Eastman-kodak Company

Jan A Chrisler

Scott M Fitzgerald

Daniel M Pagano

Frederick J Oleson

Thomas M Smith

Thomas D Jensen

Robert W Easterly

Dana A Carlile

Alan T Brewen

Patrick J Argento

Fred John Oleson

Jeffrey M Steele

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a method is described for ultrasonically splicing together overlapping ends of first and second lengths of photographic film strips of common film strip width with a film splicer employing a stationary elongated ultrasonic horn positioned on one side of the overlapping film strip ends in the width direction and a relatively movable anvil positioned on the opposite side of the overlapping film strip ends which traverses across the overlapping film ends by sliding or rolling in the length direction of the horn while the horn is ultrasonically vibrated and which provides pressure to the overlapping film ends while traversing across the overlapping film ends such that ultrasonic energy from the horn is transferred to the overlapping film ends effecting an ultrasonic weld between such film ends, wherein one of the first and second lengths of photographic film strips comprises an acetate based film strip and the other of the first and second lengths of photographic film strips comprises an acetate based film strip or a polyester based film strip, and wherein the product of the anvil pressure and anvil traverse rate is less than 6.0 kg,mm/sec when the anvil is slid across the overlapping film ends and less than 3.5 kg.mm/sec when the anvil is rolled across the overlapping film ends. The method enables the use of existing commercially available ultrasonic splicers to splice either polyester-based films to acetate-based films or acetate-based films to themselves and provide an adequate level of splice strength and smoothness.

Ultrasonic splicing of photographic film strips

A film cleaning apparatus and method includes a cleaning member with at least one self-loading cleaning surface or pad mounted directly over the film, such that when assembled, the cleaning surface or pad applies a force onto the film. The cleaning member of the present invention is preferably provided upstream of a magnetic head with respect to a direction of travel of the film in an imaging apparatus. The cleaning member of the present invention contacts the film with a sufficient load or force to clean the film and preferably, the opposing magnetic tracks of the film, prior to the film passing the magnetic heads or reaching the magnetic head area.

Photographic film cleaning apparatus and method

A method and apparatus for making a shaped-spring assembly. The method and apparatus utilizes a spring forming apparatus which facilitates the forming of shaped springs without adversely effecting the characteristics of the spring, and a magazine arrangement which stores and loads shaped springs, while maintaining the shape of the springs. The magazine arrangement further permits the storage of a plurality of the shaped springs without fatiguing a leading edge of the spring. With the apparatus and method of the present invention, it is possible to load empty shaped spring cavities at a select location, such as at a field site, and also have a steady supply of shaped springs available for quick replacement. The forming apparatus is designed so as to easily cooperate and/or be mounted onto the magazine arrangement so as to facilitate the transfer of shape springs which are shaped by the forming apparatus into the magazine arrangement.

Apparatus and method for making a shaped-spring assembly for use in a magnetic head-to-media backer device

A recording head apparatus includes a first rigid frame (80); a magnetic head (14) supported by the first frame; a head-to-medium backer device (18; 37) including a second rigid frame (24; 38) supporting an elastically deformable leaf spring (20; 40) for engaging a magnetic medium (16) to urge the medium into contact with the head; a carrier (100) supported on the first frame for movement toward or away from the head, the backer device being supported by the carrier; and a spring member (110) for biasing the carrier toward the head, the carrier and backer device being moveable away from the head against the bias of the spring member to permit the head to be cleaned without requiring disassembly of the apparatus.

Apparatus for backing a magnetic medium in contact with a magnetic

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Rochester, NY, United States of America

Jan A Chrisler