Abstract: A photographic printer of the type wherein a web of photographic material is advanced to and from an exposure station and wherein individual exposure areas of the photographic material are selectively marked by a thermal marking system. The thermal marking system of the present invention includes a thermally activated marking tape and a thermal print head which selectively applies thermal energy to portions of the tape. A frictional engagement between the photographic material and tape results in a movement of the tape with the photographic media when the media is driven through the printer. In a preferred embodiment, the friction between the tape and media is selectively established by intermittently establishing an intimate contact between them.

Abstract: A photographic exposure and development system including a printer for exposing photographic media, a processor for developing the image exposed on the media and an accumulator intermediate the printer and processor for compensating for the differences in operational speed of the printer and processor. The printer is of the type which discharges exposed photographic media in sheet form, whether the initial supply be in sheet form or in roll form. The accumulator accepts exposed sheets discharged by the printer and stacks the same in ascending chronological order from the bottom of the stack while providing access to the exposed sheets for removal for processing by the processor in ascending chronological order at the top of the stack. In a preferred embodiment, the accumulator includes a plurality of bins which are rotatable with each other between a first position in which the exposed sheets are accepted for stacking and a second position where the stacked sheets are accessible for removal.

Abstract: An improved paper advance apparatus for advancing photographic paper in a photographic printer advances print paper held against a bottom side of a vacuum platen with the leading edge of the print paper being otherwise unsupported. The apparatus includes a paper supply, a drive roller assembly for moving the paper along a paper path to an exposure station located after the drive roller assembly. A vacuum platen is positioned after the drive roller assembly and includes a pair of spaced apart guides along the bottom side thereof defining a print paper engaging surface along the paper path. A vacuum force is supplied to the paper-engaging surface through a plurality of vacuum ports for holding the print paper against the print-engaging surface. The holding force provided by the vacuum is such that the print paper is held flatly against the print-engaging surface during advancement of the paper and during exposure at the exposure station without the leading edge of the print paper needing any further support.

Abstract: An improved photographic printer having a plurality of lens assemblies with each lens assembly including a plurality of optical elements spaced from each other along the general direction of the printer optical path. The optical elements of each lens assembly are movable relative to each other between first and second positions with one of the first and second positions being within the optical path and the other being without the optical path. A plurality of positioning elements are adapted to cooperate with different ones of the optical elements to selectively position them in the first or second position. Specifically, the plurality of lens assemblies are movably supported to alternatively position each with its optical elements in conjunction with the positioning elements for movement of the optical elements between the first and second positions. In a preferred embodiment, the lens assemblies are supported by a carrousel and the optical elements may include lenses and baffles.

Abstract: A paper cutter for separating exposure areas positioned along the longitudinal axis of a web of photographic material. Individual print areas within an exposure area are also separated. The print material is coded on its back or at each exposure area border in accordance with the particular array of print areas and the cutter decodes the border code and produces a signal representative of the array of print areas to be separated. The web is advanced into a cutting station with cutting elements within the cutting station being selectively activated, web advance and cutting station activation being in accordance with the print area array representative signal.

Abstract: A photographic printing system including an improved masking card. The masking card carries an image-bearing transparency at an aperture thereof. The card cooperates with a photograhic printer to contribute to the registration of the image relative to the optical path of the printer. A plurality of mark boxes are located at predetermined locations on the card with each location representing a printer exposure parameter. At least some of the marked box locations represent exposures of preselected size. Ghost character outlines of an optically readable character font are preprinted at at least some of the marked box locations. An information storage medium is carried by the card and includes a plurality of data blocks each dedicated to a printer exposure parameter, including printer exposure parameters represented by the mark box locations.

Abstract: An improved photographic printer of the type wherein photosensitive photographic material is automatically advanced through an exposure area and is marked intermediate adjacent exposures to facilitate the separation or cutting of the different exposures. The improvement consists of a marking system having elements movable in and out of the exposure area to mark the photographic material while it is in the exposure area but without obstructing the photographic material while it is being exposed. In a preferred embodiment, the marking system includes a punch carried by a rotatable eccentric member, the punch being carried in and out of the exposure area on rotation of the eccentric member. The eccentric member is biased to maintain the punch out of the exposure area and is provided with a camming surface engagable by a reciprocal member, cooperation between the reciprocal member and camming surface causing rotation of the eccentric member.

Abstract: Photographic printers of versatile character are taught. Disclosed is a printer having a lens carrier assembly which includes at least one subassembly of shiftable lens boards adapted to be moved in and out of an operative position for photographic printing. The subassembly can be moved as a unit out of engagable relationship with power means for shifting the lens boards. The power means for shifting the lens boards is not moved with the subassembly. An alternate subassembly may then be moved into position for operation by the power means. Disclosed also is a composite lens carrier assembly which, as a complete unit, can be entirely removed from a printing apparatus to permit an alternate assembly to be inserted. Additionally disclosed is a new location for a shutter mechanism, at the window into a chamber for the light-sensitive print material. Further, there is disclosed a new negative holder assembly of removable and replaceable elements. This negative holder assembly is capable of a 90.degree.