Abstract: Slave cassettes each including a slave tape and having a peripheral groove are stacked in a first station. Gripping fingers movable into the grooves in the forward cassette and the next cassette grip the forward cassette. During the pivoting of the cassette to a second station, a cover on the cassette is pivoted to expose the slave tape. At the second station, threading arms are moved from retracted to extended positions. The cassette and the threading arms are then moved to a third station planar with a pinch roller which is displaced from the capstan. The threading arms are then retracted to dispose the slave tape on the capstan. With a master tape on the pinch roller, the pinch roller is moved to a position abutting the capstan. The pinch roller and capstan are then rotated to transfer the image on the master tape to the slave tape such that the image beginning is at the slave tape beginning.

Abstract: A thermomagnetic layer on a slave tape has a Curie temperature above which it loses, and below which it stores, an image. Such layer is heated above the Curie temperature just before such layer records an image. To compensate for image stretching in such layer by the heat, the lines in a raster scan on the mirror-master tape are lengthened relative to such lines on a master tape during an image transfer between the tapes. To accomplish this, a rotary member holding the mirror-master tape has a larger diameter than, and rotates at the same angular speed as, a rotary member holding the master tape. To inhibit the slave tape separation from the heater by water vaporization in the thermomagnetic layer, (1) the heater heats such layer while the slave tape moves in a direction opposite to its movement during the image transfer or (2) a microwave oven heats such layer.

Abstract: Master and slave tapes respectively move on a pinch roller from a first supply reel to a first take-up reel in a first cassette and on a capstan from a second supply reel to a second take-up reel in a second cassette. The pinch roller locked in a first position abuts the capstan to transfer to the slave tape the image on the master tape. After such transfer, a signal sensing the slave tape end causes the pinch roller to be unlocked and to be moved to a second position displaced from the first position. In this position, the second cassette is replaceable by another cassette for an image transfer from the master tape. The rotations of the supply reel produce eccentricities which vary tape tension. These tension variations are compensated at positions before the pinch roller and the capstan by springs guiding the tapes and by damping members attached to the springs. The damping members are pre-stressed to provide damped compliances in accordance with the tension variations.

Abstract: A master tape movable in a closed loop including a pinch roller transfers a mirror image to a slave tape movable in a closed loop including a capstan. A thermomagnetic layer on the slave tape has a Curie temperature above which magnetic information is destroyed and below which magnetic information can be recorded on such layer. The thermomagnetic layer is heated above the Curie temperature, thereby becoming lengthened by thermal expansion just before the slave tape reaches the capstan. A downstream portion of a peripheral surface, preferably defining a cylindrical segment, on a first guide receives a pressurized fluid for sensing the tape tension in accordance with the tape width, distance from the cylinder axis and fluid pressure. An upstream portion of the guide peripheral surface receives a vacuum adjustable to regulate tape tension in response to variations in the pressurized fluid pressure.

Abstract: A master tape moves between first supply and take-up reels over a pinch roller. A slave tape moves between second supply and take-up reels over a capstan. First and second guides are respectively constructed and positioned to regulate the movement of the master and slave tapes to aligned positions on the pinch roller and the capstan. A heater between the pinch roller and the second guide heats essentially only a thermomagnetic layer on the slave tape to at least the Curie temperature. The heater is adjustably positioned to facilitate the movement of the slave tape to the aligned position on the capstan. Brake shoes respectively between the first guide and the first supply reel, and between the second guide and the second supply reel, control master and slave tape tensions and damp any variations in tensions. The pinch roller is movable to a first position, locked in position relative to the capstan, to abut the capstan and facilitate the transfer of magnetic information from the master tape to the slave tape.

Abstract: A master tape moves between first supply and take-up reels over a pinch roller. A slave tape moves between second supply and take-up reels over a capstan. First and second guides are respectively constructed and positioned to regulate the movement of the master and slave tapes to aligned positions on the pinch roller and the capstan. A heater between the pinch roller and the second guide heats essentially only a thermomagnetic layer on the slave tape to at least the Curie temperature. The heater is adjustably positioned to facilitate the movement of the slave tape to the aligned position on the capstan. Brake shoes respectively between the first guide and the first supply reel, and between the second guide and the second supply reel, control master and slave tape tensions and damp any variations in tensions. The pinch roller is movable to a first position, locked in position relative to the capstan, to abut the capstan and facilitate the transfer of magnetic information from the master tape to the slave tape.

Abstract: A master tape movable in a closed loop including a pinch roller transfers a mirror image to a slave tape movable in a closed loop including a capstan. A thermomagnetic layer on the slave tape has a Curie temperature above which magnetic information is destroyed and below which magnetic information can be recorded on such layer. The thermomagnetic layer is heated above the Curie temperature, thereby becoming lengthened by thermal expansion just before the slave tape reaches the capstan. A downstream portion of a peripheral surface, preferably defining a cylindrical segment, on a first guide receives a pressurized fluid for sensing the tape tension in accordance with the tape width, distance from the cylinder axis and fluid pressure. An upstream portion of the guide peripheral surface receives a vacuum adjustable to regulate tape tension in response to variations in the pressurized fluid pressure.

Abstract: A pick-and-place machine having magnetic elements which hold down the chips at the pick stations, thus preventing shingling, and also hold such chips at the pick stations adjacent a stop element. The magnetic elements create magnetic forces in two directions relative to chip elements having magnetizable terminal portions. The magnetic elements are provided in combination with feed apparatus that is adapted to stop, when the associated groove is full of chips, rather than causing the machine to jam.

Abstract: There is provided improvements in magnetic recording head arrangements, such as may employ multiplexing, which provide substantially higher speeds of recording and require fewer components. The recording head is comprised of a compact, four-layer laminate structure mountable on a supporting substrate, in which the entire array of recording elements forms a flexible, uniquely arranged first layer, the return paths of the recording elements comprise a flexible second layer which has the dual utility of substantially reducing the recording element circuit inductance, the third layer is a rigid printed circuit board structure providing a mount for the blocking diodes and the conductive paths of the associated multiplexing scheme, and the fourth layer is a ground plane located between the first and third layers and insulated therefrom for further reducing the inductance associated to the circuitry of the first layer and for substantially minimizing the circuit inductance of the third layer.

Abstract: A recording head protective overlay arrangement with an alarm capability is provided. The protective overlay is continuously replenishable between the recording surface of the recording head and the recording medium and is movable in a direction opposite to that of the recording medium so as to provide a cleaning function as well as a wear-preventive function. A dispenser cartridge housing the protective overlay is provided which is specially designed to closely conform to the recording head. A pivotable cartridge holder is included for enabling the cartridge to be inserted in a position remote from the recording head and pivotable into an operative position with the recording head. The tape medium itself and various components operatively associated therewith are pivotably mounted, to provide movement of the medium into intimate operative contact with the overlay and the recording head.

Abstract: A magnetographic copier system in which images recorded on a magnetic tape are developed by toner with magnetic properties and where the toner particles are also electrostatically charged. A piece of paper is brought into contact with the tape at a toner transfer station and a first momentary electric field of the proper polarity and orientation is then used to transfer the developed toner images from the tape to paper. The paper and tape segments with the images are then separated and are moved away from the toner transfer station. An electrode external to the transfer station is then used to apply another electric field of the same polarity to the developed toner images on the paper to prevent the toner from being disturbed by the next occurrence of the first electric field for subsequent toner images being transferred to the paper.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for uniformly premagnetizing magnetic media, such as wide magnetic tapes and/or for substantially uniformly orienting the magnetic particles in the slurry of the magnetizable layer of magnetic media during their formation. Premagnetization constitutes magnetizing the medium in a preselected direction, such as the transverse direction (i.e., perpendicular to the intended direction of movement of the recording medium past a recording head but in the plane of the medium), prior to magnetically recording information thereon. The apparatus comprises a number of predeterminably arranged small magnets disposed proximate to the medium which obviates the need for large, expensive, heavy magnets and magnet systems. A continuous transverse saturation level of magnetization is provided in the medium with virtually no vertical or longitudinal magnetic components or anomalous effects.

Abstract: Magnetographic printing, method and apparatus are used to generate letter-quality, relatively high speed transfer of magnetic toner particles from a magnetic tape to paper. A pretransfer force (f.sub.1) holding the toner to the tape is established which may be magnetic, or both magnetic and electrostatic in nature. The transfer operation employs relatively high speed approaching movement of the tape toward the paper in a controlled manner such that forces (f.sub.2) exerted on the toner particles due to the rapidly closing movement including forces created by air currents are collectively less than the toner-holding force (f.sub.1) for any instantaneous separation between the tape and paper. The operation may include the use of a bias voltage to generate a component of the electrostatic holding force and the use of a corotron to deposit electrostatic charge on the magnetic toner particles.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for electrostatically separating a first medium such as a magnetic tape from a second medium such as paper following transfer of images from the tape to the paper. The apparatus includes a movable member or platen disposed for moving the tape into contact with and away from the paper, and a voltage source coupled across predetermined portions of the tape and platen. The method includes the step of creating an electrostatic force between the tape and platen sufficient to overcome adherence of the tape to the paper during contact of the tape with the paper, facilitating separation of the tape from the paper as the platen is moved away from the paper following image transfer. Separation is accomplished substantially independent of tape tension.

Abstract: A method of fabricating from a single piece of copper foil the extremely fragile recording element structure of a multi-channel magnetic recording head having a linear array of bi-metal recording elements, in which the elements are comprised of elongated substantially parallel finger portions terminating in a common return, with each having a minutely thinned down recording zone. For high resolution recording head structures, the dimensions of the elements at the recording zone may typically be as thin as 0.1.times.10.sup.-3 inches with a width of 1.5.times.10.sup.-3 inches and length of 3.5.times.10.sup.-3 inches, where the total length of the recording elements may nevertheless be as long as three inches. The process comprises an etching technique and the application of one or more supports at appropriate times in the fabrication to protect the structure at its most vulnerable times.

Abstract: In a high-quality, high-speed magnetographic apparatus, an arrangement for developing the latent magnetic images of a readily-imagable magnetizable medium (in particular a relatively high-coercivity medium) with magnetically attractable toner particles. A rotatable toner developer is positioned proximate to the medium to define therebetween a toning zone, with the developer being structured to magnetically provide toner particles in contact with the medium at the toning zone and to impart to the toner particles at least at and approaching the toning zone a direction of movement relative to the medium which is in opposition to the latter. A concentration of substantially fluidized and magnetically confined toner particles is thus provided which is urged into contact with the medium for effectively developing the latent images even with the medium moving at high speed relative to the developer and without adversely affecting the latent magnetic images of the medium.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying toner to a tape which has toner-attracting images thereon, including a chamber containing toner, a chamber inlet located below the top of the toner, a chamber outlet above the top of the toner, and a tape guide which is convex along the tape path which leads through the toner to minimize toner pickup on the rear face of the tape. A vacuum is maintained at the top of the chamber to create an inflow of air at the tape outlet, to sweep back loose toner.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying toner to a tape which has toner-attracting images thereon, including a chamber containing toner, a chamber inlet located below the top of the toner, a chamber outlet above the top of the toner, and a tape guide which is convex along the tape path which leads through the toner to minimize toner pickup on the rear face of the tape. A vacuum is maintained at the top of the chamber to create an inflow of air at the tape outlet, to sweep back loose toner.

Abstract: A head for magnetizing a broad magnetic tape or the like to form magnetic images representing lines of high quality characters or other images, including a large number of closely-spaced recorder elements, such as two thousand spaced a few thousandths inches apart, the elements having parallel strip portions with recording locations therealong. The elements are arranged in groups, with the elements in one group having a common enlarged interconnected region on one side of the recording locations and with each element in the group having a separate enlarged terminal on the other side of the line of recording locations. The terminals are arranged in a staggered fashion, so that the elements located progressively closer to one end of the group have terminals located progressively further from the line of recording locations.

Abstract: Apparatus for printing images on paper or other print medium by transferring toner on a magnetic tape onto the paper, using a voltage pulse applied between electrodes located respectively behind the tape and behind the paper. The electrode behind the tape is narrower than the tape, so that the opposite edge portions of the tape serve as insulators that prevent the formation of electric arcs between the electrodes. The voltage is applied in the form of a high voltage pulse on the order of 1500 volts lasting on the order of one millisecond, to transfer toner, and is followed by a sustained voltage on the order of 150 volts for preventing the toner particles from shifting position on the paper.