Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a process unit, a heating unit, and a controller unit. The process unit is configured to transfer an image onto a sheet. The heating unit is configured to fix the image transferred at the process unit onto the sheet, and to transfer a transfer layer onto an image formed on a sheet overlaid on a multilayer film. The controller unit is capable of operating in a first printing mode in which processes of transferring an image at the process unit, fixing the image at the heating unit, and transferring the transfer layer at the heating unit are executed, and a second printing mode in which processes of transferring an image at the process unit and fixing the image at the heating unit are not executed, and a process of transferring the transfer layer at the heating unit is executed.

Abstract: In described examples, a digital light processing color projector includes light emitters configured to collectively emit light at multiple wavelengths, multiple light directing elements forming an illumination path having at least one aperture stop, a micromirror array coupled to a substrate, an aperture located at the aperture stop, and a filter with a selected color transmittance profile located at or near the aperture stop. The light directing elements are configured to direct light towards the micromirror array as illumination light. An aperture width determines a diameter of the illumination light. A micromirror on-state reflects the illumination light as on-state light. The substrate reflects the illumination light as flat-state light. The light directing elements direct on-state light through the aperture to a projector output. The filter filters flat-state light in an overlap region of the on-state light and flat-state light, or an illumination light portion corresponding to overlap region.

Abstract: A system for forming a plurality of polymer waveguides includes at least one collimated light source adapted to produce a plurality of collimated light beams; a channel having an exposure area for the collimated light beams to pass through and for holding a photo-monomer adapted to polymerize when exposed to the collimated light beams, the photo-monomer moving with respect to the plurality of collimated light beams; and a mask disposed between the at least one collimated light source and the photo-monomer. A method for forming a plurality of polymer waveguides includes moving a mask across an exposure area of a channel containing a photo-monomer; exposing the photo-monomer to collimated light through the exposure area of the channel; growing the plurality of polymer waveguides from the exposure area into the photo-monomer to form an interconnected ordered three-dimensional polymer micro-truss structure; and removing the ordered 3D polymer micro-truss structure from the channel.

Abstract: A liquid crystal projector device of the present invention includes a lamp unit and a lamp cooling fan, the lamp unit having disposed therein a columnar lamp bulb having a luminous body enclosed therein, the lamp unit having a side wall opposed to the lamp cooling fan and provided with a first and second air introduction openings at opposite sides of a plane including a central axis of the lamp bulb and perpendicular to the side wall, for introducing the air drawn from the lamp cooling fan toward the lamp bulb.

Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a display medium, the manufacturing apparatus including an image data storing unit that stores image data for text or image to be displayed on the display medium; an electrode pattern generating unit that generates an electrode pattern based on the image data stored in the image data storing unit so that when the text or image is configured of a plurality of independent regions, the electrode pattern has a plurality of integrally and electrically connected electrodes corresponding to a plurality of regions; an electrode forming unit that forms the first electrode on either an electrophoretic medium integrally configured of the second substrate, the second electrode, and the electrophoretic layer or the first substrate based on the electrode pattern generated by the electrode pattern generating unit; and a bonding unit that bonds the electrophoretic medium to the first substrate after the electrode forming unit has formed the first electrode.

Abstract: A duplicate apparatus is disclosed that is able to reliably switch plural document feeding units without additional cost and has high accessibility. In the duplicate apparatus, an operations unit and a document reading unit are included in an operations-reading unit as one unit, and plural operations-reading units can be connected to the duplicate apparatus. A control unit enables one of the operations-reading units to operate via an image data selection unit and an operations selection unit.

Abstract: A carriage fixing screw housing structure in which a carriage fixing screw for externally screwing and fixing carriages of an image reader is held, when not used, by a screw holder formed on a part of an image reader to prevent loss of the carriage fixing screw after removed from the carriage. A screw holder is formed on a part, such as the back face of the main body of an image reader, and includes a holder to hold the threaded part of a carriage fixing screw and a housing 23 to house the head of the fixing screw.

Abstract: A method is provided for transferring dye from a dye imbibed matrix film to a receiver film for producing a dye transfer print of a motion picture print. A dye imbibed matrix film and a receiver film are superimposed together in precise registration on a seating apparatus, e.g., a pin belt, to create a two-film sandwich. The two-film sandwich is stripped from the seating apparatus before completing dye transfer, and dye transfer from the matrix film to the receiver film is completed along a pinless, substantially rectilinear film path while maintaining the two-film sandwich in precise registration. For example, a transfer cabinet may be provided that includes a plurality of rollers having a predetermined relationship to one another and defining the substantially rectilinear film path, and the two-film sandwich may be directed along the film path to complete dye transfer.

Abstract: An imaging forming device using a platen, an upper peel roller, a lower peel roller movably positioned under and parallel to the upper peel roller, a diverter bar rotatably positioned underneath the platen and near the upper and lower peel rollers and adapted to guide a printable medium backing to move between the platen and the upper peel roller to between the upper and lower peel rollers, a peel bar rotatably positioned over the upper peel roller, a pair of lever cams rotatably positioned respectively at opposite ends of the upper and lower peel rollers, the lever cams are adapted to push the lower peel roller to press the printable medium backing against the upper peel roller during operation for moving the printable medium backing through the imaging forming device and to allow the lower peel roller to separate apart from the upper peel roller when the imaging forming device is open for loading the printable medium backing in between the upper and lower rollers.

Abstract: A system for producing prints of a professional motion picture film by dye transfer, including a roll tank, a pin belt, and a transfer cabinet. A dye imbibed matrix film and blank film are superimposed together in a predetermined registration by rollers in the roll tank, creating a two-film sandwich, which is directed onto the pin belt. The pin belt includes a plurality of pins traveling in an orbital path, which detachably engage the two-film sandwich, thereby directing the two-film sandwich along a portion of the orbital path. The transfer cabinet includes a plurality of relatively large diameter rollers in a predetermined relationship to one another, and an elevator mechanism for adjusting the predetermined relationship. The rollers define a substantially rectilinear film path along which the two-film sandwich from the pin belt is directed. The film path has a length sufficient to allow complete dye transfer to occur at high drive speeds within the transfer cabinet.

Abstract: A system for producing prints of a professional motion picture film by dye transfer, including a roll tank, a pin belt, and a transfer cabinet. A dye imbibed matrix film and blank film are superimposed together in a predetermined registration by rollers in the roll tank, creating a two-film sandwich, which is directed onto the pin belt. The pin belt includes a plurality of pins traveling in an orbital path, which detachably engage the two-film sandwich, thereby directing the two-film sandwich along a portion of the orbital path. The transfer cabinet includes a plurality of relatively large diameter rollers in a predetermined relationship to one another, and an elevator mechanism for adjusting the predetermined relationship. The rollers define a substantially rectilinear film path along which the two-film sandwich from the pin belt is directed. The film path has a length sufficient to allow complete dye transfer to occur at high drive speeds within the transfer cabinet.

Abstract: A loading table for flexographic printing plates is disclosed wherein pneumatic suction is employed to secure the printing plate to the loading table and pneumatic pressure is employed to reduce the friction when conveying the printing plate from the loading table to an imaging cylinder. The loading table comprises a plurality of openings connected to a reversible pump. Pneumatic suction or pressure from the pump is transferred to the printing plate via the openings in the loading table. While immobilized on the loading table with pneumatic suction, the flexographic plates can be prepared for imaging by peeling the protective coating from the active layer. The coupling of the plate to the loading table surface facilitates such preparatory steps without excessive handling of the plate. After preparation, the pneumatic pressure is reversed and a thin layer of air is created underneath the plate reducing the friction and permitting simple transfer of the plate to an imaging cylinder for further processing.

Abstract: A method of transfering from dye from a dye imbibed matrix film and a receiver film for producing a dye transfer print of a motion picture print including the steps of seating a dye imbibed matrix film and a receiver film on a pin belt, driving the pin belt at a predetermined speed along an orbital path, engaging sprocket holes on the matrix and receiver films with precisely spaced pins on the pin belts, stripping the two-film sandwich from the pin belt prior to completion of dye transfer, completing dye transfer from the matrix film to the receiver film in a transfer cabinet and maintaining the two-film sandwich in precise registration during the step of completing dye transfer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photo printer with an adjustable thermal print head. The printer includes a cantilever mechanism that raises or lowers a thermal print head for either removing a photo or printing the photo. The force exerted on the thermal print head is adjusted by an adjusting mechanism which uses an elastic mechanism with an adjusting screw and a spring. A platen roller feeds the photo through the device. The contacting stress between the thermal print heads and the platen roller is individually adjusted so that pressure can be maintained evenly at all times.

Abstract: A photocopy count system and method which records usage information for accounting and billing purposes. The photocopy tracking system comprises a plurality of remote mini-terminals, a multiport serial board, and a central control computer. Billing identifier information entered at a remote mini-terminal is received at the central control computer where it is processed for verification of validity. If the billing information is valid, the central control computer generates a copier enable signal which is received at the remote mini-terminal to enable the associated photocopier. As each photocopy event occurs, the copy signal is detected by the central control computer. When copying is completed, the copy count and associated billing information is stored at the control computer for later accounting and billing use. The control and processing functions are centralized so as to reduce the cost to install and maintain the system.

Abstract: The primary function of the optional handler is to make plates available on demand to the imaging engine. A multitude of plates are stored inside cassettes and these cassettes are loaded into the handler. There may be up to four cassettes residing in the handler. Inside a cassette there may be a protective interleaf sheet, sometimes called a slip sheet, between each plate which is removed by the handler and discarded. The handler receives commands from the engine control sequencer which provides instructions as to what cassette needs to be accessed to make a plate available to the picker mechanism so the plate may be conveyed to the imaging engine. Conversely the handler provides status information to the engine to make full interaction with the system possible.

Abstract: A system for producing prints of a professional motion picture film by dye transfer, including a roll tank, a pin belt, and a transfer cabinet. A dye imbibed matrix film and blank film are superimposed together in a predetermined registration by rollers in the roll tank, creating a two-film sandwich, which is directed onto the pin belt. The pin belt includes a plurality of pins traveling in an orbital path, which detachably engage the two-film sandwich, thereby directing the two-film sandwich along a portion of the orbital path. The transfer cabinet includes a plurality of relatively large diameter rollers in a predetermined relationship to one another, and an elevator mechanism for adjusting the predetermined relationship. The rollers define a substantially rectilinear film path along which the two-film sandwich from the pin belt is directed. The film path has a length sufficient to allow complete dye transfer to occur at high drive speeds within the transfer cabinet.

Abstract: A reticle sorter and a semiconductor fabrication facility employing one or more reticle sorters is provided. The reticle sorter(s) generally lies between a reticle storage system and a group of one or more photolithography exposure tools (e.g., steppers) and is configured for sorting reticles in one or more cassettes. The use of the reticle sorter provides sorting functionality apart from the reticle storage system and typically closer to the group of photolithography steppers with which it is associated. This can, for example, significantly increase the throughput of semiconductor wafers through the associated photolithography exposure tools as well as in the semiconductor fabrication plant as a whole.

Abstract: A heating device, in which a photosensitive material and an image receiving material can be heated quickly and which has a reduced number of parts. A plate-shaped heating plate, which can move reciprocally within the device, is provided at a heat development transfer section. Attaching/peeling rollers, which can move closer to and away from the heating plate, are disposed above the heating plate. Further, a photosensitive material peeling pawl and an image receiving material peeling pawl are provided on the sides of the attaching/peeling rollers. During two reciprocal movements of the heating plate, the photosensitive material and the image receiving material are loaded on the heating plate, heat-development-transferred, and peeled. Because the respective materials are pressed by the attaching/peeling rollers and adhered to the heating plate, good heat development transfer can be effected in a short time.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for placing a contact print slide (134) in a photographic printer (10) having a platen (54) for supporting a photographic paper (32) during exposure of an image (88, 90) onto the paper at a paper print gate (36) at the platen.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus which effects digital exposure while aiming for compactness. An exposure unit digitally exposes a photosensitive material successively while moving above a stage. An application unit moves from the rear side of the exposure unit and applies water successively to the photosensitive material. A superposing unit moves from the rear side of the application unit, and successively superposes an image-receiving material on the photosensitive material. Heat development transfer is carried out, and an image is obtained on the image-receiving material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of using same for exposing successive sections of opposite sides of a web of material to actinic radiation in patterns on each section of the opposite sides of the web is provided. The apparatus includes a first station having mechanisms to locate and expose selected sections on the first side of the web to actinic radiation in a first pattern, and a second station spaced from the first station having mechanisms to locate and expose selected sections on the second side of said web to actinic radiation. The first and second stations include first and second pattern masters and first and second mountings for the masters, and first and second sources of actinic radiation to project the desired patterns of exposure from each of the masters to each of the sections on the first and second sides of the web in very close registration or alignment thereof.

Abstract: An optional apparatus which can be connected to a printer or other optional apparatus includes a communication section for communicating with other apparatus and a control section which executes a command in response to the command received via the communication section; wherein the communication section has a first communication path for receiving a data string from an apparatus on the upstream side in communication and for transmitting the received data string to an apparatus on the downstream side of the communication and a second communication path for receiving a data string received from the apparatus on the downstream side of communication and for transmitting the received data string to the apparatus on the upstream side of the communication; and the control section executes a command in the command string received via the first communication path or the second communication path and loads the data indicating the execution result of the command in the command string.

Abstract: An image recording device in which an image is exposed onto a photosensitive material, and an image forming solvent is applied thereto, and an image receiving material is superposed thereon, and then heat development transfer is carried out so as to obtain an image on the image receiving material, comprising: a fixed stage which holds the photosensitive material; an application unit which applies the image forming solvent to the photosensitive material; a superposing unit which superposes the image receiving material on the photosensitive material; a connecting tool which connects the application unit and the superposing unit such that the units are moved integrally with one of the units in front of the other; and a squeeze roller which is disposed between the application unit and the superposing unit and is moved in accordance with the integral movement thereof, wherein as the application unit and the superposing unit are moved such that the application unit is positioned in front of the superposing unit, th

Abstract: An asynchronous contact printer and a related method for printing motion picture film in different formats. The contact printer has a pair of film drives that move duplicate film and original film at different increments through the printer, and then intermittently stop the film to permit exposure of the original onto the duplicate. The printer can print duplicate film in an alternate format, such as the three-perforation or 2.5-perforation format, from original film in another format, such as the four-perforation format. This is accomplished by moving the film asynchronously through the printer and exposing frames of the original film onto the duplicate film on a frame-by-frame basis.

Abstract: Photographic films, such as X-rays, are duplicated by exposing an unexposed copy film in the presence of an intimately overlying developed film to be copied. The device exposure station has a pair of rollers at the entrance to drive the film pair and to remove from the interface between the films trapped air that would compromise the accuracy of resolution and contrast of the copy. Another pair of rollers at the outlet from the exposure station cooperates with the roller pair at the exposure station inlet to maintain the film pair within the exposure station in a planar orientation to avoid curvature which is another principal source of compromised resolution in film copies.

Abstract: A compact digitizer apparatus for accurately scanning an image on a transparent sheet is particularly useful for scanning and storing medical x-ray photographs and other photographic-based records. The apparatus includes a photosensitive device which scans the image, and an illumination device for passing light through the sheet to project the image onto the photosensitive device. A transport system transports the sheet between the illuminating device and the photosensitive device. A guide keeps at least a portion of the sheet which is being illuminated in a fixed orientation. For guidance of the sheet, a planar sheet support keeps contact with the bottom edge of the sheet. A carrier abuts against a rear edge of the sheet to move the sheet past the photosensitive scanner device.

Abstract: An original film holder includes an elongated main body having a plurality of pins for engaging a plurality of punch holes formed in a side portion of an original film; a push-up plate for pushing up the side portion of the original film from the main body to disengage the original film from the pins, the push-up plate being located on the main body and having holes through which the pins are inserted; a pressing member located above the main body and the push-up plate to clamp the original film in cooperation with the push-up plate; a push-up plate moving unit for moving the push-up plate upwardly from the main body to disengage the original film from the pins; a pressing member moving unit for moving the pressing member downwardly to press the original film on the push-up plate; and a retreating unit for retreating the pressing member from a position above the main body.

Abstract: Automated apparatus and method for exposing lithographic plates to light through films and masks. The method involves placing a plate, film and mask at an exposure station in superposed relation to one another with the film overlying the plate and the mask overlying the film, exposing the plate to light through the mask and film at the exposure station, raising the mask off the film to a raised position, gripping the film and moving it relative to the plate to expose a portion of the plate therebelow, gripping the exposed portion of the plate, gripping the mask in its raised position, moving the film, plate and mask forwardly while so gripped to a discharge station, and releasing the film, plate and mask at the discharge station.

Abstract: A plate making machine of a compact size has a mechanism for dealing with jamming, by which jammed master paper can be easily removed, and the maintenance of an exposure stage and a supply transfer system can be performed without disassembling the machine body. The supply transfer system for feeding the master paper X to the exposure stage 9 is provided in a generally horizontal direction at an upper portion of the plate making machine body 1. A lamp house 13 for projecting the original image is provided above the exposure stage 9. An exposure plate 24 is provided at the exposure stage 9, and the exposure plate is tiltable about tilting shaft 25 provided at the side thereof opposite to the supply transfer system. An endless feed belt 33 for feeding and discharging the master paper X relative to the exposure plate 24 is provided in surrounding relation to the exposure plate 24.

Abstract: A positioning device has two transport arms for alternately transferring plate-shaped objects from a storage position into an operational position. The transport arms are each displaceable by means of a separate manipulator, so that a quick exchange of the objects is possible. The manipulators each comprise two parallel Y-guides which are fastened to a frame, and an X-guide which is displaceable along the two Y-guides, while the transport arms are each displaceable along one of the X-guides. The positioning device is used in an optical lithographic device for alternately placing masks on a mask support. A machine frame of the optical lithographic device to which the mask support is fastened is coupled to the frame of the positioning device by spring members. To render an accurate positioning of the masks on the mask support possible, the optical lithographic device is provided with an optical sensor system which is coupled to an electronic control unit for controlling the positioning device.

Abstract: An automatic printing system includes an array of printing devices arranged along a direction in which the printing member is fed, each of printing devices having a positioning mechanism for positioning the printing member, a feeding device for feeding a printing member to each printing device, a delivery device for picking up the printing member from the feeding device and bringing the printing member into engagement with the positioning mechanism, and a discharging device for discharging the printing member, which has been exposed by the printing device, from the printing device. the automatic printing system further includes a supplying device for storing printing members of different sizes and selectively supplying the printing members one at a time, a punching device for forming a positioning opening in the printing member supplied by the supplying device, and an automatic developing device for developing the printing member which has been exposed by the printing device.

Abstract: In the context of a device for the production of printing plates comprising a printing down station with a plate table and an associated illuminating means, which station has associated with it a foil receiving means formed preferably by a foil cassette for unprinted foil and preferably a receiving cassette for printed foil, in the case of which the foil to be printed onto an unexposed or blank printing plate is able to be taken from a foil receiving means by means of a moving vacuum frame, is able to be moved onto the blank plate on the plate table and after exposure is able to be discharged, preferably into a receiving cassette, a high rate of plate production and a smooth manner of operation without damaging the foils may be ensured if the foil conveying device has a plurality of vacuum frames moving in circuits which are out of phase with each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a machine for facilitating the continuous exposure of laminar photosensitive materials placed in contact with original films. The machine includes a planar slit through which the photosensitive materials are guided, the slit being defined by a rigid planar plate of light-transparent material which is superposed on a flexible supporting and sliding surface and acts thereon with a predetermined force to ensure the contact of the photosensitive materials. Light-emitting devices are further located beyond the plate on the side opposite to the supporting surface, and at least one pair of motorized conveyor rollers is arranged upstream of the inlet of the guiding slit for continuously advancing the photosensitive materials.

Abstract: A color image recording apparatus includes an exposure device in the housing for exposing a photosensitive recording medium to light through a mask member which has been produced based on image information. A light-transmissive contacting plate for holding the mask member and the photosensitive recording medium closely against each other is disposed in a mask member feed belt and connected to a belt support frame assembly. A positioning unit for positioning the mask member with respect to the photosensitive recording medium comprises a link mechanism for moving the belt support frame assembly. The belt support frame assembly and the housing are operatively connected by the link mechanism. The color image recording apparatus further includes a charging unit for electrically charging at least a surface of the feed belt with which the mask member will be brought into contact. The surface of the feed belt comprises an electrically chargeable, relatively hard coated layer.

Abstract: A reticle conveying system includes a reticle keeping shelf for keeping therein a plurality of reticles; a first conveying portion for selecting and extracting a desired reticle out of the reticle keeping shelf and for conveying the extracted reticle to a predetermined position; and a second conveying portion for conveying the reticle from the predetermined position back into the reticle keeping shelf; wherein the first conveying portion is operable to convey the extracted reticle to the predetermined position by way of a first conveying path defined exclusively for the reticle as it is conveyed to the predetermined position and wherein said second conveying portion is operable to convey the reticle back into the reticle keeping shelf by way of a second conveying path different from the first conveying path and defined exclusively for the reticle as it is conveyed back into the reticle keeping shelf.

Abstract: A photographic contact printing apparatus for duplicating original color picture films that can be operated in a lightroom, and that can expose the necessary number of photosensitive materials sequentially by closely contacting each of them with respective original picture films set up at an exposure position with a predetermined sequence according to commands of control means which are previously established by exposure conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of exposing lithographic plates to light through films in which plates are brought into an exposure station for exposure alternately on first and second platens, each movable from a loading position outside the exposure station to an exposure position.

Abstract: A photocopying machine with a guide gap (20) formed between a plane rigid and light-transmitting plate (11) and a flexible cellular plate (7, 8). The flexible cellular plate is formed by an extremely low-friction flexible film (8) supported by a layer of flexible foam synthetic resin (7). The rigid plate (11) is covered by an extremely low-friction film (15). A pair of driving rollers (17,18) located on the introduction side and, if appropriate, a pair of driving rollers (24, 25) located on the outlet side serve exclusively as a feed element. The guide gap (20) directly adjoins the roller gap (19) of the pair of driving rollers (17, 18) located on the introduction side, because the parts forming the guide gap and in the form of a plurality of tongues (23) engaging into grooves (22) of the driving rollers (17, 18) are guided through the pair of driving rollers up to the introduction side (5, 13). A developing unit designed on the same construction principle can follow.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus has a shelf structure, an exposure base and a movable frame. The shelf structure receives a plurality of palettes on which filmy bodies, such as mask films, are placed. Each palette can be moved vertically together with a partition plate, and it can be moved on the upper surface of the exposure base when it is made flush with the surface as the exposure base abuts on the shelf structure. Each palette is provided with a recession and a notch on its front end for abutting engagement with pins on the exposure base in order to achieve an automatic positioning. The movable frame is allowed to move only vertically and provided with hangers each having a sucking disk for attracting a filmy body. A mask film, sheets of original patterns and a raw film are successively stacked on the exposure base by virtue of vertical movements of the frame and reciprocation of the palettes on the exposure base. A light source for exposure is installed within the exposure base.

Abstract: In an apparatus for copying sheetlike originals, wherein a transport system feeds originals from a positioning surface onto an exposure plate and from the latter after exposure to a receiving tray, the positioning surface presents at least two distinct areas upon each of which an original can be laid ready to be fed in for copying and each area is bordered by a lateral arrest so that plural originals laid ready in the areas and against the arrests will be fed together to exact positions on the exposure plate for copying on one sheet of receiving material in one copying run of the apparatus. A system of open-front trays for piles of originals, each aligned with one of the positioning surface areas, facilitates the laying of originals in ready position. A control system responds to sensed presence of a complete set of originals in ready position to start a run.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a sheet-like original on the feed table of a copying machine comprises a plurality of sensors, mounted on the table, that have different states of response corresponding to the presence or absence of an original at the sensor on the table. The sensors are mounted in pairs, the sensors in each pair being arranged symmetrically with respect to the center line of the feed table that extends parallel to the direction of feed of sheet-like originals. A lateral transport mechanism causes an original, lying ready to be copied, to be displaced in a lateral direction, transverse to the feed direction.

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 modular microfiche duplicator including a basic processing module which co-operates with a selected one of a plurality of different film advancing modules. In the basic processing module, the unexposed film is taken from a supply reel in a continuous strip and is drawn through an exposure station in metered segments. The microfiche sheet which is to be duplicated is inserted into the exposure station and an inflated air bag platen presses the films together as they are exposed to radiation from a columnar light source. The exposed segment of the film is then drawn into a film advancing module as the strip of film is advanced to the next segment.

Abstract: A microfilm card duplicating machine is arranged to feed master cards sequentially to a copying station. The master cards have images thereon for duplication by the machine. Copy cards are fed by the machine one by one to the copying station for producing a required number of copies. The copy cards and master cards are routed to a receiving station after copying while the master card is delayed such that it arrives at the receiving station only when its duplicate copy card(s) have been delivered thereto. The sequential delivery enables the formation of an interleaved stack of master and copy cards arranged with the copy card(s) being preceded in each case by the associated master card.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for printing photographs comprising a plurality of memories for storing information comprising frame numbers and the number of pictures to be printed for a particular frame number. Means for obtaining the information stored and for printing a predetermined number of copies therefrom are also provided, along with exposure means for exposing the negative.

Abstract: A film advancing module which co-operates with a basic processing module to duplicate a master microfiche. The film advancing module includes a film drawing station for drawing a continuous strip of vesicular microfilm from the basic processing module into the film advancing module, a film cutting station for separating an exposed film segment from the continuous strip of microfilm, a film heating station for heating the film segment, a film cooling station for cooling the film segment, a film clearing station for clearing the film segment and a film receiving station for collecting the film segment. The film heating and cooling stations are positioned to define a generally S-shaped path of travel which tends to remove any curl in the film and all the stations are positioned to define a relatively compact path of travel for the film segment. The film cooling and clearing stations are connected in series to a source of cooling air to conduct heat away from the film segment.

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.