Eastman-Kodak Company

Robert F Allen

Stephen M Reinke

James C Foote, Jr

Thomas A Cipolla

Paul E Bailey

Robert L Huseby

Thomas E Stark

Joseph A Watkins

William G Hoyt

William C Lebbon

Lyndon R Huttemann

David H Lancy

Dean B Campbell

Harold D Lowry

A substantially rectangular metal blank is formed about a mandrel (76) to provide a very open shell (28) having a pair of axially extending lips (20c,20t) separated by a distance sufficient to permit a prewound spool (10) or other product to be inserted radially, laterally into the shell prior to closing the shell about the spool or other product.

Apparatus for forming a very open shell for lateral loading of product

An apparatus and method are disclosed for forming a very open shell (28) having axially extending lips (20c,20t) spaced sufficiently far apart to permit a prewound spool of web material (10) to be inserted radially, laterally into the very open form shell, after which the shell is closed and end caps (24) are installed. Apparatus are disclosed for forming the very open form shell (40), transferring the shell to a mechanism for applying end caps (48), inserting a prewound spool of web material (56) into the very open shell, positioning the spool accurately within the shell (780-856), closing the shell about the spool (58) and staking the end caps in place (60).

Apparatus and method for forming and loading a magazine for prewound

An enclosed conduit such as a tube, and a method for processing webs with a liquid solution, wherein the web is positioned helically around the periphery of the tube. The tube has openings, such as being porous, at least in the helical path of the web. A liquid solution cushion or bearing is formed between the web and periphery of the tube in at least the helical path of the web by continuously directing the liquid solution outwardly through the openings. In one embodiment, the web is transported by drive rollers or belts against which the web is forced, and edge deflected between the convolutions of a helical rail or band wrapped around the periphery of the tube. In another embodiment, the tube is provided with axially spaced, radially extending protuberances on its periphery for edge deflecting the web along a helical path.

Conduit and method for processing webs with a liquid solution

A transport apparatus comprising a transport strip wrapped helically around a stationary porous conduit closed off at one end. Liquid under pressure is forced into the open end of the conduit and through the openings in the periphery of the porous conduit, producing a liquid layer between the outer conduit surface and transport strip. A web to be transported, of random length and width, is inserted between the transport strip and the outer surface of the porous conduit and becomes adjoined to the transport strip under the influence of liquid pressure and liquid cohesion. Thus, advancing the transport strip also advances the web, both being supported by the liquid layer which acts as a liquid bearing. Further, if the web is a photographic film or other processable material and the liquid is a suitable processing solution, the liquid layer also serves as a processing medium.

Web transport apparatus

Conduit for processing webs with a liquid solution

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Rochester, NY, United States of America

Robert F Allen