Web handling apparatus

Claim 1

In combination, apparatus comprising: two parallel spaced-apart movable series of pins, said pins in each series being uniformly spaced apart from one another and arranged so that their axes lie in the same plane, said pins being adapted to engage a continuous web comprising a recording element containing a latent electrostatic image on one surface thereof, said web having holes disposed along each side margin thereof and spaced inwardly from each side edge thereof, said holes being uniformly spaced-apart from one another by a sufficient distance to enable holes in each respective side of said web to receive successive pins in each respective parallel spaced-apart movable series of pins, whereby said web is advanced upon movement of said pins, speed control means operably connected to said two series of pins and adapted to regulate the movement of said pins and, correspondingly, the rate of advance of said web to a predetermined speed, two rotatably mounted rolls disposed in parallel contacting relationship at a position spaced from said two series of pins, said rolls being adapted to receive said web following its disengagement from said two series of pins and being arranged to form a pressure nip through which said web passes, drive means operably connected to at least one of said rotatably mounted rolls, said drive means being adapted to apply a torque to said roll sufficient to maintain tension in the portion of said web running from said two series of pins to said pressure nip, and developer means adapted to apply liquid developer to successive transverse portions of said one surface of said recording element moving in tension between said two series of pins and said pressure nip so as to render visible the latent electrostatic image thereon.