Dispensing device for dispensing film splicing tape

June 9, 1964

W. K. BENDER

DISPENSING DEVICE FOR DISPENSING FILM

Filed April 11, 1961

3,136,679

SPLICING TAPE

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INVENTOR.

WERNER K. BENDER

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Attorneys

June 9, 1964

W. K. BENDER

3,136,679

DISPENSING DEVICE FOR DISPENSING FILM SPLICING TAPE

Filed April 11, 1961

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AtTOHVEYS

3,136,679

Patented June 9, 1964

United States Patent Office

3,136,679

DISPENSING DEVICE FOR DISPENSING FILM SPLICING TAPE

Werner K. Bender, PlainviHe, Conn., assignor to The Ka'art Company Inc., Plainville, Conn.

Filed Apr. 11,1961, Ser. No. 102,302

Claims. (Cl. 156—505)

The present invention relates to splicing tape as used for butt splicing of motion picture film, and more particularly to a device for dispensing such tape.

Butt splicing of motion picture film, especially of 8 mm. or 16 mm. film as is predominately used by amateurs, is effected by suitably trimming the edges of the film ends to be spliced, placing the trimmed edegs in abutting relationship and then bridging the abutting edges by adhering to the film ends a piece of suitable pressure adhesive light-transmitting film. Polyester tape having a thickness of about 1.5 mils known under the trademark Mylar, a product of the Du Pont de Nemours Company, is widely used for the purpose and readily available in the market. The splicing tape is frequently marketed in the form of so-called splicing patches consisting of a precut length of splicing tape coated on one side with a pressure adhesive and protected by strips of paper which are peeled off when and while the splice is made. Both the tape and the protective paper generally have sprocket holes which are placed in registry with the sprocket holes of the motion picture film sections to be spliced.

It is a broad object of the invention to provide a novel and improved tape dispensing device which accommodates a supply of splicing patches in the form of paper protected precut splicing tape of the kind above referred to and from which individual patches can be withdrawn in a convenient and rapid manner.

A more specific object of the invention is to· provide a novel and improved dispensing device of the general kind above referred to, in which the splicing patches are fixedly secured at stub ends of the patches and from which individual patches may be withdrawn by separating the patch from its stub which is left in the device.

Another more specific object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved dispensing device of the general kind above referred to in which the patches are arranged in one or in several superimposed layers in a flat folder by securing stub ends of the patches to a wall portion of the folder.

Still another more specific object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved dispensing device, wall portions of which are utilized to support a butt splicing device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved splicing patch which is simpler to handle than splicing patches as heretofore known, less expensive and yet affords the same protection of the splicing tape.

A still further object of the invention is to provide patches of the kind hereinbefore referred to in the form of a continuous strip from which sections of appropriate length are severable for insertion in the aforesaid dispensing device to be individually withdrawn therefrom when and as needed.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be pointed out hereinafter and set forth in the appended claims constituting part of the application.

In the accompanying drawing several preferred embodiments of the invention are shown by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing device according to the invention.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a splicing patch being readied for use.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of several layers of splicing patches as inserted in the dispensing device.

FIG. 3 is a view of stock material from which appropriate sections may be severed for insertion in the dispensing device.

FIG. 4 is a cross section of FIG. 2 taken on line 4—4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a dispensing device also including a butt splicing device, and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a dispensing device with a modified butt splicing device.

Referring now to the figures in detail, the dispensing device as exemplified in FIG. 1 comprises a folder 10 formed of a strip of suitable pliable material such as heavy paper or thin cardboard. The strip has a first fold line 11 to define a cover 12 and a base 13. Base 13 is somewhat longer than cover 12 and has a second fold line 14 to define a wall portion 13α which is bent back to form a pocket 15 used to accommodate one or several layers of splicing tape 16. FIG. 2 shows four layers 16 by way of example. Of course, more or less layers may be used. The layers are secured in superimposed relationship in the pocket 15 by any suitable means such as staples 17 or eyelet rivets.

Each of the splicing patches comprises a length of splicing tape 18. The splicing tape is cut from a sheet of very thin light transmitting sheet material made of a suitable plastic such as Mylar. The material is supplied in sheets or rolls from which pieces of appropriate length may be cut. The tape is then coated on one side with a suitable pressure adhesive. Adhesives of that kind are widely known and readily available in the market. The composition of the adhesive does not constitute part of the invention; any of the available pressure adhesives may be used. The tape is protected on its coated side by strips 19 and 20 of suitable backing material such as paper. The two strips meet at about the middle of the tape along a transverse line 21. Of course, the paper backing may be initially one length of paper then split along line 21. The backing strips protrude at both ends from splicing tape 18. Backing strip 19 is preferably somewhat longer than strip 20 to form a stub 19α which is inserted in pocket 15 of folder 10. Stub 19α is separated from the main portion of backing strip 19 by a tear line 22 such as a perforated line.

The splicing tape 18 and backing strips 19 and 20 are formed with sprocket holes 23 which are spaced in accordance with the standard spacing of the sprocket holes of motion picture film. Lug portion 19α of strip 19 is preferably left free of sprocket holes to give greater strength to that portion. The splicing patch is shown as having only one row of sprocket holes as is customary for 8 mm. film. Of course, the splicing patch can also be given a width suitable for wider film such as 16 mm. film in which case two rows of sprocket holes are provided.

The package just described, is herein referred to as a splicing patch. FIG. 1A shows a splicing patch after withdrawal from the supply in the dispensing device by tearing off the patch along perforated line 22. The patch as shown in FIG. 1A is ready for use.

The manner in which a butt splice of two sections of film is made by means of a splicing patch as shown in FIG. 1A, is presumed to be well understood and known in the art. It suffices to state that first one of the backing strips is removed by peeling the strip starting from the split line 21. FIG. 1A indicates the peeling operation for backing strip 20. The now exposed half of splicing tape 18 is then adhered to one of the film ends by pressing the exposed tape part upon the film in a position such that the sprocket holes 23 of the tape are in registry

3,136,679 as accurately as conveniently practical with the sprocket holes of the film. Then the end of the other film is aligned in abutting relationshp with the film end to which the splicing tape is already adhered. The second backing strip 19 is now peeled off and the thus exposed other 5 half of tape 18 is pressed upon the end of the second film. It is generally advisable to adhere a splicing tape to both sides of the film ends to be joined.

While splicing patches as used in the dispensing device may be individually produced, or in the form of a con- 10 tinuous strip having a width adequate for one patch and from which individual patches are then severed, it is more convenient and economical to produce stock material in the form of a continuous strip as shown in FIGS.

and 4. The stock material according to these figures 15 comprises a continuous backing strip 25 split along the line 21 to define the aforedescribed backing strips 19 and 20. A continuous strip 26 of adhesive coated tape 18 having a width corresponding to the required width or rather length of tape 18 as used in the patch is adhered to 20 strip 25 centered about line 21. Both the backing strip 25 and tape strip 26 are slotted by cutting transverse slots 27 which are spaced in accordance with the required width of each patch. Slots 27 start at one longitudinal edge of strip 25 and terminate short of the opposite longi- 25 tudinal edge to define lug portions 19α of the patches. Each of the strip portions defined and separated by slots 27 is formed with sprocket holes 23. As may be noted the lug portion 19α is left free of sprocket holes. The stock material is further formed with the lengthwise ex- 30 tending perforated line 22 to facilitate the separation of the splicing patch proper (see FIG. 1A) from its stub.

As is now readily apparent, the dispensing device according to FIG. 1 is loaded by cutting appropriate strip portions from the stock material of FIG. 3, superimpos- 35 ing any desired number of pieces if several layers are desired and stapling the superimposed pieces in the pocket of the device. The device may be closed by folding cover 12 over base 13.

Withdrawal of individual patches is effected by simply 40 tearing the same off along line 22. Each layer has in effect a common stub portion extending across the width of the folder. All the stub portions remain in the pocket. After the dispensing device is empty, it may be discarded.

The dispensing device as shown in FIG. 5 is similar 45 to that shown in FIG. 1 and, accordingly, the same reference numerals are used to designate corresponding parts. According to FIG. 5 the dispensing device is structurally combined with a butt splicing device by using the folder 10 as support for the parts of the butt splicing device 50 and also for moving the parts of the splicing device into and out of the operating position.

The splicing device of FIG. 5 comprises a splicer plate 30 from which several film locating pins 31 protrude. Pins 31 may be secured to plate 30, but it is generally more practical and economical to extrude the pins from the material of the plate. The plate may be secured to the outer surface of strip portion 13α by any suitable means such as cementing or riveting. Edge 30α is used as a shearing or cutting edge of the splicer and for that ⁶⁰reason is preferably a sharp edge. Pins 31 are spaced in accordance with the standard spacing of the sprocket holes of motion picture film and further so that if a film is placed upon the pins the distance between the right hand pin and edge 30α corresponds to the line at which a film should be cut to assure proper spacing of the sprocket holes of two film ends joined by butt splicing. The location of the locating pins of a butt splicer in reference to the cutting edge thereof is well known in the 70 art.

The splicing device further comprises a cover or pressure plate 32 which is secured to the inside of cover 12 of folder 10 by any suitable means such as cementing. Cover plate 32 is formed with apertures 33 spaced in con- 75 formity with locating pins 31 so that when cover 12 is folded upon base 13 apertures 33 will receive pins 31.

Cover plate 32 mounts a shearing or cutting blade 34 which is formed by providing a recess 32α in plate 32. The recess defines a tongue which constitutes blade 34 and preferably somewhat extended to provide a finger grip. Blade 34 has a shearing or cutting edge 34α located to coact with cutting edge 30α.

The splicer is used by placing a length of film to the trimmed upon pins 31. Cover plate 32 is then fitted upon plate 30 and the film may be trimmed by pressing upon blade 34 in the usual manner. After both film portions are thus trimmed they may be spliced in the manner previously described.

FIG. 6 shows a simplified form of the splicing device. The dispensing device is the same as has been described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 5 and, accordingly, the same numerals are used to designate corresponding parts.

The splicer according to FIG. 6 comprises a base plate or strip 40 made of a springy metal and mounting appropriately spaced film locating pins 41. Plate 40 is slotted at 42 to define a cutting or trimming blade 40α which is preferably extended beyond the width of plate 40. The edge 40Z&gt; of the slot facing blade 40α serves as a cutting or trimming edge.

Trimming of a film is effected by slipping a film to be trimmed beneath the slightly bent-up blade 40α and fitting the sprocket holes of the film upon pins 41. The film edge is then trimmed by pressing down the cutting blade. The location of pin 41α is selected in accordance with the well-known requirements of butt splicing as to the relative location of the sprocket holes and the trimming edge of the film.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to certain now preferred examples and embodiments of the invention it will be understood by those skilled in the art after understanding the invention, that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and it is intended, therefore, to cover all such changes and modifications in the appended claims.