Apparatus for moving photographic film cartridges between lighted and darkened environments

Apparatus for moving photographic film cartridges between lighted and darkened environments, comprising:

• a frame;
• a cartridge transfer assembly moveably supported by the frame for movement between a first position for access to the lighted environment and a second position for access to the darkened environment;
• a first actuator for moving the transfer assembly between the first and second positions;
• an extendible transfer arm included in the transfer assembly;
• a pickup head, supported by the extendible transfer arm, for grasping a cartridge or releasing a cartridge;
• a second actuator for moving the pickup head back and forth with the extendible transfer arm at each of the first and second positions;
• a light-tight enclosure surrounding the transfer assembly and pickup head, the enclosure including a first opening to the lighted environment at the first position and a second opening to the darkened environment at the second position;
• and
• a shutter assembly associated with the enclosure and actuated by the first actuator, for sequentially blocking the second opening as the transfer assembly approaches the first position and then unblocking the first opening;
• and for sequentially blocking the first opening as the transfer assembly approaches the second position and then unblocking the second opening.