Multiple supply film transport mechanism

Film transport apparatus comprising:

• a first driven roller set for transporting a film having a film surface along a horizontal path;
• a second driven roller set spaced laterally and downwardly from said first roller set for transporting said film along a vertical path;
• and
• a film guide assembly for guiding said film between said first and second roller sets, said assembly including a first flat guide positioned to contact the leading edge of a film transported horizontally by said first roller set to change its direction of transport at an acute angle;
• a first driven guide roller located adjacent to an end of said first guide for transporting said film towards a second guide, said roller preventing contact of said film surface with said first guide;
• a second flat or concavely curved guide spaced from said first guide for contacting the leading edge of said film to change its direction of transport by an acute angle, wherein the change of direction of transport of said film by said first and second guides totals about 75° to 95°, said second flat or concavely curved guide providing accumulation of film required to change the direction of transport of said film by about 75° to about 90° to a vertical direction into said second driven roller set;
• and
• a second driven guide roller spaced from said second guide and located below said first guide for contacting the surface of said film as it is guided by said second guide to assist in overcoming the beam strength of said film to allow the continued turning of said sheet;
• wherein during transport of said film by and between said first and second driven roller sets, only the leading and/or trailing edges of said film come into contact with said first and second guides.