US3904472A

US3904472A - Apparatus for cutting and splicing photographic films

Info

Publication number: US3904472A
Application number: US371411A
Authority: US
Inventors: Heinrich Glaus
Original assignee: Styner and Bienz AG
Current assignee: Styner and Bienz AG
Priority date: 1972-07-20
Filing date: 1973-06-19
Publication date: 1975-09-09
Anticipated expiration: 1992-09-09
Also published as: FR2193996B1; CH557047A; DE2327441A1; JPS5220262B2; DE2327441C3; GB1430441A; IT988908B; DE2327441B2; JPS4954017A; FR2193996A1

Abstract

Apparatus for cutting and splicing photographic films, wherein individual self-adhesive strips on a carrier tape are fed to a splicing station where they are separated from the tape. A film carrier transposes cut, abutting film ends into engagement with half of the separated strip. Further movement of the carrier causes the other half of the strip to be folded around the film ends to complete the splice.

Description

United States Patent Glaus Sept. 9, 1975 [54] APPARATUS FOR CUTTING AND SPLICING [56] Reterences Cited PHOTOGRAPHIC FILMS UNITED STATES PATENTS [75] Inventor: Heinrich Claus, Niederwangen, 3,050,l07 8/1962 Barry et al. 156/517 Switzerland 3,233,489 2/1966 Quarve 1 i 83/456 3,553,056 l/197l Cole et al. 156/505 [73] Assignee: Styner & Bi nz A i ng n. 3,716,444 2 1973 Hanke 156/505 Switzerland Primary ExaminerWilliam A. Powell d: 197 [22] F116 June 19 3 Assistant Exammer-Bnan J. Leitten App 371,411 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Imirie, Smiley & Linn [30] Foreign Application Priority Data [57] ABSTRACT Jul 20 1972 Switzerland 1088 4 /72 Apparatus for cutting and splicing photographic films, y wherein individual self-adhesive strips on a carrier [52] Us. Cl 156/44} 156/159 l56/227 tape are fed to a splicing station Where they are sepa 156/2523, 156/5O5 156/535 rated from the tape. A film carrier transposes cut, [51] Int C12 B3lF 5/02 abutting film ends into engagement with half of the [58] Field 304 502 separated strip. Further movement of the carrier 156/505 506....5.(.). ].--216 227 258 causes the other half of the strip to be folded around the film ends to complete the splice.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTED SEP 1975 sum 1 or 3 APPARATUS FOR CUTTING AND SPLICING PI-IOTOGRAPHIC FILMS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION with one side on the film and then folded around the edges thereof. In a typical prior art cutting and splicing device of this kind a perforated self-adhesive tape is supplied, placed by hand on the film'and then by means of two shears cut off upstream and downstream of the joint. In this device three blades are required, one to cut the film sections to be joined and two'to cut the ad-- hesive strip upstream and downstream of the joint to be made. Moreover, it is necessary for the film to be reciprocated on a slide in order in one position to cut'the film ends to be joined together by means of one blade and in the other position to place the adhesive strip in position and to trim it. The adhesive strip is placed in position entirely by hand, which not only makes the operation difficult, but also makes neat splicings difficult to obtain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for cutting and splicing films by means of selfadhesive strips.

According to the present invention th'ere is provided a technique of cutting and splicing photographic films and using perforated self-adhesive strips, including the steps of supplying individual self-adhesive strips spaced apart on a carrier tape, cutting the film ends in a first position on a displaceable holder, applying a partially detached self-adhesive strip to the said ends in asecond position with the perforations thereof in register with the film perforations, and folding theedges of the strip over the ends of the film. Due to the fact that individual self-adhesive strips are supplied in a outdo-size state, trimming of such strips during the adhesion operation is unnecessary so that a considerable simplification of procedure and apparatus is possible. This permits the preparation of individual adhesive strips located in the correct position, to be substantially mechanised, so that the insertion and placing in position of the self-adhesive strips need no longer be carried out directly by hand. It is no longer necessary to move a film carrier from a cutting position into an operating position, since the film of the invention is directly pivoted from a cutting position a splicing position. Finally, only one blade for cutting the film is required; no separate blades for cutting self-adhesive strips from a self-adhesive tape are used. 7 I

The invention relates also to a film cutting and splicing apparatus simplified in the manner indicated above, including a displaceable carrier withholding pins for the ends of the film to be spliced, means wherebyv the carrier may be pivotally moved between cutting and splicing positions, the splicingposition having a magazine provided with individual self-adhesivestrips.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of .the apparatus according to the present invention.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are longitudinal sectional views through the apparatus of FIG. 1 in different operating positions thereof;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial sectional view through the splicing station of the apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of part of the apparatus; and

FIG. 6 is a section of a carrier tape with individual self-adhesive strips thereon.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT From the figures it will be seen that the apparatus has a base 1, made of plastic material, on which the remaining parts are mounted. In the cutting position of the apparatus shown on the left in FIGS. 1 to 3, a raised support 2 for the film ends to be joined together is formed on the surface of the base 1. In the center of the support 2 a slot 3 is provided into which a circular cutting blade 4 (FIG. 2) may enter. The cutting blade 4 is mounted in the upper bifurcated end of a lever 6 on an axle 4', and the axial position of the blade 4 in the fork of the lever 6 is determined by spacing collars 4". A handle 5 made of plastic material is removably mounted on the lever 6. If the handle 5 is removed, the axle 4' may also be removed and the blade 4 replaced. The lever 6 is pivotally mounted on a shaft 7 and normally retained in the rest position shown in FIGS. 2 & 3, by a spring 8, In such position the handle 5 rests against an edge of an opening of the base 1. A generally flat holding-down spring 9 is secured to the upper end of the lever 6, the spring having a slot 10 through which the blade 4 passes.

On the upper surface of the base a flat film carrier 11 is mounted so as to pivot about an axle 12. The film carrier 11 is provided with a cutout 13 in which the support 2 is reclined when the carrier is in the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Laterally of the support 2 the film carrier 1 1 has guides flanges l4 carring pins 15 for engagement with perforations at the two ends of the film to be joined together.

The film carrier 1 1 may be pivoted about the axle 12 through somewhat more than into the position shown in FIG. 3. There it strikes against a resiliently mounted support 16 which is also pivotable about the axle 12. A lever 17 which is biased by a tension spring 18 is connected to the flat support 16 and the spring urges the support 16 into its upper position shown in FIG. 2, in which two lateral extensions 19 of the support 16 abut against the underside of the upper surface of the base 1. The support 16 is provided with two holes 20 in which the inner pins 15 of the film carrier 1 1 can enter, when the film carrier 11 is pivoted towards the support 16.

In the splicing station which includes the support 16, an arm 21 is mounted to pivot about an axle 22. The arm 21 carries a pressure roller 23 on its upper end. The spring 18 also engages the arm 21 and tends to pivot this arm from the starting position shown in FIG. 2, which is determined by the roller 23 pressing against the support 16, in a counter-clockwise direction.

The splicing mechanism includes a magazine 24 made of plastic material in which a roll of carrier tape 25 is located, with individual self-adhesive strips 26 spaced apart and adhered thereto. Each strip 26 and the tape are provided with perforations 27 (FIG. 6). The carrier tape 25 passes from the roll below a brake spring 28 outwards and around a sharp detaching edge 29 thence over the surface of the magazine 24 between a wall section 30 and the upper surface of the brake spring 28 to the rear end over two pins 31, which serve to locate the carrier tape accurately. The magazine 24 is exchangeably inserted in the recess 33 of the base 1 by means of two lateral guide ribs 32. When the stock of self-adhesive strips is used up, this magazine is discarded and replaced by a new one.

For cutting and splicing two film ends, the latter are placed on each of the guide flanges l4 and fixed on the pins when the device is in the starting position as shown in FIG. 2 in such a manner that the film ends overlap over the slot 3 in the required position. Then the handle 5 is moved by hand to the right (FIGS. 1 and 2), whereby the hold-down spring 9 slides onto the film ends and presses them flat against the support 2 in the region of the slot 3. The blade 4 now cuts through the two film ends, so that afterwards they are in flush abutment. The cut off film ends are removed. The handle 5 is now released and due to the action of the spring 8, returns to the starting position shown in FIG. 2, and the film cutting operation is terminated.

Now a self-adhesive strip is loaded onto support 16. For this purpose the carrier tape which is still suspended on the pins 31 by a pair of perforations, is raised and pulled out. Owing to the brake 28, the band 25 is subjected to considerable tension over the sharp detaching edge 29 (FIG. 4) so that the next self adhesive strip 26 is here detached from the tape and projects in the direction of feed of the tape towards the edge 29. Further movement of the tape 25 causes the detached self-adhesive strip to move over the roller 23 and onto the support 16 without becoming completely detached at its rear end from the carrier tape. The carrier tape 25 is taken up until its next pair of perforations is just about to be engaged by the pins 31. The spacing of the self-adhesive strips on the carrier tape 25 is such that on reaching this position the next selfadhesive strip 26 is located just below the edge 29 on the carrier tape 25 and projects beyond the roller 23. V

and the support towards the left in FIG. 4 to such an extent that the perforation 27 of the self-adhesive strip 26 assumes the exact correct position to arrive subsequently at a position below the perforations of the two trimmed film ends. This situation is shown in FIG. 5.

The film carrier 11 is now pivoted clockwise towards the support 16 about the axle 112, so that the two film ends are brought into contact with the adhesive side of the positioned self-adhesive strip 26 as shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 5, the outermost perforations of the two abutting film ends are located exactly over the perforations 27 of the self-adhesive strip 26. As also shown by FIG. 5, the perforations 27 of the selfadhesive strip are of larger dimensions than the perforations of the film, so that even with a slightly inaccurate alignment of the strip 26, no parts of the strip enter the perforations of the film ends; this would impair the film feed through a projector. When both film ends have assumed the position shown in FIG. 4, in which they are located between the support 16 and the selfadhesive strip 26 respectively and the film carrier 11, then the carrier is pivoted further so that support 16 is moved downwards in a clockwise direction against the action of the spring 18, carrying the film ends retained between the

parts

16 and 11 and the self-adhesive strip 26. The end of the self-adhesive strip 26 then pulls away from the carrier tape 25; continued downward the roller 23 to roll the end of the self-adhesive strip 26 around the edges of the film ends and onto the surfaces of these ends, and the roller 23 enters the cut-out 13 of the film carrier 1 1. This action can be appreciated from FIGS. 2 & 3. Hence, the self-adhesive strip 26 is folded around the edges of both film ends and pressed in position, and the splice is neatly completed. Neither the film nor the self-adhesive strip has to be handled manually at any stage of the process. It is pointed out that the support 16 and the film carrier 11 during the mutual downward movement just described, enter into a recess of the base 1, so that the film end parts and the ends of the carrier 11 projecting beyond the socket are able to move freely downwards. On completion of the splicing operation the film carrier 11 is released, so that the support 16 and the carrier are swung upwards under the action of the spring 18, until the support 16 has returned to its starting position. The film carrier 11 is now pivoted back to its position shown in FIG. 2, and the spliced film ends are lifted off. The device is again in the starting position and ready for another splicing operation.

Individual parts of the device may be differently formed. In place of a circular rotary cutter 4, a cutter with a straight cutting edge may be provided which can be swung down onto the film ends to be cut. The movement of the carrier tape 25 could also be mechanised such that the feed may be effected by means of reciprocating tongs, rotary movement of a driving wheel, or the like.

The lever 21 may be formed at the upper end into a pressing shoe which replaces the pressing roller 23.

What I claim is:

1. A film splicer comprising a base, a film carrier pivotally mounted on said base for movement between mounting and splicing stations, said carrier having guide means and pins for positioning film end portions in aligned and initially end overlapping relation, cutting means on said base at the cutting station and movable relative to said carrier for severing the overlapping ends of films mounted on said guide means to place the film ends in end-to-end abutting relation, support means on said base at the splicing station, a magazine on said base adjacent the splicing station for supporting a supply of individual self-adhesive splicing strips of a length greater than the width of the films, means on said base for feeding a single strip from said magazine onto said support means, said carrier cooperating with said support means to pivotally transpose said abutting film ends into engagement with one side portion of said strip at said splicing station, and means on said base responsive to further movement of said carrier for folding the other side portion of the strip over the edges of the films and pressing such portion into adherence with the other sidesof said films.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cutting means comprises a circular cutting blade mounted on a pivoted lever adapted to be swung into position over the carrier. i

3. Apparatus. according to claim 2, wherein said cutting blade is interchangeably mounted on the lever.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said cutting means has a resilient holding down device associated therewith which presses down on the two film ends during the cutting operation.

5. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a fixed member is mounted on said base and wherein the carrier has a recess underlying the film ends and adapted to receive said fixed member, said member having a slot through which said cutting blade may project.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said support means is mounted for pivotal movement about the same axis as the carrier.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said folding means comprises a spring loaded roller responsive to pivotal movement of said carrier and said support means so as to enter into the recess of the carrier and roll over the abutting film ends.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said an interchangeable magazine.

Claims

1. A FILM COMPRISING A BASE A FILM CARRIER PIVOTALLY MOUTED ON SAID BASE FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN MOUTING AND SPLICING STATIONS, SAID CARRIER HAVING GUIDE MEANS AND PINS FOR POSITIONING FILM END PORTIONS IN ALIGNED AND INTIALLY END OVERLAPPING RELATION CUTTING MEANS ON SAID BASE AT THE CUTTING STATION AND MOVABLE RELATIVE TO SAID CARRIER FOR SERVING THE OVERLAPPING ENDS OF FILM MOUNTED ON SAID GUIDE MEANS TO PLACE THE FILM ENDS IN END-TO-END ABUTTNG RELATION, SUPPORT MEANS ON SAID BASE AT THE SPLECING STATION, A MAGAZINE ON SAID BASE ADJACENT THE SPLIAING STATION FOR SUPPORTING A SUPPLY OF INDIVIDUAL SELF-ADHENSIVE SPLICING STRIPS OF A LENGTH GREATER THAN THE WIDTH OF THE FILMS MEANS ON SAID BASE FOR FEEDING A SINGLE STRIP FROM SAID MAGAZINE ONTO SAID SUPPORT MEANS SAID CARRIER COOPERATING WITH SAID SUPPORT MEANS TO PIVOTALLY TRANSPOSE SAID ABUTTING FILM ENDS INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH ONE SDE PORTION OF SAID STRIP AT SAID SPLICING STATION, AND MEANS ON SAID BASE RESPONSIVE TO FURTHER MOVEMENT OF SAID CARRIER FOR FOLDING THE OTHER SIDE PORTION OF THE STRIP OVER THE EDGE OF THE FILMS AND PREESSING SUCH PORTION INTO ADHERENCE WITH THE OTHER SIDES OF SAID FILMS.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cutting means comprises a circular cutting blade mounted on a pivoted lever adapted to be swung into position over the carrier.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said cutting blade is interchangeably mounted on the lever.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said strips are disposed on a continuous tape, and further including a sharp edged guide over which the tape is passed to detach the self-adhesive strips from the carrier tape.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, including locating pins cooperating with said guide and said carrier tape for engaging perforations in the carrier tape so as to indicate when a single strip has been detached and positioned over said support means.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the guide, the carrier tape, and the locating pins comprise an interchangeable magazine.