Abstract: A plurality of optical systems are disposed on a rotating plate in order to cope with a change in magnification during a printing operation. The optical systems are successively moved to a printing light axis by means of the rotation of the rotating plate. In order to ensure the movement of the optical systems, light receivers are separately disposed inside and outside the rotational locus of the optical systems. Thus, it is possible to carry out an operation for changing the optical systems without any interference.

Abstract: A photographic printing apparatus is capable of effecting printing on photographic paper from various types of negative film including a negative film of continuous length by replacing a negative film carrier with another. When the negative film carrier is at its printing position, a light receiver opposes the printing light axis, and only an optical system is moved vertically to cope with a change in magnification during a printing operation. At the time of retraction of the negative film carrier, the light receiver is raised together with the optical system, thereby facilitating the replacement of the negative film carrier.

Abstract: A print mask device for which a mask opening size can be easily set without removing the print mask device from the printing device in which it is installed. First and second L-shaped mask members are provided, each having edges extending parallel to the widthwise and lengthwise directions of the print paper, with the mask opening being defined between the two mask members. Each of the mask members has a pair of externally extending racks affixed thereto engaged with and slidable along respective rack gears, the two rack gears extending parallel to the widthwise and lengthwise directions of the print paper. The rack gears can be rotated by associated pulse motors to automatically set the mask opening.

Abstract: A device for detecting whether or not one end of a belt-shaped sheet is locked having a depressing bar for depressing one end of a belt-shaped sheet perpendicular to the surface of an end thereof when the end is at a locking position where to be locked by an end locking member. A detector is operated when the depressing bar is moved a predetermined distance to produce a signal representative of whether the end of the belt-shaped sheet is satisfactorily locked. The depressing bar is operated in response to a signal representing when the end of the belt-shaped sheet comes to the locking position.

Abstract: A cutter comprising a movable block with an upper cutting edge and a stationary block having a lower cutting edge are movably connected together as a unit for simultaneous insertion and removal in a cutting mechanism to facilitate the interchangeability of different cutting edges. An eccentric cam driven by a drive motor is movable into and out of engagement with cam followers carried by the movable block for reciprocating the movable block relative to the stationary block and for permitting the removal of the two blocks as a unit from the cutter mechanism.

Abstract: A strip conveyor transports a strip by the edge thereof with a guide clip, the ends of which are coupled to chains of the conveyor. Sensors are arranged at a position where the clip becomes disengaged from the conveyor, and upon both ends of the clips reaching this position, a holding and transporting device engages the strip, and then conveys it for cutting along lines perpendicular to edges of the strip.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a paper cutter, a hole puncher and a guide clip which engages a strip of printed paper for conveyance to a developer. As the printer operates intermittently while the developer operates continuously, a reservoir or buffer zone is provided for the paper between the two. A mechanism for storing guide clips automatically delivers and orients a guide clip so as to engage a transported paper strip for further conveyance therewith by means of a chain conveyor or the like. As the printer may move vertically independently of the fixed developer, the conveyor is made expandible so as to accommodate differences in the conveyance distance.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing a photographic printing paper is provided with a cutter for severing the paper web at the end of a printing cycle. The apparatus further includes a device for returning the leading edge of the unprinted paper back from the cutter, for example, to a position where it may be printed, to reduce the amount of wasted paper.

Abstract: A photographic paper cutter includes a cutting station where a guide clip is severed from the paper to drop out of the travel path, and an image frame cutter for dividing the paper into individual photographs. Prior to being severed, the guide clip assists in aligning the strip so as to be perpendicular to the conveyance direction in cooperation with a pair of guide clip sensors.

Abstract: A negative film carrier for printing pictures including a carrier stand having an abutting and moving drive mechanism which is adapted to be rocked by a solenoid, a plurality of stationary frames of different image window sides which are interchangeably mounted on the carrier stand, and a plurality of abutting movable frames provided in correspondence with the stationary frames. The image window of each of the abutting movable frames has two parallel sides parallel to the direction of advancement of a negative film and a second pair of sides having a decreasing width in a direction perpendicular to the direction of advancement of a negative film. The second two sides may be formed arcuately or each may be two sides of an overall hexagonal window frame.

Abstract: A negative film handling method and apparatus in which negative films to be printed are inserted into negative film carrier sheets and the film sheets are attached side-by-side on a conveyor flexible transparent belt. Negative film inserting and removing openings provided in the film sheets are aligned with one another perpendicular to the inserting and removing direction. The negative film inserting and removing openings are opened by bending an edge portion of the flexible transparent belt.

Abstract: A negative film carrier having a movable print window frame with 135 size and 126 size windows for trimming frame of a negative film. A depressing window frame positions the negative film on the print window frame. A guide member arranged perpendicular to the print window frame guides the position of travel of the negative film to the printing position. A scanner at the printing position is moved in synchronism with the print window frame to detect picture image data from the negative film and is positioned in accordance with the window used for the two types of film.

Abstract: A picture printing apparatus has a supply magazine section which accommodates a plurality of roll papers. The roll papers are carried by an endless belt which successively positions the roll papers to be fed to the exposure section of the printing apparatus. The end of a roll is detected to cause a new roll to be brought into the feeding position. At the same time, the end of the roll just detected is clamped so that the beginning of the next roll can be connected to it. Once the connection is accomplished, the paper is released so that the newly positioned roll paper can be continuously fed to the exposure section. An exhausted roll can be replaced on the endless belt without interruption of the printing operation.