Method of flat folding and indexing film negatives

Abstract

 A method of flat folding a roll of negative film having opposing rows of parallel sprocket holes running along the length of the film by providing a cut between image frames, which cut extends between opposite sprocket holes of the negative. The negative is then folded along at least one of the provided cuts to lay each frame flat on an abutting frame. The cuts may extend into the sprocket holes, or not, depending on the amount of flatness and strength desired for the negative. Strips of paper may be placed on both sides of the negative film prior to folding to prevent scratching of the negatives. Index marks may also be applied to the frames for ease of identification.

Description

Technical Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of photographic negative handling and more particularly to the folding of negative film in a manner suitable for electronic scanning and the application of an electronic identification to each frame of the negative for later reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] After photographic film is developed for the customer it is cut into sections 6" to 8" long and returned to the customer with associated prints. The difficulty with this approach is that if the customer wants to obtain additional prints he has to laboriously identify which strip the picture of interest is on before returning the strip to have an extra print made. Presently there is no way to correlate a specific print to a specific negative without undertaking this difficult process of visually matching a print to a negative.

[0003] In the past the film has been returned to the customer in roll form, but this is also difficult to use as the roll has to be opened like a scroll to search for the frames that additional prints are going to be made from as the film takes a curl set. A Z- fold has been tried but the gaps between the images are small and the crease at the fold effects the flatness of the film making it impossible to get the image perfectly flat when making the print or scanning the image for other purposes.

[0004] A patent of interest for its teaching of Z folding is U.S. Patent No. 4,720,733, entitled "Photographic Print Set and Method of Producing the Same", wherein a string of photographic prints are perforated between each print to enable the prints to be folded onto each other. Figure 3 of that patent illustrates the present technique of cutting the roll of negatives into sections that remain flat for later print making.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In the present invention the roll of negatives is cut between each of the frames to the sprocket holes. This permits the negatives to be Z-folded in a flat manner. Additionally, each frame of the film may be provided with an identification number that can be read visually or with a bar code that is electrooptically readable. A sheet of paper may be Z-folded with the frames to prevent scratches in the negatives.

[0006] From the foregoing it can be seen that it is a preferred object of the invention to provide an improved technique for storing photographic negatives.

[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide an index to each frame on a strip of negatives to enable quick acquisition of a desired frame.

[0008] These and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent when taken in conjunction with the following description and drawings which drawings form a part of the present description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 illustrates a flat roll of negatives with a cut between each of the frames in accordance with the present invention.

[0010] Figures 2A and 2B are enlarged views of alternate types of cuts that may be made in the negatives.

[0011] Figure 3 illustrates the Z folding of a negative strip.

[0012] Figure 4 illustrates a position for a bar code that is applied to the frame of a negative in accordance with the present invention.

[0013] Figure 5 illustrates the positioning of readable numbers to two frames of a negative in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Referring to Figure 1, a section 100 of a roll of negatives is shown containing a plurality of image frames identified representatively by 102. In the area between each frame there is provided a cut 14 that extends to the sprocket openings 16. Figure 2A illustrates the cut 14 entering the sprocket area 16 while Figure 2B illustrates an alternate cut 14 which stops before reaching the sprocket area 16. It is understood that the cuts need not be made between each frame if a different folding pattern is to be used.

[0015] Figure 3 illustrates the Z-folding of some of the negatives along the cuts 14. A sheet of paper 18 may be positioned on both sides of the negatives before they are folded to prevent scratching of the negatives.

[0016] In Figure 4 a bar code is applied to the film during manufacture to identify each frame of the film. The bar code could be applied to every second frame or to only one frame in a sequence of frames and still provide the indexing function. Figure 5 illustrates the application of numbers that may be used to identify each frame for later print production. Although not shown, it is well known that automatic apparatus may be used to index either the bar codes or the numbers to place the correct frame of the negative under, for example, a scanners' gate.

[0017] While there has been shown what are considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be manifest that many changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the essential spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, in the annexed claims, to cover all such changes and modifications as may fall within the true scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method of flat folding a roll of negative film, comprising the steps of:
   providing a cut between image frames on the roll of negative film extending between opposite sprocket holes; and
   folding the film along at least one of the provided cuts to lay each frame flat on an abutting frame.

2. The method according to claim 1 and further comprising the step of:
   positioning strips of paper on either side of the negative film prior to folding.

3. The method according to Claim 1 and further comprising the step of:
   providing index marks to frames on the negative film for ease of identification.

4. The method according to Claim 1 wherein the cut extends into the sprocket hole.

5. The method according to Claim 1 wherein the cut does not enter the sprocket holes.

6. A method of flat folding a roll of negative film, comprising the steps of:
   providing a cut between each image frame on the roll of negative film extending between opposite sprocket holes; and
   Z-folding the film at each of the provided cuts to lay each frame flat on an abutting frame.

7. The method according to Claim 6 and further comprising the step of:
   positioning strips of paper on either side of the negative film prior to folding.

8. The method according to Claim 6 and further comprising the step of:
   providing index marks to frames on the negative film for ease of identification.

9. The method according to Claim 6 wherein the cut extends into the sprocket holes.

10. The method according to Claim 6 wherein the cut does not enter the sprocket holes.

Drawing