Abstract: The present invention relates to a scanner and a method of conveying and scanning photographic media. In the invention, an entrance roller pair and an exit roller pair are used to convey the photographic media thorough the scanner. The entrance roller pair and the exit roller pair each include idler rollers that can be selective moved toward their respective drive rollers and away from their respective drive rollers so as to selectively provide for an engaged or a disengaged position for each of the entrance roller pair and the exit roller pair. With the system of the present invention it is possible to lift the idler rollers before the leading and trailing edges of the media passes over the respective drive rollers to thus minimize any disturbance of media motion during scanning.

Abstract: A perforated filmstrip transportation and registration system (100) and method provide a substrate in the form of a rotating drum (104) with vacuum holes (106) to allow an internally produced vacuum to act upon an engaged film-strip (102). The rotating drum (104) has a number of registration-tension pin pair assemblies (216) that register and subsequently advance a filmstrip (102) at the 3 o'clock position in a registration mode (FIGS. 2 and 3), and are ready to be inserted in filmstrip perforations (208) when they approach the 3 o'clock position in a load mode (FIG. 4). The registration-tension pin pair assemblies (216) each contain a registration pin (220) and a tension pin (230) which are sized small enough to fit into filmstrip perforations (208) without interference, and which move away and towards each other in the nature of scissors blades in the preferred embodiment.

Abstract: A combination film gate for a continuous motion or real-time motion picture telecine that is also operative to pin register a frame of film for stationary scanning. A housing supports and transports a film in continuous motion past a frame aperture. A precision milled entry guide roller receives the film from a feed spool, edge-stabilizes the film, and directs the film to a precision milled entry sprocket. The entry sprocket is positioned prior to the frame aperture, pin registers the film, and directs the film across the frame aperture. A precision milled exit sprocket positioned subsequent to the frame aperture receives the film after it passes across the frame aperture and pin registers the film. The precision sprockets and rollers serve as film stabilizing means. Film jitter and weave are mechanically removed to less than about 20 nanoseconds without the use of complex expensive electronics.

Abstract: A method to fabricate plastic cards is disclosed. A substrate tape is perforated with evenly spaced holes, and when placed in a working station, positioning pins engage into the holes. The spacing between two sets of pins is then slightly increased thereby tensioning the tape without stretching it thereby providing for highly accurate alignment.

Abstract: A film registration and gate assembly has a gate with focal positioning location for focal positioning of an image frame of a strip with edge perforations. Undersized first and second pins enter a pair of transversely aligned perforations of the film to register the image frame within the positioning location. A second pair of undersized pins transversely aligned perforations positioned along the filmstrip from the first pair of pins perforations entered by the first and second pair of pins. The first pair of registration pins provides constraint to the film in three degrees of freedom. The second pair of pins is spring-loaded to provide the nesting forces needed to ensure proper contact between the film and the pair of registration pins and the force required to assure that the film follows the contour of the gate's surface.

Abstract: Three registration pins align a mask or other superimposed image with a film strip in both the lateral and longitudinal axes. A compactly constructed shutter and support apparatus permits placement of the shutter in close proximity with a film strip to minimize weight and moment of inertia of the shutter to permit rapid repetitive starting and stopping of the shutter in response to control signals to a drive mechanism. Film boxes are keyed to and secured by thumb screws to the shutter housing to permit detachment and accurate reattachment; light restrictive devices negate transmission of light into each film box upon removal. A longitudinally displaceable film reel drive permits rapid disengagement and reengagement of the film boxes without careful alignment and a belt drive prevents, through slippage, film tearing forces.

Abstract: A top cover is peeled from a component supply tape by passing the cover around a guide surface and in a peeling direction generally reverse to the feeding direction of the supply tape while moving the guide surface in the peeling direction in order to minimize the tension necessary to accomplish the peeling.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding pieces of lumber along a path with the center lines of the pieces extending along a preselected datum plane in the direction of the path. A plurality of spaced apart, upper and lower transverse members are mounted for rotation about horizontal axes at opposite sides of the datum plane with the lower side of each upper transverse member and the upper side of each lower transverse member traveling in the direction of the path of movement of the lumber to provide oppositely disposed transverse members at opposite sides of the datum plane. Outwardly projecting lumber engaging members carried by the oppositely disposed transverse members are yieldably urged toward the adjacent sides of the pieces of lumber therebetween with substantially equal force to maintain the center line of the pieces of lumber along the preselected datum plane.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for feeding tag stock having spaced-apart drive holes and comprises a pair of slidably mounted carrier arms beneath the tag stock each having a plurality of spring loaded pins on an end thereof. The pins of each carrier arm are alternately brought into engagement with the tag stock by means of a rotating cam which engages a follower on the carrier arm. A pin in each of the carrier arms will alternately engage a hole in the tag stock in registery therewith to sequentially advance the tag stock a desired increment of distance as the cam continues to rotate.

Abstract: A length of face sealing valve stock is formed into individual face sealing valves and applied to end closures of pressurized dispensers. The stock advances in steps by a feed dog in vent slots in the tape. The tape is held against advancement by an index dog at all other times. Lost motion in the feed dog drive accommodates the drive to tape arrest and permits shutdown and startup at a known, predetermined position in a cycle. A head carries a punch and shear blade which form vent slots and cut the tape to valve length during the time that the tape is stopped. Tape is sheared to valve length at an index wheel which holds the tape by vacuum during shear and successive 90.degree. transports for solvent activation of adhesive and transfer from the wheel by bonding the activated adhesive to an end closure. A proximator forces an end closure into contact with a valve during transfer.

Abstract: Apparatus for accurately bonding leads to a semi-conductor die or the like includes a hitch feed and guide assembly for sequentially positioning each set of leads on a film carrier format over the die to be bonded to the leads. A micromanipulator adjusts the leads relative to the die prior to bonding. Displacement means provide unambiguous rectilinear separate movement of the bonding tool laterally into alignment with the lead and semi-conductor and then into contact with the leads to apply bonding heat and pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for accurately positioning a flexible strip, having lateral perforations, with respect to an image. The apparatus includes two supports, a stud member attached to the movable support and an intercepting arm attached to the fixed support. The stud member includes a working section for engagement of the lateral perforation and alignment of the strip and a biased sleeve for position maintenance of the strip. The intercepting arm stays action of the sleeve until alignment is substantially achieved.