Storage pocket arrangement for film material and apparatus for introducing film material thereinto

A storage pocket arrangement for film material, which can be stored in a file, ring binder or the like, has a plurality of individual pockets in superposed or juxtaposed relationship, in a substantially flat configuration, for accommodating respective film strips therein. The arrangement has a strip portion arranged along an edge thereof, which includes punched holes or the like for storing the pocket arrangement in a file, ring binder or the like. The strip portion has additional markings to permit the storage pocket arrangement to be used in an apparatus for introducing the film strips into the respective individual pockets, in a cyclic mechanized procedure. An apparatus for introducing strips of film material into the respective pockets of the storage pocket arrangement includes a particular transportation means for transporting the storage pocket arrangement, means for introducing film strip into the respective pockets, and means for sensing markings on the storage pocket arrangement to provide cyclic operation of the apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The invention relates generally to a storage pocket arrangement for storing 
film material, and more particularly such a storage pocket arrangement 
which can be filed away in a storage system such as a storage file, ring 
binder or the like. 
The invention also relates to an apparatus for introducing film material 
into a storage pocket arrangement, in individual pockets therein. 
Storage pocket arrangements for film material, which can be suitably stored 
away in various kinds of storage systems, generally comprise a plurality 
of individual pockets which are arranged in juxtaposed or superposed 
relationship in a flat sheet-like article. Film strips consisting of 
negative or positive film material are fitted into the respective pockets 
in the storage pocket arrangement by the person using same, by a manual 
operation. It is also known for film strips, after treatment or 
processing, for example after a development operation, to be fitted into 
storage pockets by machine. However the procedure does not involve storage 
pocket arrangements which can be filed away in a storage filing system, 
but rather the film strips are introduced into pockets defined between a 
foil assembly, which can be drawn off a supply roll, the foil assembly 
comprising two sheets of foil material which are arranged one above the 
other and which are preferably transparent and which are connected 
together, for example by welding, at spaced-apart positions, transversely 
with respect to the longitudinal direction of the foil assembly, thereby 
forming between the regions in which the sheets of foil are connected 
together, pockets into which the film material can be inserted from the 
side in a machine operation. For that purpose the web of foil material may 
be transported by means of transportation rollers on a suitable support 
surface. Arranged laterally of the support surface, and stationary with 
respect thereto, is a station for introducing the film strips into the 
pockets. The transportation movement is effected cyclically by the width 
of a pocket in each phase, and a film strip is then cyclically introduced 
into the respective `empty` pocket which is disposed in opposite 
relationship to the station for introducing the film strip. The film strip 
is then cut off at its end, after it has been put into the appropriate 
pocket. 
The web of foil material is then moved on by the width of one pocket and 
the above-outlined procedure is repeated. A film generally fils a number 
of mutually adjoining individual pockets, in that manner. 
As the film strips which are put into storage pockets in that way cannot be 
bound in a storage file, ring binder or the like, for archive storage 
purposes, the usual practice is for the user to remove the film material 
from the pocket assembly and then introduce it into the individual pockets 
of a storage pocket arrangement by a manual operation, as first outlined 
above, thereby to provide for archive storage thereof. 
It will be seen therefore that the above-indicated mode of operation is a 
complicated and costly one and moreover the possibility of damage to the 
film material cannot be entirely excluded. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
An object of the invention is to provide an archive-storable storage pocket 
arrangement for film material, which is adapted to permit film material to 
be introduced for storage therein, by machine. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a storage pocket 
arrangement for storing strips of film material therein, adapted to permit 
film strips to be introduced thereinto by a simple operating procedure. 
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for 
introducing strips of film material into an archivestorable storage pocket 
arrangement, which operates in a simple ad reliable manner in co-operation 
therewith. 
In accordance with the present invention, in a first aspect, these and 
other objects are achieved by an archive-storable storage pocket 
arrangement for film material comprising a plurality of individual pockets 
or compartments arranged in substantially contiguous relationship, being 
for example juxtaposed or superposed, in a flat article, for accommodating 
respective film strips, and a strip portion which is arranged along an 
edge of the storage pocket arrangement and including means for storage 
filing thereof such as punched holes for storage in storage files, ring 
binders or the like. The strip portion at an edge of the arrangement has 
marks which can be suitable recognised and detected, for example by 
mechanical, optical, electrical or magnetic means, being disposed at 
spacings which are adapted to the width of each said individual pocket, 
for the purposes of cyclic transportation of the storage pocket 
arrangement in an apparatus for introducing film strip into the respective 
pockets. 
That configuration permits storage pocket arrangements to be cyclically 
transported in a suitable designed apparatus for inserting film strips 
into the respective pockets, in such a way that, when a given pocket has 
been filled with a respective film strip, the storage pocket arrangement 
can be advanced through the apparatus by the width of an individual 
pocket. 
The marks may be formed for example by stampings or punchings, printed 
marks or recording means for a magnetic strip. 
In an embodiment of the storage pocket arrangement according to the 
invention, it may include a recognition or detection marking means 
suitable for detecting the size of the individual pockets in the 
arrangement. By use of such marking means, a suitably designed apparatus 
for introducing film strips into the respective pockets can detect whether 
the pocket width corresponds to the respective film size as set at the 
apparatus. If the pocket size does not conform with the set film size, 
then the storage pocket arrangement is rejected and the apparatus will not 
try to insert film strip into the respective pockets. That can ensure for 
example that a film strip of a format size measuring 6.times.9 cm cannot 
be put into the pocket of a storage pocket arrangement designed to 
accommodate a smaller film format, which could cause damage to either the 
pocket arrangement or the film or both. 
In another advantageous feature of the invention, the strip portion is 
arranged at the edge of the pocket arrangement which has openings for 
introducing film strips into the individual pockets. 
In another aspect of the present invention, apparatus for introducing film 
material into a storage pocket arrangement of the above-indicated kind in 
accordance with the invention comprises a means defining a surface or 
plane for carrying and transporting the storage pocket arrangement, and a 
means for introducing strips of film material into the respective pockets, 
said introducing means being arranged at a stationary location relative to 
the support surface. The introducing means performs a movement for 
introducing film strip into the pockets, which is transverse with respect 
to the direction of transportation of the film material. The apparatus 
further includes a transportation slot extending in the direction of 
transportation movement of the storage pocket arrangement, in front of the 
film strip-introducing means, and a transportation means which is adapted 
to engage a bent-over or folder-over edge region of a said storage pocket 
arrangement, preferably a bent-over or folder-over edge region of the 
strip portion of the storage pocket arrangement, as referred to above. 
The folded-over or bent-over edge region is thus arranged to extend through 
the slot and engaged by the transportation means to provide for 
transportation of the pocket arrangement through the apparatus. 
The transportation slot is preferably arranged along the boundary of the 
support surface, which is towards the film strip-introducing means. 
The fact of the bent-over or folded-over edge region of the storage pocket 
arrangement being passed through the slot and then drivingly engaged by 
the transportation means provides that the apparatus has a stabilising 
effect on the storage pocket arrangement, both during the cyclic forward 
feed movement thereof and also during the actual operation of introducing 
the film strip material into the respective pockets of the storage pocket 
arrangement, for the pocket arrangement cannot slip away during that 
film-introducing operation as it is held firmly at the bent-over edge 
region, which is precisely the location where the forces produced in 
introducing the film strip into the storage pocket arrangement are applied 
to the arrangement. A further advantage of this configuration is that the 
viewing conditions are particularly good in the region in which the film 
strips are introduced into the storage pocket arrangement, as that region 
is notmasked or hidden by conveyor devices or the like, insofar as the 
transportation means for transporting the storage pocket arrangement is 
disposed on the other side of the support surface from the storage pocket 
arrangement; as will be seen hereinafter, the transportion means may be 
disposed underneath the support surface on which the storage pocket 
arrangement is movably carried, with the bent-over edge region of the 
arrangement extending downwardly through a slot at the edge of the support 
surface, to be engaged by the transportation means. 
The film strip-introducing means further includes a recognition means for 
detecting recognition marking indicating the size of the individual 
pockets of the storage pocket arrangement. The film stripintroducing means 
is also operable to detect the marks on the storage pocket arrangement and 
to provide for cyclic transportation thereof, in conformity with the mode 
of operation of the introducing means. 
Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be 
apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring firstly to FIGS. 1 and 2, a storage pocket arrangement 1 for film 
material, which is suitable for archive storage such as in a storage file, 
ring binder or the like, comprises two foils 2 and 3 which are arranged in 
superposed relationship to form a flat sheet-like articles, as can be 
clearly seen from FIG. 2. At spaced-apart locations in the longitudinal 
direction thereof, as considered from top to bottom in FIG. 1, the 
arrangement 1 has joins or connections as indicated at 4 which connect the 
two foils 2 and 3 together along transversely extending lines. The joins 4 
are produced for example by the foils 2 and 3 being suitably welded 
together at those locations. Thus, formed between the join lines 4 are 
individual pockets 5 into which film material strips can be introduced 
from the left-hand side in FIG. 1, by means of suitable openings are 
indicated at 6. 
It will be noted that, in order to facilitate the operation of introducing 
film strips into the respective openings 6 and thus into the pockets 5, 
the join lines 4 are not extended right to the left-hand edge in FIGS. 1 
and 2, thus leaving an edge region indicated at 7 in FIG. 2, in which the 
two foils 2 and 3 are not joined together. The edge region 7 can be 
suitably lifted to facilitate the operation of introducing film material 
into the pockets, as will be seen in greater detail hereinafter in 
relation to the description of the apparatus as illustrated for example in 
FIG. 4. 
Disposed on the storage pocket arrangement 1 along the lefthand edge 
thereof as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a strip portion 8 which is provided 
with openings or punched holes 9 at spacings from each other in the 
longitudinal direction of the strip portion 8. The strip portion 8 
comprises for example strong paper or the like, thus affording the 
possibility, as mentioned above, of binding the storage pocket arrangement 
1 in a storage filing system such as a storage file, ring binder or the 
like. 
The strip portion 8 further has spaced-apart marks 10 which are arranged at 
spacings which match the width of the individual pockets 5. In the 
illustrated embodiment the marks 10 are also in the form of openings or 
punched holes. 
The strip portion 8 further has a recognition marking 11 which is suitable 
for automatic recognition of the size of the individual pockets 5 in the 
storage pocket arrangement in question. 
Reference will now be made to FIGS. 3-5 showing an apparatus for 
introducing film material into a storage pocket arrangement 1 as shown in 
FIGS. 1 and 2. The apparatus comprises a support table 12 providing a 
support surface on which a storage pocket arrangement 1 can be cyclically 
advanced in the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 3, and thus 
moved past a means which is generally indicated by reference numeral 13 in 
FIGS. 3 and 4, for introducing film strips into the respective pockets. 
The apparatus further comprises a guide bar 14 which is of a wedge-like 
configuration, as can be clearly seen from FIG. 4. The above-mentioned 
edge region 7 of the foil 2 of the storage pocket arrangement is lifted by 
the guide bar 14 into the position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 so that a film 
strip 15 can be more easily introduced into the pocket opening 6 which is 
held open in that way, with the movement of the film strip 15 into the 
respective pocket 5 being in the direction indicated by the arrow B in 
FIG. 3. 
The illustrated apparatus operates in such a way that, after a film strip 
15 has been introduced into a pocket, as shown in FIG. 3, the film strip 
is cut off by means of a cutter which is diagrammatically illustrated at 
16. The storage pocket arrangement is then moved cyclically in the 
direction A until the next empty pocket passes into the region of the film 
strip-introducing means 13 so that another film strip 15 can in turn be 
introduced into the appropriate pocket, and so forth. 
A drive means 17 for operating the film strip-introducing means is 
diagrammatically illustrated FIG. 4, in the form for example of an endless 
conveyor belt engaging the film strip 15 from the underneath thereof. 
Appropriate actuating means, lamps and the like are diagrammatically 
illustrated by reference numerals 18, 19 and 20 in FIGS. 3 and 4. 
It will be noted that the film strip-introducing means 13 is of such a 
design that it can be suitable adjusted and set to film strips with 
different picture formats. 
The apparatus further comprises a transportation slot which is indicated at 
18' in FIGS. 3 and 4 and which in the illustrated embodiment extends 
downwardly substantially at right angles with respect to the support 
surface 12. The transportation slot 18' extends along the boundary of the 
support surface 12, which is towards the film strip-introducing means 13. 
The slot 18' is such that the strip portion 8 of the storage pocket 
arrangement 1 can be accommodated therein, when an edge region of the 
storage pocket arrangement 1 has been folded or bent over in the downward 
direction as viewing in FIG. 4. It will be readily apparent that that 
imparts a considerable degree of stability to the storage pocket 
arrangement, by virtue of the bent-over or folded-over configuration 
thereof, with the bent-over or folded-over edge region thus serving as a 
reinforcing configuration. 
Also disposed in the region of the transportation slot 18' is a 
transportation means which is generally indicated at 19' and which in the 
illustrated embodiment is in the form of an endless circulating belt. The 
left-hand side thereof, as shown in FIG. 4, bears against the strip 
portion 8 where it projects through the slot 18', while the other side of 
the strip portion 8 slides against a guide 21 which extends along the side 
of the slot 18'. In operation of the transportation means 19' the storage 
pocket 1 is therefore moved in the direction indicated by the arrow A in 
FIG. 3. 
In order now to produce the desired cyclic movement, the apparatus further 
includes a recognition device 22 which in the illustrated embodiment is an 
optical device, for recognising the marks 10. A signal to produce the 
desired cyclic movement of the storage pocket arrangement is produced in 
that way. 
The recognition device 22 may alternatively operate mechanically, 
electrically or magnetically, when the markings 10 on the storage pocket 
arrangement 1 are suited to that purpose. 
The apparatus may further include another recognition device for 
recognising the marking 11. The arrangement in that respect is such that, 
when the picture format as set at the film strip-introducing means 17 does 
not coincide with the width of the individual pockets 5 of the storage 
pocket arrangement 1 which is being introduced in the apparatus, 
transportation of the storage pocket arrangement 1 is prevented. 
It will be seen therefore that the above-described storage pocket 
arrangement and apparatus provide for the introduction of film strips into 
the pockets by a simple operating procedure, involving appropriate and 
reliable co-operation between the storage pocket arrangement and the 
apparatus. 
It will be appreciated that the above-described storage pocket arrangement 
and apparatus have been set forth solely by way of example of the present 
invention and that various alterations and modifications may be made 
therein without thereby departing from the spirit and scope of the 
invention.