Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a media supply section and a media take-up section. Each section is capable of accepting a plurality of cassettes. On the supply section side, the cassettes can contain a roll of photosensitive material that is to be processed through a printing section. The cassettes on the take-up sections are initially empty and are designed to receive the web of photosensitive material after the web has been conveyed through the printing section. The cassettes can be provided at a plurality of locations and can be angularly positioned with respect to each other. A single transport assembly can be provided at each of the supply section and take-up section, and can be rotatable about a rotatable point so as to accept or discharge media to each of the appropriate cassettes. A splicer is provided on the transport assembly in the supply section, for splicing the end of the material from an empty cassette, and is also rotatable with the transport assembly.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a media supply section and a media take-up section. Each section is capable of accepting a plurality of cassettes. On the supply section side, the cassettes can contain a roll of photosensitive material that is to be processed through a printing section. The cassettes on the take-up sections are initially empty and are designed to receive the web of photosensitive material after the web has been conveyed through the printing section. The cassettes can be provided at a plurality of locations and can be angularly positioned with respect to each other. A single transport assembly can be provided at each of the supply section and take-up section, and can be rotatable about a rotatable point so as to accept or discharge media to each of the appropriate cassettes. A splicer is provided on the transport assembly in the supply section, for splicing the end of the material from an empty cassette, and is also rotatable with the transport assembly.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a media supply section and a media take-up section. Each section is capable of accepting a plurality of cassettes. On the supply section side, the cassettes can contain a roll of photosensitive material that is to be processed through a printing section. The cassettes on the take-up sections are initially empty and are designed to receive the web of photosensitive material after the web has been conveyed through the printing section. The cassettes can be provided at a plurality of locations and can be angularly positioned with respect to each other. A single transport assembly can be provided at each of the supply section and take-up section, and can be rotatable about a rotatable point so as to accept or discharge media to each of the appropriate cassettes. A splicer is provided on the transport assembly in the supply section, for splicing the end of the material from an empty cassette, and is also rotatable with the transport assembly.

Abstract: A zoom lens apparatus having a first pair of substantially parallel guide rods. A pair of carriage assemblies are mounted to the first pair of parallel guide rods each having lens element. A pair of lead screws are provided for driving the carriage assemblies. The screws are each mounted to the apparatus by a bearing block assembly such that the longitudinal axis of the lead screw is substantially parallel to the first pair of guide rods. The bearing block constrains the movement of the first lead screw along the longitudinal axis. A zero constraint threaded drive coupling is provided with each lead screw for moving the carriage along the guide rods. A motor is provided for rotating each of the drive screws.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting and/or decurling a strip of photosensitive material. The apparatus includes a plurality of rollers and a drum. A belt is wrapped about the plurality of rollers and are positioned such that the belt forms a receiving pocket for holding and retaining the drum and for rotating the drum about its axis. At least one of the plurality of rollers being connected to a drive mechanism so as to move the belt about the rollers so as to cause the drum to rotate about its axis of rotation. The belt is in direct contact with the outer surface of the drum for a predetermined distance about the circumference of the drum forming a first film path. The first film path has an entrance for receiving film and an exit for allowing film to leave the film path. A heater may be provided which is associated with the heating drum for heating the drum to a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting and/or decurling a strip of photosensitive material. The apparatus includes a plurality of rollers and a drum. A belt is wrapped about the plurality of rollers and are positioned such that the belt forms a receiving pocket for holding and retaining the drum and for rotating the drum about its axis. At least one of the plurality of rollers being connected to a drive mechanism so as to move the belt about the rollers so as to cause the drum to rotate about its axis of rotation. The belt is in direct contact with the outer surface of the drum for a predetermined distance about the circumference of the drum forming a first film path. The first film path has an entrance for receiving film and an exit for allowing film to leave the film path. A heater may be provided which is associated with the heating drum for heating the drum to a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A magnetic reading and/or recording apparatus includes a plurality of magnetic reading and/or recording elements to read and/or record information from/on a flexible magnetic recording material and a flexible plate having several cut-outs arranged to define individual flexible sections of said plate between respective pairs of said cut-outs. The magnetic reading and/or recording elements and the flexible plate are arranged to position the flexible sections of the plate to support respective flexible sections of the flexible magnetic recording material substantially in contact with the magnetic reading and/or recording elements.

Abstract: A magnetic head suspension system for use in a photofinishing operation comprises a fixed support and a pair of magentic head suspension assemblies each rotatably mounted on the support. The magnetic head suspension assemblies are biased towards each other to engage opposite edges of the film respectively. Each magnetic head suspension assembly is rotatable relative to the fixed support to compensate for film width variations and film edge irregularities to insure constant orientation of the magnetic heads with respect to the film edges.

Abstract: A head suspension system for use in a photofinishing operation comprises a movable support mounted for movement through an arc having a predetermined radius and a pair of magnetic head suspension assemblies each rotatably mounted on the movable support. The suspension assemblies are biased towards each other to cause surfaces of the magnetic head assemblies to engage opposite edges of a photographic film respectively. The entire system including the movable support is movable through an arc to adjust for angular variations of the film while each head suspension assembly is rotatable relative to the movable support to compensate for film width variations and film edge irregularities to insure constant orientation of the magnetic heads with respect to the film edges.