Abstract: A process for producing a magnetic tape is provided, in which a web is extended in the width direction immediately before it is cut by a slitter when the web is supplied to the slitter to be cut into several magnetic tapes. The extension of the web is performed by an extension roller apparatus comprises a backup roller for rolling the web and a pair of horizontally disposed extension rollers which elastically push the web WB at portions near both sides thereof to allow the web for extending in the width direction.

Abstract: A device for trimming and automatically cutting of either multiple or single images, the images produced for example through digital rendering on paper and other graphic and photographic substrates, wound in reel or being in single sheets (10), especially of large size. Problems in using known devices of this type with feeding rollers (2) with a length corresponding to the substrate width have the consequence of a slowing down of the production owing to the excessive care necessary when introducing at the same time parallel sheets of large size. These problems can be overcome by using rollers of reduced length, but only by adding errors in the forward movement of the substrate, errors which are remedied by of optical sensors (4, 4?) for detecting the separation mark (M) between the images (10a, 10b, . . . ) as well as its angle with respect to the cutting line (7), and by a pair of length differential measuring devices (6).

Abstract: A photo cutting apparatus includes a support, a press, a linkage and a cutting device. The press is movably mounted on the support. The linkage is for pressing the press. The cutting device is arranged between the support and the press for separating photos developed on a sheet from one another in a single action.

Abstract: Sheets held by a sheet transfer mechanism are supplied from a supply unit to an aligning unit, and aligned with each other by the aligning unit. Thereafter, corners of the sheets are cut off by first and second cutting units, and then the sheets are vertically inverted by an inverting unit. Then, the sheets are turned into a given direction by a turning unit, and supplied to a discharge unit, from which the sheets are discharged.

Abstract: An automatic cutting and stacking device for arcuately shaped blanks is disclosed. The device contains a feeding table followed by a cutting unit and a stacking device. The cutting unit is movable in relation to the feeding table to thus allow a cutting perpendicular to the contour of the shaped film. The stacking unit comprises a slide plate and a movable base plate upon which the cut blanks are stacked. The height of the base plate can be adjusted/lowered in relation to the accumulating thickness of the stacking height of the cut blanks.

Abstract: An automatic device for cutting paper and other graphic and photographic substrates in reels or single sheets through optical reflection recognition of complex marks includes at least a pair of rollers (2) for feeding the substrate, a motor (3) for driving said pair of rollers (2), a pair of optical sensors (4, 4′) suitable to detect said marks and their angle with respect to the cutting line defined by a cutting assembly (7), a motor (5) for the relative alignment so as to cancel said angle, a motor (9) for driving the mobile blade of said cutting assembly (7), and a microprocessor suitable to process the signals from said optical sensors for controlling said motors (3, 5, 9).

Abstract: In cutting four edges of a recording medium, the recording medium is fed to a first cutting position, and two front side edges of the recording medium in a feed direction of the recording medium is cut while feeding the recording medium. The recording medium is further fed to the first cutting portion and two rear side edges of the recording medium is cut while feeding the recording medium. The recording medium is fed to a second cutting position, and one of a leading edge and a trailing edge of the recording medium in the feed direction is cut while the recording medium is stationary, and the recording medium is further fed to the second cutting position and the other of the leading edge and the trailing edge is cut while the recording medium is stationary. One of the leading edge and the trailing edge is cut between cutting of the front side edges and cutting of the rear side edges.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium having a disc-shaped flexible slave medium accommodated in a case, onto which servo signals are effectively recorded by a magnetic transfer method with high quality. The method includes a slitting step for cutting an original sheet into discrete webs; a punching step for obtaining a disc-shaped slave medium; a thermo step for removing distortion; a burnishing step for smoothing a surface of the slave medium; a center core attachment step; a magnetic transfer step for performing a magnetic transfer while a master medium is allowed to be brought into close contact with one of the web and the slave medium; an assembly step for incorporating slave medium into the case; a cleaning step for cleaning a surface of the slave medium; a verifying step for checking the servo signals; and a packing step.

Abstract: A cutter system for cutting a larger sheet into individual photographic images includes a cutter for severing a transverse strip containing one or more printed images from a larger sheet. A transport table positioned to receive the strip from the cutter includes two sets of drivers, one set for moving the strip longitudinally and a second set for moving the strip laterally to a second cutter that in turn separates the strip into individual photographs. Sensors in both cutters acting in response to fiducial marks on the larger sheet cooperate with the drivers for positioning the larger sheet and the severed strip at the proper cutting locations.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electrode with an excellent quality for an electrical component, wherein an electrode raw material sheet slitter 3 comprising a slitting section 32 to slit an electrode raw material sheet 4 for an electrical component, a forming section 35 to conduct smoothing of the convex portion 17 on the slit electrode 41, electrode cleaning sections 33, 34 to remove fragments adhered on the slit electrode 41 and a slitting method of electrode raw material sheet.

Abstract: An electrode with an excellent quality for an electrical component, wherein an electrode raw material sheet slitter includes a slitting section to slit an electrode raw material sheet for an electrical component; a forming section to conduct smoothing of the convex portion on the slit electrode; electrode cleaning sections to remove fragments adhered on the slit electrode; and, a slitting method of electrode raw material sheet.

Abstract: A photofinishing system and method for providing for the digital processing of a set of photographs including a digital printer, buffer, laminator and cutter, and associated methods of use for improving the accuracy of printing, processing, laminating and cutting individual photos during a digital photofinishing process.

Abstract: Sheets held by a sheet transfer mechanism are supplied from a supply unit to an aligning unit, and aligned with each other by the aligning unit. Thereafter, corners of the sheets are cut off by first and second cutting units, and then the sheets are vertically inverted by an inverting unit. Then, the sheets are turned into a given direction by a turning unit, and supplied to a discharge unit, from which the sheets are discharged.

Abstract: A wide-width photographic film is adjusted to have a predetermined supply speed V1 by a sheet feed roller operated by a motor, and it is supplied between upper blades and lower blades. The wide-width photographic film is pressed by an upper blade-pressing mechanism, and it is cut between the upper blades operated by an AC servo motor and rotated at a predetermined circumferential speed V2, and the lower blades operated by the motor and rotated at a predetermined circumferential speed V3. In this process, V1 ×0.1<V2<V1×0.5 is satisfied.

Abstract: A low profile side punch assembly is provided to punch registration openings along the side edge of media in an imagesetter. The side punch assembly includes a punch actuator having a scissors configuration to provide a low profile. The punch assembly is fixed to a side face of the imagesetter. The punch assembly can be located at any location along the side face. This location can also be subsequently adjusted if necessary. The location of the punch pin is accurately set during manufacture with respect to the media surface of the imagesetter by a reference surface in the side face and by the side face of the drum. A drive mechanism for the punch actuator is also provided with a positive retraction of the actuator. The location of the punch pin may also be sensed to prevent advancement of the media before the punch pin has been retracted.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of cutting an imaging element. An imaging element is moved through a cutting zone formed by a first cutting blade having a first cutting surface and a first engaging surface and a second cutting blade having a second cutting surface and a second engaging surface. In the cutting zone the first engaging surface and the second engaging surface are in contact for a distance greater than or equal to a thickness of the imaging element. The first cutting surface and said second cutting surface are separated by from 1 to 30 percent of the thickness of the imaging element in the cutting zone. The present invention reduces debris and skiving generation.

Abstract: A perforator for making perforations in a continuous film which is thereafter cut into individual filmstrips having variable lengths. A die set unit of the perforator has a plurality of punches and corresponding dies which are respectively arranged along the continuous film. The die set unit performs die-punching N times (N=1, 2, 3 . . . ) in every first section having a variable length Lx, and the measuring feeder transports the continuous film by a first length after each of (N−1) times die-punching and by a second length after the last die-punching for every first section. The first length is given as Lx/N, and the second length corresponds to the first length plus the length L2 of a second section disposed alternately with the first section along the continuous film. In alternative, the die set unit is constituted of first to nth die sets aligned in order from downstream to in the film transporting direction. The ith die set of the die sets has a number Gi (i=1, 2 , . . .

Abstract: Processes and apparatuses for partly disassembling tape cassettes having at least one closure flap comprise separating the closure flap from the cassette or from the cassette housing at an early time, before, during or shortly after the opening of the cassette. Several process methods and examples of apparatus are specified. The separating methods and apparatuses can be expediently used for all tape cassettes with one or more closure flaps, it being possible for these to be any type of audio, video and data cassettes.

Abstract: In an apparatus for manufacturing filmstrips having a variable length and a variable number of perforations from a long strip of continuous film, a die set device is provided with a plurality of punch holders aligned adjacent to one another in a film transporting direction. At least one of the punch holders are selectively actuated to make a designated number of equally spaced perforations at a time. A film length adjusting device is provided for adjusting the length of the continuous film extending between the die set device and a cutter in accordance with a unit length which is determined for each variable length of the filmstrip, such that the cutter and the punch holder or punch holders are actuated in synchronism with each other while the continuous film stops after each transport by the unit length. A pair of feed rollers are disposed between the cutter and a suction drum for transporting the film toward the cutter. The feed rollers have diameters less than that of the suction drum.

Abstract: A perforator for making perforations in a continuous film which is thereafter cut into individual filmstrips having variable lengths. A die set unit of the perforator has a plurality of punches and corresponding dies which are respectively arranged along the continuous film. The die set unit performs die-punching N times (N=1, 2, 3 . . . ) in every first section having a variable length Lx, and the measuring feeder transports the continuous film by a first length after each of (N−1) times die-punching and by a second length after the last die-punching for every first section. The first length is given as Lx/N, and the second length corresponds to the first length plus the length L2 of a second section disposed alternately with the first section along the continuous film. In alternative, the die set unit is constituted of first to nth die sets aligned in order from downstream to in the film transporting direction. The ith die set of the die sets has a number Gi (i=1, 2, . . .

Abstract: A low profile side punch assembly is provided to punch registration openings along the side edge of media in an imagesetter. The side punch assembly includes a punch actuator having a scissors configuration to provide a low profile. The punch assembly is fixed to a side face of the imagesetter. The punch assembly can be located at any location along the side face. This location can also be subsequently adjusted if necessary. The location of the punch pin is accurately set during manufacture with respect to the media surface of the imagesetter by a reference surface in the side face and by the side face of the drum. A drive mechanism for the punch actuator is also provided with a positive retraction of the actuator. The location of the punch pin may also be sensed to prevent advancement of the media before the punch pin has been retracted.

Abstract: In an apparatus for manufacturing filmstrips having a variable length and a variable number of perforations from a long strip of continuous film, a die set device is provided with a plurality of punch holders aligned adjacent to one another in a film transporting direction. At least one of the punch holders are selectively actuated to make a designated number of equally spaced perforations at a time. A film length adjusting device is provided for adjusting the length of the continuous film extending between the die set device and a cutter in accordance with a unit length which is determined for each variable length of the filmstrip, such that the cutter and the punch holder or punch holders are actuated in synchronism with each other while the continuous film stops after each transport by the unit length. A pair of feed rollers are disposed between the cutter and a suction drum for transporting the film toward the cutter. The feed rollers have diameters less than that of the suction drum.

Abstract: A paper cutter is provided for a photographic processing system which processes photographic materials while collating the photographic materials on the basis of identification marks which have been recorded in advance, by codes which can be read by machine and by operator, on at least one of a photographic film for image recording and an accommodating body which accommodates the photographic film, said paper cutter cutting per print an elongated photographic printing paper on which images recorded on a photographic film have been printed successively and on which an index print has been printed in succession with the printed images. A bar code reader functions to read a bar code (an identification mark) applied to an index print. When conveying of a photographic printing paper is stable, the bar code reader opposes a bar code, and the conveying of the photographic printing paper is stopped.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting and removing chaff from an internal drum imaging system. The chaff collection apparatus includes a chaff tray coupled to the internal drum below the side punches. The chaff tray includes a cover comprising a plurality of evenly spaced frangible fingers. A specific set of the fingers is removed from the cover according to the locations of the side punches on the internal drum. In this manner, only the portions of the cover below the side punches are open to the interior of the chaff tray. The chaff produced by each punch passes into the chaff tray through a respective opening in the cover, and is captured within the chaff tray. The areas of the cover of the chaff tray that are not located below the side punches remain covered by the remaining frangible fingers, thereby preventing chaff from escaping the chaff tray.

Abstract: A perforator for making perforations in a continuous film which is thereafter cut into individual filmstrips having variable lengths. A die set unit of the perforator has a plurality of punches and corresponding dies which are respectively arranged along the continuous film. The die set unit performs die-punching N times (N=1, 2, 3 . . . ) in every first section having a variable length Lx, and the measuring feeder transports the continuous film by a first length after each of (N-1) times die-punching and by a second length after the last die-punching for every first section. The first length is given as Lx/N, and the second length corresponds to the first length plus the length L2 of a second section disposed alternately with the first section along the continuous film. In alternative, the die set unit is constituted of first to nth die sets aligned in order from downstream to in the film transporting direction. The ith die set of the die sets has a number Gi (i=1, 2, . . .

Abstract: A perforator for making perforations in a continuous film which is thereafter cut into individual filmstrips having variable lengths. A die set unit of the perforator has a plurality of punches and corresponding dies which are respectively arranged along the continuous film. The die set unit performs die-punching N times (N=1, 2, 3 . . . ) in every first section having a variable length Lx, and the measuring feeder transports the continuous film by a first length after each of (N-1) times die-punching and by a second length after the last die-punching for every first section. The first length is given as Lx/N, and the second length corresponds to the first length plus the length L2 of a second section disposed alternately with the first section along the continuous film. In alternative, the die set unit is constituted of first to nth die sets aligned in order from downstream to in the film transporting direction. The ith die set of the die sets has a number Gi (i=1, 2, . . .

Abstract: A perforator for making perforations in a continuous film which is thereafter cut into individual filmstrips having variable lengths. A die set unit of the perforator has a plurality of punches and corresponding dies which are respectively arranged along the continuous film. The die set unit performs die-punching N times (N=1, 2, 3 . . . ) in every first section having a variable length L.times., and the measuring feeder transports the continuous film by a first length after each of (N-1) times die-punching and by a second length after the last die-punching for every first section. The first length is given as L.times./N, and the second length corresponds to the first length plus the length L2 of a second section disposed alternately with the first section along the continuous film. In alternative, the die set unit is constituted of first to nth die sets aligned in order from downstream to in the film transporting direction. The ith die set of the die sets has a number Gi (i=1, 2 . . .

Abstract: In an apparatus for manufacturing filmstrips having a variable length and a variable number of perforations from a long strip of continuous film, a die set device is provided with a plurality of punch holders aligned adjacent to one another in a film transporting direction. At least one of the punch holders are selectively actuated to make a designated number of equally spaced perforations at a time. A film length adjusting device is provided for adjusting the length of the continuous film extending between the die set device and a cutter in accordance with a unit length which is determined for each variable length of the filmstrip, such that the cutter and the punch holder or punch holders are actuated in synchronism with each other while the continuous film stops after each transport by the unit length. A pair of feed rollers are disposed between the cutter and a suction drum for transporting the film toward the cutter. The feed rollers have diameters less than that of the suction drum.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a tape cartridge includes the steps of forming reel shafts, roller shafts, and tape guides, and the like on a base plate, mounting tape reels on the reel shafts and belt guide rollers on the roller shafts, and the like, placing a drive belt on the belt guide rollers, winding a magnetic tape on the tape reels, securing a cover to the base plate, and forming a marking hole for positional identification in the magnetic tape wound on the tape reels.

Abstract: A film re-shaping device for orienting and re-shaping the end of a filmstrip in a desired configuration having, a base, an alignment post mounted on the base, an elongated metal lower die plate with an guide hole for positioning the die plate over the alignment post, formed in the desired end-of-filmstrip configuration, a film guide mounted on the die plate for aligning an edge of the filmstrip, a film edge spring for keeping the filmstrip against the film guide, a spring loaded roller attached to the base for bearing on the filmstrip and flattening the filmstrip against the die plate surface, and an elongated metal upper punch plate having an guide hole for positioning the punch plate over the alignment post and aligning the plates accurately with each other, formed at the film re-shaping end in the desired end-of-filmstrip configuration, whereby the filmstrip is captured between the upper and lower plates, is described.

Abstract: A punching transport apparatus attached to an end surface a cylindrical inner surface drum includes two transport units which are connected with a pulse motor, two belts, and two pulleys so as to be able to move in synchronism to each other. The two transport units are linked to two punching units through linkage blocks. Transport carriers of the transport units are threadingly engaged with ball screws which are linked to the pulleys so that the transport carriers are loosely fitted to guide rails. Receiving an input signal which is entered in accordance with a plate edge distance which is determined by the specifications of a printer, a controller drives the pulse motor under the control of a pulse count. As a result, from an origin position which is determined in accordance with a condition which is detected by an origin sensor, the two transport units and the two punching units move in a central axis direction X.

Abstract: A cassette (10) includes a sliding knife (52) having a slot (70) which slides past a driven pinion (72). Slot (70) includes a curved trailing edge (76) with a latch tooth (74) which engages and prevents rotation of the driven pinion when the knife has cut a web material extended from an exit slit (42) of the cassette and then closed the exit slit. Openings (86, 88) in a knife cover (56) permit external access to the knife and driven pinion.

Abstract: A cassette (10) includes a sliding knife (52) having a slot (70) which slides past a driven pinion (72). Slot (70) includes a curved trailing edge (76) which surrounds the driven pinion when the knife has cut a web material extended from an exit slit (42) of the cassette and then closed the exit slit. Openings (86, 88) in a knife cover (56) permit external access to the knife and driven pinion.

Abstract: A gripping apparatus for reel material includes a reel support, a first clamping device and a second clamping device as well as a cutting device arranged between the clamping devices. The first clamping device is spring-mounted along two non-parallel axes so that the paper web can be evenly clamped and cut transversely to the web direction without twisting and formation of undulations.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting and desplicing a roll of spliced films, being transported through the apparatus, to form filmstrip leading and trailing ends and re-shaping each end to their desired configurations having, a splice cutter located along the film path for forming two filmstrip ends with residual splices thereon, punch and die assemblies located adjacent to the splice cutter for re-shaping the ends of the filmstrip and removing the residual splice, moveable alignment guides located adjacent to each punch and die assembly, for aligning the film prior to cutting and re-shaping operations, a plurality of flexible guides located along the film path for guiding the spliced and despliced films along the film path, and an aperture located below the splice cutter, underneath the film path, for disposing of the removed residual splices, is described. A method for cutting and re-shaping the ends of a filmstrip using the apparatus is also described.

Abstract: A method of cutting, slicing or perforating photographic imaging elements using certain cutting tools is disclosed. The cutting tool material includes zirconia and yttria at a molar ratio of yttria to zirconia from about 0.5:99.5 to about 5:95. The cutting tool is essentially a tetragonal crystal phase grain for the interior in a surface of cubic crystal phase grain or monoclinic crystal phase grain. This provides a hard, tough outer surface with a tough core. The cutting tool material can also be a composite of zirconia-alumina with or without surface modification.

Abstract: A cassette (10) for photosensitive web material includes a hollow cassette housing (12) having a peripheral wall (16) with an outside surface; a first exit slit (42) extending through the peripheral wall to the outside surface; a device (20) within the housing for rotatably supporting a roll (22, 24) of the web material; a mechanism (32, 38) within the housing for engaging a leading end of a web material to drive the web material through the first exit slit, an external access (110, 112) to the driven member; a knife blade (92) movably mounted on the housing adjacent the first exit slit, the blade having a cutting edge (100) transverse to web material extended through the first exit slit, the blade being movable between a first position in which the first exit slit is open and a second position in which web material has been cut by the cutting edge and the first exit slit is closed by the blade to prevent entry of light into the housing through the first exit slit; and a feature (106, 108) formed in the blade

Abstract: A photo filmstrip (14) of a regular length (L) is produced from photo film web (45) having a predetermined width (W). The photo filmstrip and the photo film web have a back surface, an emulsion surface, a pair of lateral edge faces (45a), and four corner edges (45b, 45c) defined between the back surface, the emulsion surface, and the lateral edge faces. At least one of the lateral edge faces and at least one of the corner edges of the photo film web are abraded while the photo film web is conveyed. Photo film dust, created in the abrasion is eliminated from the photo film web. Perforations (34) are formed in the photo film web. The photo film web is cut by the regular length into the photo filmstrip, which is wound into a cassette shell.

Abstract: A method for making perforations in a continuous film which is thereafter cut into individual filmstrips having variable lengths. A die set unit of the perforator has a plurality of punches and corresponding dies which are respectively arranged along the continuous film. The die set unit performs die-punching N times (N=1, 2, 3 . . .) in every first section having a variable length Lx, and the measuring feeder transports the continuous film by a first length after each of (N-1) times die-punching and by a second length after the last die-punching for every first section. The first length is given as Lx/N, and the second length corresponds to the first length plus the length L2 of a second section disposed alternately with the first section along the continuous film. In alternative, the die set unit is constituted of first to nth die sets aligned in order from downstream to in the film transporting direction. The ith die set of the die sets has a number Gi (i=1, 2, . . .

Abstract: A photosensitive material is mounted onto an inner surface of a cylindrical inner surface drum. An input signal which provides the size of the photosensitive material is supplied to a controller. As the controller drives a pulse motor under the control of a control signal, a moving part with which punching units are connected is moved in a circumferential direction of the drum by means of the pulse motor and positioned at the desired positions for punching. Then only two punching units, determined by the controller in accordance with the size of the photosensitive material, are driven to punch holes in the photosensitive material.

Abstract: An apparatus adjusts the position of a machining unit on a chip carrier maker. The machining unit machines a tape consisting of a row of interconnected chip carriers which are integrally formed with each other. The maker includes a stationary machine frame. The apparatus includes a longitudinal adjustment unit being capable of moving the machining unit in a direction parallel to the tape, and a transverse adjustment unit being capable of moving the machining unit in a direction perpendicular to the tape. The apparatus further includes two parallel sliding rails fixed on the machine frame and extending in a direction parallel to the tape, and a receiving seat mounted slidably on the sliding rails so as to guide the receiving seat to slide along the sliding rails when the longitudinal adjustment unit is actuated.

Abstract: A method for making perforations in a continuous film which is thereafter cut into individual filmstrips having variable lengths. A die set unit of the perforator has a plurality of punches and corresponding dies which are respectively arranged along the continuous film. The die set unit performs die-punching N times (N=1, 2, 3 . . . ) in every first section having a variable length Lx, and the measuring feeder transports the continuous film by a first length after each of (N-1) times die-punching and by a second length after the last die-punching for every first section. The first length is given as Lx/N, and the second length corresponds to the first length plus the length L2 of a second section disposed alternately with the first section along the continuous film. In alternative, the die set unit is constituted of first to nth die sets aligned in order from downstream to in the film transporting direction. The ith die set of the die sets has a number Gi (i=1, 2, . . .

Abstract: A method for making perforations in a continuous film which is thereafter cut into individual filmstrips having variable lengths. A die set unit of the perforator has a plurality of punches and corresponding dies which are respectively arranged along the continuous film. The die set unit performs die-punching N times (N=1, 2, 3 . . . ) in every first section having a variable length Lx, and the measuring feeder transports the continuous film by a first length after each of (N-1) times die-punching and by a second length after the last die-punching for every first section. The first length is given as Lx/N, and the second length corresponds to the first length plus the length L2 of a second section disposed alternately with the first section along the continuous film. In alternative, the die set unit is constituted of first to nth die sets aligned in order from downstream to in the film transporting direction. The ith die set of the die sets has a number Gi (i=1, 2, . . .

Abstract: A foreign substances-containing layer of a disk-shaped information carrier (3) is mechanically removed from the substrate material (13) in order to recover the substrate material (13) by a material removing process which separates the coating containing the foreign substances (18, 19, 20) from the substrate material (13). A device for implementing this process consists of a tool bottom part (1), a receptacle (2) for holding in place the disk-shaped information carrier (3), and a tool top part (7) movable with respect to the tool bottom part (1) in a direction parallel to the surface of the latter and provided with a blade (8) for peeling a layer (9) off the surface of the disk-shaped information carrier (3).

Abstract: It is known to use the leading edge of a film strip to guide the strip through processing apparatus. However, this leading edge may be damaged as the film is loaded into and unloaded out of a camera. Described herein is a film unloading device in which a curved guillotine blade (240) is used to provide a newly cut leading edge by which a film strip can be guided through processing apparatus. The guillotine blade (240) is reciprocated between a rest and an operative position by a motor which operates in one direction only. The blade (240) is mounted on a rotating drum (250) by means of a crank pin (258), the drum being rotated through 180.degree., in the direction indicated by arrow 252, to move the blade (240) from its rest to its operative position and then through a further 180.degree. to move the blade (240) back to its rest position.

Abstract: A photographic film cassette manufacturing apparatus, has a perforator for providing a long film with perforations and a cutter for cutting the long film into individual filmstrips to be contained in the film cassette driven synchronously with transport of the long film. A magnetic recording head for recording data on a magnetic recording layer of the long film is driven in synchronism with the perforator and the cutter. The long film is transported in a first direction before being cut into the individual filmstrips. In cooperation with the cutting, a trailing end of the individual filmstrip in the first direction is moved in a direction which is reverse to the first direction to secure the trailing end to the spool. A cassette shell consisting of a pair of shell halves is temporarily assembled by mating the shell halves together while containing a spool inside the shell halves, and thereafter opened to an extent that confining elements still confine the position of flanges of the spool.

Abstract: The ribbon loading container and method includes an elongated housing forming an envelope and having front and rear open ends. A ribbon dam is slidingly received within the envelope of the housing and has a slot therethrough for the passage of the ribbon. The ribbon dam further includes tension clips which frictionally engage the ribbon passing through the slot and frictionally engage the sides of the housing. A drive and driven roller are rotatably disposed adjacent the open front end of the ribbon loading apparatus for introducing ribbon into the envelope. The ribbon dam is initially positioned adjacent the open end of the ribbon loading container such that it applies a back pressure to the incoming ribbon being stuffed into the envelope by the drive and driven rollers. As the envelope is filled with inked ribbon, the ribbon dam slides within the ribbon loading container until the pre-selected length of ribbon has been loaded in the container.

Abstract: A method for of connects cut edges of a thermosensitive transfer film having a plurality of color frame units each comprising at least a yellow frame, a magenta frame and a cyan frame arranged in a straight line in the order of the yellow frame, the magenta frame, and the cyan frame where a frame includes a defective part. Each frame has a transfer starting mark. The method includes the steps of cutting the film at a position of the yellow frame precedent to the magenta frame so that the transfer starting mark of the yellow frame is broken, cutting the film at a position rearward of the cyan frame and forward of the transfer starting mark of a succeeding yellow frame so as to remove the magenta and cyan frames from the film, and connecting both cut edges of the film with each other with the transfer starting mark of the yellow frame precedent to the magenta frame maintained.

Abstract: A paper feeder is removably attachable to an image forming apparatus and has a display unit. The number of copies displayed on the display unit is incremented when copy paper reaches a specified position in the path of transport. The paper feeder includes a paper feed for transporting the copy paper to the apparatus, a reference distance memory for storing therein a reference distance from a predetermined feed position of the paper feed to the specified position in the apparatus, a device for measuring the length of the copy paper transported from the predetermined feed position, a counter for checking whether the length measured by the measuring device has reached the reference distance and for incrementing the number of paper sheets fed to the apparatus upon the length of transported paper reaching the reference distance, and a display for indicating the number of paper sheets counted by the counter.

Abstract: A punching tool for piercing a hole through the substantially parallel, spaced apart plates of a data storage disk casing uses a die which supports one of the plates and an elongated punch which pierces through the plates in succession. The disk is placed on a tray on the punch's base, and a drive lever is pushed downward to drive the punch through the casing plates. The punch is guided so that it moves along its axis of elongation and has a cutting surface at its end with a point to begin the hole in each of the plates and a trailing edge spaced apart from the point which completes the hole. The distance between the point and the trailing edge is great enough to allow the point to begin a hole in a succeeding plate before the trailing edge completes the hole in the previous plate.