Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
2~3
BACRGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field
of processing photographic films and, more particularly, to
the processing of such films through automatic developing
machinery.
There are problems in such film processing, attribu- ~
table to the tendency of the film to curl. This causes the
film to hang up on, or wrap around the rollers, or roller-like
members which are typically used in such developing machines
to transport the film through the machine. This interrupts
the passage of the film through the machine, causing such
serious problems as jam-ups, machine down-time and damage to
the films.
The widely used technique for dealing with these
problems involved attaching a separate, straight "leader" to
the leading end of the film itself. This separate leader was
relied on to guide the film through the developing machine
without encountering the difficulties stemming from the film's
own curl. However, this technique suffered from serious
disadvantages of its own.
The leader attaching and detaching operations are
time-consuming and burdensome, the leaders can become unin-
tentionally detached inside the machine, the joint between
leader and film is a source of trouble, and so forth.
- 2 -
To overcome all of these problems - at one stroke -
the prior art teaches the use of a novel technique which
dispenses with the leader and yet retains all of its desirable
attributes in terms of overcoming the ill effects of film
curl.
This novel technique involves imparting physical
deformations to that end portion of the film which is to lead
the film through the developing machine. These deformations
are of such a character that this end portion no longer has a
tendency to curl, but rather is straight and has a tendency to
remain straight even while the film passes through the
developing machine. By so doing, there are overcome the
problems of curl but without introducing the problems caused
by separate leaders.
Also, stickers with identifying numerals sometimes
referxed to a.s "twin check" labels can be firmly affixed to
the film while it is being deformed.
-- 3 --
~.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVFNTIOM
The present invention relates to specific embodi-
ments and applications of the novel technique which has been
briefly described above.
In particular it is an object of the present in-
vention to provide further specific embodiments of a technique
for processing photographic film through film developing
machinery, without using a separate leader for the film.
It is another object to provide such further embodi-
ments in which the film is treated in a very simple and yet
effective manner for the purpose stated above.
It is still another object to provide such embodi-
ments in which advantageous use is made of heating effects.
It is still another object to provide such embodi-
ments in which heating of the film, in conjunction withmechanical pressure exerted on the film, is advantageously
relied upon.
These and other objects which will appear are
achieved in accordance with the present invention by utilizing
a corrugating device having a pair of platens facing each
other, one or both of which have corrugations in their faces,
and one or both of which are heated to a temperature at which
the film to be processed becomes capable of being deformed to
assume the shape of the platen corrugations. The platens are
spaced to define an open slot between them. The leading end
of the film strip is inserted into that open slot. The device
responds to this insertion of the strip into the slot to
close the platens upon the inserted strip, and to maintain
/~
2~3
the platens closed upon the strip~ th~reby maintaining the
strip stationary between .he closed platens, for a predetermined
period of time sufficient to impress into the strip corrugations
conforming to those in the platen surface. The device has
provisions for reopening the slo~ a-t the end OL the period
The strip is then withdrawn from the reopened slot, and
the same film strip end is inserted into the nip of the input
rollers for the film developing machine.
Specific embodiments of ~he corrugating device utilize
mechanically powered means (e.g. springs) for continuously
urging the slot-deflning pressure platens toward each other,
electrically powered means (e.s. a solenoid) for overcoming
during a limited period the urglng-together of the mechanically
powered means, thereby separating the platens and forming
between them the slot for the insertion of the strip end portion
to be corrugated, and further nechanically powered means
(e.g. a latching lever) Lor maintaining the platens separated
after the end of said limited period The device ~urther
has provisions for sensing the insertion of the strip into
th.e slot, and for disabling the means which maintains the
platens separated, thereby allowing the platens to close upon
the inserted s-trip, which thereby becomes corrugated. A timing
means delays by a predetermined time interval the reseparating
o~ the platens by the electrically powered means~.
Stickers containing identirying numerals appliea to the
end of the film also become firmly adhexed to the film
by combined pressure and heat of t~e corrugating dev~ce.
Z~
BRIEF DESCRIPTIO~ OF THE DR~WrNGS
Fig~ 1 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a film
developing machine showing the externally visible portions o~
equipment used in practicing the present invention, specifi-
cally a device for imparting deEormations or corrugations
to the end of a film, and the input to the machine itself.
Fig. la is an enlarged view of a p~rtion of the
machine of Figure 1, showing certain internal construction
features of the machine input and of one specific embodiment
of film corrugating device.
Fig. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the film
corrugating device of Figure la.
Fig. 3 is a further enlarged, front elevational view
of the corrugating device.
Fig. 4 is a top plan oS the corrugating device, wherein
portions have been partially broken away to expose details of
interior construction.
Fig. 5 is a left side elevational view of the corru-
gating device.
Fig. 6 is a right side elevational view.
Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional v~ew taken along line
7-7 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows and
showing the platens of the corrugating devic~ in separated
position.
Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 7,
showing the platens in the corrugating position~
--6--
2~
Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of the electrical
connections within the corrugating device of Figure 10 to jl5.
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of another specific
embodiment of the film corrugating device according to
the present invention.
Fig. 11 is a rear perspective view of the same
device as shown in Fig. 10.
Fig. 12 is an e~ploded view of the embodiment of
Fig. 10.
Fig. 13 is a front elevation, with portions broken
away, o~ the embodiment of Fig. 10.
Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line
14-14 of Fig. 10, showing the platens ~f the device in
separated position.
Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken also along line
14-14 of Fig. 1~, but showing the platens in corrugating
position.
The same reference numerals are used in the various
figures to denote similar elements.
~4(:~2~3
DE~CRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF TH~ INV~ITION
Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows the front
face 1 of a film developing machine generally designated by
the reference numeral 2. A film loading aperture 3 is pro-
vided in front face 1. Behind this aperture 3, but not
visible in Fig.l, is a pair of rollers (see rollers 16, 18,
in Fig la) defining a nip between them. Aperture 3 is for
insertion of film to be processed in machine 2. Preferably
a shelf 4 is positioned before aperture 3 to aid in guiding
the film into the aperture.
Another aperture 5 is also provided, laterally dis-
placed from aperture 3, in the front face 1 of machine 2.
This aperture 5 is defined between ~wo plastic blocks 6 and
7 which protrude the machine. Preferably -the lower block
6 protrudes slightly more than upper block 7, thereby form-
ing a shelf which aids in guiding the film into aperture 5.
Behind aperture 5, but not visible in Fig. 1, there is
a corrugating device embodying the present invention.
One embodiment of this device, generally designated
by reference numeral 10, is shown in Figs. la through 9.
This device is adapted to automatically and rapidly produce
a plurality of de~ormations or corru~ations 44 in -the lead-
ing end 12 of the film strip 14. These corrugations pre-
vent or discourage the curling of this leading end as it
subsequen-tly passes through the film processing machine
such as indicated at 2 in Fig. 1, including the pair of in-
take rollers 16, 18, in Fig. la. The corrugating device 10
comprises generally a stationary lower platform formed by a
table means 20, of suitable size to receive the leading
strip end 12 thereon at the start of
--8--
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the corrugating process. If lesired, the table means 20
may be provided laterally with a pair of transversely
positioned upright Elanges 22, 24 to act as gu.des as the
leading end 12 of the strip 14 is inser-ted into the de--
vice 10. The table 20 is secured -to a stationary base
26 in any known manner to prevent relative movement there-
between.
A moveable platen assembly 28 (Fig. 2) is reciprocalabove the table 20 from an elevated position 30 as illus-
trated in Fig. 7 to a lower, or corrugatinq position 32 eaS
illustrated in Fig. 8. The platen assembly 28 comprises
generally a platen mPans 34 of metal or other suitable
material~ whlch is normally biased into corrugating en-
gagement against table 20 by the platen springs 36,38.
The platen may be machined, molded or othen~ise con-
ventionally formed with a plurality of parallel, longitud-
inal.ly extended grooves 40 and ridges 42 to produce long-
itudinal deformation:; 44 in the leading edge 12 of the film
14 (Fig. la). In the embodiment illustrated, table 20 is
equipped with a resilient pad 46 (Fi.g. 3) to aid in the
strip corrugating process. Alternatel.y, platen 3~ could
be provided with a smooth, strip contacting surface and the
grooves and ridges could be machined or otherwise formed in
the surface of table 20. As a second alternative construction,
grooves and ridges could be fabricated both in table 20 and
in the bottom of pla-ten 34 to cooperatively interact in -the
strip end deforming or corrugating process.
~%~28
A pair oE vertical supports 48, 50 mount upon the top
52 of the platen ~4 and carry upwardly -
therebe-twen a platen bar 54, parallel to and above the
platen 34. Each end 56, 58 of the pla-ten bar 54 extends
tranversely outwardly through a respective vertical support
48, 50 a distance sufficient to provide an attachment for
one end of one of the platen springs 36, 38. The other
ends of the platen springs 36, 38 connect respectively to
one of the table flanges 22, 24. Strap extensions 60,62
which securely affix to a flange 22 or 24 may be employed
to secure the lower end of the springs 36, 38 to the table
20 if so desired. Thus, the platen 34 is free to move
vertically between the left and right table fl~nges 22, 24
and the springs 36, 38 act to continousouly bias the platen
34 toward the table 20.
Immediately rearwardly of the platen-assembly 28 is
positioned the micro,switch assembly 64 (Fig. 2) which
functions with the first and second electromagnet means 68,
66 to automatically raise and lower the platen 34 in re-
sponse to the presence of the leading ~nd ]2 of the strip
14. ~ timer switch assembly 70 functions in conjuction with
the microswitch assembly 64 to time the operation of the
first and second electromagnets 68, 66 to thereby automaticàli~J
lower and raise the platen 34 from the corrugating position
32 as il]ustrated in Fig. 8 to the elevated position 30 as
illustrated in Fig. 7 in the manner hereinafter more fully
set forth. The microswitch assembly 64 -comprises essentiail~
a brac~et 72 upon which is mounted a microswitch 74, a pivotal
-10-
block 76, and the first and second electromagnets 68, 66.
The microswitch 74 compriseC; a dependinc, arm 7~ which
termina-tes downwardly in a foot 80 near the bottom of the
bracket 72. The foot 80 is p~sitioned to partially obstruct
the clearance space 82 defined between the bottom of the
platen 34 and the top of the table 20 when the platen is
in the elevated position 32. Thus, when the leading end
12 of film strip 14 is introduced into the corrugating
device 10 through the space 82 defined between the platen
and the table 20, its leading edge will contact the foot
80 of the microswitch arm 78. Inward urging of the lead-
ing end 12 in the direction indicated by the arrow 84
(Fig. la) will sufficiently depress the arm 78 to close the
contact (not shown) of the microswitch 74. The micxoswitch
74 is wired to con-trol the operation of the first electro-
magnet 68 which is then momentarily en.erg.ized.
As best seen in Fiys. 2 and 3, the block 76 is pivotally
mounted in the bracket 72 and has pivotal movement about the
pivot pin 86 in the direction indicated by the double headed
arrow 88. A generally horiaontal pivotal arm 90-extends ;from
the pivotal block 76 and terminates in a positi-on to be acted
on upon energization of the first electromagne-t 68. A
detent arm 92 projects generally vertically from the pivotal
block 76 at right angles to the pivotal arm 90 and is-up-
wardly formed to provide a detent 94. The detent 9~ engages
upon and holds the platen lever agains-t the bias of the
platen springs 36, 38 as hereina~ter moxe fully set for-th.
As best seen in Fig. 3, the pivotal arm 90 is engaged
by the cradle pin 96 of the first electromagnet 68. Upon
energization o~ the electromagnet 68 upon function of the
microswitch 74, the cradle pin 96 is urged upwardly. The
upward movement of the cradle pin 96 pulls the engaged
2~ (
pivotal arm 90 up~ardly to thereby cause the pivotal block
76 to pivot in a counterclockwise direction about the pivot
pin 86. Pivotal movement of the block 76 causes similar
pivotal movement oE the afEixed de-ten-t arm 92 also in a
coun-terclockwise direction. The counterclockwise movement
oE the de-ten-t arm 92 causes the de-tent 94 to disengage from
its contact with the platen lever 98. The springs 36, 38
then immediately act to pull the platen 34 towards the table
~0 .
As illustra-ted in Figs. 4, 7 and 8, a platen lever means
98 is generally horizontally arranged and is pivotal about
transverse pivot pin 102, which pin is rigidly secured in the
bracket 72. The forward end 104 of the platen lever 98 extends
beneath the platen bar 54, and by lever action serves to lift
the platen assembly 28 as in Fig. 7 to the elevated position
30 to create the clear space 82 for admitting the leading end
12 of the strip 14 piror to corrugating. ~s illustrated in
Fig. 8, when the platen lever 98 is allowed to pivot about
the transverse pivot pin 102 in a clockwise direction, the
springs 36, 38 act to pull the platen assembly 28 downwardly
to the corrugating position 32 to thereby im,press a plurality
of deformations 44 in the leading end 12 of the strip 14.
Referring now to Figs. 7 and 8, it will be seen that the
platen lever 98 terminates rearwardly in a finger 100 which is
engaged by the cradle pin 106 of the second electromagnet 66,
Activation of th-~ second electromagnet 66 will pull the craale
pin 106 downwardly in the direction of the arrow 116 to there-
by pivot the platen lever 98 in a counterclockwise direction
as viewed in Fiy. 7 about the transverse pivot pin 102.
-12-
The pivoting of the platen lever 98 to the horizontal
position as illustrated in Fig. 7 causes the leading end-
por-tion 104 of the lever 98 to urge upwardly the platen
assembly 28 relative to the table 20 by imposing upwaraly
directed forces on the platen bar 5~. Deenergization of
the second electromagnet 66 releases the craclle pin 106
to move upwardly away from the electromagnet 66 in the
direction of the arrow 108. Upon deenergization of the
second electromagnet 66, the platen springs 36, 38 function
to bias the platen assembly 28 downwardly to the corrugating
position 32 as illus-trated in Fig. 8.
The geometry o~ the platen lever system is best seen
in Figs. 7 and 8 wherein the distance from the transverse
pivot pin 102 to the rearward end of the fingër 100 is con-
siderably greater than the distance between the pi-vot pin
102 and the leading edge portion 104 of the platen lever 98.
Thus great mechanical advantage is built into the system to
facilitate operation of the second electromagen-t 66 against
the bias of the springs 36, 38.
Platen 34 is e~uipped with a suitable electric
or other type of heater shown generally in the form of a
conventional electrical connector block 110 and a known in-
tegral heating element 112 (see Figs. 7 and 8). A timer
switch assembly 70 of known design, including a ~timer cam
114 is employed to time the operation of the device in-
cluding the timed cycle of operation of the first and second
electromagnets 68,66.
In operation, in the initial position illustrated in
Fig. 7, the electrical circuitry of the device normally
energizes the second electromagnet 66 to pull the cradle pin
.~ .
lG6 downwardly in ~.ne direction of the arrow 116. As here-
inbefore set forth, energization of the second electro-
magnet 66 pivots the platen lever 98 about the transverse
pivot pin 102 to elevate the platen assembly 28, thereb~
defining a space 82 between the platen 34 and the platen
table 20 (~igs. 3 and 7). In this posi-tion, the spring
bias of the detent arm 92 causes the deten-t 94 to engage
a portion of the one énd of the platen lever 98 to hold
the platen lever in horizontal position, as illustrated
in Fig. 7. With the platen 34 thus elevated, the leading
end-. 12 of film strip 14 can be inserted into the space
82 by urging the leading end 12 inwardl~ eneath''the-:' --
platen 34. The leading e.nd 12 contacts the foot 80 of
the microswitch arm 78 to depress the arm 78 and thus close
the contacts of the microswitch 74. The closing of the
microswitch 74 functions the electrical circuit to initiate
operation of the timer switch assembly 70 and to energize
the first electromagnet 68 for a short, t-.Lmed interval.
Energization of the first electromagnet 68 pulls
the cradle pin 97 upwardly in the direction of the arrow
118 (Fig. S) to thereby pivot the pivotal block 76 in a
counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin 86. The
counterclockwise pivotal movement of the block 76 causes
similar pivotal movement of the block affixed detent arm
92 to thereby ~elease the detent 9~ from the engagement
with the en'd of the platen lever 98. Release of the de-
tent arm 94 from the platen lever 98 allows the platen
springs 36, 38 to bias the platen lever 98 in a clockwise
direction abou-t the transverse pivot pin 102 to pull the
-14-
2~ (
pla-ten assembly 28 to -the corrugating position 32 as illustrated
in Fig. 8.
The timer cam 114 functions through its cycle of opera-
tion for a predetermined period of time during the corruga-ting
c~cle and then functions the second electromagnet 66 to pull
its cradle pin 106 downwardly in the direction of the arrow
116 as illustrated in Fig. 7. The downward movement of the
cradle pin 106 pulls on -the platen lever finger 100 to urge
the platen lever 98 in a counterclockwise direction about
the traverse fulcrum bar 102 as viewed in Fig. 7 to thereby
elevate the platen assembly 28 to the elevated position 30.
When the platen assembly 28 has been pulled to the elevated
position 30, the detent 94 of the detent arm 92 again auto-
matically engages the edge of the platen lever 98 to retain
the platen assembly 28 in its elevated position 30. See
Figs. 3 and 7.
During the timed cycle, the device 10 functions to
impress permanent deformations or corrugations 44 in the
leading end 12 of the film strip 14. r,~hen the platen as-
sembl~ 2 is again raised -to the elevated position 30, the
stxip 12 can be withdrawn from the device 10 throught the
space 82. The strip can then be moved laterally of other-
wise to the nip of input rollers 16, 18 of the film develop-
ing mahcine 2. After withdrawal of the fully deformed or
corrugated leading end 12, another film strip 14 can be
inser-ted in-to the device 10, wherein the foot 80 is again
contacted and the arm 78 is depressed to repeat the timed
cycle of opera-tion.
.
~2~2~ ~
The heating means is preferably energized well in
advance of the insertion of a particular film strip 14
into the device, long enough in advance tha-t the pla-tens
can have stabilized a-t the desired temperature. -The voltage
of the ~lectric heater is appropriately chosen for that
purpose. When a plurality of film strips i3 to be processed
through machine 2 in succession, the heater is preferably
left energized throughout the period so that the desired
temperature will be maintained. A thermostat control may
also be included in the heater circuit to maintain the de-
sired temperature.
This temperature is one which will cause the film
s-trip to soften while the platen is exerting pressure upon
it, thereby assisting in the desired deformation of the strip.
However, this temperature should be below that which will
cause the strip to become tacky during its period of com-
pression.
The film strip 14, after treatment in device 10,
preferably has corrugations which deviate in both directions
(up and down3 from the plane of the original, untreated strip.
The corrugations which are produced tend to be somewhat
irregular. ~ome may extend all the way to the leading edge
of the strip, but others may not. The heigh-t o~ different
corrugations may also vary. Likewise, individual corrugations
are not necessarily perfectly straight, either lat~rally with
respect to the film strip, or up and down.
The over-all width o~ the original *ilm strip will
typically be subs-tantially preserved in its corrugated position.
This is believed to be attributable to the heating applied,
which enables the film strip to stretch laterally while the
corrugations are being ~ormed, therehy preserving the initial
overall width.
-16-
2~
A second embodiment of this inven-tion is illustrated in
Figs. ~9 through 15, to which reference may now be had.
To the extent practical, elements of this embodiment are
designated by the same reference numerals as the analogous
elements of the embodiment of Figs.la through 8, but with the
suffix "a" added to indica-te that the analogy is one of function
rather than of structural detail.
The corrugating device shown in these figures is generally
designated by reference numeral lOa. It includes lower and up-
per guide bars 6a and 7a, defining be-tween them a slot 5a. In
a typical practical application, device lOa would be mounted
behind the front panel 1 of a film processing machine 2 such
as illustrated in Fig. 1. In that case, bars 6a and 7a of device
lOa would protrude from that machine front panel in a manner
analogous to elements 6 and 7 of Fig. 1.
Behind bars 6a and 7a there is positioned a stationary
lower platen defined by a table 20a with upstanding lateral
end portions 22a and 24a. The upper surface of table 20a is
preferably provided with corrugations, as especially visible
in Fig. 12. Above table 20a, there is an upper platen 28a, whose
bottom surface, facing table ZOa, is matingly corrugated~ Platen
28a is attached to a stirrup-shaped support plate 200. ~t
protruding end portions 56a and 58a of support plate 200 there
are attached the upper ends of springs 36a and 38a,~respectively.
Passing through apertures in end portions 56a and~58a t there are
bent ends of stabilizer bar 201, whose extreme ends protrude
through apertures in mounting plate 202 to which elements 6a,
7a and 20a are all rigidly attached. The bot-tom ends of springs
36a and 38a are attached to table 20a at ears 60a and 62a,
respectively. Mounting
-17-
f~8
plate 202 has an aper-ture 203, a'~o~e which is ~osi~ioned
the actuating member 20~ of a microswi-tch 205 r,~7hich is also
mounted on pla-te 202.
On the reverse side of pla-te 202, which is best visible
in Fig. 11, -there is mounted an electric motor assembly 210.
There is also mounted a microswitch uni-t 74a having a de-
pendent actuating lever 78a whose foot 80a extends through
to the side of mounting plate 202 which is visible in Fig.
12, for example.
~ otatably attached to motor 210 is a circular disc 220
having at one point on its circumference a notch 221 adaptea
to receive switch actuator 204 when that notch is brought
into alignment with this actuator.
Protruding from disc 220 is cylinder 222, which is
eccentrically positioned with respect to disc 220, but
revolves in conjunction with the disc. Preferably cylinder
222 is so positioned that its most eccentric position is
circumferentially close to notch 221 in disc 220.
The alignment between plate 200 and cylinder 222, in a
direction axially of the cylinder, is such that the arcuate
edge 230 of the arc-shaped opening 231 wi-thin plate 200 rides
on the surface of the cylinder whenever the rotation o~ disc
220 carries the cylinder 222 into the uppermost portion
of its eccentric ~ath. This is the condition illustrated
in Fig. 10. In that condition, cylinder 2Z2 through en-
gagement of edge 230, lifts up plate 200 and with it platen
28a. This platen is thereby raised out of engagement with
the table 20a. This disengaged relationship is
-18-
visible in Fig~ 14. In this condition -the end portion
of a film s-trip 14 can be inserted into slot 5a and into the
gap between elements 2Oa and 28a or, alterna-tive, withdrawn
in the opposite direc-tion from gap and slot.
On -the other hand, when rotation of disc 220 carries
cylinder 222 into the lower-most portion o~ its eccentric
path, then it no longer lifts up plate 200, bu-t is preferably
completely ou-t of engagement with edge 230 of that plate.
This relationship is visible in Fig. 13. In this condition,
springs 36a and 38a, which exert a steady contracting force,
function -to urge platen 28a toward engagement with table 20a.
This condition is shown in Fig. 15, whose elements 20a and
38a are shown separated only by film strip 14. Corrugations
are imparted to this film by the confronting faces of elements
20a and 38a, under the combined influence of pressure exerted
by these elements and heat supplied through one or both platen
members, e.g. in the manner described with reference -to the
embodimen-t of Figs. la through 8.
Rotation of disc 220, as necessary to cycle the device
lOa between the two conditions described above, is provided
by motor 210, which is controlled as follows.
Let is be assumed that motor 210, when engaged, rotates
disc 220 in the direction indicated by arrow 240 in Fi~fS. 10,
12 and 13. This direction will be referred to as clockwise.
Le-t it further be assumed that this motor is sto~pped, and
disc 220 is therefore also stopped in the position shown in
Fig. 12, i.e. with the actuator 204 for microswitch 205
resting on the outer periphery of disc 220, counterclock^~
wise just beyond notch 221. At that stage, the platen 38a
is lifted up away from tahle 20a, as previously discussed.
If a film 14 is then inser'ed into the gap so formed
(Fig. 14) the leadincf edcle of -that film will abu-t agains-t
--19--
foot 80a and push that foot and its attached lever 78a rear-
wardly. This movement triggers microswitch 74a, which initiates
rotation of motor 210 and consequent rot-ation of disc 220 as
well as cylin~er 222 at.ached thereto. As this rota-tion
takes place, platen 38a is gradually lowered under the in-
Eluence of springs 36a and 38a until film strip 14 is com-
pressed between it and table 20a (Fig. 15) as also previously
discussed. As rotation continues, cylinder 222 will eventually
reengage curved edge 230 of support plate 200 and lift up
platen 38a again, out of engagement with film strip 14.
This rotation continues un-til notch 221 in disc 220
reaches the position of switch actuator 204. At that time,
actua--or 204 (which had been riding on the periphery of
disc 220) drops into the no-tch 221 and this movement trig-
gers microswitch 205, which stops motor 210.
The film strip 14 may then be withdrawn from the device,
having had imparted to it the desired corrugations from the
faces of platen 38a and table 20a. Such withdrawal of the
strip releases the lever 78a and attached foot 80a, which
then return to their forward positions (Fig. 14). This
movement also -triggers switch 74a which starts motor 210
again. After rotating disc 220 through only a small fraction
of a circle, switch ~ctuator 204 will have emerged from no-tch
221 and will again have reached the outer circular periphery
of the aisc. This movement again triggers microswitch
205 which once again stops motor 210.
The cycle has now been completed and the device is at
res-t, ready to receive another film strip 14 for corrugating.
-20-
It will be noted that for each one of switches 74a and
205 consecutive acutating movements in opposite directions pro-
duce the same effect on motor 210. For example, rear~ard move-
ment of lever 78a turns on the mo-tor, and so does the next
consecutive forward movement. Similarly, downward movement
of acutator 204 (in-to notch 221) stops the motor, and the next
consecutive upward movement (out of notch 221) again stops it.
This is achieved by appropriately wiring the switehes 74a and
205 to each other and to motor 210, as shown in Fig. '~.
Electric power is supplied from a conventional source of
such power 300 whieh may, for example, produce alternating
current at 24 volts. A step-up transformer 301 is used to
raise this voltage to 115 volts.
Aeross the 115 volt output of transformer 301 there is
connected an electric heater elements 302 in series with a
l thermostat 303. The necessary connections are made through
terminals 310, 311 and 312. ~ terminal 313 provides addition-
al inter-eonnections discussed below. Heater 302 and thermo-
stat 303 cooperate to maintain the platen strueture of device
lOa at the desired operating temperature. Switches 205 and
; 74a are connected as sho~n. The movable element o~ switeh 2~5
is mechanically actuated between its two possible positions by
actuator 204 riding on the outer periphery of disc 220 as
diagraratically indicated in Fig. 9~ The movable element of
switeh 74a is actuated by lever 78a as also diagra~atical~y
indicated in Fig. 9.
--21-
Motor 210 is connected between the movable element
of switch 205 and terminal 310 and switches 205 and 74a are
connected together through terminal 313 as shown in Fig. 9.
An additional switch 314 is permanently connected in the
position illustrated in Fig. 9 and may, if desired, actually
be omitted.
Also a bell or buzzer 315 may be connected in parallel
with motor 210 if desired.
The switching arrangement of Fig. 9 is shown in that
position which pxevails while the device lOa is awaiting in-
sertion of a film strip 14. As previously discussed, the
actuator 204 is then on the circular periphery of disc 220,
counter-clockwise just ~eyond notch 221. In that condition
the movable element of ~witch 205 is pressed down, interrupting
the electrical connection to the movable element of switch
74a which, at the same time, is up by virtue of the released
position of lever 78a.
As soon as a film strip 14 is inserted into the device~
lever 78a is moved rearward. This corresponds to a depression
of the movable element of switch 74a in Fig. 9, thereby closing
the electrical circuit from terminal 310 through motor 210 to
terminal 312 and thereby energizing motor 210 with the full 115
volt operating voltage. This causes rotation of disc 220 clock-
wise as shown in Fig. 9. If a buzzer 3~5 is provided it also
energizes the buzzer which thereupon sounds for as long as motor
210 continues to rotate.
-22-
During such rotation of motor ~10 and until no-tch 221 reaches
the position of actuator 204, the device lOa will go through
the cycle in which the platen compresses the film strip 14 and
imparts corrugations thereto. This will then be followed by a
movement in which the pressure is relieved and the slot within
the device reopened. When actuator 204 drops into no-tch 221,
the movable element of switch 205 contacts the upper stationary
contact, thereby in-terrupting the circuit to motor 210,which then
stops. When the ~ilm strip 14 is then withdrawn and the pres-
sure which it exerts on lever 78a is thereby relieved, that
lever returns forward and the movable arm of switch 74a also
returns to its upper stationary contact. This again completes
the circui-t energizing motor 210 which resumes rotation. However,
this rotation only continues until actuator 204 has
emerged from notch 221 and returned to its initial position on
the circular circumference of disc 220. At that point, the
movable contact of switch 205 again returns. to its lower po-
sition and the motor energi~ing circuit is interrupted once
more. At this point the device is back in its initial position
.ready-for the ins.è;rtion of another filmstri~ 14.
- The foregoing devices constitute preferred embodiments
of the invention. However, it will be understood that other
embodiments of such devices may be utilized, if desired.
Instead of utilizing a motor actuatin~ a:lever
to lift the platen up away from the table t as in the embodi-
ment of Figs. 1 through 8, the motor-operated lever may be
used to press these elements together ~or corrugating,
while other means, e.g. springs, are relied upon to separate -
these elemen-ts so as to permit insertion and withdrawal of
film strips.
Instead of a motor operating a lever, hydraulic pres-
sure may be used to apply or to relieve the corrugating
pressure between platen and table. Also magne-tism may be
employed, e.g. in -the form of a table of magnetic material
and a platen which can be electrically magnetized to pro-
duce intermittent attraction between table and platen.
A device embodyiny the present invention is also
particularly suitable for the auxiliary purpose of apply-
ing i-dentifying indicia to the film. These typically take
the form of adhesive labels with side-by-side pairs of
matching numbers or letters. One member of each pair is
applied to the container :in which the film is stored and
transported. The other is applied to the film itself so
that it is easy to reunite each given film with its con-
tainer of origin after processing in machine 2. In accord-
ance with the present invention, this label is applied to the
film strip before insertion in the corruga-ting device. The
operation of that device then bo-th mechanically and through
applied heat firmly bonds the label to the film and greatly
reduces the prospect of its being lost during processing in
machine 2.
:
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