Microfiche handling device

A device for handling microfiches comprising a light proof container, reception means for receiving a microfiche cassette on or in the container including a light proof reception opening, a microfiche receiving chamber capable of receiving a stack of microfiches from the reception means, said chamber being pivotally mounted towards one end adjacent the reception means on one end of a lever which is pivotally mounted at its other end to a static part of the device, wherein the lever is biassed by means of a resilient means to engage with a cam, and wherein a fixed clamping surface is provided onto which the resilient means biasses the chamber to form a clamping means, the cam on rotation urging the chamber away from the clamping surface;

• an ejection opening in the container including a light proof seal, extraction means for removing the microfiches singly from the chamber and feeding the microfiches singly to the ejection opening for ejection into a developing unit, said clamping means arranged to clamp a stack of microfiches held in the receiving chamber so that after a single microfiche has been removed from the stack for feeding to the ejection opening, the remainder of the stack is held in the chamber.