Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
Apparatus for intercepting the leader of photographic film which is convoluted on a reel within a convoluted backing strip having a front portion extending beyond the leader, comprising means for supporting a reel with convoluted film and backing strip thereon; drive means movable into engagement wiTh the front portion of the backing strip on the reel in said supporting means to thereby loop the front portion of the backing strip; means for blocking rotation of the reel at least during engagement between the front portion of the backing strip and said drive means; means for advancing the looped front portion of the backing strip along a first path and for thereby rotating the reel in said supporting means in a direction to pay out the backing strip and the film whereby the leader of the film becomes exposed in response to rotation of the reel in said direction; and guide means for directing the leader of the film into a second path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
Apparatus for intercepting the leader of photographic film which is convoluted on a reel within a convoluted backing strip having a front portion extending beyond the leader, comprising means for supporting a reel with convoluted film and backing strip thereon; drive means movable into engagement wiTh the front portion of the backing strip on the reel in said supporting means to thereby loop the front portion of the backing strip; means for blocking rotation of the reel at least during engagement between the front portion of the backing strip and said drive means; means for advancing the looped front portion of the backing strip along a first path and for thereby rotating the reel in said supporting means in a direction to pay out the backing strip and the film whereby the leader of the film becomes exposed in response to rotation of the reel in said direction; and guide means for directing the leader of the film into a second path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said drive means comprises a rotary friction wheel and said advancing means comprises a pair of rolls, the looped front portion of the backing strip being arranged to enter the nip of and to be entrained by said rolls in response to frictional engagement between said front portion and said wheel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said blocking means includes means for holding the reel in said supporting means against rotation at least in a direction to collect the film and the backing strip.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said guide means defines a channel for the leader of the film and includes a deflector bearing against the outermost convolution of the backing strip while the reel in said supporing means is rotated by said advancing means through the medium of the backing strip.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said deflector is elastic and said supporting means includes means for rotatably supporting the reel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said drive means comprises a friction wheel, a movable carrier rotatably supporting said wheel, and means for rotating said wheel in such direction that said wheel tends to rotate said reel in a direction to collect the film and the backing strip while said wheel engages the outermost convolution of the backing strip on the reel in said supporting means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said means for rotating said wheel includes a flexible shaft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said carrier is movable between first and second positions in which said wheel respectively engages and is disengaged from the outermost convolution of the backing strip on the reel in said supporting means, and further comprising means for biasing said carrier to at least one of said positions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said carrier is pivotable between said positions and is pivoted to said second position by said wheel in response to rotation of said reel in said direction while said wheel engages the outermost convolution of the backing strip.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said biasing means comprises a spring which opposes movement of said carrier from either of said positions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said blocking means comprises at least one one-way clutch which permits the reel in said supporting means to rotate in said direction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said blocking means is movable into and from engagement with the outermost convolution of the backing strip on the reel in said supporting means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said blocking means is arranged to move away from the backing strip in response to entrainment of the front portion of the backing strip by said advancing means and the resulting rotation of the reel in said direction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
88 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said supporting means includes a member which is movable between first and second positions in one of which said member engages a reel in the breakable casing of a cassette and in the other of which said member maintains the thus engaged reel in contact with said drive means, said blocking means including a tool which is movable with said member to break open the casing of the cassette during movement of said member from said one to said other position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein said member is a lever which is pivotable between said positions and said tool includes a portion which breaks the casing in response to movement of said lever from said one position and engages the outermost convolution of the backing strip on the reel on said lever in said other position of said lever.