Abstract: A method of film production includes the steps of obtaining defect information including information on the position of a defect (D) in a separator original sheet (12b), slitting the separator original sheet (12b) to produce a plurality of separators (12a), and determining, on the basis of the defect information on a single defect (D), that a separator (12a) actually having the defect (D) and another separator (12a) adjacent to the above separator (12a) are defective.

Abstract: A method of film production includes the steps of obtaining defect information including information on the position of a defect (D) in a separator original sheet (12b), slitting the separator original sheet (12b) to produce a plurality of separators (12a), and determining, on the basis of the defect information on a single defect (D), that a separator (12a) actually having the defect (D) and another separator (12a) adjacent to the above separator (12a) are defective.

Abstract: A mat rolling machine for rolling a mat having a leading edge and a trailing edge may include a frame, at least one first drive belt, a plurality of second drive belts, a plurality of third drive belts, and a plurality of fourth drive belts. The mat rolling machine may include a plurality of primary fingers and a plurality of secondary fingers having a smaller radius of curvature on a lower face than the plurality of primary fingers. The mat rolling machine may include at least one support member for guiding a mat along a path through the mat rolling machine, and at least one pusher for discharging a rolled mat from the rear of the mat rolling machine. The mat rolling machine may include a wrapper cartridge. The mat rolling machine may include a cutter mechanism.

Abstract: A tilting inversion exerciser includes a table rotatably supported on a supporting stand, a foot support attached to an extension of the table, a carrier attached to the extension, and a foot retaining device having a lever pivotally attached to the carrier, a foot anchor device attached to the lever and movable toward and away from the foot support of the extension, a latch member attached to the lever for engaging with the carrier and for adjustably anchoring the lever and the foot anchor device to the foot support of the extension at a selected angular position, and a lock device for locking the latch member to the lever and for giving some security to the user while conducting the inversion exercises.

Abstract: A surface treatment equipment is designed for forming nickel barriers on a plurality of terminals for preventing solder wicking is disclosed. The surface treatment equipment includes a retractable feeding system, a laser engraving system, an image sensor, and a control system. The retractable feeding system is utilized to transmit a strip that has the terminals. The laser engraving system is utilized to ablate the terminals. The image sensor is utilized to collect a plurality of images of the ablated terminals. The control system receives the images to perform image recognition. When a defective terminal is recognized, the control system controls the retractable feeding system to transmit in reverse and controls the laser engraving system to repeatedly ablate the defective terminal. The defective terminals can be automatically recognized by the image sensor accompanying the control system. Thus, the drawback of a human visual inspection is solved.

Abstract: This invention includes a method of determining the correct timing of a material release mechanism (42) of a material feed mechanism (14) and includes the steps of: cycling a press mechanism (12) through a working portion of a tooling mechanism (17); monitoring the press mechanism (12) position; determining, by a location device (58), the desired timing for the material release mechanism (42) to release contact with material (18); and correlating the desired material release mechanism (42) timing to the press mechanism (12) position. The present invention also is a stamping system (10) for working the material (18). This stamping system (10) includes a press mechanism (12) having a tooling mechanism (17) configured to punch holes (66) in the material (18). The stamping system (10) also includes a material feed mechanism (14) to feed material (18) to the press mechanism (12), and this material feed mechanism (14) includes a material release mechanism (42).

Abstract: A loading system is provided for loading an elongated strand of food product of given diameter on a moving transport conveyor. First and second loading conveyors are separated by a gap of dimension less than or equal to the diameter of the food product strand and convey the strand to a transfer ramp by an indexed drive.

Abstract: A paper-web holding apparatus is provided in a rotary printing press having rollers which form a path for a paper web fed from a paper web feeding unit to travel along to a folding unit via a press unit and around which the paper web is wrapped. The paper-web holding apparatus includes a rotation restraint mechanism provided for at least one selected roller, and a propeller roller mechanism provided for the selected roller. The rotation restraint mechanism restrain rotation of the roller when the rotary printing press is halted, and allows rotation of the roller when the rotary printing press is operated. The propeller roller mechanism has a pressing member which is advanced toward the roller in order to apply pressing force to the roller at least when the rotary printing press is in a halt state.

Abstract: A feeder for the surface mounting device is disclosed. The feeder includes a feeding unit being installed at one side of a main frame, having a plurality of armature coils and a circular permanent magnetic unit facing the plurality of armature coils to generate a rotation/reverse rotation force and carry a tape at a pitch interval and having a position sensing unit and a position detecting disk capable of sensing the position of the circular permanent magnetic unit, a vinyl separation unit carrying the vinyl removed from the tape by the rotation force or re-carrying the vinyl by the reverse rotation force, and a vinyl recovery unit recovering the vinyl by winding the same by the rotation force or discharging the vinyl by the reverse rotation force.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a printing press including a tension regulator for maintaining a substantially constant tension level on a web of printing medium passing through the printing press. The printing press has at least one dancer roller, and the tension regulator includes an actuator associated with the dancer roller for maintaining a constant biasing force on the dancer roller. The tension regulator also includes a reservoir which communicates with a first chamber of the actuator to define a second chamber larger than the first chamber. The volume of the second chamber is large enough that changes thereto are negligible to the extent that a piston of the actuator is displaced. Therefore, the pressure within the second chamber remains constant which permits a constant biasing force to be applied to the piston regardless of the displacement of the piston.

Abstract: A system of incrementally moving a foil, or other flexible and elastic elongated web, through a work station, by contacting and registering the foil on both sides of the work station. An example of such a work station is a hot stamping press that transfers optical images from the foil to other substrates. A drive mechanism, with an associated foil registration device, is provided at each of the entrance to the work station and the exit from it. Each registration device optically detects registration marks provided on the foil along its length, and is used to stop its associated drive mechanism after a predetermined number of marks have passed. This dual drive system maintains registration of the foil or other web throughout an extended work station. It is particularly advantageous for use with those hot stamping presses that either have a large number of die or whose multiple die are widely separated, since the multiple images carried along the foil are then all properly registered with the die.

Abstract: A tab tape bonder including a bonding device which bonds semiconductor chips, etc. to a tab tape, a first roller driver which feeds the tab tape into the bonding device, a detector which detects holes or perforations formed in the tab tape fed by the first roller driver, and a controller which controls the feeding pitch of the tab tape by the first roller driver in accordance with the detection results obtained by the detector.

Abstract: A motion detection system detects both a soft, or near, jam and a complete, or hard, jam in movement of a paper web. A first sensor generates signals in response to the web driver, and a second sensor generates signals that are responsive to actual web movement. The signals from the second sensor are connected to a register to exhibit a signal state, and the signals from the first sensor are totalled in a counter between a cycle of changes in the state of the signal in the register. If there is a significant deviation in this total, an "error" signal is generated to advance a counter. If the number of "error"s are counted above a preset number, a shut down signal is generated.

Abstract: A plurality of individual frames or stampings provided in a sheet strip material by a stamping device are passed in proximity to a sensing device. As each individual frame or stamping is passed in proximity to the sensing device, the sensing device provides a voltage signal to a controller. The voltage signal is proportional to the amount of, or mass of, metallic material in each frame or stamping and the distance between the frame or stamping and the sensing device. The controller generates an individual waveform from the voltage signal for each frame passed in proximity to the sensing device. Each individual waveform is a function of the position of the movable portion of the stamping device for one cycle. As the plurality of individual frames are passed in proximity to the sensing device, a plurality of individual waveforms are generated within the controller. The waveforms are compared within the controller to detect a deviation between waveforms.

Abstract: The apparatus moves a strip of names and addresses, one at a time, into alignment with the text body of a master letter and photocopies both together, usually on the users business stationery. The result is a composite photocopy of the text of the master letter with a separate name and address at the top. Each copy is a finished letter, on the users letterhead, addressed and ready to mail. A typical photocopy machine will produce about 700 letters per hour, each separately addressed.

Abstract: A web drive control apparatus for continuously driving a web at a constant speed and stopping it at a desired position along a web drive line, comprises a web surface inspector for detecting a predetermined significant surface condition of a surface of the web. This inspector outputs an appropriate electric signal as a timing signal and a drive controller causes the web drive to start a deceleration of the web upon receiving the timing signal so as to stop part of the web where the significant surface condition is detected at a predetermined station along the web drive line. An activator, which is manually turned on and off, is provided to provide the line controller with an activation signal to enable the line controller to perform the decleration of the web.

Abstract: A plurality of individual frames or stampings provided in a sheet strip material by a stamping device are passed in proximity to a sensing device. As each individual frame or stamping is passed in proximity to the sensing device, the sensing device provides a voltage signal to a controller. The voltage signal is proportional to the amount of, or mass of, metallic material in each frame or stamping and the distance between the frame or stamping and the sensing device. The controller generates an individual waveform from the voltage signal for each frame passed in proximity to the sensing device. Each individual waveform is a function of the position of the movable portion of the stamping device for one cycle. As the plurality of individual frames are passed in proximity to the sensing device, a plurality of individual waveforms are generated within the controller. The waveforms are compared within the controller to detect a deviation between waveforms.

Abstract: An automatic release timing control system for use with a press and a cooperating feeder for feeding a web of sheet material wherein a sheet release timing and a sheet grip timing of a release mechanism in the feeder are corrected in response to the varying revolution of the press and the response time of the release mechanism, so that, even when the working speed of the press is high, the sheet releasing operation and the sheet gripping operation of the release mechanism can follow up the working speed of the press.

Abstract: In a paper stacking device for pre-folded continuous form paper wherein the paper web is supplied to a deposit table from below and the paper stack is built up proceeding from below, a stepping motor is coupled in terms of drive to the feed region, this stepping motor generating the reciprocating stacking motion by reversal of rotational sense, whereby the lift and the motion sequence are controllable via an electronic control device dependent on the form length. The seating surface for the acceptance bands accepting the paper stack is formed by discrete support elements; the deflection rollers themselves thereby serve for taking up the supporting bands. The paper stacking device can be an integrated component of the printer and is pivoted into and out of the latter.

Abstract: A label positioning method and a label feeder for use with a continuous label printer are disclosed. The printer includes a stationary printing head for printing in position the leading label of any of several kinds of continuous label webs. Each label web has a longitudinal series of labels of a given label length. For each label length, a corresponding value is stored in a memory. Each label has a detection mark, such as a cut, for indicating the position of the label. While a central processor energizes rollers to feed the web by steps, a detector signals adjacent detection marks, so that the central processor determines label length. The value corresponding to the label length of a label web to be printed is selected from the memory by the central processor. When the detector, which is upstream from the printer, detects a cut indicating the position of the leading label, the central processor feeds the label web to be printed a distance corresponding to the selected value.

Abstract: For the drawing in of material webs in web-fed rotary presses a driven draw-in element is used which has a finite length extent and which is moved along different, preadjustable draw-in paths. Guides are disposed along the draw-in paths which provide interruptions which improve the accessibility of the printing units of the presses. For the passage through these guideless regions the draw-in element is stiffened.

Abstract: Automatically feeding document pages into registration over the conventional platen of a copier wherein the document pages comprise single page individual sheets and plural page connected unseparated segments of elongate computer forms webs, comprising: feeding the first document page automatically to the platen and registering it in an individual sheet document mode regardless of whether the first document page is an individual sheet or the first page of an elongate computer forms web; automatically sensing whether a computer forms web was so fed to the platen by sensing whether the document length exceeds a preset length and that said document has sprocket holes; and then automatically switching from said individual sheet document mode to a computer forms web document mode for the feeding and registering of subsequent document pages of a computer forms web in response to said sensing of a computer forms web, wherein in said computer forms web document mode the subsequent computer forms web page feeding and

Abstract: A silk-screen printing machine, preferably of the kind which uses an endless conveyor belt as a material conveying means, said conveyor belt being driven by a drive source in a manner such that the belt can be stopped in a first position for registering or aligning the material to be printed upon, and then to convey the material to a printing position where a print corresponding to a stencil pattern is applied to the material. A sensing device for sensing the movement of the material from the registering position to the printing position with an accuracy less than 0.5 millimeters is connected to a counter. The counter includes an arrangement which at a predetermined setting substantially corresponding to the conveyed distance between the first and second positions generates a signal adapted to actuate a drive for stopping the conveyor when the material is in the second position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of stopping a film containing a plural number of frames having images recorded thereon. First and second detectors each having at least one photo-electric transducer element are arranged along the feed path of the film. The first and second detectors are disposed in such a manner that when the first detector receives the light from the frame, the second detector receives the light from the blank portion (non-image portion) between frames. A signal is produced only when the first detector detects a desired frame and the second detector detects the blank portion at the same time during the feeding of the film. After the generation of the signal, the film is further advanced in a determined direction by a determined length of the film and then the film feeding is stopped to stop the desired frame in the film at a determined position.

Abstract: Sheet material 14, such as a continuous supply of terry cloth towel 16, is moved along its length through a path and toward a cutting station 15 where it is cut into lengths 139. The sheet material is formed with bands 166 extending across its length, such as bands of reduced thickness, and the sheet material is cut in these bands. The bands are detected by rollers 144, 145 at opposite edges of the sheet material as the bands approach the cutting station 15, and each edge portion of the sheet material is fed by feed rollers 51, 52 independently of the other edge portion into the cutting station so as to cause one side of the sheet material which may lag the other side to be properly located at the cutting station prior to cutting the sheet material.

Abstract: In the intermittent forward feeding of a material web provided with transverse crease lines and simultaneous punching of holes into the material web in a definite relation to the crease line pattern, it is important to ensure that any faults in the length of the forward feed, do not accumulate during working over longer periods. Such faults, which occur due to unavoidable inaccuracies would lead successively to ever increasing faultiness in the placing of the holes. A method and an arrangement adapted to avoid the accumulation of such faults are provided.In the method the material web during each forward feeding is advanced a distance which exceeds the correct distance between two transverse lines by the fault margin. Subsequently, before the next forward feeding, the web is restored to a correct position, not affected by any faults in the distance between the crease lines.

Abstract: A label carrier web transport for use in heat transfer decorators and the like, in which labels are optically registered to control web transport. A timing assembly coordinates the rotation of a cam shaft with the actuation and deactuation of clutch and brake assemblies within a metering roll. An optical scanner trained on the web registers a predetermined contrast location to actuate the brake and deactuate the clutch, subject to the presence of an enabling signal from the timing assembly. The metering roll, in combination with a reciprocating label shuttle, provides intermittent web motion to achieve controlled label advance. An alternative label transport system incorporates a capstan web drive in lieu of the metering roll, with a microprocessor to control various machine functions including intermittent web transport.

Abstract: A label carrier web transport for use in heat transfer decorators and the like, in which labels are optically registered to control web transport. A timing assembly coordinates the rotation of a cam shaft with the actuation and deactuation of clutch and brake assemblies within a metering roll. An optical scanner trained on the web registers a predetermined contrast location to actuate the brake and deactuate the clutch, subject to the presence of an enabling signal from the timing assembly. The metering roll, in combination with a reciprocating label shuttle, provides intermittent web motion to achieve controlled label advance.

Abstract: An automatic film transport device for use in cameras has a first function of (i) automatically completely unrolling an unexposed film from a film case or magazine and winding it on a take-up reel or spool and a second function of (ii) automatically rewinding the film into the film case or magazine by a predetermined length (corresponding to the width of one frame) each time one exposure has been completed. Therefore, even when one erratically opens the camera back when the film is still loaded in the camera, the exposed frames have been already rewound into the light-shielded film case or magazine, so that they may be prevented from being ruined or reexposed. In addition to the first and second functions as described above, the automatic film transport device may be provided with a function or capability of counting and displaying the number of all exposable frames on the film wound on the take-up reel or spool or the remaining number of exposable frames.

Abstract: An apparatus for the division-true, intermittent feed of a sheet of indeterminate length has a sheet supply roll; a table for receiving the sheet from the supply roll; a sheet tensioning device disposed between the supply roll and the table; an advancing device for advancing the sheet in each operational cycle through a forward feed stroke that is greater than the divisional distance defined by spaced markings on the sheet; a cutting device for cyclically severing a length from the sheet subsequent to the forward feed stroke; a reversing device for retracting the sheet in each operational cycle through a centering stroke subsequent to the forward feed stroke.

Abstract: Each original has a notch. A notch detector is located a distance Z upstream of the point at which the notch centerline is later to be stopped, and generates a notch-start and a notch-end pulse. A transducer generates strip-increment pulses during strip transport. In response to a notch-start pulse first and second counters start counting the strip-increment pulses, the first counting the Z distance, the second counting the notch length N. A divider ascertains the notch half-length N/2, which is then stored. When the counting of the Z-distance is finished, strip transport is not immediately stopped, and instead is stopped only after the counting of a further number of strip-increment pulses corresponding to the length N/2, whereupon transport is stopped. This references the system to the reliable centerlines of variable-length notches, instead of the leading ends of the notches, and assures correct positioning when transport is stopped.

Abstract: An improved stop mechanism for use with machinery wherein a workpiece is advanced through one or more tooling stations comprises an arm supported for limited pivotal movement about orthogonal axes. The arm is constrained for movement within a grooved block and mounted on a pin extending through coaxial conical bores formed in opposite sides of the arm. The arm is biased in a direction opposite to travel of the workpiece to a ready position in sliding contact with the workpiece until the forward end of the arm engages a predetermined notch or locating surface on the workpiece and pivotally moves therewith to a stop position. The rear end of the arm simultaneously actuates a valve, switch or other control device to initiate the desired operation on the workpiece. After completion of the desired operation, the arm is disengaged from the notch or locating surface to release the workpiece and returned to the ready position.

Abstract: A processor for developing the encoded output medium of a business machine, wherein the processing rate is greater than the encoding production rate but must proceed uninterrupted once started. The medium, usually a web of paper or other film, is projected into the processor along a guided path to a set of drive rollers. When the web is firmly grasped by the drive rollers, the drive motion is caused to cease. The web continues to be delivered, however. The guided path is established by movable walls which will allow the incoming web to fan-fold by pushing the walls aside. The drive rollers are reactivated and the web separated from the source in a closely spaced time interval, so that the portion captured in the processor may then proceed through to a finished condition uninterrupted.

Abstract: Means are provided for accurate incremental feeding of web material from a supply to a work station by a combination of intermittent drive means for advancing the web and electrically controlled magnetic brake means for clamping and stopping the web after a desired increment thereof has been fed from the supply to the work station. In one embodiment the intermittent drive means comprises a second magnetic brake means reciprocated through advance and retraction strokes of predetermined length which is actuated and deactuated in phase opposition with the first brake means to effect the incremental advance of the web. In another the embodiment intermittent drive means is comprised of sequential feed rolls which nip the web material over a predetermined circumferential extent of the rolls to effect a given incremental advance.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for use in a web transport system wherein the web is stopped at a position it occupied when an event occurs. In particular, a motor driven capstan is provided to drive a web, such as a filmstrip, between first and second reels. A tachometer, operatively coupled to the capstan motor, provides a first signal representing the actual film velocity. The first signal is applied to an integrator which is controlled in a manner whereby during normal operation of the web transport system the integrator is off and does not affect system performance. When the event occurs requesting the capstan drive motor to stop, the integrator is enabled and provides an output which is proportional to the distance traveled during deceleration of the capstan drive motor (overshoot). The output of the integrator is coupled to first summing junction whereat it is added to a signal representing the desired film velocity which is driven to zero upon occurrence of the event.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a scanning means for use in an information retrieval system for locating a preselected information bearing element out of a plurality of information bearing elements which are consecutively numbered for identification. The scanning means includes a ramp generator which generates a ramp voltage, drive means for driving the information bearing elements in first and second directions at a rate substantially proportional to the magnitude of the ramp voltage, sensing means for sensing the elements as they are driven, means for causing the drive means to drive the information bearing elements in the first or second direction towards the selected element, means for resetting the ramp generator when the drive means drives the selected element past the sensing means and disabling means for disabling the ramp generator when the selected information bearing element has been located.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting a perforated web of photographic material in stepwise fashion has a variable-speed motor which drives the web, a bundle of light conductors which receive light seriatim when a perforation of the web passes between their ends and a light source whereby the conductors transmit light to associated phototransistors which effect the transmission of different first signals at timely spaced intervals to a comparator amplifier which further receives a continuous signal from a tachometer generator driven by the motor. The amplifier gradually decreases the speed of the motor to zero speed which is reached when the last phototransistor receives light from the respective conductor. The phototransistors are connected with an input of the amplifier by Darlington transistors, flip-flops, additional transistors and a chain of resistors.

Abstract: A web of photographic paper having at its rear side at least one longitudinally extending reference line and at least one row of equally spaced marks which is parallel to the reference line. The reference line and the marks are applied below a coat of liquid-repellent synthetic plastic material. The reference line is scanned by a first photoelectric detector and the row of marks is scanned by a second photoelectric detector which remains in register with the row of marks because the first detector is maintained in register with the reference line by a follow-up control system. The second detector furnishes signals which are used to arrest the advancing rolls for the web in a photoelectric copying machine or subsequent to development of images so that the web is severed during each interval of stoppage.The reference line and the marks are applied simultaneously but prior to the application of photosensitive emulsion to the front side of the web.

Abstract: A web handling system is described for incrementally feeding a web, and preferably multiple webs, to a processing station. Each web is advanced to the processing station by a pair of web-feeding rollers. One motor drives all of the web-feeding roller pairs through respective clutch-brakes connected to each roller pair. Each web has index marks imprinted along its length at intervals corresponding to intervals at which it is desired to precisely register the web with the processing station. A first detecting means disposed along one of the web paths (or similar detecting means along another web path) initially detects an index mark on the web travelling that path to provide a signal which decelerates the motor and thus slows all of the web-feeding rollers and the webs. Second index mark detecting means, one for each web path, then detect the index marks on the respective associated webs as they now more slowly advance towards the processing station.

Abstract: A tape feeding apparatus having a rotary member for feeding a tape which is drivingly connected with rotary driving means through at least two link mechanisms to be rotated at different speeds and with a phase difference so that one of the link mechanisms for a low speed rotation is set in operation just before another enters its dead point. With this structure, intermittent tape feeding can be effected at a high speed, while allowing quick stopping of the rotary member at a required position.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of feeding record webs or sheets and apparatus for carrying out the method. The record feeding apparatus is shown in conjunction with a printing apparatus having a print head assembly, platen structure, a mechanism for severing a printed record from the remainder of the record and an inking mechanism. The record feeding apparatus includes an edge guide, a rotatable feed wheel having a planar frictional surface which engages one face of the web to exert a resultant drive force on the record when driven, the resultant force being comprised of a force vector of large magnitude extending in the longitudinal direction for feeding the record longitudinally and a force vector of small magnitude extending in the lateral direction for causing the record to be driven laterally to cause its side edge to be in guided contact with the edge guide.

Abstract: A system for automatically supplying information to an operator, such as a student being taught to repair a piece of equipment, includes a magnetic tape storage medium having audio and video information storage tracks. A coded data signal track having indicia for locations of the information on the video and audio tracks is provided. An operator station includes keys for entering answer and command signals that control movement of the tape, so that the tape is advanced at a normal speed whereby the audio and video information is presented to the operator at a normal rate, the medium is advanced at a high speed to minimize the time that no meaningful information is presented to the operator, the medium is reversed at high speed, or stopped. Indexing of the tape can be performed by the operator selecting predetermined location indicia or in response to the operator selecting certain commands or answers in response to the audio and video information presented to the operator.

Abstract: In a method for precisely advancing a printed packaging strip provided with markings at uniformly spaced distances and which is to be cut into length portions corresponding to such distances, a sensor head being provided along the feed path of the strip to produce an indication, each time a marking reaches a predetermined location, the strip being advanced during successive operating cycles, with each cycle corresponding to the cutting of a successive length portion of the strip, precise strip advance is effected by, during each operating cycle: advancing the strip first through a predetermined distance which reliably differs from the distance between successive markings; subsequently imparting to the strip, by movement of a carrying device, a correcting movement over a distance and in a direction which brings a marking to such predetermined location and causes the sensor head to produce such indication; causing the indication produced by the sensor head to actuate a clamping mechanism to cause that mechanism

Abstract: In an apparatus for performing various operations on stock material, such as advancing, feeding, measuring, cutting and the like, all under the control of a program on a punched tape, an improved punched tape control system wherein the sprocket holes, which are utilized for advancing the punched tape, are also utilized to convey control information. Data is placed on the tape in the form of perforations on parallel longitudinal tracks or channels and the conventional tape advancing sprocket holes also carry data to both control the advancing of the stock material and to synchronize the advancing of the stock material and the advancing of the punched tape. Stock material is advanced only when a sprocket hole is present in the tape and the tape is advanced only when the stock material is operated on in accordance with the data on the tape.

Abstract: In an apparatus for performing various operations on stock material, such as advancing, feeding, measuring, cutting and the like, all under the control of a program on a punched tape, an improved punched tape control system wherein the sprocket holes, which are utilized for advancing the punched tape, are also utilized to convey control information. Data is placed on the tape in the form of perforations on parallel longitudinal tracks or channels and the conventional tape advancing sprocket holes also carry data to both control the advancing of the stock material and to synchronize the advancing of the stock material and the advancing of the punched tape. Stock material is advanced only when a sprocket hole is present in the tape and the tape is advanced only when the stock material is operated on in accordance with the data on the tape.

Abstract: A fabric printing machine having a conveyor belt for supporting a fabric to be printed. A drive unit is connected to the belt, and a control mechanism coacts with the belt and the drive unit for permitting intermittent unidirectional advancing movement of the belt through a selected distance. The drive unit includes a first drive for advancing the belt at a fast speed and a second drive for advancing the belt at a slowspeed. The control mechanism includes a belt engaging device adapted for gripping engagement with the belt for causing synchronous movement of the belt and engaging device during the advancing movement. The control mechanism also includes means for activating the belt engaging device and for causing the first and second drives to be sequentially connected to the belt for moving the belt at fast speed through a first preselected distance and thereafter moving the belt at slow speed through a second preselected distance.