Eastman-kodak Company

John Philip Wysokowski

Ernest A Graff

Robert L Walton

Alan R Bentz

Scott Stickel

Kevin Peter Deuel

Mark D Abbey

An apparatus for measuring web planarity includes a horizontal reference surface and a light source for projecting a light pattern onto the reference surface at an angle. A web is supported above the reference surface. An imaging device detects (1) positions on the reference plane of interception of discrete regions of the projected light pattern and (2) respective positions on the web of interception of the same discrete regions of the projected light pattern. The imaging device determines the vertical offset of the respective positions on the web as a function of differences in the detected positions on the reference plane and the respective detected positions on the web. A measure of non-planarity of the web is calculated based upon a comparison of a plurality of such vertical offsets from a plurality of detected positions of the web.

Web planarity gauge and method

An apparatus and method for detecting the edge of a light sensitive photographic emulsion on a support is described. The method and apparatus include a pair of collimated infrared light sources for illuminating each edge of the support at an angle of incidence of greater than 0.degree. to about 45.degree.. Positioned above the edges of the support are a pair of CCD cameras. Light scattered by the support and emulsion is detected by the CCD cameras and the edges of the emulsion and the edges of the support are detectable. Signal means are used to generate a signal corresponding to the position of the emulsion on the support. A conventional guider receives the signal and positions the support accordingly.

Precision center guiding of a web coated with light sensitive

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Fairport, NY, United States of America

John Philip Wysokowski