Patent EP-0573930-A1 (EP)
Inventor: GIRAUDO ADRIANO C O FOTOCOLOR
IPC: G03B/
Filed: 1993-06-06
Abstract: A method for guiding portions of photographic film that have already undergone at least a first treatment (development) is described, whereby with the aims of their further treatment (reprints) numerous portions (11) have to be guided through one or more utilising apparatuses, said portions (11) having to be united one to the other in the form of a continuous band by way of a conveyance support in a flexible material applied along a first edge of the said portions (11), where said support has the function to permit the guiding of said portions in succession through guiding means being part of said utilising apparatuses. 
     The method described presents the following phases:
     said portions of film (11) are inserted, singularly in succession, in a preliminary apparatus (fig. 4) that provides for applying to an edge of said portions of film (11) said flexible conveyance supports, that comprises in particular a first strip of supportive material and a first strip of adhesive tape, said two strips coming from a first (35') and a second supply bobbin (31') of said preliminary apparatus and being guided one over the other with said edge of the portions of film being interposed;   said preliminary apparatus (30) provides for applying to the other edge of said portions of film (11) a second flexible conveyance support, parallel to the first conveyance support and having the function of considerably improving (guiding, gathering, cleaning, protection of the portions of film) the phases of said further treatment (reprints), said second flexible conveyance support comprising in particular a second strip of supportive material and a second strip of adhesive tape, said two strips coming from a third (35) and a fourth supply bobbin (31) of said preliminary apparatus and being guided one over the other with said edge of the portions of film (11) being interposed;   the strips of supportive material and that of adhesive tape are made to pass through at least a pair of rollers (39,40;43,44), that press the strips of adhesive tape against those of supportive material, so as to create a bonding with the edges of the portions of film (11) being interposed for realising a continuous band (10) having double lateral conveyance supports;   the continuous band with double support (10) supplies one or more successive utilising apparatuses being part of said further treatment (reprints), such as a cleaning machine, a printing machine, a wrapping machine, a cutter.;    The application of said second conveyance support has the function of:
   preventing flapping of said portions of film (11) during their passage through said utilising apparatuses, and/or   permitting said portions of film (11) to be guided along routes being distinctly curved during their passage through said utilising apparatuses, and/or   permitting the correct winding of said continuos band (10) on supply and/or gathering bobbins (46) for said utilising apparatuses, and/or   permitting the exertion of a greater mechanical action of cleaning on said portions of film (11) during their treatment, and/or   permitting the cleaning of said portions of film (11) utilising high quantities of washing solutions, in particular washing solutions being non pollutant and/or natural, and their successive drying by way of a substantial production of hot air, without, said portions of film (11) losing their flatness, and/or   permitting the simplified application to the continuous band of a protective envelope in the form of a wrapping.