Patent US5658262A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3774520A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Developing mechanism for microfilm
Assignee: Canrad Hanovia Inc
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Filing: 1972-06-23
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Granted: 1973-11-27
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Expires: 1992-06-23
Abstract
Abstract The disclosure of the invention is directed to an improvement in the developing mechanism for duplicating sheets of heat sensitive latent image bearing microfilm. The microfilm sheets are copied by exposing film from a roll through a master microfilm sheet, cutting the exposed film from the roll and developing the film in a heating chamber. The heating chamber contains thermostatically controlled heating elements to maintain the temperature at substantially 285*-290* Fahrenheit for a dwell time of 5 - 7 seconds. The film is continuously moved through the heating chamber by a roller conveyor providing a continuously moving and changing contact area with the film on an emulsionless surface. The film is transferred to a belt conveyor having end rollers no larger in diameter than the rollers in the roller conveyor but having a flat surface to provide cooling for the developed sheets before being delivered to a collection point in the mechanism.
Inventors
- 👤 A Smith
- 👤 I Irwin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:14
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D13/00; G03D13/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
229 words
An improvement in a duplicating mechanism for heat sensitive latent image bearing microfilm having a film holder for holding such microfilm to be duplicated with a film exposure device disposed in operable position in spaced and confronting relationship therewith, said film exposure device cooperating with means for supplying film to be exposed to the film exposure device and having a cutter operably disposed and controlled to deliver selected lengths of exposed microfilm from said film exposure device, said improvement comprising: a. a heating chamber having inlet and outlet openings formed therein admitting and discharging said selected lengths of microfilm, said chamber including a plurality of heating elements disposed generally opposite the emulsion surface of such selected lengths of exposed microfilm; b. film transporting means constructed and arranged within said heating chamber between said inlet and outlet openings and having continuously moving and changing contact areas engaging a substantially emulsionless surface of such selected lengths of microfilm, said transport means operating at a speed permitting the latent image in such film to be fully developed; c. and a conveyor mechanism communicating with said film transporting means and said outlet opening of said heating chamber having a flat support thereunder conveying such developed film to a collection point, said conveyor mechanism conveying such film in a flat condition until the film emulsion is set and the latent image is fixed therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
229 words
An improvement in a duplicating mechanism for heat sensitive latent image bearing microfilm having a film holder for holding such microfilm to be duplicated with a film exposure device disposed in operable position in spaced and confronting relationship therewith, said film exposure device cooperating with means for supplying film to be exposed to the film exposure device and having a cutter operably disposed and controlled to deliver selected lengths of exposed microfilm from said film exposure device, said improvement comprising: a. a heating chamber having inlet and outlet openings formed therein admitting and discharging said selected lengths of microfilm, said chamber including a plurality of heating elements disposed generally opposite the emulsion surface of such selected lengths of exposed microfilm; b. film transporting means constructed and arranged within said heating chamber between said inlet and outlet openings and having continuously moving and changing contact areas engaging a substantially emulsionless surface of such selected lengths of microfilm, said transport means operating at a speed permitting the latent image in such film to be fully developed; c. and a conveyor mechanism communicating with said film transporting means and said outlet opening of said heating chamber having a flat support thereunder conveying such developed film to a collection point, said conveyor mechanism conveying such film in a flat condition until the film emulsion is set and the latent image is fixed therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein said heating chamber includes: thermostatic control means connected to less than the total of said plurality of heating elements providing incremental changes in heat variations within said heating chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein said inlet and outlet openings in said heating chamber are substantially in horizontal opposition to each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein said film transporting means includes roller conveyor means constructed and arranged to convey such selected lengths of film in substantially a horizontal manner.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The structure set forth in claim 4 wheRein said conveyor mechanism includes an endless belt conveyor having at least a pair of rollers at each end thereof, the end communicating with said film transporting means having a roller no larger in diameter than the rollers in said roller conveyor means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein said heating chamber maintains a temperature range between 285* and 290* Fahrenheit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The structure set forth in claim 6 wherein said film transporting means moves such selected lengths of microfilm through said heating chamber in substantially 5 - 7 seconds.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The structure set forth in claim 2 wherein said heating chamber includes: a cavity containing said plurality of heating elements, said cavity being disposed beneath said film transporting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
The structure set forth in claim 4 wherein said film transporting means includes: a pair of rollers including a pinch roller disposed adjacent said inlet opening between which such selected lengths of exposed microfilm are engaged and moved onto said roller conveyor means before being exposed to the heat from said heating chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
164 words
An improvement in a developer of heat sensitive image bearing microfilm comprising: a. a heating chamber having inlet and outlet openings formed therein admitting and discharging respectively selected lengths of exposed and developed microfilm, said chamber including a plurality of heating elements disposed generally opposite the emulsion surface of such selected lengths of exposed microfilm; b. film transporting means constructed and arranged within said heating chamber between said inlet and outlet openings and having continuously moving and changing contact areas engaging a substantially emulsionless surface of such selected lengths of microfilm, said transporting means operating at a speed permitting the latent image in such film to be fully developed; c. and a conveyor mechanism communicating with said film transporting means and said outlet opening of said heating chamber having a flat support thereunder conveying such developed film to a collection point, said conveyor mechanism conveying such film in a flat condition until the film emulsion is set and the latent image is fixed therein.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
164 words
An improvement in a developer of heat sensitive image bearing microfilm comprising: a. a heating chamber having inlet and outlet openings formed therein admitting and discharging respectively selected lengths of exposed and developed microfilm, said chamber including a plurality of heating elements disposed generally opposite the emulsion surface of such selected lengths of exposed microfilm; b. film transporting means constructed and arranged within said heating chamber between said inlet and outlet openings and having continuously moving and changing contact areas engaging a substantially emulsionless surface of such selected lengths of microfilm, said transporting means operating at a speed permitting the latent image in such film to be fully developed; c. and a conveyor mechanism communicating with said film transporting means and said outlet opening of said heating chamber having a flat support thereunder conveying such developed film to a collection point, said conveyor mechanism conveying such film in a flat condition until the film emulsion is set and the latent image is fixed therein.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
The structure set forth in claim 10 wherein said inlet and outlet openings in said heating chamber are substantially in horizontal opposition to each other and said film transporting means includes roller conveyor means constructed and arranged to convey such selected lengths of film in substantially a horizontal manner.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The structure set forth in claim 10 wherein said heating chamber maintains a temperature range between 285 and 290 degrees Fahrenheit and said film transporting means moves such selected lengths of microfilm through said heating chamber in substantially 5 - 7 seconds.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-26 | 1977-05-28 | 1977-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-26 | 1981-05-28 | 1981-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-26 | 1985-05-28 | 1985-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |