Abstract: A scanning apparatus for obtaining an image from a phosphor sheet has a cylindrical drum having an inner axis and having an inner surface that is concave with respect to the axis. A light collector is coupled to a transport mechanism that is actuable to translate the light collector along a direction parallel to the axis. The light collector has a beam generator with a light source and a rotatable beam deflector that is actuable to provide a rotating scanning beam. There are first and second cylindrical hoops circumferentially disposed about the axis and spaced apart from each other along the direction of the axis to define a slot aligned with the rotating scanning beam as it scans the phosphor sheet. At least one light detector is disposed to detect light stimulated from the phosphor sheet by the scanning beam.

Abstract: An edge guide includes a fixed surface over which a print media can travel, a surface that is contactable with an edge of the print media, and a mechanism that is configured to apply a nesting force to the print media to cause it to move toward the surface that is contactable with the edge of the print media. The force, that is applied to the print media by the mechanism, has a magnitude that is adjustable.

Abstract: A digital printing system for printing on a continuous web of print media includes a support structure that guides the continuous web of print media under tension through the printing system. The printing system includes a first mechanism that is affixed to the support structure that positions the print media in a cross track direction. A second mechanism is affixed to the support structure that sets tension of the print media. A third mechanism is affixed to the support structure that sets an angular trajectory of the print media. A roller is affixed to the support structure and is configured to align to the print media being guided through the printing system without necessarily being aligned to another roller located upstream or downstream relative to the roller. A drive roller is affixed to the support structure that moves the print media through the printing system. A printhead is located downstream relative to the first mechanism.

Abstract: A digital printing system for printing on a continuous web of print media includes a first module and a second module that guide a continuous web of print media under tension through the printing system. At least one of the first module and the second module include a digital printhead for placing marks on the print media as it travels through the module. The first module includes a first support structure. A first mechanism is affixed to the first support structure and includes structure that positions the print media in a cross track direction. A second mechanism is affixed to the first support structure and includes structure that sets a tension of the print media. The second module includes a second support structure and is positioned downstream from the first module.

Abstract: An edge guide is provided. A structure includes curved surface over which a print media can travel. The print media includes a first edge and a second edge that is opposite the first edge. A first media guide is contactable with the first edge of the print media. A second media guide is contactable with the second edge of the print media. The second media guide is spaced apart from the first media guide. A relative spacing between the second media guide and the first media guide is adjustable such that a distance between the first media guide and the second media guide is variable. The second media guide includes a mechanism that applies a nesting force to the second edge of the print media to cause the first edge of the print media to move toward and contact the first media guide.

Abstract: A digital printing system for printing on a continuous web of print media includes a support structure that guides a continuous web of print media under tension through the printing system. The continuous web of print media includes an edge. The support structure includes a first mechanism, a filter mechanism, and a section in which cross track motion of the continuous web of print media is not desired. The first mechanism is affixed to the support structure and includes structure that positions the print media in a cross track direction. The filter mechanism sets an angular trajectory of the print media, is located downstream relative to the first mechanism, and passively filters fluctuations in position of the edge of the continuous web of print media. The section in which cross track motion of the continuous web of print media is not desired is located downstream relative to the filter mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining uniform tension across a width of a web includes a roller, a first arm and a second arm, a plurality of devices, and a plurality of links. The roller includes a shaft, about which the roller rotates, that defines an axis of rotation. The first arm and the second arm are coupled to opposite sides of the shaft of the roller. The first arm and the second arm are coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of devices. The location of the coupling is at the same distance from the axis of rotation of the roller such that each device is allowed two degrees of rotational freedom about the arm to which it is coupled. Each of the devices is pivotably coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of links. Each link is pivotably coupled to the shaft of the roller through the device to which it is coupled such that the roller is allowed to pivot about a first axis. Each link is pivotably coupled to a stationary frame such that the roller is allowed to pivot about a second axis.

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 scanning apparatus for obtaining an image from a phosphor sheet has a cylindrical drum having an inner axis and having an inner surface that is concave with respect to the axis. A light collector is coupled to a transport mechanism that is actuable to translate the light collector along a direction parallel to the axis. The light collector has a beam generator with a light source and a rotatable beam deflector that is actuable to provide a rotating scanning beam. There are first and second cylindrical hoops circumferentially disposed about the axis and spaced apart from each other along the direction of the axis to define a slot aligned with the rotating scanning beam as it scans the phosphor sheet. At least one light detector is disposed to detect light stimulated from the phosphor sheet by the scanning beam.

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: A film camera has a body enclosing a light-tight film space. A film unit disposed in the film space, includes a filmstrip having a longitudinally extending row of uniform perforations. The perforations each have at least one concavely-curved edge extending in a direction transverse to the filmstrip. The film space is substantially free of skives despite prewinding of the filmstrip in the camera, even if the prewinding is at a high-torque level.

Abstract: A light collector and detector for collecting and detecting light emitted, reflected or transmitted by a scanned information medium, comprising: a planar mirror assembly for extending the width of a scanned information medium and for disposition substantially perpendicular thereto, the planar mirror assembly having a lower edge adjacent to the scanned medium and an upper edge spaced from the lower edge; first and second pyramidal mirrors located side by side facing the planar mirror, the pyramidal mirrors having respective upper edges spaced from the upper edge of the planar mirror and respective lower edges spaced from the lower edge of the planar mirror, thereby to form aligned slots for the passage of a scanning beam of light to a medium to be scanned and for allowing light emitted by, reflected from, or transmitted by the scanned medium to enter the collector; wherein the first pyramidal mirror has a first aperture in an apex region thereof and wherein the second pyramidal mirror has a second aperture in

Abstract: A light collector and detector for collecting and detecting light emitted, reflected or transmitted by a scanned information medium, comprising: a planar mirror assembly for extending the width of a scanned information medium and for disposition substantially perpendicular thereto, the planar mirror assembly having a lower edge adjacent to the scanned medium and an upper edge spaced from the lower edge; first and second pyramidal mirrors located side by side facing the planar mirror, the pyramidal mirrors having respective upper edges spaced from the upper edge of the planar mirror and respective lower edges spaced from the lower edge of the planar mirror, thereby to form aligned slots for the passage of a scanning beam of light to a medium to be scanned and for allowing light emitted by, reflected from, or transmitted by the scanned medium to enter the collector; wherein the first pyramidal mirror has a first aperture in an apex region thereof and wherein the second pyramidal mirror has a second aperture in

Abstract: A light collector and detector apparatus comprising: a light detector having a light detecting face; a light collector for collecting light emitted from, reflected from and transmitted through a scanned medium and for directing collected light to the light detector; and an optical assembly mounted on the detector face for directing light into the detector to improve light collection efficiency.