Introduction: This guide has been created to assist theatres with their operations in regards to distributing, collecting, and washing Dolby 3D glasses. By following these recommended practices, cinemas should be able to expect hundred s of uses for their glasses as well as keep theft rates at a minimum. For theatre patrons to enjoy the complete 3D experience, the reusable 3D eyewear must be properly washed between each usage. In addition to removing residue on the lenses from food items being consumed during the movie, safeguards must also be put into place to assure against contagious bacterial and viral infections being spread to other patrons by way of the glasses. Equipment Required: Commercial Grade Dishwasher: Low-temperature, chemical sanitizing, hood lift model operating between 49 C (120 F) to 60 C (140 F) water temperature. Recommended model is Knight Equipment #KLE-175 GT. Booster Heater: With most incoming hot water temperature for theatres being around 40 C (105 F), we recommend using the Hatco #C-9. Plastic Trays: Industry standard open bowl dishwasher trays (4 units). Recommended model Carlisle CARRF-14-CLO-K. Feeder Tables: Knight Equipment has sourced and is able to supply left and right feeder tables as a complete package along with their dishwasher, plastic trays, and Hatco booster heater. (Contact Wilson Wong at +65 6763 6633 to inquire about the Knight Equipment Dolby Package). Chemicals: Ecolab chemicals are widely available and have been pre-tested in cleaning the glasses. One of each of these will need to be ordered; Ultra Clean Dishwasher Detergent 5 Gallon, Ultra Rinse Liquid 5 Gallon, and Sanitizer Liquid 5 Gallon. (Contact your local Ecolab representative). Metal Trays: Custom metal trays for washing, drying, and distribution of the Dolby 3D glasses (35-50 units). One tray for every 16 pairs of glasses will need to be ordered. Marlin Steel Wire Products Model #780001. (Direct link is http://www.marlinwire.com/custom_basket_780001.htm) Collection Bins: 78 quart size clear totes (4 units). Recommended model is Holiday Housewares #LW4478MT1. (Available at Lowe s). Collection Carts: Two shelf roller cart to hold collection bins (2 units). Recommended model is Larin Auto Service Cart Costco #107830. Jeff McNall Page 1 7/22/2008
Metal Racks: Four-shelf chrome storage unit with casters (2 units). Recommended model is Seville Classics #SHE18487. (Direct link is http://www.sevilleclassics.com/index.cfm/a/catalog.prodshow/vid/20595). Dolby 3D Glasses: Minimum amount to inventory is two times number of seats in the 3D-enabled auditorium (250 seats x 2 = 500 pairs). Signage: Return Glasses Here sign to be provided by Dolby with Dolby 3D Glasses shipments (4 units). Signs will need to be attached to the collection bins that will be used. Distribution of Glasses: For many patrons, this will be their first 3D viewing experience. Usage of signage will greatly assist in guiding them. For 3D features, theatres have historically charged a US$ 1 to US$ 3 premium on top of each ticket. This has been to cover the additional costs associated with glasses; whether they are disposable or reusable. It is recommended that patrons be made aware of this surcharge in advance. The ticket counter sign should also make them aware the glasses are expected to be returned to the collection bins located at the exits after the movie has ended. The glasses should not be distributed to the patrons until 15-20 minutes before their 3D feature is scheduled to start. This is to prevent patrons from losing the glasses or from children carrying them around in the arcade. They need only show their ticket stubs to receive the glasses after the 15-20 minute window starts. Generally, most patrons tend to arrive 20 minutes before their feature is set to start. Most theatres have chosen the entrance of the auditorium showing the 3D feature as the best location to distribute the glasses. 15-20 minutes prior to the movie start time, a cart with enough glasses to sustain a sold-out show is wheeled out to the auditorium entrance. For an auditorium with 250-seats, you would need to have 16 metal trays filled with cleaned glasses (each tray holds 16 pairs of glasses. When patrons present a valid ticket for the 3D feature, they can then be handed a pair of glasses. Jeff McNall Page 2 7/22/2008
Standard entrance. Small entrance with bins. Collection of Glasses: As patrons are entering the auditorium, it is extremely important that they see the collection bins and Return Glasses Here signage in advance of the 3D feature. They will know going in where to place the 3D glasses when going out. As soon as the bins are full, they should be emptied in the washing area and returned to the collection points before the next set of patrons are allowed into the auditorium. Collection bins strategically placed. Close-up of collection bin. Ideal placement of the two collection bin sets should be at either ends of the last turns before the primary exit. While the design of each auditorium may be different, the main focus on the placement is to allow people free movement to place the glasses back in the bins and not to create a major gridlock at the primary exit. Jeff McNall Page 3 7/22/2008
Collection bins strategically placed. Collection bin for 350+ seats. Prior to the feature credits, the theatre staff should have one person assigned to the screen exit and a second person assigned to the primary exit. This second person should be centrally located between the two collection points. Glancing back and forth, they should be able to either see (or hear) every pair that is dropped into the collection bins. Instances where glasses are not put back in the bin are either children running ahead of their parents or adults forgetting they have them on top of their heads. Generally, the collection process after each 3D feature concludes doesn t take more than five minutes for two theatre staff members. This only needs to occur as many times as a 3D feature is run that day. This could easily be added to the duties of the theatre staff assigned to clean that particular auditorium. Jeff McNall Page 4 7/22/2008
If after following the above steps, the theft rate is unreasonably high, a Sensormatic system could be installed for a given auditorium. The glasses come shipped with a Sensormatic strip already in place inside the frame. Detection systems can range from standalone exit columns to having antennas installed within the frame of the exit door. As with most theft detection systems, they are only fully effective if a staff member is there to respond to the alarm. Washing of Glasses: After the last patrons have vacated the auditorium and deposited their 3D glasses into the collection bins, these bins can then be carted to the washing area for cleaning. KLE-175 GT washer with booster, feeder tables, plastic racks and metal trays. From the collection bins, the glasses will need to be transferred to the metal trays prior to washing. These metal trays have been specially designed to accommodate the glasses and allow for easy loading and removal. They allow for 16 pairs of glasses to be placed inside each metal tray. This tray is then placed inside the plastic tray for insertion into the washer. Without the plastic trays, the metal trays would get banged up and scratch the stainless steel surfaces. The metal trays are low enough that they can be stacked within the plastic trays. No more than 16 pairs should be placed into a tray or the drying time will be severely reduced. Jeff McNall Page 5 7/22/2008
Glasses should be placed upside down in custom metal tray. By using the feeder tables, one can push out the cleaned tray with the dirty tray. This can reduce the interval between washes to just seconds. Every time the hood is closed, a new washing cycle automatically begins, which lasts for 90 seconds. All the glasses used for a sold-out 250-seat show can be washed in less than 26 minutes. For the chemicals to perform correctly, the water washing temperature must be at least 49 C (120 F), but not above 60 C (140 F) to avoid harming the glasses. It is good practice to run the washer at least three times to preheat the washing bin prior to running a series of washes. The stainless steel in the washer needs to warm up otherwise it cools down the incoming hot water supply. Jeff McNall Page 6 7/22/2008
The rinse agent will not break up the detergent if the water temperature falls below 120 F. Glasses will take quite a bit longer to dry if they have gone through a cycle with lower temperatures. Most times when the rinse water appears cloudy it is because of substandard water temperature. Without proper rinsing, the lenses will retain detergent residue, which results in severe spotting on the lenses. Range should be between 120 F 140 F. When the washer is initially set-up, the chemical dispersion amounts need to be adjusted to ensure proper sanitizing while at the same time reducing the possibility of spotting on the lenses. When the machine is shipped, the dispersion potentiometers are each set in the 12 o clock position. These three settings will need to be moved down to the 9 o clock position. The last two potentiometers on the right hand side can remain in the 12 o clock position as they are related to water fill times. Jeff McNall Page 7 7/22/2008
For each washing cycle, we recommend dispersions of 7ml for the detergent, 3ml for the sanitizer, and 3 ml. for the rinse. Setting each to 9 o clock will assist in ensuring these dispersions amounts are properly set. The cycle time contact jumpers should be left in the open position. This default setting is for the recommended 90 second complete washing cycle. The supply lines are industry-standard colored coded to correspond to the detergent, sanitizer, and rinse agent. Left to right, they should be connected as pictured above. The intake line from the chemical container to be connected to the line on the left and the dispersion tube to the washing tub comes from the line on the right. The colored tubes need to be pushed into the thicker, white tubing as far as they will go (generally about 1.5 2 cm). The red tube corresponds to the detergent container, the clear tube to the sanitizer container, and the blue tube to the rinse container. Given the small dispersion amounts and total number of washings, these containers should last for quite some time. Jeff McNall Page 8 7/22/2008
As a metal tray and corresponding plastic tray have come out of the washer, it is good practice to lift the metal tray up and down from side to side to get rid of any excess water. Sometimes, excess water at the base of the lenses can lead to calcium and chemical residue deposits. Lifting left side of tray. Lifting right side of tray. Leave the just washed metal tray inside of the plastic tray on the feeder table as long as you can until the next washing is ready to come out of the washer. The heat combination of the metal tray and plastic tray will assist in promoting a faster drying time and reduce possible spotting on the lens. After each tray has completed the washing cycle, the metal tray is removed from inside the plastic tray and placed onto the chrome shelf unit for drying. Occasionally, you might see some spots that can be touched up with a microfiber lint-free drying cloth. The first trays that come out of the washer should be placed at the very top of the chrome shelf unit. As more trays come out, they need to be This is to prevent water dripping onto the glasses in trays that have already dried. The metal trays have been designed so multiple trays could be stacked within each shelf of the chrome shelf unit. Jeff McNall Page 9 7/22/2008
If excessive spotting occurs on the glasses after drying, this could be a result of the local water supply having excessive minerals (such as calcium and magnesium). Generally referred to as hard water, this can be pre-treated with a water softener installed in place in the water supply line. Sample of water test strip. Commercially available water test strips can be used to determine if a water softener unit might need to be incorporated into the incoming local water supply line. Results showing greater than 120 ppm of dissolved hardness minerals would classify the water as hard water. When the glasses are completely dry, they can be staged to the roller cart that will be used to move the glasses to the auditorium entrance for distribution with the next showing. These glasses should be able to withstand hundred s of uses following these procedures. Of most importance is to adhere to the guidelines of using only Dolby preapproved liquid chemicals for the washer machine. Recommended distributors and product names for the liquid chemicals will vary from region to region. Contact: For any further questions in regards to theatre operations for Dolby 3D glasses, please contact Dolby s Cinema Product Manager for Dolby 3D: Jeff McNall Cinema Product Manager San Francisco, CA USA (415) 645-5607 office (415) 812-3462 mobile jeff.mcnall@dolby.com Jeff McNall Page 10 7/22/2008