Abstract: An optical filter assembly for use on a visual display device is disclosed. Included in the assembly is a frame defining a viewing aperture which frame is mounted on a visual display device such that the aperture is in registry with the screen of the visual display device. An optical filter is provided for covering the aperture. The frame assembly includes a plurality of side walls which extend the distance sufficient for reducing the passage of room light to behind the optical filter. The frame assembly also includes structure for holding releasably the optical filter to the frame assembly and structure associated with the frame assembly for spacing the optical filter from the display screen. Included is spacing structure which includes a protrusion intrical with the frame for contacting the display screen for thereby physically spacing the filter from the display screen.

Abstract: A camera shutter and focus lens assembly includes a rotary motor having a central shaft, and a rotary beam actuator connected to the shaft. A moveable focus lens, a first shutter blade, and a second shutter blade are in mechanical communication with the actuator beam. Rotation of the shaft by the motor operates to cause movement of the focus lens to effect a selected focusing relationship between the focus lens and a fixed lens proximate thereto, and further operates to cause movement of the first and second shutter blades to cause the shutter blades cooperatively to define an opening to permit light to pass therethrough.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for peeling a laminate containing image media wherein the leading edge portion of the laminate is struck by beater blades to initially separate the leading edge portion of one layer from the laminate. The separated leading edge portion is then transported into a nip defined by a peel surface and a lower peel roll after which the leading edge portion is bent about the peel surface by a folder driven by a linkage mechanism. While the leading edge portion of the laminate is bent, one layer is held by a vacuum device while the remainder of the laminate returns to its path of travel under its own resiliency. The separated layer is then peeled from the laminate by take-away rolls while guided by the peel surface. The remainder of the laminate is guided by a deflector roll to move along the path at a predetermined angle while the layer is being peeled. In one method, the layer is peeled at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the laminate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided which act to peel different types of dry laminar imaging media having different peel attributes.

Abstract: There are provided a method, system, and apparatus for automatically cleaning a spread roller system for use in a photographic apparatus of the self-developing type. A cleaning apparatus includes a pod of cleaning fluid rupturable as it passes through a nip of a pair of spread rollers. The cleaning apparatus includes at least an opening which distributes the cleaning fluid over the rollers following pod rupture as the apparatus passes through the nip. Such an apparatus can be included in a film assemblage which comprises a film cassette housing a stack of film units of the self-developable type, wherein the cleaning apparatus is at the top of the stack and is opaque so as to also serve as a dark slide.

Abstract: An image media assembly comprising: a donor element, a receptor element, and means for maintaining at least the elements in a predetermined position wherein one element overlies the element, said means including a vacuum present between the elements.

Abstract: A solid ink jet nugget is contained in a first sleeve having opposite open ends and a flap at one open end movable into the sleeve towards the other open end. A second sleeve is placed about the first sleeve with its opposite ends directed generally at right angles to the direction of the open ends of the first sleeve. The second sleeve is then heat-shrunk on the first sleeve to close the open ends of the first sleeve. Prior to loading into an ink jet apparatus, the second sleeve is removed and the flap is pushed into the first sleeve against the nugget to discharge the nugget from the open end and into the ink jet apparatus.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for transferring laminated sheets from a printer to a separate processor therefor in a manner whereby the sheets are not crumpled, delaminated or otherwise damaged and whereby the printer and apparatus are easily aligned for facilitating such transfer. The apparatus includes an arrangement for inducing bending of the laminate and an arrangement for controlling the bending.

Abstract: A film package including sheets of imaging media or film sandwiched between upper and lower stiffeners and enclosed by an envelope. Adhesive strips secure the stiffeners together at overlapping tabs formed on opposite sides of the stiffeners. The stiffeners with the film sheets are removed from the envelope by opening one side of the envelope. The adhesive strips also have tear strips for allowing removal of the upper stiffener after the package has been placed in a drawer of a printer with the aid of offset tabs on the stiffeners which indicate and assure proper orientation. A notch in the corner of the lower stiffener allows a signal to be passed to indicate whether the upper stiffener has been removed. The lower stiffener is also apertured to receive a signal for indicating whether any film sheets remain on the stiffener while in the drawer of the printer.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a tab portion on a thin laminated sheet having work stations for scoring the sheet on a forward edge along a line to form the tab portion. The tabbing station includes a shuttle member having a pair of spaced rollers, one with a cutting edge and the other being a backing roller. The edge to be scored is passed between the rollers, such that the cutting roller as it traverses the length scores the sheet by a controlled amount which is determined by the preselected spacing between the cutting edge and the backing roller, whereby the unscored portion remains the same thickness regardless of the thickness variations of the sheet.

Abstract: A laminating apparatus is disclosed which has a loading slot for facilitating the loading of a web through a nip located between a supply and takeup spindle. An inboard support carries the inboard end of the supply and takeup spindles and the laminating rolls, and a spaced outboard support carries the other end of the laminating rolls. The outboard support is formed with a supply aperture aligned with the supply spindle, a takeup aperture aligned with the takeup spindle, and an interconnected threading slot corresponding to the path of the laminating web through the laminating nip between the supports.

Abstract: This invention involves a film cassette for resiliently holding a film unit for exposure. The cassette includes a forward wall, a rear wall, two side walls, a leading end wall and a trailing end wall all combined to form an enclosure for holding the film unit. An exposure opening in the forward wall allows exposure of the film unit and an egress opening in the leading end wall allows it to be discharged after exposure. A pick slot in the forward wall provides access to a pick to engage the film unit and advance it through the egress opening. A spring platen mounted within the chamber between the rear wall and the film unit biases the film unit against the forward wall in proper position for exposure through the exposure opening.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for use in shuttling a film container housing a photosensitive film unit between an image recording apparatus and a film processor. When the shuttle is in operative relationship within the image recording apparatus, the film unit is exposable and when the shuttle is being transferred it is done so in a lighttight manner. The shuttle includes a portable lighttight housing assembly for removably receiving the film container. The housing assembly includes an exposure aperture registerable with a film container exposing aperture, such as occurs when the film container is received within the shuttle. For selectively blocking the image forming light there is provided a blocking means which is coupled to the housing assembly and is operable with a control means for automatically changing conditions between its light blocking and unblocking states.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for peeling a layer from a laminate utilizing a peel rod about which the layer is guided during peeling. The peel rod is continuously supported along its length by a bearing sleeve having a longitudinal passage receiving the rod and in turn supported in a holder. The bearing sleeve has a longitudinal opening in its wall communicating with its longitudinal passage, and the edge of the opening forms a continuous scraping edge for scraping debris from the rod. A cleaning pad of SCOTCH BRITE material extends radially through the bearing to engage the rod. The peeling rod and bearing are made of low friction material such as a ceramic, and the rod is preferably driven by a motor.

Abstract: A cassette holds sheets of film which form a positive image on one side thereof. The cassette is especially configured to minimize accidental discharge of the film sheets due to jars or impacts. A pick is used to penetrate a pick slot in the forward wall of the cassette to engage pockets formed on the leading ends of enclosed film units and urge them through an egress opening in the forward wall of the cassette. A probe opening in the rear wall of the cassette receives a probe from below to urge each film unit successively into alignment with the egress opening at the time the pick engages the pocket in each film sheet. Inward offsets at the leading end of the cassette are filled by two hold-back fingers, one on each side of the cassette, to engage hold-back shoulders on the leading end of each film sheet to prevent inadvertent discharge of the sheet due to impacts on the cassette.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating layers of a laminated thermographic media is disclosed. The apparatus has a torque roll cooperating with a pair of peel rolls which breaks a tab on the media without a hard stop thereby avoiding shock induced premature delamination. After the media is initially delaminated, a deflector roll operable independently of the peel rolls engages the backside of the substrate for establishing a deflector angle. An anti-skew system is also incorporated for aligning the media with the torque roll and peel rolls.

Abstract: There are method and apparatus for automatically clamping and cinching a flexible sheet medium on a rotatable supporting surface with clamping and cinching forces which independently increase as function of the rotational speed of the support surface. The clamp applies such forces to at least one edge of the sheet medium in a manner so that the sheet edge will not bend or push the sheet edge away from a pivot axis of the clamp so as to reduce sheet medium separation.

Abstract: A film transfer apparatus and method are disclosed for use in transferring a film cassette containing an exposed film unit from an image recording apparatus and the film processor so that the film unit can be exposed in the image recording apparatus transferred in lighttight fashion to the processor, and automatically operated so that the film can be processed by the processor.

Abstract: An adapter attachable to an image recording apparatus and operable for removably receiving therein a film cassette assembly including a film unit to be exposed by the image recording apparatus. The adapter includes a protective shield which normally protects an aperture of the image recording apparatus and which advances to an unblocking condition upon insertion of the film cassette assembly so as to allow exposure of a film unit in the cassette by the image recording apparatus. Upon removal of the film cassette assembly, the protective shield advances to its blocking condition, whereby the image recording apparatus is protected. The adapter also includes a mechanism for actuating the cassette assembly during insertion for allowing exposure of a film unit when the shield is in the unblocking condition, and for terminating exposure upon removal of the film cassette. In one embodiment, there is provided a releasable locking device for releasably locking the transport assembly in the adapter.