US3075493A

US3075493A - Xerographic apparatus with web cutting means

Info

Publication number: US3075493A
Authority: US
Inventors: Americo J Cerasani; Joseph J Codichini; William G Lewis
Original assignee: Xerox Corp
Current assignee: Xerox Corp
Priority date: 1959-09-14
Filing date: 1959-09-14
Publication date: 1963-01-29
Anticipated expiration: 1980-01-29
Also published as: GB979161A

Description

Jan. 29, 1963 A. J. CERASANI ETAL 3,075,493

XEROGRAPHIC APPARATUS WITH WEB CUTTING MEANS Filed Sept. 14, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 m Ql m E r\ m E E u c \&

AMERICO J. CERASANI JOSEPH J. CODICHINI BY WILLIAM G. LEWIS ATTORNEY Jan. 29, 1963 A. J. CERASANI ETAL 3,075,493

XEROGRAPHIC APPARATUS WITH WEB CUTTING MEANS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 14, 1959 AMERIC JOSEPH BY WILLIA y A ss s 0N" R 0 0 W 7 TRI N A W2 N I J Jan. 29, 1963 A. J. CERASANI ETAL 3,075,493

XEROGRAPHIC APPARATUS WITH WEB comma MEANS Filed Sept. 14, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 F T 1- lll-lllllllh a 77 5 Ill-III" M 1 k Q K J .l l 0 LT ll J INVENTORS AMERICO J. CERASANI A JOSEPH J. CODICHINI BY WILLIAM G. LEWlS ATTORNEY Jan. 29, 1963 3,075,493

XEROGRAPHIC APPARATUS WITH WEB CUTTING MEANS Filed Sept. 14, 1959 A. CERASANI ETAL 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 lll'lliilliiiz ANI NI INVENTORS AMERICO J. CERAS FIG. 5

JOSEPH J. CODI I By WILLIAM G LE ATTORNEY 1963 A. J. CERASANI ETAL 3,

XEROGRAPHIC APPARATUS WITH WEB CUTTING MEANS Filed Sept. 14, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 PICK UP 3 HI- J [I W aca-z 20R O. T-I

| p5 SOL-2 fi W11? 2TR'I I 20R k I SCR-l ZTR w SOL-l RE-Z l i I e L lTR-B TR ICR-l MS-l 7 "EUTJAL us v I I5 v 15 v JNVENTORS AMERICO J. CERASANI JOSEPH J. CODICHINI BY WILLIAM G. LEWIS AT TORNEY United States Patent Ofifice York 7 Filed Sept. 14,1959, Ser. No. 839,839 9 Claims. (Cl. 118'1'1) This invention relates to improved ipaper cutting apparatus for use with automatic xe'rographic reproduction machines. More particularly, this invention relates to improved 'papercutting apparatus for cutting a moving web support surface on which xerographic reproductions have been formed of copy to be reproduced.

in the process of Xerography, forexample,=as disclosed in Carlson Patent 2,297,691, issued-October '6, 1942, a 'erographic platecomprising a layer of 'photoconductive insulating material on a conductive backing is given a uniform electric charge over its surface and is then exposed to the subject matter to be reproduced, usually by conventional projection techniques. This: exposure discharges the plate areas in accordance with the radiation intensity that reaches them, and thereby creates an electrostatic latent image on or in the photoconductive layer. Development of thelatent image is effected with an electrostatically charged, finely divided material'such as an electroscopic powder that-is brought into surface contact with the photoconductive layer and is held thereon electrostatically in a pattern corresponding to the electrostatic latent image. Thereafter, the developed XEI'O- graphic powder'image is usually transferred to a support surface to which it may befixed by any-suitable means.

Most commercially available apparatus for rcproducing copy-on a continuous web support surface have some means provided for cutting thereproductions from the web. Many/reproduction units resort to a manual and separate cutting operation, but, generally, apparatus for large volume reproduction-usually employ some automatic cutting means for expediency and economy, as, for example, in the amateur photographic business wherein photographic prints are produced on-a continuous web andin the newspaper media wherein a paper'cutter severs the pages of newspaper from-a-continuous Web.

Many types of automatic cutting devices are marketed for the cutting of reproductions from a continous web, all of which employ some-means-to effect cuttinginprecise spaced relation to the reproduction. One of the more common types utilizes a form of visible indicia placed on the-web in spaced relation to the reproduction after which in the course of webmovernent. the'indicia is detected or sensed to :eifect'cutter operation. Typical ofthis type unitis an-autornatic roll paper cutter, Model 36E, manufactured by theEastman Kodak Cornpany, of Rochester, NewYork, .forcuttingof a continuous web of photographic prints. Operationof this cutter is dependent upon an electrically conductive graphite mark previously placed on the web by a markingdevice referred to as Kodak 'Print 'MarkerModel 5. in the reproduction apparatus with which this is employed a photosensitive web is stopped'to expose a negativethereto for printing, after which the web is indexed or advanced for a subsequent exposure. A graphite mark is placed on the web-support surface by means-of the printmarker in spaced relation to the indexing of the photographic exposure or printing cycle. The cutting operation is performed in a separate apparatus in which the conductive mark energizes an electric circuit which momentarily stops the moving Web before executing the cut.

In automatic xerographic machines marketed widely by Xerox-Corporation, of Rochester, New'York, it is the 3,075,493 Patented Jan. 29, 1963 usual practice for the web support surface on which reproductions are to appear to move continuously at a constant rate. To expose copy to be reproduced to a moving sensitized xerogr-aphic plate the copy is moved past a projection system at constant rate in timed relation to the rate of movement of the plate and the web support surface. Since the web moves continuously, whereas copy may be reproduced in irregular intervals, to cut the moving web in spaced relation to a'reproduction thereon is dependent upon cutter operation efiected from detection or sensing of a reference indicia formedor placed on the web in spaced relation to-the reproduction.

-A form-of cutting apparatus for use with automatic Xerographic apparatus is disclosed in copending application Serial No. 803,800, filed April 2, 1959, in the name of Cerasani et al., in which cutter operation is dependent upon detection of a visible reference indicia formed from the original copy xerographically on the support surface inspaced relation to and on the same surface as the reproduction. The present invention constitutes an improved web cutting apparatus operative from detection of visible reference indicia which can be placed on the moving support surface in spaced relation to the reproductions on either side of the web by apparatus external of the xerographic process, as distinguished from a Xerographic formation effected by the original copy itself in the course'of its movement as disclosed in the above-cited Cerasani application.

The principal object 'of the invention is to improve cutting apparatus for cutting a moving web support surface. A furt-her object of the invention is to improve cutting apparatus for cutting a moving web support surfacein spaced relation to reproductions formed thereon. A stillfurther object of the invention is to improve apparatusfor placing visible reference indicia in spaced relation to reproductions on a moving web support surface. A still further object of the invention is to improve apparatus for placing reference indicia in spaced relation to reproductions on a continously moving support surface effected from the movement of copy to be reproduced in timed relation to the support surface.

These and other objects of the invention are attained by means of the apparatus of the invention which includes a web marking apparatus, a mark sensing apparatus and a paper cutter.

-A preferred form of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automatic xerographic reproduction machine combined with the cutter apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the apparatus of the invention in operative relation with an automatic :-;erographic reproduction machine;

FIG. 3 is a partial plan View of the paper cutting and mark sensing apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. dis a front elevation of the marker assembly of the invention arranged in operative relation to a paper web support surface; and

FIG. 7 is awiring diagram.

The invention is shown in the drawings in conjunction with a type of fully automatic Xerographic machine for reproducing information contained on microfilm cards and which may be of a type disclosed in copending application Serial No. 776,848, filed November 28, 1958, in the name of R. A. Hunt. This machine reproduces copy on a continuous roll of paper that may have a web width up to 24", from either positive or negative film,

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whereby microfilm images of different sizes may conveniently be enlarged to the full width of the web.

Referring to FIG. 1, the paper cutter assembly of the invention is shown in operative relation to an automatic xerographic machine 2 and a stacker unit 3 for the stacking and storing of reproductions cut by the cutter.

For a general understanding of the xerographic processing system with which the invention is shown, reference is had to FIG. 2 in which the various system components are schematically illustrated. As in all Xerographic systems based on the concept disclosed in the above-cited Carlson patent, a light or radiation image of copy to be reproduced is projected onto the sensitized surface of a xerographic plate to form an electro static latent image thereon. Thereafter, the latent image is developed with an oppositely charged developing material to form a xerographic powder image, corresponding to the latent image, on the plate surface. The powder image is then electrostatically transferred to a support surface to which it may be fused by any suitable form of fusing device, whereby the powder image is caused permanently to adhere to the support surface.

Details of the xerographic machine referred to herein are disclosed in the copending Hunt application mentioned above. In general, however, microfilm to be reproduced is mounted on a microfilm card which is placed in a card magazine 14 from which it is fed seriatim to a card carriage 18 of card carriage assembly 19 by a card handling apparatus generally designated by reference character 15, arranged to the rear of the card magazine assembly. Driving means for the card carriage are provided from motor M-9 having a roller 40 secured to its drive shaft and engaging drive rod 41 whereby the carriage slides on shaft 42 so as to move the card to the right past the optical axis of a projection lens systom 16 that is illuminated by a projection lamp LMP-3 for the purpose of scanning the microfilm frame after which a solenoid (not shown) restores the carriage to start of scan position. The microfilm card image is projected downwardly through an adjustable objective lens assembly 17 and then reflected upwardly by an adjustable mirror element 20 to either of .two transverse mirror assemblies 21 or 22. The light image is projected downwardly through a variable slit aperture assembly 23 and onto the surface of a Xerographic plate in the form of a drum 24. After scanning, the apparatus may be operated to repeat the scan, or the scanned card may be ejected and a new card fed.

Xerographic drum 24 includes a cylindrical member mounted in suitable bearings in the frame of the machine and is driven in a counterclockwise direction by a motor M-Z at a constant rate that is proportional to the scan rate of the microfilm card, whereby the peripheral rate of the drum surface is identical to the rate of movement of the reflected light image. The drum surface comprises a layer of photoconductive material on a conductive backing that is sensitized prior to exposure by means of a screened corona generating device 25, which may be of the type disclosed in Walkup Patent 2,777,957, that is energized from a suitable high potential source.

The exposure of the drum to the light image discharges the photoconductive layer in the areas struck by light, whereby there remains on the drum a latent electrostatic image in image configuration corresponding to the light image projected from the microfilm card. As the drum surface continues its movement, the electrostatic latent image passes through a developing station 26 in which a two-component developing material, which may be of the type disclosed in Walkup Patent 2,638,416, is cascaded over the drum surface by means of developing unit in.

After developing, the xerographic powder image passes a discharge station 27 at which the drum surface is illuminated by a lamp LMP-Z, whereby residual charges on the non-image areas of the drum surface are completely discharged. Thereafter, the powder image passes through an image transfer station 28 at which the powder image is electrostatically transferred to a continuously moving support surface web 29 by means of a second corona generating device 3th similar to corona charging device 25, mentioned above.

The support surface to which the powder image is transferred may be of any convenient type although in preferred embodiment it is usually of paper and is obtained from a supply roll 31 and is fed over suitable guide and tensioning rolls and directed into surface contact with the drum in the immediate vicinity of transfer corona generating device 30. After transfer, the support surface is separated from the drum surface and guided through a suitable fusing apparatus 32, which may be of the type disclosed in Crumrine Patent 2,852,651, whereby the powder image is permanently affixed to the support surface. Thereafter, the support surface is fed over a further system of guide and .tensioning rolls and through feed-out rolls 33 that are driven by motor M-S. It may be noted here that the rate of web movement is identical with the peripheral rate of the drum surface and proportional to the scan rate of the microfilm card.

After transfer, the xerographic drum surface passes through a cleaning station 34 at which its surface is brushed by a cleaning brush assembly 35, rotated by a motor M-4, whereby any residual developing material remaining on the drum is removed. Thereafter, the drum surface passes through a second discharge station as at which it is illuminated by a fluorescent lamp LMP1, whereby the drum surface in this region is completely flooded with light to remove any electrostatic charge that may remain thereon. Suitable light traps are provided in the system to prevent any light rays from reaching the drum surface, other than the projected microfilm image, during the period of drum travel immediately prior to sensitization by corona generating device 25 until after the drum surface is'completely passed through the developing station 26.

As mentioned above, the scan rate of the microfilm card is proportional to the rate of web movement. While the carriage is moving the microfilm card to the right (as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3) for the purpose of scanning, a means, described below, at a scan position in the course of movement momentarily closes microswitch MS-l to effect operation of marker assembly 5, Whereas closing of MS-1 could occur just as easily at any scan position, in the embodiment shown it occurs at the end of scan by means of drive rod 4-1 which closes the microswitch MS-l when moved to the extreme right as viewed in FIG. 2.

For placing a visible reference indicia on web 29, markor assembly 5 is employed (see FIGS. 2 and 6) which is supported within the xe-rographic machine 2 in operative relation to the web. The composition of the mark could take several forms, the only actual requirement being that it be operative with a sensing unit capable of detecting its presence on the web. In preferred embodiment, the marker assembly employed places an electrically conductive graphite mark on the web which is sensed by a de tection means connected to an electric circuit that is actuated by the conductiveness of the mark as will be described below. Other markings devices such as one employing ink and detected by a photoelectric cell could be used in the alternative.

Marker assembly 5 maybe the Kodak Print Marker, mentioned above, which is shown on the drawings supported in the Xerographic machine in operative relation to web 29 by bracket 44 secured to the side of the Xerographic unit. Directly below the marking means of the assembly is back-up roller 4-5 suitably supported for rotation whereby the web travels over the roller and below the marker assembly.

Momentary closingof microswitch MS-l, as mentioned above, initiates operation of the marker assembly (see also FIG. 7) by energizing of relay lCR through rectifier RE1 and the normally closed contacts ITRB of timer 1TR. Closing of contact 1CR-1 provides a holding circuit for relay 1CR and potential to timer lTR which delays operation of the marker to effect mark placement on the web which coincides with the space between reproductions which subsequently are transferred thereto. As may be understood by the arrangement shown in FIG. 2, the mark is to be placed on the web at a time when the corresponding space between reproductions is still on the Xerographic drum rotating approximately below aperture assembly 23 and in the embodiment shown the web arrives in marking relation-approximately 2 seconds after the end of scan. At thecompletion of the timing cycle, timer contact lT-RA closes to energize marker solenoid SOL-1 through rectifier R E2.

The location of the marker assembly relative to the drum is not considered critical except that the mark should ultimately appear on the web in a predetermined spaced relation to -a;reproduction. Where-initiation of the marker would otherwise effect web marking in advance of the spaced relationship intended, a time delay may be required to delay marking and thereby compensate for the variance in mark location. However, it is apparent that by calculated placing of the assembly, the need for a time delay can be eliminated and the circuit described herein be modified accordingly.

The marker assembly includes a main support-bracket 4 8 by which the operative components are supported. Pivot bracket 49 is secured to a-pin (not shown) rotatably journaled between thesides of bracket 48 whereby bracket 49 is maintained erect in relation .to Web 29 by means of a spring 51. Journaled in the sides of bracket 49 is a shaft 52 to which at one end is secured a graphite marking disk 53 arranged with the disk axis parallel to the moving web and its peripheral marking surface spaced approximately A2" therefrom. Upon energizing of solenoid SOL-1 its armature is rotated to move link arm 55 in a manner to pivot bracket 49 and urge the disk towards the paper until making contact therewith. By means of a clutch assembly in housing 54, which is secured to the other end of the shaft 52, the disk is indexed while advancing toward the paper. Brake means '(not shown) prevent disk rotation other than by the clutch. With the disk in contact againstthe moving web, which is backed up by roller 45, a reasonably dense graphite mark is placed thereon which for convenience is placed substantially in the web center. Simultaneous with the closing of contact ITRA, contact ITRB is opened and after a delay provided by resistance R-1 and capacitance C-l, relay lCR is released restoring the components to their pre-operative positions.

In preferred embodiment, as may be seen by the arrangement in FIG. 2, the graphite mark is placed for convenience on the backside of the web, the side opposite to which reproductions are subsequently transferred. It may be noted that for center marking of the paper a backside indicia has been found to be more convenient; however, with other combinations of marking and sensing apparatus or with other arrangements of the apparatus of the preferred embodiment, reference indicia could just as easily be placed on either side of the paper at any spaced relation to the reproductions thereon, the only limitation being that the sensing apparatus be capable of distinctly detecting the reference indicia so placed.

After the reproductions are permanently afiixed to the web by fuser 32, the web travels over guide and tensioning rolls and through feed-out rolls 33 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) whereafter the web emerges from the xerographic machine through opening '58 land is threaded into paper cutter assembly 1. The cutter assembly (see FIGS. 3, 4 and 5) includes a base section generally designated as 62 from which the cutter elements are supported and casters 63 by which the cutter assembly may conveniently be positioned to the xerographic unit. The cutter is secured to the xerographic unit by means of hinge 64 (see FIG. 3) and can be locked in position by means of a clamping device 67. For convenience of threading the paper web from the xerographic unit to the cutter assembly, the clamping device may be unlocked and the cutter swung on the casters about the hinge.

Base section 62 includes two side frames 65 and 66, front plate 67, top plate 68 and rear plate (not shown). As web 29 is threaded into the paper cutter assembly it first passes over lead-in guide roller 70 having an eccentric height adjustment mounting from which it is rotatably supported between side frames 65 and 66 in suitable bearing means 71 and wherefrom the web passes onto support plate 72 secured between the side frames. Thereafter the web passes between continuously rotating feed rolls 73 and '74. Roller 73 is rotatably supported between the side frames in suitable bearing means 76 with the end of its shaft extending through frame 65- and to which is secured pulley 77 being driven by belt 78 from pulley 79 secured on the drive shaft of continuously operative motor M-lt). There are at least two rolls 74 mountedfor rotation on stationary shaft 80' which is supported between side brackets 81 secured to side frames 65 and 66, whereby suitable means (not shown) are provided to preventlateral movement of rolls 74 on shaft 80. The surfaces of rolls 74 frictionally engage the surface of roll 73.

For detecting a reference indicia placed on the Web by'marker assembly 5, sensing unit 6 is employed which may be a modified form of Eastman Kodak pickup #818603 and by which an electrically conductive graphite mark on the moving web initiates the cutting cycle. Referring to FlGS. 3 and 4, sensing unit 6 includes a bracket 86 secured to shaft 8% and which supports brace 87 from which roller holder 88 is pivotally secured by means of pin 89. Roller 99 is freely rotatable on pin 91 supported between thesides of holder 88, and spring 92 coiled about pin 89 and secured to the holder has sufficient force to urge the roller into continuous engagement with the edges of closely spaced electrically conductive pickup electrodes 93 and 94 which are insulated from each other and which have about .020 separation and are supported from the underside of plate 72. The

electrodes protrude through opening 95 and can be adjust ably positioned so that their top edges are substantially flush with the travel line of the paper and are located in the center between the side frames to coincide in position with a graphite mark on the web passing between the roller and the plate whereby roller presses the moving web against the electrodes of the pickup.

As a graphite mark passes over the electrodes a circuit is closed to initiate the cutting cycle which may provide a time delay to allow for the web to travel from the point of mark detection to the position at which the cutting is to be executed. Ana-logously, as described above in regard to the marking assembly, by proper spacing of the cutter to the pickup unit, the need for a time delay can be eliminated. Before the mark is sensed triode V-l is cut off by a negative bias furnished from the negative side of rectifier REE-3 and maintained by the resistance divider of resistors R4 and R-6. In closing the circuit, the graphite mark is paralleled with R-6 to reduce the negative grid bias to ground potential and triode V-Ii conducts to energize relay 3CR thereby closing contact 3CRZ which in series with normally closed contact ZCR maintains the triode grid at ground potenial and provides a holding circuit for SCR. Closure of contacts 3CR-1 energizes timer ZTR which on completion of the timing cycle closes contact ZTR-l energizing cutter solenoid SOL-2 and also energizing relay ZCR opening its contacts to effect breaking of the holding circuit and restoring the grid of V-ll to a negative bias below cutoff to de-energize the solenoid. Capacitor C-d prevents chattering of relay SCR. Manual opera- .53 and thence into paper cutter assembly 1.

tion of the cutter may be initiated by depressing push button PB-il (FIG. 1).

Energizing of solenoid SOL-2 effects withdrawing of its armature 1&3 and causing bar lild to pivot about pin 1% and trip pin 1% of clutch lid to engage the clutch, which is preferably a type of single revolution clutch manufactured by the Hilliard Corp, of Elmira, New York. The continuous drive transmitted from motor M-ll through pulley id! to belt 1% and thence to pulley lite secured to the continuously rotative clutch section is thereby transmitted through the clutch to effect a single revolution of cutter shaft littlwhich is rotatably supported at each end in suitable bearing means enclosed in housings ill. After the solenoid is tie-energized, spring 112 secured in tension between pm 113 and the end of bar ill i, restores the bar to its initial position. Cutting knife is secured to shaft llti so as to be rotative therewith. Web 29, moving between feed rolls '73 and 74 onto support plate 11?, passes its line to be cut over the edge of bed knife 123 at the instant that the cutting edge of knife 11% reaches that part of its revolution to execute the cut. Suitable means are provided for positioning-the cutting edges of bed knife 12a and knife 11%.

After being cut, the severed sheet section of web slides onto support plate 12 so as to slide into and between pinch rolls 122 and 123 wherefrom the sheet is ejected at an accelerated rate into stacker unit 31 described below. Roll 122 is rotatably supported in suitable bearing means 125 of side frames as and as whereby its end extends through frame 66. Secured to the end of roll 122 is pulley 126 which has a smaller pitch diameter than pulley 127 secured to an end of roll 73 wherefrom rotative motion is transmitted by belt 128 to rotate roll 122 at a rate faster than the rotative rate of '73. The surfaces of rolls 1Z3 frictionally engage the surface of roll 122 and are rotatably secured to stationary shaft 12d supported between brackets 13d whereby suitable means {not shown) are provided to prevent lateral movement of rolls 123 on shaft 129.

From the accelerated impetus furnished by the pinch rolls, the severed web sheet is imparted into stacker unit.

3 (see FiG. l) which includes a receiving bin 137 supported. on a dolly generally designated as 138 which may be moved about on casters 13 9. Supported between the side walls of bin 137 at the ingress end is shaft 140 to which is secured a pair of parallel longitudinally extended guide rods 141 over which the imparted sheet glides until descending therebetween into the bin against stopper generally designated as 142. Rods 141 as well as paper guides 144 may slidably be positioned laterally and secured on shaft t ill by suitable means in accordance with the width of web being cut. Stopper 142 may conveniently be positioned within the receiving bin and the position secured by means of suitable clamps 146 which can be made to bind on the sides of the bin. For stopping the paper, metal flaps 145 extend downwardly from lateral support bar 147.

In operation, the xerographic apparatus is completely and continuously operative for efiecting reproductions of copy to be reproduced which in the described embodirnent is for the reproduction from card-mounted microfilm fed seriatim to the apparatus. As each microfilm is to be reproduced, it is optically scanned for the information contained thereon by moving the card by means "of carriage 18 in timed relation to the peripheral rate of xerographic drum 2d and consequently in timed relation to the rate of moving web 29 on which reproductions of the originals are to appear. At the end of scan, drive rod 41 momentarily closes microswitch MS-l to initiate operation of marker assembly 5, which places .a graphite mark on the moving web passing thereunder. ,The mark is carried on the web in spaced relation to reproductions subsequently transferred thereon and the web emerges from the zerographic machine through opening Feed rolls '73 and/74, being continuously driven from motor M40 draws the web over plate 72, whereat sensing unit 6 de tects the presence of the graphite mark. On detection, electrically conductive electrodes 94 and 93 of the sensing unit are energized so as to initiate the cutting cycle. Solenoid S9LZ is energized which, through clutch 114, effects a single revolution. of cutter shaft lid. Cutting knife 1% is thereby rotated and executes a cut of the web as the knife rotates past bed knife 12.0. The cut sheet slides into and between pinch rolls 122 and 123 which imparts the sheet at accelerated speed and wherefrom it glides over guide rods 141 of stacker unit 3 until deascendin into bin 137, against stopper 142.

By the apparatus thus described there is disclosed in a xerographic machine for the reproduction of copy in which copy to be reproduced is moved in timed relation to a web support surface on whichreproductions are to appear, means for placing a visible reference indicia on the support surface in timed relation to the movement of copy with means for detecting the presence of indicia on the web and from which operation of a paper cutter is effected for cutting the web.

Since many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made Without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense;

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for reproducing copy wherein copy to be reproduced is moved in timed relation to a moving web-type support surface to which reproductions of the copy are to be transferred, the combination of marking means in operative relation to'the support surface for placing detectable indicia thereon, control means operated by the copy moving means to actuate the marking means in timed relation to the movement of copy, sensing means for detecting the presence of indicia formed on the support surface by the marking means, and support surface cutting means actuated by the sensing means.

2. In a Xerographic apparatus for reproducing copy wherein copy to be reproduced is moved in timed relation to a moving web-type support surface to which IBPI'CdUC? tions of the copy are to be transferred, the combination of marking means in operative relation to the support surface for placing detectable indicia thereon, control means operated by the copy moving means to actuate the marking means in timed relation to the movement of copy, sensing means for detecting the presence of indicia formed on the support surface by the marking means, and support surface cutting means actuated by the sensing means.

3. In a Xerographic apparatus for reproducing copy from microfilm cards wherein the microfilm cards are moved in timed relation to a moving Web-type support surface to which reproductions of the microfilm images are to be transferred, the combination of marking means in operative relation to the support surface for placing detectable indicia thereon, control means operated by the card moving means to actuate the marking means in timed relation to the movement of cards, sensing means for detecting the presence of indicia formed on the support surface by the marking means, and support surface cutting means actuated by the sensing means.

4. In a xerographic apparatus for reproducing copy wherein copy to be reproduced is moved in timed relation to a moving web-type support surface to which reproductions of the copy are to be transferred, the combination of graphite marking means in operative relation to the support surface for placing a graphite mark thereon, control means operated by the copy moving means to actuate the marking means in timed relation to the movement of copy, sensing means for detecting the presence of a graphite mark formed on the support surface by the marking means, and support surface cutting means actuated by the sensing means.

5. In a Xerographic apparatus for reproducing copy wherein copy to be reproduced is moved in timed relation to a moving web-type support surface to which reproductions of the copy are to be transferred, the combination of marking means in operative relation to the support surface for placing visible indicia thereon, electric circuit means energized by the copy moving means to actuate the marking means in timed relation to the movement of copy, sensing means for detecting the presence of indicia formed on the support surface by the marking means, and support surface cutting means actuated by the sensing means.

6. In a xerographic apparatus for reproducing copy wherein copy to be reproduced is moved in timed relation to a moving web-type support surface to which reproductions of the copy are to be transferred, the combination of marking means in operative relation to the support surface for placing an electrically conductive indicia thereon, a first electric circuit means energized by the copy moving means to actuate the marking means in timed relation to the movement of copy, second electric circuit means energized by the indicia formed on the support surface by the marking means, and support surface cutting means actuated by said second electric circuit means.

7. In a Xerographic apparatus for reproducing copy from cards which includes a card scanning system for scanning information contained on the cards, wherein cards to be reproduced are moved by the card scanning system in timed relation to a moving web-type support surface to which reproductions of the cards are to be transferred, the combination of marking means in operative relation to the support surface for placing visible indicia thereon, control means operated by the card scanning system to actuate the marking means in timed relation to the movement of the cards, sensing means for detecting the presence of indicia formed on the support surface by the marking means, and support surface cutting means actuated by the sensing means for cutting the support surface between reproductions thereon.

8. In a Xerographic apparatus for reproducing copy from microfilm cards fed seriatim to the apparatus which includes a card scanning system for scanning information contained on microfilm cards wherein microfilm to be reproduced is moved by the card scanning system in 1Q timed relation to a moving Web-type support surface to which reproductions of the microfilm are to be transferred, the combination of graphite marking means in operative relation to the support surface for placing indicia thereon, first electric circuit means energized by the card scanning system to actuate the marking means in timed relation to the movement of microfilm cards, sensing means for detecting the presence of indicia formed on the support surface by the marking means, said sensing means including second electric circuit means energized on detection of indicia on the support surface, and support surface cutting means actuated by said second electric circuit means for cutting the support surface between reproductions thereon.

9. In a copying camera for reproducing images from microfilm the combination of a continuously moving web-type support surface on which microfilm images are to be reproduced, an optical scanning system for projecting light images of the microfilm, a carriage for moving the microfilm in relation to the optical scanning system, a marker operatively positioned to place an electrically conductive mark on the web-type support surface, switch means positioned to be actuated by movement of the carriage and connected to electrical circuit means to activate the marker in timed relation to the movement of the microfilm through the optical scanning system; electrical sensing means operatively positioned relative to the web-type support surface to sense electrically conductive marks on the support surface, and a support surface cutter positioned to cut the webtype support surface in response to said electrical sensing means, whereby the sensing of electrically conductive marks initiates operation of the cutter to sever the support surface.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 947,744 Stohr Jan. 25, 1910 2,366,187 Friedwald Jan. 2, 1945 2,565,655 Giraudo Aug. 28, 1951 2,582,854 Smith Jan. 15, 1952 2,859,673 Hix et a1 Nov. 11, 1958

Claims

6. IN A XEROGRAPHIC APPARATUS FOR REPRODUCING COPY WHEREIN COPY TO BE REPRODUCED IS MOVED IN TIMED RELATION TO A MOVING WEB-TYPE SUPPORT SURFACE TO WHICH REPRODUCTIONS OF THE COPY ARE TO BE TRANSFERRED, THE COMBINATION OF MARKING MEANS IN OPERATIVE RELATION TO THE SUPPORT SURFACE FOR PLACING AN ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE INDICIA THEREON, A FIRST ELECTRIC CIRCUIT MEANS ENERGIZED BY THE COPY MOVING MEANS TO ACTUATE THE MARKING MEANS IN TIMED RELATION TO THE MOVEMENT OF COPY, SECOND ELECTRIC CIRCUIT MEANS ENERGIZED BY THE INDICIA FORMED ON THE SUPPORT SURFACE BY THE MARKING MEAND, AND SUPPORT SURFACE CUTTING MEANS ACTUATED BY SAID SECOND ELECTRIC CIRCUIT MEANS.