Abstract: A mechanism for holding a master or printing plate on a cylinder of a duplicating or printing machine. An elongated housing, including an anvil, extends transversely across the periphery of the cylinder. A die plate extends along the housing above the anvil and defines a gap between the die plate and the anvil for receiving an edge of the master. The die plate has a series of holes spaced therealong. A pin bar extends along the housing below the anvil for moving pins into the holes in the die plate. An actuator mechanism, including pivot pins and link arms, is operatively associated between the housing and the die plate and between the housing and the pin bar for conjointly moving the die plate toward the anvil to close the gap and moving the pins through the master and into the holes in the die plate to hold the master. The pins have sharpened ends for piercing masters that are not provided with pre-punched perforations.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting and stacking in an inverted orientation large copy sheet discharged from the exit port of a whiteprint, blueprint or similar copying machine. A receptacle trough is provided for arresting and captivating the leading edges of the copy sheets as the sheets are discharged seriatim from the exit port of the machine. A stacking tray is disposed adjacent the receptacle trough for receiving the copy sheets inverted and in sequential order while the sheets remain captivated by the receptacle trough.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking large copy sheets beneath a tabletop model whiteprint, blueprint or similar copying machine. A support structure spaces the copying machine above a subjacent support surface as a tabletop, floor or the like. A receptacle structure is disposed below and forwardly of the exit port of the machine for arresting the leading edges of the copy sheets as the sheets are discharged seriatim from the copying machine and for causing the sheets to bow rearwardly onto a stack in the stacking space beneath the machine. The apparatus can be provided in kit form for application to existing copying machines.

Abstract: A bracket assembly for receiving and positionally adjusting the shaft end of a distribution roller in a printing, duplicating or like machine. A pin head structure is mounted on a framework of the machine. A triangular array of pins project inwardly of the pin head axially of the roller for receiving the shaft end of the roller in a position of engagement between the pins. At least one of the pins is adjustable generally in a radial direction to take up any radial play between the roller shaft end and the pin array. At least one of the pins includes means adjustable in an axial direction to take up any axial play between the roller shaft end and the pin head structure. At least one of the pins is retractable to allow for insertion of the roller into position between the pins. The entire pin head structure is rotatable about a given axis generally parallel to and offset from the axis of rotation of the roller to effect movement of the roller bodily in a radial direction relative to an adjacent roller.

Abstract: An adjustable mounting mechanism for a distribution roller in a printing, duplicating or like machine which includes a moisture or ink system having a plurality of distribution rollers for distributing moisture or ink to a printing couple of the machine. A pair of fixed rollers and a removable roller are located on the machine in a triangular configuration with parallel axes of rotation. The adjustable mounting mechanism includes a triangulated array of pivot arms movable generally perpendicular to the axes of the rollers. Two of the pivot arms define a V-shaped yoke to cradle the removable roller, and the other pivot arm defines a clamp for holding the removable roller in the cradle. Each of the other two pivot arms and, therefore, the removable roller is adjustable generally radially toward and away from the respective fixed roller to adjust the pressure or gap between the removable roller and the respective fixed roller.

Abstract: A bracket assembly for receiving the shaft end of a distribution roller in a printing, duplicating or like machine. A pin head structure is mounted on a framework of the machine. The pin head structure includes an axially inwardly facing abutment surface against which the shaft end of the roller can abut when in proper position in the machine. A latch member is movably mounted on the pin head structure for radially containing the roller in its proper position and for allowing removal of the roller in the radial direction. The latch member is movable from a first position disposed axially outwardly of the abutment surface to permit the roller to be radially moved into and out of its proper position in the machine, and a second position disposed axially inwardly of the abutment surface overlying the shaft end to contain the roller in its proper position in the machine.

Abstract: In an ink jet print head wherein a plurality of pumping chambers are provided for receiving ink and individually discharging the ink on demand in droplet form. The pumping chambers are formed on a substrate and defined in part by a continuous film of piezoelectric material extending over the substrate. Electrodes are electrically coupled on opposite sides of the piezoelectric film and positioned to define a plurality of distinct, electrically pulsed ink droplet drive elements operatively associated individually with the plurality of pumping chambers. An orifice for each chamber causes ink to be ejected from the chamber in response to demand electrical pulsation of the drive element for the respective chamber.

Abstract: A conversion system for readily changing a printing couple of a printing or duplicating machine between a separated system wherein moisture and ink are distributed to a master cylinder through separate paths and an integrated system wherein the moisture and ink are mixed in common paths to the master cylinder. A transfer roller of the main ink distribution system is bodily movable into and out of rolling contact with a moisture form roller of the main moisture distribution system to convert between the integrated and separated systems. The transfer roller is journalled on the machine and is so moved without removing or disconnecting the transfer roller. The driving connection of another transfer roller in the moisture feeding system is selectively switchable to change the location of slippage between the rollers in the moisture feeding system.

Abstract: An ink or moisture pickup roller for feeding ink or moisture from a reservoir or fountain roller to a transfer roller. The surface of the pickup roller is formed by a plurality of spaced circular ribs defining a pattern of generally parallel ridges and valleys along the roller normal to the axis of the roller.

Abstract: An interchangeable ink fountain system for use in duplicating machines, such as offset lithographic machines. A plurality or set of ink fountains is provided for removable mounting on either a duplicating machine or a preparation station. Complementary interengaging supports are provided on each ink fountain and each of the duplicating machine and preparation station for selectively and removably mounting an ink fountain on either the duplicating machine or the preparation station. The preparation station includes a housing and light means in the housing behind the ink fountain for directing light through the ink flow through gap of the empty fountain, whereby an operator can readily visualize the gap dimensions while adjusting the same.

Abstract: A chemical cleaning composition consisting essentially of water, a hydroxycarboxylic acid and a peroxymonosulfate compound is useful for cleaning processing tanks used in silver halide based photographic processing systems.

Abstract: In a printing machine or the like wherein sheets are delivered seriatim into a receiving tray whereat the sheets come to rest by gravity onto a stack in the tray, a device for facilitating stacking the sheets into the tray at high speed. Each sheet is directed from the machine in a path outwardly over the tray. Guide surfaces act against a lead end of the sheet to prevent upward escape of the sheets from the path. A deflecting mechanism diverts each sheet downwardly into the tray to clear the path for a succeeding sheet. A stop plate is provided beneath the deflecting mechanism for acting against a trail end of each sheet to control and guide the sheet into alignment onto the stack in the tray.

Abstract: An optical imaging head is disclosed for use with optical imaging apparatus. The optical imaging head includes a plurality of imaging devices reproducing respective segments of an original image. A reflector is included for reflecting at least a portion of the reproduced image segments from an off axis position such that those segments are directed onto a focal plane substantially perpendicular thereto and substantially undistorted. In one embodiment, the reflector includes a plurality of reflecting surfaces separated by transparent surfaces allowing at least a portion of the reproduced image segments to be reflected toward the focal plane and the remaining image segments to be directly focused onto the focal plane. In another embodiment, the reflector includes an interlaced reflecting structure allowing all of the reproduced image segments to be reflected perpendicularly onto the focal plane.

Abstract: A sheet unloading device for use in a printing or duplicating machine, or the like, wherein sheets are delivered seriatim to a receiving tray whereat the sheets are deposited onto the top of a stack of sheets in the tray. An interposer mechanism is movable to an operative position at the end of the tray for dividing the tray into a first, lower portion and a second, upper portion. The interposer mechanism permits removal of the lower portion of the stack while sheets are continuously delivered to the upper portion of the stack. A back stop is provided at the end of the tray and can be selectively lowered to permit removal of the lower portion of the stack of sheets.

Abstract: A sheet material feeding mechanism for use in a duplex duplicating machine. A pressure roller extends laterally across a sheet path for engaging the blank side of a previously imaged copy sheet. A feed roller assembly forms a nip with the pressure roller through which the sheet is fed. The feed roller assembly includes a pair of feed rollers mounted on the outside of a pair of support members for positioning the feed rollers near the marginal edges of the sheet to preclude tracking the imaged side of the sheet. The feed rollers are axially adjustable for accommodating different sheet sizes.

Abstract: A gas separating and venting filter is disclosed for separating gases and liquids and venting the gases in any position of the filter. A housing defines an interior chamber, with inlet and outlet means for the flow of liquid into and out of the chamber. A hydrophilic filter membrane extends along one major wall of the chamber, with longitudinally extending open-sided passageways in the one major wall facing the hydrophilic filter membrane and leading to the outlet means. The hydrophilic filter membrane is flexible for ballooning into the passageways in response to a build-up of pressure in the chamber to restrict and/or cut off the flow of liquid through the passageways. A hydrophobic filter membrane extends along substantially the entire length of an opposite major wall of the chamber between the inlet and outlet means for passing gas but not liquid therethrough. A plurality of spaced vent holes are formed in the opposite major wall for venting gas which has passed through the hydrophobic filter membrane.

Abstract: In a laminated structure, such as a structural component of an aerospace vehicle or the like, which is fabricated of layers of filament composite material, means is provided for protection against lightning strike damage and electromagnetic interference. In particular, the outer surface layer of the filament composite material is fabricated of conductive metallic-coated filaments to provide a conductive barrier to disperse the current from lightning or other electromagnetic sources. The filaments may be fabricated of a composite material such as glass which has an aluminum coating. The structure may be woven or filament wound with intermixed resin, and the metallic-coated filaments are cured simultaneously with the entire laminated structure of filament composite material.

Abstract: In a duplicating machine for duplicating images on both sides of copy sheets including a blanket cylinder and an impression cylinder, a mechanism for handling the sheets and re-feeding the sheets back to the impression cylinder for duplex copying. The blanket cylinder has first and second images transferable to the copy sheets. The impression cylinder forms a nip with the blanket cylinder for transferring the copy sheets through the nip. A first gripper on the impression cylinder releasably engages a lead end of a copy sheet and moves the sheet through the nip to transfer the first image on a first side of the sheet. A chain gripper releasably engages the lead end of the sheet transferred thereto by the first gripper and transports the sheet away from the impression cylinder. A swing gripper releasably engages a trail end of the sheet in timed relation with release of the sheet by the chain gripper and re-feeds the sheet back to the impression cylinder.

Abstract: A magnetic toner developing system has a hopper feeding magnetic toner to a magnetic roller brush positioned over a non-magnetic guide that supports a sheet in its passage through a development zone. A plurality of magnets are mounted beneath the guide and restrain any toner on the underside of the sheet from being carried away from the development zone. The stronger magnetic field of the developer brush attracts the restrained toner as the sheet is transported out of the development zone.

Abstract: A valve actuating mechanism is disclosed and includes deactivating override means responsive to valve malfunction, such as sticking or binding of the valve. A drive motor is operatively connected through a drive train to a rotatable clutch housing. The clutch housing carries a clutch in the form of an open-ended ring spring. The clutch ring drives an output sleeve which is splined to an output shaft of the valve. The output shaft is rotatably fixed to a rotatable member which is effective to engage the clutch ring to disengage the ring from the clutch housing and effectively deactivate the drive train. The spline connection between the output sleeve and the output shaft comprises frangible means capable of being broken in the event the valve becomes stuck, whereby the output shaft, through the rotatable member, deactivates the drive train. The rotatable member also operates an indicating means whereby failure of the valve also is effective to preclude operation of the indicating means.