US3716295A

US3716295A - Electrostatic micro copying apparatus including film cutting, slitting, and inserting means for aperture cards

Info

Publication number: US3716295A
Application number: US00123587A
Authority: US
Inventors: Y Nakajima; I Yamaguchi; M Onoshi
Original assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
Priority date: 1971-03-12
Filing date: 1971-03-12
Publication date: 1973-02-13
Anticipated expiration: 1990-02-13

Abstract

A photographic apparatus for producing a micro image of an original on an electrophotosensitive film by means of an electrophotographic method. The apparatus includes cutting means for cutting a length of film into film sections of a predetermined length, a supporting member for supporting and guiding said length of film and said film sections along a predetermined path, an aperture member having an aperture formed therein which defines the size of a frame on the film so as to leave two remaining portions at both longitudinal sides of the film, a charging means for charging electrostatically said frame, an exposure means for exposing the charged frame to a micro projected image of the original, a processing means for processing the exposed frame, an advancing means for advancing the film so that the film under driving engagement with only said two remaining portions of the film, a slitting means for separating said remaining portions from said film section after completion of the processing, and means for inserting the finished microfilm section into a pocket of an aperture card.

Description

United States Patent 91 Nakajima et al.

ELECTROSTATIC MICRO COPYING Primary Examiner-Samuel S. Matthews APPARATUS INCLUDING FILM Assistant ExaminerKenneth C. Hutchison CUTTING, SLITTING, AND INSERTING Lind & Pollack MEANS FOR APERTURE CARDS [57] ABSTRACT [75] Inventors: Yasutaka Nakajima,lsao Yamaguchi,

- Masaru Onishi, ll f k f A photographic apparatus for producing a micro Japan image of an original on an electrophotosensitive film by means of an electrophotographic method. The ap- Assigneei Matsurshita Electric Industrial C0" paratus includes cutting means for cutting a length of Ltd.,Osaka,Japan film into film sections of a predetermined length, a

' supporting member for supporting and guiding said [22] Filed; March 12., 1971 length of film and said film sections along a predetermined path, an aperture member having an aperture [21] Appl' 123587 formed therein which defines the size of aframe on the film so as to leave two remaining portions at both [52] US. Cl. ..355/3, 53/123, 83/408, l ngitudinal ides of the film, a charging means for t 95/ 355/10 charging electrostatically said frame, an exposure Int. Cl. means for exposing the charged frame to a micro pro- Field 0f Search jected image of the original, a processing means for 33500-505, 408 processing the exposed frame, an advancing means for advancing the film so that the film under driving en- [56] References C t gagement with only said two remaining portions of the film, a slitting means for separating said remaining UNITED STATES PATENTS portions from said film section after completion of the 3,528,355 9/1967 Blackert ..95/14 p ing, and m ans for i sert ng the finished 1,957,864 5/1934 Tuttle et al. ..83/408 X microfilm section into a pocket of an aperture card.

3,429,101 2/1969 Anderson et a1. .53/l23 X A 9 Claims, 34 Drawing Figures l3 5 24o 230 83 35 V 5. 86 l fir a I -**"';';g ""-\'-"v* f l PATENTEDFEBI 3191s SHEET 02 0F INVENTORS ATTORNEYS PATENTEB FEB] 3 I975 SHEET 0 3 [IF INVENTORS YASUTAKA NA ISAO YAMAGUCHI MAS/ARU ONISHI Mil/1% ATTORNEYS PAIENTEB 3.716.295

SHEET OHUF 15 FIG.4

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SHEET 10 0F 15 INVENTORS YASUTAKA NAKAJIMA ISAO YAMACUCHI MASARU NISHI BY @maghmw ATTORNEYS PATENTED 3,716,295

SHEET 11 or 15 q L2 390 65b I INVENTORS YASUTAKA NAKAJIMA ISAO YAMAGUCHI MASARU ONISHI ATTORNEYS PAIENIEUFEBI 3|973 3 715,295

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ATTORNEYS PATENTEDFEBWHIS 3.716.295

SHEET 1 5 OF 15 1 a. 1 I 0- w n 0& a. l O 3&- 81 I INVENTORS YASUTAKA NAKAJIMA ISAO YAMAGUCHI MASARU ONlSHl I WMMMZ ZM FIELD or THE INVENTION This present invention relates to a photographic apparatus for producing a micro image of an original on an electrophotosensitive film by means of an electrophotographic method, and more particularly to a photographic apparatus for producing a film section having at least one micro image.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 'In recent years, the use of microfilm has become increasingly important for convenient storage of various types of information and the rapidity of processing micro images has become of significant importance.

Further, it is often required to cut a length of microfilm into film sections so they can be attached to an aperture card for filing. In such circumstances, it has been necessary to obtain a microfilm apparatus which is capable of preparing a microfilm sectionas quickly as graphic method, a frame of the film must be prevented from engaging film advancing means, for example, a driving roller. If the film advancing means engages the electrostatically charged frame or the exposed frame having an electrostatic latent image, the film advancing means is apt to discharge the electrostatic charge from said frames and to damage the electrostatic latent image. Moreover, the electrostatically developed frame is apt to be damaged during engagement with the film advancing means.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for producing easily and quickly a micro image of any original on an electrophotosensitive film.

It is another objectof the present invention to provide an apparatus having a novel film advancing mechanism and a slitting mechanism.

'It is further an object of the present invention to provide a novel apparatus for producing a microfilm section havingat least one micro image of an original.

' It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel apparatus forproducing the microfilm section as aforementioned and for inserting the microfilm section into a pocket of an aperture card.

' These objecti'ves are achieved by theprovision of the following apparatus.- The apparatus according to the present invention comprises a film supporting member 'forsupporting a length of electrophotosensitive film 1 and a film section cut'from said successive film along a predetermined path, an aperture member having an aperture for defining the size of a frame onthe film so as to leave a remaining portion at both longitudinal sides of the film, a charging means for-applying an electrostatic charge'to said frame of the film, an exposure means for exposing the charged frame to a micro projected imageof an original so as to form an electrostatic latent micro image on said frame, a film advancingmeans for advancing said length of film and said film section through said film supporting member by driving engagement with only said two remaining portions, a cutting means for cutting said length of film into said film sections, a processing means for processing the exposed frame, and a slitting means for separating said remaining portions from said film section after completion of the processing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

, FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the embodiment taken along the line 2-2 in FIG. I.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the drive mechanism for driving the first and second film advancing means, the slitting means and the inserting means.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the drive mechanism of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the developing and fixing means as seen from the right in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the developing and fixing means as seen from behind in FIGS.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view of the developing means taken along the line 7-7 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a horizontal sectional view of the developing and fixing means taken along the line 8-8 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view of the second film advancing means taken along the line 9-9 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the control means for controlling the operation sequence of the developing and fixing means.

FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view of the control means taken along the line 11-11 in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a vertical sectional view of the control means taken along the line 12-12 in FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional view of the slitting means and the inserting means taken along the line 13-13 in FIG.3.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a stationary drum of the inserting means.

FIG. 15 is a perspective of the inserting means.

FIG. 16 is a horizontal sectional view of the slitting means and the inserting means taken along the line view of the pushing member 16-16 in FIG. 13.

' setting means taken along the line 20-20 in FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is an elevational view of a cardholder.

FIG. 22 is a horizontal sectional view of the card holder taken alongthe line 22-22 in FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the aperture card for use-in this apparatus.

FIG. 24 is a vertical sectional view of the aperture card taken along the line 24-24 in FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the card holderas seen from behind in FIG. 21.

FIG. 26 is a schematic view illustratingthe operation for opening entrances of the aperture card.

FIGS. 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31 are schematic views illustrating the positions of the film section, the developing means and fixing means during the operation sequence of the apparatus.

FIGS. 32 and 33 are schematic views illustrating the positions of maltese wheels and maltese crosses during operation.

FIG. 34 is a diagram of an electric circuit for the present apparatus.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown one embodiment of the apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention. With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the general construction of the embodiment according to the present invention will be explained as follows.

The apparatus generally comprises a housing 40, an optical means 35, a film supporting member 82, a charging means 37, an exposure means 38, a first film advancing means 39, a cutting means 69, a second film advancing means 71, a processing means 135 including a developing means 83 and a fixing means 85, and a control means 91. The apparatus also comprises a slitting means 93 for separating unexposed and unprocessed remaining portions of the film section 65a. The apparatus further comprises an inserting means 97 for inserting the film section 65b into an aperture card 380 stored in a card holder 460. Drive means are provided for driving these means described above. The film for use in this apparatus is a transparent elec' trophotosensitive length of film 52 which is processed by means of an electrophotographic method.

In the first operation sequence, the cutting means 69 cuts the length of film 52 into the film sections 650 of a length sufficient to contain two frames 127a and l27b upon first depression of the start switch 41. The charging means 37 applies an electrostatic charge on the first half of a film section 65a or a first frame 127a of the film section 65a at a first station 36. The exposure means 38 exposes the charged first frame 1270 to a micro projected image of an original 45 at the first station 36 so as to form an electrostatic latent micro image on the first frame 127a. Upon the completion of the exposure, the first film advancing means 39 drives and advances the film section 65a such that the exposed first frame 1270 is brought to a second stationv 79 and a second half of the film section 650 or a second frame 127b of the film section 65a is disposed at the first station 36. Then, the developing means 83 develops the first frame 127a. At this time, the first operation sequence is complete.

Upon second depression of the start switch 41, the second operation sequence is initiated. The charging means 37 charges the second frame 127b of the film section 65a disposed at the first station 36. The. exposure means 38 exposes the second frame 127b. Upon the completion of the exposure, the first film advancing means 39 drives and advances the film section 65a and the subsequent length of film 52 simultaneously such that the first frame 127a is brought to a third station 81, the second frame 127b is disposed at the second station 79 and the leading portion of the subsequent length of film 52 is brought to the first station 36. This leading portion may be the first frame 1270 of the next film section. In this sequence, the cutting means 69 is not operative. Then the developing means 83 develops the second frame 127!) at the second station 79, and simultaneously fixing means 85 fixes the developed first frame 127a at the third station 81. Upon completion of both of the development and the fixation described above, the second film advancing means 71 drives and advances only the film section 650 such that the developed second frame 127b of the film section 65a is brought to the third station 81. Then the fixing means 85 fixes the developed second frame 127 b.

After fixation of the second frame 127b, the second film advancing means 71 again advances the film section 65a toward the inserting means 97. During said advancing movement of the film section 650, the slitting means 93 slits the remaining portions off the film section a. Then the slit film section 65b is inserted into one of the transparent pocket 390 of the aperture card 380.

By the third depression and fourth depression of the start switch 41, the apparatus produces another film section having two micro images in the same manner as described above. In this case, the slit film section 65b is inserted into the other pocket 392 of the aperture card 380. In the present embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the aperture card 380 has two

transparent pockets

390 and 392. Accordingly, the aperture card 380 has two film sections within the pockets. After said second insertion, the aperture card 380 is taken out of the card holder 460. Y

The lengths of film 52 for use in the present embodiment has a width of 25.4 mm. However, the width of the frame is 15 mm as defined by an aperture member 125 described later so that the film has a longitudinal remaining portion on both sides of the frame along both longitudinal sides of the film. Said remainders are slit off by the slitting means 93 after the processing so that the width of the film section 65a becomes 16 mm. Then, the 16 mm film section 65b is inserted into the transparent pocket of the aperture card 380.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, on the top of the housing 40, the apparatus has a power switch 43, a start switch 41 and an exposure control knob 42b for a timer 42 (see FIG. 34) for controlling the exposure time. The housing 40 has a card outlet 53 in a side panel thereof.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the optical means 35 comprises a transparent glass plate 44 for supporting an original 45 on the top panel of the housing 40, an opaque mat 46 for covering the original 45,

light sources

47 and 48 for illuminating the original 45, a reflecting mirror 67 and a lens 49. The mirror 67 reflects light from the original 45 into the lens 49.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the following description will be of the film supporting member 82.

The film supporting member 82 supports and guides the length of film 52 rolled on a supply reel 68 mounted on a shaft 70 and a film section 65a cut from the film 52 by the cutting means 69 described later. The path 129 of the successive film 52 and the film section 65a is so determined by the film supporting member 82 that the sensitive surface of the film is oriented at the focal plane of a projected image of the original 45 as indicated by a dot-dash line in FIGS. 1-4.

As shown in detail in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the film supporting member 82 is composed of a front plate 84, a back plate 86 attached to the front plate 84, and an aperture member attached to the front plate 84. The front plate 84 has with a cutout 87, a small opening 96 and an extension 98. The aperture member 125 has a Cutout 87b and a first aperture 90 defining the first station 36. The first aperture 90 has a width of mm and defines the size of the frame on the film so that the film has frames of i5 mm width on a middle portion thereof and two longitudinal remaining portions on both sides of the frame. The back plate 86 has a second aperture 92 defining the second station 79 and a third aperture 94 defining the third station 81. To an end of the back plate 86 a pair of retaining

rods

452 and 454 are secured for guiding the film section 65 along the extension 98 (see FIGS. 16 and 19). As best illustrated in FIG. 7, the film supporting member 82 has a pair of

grooves

88 and 89 which are formed by those plates described above. The pair of

grooves

88 and 89 permit the film 52 and the film section 65a to pass therethrough. The distance (as indicated at A in FIG. 7) between the

guide grooves

88 and 89 is slightly larger than the width of the film. The width (as indicated at B in FIG. 7) of each

guide groove

88 and 89 is slightly larger than the thickness but less than twice the thickness of the film.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the charging means 37 comprises a corona discharge device 55 connected to an actuating lever 57 pivotally mounted on a shaft 61, a charging solenoid 59 for operating the actuating lever 57, and a tension spring-63. This spring 63 normally retains the corona discharge device 55in a position out of the first aperture 90. Highvoltage is supplied to the corona discharge device 55 from a high voltage source (not shown). The exposure means 38 comprises a timer 42 (FIG. 34), a shutter 50, and a shutter solenoid 51 for operating the shutter 50 as shown in dot-dash lines in FIG. 2. The timer 42 serves to energize the shutter solenoid 51 and the

light sources

47 and 48 for a sufficient time to expose the charged frame. When the timer 42 is energized, the

light sources

47 and 48 illuminate theoriginal 45 and the shutter solenoid 51 operates the shutter 50 so that the light from the original 45 is focused on the charged frame through the reflecting mirror 67 and the lens 49. As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the first film advancing means 39 comprises a first pair of

rollers

54 and 58 and a second pair of

rollers

56 and 60. The first pair of

rollers

54 and 58 is disposed at a position ahead of the film 'supporting member 82. The second pair of

rollers

56 and 60 is disposed within the cutout 87 of the film supporting member 82. These four rollers'come into frictional engagement with only the remaining portions of the film and never engage the frame of the film. Therefore, these rollers never damage the surface of the frame. The

rollers

54 and 56 have

gears

62 and 64 attached to ends of shafts thereof, respectively.

The cutting means 69 comprises an anvil 72, a cutter 74, 'a cutter solenoid 76 and a tension spring 80. The

anvil 72 is positioned between aforementioned rollers 54 and'56. The anvil 72 has a slit 78 for permitting the successive film 52 topass therethrough. The cutter 74 has a knife edge 75 at one end thereof, and is slidably mounted on the anvil 72. The cutter solenoid 76 is disposed behind the cutter 74, and has an armature 77. The armature 77 serves to move the cutter 74 toward the slit 78 against the tension spring 80. The tension spring 80 is tensioned between the cutter 74 and the cutter solenoid 76. When the cutter solenoid 76 is energized, the armature 77 moves the cutter 74 toward and beyond the slit 78. Accordingly, the cutter 74 and the slit 78 cooperate to cut the film 52 into a film section 650 of a length sufficient to contain two frames. Normally, the spring retains the cutter 74 in its initial position.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, 8 and 9, the following description will be of the second film advancing means 71.

The second film advancing means 71 is disposed adjacent the third station along the film supporting member 82. The means 71 serves to move the processed film section 65a from the processing station 73 to the slitting means 93.

The second film advancing means 71 as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9 comprises a roller solenoid 106, a connecting rod 118, and a roller which is rotatably supported by an upper plate 108 and lower plate 110. The upper plate 108 and the lower plate 110 are fixed to a boss 112 which is rotatably mounted on a shaft 114 (see FIG. 9). So, the roller 100, the upper plate 108 and the lower plate 1 10 are rotatable as a unit about the shaft 114. A shaft of the roller 100 has a gear 102 fixed to the end thereof. The shaft 114 has a gear 104 thereon which is in meshing engagement with the gear 102. The roller solenoid 106 is provided with an armature 116 and a compression spring (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The armature 116 is connected to an extension 109 of the upper plate 108 by the connecting rod 118. When the roller solenoid 106 is energized, the armature 116 pulls the connecting rod 118 so as to swing the

plates

108 and 110 counterclockwise about the shaft 114, until the roller 100 engages one of the remaining portions of the film section 650 positioned in the film supporting member 82 through the small opening 96, as shown in solid lines in FIG. 3. Normally,the compression spring 120 causes the armature 116 to project from the roller solenoid 106. As a result, the roller 100 is retained in a position projecting out of the small opening 96 as shown in dot-dash lines in FIG. 3.,

The following description will be of the driving means for driving those means described above, with reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 there are a plurality of shafts numbered 124, 130,

132, 206, 212, 331 and 337. These shafts are parallel to each other and rotatably mounted on a suitable frame (not shown).

A main shaft 124, in the middle in FIGS. 3 and 4, has a main gear 122 attached to an upper end thereof, and

a pulley 126 attached to a lower end thereof. An

endless belt 128 is connected between the pulley I26 and a pulley 296 of a drive motor 292 which is described later. The main gear 122 has a clutch wheel 123 fixedly mounted thereon. The first shaft 130 has a first gear 134 at the upper end thereof, a first pin wheel 136 and a charging cam 140 at the middle portions thereof, and a gear 142 at the lower end thereof. Said gear 142 is in meshing engagement with a gear 210 secured to a cam shaft 212 which will be described later. The charging cam 140 is formed with a cutout which actuates a microswitch 141 disposed at" the periphery of the cam 140. The microswitch 141 serves to energize the charging solenoid 59. The first gear 134, as shown in detail in FIG. 3, has two cutouts, i.e., a first cutout 154 and a second cutout 156. A

first clutch

154 and 156 respectively under a bias of a tension spring 166 tensioned between the clutch levers 162 and 164. Therefore, the projections 163 and 165 are out of engagement with the clutch wheel 123. The first gear 134 is capable of meshing engagement with the main gear 122, but normally the first cutout 154 causes the first gear 134 not to mesh with the main gear 122. The pin wheel 136 has-a driving pin 137 fixed thereto. The driving pin 137 is capable of engagement with one of grooves 205 of a first slotted wheel 204 secured to a shaft 206. The shaft 206 has a gear 66 fixed to the upper end thereof which is in meshing engagement with the

gears

62 and 64 secured to shafts of the

drive rollers

54 and 56. The second shaft 132 has a second gear 144 at the upper end thereof, a second pin wheel 146, a fixing cam 148 and a solenoid cam 150 at middle portions thereof, and agear 152 at the lower end thereof. The fixing cam 148 and the solenoid cam 150 are formed with cutouts :in the peripheries each thereof. These cu- .touts of the

cams

148 and 150

actuate microswitches

149 and 151,respectively disposed at the peripheries of the

cams

148 and 150.

Similarly,'the second gear 144, as shown in FIG. 3, has two cutouts, i.e., afirst cutout 172 and a second cutout 174. A first clutch lever 180 having a projection 181 and a second clutch lever 182 having a projection 183 are rotatably mounted on pins 176 and 178 respectively on the second gear 144. NOrmally, the projections of the clutch levers180 and 182 are spaced apart from the

cutouts

172 and 174 under a bias of a tension spring 184 tensioned between the clutch levers 180 and 182. Therefore, the projections 181 and 183 are out of engagement with the clutch 1116815123. The second gear 144 is capable'of meshing engagement with the main gear 122, but normally the first cutout172 causes the second'gear 144 not to mesh with the main gear 122. The second pin wheel 146 has two driving

pins

145 and 147 fixed thereto. These driving pins are capable of engagement with one of grooves 209 of a second slotted wheel 208 secured to the shaft 114. The gear 152 is in meshing engagement with an idler gear 372 which will be described later.

A first lever 190 is rotatably mounted on a pin 194, and is connected to an armature 199 of a first solenoid 198 at one end thereof and has the other end engaging first clutch lever 162. When the first solenoid 198 is energized, the first le'ver 190 is rotated counterclockwise against the spring 202. This rotation of the first lever 190 causes the first clutch lever 162 and the second clutch lever 164 torotate about the pins 158 and 160 alternatively. Norm'ally'the spring 202 retains the'first lever 190 in a position shown in dot-dash lines in FIG. 3. l

' A second lever 192-is rotatably mounted on a pin 196,-and is connected to an armature 201 of a second solenoid 200 at one end thereof and the other end engages first clutch lever 180. When the second solenoid 200 is energized, the second lever 192 is rotated clockwise againstthe spring 202 tensioned between the first lever 190 and the second lever 192. This rotation of the second lever 192 causes the first clutch lever 180 and the second clutch lever 182 to rotate about the pins 176 and 178 alternatively. Normally, the spring 202 retains the second lever 192 in a position shown in dotdash lines in FIG. 3.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the cam shaft 212 has a cutter cam 214, a development starting cam 216, a fixation starting cam 218, an exposure cam 220 and a gear 210 fixed thereto. The gear 210, as described in conjunction with the description of the first shaft 130, is in meshing engagement with the gear 142. The gear ratio between the gear 142 and the gear 210 is 1:2. The gear 210 and the cam shaft 212 rotates half a revolution or 180 for one revolution of the gear 142.

Microswitches

215, 217, 219 and 222 are disposed at the peripheries of the

cams

213, 216, 218 and 220. The functions of these microswitches will be described later in connection with the description of the operation sequence and the electrical circuit. The cutter cam 214 and the fixation starting cam 218 have respective cutouts in the respective peripheries thereof. These cutouts in the cams 214 and 218 actuate the

microswitches

215 and 219 respectively. The switch 215 serves to energize the cutter solenoid 76. The switch 219 serves to energize a solenoid 320 as described later. On the other hand, the development starting cam 216 and the exposure cam 220 have a pair of cutouts in the peripheries thereof, respectively. Each cutout of the pairs is positioned symmetrically to one another. These cutouts in the

cams

216 and 220

actuate microswitches

217 and 221 respectively. The switch 217 serves to energize a solenoid 310 which will be described later. The switch 221 serves to energize the timer 42.

The following description will be of the processing means 135. The processing means 135 comprises the developing means 83 and the fixing means 85.

The developing means 83 is disposed at the second station 79 defined by the second aperture 92 of the film supporting member 82. The center of the second aperture 92 is spaced from the center of the first aperture 90 along the path 129 of the film by a predetermined length slightly more than a longitudinal length of the frame. In another words, a distance between a center of the second station 79 and the center of the first station 36 is equal to said predetermined length. The second aperture 92 has dimensions slightly greater than the corresponding dimensions of a rectangular opening 262 -of a developing chamber 230 which will be described later.

The fixing means is disposed at the third station 81 defined by the third aperture 94 of the film supporting member 82. The center of the third aperture 94 is spaced from the center of the second aperture 92 along the path 129 of the film by the aforementioned predetermined length. In other words, the distance between the center of the third station 81 and the center of the second station 79 is equal to said predetermined length. The third aperture 94 has dimensions slightly greater than the corresponding dimensions of a rectangular opening 264 of a fixing chamber 240 which will be described later. If an effective liquid for developing and fixing the exposed frame simultaneously is applied at the second station 79, the third station 81 can be omitted from the apparatus and the fixing means 85 can also be omitted from the apparatus.

Claims

1. A photographic apparatus for producing micro image of an original on a film having an electrophotosensitive layer thereon, said apparatus comprising: a. cutting means for cutting from a length of film a film section of a predetermined length; b. a supporting member for supporting and guiding said length of film and said film section along a predetermined path; c. an aperture member having an aperture formed therein which faces the electrophotosensitive layer of the film supported on said supporting member so as to define the size of a frame on the film, the width dimension of said aperture member being less than the width of the film so that the film has a remaining portion on both longitudinal sides thereof; d. charging means along said path for applying an electrostatic charge to said frame of the film on said supporting member; e. exposure means along said path adjacent said charging means for exposing the charged frame to a projected micro image of an original so as to form an electrostatic latent micro image on said frame of the film; f. processing means along said path adjacent said exposure means for processing the exposed frame in order to produce a visible micro image on said frame of the film; g. first film advancing means adjacent said cutting means for advancing the length of film and the film section simultaneously along said supporting member, said first film advancing means having driving members a distance greater than the width of the frame and engageable in driving engagement only with said two remaining portions of the film; h. second film advancing means spaced along said supporting member for advancing only said film section along said supporting member and having at least one driving member movable into and out of driving engagement with only a remaining portion of the film section; and i. slitting means along said path adjacent said processing means for slitting said remaining portions off said film section after completion of the processing.

2. A photographic apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said slitting means comprises: a. a drive shaft in the vicinity of the support member; b. a pair of cylindrical members coaxially mounted on said shaft; c. a pair of rollers for engaging the remaining portions of the film section in cooperation with said cylindrical members so as to move the film section; d. a pair of slitting discs fixed coaxially on said cylindrical members, respectively; and e. a cylindrical slitter opposed to and cooperating with said slitting discs for slitting said remaining portions off said film section while said cylindrical members and rollers are engaging the remaining portions of said film section.

3. A phoTographic apparatus according to claim 2 which further comprises inserting means for inserting the slit film section into a transparent pocket of an aperture card after the remaining portions have been slit off the film section by said slitting means, said inserting means comprising: a. a card holder at the end of said support member and adjacent said slitting means for holding a plurality of aperture cards at a position adjacent to said slitting means; b. a stationary drum supported on said drive shaft between said slitting discs; c. a pushing member of elastic material movably mounted on the periphery of said drum for pushing the back-edge of the film section completely into the pocket of one of said aperture cards and d. opening means for opening the entrance of said pocket of the aperture card so as to insure the insertion of the film section into said pocket.

4. A photographic apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said card holder is closer to said slitting means than the length of said film section, whereby the leading portion of the film section is inserted into the pocket of the aperture card before the remaining portions have cut off the film section completely.

5. A photographic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein each of the aperture cards has a plurality of transparent pockets and said inserting means further comprises aligning means for moving said car holder so as to align one of said pockets with said path of the film section.

6. A photographic apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said opening means comprises an opening member movable along a principal surface of said aperture card, said opening member having at least two tongues for catching an end perimeter of the portion of the material of the aperture card at the entrance of the pocket so as to flex said end perimeter up when said opening member moves relative to said aperture card.

7. A photographic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said card holder is positioned for holding said aperture cards with the principal surface of the aperture cards inclined with respect to said path of the film on said support member.

8. A photographic apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said charging means is positioned along said path at a first station for applying the electrostatic charge to said film at the first station and said exposure means is positioned along said path adjacent said charging means for exposing film through said aperture member at said first station, and said processing means is positioned along said path at a second station for applying developer to the exposed film at the second station, said first and second stations being juxtaposed along the support member spaced from each other a distance substantially equal to a longitudinal length of a frame of the film section.