Patent US3753486A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3753486A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus for loading an automatic film processing unit
Assignee: Gretag AG
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Filing: 1971-09-30
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Granted: 1973-08-21
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Expires: 1991-09-30
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for loading an automatic film processing unit comprises a rotatable turret formed with guideways for holding magazines for axial movement relative to the turret. Each magazine comprises a stack of compartments each of which is adapted to accommodate a standard film container in a predetermined position. The turret is rotatable so that each magazine is successively in a processing station in which a shifting means engages and axially shifts the magazine stepwise so that each compartment is successively adjacent a processing position, the magazines not in a processing station being engaged by means preventing axial movement. The magazines may be formed with compartments selectively adjustable to all hold either 126type film cassettes or 135-type film cartridges, and means may be provided so that once a magazine holding one type of film has been placed on the turret, only magazines also holding that type of film can be positioned on the turret.
Inventors
- 👤 H Vogt
- 👤 O Schnellmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 21:45
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D13/00; G03D13/001; G03D13/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
Apparatus for loading an automatic film processing unit, comprising: a rotatable turret formed with a plurality of axially extending guideways; a plurality of magazines, each adapted to be held in a respective one of said guideways for axial movement relative to the turret, and each magazine comprising a stack of compartments which are each adapted to hold a standard film container in a predetermined position; one or more processing stations adjacent the turret; drive means for stepwise rotation of the turret so that each guideway in turn and the magazine therein is in the or one of the processing stations at at least one angular position of the turret shifting means at the or each processing station for automatically engaging and stepwise shifting a magazine in that processing station axially relative to the turret so that successively each compartment of the magazine is adjacent a predetermined processing position; for removal of the film container and means for engaging and preventing axial movement of magazines which are not in the or one of the processing stations.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
Apparatus for loading an automatic film processing unit, comprising: a rotatable turret formed with a plurality of axially extending guideways; a plurality of magazines, each adapted to be held in a respective one of said guideways for axial movement relative to the turret, and each magazine comprising a stack of compartments which are each adapted to hold a standard film container in a predetermined position; one or more processing stations adjacent the turret; drive means for stepwise rotation of the turret so that each guideway in turn and the magazine therein is in the or one of the processing stations at at least one angular position of the turret shifting means at the or each processing station for automatically engaging and stepwise shifting a magazine in that processing station axially relative to the turret so that successively each compartment of the magazine is adjacent a predetermined processing position; for removal of the film container and means for engaging and preventing axial movement of magazines which are not in the or one of the processing stations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
106 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein each magazine compartment comprises holding means selectively adjustable to only hold one or the other of a first and a second type of standard film containers, said first type of standard film container being a 126 type film cassette and said second type of standard film container being a 135 type film cartridge and wherein all of the holding means of the compartments of every one of the magazines are interconnected so that the holding means of the compartments can only either all hold a container of said first type or all hold a container of said second type.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
96 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the holding means of each compartment comprises locating means for holding a cassette of 126 type film, and a pair of rocking levers, one mounted on each side of the compartment, which levers can be rotated between a first position in which they co-operate to hold a cartridge of 135 type film and in which the levers block access to the locating means for 126 type film cassettes, and a second position in which the levers allow a 126 type film cassette to be positioned in the locating means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the levers of each pair each have an arm projecting beyond the side of the magazine and like levers of all compartments of the magazine are interconnected by a rod joining their projecting arms.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the magazine compartments comprise further holding means for engaging about the take-up spool of a 126 type film cassette or a 135 type film cartridge respectively.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said further holding means comprise spring tongues.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
96 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein each magazine comprises a container-type indicating means which is interconnected with the holding means of the magazine and set thereby in a first or second position in dependance on the type of film container the holding means have been adjusted to hold, and wherein the turret comprises blocking means adapted to co-operate with the container-type indicating means of each magazine, which blocking means is selectively settable in a first or second position respectively in which it blocks insertion of a magazine holding second or first types of containers respectively.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
155 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the container type indicating means comprises first and second members each movable to project out of the magazine to act as a stop, the members being so interconnected with each other and the holding means of the magazine that when all the holding means are set to receive the first or second type of film container respectively only the first or second member respectively projects from the magazine to act as a stop, and wherein the blocking means of the turret comprises a shaped disc mounted on the turret and rotatable between two positions, the disc being shaped so that in its first or second position respectively a magazine with a first or second member respectively projecting as a stop can be inserted in the guideway whereas a magazine with the second or first member respectively projecting as a stop is blocked from being inserted in the guideway.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein each magazine compartment is formed with a shelf for placing an order and despatch bag for the film container.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein each magazine is built up from a plurality of identical units which are constructed with a lower part for holding the standard film container and an upper shelf for carrying an order and despatch bag for the film container.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the shelf of each identical unit provides a lower closure surface for the film container holding part of the immediately adjacent upper identical unit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said shifting means comprises a wormwheel and said magazines are formed with a plurality of aligned rollers for successive engagement by said wormwheel when shifting the magazine axially.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
85 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for engaging and preventing axial movement of magazines which are not in a processing station comprises a horizontal stationary support plate engageable with the lower end of each magazine, said support plate being provided with a cut-out portion in alignment with a processing station for permitting downward stepwise shifting through said cut-out portion of only that magazine which is aligned with the processing station for removal of the film containers from the compartments of the magazine.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-20 | 1977-02-19 | 1977-08-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-20 | 1981-02-19 | 1981-08-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-20 | 1985-02-19 | 1985-08-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |