Abstract: A conveyor system for transporting sheets between two process stations in hard-copy output apparatus, such as copiers and printers. The system includes a plurality of interleaved belts which extend between the process stations and around rollers of different diameter to selectively raise the belts in a predetermined fashion for contact with the sheet at specific portions along the sheet transfer path. The belts are divided into two groups which operate at different speeds. The faster group receives the sheet from the first process station and moves the sheet to the second group of belts which moves at a slower speed. The speed of the second group can be adjusted by sensing the speed of the sheet in the transition area of the two belt groups to compensate for slippage between the sheet and belts.

Abstract: An improvement in the method and apparatus for producing a multi-color electrophotographic image wherein an electrophotographic medium is mounted on a carrier therefor and is translated over a predetermined path so that the medium is first charged, then exposed to a first light-borne image and then toned. Thus, the unexposed portions of the image bearing charged region of the medium are toned, preferably by a liquid toner, to produce a first color visible image. The carrier is then returned to the first position to repeat the foregoing steps to charge the medium and to expose it to a second light-borne image and to tone the second image with a second toning element to produce a second color visible image on the same sheet of medium. The improvement comprises means for heating the surface of the first toned image after the first toning step and prior to the second charging step to smooth and further fuse the previously toned image to prevent color contamination of subsequent imaging cycles.

Abstract: A film core for an electrophotographic copying or printing machine comprises a core frame member provided at opposite ends with rollers, such frame member being slightly flexible about a steering axis of one of said rollers, to allow pivotal movement of that roller about the steering axis, but being substantially rigid against any other relative pivotal or translational movement between the ends of the core frame by which the rollers are supported.

Abstract: An improvement in apparatus for producing a multi-color electrophotographic image wherein an electrophotographic medium is mounted on a carrier therefor and is translated over a predetermined path so that the medium is first charged, then exposed to a first light-borne image. The image bearing region of the medium is then toned, preferably by a liquid toner, to produce a first color visible image. The carrier is then returned to the first position to repeat the foregoing steps to charge the medium and to expose it to a second light-borne image and to tone the second image with a second toning element to produce a second color visible image on the same sheet of medium. The improvement comprises means for buffing the surface of the first toned image with a relatively coarse, stiff, and rough fibrous brush member after the first toning step and prior to the second charging step to smooth the previously toned image to prevent color contamination by subsequent imaging cycles.

Abstract: An improvement in the method and apparatus for producing a multi-color electrophotographic image wherein an electrophotographic medium is mounted on a carrier therefor and is translated over a predetermined path so that the medium is first charged, then exposed to a first light-borne image and then toned. Thus, the unexposed portions of the image bearing charged region of the medium are toned, preferably by a liquid toner, to produce a first color visible image. The carrier is then returned to the first position to repeat the foregoing steps to charge the medium and to expose it to a second light-borne image and to tone the second image with a second toning element to produce a second color visible image on the same sheet of medium. The improvement comprises means for applying a solvent vapor to the surface of the first toned image after the first toning step and prior to the second charging step to smooth and further fuse the previously toned image to prevent color contamination of subsequent imaging cycles.

Abstract: An improvement in the method of producing a multi-color electrophotographic image wherein an electrophotographic medium is mounted on a carrier therefor and is translated over a predetermined path so that the medium is first charged, then exposed to a first light-borne image. The image bearing region of the medium is then toned, preferably by a liquid toner, to produce a first color visible image. The carrier is then returned to the first position to repeat the foregoing steps to charge the medium and to expose it to a second light-borne image and to tone the second image with a second toning element to produce a second color visible image on the same sheet of medium. The improvement comprises the step of buffing the surface of the first toned image with a relatively coarse, stiff, and rough fibrous brush member after the first toning step and prior to the second charging step to smooth the previously toned image to prevent color contamination by subsequent imaging cycles.

Abstract: A film core supporting structure for an electrophotographic copying or printing machine. The supporting structure includes a two-point suspension system near a roller in the film core and a yoke assembly supporting the film core near another roller. A one-point supporting system is used to support the yoke and restrict its movement in only one dimension. Toner stations are attached to the film core and a drum is supported by the two-point suspension system. A write-head is connected to the yoke. The overall supporting structure prevents distortion of the machine frame from imparting distortive forces through the supporting structure to the film core.

Abstract: A method of scanning intrusion detection which is capable of monitoring a large volume of either interior or exterior space from a single relatively inexpensive unit. This method of intrusion detection comprises the steps of scanning a beam of infrared radiation about a field of view and receiving the radiation of the beam reflected from the field of view, generating a signal indicative of the distance from the device at which the beam has been reflected for each of a plurality of azimuthal sectors of the field of view, storing a plurality of reference signals which are indicative of the distance of reflection of the beam from each azimuthal sector of the field of view during a reference time period, comparing the signals from a selected time period with the reference signals, and generating an output signal if one of the signals is different from the respective reference signal.

Abstract: In a contact printer comprising means for supporting a film and an original in superposed relationship, means for providing a source of light for exposing the film through the original, and means for moving the light over the surface of the superposed film and original. The improvement comprises means carried by the light moving means for collimating the light, with the light collimating means comprising a plurality of parallel tubular members having a length to diameter ratio greater than about four and which extend between the light source and the film.

Abstract: An improvement in a contact printer which comprises means for supporting a film and an original in superposed relationship on a vacuum table, means for providing a source of light for exposing the film through the original, and means for moving the light over the surface of the superposed film and original. The improvement comprises means carried by the light moving means for covering the superposed film and original with a substantially impervious flexible and transparent cover sheet as the exposing light is scanned across the film and original whereby the vacuum is applied to the film and the original to remove air from therebetween as the film is exposed by the light through the cover sheet and the original.

Abstract: An improvement in a contact printer which comprises means for supporting a film and an original in superposed relationship on a vacuum table, means for providing a source of light for exposing the film through the original, and means for moving the light over the surface of the superposed film and original. A substantially impervious, flexible and transport cover sheet carried by the light moving means is arranged to cover the superposed film and original as the exposing light is scanned across the film and original whereby the vacuum is applied to the film and the original to remove air from therebetween as the film is exposed by the light through the cover sheet and the original. The improvement comprises means for removing and replacing the cover sheet to assure that the optical path for the exposing light remains clear and unobstructed.

Abstract: A scanning intrusion detection device is capable of monitoring a large volume of either interior or exterior space from a single relatively inexpensive unit. This intrusion detection device comprises a radiation emitter arranged to scan a beam of infrared radiation about a field of view and means for receiving the radiation of the beam reflected from the field of view. The receiver is arranged to generate a signal indicative of the distance from the device at which the beam has been reflected for each of a plurality of azimuthal sectors of the field of view during a selected time period. A ram is also provided for storing a plurality of reference signals which are indicative of the distance of reflection of the beam from each azimuthal sector of the field of view during a reference time period. The signals from a selected time period are compared with the reference signals and an output signal is generated if one of the signals is different from the respective reference signal.

Abstract: A graphic arts contact printer which comprises a vacuum table for supporting a photosensitive film and an original, containing an image to be reproduced, in superposed relationship. A light source provides an elongated beam of photoactive light for exposing the film through the original. A light transport is provided for moving the light transversely of the length of the beam over the vacuum table surface over the superposed film and original whereby the superposed film and original are scanned by the light to expose the film through the original. Means is provided which is associated with the light transport for applying a transparent cover sheet over the superposed film and original as the light is moved over the film and original. Further means carried by the light transport is provided for collimating the light, with the collimating means being disposed between the light and the cover sheet.

Abstract: A method of intrusion detection which comprises the steps of: projecting a beam of infrared radiation toward a field of view from a detection device and receiving the radiation of the beam reflected from the field of view, determining the distance from the device at which the beam is reflected by the field of view, generating a signal indicative of the distance from the device at which the beam has been reflected by the field of view during a selected time period, storing a reference signal which is indicative of the distance of reflection of the beam from the field of view during a reference time period, comparing a signal from a selected time period with the reference signal, and generating an output signal if the signal differs from the reference signal in a preselected manner.

Abstract: An improvement in a contact printer which comprises means for supporting a film and an original in superposed relationship on a vacuum table, means for providing a source of light for exposing the film through the original, and means for moving the light over the surface of the superposed film and original. A substantially impervious, flexible and transparent cover sheet carried by the light moving means is arranged to cover the superposed film and original as the exposing light is scanned across the film and original whereby the vacuum is applied to the film and the original to remove air from therebetween as the film is exposed by the light through the cover sheet and the original. The improvement comprises means for contacting the surface of the cover sheet during use and removing dust and dirt thereon to assure that the optical path for the exposing light remains clear and unobstructed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning and drying semiconductor wafers wherein the wafers may be stored in a wet environment until the cleaning step and wherein, after drying, the wafers are substantially isolated from the remainder of the apparatus and the workplace environment to prevent or at least substantially eliminate the recontamination of the wafer surface. The wafers are removed one at a time from an incoming storage bath and are transported to a cleaning station where they are cleaned and are then transported to a drying station. After being dried the wafers are transported to an output station where they are loaded into a portable enclosure member which substantially isolates the wafers in the enclosure from further contamination. Further, means is provided for introducing clean air into the drying station and venting at least a portion of the air through the cleaning station while at the same time substantially precluding the escape of air into the output station enclosure member.

Abstract: An improvement in the method and apparatus for producing a multi-color electrophotographic image wherein an electrophotographic medium is mounted on a carrier therefor and is translated over a predetermined path so that the medium is first charged, then exposed to a first light-borne image and then toned. Thus, the unexposed portions of the image bearing charged region of the medium are toned, preferably by a liquid toner, to produce a first color visible image. The carrier is then returned to the first position to repeat the foregoing steps to charge the medium and to expose it to a second light-borne image and to tone the second image with a second toning element to produce a second color visible image on the same sheet of medium. One of the images formed is a cyan image.

Abstract: Apparatus for operating an injecting molding process utilizing an acceptable part and process window for an injection molding machine having a pair of separable mold elements forming a mold cavity with a part-line therebetween, means for opening and closing the mold elements, and means for introducing a moldable material into the mold cavity at a first pressure and for exerting a second pressure on the moldable material as it cures in the cavity. The apparatus includes means for generating an acceptable part and process window for the machine by operating the machine by closing the mold elements, means for introducing a moldable material into the mold cavity, and measuring the separation of the mold elements resulting from the introduction of the moldable material into the mold cavity. At least one operating parameter is incrementally changed over a plurality of molding cycles until unacceptable parts are produced to generate minimum part-line and time values for that machine and process.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus utilizing an injection molding machine having a pair of separable mold elements forming a mold cavity therebetween and arranged for separation for the removal of the molded product, means for opening and closing the mold elements, and injection means for injecting the moldable material into the mold cavity at a first pressure and for exerting a second pressure on the moldable material as it cures in the cavity. The apparatus provides data acquisition and application in the operation of the injection machine. The apparatus includes means for measuring the separation of the mold elements during the injection of the moldable material, and means for causing the injection pressure from the first pressure to the second pressure upon detecting a predetermined separation known to produce an acceptable product. Means is provided for maintaining the second pressure until the thermoplastic material has cured. The mold is then opened and the cured product is ejected.

Abstract: An intrusion detection device which comprises a radiation emitter arranged to project a beam of infrared radiation toward a field of view and means for receiving the radiation of the beam reflected from the field of view. The receiving means is arranged to generated a signal indicative of the distance from the device at which the beam has between reflected by the field of view during a selected time period. Means is also provided for storing a reference signal which is indicative of the distance of reflection of the beam from the field of view during a reference time period. Further means is provided for comparing a signal from a selected time period with the reference signal and for generating an output signal if the signal differs from the reference signal in a preselected manner.