Abstract: A graphic camera/platemaker optical system is described having a copyboard for an original subject, a lens, an image plane and a mirror. The copyboard, lens and mirror are independently movable such that they may move in different directions in order to produce a variable scale image or reproduction of the original onto the image plane. The movable elements are positioned by separate stepping drives controlled by a common microprocessor.

Abstract: A color scanner is provided having a commonly mounted and driven original scanning table and LED dot generator exposure source. Scanning is accomplished by illuminating a strip of the original artwork with high intensity fluorescent light and detecting the illuminated strip through a linear scanning aperture, lens and color filter wheel using a charge coupled device ("CCD") linear detector. Original artwork is held by vacuum against the flat original artwork receiving surface and photosensitive material is automatically loaded and held by vacuum onto the surface of a rotating exposure drum mounted parallel to the direction of travel of the LED dot generator exposure source, and the exposed halftone film is automatically removed from the drum surface and loaded into a transfer cartridge. Advantageously, multiple linear scans may be averaged in order to reduce color fringe effects.

Abstract: A transport belt for an automatic camera vacuum feed and hold down system is provided. The movable, flexible opaque transport belt has a substantially uniform bottom surface facing the exposure platen and a top surface provided with at least one transverse resilient belt flexing member. The belt flexing member is preferably a curved plastic member having memory which assumes a first, curved position to create at least one air channel beneath the belt. The air channels reduce the length of time required to evacuate air beneath the belt. During vacuum hold down for exposure, the resilient belt flexing member assumes a second position, substantially parallel to the platen and the air channels are eliminated, such that the bottom belt surface presents a substantially flat uniform background surface during exposure.

Abstract: A cassette for containing and dispensing a roll of photosensitive material comprising a one-piece generally rectangular cassette body with at least one trihedral corner formed from a sheet of inexpensive material, and providing an orifice therein, a seal along the orifice, molded rectangular cassette end covers disposed at each end of the cassette body and adapted to connect to the ends of the cassette body. The cassette end covers are also adapted to support the roll of photosensitive material within the cassette and to extend beyond the cassette body on the trihedral corners to provide "feet" for the cassette.

Abstract: A simple, reliable heater-fuser station for fusing toner images upon relatively stiff, resilient and moist printing plates includes a curved heater-platen positioned between a pair of entrance squeegee rollers and a pair of exit rollers. The angles between the plate material and the surfaces of the heater-platen due to roller orientations are such that the high beam strength and resiliency characteristics of the wet plates are advantageously employed to maintain intimate contact between the leading and trailing edge portions, as well as centralized portions, of the plates and the heater-platen.

Abstract: A two-part replaceable cassette-like device is provided, having a disposable cassette portion and a light sealed buffer box, having a pair of drive rollers therein and which is detachably fastened to the disposable cassette, whereby the photosensitive material driven out of the cassette will be driven through the light sealed buffer box into a camera processor. Upon exhaustion of the photosensitive media within the cassette, the buffer box is removed from the cassette for reuse and the cassette is thrown away.

Abstract: A generally rectangular cartridge is provided having a substantially skewed side wall together with exit orifice means and an associated light seal positioned between a terminal portion of the skewed side wall and the adjacent wall of said cartridge. An end of roll detector is also provided, employing a movable roller which activates a microswitch when the supply of film in the cartridge becomes exhausted.

Abstract: A generally rectangular cartridge is provided having a substantially skewed side wall together with exit orifice means and an associated light seal positioned between a terminal portion of the skewed side wall and the adjacent wall of said cartridge. An end of roll detector is also provided, employing a movable roller which activates a microswitch when the supply of film in the cartridge becomes exhausted.

Abstract: A contact screen positioning device supports a flexible bowed halftone screen over a vacuum platen having a sheet of film thereon so that as the positioning device moves slowly down over the vacuum platen, central portions of the contact screen initially press against central portions of the platen and less and less centralized portions thereafter sequentially press against less and less centralized portions of said vacuum platen, to produce a rapid sweeping of air toward outer portions of the platen for rapid positioning of said screen over said platen without entrapped air pockets being formed between the screen and the film on the platen.

Abstract: A camera-processor magazine is disclosed having a cartridge for storing light sensitive roll material, together with means for driving such material out of the cartridge and upon an exposure platen. A roller curtain for shielding the material when the magazine is open also functions to guide the leading portion of the roll material across the exposure platen and into the nip of a pair of exit rollers.