US3879030A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic film transfer device for magazines containing film in sheets
Assignee: Compagnie Generale de Radiologie SA
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Filing: 1973-10-02
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Granted: 1975-04-22
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Expires: 1993-10-02
Abstract
Abstract A light-proof transfer device makes it possible to introduce into a developer apparatus, exposed film sheets or negatives which are coiled up in a magazine. Introduction is effected automatically despite the residual curvature in the negatives issuing from the magazine. The device includes a light-tight box-shaped housing which receives the negatives on exit from the magazine, the housing containing means for pushing the negative ejected from the magazine laterally into an output slot preceded by a deflector designed to flatten out the negative which is introduced into the developer apparatus through an input slot registering with the output slot of the device, in a direction perpendicular to its own curvature.
Inventors
- 👤 Michel Hommerin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 06:12
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D13/00; G03D13/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
280 words
A device for the automatic transfer of sheets of exposed film from a magazine having an elongated aperture for letting said sheets pass therethrough, wherefrom said sheets ejected present an approximately cylindrical residual curvature extending lengthwise, to an automatic developer apparatus having an elongated iNput slot for admitting said sheets thereto; said device comprising a light-tight housing including a hollow box-shaped transfer portion for receiving said sheets ejected lengthwise, one by one, from said magazine and entering said transfer portion at one side thereof, and having at its rear end an elongated output slot for communicating and registering light-tightly with said input slot of said apparatus; said transfer portion further including means for pushing said sheets, when one thereof is entirely located therein, sidewise towards said output slot, comprising: a reciprocatingly movable pushing plate substantially covering the inner cross-section of said transfer portion perpendicularly to the direction of its reciprocating motion towards and away from said output slot and having a lower edge portion substantially contignuous with the top face of the bottom wall of said transfer portion, and a drive mechanism including a first electric motor for imparting to said pushing plate said reciprocating motion between an utmost forward position, wherein said pushing plate is clear of said transfer section for the introduction of a film sheet therein, and an utmost rearward position, wherefor an edge of said film sheet enters into said developer apparatus input slot, the inner height of said transfer portion, beyond the utmost rearward position of said plate, gradually diminishing towards said output slot so as to flatten out said curved film sheets to facilitate their introduction into the input slot of said developer apparatus.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
280 words
A device for the automatic transfer of sheets of exposed film from a magazine having an elongated aperture for letting said sheets pass therethrough, wherefrom said sheets ejected present an approximately cylindrical residual curvature extending lengthwise, to an automatic developer apparatus having an elongated iNput slot for admitting said sheets thereto; said device comprising a light-tight housing including a hollow box-shaped transfer portion for receiving said sheets ejected lengthwise, one by one, from said magazine and entering said transfer portion at one side thereof, and having at its rear end an elongated output slot for communicating and registering light-tightly with said input slot of said apparatus; said transfer portion further including means for pushing said sheets, when one thereof is entirely located therein, sidewise towards said output slot, comprising: a reciprocatingly movable pushing plate substantially covering the inner cross-section of said transfer portion perpendicularly to the direction of its reciprocating motion towards and away from said output slot and having a lower edge portion substantially contignuous with the top face of the bottom wall of said transfer portion, and a drive mechanism including a first electric motor for imparting to said pushing plate said reciprocating motion between an utmost forward position, wherein said pushing plate is clear of said transfer section for the introduction of a film sheet therein, and an utmost rearward position, wherefor an edge of said film sheet enters into said developer apparatus input slot, the inner height of said transfer portion, beyond the utmost rearward position of said plate, gradually diminishing towards said output slot so as to flatten out said curved film sheets to facilitate their introduction into the input slot of said developer apparatus.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
280 words
A device for the automatic transfer of sheets of exposed film from a magazine having an elongated aperture for letting said sheets pass therethrough, wherefrom said sheets ejected present an approximately cylindrical residual curvature extending lengthwise, to an automatic developer apparatus having an elongated iNput slot for admitting said sheets thereto; said device comprising a light-tight housing including a hollow boxshaped transfer portion for receiving said sheets ejected lengthwise, one by one, from said magazine and entering said transfer portion at one side thereof, and having at its rear end an elongated output slot for communicating and registering lighttightly with said input slot of said apparatus; said transfer portion further including means for pushing said sheets, when one thereof is entirely located therein, sidewise towards said output slot, comprising: a reciprocatingly movable pushing plate substantially covering the inner cross-section of said transfer portion perpendicularly to the direction of its reciprocating motion towards and away from said output slot and having a lower edge portion substantially contignuous with the top face of the bottom wall of said transfer portion, and a drive mechanism including a first electric motor for imparting to said pushing plate said reciprocating motion between an utmost forward position, wherein said pushing plate is clear of said transfer section for the introduction of a film sheet therein, and an utmost rearward position, wherefor an edge of said film sheet enters into said developer apparatus input slot, the inner height of said transfer portion, beyond the utmost rearward position of said plate, gradually diminishing towards said output slot so as to flatten out said curved film sheets to facilitate their introduction into the input slot of said developer apparatus.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
280 words
A device for the automatic transfer of sheets of exposed film from a magazine having an elongated aperture for letting said sheets pass therethrough, wherefrom said sheets ejected present an approximately cylindrical residual curvature extending lengthwise, to an automatic developer apparatus having an elongated iNput slot for admitting said sheets thereto; said device comprising a light-tight housing including a hollow boxshaped transfer portion for receiving said sheets ejected lengthwise, one by one, from said magazine and entering said transfer portion at one side thereof, and having at its rear end an elongated output slot for communicating and registering lighttightly with said input slot of said apparatus; said transfer portion further including means for pushing said sheets, when one thereof is entirely located therein, sidewise towards said output slot, comprising: a reciprocatingly movable pushing plate substantially covering the inner cross-section of said transfer portion perpendicularly to the direction of its reciprocating motion towards and away from said output slot and having a lower edge portion substantially contignuous with the top face of the bottom wall of said transfer portion, and a drive mechanism including a first electric motor for imparting to said pushing plate said reciprocating motion between an utmost forward position, wherein said pushing plate is clear of said transfer section for the introduction of a film sheet therein, and an utmost rearward position, wherefor an edge of said film sheet enters into said developer apparatus input slot, the inner height of said transfer portion, beyond the utmost rearward position of said plate, gradually diminishing towards said output slot so as to flatten out said curved film sheets to facilitate their introduction into the input slot of said developer apparatus.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing further comprises a further portion for holding said magazine and for said magazine aperture to light-tightly communicate with one side of said transfer portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
95 words
Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transfer portion includes a mechanism for extracting said film sheets from said magazine located between said pushing means and said magazine, said extracting mechanism comprising: a pair of rollers respectively covered by elastic linings bearing resiliently against one another for taking said film sheets ejected from said magazine between them, said rollers being driven by a second electric motor for placing said film sheets in front of said pushing means; and means for detecting the presence of film located between said magazine and said pair of rollers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
93 words
Device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: first electrical connector means for connection with said magazine, second electrical connector means for connection with said developer apparatus; said connector means respectively delivering supply voltages and signals controlling the operation of the motorized magazine and for receiving therefrom signals respectively indicating whether said magazine contains further film sheets and whether said developer is capable of receiving another film sheet; and an electrical control circuit connected to both connecting means for coordinatedly controlling the operation of said magazine, said pushing means and said developer apparatus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
Device as claimed in claim 4, further comprising: a hatch for light-tightly covering an opening located on the upper wall of said box-shaped former portion in the vicinity of said output slot, when closed, and for directly introducing film sheets through said opening and output slot into said input slot of said developer apparatus when opened.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
83 words
Device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said electrical control circuit includes manual control means for stopping the unloading of said magazine and the transfer of said film when said pushing means is in a position corresponding to the beginning of a transfer cycle, to enable direct insertion of film sheets into the developer apparatus while stopping the drive of said magazine and said pushing means and for enabling the latching of said hatch in order to resume the unloading of said 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) | 1978-04-21 | 1978-10-21 | 1979-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-21 | 1982-10-21 | 1983-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-21 | 1986-10-21 | 1987-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |