Auto-mechanism for removing film leader card from 35 and APS film after processing

Apparatus for removing a film strip from a film leader card, said film strip having a film leader on a trailing end thereof with holes that engage one or more protrusions on a film clip on the film leader card, said apparatus comprising:

• a feed section for holding the film leader card stationary in a first predetermined position with the film strip attached via protrusions to the film clip, said feed section having an entry port through which the film leader card is fully inserted in a forward direction with the film strip extending in a backward direction outward through the entry port;
• means for forming a loop in the film that is folded underneath the film leader card in order to rotate the end of the film strip away from the film clip on the opposite side of the film leader card, thereby causing the film strip to detension from the protrusions;
• a pinch roller assembly;
• a detach mechanism for engaging the loop and extending it further under the film leader card toward, but not contacting, the pinch roller assembly, said detach mechanism including cams for further rotating the film strip until it is completely inverted and oriented in the forward direction, said cams holding the end of the film strip in place against the film leader card;
• means for driving the film leader card in the backward direction toward the entry port until the film strip extends further through the film clip, at which point the film leader card is locked into a second predetermined stationary position;
• means for further rotating said detach mechanism until the film strip is immovably engaged with the pinch roller assembly;
• means for driving the film leader card forward away from the entry port until the film strip is disengaged from the film clip;
• and
• means for releasing the detach assembly from the pinch roller assembly so that the film strip may be removed from the film leader card through the entry port.