Technicolor Inc.

Ronald W Corke

Richard J Goldberg

David M Gilmartin

Ronald W Jarvis

Steven Garlick

Lawrence A Curtis

Frank J Ricotta

A method is provided for transferring dye from a dye imbibed matrix film to a receiver film for producing a dye transfer print of a motion picture print. A dye imbibed matrix film and a receiver film are superimposed together in precise registration on a seating apparatus, e.g., a pin belt, to create a two-film sandwich. The two-film sandwich is stripped from the seating apparatus before completing dye transfer, and dye transfer from the matrix film to the receiver film is completed along a pinless, substantially rectilinear film path while maintaining the two-film sandwich in precise registration. For example, a transfer cabinet may be provided that includes a plurality of rollers having a predetermined relationship to one another and defining the substantially rectilinear film path, and the two-film sandwich may be directed along the film path to complete dye transfer.

Dye transfer apparatus and method for processing color motion picture film

A system for producing prints of a professional motion picture film by dye transfer, including a roll tank, a pin belt, and a transfer cabinet. A dye imbibed matrix film and blank film are superimposed together in a predetermined registration by rollers in the roll tank, creating a two-film sandwich, which is directed onto the pin belt. The pin belt includes a plurality of pins traveling in an orbital path, which detachably engage the two-film sandwich, thereby directing the two-film sandwich along a portion of the orbital path. The transfer cabinet includes a plurality of relatively large diameter rollers in a predetermined relationship to one another, and an elevator mechanism for adjusting the predetermined relationship. The rollers define a substantially rectilinear film path along which the two-film sandwich from the pin belt is directed. The film path has a length sufficient to allow complete dye transfer to occur at high drive speeds within the transfer cabinet. The two-film sandwich is then stripped apart. The blank film may be directed through three dye transfer systems in a continuous path, a single color dye being applied by each system to produce a three color finished print.

A method of transfering from dye from a dye imbibed matrix film and a receiver film for producing a dye transfer print of a motion picture print including the steps of seating a dye imbibed matrix film and a receiver film on a pin belt, driving the pin belt at a predetermined speed along an orbital path, engaging sprocket holes on the matrix and receiver films with precisely spaced pins on the pin belts, stripping the two-film sandwich from the pin belt prior to completion of dye transfer, completing dye transfer from the matrix film to the receiver film in a transfer cabinet and maintaining the two-film sandwich in precise registration during the step of completing dye transfer.

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Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom

Ronald W Corke