Abstract: A mounting for an objective or projection-type lens has a male bayonet with beveled lugs engageable with a recess in a female bayonet plate and a one-piece spring is attached to the female plate and applies clamping force against the lugs of the male bayonet and also against the recessed shoulders of the female plate to provide for rapid changing of the lens and to maintain the lens in precise focal position.

Abstract: A lens nesting member carries a plurality of lenses in position to enable rapid selection of a desired lens and photoelectric means is provided for sensing and for identifying the desired lens.

Abstract: A processor for developing diazo film defined by a pair of flat platens disposed within a housing and spaced apart a distance only slightly greater than the thickness of the film. The housing includes intake and outlet openings aligned with the space between the platens and means for advancing an incoming film from the intake opening, through the space between the platens and for discharging it through the outlet opening. The platen facing the emulsion side of the film is heated and includes at least one passage through which a metered amount of aqueous ammonia is passed for each film that is to be developed. The ammonia is vaporized in the passage and discharged against the emulsion side of the film. A transverse groove in the emulsion facing surface of the platen communicates with the passage to distribute the ammonia vapor over the full width of the film. The developing temperature is between about 150.degree.-200.degree. F.

Abstract: A processor for developing diazo film has flat platens disposed within a housing and spaced apart a distance to accommodate the thickness of the film. The housing includes an inlet and an outlet aligned with the space between the platens and means for advancing a film from the inlet and through the space between the platens in a preheat chamber and in a developing chamber and for discharging the developed film. The platen facing the emulsion side of the film is heated in the preheat chamber so that the film is heated to a desired temperature prior to developing. A metered amount of aqueous ammonia is supplied through a lower chamber at the inlet end of the developing chamber wherein the ammonia is separated from the water by reason of the differential temperature and ammonia vapor rises to contact the emulsion side of the film for rapidly developing thereof and the water is drained from the lower chamber.

Abstract: A microfiche recorder capable of optically combining, aligning and superimposing at least three independent images from a computer controlled CRT, a raster plate which is size and position coordinated with the CRT, and a multiple, random access graphic image projector. The CRT, raster plate and projector are arranged along angularly inclined optical axes and optics are provided which combined and optically align the respective images and reduce their sizes by differing factors to a common microfiche recording size.

Abstract: A microfiche recorder has an X carriage movable along a guide in the X direction and a Y carriage mounted on the X carriage and movable in the Y direction. The guide provides a pivot connection wherein the X carriage and the Y carriage are swingable in a Z direction toward an away from a microfiche holding platen.

Abstract: A duplicator for making copies of a microfiche master. The master is positioned at an exposure station and a supply of copy film stored on a roll is incremently advanced by a film drive located between the supply and the exposure station. During exposure the copy film is biased against the master by an overlying cover. Cutoff blades located immediately downstream of the exposure station sever each exposed segment of film after it is advanced past the exposure station. A single motor is used to sequentially advance, sever, and bias the film. The motor drives a rotatable element. A Geneva drive coupled to the rotatable element actuates the film drive; cam surfaces on the rotatable element displace a cam follower, the displacement of which is transmitted to a rotatable actuator element. The actuator element engages the film biasing cover and the cutoff blade.

Abstract: The exposure of film which changes its transmissivity as a function of the quantum of light to which it is subjected is controlled by sensing the intensity of the light transmitted through the film. From the sensed light the change in the light transmissivity of the film is determined and when that change has reached the desired level the exposure of the film is terminated. The exposure is instantaneously controlled and terminated only after the desired exposure level has been reached irrespective of the time required.

Abstract: A processor for developing diazo film defined by a pair of flat platens disposed within a housing and spaced apart a distance only slightly greater than the thickness of the film. The housing includes intake and outlet openings aligned with the space between the platens and means for advancing an incoming film from the intake opening, through the space between the platens and for discharging it through the outlet opening. The platen facing the emulsion side of the film is heated and includes at least one passage through which a metered amount of aqueous ammonia is passed for each film that is to be developed. The ammonia is vaporized in the passage and discharged against the emulsion side of the film. A transverse groove in the emulsion facing surface of the platen communicates with the passage to distribute the ammonia vapor over the full width of the film. The developing temperature is between about 150.degree.-200.degree. F.

Abstract: A diazo film developer which has a developing chamber that is kept at a temperature above the dew point for the film. Feed rollers disposed adjacent an intake opening of the chamber are maintained at a temperature above the dew point and advance film to be developed to the chamber. Exit rollers at an outlet opening for the chamber withdraw developed film from the chamber. The rollers are sealed with respect to the chamber to prevent the escape of aqueous ammonia vapors. The portion of the exit rollers disposed outside the chamber is subjected to a relatively low temperature airstream to cool the rollers below the dew point for the aqueous ammonia vapor. The exit rollers are continuously rotated so that aqueous ammonia vapor can condense on surface portions of the rollers disposed interiorly of the chamber. The condensate is then transported by the rotating rollers to the exterior of the chamber and the cooled airflow removes, e.g. evaporates the condensate before it is re-introduced into the chamber.

Abstract: Processing apparatus for developing exposed film by sequentially subjecting an emulsion side of the film to processing liquids. The processor has an elongate, horizontally disposed tank divided into a plurality of serially arranged compartments for holding the liquid. The film emulsion side faces downwardly and passes over a nozzle plate disposed between the film and a drainage opening for each compartment which forms a processing liquid curtain that contacts every part of the film's emulsion side. A cover plate on top of the film guides the film and includes longitudinally extending pressure-relieving grooves to prevent the film from adhering to the plate. The drainage opening for each compartment is slanted and a processing fluid return line guides the fluid from the compartment to a collection point for recirculation. The return conduit has a sufficiently large diameter so that the returning liquid does not fill the complete cross-section of the conduit.

Abstract: A duplicator for making copies of a microfiche master. The master is positioned at a transfer station and a copy film is stored on a supply roll and incrementally advanced to the transfer station by a film drive disposed upstream of the transfer station so that fresh copy film is pushed downstream into registration with the master. Pressurized air supply conduits are disposed between the film drive and the transfer station and are activated so that the copy film moves downstream on an air cushion to minimize copy film drag and sticking. A film cutter is disposed immediately downstream of the transfer station in substantial registration with a downstream edge of the master to eliminate copy film waste. Exposed copy film is transported past a developing station and a curing station to a copy film discharge station.

Abstract: A film developer-fixer for diazo, vesicular or similar film in which the exposed film is developed by subjecting it to high temperature. The film is moved continuously at a constant speed past a developing station defined by a pair of opposing, spaced apart heating platens; the spacing between the platens exceeds the thickness of the film. Heated air is blown against the film emulsion to generate an air bearing for the film. Downstream of the developing station is a film cooling station and downstream of the cooling station a fixing station where the developed emulsion is subjected to light to permanently fix the images thereon. The cooling and the fixing stations are disposed in cavities defined by a supporting structure and they communicate with a source of cooling air for cooling the film and the components of the apparatus. Transport means is defined by a plurality of roller sets having polished surfaces.

Abstract: A duplicator for making copies of a microfiche master. The master is positioned at a transfer station and a copy film is stored on a supply roll and incrementally advanced to the transfer station by a film drive disposed upstream of the transfer station so that fresh copy film is pushed downstream into registration with the master. Pressurized air supply conduits are disposed between the drive means and the transfer station and are activated so that the copy film moves downstream on an air cushion to minimize copy film drag and sticking. A film cutter is disposed immediately downstream of the transfer station in substantial registration with a downstream edge of the master to eliminate copy film waste. Exposed copy film is transported past a developing station and a curing station to a copy film discharge station.

Abstract: A microfiche recorder in which a platen is rectilinearly moved over a reference plate having an optical aperture through which images are projected onto film on the platen. A supply of recording film is stored on the platen for movement therewith to prevent film twisting and distortion. The platen moves slidably over the reference plate and vacuum ports in the platen retain the film section being exposed to the platen. When the platen is in its home or starting position, a reciprocating clamp grasps an edge of the exposed film, the vacuum is released and a predetermined length of film is drawn from the platen to thereby automatically reload the platen with fresh film for exposure. As soon as the exposed film section has been fully withdrawn from the platen, a cutter severs it from the remaining film.