Detecting mechanism for detecting a missing end cap of a film

Claim 1

In a detecting mechanism for detecting a missing or improperly staked end cap on a film magazine substantially of the type having a film spool, an outer cylindrical case encircling the film spool, and end caps for closing off the open ends of the case and for rotatably supporting the spool, the combination comprising: means for releasably holding a film magazine having a film spool in an operating position with an end cap at one end of said spool; pusher means in alignment with said film spool at said operating position, and movable from a normal retracted position to a sensing position into pressure engagement with the other end of said film spool, where it is prevented from further movement if said end cap is properly staked on the magazine or to a film spool ejecting position past said sensing position, if said end cap is missing or improperly staked and is unable to withstand the pressure of said pusher means; diverting means adapted when operated to divert magazines having a missing end cap along a defective magazine path when released by said holding means; and detecting means coupled to said pusher means for detecting said sensing and ejecting positions of said pusher means and for operating said diverting means when said pusher means is moved to said ejecting position.