Abstract: A rotary collator having a rotatable drum with a plurality of radially extending partitions or bins in which sheets to be collated are held by a sheet clamp mounted in each bin. The sheet clamp for each bin has a solenoid-based activating device which releases the sheet clamp during the sheet ejecting portion of the collating cycle. The sheet clamp is released a short time before the rotatable drum brings the associated bin into a sheet ejecting position. A toggle structure and a relatively high compression spring are used to hold the sheets in the bin when in clamping position. The sheet clamp of any empty bin is programmed not to release, thereby greatly reducing noise and extending the life of the mechanism.

Abstract: Damage to corona wires in electrophotocopy machines is controlled by connecting an electrical resistance in series between the corona wire power supply and the corona wire. The impedance of the resistance is determined in accordance with formulae and empirical methods in order to control potential arcing damage due to resistive heating and ion bombardment.

Abstract: Sheet feeding device and method for feeding sheets of two different regular lengths, comprising a sheet length detector for automatically sensing the length of the next sheet in the sheet-supply station of the device, prior to movement of said sheet and conveying this information to the logic system which controls the operation of the machine. The detector is attached to the machine for automatic movement into the sheet-supply station, which is normal operating position, and for automatic withdrawal out of the sheet-supply station to provide easy access to the sheet-supply station for the insertion of new sheet stacks and to prevent damage to the sensitive detector during the insertion of such sheet stacks.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic copying apparatus, a cover and document keep device comprises a rigid cover member for securely holding original documents during copying and for effectively shielding the user from exposure to ultraviolet or visible radiation. A support member incorporating a plurality of positioning rods is vertically slidingly engaged within holes formed in the copying apparatus housing. An L-shaped frame is hinged by a first hinging means to the vertically movable support member, and carries the rigid cover by an additional second hinging means. Fastening means are provided to allow only one of the hinging means to be operated at one time, thereby allowing the rigid cover member to be pivoted about either axis defined by the hinging means. Accommodation of various original document thicknesses is provided by vertical sliding movement of the support member.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved drainage catheter for insertion into and retention in the bladder of the human body, and a novel stylet for use in inserting the catheter through the urethra and into the bladder. The catheter is formed of an elongate flexible cannula having a free and unobstructed open end adapted to be inserted into the bladder to permit drainage of waste material from the bladder and to facilitate the insertion of diagnostic instrumentation into the bladder. The end of the catheter in the bladder can expand to widen the opening and cause the open end to lie lower in the bladder. The stylet is an elongate flexible member adapted to be inserted into the cannula prior to the cannula being inserted into the urethra. The cannula and the stylet have cooperating stop means to prevent the stylet from passing through the cannula beyond a predetermined point so that the stylet can be used to push the cannula through the urethra and insert the open end into the bladder.

Abstract: An electrophotocopy machine has two friction clutches for driving a reciprocating carriage from a home position, across an illuminating station and back to a home position. One clutch is continuously engaged to drive the carriage toward its home position and to exert a vibration dampening drag on the carriage when the second clutch is selectively engaged to drive the carriage forward across the illuminating station.

Abstract: A sheet handling machine having the dual capability of either collating or sorting sheet material into individual booklets or collations. The machine has a plurality of sheet receiving bins operatively associated with infeed and outfeed locations of the machine, and a conveyor system for moving sheets between the infeed and outfeed locations in a predetermined sequence. The machine includes movable deflectors for deflecting sheets from the conveyor means into the bins, and feeding means located in the bins for feeding sheets from the bins back into the conveyor system. Appropriate controls are provided to cause the deflecting means or the feeding means to be selectively operable in a predetermined sequence. In a sorting mode of operation, successive copies of the first page of a booklet are fed into successive bins until each bin contains one copy. Thereafter, successive copies of each successive page of the booklet are fed into each bin until each bin contains a completed booklet.

Abstract: A sheet handling machine having the dual capability of either collating or sorting sheet material into individual booklets or collations. The machine has a plurality of sheet receiving bins operatively associated with infeed and outfeed locations of the machine, and a conveyor system for moving sheets between the infeed and outfeed locations in a predetermined sequence. The machine includes movable deflectors for deflecting sheets from the conveyor means into the bins, and feeding means located in the bins for feeding sheets from the bins back into the conveyor system. Appropriate controls are provided to cause the deflecting means or the feeding means to be selectively operable in a predetermined sequence. In a sorting mode of operation, successive copies of the first page of a booklet are fed into successive bins until each bin contains one copy. Thereafter, successive copies of each successive page of the booklet are fed into each bin until each bin contains a completed booklet.

Abstract: A sheet handling machine having the dual capability of either collating or sorting sheet material into individual booklets or collations. The machine has a plurality of sheet receiving bins arranged within a rotary drum operatively associated with infeed and outfeed locations of the machine. The machine includes a conveyor for depositing sheets into the bins, and rotary extracting means located adjacent the bins for extracting sheets from the bins. Appropriate controls are provided to cause the rotary drum to be selectively operable in a predetermined sequence. In a sorting mode of operation, successive copies of the first page of a booklet are fed into successive bins until each bin contains one copy. Thereafter, successive copies of each successive page of the booklet are fed into each bin until each bin contains a completed booklet. Thus, as many booklets are simultaneously formed as there are bins.

Abstract: A sheet handling machine having the dual capability of either collating or sorting sheet material into individual booklets or collations. The machine has a plurality of sheet receiving bins operatively associated with infeed and outfeed locations of the machine, and a conveyor system for moving sheets between the infeed and outfeed locations in a predetermined sequence. The machine includes movable deflectors for deflecting sheets from the conveyor means into the bins, and feeding means located in the bins for feeding sheets from the bins back into the conveyor system. Appropriate controls are provided to cause the deflecting means or the feeding means to be selectively operable in a predetermined sequence. In a sorting mode of operation, successive copies of the first page of a booklet are fed into successive bins until each bin contains one copy. Thereafter, successive copies of each successive page of the booklet are fed into each bin until each bin contains a completed booklet.

Abstract: A document feeder for an electrostatic copier of the type which includes instrumentalities for flash illuminating a document placed by an operator at the illuminating station of the copier. The document feeder includes an evacuatable enclosure having apertured upper and lower walls, and a flexible perforated belt endlessly looped about the enclosure. In addition, the document feeder includes instrumentalities for driving the belt in an endless path of travel including an upper belt run, wherein the belt perforations are disposed in air flow communication with the upper wall apertures, and a lower belt run, wherein the belt perforations are disposed in air flow communication with the lower wall apertures.

Abstract: A system for controlling the concentration of developer solution, which includes a toner concentrate and a carrier, to be substantially equal to a predetermined concentration. The system, which is used in conjunction with a photocopying apparatus, comprises a source of light directed through the solution and a photosensor, on which the light source is focused, that generates an output signal proportional to the amount of light reaching it. A reference signal generator produces a reference signal substantially equal to the photosensor output signal that corresponds to the predetermined solution concentration. A comparator receives both the photosensor output and the reference signals and produces an error signal proportional to the difference between the two. The error signal is used to modulate the amount of time during which a servo mechanism is operated to add toner concentrate to the solution and thereby control solution concentration.

Abstract: A fusing apparatus for an electrophotographic copying machine in which heat fusible developing material is deposited in image-wise configuration on a sheet of paper and fixed thereto by the application of heat. The fusing apparatus has a conveyor system for conveying the sheet of paper past a source of heat for fusing the developing material into the paper. The fusing apparatus includes a secondary driving means to maintain operation of the conveying system in the event of any failure of the normal source of driving power to the conveying system so that the conveying system does not stop with the sheet of paper still adjacent the source of heat, which would allow the sheet of paper to catch fire. The secondary driving means includes stored energy means which becomes automatically operable to maintain operation of the conveying system for a period of time sufficient to eject the copy sheet from the fusing apparatus in the event of an electrical power failure in the copying machine.

Abstract: A device for indicating when the level of developer solution in an electrostatic photocopying machine falls to a predetermined level comprises a source of light and a photosensor on which the light source is focused. The photosensor generates a light intensity signal that is related in a known way to the magnitude of light incident on it. Both the light source and photosensor are mounted in a housing, which has a bottom formed to rest firmly on the bottom of the tank that holds the developer solution, and, therefore, are mounted in fixed, spaced relation relative to each other as well as to the housing bottom. A bracket, which includes a spring, supports the housing in the developer solution tank with the housing and tank bottoms in firm interengagement to establish the predetermined developer solution level equal to the distance between the tank bottom and photosensor.

Abstract: A document folding apparatus is disclosed wherein means is provided for accomodating documents of various thickness. After the document thickness is determined, means is provided for actuating linkage means for varying the distance between rollers of the apparatus for accomodating the document thickness.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for storing and feeding copy paper for a copying machine in which the copy paper is stored in roll form and is cut to desired length by measuring and cutting mechanism provided in the copying machine. The portion of the apparatus which supports the roll of copy paper is partially removable from the copying machine in order to make it accessible for loading relatively heavy rolls of copy paper into the storage apparatus, and the supporting structure for the copy paper roll is such that there are no end caps to fit over the ends of the core for the roll of copy paper thereby facilitating handling of the roll of copy paper.

Abstract: A photocopy machine is of the type which utilizes a reusable photoconductor and which electrostatically makes copies on plain paper. The drum supports a photoconductor of undeterminate length around the peripheral surface of the drum and includes a supply spool of excess photoconductor mounted within the drum and a take up spool for used photoconductor also mounted within the drum so that the portion of photoconductor positioned around the drum can be periodically replaced. A portion of the drum surface is collapsible and supporting structure is provided at the location where the drum surface collapses to support the photoconductor in a flat plane to permit full frame, flash exposure of the photoconductor.

Abstract: A reciprocating sheet pusher for ejecting a topmost sheet of a stack of sheets outward seriatim from a sheet receiving bin having sheet ejecting support structure attached to a pusher arm which carries a roller ejecting element. A piece of stiff firm hair material affixed to the support structure clutches with controlled predetermined friction the axially supported rubber roller to resist movement on a forward sheet ejecting stroke of the reciprocating sheet pusher. If a predetermined resistance against a jammed sheet or an empty bin is encountered, the roller ejecting element rotates with limited controlled friction. The roller ejecting element rotates unrestrained when the sheet pusher moves in an opposite direction to that of ejecting a sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying tape, having adhesive on both of its faces, to a surface comprises an applicator drum having a cylindrical periphery that receives the tape and a series of slots extending transversely to the periphery. The applicator drum is mounted on a shaft which can be driven by a motor. The shaft is, in turn, mounted on a lever which can be pivoted by a solenoid to translate the drum toward and away from the surface. The tape is cut into discreet lengths on the drum by a knife which registers in interfitting engagement with each of the slots in the drum periphery when translated away from the surface. The solenoid and motor are synchronously operated to rotate the drum to put a length of tape in position for transfer to the surface, to translate the drum toward the surface to complete the transfer, and to translate the drum away from the surface to register the knife in interfitting engagement with a drum slot and thereby cut a next length of tape for subsequent transfer.

Abstract: A system for progressively folding a sheet as it continuously moves along a feed path from a printer to an envelope inserting station; said system including an arrangement for initially forming longitudinal score lines on a sheet and for then progressively laterally bending and creasing the sheet along said score lines to as to form a folded sheet having a plurality of mutually overlying panels. The scoring and lateral bending operations take place in a progressive manner as the sheet continuously moves along its substantially linear feed path.