Abstract: A modulator screen drum assembly supports a multi-layer screen having the capability of selectively passing therethrough charged particles for aperture-controlled electrostatic printing. The drum assembly comprises a pair of rotatably supported end wall members axially positioned in spaced apart relationship. The modulator screen is secured to and wrapped around the end all members to provide a screen drum or cylinder. Adjusting means is provided for axially moving one of the end wall members relative to the other end wall member to stretch and tension the screen cylinder in a longitudinal direction, and locking means is provided for locking the adjusting means in the set position to thereby maintain the screen cylinder in properly tensioned and taut condition.

Abstract: A data recorder is provided including a roller platen carriage adapted to be manually reciprocated and normally locked in a home position by a manually releasable interlock mechanism. A release lever is associated with the interlock mechanism, with manual release of the lever being required to free the carriage before each reciprocation. This avoids imprints of unacceptable quality due to inadvertent multiple operations of the carriage.

Abstract: Sheet separating apparatus for separating the bottom sheet from a sheet stack while at the same time adapted to adjust to any non-uniformity in thickness of portions of the sheet as each sheet enters a nip between a friction member and a sheet conveyor of substantial breadth. The sheet separating apparatus includes a broad friction member which is biased toward engagement with a broad, load distributing conveyor which transports the sheet material. The friction member is supported in such a manner that it can tilt about an axis which is parallel to the sheet path, and thus adjust itself in accordance with any variations in thickness of that portion of the sheet which the conveyor encounters as it enters the nip between the friction member and the conveyor. This arrangement causes a uniform pressure to be generated by the various portions of the friction member upon the various portions of the conveyor, and thereby to have a more uniform effect upon the portions of the sheets as they enter the nip.

Abstract: An optical system, particularly for use in an electrostatic copier of the type in which a document is scanned as it moves through an object plane, and an image transmitted to a photoconductive element which is moving through an image plane. A plurality of optical systems each including a lens of short focal length and a roof mirror, are adapted to transmit a portion of an illuminated object plane along parallel light paths. The images thus transmitted are so oriented with respect to each other as to form an integrated image on a receiving surface located at an image plane. In one embodiment the receiving surface is in the nature of a transfer mechanism which has the image cast thereupon in wrong reading orientation, and which mechanically transfers the image, in right reading orientation, to a copy sheet. By introducing an additional plane mirror into the system, the image can be converted to a right reading image for projection directly on a moving copy sheet at an image plane.

Abstract: An optical device for a micro-image viewer or a micro-image viewer-printer machine receives a projected image of an illuminated micro-image, adjusts the spatial disposition of the projected image in an image plane and transmits the adjusted projected image to a viewing screen for viewing or to an exposure station for reproduction purposes. The optical device, in a preferred embodiment, includes a pechan prism positioned in a micro-image viewer-printer machine for receiving a projected image from a projection lens assembly. The pechan prism is rotatable about the illumination path or optical axis of the viewer-printer machine to enable the spatial disposition of the projected image to be rotated at least from 0.degree. to 180.degree. in an image plane.

Abstract: An ion modulator process capable of producing copies of high contrast and with low background utilizes a constant charge density applied in the dark to set up uniform fringing fields which block ions directed towards background (light) areas. Funneling fields are set up in image (dark) areas in opposition to the original uniform fringing fields by simultaneous imaging and ion projection decreasing the effect of such fringing fields and permitting ions to pass through the modulator in image areas.

Abstract: An apparatus used in the formation of visible copies of an image, the establishment of an electric field embracing a screen laden with toner material and a platen supporting a receiving sheet, and spraying ions in an image formation upon the toner on the screen in a sign which will cause the resultant toner particles to be impelled by the field upon the sheet.

Abstract: A photographic compositor having a letter pattern carrying section comprising a plurality of letter pattern carrying discs which are rotatably mounted on a common rotatable shaft at intervals, and an optical system disposed to cooperate with one side of a selected disc wherein a beam for illuminating letter patterns carried in a track on a disc is caused to reside between a pair of adjacent letter pattern carrying discs by interspersing a selected disc with said optical system and then passing the beam through a letter pattern and out through the space between a pair of discs of the following stage, said optical system and said letter pattern carrying section mounted for relative movement in a path perpendicular to the axis of said rotatable shaft, said movement having a first limit which separates the largest disc carried by said shaft from said optical system, and a second limit position preselected to position a track of any selected disc into projection relationship with said system, and means to shift sa

Abstract: A platen for a strip-up microfiche is equipped with a plurality of pin holders, half of which are fixed in position on one edge of the platen frame and the other half of which are movable seriatim within the opposite edge of the frame to grasp or release the edge of the microfiche which is not connected to the fixed pin holders.

Abstract: A non-contacting shaft seal for preventing the flow of fluid through a shaft passageway in a housing wall includes a collar fixedly attached to a rotating shaft for creating a zone of turbulence around the passageway. The collar has a diameter larger than the diameter of the shaft passageway and is slightly physically spaced from the housing wall to confine the turbulence to the area between the collar and the housing wall to thereby create a generally annularly shaped zone of turbulence or turbulence barrier around the passageway.

Abstract: An improved indicia disc for use in association with phototype setting apparatus includes a rigid glass support plate and a flexible photographic film disc carrying a plurality of fonts of alpha numeric characters. The flexible film disc is held against movement relative to the support plate by atmospheric pressure against an outer surface of the film disc. To mount the film disc on the support plate, they are rotated together at a relatively high speed about their central axes. As they are rotated, centrifugal force expels the atmosphere from between the film disc and support plate. Atmospheric pressure against the outer side of the film disc is then effective to press it securely against the support plate. In one embodiment of the invention a one-piece film disc is utilized. In another embodiment of the invention a two-piece film disc is utilized to provide greater flexibility of choice in associating various fonts of characters.

Abstract: An ion modulator of improved sensitivity and capable of producing copies of excellent quality is provided in the form of a conductive metal screen which is coated with an insulator and overcoated with a photoconductor. This modulator configuration is characterized by having memory capabilities, being capable of being operated in both the positive and negative modes and functioning without injection contact.

Abstract: The mechanism of this invention deals with a series of gears for sequentially moving and controlling a pair of blade-like members associated with a liquid applicator roller, one of said blades serving to wipe excess liquid from the surface of the roller, and the other blade serving to press a sheet of paper against the applicator roller in order to transfer the metered amount or controlled amount of liquid from the roller surface to the paper. The gear train includes a manually movable gear for rendering operative a sequence control gear for bringing the blades into contact and out of contact with the surface of the roller, which sequence control gear has associated with it various linkage members and latching members for holding the blades in position against the surface of the roller and for triggering the drive motor for rotating the liquid applicator roller.

Abstract: A photocomposition machine is provided including a lens system which is controlled as a function of point size values selected by the operator. The control means recognizes point size changes entered by the operator and determines the direction and number of steps to move the lenses in order to provide a magnification corresponding to the new point size.

Abstract: A system for intermixing large and small size type in a photocomposer by coordinating speed of a disc font storage medium with the size of type to be set. The speed of the disc drive motor is controlled by pulses of power to the motor. A signal frequency which is used to produce the pulses simultaneously controls the speed of the disc driven motor and a counter which is allowed to count out only at specified times in relation to the matrix relative position and thereby inform a controller of the matrix position.

Abstract: An exposure system for a microfiche duplicating machine includes a mercury vapor light source and a light transparent platen disposed above the light source for supporting an original microfiche card and a duplicating film card for exposure by the light source. A shutter mechanism is interposed between the light source and the transparent platen to control the exposure of the duplicating film card, and a cover is disposed over the transparent platen to prevent the escape of light from the duplicating machine during the exposure. A mechanical linkage is provided for automatically opening a pair of shutters within the shutter mechanism upon the closing of the cover to initiate the exposure of the duplicating film card. Simultaneously, a timer is energized by the closing of the cover to initiate an exposure timing sequence.

Abstract: In a photoconductive image processing system, consistent copy quality is possible if the charge necessary for the transfer of a toner image is produced by a source of substantially constant current. Changes in transfer material or humidity will not affect the current and thus the charge delivered. As a result, readjustment of the charge source is obviated.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for the transfer of toner particles from a developed photoconductor, or the like, to an object transfer surface by effecting charge flow between the photoconductor and the transfer surface, whereby the net electrostatic field acting upon the particles is reversed. The apparatus includes an insulating sheet provided with a conductive layer on the transfer object side. The insulating sheet is disposed between the photoconductor and transfer object and is apertured to permit the movement of toner particles to the object when the electrostatic field is reversed.

Abstract: A photographic compositor having a letter pattern carrying section comprising a plurality of letter pattern carrying discs which are rotatably mounted on a common rotatable shaft at intervals. A dynamic optical system provides a collimated light beam source at a fixed location. A carriage with a sub-optical system decollimates and focuses the beam, transports the beam in an offset path to letter pattern of a disc, and recollimates the beam. The recollimated beam is then projected to a focusing lens and out to a photocomposer apparatus.

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.