Abstract: In an apparatus for exposing a strip of photographic positive paper to light shining through a strip of photographic negatives for producing latent photographic images, an adjustable length mask for defining the outline of each photographic image print on the positive paper strip. The mask, which overlies the positive paper strip, includes manually movable plates for adjusting the length of the mask opening. An automatically operated marker punch is mounted upon the mask, offset from the lighted print area, and includes a replaceable thin punch blade positioned to form a narrow slot in the paper at the lead edge of each separate print, which slot is later used to actuate a cutter mechanism for cutting apart the developed prints from the positive paper strip.

Abstract: Sensors are added to a conventional photoprinting machine, adjacent the edges of the photographic print paper and downstream of the marking system in the machine, for monitoring the presence and absence of cut marks and sort marks in or on the strip of photographic print paper. The sensors are coupled to a logical circuit and associated control circuits which provide the operator of the photoprinting machine with an indication of the operability of the marking system in said machine.

Abstract: A web of copying material is transported on-edge through an exposure-station web guidance system provided with a masking system which includes stationary and shiftable transverse-edge framing plates. The projected image of a first longitudinal-edge reference line on the copy table supporting the original is brought into register with a corresponding reference line of the masking system. The projection scale is adjusted to cause the format-breadth of the projected image to be at most slightly smaller than the format breadth of the web, but in no event greater. The projected image of the first transverse edge of the original is brought into register with the edge of the stationary framing plate, and then that of the second transverse edge with that of the shiftable framing plate. This registration is effected by sensing infrared-light images of the dark-light transitions associated with the transverse edges of the original. An exposure is performed.

Abstract: An automatic photographic paper cutter includes a print and order totalizer system which stores information such as the number of prints cut and the number of orders which have been processed by the paper cutter. In one operating mode, the totalizer system counts the number of prints cut in each order. At the end of an order, the number of prints cut in that order is displayed and is maintained on the display until the next order is completed. This allows the operator time to record the number of prints in the previous order while the next order is being cut. In another mode, the totalizer system displays the total number of prints cut and total number of orders since operation of the paper cutter commenced. This information is particularly useful to management since it permits an accurate determination of the performance of both the automatic paper cutter and the particular operator of the cutter.

Abstract: An apparatus for notching an edge of a strip of photographic film has an arrangement for advancing the strip in a path. Laterally adjacent the path is located a wheel which rotates intermittently or continuously and which is provided with one (or several circumferentially spaced) punching die(s) provided adjacent the periphery of the wheel. A counter-punch is provided with which the die(s) cooperate(s) so as to notch a longitudinal edge of the strip when the wheel rotates.

Abstract: An apparatus for marking a longitudinal edge of a travelling web has a marking (e.g. notching) station, upstream but adjacent to which is located an abutment. Upstream of the abutment is located aguide arrangement which urges the web transversely of the direction of web travel at an angle skew to the longitudinal centerline of the web, so as to exert on the web a force acting skew to the centerline in the forward direction of web travel and towards the edge to be marked. This urges the edge in part against the abutment to assure that the web travels in predetermined orientation through the marking station.

Abstract: A film advancing module which cooperates with a basic processing module to duplicate a master microfiche. The film advancing module includes a film drawing station for drawing a continuous strip of diazo microfilm from the basic processing module into the film advancing module, a film cutting station for separating an exposed film segment from the continuous strip of microfilm, a film developing station for drawing the film segment through ammonia vapor to develop it and a film receiving station for collecting the film segment. The supply of ammonia vapor to the film developing station is correlated with the advance of the film segment through the developing station so that essentially all of the ammonia vapor is utilized in the developing process. Any ammonia which might not be utilized is removed from the developing station and neutralized in a tank of citric acid. The developing station includes a plurality of rollers which define a serpentine path of travel for the film segment.

Abstract: A copying machine, especially a projection printer, wherein a web of photographic paper receives images of successive film frames on an original at an exposure station and the original is monitored by a scanning device which transmits electric signals in response to detection of indicia denoting the last frames of successive orders. The web is formed with first markers which denote successive images thereon and the locations where the web is to be severed to yield discrete prints, and with second markers each of which denotes the last print of an order. A means for applying first and second markers of a first type includes an exposure unit, and a means for applying first and second markers of a second type includes a stamping unit with two punches. Both units are mounted on a carriage which is movable longitudinally and transversely of the web to thereby place the selected unit in an optimum position for the application of markers of the first and second type in dependency on the selected format of prints.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for updating microform information recorded in a sequence on photographic film emulsion, including taking a desired portion of the emulsion carrying an image and bonding it to a primary base material either in the same sequence but with gaps left in the sequence or in a different sequence. The emulsion is bonded into sunken areas in the base material, the sunken areas either being formed by indented portions in the base material or by applying an apertured frame surrounding a flat base material.

Abstract: The duplicator comprises a housing with a carrier supporting first and second spaced platens alternately movable by the carrier to a light exposure station in the housing. Master microfiches to be duplicated are manually positioned on the platens such that when a master microfiche on the first platen is in the housing being exposed, a second master microfiche may be loaded on the second platen, preparatory to having a duplicate made. A foot pedal is provided to actuate movement of the platen carrier and also control a vacuum hold down system for the master microfiches positioned on the platens. A capstan driven by a geneva movement in the housing positions successive lengths of film from a film reel in the housing at the light exposure station for contact printing with the master microfiche on the platen positioned at the light exposure station.

Abstract: A reciprocating carrier-type photocopy machine having a photoelectric sensor for controlling a copy paper cut-off knife, to conform automatically the size of the copy paper to the size of the original document. A light emitter and photoelectric sensor are mounted beneath a glass platen over which a carrier, which contains the original document, moves for exposing the document to the reproducing mechanism contained beneath. An elongated rectangular mirror is mounted on the bottom surface of the carrier lid for reflecting the emitted light back to the sensor. The original document, when placed in the carrier, blocks the emitted light from being reflected from the mirror to the sensor until the trailing edge of the document passes the emitted light. The reflected light, upon passage of the document, then actuates the photoelectric sensor, which in turn actuates a solenoid of a copy paper cut-off knife to sever the copy paper from its supply roll.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically copying information contained on sheets of translucent material such as microfilm cards when such master sheet is loaded into the apparatus and dials on the control panel are set to the desired number of copies. The device includes subsystems for unwinding, exposing, cutting and developing a web of sensitized copy material on a continuous flow basis. A control system causes the device to wrap the translucent master sheet around a transparent printing cylinder during exposure and to cut the web of copy material in the proper relationship to the exposed images. The transparent printing cylinder has an outside circumference which is approximately equal to the distance between the locations at which the web of copy material is cut.

Abstract: A paper feed device for a copying machine, in which paper jamming at the copying paper cutting mechanism is effectively prevented is provided. This paper feed device for a copying machine comprises a feed reel for supporting a copying paper wound thereon in a roll-like form, a paper feed roller intermittently driven and rotated to take out the copying paper from the feed reel, an introduction roller disposed on the introduction side of a transfer passage for delivering the copying paper to copying treatment zones in the copying machine, and a copying paper-cutting mechanism disposed between the paper feed roller and the introduction roller to cut the copying paper taken out of the feed reel into a prescribed length.

Abstract: A printing paper cutting device to be incorporated in an electrophotographic copying apparatus employing a roll of printing paper, in which cutting device, the lock releasing means for the reciprocating platform on which an original to be copied is placed and printing paper transportation means such as rollers are advantageously utilized for starting and operation of the cutting device in order to simplify the construction of the cutting device resulting in a low cost and compact size of the copying apparatus, and moreover, the desired lengths to be cut can be readily and quickly set by a cut length setting knob associated with click means without any individual variations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing a paper strip wherein the paper strip is composed of a series of closely spaced photographic prints and wherein the paper strip has been marked with various indicia indicating the location of the prints and whether the prints are satisfactory. The apparatus includes means for advancing the strip along a path of travel, means for printing a customer identification number on each of the prints, means responsive to the indicia for cutting the strip between adjacent prints, and means responsive to the indicia for sorting the unsatisfactory prints into a separate receptacle.

Abstract: An electrophotographic copying machine using a roll of sensitive paper in which the original holder for carrying the original reciprocates on the machine case of the electrophotographic copying device. While the original holder is in its backward motion, the original is illuminated so as to subject the electrophotographic-sensitive paper to a slit exposure, and the copy is obtained through subsequent steps of developing and fixing. The reciprocating motion of the original is related to the paper feed so that the paper is cut to the length of the original. An indicator is provided for indicating the size of the roll of sensitive paper in the paper-feeding unit and for indicating the maximum size original capable of being copied.