Abstract: A method of fixing a toner powder image on a sheet of material. A substantially flat impact surface is provided, and the side of a sheet opposite to the side carrying a freshly applied toner powder image is placed into contact with the flat impact surface. The surface of the sheet of material carrying the toner powder image is impacted by a plurality of pellets, each of which has an impacting area which is substantially smaller than the area of the surface of the sheet of material carrying the toner powder image. The pellets are preferably repeatedly impacted against the sheet of material and in a random manner to achieve pressure fixing of the entire surface of the sheet of material.

Abstract: An ink package comprising a disposable container is provided for supplying ink to an ink fountain of a lithographic duplicating machine and includes a self-contained, sealed package provided with specially configured nozzle means for dispensing ink from the container directly into an ink fountain. The ink used in the container is designed to be within the higher ranges of flowability for lithographic ink, and hence, due to special design of the nozzle aperture or apertures, is able to flow sluggishly from the container by gravity, whenever the nozzle means is exposed to the atmosphere, to spread longitudinally of the fountain roller, and to form an elongate bead of ink which increases in size until it blocks exposure of the nozzle means to the atmosphere and thereby shuts off flow from the nozzle means. Thus, a substantially constant volume of ink is maintained in the ink fountain as long as any ink remains in the container.

Abstract: The improved modulator of this invention is constructed by sandwiching a metal screen between a photoconductive layer and an insulating layer which permits processing of the multi-layered element by directing all processing steps against the photoconductive surface so as to provide separate and distinct fringing fields across the insulating layer which correspond to the image and non-image portions of the subject matter to be reproduced. The processing steps call for first applying a blanket DC electrostatic charge from a DC biased corona, followed by the application of a DC charge, from a DC biased corona, which is opposite in polarity to the charge applied in the first step, and a third step in which the entire member is flood illuminated to place the photoconductive layer in a conductive state.

Abstract: An ion modulator such as a three-layered structure, formed by sandwiching a photoconductor between a metal screen and an insulating layer, which is used as an image source. The apparatus includes an optical system for projecting an image of a graphic original onto the modulator and creating a charge distribution system thereon that can be retained for long periods of time. As part of the apparatus there is included a special drum formed by adhering a resilient-rubber like layer having a compliance that produces a displacement from the normal surface in the range of 1/16 to 3/32 inch when placed under 25 - 75 pounds of force per lineal inch, and a thickness of about 0.60 inches. Over the compliant layer is next applied an insulating or dielectric layer having a resistivity of at least 10.sup.14 ohm-centimeters and a thickness of about 0.5 mils. The special drum, which is the image generating medium, receives the charge pattern resulting from collecting the ion particles on the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A duplicating apparatus is equipped with a photoconductive modulator screen cylinder for making reproductions of a graphic original on a dielectric receiving medium utilizing aperture-controlled electrostatic printing techniques. Means is provided for creating a charge distribution system on the surface of the modulator corresponding to an image to be reproduced from the graphic original. The apparatus also comprises charging means for projecting gas ions against the modulator screen cylinder, electrode means for collecting the gas ions selectively transmitted by the modulator screen cylinder on the dielectric receiving medium and means for developing the dielectric receiving medium to create a visible image.

Abstract: A conversion solution for rendering hydrophilic the zinc oxide resin binder type planographic masters containing 2.0% potassium ferrocyanide, phosphoric acid to produce a pH in the range of 4.1 - 4.2 and a buffering salt of ammonium acid phosphate or sodium acid phosphate to buffer the solution and 4.0% by weight of triethanolamine as a modifying and solvating agent to raise the solubility threshold preventing formation of needle-like crystals that tend to form as water evaporates from the solution, and modify the physical property of crystals that do form to a less-hard structure.

Abstract: A three-layered modulator, made up by sandwiching a photoconducting layer between a metal screen and an insulating layer, is applied separate and distinct fringing fields across the insulating layer corresponding to the image and non-image portions. The process calls for illuminating and applying a blanket electrostatic D.C. charge; simultaneously illuminating the modulator with a pattern of light and shadow and applying an oppositely poled D.C. charge; bringing the surface to an equi-potential level by applying an A.C. charge through a balanced A.C. corona or constant voltage A.C. scorotron; and in the final step, flood illuminating.

Abstract: A microfiche viewer is provided with means for selecting one microfiche carrier from a plurality of microfiche carriers contained within a magazine for holding the same, means for positioning such selected microfiche carrier along a first axis, means for positioning an optical-projecting means along another axis perpendicular to the first axis whereby a preselected frame of a microfiche contained within the carrier can be viewed on a screen and means for replacing the microfiche carrier into the magazine.

Abstract: A self-priming pump is provided for metering a positive controlled amount of a volatile liquid to a utilization device. The pump comprises a piston means for pumping the liquid from a liquid supply container to a chamber, and from the chamber to a reservoir where the liquid is maintained at a uniform and constant level by an overflow port which drains any excess liquid back to the liquid supply container. The liquid remaining in the reservoir flows through an outlet passage to a well from which the liquid is dispensed in metered units under control of an adjustable needle valve. The needle valve is provided for controlling the rate of feed of the liquid to the utilization device, and is accessible for adjusting the liquid flow while the pump is in operation. The reservoir is also provided with vent means to prevent impediment of liquid flow and, also, to permit liquid flow immediately in response to initial start-up and operation of the pump.

Abstract: An ion modulator having a bias electrode which is independently controllable improves the modulation and focusing of projected ions. Such a modulator is constructed so as to reduce the adverse effects of corona discharge upon the modulator.

Abstract: The magnetic brush arrangement provides for the formation of a brush-like mass made up of a pulverulent mix of carrier particles and toner particles supplied in measured amounts. Measured amounts of developer particles are picked up in the flutes provided on the surface of a rotating drum which is partially immersed in the granular mass. The flutes are axially parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum and it is the volume capacity of the flutes that determines the quantity of developer mix picked up and conveyed to a developing station. At the developing station there is provided a series of cylinders having disposed within magnetic flux generating means so as to attract the granular mass of particles from the flutes and pass it along the series of cylinders in the form of a moving carpet of developer mix.

Abstract: An ion modulator having a bias electrode which is independently controllable improves the modulation and focusing of projected ions. Such a modulator is constructed so as to reduce the adverse effects of corona discharge upon the modulator.

Abstract: A secure property document and system are provided which prevents the use of fraudulent credit cards and other documents. The documents each include optical and magnetic data sets. Each data set contains data elements having a spacial relationship to at least some of the data elements contained in the other data set. The system reads and processes the data to determine whether or not the spacial relationship corresponds to that recorded for the particular document. If the spacial relationship codes do not agree within predetermined limits, the document is rejected by the system, whereby the transaction may be refused or additional information requested from the document holder.

Abstract: A vertical rise sheet feeder is provided comprising means responsive to the weight of a stack of sheets for positioning and maintaining the stack at a feed level for the feeding of a single sheet at a time from the top of the stack. The sheet feeder includes a fixed platform and a vertically movable platform for supporting the stack. The movable platform is powered by a stabilizer means and its movement is regulated by linkage means interconnected by a torsion bar. The torsion bar controls operation of the linkage means in unison and provides a degree of freedom to the movable platform for maintaining the top of the stack in an aligned position such that a feed roller means exerts uniform and equal forces on the sheets to provide for accurate and positive feeding of the sheets from the stack. The feeder also includes a sheet locating and guiding means for maintaining the stack of sheets centered on the movable platform and for guiding the sheets as they are fed from the stack.

Abstract: A cassette is provided for manually transporting a sheet of photographic film from one station to another without exposing the film to ambient light. The cassette comprises a light-tight enclosure provided at one end with a pair of rollers and at the other end with a resilient light seal. The rollers are adapted to be rotated in response to engagement with driven rollers associated with one station for advancing a film sheet into the cassette. The film sheet is positioned within the enclosure with a lead end thereof protruding from the resilient light seal. The cassette is then carried to another station where the lead end of the film is adapted to be inserted into a pair of driven rollers associated with another station for withdrawing the film sheet from the cassette.

Abstract: A control means is provided for use with a roll sheet feeder in which a web is fed to a work station from either one of a pair of web supply rolls for partially withdrawing from the work station the web not being fed thereto to avoid interference with the other web being worked upon at the work station. First and second selectively driven rotatable members are provided for feeding a web to the work station. The control means comprises a first and a second friction brake means mounted on and rotatable with the first and the second members respectively, and stop means for arresting rotation of the brake means. As the first member is rotated in a direction to feed the web to the work station, the brake means thereon co-acts with the brake means on the second member to thereby rotate the second brake means and the second member through a predetermined distance in the opposite or reverse direction until arrested by the stop means.

Abstract: A magazine for holding a plurality of microfiche carriers is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed side walls each of which is formed with an elongated arcuate protrusion, a top, a bottom and a front wall having a window therein. The back of the magazine is open to receive the microfiche carriers.

Abstract: A device for pressure fixing powder images utilizing a pair of rollers in pressure contact and in skewed relationship, each of the rollers formed with a solid shaft or core encased in a tubular metal casing and including an elastomeric collar that fits into a recess formed by circumferentially cutting out portions at the ends of the shaft and the casing and supports the shaft at its ends inside the casing providing an annular air space between the shaft and the inside casing wall. The shaft ends are received in conventional bearings and under high compressive loads the shaft deflection is much greater than the deflection in the casing because of this elastomeric collar permitting much smaller skewing angles, particularly for rolls that exceed 10 inches in length.

Abstract: A device for removing the solvent wash liquid that is applied to a lithographic blanket for the purpose of removing the residual ink image constructed of a pair of flat plates, separated from one another by a narrow height in the range of 0.005 inches to 0.06 inches, and which provides a capillary channel between the two plates for collecting liquid. The front edge of the lower plate is formed into a wiping edge which makes contact with the full width of the blanket and acts as a wiper blade for accumulating liquid at the entryway of the channel. Any liquid presented to the capillary channel immediately fills the channel and excess liquid flows out the back end of the channel by force of gravity into a collecting vessel. Optionally, a negative pressure pulse of short duration may be applied to the channel in order to assist in the rapid removal of any accumulated liquid within.

Abstract: Organic photoconductive systems which employ organic polymers containing aromatic or heterocyclic nuclei are combined with amounts of .pi. acid type additives for the purpose of extending the spectral response to the visible portion of the spectrum. The sensitizing compounds are dicyanomethylene substituted fluorenes which are added in an amount expressed in moles of sensitizer per 100 moles of the organic photoconductor calculated as the monomer. The amount of sensitizer to be added may range from 0.1 to about 100 moles per 100 moles of organic photoconductor based on the molecular weight of the monomer.