FICHE MANIPULATING APPARATUS

Abstract: An apparatus for making contact prints of an existing microfiche (3), which microfiche is brought into contact with unexposed fichefilm (21). The film is exposed through the existing microfiche and then developed. The apparatus is controlled by electronic logic (23), which receives feedback from the item controlled.

Description: FICHE MANIPULATING APPARATUS TECHNICAL FIELD This invention pertains to apparatus for bringing an existing microfiche into contact with unexposed fiche- sized film to provide contact prints of the existing microfiche. BACKGROUND ART . Prior art pertinent to the subject apparatus is not known to the Applicant, or his associates. Only the static printing frame of the photographer who makes his own prints in such a printing frame appears to approach the present dynamic embodiment. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An apparatus for making contact prints Of existing microfiche. The existing microfiche is brought to a - duplicating location. Unexposed microfiche film is brought into contact with it and a contact print is made. Plural duplicate prints can be successively made. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The perspective part of the drawing shows the whole fiche manipulating apparatus. The electronic logic and film developing entities are shown as rectangular blocks. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In the figure, numerals 1 and 2 identify plural belts that run in contact in the same direction from a prior location (not shown) at the left of the figure to a first location (4) on the fiche manipulating apparatus; thereby correspondingly translating a fiche (3). The dimensions of the apparatus are such that the fiche presses against pin 20 when the trailing edge of the fiche is still being urged forward by belts 1 and 2. When pin 20 is purposely retracted and is no longer an obstacle, the fiche moves from location 4 to location 7, there to be duplicated on a fiche-size piece of film 21 from an unexposed roll of film 18. Motor 12- is typically a stepper motor. Encoder sensor 25 coacts with encoder disk 26 to count the number of steps taken by motor 12. This number is fed into logic 23, which is programmed to actuate fiche feed motor 10 and stepper motor 12. This is to step-off one fiche at a time by sprocket 14 that is attached to motor 12 actively engaging rack 11, to give a corresponding feed of unexposed fiche film 21, and to provide proper timing of illumination by lamp 19 for exposing film 21 to form a dμplicate fiche. The duplicate fiche is cut from the roll of film 21 at fiche size by known means not shown, and developed photographically at entity 28. It is stored for sub¬ sequent retrieval at entity 29. The storage means is typically a carrousel. Location 4 is provided with a number of small apertures 30. These are interconnected within platen 4 and typically to a vacuum system (not shown) that is under the control of logic 23. Location 7 is similarly provided with apertures, i.e. 31, and is under separate control by logic 23. The vacuum systems exercise a restraining function when the fiche are moved by other forces that are exerted upon them, and also retain the fiche stationary at the intended location in the absence of such other forces. The fiche manipulating apparatus as a whole is mounted on plate 6, of large extent, which typically also supports companion apparatus. Pressure is subst tutionally applied to vacuum slots 4 to help remove the fiche from the platen. Also, when the fiche is being pressured-off of the platen, pressure from a second pressure device located at a corner angle is applied to a lifted corner of the fiche, thus assisting in lifting the fiche off over the entire surface of the platen.

Claims: 1. Fiche manipulating apparatus, comprising; (a) first means (1,2) to convey a fiche (3) to. a first location (4), (b) second means (5,6) to convey said fiche to an adjacent location (7) , (c) third means (8,9) operative at said adjacent location to clamp said fiche. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, in which; (a) said first means is comprised of plural belts (1 & 2) in opposed contact, and (b) a first motor (10) to move said belts. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, in which; (a) said second means is comprised of a rack (11) attached to said manipulating apparatus, and (b) a second motor (12) having a pinion (14) to engage said rack. • 4. The apparatus if claim 1, in which; (a) said third means is comprised of a rotary bearing (8) bearing upon an opaque plate (9) , which plate bears upon said- fiche. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, in which; (a) said second means also includes a solenoid (16), and (b) ' an arm (17) attached to said solenoid to engage said fiche for positioning said fiche at said locations. 6. Fiche manipulative apparatus logic (23) connected to control; (a) initial means to move an existing fiche (3) to an exposure station, (b) film-handling means (18) to first position unexposed film at said exposure station in contact with said existing fiche, (c) exposure means (19) to expose a contact print of said existing fiche upon said positioned unexposed film, and (d) means to further activate said film-handling means to allow processing of the now exposed film at a second position. 7. Fiche manipulating apparatus, comprising; - (a) a platen (4) for receiving the fiche (3), (b) plural apertures (30) upon said platen • for securing said fiche to said platen upon said apertures being energized with a vacuum, and to lift; said fiche from said platen upon said apertures being supplied with air pressure. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, in which; (a) said plural apertures (30) are aligned adjacent to an edge of said platen (4) .

Inventors: LE VASSEUR CRAIG, LIZARDO GIL RICHARD, LE VASSEUR, CRAIG, LIZARDO, GIL, RICHARD
Applicants: TERMINAL DATA CORP, TERMINAL DATA CORPORATION
Application year: 1985
Main classification: G03B27
IPC codes: G03B27