US3596897A - Web support and alignment station - Google Patents

Web support and alignment station Download PDF

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Publication number
US3596897A
US3596897A US844586A US3596897DA US3596897A US 3596897 A US3596897 A US 3596897A US 844586 A US844586 A US 844586A US 3596897D A US3596897D A US 3596897DA US 3596897 A US3596897 A US 3596897A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
vacuum
track
film
support surface
web
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US844586A
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English (en)
Inventor
Donald J Lindsay
Anopchand R Vora
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Eastman Kodak Co
Original Assignee
Eastman Kodak Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Eastman Kodak Co filed Critical Eastman Kodak Co
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Publication of US3596897A publication Critical patent/US3596897A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03D—APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING EXPOSED PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIALS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03D15/00—Apparatus for treating processed material
    • G03D15/04—Cutting; Splicing
    • G03D15/043—Cutting or splicing of filmstrips
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03D—APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING EXPOSED PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIALS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03D13/00—Processing apparatus or accessories therefor, not covered by groups G11B3/00 - G11B11/00
    • G03D13/003—Film feed or extraction in development apparatus
    • G03D13/005—Extraction out of a cassette and splicing of the film before feeding in a development apparatus

Definitions

  • Means for supplying a vacuum to each of the first and second portions of the track including first and second normally closed valves which are connected to a vacuum source. Pilot openings are disposed in the web support surface of the respective portions of the track immediately adjacent the separator blade and are both connected to a source of vacuum. Each pilot opening is provided with a vacuum responsive switch arranged, upon increased vacuum in the respective pilot opening, to open the respective normally closed valve to supply vacuum to the film support surface of the respective portion of the track.
  • the film arrives at the film processing plant in an identifying envelope bearing the name and address of the film owner, or other owner identification.
  • the film still in its lighttight container and in the customer identification envelope, is placed with other film of similar characteristics and is transported to a darkroom. In the darkroom, the film is removed from the customer identifying envelope and the lighttight film container is opened.
  • One end of the strip of film is then spliced to the trailing end of the preceding strip of film and is unwound from the container onto a master roll. After a sufficient length of film has been spliced together to form a master roll, the roll is transferred to the input end of the processor.
  • the processor is continuously supplied with film from master rolls.
  • the film For successful operation of a film processing plant, the film must be accurately and securely spliced together. Should the splices not be secure, the film may part at the splice while in the processor, resulting in costly shutdowns and delays as well as damage to the customersfilm. Should the splices not be accurately made, they may not possess the requisite strength and may break, or they may jam in the transport apparatus. causing the film to break elsewhere.
  • Prior film splicing stations have utilized a track member having a width just equal to that of the film whereby the film is held in place for splicing by friction.
  • prior art splicing stage tracks have an ad justable width, permitting misadjustment or loosening of the adjustment, with a resultant misalignment of the film being spliced.
  • the use of friction to hold the film in place often causes damage, such as edge nicks, to the customers film.
  • the present invention provides a web support and alignment station comprising a track member having a web support surface with a width substantially equal to the width of the web.
  • the track is divided along its length into first and second portions having a web separator member extending transversely of the track therebetween.
  • Means is provided for supplying a vacuum to each of the web support surfaces of the first and second portions of the track. Normally closed valves cooperate with each of said portions of the support sur' face to control the vacuum supply means.
  • Means is provided which is responsive to the presence of a web in the track adjacent the separator member which is arranged to open one of the normally closed valves to supply vacuum to the respective portion of the web support surface.
  • the present invention includes a pilot opening in the web support surface adjacent the separator member which pilot opening is connected to a source of vacuum and has a vacuum responsive switch arranged, upon an increase of vacuum in the pilot opening, to open the corresponding normally closed valve.
  • the present invention is arranged so that the web separator member is resiliently supported in the track and extends above the web support surface. Upon the application ofa force to the separator member normal to the web support surface, the separator member is depressed to the web support surface.
  • the present invention provides a web support and alignment station, particularly for splicing photographic film, comprising a channel-shaped track member hav ing a recessed web support surface with width substantially equal to the width of the film being spliced.
  • the track is divided along its length into first and second portions having a resiliently mounted film separator blade extending transversely of the web track therebetween.
  • Means is provided for supplying a vacuum to each of the first and second portions of the track including first and second normally closed valves which are connected to a vacuum source. Pilot openings are disposed in the web support surface of the respective portions of the track immediately adjacent the separator blade and are both connected to a source of vacuum.
  • Each pilot opening is provided with a vacuum responsive switch arranged, upon increased vacuum in the respective pilot opening, to open the respective normally closed valve to supply vacuum to the web support surface of the respective portion of the track.
  • FIG. l is an elevation view of a preferred embodiment of a web support station of the present invention.
  • lFlG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. l.
  • FIG. l An elevation view, partially in section and partially sche matic, of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. l and comprises a horizontally disposed track housing member 10 having a channel-shaped recessed web or film support surface 112 in the upper surface thereof.
  • the film support surface l2 has a width substantially equal to the film being spliced and extends from one end ofthe track to the other.
  • the film support surface has a width such that a film strip thereon is provided with good alignment and yet is not gripped such that damage may occur to the edge of the film.
  • the upper portion of the track member is provided with a sloping surface i l directed to the film support surface to assist the operator to properly locate the film in the track while operating in total darkness.
  • the sloping surface 114 may be provided on either or both of the front and rear edges of the track.
  • the track lift is divided along its length into a first and a second portion, 116 and ill respectively, by a film separator blade member Zfi which extends upwardly from the film support surface transversely to the track.
  • the separator blade is arranged to move vertically and is normally urged upwardly above the film support surface by a spring 22 in the track housing it).
  • the upper end of separator blade member 20 has a thickness equal to the desired distance between the ends of the two strips of film upon completion ofthe splice.
  • the lower portion 24 of the separator blade member is enlarged to provide guidance thereto and to provide a bearing surface for spring 22.
  • the track housing member 110 is recessed about the separator blade and is provided with a relatively firm, resilient pad 26 having an upper surface in the same plane as the film support surface 12 of the track.
  • a first vacuum chamber 28 is formed in the track housing member beneath the first film support portion 16 and is connected therewith by a plurality of openings 30.
  • a second vacuum chamber 32 is formed in the track housing member beneath the second film support portion 18 and is connected therewith by a plurality of openings 34. Both vacuum chambers 28 and 32 are connected via lines 36 and 38 through normally closed, solenoid-operating valves 40 and 42 to a first vacuum manifold 44.
  • the first vacuum manifold is provided with a vacuum gauge 46 and is connected via line 48 to a source of vacuum, such as vacuum pump 50.
  • a first pilot opening 52 is provided in the track housing and extends upwardly through the resilient pad 26 to the film support surface immediately adjacent the separator blade on the first track portion side thereof.
  • the first pilot opening is connected via line 54 to a second vacuum manifold 56 which is connected to the vacuum pump 50 via line 58.
  • a vacuum responsive switch 60 is connected to line 54 and is arranged to sense the amount of vacuum in that line.
  • the switch 60 is connected to normally closed solenoid-operated valve 40 in line 36 and is arranged to open valve 40 upon an increase in the vacuum in line 54 above a preselected value.
  • a second pilot opening 62 is provided inthe track housing and extends upwardly through the resilient pad 26 to the film support surface immediately adjacent the separator blade on the second track portion side thereof.
  • the second pilot opening is connected via line 64 to the second vacuum manifold 56.
  • a vacuum responsive switch 66 is connected to line 64 and is arranged to sense the amount of vacuum in that line.
  • the switch 66 is connected to normally closed solenoid-operated valve 42in line 38 and is arranged to open valve 42 upon an increase in the vacuum in line 64 above a preselected value.
  • the pilot openings 52 and 62 and the vacuum responsive switches 60 and 66 are so arranged that when the pilot holes are open to the atmosphere at the web support surface, the vacuum in respective lines 54 and 64 is not great enough to close the switches 60 and 66.
  • the splice operator in the dark, picks up the trailing end of the film extending from the master roll and lays it on sloping surface 14 above the first portion 16 of the film support surface. The film is then slid down surface 14 into the channel-shaped film support surface 12. The operator then slides the film longitudinally of the track towards the film separator blade member 20. lnasmuch as the film is not frictionally gripped by the track, and since the valve 40 is closed, no restraining force is applied to the film until the end thereof abuts the separator blade and covers pilot opening 52.
  • the operator actuates the splicing apparatus, which may be of any type well known in the art, and the splicing head, shown in phantom at 68 in FIG. 1, applies the splicing element, such as a splice tape 70, to the film strips 72 (see FIG. 2).
  • the splicing head As the splicing head approaches the film, it contacts the end of the separator blade and, compressing spring 22, depresses the end of the blade below the upper surface of the film strips.
  • the lower portion 24 of the separator blade is provided with a recess 74 which is engaged by a spring finger 76 when the blade is depressed, thereby holding the blade in the depressed position until the operator releases the spring finger by pushing on release button 78.
  • the operator releases the film strip by merely lifting the film from the film support surface.
  • the pilot openings 52 and 62 are cleared, reducing the vacuum in lines 54 and 64, causing valves 40 and 42 to close.
  • the operator can then actuate the master roll wind mechanism, winding the newly spliced film thereon.
  • release button 78 is actuated, returning separator blade 20 to the normal position so that the station is ready for the next splicing operation.
  • the present invention provides a web alignment and support station which accurately holds and aligns a pair of webs without causing damage thereto. Moreover, many weak or misaligned splices possible with prior art apparatus are not possible with the present arrangement.
  • one or more openings 30 or 34 would be open.
  • the amount of vacuum occurring in both manifolds 44 and 56 is reduced, reducing the vacuum in lines 54 and 64, causing switches 60 and 66 to open, closing valves 40 and 42.
  • the vacuum in the system increases causing the switches to close, again opening valves 40 and 42.
  • a pressure sensor can be connected to the second manifold 56 which is actuated during the master roll winding operation to sense a high level of vacuum therein which would indicate a blockage in the pilot openings.
  • the present invention provides an arrangement which permits accurate and rapid alignment and holding of film strips at a splicing station, with a minimum of expense and a substantial elimination of film damage.
  • This arrangement permits increased processing rates and reduced costs by substantially reducing the possibility of film or splice breaks in the processing apparatus.
  • the apparatus incorporates self-checking, fail-safe features.
  • a web support and alignment station comprising a track member having a web support surface with a width substantially equal to the width of the web, said track being divided along its length into first and second portions having a web separator member extending transversely of said track therebetween, means for supplying a vacuum to each of the web support surfaces of the first and second portions of said track, at least one normally closed valve arranged to control said vacuum supply means, and means responsive to the presence of a web in said track adjacent said separator member arranged to open said normally closed valve to supply vacuum tosaid web support surface.
  • said means responsive to the presence of a web in said track includes a pilot opening in the web support surface adjacent the separator member, said pilot opening being connected to a source of vacuum and having a vacuum responsive switch arranged, upon an increase of vacuum in said pilot opening, to open a norm ally closed valve.
  • a film splicing station comprising a track member having a recessed film support surface with a width substantially equal to the width of the film being spliced, said track being divided along its length into first and second portions, a resiliently mounted film separator blade extending upwardly from the film support surface transversely of said track between said first and said second portions thereof, means including a plurality of openings in said film support surface for supplying a vacuum to the film support surface of the first portion of said track and including a first normally closed valve, means including a plurality of openings in said film support surface for supplying a vacuum to the second portion of said track and including a second normally closed valve, said normally closed valves being connected to a vacuum source, a first pilot opening disposed in the film support surface of the first portion of said track immediately adjacent said separator blade, said first pilot opening being connected to a source of vacuum and to a first vacuum responsive switch which, upon increased vacuum in said first pilot opening, is arranged to open said first normally closed valve to supply a vacuum to the film support surface of

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Replacement Of Web Rolls (AREA)
  • Photographic Processing Devices Using Wet Methods (AREA)
  • Photographic Developing Apparatuses (AREA)
US844586A 1969-07-24 1969-07-24 Web support and alignment station Expired - Lifetime US3596897A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US84458669A 1969-07-24 1969-07-24

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3596897A true US3596897A (en) 1971-08-03

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ID=25293139

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US844586A Expired - Lifetime US3596897A (en) 1969-07-24 1969-07-24 Web support and alignment station

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US3596897A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS4931321B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE2036652C3 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR2054647B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1314593A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4162183A (en) * 1978-02-06 1979-07-24 Estes Allen C Magnetic tape splicer

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5286415U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1975-12-24 1977-06-28

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3489405A (en) * 1966-01-24 1970-01-13 Res Instr & Controls Inc Apparatus for strip trimming preparatory to lap joinder

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3489405A (en) * 1966-01-24 1970-01-13 Res Instr & Controls Inc Apparatus for strip trimming preparatory to lap joinder

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4162183A (en) * 1978-02-06 1979-07-24 Estes Allen C Magnetic tape splicer

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2036652C3 (de) 1974-03-28
GB1314593A (en) 1973-04-26
FR2054647B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1973-04-27
DE2036652B2 (de) 1973-08-30
JPS4931321B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1974-08-21
DE2036652A1 (de) 1971-02-18
FR2054647A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1971-04-23

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