Abstract: A bar for a web transport system in a printing system can include a first set of pins extending outward from an exterior surface of the bar and a replaceable cover wrapped over at least a portion of an exterior surface of the bar. The replaceable cover includes a plurality of openings at one end of the cover with at least a portion of the openings positioned at the locations of respective pins. Fasteners attached at another end of the cover are adapted to removably attach the cover over the bar.

Abstract: A turnbar for use in a turnover module in a printing system includes one or more air-cushioned sections and one or more friction sections. Each air-cushioned section includes holes formed in a portion of a perimeter of the turnbar. Each friction section includes a friction-inducing material disposed over or affixed to another portion of the perimeter of the turnbar. Pressurized air or gas is output through the holes to produce a cushion of air or gas between a print media and the air-cushioned section. The turnbar can include one or more pistons within the turnbar, or one or more sleeves within or around the turnbar, or a combination of pistons and sleeves, to adjust airflow through the air-cushioned section.

Abstract: A turnbar for use in a turnover module in a printing system includes one or more air-cushioned sections and one or more friction sections. Each air-cushioned section includes holes formed in a portion of a perimeter of the turnbar. Each friction section includes a friction-inducing material disposed over or affixed to another portion of the perimeter of the turnbar. Pressurized air or gas is output through the holes to produce a cushion of air or gas between a print media and the air-cushioned section. The turnbar can include one or more pistons within the turnbar, or one or more sleeves within or around the turnbar, or a combination of pistons and sleeves, to adjust airflow through the air-cushioned section.

Abstract: A media turnover mechanism includes a roller. A first turn bar is positioned upstream relative to the roller at an angle relative to a direction of media motion. A second turn bar is positioned downstream relative to the roller at an angle relative to a direction of media motion. A first guide is positioned between the first turn bar and the roller to direct a leading edge of a web of media toward the roller. A second guide is positioned between the roller and the second turn bar to direct the leading edge of the web of media toward the second turn bar. A third guide is positioned to direct the leading edge of the web of media around the second turn bar.

Abstract: A media drive module includes a drive motor. A roller, around a portion of which a web of media wraps, is connected to the drive motor such that the roller is caused to rotate. A guide is positioned to direct a leading edge of the web of media around the roller. The guide is movable between a first position adjacent to the roller to direct the leading edge of the web of media and a second position removed from the roller that provides access to at least a portion of the roller.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method for laminating a masking film onto a pre-press flexographic printing plate to place the plate in optical contact with the film by applying a balanced, non-distorting force to the flexographic printing plate and masking film. This method includes laminating the pre-press flexographic printing plate with the film mask by applying an optimized lamination force to achieve optical contact while minimizing lateral film distortion.

Abstract: A pre-press flexographic plate laminator for laminating a masking film onto a pre-press flexographic printing plate. The apparatus can be used to apply a balanced, non-distorting force to a flexographic printing plate and masking film with an optimized lamination force to achieve optical contact while minimizing lateral film distortion.

Abstract: A pre-press flexographic plate laminator for laminating a masking film onto a pre-press flexographic printing plate. The apparatus can be used to apply a balanced, non-distorting force to a flexographic printing plate and masking film with an optimized lamination force to achieve optical contact while minimizing lateral film distortion.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method for laminating a masking film onto a pre-press flexographic printing plate to place the plate in optical contact with the film by applying a balanced, non-distorting force to the flexographic printing plate and masking film. This method includes laminating the pre-press flexographic printing plate with the film mask by applying an optimized lamination force to achieve optical contact while minimizing lateral film distortion.

Abstract: The present invention resides in an ornamental holder for holding at least one image. The holder includes a first member having an outer surface and an image retention surface with a window defined between the outer surface and the image retention surface and a second member having a mounting surface, wherein the first member is pivotally connected to the second member to permit pivotal motion of the first member and the second member along parallel planes between a first position wherein the mounting surface confronts the image retention surface to hold the image at the window and a second position wherein the mounting surface is separated from the image retention surface to release the image.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for loading and unloading a discrete film strip into or from a film guide track (566) extending between an unexposed film chamber (562) and an exposed film chamber (564) within a camera (426), the camera being of a type including an external housing (428, 478) having a movable closure (484) giving access to the film guide track and the film having opposing longitudinal edges. The apparatus may include a frame (320, 352); a device (324-334, 348-356) supported by the frame for defining a first pair of opposed guide slots (336, 338) for receiving the longitudinal edges as the film is driven into the camera; and a device (370, 372, 378) supported by the frame for guiding the film from or to the first guide slots into or from the film guide track.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for loading a photographic camera (426) of a type including an external housing (428, 478) having a movable closure (484) giving access to a film guide track (566) within the camera, the guide track extending between an unexposed film chamber (562) and an exposed film chamber (564), the apparatus including a frame (12); a source (24) for unexposed photographic film positioned on the frame; a nest for receiving the camera supported on the frame; a film loading device (72) extending between the source and the nest for guiding film from the source into the film guide track within the camera; a film unloading device (82) extending away from the camera; and means for driving film from the source, along the loading device and into said camera and for driving film from the camera along the unloading device. Corresponding methods also are taught.

Abstract: A x-ray fill cassette for use with radiographic film. The cassette has a tube side unit and a cover unit. The units together define a film space for the film. The units are relatively pivotable between an open state and a closed state. The tube side unit is substantially convex in at least one of length and width dimensions when the traits are in the open state. The tube side unit is substantially flat in both length and width dimensions when the film is in the film space and the units are in the closed state. The tube side unit includes a compressible pad that adjoins the fill space. The cover unit includes a cover panel, a pressure panel, and an intensifying screen. The cover panel and the pressure panel are rigidly mounted in spaced parallel relation. The intensifying screen is adhered directly to the pressure panel adjoining the film space.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for actuating and testing a camera (426) of a type including a shutter trigger button (438) and externally accessible features (476, 508, 526, 530) for moving film within the camera. The apparatus may include a support frame (12); a nest (74) supported by the frame, the nest having a base (410) and walls (420, 422, 424) for guiding a camera into position on the base; a device (664-668) associated with the nest for depressing the trigger button to actuate and test a shutter mechanism of a camera; and camera drive mechanism (584-604) associated with the nest for engaging and operating the device for moving to drive exposed film from the exposed film chamber to the unexposed film chamber and then drive exposed film from the unexposed film chamber along the film guide track and out of the camera.

Abstract: A hand-held spray pump includes a pump mechanism which may be pre-assembled and a pump housing which receives and encloses the pump mechanism. The pump mechanism includes a minimal number of inexpensive parts which are slidably assembled and snapped together. The housing includes a body portion and a cover portion with the body portion slidably receiving a trigger for operating the pump mechanism and for slidably receiving the pump mechanism. After the pump mechanism has been inserted into the body portion, the cover is snap-fitted over the pump mechanism. By utilizing the aforedescribed configuration, the pump housing may be readily changed without requiring changes in the configuration of the pump mechanism.

Abstract: A film cartridge has ah interior spring that first engages the leader of a filmstrip as the leader is initially wound into the cartridge housing and then is distorted from its original shape by further movement of the leader into the housing. When a door connected to the cartridge housing is closed, the spring is maintained distorted in engagement with the leader,opening the door frees the spring, allowing the spring to propel the leader from the cartridge housing by recovering its original shape.

Abstract: In a film cassette, a spool is supported for rotation in an unwinding direction inside a cassette shell, a convoluted film roll whose outermost convolution is a film leader is coiled in the unwinding direction about the spool, and a film stripper is located substantially adjacent a passageway to the exterior of the shell to be received between a leading end of the film leader and a next-inward convolution of the film roll responsive to rotation of the spool in the unwinding direction to divert the leading end into the passageway. According to the invention, the stripper is positioned to lie against the next-inward convolution of the film roll to generally ensure the stripper will be received between the leading end of the film leader and the next-inward convolution when the spool is rotated in the unwinding direction.

Abstract: In a film cassette, a film spool comprises a spool core supported for rotation in an unwinding direction to thrust a leader section of a filmstrip coiled about the spool core from the cassette and in a winding direction to return the leader to the cassette, and a pair of flanges positioned along the spool core to overlie opposite sides of the film roll. The flanges have respective central openings through which the spool core axially extends to normally permit each of the flanges to be independently rotated relative to the spool core in the unwinding and winding directions.

Abstract: A film cassette is disclosed wherein a spool includes two coaxial core pieces having a convoluted film roll coiled about them, whose outermost convolution is a film leader, and respective flanges fixed to the core pieces which radially extend over the opposite sides of the film roll. At least one of the core pieces is supported for movement axially toward the other one to move at least one of the flanges axially toward the other one to provide axial clamping forces at the opposite sides of the film roll. A film stripper-guide is received between the outermost convolution and the next-inward convolution of the film roll to strip the outermost convolution from the flanges and guide it through a film passageway to the exterior of the cassette shell responsive to rotation of the spool in a film unwinding direction during application of the axial clamping forces.

Abstract: A packet for daylight-handling of photosensitive film and a cooperating holder mountable on a camera back. The packet has film removably attached to a carrier. The carrier has, at one end, an asymmetrical tab bearing adhesive material and, at its opposite end, a transverse light-locking element. Telescopically receivable over the carrier and film is a light-shielding envelope. The envelope has an open end that is closable by engagement with the light-locking element and a closed end with a sealing area that overlies and, when grasped, adheres to the tab, to prevent inadvertent separation of the envelope from the carrier. An adjacent area, not overlying the tab, is graspable for pulling the sealing area free of the tab and the envelope away from the film, to permit intended exposure. The envelope also has, near its open end, a stop strip for limiting envelope movement.