And Film Severing Patents (Class 355/28)
  • Patent number: 10232654
    Abstract: A printing apparatus in which the movement of a moving body moving inside the housing can be known from outside the housing is provided. The printing apparatus includes a housing, a pair of rotary blades that are disposed inside the housing and move in a scanning direction, a discharge opening that is disposed at the housing so as to pass therethrough and discharges, from within the housing, a medium on which printing is performed inside the housing, and a light source that is disposed inside the housing so as to be elongated in the scanning direction. In the printing apparatus, the pair of rotary blades and the light source are disposed such that reflected light, which is the light emitted by the light source and reflected by the pair of rotary blades, exits the housing through the discharge opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoki Shimizu, Hiroyuki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9402008
    Abstract: A multi-mode scanner comprises a first body, a second body and a scanning module. The first body connected to the second body has connected first and second sides. A passageway accommodating a first portion of a bent document is formed between the first and second bodies. A second portion of the bent document is connected to the first portion of the bent document and supported by a second side of the first body. The first and second bodies are configured such that a weight of the bent document makes the second portion be in flat surface contact with the second side, or makes the first portion be in flat surface contact with first side. The scanning module disposed in one or both of the first and second bodies performs an image scan operation on the first portion of the bent document in the passageway to obtain an image signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Avision Inc.
    Inventors: Chi-Yao Chen, Chao Yu Peng
  • Patent number: 8803109
    Abstract: A multi-spectrum screen exposure system for curing printing emulsions, including an enclosure with a platen that is transmissive to at least some ultraviolet wavelengths of light, a cover shiftable between an open orientation wherein the platen is accessible to an operator and a closed orientation wherein the platen is covered and inaccessible to the operator, a light emitting diode illumination (LED) light source assembly supported within the enclosure and oriented to direct illumination toward the platen, the light emitting diode illumination light source assembly emitting at least some light in the ultraviolet wavelengths, and a control unit operably coupled to the light emitting diode illumination light source assembly by which the light emitting diode illumination light source assembly can be operated in a controlled fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventor: Shawn Crawford Mcpherson
  • Publication number: 20130321784
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a development processing apparatus including a film reduction amount calculation unit configured to calculate a film reduction amount of a to-be-exposed portion of the photosensitive film, a dimension prediction unit configured to calculate predicted pattern dimension when the developing process is performed in a standard development condition, a dimension correction amount calculation unit configured to calculate a pattern dimension correction amount, a corrected development condition derivation unit configured to derive a corrected development condition based on the calculated pattern dimension correction amount, and a developing mechanism configured to develop the photosensitive film in the derived corrected development condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masatoshi Terayama, Hideaki Sakurai
  • Patent number: 8376500
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus records a plurality of measuring patterns on a recording medium. Each measuring pattern is constituted by dots spaced from one another on the recording medium, or by dots contacting one another, forming lines spaced from one another on the recording medium. Further, the measuring patterns have gravity centers are almost identical in position on the recording medium. Hence, the relative record shifts of the measuring patterns recorded by recording element arrays, respectively, can be decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Riso Kagaku Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Ebihara, Takeo Ogama
  • Patent number: 7088420
    Abstract: A printing system includes a support arrangement. A print cartridge receiving arrangement is mounted on the support arrangement to engage a print cartridge. A drive mechanism delivers print media from the print cartridge. A print engine is mounted on the support arrangement downstream of the print cartridge and has a pair of opposed printhead assemblies that are configured to perform double-sided printing on print media fed from the print cartridge between the printhead assemblies. A slitter is mounted on the support arrangement downstream of the print engine and is configured to separate the print media into sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Toby Allen King
  • Patent number: 7081942
    Abstract: When a margin paper constituting a margin between pictured formed sheets, on which pictures have been formed, is cut by a cutter, it is received in a casing. The number of times, in which cutting means cuts a number of sheets to avoid overflowing of the margin paper received in the casing, is beforehand set as a set value, and the number of times, in which the cutter cuts a roll paper, is counted. When a count value reaches the set value, a control unit turns the casing so that an upper opening of the casing is directed downward, and causes the margin paper in the casing to be ejected. When a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the casing is again turned to be returned to an original state. The number of times as counted is reset and counting is again performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Yoshida, Takashi Maeda
  • Patent number: 7002664
    Abstract: A photofinishing system comprising: a) a digital processor, a printer and means for feeding print media to the printer; the digital processor being arranged to receive digitised data that is representative of a photographic image and to process the data in a manner to generate a printer drive signal that is representative of the photographic image, and the printer being coupled to the digital processor and being arranged to process the drive signal and effect printing of the photographic image on the print media, and provided as an integrated portion of the photofinishing system, b) means for effecting controlled chemical development and subsequent printing of exposed photographic film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research PTY LTD
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
  • Patent number: 6975381
    Abstract: An image printing system is a system which forms images continuously on a long photosensitive material. The image printing system includes an inputting unit for making reservations for cutting of the photosensitive material by the unit of order. The reserved orders for which a cut is reserved by using the inputting unit are memorized in a RAM. The photosensitive material is cut by a paper cutter at a point behind a place where the formation of images is complete for the reserved order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinichi Heya
  • Publication number: 20040252286
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for printing and/or displaying a customer image order in which a digital record of a customer order containing a plurality of images is obtained. In the method and apparatus of invention, at least one image is selected for printing or displaying as a special effect preview print. This selected image can be modified so as to form a special effect image. The modification is preferably a modification which involves the creation of a black and white image, a sepia image, high color saturation, a cartoon image, bordered image, etc. This provides the consumer with an opportunity to view their originally captured image in a form where the image has a different appearance, characteristic, or look applied to it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Murray, John P. Kopcienski
  • Patent number: 6802658
    Abstract: A dryer for drying photographic material and a transfer assembly for transferring processed photographic film from a processor to the dryer. The dryer comprises a path through which the photographic material extends wherein at least one slack loop is provided in the photographic material. An adjustable roller is provided along the path to adjust a size of the slack loop and an air supply arrangement is adapted to provide drying air to the slack loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Ralph L. Piccinino, Jr., Daniel M. Pagano, Kevin H. Blakely
  • Patent number: 6783902
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for thermal development having a receiver for receiving an imagewise exposed thermal film, an accumulator for gathering the film, a drive for advancing the film from the receiver to the accumulator, a heater located between the receiver and the accumulator for developing the film, a compound image scanner for scanning the film after it has been thermally developed, the scanner having a first light source and a first sensor placed for forming a first electronic record of the image formed on the developed film by reflection, a second light source and a second sensor placed for forming a second electronic record of the image by an opposing reflection, and a third sensor and a third light source placed for forming a third electronic record of the image formed by transmission, and a lighttight container for the receiver and the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Richard P. Szajewski, Mark E. Irving
  • Patent number: 6778262
    Abstract: There is described a film conveying apparatus drawably mounted onto an image-forming apparatus. The apparatus includes a film stacking section to stack photosensitive films on it, a conveying device being movable between a film conveying position and a film supplying position to convey the photosensitive films one by one from uppermost one, a first shading member that encloses both the film stacking section and the conveying device and has a conveyance opening from which the photosensitive film is conveyed out by the conveying device so as to maintain a light-shading state for both the film stacking section and the conveying device when the conveying device parks at the film conveying position; a second shading member, being movable relative to the first shading member, to open and close the conveyance opening; and a shading-member moving device to move the second shading member so as to open and close the conveyance opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuo Kaburagi, Mamoru Umeki, Hiroshi Namekawa
  • Patent number: 6705778
    Abstract: A photographic processing apparatus includes a photographic paper processing bath train. A drier, positioned downstream from the train, heats air and dries the photographic paper. Feeding racks feed the paper in a predetermined travel path which begins on an upstream side of the train, extends therethrough, and ends at the drier. A memory is accessed to estimate expected travel time t1 for passing of the paper through the travel path. The memory is accessed to estimate expected warmup time t2 for warming up the air in the drier to a target temperature T2. A controller compares the time t1 and the time t2, initially starts heating in the drier if the time t2 is longer than the time t1, and starts actuation of the feeding racks when a time difference (t2-t1) elapses after start of the heating to synchronize drier warmup to temperature T2 with paper reaching the drier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Futoshi Yoshida, Yoshinori Seguchi
  • Patent number: 6704087
    Abstract: A method of processing a print order in which the entire order is delivered simultaneously. An exposed sheet carrying all the latent images of the order is developed in a single processing space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Nigel R. Wildman, Roy King
  • Patent number: 6540416
    Abstract: One embodiment is a system for the development of a film includes an infrared light source and a visible light source. The system also includes at least one sensor operable to collect a first set of optical data from light associated the infrared light source and a second set of optical data from light associated with the visible light source. The system further includes a processor in communication with the at least one sensor, the processor operable to determine an image on the film in response to the first and second sets of optical data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Applied Science Fiction, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert D. Edgar, Stacy S. Cook
  • Patent number: 6538717
    Abstract: The image reading method comprises the steps of scanning an original in a direction of arrangement of original images to read the original images by pre-scanning; setting up image processing conditions of the read images in a reverse order to a pre-scanning order; processing the read images based on the image processing conditions; displaying the processed images: subjecting the displayed images to image verification in the reverse order; and scanning to original in the reverse direction to the pre-scanning direction to read the original images by main scanning as a result of the image verification. The image reading method is capable of reading the original images recorded on a film or the like, wherein each step of pre-scanning, verification and main scanning is efficiently performed and, when a digital photoprinter or the like is utilized, prints of good quality are outputted constantly with a high productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Nakamura, Teruo Takanashi
  • Patent number: 6538715
    Abstract: Parallel cutter arrangement for a photographic laboratory, comprising: at least two cutters, each cutter for cutting a received web into print sheets; a feeding device which feeds the received webs to the cutters and the cut print sheets away from the cutters to a collecting station, said feeding device receiving at least two webs, each web bearing a plurality of photographic prints, photographic prints belonging to the same customer order being arranged in a sequence on each web, wherein prints of the same customer order may be present on different ones of the received webs; and a controller which controls the feeding device and the cutter such that, if prints of the same customer order are present on different webs, print sheets belonging to the same customer order arrive at the collecting station without an intermediate print sheet of an other customer order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Systel Internatinal S.p.A.
    Inventor: Vanni Beggiao
  • Patent number: 6490024
    Abstract: An image forming device in which a plurality of image frames are exposed onto a photosensitive material at an exposure device, and the photosensitive material is superposed with image receiving materials of same sizes as the image frames on a heat drum, such that a plurality of image frames can be heat transferred all at once onto the image receiving materials. Image receiving materials of different sizes are readied in a plurality of magazines, and an image receiving material (magazine) of an appropriate size is selected in accordance with an exposure pattern and sizes of the image frames. Various types of prints can be formed by merely setting one photosensitive material. Further, because the plurality of image frames are heat transferred onto the image receiving materials all at once, printing processing efficiency can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takehisa Ohno
  • Patent number: 6459469
    Abstract: The invention concerns to a device for exposing light-sensitive material, such as photographic paper. The apparatus includes an exposure device (15), an exposure stage (10), at least one magazine (2) for storing a roll of light-sensitive material, a transport device (8) for transporting the light-sensitive material from the magazine (2) to the exposure stage (10) and a cutting device (6) for cutting the light-sensitive material into single sheets. To be able to provide a larger selection of light-sensitive materials for exposing, a cassette (4) for storing light-sensitive material in the form of sheets is provided in the apparatus in addition to the roll magazine (2). A transfer device (11) transfers the sheet material from the cassette (4) to the transport device (8) or directly to the exposure stage (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Jörk Hebenstreit
  • Patent number: 6459475
    Abstract: A chuck for detachably fixing an object to a rotatable base, the chuck comprising (a) a support detachably mountable to the base, (b) a clamp having opposite ends, the clamp being pivotally mounted to the support between the ends of the clamp, and (c) a resilient member connected to one end of the clamp, the resilient member being resiliently deformed when the support is mounted to the base, which applies a force to the one end of the clamp, thereby causing the other end of the clamp to pivot downward, and apply a pressing force against an object disposed between the base and the other end of the clamp, wherein when the base rotates, centrifugal force acts on the clamp and increases the pressing force against the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Fukui
  • Patent number: 6429925
    Abstract: The improved image recording apparatus comprises a main scanning section; an auxiliary scanning section; and an upstream transport section; wherein a light-sensitive material, as it is transported in an auxiliary scanning direction after its position in a main scanning direction was regulated by the upstream transport section, is illuminated with recording light beams, whereby the light-sensitive material is scanned two-dimensionally with the recording light beams to record an image on the light-sensitive material. The apparatus further includes vibration damping members by which the main scanning section, the auxiliary scanning section and the upstream transport section are coupled to other components of the image recording apparatus in such a way as to insulate vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Tanabe
  • Patent number: 6409400
    Abstract: There are provided an image recording apparatus comprising an exposing device for forming a latent image by imagewise exposure of a light-sensitive material, a transport device for supplying the light-sensitive material into the exposing device and for transporting an as-exposed light-sensitive material into a developing device, and a reversing device for reversing the light-sensitive material being transported such that its advancing end in the direction of transport becomes the trailing end and vice versa and being located in the pathway of transport by the transport device; a light-sensitive material processing apparatus comprising a reversing device upstream of the developing device; and an image forming apparatus comprising one of the two apparatus. These apparatus are capable of consistent production of high-quality prints by substantially reducing the permeation of processing solutions into the light-sensitive material and the color forming due to the damage to its advancing end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Haruhiko Arai
  • Patent number: 6333778
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a diffusion box unit comprising a plurality of diffusion boxes, which each correspond to different sizes of photographic films, and controls the unit in such a manner that the diffusion box, which corresponds to the size of a film whose image is to be read, is positioned on an optical axis of a light source. Accordingly, the responsibility imposed upon an operator can be reduced and the error of choosing a wrong diffusion box can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Katakura, Tatsuya Konagaya
  • Patent number: 6317194
    Abstract: A loop region in which a loop of a negative film is formed is provided between a pre-scan section and a fine scan section. When a frame image recorded on the negative film is read, a control circuit effects control such that respective processings in the pre-scan section and the fine scan section are performed concurrently in a state in which a length of the loop in the loop region is within a predetermined allowable range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Suzuki, Yoshio Ozawa, Hideo Ishizaka
  • Patent number: 6292250
    Abstract: A first cooling unit group and a second cooling unit group are disposed in the vicinity of a resist coating unit group. Each of the first cooling unit group and the second cooling unit group is composed of various cooling units. Each of the cooling units cools a wafer. A first heating unit group and a second heating unit group are disposed in the vicinity of a developing unit group. Each of the first heating unit group and the second heating unit group is composed of various heating units. Each of the heating units heats a wafer. A first conveying unit is disposed between the cooling unit groups. A second conveying unit is disposed between the heating unit groups. A transfer table is disposed between the conveying units. The transfer table temporarily holds a wafer. The first conveying unit conveys a wafer among the resist coating unit group, the transfer table, and the cooling unit groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Yuji Matsuyama
  • Patent number: 6281962
    Abstract: Inspection equipment for detecting defects in a wafer is provided in a coating and developing system including a plurality of kinds of processing units for performing processing necessary for coating a wafer with a resist and processing necessary for developing the resist on the wafer. The transfer of the wafer between the processing units and the inspection equipment is performed by means of a main transfer device. The inspection equipment sends an inspection result as a detection signal to a controller, and the controller which receives the detection signal controls exposure conditions for an aligner according to the presence or absence of defects and adjusts a frequency regulating mechanism to control inspection frequency. The wafer is transferred between the processing units and the inspection equipment by the main transfer device, whereby the wafer is not artificially contaminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kunie Ogata, Koki Nishimuko
  • Patent number: 6278511
    Abstract: A conventional imagesetting system includes an imagesetter for transferring an image onto media, a wet chemical processor for processing the imaged media, an enclosed dryer section for drying the media by circulating air thereabout, and extraction rollers for extracting the media from the enclosed dryer section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: AGFA Corporation
    Inventors: Libor Krupica, Peter Austin
  • Patent number: 6278510
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for thermal development comprising a receiving chamber for a thrust cartridge, drive means to advance thermal film from said thrust cartridge and rewind film into said thrust cartridge, an optical writer to write information onto the thermally developable film, a magnetic reader and writer to read and write magnetic information onto the film, a scanner to scan the thermally developable film, an accumulator to gather said film after it has left the cartridge, a heater located between said chamber and said accumulator to develop said thermal film as it passes between said cartridge and said accumulator, and a lighttight container for said chamber, heater, and accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Timothy W. Stoebe, Richard P. Szajewski, Lyn M. Irving, David H. Levy
  • Patent number: 6246462
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for producing photographic copies of film negatives on a web-shaped endless material which includes a device for the shining through or scanning of picture originals, whereby a first device for producing the copies on the web-shaped endless material is provided and a second device for producing data or image data fields subsequent to the first device is provided, whereby a material storage (58) is provided between the first and second device, whereby in accordance with the invention the material storage is a space in which the material web with the copies is randomly laid down through an input and removed through an output on demand. (FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Gretag Imaging AG
    Inventors: Rudolf Ackermann, Albert Dünner, Edmund Fendt, Helmut Lussky
  • Patent number: 6243160
    Abstract: An exposure device in which a strip-like workpiece is transported by a grip feeding method, is to be able to expose the strip-like workpiece without being tensile stressed is achieved as follows: A feed grip part holds a strip-like workpiece. The workpiece is transported downstream in the transport direction. During transport of the workpiece, the serpentine of the workpiece is determined and corrected. After stopping the motion of the workpiece, it is attached by a workpiece holding device which is located upstream of an exposure part. Then, the feed gripper part is moved according to the amount of stretching of the workpiece upstream in the transport direction, while the workpiece remains clamped by the feed grip part. In this way, the tensile force exerted on the workpiece is eliminated. Next, the workpiece is attached by a second workpiece holding device. The workpiece is attached by suction by a workpiece carrier. The mask is moved, alignment is performed and the workpiece is exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Ushiodenki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Itaru Takano
  • Patent number: 6240260
    Abstract: A system and method for transferring and buffering sheets of media between first and second components of an imagesetting system operates by: rotating a transfer buffer having at least two storage devices, to align a first storage device with the first component while concurrently aligning a second storage device with the second component; transferring a first sheet of said media from the first component to the first storage device; rotating the transfer buffer to align the first storage device with the second component while concurrently aligning the second storage device with the first component; and transferring the first sheet of said media from the first storage device to the second component while simultaneously transferring a second sheet of said media from the first component to the second storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Agfa Corporation
    Inventors: Libor Krupica, Arthur R. Newton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6222608
    Abstract: A rotary blade cuts a photosensitive/pressure-sensitive recording medium by when slides in a widthwise direction of the recording medium. At this time, one terminal of an optical fiber moves ahead of the rotary blade while radiating an optical beam on a portion of the recording medium, so that microcapsules of the recording medium in the exposed portion are all hardened by react to the optical beam. Therefore, mechanical stress generated by the rotary blade does not rupture the microcapsules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuya Shindo, Masayuki Arakawa
  • Patent number: 6172737
    Abstract: There is provided an image recording apparatus comprising a pull-out roller pair to pull a light-sensitive material out of a light-sensitive material magazine accommodating a light-room-loading-type light-sensitive material having an extreme end leader portion at its leading end, a cutter to cut the pulled out light-sensitive material, a sensor to detect the extreme end leader portion or the light-sensitive material, and a control computer to control the pull-out roller pair and the cutter in accordance with a detecting signal from the sensor. The extreme end leader portion and the light-sensitive material are transported in accordance with detecting signal and then the extreme end leader portion is automatically cut along a boundary with the light-sensitive material. Thus, the wastes of the light-sensitive material is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoto Yamada
  • Patent number: 6172735
    Abstract: A method for printing photographic quality images downloaded to a printer comprising; providing a light-tight film pack containing photosensitive imaging media, the film pack having a severable line of on a face thereof which defines a flap, the flap providing access to the media when the flap is opened; providing a cartridge of a size and shape to fit into a cartridge-access opening in the printer, the cartridge comprising a tray for accepting the film pack; inserting the film pack into the cartridge; inserting the cartridge containing the film pack into the cartridge-access opening in the printer; severing the film pack along the severable line to free the flap; opening the flap to access the media; advancing the media into the printer; and exposing and developing the media to provide a photographic quality print.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Cycolor, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph C. Camillus, Morihiko Yamada
  • Patent number: 6172736
    Abstract: A photographic processing method and a printer processor in which the length of a developing path can be shortened and the size of the apparatus can also be reduced without reducing the processing capacity is provided. Since the direction in which printing paper is transported is changed during processing, that is exposure is performed while the printing paper is transported in the longitudinal direction thereof; thereafter the transport direction in which the printing paper is transported is changed and developing processing is performed; and thereafter the direction in which the printing paper is transported is restored to the longitudinal direction thereof, the degree of freedom in designing is increased and the space for installing the apparatus can be saved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyasu Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6127103
    Abstract: For the manufacture of large format photographic prints, the original image (V) is divided into a matrix arrangement of partial image originals (A.sub.1 -D.sub.4) consisting of lines (1-4) and columns (A-D) with lateral edges (R) which are parallel to the columns of the matrix arrangement. A linear arrangement of sequential latent partial pictures is produced from the individual partial image originals by way of a printer and by sequential projection, whereby the projection is carried out in such a way that the lateral edges (R) of the latent partial pictures which correspond to the lateral edges of the latent partial image originals extend parallel to the longitudinal direction (L) of the linear arrangement of the latent partial pictures. The exposed copy material (P) is developed in a pass-through developing arrangement, whereby a partial image copy is produced from each partial image original and the partial image copies are assembled to a complete compound picture (K).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Gretag Imaging AG
    Inventor: Markus Naf
  • Patent number: 6031595
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing a silver halide light sensitive material having an emulsion surface with a processing solution, is provided with a cutter to cut the silver halide light sensitive material into a sheet-shaped silver halide light sensitive material; a heater to heat the sheet-shaped silver halide light sensitive material so as to raise a temperature of the sheet-shaped silver halide light sensitive material to be not lower than 40.degree. C.; and a coater to coat the emulsion surface of the sheet-shaped silver halide light sensitive material with the processing solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Ueda, Wataru Satake
  • Patent number: 6020948
    Abstract: The method for acquiring and printing electronic images comprises the following phases: acquiring and digitizing an image by means of input means (1) on a computer 10; displaying said image on primary display means (11) and on secondary display means (12); exposing an end portion (33) of a web (32) of photosensitive medium with the image displayed by said secondary display means (12), through conveying means (50); forwarding the end portion (33) and cutting it by means of a cutter (7), to obtain a sheet (5) of photosensitive medium; developing the hidden image by means of single sheet developing means (40); drying the said sheet (5) and forwarding it to the outside.The exposing phase preferably comprises three different filtered exposing steps, each one for a different primary color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Gipco S.r.l.
    Inventor: Daniele Tumidei
  • Patent number: 6008879
    Abstract: Presence or absence of paper is detected by individual sensors and data content stored in a backup RAM is checked out at the time when an external power source begins to supply electric power, and paper feeding operation is automatically performed by a CPU in accordance with detected states and the stored data content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hironori Masutani
  • Patent number: 5949523
    Abstract: An improved high speed package printer for producing a plurality of high quality photographs of varying size, shape, and style based on one or a plurality of different film negatives. The improved package printer of the present invention accomplishes the goal of increased throughput and speed through the use of an automatic paper-loading feature, ultrasonic proximity sensors for dynamically measuring paper-slack loops, off-center printing for eliminating the need to advance the paper for punching after each exposure, a rotational prism for creating 10".times.13" photographs without physically rotating the film, a 13-UP lens deck including 12 wallet lenses and a single 5".times.7" retro-focus lens for creating 12 wallet-sized photographs and one 5".times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Lifetouch Portrait Studios, Inc.
    Inventors: E. John Adolphi, Gerald A. Jensen, Michael Breckenridge, Todd Kuester, John Lawson, Patrick J. Galloway
  • Patent number: 5943119
    Abstract: A photographic developing/printing apparatus has analog and digital exposure units arranged midway along the convey path for printing paper to obtain a silver halide photographs upon analog exposure and digital exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Copal Company Limited
    Inventor: Hideki Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 5929975
    Abstract: A method for exposing a photosensitive material includes the step of transporting a plurality of photosensitive materials at predetermined intervals in a first direction intersecting a transporting direction by a single transporting device; and the step of exposing the plurality of photosensitive materials supported by the single transporting device in an exposure region by a single exposure system, wherein the single exposure system is capable of exposing each piece of image information to be exposed onto each of the plurality of photosensitive materials to a size larger than at least a length of each of the photosensitive materials in the first direction. Accordingly, even if the position of the photosensitive material to be exposed is slightly offset in the first direction, an unexposed portion is not produced in an edge of the photosensitive material in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuo Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 5923405
    Abstract: A film holder holds a plurality of film pieces which are obtained by cutting a film having a plurality of frames between the forward and rear longitudinal ends. The film pieces are cut from the film in such a manner that the first and the last two pieces will contain fewer frames than a predetermined total number of frames while the others will contain the predetermined total number of frames. The invention provides a method and a system capable of specifying a position of a designated frame in these film pieces as held in the holder based on a serial frame number of a first reference frame selected from the frames contained in the second to last film piece and a serial frame number of a second frame selected so as to allow determination of the total number of the frames contained in the second to last film piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasutaka Kayama
  • Patent number: 5826480
    Abstract: A cassette (10) includes a sliding knife (52) having a slot (70) which slides past a driven pinion (72). Slot (70) includes a curved trailing edge (76) with a latch tooth (74) which engages and prevents rotation of the driven pinion when the knife has cut a web material extended from an exit slit (42) of the cassette and then closed the exit slit. Openings (86, 88) in a knife cover (56) permit external access to the knife and driven pinion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey Charles Robertson
  • Patent number: 5801813
    Abstract: A photosensitive material is two-dimensionally exposed to light modulated according to an image signal and developed so that the image represented by the image signal is recorded on the photosensitive material as a visible image. The exposed photosensitive material is developed a predetermined time after the exposure in which a latent image regression phenomenon of the photosensitive material is substantially stabilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Morimoto, Matsuyuki Miwa
  • Patent number: 5796465
    Abstract: An automatic film development apparatus includes a cartridge case for carrying a group of film cartridges loaded with undeveloped films. A feeder unit stores a plurality of the cartridge cases and delivering them one by one to an unloading station for unloading sheets of undeveloped film from respective film cartridges in the cartridge case. The undeveloped film sheet is rewound at a rewinding station into a takeup cartridge. A splicer unit joins one end of the undeveloped film sheet from the takeup cartridge to a short film leader supplied from a film leader supply unit for feeding short film leaders one at the time. A development unit developes the undeveloped film sheet joined to the short film leader. A separator unit separates a developed film sheet from the short film leader. The developed film sheet separated from the short film leader is loaded at a loading station back into its film cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keigo Arimoto, Masayuki Kojima, Takuya Yamamoto, Hisashi Negoro
  • Patent number: 5791221
    Abstract: A media buffer capable of buffering two lengths of media, is fed a first length of media from an imagesetter at a first speed, and releases the media to a processor at a second speed. An input media sensor senses the media entering the buffer. Drive rollers take up the leading edge of the media at the imagesetter speed. Shortly thereafter a signal from an output media sensor located between the drive rollers and the processor, opens an input door to an input bin and stops the drive rollers. The incoming media continues to be fed by the imagesetter forming a first slack loop within the input bin. The imagesetter signals the buffer that the media has been cut, thereby actuating drive rollers to advance the media at the processor speed to a pair of rollers in the processor. A signal from the processor sensor opens an output door to an output bin. The drive rollers increase speed to transport the first piece of media from the input bin to the output bin thereby forming a second slack loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Agfa Division, Bayer Corporation
    Inventors: Libor N. Krupica, Robert A. Goodwin, Paul W. Morgan
  • Patent number: 5737988
    Abstract: A media buffer capable of buffering two lengths of media, is fed a first length of media from an imagesetter at a first speed, and releases the media to a processor at a second speed. An input media sensor senses the media entering the buffer. Drive rollers take up the leading edge of the media at the imagesetter speed. Shortly thereafter a signal from an output media sensor located between the drive rollers and the processor, opens an input door to an input bin and stops the drive rollers. The incoming media continues to be fed by the imagesetter forming a first slack loop within the input bin. The imagesetter signals the buffer that the media has been cut, thereby actuating drive rollers to advance the media at the processor speed to a pair of rollers in the processor. A signal from the processor sensor opens an output door to an output bin. The drive rollers increase speed to transport the first piece of media from the input bin to the output bin thereby forming a second slack loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Agfa Division, Bayer Corporation
    Inventors: Libor Krupica, Robert A. Goodwin, Paul W. Morgan
  • Patent number: 5712699
    Abstract: A guide device is for use in a photoprinting machine to guide photosensitive materials and including a paper magazine housing a roll of photosensitive material, an exposure unit, and a feed path. The guide device has a paper guide provided along the feed path. The paper guide has a pair of guide plates provided opposite to and spaced from each other so that the photosensitive material can pass therebetween. One of the two guide plates is fixed while the other is supported so as to be movable between an open position and a closed position. If the material is jammed, it can be removed by opening the other guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Tamai