Abstract: A film registration and ironing gate assembly has a gate with a positioning location or aperture for focal positioning of an image frame of a strip film with edge perforations. Undersized first and second pins enter a pair of transversely aligned perforations of the film to register the image frame with the aperture. An undersized third pin enters a third perforation spaced along the film from the second pin and then pulls the film obliquely to a reference line extending between the first and second pins to nest against the first and second pins the perforations thereat and register the image frame precisely at the positioning location or aperture. A pair of flexible bands extending along the film edges adjacent the positioning location move progressively into incrementally increasing contact with the film to iron it and clamp its perforations against the gate. The pins register the image frame precisely with the positioning location, and the bands maintain the image frame in precise focal position thereat.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for plastically deforming and closing an very open, non-cylindrical shell (28) having axially extending lips (20c, 20t) spaced sufficiently far apart to permit a wound spool of strip material to pass laterally between such lips, the apparatus including a pair of closure jaws (670,676) having concave cylindrical surfaces for contacting the exterior surface of such a shell between such lips, the concave surfaces having a curvature corresponding to the desired final cylindrical shape for such a shell; a pivotable arm (608-612) for placing the closure jaws in an open configuration about such a shell and a linkage (614-674) operatively connected to the pivotable arm for closing the closure jaws about such a shell to move such lips into close proximity and form such shell into a cylindrical shape between such lips and thereafter for opening the jaws without contacting the closed shell as the jaws open.

Abstract: A substantially rectangular metal blank is formed about a mandrel (76) to provide a very open shell (28) having a pair of axially extending lips (20c,20t) separated by a distance sufficient to permit a prewound spool (10) or other product to be inserted radially, laterally into the shell prior to closing the shell about the spool or other product.

Abstract: A pair of relatively movable jaws (306) are provided with magnetic holders (306-316) for holding end caps (24) to be applied to a substantially cylindrical shell (28) positioned between the jaws; so that, closing of the jaws installs the end caps on the end edges of the shell. An end cap placing mechanism (50) removes end caps from a source (356) by means of a pair of rotatably mounted gripper arms (364) which place the caps in the magnetic holders.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for removing a very open shell (28) from a forming mandrel (76), the mandrel being configured so that when the shell is released from the mandrel, the shell springs to an open form. The apparatus includes a fixture (44) for receiving the shell from the mandrel after the shell has been formed and clamped in place, the fixture comprising a pair of spaced claw elements (308,310) having aligned openings (426) through which the mandrel and the shell can pass with the shell formed and clamped in place on the mandrel, the openings being sized to hold the shell in its open form due to the spring force of the shell, and a support (394) connected between the claw elements for maintaining the alignment of the openings. A universal mount (394,424) for the fixture enables it to be positioned accurately to receive the shell from the mandrel.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for acquiring, transferring and releasing an object such as a prewound spool of film (10), in which a rotatable frame (410-426) is provided with a slidably mounted block (434) which pivotably supports a pair of gripping fingers (464,466) for holding the object and rotatable cam plate (456) which includes cam slots (448,484,486) operatively associated with followers (454,476,478) on the frame and fingers; so that, upon application of a force (488-510) to the cam plate, the block initially translates away from the frame to a position where the fingers close to grip the object, after which rotation of the frame permits transfer of the object to another location where a reverse force is applied to the cam plate to release the object and translate the block back to its starting position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for forming a very open shell (28) having axially extending lips (20c,20t) spaced sufficiently far apart to permit a prewound spool of web material (10) to be inserted radially, laterally into the very open form shell, after which the shell is closed and end caps (24) are installed. Apparatus are disclosed for forming the very open form shell (40), transferring the shell to a mechanism for applying end caps (48), inserting a prewound spool of web material (56) into the very open shell, positioning the spool accurately within the shell (780-856), closing the shell about the spool (58) and staking the end caps in place (60).

Abstract: Apparatus for splicing together opposite ends of a sheet of material, such as a photoconductor, to form an endless loop includes a generally cylindrical drum on which the sheet material is wrapped. The drum has edge portions that can be adjusted relative to each other to vary the circumference of the drum, and the sheet is wrapped on the drum with opposite ends of the sheet being in overlapping relationship adjacent the edges of the drum. The drum edges are adjusted relative to each other while a sensor detects the relationship between perforations or other identifiable features on the sheet. When a predetermined relationship is obtained, the opposite ends of the sheet are bonded together to form an endless loop. The apparatus produces a loop that is cylindrical in shape with the pitch of the perforations across the splice being equal to the pitch of the perforations in other portions of the loop.

Abstract: A nonimpact printer, for example, a color printer, of the type having an endless movable web on which two or more images are formed by an electronic printhead and transferred in registration provides reliable registration using perforations along an edge of the web. A first sensing means, for example, a printhead sprocket, senses an edge of the perforations and controls the printhead. A second sensing means, for example, a transfer sprocket also senses an edge of the perforations and controls transfer. Error in image formation because of error in perforation formation is substantially corrected by using the same perforation for transfer that is used for printing.

Abstract: A work piece transfer mechanism is disclosed for placing work pieces on a moving conveyance along an axis which is substantially normal to the direction of movement of the conveyance. The mechanism has a plurality of work piece holders which follow a hypocycloidal path and which always face radially outwardly. The mechanism is translated laterally alongside the path of the conveyance to match the conveyance velocity at the instant of work piece placement. Only one holder is extended at a time, so that the mechanism translation drive can be timed to the function of the extended holder.