Abstract: A photographic slide mounter cuts photographic film transparencies from a photographic film strip and inserts the transparencies into slide frames. The slide mounter includes a slide advance device which advances a slide frame from a slide holder along a slide track to a position where an insertion opening in the slide frame is widened. The film strip is advanced by a film advance device, which inserts the transparency into the insertion opening in the slide frame. The transparency is then severed from the strip by a knife. As the next slide is advanced from the slide holder along the slide track, it ejects the previous slide. During ejection of the previous slide, the severed transparency is inserted the final distance into the slide frame to align the photographic image on the transparency with the aperture in the slide frame.

Abstract: A storage jacket-film strip segment insertion apparatus having enhanced strip viewing and ease of use capabilities. A platform assembly having a tray is provided for receiving a storage jacket into which film strip segments are inserted by an associated film strip feed head. The tray is light-translucent or transparent to allow the jacket to be back-lit for viewing or copying through a provided transparent tray cover and projection lens. The tray and feed head are movable with respect to one another to provide feed head access to various portions of the storage jacket and a track assembly is provided attached to the tray for positive engagement and alignment of the tray with the feed head. The tray cover is attached to the platform assembly in such a manner as to cause the track to disengage from the feed head when the cover is raised, allowing the tray and feed head to be repositioned with respect to one another.

Abstract: A reader-filler machine adapted to insert a discrete strip of microfilm having a series of image frames into a selected channel of a microfiche jacket. The jacket is provided with parallel channels each having an entry slot adjacent the front end. The machine includes a film drive mechanism which cooperates with an optical viewer. The film strip is advanced by the mechanism along the track of a track block which terminates adjacent the front end of a pivoted table which is spring-loaded. The block includes a pair of pressure fingers projecting from either side of the track exit and a pair of flat locating guides flanking the fingers. In operation, the user first tilts the table downwardly with respect to the track exit and places the jacket thereon to cause the guides to enter the channels on opposite sides of the channel to be loaded, thereby orienting the selected channel with respect to the track exit.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming a continuous assembly of sealed envelopes having upper and lower sections and comprising at least one insert of the type used as a postal mailer or the like.

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 and pack the wipes into a container.

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

Abstract: A photographic slide mounter cuts photographic film transparencies from a photographic film web and inserts the transparencies into slide frames. The slide mounter includes a slide advance device which advances a slide frame to a position where the slide frame is flexed to provide an insertion opening. The film web is advanced into the insertion opening until a leading end of the film is partially inserted into the slide frame. A knife severs a transparency at a position outside of the slide frame. The slide frame with the partially inserted transparency is then advanced along a track away from the film severing and insertion station. The film transparency is engaged and fully inserted into the slide frame as the slide frame and the transparency are fed along the track. A film curl accommodator bends the slide frame by an amount sufficient to match the curl or bow of the transparency as the transparency is being fully inserted into the slide frame.

Abstract: An improved pre-closed slide mount is described having two sides or masks which are secured together for defining an internal pocket to retain a film transparency which is inserted edgewise through an opening or entranceway in one edge of the mount and defining a window for viewing the transparency in the mount. An elevated border region formed in one mask of the mount extends transversely across the entranceway and has a sloping outer surface to provide a funnel for directing a transparency into the entranceway, and this border region has laterally sloping ends which define two spaced valleys for receiving the outer edges of a longitudinally bowed film strip serving as pusher for the inserted transparency. The outer edges of the valleys are defined by lateral transparency guides. The border region of the other mask forms an elevated roof over the elevated border region with inverted steps over the laterally sloping end portions of the border region.

Abstract: A photographic film packing apparatus cuts film segments from a web of photographic film, partially overlaps the segments in a shingled manner, and conveys the segments in partially overlapping relationship into an insertion opening of a package, such as a customer order envelope. The apparatus advances the web a selected distance past a knife location, at which a knife assembly is located. The knife assembly severs a film segment from the web. The movement of the film segment is then reversed to cause a trailing edge of the film segment to be deflected downward out of the path of the leading edge of the web. The web is then advanced while the segment is maintained stationary until the web has overlapped the segment by a predetermined amount. The web and the film segment are then conveyed together toward the insertion opening until a desired cut location on the web is aligned with the knife location. The knife assembly then cuts another film segment from the web.

Abstract: A slide mounter includes a magazine for holding a stack of slide frames. A slide ejector pushes the lowermost slide within the magazine out of the magazine and into a slide track, where the slide frame is opened to permit insertion of a film transparency. A slide separator separates the stack of slides into an upper stack above a predetermined level and a lower stack below the predetermined level within the magazine. An out-of-slides inhibitor connected to the slide separator prevents movement of the slide ejector when the slide separator moves to a position indicating that there are no further slides in the upper stack.

Abstract: An improved machine and method of making and folding an insert and a personalized envelope therefor.

Abstract: Piles of freshly printed sheets of multiple bank-notes are cut into bundle strips and then these bundle strips are cut into individual bundles of bank-notes; a band station is located between the cutting unit cutting the piles of sheets into bundle strips and the cutting unit cutting these bundle strips into bundles of bank-notes and comprises as many banding device operating in synchronism and located in one row as there are individual bank-notes per strip, so that the bundles of each strip are banded before this strip is cut into bundles.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a microfilm-inserter machine adapted for simultaneous viewing of separate microfilm frames adjacent before and after a strip cutting device and for severing and thereafter insertion of cut-sections of microfilm into microfilm into microfilm jackets. Thereby, by use of the machine, a person is able to speedily cut the frame sections exactly where desired by virtue of the two separate and adjacent viewers in series along the path of travel of feed of the microfilm.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically loading film transparencies into pre-closed slide mounts either of plastic or of cardboard material and having an internal pocket for receiving the film transparency which is inserted through an openable region near one edge of the mount. In loading operation, wedge means temporarily spread the openable portion of the slide mount, defining a passageway for the film transparency to pass through into the mount, and then the two sides of the mount are allowed to spring back to their closed position after loading. Advantageously, the film transparency is cut off from the filmstrip before loading, with the freshly cut end of the strip serving as pushing means for pushing the film transparency into its mount, and thus low inertial forces are involved, because the individual cut transparency has only a small mass to be accelerated and moved. The film strip is bowed into a longitudinally extending arch for providing longitudinal stiffness for pushing the transparency.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a microfilm-inserter machine includes separate serially-arranged microfilm jacket supports. At-least one of the supports is laterally movable, adapted for facilitating insertion of cut-sections of microfilm into microfilm jackets. The supports are positioned in series, such that microfilm may be easily and speedily transferred from one jacket to another, carried by the adjacent supports.

Abstract: An automated in-line mailing (AIM) system of the type comprising sequentially a continuous sheet-web (20), a sheet cutter (10), an accumulator (12), a folder (14), a collector (16) and an envelope inserter raceway (24) is controlled by hyphens, or indicia, (60) on the sheet web (20). A control system includes a scanner (56) for sequentially sensing the web indicia (60) upstream of a cutting blade (30). The scanner is linked to a one-way clutch drive (114) to activate a plurality of opposed mutilated rollers (88, 90) positioned in the accumulator (12). The control system also includes a trailing edge sensor (122) for sensing a trailing edge of an accumulation of sheets as they are discharged from the accumulator (12).

Abstract: Assemblies of collated film sections and related prints, each belonging to a customer, are fed seriatim into a tray at the right-hand side of a horizontal table in front of a seated attendant so that the attendant can remove an assembly with the right hand while the left-hand opens the corresponding customer pocket which is held in a position of readiness at the left-hand side of the table. The attendant can observe the collating operation by inspecting successive film frames while the frames move above an illuminated window below and in front of the web of photographic paper with exposed and developed prints thereon. The pockets are removed seriatim from a magazine and are transported to the left-hand side of the table where the rear panel of an oncoming pocket is held by suction to facilitate the task of opening the pocket by pulling the front panel away from the rear panel.

Abstract: A continuous paper web is fed in a longitudinal path. Glue is applied in transverse strips at regular intervals along the longitudinally disposed continuous web over a part only of the width of the web. A first plow folds over a portion of the web having the transverse glue strips to a position above an adjacent flat portion of the web. An insert or stuffer is fed into the web between the folded over portion and the flat portion and against an inner crotch thereof formed by the fold line. The space between the folded over portion and the flat portion away from the fold is open and forms a wide mouth to readily receive the inserts delivered thereto. This first folded over portion is then closed down over the inserts lying on the flat portion causing the glue strips to seal onto the flat portion. The folded over portion and the flat portion of the web contain inserts between each of the transverse glue strips.

Abstract: An arrangement for feeding, stacking and packaging plate-like members punched by the die of a press of the type wherein the plate-like members are carried away initially vertically and then along a curve away from the vicinity of the press by guideways is formed of dispensers from which connecting material is fed over connecting devices adjacent the guideways into engagement with the punched members. According to preferred embodiments, the connecting material is provided with adhesive on one side, the connecting devices are spring-biased rollers, and a packet height marking mechanism is provided.

Abstract: An envelope contains a separate enclosure that is formed from the same sheet material. Sheet material having a first portion and a narrower second portion is folded so portions are superimposed one upon the other. At some time, adhesive is applied to the wider regions of the first portion. By severing the sheet material along the edge common to the first and second portions while maintaining their superimposed relationship, they are separated and then subsequently folded so the first portion envelops the second portion, and the envelope is produced as a result of the adhesive. The severing is carried out while the superimposed portions are suitably restrained, e.g., within a buckle plate folder or within a knife-folding unit or between a pair of moving belts.

Abstract: A reader-filler machine adapted to cut and insert sections of microfilm into the channels of a multi-channel microfiche jacket, each channel having an entry slot adjacent its rear end. The jacket to be loaded is placed on a platform that is shiftable stepwise with respect to a film trackway guiding a film web, the trackway being parallel to a film pusher station. In the insertion mode, after a section of film of a desired length is extended from the trackway for insertion in a given channel through its entry slot, an automatic three-phase insertion cycle is initiated. In the first phase, the section is cut to produce a film chip whose tail projects beyond the entry slot. In the second phase, the platform is indexed one forward step to align the next empty channel with the trackway and the tail of the chip with the film pusher. In the third phase, the film pusher acts to engage the tail and push it into the channel, thereby loading the chip in the channel.

Abstract: Film handling apparatus preferably for handling microfiche film in which a holder or cassette is provided and is locatable at a film pick-up station; the holder or cassette has engaging means preferably provided as a lip to engage at least one marginal portion of the top microfiche lamina of a stack of laminae held within the holder or cassette; a suction means being provided in the apparatus which by means of preferably two or more suction areas is enabled to progressively suck the top lamina from the holder or cassette; in one embodiment two similar suction means are provided as suction platens which move in close relationship on guides within the apparatus to position the lamina at a filming and titling station.

Abstract: Webs of customer films and webs of related prints are transported in synchronism vertically downwardly toward a severing unit which subdivides the films into sections each of which includes several film frames and which simultaneously subdivides the web of prints into discrete prints. The film sections and the related discrete prints are gathered in separate magazines immediately below the severing unit and are automatically transferred into neighboring compartments of a pocket below the magazines when one of the magazines collects all sections of a customer film and the other magazine collects all related prints. Two closely adjacent windows are provided above the severing unit side-by-side to allow for simultaneous observation of film frames and related prints.

Abstract: An automatic photographic print and film packaging mechanism inserts individual orders of prints and film into multilayered packaging envelopes formed in a continuous strip. The mechanism sequentially seals the sides of the envelopes and cuts the envelopes from the strip. The mechanism has provision for either sealing the top of a cut envelope and depositing the same in a first collection station or depositing the cut envelope with the top unsealed into second collection station.

Abstract: An automatic film conveying and packaging mechanism for conveying cut film lengths forwardly from a film cutter to a packaging envelope while maintaining continuous contact with the film lengths between a pair of opposed upper and lower conveyor assemblies and driving the lengths directly into the packaging envelope in stacked relation to each other with the trailing ends thereof positively disposed in substantial alignment with each other and in rearwardly spaced relation to the discharge end of the upper conveyor assembly.

Abstract: In a method of severing developed photographic film strips into film sections at a severing station and immediately mounting same in slide frames which are spread open ready to receive them and which are conveyed away from the severing station, each severed film section is guided along an edge which is oblique with respect to the conveying direction of the slide frames. An apparatus for performing this method comprises severing means for the strip, a guide path for the slide frames and a guide rail with an oblique guide edge arranged downstream of the severing means to present a leading guide edge portion which extends into the gap between the spread-open slide frame portions.

Abstract: Apparatus for collating prints and related sections of developed photographic customer films in a processing laboratory has a first conveyor whose receptacles advance stepwise into register with discharge ends of feeding devices for film sections and prints, and a packing unit with a second conveyor which advances empty containers past an assembly station where the containers receive assemblies of film sections and related prints in response to forward strokes of a reciprocable pusher. The second conveyor advances successive loaded containers past a closing device and a labelling device and thereupon into a receiving device. A computer receives signals from the severing mechanisms of the two feeding devices and from a reader which decodes information on envelopes used by customers or dealers to deliver or send exposed customer films to the laboratory.

Abstract: A photographic print sorting, conveying and packing mechanism includes a main conveyor line and a plurality of branch conveyor lines with an initial feeding device which receives individual cut prints from a print cutter and feeds the prints into the main conveyor line which defines a main flow path. All of the conveyor lines include a plurality of driver rollers spaced apart less than the length of each cut photograph so that one roller will always be in contact with the prints to maintain positive driving contact with the prints at all times during their successive travel along the conveyor lines. The conveyor lines also include deflecting elements ahead of each roller to flatten momentarily the curl in each print and insure proper driving engagement between the rollers and the print.