Abstract: A photographic slide mounter includes a film advance mechanism which advances a photographic film web along a film track to insert the end of the film web into a photographic slide frame. The film advance mechanism includes a guide track parallel to the film track and a carriage which is movable on the guide track. A film advance pawl is connected to and movable with the carriage. The pawl engages sprocket holes in the film to advance the film as the carriage is advanced toward a first end of the film track. A drive mechanism advances the carriage toward the first end of the guide track during one portion of an operating cycle, and returns the carriage to the second end during another portion of the operating cycle. The film advance mechanism includes a breakaway mechanism for disconnecting the carriage and the drive mechanism when resistance to advancement of the carriage exceeds a predetermined amount.

Abstract: In a photographic printer, photographic print paper is transported from the print paper supply to a print mask location. The print paper is guided by an interchangeable guide spool to ensure proper centering at the print mask location. The guide spool, being preset for a particular print paper width, automatically centers the print paper when mounted on a spindle so as to abut against a permanently positioned flange. The guide spool includes an inner sleeve that abuts against the permanently positioned flange, an outer sleeve coaxially rotating around the outer surface of the inner sleeve and having an outer surface that engages the photographic print paper, and guides attached proximate both ends of the outer sleeve for guiding the print paper on the outer surface of the outer sleeve.

Abstract: A processor of photosensitive material includes an automatic control system for providing anti-oxidation replenishment. The control system includes a real time clock for providing an indication of the time of day, and means for storing a schedule of operating hours of the processor. The control system controls anti-oxidation replenishment as a function of the time of day and the schedule of operation. In one embodiment, the control system provides anti-oxidation replenishment on a twenty-four hour basis (even during nonoperating hours) by operating the developer circulation pump and the anti-oxidation replenishment pump on a periodic basis during nonoperating hours. In another embodiment, which is particularly useful when there are restrictions against leaving on electric power to the processor during nonoperating hours, the control system adds a bulk amount of anti-oxidation replenishment at the time of turn-on of the processor.

Abstract: An improved photographic print stacking device includes a print slide concavely bowed transversely to the direction of travel proximate a discharge end of a conveying line, and a pair of drive rollers. Individual photographic prints are conveyed on the conveying line onto the concavely bowed print slide. The drive rollers engage and push the central portion of each print downwardly against the central portion of the print slide, while the slide edge portions of each print are deflected upwardly by the side edges of of print slide so that each print is bowed, thereby giving each print greater beam strength in the direction of travel.

Abstract: An automatic replenisher control system for a photographic cine processor includes a film type sensor which identifies, by film type, the unprocessed film entering the processor. Replenishment of processor fluids is controlled as a function of the identified film type. The film type sensor includes an array of reflective infrared (IR) sensors which are positioned across a path of the film. Each infrared sensor provides a sensor signal indicative of whether the film is adjacent the infrared sensor. Signal processing circuitry, including a digital computer, first determines the width of the film by sampling the signals from the infrared sensors a series of times, and totalling the number of sensor signals indicating the film is adjacent the sensor. 110 format film and large format films (such as 46 mm, 120/220 and 70 mm format films), are identified solely on the basis of width. A perforation sensing routine is performed to distinguish between leader, 126 format film and 135 format film.

Abstract: A subtractive photographic printer is capable of providing extremely short exposure time by coordinating the operation of a shutter and color filters. The shutter is normally positioned in the light path, and is driven out of the light path at the beginning of an exposure cycle. The exposure in each color channel is terminated by driving the color filter associated with that color channel into the light path in a direction which is essentially the same as the direction in which the shutter was driven out of the light path. In addition, the filter is driven into the light path at essentially the same rate at which the shutter was driven out of the path. The exposure time for the color channel is determined by the time delay between actuation of the shutter drive and actuation of the filter drive, since the shutter and the filter move in the same direction and at essentially the same rate.

Abstract: A photographic print stacking apparatus is positioned proximate the discharge end of a conveyor system which conveys photographic prints from a photographic print cutter. The print stacking apparatus includes upper and lower print receiving elements which receive and hold the prints as they are discharged. The conveyor system delivers the prints to the stacking apparatus with sufficient force to carry the prints between the upper and lower print receiving elements until their leading edges engage a generally upstanding stop element. A print deflecting flap element is connected to the upper print receiving element and extends toward the stop element. The print deflecting flap element prevents the leading edges of the prints from passing over the upper end of the stop element.

Abstract: A photographic film insertion apparatus inserts photographic film segments into an insertion opening of a multi-layer package strip. A film conveyor conveys cut photographic film segments along a path and discharges the photographic film segments from a discharge end of the conveyor to the film insertion opening. After the film segments have been conveyed into the insertion opening, a film pushing element drives the film segments a further distance into the insertion opening. This ensures that all film segments are securely within the insertion opening and will not hang up or tip as the multi-layer package strip is advanced away from the film insertion station.

Abstract: A graphic arts processor capable of processing photosensitive film and paper includes digital storage for storing a replenishment control matrix formed from a plurality of individual information matrices for different photosensitive materials. Each information matrix includes replenishment control information, an indication of whether the photosensitive material is film or paper, and transport speed control information. Selector switches select one of the individual information matrices for controlling operation of the processor. A transport speed control controls the transport speed of the processor as a function of the speed control information in the selected information matrix. The replenishment control provides replenishment of the processor fluid as a function of the replenishment control information and either film density signals from a density scanner or predetermined paper density signals.

Abstract: A photographic film packing apparatus cuts film segments from a web of photographic film, partially overlaps the segments in a shingled manner, and conveys the segments in partially overlapping relationship into an insertion opening of a package, such as a customer order envelope. The apparatus advances the web a selected distance past a knife location, at which a knife assembly is located. The knife assembly severs a film segment from the web. The movement of the film segment is then reversed to cause a trailing edge of the film segment to be deflected downward out of the path of the leading edge of the web. The web is then advanced while the segment is maintained stationary until the web has overlapped the segment by a predetermined amount. The web and the film segment are then conveyed together toward the insertion opening until a desired cut location on the web is aligned with the knife location. The knife assembly then cuts another film segment from the web.

Abstract: A slide mounter includes a magazine for holding a stack of slide frames. A slide ejector pushes the lowermost slide within the magazine out of the magazine and into a slide track, where the slide frame is opened to permit insertion of a film transparency. A slide separator separates the stack of slides into an upper stack above a predetermined level and a lower stack below the predetermined level within the magazine. An out-of-slides inhibitor connected to the slide separator prevents movement of the slide ejector when the slide separator moves to a position indicating that there are no further slides in the upper stack.

Abstract: A connector device attaches the leading end of a photographic print paper web to a leader belt of a photographic print processor and leads the print paper through the processor. The device includes a belt clip, a leader bar, a pull bar and a flexible connective flap member. When the belt clip is initially attached by an operator to the leader belt, the leader bar (which is rigidly attached to the belt clip) is in a first position which is generally perpendicular to the leader belt. The flexible connective flap member connects the leader bar and the pull bar in a fixed nonparallel relationship. A leading end of the print paper web is attached to the pull bar. When the leader belt is placed in motion, tension is transmitted from the leader belt through the connector device to the print paper web. The tension causes the leader bar to move from the first position to a second position with respect to the leader belt which results in the pull bar moving to a perpendicular position with respect to the leader belt.

Abstract: A paper feed system for a photographic printer which includes a motor driven takeup spool which pulls paper from a supply reel across a paper deck to the takeup spool. An encoder is turned by the paper, and provides encoder pulses which indicate incremental rotation of the encoder, and thus incremental movement of the paper. Prior to each paper feed cycle, a slow-down count is subtracted from a total feed length count to provide a high speed count. The motor is initially operated at high speed until the encoder has produced pulses equal to the high speed count. The motor is then switched to the low speed for the remaining portion of the paper feed corresponding to the slow-down count. During each paper feed cycle, the encoder pulses during the high speed portion of the paper feed are monitored to provide an indication of the average velocity of the paper during the high speed feed. The slow-down count for each paper feed cycle is a function of the average velocity from the previous paper feed cycle.

Abstract: A photoprocessor for photosensitive webs includes a plurality of tanks containing photoprocessing solution and a dryer. The web is transported through the tank by a plurality of opposed spaced pairs of oppositely oriented driven tapered rollers. The transport speed of the web through the tank is determined by a pair of opposed cylindrical rollers at the exit of the last tank. The cylindrical rollers are driven at a tangential velocity which is approximately equal to the tangential velocity at the centers of the tapered rollers. A loader at the inlet end of the processor includes driven and idler rollers which are normally out of engagement and which are brought into engagement to drive the web into the processor for a selected time period when the web is first sensed at the inlet end of the processor.

Abstract: A paper mask produces even width borders on bordered photographic prints even if the unexposed photographic print paper is misaligned, angularly mistracking, or wandering in alignment through roll feeding, or if the width of the paper varies. The paper mask apparatus includes a base which is mounted on the paper deck of the printer and front and rear guides which are movably mounted to the base and have masking lips which overhang the longitudinal edges of the print paper. The front and rear guides are generally parallel to one another and are urged toward one another by bias springs. A separate masking frame of the desired print size is mounted to one of the two guides and moves with that guide to define transverse masking edges.

Abstract: Cut lengths or segments of photographic strip material, particularly photographic film, are stacked as they are discharged from a photographic film cutter. The device for stacking the cut lengths includes a tray, an arm, a base, and a guide. The base is connected to the film cutter, and supports the film tray with the first end of the tray positioned closely to the discharge end of the film cutter. The arm is positioned in generally overlying position with respect to the tray and is pivotally connected to the tray at the second end of the tray furthest from the discharge end of the film cutter. The arm preferably has a "W" shaped cross section which provides two lines of contact with the cut lengths of film which are deposited between the tray and the arm. The guide provides a guiding surface parallel to the path of the cut lengths along their front edges. The guide may take a plurality of positions to accommodate films of different widths.

Abstract: A processor of photosensitive material includes an automatic control system for providing both developer and fix exhaustion replenishment. As each strip of photosensitive material enters the processor, the width and length of the strip is sensed. Based upon the width and length, a determination of the area of each strip is made. The density of each strip is sensed after processing. Developer exhaustion replenishment and fix exhaustion replenishment are separately controlled. The developer exhaustion replenishment is provided as a function of a product of the area of the strip, the density of the strip, and a stored developer exhaustion rate. Fix exhaustion replenishment is provided as a function of a product of the area of the strip, an inverse of the density of the strip, and a stored fix exhaustion rate. A carryover rate is also stored which is indicative of carryover of developer fluid from the developer tank into the fix tank of the processor.

Abstract: A photographic printer includes a splice detector for detecting the presence of a splice in a photographic paper web. The splice detector is positioned upstream of the printing aperture of the printer, and provides a signal indicative of the presence of a paper splice prior to the time that the splice reaches the printing aperture. Following detection of the splice, the paper feed control of the printer advances the web a number of additional feeds sufficient to advance the splice past the printing aperture. As a result, recording of a photographic image on the portion of the print paper web containing the splice is avoided.

Abstract: A neghold assembly for use in a photographic printer includes a bottom clamping surface, a pivot arm, a top clamping plate fixedly attached to the pivot arm, a solenoid upwardly engaging the pivot arm and a bias spring for upwardly engaging the pivot arm. The bottom and top clamping plates have apertures that allow light to be transmitted through the photographic film being held between the top clamping plate and the bottom clamping surface for exposing photosensitive print film. The solenoid engages the pivot arm on the side opposite of the pivot point from the top clamping plate. The solenoid pivots the top clamping plate about the pivot point to a clamping position whereby the top and bottom clamping plates are clamped together to hold the film negative. The bias spring pivots the top clamping plate upwardly from the clamping position to an open position when the solenoid is deenergized.

Abstract: An improved photographic print stacking tray device includes a print tray concavely bowed transversely to the direction of travel and a central deflector. As the individual photographic prints are discharged from a conveying line onto the print tray, the central deflector pushes the central portion of each print downwardly while the side edge portions of each print are deflected upward by the print tray so that each print is bowed, thereby giving each print greater beam strength in the direction of travel.