Abstract: On a plurality of continuously supplied reel-recording medium assemblies, each comprising a pair of reels and a recording medium wound around the reels, a series of loop formation steps including steps of drawing the recording medium from the reels by a predetermined length, and shaping the drawn part of the tape into a predetermined loop are performed and the reel-recording medium assemblies are successively loaded into a plurality of continuously supplied casings. The loop formation steps are allotted to a plurality of stations, a plurality of the reel-recording medium assemblies are intermittently conveyed to the stations in sequence, and while the respective assemblies are stopped at the stations, the steps allotted to the respective stations are performed on the corresponding assemblies.

Abstract: An arrangement for unloading and loading of x-ray sheet film cassettes of standardized but different sizes of their flat sides which also can be used for receiving different sheet film sorts and reloadable with respective sheet film sorts, comprises a light-tight closeable shaft for receiving a cassette, transporting unit for inserting and withdrawing of the cassettes, unit for positioning the cassette at a cassette corner which is the same for all cassettes, a mechanically-electronic comparison device for determining the format of a cassette, an opening device for the cassette, unit for withdrawing a film and inserting of a new film into the cassette, and unit for automatically distinguishing of cassette types with the same sizes or size regions and loadable with different film sorts and including at least one outwardly sensible marking provided on the cassettes of at least one type, at least one sensor arranged to sense the marking with a positioned cassette, and a comparison device which is connected for t

Abstract: An apparatus for loading reel hubs into cassette cases is provided for small cassette cases that have a sliding hub lock which interlocks with a pivoting front cover. The apparatus comprises a cassette case retainer, a front cover opening and closing device, and a reel hub holder. The front cover opening and closing device has an alignment means to align sliding hub lock catches with front cover catches insuring that the sliding hub lock is pulled forward when the front cover is opened. Reel hubs are loaded into an open cassette case with the front cover lifted and the sliding hub lock pulled away from the positions into which the hubs are loaded.

Abstract: This apparatus comprises an x-ray film cassette, comprising first light-tight housing means for a feeding magazine including unexposed x-ray films, second light-tight housing means for the cassette, magazine handling means operating in said first housing means for removing an unexposed x-ray film from the feeding magazine, cassette handling means operating in said second housing means for removing an exposed x-ray film from the cassette and introducing an unexposed x-ray film into the cassette, powered actuator means for said magazine and cassette handling means and interfunctional service means for said actuator means and cassette and magazine handling means, characterized by comprising:(a) a plurality of distinct and superimposed units, each comprising a self-supporting structure (6,7,8), said plurality including:i. one ground unit (1), containing the major portion of said interfunctional service means,ii.

Abstract: A film changing apparatus automatically replaces an exposed X-ray film accommodated in a cassette with a new or unexposed X-ray film. Unloading and loading of a film is effected in the vertical direction. Thus, the apparatus saves space in the horizontal direction. Furthermore, unloading of a film from the cassette is effected by gravity, thereby simplifying the structure of the mechanism for changing films, and thus allowing the size of the apparatus to be reduced as a whole.

Abstract: A film picker for a film cartridge comprising a flat body having at its end a cartridge fixture adapted to be pressed against an outer surface at an inlet of the film cartridge, and a thin elastic guide plate, extracting plate and film pressing plate extending from the end of the body in an overlapping manner with one another. The guide plate and the extracting plate have a width which is substantially the same as that of the film rewound within the cartridge, are individually movably held relative to the body and are coupled with associated actuation buttons. The film pressing plate is fixedly secured to the body with its end being curved in a direction away from the film fixture. Thus, a simple and easy extraction of the film may be ensured without any damage to the picker plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading film into film cartridges having an improved throughput rate. Caps, spools and shell plates are supplied simultaneously with the winding of film. Film is wound onto spools while the spools are held. Shell plates are held with a shell plate chuck in such a manner that the shell plate is half open. Spools on which film has been wound are inserted into corresponding half-open shell plates, after which the shell plates are shaped as required. Caps are then fitted onto both open ends of the shell plate.

Abstract: A method for fabricating upright pins in a base plate, in a mutually orthogonal relationship with respect to the base plate. A first set of holes is made in a base plate at locations needed within an apparatus such as a tape cartridge. The holes are slightly oversize with respect to pins to be permanently seated therein. A second set of holes, a mirror image of the first set of holes, is made in a pin holder plate, except that the holes are not oversize. The second set of holes is adapted to hold pins in frictional contact therein. Once the pins have been disposed in the second set of holes, the holder plate is made to overlay the base plate with the outwardly facing ends of the pins brought into flush alignment with the back side of the base plate by projection through the base plate, but without the pins touching the base plate. The bottoms of the pins are now welded in place by means of a high pulse-power welding apparatus such as a laser working on the back side of the base plate.

Abstract: There is disclosed in the present application an apparatus for staking to a leader block the trailing end of a length of magnetic tape wound on a reel of a substantially closed cartridge. The leader block is sized and shaped to fit into and close an opening in the wall of the cartridge and later when the cartridge is in use to provide a means by which the tape may be grasped to be withdrawn from the cartridge. The present apparatus is mounted on a movable platform which permits its withdrawal to a retracted loading position out of the way of a cartridge loading or winding operation. In its retracted position, the apparatus is provided with a short length of rod to be used later for securing the trailing end to the block by staking the rod length with the tape end into an appropriately sized slot in the leader block.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading film into film cartridges having an improved throughput rate. Caps, spools and shell plates are supplied simultaneously with the winding of film. Film is wound onto spools while the spools are held. Shell plates are held with a shell plate chuck in such a manner that the shell plate is half open. Spools on which film has been wound are inserted into corresponding half-open shell plates, after which the shell plates are shaped as required. Caps are then fitted onto both open ends of the shell plate.

Abstract: A film handling mechanism for receiving a film and spool ejected from a film cartridge and for forwarding the film to a subsequent film processing station. Film guide members are movable to form an opening having a diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter of the film receiver when a film is received in the receiver, and then set to a diameter suitable for holding the spool of the film after the film has been completely received in the film receiver. A pair of shafts is used for ejecting the film and spool from the film cartridge and transferring it into the film receiver.

Abstract: A film mounting device wherein a mounting frame constituted by a pair of foldable main and auxiliary plates is transferred from a stocking position to a mounting position by a cam means, a developed film is fed so as to be set in place one frame at a time in the mounting frame by a detecting means, one frame thus of the film fed out is cut, the film is fitted into the main plate of the mounting frame and the auxiliary plate of the mounting frame is folded on the main plate by means of a folding rod which is driven by a cam, and finally the auxiliary plate is pressed on the main plate intimately by using rollers.

Abstract: An automatic film loading device for loading a sheet of film into a cassette wherein the cassette is discharged out of a system with cassette lid closed if the sheet of film is loaded into the cassette, and with the cassette lid kept open when the sheet of film is not loaded into the cassette. An element for detecting the presence of a sheet of film in the cassette is provided. The element consists of an infrared light emitting element and an infrared light receiving element. An element for detecting the size of the cassette inserted into the device is provided. Guide plates supporting both sides of the cassette and movable symmetrically against the both sides of the cassette are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for daylight loading of a plane film cassette having at least one dark slide comprises a housing having an inlet opening through which the plane film cassette is introduced. In the interior of the housing is located a platform and an abutment member for aligning the cassette. Photographic material is supplied from a supply roll and cut in predetermined lengths. The cut off portion of the photographic material is partly guided into the plane film cassette, whereinafter a friction element engages the material length through the side opening of the cassette with the dark slide open and advances it completely into the plane film cassette which is subsequently closed, relocked and taken out of the housing.

Abstract: A pre-closed slide mount has two sides secured together defining an internal pocket to retain a film transparency T inserted edgewise through an entranceway in one edge of the slide mount, which has a window for viewing. A retraction clearance slot at one end of the entranceway may provide clearance for the bowed filmstrip pusher S to be retracted while lateral movement 38 of the slide mount commences. The transparency T is cut from the leading end of the filmstrip S while said end is entirely outside of the entranceway into the slide mount. A reciprocatable pawl and its associated reciprocating drive means produces a forward stroke F of the filmstrip S equal to the length of the transparency T plus an additional extent of forward travel sufficient for pushing the transparency T completely into said pocket. Then, the filmstrip is retracted R by a distance sufficient for completely removing the film strip from the loaded slide mount.

Abstract: Apparatus for installing a tape leader on a hub, including a resilient locking member which can be projected into an undercut slot in the hub to press in a portion of the tape leader and lock it therein. A punch moves the locking member towards the hub slot, while a pair of pivotally mounted compressors move along opposite sides of the locking member to compress it and guide it into the hub slot.

Abstract: An automatic cassette stacking apparatus has first and second three-sided chutes connected to a stacker chute. A cassette to be stacked is moved through the first three-sided chute and can be stamped with a date. The cassette then moves through the second three-sided chute where it is selectively oriented. The cassette from the second chute is then placed on the bottom of a stack of cassettes in the stack chute.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading a recording medium such as a video magnetic tape into a magazine or cartridge employing an S-shaped running path. Both surfaces of the recording medium are placed over winding cores and held in the S-shape by stationary and movable forming pins. The reels of the winding cores are held so as to shift the assembly to a position above a body part of the magazine on a pallet transported by a conveyor belt. The assembly is then lowered so that the guide members forming the S-shaped running path are inserted into hollow lower end portions of the forming pins. The forming pins are then lifted from the guide members as the reels are released.

Abstract: In an automatic tape engaging and securing device a support mounts a reel having a recessed portion. The interior of the recessed portion is enlarged relative to the opening into the recessed portion. An engaging and securing element supply mechanism supplies an engaging and securing element having the shape of a fringed groove into a position opposite and adjacent to the recessed portion of the reel mounted on the support. A first pushing bar has an inclined surface at one end for pushing one shoulder portion of the engaging element and inserting it into the recessed portion. A second pushing bar has an inclined surface opposite to the inclined surface of the first pushing bar for pushing the other shoulder portion of the engaging element and inserting it into the recessed portion, and a cutter bar is arranged to cut a tape to be engaged.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus of cutting a strip of film and a protective paper tape to length, winding them and inserting them into a cassette. The strip of film is wound together with the protective paper tape which is offset in the longitudinal direction and cut to length in distribution wheels and after being fed via a guide duct to a spindle is wound and inserted into a cassette housing which is open on one side. The end of the protective paper tape is welded on a spool held by means of vacuum into the cassette housing before closure of the cassette housing with the cover.

Abstract: A tape cassette for a magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus, such as a video tape recorder. The cassette has at least one reel contained in a cassette casing formed with an opening through which a magnetic tape wound on the reel can be withdrawn from the casing for the recording of signals thereon or the reproducing of signals therefrom. A pivotally mounted member disposed within the casing comprises a brake lever for preventing the reel from rotating when the cassette is not in use. A helical compression spring normally urges the pivotally mounted member to rotate so as to bring the brake lever into engagement with teeth formed on a flange of the reel, and means is provided to overcome the action of the spring and release the brake lever from the reel when the cassette is to be used.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for loading film cassettes, in particular Super 8 Cassettes, with a film and a spool at the end thereof, wherein the loading device comprises means for conforming the said loop of film in shape to the shape of the narrow passages, and means for pushing the film so conformed sideways into the cassette.

Abstract: This invention relates to an automatic device for loading cassettes with roll films, comprising a magazine for roll films, a magazine for cassettes, respective feed devices with separator units for the roll films and the cassettes, a film loading device and a conveying means for carrying off filled cassettes, wherein the film loading device comprises a channel with guides and is arranged along the path of descent of the roll film. A lowerable positioning means is located beneath the channel for the lower cassette section and a pivotable lever with a suction device for handling the upper section is attached to the positioning means.

Abstract: A cassette tape recorder including a fixed base plate formed therein with a capstan inserting hole, a pair of openings for reel spindles to extend therethrough, an opening for a recording and reproducing head and an erasing head to extend therethrough and an opening for a pinch roller to extend therethrough, and formed on its upper surface with cassette position regulating portions so that the upper surface serves as a cassette attaching surface. The fixed base plate has on its underside sliding movement guide portions for guiding sliding parts, fastening portions for parts to be fastened and mounting portions for mounting springs so that the underside of the fixed base plate serves as a working part mounting surface.

Abstract: A mechanical method of manufacturing magnetic tape cassettes, wherein the magnetic tape is loaded into the cassette during assembly of the cassette parts, and a support controllable by a mechanical conveyor system and having an intermittently rotatable winding disc for the magnetic tape.

Abstract: A precut strip of 35 mm. photographic film 5 is wound onto a magazine spool 3 by inserting the leading end of the film strip into an aligned spool slot 3a, rotating the spool to wind the film strip thereon, enclosing the wound spool with an open slotted cylindrical cover or shell 4, pinch or squeeze closing the cover slot, and placing caps 1, 2 over the open ends of the cover. A plurality of apparatusses 7 for automatically implementing the above steps are mounted at spaced positions on a continuously moving endless conveyor 6 disposed adjacent a plurality of stationary cams which controllingly engage followers on the apparatusses during the conveyor movement, and all of the work operations are performed on the same moving spool shaft axes, whereby greatly increased production speeds are possible.

Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus for a tape cassette includes: a rotary table having at least one pair of hub chucks for demountably holding a pair of hubs supplied to the rotary table; a mechanism for clamping an initial end of a supplied tape to one of the hubs held by the hub chucks; a tape winding member for winding a predetermined length of the supplied tape onto the one hub; a cutting member for cutting the trailing side of the wound tape on the one hub; another mechanism for clamping the terminal end of the cut tape to the other of the hubs; and an assembling mechanism for transporting the hubs to which the ends of the tape are clamped and on which the tape is wound, to a position adjacent to a mounted cassette half, demounting the hubs from the hub chucks and assembling the hubs into the mounted cassette half.

Abstract: An improved method and machine are described for automatically loading a scroll of interwound photographic film and backing paper into a film cartridge. The cartridges are opened for scroll insertion by an initial relative movement of the cartridge halves in one direction and by a further separating movement in a differing direction. The machine has a rotatably mounted turret supporting a number of separate loading heads each of which supports a film cartridge and performs a two direction cartridge opening and closing action. The turret carries the heads through a series of stations where successive head loading, cartridge opening, scroll insertion, scroll to spool attaching, cartridge sealing, torque testing and winding, marking, and head unloading operations are performed. The heads and stations are controlled in their operation by a combination of direct cam control and multi-channel programable logic system control.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for preparing framed diapositive assemblies by automatically coupling together a diapositive, an integrally formed frame and a transparent plate. The apparatus comprises three partially overlapping horizontal discs, each formed with the same number of openings, symmetrically positioned around a central vertical pivot. The discs are mounted on their pivots at a short mutual distance and the pivots, one of which is driven to rotate, are synchronized in motion. A magazine is positioned over and in correspondence with the upper disc and another magazine over and in correspondence with the lower disc, respectively for feeding into the openings the transparent plates and the frames. The opening on the intermediate disc for the diapositive, is formed at the periphery of the disc itself and comprises an elastic support means, such as two side brushes.

Abstract: A system for automatically assembling a tape cassette including upper and lower cassette housing halves, a pair of reel hubs received in said housing halves and a magnetic tape wound about both reel hubs, which comprises a magnetic tape-loading mechanism for winding a magnetic tape about the reel hubs and loading the reel hubs and magnetic tape into the lower housing half placed on an assembly line, wherein the magnetic tape-loading mechanism comprises a reel hub-fitting device for fitting each of the paired reel hubs on a tape takeup jig; a tape takeup device for winding a magnetic tape about the reel hubs; and a tape transfer device for holding the reel hubs fitted on the tape takeup jigs and a magnetic tape in the same arrangement as actually takes place in the tape cassette and thereafter loading both reel hubs and magnetic tape into the lower housing half.