Apparatus for removing exposed films and backing strips from cassettes

Abstract

A container for exposed photographic roll film is so positioned in a film removing apparatus that the observation and exposure openings of its bridge register with a pivotable pusher which thereupon moves forwardly to expel the leader of the backing strip into the nip of a first pair of advancing rolls. The backing strip extracts the film from the takeup section of the container, and a deflector causes the leader of the film to enter a channel wherein the film advances toward a second pair of advancing rolls. The deflector and/or the first pair of advancing rolls defines for the backing strip a path which makes an angle of 30.degree.-60.degree. with the direction of travel of backing strip from the takeup section of the container toward the exposure opening. This insures that the film is not scratched during withdrawal, even if it is tightly wound onto the takeup reel and even if the dimensions of the container deviate from optimum dimensions. An orienting element disengages one edge face of the film from the adjacent flange of the bridge and causes the other edge face to bear against the other flange whereby the image-bearing central portion of the film remains out of contact with the container. The second advancing rolls rotate at a peripheral speed which exceeds the peripheral speed of the first advancing rolls so that the supply of film which accumulates in the channel is depleted and the film does not contact the surfaces which surround the channel.