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: An improved paper handling system includes a pair of work units which sequentially work on opposite sides of a sheet with the same edge of the sheet leading. An inverter between the two work units is effective to invert the sheet in such a manner that the edge of the sheet which leads during passage of the sheet through the first work unit will also lead as the sheet passes through the second work unit. A sheet which has been worked on, first side up, by the first work unit will also lead as the sheet passes through the second work unit. A sheet which has been worked on, first side up, by the first work unit with a head edge of the sheet leading is moved by a first conveyor along a first path into engagement with a stop member which engages the head edge of the sheet to arrest it at a first readiness position. A pusher then engages a side edge of the sheet and pushes it sidewardly.

Abstract: Apparatus for developing diazo type films includes an ammonia chamber having an electrically heated heat transfer plate disposed therein dividing the ammonia chamber into upper and lower portions. Two pairs of rollers are disposed at opposite ends of the ammonia chamber in parallel relationship to the transfer plate for transporting the film over the heat transfer plate. A pressure roller is positioned within the upper portion of the ammonia chamber above the heat transfer plate for maintaining the film in intimate contact with the plate to provide for an efficient transfer of the heat between the heat transfer plate and the film. An inlet for an ammonia gas developer is provided in the lower portion of the ammonia chamber, and passages are provided around the heat transfer plate to permit the ammonia gas developer to flow around the plate and into the upper portion of the ammonia chamber while being heated by the plate.

Abstract: A conveyor is provided for accepting sheets moving in one direction from a duplicator and conveying them at an angle to the initial direction; e.g., 90.degree.. The conveyor consists of rollers of relatively large diameter arranged with close spacing so that sheets of paper will pass easily from one to the other, and entering sheets will find fairly continuous support whatever their size. The rollers are set at an angle to the desired feed path to provide an effect urging the sheets towards a side alignment stop and the construction is such that the angular roller setting may be readily made during manufacture, to act towards whichever side of the feed path is selected as the one to carry the alignment stop surface.

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: An improved apparatus and method is provided for molding a plurality of plastic characters on the upper surface of a plastic blank having a passage at each location where a character is to be molded. Rotatable die wheels having character defining recesses or cavities are disposed at a molding station above a support for the blank. These die wheels are rotated relative to each other to align cavities defining selected characters directly above the passages in the blank. The aligned die wheels are then moved into abutting engagement with the upper surface of the blank with the passages in the blank communicating with the cavities of the wheels which define the selected characters. Plastic material is then forced through the passages in the blank and into the cavities to simultaneously mold the selected characters on the upper surface of the blank.

Abstract: A purging system is provided for reducing and substantially eliminating contaminants, moisture, residual gas and the like from a work station such as, for example, a developer station in which ammonia gas is used for development of diazo type films. The system includes a check valve connected between one end of the developer station and a supply of compressed air, and a 3-way valve connected between the other end of the developer station and a supply of ammonia gas and an ammonia exhaust container. During development, the ammonia is passed into the developer station under a relatively high pressure and the flow of the ammonia is stopped by the check valve. After development, the pressure in the developer station is lowered thereby opening the check valve and causing flow of air from the supply of compressed air through the developer station, the 3-way valve, and into the exhaust container to thereby purge the entire system of contaminants, moisture and residual ammonia gas.

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: The use of a stepper motor of large steps, with a pulley type mechanical motion reducer system using a flexible cable for dividing a step of the motor into a divided output motion, and an alternative embodiment wherein a second stepper motor in the form of a two-step solenoid further alters the output by changing the position of the flexible cable anchor. The combination is illustrated in an environment of a lens in a photocomposer wherein a carriage carries a decollimating focusing lens and mirror as an escapement composition device shifted in accordance with the dictates of a program operating under specific algorithms.

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 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: Apparatus and method for continuously removing ferrous particulate matter from an image bearing element being transported along a predetermined path in an electrostatic copying machine.Ferrous particulate matter is magnetically attracted away from the element as it moves along its path. A receiver, preferably movable on an endless path, receives the particulate matter attracted away from the element and conveys the particulate matter to a predetermined location.

Abstract: A rotary duplicator includes a handwheel for manually moving the cylinders to insert and remove masters, to make adjustments, etc. To minimize risk to the operator when the machine is running, there is provided a means for disconnecting the handwheel automatically and holding it stationary whenever the machine is turned on.

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: Electroscopic toner powders deposited in an image pattern configuration on a substrate are fixed in place thereon by applying pressure in the absence of heat. This is accomplished by applying pressure in a degree normally insufficient to secure adequate fixing, but by repeating the treatment one or more times, adequate fixing is achieved.

Abstract: Duplicating equipment is provided for printing on both faces of the same sheet or, in the alternative, making two impressions on the same face (e.g., in different colors) by means of two printing heads. Both printing heads are served with masters from a single supply point, the masters being fed in proper order and attached to the master cylinder of the appropriate printing head automatically. In one form of the invention, the single master supply point takes the form of a single master maker and converter.

Abstract: The invention is an improved modulator, in the form of a screen, having the capability of selectively passing therethrough charged particles, such as gas ions, in accordance with a pattern that corresponds to the image and non-image areas of a graphic original. The apertured modulator is formed from a metal screen, such as a 200 mesh wire screen, having a wire cross section of 0.051 millimeter and is overcoated with a four-micron thickness of a photoconductor, such as selenium or an organic photoconductor, over which is next applied an equal thickness of an insulating layer, such as polystyrene. The three-layered modulator constructed in this manner is imparted a charge pattern corresponding to the graphic subject to be reproduced by the creation of a charge distribution system (CDS) on the insulating surface. The CDS created on the modulator in the environment of this invention is completely passive to electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A microfiche film pack having a pair of opaque covers, one of which is formed with an offset portion providing a pocket. A sheet of photosensitive material is partially positioned in said pocket, and has a tab which extends from the pocket, there being a light trap in the form of elongated indentations in said covers on opposite sides of said photosensitive sheet. The tab near the indentations is formed with several apertures through which the covers are bonded to each other to cooperate with the indentations in providing the light trap.The covers are provided with an end portion to be held in fixed position relative to the tab on the photosensitive sheet to enable the latter to be pulled from the pocket in the covers.