FR2716545A1 - Device for separating e.g. photosensitive sheet used in media handling - Google Patents

Abstract

Sheets M are separated from a curved pile by suckers (70,72,74) mounted on a flexible sheet-like member (37). The member (37) is lowered towards the pile by actuator (40), whereupon the sucker-carrying parts are moved outwardly by actuators (42). Reverse operation of the actuators separates the to sheet, which (retaining its curved formation) can then be moved on track (35) from supply cassette (31) to a photoplotter (not shown) and then back to a position within housing (4) to a collecting cassette (not shown). Both the cassettes have light-tight tambour lids operated by drives engaged within light-tight housing. The housing has doors for insertion and withdrawal of the cassettes and for connection to the photoplotter. Is connectable to pre-existing photoplotter structure and which handler is capable of advancing media sheets from a supply of such media located within the handler to a drum plotter and return the imaged media to the handler without exposure to room light.

Description

 The present invention relates generally to improvements made to a photosensitive recorder or plotter equipment and relates more particularly to improvements made to the shoe for lifting the recording media of a media handling device. recording as well as improvements made to curved cassettes and associated devices for discovering a supply cassette, which otherwise is enclosed in the interior space, protected from light, by a device for handling recording media, and further relates to the automatic recovery of a collection cassette once a recording medium, on which an image is formed, is inserted into this cassette, while it is still retained in the housing, opaque to light, of the handling unit.

 In copending US patent application N 08/071567, the handling of flexible type recording media, for example a photosensitive film, a photosensitive plate or the like having a relatively thin thickness approximately of an order, is described. about 0.018 cm in size, so as to allow the sheets forming recording media to fit the substantially partially cylindrical support surface in a recorder or plotter. Such curved support surfaces are found in drum type recorders or plotters, as described in the copending US patent application serial no. 07/839398 having the title "Plotter drum and methods of fabrication and alignment therefore ", filed on February 20, 1992 in the name of Alan Renard and others and in which a scanning device is used, which forms the image, in a raster format, of a sheet forming a recording medium supported by the drum located below it. Therefore, it will be understood that the need to move the recording media on such a curved support surface involves the manipulation of sheets forming the recording media in a curved shape so that the recording media can essentially take up the configuration of the support surface automatically once they are brought to the support surface during the loading process. Therefore, the lifting of the recording medium sheet from a supply of such recording media to the support surface must be carried out taking into account the above. For this purpose, the recording medium is therefore kept in a curved form even when it is stacked in a storage container, so that individual sheets can be located, in a curved state, on the drum. the photosensitive recorder or the plotter.

In addition, the sheets forming the recording media, which are used, are photosensitive and in some cases react to ambient light and therefore must be housed in an environment opaque to the
light, even if they are stored as a reserve or when an image is formed on these sheets in the photosensitive recorder or the plotter.

Therefore, it is important that the means by which the sheets forming the recording media are stored in a light opaque supply container and by means of which the container is then uncovered during a discovery process, keep the container permanently in a condition of protection from light.

 This is why an object of the present invention is to provide an improved device for handling recording media, of the type which can be connected to a preexisting structure of photosensitive recorder or plotter, this handling device being capable advancing the carrier sheets from a supply of such recording media, located in the handling device, to a drum recorder or plotter and returning the recording media, on which an image is formed, to the device handling without exposing them to ambient light.

 Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved device for handling recording media of the type in which recording media having a flexible shape are supported so as to adapt to the general configuration of the surface of the support. , on which they are finally placed by the fact that a shoe is applied against these recording media, which shoe is flexible in a similar manner in order to allow the shoe to adapt to the given shape of the storage media. recording as supported on a support surface.

 Another object of the invention is to rotate a system for handling recording media, protected from light, in which cassettes housing recording media are adapted to carry out storage, waterproof light, either in the form of collection cassettes or in the form of supply cassettes, which can be easily covered and each discovered by the handling device, without the risk of exposure to ambient light.

 The invention relates to a device for handling recording media of the type using a handling shoe which extends downwards from a positioning system located above a supply for supplying recording media. recording, being supported by a frame. The manipulation shoe is carried by a movable element which extends downwards from a positioning system and is movable by the latter along a central axis. The shoe consists of a flexible sheet for handling recording media, which is connected to the pendant element by means of lateral actuators and means of vertical actuators. The vertical actuator means are connected to the tanipulation sheet of the recording media so as to move them between an upper position and a lower position. The recording media handling sheet has opposite side portions which are arranged laterally on either side of a central axis so that the land actuator means is connected to the recording media handling sheet. 'recording, on opposite lateral sides, along the central axis. When in a first excitation state, the lateral actuation means and the vertical actuation means cause the sheet for handling the recording media to take on a given first dimension and, when they are in a second excitation state causes the manipulation sheet of these recording media to take a second excitation state. The sheet for handling the recording media has retaining means which are arranged on this sheet so as to retain the recording media applied against the sheet for handling.

 In more extensive aspects, the invention relates to the manipulation, in a light-tight manner, of a supply of recording sheets or recording media in a sealed, light-tight system, so that the storage media record move between discrete feeding, collecting and working positions during a work operation. To this end, the system comprises a device for processing the recording media, which is supported by a frame and defines a supply station and a collection station, which are both located in the housing. A first cassette is provided, which includes a generally curved support surface for supporting flexible recording media in a stacked state. The first cassette comprises means for selectively covering and uncovering recording media, which are contained therein and can be inserted into a first opening made in the unitary housing, the first opening comprising closing means serving for the seal in a light-tight manner. Means associated with the first opening and supported by the frame are provided, which are intended to apply against the supply cassette and cause the covering means of this cassette to discover the recording medium once the first opening is closed by the closing means. A second opening is provided in the housing and is associated with the collection station, the second opening comprising closing means serving to close it in a light-tight manner. The second cassette has a collection area for collecting recording media, on which an image is formed. Drive means are provided in association with the second opening and are arranged on the frame and on the collection cassette so as to cause covering means to automatically cover the cassette once the second opening is closed by the means of associated closure.

 Xn alternating with the use of a collection cassette, provision may be made to use a conveyor cassette, which can be inserted into the second opening so as to mesh with the drive means and thereby cause the exit of the recording media outside the device, in an environment protected from light.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description given below taken with reference to the appended drawings, in which
- Figure 1 shows a partial side elevational view showing the device for handling this recording media according to the present invention;
- Figure 2 shows an elevational view of ace of the recording media handling shoe, which is located in the feed station, when viewed from the front of the unit, while the door load is raised;
- Figure 3 shows a rear elevational view of the device of Figure 1, which schematically shows the drive mechanisms for exposing the cassette;
- Figure 4 is a partial side elevational view showing the feed cassette separated from the handling device;
- Figure 5 shows a partial end view of the cassette shown in Figure 4, along line 5-5;
- Figure 6 shows a partial plan view of a collection cassette;
- Figure 7 shows a vertical front view showing a collection cassette in the supported state inside the handling device;
- Figure 8 shows a partial plan view of a conveying cassette which can be used alternately with the cassette shown in Figure 6;
- Figure 9 is a vertical front view of a conveyor cassette of Figure 8, shown in the inserted state in the device of Figure 1;
- Figure 10 shows a partial side elevational view of the drive mechanism provided on the cassettes shown in Figures 6 and 8; and
- Figure 11 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in Figure 10.

 FIG. 1 represents a unit for handling recording media according to the invention, which is generally designated by the reference 2.

The unit 2 comprises a frame 4, which supports the constituent elements which are responsible for the execution of the handling process, and a housing 8 enclosing the frame and the internal elements of the unit. The frame is supported so as to be able to move above a floor, for example of a treatment installation, by allowing the unit 2 to be brought into position by rotation and to be coupled to a photosensitive recorder. or a tracer (not shown). The frame 4, as seen in plan from the top, defines a structure of generally rectangular shape, the elongated part of which is defined by opposite end faces 3 and 5 of the housing, which opposite faces 3.5 are distant along a central axis A. The photosensitive recorder or tracer can be such as that described in the copending US patent application serial N 07/839398 having for title "Plotter drum and methods of fabrication and alignment therefor", which system is marketed by the company known as Gerber Systems Corporation under the registered trademark CRESCENT / 30. Photosensitive recorders or plotters of this type use a drum-shaped medium, carrying a flexible recording medium M having a thickness of the order of about 0.018 cm, on which an image is formed. The relatively thin nature of the recording media, on which images are formed and which, in the context of the description, include photosensitive films or plates, makes it possible to store, handle and support them during training. of an image, with a curved shape.

 The unit 2 for handling the recording media is covered by the casing 8, being protected from any light penetration, but its interior space can be accessed by means of three main closable openings which are provided in the housing. The first of these openings is formed in an end face 3 and is designated by the reference 14.

This opening opens into a feeding station 30 arranged on the frame 4 and which serves to receive and support, at this location, a feeding cassette 31. A vertically sliding door 20, which is light-tight, is provided in association with the opening 14 and is driven so as to move vertically in slides arranged along the sides of the lateral edges of the opening 14. A second opening 18 is formed in a side panel of the housing 8 and opens in cirection of a collection station 32, which is generally located adjacent to the other end face 5 of the housing, which collection station serves to receive and support a collection cassette 122 or a conveyor cassette and 124. I, a second opening is closed by a pivoting door 24, which is connected to the housing by a hinge 26 which extends in the direction of a :: e A. A third opening 15 es t formed in the other end face 5 of the housing, in a position aligned with the base A, and opens into a connecting tunnel 16, in which a sheet forming a recording medium M is transported, the end of this tunnel connecting to the front face of the recorder or the tracer, by interposing a light seal.

 The frame 4 supports a positioning drive system 28 located above the feeding and decol3ecte30 and 32 stations so that a drum-carrying carriage 34, which is part of the system, is moved in a manner that can be controlled along the central axis A for the movement of a sheet forming a recording medium from the supply station 30 to the photosensitive recorder or tracer, which is coupled, and return to the collection station 32. As described in the copending US patent application N-88/071567, the positioning system comprises a control device 29, which is connected to components of the system, such as, for example, drive motors, actuators and sensors, which are responsible for controlling the movement of the carriage 34 along the axis A. The positioning system also comprises a slide 35 which has a movable length which extends from inside the unit d e manipulation 2 towards the outside of this unit and inside the photosensitive recorder or the plotter, coupled, above the drum-shaped support. Thus, the drum-carrying carriage 34 is moved along the slide 35 so as to be positioned in discrete positions along this slide, which correspond respectively to positions located directly above the supply and collection stations 30 and 32 and above the photosensitive recorder drum of the plotter.

 The drum trolley 34 carries a pendant element 38, to which is fixed a flexible lifting shoe 36 which can be moved in a controllable manner between retracted positions and deployed vertically and radially, for handling individual sheets forming recording media , in a curved form. To this end, as shown in FIG. 2, the lifting shoe 36 is constituted by a rectangular sheet 37 for handling the recording media, preferably made of aluminum and having a thickness equal to approximately 0.08 cm, and comprises a plurality of suction means 60 which are arranged on the external surface of this shoe to allow the gripping and the retention of a sheet forming a recording medium M in position on the handling sheet 37. The lifting shoe comprises in in addition to vertical actuator means 40 and two lateral actuator means 42, each of the actuator means being connected between the sheet 37 for handling the recording media and the pendant element 38. Each of the lateral actuator means 42 and means forming vertical actuator is formed by a pneumatically operated double-acting device, and each of these actuators is moved in a manner e controllable between a deployed position and a retracted position by means of the controlled introduction of compressed air, for example at the inputs 54 and 52 respectively. One end of each of the lateral actuators 42 is connected to the element for 38 by the intermediate c a pivoting connection 53, the opposite ends of the actuators being defined by sliding piston rods 48, the free ends of which are connected to the rear face of the sheet 37 for handling recording media, at pivoting connections 50 The means forming lateral actuators 42 act, through openings 46 formed in the two sides of the pendant element 38, to execute such pivoting connections.

 The vertical actuator means 40 are connected, at their upper end, to the horizontal cross-section part of the pendant element 38 and are connected to the sheet 37 for handling the recording media, at their opposite lower end, by via a connection console 56 which is fixed to the actuator means 40 using bolts or the like, and is fixed to the handling sheet 37 by welding. The vertical actuator means 40 consist of an assembly formed by two parts, each of which can slide relative to the other and which are respectively connected one to the handling sheet 37 and the other to the element. pendant3 are sold commercially by the company known as SMC, under the model number MGQM32-50-Z805. Likewise, the excitation and the reverse excitation of the means forming actuators 40 and 42 are controlled by electromagnetic valves controlled by the control unit 29, according to a known control system.

 A vacuum is applied by a pressure source (not shown) located at a distance from the handling shoe 36 and is introduced into the shoe via a main vacuum pipe 62, which is connected to the source and is fixed to the shoe at the level of the element for 38. The suction means 60 are connected to the main vacuum pipe 62 by means of a vacuum device 64, which is similarly mounted on the element 38 and communicates with the suction means 60 via a plurality of local pipes 66. The local pipes 66 are connected to discrete rows of suction elements 70, 72 and 74, which are arranged parallel to the direction of axis A on the sheet 37 for handling the recording media. The recording media handling sheet 37 is perforated at points which coincide with the location of the suction members so that a vacuum is transmitted through the lifting sheet and acts on the recording media sheet located opposite. Each of the suction elements is formed of flexible rubber and has the configuration of a bellows so that upon contact with the recording medium sheet M, the suction element becomes axially flat, which attracts the recording medium sheet so that it is spatially closer to the handling sheet 37.

The rows 70, 72 and 74 are arranged with respect to each other in pairs symmetrically with respect to the axis A, the row of each pair corresponding generally to a different width of a sheet forming a recording medium , which is contained in the cassette 31 located in the supply station 30.

The vacuum creation device is a multi-valve unit, which includes a selector 76 which is adjusted manually by the operator before a manipulation operation to apply a vacuum to a couple or to all the couples of rows according to the width of the recording medium to be handled. For example, if a sheet forming a recording medium M having the minimum width is used, the selector 76 is adjusted so that a vacuum is applied only to the elements at the suction of the pair of rows 74, but if a sheet forming the recording medium having the greatest width, the selector is adjusted so that the suction elements of each pair of rows are activated.

 As shown schematically in Figure 2, the cassette 31 is supported below the handling drum 36 on the frame 4 so that when the drum is brought into a position inside the feed station 30 , the suction means 60 of the drum and the reserve of recording media M are located in the immediate vicinity.

In this state, the manipulation sheet 37 has a given first radius, which corresponds to the state in which the actuator means 40 and 42 are inversely excited. At this instant, a vacuum is introduced into the main vacuum pipe 62 and is applied to those designated by the suction means 60.

During the operation of loading a recording medium from a reserve contained in the cassette 31, the vertical actuator means 40 are firstly excited, which brings the handling sheet 37 to lower to come into contact with the uppermost record carrier sheet which is supported in the cassette 31. Next, the side actuators are activated so as to radially move the end portions facing upwards , of the lifting sheet 37 and thus bringing the suction means 60 into contact with the recording medium. In this state, the lifting sheet 37 takes a second radius which corresponds to that taken by the highest recording medium sheet in the reserve contained in the cassette 31. By way of illustration, the support surface supplied by the supply cassette 31 has a radius of curvature equal to approximately 26.67 cm from the center of curvature R.

The control unit 29 interrogates vacuum sensors, which are arranged in the local pipes 66 to determine whether all of the designated suction elements are closed in a sealed manner under the effect of the application of the recording medium on these elements, and issue an error condition if an open vacuum circuit is detected. If it turns out that no error condition of this kind exists, then the lateral actuator means 42 are energized inversely, this being followed by the inverse excitation of the vertical actuator means 40, which causes the sheet considered as a recording medium to be raised from the cassette. The transport of the sheet forming the recording medium which is now held) to the photosensitive recorders or to the tracer is carried out as described in the copending US patent application mentioned previously serial number 08/071567 filed on June 1, 1993 at name of Wolfson and others and titled "System for handling curved formed media and cassette". Once the recording medium is located on the drum-like medium in the photosensitive recorder or plotter, a vacuum is applied to the surface of the drum and the actuator means is activated so as to bring the handling sheet 37 to take its second ray as described above. The vacuum is then eliminated in the main line 62, which allows the recording medium to be retained in the free state by the drum-shaped support of the photosensitive recorder or the tracer. The drum trolley 34 and the slide-shaped extension are then retracted from the photosensitive recorder of the plotter and the image of the recording medium then takes place. After the image has been formed, the carriage 34 is brought back inside the photosensitive recorder or the plotter and the recording medium, on which the image is formed, is executed in the same way as that has been described above with reference to the entry of a recording medium in the supply cassette, except that the vacuum applied to the drum in the photosensitive recorder or the plotter is stopped before the lifting of the medium registration. The drum trolley 34, on which the exposed recording medium is retained, is then brought to the discharge station where the trolley and the recording medium are placed above a cassette 122 or a cassette. conveying 124, as a result of which the sheet forming a recording medium falls either under the effect of the removal of the vacuum applied to the main vacuum pipe 62, or firstly by the fact that the handling sheet is brought to take its second ray, then interruption of the vacuum. The procedure is then repeated with the movement of the drum-carrying carriage 34 returning to the initial position above the supply cassette 31.

 Referring now to Figures 3-5 and in particular to the feed cassette, it can be seen that the feed cassette 31 is constituted by first and second end caps 80 and 82 each of which is defined by respective plates forming end covers 77, connected to one another lengthwise by a sheet of rigid material 84, for example aluminum, which defines the shell of the cassette. The stack of recording media, which constitutes the reserve, is supported on the upper surface of the shell 84 and is centered relative to the central axis A by end pieces 118, which connect in an adjustable manner to the shell along opposite side edges of the stack of sheets forming recording media. The end covers each comprise a base part 120, which is dimensioned correspondingly and is shaped so as to be housed inside runners 121, which are fixed to the frame 4 and extend in the direction of the 'axis A indicated. These means guarantee correct seating of the cassette laterally with respect to the axis A.

As parts of each of the end covers 80 and 82 are provided an inner lip 85 and an outer lip 83, which are separated from each other so as to define, with the cover plate 77, a slide 86 opening into the interior of the cassette and surrounding the junction at which each end of the shell 84 is connected to a respective one of the plates forming the end cover 77 of each end cover. A cover for the drum is provided and extends across the cassette between the plates forming opposite covers 77 so that marginal lateral edges 91 of the plates are housed in each slide 86 of the two end covers 80 and 82. The drum cover is sold commercially by the so-called company
ROTALAC under model number R-2342. In each of the end portions, directed upwards, end caps 80, 82 are journalled, so as to be able to rotate, two toothed wheels 92 and 94, which are connected in common according to a drive link to the corresponding toothed wheels the opposite end cover 80, 82 by shafts 96 and 98 which extend between these covers, over the entire length of the cassette. The toothed wheels 92 and 98 are journalled on the end caps so as to interrupt the otherwise continuous inner lip 85 of the slide 86 so as to protrude beyond this lip and to engage between the articulated units, which constitute the cover 90. As such, a drive link is established between the cover 90 and the toothed wheels 92 and 94.

 As shown in FIG. 4, the cassette 31 has a front edge 101, which includes engagement means 110 used to couple, according to a drive link, to the shaft 98 so as to uncover the cassette. The means 110 for this purpose comprise an interdigitated end piece 99 formed on the proximal end of the shaft 98, a positioning collar 97 connected, so as to be able to rotate, to the shaft 98 and a frustoconical opening 112 formed in the front face of the collar so as to establish a correct seat of a correspondingly interdigitated drive part 106, which is part of drive means 100 mounted on the frame 4 by means of a console 102. These means comprise an AC drive motor 104, a suitable pinion drive mechanism connected in a drive connection to the motor and comprising a drive output shaft, and a flexible coupling element 108, which is connected between the output of the drive motor and the drive element 106. The drive means 100 are mounted on the frame 4 so as to orient the drive element 106 so that i l is essentially parallel to the axis A. This is important, since the cassette 31 is loaded into the handling unit 2 via the opening 14, once the door 20 has been lifted, and is pushed back along the slides 121, in the direction of the axis A until the cassette is locked in position under the effect of the action of a stop 125 urged by a spring, fixed to the frame 4 and cooperating with a recess in the lower surface of the cassette 31. The position of the stop 125 is such that a blockage occurs at the same time as the entrainment of the interdigitated parts 106 and 99 takes place.

The coupling of these parts is facilitated by the characteristic corresponding to a certain compliance of the flexible coupling 108.

 In operation, a covered cassette 31 comprising a reserve of recording media M contained in this cassette is loaded into the handling unit 2 until the blocking by the stop 125 is achieved. You can load recording media in a dark room for example, then cover the cassette 31 using a manual button 114 so as to return the cover to its rest position. In the state in which it covers the cassette, the cover 90 extends uninterruptedly between the toothed wheels 92 and 94 so that, when the toothed wheel 94 rotates clockwise, the cover 90 is driven over its entire length on the wheel and is retained within the limits of the length of the slide 86 which is arranged most radially outside relative to the center of curvature R. The cassette 31 then being positioned in the 'handling unit 2, the door 20 is closed and its closing is controlled by the control device 29 in connection with a sensor 126 arranged on the frame 4 and provided for this purpose. Once the closing of the door has been detected and confirmed, the control device 29 then controls the activation of the drive means, which has the effect that under the effect of its engagement with the drive part 106 having to be driven in a clockwise direction, the shaft 98 discovers the recording medium which is otherwise enclosed. On the outer surface of the cover 90 and at its rear end, that is to say the end associated with the toothed wheel 92, is arranged a magnetic part, which is moved jointly with the cover during the operation of uncovering, in front of a sensor located in the vicinity of the right gear 94.

By means of the interrogation of this sensor, the control device 29 stops the drive motor 104 upon detection of the magnet at the place where the cassette 31 is discovered.

 A feature of the invention is to provide a collection cassette station, which can cover and transport sheets forming recording media, on which images are formed, from the interior space, light-tight, from the unit, towards the outside, without being accidentally exposed to stray light. To this end, the frame 4 supports a horizontal receiving surface 129, essentially planar, which is associated with the collection station 32, on which are arranged two parallel guide elements 128. The guide elements receive slides 127 dimensioned and shaped to correspondingly, which are arranged in the form of a pair on the lower surface 131 of each of the collecting cassettes 122 and on the lower surface of the conveyor cassette 124. In this way, each of the cassettes 122 and 124 is held in a substantially horizontal arrangement while being supported by the frame 4 inside the unit.

 Referring firstly to the collection cassette 122, intended to be used alternately in the station 32, it can be seen that the collection cassette as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is an element of general shape rectangular having long sides 130, which extend perpendicular to the central axis A, and short sides 132, which extend in a direction parallel to the axis A. The long sides and short sides 130 and 132 are join at a right angle so as to form a collection area 134 inside the cassette, so as to accommodate sheets forming recording media M, which fall from the handling drum 36 in a manner which has been indicated above. . The collection area 134 is defined by a collection tank 138, which is supported by the large opposite sides 130, approximately halfway up the cassette. On the opposite upper and lower sides of the collection tank 138, on the opposite long sides 130 of the cassette 122 are arranged slides 136 which extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of the device for handling the recording media. Each slide receives the lateral marginal edges of a drum cover 140, which are supported in the slide 136 so as to move in the direction of uncovering U.

To achieve such a discovery, a drive shaft 142 is provided, which is journalled, at its opposite ends, in the walls 130 of the large opposite sides, so as to be able to rotate around the indicated axis R1. At spaced intervals along the lengthwise extent of the drive shaft 142 are arranged two toothed wheels 144, which have teeth meshing between the articulated linkages of the individual drum units.

 A characteristic of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, is that means are provided by which the cover 140, covering the drum, the collecting cassette 122 can be moved so as to cover the collection area 134 after the exposed recording medium sheets have been discharged into the collection station, and while the handling unit remains light-tight. These means comprise a drive motor 150 supported by the frame 4 and connected to a drive pinion 152 mounted on the frame 4 so as to rotate around the indicated axis Z which, in the embodiment shown, is parallel to the main axis A of this unit. Each collection cassette 122 or conveyor cassette 124 comprises a drive support structure 151 containing a complementary driven pinion 154, which is mounted non-rotating on a primary driven shaft 156 journalled so as to be able to rotate freely in the outer wall of the 'a proximal of the long side walls 130 and inside the structure 151 so as to be able to rotate around a second axis Z'. A first toothed pulley 158, which is rotatably coupled, according to a motor connection, to the shaft 142 by means of a second toothed pulley 160 and a toothed belt 162, is mounted with locking in rotation around the primary tree 156.

 The drive pinion 152 is disposed below the lower surface 131 of the cassette 122 and the conveyor cassette 124 and below the driven pinion 154 so as to automatically mesh with the teeth of the drive pinion 154 when the cassette or the conveyor cassette is inserted, through the opening 18, in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis A of the device for handling the recording media.

The pinions 152 and 154, which then mesh reciprocally, are required to remain in the engaged state by a stop 164 actuated by a spring, which is caused to engage in a corresponding recess 166 formed in the drive structure 151.

 Referring again to Figures 8 and 9 and in particular to the conveyor cassette 124, which can be used in place of the standard cassette 122, it can be seen that the conveyor cassette 124 is inserted into the handling unit of the same as has been described with reference to the collection cassette 122, and that the conveyor cassette 124 has a length L 'which differs from the length L of the collection cassette, by a value approximately equal to the length of an extension portion 170. The extension portion 170 is provided for the purpose of using the conveyor cassette in connection with an automated processing device, which moves the developed recording medium away from the portion 170 and brings it onto a section of the conveyor in a light-tight tunnel. As is best seen in Figure 3, the side panel of the unit located opposite to that in which the opening 18 is formed, further comprises a housing housing 172, which is fixed in a sealed manner to the outer surface of the side panel considered of the housing 8. The housing 172 covers a fourth opening 174 formed in the side panel of the unit, the housing case 172 itself comprising a light-tight door 176, which is connected hinged at 178 so as to pivot in a vertical direction between an open position and the closed position shown. It can be seen that the conveyor cassette 124 does not use a drum cover and, instead, includes a plurality of idle transverse shafts 180, which are coupled together, in a drive connection, by a support belt system 184 , connected with rotation lock to the primary shaft 142. The primary shaft 142 is driven in a manner similar to what has been described with reference to Figures 10 and 11, by the drive means 150. Des power transmissions between the primary shaft 142 and the other transverse idler shafts 180 are effected by means of the plurality of support belts 184, which are driven around the pulleys 186 and which are fixed, with rotation lock, to some of the drive shafts 142 and 180. These are the support belts 184 which themselves are responsible for driving the recording medium out of the unit 2.

In operation, either of the collection cassette or of the conveyor cassette 124 is introduced into the opening 18, then the light-tight door 24 is closed behind it. In the case where the conveyor cassette is used, the door 176 must first be opened to allow the extension portion 170 of the conveyor cassette to protrude outside the handling unit. The length of the cassette 122 is approximately 92.71 cm, while the length of the conveyor cassette 124 is approximately 148.08 cm, the difference between the length L and the length
The being sufficient for the end of the conveyor cassette to come out of the unit. In the case where the conveyor cassette is used, the housing box 172 is connected to a suitable tunnel, adapted for an automated processing apparatus so as to obtain the light-tightness integrity of the machine. Then, a recording or tracing operation begins, with the result that the recording medium M is moved sequentially and developed from the feeding station 30 and is deposited in the collecting station 32. Depending on the type of collection cassette used, that is to say depending on whether it is a collection cassette 122 or the conveyor cassette 124, the drive means 50 are either activated continuously in the case of the type of conveyor cassettes 124, or excited in a manner controllable by the control unit 29 once a job is completed, so as to rotate the drive pinion 152 anticlockwise shows, so as to cause the drive toothed wheels 144 to rotate clockwise so as to bring the cover 140 of the drum into a covering position, from its state, in which it also does not ue no overlap and in which the drum cover is held below the tank 138.

 In the foregoing, a preferred embodiment of a system has been described for handling recording media in a light-tight environment. However, many changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the latter. For example, the spacing between the suction elements 60 of the flexible shoe can be modified from the point of view of arrangement and size depending on the application of the recording medium.

 This is why the present description has been given by way of illustration and without any limiting character.

Claims (4)

 1. Feed cassette for recording medium sheets which are stored in a curved shape, characterized in that it comprises  a first end cover (80) and a second end cover (82), each of which is defined by a cover plate (77) and inner and outer lips (85,82) together defining a slide ( 86) opening towards the inside of the cassette and having first and second free ends, said first and second end caps (80, 82) being connected together by a sheet formed of a rigid material, which defines the shell (84) of the cassette, said shell (84) interconnecting said first and second end covers and providing at least one curved support surface, which supports recording media;  a drum cover (90) housed in said runners of said first and second end covers (80,82) and extending entirely between these covers, and means (12,94) arranged so as to be able to rotate on the first and second free ends of said end covers (80,82) so that the drum cover (90) is driven around each of said means so as to drive the drum cover from a covering state to a non-state recovery.  2. A feed cassette (31) according to claim 1, further characterized in that said means (92,94) disposed in the free ends of each of said first and second end covers (80,82) are constituted by at least one drive wheel, said drive wheels located in each of said end caps (80, 82) being connected to each other according to a drive link, by a common axial drive shaft (98).  The feed cassette (31) according to claim 2, further characterized in that the drive shaft (98), which connects the drive gear wheels (92,94) aligned in each of said first and second end covers (80,82), has a front end defined by a coupling piece (99), for making the interdigitated coupling with a paired drive part (106) located in a device for handling media d 'recording.  S. The feed cassette (31) of claim 3, further characterized in that the shell (84) of the feed cassette (31) includes end portions, which bring the end edges of the media record (M) to stack in a reciprocally aligned manner, while being supported on the feed cassette.  System for handling, protected from light, a reserve of recording media (M) from a supply station to a work station and a collection station, characterized in that 'it comprises  a recording media handling unit (2), which is defined by a frame (4) and a housing (8) enclosing an interior housing defining a supply station and a collection station arranged on opposite ends of said frame ;  said handling unit (2) having positioning drive means (38) which are suspended above said supply and collection stations to move recording media between said supply, collection and storage stations job;  a first cassette (31) having a generally curved support surface for supporting flexible recording media in the form of a stack of such recording media (M) with a curved shape, said first cassette having means for selectively covering and uncovering recording media which are contained in this cassette;  a first opening (14) formed in said housing (8) of said unit (2) for receiving said supply cassette in this housing, said first opening comprising closing means (20) serving to close said first opening with respect to -vis the light;  means associated with said first opening (14) and supported by said frame and intended to mesh with said supply cassette and to cause said covering means to uncover the recording media once said first opening is closed by said means closing;  a second opening (18) formed in said housing and associated with said collection station and comprising closing means (24) serving to close said second opening with respect to light;  a second cassette (122) on which is defined a collection zone used to collect recording media carrying images, and comprising means for covering the recording means carrying images, collected in this cassette;  means associated with said second opening (18) and arranged on said frame to press against said collection cassette and cause said covering means to automatically cover the cassette once the second opening is closed by the associated closing means; and  that said means for opening and closing in operation of said first and second cassettes are drive means associated respectively with said supply station and with said collection station.  6 System according to claim 5, further characterized in that on said second cassette is defined a conveying zone comprising means for conveying recording media from said conveying zone out of said unit, by passing them through a third opening in said housing, said second and third openings being mutually aligned.  7. Collection cassette (122) for collecting a material, on which an image is formed and which is placed in said cassette by a material handling device (2), in an environment protected from light. , characterized in that said collection cassette comprises  a container (138) having first and second dimensions;  first and second opposite side walls (130) separated from each other by said first dimension of said container and third and fourth opposite side walls (132) separated from each other by said second dimension of said container;  said first and second side walls (130) each comprising slide means (136) which extend along their length to receive the marginal side edges of cover means (140);  said cover means (140) being received in the slide means (136) of said first and second side walls so as to extend between said third and fourth side walls to cover said container (138) so as to protect it from diffuse light; and  drive means (142) associated with one of said first and second side walls and connected to said cover means for causing said cover means to move above said tray to cover exposed recording media, located in said cassette.  8. Conveying cassette (124) having first and second dimensions and serving to receive a material on which an image is formed, characterized in that it comprises  first and second opposite side walls separated from each other by the first given dimension of said cassette, said first and second opposite side walls being connected, at opposite ends, to third and fourth opposite opposite side walls from each other by said second given dimension of said cassette;  conveyor means (180,184) associated with each of said first and second opposite side walls for supporting, with the possibility of displacement, a sheet forming a recording medium;  said conveyor means (142,180,184) being movable along the cassette between the third and fourth end walls so as to advance the recording media from a location within a media handling device recording, outside of this device.  9. Conveying cassette (124) according to claim 8, further characterized in that it comprises an extension (170) which is connected to said cassette (124) in the vicinity of its fourth side wall, and that said conveyor means ( 142,180,184) include a system of drive belts (184) mounted non-rotating on a plurality of idler shafts (180) journalled in each of said first and second side walls.  10. Conveying cassette according to claim 9, further characterized in that said conveyor means (142,180,184) comprises drive means (142) associated with one of said first and second side walls, said drive means comprising input drive means for applying energy from an external drive source.