Splicing apparatus for photographic films or the like

Abstract

Apparatus for splicing exposed photographic films to each other and to flexible threading tape has a housing defining a dark chamber, a splicer which is installed in the chamber, advancing rolls which transport the leaders of films and tape into the range of and beyond the splicer, a knife for the tape, and punches which apply holes into the tape ahead of and behind the knife. The holes which are punched into the leader of the remnant of severed tape are detected by a first photoelectric cell which is located ahead of the splicer whereby the cell arrests the advancing rolls for the tape to insure that the leader is located in an optimum position for splicing to the trailing end of the preceding film. The holes which are punched into the trailing ends of severed tape portions are detected by a second cell which is located behind the splicer and serves to arrest the advancing rolls for a severed tape portion so that its trailing end is held in an optimum position for splicing to the leader of a film. The cells also monitor the films which are formed with holes similar to those in the tape. When a web of end of the rearmost film, is to be removed from the apparatus, the attendant severs the tape in a region close to the outlet of the housing. The leader of the remnant of tape is held by a blocking device in an optimum position for attachment to the core of a fresh reel for one or more webs of spliced-together films.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.