Cutter system for multi size photographic prints
AssigneePhogenix Imaging, LLC
InventorDavid M. Petersen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cutter system for cutting a larger sheet into individual photographic images includes a cutter for severing a transverse strip containing one or more printed images from a larger sheet. A transport table positioned to receive the strip from the cutter includes two sets of drivers, one set for moving the strip longitudinally and a second set for moving the strip laterally to a second cutter that in turn separates the strip into individual photographs. Sensors in both cutters acting in response to fiducial marks on the larger sheet cooperate with the drivers for positioning the larger sheet and the severed strip at the proper cutting locations.
Claims10
Apparatus for separating a sheet of photographic prints into individual photographs comprising:
- a) a first cutter oriented perpendicular to a first path of travel;
- b) a second cutter oriented arranged orthogonally with respect to the first cutter;
- c) a transport table having an inlet end adjacent the first cutter and a distal outlet end, the outlet end being adjacent the second cutter and arranged orthogonally to the inlet end;
- d) means for moving a sheet of photographs longitudinally along a first path of travel into the first cutter, the photographs being arranged on the sheet in an orthogonal pattern composed of transverse rows and longitudinal columns, the prints defining each transverse row having aligned leading and trailing edges;
- e) the first cutter being operable for cutting the sheet along a line perpendicular to the first path of travel to sever from the sheet a strip containing a first row of prints;
- f) strip movers associated with the transport table for moving the severed strip first in the direction of the first path of travel to an end of the transport table opposite the inlet end and thereafter along a second path of travel that is perpendicular to the first path of travel and into the second cutter;
- g) means for advancing the strip in stepwise fashion into the second cutter, each stepwise advance being followed by a pause for locating a lateral edge of a print at a cutting location;
- and
- h) the second cutter at the outlet end being operable during the pauses in the stepwise advance to cut the strip along a lateral edge of a print that is perpendicular to the second path of travel to separate individual prints from the strip.
Apparatus for separating a sheet of photographic prints into individual photographs comprising:
- a) a sheet mover for moving a sheet of photographic prints into a first cutter along a first path of travel, the sheet containing a plurality of prints arranged in transverse rows, the transverse rows having aligned leading and trailing edges;
- b) the first cutter being oriented for cutting the sheet along a line perpendicular to the path of travel of the sheet for severing a transverse strip from the sheet containing a first row of prints;
- c) a transport table having a first set of drivers for moving the transverse strip of prints away from the first cutter in the direction of the first path of travel and a second set of drivers for moving the transverse strip in a second path of travel parallel to the line;
- and
- d) a second cutter for cutting the strip along a second line perpendicular to the first line.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.