GB2067163A - Apparatus and method for opening film cartridges - Google Patents

Abstract

The removal of a cartridge end- cap 24, whether or not staked as at 32, is effected by applying a force axially of the cartridge, annularly within the staking by means of a tool 14 with an annular ridge 42, which releases the end-cap, the cartridge being held at its other end having the long film stub end 28 by slotted fixture 12. After release of the end cap, the tool 14 is retracted and a plunger 16 is advanced to strike the stub end 28, the movement of the film pushing the end cap free from the casing 20. The cartridge 18 may then be withdrawn from the fixture 20 and the film removed for processing. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus and method for opening film cassettes The present invention relates to an apparatus for opening film cassettes, particularly, but not exclusively cassettes for 35 mm. film.

It has been common practice to open 35 mm. film cassettes to remove the film for processing by applying force to the film core and so pushing off the cartridge end-cap. This has been done in one of two ways, either by striking the projecting end of the film core on a flat surface, or by placing the cartridge between jaws which grip it, and bringing a rod against the end of the core, such as by actuating an air cylinder or a solenoid, to remove the end-cap and eject the core.

The commonest method has been to use a means similar to the "bottle opener" used to remove crimped bottle caps.

The advent of staked end-caps which retain the end-caps much more firmly, has meant that the first and third of the above methods have become-impractical due to the force which it is necessary for the operator to use, and the second method is not as reliable as is necessary. Either of the first/second methods, where removal of the end-cap does occur, frequently results in the removal cap being ejected violently and in an uncontrolled manner.

The present invention operates to release the staking and reduce the force necessary to remove the cartridge end-caps. It also operates successfully on cartridges having endcaps which are not staked.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for opening film cartridges having staked end-caps, comprising means for receiving a cartridge, a tubular member moveable to engage an end-cap of a cartridge to apply a force thereto annularly within the staking and along the axis of the cartridge to release the end-cap.

Preferably the apparatus further comprises a member moveable in a sense opposite to that of the tubular member to eject the film from the cartridge.

There is also provided a method of opening film cartridges, especially film cartridges having staked end-caps, including the step of applying a force to an end-cap around an annulus between the aperture for a film core and the staked part of the end-cap to release the staking.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1-4 show schematically, in section, a film cartridge inserted in an apparatus according to the present invention during an operational sequence.

Referring to Fig. 1, the apparatus 10 comprises a location fixture 1 2 for cartridges, a staking release plunger 14 and a cap ejecting plunger 16.

A film cartridge 1 8 which is to be opened has a substantially cylindrical outer casing 20, end-caps 22, 24 and a core 26 carrying a length of film (not shown). The core 26 has a long stub end 28 and a short stub end 30 projecting through respective apertures in the end-caps 22, 24. The end-caps 22, 24 are staked radially around their respective circumferences 32, 34 to grip the casing 20.

The locating fixture 1 2 has slots 36, 38 to grip the end-cap 22 of a cartridge 1 8 and a slot 40 to clear the core stub end 28.

The plunger 14 has a tubular end portion 42.

Insertion of a cartridge 18 in the locating fixture 1 2 operates a micro-switch (not shown) which initiates operation of a sequence controller (also not shown). The plunger 14 is advanced and the tubular end portion 42 strikes the end-cap 24, releasing the staking 34 (See Fig. 2). The plunger 14 is then retracted (Fig. 3). The plunger 1 6 is then advanced, striking the core stub end 28, and the core 26 then pushes the end-cap 24 free from the casing 20 (Fig. 4). The end-cap 24 falls into a waste container (not shown), the plunger 1 6 is retracted, and the cartridge 1 8 may then be withdrawn from the fixture 12, and the film removed for processing.

Preferably the slots 36, 38 and 40 have a semicircular end to improve the retention of an inserted cartridge 18.

The plungers 14, 1 6 may be operated by various means, such as air cylinders, solenoids, cams or levers. The loading and unloading of the fixture 1 2 may be done by hand, or the apparatus may form part of an automatic production line.

The apparatus and method of the present invention may be used for opening cartridges having end-caps which are not staked. Due to the reduction in the force which it is necessary to apply to the film core to remove the end-cap, the violent ejection of the end-cap referred to earlier is obviated.

1. Apparatus for opening film cartridges having staked end-caps, comprising means for receiving a cartridge, a tubular member moveable to engage an end-cap of a cartridge to apply a force thereto annularly within the staking and along the axis of the cartridge to release the end-cap.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 further comprising a member moveable in a sense opposite to that of the tubular member to eject the film from the cartridge.

3. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

4. A method of opening film cartridges,

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Apparatus and method for opening film cassettes The present invention relates to an apparatus for opening film cassettes, particularly, but not exclusively cassettes for 35 mm. film. It has been common practice to open 35 mm. film cassettes to remove the film for processing by applying force to the film core and so pushing off the cartridge end-cap. This has been done in one of two ways, either by striking the projecting end of the film core on a flat surface, or by placing the cartridge between jaws which grip it, and bringing a rod against the end of the core, such as by actuating an air cylinder or a solenoid, to remove the end-cap and eject the core. The commonest method has been to use a means similar to the "bottle opener" used to remove crimped bottle caps. The advent of staked end-caps which retain the end-caps much more firmly, has meant that the first and third of the above methods have become-impractical due to the force which it is necessary for the operator to use, and the second method is not as reliable as is necessary. Either of the first/second methods, where removal of the end-cap does occur, frequently results in the removal cap being ejected violently and in an uncontrolled manner. The present invention operates to release the staking and reduce the force necessary to remove the cartridge end-caps. It also operates successfully on cartridges having endcaps which are not staked. According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for opening film cartridges having staked end-caps, comprising means for receiving a cartridge, a tubular member moveable to engage an end-cap of a cartridge to apply a force thereto annularly within the staking and along the axis of the cartridge to release the end-cap. Preferably the apparatus further comprises a member moveable in a sense opposite to that of the tubular member to eject the film from the cartridge. There is also provided a method of opening film cartridges, especially film cartridges having staked end-caps, including the step of applying a force to an end-cap around an annulus between the aperture for a film core and the staked part of the end-cap to release the staking. The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1-4 show schematically, in section, a film cartridge inserted in an apparatus according to the present invention during an operational sequence. Referring to Fig. 1, the apparatus 10 comprises a location fixture 1 2 for cartridges, a staking release plunger 14 and a cap ejecting plunger 16. A film cartridge 1 8 which is to be opened has a substantially cylindrical outer casing 20, end-caps 22, 24 and a core 26 carrying a length of film (not shown). The core 26 has a long stub end 28 and a short stub end 30 projecting through respective apertures in the end-caps 22, 24. The end-caps 22, 24 are staked radially around their respective circumferences 32, 34 to grip the casing 20. The locating fixture 1 2 has slots 36, 38 to grip the end-cap 22 of a cartridge 1 8 and a slot 40 to clear the core stub end 28. The plunger 14 has a tubular end portion 42. Insertion of a cartridge 18 in the locating fixture 1 2 operates a micro-switch (not shown) which initiates operation of a sequence controller (also not shown). The plunger 14 is advanced and the tubular end portion 42 strikes the end-cap 24, releasing the staking 34 (See Fig. 2). The plunger 14 is then retracted (Fig. 3). The plunger 1 6 is then advanced, striking the core stub end 28, and the core 26 then pushes the end-cap 24 free from the casing 20 (Fig. 4). The end-cap 24 falls into a waste container (not shown), the plunger 1 6 is retracted, and the cartridge 1 8 may then be withdrawn from the fixture 12, and the film removed for processing. Preferably the slots 36, 38 and 40 have a semicircular end to improve the retention of an inserted cartridge 18. The plungers 14, 1 6 may be operated by various means, such as air cylinders, solenoids, cams or levers. The loading and unloading of the fixture 1 2 may be done by hand, or the apparatus may form part of an automatic production line. The apparatus and method of the present invention may be used for opening cartridges having end-caps which are not staked. Due to the reduction in the force which it is necessary to apply to the film core to remove the end-cap, the violent ejection of the end-cap referred to earlier is obviated. CLAIMS

1. Apparatus for opening film cartridges having staked end-caps, comprising means for receiving a cartridge, a tubular member moveable to engage an end-cap of a cartridge to apply a force thereto annularly within the staking and along the axis of the cartridge to release the end-cap.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 further comprising a member moveable in a sense opposite to that of the tubular member to eject the film from the cartridge.

3. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

4. A method of opening film cartridges, especially film cartridges having staked endcaps, including the step of applying a force to an end-cap around an annul us between the aperture for a film core and the staked part of the end cap to release the staking.

5. A method as claimed in Claim 4, sub stantially as hereinbefore described.