Abstract: A second substrate, e.g. a III/V compound semiconductor, is placed on a first substrate, e.g. a wafer, in the vicinity of placement marks on the first substrate. The second substrate is exposed to patterned radiation, e.g. for the manufacture of integrated circuits.

Abstract: Operating speed of an image recording apparatus is optimized within the range in which throughput capacity is not decreased, and exposure processing can be performed so that uneven exposure is not generated in a photosensitive material. When operation causing the photosensitive material to be in a nip state or a nip released state is performed during scanning exposure of the photosensitive material with a light beam, assuming that a maximum value of ascent/descent speed is set to W when each roller comes into contact with the photosensitive material or separates from the photosensitive material, an exposure angle is set to ?, and exposure feeding linear speed is set to V, a drive controlling section sets the ascent/descent speed W to a value determined from an equation of W=V×0.004/tan ? and performs moving action.

Abstract: A reticle cleaning apparatus that utilizes an ultraviolet light source in an oxygen-containing environment to cleanse organic contaminants from a reticle. The reticle cleaning apparatus of the present invention enables the storage of multiple reticles for use in a lithography tool in an environment which contains organic contaminants. A stored reticle is translated to a reticle cleaning station within the lithography tool in order to cleanse the reticle of organic contaminants. This cleaning can be performed while the projection optics of the tool exposes a wafer using another reticle previously cleaned by the reticle cleaning apparatus. Upon completion of the reticle cleaning process, the reticle is immediately translated to the exposure path of the lithography tool. The reticle cleaning process is performed during normal operation of the lithography tool at room temperature, atmospheric pressure and in an oxygen-containing environment.

Abstract: A photoengraving machine comprised of a cabinet with a flash light mounted in an upper lever thereof facing down towards a fixture seat. The fixture seat is secured on a slide-in chassis in the cabinet. The fixture seat comprises an adjustable clamping assembly to securely hold different sizes of stamps. Consequently, a prefabricated stamp with a stamping face made of a black EVA sheet can be securely held on the fixture seat to be photoengraved in the cabinet under a flash lighting. Thus, the process of photoengraving for stamping face is simplified and the quality of the photoengraving is ensured by the photoengraving machine.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for placing a contact print slide (134) in a photographic printer (10) having a platen (54) for supporting a photographic paper (32) during exposure of an image (88, 90) onto the paper at a paper print gate (36) at the platen.

Abstract: There is provided a stamp material comprising a stamp portion and a stock for holding the stamp portion. The stamp portion includes a stamp surface-forming portion for forming a stamp surface therefrom. The stamp portion is removably mounted in the stock. According to another aspect, there is provided a stamp material-setting jig for setting the stamp material in a stamp-making apparatus. The stamp material-setting jig has a mounting recess formed in one surface for mounting the stock therein, and a positioning portion formed in an opposite surface to the one surface for effecting positioning of the stamp material in the stamp-making apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for placing a contact print slide (134) in a photographic printer (10) having a platen (54) for supporting a photographic paper (32) during exposure of an image (88, 90) onto the paper at a paper print gate (36) at the platen.

Abstract: Apparatus for subjecting photosensitive letterpress lithographic plates to a pre-exposure operation and then to a main exposure operation. The apparatus includes a support for supporting a letterpress plate at a pre-exposure station, a pre-exposure system for pre-exposing a plate on the support, an infeed conveyor system for conveying a pre-exposed plate from the pre-exposure station to a main exposure station, a main exposure system at the main exposure station for exposing a pre-exposed plate, and an outfeed conveyor system for conveying a plate away from the main exposure station.

Abstract: An assembly for producing printing plates from photopolymerizable resins includes an upper fixture assembly and a lower fixture assembly. The upper fixture assembly includes an upper glass plate, and an upper shutter box in which an upper UV light source is located. The upper fixture is mounted on a guide post so that the upper fixture assembly can be raised and lowered relative to a lower fixture assembly. The lower fixture assembly includes a lower light bank table containing a lower UV light source, and a lower glass plate on which the resin layer is cast. A doctor blade is drawn over the resin layer to smooth the latter on the lower glass plate. The resin layer is then exposed to UV light through a print pattern-defining negative so as to selectively harden the resin layer and form a printing plate that is defined by the negative pattern.

Abstract: A black sheet is interposed between a manuscript and a porous resin and the manuscript face is irradiated by a linear light source moving along the manuscript face under a laminated state. By this process, the total face of the manuscript is irradiated, and a stamp face is formed by heat generation of the black sheet in accordance with a stamp pattern of the manuscript.

Abstract: An image recording device in which an image is exposed onto a photosensitive material, and an image forming solvent is applied thereto, and an image receiving material is superposed thereon, and then heat development transfer is carried out so as to obtain an image on the image receiving material, comprising: a fixed stage which holds the photosensitive material; an application unit which applies the image forming solvent to the photosensitive material; a superposing unit which superposes the image receiving material on the photosensitive material; a connecting tool which connects the application unit and the superposing unit such that the units are moved integrally with one of the units in front of the other; and a squeeze roller which is disposed between the application unit and the superposing unit and is moved in accordance with the integral movement thereof, wherein as the application unit and the superposing unit are moved such that the application unit is positioned in front of the superposing unit, th

Abstract: Printing plates are formed from a layer of photo polymerizable resin by a process and assembly which includes a back masking negative placed over the non-printing side of the resin layer. A connective substrate is positioned between the back mask negative and the resin layer. A negative of the image or images to be formed on the printing plate is positioned on the side of the resin layer which is to form the printing surface of the plate. Both sides of the resin layer are exposed to UV light, and the back mask negative serves to allow hardening of the resin only in the areas of the resin layer where printing surfaces are located. Thus, a plurality of isolated printing surfaces may be formed on the plate, which printing surfaces are connected together by the connective substrate. In this manner, a photo polymerized floor need not be produced on the printing plates, allowing increased resin recovery after the plate has been formed.

Abstract: An asynchronous contact printer and a related method for printing motion picture film in different formats. The contact printer has a pair of film drives that move duplicate film and original film at different increments through the printer, and then intermittently stop the film to permit exposure of the original onto the duplicate. The printer can print duplicate film in an alternate format, such as the three-perforation or 2.5-perforation format, from original film in another format, such as the four-perforation format. This is accomplished by moving the film asynchronously through the printer and exposing frames of the original film onto the duplicate film on a frame-by-frame basis.

Abstract: A photographic contact printing device has a point-like light source (17) and two uni-directionally curved parabolically cylindrical mirrors (18, 19) the axis of curvature (22, 23) of which are perpendicular to each other, and one axis (23) being parallel to the exposure plane.

Abstract: In an image scanner having a flat bed type structure and an automatic document feeding type structure, the scanner includes: an image read unit at least including a lamp, a mirror and CCD sensors to read a manuscript which is put on the structure; an image control unit operatively connected to the image read unit to process an image read by the image read unit; a host computer operatively connected to the image control means; and the image control unit including a main printed-circuit board provided for the original functions of the image scanner, a main connector connecting the image control means to the host computer, a user printed-circuit board selectively provided by a user as an extended slot and the board being mounted within the image control unit, and a user connector connecting the main printed-circuit board to the user printed-circuit board.

Abstract: A compact print making device by which a desired imprint figure can be made easily in a short time. This print making device employs a resin seal face member, a part of which receives light having a wavelength within a predetermined range and thus is put into a state different from the state of the remaining part thereof and is adapted to have an uneven face formed by being acted upon by a predetermined fluid. The resin seal face member and an original picture representing an imprint figure are arranged with the original picture just in back of the resin seal face member. Imprint figure information representing the imprint figure shown in the original picture is taken in by an information reading mechanism. A negative film making unit is driven according to the imprint figure information so as to produce a negative film. Then, the produced negative film is carried to an irradiating position. Subsequently, a light irradiating unit irradiates the resin seal face member with light through the negative film.

Abstract: Apparatus for exposing photosensitized plates to light through films. The apparatus has an infeed end, an outfeed end forward of the infeed end, opposite sides, an exposure station forward of the infeed end at which a plate is exposed to light through a film, and a carriage for carrying plates and films in a forward direction from a loading station at the infeed end of the machine to the exposure station. The apparatus includes a support for supporting a stack of plates at one side of the apparatus generally adjacent the infeed end of the apparatus. A conveyor system conveys a plate in side-to-side direction with respect to the apparatus from the one side of the apparatus to the loading station. A transfer mechanism removes a top plate from the stack of plates and transfers it to the conveyor system for conveyance to the loading station.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus is disclosed, which includes an exposure portion, a first conveying roller pair, a second conveying roller pair, a V-shaped pressuring piece disposed between the first and second conveying roller pairs, the pressuring piece extending along the lateral direction of the first image recording material and being in contact with a non-exposure surface of the first image recording material, an image-forming-solvent applying portion for applying an image forming solvent onto the first image recording material, and a heating drum for superimposing the first image recording material and a second image recording material together so as to heat develop and transfer an image of the first image recording material to the second image recording material. Thus, since the first image recording material is raised by the pressuring piece, even if the first image recording material is a thin photosensitive material, it can be stably exposed and conveyed.

Abstract: A vacuum blanket apparatus for maintaining precise registration between an image forming sheet and a light sensitive sheet when subjected to controlled exposure to light passing through a glass panel includes a vacuum blanket having an upper cover of flexible sheet material adapted to contact the light sensitive sheet for biasing the same and said image sheet toward a planar face of the glass panel when the panel is locked in position parallel to the vacuum blanket. The blanket cover is formed with at least one elongated slot for receiving one or more registration pins for registering the image forming and light sensitive sheets. At least one deformable resilient pressure element in the slot is deformable to bias the sheets toward the glass panel.

Abstract: A photosensitive material printing apparatus equipped with a printing portion for printing images of an original film onto a photosensitive material. The photosensitive material printing apparatus is equipped with a holding device for holding the original film at a predetermined position of the printing portion, a moving device for moving the holding device along a photosensitive surface of the photosensitive material, an input board for inputting an amount of movement of the holding device, and a control device for controlling the moving device to move the holding device based on the amount of movement inputted by the input board. Accordingly, the amount of movement of the holding device can be adjusted via the input board.

Abstract: Automated apparatus and method for exposing lithographic plates to light through films and masks. The method involves placing a plate, film and mask at an exposure station in superposed relation to one another with the film overlying the plate and the mask overlying the film, exposing the plate to light through the mask and film at the exposure station, raising the mask off the film to a raised position, gripping the film and moving it relative to the plate to expose a portion of the plate therebelow, gripping the exposed portion of the plate, gripping the mask in its raised position, moving the film, plate and mask forwardly while so gripped to a discharge station, and releasing the film, plate and mask at the discharge station.

Abstract: The proposed apparatus for transmissive exposure of copy pairs has a pressure device 15, which presses the copy pairs being transmitted against the glass plate 11 and which comprises a plurality of pressure shoes 25 which are disposed side by side in the transverse direction, with a flat base surface 27 pressing the copy pairs against the glass plate, each pressure shoe being resiliently acted upon centrally from below and being not only height-adjustable but also tiltable about a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis.

Abstract: Apparatus for exposing photosensitized plates to light through films, having a window movable up and down at an exposure station adapted to grip a film after an exposure of a plate and to lift the film away from the plate, plates and films being fed in under its raised window from a loading station, films being discharged from the bottom of the raised window to a tray located above the loading system in a position wherein it does not interfere with manual loading of plates and films in the apparatus.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate printer includes: an original-film loading section; a lithographic printing plate loading section; a printing surface plate on which an original film is brought into close contact with a lithographic printing plate; a light source for printing an image on the original film onto the lithographic printing plate on the printing surface plate; a punch-hole punching unit for punching a punch hole in the original film; an original film transporting unit for taking out the original film in the original-film loading section and transporting it onto the printing surface plate via the punch-hole punching means; and a lithographic printing plate transporting unit for taking out the lithographic printing plate in the lithographic printing plate loading section and transporting it onto the printing surface plate.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for securing a sheet of photographic material in position on a plate during exposure to a source of radiation includes configuring a flexible vacuum blanket substantially to the shape of a rigid template that forms surface recesses in a selected pattern to facilitate the evacuation of air from beneath the vacuum blanket, and then reconfiguring the surface of the vacuum blanket to smooth condition by relieving vacuum between the blanket and the template to promote substantially continuous contact with the sheet and plate. The sheet may be exposed to a source of radiation through the plate or, after removing the template, through the vacuum blanket which may be formed of transparent polymer material.

Abstract: A photosensitive resin printing plate which can provide printed matter with good ink coverage and little dot gain, and a plate making apparatus used therefor.

Abstract: An automatic printing system includes an array of printing devices arranged along a direction in which the printing member is fed, each of printing devices having a positioning mechanism for positioning the printing member, a feeding device for feeding a printing member to each printing device, a delivery device for picking up the printing member from the feeding device and bringing the printing member into engagement with the positioning mechanism, and a discharging device for discharging the printing member, which has been exposed by the printing device, from the printing device. the automatic printing system further includes a supplying device for storing printing members of different sizes and selectively supplying the printing members one at a time, a punching device for forming a positioning opening in the printing member supplied by the supplying device, and an automatic developing device for developing the printing member which has been exposed by the printing device.

Abstract: In the context of a device for the production of printing plates comprising a printing down station with a plate table and an associated illuminating means, which station has associated with it a foil receiving means formed preferably by a foil cassette for unprinted foil and preferably a receiving cassette for printed foil, in the case of which the foil to be printed onto an unexposed or blank printing plate is able to be taken from a foil receiving means by means of a moving vacuum frame, is able to be moved onto the blank plate on the plate table and after exposure is able to be discharged, preferably into a receiving cassette, a high rate of plate production and a smooth manner of operation without damaging the foils may be ensured if the foil conveying device has a plurality of vacuum frames moving in circuits which are out of phase with each other.

Abstract: In a printing apparatus, a supply pallet storing an original and a photosensitive film is located above a printer. The films are carried onto a transparent plate of the printer in this order by a carrier. Then, light from a light source of the printer is directed toward the transparent plate, whereby an image provided on the original film is printed onto the photosensitive film. Thus, the printing apparatus is small in plane size.

Abstract: A vacuum contact printing device comprises a pair of frame members for supporting a pair of originals disposed on both sides of a base member and a pair of transparent plates disposed outside the frame members. A first vacuum chamber is formed between the paired originals and a second vacuum chambers are formed between the paired originals and the transparent plates. A vacuum device is connected to the first and second vacuum chambers for exhausting inner air in the first and second chambers for reducing inner pressures thereof and being capable of releasing the vacuum condition at least in the second vacuum chamber. There is provided an exposure apparatus to which the original contact printing device is applicable, in which original contact devices are movable from exposure positions to other positions and a supplemental original contact device is movable to the exposure position.

Abstract: A device for automatically loading an image recording apparatus with a web of a photosensitive recording medium includes a first belt for conveying a mask original into an exposure unit, and a mechanism facing the belt and movably supported on a frame so as to be movable toward and away from the first belt. The mechanism and the belt define therebetween a path along which the web travels. The mechanism includes at least a pair of spaced rollers, and a second belt entrained by the rollers. Cams are provided for moving the mechanism to bring the second belt into intimate contact with the first belt, so that the leading end of the web may be held between the two belts. The first belt is moved to enable the web to travel along its path. The web is further conveyed to a predetermined position where the leading end of the web is in sliding contact with the peripheral surface of a take-up roller. Since the take-up roller carries an adhesive layer on the periphery thereof, the web is wound around the take-up roller.

Abstract: An image transfer apparatus for transferring an image on an image sheet to an image-receiving sheet, while the image sheet and the image-receiving sheet are held in a superposed condition, comprises a working station for placing the image sheet and the image-receiving sheet one above the other on a support member to make up a transported sheet assembly, a tacking station for tentatively occuring the image sheet and the image-receiving sheet of the transported sheet assembly together, a transfer station for applying pressure and heat to the transported sheet assembly tentatively secured, and a feed mechanism for feeding the transported sheet assembly through the working station, the tacking station and the transfer station in sequence. Accordingly, the transported sheet assembly is fed automatically by the feed mechanism from the working station through the tacking station and the transfer station in sequence.

Abstract: Apparatus for selectively exposing photosensitized plates to light through films operable selectively in a first mode for exposing plates of single newspaper page size to light through films of such size, and in a second mode for exposing plates of double newspaper page size to light through films of such size, utilizing a first window frame with two single-page size windows therein in the first mode and a second window frame with a double-page size window therein in the second mode.

Abstract: Automatic process line for exposing photosensitive printing plates with a film and a mask, if any, lying thereon, in a light box. Magazines (13, 14, 15) for plate, film and mask are disposed one above the other in said order from top downwards, displaced in stepped relationship to each other at one side thereof with the lowermost magazine projecting furthest. Moreover, means (20) are provided for picking up plate, film and mask separately at said one side and for picking up the plate also at the opposite side and for displacement thereof stepwise from the pick-up position to a deposit position at said one side of the magazines as well as disposition of plate, film and mask in registered position one on top of the other. A transfer member (33) is provided for receiving plate, film and mask in the deposit position and transferring them to a light box (42) with plate, film and mask in exposure position.

Abstract: A contact exposure unit for the exposure of image-containing sheet material includes a housing having upper and lower portions separated by a transverse slot extending from an infeed end to an exit end of the housing, the lower portion provided with a plurality of driven rolls, each with a segmented foam covering, the upper portion provided with a like plurality of upper idler rolls having a segmented foam covering, the segments of corresponding upper and lower rolls being in opposite relationship with each other, the upper rolls being driven principally by contact with the lower rolls, and being adapted for low friction vertical sliding action in the upper portion of the housing, and a light unit having an aperture lamp opposed by a foam covered lower roller for the exposure of sheet materials fed through the slot and pressed between the light unit and the covered roll.

Abstract: A device for inserting copier web materials and exposure web materials into an apparatus for the continuous exposure of this material. The web materials are moved by means of a belt conveyor (9) through an entry slit, formed by a pair of drive rolls (15, 16), through an exposure chamber (B) with a transparent plate (4), and finally are conducted to another pair of drive rolls (10, 13) disposed behind the exposure chamber (B). From there, they are brought into the region of a separation device (30), which separates the webs of the web material from one another. The web materials have positioning holes that can be aligned with one another. The register pins (26) can be inserted into or brought out from these holes. The register pins (26) are disposed on lifting devices (MZ) between the entry slit and the exposure chamber (B). The drive roll (16), which is one of the drive rolls forming the entry slit, is designed so that can be lifted away from the web material; the other drive roll (15) is mounted permanently.

Abstract: Disclosed is a work alignment apparatus for double-sided exposure of a work which serves to convey to and locate the work in an exposing position such that the work is exposed on either side thereof between printing frames each holding an image mask on each corresponding side of the work. The work alignment apparatus comprises means for detecting and calculating an amount of misalignment between the work in the exposing position and each of the image masks, an alignment stage disposed outside the printing frames and adapted to determine a mounting position of the work in an alignment coordinate system in accordance with the misalignment, and means for conveying the work, in the mounting position located in the alignment coordinate system, to the exposing position.

Abstract: A contact printer comprising a glass plate on which a rubber mat can be placed by unwinding the latter from a roll. The cylinder of the roll is mounted in a slide which can be moved along guide rails extending on both sides of the glass plate. The guide rails are mounted near a rear edge portion of the housing so as to be pivotable about a pivot axle.

Abstract: The exposure head of a repeating copying machine is disposed on a slide, with the exposure head being able to be traversed on a table of the copying machine by means of the slide and having a master carriage, an exit carriage and feed means, with a magazine having individual compartments for masters being attached at that end of the slide that is adjacent to the master carriage. The magazine and the feed means are mutually adjustable one relative to the other in both the vertical and horizontal planes, thereby permitting the feed means to be brought into engagement with any of the masters contained in the individual compartments of the magazine for the purpose of removing the master from the magazine and transferring it to the master carriage.

Abstract: A microimage recording apparatus of the type utilizing an elongated master film strip movable along a master film processing path and a duplicate film strip movable along a duplicate film strip processing path for making duplicates of successive developed image areas on the master film strip includes a duplication station having a support for the master film strip to position a developed image area thereon in a duplication position along the master film strip path. Support is provided for the duplicate film strip along a segment of the duplicate film processing path merging with the master film strip path at the duplication station. The master and duplicate film strips are biased together in close contact at the duplication station against a glass platen and light is passed through a developed image area on the master film strip to create a latent, duplicate image area on the duplicate film strip for subsequent development.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for exposing boards which are photosensitive on both sides, for production of printed circuits on both sides, to light through films on both sides in which a lower film, a board, and an upper film in registered position on a light-transmitting platen are pressed down by a window and exposed to light on both sides through the platen and window, the window, gripping the upper film, is raised, the exposed board is removed, another board to be exposed is applied to the lower film on the platen, the window is lowered to apply the upper film to the new board, and the procedure repeated.

Abstract: A transfer system is utilized for automatically transporting a master microfiche from a computer output microfiche unit to a duplicator unit, thereby avoiding the physical handling of the microfiche by operating personnel. In addition to effecting the transfer of the microfiche, the transfer system further diverts those microfiche with errors in their bar code instructions to an error hopper so that optimum use of the duplicator time in making copies is assured. Appropriate switches are provided for diverting all microfiche to the error hopper when the duplicator is being serviced. Also, switches are provided for bypassing the bar code reader so that all microfiche will go to the feed hopper for the duplicator regardless of whether or not an error in the bar code exists.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of exposing lithographic plates to light through films in which plates are brought into an exposure station for exposure alternately on first and second platens, each movable from a loading position outside the exposure station to an exposure position.

Abstract: In film copying apparatus (FIG. 3) in which a master film 13 and unexposed copy film 13 are drawn past an exposure gate 12 by a drive sprocket 15, the sprocket teeth 16 have a curved profile which engage with film sprocket holes such that the upper film lags behind the lower and the copy is incorrectly aligned with respect to the sprocket holes. Film strip registration means for correcting misalignment at the exposure gate comprises suction means 20 having a vacuum chamber 21 with apertured pad 23 by which the copy film is diverted out of the plane of the master film thereby increasing its path length between exposure gate and drive sprocket and advancing it at the exposure gate to re-establish registration with the master film.

Abstract: An apparatus for the exposure of photosensitive plates on two sides, in particular for the preparation of printed circuits for electronic devices, comprises two similar exposure devices, mechanically connected and arranged adjacent to each other, each being equipped under a copying frame with an illuminating system, wherein a glass plate filling the format is arranged in the copying frame onto which a negative or positive master may be placed, together with a photosensitive plate above it, with a reversing station being associated with each of the exposure devices and both between each exposure device and the reversing station associated with it, and between the reversing stations a pivoting arm rotatable by 180 degrees each being arranged. The light source of each exposure device is arranged in or under the associated reversing station, wherein the beam of light may be conducted to the plate to be exposed of each exposure station.

Abstract: A printing apparatus for exposing works, such as printed circuit boards, to light uses a pallet in which a number of works and at least one associated mask are stored. The works are located in stacked relation to one another. The mask is located above the works. The printing apparatus comprises an exposure device including light sources and transparent plates, an admitting device for holding the pallet in an access position and for holding the uppermost one of the mask and works in the pallet at a certain height, a conveying device including a rail extending from the access position to a takeout position past an exposure position at which an exposure operation is performed, and an attraction device including attraction plates having a number of attraction pads mounted to the underside thereof for attracting and holding the mask and works. Each attraction plate is vertically movable while keeping a horizontal posture.

Abstract: A stack of aligned workpieces is placed in a frame body, and a mask is positioned over the stack of workpieces in alignment therewith. The frame body is then moved into an exposure device in which the mask is transferred from the frame body onto a transparent plate and the workpieces are transferred successively from the frame body onto the transparent plate. The workpieces are exposed successively to the mask. The exposed workpieces are then discharged successively out of the exposure device. The mask is transferred from the transparent plate back to the frame body after all of the workpieces have been exposed. The frame body with the mask carried therein is moved out of the exposure device.

Abstract: Two pairs of pivotable flap clamps are arranged on a copy master stage in the area of its exposure window, each pair having flaps respectively disposed above and below the master plane. The pairs of flaps are driven by means of an electromagnet and can be symmetrically opened and closed relative to the master plane. In their closed state, the flaps hold the copy master on two opposing sides with their front edges. Additionally, spring elastic hold-down strips are provided to hold the copy master on its lateral sides. By means of the bilateral clamping of the copy masters with the two pairs of flap clamps, an absolutely flat position of the copy master is obtained. The positioning device is particularly suitable for processing copy masters in which short strips of film or individual images are spaced apart on a carrier strip.

Abstract: The automatic loader successively transfers individual microfiche from a stack of master microfiche in a hopper to an exposure station in a microfiche duplicator. The duplicator makes a copy of the master microfiche on film carried in the duplicator. The loader then automatically transfers the exposed microfiche to a collecting bin. The arrangement is such that while one master microfiche is being exposed, an already exposed microfiche is being removed and a new master microfiche placed in a ready position for subsequent exposure. A specially designed turntable and cooperating shuttle function in timed sequences to effect the foregoing movements.

Abstract: A contact printer in which, when a spring roller is rolled over a transparent plate on which an original plate and a photosensitive material are laid one on another, a flexible airtight sheet wound round the spring roller is extended to cover the transparent plate. The distance between the transparent plate and the spring roller is gradually reduced as the spring roller is rolled rearwards, so that the distance between the transparent plate and the point of contact of the airtight sheet to its own rolled part wound round the spring roller is maintained substantially to a fixed value, thereby contacting the original plate and the photosensitive material onto the transparent plate tightly. A squeeze roller may be provided for squeezing air from a space between the transparent plate and the airtight sheet by rolling thereon. A lower step on which the spring roller and the squeeze roller may be held when the printer is not used, can be formed in the front top end of a frame body.