Method of unwinding filmstrip from a spiral processing reel

• US 5,695,145 A
• Filed: 08/09/1996
• Issued: 12/09/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Schmitt, James F., Wacht, Peter A.
• Primary Examiner(s): DARLING, JOHN PATRICK
• Application Number:
  US08/694,550
• Time in Patent Office: 487 Days
• Field of Search: 242/348, 242/348.3, 242/536, 242/602, 242/602.3
• US Class Current: 242/348
• CPC Class Codes: G03D 13/003 Film feed or extraction in development apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G03D 13/145 with a film loading guide

Abstract

A method of retracting a filmstrip wound on a filmstrip reel. The filmstrip has a rear end which is attached to a spool of a film cartridge. The filmstrip reel comprising a pair of side walls, each side wall having a spiral track for retaining an edge of the filmstrip. The filmstrip is rewound into the film cartridge by applying a removing force on the rear end of the filmstrip in a direction for rewinding the filmstrip into the films cartridge. At the same time, one of the side walls is oscillated with respect to the other side wall about its central axis.

Claims

1. A method of retracting a filmstrip wound on a filmstrip reel back into an attached film cartridge, said filmstrip having a rear end attached to a spool of the film cartridge, said reel comprising a pair of side walls, each side wall having a spiral track for retaining an edge of the filmstrip, the method comprising the steps of:

a) applying a removing force on the rear end of said filmstrip in a direction for rewinding the filmstrip into said film cartridge; and

b) oscillating one of said side walls with respect to the other side wall about its central axis simultaneously as said filmstrip is being rewound into said film cartridge.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein a first oscillation motion of said side wall is in the same direction in which the filmstrip is to be retracted from said filmstrip reel.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said first oscillation occurs prior to applying said force for rewinding of said filmstrip.