Abstract: An image formation apparatus has a detachably attached cartridge having a box for containing a roll of unused photosensitive sheet and a take-up shaft which is unistructurally formed with the box and serves to wrap up the used part of the photosensitive sheet. Holding plates which serve to guide the used part of the photosensitive sheet towards the take-up shaft are pressed against the take-up shaft automatically when a cover for the cartridge is opened.

Abstract: In the camera and film winding apparatus disclosed, a motor is adapted to wind the film and a driving arrangement supplies the motor with a first signal to drive the motor so that the film is wound at a normal speed between frames, but at a lower speed than at the normal speed from the film loading position to the photographic start position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sound motion picture projection apparatus in which a head pad is urged by a spring member toward a film pressing position at which position the head pad presses a film against a magnetic head disposed along the sound recording and reproducing film path. The apparatus has a set mechanism of the self-holding type which sets the head pad against the urging force of the spring member to a film pressure releasing position at which position the head pad releases the pressing of the film, by the driving force of a driving motor and keeps the head pad to that position.

Abstract: A microfilm recording and developing apparatus comprising an inverted planetary optical system for photographically recording and reducing documents, and the like on microfilm, and a film processor assembly for treating the exposed film. The processor assembly which is of the self-threading type, comprises an elongated, double-walled conveyor which carries a plurality of coupled pairs of upper and lower transporting pinch rollers operated by an associated drive mechanism, and which, following the exposure of the film, causes the exposed film to enter and exit a plurality of chemical pods which respectively contain a developing, fixing, neutralizing and washing liquid. The chemical pods are removably disposed in aperatures formed in the processing conveyor at a location slightly spaced from and beneath each two adjacent pairs of coupled rollers.

Abstract: A microfilm reader has a film transport mechanism driven by separate forward and reverse motors. When the forward motor first starts, power may be applied, via a one way clutch, to a capstan in order to automatically thread the film into the reader. A film gate opens as the film approaches it and thereafter closes, after the film is captured therein. A manual override gate control may prop the film gate open, if film is manually fed through the system.

Abstract: A two-part replaceable cassette-like device is provided, having a disposable cassette portion and a light sealed buffer box, having a pair of drive rollers therein and which is detachably fastened to the disposable cassette, whereby the photosensitive material driven out of the cassette will be driven through the light sealed buffer box into a camera processor. Upon exhaustion of the photosensitive media within the cassette, the buffer box is removed from the cassette for reuse and the cassette is thrown away. A gear coupled to the buffer box roller material drive means is automatically rotated during insertion and withdrawal of the buffer box to and from the camera due to roller contact with a stationary drive gear positioned within such camera.

Abstract: A motion picture projector having a slot for edgewise loading of the film is provided with a film strip encapsulating and drive system which is operated by a single control lever. Operation of a control lever moves a plurality of film path forming elements to an open position so that edgewise insertion of the film into the projector automatically forms loops on either side of a film gate. Closure of the control lever encapsulates the film strip within film gate drive sprockets and around a sound drum while maintaining free loops on either side of the film gate. The actuator includes a pair of switches to shut down a drive system projection lamp and an audio amplifier when moving between an open or loading position and a closed position to prevent inadvertent damage to the film which could occur if the drive means continued in operation. A second switch connected to the projection lamp and audio amplifier maintains these units in an off position when the actuator is in an open position.

Abstract: An automatic tape winding device in which the leading end portion of a tape-like article inserted into the device is pressed against a portion of a reel hub rotating at a peripheral speed higher than the speed of said tape-like article and, upon passage of the point of pressure contact of said tape-like article with said reel hub, is again led to said point of pressure contact, and such operation is repeated, whereby said leading end portion of the tape-like article is automatically engaged with said reel hub.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording information on a flexible strip or reproducing the information so recorded includes a guide structure for directing a leading end of an oncoming strip, of initially indeterminate curvature, to a self-threading area associated with a take-up reel regardless of strip curvature. The guide structure has an outlet with two or three channels, branching from its inlet, separated by one or two generally wedge-shaped deflectors pointing toward the inlet, the channels being defined by guide rollers establishing points of intersection thereof downstream of the deflector or deflectors.