Method of and apparatus for processing exposed photographic films

US4888613A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Agfa-Gevaert NV · BE

Inventors

• Helmut Zangenfeind · Puchheim, DE
• Reinhart Wurfel · Munich, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 28, 1988
• Grant date: Dec 19, 1989
• Expiry date: Oct 28, 2008

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G03D13/005
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Cartridges which contain exposed photographic roll films are admitted into a duct to descend past a reader which reads the bar codes of the cartridges and transmits to a microprocessor signals denoting the type and the length of each film. The microprocessor evaluates such signals and permits automatic splicing of films of a selected type end-to-end preparatory to introduction into a developing machine. Cartridges with films of other types are segregated from cartridges with films of the selected type, the same as cartridges which do not bear any bar codes. The microprocessor compares the encoded information pertaining to the length of each film with information denoting the actual length of the respective film and causes a printer to encode the information on envelopes for the exposed and developed films. The reels for films which are shorter than denoted by the respective bar codes are removed by an attendant and are inspected for the possible presence of one or more exposed frames. A film which has been detached from the core of the respective reel is permitted to advance with other selected films if the microprocessor indicates that the length of such film matches that which is…