Patent GB-786249-A (GB)
Title: Manipulating cinematograph films for printing or processing
IPC: G03B27/08
Filed: 1956-03-09
Abstract: 786,249. Manipulating kinematograph. films. TECHNICOLOR MOTION PICTURE CORPORATION. March 9, 1956 [March 21, 1955], No. 7444/56. Class 98(2) A machine having feed station for the film, feed elevator, work station at which operations such as printing and processing may be effected, take-up elevator and takeup station, has also film stopping means before and after the feed and take-up elevators respectively to permit replacements at the feed and take-up stations and particularly to permit disconnection and splicing of the film end to end in a loop without stopping film travel through the work station, where either recurrent printings from the loop film or successive printings thereon from different negatives may be made, the stopping means being responsive to a cue on the film. Feed and take-up brakes associated with the corresponding elevators controlled by detectors responsive to the cue may constitute the stopping means; feed and take-up drivers may be similarly responsive, and both brakes may be controlled by one of the detectors for the loop operation. As shown film proceeds from feed station 1 through the lower part of the apparatus to work station 3 and back through the upper part to take-up station 2, and for loop operation follows the chain-line path 113. From the feed station the sequence is detector 4 further described below, variable brake 14 applied by bellows 16 for retarding the film booster roll 13, positive brake 22 for clamping film roller 23, feed elevator 27 normally in the full line position but. which descends to the broken line position 27<SP>1</SP> when the film supply is stopped, the work station 3, constant speed driven sprocket 5 and then take-up elevator 83, clamping brake 63 and take-up detector 62. In the detectors, Fig. 5, a hole in the film F constituting the cue allows air supplied through a duct 132 to proceed up nozzle 131 and lift switch 133 from contact 134 to contact 136, and this energizes relay 7 to throw switches 8, 9 9 and 11 of which switch 11 opens the circuit of motor 29 which drives roller 32 at the feed elevator and switch 9 closes a circuit to admit air to cylinder 24 and thus apply brake 22 and stop the film. Take-up detector 62 may be operated similarly, switches 6 or 67 controlling relays 7, 68 respectively being used to set the desired detector in operation. During loop operation the detectors are inoperative to stop the film but detector 62 is arranged to operate counter 73 at each passage of the cue opening and finally, by both relays 7, 68, to operate feed and take-up brakes together to permit disconnection of the ends of the film and connection of such to further films at the feed and take-up stations for restimption of operations. Film elevator 27 is counterbalanced by piston controlled weight W and is arranged on attaining its maximum upper position to actuate cam valve 36 and thereby increase air pressure in conduit 38 to apply the retarding brake 14 referred to above and also brake 18 acting at the feed station 1. Film elevator 83 operates somewhat similarly except that variable brake 59 at the take-up station 2 results from cam action of the weight W of elevator 83 on valve 102 instead of cam action of the elevator itself as in the case of the feed elevator. Figs. 2-4 (not shown) illustrate details of clamping brakes 22. 63, action being effected on the film margins; and Figs. 7, 8 (not shown), are concerned with the retarding brakes 14, 18 and 59.