Filmstrip and filmstrip retention device

Claim 2

In a cartridge for containing photographic filmstrip and having a filmstrip supply chamber, a filmstrip take-up chamber and an exposure station, said cartridge including means for positioning said filmstrip in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said filmstrip and further including follower means for riding against a surface of said filmstrip during positioning thereof, the improvement wherein: said filmstrip is provided with a discontinuity defining an elongated web edge that is skewed with respect to the direction in which said filmstrip is positionable, said discontinuity being so situated and sized with respect to the widthwise dimensions of said filmstrip that said follower means may engage said discontinuity and ride along said skewed edge as said positionable filmstrip is brought to a stop.

Claim 3

The invention according to claim 1 wherein said follower means has a portion that is so undercut that it overhangs a portion of said web adjoining said skewed edge when said follower means is in engagement with said edge.

Claim 4

In a film cartridge for holding filmstrip having generally parallel longitudinal edges and an engageable discontinuity proximate one end thereof, said cartridge comprising a take-up compartment, an exposure station, and a supply compartment for holding and paying out filmstrip for movement past said station and into said take-up compartment, said cartridge further comprising means for engaging said discontinuity to limit said filmstrip movement, the improvement wherein: a. said discontinuity defines a substantially linear abutment edge facing generally in the direction of said filmstrip movement and disposed to converge in said direction at an acute angle with respect to one of said longitudinal filmstrip edges; and b. said engaging means includes means for initially engaging said abutment edge and for engaging, in response to additional filmstrip movement, a portion of the filmstrip surface adjacent said abutment edge to restrict further movement of said filmstrip.

Claim 5

In a film cartridge for holding filmstrip having generally parallel longitudinal edges and an engageable discontinuity proximate one end thereof, said cartridge comprising a take-up compartment, an exposure station, and a supply compartment for holding and paying out filmstrip for movement past said station and into said take-up compartment, said cartridge further comprising means for engaging said discontinuity to limit said filmstrip movement, the improvement wherein: a. said discontinuity defines a substantially linear abutment edge facing generally in the direction of said filmstrip movement and disposed to converge in said direction at an acute angle with respect to one of said longitudinal filmstrip edges; and b. said engaging means includes means for initially engaging said abutment edge and for engaging, in response to additional filmstrip movement, a portion of the filmstrip surface adjacent said abutment edge to restrict further movement of said filmstrip.

Claim 6

The invention according to claim 3 wherein said engaging means comprises a tooth having an undercut portion defining a first abutment face facing generally upstream, said facet being disposed to initially engage said abutment edge at an acute angle therewith and to overhang a first portion of the filmstrip face adjoining said abutment edge whereby additional advancement of said web will cause said first filmstrip portion to conformably engage said facet to restrict further filmstrip movement.

Claim 7

The invention according to claim 4 wherein said undercut portion further includes a second abutment facet adjacent said first facet and generally facing said one longitudinal filmstrip edge, said second facet being disposed to initially engage said abutment edge at an acute angle therewith and to overhang a second portion of the filmstrip face adjoining said abutment edge, whereby additional advancement of said filmstrip will cause said second filmstrip portion to conformably engage said second facet.

Claim 8

The invention of claim 3 wherein said discontinuity is disposed proximate the trailing end of said filmstrip and is spaced laterally a lesser distance from said one longitudinal filmstrip edge than from the other of said edges.

Claim 9

The invention of claim 3 wherein said discontinuity engaging means is disposed within said take-up compartment.

Claim 10

For use in a film cartridge of the type having a filmstrip supply chamber, A filmstrip take-up chamber and an exposure station, said cartridge including means for positioning said filmstrip in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said filmstrip and further including follower means for riding against a surface of said filmstrip during positioning thereof, a filmstrip having a perforation defining an elongated filmstrip edge that is skewed with respect to the direction in which said filmstrip is positionable, said perforation being so situated and sized with respect to the widthwise dimensions of said filmstrip that said follower means may enter said perforation and ride along said skewed edge thereof to position said filmstrip in predetermined relation to said follower means.

Claim 11

For use in a film cartridge of the type having a filmstrip supply chamber, A filmstrip take-up chamber and an exposure station, said cartridge including means for positioning said filmstrip in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said filmstrip and further including follower means for riding against a surface of said filmstrip during positioning thereof, a filmstrip having a perforation defining an elongated filmstrip edge that is skewed with respect to the direction in which said filmstrip is positionable, said perforation being so situated and sized with respect to the widthwise dimensions of said filmstrip that said follower means may enter said perforation and ride along said skewed edge thereof to position said filmstrip in predetermined relation to said follower means.

Claim 12

In a system for guiding an elongated web of the type having an aperture therein, said system comprising means for positioning said web in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said web and follower means for riding along a surface of said web during positioning thereof, the improvement wherein: said aperture defines an elongated web edge that is skewed with respect to the direction in which said web is positioned, said aperture being so situated with respect to the widthwise dimensions of said web that said follower means may enter said aperture and ride along said skewed web edge to locate said web in predetermined relation to said follower means.

Claim 13

In a system for guiding an elongated web of the type having an aperture therein, said system comprising means for positioning said web in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said web and follower means for riding along a surface of said web during positioning thereof, the improvement wherein: said aperture defines an elongated web edge that is skewed with respect to the direction in which said web is positioned, said aperture being so situated with respect to the widthwise dimensions of said web that said follower means may enter said aperture and ride along said skewed web edge to locate said web in predetermined relation to said follower means.

Claim 14

The invention in claim 9 wherein said follower means has an undercut portion disposed to overhang a portion of said web adjoining said skewed edge when said follower means is in engagement with said edge.

Claim 15

In a system for guiding web material of the type having a generally linear longitudinal edge for movement along a predetermined path in a direction generally parallel to said edge and for engaging said web at a predetermined location to restrict said movement, said system including a guide surface for supporting said web, the improvement wherein: a. said web includes a discontinuity defining a substantially linear abutment edge facing generally downstream and disposed to converge downstream at an acute angle with respect to said longitudinal web edge; and b. said guide surface carries means disposed within the path of movement of said abutment edge for engaging initially said abutment edge and for engaging, in response to additional web movement, a portion of the web face adjoining said abutment edge to restrict further movement of said web.

Claim 16

In a system for guiding web material of the type having a generally linear longitudinal edge for movement along a predetermined path in a direction generally parallel to said edge and for engaging said web at a predetermined location to restrict said movement, said system including a guide surface for supporting said web, the improvement wherein: a. said web includes a discontinuity defining a substantially linear abutment edge facing generally downstream and disposed to converge downstream at an acute angle with respect to said longitudinal web edge; and b. said guide surface carries means disposed within the path of movement of said abutment edge for engaging initially said abutment edge and for engaging, in response to additional web movement, a portion of the web face adjoining said abutment edge to restrict further movement of said web.

Claim 17

The invention of claim 11 wherein said engaging means comprises a protuberance having an undercut portion defining a first abutment surface facing generally upstream and overlying a portion of said guide surface, said abutment surface being disposed to initially engage said abutment edge at an acute angle therewith and to overhang a first portion of the web adjoining said abutment edge whereby additional advancement of said web will cause said first web portion to conformably engage said abutment surface to restrict further web movement.

Claim 18

The invention of claim 12 wherein said undercut portion further includes a second abutment surface generally facing said longitudinal web edge and overhanging a portion of said guide surface, said second abutment surface being disposed to initially engage said abutment edge at an acute angle therewith and to overlie a second portion of said web adjoining said abutment edge whereby additional advancement of said web will cause said second web portion to conformably engage said second abutment surface.