Abstract: A film coater apparatus applies an ultraviolet light curable coating to the opposite side of filmstrips in which the filmstrip is initially supported at one end on a plastic leader, includes a coater formed with complementary leader guiding passageways in the opposite side walls of the coater which guide the leader through the coater in non-contacting relation to the offset coater applicator rolls and to the smoother bars so that coating material is not built-up on the leader. The coater apparatus is self-threading and includes an inlet drive roll, an ultraviolet light curing chamber, and an outlet drive pinch roll assembly which serves to grip the leader and thereafter to grip and drive the filmstrips through the coater. The outlet pinch rolls provide a draw or tension to the film to assure the desired delivery of the filmstrips through the coater and in contacting relation to the coating and smoothing elements therein.

Abstract: A coater applies ultraviolet curable coating material to the opposite sides of roll film by a double-sided coater which employs offset coating rolls and smoothing bars. A splice detector responds to the occurrence of a splice upstream of the coater and causes the splice region to move through the coater without applying coating material to the splice region, by lifting the emulsion side of the film off of the coating roll as the splice passes and by interrupting the operation of the smoothing bars and the offset applicator roller on the non-emulsion or base side, concurrently with the passage of the splice therepast.

Abstract: Spindled photographic film discs are coated with an ultraviolet light curable protective coating apparatus which receives a developer spindle carrying a plurality of film discs at a receiving station. Carry-in arms transfer the spindle into a coating station through a door and deposit the spindle at a location where the lower films on the stacked discs are partially submerged in a pool of coating liquid. A drive gear engages a spur gear on the spindle and slowly rotates the spindle for applying the coating evenly to the discs. Carry-over arms engage the spindle and carry it about the circumference of the drive gear, first lifting the spindle above the coating material and then causing the spindle to be spun at a relatively high rate for removing excess material from the discs. The carry-over arms thereafter transport the spindle through a second door and into an ultraviolet curing region while maintaining the rotation of the discs during curing.