Film break detector

In combination with a photographic film dryer through which a photographic film web is transported under tension and dried, a film break detection system for detecting photographic film breaks within the dryer, the break detection system comprising:

• first and second substantially horizontal shaft means in a spaced relationship wherein the photographic film web traverses a serpentine path between the first and second shaft means, the second shaft means being spatially movable with respect to the first shaft means wherein the first shaft means includes a plurality of first shafts all approximately at the same vertical position and wherein the second shaft means includes a plurality of second shafts all at approximately the same vertical position, each second shaft being located below a corresponding first shaft;
• roller means on the first and second shaft means movably engaging the photographic film web as the web traverses the serpentine path between the first and second shaft means;
• biasing means for applying a bias force to each second shaft in a direction opposite to a force applied to the second shaft by the film tension, thereby suspending the second shaft with respect to the corresponding first shaft;
• and
• means for sensing a change of spatial position of the second shaft as a result of a film break and providing an alarm signal indicating that the film break occurred in the dryer, the means for sensing a change of spatial position being positioned within the dryer and wherein the means for sensing includes a plurality of switch means and each second shaft being positioned with a corresponding switch means such that when the film break has occurred, an individual second shaft physically engages the corresponding switch means to indicate that the film break occurred in the dryer.