, but to remain straight as the film passes through the developer at right angles. This solves the curl problem without inducing the problems caused by a separate reader.

Also, a numbered sticker, sometimes referred to as a "bi-verification" label, can be attached to the film while it is being deformed.

The present invention relates to specific embodiments and applications of the novel technology briefly described above and the subject matter of the above-referenced US patents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for forming an end corrugation for a strip of flexible material which can effectively create corrugations at the ends of a strip of photographic film. The purpose is to heat the film to such a temperature that one or both of them facing each other have corrugated wrinkles on their surface and one or both of them are treated so that the film can be deformed into the shape of the corrugated wrinkles. This is accomplished by utilizing a corrugated creasing device having a pair of platens. The platens are spaced apart to form an open slot between them. The end of the film strip is inserted into this open slot. The corrugator is responsive to the film strip being inserted into the slot by holding the closed platen closed over the film strip, thereby causing the film strip to be folded between the closed platens. for a predetermined period of time sufficient to form corrugations comparable to the corrugations on the surface of the platen. The corrugated creasing device reopens the slot at the end of this predetermined period of time. The film strip is then withdrawn from this reopened slot and the end of the film strip is inserted into the nip of the input roller for the film processor.

Certain embodiments of the corrugation creasing apparatus of the present invention include mechanically powered means (e.g., springs) for pressing the pressure platens forming the slots toward each other and a machine for a limited period of time. electrically powered means for overcoming the pressing force of the electrically powered means thereby pulling the platens apart from each other to form a slot between which the end portions of the film strip are corrugated. means, e.g. (solenoid)
and further mechanically powered means (e.g., a latch lever) to hold the platens apart from each other at the end of this limited period of time. - senses when a strip is inserted into the slot and biases the means for holding the platens apart from each other, thereby causing the platen to close over the inserted film strip, thereby imparting a waveform to the film strip; Timing means delay separation of the platens again by electrically powered means for a predetermined period of time.

A numbered sticker attached to the edge of the film is also firmly attached to the film by the pressure and heat of the corrugating device.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, FIG. 1 shows a front view of a film developing machine, generally designated 2. FIG. A film loading hole 3 is provided on the front side 1. 1 which is behind this hole 3 but not shown in Figure 1.
A pair of rollers (rollers 16, 1 shown in FIG. 1a)
8) forms a nip between them. Hole 3
is for inserting the film to be processed in the developing machine 2.

Another hole 5 is also provided in the front face 1 of the developer 2 laterally spaced from the hole 3. This hole 5 is formed between two plastic blocks 6, 7 which project into the developing machine 2. The lower block 6 projects slightly deeper than the upper block 7, thereby forming a shelf which helps guide the film into the hole 5.

Behind the hole 5 there is a corrugating device, not shown in FIG. 1, which embodies the invention.

One embodiment of a corrugated creasing device, generally designated 10, is shown in FIGS. 1a-9. The apparatus automatically and rapidly produces a plurality of deformations or wavy wrinkles in the leading edge 12 of the film strip 14. These wavy wrinkles are caused by the leading edge 12 of the film being indicated by the reference numeral 2 in FIG.
This tip is prevented from curling during subsequent passage through a film processor or developer containing an 8. The corrugating apparatus 10 includes a generally fixed lower platform formed by table means 20 suitably dimensioned to accommodate the leading edge of the film strip once the corrugating process begins. If desired, the table means 20 includes a pair of laterally positioned upright flanges 22, 24 which act as guides as the leading end 12 of the film strip 14 is inserted into the processor 10. can be provided. The table means 20 is secured to a fixed base 26 such that there is no relative movement therebetween.

A movable platen assembly 28 (FIG. 2) is reciprocable over the table means 28 from a raised position 30 shown in FIG. be. The platen assembly 28 generally includes a platen means 34 made of metal or other suitable material which is normally biased into corrugated engagement with the table means 20 by platen springs 36,38.

To create a longitudinal deformation 44 in the distal end 12 of the film strip 14, the platen is machined, molded or otherwise conventionally provided with a plurality of parallel longitudinal grooves 40 and ridges 42. and can be provided. In the illustrated embodiment, the table means 20 is provided with a resilient pad 46 (FIG. 3) to assist in creating corrugations in the film strip. Alternatively, platen 34 may be provided with a smooth strip contact surface and grooves and ridges may be machined or otherwise formed in the surface of table means 20. In a second modified construction, grooves and ridges are provided in the table means 20 and the bottom of the platen 34 to cooperate with each other to guide the film.
It is also possible to deform the strip, ie to form it with wavy wrinkles.

A pair of vertical supports 48, 50 mounted to the top 52 of platen 34 support a platen rod 54 therebetween parallel to and above platen 34.
The ends 56,58 of the platen rods 54 extend laterally outwardly through the associated vertical supports 48,50, respectively, a distance sufficient to mount one end of the platen springs 36,38. platen spring 36,
The other end of 38 is a table flange 2, respectively.
2, 24. Flange 2
Strap extensions 6 fixed to 2 and 24 respectively
0.62 can be used to attach the lower ends of the springs 36, 38 to the table means 20 if desired. Thus, the platen 24 is free to move vertically between the left and right table flanges 22, 24, and the springs 36, 38 act to continually bias the platen 34 toward the table means 20.

A microswitch assembly 64 (FIG. 2) is positioned immediately behind platen assembly 28, and this microswitch assembly 64 (FIG. 2)
and second electromagnetic means 68, 66 to move the platen 34 to the leading edge 12 of the film strip 14.
automatically raises and lowers in response to its presence. A timer switch assembly 70 cooperates with the microswitch assembly 64 to time the action of the first and second electromagnets 68, 66 to control the platen 34, as shown in FIG. 8, as will be described in detail below. It is automatically lowered or raised from the waveform wrinkled position to the raised position shown in FIG. Microswitch assembly 64 includes as essential parts a bracket 72 to which microswitch 74 is mounted, a pivotable block 76, and first and second electromagnets 68,66.

Microswitch 74 includes a suspended arm 78 terminating at its lower end in a foot 80 near the bottom of bracket 72. Foot 80 is positioned to partially obstruct the spacing space 82 formed between the bottom of platen 34 and the top surface of table means 20 when platen 34 is in the raised position. Therefore, the leading end 12 of the film strip 14 is connected to the platen and table means 20.
When introduced into the corrugating device 10 through the space 82 formed between the tip and the tip, the tip of the tip comes into contact with the foot 80 of the arm 78 of the microswitch. Pushing the tips 12 inwardly as indicated by arrows 84 in FIG. 1a forces the arms 78 apart sufficiently to close the contacts (not shown) of the microswitch 74. Microswitch 74 is wired to control the operation of first electromagnet 68 which is momentarily energized.

As shown in detail in Figures 2 and 3,
Block 76 is pivotally mounted to bracket 72 and pivots about pivot pin 86 in the direction indicated by double-headed arrow 88. The almost horizontal pivot arm 90 is the pivot block 7.
6 and terminates in a position where a first electromagnet 68 is activated when energized. Stop arm 92
is formed upwardly from the pivot block 76 to form a stop 94 that projects substantially perpendicularly to the pivot arm 90. A stop 94 engages the platen lever and holds it against the biasing force of the platen springs 36, 38, as will be described below.

As shown in detail in Figure 3, the pivot
The arm 90 has a receiving pin 96 for the first electromagnet 68.
is engaged. When the micro switch 74 is activated and the electromagnet 68 is energized, the receiving pin 96 is pressed upward. As the receiving pin 96 moves upwardly, it pulls the pivot arm 90 engaged therewith upwardly, causing the pivot block 76 to be pulled upwardly by the pivot pin 86.
Pivot counterclockwise around .
Pivoting of block 76 also causes stop arm 92 attached thereto to pivot in a counterclockwise direction. Pivoting of stop arm 92 in a counterclockwise direction pulls stop 94 out of contact with platen 98. Springs 36, 38 then act immediately to pull platen 34 toward table means 20.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 7 and 8, platen lever means 98 is generally horizontally disposed and pivotable about a lateral pivot pin 102 secured to bracket 72. As shown in FIGS. The front end 104 of the platen lever 98 extends below the platen rod 54 and leverages the platen assembly 28 into the raised position shown in FIG. A gap space 82 is formed before the tip is inserted. As shown in FIG. 8, when platen lever 98 is pivoted clockwise about lateral pivot pin 102, springs 36, 38
pulls the platen assembly 28 downwardly into the undulating position 32 thereby creating a plurality of deformed portions 44 in the leading end 12 of the film strip 14.
form.

7 and 8, the platen lever 98 terminates at a rearward end in a finger 100 that is engaged by a receiving pin 106 of the second electromagnet 66. Referring to FIGS. When the second electromagnet 66 is energized, the receiving pin 106 is
16, thereby pulling the platen lever 98 onto the lateral pivot pin 102.
Pivot in the counterclockwise direction when viewed from FIG. 7 around .

When the platen lever 98 is pivoted to a horizontal position as shown in FIG. Press. When the second electromagnet 66 is deenergized, the receiving pin 106 is released and moved away from the electromagnet 66 in the direction of arrow 108. When the second electromagnet 66 is deenergized, the platen springs 36, 38 bias the platen assembly 28 downwardly into the undulating position as shown in FIG.

The geometry of the platen lever system is shown in detail in FIGS. 7 and 8, in which the lateral pivot pin 102 to the finger 10
The distance to the rear end of the platen lever 98 is significantly greater than the distance between the pivot pin 102 and the leading edge portion 104 of the platen lever 98. Therefore, this system includes a second electromagnet 6 which resists the biasing force of the springs 36 and 38.
Significant mechanical advantages are incorporated to facilitate the action of 6.

Platen 34 is equipped with a suitable electrical or other type of heater generally shown in the form of a prior art connector block 110 and a known integral heating element 112 (FIGS. 7 and 8). It is provided. A timer switch assembly 70 of known type including a timer cam 114 is mounted on the first
and second electromagnets 68, 66 to time the operation of the device.

In operation, in the initial position shown in FIG.
6 to move cable pin 106 to arrow 116
Pull in the direction of . As previously mentioned, energization of the second electrode 66 causes the platen lever 98 to pivot about the lateral pin 28;
As a result, platen 34 and platen table 2
0 (FIGS. 3 and 7). In this position, the stop arm 92 is spring biased and the stop 94 is attached to the platen lever 98.
7 to hold the platen lever in a horizontal position as shown in FIG. When the platen 34 is thus raised, the leading end 12 of the film strip 14 is inserted into the space 82 by pressing it inwardly under the platen 34. Tip 12 contacts foot 80 of microswitch arm 78 and presses arm 78, thus closing contact 74 of microswitch 74. Closing of microswitch 74 activates an electrical circuit that begins operation of timer switch assembly 70 and energizes first electromagnet 68 for a short, timed period of time.

When the first electromagnet 68 is energized, it pulls the receiving pin 97 upward in the direction of arrow 118 (FIG. 5), thereby pivoting the pivotable block 76 counterclockwise about the pivot pin 86. let When block 76 pivots counterclockwise, stop arm 92 attached thereto
similarly pivots thereby releasing stop 94 from engagement with the end of platen lever 98. When stop 94 releases platen lever 98, platen springs 36, 38 bias platen lever 98 clockwise about lateral pivot pin 102, causing platen assembly 28 to waveform as shown in FIG. Wrinkling position 3
Pull it to 2.

The timer cam 114 operates during its actuation cycle for a predetermined period of time during the wave creasing cycle and then energizes the second electromagnet 66 to cause its receiving pin 10 to energize.
6 downward in the direction of the arrow 116 as shown in FIG. The downward movement of the receiving pin 106 pulls the platen lever command 100, causing the platen lever 98 to pivot counterclockwise about the lateral fulcrum bar 102, as shown in FIG. - Raise the assembly 28 to the raised position. When the platen assembly 28 is raised to the raised position, the stop 94 of the stop arm 92 automatically engages the edge of the platen lever 98 again and locks the platen.
Assembly 28 is held in its raised position (FIGS. 3 and 7).

During the timed cycle, the device 10 permanently creates a deformation or undulation 44 in the leading edge 12 of the film strip 14. When the platen assembly 28 is raised again to the raised position 30, the film strip 12 is placed in the space 8.
2 from the device 10. The film strip 12 is laterally movable to the nip or input rollers 16, 18 of the film processor 2. After the fully deformed, ie corrugated, tip 12 has been withdrawn, another film strip 14 can be inserted into the corrugating device 10 and the device 10
Inside, the film strip again contacts foot 80 and arm 78 is depressed to repeat the timed cycle of operation.

Preferably, the heating means is energized long enough to allow the platen to stabilize at the desired temperature well before a particular film strip 14 is inserted into the corrugating device 10. The voltage of the electric heater is selected appropriately for this purpose. If multiple film strips are processed sequentially through the processor 2, the heater is preferably left energized throughout the film processing time so that the desired temperature is maintained. A thermostatic control may also be included in the heater circuit to maintain the desired temperature.

This temperature is sufficient to soften the film strip while the platen applies pressure to the film strip, thereby helping to deform the strip as desired. however,
This temperature must be below the temperature at which the film strip becomes viscous during compression.

After being processed in the corrugating device 10, the film strip 14 preferably has corrugations that are displaced in both directions (up and down) from the plane of the original unprocessed strip. Some corrugations extend to the leading edge of the film strip while others do not. The heights of the various corrugations can also be varied. Similarly, the individual corrugations do not necessarily have to be perfectly straight both transversely and vertically with respect to the film strip.

Even with wrinkles in the waveform, the original film
The overall width of the strip is typically maintained approximately. It is believed that this is due to the applied heat allowing the film strip to stretch laterally while being undulated, thereby retaining its original overall width.

A second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 9-15, referenced below.

In keeping with practice, the parts of this embodiment are designated by the same reference numbers as used in the embodiments shown in Figures 1 through 8, to show that the contrast is in functional rather than structural details. "a" is added.

The corrugating device shown in these figures is generally designated by the reference numeral 10a. This device has lower and upper guide rods 6a, 7 forming a slot 5a between them.
Contains a. In a typical practical application, the apparatus 10a is mounted behind the front panel of a film processor 2 such as that shown in FIG. In this case, the guide rods 6a, 7a of the device 10a protrude from the front panel of the developing machine in the same way as the elements 6, 7 in FIG.

Behind the guide rods 6a, 7a there are upright ends 22.
Positioned is a fixed lower platen formed by table means 20a, which is provided with plates 24a and 24a. In particular, the upper surface of the table means 20a has a first
As shown in Figure 2, there are corrugated wrinkles. An upper platen 28a is provided above the table means 20a, and a corresponding corrugated wrinkle is formed on the bottom surface facing the platen table means 20a. The platen 28a is attached to a stirrup-like support plate 200. The upper ends of springs 36a, 38a are attached to the protruding end portions 56a, 56b of the support plate 200, respectively. The ends of the stabilizing rods 201 pass through holes provided in the end portions, and the leading ends of these ends pass through holes in the mounting plate 202, in which the elements 6a, 7a, 20a are rigidly attached. . The lower ends of the springs 36a, 38a are connected to the table means 20a at the ears 60a, 62a, respectively.
It is attached to. The mounting plate 202 has a hole 203 above which also the mounting plate 202.
02 is positioned.

As shown in detail in FIG.
A motor assembly 210 is mounted on the back side of 02. Also mounted on the back side of the mounting plate is a microswitch unit 74a, which unit has an attached actuation lever 78a whose foot 80a extends through the mounting plate 202 shown in FIG. 12, for example. are doing.

The electric motor unit 210 has a circular disk 22.
0 is rotatably mounted, and this disk is provided with a notch 221 at one point around its circumference, which notch is adapted to accommodate an actuator that is to be aligned with switch actuator 204.

A cylinder 222 protrudes from the disk 220, and although this cylinder is positioned eccentrically to the disk 220, it rotates together with the disk. Preferably, the cylinder 222 is eccentrically positioned circumferentially close to the notch 221 of the disk 220.

The mounting plate 200 and the cylinder 222 are such that an arcuate opening 231 provided in the mounting plate 220 in the axial direction of the cylinder rides on the surface of the cylinder each time the disk 220 rotates and brings the cylinder 222 to the uppermost portion of its eccentric passage. Okay, line up. This state is shown in FIG. In this state, cylinder 222 engages edge 230 and raises plate 200 along with platen 28a. The platen 28a is therefore lifted out of engagement with the table means 20a. This disengaged relationship is the 14th
It is shown in the figure. In this state, the end of the film strip 14 is connected to the slot 5a and the element 20a.
28b, or can be pulled out in the opposite direction from this gap and the slot.

On the other hand, the disk 220 rotates and the cylinder 22
When the disk is brought into the lowest part of its eccentric passage, the disk can no longer pull up the plate 220 and pull up the plate 220.
Preferably, it is completely removed from engagement with the edge of the. This relationship is shown in FIG. 13. In this state, the springs 36a, 3 exert a constant contraction
6b forces platen 28a into engagement with table means 20a. This condition is shown in FIG. 15, with elements 20a and 38a separated only by film strip 14. The combined effect of the pressure exerted by these elements 20a, 38a and the heat exerted by one or both platens causes these elements 20a, 38a to The film strip 14 is corrugated by 38a.

Between the above two states, the corrugated creasing device 10
Disk 2 because it is necessary to cycle a.
20 is rotated by a motor 210 controlled as follows.

Assume that when engaged, motor 210 rotates disk 220 in the direction shown by arrow 240 in FIGS. 10, 12, and 13. This direction is called clockwise. Furthermore, this motor is stopped so that the disk 220 is also in the position shown in FIG.
It is assumed that the actuator 204 for 5 is seated on the outer periphery of the disk 220 just beyond the notch 221. At this stage, platen 38a is raised away from table means 20a as previously described. If the film 14 is then inserted into the gap thus formed, the leading edge of this film will abut the foot 80a and the lever 78a attached thereto.
Push backwards. This movement triggers microswitch 74a which rotates motor 210 and thus rotates disk 220 along with cylinder 222 attached thereto. As disk 220 rotates, platen 38a moves film strip 14 to platen 38a.
8a and the table means 20a until it is also squeezed as described above (15th
Figure) It is gradually lowered by the action of springs 36a and 38a. As rotation of disk 220 continues, cylinder 222 eventually re-engages the curved edge of support plate 200 and pulls platen 38a out of engagement with film strip 14 again.

This rotation of the disk 220 continues until the notch 221 provided therein reaches the position of the switch actuator 204. At that time, the switch actuator 204 (riding on the outer periphery of the disk 220) falls into the notch 221, and this movement causes the micro switch 205 to
is triggered to stop the motor 210.

Next, the platen 38a and the table means 20a
The film strip 14, which has been provided with the desired corrugation by the facing surfaces thereof, can be withdrawn from the corrugation apparatus. This withdrawal of the film strip releases lever 78a and foot 80a attached thereto, which return to their forward positions (FIG. 14). This movement also triggers switch 74a and motor 2
Start 10 again. After rotating the disk 220 a small part of the circle, the switch actuator 2
04 comes out from Notchi 221 and returns to disk 2
It has reached the outer circumference of 20. This movement also triggers the micro switch 205 and the motor 21 is activated again.
Stop 0.

The cycle is now complete and the corrugating device remains stationary and another film to be corrugated is removed.
It is ready to receive the strip 14.

By continuously operating the switches 74a and 205 in both directions, the motor 2
It will be seen that the same effect occurs for 10. For example, when the lever 78a moves backward, the motor 2
10 and then the motor is also rotated when the motor is subsequently moved forward. Similarly, downward movement of actuator 204 (into notch 221) causes the motor to stop, and subsequent upward movement (out of notch 221) causes the motor to stop again. This can be accomplished by suitably wiring switches 74a, 205 to each other and to motor 210 as shown in FIG.

Power is provided by a prior art power supply 300 capable of producing alternating current at, for example, 24 volts. A step-up transformer 301 is used to raise this voltage to 115 volts.

An electrical heater element 302 is connected to the 115 volt output of transformer 301 in series with thermostat 303. This necessary connection is made at terminal 310,
This is done using 311 and 312. Terminal 313
form additional interconnections described below. Heater 302 and thermostat 74a cooperate to maintain the corrugator platen at the desired operating temperature. Switches 205 and 74a are connected as shown. The movable element of switch 205 is mechanically actuated between its two positions by actuator 204, which rides on the outer periphery of disk 220, as shown diagrammatically in FIG. The movable element of switch 74a is actuated by lever 78a, also shown diagrammatically in FIG.

Motor 210 is connected between the movable element of switch 205 and terminal 310 and also connects switch 20
5, 74a are terminals 31 as shown in FIG.
They are connected to each other via 3.

Also, if desired, a bell or buzzer 31
5 can be connected in parallel with the motor 210.

The switching mechanism in FIG. 9 is the waveform creasing device 10a.
is shown in position waiting for a film strip 14 to be inserted. As previously mentioned, the actuator 204 rests on the outer periphery of the disk 220 at a point just beyond the notch 221. In this position, the movable element of switch 205 is depressed and at the same time lever 78a is in the open position and is electrically connected to the movable element of switch 74a in the raised position.

As soon as the film strip 14 is inserted into the corrugating device, the lever 78a is moved rearwardly. This is true for switch 7 in Figure 9.
This corresponds to the condition in which the movable element 4a is depressed, thereby closing an electrical circuit from terminal 310 through motor 210 to terminal 312, thereby energizing motor 210 with a full operating voltage of 115 volts. This causes the disk 220 to rotate clockwise as viewed from FIG. If a buzzer 315 is provided, this buzzer also makes a sound as long as the motor 210 energized thereby continues to rotate.

While the motor 210 is rotating like this, the notch 221
The corrugator 10a goes through a cycle of operation in which the platen squeezes the film strip 14 and creates corrugations therein until the film reaches the position of the actuator 204. This cycle is followed by a movement in which the pressure is released and the slot of the device is reopened.

When actuator 204 falls into notch 221, the movable element of switch 205 contacts the upper fixed contact thereby breaking the circuit to motor 210 and stopping the motor. The film strip 14 is then pulled out and the strip is pressed against the lever 78.
When the pressure on a is released, this lever returns forward and the movable arm of switch 74a also returns to its upper fixed contact. This completes the circuit for rotating the motor 210 again and restarts the motor rotation. However, this rotation causes the actuator 204 to come out of the notch 221 and
It lasts only until it returns to its original position at the circumference of 0. At this time, the movable contact of switch 205 returns to its lower position and the motor energizing circuit is once again disconnected. At this time, the corrugating device has returned to its original position for insertion of another film strip.

The waveform creasing device described above constitutes a preferred embodiment of the present invention. however,
It will be appreciated that the invention is capable of other embodiments if desired.

Instead of utilizing a motor to actuate a lever that raises the platen from the table means as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-8, a motor actuated lever may be used to press these elements together, while - Other means can be used to separate these elements for insertion and withdrawal of the strip, for example springs.

Instead of a motor actuating a lever to apply and release corrugated creasing pressure between the platen and table means, a vacuum source may be used. It is also possible to use magnetic elements of the type with a table made of magnetic material and an electrically magnetizable platen to create an intermittent attractive force between the table and the platen.

The corrugated creasing apparatus embodying the invention is also particularly suited for use for the supplementary purpose of marking film with identification marks. This designation is typically in the form of an adhesive label with side-by-side pairs of corresponding numbers or letters. One member of each pair is attached to a container for storing and transporting film. The other member is attached to the film itself to facilitate reassembly into the original container after each particular film has been processed in the processor 2. According to the invention, this label strip is attached to the film strip itself prior to inserting the film into the corrugating device. The corrugated creasing device operates by applying mechanical force and heat to clamp the label to the film strip, thereby significantly reducing the possibility that the film strip will be lost during processing in the machine. .

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows the externally visible parts of the apparatus used in carrying out the invention, in particular the apparatus for deforming or corrugating the edges of the film, and the input side of the developing machine itself. Figure 1a is a perspective partial view of the developing machine, and Figure 1a is an enlarged view of a portion of the developing machine shown in Figure 1, showing the characteristics of the internal structure of the input side of the developing machine and the device that produces waveform wrinkles on the film.
FIG. 3 is a further enlarged front view of the corrugated creasing device, and FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway view of the corrugated creasing device to show details of the internal structure. A top view, Figure 5 is a left side view of the wave creasing device, Figure 6 is a right side view, and Figure 7 is a wave creasing device cut along line 7-7 in Figure 4 and viewed in the direction of the arrow. A sectional view showing the platen of the device in a separated position, FIG.
Although it is similar to the figure, it is a sectional view showing the platen at the position where the corrugation is applied.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing electrical connections in the corrugated creasing device, FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another specific example of the film corrugating device according to the present invention, and FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the device shown in FIG. 10, FIG. 13 is a partially cutaway front view of the specific example shown in FIG.
A cross-sectional view taken along the line 14-14 in the figure and showing the platen of the device at a separated position.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 14--14 in the figure, showing the platen at a corrugated crease position, and similar parts in each figure are given the same reference numerals. 10... Deformation device, 12... End of the strip, 1
4...Strip, 20, 34...Platen, 38...
mechanically powered means, 64... electrically powered means, 82... slot, 98...
A means of holding the platens separate.

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. A first position open to receive a strip of film to be transformed and a second position closed for transforming said strip of film, such as a strip of photographic film. an end corrugating device for a strip of flexible material, the device comprising: a pair of opposing pressure platens; mechanical power means for continuously pressing the platens toward each other; means for resisting said mechanical power means to maintain the pressurized platens apart when in said first position; and electrical power. of a strip of flexible material, the electrical power means pressing the mechanical power means for a period of time to close the pressure platens together and act on the ends of the strip. End corrugation device. 2 A device for forming a corrugation at the end of a strip of flexible material, such as a strip of photographic film, comprising a pair of pressure platens facing each other and constantly pressing the pair of pressure platens toward each other. a mechanical power means; and an electrical power means for overcoming the pressure of the mechanical power means for a period of time to separate the pair of pressure platens and form a slot for inserting the strip end therebetween; At the end of the predetermined period of time, the means for maintaining the pressure platen in the separated state and the means for maintaining the pressure platen in the separated state in response to insertion of the strip end into the slot are opened to strip the pressure platen. and means for closing the ends.