Structuring mechanism in reader-filler machine for microfiche jackets

Claim 1

In a reader-filler machine adapted to insert chips of microfilm into the respective channels of a multi-channel microfiche jacket, each channel having an entry slot adjacent the rear end of the jacket, the machine including a stationary film trackway, a drive mechanism to conduct the film to be inserted along the trackway toward the entry slot of the channel then in registration with the trackway and a pusher station provided with a film pusher parallel to the trackway whereby after a section of film loaded in this channel through the entry slot is severed from the film on the trackway to produce a film chip whose tail extends outside of the entry slot, the jacket is indexed to bring the next empty channel into registration with the trackway and the tail of the chip in the loaded channel into alignment with the pusher station to permit the film pusher to engage the tail and push it into the channel to complete the insertion, a structuring mechanism at said pusher station to be used for a chip whose length is shorter than the channel length to advance the chip in the channel to a point where its leading edge coincides with the front end of the jacket, said mechanism comprising: A. a retractable structuring pusher in the form of a relatively stiff ribbon whose thickness is at least about the same as that of the film; B. a track in a plane parallel to the plane of the film pusher to conduct the ribbon toward the entry slot in the channel; and C. means to drive said ribbon along the track to cause the leading edge thereof to engage the trailing edge of the film chip therein and to advance the chip to the desired point, said drive means being reversible to retract said ribbon.