Patent GB-1027596-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for making photographic prints
IPC: G03D7/00
Filed: 1962-12-10
Abstract: 1,027,596. Photocopying apparatus. EUGENE DIETZGEN CO. Dec. 10,1962 [July 31, 19621,No. 46453/62. Heading G2A. The original and copy sheet are passed together through the printing zone of a contact-printing apparatus, and then separated, the original being passed out of the apparatus while the copy sheet is passed on to a further processing (e.g. developing) stage, this further stage being pivotable from an operative position in which it lies above the printing zone to an open position exposing the printing zone. In the form of apparatus shown, a diazo type copy sheet in contact with an original is exposed to ultraviolet light through the latter, forming a latent image thereof. The original is then stripped off, and the copy sheet heated by means of infra-red radiation, to develop the said latent image. The apparatus is enclosed in a housing G, a cover part C of which can be swung open on a hinge H. The superposed original and copy sheets are fed into the apparatus through an inlet slot IN, whence they are picked up by an endless band 33 which passes over guide rollers 37, 39, 41, 43. The band 33 bears against the greater part of the periphery of a rotatable glass or plastic sleeve 21 which forms the exposure zone EZ. The sheets enter the bight between band and sleeve at 47, and leave it again at 48, during which period the exposure takes place. The ultraviolet source is a tubular lamp 23, with an aluminium reflector 29 mounted behind it. Cooling air may be blown through the sleeve 21. A stripping blade 49 is provided where the superimposed sheets leave the exposure zone at 48, to assure separation of the sheets from sleeve 21. The sheets now pass to a separating station SS, comprising two vacuum chambers 63, 65 spaced apart by a narrow passage 77 through which the sheets pass. Slots 79, 80 allow the suction effect to act on the respective sheets, which are thus drawn apart, and proceed on either side of a partition 81 separating two guide channels 85, 86. The lower guide channel is terminated by inclined walls 87, 88 which lead the original sheet out of the apparatus through a discharge opening OM. The upper guide channel conveys the copy sheet to the developing zone DZ. This comprises a rotating aluminium sleeve 94, the sheet passing between this sleeve and a web of material 95 which is anchored at both ends so as to hold the sheet closely against the sleeve. Situated axially within sleeve 94 is the infra-red source in the form of a tubular quartz lamp IR. The web 95 may be of woven glass fabric impregnated with a plastics material of low thermal conductivity, and having a smooth inner lining of the plastic. A thick heat-insulating covering 127, also of impregnated glass fabric, overlies the web 95. A small pellet of material forming a thermistor 147 may be imbedded in the web 95 with its face engaging the inner lining, thus sensing the temperature at the surface of sleeve 94, and controlling the temperature of lamp IR accordingly, to an accurately maintained level. After passing round the heating sleeve 94, the developed sheet is guided by a wall 151 to leave the apparatus through a delivery channel OC and is deposited on a receiving tray X. A further guide wall 152<SP>1</SP> immediately below wall 151 forms with it an inlet passage IT leading back to guide channel 85. Thus if an incompletely developed print is delivered on to tray X, it can be immediately re-inserted through passage IT and so passed through the developing zone again. In addition to the cover C being pivotable open on hinge H, the sub-assembly consisting of the developing zone DZ, the separating station SS, and the associated rollers and guides can be swung open about pivot pins 53 for inspection, etc. The various sections of the apparatus may be operated and controlled by a suitable electrical system (Fig. 19, not shown).