Abstract: A programmable microfiche duplicator and sorter apparatus is provided, including control means which operate in accordance with input data received from a teletype or other remote input peripheral, or from a code carried by the master film. The input data is stored in memory and defines the number of copies to be made, the sorter mode and the sorter start position for collation operations.

Abstract: A secure property device utilizing radiant energy reflectors applied to a magnetic data member is provided in which the diffusivity of reflections from the reflectors is enhanced by means of a polymeric diffuser which is chemically and optically compatible with the reflectors and with the magnetic data member to which it is applied.

Abstract: A guide means is provided for guiding diazotype copy sheet material through a developing apparatus over and in contact with a pair of rotatable applicator rollers positioned in axially spaced apart parallel relation. Developer liquid is supplied to the surface of the rollers for developing the copy sheet. The guide means includes a first and a second set of fine, filament-like guide wires strung taut across the rollers in the direction of movement of the sheet material through the developing apparatus. The guide wires of each set are positioned in spaced apart parallel relation, and the wires of one set are offset axially from the wires of the other set. The guide wires prevent the sheet material from becoming wrapped about the applicator rollers during passage of the material through the developing apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for developing diazotype copy material by the application thereto of a quantity of liquid developer and comprises a heated enclosure for housing a pair of rotatable applicator rollers positioned in axially spaced apart parallel relation. Developer liquid is supplied to the surface of the rollers, and a pair of blade members is mounted adjacent each of the rollers for engagement therewith. One of the blade members of each pair meters the developer liquid on the roller and the other blade member forms a developing zone through which copy sheets are passed to be developed.

Abstract: A developing station for developing microfiche includes a pair of closely spaced walls, an inflatable tube defining the developing region of the station, a system for inflating the tube to seal the region, and a member for transporting a copy sheet into the region. The transporting member is withdrawn from the region during the developing step and moved back into the region subsequent to the developing step to transport the copy sheet from the developing region.

Abstract: A lithographic ink and moisture control system is provided for maintaining copy quality over a wide range of operating and environmental conditions without special operator assistance. The control system, among other things, momentarily increases the moisture feed rate each time ink is added to the system to maintain a substantially constant ink/moisture balance at the master, particularly under high coverage conditions.

Abstract: A photocomposition machine wherein the lens system includes at least one focusing lens which is moved into point size position by a mechanical drive under a control means which returns the lens carriage to a known reference position prior to a composition routine, which reference position becomes a value in the memory of the control, whereby the mechanical precision and wear alteration of the drive become of no factor in accurate focusing of the lenses.

Abstract: A cap assembly is provided for use with a container for storing and supplying aqueous ammonia to a diazo type copying machine. The cap assembly comprises a closure member mounted on the container and a key device associated with free ends of an ammonia feed tube and a drain tube connecting the container to a developer system of the copying machine. The closure member includes a feed outlet to permit ammonia flow from the container to the feed tube and a drain outlet to permit ammonia flow from the drain tube to the container. The closure member also includes a seal adapted for selective actuation by the key device between a first position for closing the feed and the drain outlets to prevent ammonia flow and a second position for opening the outlets to permit ammonia flow.

Abstract: A moisture control feed system of the bare-back type in which there is in nip-contact with a moisture transfer roll and the moisture transfer roll is driven solely by the shear resistance offered by the intervening layers at the nip of the ink and the moisture. The system includes an ink reservoir that simulates an oleophilic image in the form of a narrow strip extending transverse the direction of rotation of the master cylinder and is located outside the master retention area to supply ink to the oleophilic moisture form roll. The simulated image maintains the proper ink layer thickness on the oleophilic moisture form roll and the ink quality to assure proper rotational speed control of the transfer roll.

Abstract: The drawings illustrate a cassette only, to fit into any machine that uses a paper roll supply and requires accurate alignment of that roll supply with the processing machine. The cassette is bodily urged against one wall of the host machine in order to establish that wall as a reference. In the housing is a roll support core which is compound in that it has two members which are telescoped and spring-urged to expand. This will gauge the core against the wall of the housing that's engaged with the wall of the host machine. Then, the spring-urged slidable component of the core carries a positionable slide plate which, if the roll were not inserted, would come to rest at a position short of the roll length, and therefore constantly urges the roll against the cassette wall as a gauge of the roll by mesne gauge means with the host machine.

Abstract: A device for unloading a plurality of individual stacks of paper from individual compartments of a collator simultaneously. The device consists of a multiple set of grippers operated manually by a piston grip ratchet device. The grippers are registered with the stacks of the collator, the ratchet device operated to grip the several stacks, and the device with the stacks of paper gripped thereby removed to a convenient unloading station.

Abstract: A series of chelated diketones in which the chelated atom is boron can be used as acceptor type sensitizers for polymeric photoconductors of the donor type used in electrophotography.

Abstract: A character generating system is provided for a photocomposition machine to display alpha/numeric symbols on a CRT for any language selected from a group of languages. The system includes a character generator memory for each symbol and control means which selects a predetermined set of memories for each language in a manner that symbols common to two or more languages are provided from the same character generator memory, whereby the total memory required for all symbols of the group of languages is minimized.

Abstract: An apparatus for developing diazotype copy sheets is provided and comprises a duct element having an ingress and an egress end, a distribution element having an ingress end and a closed end, a manifold at the ingress ends of the duct and the distribution elements and a heater element proximate the duct element. All of the elements are enclosed within a developer tank provided with a perforated section adjacent a copy sheet developing station. Aqueous ammonia is supplied to the ingress end of the duct element and travels in a first path by gravity towards the egress end thereof. In its travel in the first path the aqueous ammonia is vaporized by the heater element thereby causing separation of the aqueous ammonia into a first portion of residue water comprising hot water and a trace of ammonia, and a second portion comprising ammonia gas and steam.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for eliminating the residue waste of aqueous ammonia solution, comprising a first portion of ammonia gas and a second portion of steam, of a developer system in an ammonia type diazo machine. The device provides for separating the first and second portions, recirculating the first portion to the developer system, condensing the second portion to form water and conveying the water via an inlet duct to an evaporator tank. A heater is provided for heating the evaporator tank to vaporize the water therein and an outlet duct is provided for expelling the water vaporized in the tank to an exhaust system of the machine.

Abstract: A microfiche developer of a type which includes upper and lower walls that are slightly spaced to receive a microfiche, and which also includes a seal extending around a region between the plates where the microfiche lies, to seal this region when pressured ammonia or other developer is introduced through a conduit in the lower wall into this region to develop a microfiche therein. Passages are formed in the upper wall to receive air during the period when ammonia is pumped into the sealed region, to draw the microfiche up against the upper wall so that all of the lower face of the microfiche which carries the emulsion, is exposed to the developer. The seal is an elastomeric ring with radially inner and outer flanges that are held down and sealed to the lower wall, a middle portion which can be deflected up against the upper wall, and intermediate portions which lay up against the supporting wall portions when the middle portion is deflected up.

Abstract: A printing system of the type wherein magnetic images are recorded on a tape, the images are toned, the tape is positioned to extend adjacent to a web of paper, and the toner is then transferred from the tape to the paper. In the present system, the tape portion which passes by the image recording head and toner is moved continuously, while the tape portion which passes adjacent to the paper is moved intermittently by frictional engagement with a transport belt, a pair of vacuum column buffers being provided between the continuously and intermittently driven tape portions and supplying tape tension that holds the tape to the transport belt.

Abstract: Cylinders for lithographic printing machines having hard, non-porous surfaces are made without plating by forming a thin stainless steel sheet into a cylindrical shape and disposing it against the wall of a cylindrical mould. Cast iron is poured into the mould at temperatures substantially in excess of normal casting temperatures to bond with the stainless steel sheet. The surface is then ground and polished. Preferably the stainless steel is initially provided with a thin plating of copper on its inner surface to enhance the bond.

Abstract: In a photocomposition machine environment the apparatus and method show the concept of advancing the photosensitive material into position normally occupied for composition of text. The known apparatus and method are then modified by providing reverse leading for the paper and re-advance to the starting point followed by composition of a second column lateral to and aligned with the first column. A particular advance in the art is the ability to compose a complex mathematical formula with greatly simplified software using the improved hardware.The point of reference is established by a sensor which is activated upon advance of the paper to the sensor and therefore reversal and re-advancement of the paper will cause an exact repositioning of the paper for each column.