Patent GB-509776-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to photographic film printing apparatus
IPC: G03B27/08
Filed: 1938-01-20
Abstract: 509,776. Automatic control systems. BRITISH TABULATING MACHINE CO., Ltd. Jan. 20, 1938, No. 1922. Convention date, Jan. 21, 1937. [Class 38 (iv)] [Also in Groups XL and XX] Registration.-A photographic film printing apparatus for printing selected frames from a master film, Fig. 30, on to a detail film comprises means for feeding the master film and means for feeding the detail film for each printing operation under the control of selective devices which include a register adjustable to any one of a number of different designations, means for reading code markings in the frames of the master film, and means for comparing the readings of the code markings with the designation of the register for determining the feeding of the detail film and the printing thereon of the selected frames. The selected frame of the master-film may be printed on the detail film any given number of times successively. Several detail-films with independent or combined selections may be printed in the same machine. Additional data may be printed on the detailfilms. To set the machine for a given function, registers are adjusted for the selected frame and the selected number of times and necessary adjustments of the circuits are made by plug and socket connections. The general arrangement of the machine is shown in Fig. 1. A main shaft 50 is driven normally at high speed by motor 51 through clutch 52 and when a printing operation is to take place at low speed by motor 53 through clutch 54. The printing is performed when both films are at rest. A one-revolution clutch 67a connects main shaft 50 to synchronising motor unit 70, for operating the chain drive 71 of the master film. The clutch 67a also transmits the drive to a set of cams CC, and to a shaft 74 to which cams 75-83 and 87 can be individually clutched by one-revolution clutches. The main shaft is also geared to a bank of cams F, impulse emitters 63, 63a, counter 61, shaft 65 of detailfilm driving mechanism, and in three to one ratio to shaft 74a to which may be clutched cams 84, 85, 86. Two hand set registers 64, 64R are provided in conjunction with the counter 61. The register 64 is set to the "control-number" of the selected frames of the master-film, and the register 64R to the number of times the selected frame is to be consecutively printed on the detail-film. The various . parts being synchronized by their common drive from the main shaft 50 and the various circuits being appropriately controlled by the several cams, when the code-marking on the master-film corresponds to the setting of the " controlnumber register 64, the circuits operate to perform the desired printing operation the number of times determined by the setting of the " number of times " register 64R. Master-film.-The master-film shown in Fig. 30 has feed perforations 170 at the sides, data 171 representing document such as a cheque, spots in a zone 172 representing amounts which may be photographed on the film, spots in the zone 173 which represent numbers and constitute the control code-markings, and lines 174 for photoelectrically controlling the synchronizing unit 70. The master-film may be prepared in the machine described in Specification 429,950, [Group XIX]. Master-film drive.-The master-film is driven by a sprocket 96, Fig. 4, from a supply-reel 90 to a take-up reel 97 and is guided by sprockets 92, 93, 94 on its way through the reading and printing units 99, 106. The driving-sprocket 96 is operated through the chain-drive 71 by the synchronizing unit 70 which receives a slight over drive from the mainshaft 50 and is synchronized by the photo-electric control of the lines 174 on the master-film. This synchronizing unit is on the lines shown in Fig. 4 of Specification 452,031, [Group XL]. When a film is in place, a contact lever 185 closes a switch 185a and the machine can operate. Master-film photo-electric reading unit.-The reading unit 99, Figs. 4 and 16, through which the master-film passes upwards, contains a lamp 101, light-sensitive cells 105 (u, t, h, th) connected by quartz rods 103 to the zone of code markings on the film, and a light-sensitive cell 105a connected by a quartz rod 103a to the zone of the synchronizing marks on the film. Master-film projecting unit.-This unit 106, Figs. 4 and 10, through which the film passes after the reading unit, contains a lamp 107, condensing lamp system 108, image inverting lens system 110, mirror 111, and prisms 112, 114, and mirror 116 throwing three separate identical images through re-inverting lens systems 118 on to three separate detail films 120 (a, b, c). Detail-film drive.-Each detail film is driven in the same way. As shown in Fig. 5, the detailfilm 120b coming from a supply-roll 121b is guided by roll 122 to printing-unit 106 from which it passes to duplicating unit 123b, feed sprocket 125b, and take-up reel 126b. The feed sprocket 125b is driven through a Geneva drive and suitable gearing and a one-revolution clutch by the shaft 65, Fig. 1. Each detail-film cooperates with a switch controlling lever similar to the lever 185, Fig. 4, of the master-film to put the machine out of operation if the detail-film is not in place. These switches can be shunted when required. Duplicating unit.-This unit 123 (a, b, c), Figs. 5 and 7, through which the detail-films pass after receiving prints from the master-film, serves to print on the detail-films additional data set up by hand in devices 151 (a, b, c), and lighted by lamps 150 (a, b, c). Each such device, comprises spots 154b, Figs. 6 and 9, on racks 153 adjustably set by knurled wheels 152. The exposure is performed by shutters 124 (a, b, c). Counter and control registers.-The registers 64, 64R are along the lines of Figs. 5 to 8 of Specification 428,794, [Group XIX]. Each comprises ten conducting digital contacts 162, Fig. 29, with a common segment 163, a brush assembly 164, and knurled setting wheels 165 with spring detents 166. These two registers have three similar sections, one for each of the three detail-films in the apparatus shown. The counter 61 is a modified "Hollerith" counter. It has three denominations each forming a one denomination counter and transfer from one denomination to the next is prevented by replacing the usual carry lever by one which will not be rocked when the lower denomination turns from 9 to 0. The carry levers provided are each connected to a magnet as in Fig. 7 of Specification 358,105, [Group XIX].