US3330178A - Apparatus for checking the pitch of spaced visible effects in the course of being formed in a travelling strip or web - Google Patents

Description

July 11, 1967 TIMSON 3,330,178

APPARATUS FOR CHECKING THE PITCH OF SPACED VISIBLE EFFECTS IN THE COURSE OF BEING FORMED IN A TRAVELLING STRIP OR WEB Filed. July 29, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 11, 1967 E. A. TIMSON 3,330,178

APPARATUS FOR CHECKING THE PITCH OF SPACED VISIBLE EFFECTS IN THE COURSE OF BEING FORMED IN A TRAVELLING STRIP OR WEB Filed July 29, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2- United States Patent 3,330,178 APPARATUS FOR CHECKING THE PITCH OF SPACED VISIBLE EFFECTS IN THE COURSE OF BEING FORMED IN A TRAVELLING STRIP 0R WEB Ernest A. Timson, 75 Northampton Road, Kettering, England Filed July 29, 1963, Ser. No. 298,186 Claims priority, application Great Britain, July 31, 1962,

2 Claims. (CI. 88-14) Continuous strips or webs of flexible paper, thin card, film or the like for use in automatic or semi-automatic adding, calculating, tabulat'mg and similar accounting machines, computers and so on customarily have uniformly spaced series of holes punched in marginal or other longitudinally extending portions thereof, the purpose of these holes being to co-operate with projections or teeth on movable feeding components included in the machines.

Sometimes such marginally or otherwise punched strips or webs are initially printed upon, apertured or otherwise appropriately dealt with to provide relevant information for feeding into and through the machines.

Moreover, marginally or otherwise punched, initially continuous strips or Webs may, on occasions, be subsequently divided, by transverse cuts, into separate pieces or cards constituting business forms, invoices and the likealso for feeding into certain types of accounting and analogous machines.

In any event, accuracy of the spacing of the continuous series of holes in the strips or webs and thus, in appropriate cases, also the accurate register of such holes in relation to information in or borne by the said strips or webs, is of paramount importance. A variation in the spacing would, of course, prevent a strip or web from being properly fed into a machine. But, more importantly, inaccurate hole spacing would preclude a strip or Web which is printed and punched in one machine from being subsequently fed through another preparing apparatus such, for example, as a collator adapted to collate and bring into correct superimposed relation webs suchwise as to form, as is sometimes required, a multi-web pad or pack.

Inaccurate spacing of continuous series of holes can occur in a combined printing and punching machine by virtue of the flexible strip or web being incorrectly tensioned.

The present invention is concerned with a means for checking the pitch of a continuous series of such holes, marks or any other appropriate visible eflects whilst these are in the course of being formed in or on a continuous strip or web as aforesaid, such means automatically detecting and signalling any inaccuracies in the spacing. The employment of these means thereby enable suitable counter-measures such, for instance, as variations in the tension of the strip or Web, to be taken with the aim of correcting inaccuracies. The expression marks used above includes printed spots and the like.

The object of the invention, therefore, is to provide, for use in conjunction with a machine for forming continuous series of uniformly spaced visible effects in travelling flexible strips or webs, a simple and etficient checking apparatus for the purpose specified.

Broadly considered, the apparatus constituting this in- 3,330,178 Patented July 11, 1967 vention comprises two basic systems in combination; viz, a scanning system and an image forming system. Scanning is performed at two stations along the travelling web, the stations being separated by some known multiple of the pitch desired. Each station is comprised of a light source adapted to be flashed simultaneously, one with the other, and synchronously with the passage of the spaced visible effects by each station, thereby illuminating the eifects as they pass, and a pair of scanning prisms which serve the purpose of reflecting the light given off by the illuminated eifects to a common location at which the image forming system can come into play. The imaging system is then used to project the two images of the spaced visible eflects, in superimposed relationship, upon a viewable surface. Accuracy of the positioning of the spaced effects or uniformity of pitch is indicated to the observer by congruence of the two images, and lack of accuracy, or nonuniformity, is signalled by lack of coincidence of the two images. Preferably the light sources are of contrastingly different colors thereby facilitating an accurate determination of image congruence. I

For convenience in the following further description visible effects in the form of spaced holes will be concentrated upon without, however, any limitation in this respect.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood and readily carried into practical effect, specific arrangements of a hole spacing indicator, and one particular manner of visually discriminating between congruence and lack of congruence between superimposed images of formed holes will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 depicts, in purely diagrammatic fashion, one arrangement of the hole spacing indicator exemplifying the principle of pitch checking involved,

FIGURE 2 illustrates, as viewed in the scanner, images indicating respectively correct and incorrect spacing of holes,

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of one practical form'of optical apparatus for checking the spacing of holes, and

FIGURE 4 is a side view of the same as seen in the direction of the arrow A in FIGURE 3.

Referring to FIGURE 1, the letter W indicates an opaque travelling strip or web which has had formed therein, as it travels, a series of what are required to be uniformly spaced punched holes h disposed at the pitch p. At two fixed stations S and S1 spaced apart a multiple of (twice as shown) the pitch p are scanning means. Thus, the scanning means at the station S comprise a light source 1 of one distinctive colour, say red, arranged to shine through the holes 11, and a reflective surface in the form of a plane mirror m adapted to reflect the images of the holes successively illuminated and defined by the said source. The scanning means at the station S1 comprise a light source 1 of a contrasting colour, say green, similarly arranged to shine through the holes h, and a reflective surface in the form of a plane mirror m for reflecting images of holes illuminated and defined by the light source 1 The complete optical system included in the apparatus includes, in association with the plane mirrors m and m at the two scanning stations S and S1, an arrangement of further plane reflecting mirrors m and m and a lens L adapted to collect and collate the two reflected images I and to project the same on to a ground screen, as shown, or through an eyepiece. Naturally, the

images to be viewed may, if desired, be substantially :magnified to facilitate viewing.

The light sources 1 and 1 may advantageously be in the form of electric lamps.'Preferably, such lamps are simultaneously flashed on and off (electrically or by mechanically shutters) synchronously with the passage of successive holes h past the lamps and in such a mannet, of course, that the lamps are on or effective only at those intervals when they are required to illuminate the holes h. In other words, the lamps are flashed in unison, in time 'With the repetition frequency of the holes.

Any appropriate expedient may be adopted to facilitate visual discrimination between an indication of con.- gruence of the superimposed images I and a signal calling attention 'to a lack of complete coincidence of the said images. The same expedient may be used to indicate the direction of displacement of the images and consequently whether the spaces between the successive holes h are plus or minus the required normal pitch p, this in turn enabling an attendant to take the appropriate counter action. Advantageously, such visual discrimination may be based on colour contrast and this is the reason why the two light sources and 1 are difierently coloured as aforesaid. Accordingly, when the two contrastingly coloured images I of illuminated holes are superimposed and strictly congruent their projection will display a spot or area of mono-coloured, say yellow, light, whereas projection of images which are relatively displaced in one direction or the other will display a spot or area which although having the appearance of being mainly monocoloured is nevertheless adjoined at its opposite sides by segments, bars or strips of respectively different coloured light, For example, where the holes h are circular and the lamps l and 1 arranged to shine through them are, as previously mentioned, coloured respectively red and green, then projected congruent images indicating correct spacing will display a mono-coloured circular spot or area of yellow light (see a, FIGURE 2). Displacement of the images in one direction will produce a spot or area of yellow light bounded at the left-hand side by a segment r of red light and at the right-hand side by a similar segment of g green light, thereby indicating that angles to the tube 7. Fitted telescopically with the second tube 8 is a third tube 10 in which a flat ground glass screen 9 is mounted whereon the two superimposed images of relevant holes h at stations S and S1 are focussed. The

screen is back viewed through a hood 11. Adjusting screws 12 and 13 for moving the pair of prisms 1 and 2 and 5 and 6 are adapted to be so set as to achieve complete superimposition of the images. The apparatus is mounted upon two parallel mounting bars 14 so that its position can be adjusted in the directionof said bars. Merely by way of example it may be mentioned that in this particular 'case the stations S and S1 are set 15" apart, i.e. at a distance equal to fifteen times the pitch p of the holes h. The straight strip or web W is supported to travel beneath the prisms 1 and 6 and the red and green lamps l and I shine upwards through the holes h on to the said two prisms.

Alternatively, longitudinally spaced checking holes, other than but correlated with the continuous series of holes being produced may be separately formed in the strip or web for scanning at the two stations. In this case, the specially formed checking holes may be spaced apart to correspond with the longitudinal spacing of the scanning stations, viz, a distance equal to a multiple of the pitch of the continuous series of holes, in which instance the two superimposed images of holes projected on to the viewing surface would not be virtually continuous; in contra-distinction, these images would be discontinuous being flashed on to the surface at regular intervals only.

The primary idea and intention is that the condition, such as incorrect tensioning of the travelling strip or web W, which causes any inaccuracy in the spacing of the successively produced holes shall be corrected by reference 7 to the projected superimposed images,the correcting inthe spacing of the holes is too close (see [7, FIGURE 2).

On the other hand, displacement of the images in the opposite direction will produce the same spot or area of yellow light but this time bounded at the left-hand side by A a segment g of green light and at the right-hand side by a segment r of red light, as indicated at c in FIGURE 2, thereby indicating that the holes are too far apart. In other words, by noting the relative positions of the red 7 and green (or other contrastingly coloured) segments the eye can readily detect whether the displacement of the superimposed images is to the left or right and consequently whether the pitch of the holes is plus or minus normal. In this regard, the width of the contrastingly V coloured crescents will be equal and indicate the amount of error in spacing.

The practical form of optical apparatus illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4 includes six prisms 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 arranged as shown in conjunction with an acromatic lens L which, in this particular example, may be a 6 /2" focal length lens of 1" in diameter. The two scanning prisms fluence being maintained until a lack of complete coincidence of the images is converted into congruence of the same. In this regard, checks can be taken from time to time by an occasional glance at the surface upon which the superimposed images are projected. Or any appropriate means, such as photo-electric. means arranged to detect a lack of coincidence of the images may, through the medium of an electrical or/ and electronic system, be adapted to eifect or initiate the actuation of a visual or/ and aural signalling device designed to attract the attention of the attendant of the machine.

In any event, the extent to which any inaccuracy of spacing of the holes displaces the images out of congruence, small though this extent may be, represents or is proportional to the distance by which the total number of spaces between the two scanning stations varies from the correct normal.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for use adjacent to a. travelling web suitable for monitoring on a continuous basis the pitch of holes formed in the web to determine if the holes are uniformly spaced, said apparatus comprising, in combination, individual contrastingly coloured light sources located at two scanning station's spaced apart a distance equal to some known multiple of the desired pitch of such holes, and arranged to shine through and define the holes successively passing the said stations, said light sources being adapted to be simultaneously flashed on and off synchronously with the movement of successive holes past a the said sources, a first tube to extend above and along- 1 and 6 are mounted on the outside and at opposite ends 7 of a tube 7 within which the four prisms 2, 3, 4and 5 are accommodated and arranged as shown in FIGURE 3. The lens L is mounted, closely adjacent to 'the pair of prisms3, 4, within a second tube 8 disposed. at right side the travelling web, pairs of scanning prisms carried at the opposite ends of said tube and respectively arranged to be at said scanning stations, the first prism of each said pair being so arranged as tobe above both the web and the corresponding light source so as to receive the light rays which pass through said holes and to reflect said rays in a direction substantially normal to the edge of said web, and the second prism of said pair being housed within the first tube and so oriented as to receive the light rays reflected by said first prism and to reflect Said ys toward the opposite end of said tube, a second tube secured and disposed at right angles to said first tube, a further pair of oppositely arranged prisms located within said first tube at the juncture said second tube makes with said first tube and arranged so as to receive the light rays reflected from said second prisms of the scanning pairs and to reflect said rays in a direction parallel to and within said second tube, a lens mounted in said second tube to collect the rays reflected by all of said prisms and to project said rays in superimposed relation at a common image plane, thereby producing superimposed images of said holes, means for adjusting said scanning prisms so as to achieve complete superimposition of the images at said image plane, a third tube, having a flat ground glass screen mounted therein, fitted telescopically with said second tube whereby the position of said screen is adjustable and may be made to correspond with said image plane, said third tube being open at both ends such that the superimposed images may be viewed from the rear, the accuracy of the desired pitch being indicated to the viewer by the degree of congruence of the superimposed images, and means mounting the apparatus for simultaneous lateral adjustment of both scanning prisms with respect to the travelling web.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for adjusting said scanning prisms comprises adjusting screws located at the ends of said first tube.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 881,127 3/1908 Jacob 882.6 1,070,699 8/1913 Kitsee. 2,016,036 10/ 1935 Fitzgerald. 2,473,625 6/1949 Wheeler 352200 X 2,536,866 1/1951 Barcus 881.5 X

OTHER REFERENCES 0. E. Conklin, Two Microscopes for Measuring the Dimensions of 35-mm. Cine Film, in the Journal of the Society of Motion Picture Engineers, vol. 49, No. 6, pp. 537-543, (pp. 542543 relied on).

20 JEWELL H. PEDERSEN, Primary Examiner.

F. SHOON, O. B. CHEW, Assistant Examiners.

Claims (1)

1. APPARATUS FOR USE ADJACENT TO A TRAVELLING WEB SUITABLE FOR MONITORING ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS THE PITCH OF HOLES FORMED IN THE WEB TO DETERMINE IF THE HOLES ARE UNIFORMLY SPACED, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, INDIVIDUAL CONTRASTINGLY COLOURED LIGHT SOURCES LOCATED AT TWO SCANNING STATIONS SPACED APART A DISTANCE EQUAL TO SOME KNOWN MULTIPLE OF THE DESIRED PITCH OF SUCH HOLES, AND ARRANGED TO SHINE THROUGH AND DEFINE THE HOLES SUCCESSIVELY PASSING THE SAID STATIONS, SAID LIGHT SOURCES BEING ADAPTED TO BE SIMULTANEOUSLY FLASHED ON AND OFF SYNCHRONOUSLY WITH THE MOVEMENT OF SUCCESSIVE HOLES PAST THE SAID SOURCES, A FIRST TUBE TO EXTEND ABOVE AND ALONGSIDE THE TRAVELLING WEB, PAIRS OF SCANNING PRISMS CARRIED AT THE OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID TUBE AND RESPECTIVELY ARRANGED TO BE AT SAID SCANNING STATIONS, THE FIRST PRISM OF EACH SAID PAIR BEING SO ARRANGED SO TO BE ABOVE BOTH THE WEB AND THE CORRESPONDING LIGHT SOURCE SO AS TO RECEIVE THE LIGHT RAYS WHICH PASS THROUGH SAID HOLES AND TO REFLECT SAID RAYS IN A DIRECTION SUBSTANTIALLY NORMAL TO THE EDGE OF SAID WEB, AND THE SECOND PRISM OF SAID PAIR BEING HOUSED WITHIN THE FIRST TUBE AND SO ORIENTED AS TO RECEIVE THE LIGHT RAYS REFLECTED BY SAID FIRST PRISM AND TO REFLECT SAID RAYS TOWARD THE OPPOSITE END OF SAID TUBE, A SECOND TUBE SECURED AND DISPOSED AT RIGHT ANGLES TO SAID FIRST TUBE, A FURTHER PAIR OF OPPOSITELY ARRANGED PRISMS LOCATED WITHIN SAID FIRST TUBE AND ARRANGED SO AS TO RECEIVE THE WITH SAID FIRST TUBE AND ARRANGED SO AS TO RECEIVE THE LIGHT RAYS REFLECTED FROM SAID SECOND PRISMS OF THE SCANNING PAIRS AND TO REFLECT SAID RAYS IN A DIRECTION PARALLEL TO AND WITHIN SAID SECOND TUBE, A LENS MOUNTED IN SAID SECOND TUBE TO COLLECT THE RAYS REFLECTED BY ALL OF SAID PRISMS AND TO PROJECT SAID RAYS IN SUPERIMPOSED RELATION AT A COMMON IMAGE PLANE, THEREBY PRODUCING SUPERIMPOSED IMAGES OF SAID HOLES, MEANS FOR ADJUSTING SAID SCANNING PRISMS SO AS TO ACHIEVE COMPLETE SUPERIMPOSITION OF THE IMAGES AT SAID IMAGE PLANE, A THIRD TUBE, HAVING A FLAT GROUND GLASS SCREEN MOUNTED THEREIN, FITTED TELESCOPICALLY WITH SAID SECOND TUBE WHEREBY THE POSITION OF SAID SCREEN IS ADJUSTABLE AND MAY BE MADE TO CORRESPOND WITH SAID IMAGE PLANE, SAID THIRD TUBE BEING OPEN AT BOTH ENDS SUCH THAT THE SUPERIMPOSED IMAGES MAY BE VIEWED FROM THE REAR, THE ACCURACY OF THE DESIRED PITCH BEING INDICATED TO THE VIEWER BY THE DEGREE OF CONGRUENCE OF THE SUPERIMPOSED IMAGES, AND MEANS MOUNTING THE APPARATUS FOR SIMULTANEOUS LATERAL ADJUSTMENT OF BOTH SCANNING PRISMS WITH RESPECT TO THE TRAVELLING WEB.

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