Abstract: A method and apparatus for driving film out of and rewinding film back into a thrust film cartridge. The drive mechanism comprises: a nest for holding the thrust cartridge in a predetermined position; a first clutch having a drive shaft designed for engaging the spool for transferring rotational movement to the spool; a pair of metering rolls for receiving the filmstrip therebetween for advancing the film strip out of the thrust cartridge, one of the metering rolls having a drive shaft; a second clutch connected to the drive shaft of one of the metering rolls; a single drive motor; a connecting linkage for connecting the drive motor to the first and second clutches so as to impart rotational mode to the drive shafts; and a switching device for selectively activating the first and second clutches so as to drive the metering rolls and spool in the appropriate sequence.

Abstract: A photofinishing apparatus for reading and/or writing magnetic information on a web of photographic film. The web comprises a plurality of individual strips of film secured together end to end. The apparatus includes a film track for receiving the web, a pair of drive rollers for moving the film web through the film track, a magnetic reader and/or writer for reading and/or writing magnetic data on the web, and a detection device for detecting metal objects in the web. The detection device is located at a point in the film track prior to the magnetic reader and/or writer. A monitoring device monitors the change in voltage across two space points on the film track for determining when a metal object is in the web and for producing a signal which is used to stop the film web.