Abstract: A slide mounter having positive stop film placement for inserting a film transparency from a photographic film web into a slide mount. In the apparatus of the present invention an insertion mechanism is included to insert a film transparency severed from the film web into the pocket of the slide mount. The operation of the insertion mechanism is controlled by a drive assembly which operates the insertion mechanism between a retracted position and an insertion position. Positive stop means is included to define the insertion position for the insertion mechanism. Further, motion absorbing means is included to absorb mechanical motion produced by the drive assembly after the positive stop means restricts movement of the insertion mechanism beyond the insertion position.

Abstract: Automatic and semi-automatic slide mounters sever individual film transparencies from a photographic film web to prepare photographic slides therefor. The present invention relates to an apparatus for severing the individual film transparencies from the photographic film web in a slide mounter. The apparatus includes a movable knife assembly adapted for longitudinal adjustment and having a gauge for establishing an adjusted position for upper and lower knife blades therefor. The movable knife assembly is adjusted prior to operation to assure that the individual film transparencies of the film web will be correctly severed along film frame delineations for the individual film transparencies when advanced for operation across upper and lower knife blades of the knife assembly.

Abstract: In a mounting device for the automatic insertion of a slide into slide mounts comprising a drive (1), a separating apparatus (3) and a pushing apparatus (4), film material is separated in a plane (A) which is arranged perpendicularly to the direction (B') in which the cut photographic film transparency (5) is inserted into a mount (6). A feeding plane (C) is displaced with respect to a mounting plane (B) in which the mounted transparency is located. A pushing apparatus (4) is provided in the displacement region to push the cut transparency (5) into the opened slide mount. A holding down device (20) is coupled to the separating apparatus (3) to hold down the cut transparency (5) during insertion.

Abstract: An insertion device is used to introduce foil-like material, in particular paper or synthetic segments, between the slices cut by a cutting machine. Such slices are produced in particular in the food industry in the form of sausage, cheese or other food slices with cutting machines. In the insertion device a paper path is unwound from a paper roller and is carried into the cutting range of the circular knife of the cutting machine through an intermittently driven feed device. The insertion device of the cutting machine is arraged on the machine frame so that it can be moved and secured in order to be able to readily clean the insertion device and also to make the corresponding intake area of the cutting machine readily accessible.

Abstract: A method and appaaratus for selective high-speed insertion of sheets from a plurality of webs into envelopes provides a mechanism for folding and inserting sheets into preformed envelopes. Preformed envelopes are provided for folding and inserting from a source that may be a roll. A plurality of sheets are fed for folding and inserting into envelopes. A leading sheet from each of the webs is selectively driven and cut at a collection point for folding and inserting. The selecting of sheets for feeding and cutting may be accomplished by means of a CPU that may include a bar code detection system disposed along each of the webs. A system for widening the openings of envelopes to facilitate insertion of contents may also be included. This system may comprise a strip along each of the envelopes is a stream that includes a folded section within each opening or may comprise tabs disposed along an opening side of each envelope.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for printing and collating multiple webs of materials, particularly for use in creating personalized direct mail materials, are disclosed. The invention includes a single, highly flexible press having components capable of being driven at unequal speeds to account for different sizes of insert materials and their associated envelopes. Operating a single press in this manner reduces the amount of waste web material which otherwise would be present. The press similarly includes novel collating and inserting apparatus whereby each outgoing envelope is effectively formed around the "insertable" materials. Control mechanisms and verification systems associated with the press additionally maintain any personalized materials in registration, permitting a single press to produce the entire direct mail piece from multiple webs with minimal waste.

Abstract: Apparatus that uses the burster method for positioning coupons from a continuous web at a predetermined time at a predetermined location for insertion is disclosed. Positioning roll mechanism define a bight to receive the leading edge of a coupon and are driven by positioning drive mechanism at a continuous predetermined speed. Feeding roll means located upstream of the positioning roll mechanism in the excess of one coupon length are driven by intermittent feeding drive means at a speed substantially less than the speed of the positioning roll means. Controlling mechanism actuates and deactuates the feeding drive means in response to timing mechanism related to container position and coupon sensing mechanism at a sensing position between the positioning roll mechanism and the feeding roll mechanism.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for cutting a long roll of photographic prints into individual sheets, and for collating and packaging of those sheets. An automatic print cutter separates a long roll of photographic paper into sheets based on the location of a series of registration marks on the roll. Those photographs which are to be packaged together are collected and are transported by conveyor to a collating station where additional printed materials and packaging may be added to the batch. The batch of photographs and other materials is then conveyed to a packaging station, where the batch is inserted into a flexible bag for further handling. A printer associated with the packaging station prints information regarding the batch on the exterior of the package.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting cards into thin strips and for transferring predetermined numbers of strips into bottles or the like has a rotary knife set which slits the cards into strips and directs alternate ones of the strips into slots on one side of a carrier and directs the others of the strips into slots at the opposite side of the carrier. The strips are delivered to collection chambers for transfer to bottles, by relative movement of the carrier and collection chambers. In the preferred form of the invention, the carrier extends between two spaced apart pairs of collection chambers and alternately delivers batches of strips to each pair. The apparatus may be used in the bottling of medical diagnostic strips which exhibit a color change when exposed to body fluids of patients having certain medical conditions and enables high speed production and bottling of such strips or similar articles.

Abstract: The asbestos bulk extractor includes, in a preferred embodiment, an elongated housing having a handle section normal thereto. The housing defines an interior chamber and the handle defines a through port between the chamber and a vacuum line. At one end of the housing, a transparent, rigid hood is removably attached which defines an extraction region. A coring tube is rotatably and longitudinally retained within the housing and extends beyond both ends of the housing. The coring tube has a coring end which bores into the asbestos containing material. The other end of the coring tube is manually operable such that the tube can be rotated and forced into the asbestos containing material. An extraction push piece is movably mounted within the coring tube. After the coring tube has bored into the asbestos containing material, the coring tube is withdrawn from the extraction site and the core sample held within the coring end of the tube is pushed from the tube by the push piece into a vial.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for cutting photographic film into individual negatives and placing the cut negatives into envelopes. The invention utilizes a permeable conveyor and vacuum fan arrangement to transport the negatives after they are severed by the cutting mechanism. A pair of opposed fan assemblies located on either side of continuous feed envelopes serve to open an individual envelope. The opened envelope is located in close proximity to the conveyor. In this configuration, an individual negative, retained by suction against the permeable conveyor, can be delivered to the opened envelope extending off the edge of the conveyor track and entering the open envelope. A burst of air may be used to ensure the individual negative's placement into the envelope. A computer coordinates and controls various functions of operations, including transportation movement of the negative and envelopes and printing.

Abstract: The machine includes, arranged in a line, a roller advancement device for intermittently advancing a band of supporting material having an adhesive face, a perforation station bearing a punch for providing a series of evenly spaced perforations on the band of supporting material, an auxiliary band being attached to the band of supporting material to increase the band of supporting material's resistance to deformation, a station with rollers and a linearly actuated blade for feeding and cutting a band of bandage material into segments, a roller advancement device for spacing and coupling the bandage segments onto the adhesive face of the supporting material, a roller advancement device for superimposing band-like protective films onto the adhesive face of the supporting material having the bandage segments attached thereon, thereby forming a composite band, a die-cutting station bearing a cutting element for transversely cutting the composite band in an intermediate position between the bandage segments so as

Abstract: A cutting and sorting apparatus having a device for feeding a long continuous negative film in the longitudinal direction of the negative film, a cutter device for cutting the long continuous film at every perdetermined number of frames, a control device for controlling the cutting operation of the cutter device, and a negative film sheet loading device for loading a negative film sheet carrying protective sacks into which the cut segments of the negative film are to be inserted. The control device controls the operation of the cutter device such that the long continuous negative film is cut when the film has been fed by predetermined length after a frame number detection device detects of a specific frame number put on the negative film at a predetermined position.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering in strip form packaged drinking straws, includes a device for severing the strip on a pivotal drum. The severing device pivots to transfer the individual packed straws to a vacuum cylinder, which is intermittently pivotal to pick up the individualized straws from the drum, and transfer the individual straws to a conveyor section. The conveyor section includes a continuous loop of track having an upper linear section of track and a lower linear section of track. A plurality of pressure arms are connected to the track where, each contains a vacuum holding mechanism adjacent to a free end for retaining the individual straws. The vacuum cylinder is mounted to a slide mechanism which is translatory relative to the upper linear section of the continuous track to position the individual packaged straws on the pressure arms of the conveyor mechanism.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are described for making individual strips and feeding the strips to a packaging machine for the strips, in particular to a sealing machine, for sealing the strips into a sheet or foil. The individual strips are cut simultaneously from card-like material and by continuous constrained guiding led from the cutting means to the packaging machine. The constrained guiding is provided by magazines with receiving compartments for the strips and clocked transfer means. This makes it possible to obtain a high cutting output and a correspondingly high and exact packaging output. The invention is intended in particular for processing diagnostic test strips.

Abstract: The process according to the invention relates to the packaging of lids cut out in a press combined with a stacker. According to the process, the guide rods of a delivery magazine are covered by a substantially cylindrical casing which simultaneously surrounds the stacked lids while at the same time immobilizing the stack transversely to itself with a slight clearance therebetween, the casing comprising support means for resting on the moving supports at the bottom of the stack of lids and stop means for retaining the bottom of the stack borne by the casing. The retaining means are optionally completed by one or more associated retaining means. The stack of lids covered in this way is then removed from the delivery magazine and the casing is sealed with caps which offer an added measure of protection.

Abstract: A method for producing a mass distributable printed packet is disclosed wherein a web of paper has printed thereon a format of successive rectangular pieces in a plurality of longitudinal lines extending parallel to the edges of the web, the web is cut longitudinally between the print patterns and the thus-formed strips are superposed in vertical registry of the printed patterns. The superposed strips are then cut to form sets of printed pieces which sets are each placed within an individual outer container.

Abstract: Device (15) to frame photographic films (18) which is suitable to divide the photographic films (18) into single photographs (19) and to insert and position the photographs (19) between two half-frames (12) forming frames (12) to hold photographs (19) and is fitted to framing machines (10), which comprise storage containers (11) to feed empty frames (12), conveyors (13-14) to convey empty frames (12) and storage bins (21) to receive the finished slide consisting of a frame (12) holding a photograph (18), the empty frames (12) arriving at the device (15) in a direction at a right angle to the direction of feed of the photographic films (18) in the device (15), which comprises in reciprocal cooperation:at least two drawing units (22) to draw the photographic film (18), each unit consisting of a powered roller (23) equipped with drawing needles (24) and an opposed roller (25) provided with a groove (26), the opposed roller (25) being movable vertically in relation to the powered roller (23),a first knife (30) wi

Abstract: When arranging a plurality of sheets side by side in predetermined pattern on a sheet receiving member, the sheets are fed to a receiving position one by one, and are picked up one by one by a suction cup on a rotatable arm member. The rotatable arm member is rotated to bring each sheet picked up by the suction cup to a delivery position, and the sheet is placed on the part of the sheet receiving member positioned in the delivery position while the sheet receiving member is moved, in synchronization with rotation of the rotatable arm member, along a predetermined path corresponding to said predetermined pattern so that a new part of the sheet receiving member is brought to the delivery position each time the sheet receiving member is moved. This method is applicable to a process for making chemical analysis slides.

Abstract: A tool for sampling building materials for the suspected presence of asbestos fibers. An annular (tubular) cutter element is rotated to remove a plug-like sample from a wall under study. A shroud-like canister surrounds the cutter element to trap any asbestos fiber particulates that might otherwise escape into the atmosphere. Closure caps can be applied to the canister, whereby the canister can be used to ship (transport) the sample to a laboratory for analysis.

Abstract: An apparatus for collating dual-use filter sachets obtained from a flattened tube of thermally weldable filter paper comprising multiple bags or pouches defined by transverse thermal welds in continuously operating production machines and provided with labels, threads and tabs for attachment of the matter. The apparatus has a cutter for cutting up the tube, into portions having at least two pouches, across the attachment tabs. A device then folds in bellows-shape, these portions along the intermediate transverse thermal weld and operates in combination with a device having conveying pincers for conveying the folded bags to a pickup and transfer device through a fixed folder so as to set up the pouches back to back transferring them as thus folded to a welder for welding together the thus adjoining extremists thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for attaching seal-strip segments to individual packages, where the segments are in the form of a strip having opposed surfaces, includes a transfer element moveable periodically between a receiving position for receiving a segment from a supply thereof and a transfer position for transferring the segment. The transfer element releasably holds a segment with one surface thereof in contact with the element. A rotatable turret is provided having a plurality of stations at equal angular positions about the axis of rotation of the turret, each station having a support surface for supporting a segment. Rotation of the turret is synchronized with movement of the transfer element such that, during one revolution of the turret, a different one of the stations is operatively associated with the transfer element each time the latter moves to its transfer position.

Abstract: Mail inserting and collating apparatus includes an envelope conveyor for continuously conveying envelopes along a first path; a plurality of envelope carriers mounted on the envelope conveyor and movable therewith, for holding the envelopes; an insert conveyor for continuously conveying a plurality of inserts along a second path, at least a portion of the second path running substantially parallel and adjacent to the first path; a plurality of pockets mounted on the insert conveyor and movable therewith, for holding the inserts; a rotatable kicker roller for removing a lowermost insert from a stack of inserts and moving the lowermost insert toward a pocket adjacent the stack, the kicker roller having an arcuate rubber projecting surface for engaging the lowermost insert from the stack during rotation of the kicker roller and a vacuum port extending through the kicker roller and terminating in the projecting surface; a drive for intermittently rotating the kicker roller; a vacuum supply for supplying a vacuum

Abstract: The invention provides a machine for manufacturing and handling tea bags, wherein the tea bags are produced by laminating together two webs with individual quantities for tea therebetween. Two rows of tea bags, formed in the webs, and the tea in the bags is biased upwardly of the webs. This is followed by severing of the webs into two individual single tea bag row webs, and this is followed by transverse severing of the web to produce individual tea bags. The tea bags are held into magazines so as to form two stacks therein and stacks of tea bags are moved laterally of the magazine into the inserting device and the inserting device places the two stacks of tea bags into a carton. The two stacks of tea bags are placed together prior to insertion of the carton and extra conversion is given to the stacks to compensate for revising the tea.

Abstract: A storage pocket arrangement for film material, which can be stored in a file, ring binder or the like, has a plurality of individual pockets in superposed or juxtaposed relationship, in a substantially flat configuration, for accommodating respective film strips therein. The arrangement has a strip portion arranged along an edge thereof, which includes punched holes or the like for storing the pocket arrangement in a file, ring binder or the like. The strip portion has additional markings to permit the storage pocket arrangement to be used in an apparatus for introducing the film strips into the respective individual pockets, in a cyclic mechanized procedure.

Abstract: A manufacturing and packaging arrangement for cards, especially playing cards, includes a sheet cutting and card stacking station, two corner punching stations, and a packaging stations which are connected with one another by a conveyor arrangement that is driven by a motor. In the cutting and stacking station, printed sheets are cut up into individual cards and those cards which belong to respective sets are assembled into respective card stacks which are then discharged from the cutting and stacking station by a discharge arrangement and transferred by a transfer conveyor to an intermittently driven main conveyor. At the main conveyor, the individual card stacks are engaged by entraining fingers which extend into a transporting channel, and are intermittently transported longitudinally of the channel to the corner punching stations.

Abstract: The package of the present invention comprises a sheath formed from a folded, relatively rigid strip having structure for receiving and releasably holding the ends of the fiber to be packaged. In a preferred embodiment, the fiber is between the two folded over parts of the strip with the ends of the fiber anchored in place in a pair of slits. The sheath is in a pouch formed by a pair of foil members on opposite sides of the sheath. When ready for use, the package is opened by peeling the foil members apart, thereby exposing the sheath and permitting access to the fiber carried by the sheath. An improved apparatus and method are provided to form the package. In the first instance, the sheath is prepared by first folding a strip of relatively rigid material, such as siliconized polyester, then moving the folded strip along a path of travel and feeding the fiber into the region between the parts of the strip as the strip moves.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for producing a shipping form characterized by a folding mechanism, a cutting off mechanism, an aligning and feeding mechanism, a form inserting mechanism and a cutting mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for correlating wallets with processing envelopes in photographic laboratories comprising:a dispenser (9) in which wallets (11) corresponding to the different customers are contained separately,means (5,7,8) for determining in accordance with the customer code read from the processing envelope (4), the extraction of a wallet (11) corresponding to that customer from the dispenser (9),means (13,14,15,16,17) for forming with the wallets (11) being extracted from said dispenser (9) a sequence corresponding to the sequence of processing envelopes (4) of that batch, andmeans for extracting one by one in the finishing station (21) the wallets (11) into which to insert the photographic material (28,29) corresponding to the processing envelopes (4) associated with said wallets (4).

Abstract: In a cutting and mounting apparatus for cutting a film section (9) which can be lowered into a slide mount (10) positioned below a cutting tool (5) in a slider (7), and which upon withdrawal of slider (7) can be snapped into the slide mount (10) while resting agaisnt a guiding jaw (2a), a component (12), shiftably guided on the slider (7), is designed as a U-shaped resilient clamp enclosing the rear area of the slider (7). The component (12) comprises guiding elements (12b) which point in the direction of movement of the slider (7), and are formed by tongues pointing upwardly at an angle, seizing the rear edge of a bent film section (9) when the slider (7) has been partly extended, and deflecting said rear edge so that it snaps into the groove-shaped recess in the rear frame portion (10b) of slide mount (10).

Abstract: In a cutting and mounting apparatus for cutting a film section (9) which can be lowered into a slide mount (10) positioned below a cutting tool (5) in a slider (7), and which upon withdrawal of slider (7) can be snapped into the slide mount (10) while resting against a guiding jaw (2a), said guiding jaw (2a) forms part of a cover plate (2) serving for supporting a cutting plate (3) and covering the guide channel (1a) of slider (7). The slide mount (10) is urged against the stationary guiding jaw (2a) free from play by means of a leaf spring (8) extending below the slider (7). During this operation, the front edge of the film section (9) abuts against an offset abutment edge (2e) of the guiding jaw (2a) so that the film section (9) is slid into a rear slot of the slide mount (10), is bent and snaps into a front slot in the slide mount (10).

Abstract: A method and machine for automatically or manually mounting photographic films in predetermined lengths into mounts mechanically openable at one side. The invention includes an operative unit automatized and controlled by microprocessor for checking the film feed by monitoring notches on the film. A toothless roller system advances the film and loads it into a mount. Cooperating cutting means and opening means simplify the operation. A three-way shifter shifts the film either upwardly for storage, downwardly for disposal or may be passive in which case film proceeds to mounting.

Abstract: A rotating, indexable carousel-like apparatus for retaining lead frame containers for use in combination with a singulation press which severs a reel of lead frames and progressively loads the lead frames into the containers. The carousel-like apparatus can accommodate multiple lead frame containers and comprises a baseplate, circular container holder, lead frame guide means and indexing means. Also, there are means to ensure container retention within the apparatus. The apparatus includes means which raise the baseplate and container holder to a loading position and lower them to an indexing position. The apparatus will automatically index to the next loading position when a container is fully loaded. The apparatus includes means which monitor both carousel position and lead frame position and will inhibit press operation if either the apparatus, lead frames or containers within the apparatus are misaligned.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing liquid impregnated fabric wipes and packaging the wipes in a container. Fabric material in sheet form is initially passed through a folder to fold the side edge of the sheet, and the folded sheet then travels over a pair of liquid impregnating tubes where liquid is discharged from slots in the tubes against opposite faces of the folded sheet material. After impregnation with the liquid, several sheets are placed together in superimposed form and cut into short lengths to form wipes. The wipes are supported along their side edges by two pair of cooperating endless conveyor belts and as the wipes move along the conveyor, a reciprocating platen moves downwardly between the spaced belts to eject the wipes from the belts onto a conveyor or pack the wipes into a container.

Abstract: An inserter for inserting microfilm frames, originally on film strips, into jacket channels, singly or in series. Grip means grips the end of a strip of film and moves a selected frame to a projection station. There the frame is severed, and a pusher inserts it into a jacket channel. The strip and the pusher mutually exclude one another from a channel through which the frames moves toward the jacket.

Abstract: Methods are proposed for automatically framing slides in a framing apparatus, wherein the slides are subjected at a framing station at the leading end of the slide film passing through the framing apparatus to a framing cycle which comprises individual severing together with introduction in a ready-positioned frame and subsequent transmission of the framed slide to a storage box. One of the disclosed methods is conducted with the aid of marginal notches applied to the slide film by a preceding automatic notcher as a positional criterion for the slides and the other is conducted without regard to such notches. Both methods provide for scanning the spacer strips between slides by means of a scanning apparatus and special evaluation of the information thus obtained, possibly having regard to the notch spacing, in a manner such that a destruction of slides by wrong cuts is avoided.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method and apparatus for producing folded ceramic fiber modules from an elongated web that are used as insulation units. The apparatus includes a feed mechanism and a surface defining mechanism operating cooperatively with a chute to produce a folded web which is then cut longitudinally to create two streams of separate folded units. A module may be produced by securing together a plurality of the folded units with bands, for example.

Abstract: The apparatus for automatically inserting transparencies into one-piece frames, comprises:a feeder for the open frames (10), which are withdrawn one by one from a store (33) and fed along a sliding surface (7) towards a gripper (26),a feeder for the film (20), which is fed along a sliding surface (19) aligned with the sliding surface (7) for the frames (10), but in the opposite feed direction to these latter,a cutter (18) positioned at the front end of the sliding surface (19) for the film (20) in order to cut transparencies,a gripper (26) interposed between the sliding surface (7) for the open frames (10) and the sliding surface (19) for the film (20) and which is provided with a fixed jaw (27) and a mobile jaw (27'), and is movable orthogonally to the feed direction of the frames and film between a waiting position, in which it is open in order to receive the frame and transparency, and a working position in which, after being closed, it retains the lower half frame of the frame (10) and the transparency an

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus for applying objects such as spoons or suction tubes diagonally to a side wall of a packing container. As the containers are advanced by a conveyor, a carriage reciprocates adjacent the conveyor. A rotary drum is mounted on an inclined axle on the carriage. The objects are supplied to the drum in the form of a band in which the objects are spaced apart. The drum holds the individual objects while they are severed from the band by a reciprocating knife. Rotation of drum positions each object in a correct angular position with respect to the side wall of the container. An adhesive applicator is also positioned on the carriage to apply adhesive to the side wall of the container. A transfer arm applies the object against the side wall of the container where it is retained by the adhesive.

Abstract: This invention concerns an apparatus for cutting out discs or another shape of material in fibre form, for example cotton, and for cutting out and closing small bags filled with said discs, by a cover of the same shape, the apparatus being provided with a punch member co-operating with a die receiving a first sheet of cotton to be cut out, which is entrained with a translatory stepping movement.

Abstract: In a photofinishing operation, the correlation of order envelopes, films and the paper prints produced therefrom is carried out automatically. The order envelopes, films and the strip of paper prints are provided with the same machine-readable control number per order. These control numbers are monitored during final processing by machine and, in case of a lack of agreement, the cutting of the film and the paper is prevented and an appropriate alarm is actuated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the automatic boxing of bags or sachets into cardboard containers, fed by continuous strips of bags or sachets coming from the packaging machine.The device according to the invention provides no means of removal, transport and boxing of the cut sachets since the containers to be filled, according to this invention, stop directly below the cutting edge, under the right-angled projection of the first sachet in the row which is to be cut. Therefore the stack inside the container is formed automatically by the sachets simply dropping one on top of the other, through the force of gravity.

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

Abstract: Apparatus for and a method of processing and packaging a photographic film in which the whole process starting with preparation of a long film blank in a base magazine to the loading in a cartridge is conducted without taking any intermediate rolling step wherein the film is rolled before further processing. The film is sliced and the sliced film is continuously processed by a splicer, a printer, perforating device, sizing cutter, and rolling chute conveyor. The whole process is divided into a suitable number of steps and carried out in apparatus having intermediate partitions to form independent dark rooms or dark sections covered by a light shielding cover, so that exposure of the film can be avoided even if the other sections are illuminated.

Abstract: The apparatus has a strip cutting device (6) in which the sheet piles (1) are cut into bundle strips (8), a bundle cutting device (16) for cutting the bundle strips into banknote bundles (17) and therebetween a banding station (9) for the bundle strips (8). This banding station (9) has as many synchronously operating banding devices (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) as there are banknote positions per strip and a band detector system (30,31,32) which indicates the absence of a band (10) or an incorrectly performed banding operation by means of a fault signal which switches off the apparatus. Simultaneously an indication is given at which individual banding device (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) the fault has occured. Each of these banding devices can be set in operation by means of an associated switch member (34a, 34b, 34c, 34d) for carrying out an individual late banding operation. Then the apparatus can be restarted to continue the automatic operation.

Abstract: A conventional envelope stuffing machine is provided with a chopper of cutter for providing a stack of individual inserts from pre-connected booklets. The chopper operates in synchronism with the stuffing machine through the provision of a pair of simple cam-operated switches.

Abstract: A photographic slide mounter cuts photographic film transparencies from a photographic film web and inserts the transparencies into slide mounts. A slide mount is advanced along a slide track to a position adjacent a knife where the slide mount is flexed to provide an insertion opening. The film web is advanced along a film track until a leading end of the web is partially inserted into the insertion opening. A first plurality of rollers are positioned over the film track and a second plurality of rollers are positioned under the film track to prevent transverse curl of the film web as it is advanced toward the insertion opening. A pair of curved shoes is mounted over the film track proximate the knife to prevent longitudinal curl of the film web as it is advanced through the knife and into the insertion opening. The knife is provided with tapered portions to align the web as it passes the knife.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for expanding the entrance slot of a plastic slide frame having at least one resiliently expandable entrance slot, which device comprises two noses, which are arranged to engage the top surfaces of frame edge portions disposed laterally of the entrance path for the slide, and a ramp, which is spaced from said noses. In order to permit such a device to be operated without a need for a special protection against fingerprints, the device comprises a feeding pusher for pushing the slide through the expanded entrance slot.

Abstract: Method for assembling identical bubble strips each containing a plurality of individually packaged products disposed at regular intervals along the strip and protruding transversely from one side of the strip, by the steps of orienting two of the strips relative to one another such that the packaged products on each strip protrude toward the other strip and the packaged products on one strip are offset from the packaged products on the other strip, and pushing the strips toward one another such that the products of one strip are adjacent those of the other strip and the strips are nested together.

Abstract: A column of flat articles such as chip carrier lids (10) are assembled in a tube (35). A base (18) supports a typical row of such lids (10), each with a back surface (14) on the base (18) and a mating surface (15) facing upward. The base (18) also has an aperture (30) for passing serially downward therethrough, each lid (10) with its back surface (14) facing downward. A bracket (32) having a spring biased pin (34) and a block (38) is provided to support under the base (18) a tube (35) with an open end facing upward at the aperture (30). Plates (22, 23 and 24) are provided to guide to and introduce a lid (10) into the aperture (30) and onto any contents within the tube (35). A frictional plug (45) has fins (46) biased between opposing walls of the tube (35) to yieldably resist downward movement within the tube (35).