Apparatus and method for splicing film

An apparatus for in registration splicing of film material having a repetitive pattern thereon, for use with a film cutter adapted to produce film segments for a film utilization device, comprising:

• a. a first roll of film material, having a feed end extending to a film cutter;
• b. A second roll of film material having a leading end terminating at a predetermined location therealong, said leading end having one face thereof prepared for adhesive attachment;
• c. encoder means for producing a splicer control signal when the film cutter reaches a predetermined operational position;
• d. a film brake station, upstream from the film cutter, and responsive to said splicer control signal, to hold fast the film material from the first roll;
• e. spooling means between the film cutter and said brake station, for storing a supply of film material for the film cutter, while a splice is being formed;
• and
• f. splicing means upstream from said brake station and downstream from said rolls, and responsive to said splicer control signal, for manufacturing a trailing end in the film material form the first roll terminating at said predetermined location, and then bringing said trailing end into adhesive engagement with said leading end, forming a splice.