US3763728A

US3763728A - Bimodal film cutter adapted to handle different film widths

Info

Publication number: US3763728A
Application number: US00222862A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Blackman
Original assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
Current assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
Priority date: 1972-02-02
Filing date: 1972-02-02
Publication date: 1973-10-09
Anticipated expiration: 1990-10-09

Abstract

A film cutter adapted to sever individual customer orders of varying film types, i.e., different width and perforation spacing, from a continuous film roll into a number of segments. Each film type has regularly spaced perforations of a particular pitch along one edge thereof. Depending upon the mode of operation (whether the splice frame leads the individual customer orders or trails the orders) the perforations may enter the cutter on alternate sides. A plurality of pin arrangements, one for each operational mode and film type, are provided to lock the film in position and initiate cutting. Depending upon the location of the film perforations and the widths of the film, a proper pin arrangement is selected. At the time at which it is desired to make a cut in the film, the selected pin arrangement is caused to engage the film for insertion within the next following perforation. The insertion of the pin will activate switches which stop the film drive and actuate the film cut-off knife to accomplish the desired film cutting.

Description

United States Patent Blackman BIMODAL FILM CUTTER ADAPTED TO HANDLE DIFFERENT FILM WIDTHS [75] Inventor: Robert J. Blackman, Rochester,

N.Y. I

[73] Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company,

Rochester, N.Y.

[22] Filed: Feb. 2, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 222,862

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,699,834 10/1972 Bracken 83/446 3,174,374 3/1965 Wick et a1. 83/210 3,465,624 9/1969 Becker 83/210 X 3,699,832 10/1972 Smith et al 83/210 [451 Oct. 9, 1973 Primary Examiner-Frank T. Yost Attorney-W. H. J. Kline et a1.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A film cutter adapted to sever individual customer orders of varying film types, i.e., different width and perforation spacing, from a continuous film roll into a number of segments. Each film type has regularly spaced perforations of a particular pitch along one edge thereof. Depending upon the mode of operation (whether the splice frame leads the individual customer orders or trails the orders) the perforations may enter the cutter on alternate sides. A plurality of pin arrangements, one for each operational mode and film type, are provided to lock the film in position and initiate cutting. Depending upon the location of the film perforations and the widths of the film, a proper pin arrangement is selected. At the time at which it is desired to make a cut in the film, the selected pin arrangement is caused to engage the film for insertion within the next following perforation. The insertion of the pin will activate switches which stop the film drive and actuate the film cut-off knife to accomplish the desired film cutting.

15 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 1 BIMODAL FILM CUTTER ADAPTED TO HANDLE DIFFERENT FILM WIDTI-IS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Reference is hereby made to commonly assigned, copending U.S. Pat. Application No. 134,791, entitled APPARATUS FOR CORRELATING REJECTED PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS WITH CORRESPOND- ING Pl-IOTOGRAPHIC NEGATIVES, filed in the name of Gerald C. Smith on Apr. 16, 1971 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,706,373 issued Dec. 19, 1972; U.S. Pat. Application No. 134,786, entitled APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING THE PACKAGING AND PRICING OF PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS, filed in the names of Thomas W. Bracken, Thomas C. Laughon, and Gerald C. Smith on Apr. 16, 1971 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,718,807 issued Feb. 27, I973; U.S. Pat. Application No. 134,789, entitled CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR AUTO- MATING THE OPERATION OF A FILM CUTTER OR LIKE APPARATUS, filed in the names of Gerald C. Smith and Raymond J. Williams on Apr. 16, 1971 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,699,832 issued Oct. 24, 1.972; and U.S. Pat. Application No. 134,788, entitled BI- MODAL FILM CUTTER ADAPTED TO HANDLE DIFFERENT FILM WIDTHS, filed in the name of Thomas W. Bracken on Apr. 16, 1971 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,699,834 issued Oct. 24, 1972.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to film cutters and, more particularly, to film cutters'which are adapted to handle films of different width and perforation spacing in either of two modes of operation.

2. Description of the Prior Art In recent years, cameras which use 126 type film have gained widespread popularity. Such cameras use film which has regularly spaced edge perforations and feature film drive mechanisms which advance such film in the camera, via these perforations, in substantially equal increments. Thus, the exposed film will have a givennumber of latent images or frames equally spaced thereon, each frame having one perforation associated therewith. Such a feature was a departure from what had been done heretofore with respect to perforated roll film, as for example in 35mm cameras, which use film having regularly spaced edge perforations which are in random orientation with respect to the exposed frames.

The recent development of a 1 type film which like 126 type film has regularly spaced perforations but is of different width and perforation pitch presents the need for photofinishing apparatus with capabilities of handling more than one type film of the regular perforation spacing kind.

When the 110 or 126 type film is received from customers, the individual customer rolls, which may be of twelve or twenty frame length, are joined for processing by opaque splices to which are affixed a twincheck or coded labelidentifying a particular customer order. The large, continuous roll formed thereby is developed and printed. However, in order to return the finished order to the customer, the large roll of film must be cut, preferably for ease of handling, into segments which are even shorter than the lengths of the original twelve or twenty frame rolls received from the customer.

Various film cutters have been designed and are known in the prior art for handling one type of film. Some of these film cutters are essentially manually operated and require constant operator interaction to achieve the desired results. An example of such a manual film cutter is the Byers Film Cutter, Model 126 manufactured by the Byers Photo Equipment Company of Portland, Oregon. An example of an automated film cutter of this type is the Fox Continuous 126 Film Cutter, manufactured by F ox-Stanley Photo Products, Inc., of San Antonio, Texas.

However, neither of the above film cutters is adapted to handle both and 126 type film. Furthermore, such prior art film cutters cannot handle, in most cases, the large, continuous rolls made up of spliced together customer orders when the splice frame leads the individual customer orders.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a film cutter which is adapted to handle different film types e.g. 126 type film and 1 10 type film.

Another primary object is to provide a film cutter for handling films which have different widths and regular perforation spacings of different pitch.

A further object is to provide such film cutters adapted to handle large continuous rolls regardless of whether the splice frame leads or trails the individual customer order.

Accordingly there is provided a film cutter having unique film engaging assemblies adjacent the opposite edges of the film bed thereof. The film engaging assemblies are comprised of a plurality of film engaging pins in a relationship corresponding to perforations of the film types to be handled, the film engaging assemblies being selectively adjustable to bring the proper set of pins into position for engagement of the perforations depending upon the film type being acted upon. On a command signal after a selected film advances the action of the particular film engaging pins which have been properly positioned for film engagement is initiated. Switches are provided which, based on the position of the film engaging assembly, control activation of the film drive advance and the film cut-off knife.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view partially cut away of a film cutter embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the film engaging assemblies and the actuating mechanisms therefor;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the film cutter showing an alternative embodiment of the film edge guide;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of one of the film engaging assemblies in position to engage the film;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of one of the film engaging assemblies in its fully engaged position;

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of the apparatus for automating the operation of a film cutter embodying the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a film cutter 10 having a housing 12 supporting a film guide bed 14, the bed in turn having guide edges 15, a thereon. Adjacent one end of the housing 12 is a film cutter blade 16 mounted on the output shaft 18 of a cutter blade drive motor 20, the cutter blade motor being actuated at specific intervals as described hereinbelow. The film F to be cut by the film cutter 10 comes from a large continuous roll of film made up of spliced together segments of customer order film. The types of film handled by the apparatus are generically characterized by regularly spaced perforations P adjacent one edge, each perforation corresponding to one of the exposed frames on the film. The width of the continuous roll of film is dependent upon the particular film type of the smaller spliced together customer film rolls.

In practice the continuous rolls of film may be fed from a supply station (not shown) to the cutter 10 with the splice frame leading each customer order, i.e., the last frame first mode of operation (hereinafter LF F or with the splice frame trailing each customer order, i.e., the first frame first mode of operation (hereinafter FFF). Typically the customers orders to be cut are of 12 or 20 frame lengths, these different lengths being intermingled in a larger roll. They are however spliced together with the film perforations all on one edge. In order to fit the severed film segments into envelopes for return to the customer, it is preferred to have the segments be of four frame length, except for the segment carrying the splice frame which is of five frame length.

A 12 frame customer order would then be severed in LFF operation into segments of five, four and then four frame length. In FFF operation the segments would be cut in four, four and then five frame length. A 20 frame customer order would likewise be severed into segments of five, four, four, four, and then four frame length in LFF operation or into segments of four, four, four, four, and then five frame length in FFF operation. It should be noted that while the segments lengths are conveniently choosen to be of maximum four frame length, other lengths can be readily accomplished if desired.

The film F having perforations P is driven through the film cutter bed 14 by means of a drive roller (not shown) and a cooperating pinch roller 22 such that the edge of the film having the perforations P is against one of the

edges

15, 15a of the bed 14. In order to insure proper stoppage of the film for appropriate cutting action,

film engaging assemblies

24, 24 are provided. Two

such assemblies

24, 24 are necessitated by the fact that the perforations P of the film F will be against either

edge

15 or 15a of the film bed 14 depending upon the mode of operation of the film (i.e., LFF or FFF). One assembly (such as 24 in the drawings) is oriented to be in an operative position adjacent one edge while the other (such as 24' in the drawings) is retained in an inoperative position adjacent the opposite edge, as explained hereinbelow.

As shown in FIG. 2, the film engaging assembly 24 is comprised of an elongated rod 26 having a control knob 28 mounted at one end thereof, the control knob 28 including a pointer 30 to indicate the state of operation of the assembly 24 both as to mode as well as film type by pointing to appropriate markings on the film bed 14. (It is of course understood that assembly 24 and its associated switches are of similar construction with like elements being designated by corresponding primed numbers.) At the opposite end of the shaft of the rod 26 is a transverse arm 32 having switch engaging means 34 located at the outer extremities thereof. Mounted on the rod 26, intermediate the ends thereof, is a base 36 supporting a plurality of

pins

38, 38a, 40, and 40a. The

pins

38 and 38a form a first film engagement set having a pitch, or separation distance, equal to that of the distance between perforations in a particular film type. The

pins

40, 40a, form a second film engagement set, their pitch being somewhat different than that of

pins

38 and 38a depending upon the particular film type which the

pins

40 and 40a are adapted to engage. It is of course understood that additional sets of pins may be provided depending upon the types of films being handled.

Depending on film type, the perforations P may be located at varying distances from the edge of the film F. This variation may be accounted for by setting the locations of the sets of

pins

38, 38a or 40, 40a at appropriate distances from the longitudinal axis of the rod 26 so as to insure proper alignment with the perforations. Another means for aligning the pins and perforations is shown in FIG. 3. In this embodiment the pin sets are equidistant from the longitudinal axis of the rod 26 and perforation alignment is accomplished by providing a movable film edge guide 15b. A cam 41 mounted on the rod 26 will selectively move the edge guide 15b against the bias of springs 42 for association with a particular film type such that when the proper pin set is selected by rotation of shaft 26 the location of edge guide 15b will correspondingly be set by cam 41 to insure alignment between the pins and the perforations P.

Adjacent the base 36 are film advance length switches 44, 46 which control actuation of the film drive dependent upon the type of film being acted upon. Extending from the base 36 is a switch actuating cam 43 which will actuate either film

advance length switch

44 or 46 depending upon the orientation of the base 36 which is selected according to the type of film moving through the cutter 10.

The film engaging assembly 24 is urged to a film engaging position by means of a spring 48 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) which is located between a base 50 within the housing 12 and a cross pin 52 fixed to the rod 26 of the assembly 24. The assembly 24 is maintained in a film disengaged (ready) position against the bias of the spring 48 by a holddown solenoid 54 which is connected through a link 56 to a pivot plate 58 pivoted to the housing 12 (as at 60). Action of the solenoid 54 to control the plate 58 is dependent upon the photocell 62 and photocell detector 62a, which count the number of perforations P in the film F, and the photocell 64 and detector 64a, which count the number of splices which pass thereby. When the selected number of perforations and splices have been counted (depending upon whether the cutter 10 is operating in a LFF or FFF mode) the holddown solenoid 54 will be deactivated so as to permit the film engaging assembly 24 to move upwardly under the bias of spring 48.

The

pins

38 and 40 are made somewhat longer than the

pins

38a and 40a such that the pin 38 (or 40 depending on the film type in the cutter 10) will engage the film F first and cause it to bow slightly as shown in FIG. 4 until the next following perforation P passes over the film at which time the pin will engage the perforation to stop the film. As the film F snaps down over the pin 38 (40) the shorter pin 38a (40a) will engage the next following perforation so as to lock the film in position between the pins, see FIG. 4. At this point the film advance length switch 44 (46) will be released and transverse shaft 32 will be at such an elevation that the switch engaging means 34 will engage the cut-off switch 66 which breaks the circuit to the film drive mechanism (either stopping the drive roller or releasing the pressure roller 22) and closes the circuit to the cutter blade motor 20 to operate the cutter blade 16.

As noted above, only one of the

film engaging assemblies

24, 24 will be positioned so as to be operative to engage the film perforations P depending upon the mode of operation in which the film is progressing through the cutter l (i.e., depending on which edge the film perforations are located against) while the opposite assembly must be maintained in its inactive position. This is accomplished by a cam mechanism 68, 68' fixed to the base 50 and surrounding the bottom of the rod 26, 26', the cam mechanisms 68 and 68' having

vertical grooves

70, 72 and 70' 72' respectively which are spaced 90 to each other about the mechanism and are of different lengths. When one of the transverse rods (32 or 32') is oriented to ride in the long vertical groove (72 or 72) by rotation of the appropriate control knob (28 or 28'), the other transverse rod is rotated so that its respective transverse shaft is in the shorter vertical groove and upward travel of that film engaging assembly is limited such that no film engaging action is permitted.

In the overall sequence of operation of the film cutter 10, a continuous roll of customer film is prepared for cutting and a visual determination is made of the film type and mode of operation. With this determination having been made, the film engaging assemblies 24, 24' can be correctly positioned by turning the control knobs 28, 28' so that both the film type and desired mode of operation are accounted for. That is to say, one assembly 24 may be moved to its inactive position while the other 24, adjacent the edge of the film bed 14 at which the perforation P will occur, is operatively positioned such that film engaging pins of correct pitch (based on film type) will be located to provide film engagement at the appropriate time. The operatively positioned assembly 24 will engage the appropriate film advance length switch 44 (46) to control film advance length. At this point the film cutter 10 is in a ready state in which fully automatic operation will take place upon energization of the film drive mechanism and the perforation detectors.

FIG. diagrammatically shows a simplified block diagram of the elements of the apparatus for automating the operation of the cutting action for the film cutter 10. With the film drive activated to feed film F through the cutter against one edge a of the bed 14 and the

photocells

62, 64 energized, a control circuit 74 having a signal generator 75 responsive to the periodic signals generated by the perforation detector 62a generates a cut signal after passage of a predetermined number of counts by the detector 62, five in the LFF mode of operation. The cut signal deenergizes the holddown solenoid 54 allowing the selected film engaging assembly 24 to be moved toward the film engaging position as biased thereto by the spring 48, whereupon the

pins

38 and 38a (or 40 and 40a depending on film type) will ride under the driven film to engage the next following edge perforation in the manner described above.

As the film engaging assembly moves to the film engaging position, the switch engaging means 34 will set the cut-off switch 66 which in turn will deenergize the film drive solenoid '76 to halt the film drive and energize the cutter solenoid 76 to halt the film drive and energize the cutter solenoid 78 which controls the cutter blade motor 20 to actuate the cutter blade 16 severing the advanced frame segment of the film F. A delay circuit 80, having a time constant which is choosen to be greater than the time necessary for the cutter blade motor 20 to cycle the cutter blade 16, is interposed in the arrangement so as to delay reenergization of the holddown solenoid 54. After the delay period, the holddown solenoid 54 is reenergized, this action causing a resetting of the film engaging assembly 24 whereupon switch actuating cam 43 will engage film advance length switch 44 (or 46) to reinitiate the film drive.

Additional film segments of four frame length are then automatically out until the splice frame S is sensed by the splice detector 64a. The signal from the detector 64a causes control circuit 74 to halt further operation until the severed customer order is withdrawn from an exit port (not shown) provided in the cutter housing 12. Removal of the severed strips starts the cutting cycle once again and the entire operation is repeated until the large continuous roll of film is segmented. In FFF operation the film F will be fed against edge 15 of the bed 14 and photocells 62', 64' will be energized. Since in this mode the splice frame S trails the customer orders, the film segments are cut in reverse; that is the five frame segment is cut last. In all other respects, however, operation of the cutter 10 in the FFF mode of operation is as described for LFF operation.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A film handling apparatus for accommodating a plurality of film types, all such types being generically characterized by having regularly spaced perforations along one edge thereof and each type being specifically characterized by unique width and perforation pitch, said apparatus comprising a film bed having first and second longitudinal edges for supporting the different film types, first means associated with said film bed including a base adjacent said first longitudinal edge of said film bed, said base having a plurality of film engaging members positioned thereon, said film engaging members adapted to engage different film types, said first means being selectively positionable for engaging the perforations of a film type to be accommodated; second means associated with said film bed including a base adjacent said second longitudinal edge of said film bed, said base having a plurality of film engaging members positioned thereon, said film engaging members adapted to engage different film types, said second means being selectively positionable for engaging perforations of a film type to be accommodated; and means for selectively positioning said first means and second means to permit proper engagement of said film engaging members thereof with such film perforations depending on the film type to be accommodated.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said film engaging members are a plurality of pins.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for selectively positioning said first and second means includes an elongated shaft extending through and integral with each of said bases, each of said shafts having means at one end to control the position thereof about the longitudinal axis of said shaft and vertical position control means at the opposite end of said shaft to permit said shaft to be placed in a first position capable of film engagement or a second position in which film engagement is prohibited, and biasing means constantly urging said shaft toward said first position.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said film engaging members comprise a plurality of pins arranged in sets, each of said pairs of sets positioned on said base so as to be in alignment with the position of the film perforations when said set is moved to a film engaging position, each of the pins of said sets of pins being separated by a distance corresponding to the pitch of a different type of film.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein each of said sets of pins is located on said base a distance from the longitudinal axis of said elongated shaft equal to the distance of the perforations of a respective type of film from the longitudinal axis of said elongated shaft.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein each of said sets of pins is located on said base at equal distances from the longitudinal axis of said elongated shaft and wherein means are provided for moving said longitudinal edge of said film bed so as to always position the film so that the perforations of each type thereof are at distance from the longitudinal axis equal to said distance of said pin sets from said longitudinal axis.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means for moving said longitudinal edge of said film bed include a cam fixed to said elongated shaft, said cam having an actuating surface positioned to engage said longitudinal edge of said film bed such that when said shaft is rotated to orient a particular set of pins for film engagement, the respective position of said longitudinal edge of said film bed is accordingly determined.

8. A film cutting apparatus capable of accommodating a plurality of spliced film rolls of varying types and unique widths, the film generically characterized by having perforations along the edge thereof, said film cutter comprising: a housing having side walls and a base; a film bed fixed to said housing having a first edge and a second edge parallel thereto spaced therefrom at such a distance so as to permit passage of the widest film segment; film drive means for driving film of any desired type through said film bed such that the film edge perforations are selectively against said first edge or said second edge of said film bed; cutter means selectively actuatable to cut the film into desired lengths; film perforation engaging means associated with said housing, said film perforation engaging means including a first rod assembly adjacent said first edge of said film bed, positioning means for selective positioning of said first rod assembly between a first position capable of film engagement and a second position in which film engagement is prohibited, a second rod assembly adjacent said second edge of said film bed, positioning means for selective positioning of said second rod assembly between a first position capable of film engagement and a second position in which film engagement is prohibited, said first and second rod assemblies being selectively positionable to engage perforations of a plurality of desired film types whether the perforations are against said first edge or said second edge; detection means for counting the perforations and splices; and a control circuit receiving signals from said detectors,

said control circuit adapted to initiate selectively automatic film perforation engagement by said film perforation engaging means and film cutting by said cutter means to cut the film into desired lengths.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said each of said rod assemblies includes an elongated shaft, a base integral with said shaft intermediate its length, a plurality of film engaging members to engage different types of films supported by said base, means fixed to one end of said elongated shaft for imparting selective rotation thereto whereby a proper film engaging member may be brought into position to permit film engagement, a transverse shaft fixed to the opposite end of said elongated shaft for engagement with said positioning means, and means on the ends of said transverse shaft for selective engagement with said control circuit.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said film engaging members comprise a plurality of sets of pins located on said base so as to be in registry with the positions of the film perforations when said set is moved to a film engaging position, each of said sets of pins being of such a size and configuration so as to correspond to the pitch of a different film type.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein first position capable of film engagement of each of said first and second rod assemblies includes a ready position out of film engagement and a fully film engaging position, and wherein said film perforation engaging means further includes biasing means for urging each of said rod assemblies toward said fully film engaging position, and holddown means for selectively maintaining each of said rod assemblies in said ready position against the bias of said biasing means.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said holddown means includes a platform supported by said housing beneath said film bed, a holddown solenoid fixed to said platform, a plate pivotably supported by said housing intercepting said rod assemblies, and linkage connecting said holddown solenoid with said plate.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said positioning means includes a first cam fixed to said platform adjacent said elongated shaft of said first rod assembly, said cam having a cam surface oriented such that when engaged by said transverse shaft thereof said first rod assembly is movable between said first and second positions, and a second cam fixed to said platform adjacent said elongated shaft of said second rod assembly, said cam having a cam surface oriented such that when engaged by said transverse shaft thereof said second rod assembly is movable between said first and second positions, and wherein one selected rod assembly is in the ready position of its first position while said other rod assembly is maintained in its second position.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said control means includes a signal generator electrically associated with said detectors to generate a cut signal upon receipt of specific number of counts, said cut signal being transmitted to said holddown solenoid for actuation thereof whereby said solenoid will permit said plate to pivot against the bias of said biasing means to move said selected rod assembly from said ready position to its film engaging position, a cut-off switch fixed to said housing adjacent said rod assembly base and positioned to be actuated thereby when said selected rod assembly moves to its film engaging position to deactivate said film drive means and activate said film cutter means, a delay circuit which provides for repositioning said holddown solenoid to move said selected rod assembly back to its ready position after a specific interval of time, and a series of film advance length switches, one for each type film to be handled, positioned adjacent said base of said rod assemblies such that movement of said selected rod assembly to said ready position will actuate a particular film advance length switch depending upon film type being acted upon.

15. A film handling apparatus for accommodating a plurality of film types, all such types being generically characterized by having regularly spaced perforations along one edge thereof and each type being specifically characterized by unique width and perforation pitch, said apparatus comprising a film bed having first and cent said one edge of said bed.

#5 k i =i

Claims

8. A film cutting apparatus capable of accommodating a plurality of spliced film rolls of varying types and unique widths, the film generically characterized by having perforations along the edge thereof, said film cutter comprising: a housing having side walls and a base; a film bed fixed to said housing having a first edge and a second edge parallel thereto spaced therefrom at such a distance so as to permit passage of the widest film segment; film drive means for driving film of any desired type through said film bed such that the film edge perforations are selectively against said first edge or said second edge of said film bed; cutter means selectively actuatable to cut the film into desired lengths; film perforation engaging means associated with said housing, said film perforation engaging means including a first rod assembly adjacent said first edge of said film bed, positioning means for selective positioning of said first rod assembly between a first position capable of film engagement and a second position in which film engagement is prohibited, a second rod assembly adjacent said second edge of said film bed, positioning means for selective positioning of said second rod assembly between a first position capable of film engagement and a second position in which film engagement is prohibited, said first and second rod assemblies being selectively positionable to engage perforations of a plurality of desired film types whether the perforations are against said first edge or said second edge; detection means for counting the perforations and splices; and a control circuit receiving signals from said detectors, said control circuit adapted to initiate selectively automatic film perforation engagement by said film perforation engaging means and film cutting by said cutter means to cut the film into desired lengths.

15. A film handling apparatus for accommodating a plurality of film types, all such types being generically characterized by having regularly spaced perforations along one edge thereof and each type being specifically characterized by unique width and perforation pitch, said apparatus comprising a film bed having first and second longitudinal edges for supporting the different film types, film perforation engaging means including a base movably mounted adjacent one longitudinal edge of said film bed, said base having a plurality of pairs of perforation engaging members positioned thereon, said pairs of perforation engaging members respectively adapted to engage different film types, and means for selectively positioning said film perforation engaging means, depending on the film type to be accommodated, to permit proper engagement of the appropriate perforation engaging members with the film perforations of film oriented with its perforations adjacent said one edge of said bed.