Photoplastic Film Microfiche Including A Protective Cover

Abstract

Photoplastic film microfiche assembly including a rectangular sheet of photoconductive film having a specular thermoplastic surface. A portion of this surface has a rectilinear pattern arrangement of a plurality of undelineated separate panel areas or frames which are individually bearable of message images. These panel areas either bear or are designed to bear the message images by selective heat deformation. The assembly includes a rectangular base card structure of relatively rigid sheet material having a limited degree of flexibility and a top surface. This card structure is subdivided into a pair of lappable sections which are transversely hinged together so that selectively these sections may be lapped together with their top surfaces opposed therebetween and opened to substantial mutual alignment for defining cooperatively a relatively flat card structure.

Description

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a photoplastic film microfiche assembly which has a specular surface in panel areas or frames in which message images are recordable by heat deformation or rippling, and including an unique protective cover.

Prior to the present invention it was proposed in applicant's copending patent application Ser. No. 244,737 of Apr. 17, 1972 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,781,106 issued Dec. 25, 1973 to provide a certain camera and processing apparatus for recording in panel areas or frames of such photoplastic sheet film deformed message images of this type, and the disclosure of this prior patent application is incorporated herein by reference

The present photoplastic film microfiche assembly includes a permanently attached and openable protective cover. It includes a rectangular photoconductive film sheet having a specular thermoplastic surface. This surface includes an active portion that is provided with a certain rectilinear pattern arrangement of a plurality of undelineated separate panel or frame areas each of which has a surface that is bearable of a deformed message image. The surface of any particular one of these panel or frame areas may at any particular time bear such a deformed message image, or be free of any such message image, but ready to have the latter imposed thereon by deformation effected by message image-bearing light, electrostatic charge and heat in known manner.

This microfiche assembly includes a flat rectangular base card structure of relatively rigid sheet material having a limited degree of flexibility and a top surface. It is subdivided transversely into a pair of lappable sections which are transversely hinged together in a manner to allow them to be hingedly folded together for opposing their top surfaces between these lapped sections and then open them up to substantial mutual alignment for defining a relatively flat card structure. The first one of these lapped card sections is provided with a rectangular window area and means which anchors thereto the film sheet with the specular surface portion of the latter aligned with the window area and facing in the same direction as this section's top surface so as to be covered by the other card section when lapped to the windowed section.

Suitable means provides the top surface of the other second card section with the appearance of a guide grid pattern when the folded card is opened up with the pair of sections thereof substantially aligned to form a substantially flat card structure and the first section thereof is inserted adjustably for use in a camera processing apparatus while the second section is exposed to view. This guide grid pattern, in its appearance to the observer from the top side of this second card section when the two sections are opened up to substantial alignment, is a reliable substantial area replica of the rectilinear pattern arrangement of the panel areas or frames of the film sheet specular surface by being so structurally related to the latter as to assure that the center of each particular film panel area that is hidden from view within the optical apparatus will be accurately aligned with the axis of an optical path of this apparatus when a guide part of the related grid area replica is moved to alignment of an observable fixed reference point of such apparatus.

The appearance of the guide grid pattern may be attained in a number of different ways. For example, marginal lines which define the edges of each of the grid areas may be delineated upon the top surface of the second card cover section, whether the card is of opaque material, or is of "see-through" material such as transparent plastic sheet. In the event that the card sheeting is of "see-through" plastic such grid areas may be delineated on the bottom or outside face of the second cover section, to be observed through this section material. A variant of the latter proposal is to back such "see-through" cover section, when in its open position, with a surface having the grid pattern delineated thereon for observation through this overlying card section.

It is an object of the present invention to provide in a reliably economical manner such a microfiche assembly which will assure the simple attainment of these and other desirable characteristics. Not only does the second cover section when lapped to the first film carrying section of the card effectively protect from handling abrasive damage the film specular surface, whether some or all of the panel areas or frames of the latter bear deformed message images for projection, but also provides a means for carrying a reliable record that is either sight or mechanism readable to avoid or prevent destructive recording of another message image upon one already recorded with a wanted message image in any particular film specular surface panel area or frame. While the use of the base card and its cover section provides for more effective and durable protection of the film sheet it advantageously eliminates the need for the conventional separate fiche jacket.

This desired feature may be attained by relating to each such film panel area or frame that bears such a wanted message image a particular one of the cover section grid areas that is identified with a suitable encoding mark such as a suitable record indicator. While such indicator mark may be in a variety of forms, such as an embossment, color spot, tape patch, etc., desirably it may be provided as a punched hole that is formed at the time that its replica film panel or frame area is recorded with a message image, without any need for so mutilating the film. In order to enhance the readability of such an indicator, particularly when sight appearance may be relied upon for the avoiding guidance, a particular delineating marginal line of each grid area, or the observable image thereof, may be selected for this purpose. Such selected delineating line, or the area of its image, as observed from the top surface of the opened cover section, may have relatively appreciable width, e.g., about one millimeter (1 mm.) wide, to be provided with a small hole formed by a prick punch or needle. The ease of recognition may be enhanced by employing appreciable contrast between the appearance of such delineated marginal line and the grid area which it flanks, and/or by provision of suitable back-lighting of the opened cover section to cause light rays to project through such indicator holes in a more alerting manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide the microfiche assembly and movable carriage means for support of such assembly in its open position for use of its film sheet in suitable optical apparatus with simple, but effective cooperative registration means for accurate location of each of the film panel areas or frames relative to an optical path of the apparatus when the position of each such panel area is signaled by a reference point of such apparatus in relation to the particular grid area matched therewith.

A further object of the invention is to provide by the use of such card structure of the microfiche assembly means that is always associated with the sheet film included in this assembly and which may be employed desirably to inform anyone of the film format content.

An additional object of the invention is to facilitate by such microfiche assembly a very desirable "add-on" characteristic of being able to record on the film sheet thereof message images of one or several documents and allowing them at any time after recording to be viewed in a projector or reader, since the assembly may be removed at any time from the camera/processor or recorder and placed in a projector or reader for check viewing, and then replaced in the camera/processor for adding other message images in unrecorded panel areas or frames of the film. When the base card, or at least its cover section are of "see-through" or transparent sheet material it may protectively cover the film-carrying windowed section and remain so for insertion in the reader to view on the screen of the latter projected images of the various message images that have been deformably imposed or recorded on one or various panel areas or frames of the film sheet of the assembly. In this form of the microfiche assembly with at least the card cover section being of such "see-through" characteristic and formed of a plastic which will withstand without deleterious damage elevated temperatures sufficient to wipe out heat-deformed message images on the panel areas or frames of the film specular surface one or more of the folded microfiche assemblies may be inserted in a suitable heating destruct apparatus rapidly and easily to wipe out such message images from the emulsion surfaces of the film sheets thereof which, upon cooling, leaves these surfaces smooth and unrippled for reuse to record therein fresh message images by the same processing in the camera/processor.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear from reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals identify similar parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the photoplastic film microfiche assembly of the present invention with the cover section of the base card structure shown by full lines in opened position to be in substantial planar alignment with the film-carrying section, and indicating in broken lines this cover section as it is being folded up to lap the film-carrying section for temporary protective securement thereto;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section, taken substantially on line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, with parts broken away and in section, of suitable carriage means for the opened photoplastic film microfiche shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 that is shown laid out thereon in suitable registration, with which an optical apparatus, such as a camera processing instrument, may be equipped to process the microfiche film therein;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, with parts broken away and some details which are shown in other figures omitted from clarity, of such a camera processing apparatus equipped with an embodiment of the carriage, that is a variant of that illustrated in FIG. 3, upon the platen of which the microfiche assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown laid out;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view, with parts in section and broken away, of the encoding marking device that is illustrated in FIG. 4 for indicating on the guide grid appearing on the microfiche cover the particular film panel or frame area in which a message image is being recorded, certain parts being exaggerated as to relative positions for clarity in understanding; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged axial section of the encoding marking device illustrated in FIG. 5, showing connection thereto of the source of compressed air for operating the marking punch thereof and its connection to the control means of the camera processing apparatus for effecting the marking operation during a recording cycle of such apparatus.

A preferred embodiment of the photoplastic film microfiche assembly is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5. The rectangular base card structure 10 thereof is of relatively rigid sheet material having a limited degree of flexibility and while it may be formed from a suitable opaque cardboard sheeting it is preferably in the form of a sheet of "see-through" or transparent (e.g., water clear or tinted as may be desired) plastic having a desirable heat softening point of the order of about 200.degree.F. or higher. This card structure is subdivided transversely into a pair of lappable sections 11 and 12 which are transversely hinged together along a transverse hinge line 13 in a manner to allow them to be hingedly folded together for opposing their respective top surfaces 14 and 15. Such transverse line of hinging may be effected by weakening the card therealong, such as by an aligned series of spaced perforations 16, although other means (such as a break) which will readily occur to one skilled in the art of foldable cards may be employed. As a result, these card sections alternatively may be lapped together and opened up to substantial mutual alignment for defining together a relatively flat card structure.

The first one of these lappable card sections 11 is provided with a rectangular window area 17. Since the base card structure is of "see-through" plastic this window area may be undelineated and constitute a continuous portion of the card section 14, but preferably is defined by the edges of an open window formed by cutting out such portion, as is shown.

A rectangular photoconductive film sheet 18, that has a thermoplastic specular surface which is heat deformable selectively in accordance with the imposition thereon of light images and a distribution of imposed residual electrostatic charges dictated by such light images, as is well-known in this art, is provided. This film sheet is of such lateral dimensions as to be larger in width and length than the window area 17 for lapping edge zones of this film sheet against the margins of the window area. Preferably, this lapping of the edge zones of the film sheet against the margins of the window area is performed behind the latter with a central portion of the film sheet specular surface facing upward and exposed in the open window as an active portion, as is indicated in FIG. 2, and suitable means, such as an adhesive, is employed, such as at 19, to anchor these lapped edges together, preferably in a permanent manner. The exposed active portion of the film specular surface has a certain, predetermined rectilinear pattern arrangement of a plurality of undelineated separate panel or frame areas each of which has, as a subsection of the specular surface, a deformable surface that is bearable of a deformed message image. Such surface of any particular one of these panel or frame areas may at any particular time bear such a deformed message image, or be free of any such message image while being ready to have the latter imposed thereon by heat deformation as dictated by a beam of message image-bearing light and electrostatic charges. By way of example, the film sheet and its exposed active portion of its upwardly facing specular surface may have such dimensions that the latter satisfies the requirements of the National Microfilm Association (NMA) fiche standard for 24.times. microrecording with such a fiche being about 105 mm. long and 148 mm. wide and having 98 message image-bearable panel or frame areas of 12.5 mm. long and 10 mm. wide in a rectilinear pattern of seven transverse or lateral rows with 14 such panel or frame areas in each row. As a result of such orientation and anchorage of the film sheet these panel or frame area specular surfaces are effectively protected from wear and abrasive damage by the second card section 12 when it is folded and lapped up over the first film-carrying card section 11 to serve as a cover therefor.

Suitable means provide the top surface of this second cover section 12 with the appearance of a guide grid pattern when the folded card is opened up substantially to align the two sections thereof in a relative flat plane. This appearance of a guide grid pattern may be caused by delineating, such as by suitably printing, grid lines either on the top or upper surface of this opened cover section, or on the bottom or outer surface thereof to be observed through its "see-through" or transparent plastic body. As a further alternative, this appearance may be provided by delineating such guide grid pattern upon a relatively flat surface which will lie immediately beneath this opened card cover section in use. Since the basic need of such a guide grid pattern is in the selective registration or imposition of the heat deformed message images on the film panel or frame areas in a camera processing apparatus while the film sheet of the microfiche assembly is hidden from view within such apparatus because of insertion therein for this purpose a carriage platen of the apparatus employed for this purpose and adjustably to move the film-carrying card section in or out and sideways for selective alignment of any particular film panel or frame area with the optical image-registering path of the apparatus, the top surface of an outer section of this platen which will conveniently project from the apparatus within the view of the operator may have the delineated guide grid pattern provided thereon. By this grid-bearing card-supporting surface thus being located immediately beneath the projecting card cover section the operator can see it through the latter, due to its "see-through" character, as readily as if it were delineated directly on the bottom outside face, or on the top face, of this card cover section. This guide grid pattern, in its appearance to the observer from the top side of this card cover section when the two sections are so opened up to substantial flat-plane alignment and supported in proper aligned position upon the supporting carriage platen surface, is a reliable substantial area replica of the rectilinear pattern arrangement of the undelineated panel areas or frames of the film sheet specular surface by being so structurally related to the latter as to assure that the center of each particular film panel area that is hidden from view within the optical apparatus will be accurately aligned with the axis of the optical path of this apparatus when a guide part of the related grid area replica is moved to alignment of an observable fixed reference point on the exterior of such apparatus. By way of illustrative example FIG. 1 shows, in broken lines, at 20 an undelineated area of the film specular surface which constitutes a first panel or frame area in which a message image is to be recorded. In FIG. 1 there is also indicated a rectangular grid area which is a replica of the undelineated film surface area 20.

While marginal edges of the opened microfiche assembly 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 may be employed for proper registration upon a carriage platen, or other planar supporting surface structure, such as by nesting such opened fiche assembly within a rectangular recess of such platen or surface structure with rather snug fitting, it may be preferred to provide the film-carrying card section 11 with other means to effect such registration. For example, as is illustrated in FIG. 1, the outer corners of the film-carrying section 11 may be provided with a pair of holes 23 and 123 which will receive a pair of registration pins carried by the platen or supporting surface, as will be more fully indicated hereinafter. Also, any suitable means may be employed temporarily to secure or anchor the folded card cover section 12 in lapped relation to the film-carrying card section 11, and such means may be in the form of smears 24 and 124 of peel-away adhesive.

In FIG. 3 is illustrated a suitable embodiment of the previously mentioned microfiche assembly supporting carriage with which an embodiment of a certain camera processing apparatus may be equipped. Such carriage may include a rectangular base plate structure 25 equipped at its outer edge with a pair of depending guide knuckles or ears 26 and 126 which slidably receive therethrough a fixed lateral guide rail 27, preferably in the form of a rod. This guide rod 27 dictates lateral adjustment in the "X--X" direction. Adjacent a longitudinal edge of the carriage base plate 25 are provided a pair of fixed brackets 28 and 128 which support a longitudinal guide rail or rod 29. The carriage base plate also is provided on its lateral inner edge with a finger or lug 30 which slidably is engaged in a guide channel 31 of a fixed guide bar 32. Thus when the carriage base plate 25 is pushed either to the left or to the right, as viewed in FIG. 3, the guide rod 27 and guide bar 32 assure maintenance of a lateral disposition of the carriage plate 25 in such lateral translation.

The carriage base plate 25 is also provided with a fixed longitudinally-extending guide bar 33 along its longitudinal edge opposite that which carries the guide rod 29. A microfiche assembly supporting platen 34 is slidably supported by the carriage base plate 25. For this purpose, platen 34 is provided with a pair of apertured lugs 35 and 135 which slidably receive therethrough the guide rod 29. The opposite longitudinal edge of the platen 34 is provided with a finger or lug 36 which slidably rides in a channel 37 of the guide bar 33. Thus the platen 34 is constrained to slide in opposite "Y--Y" directions, with the lateral sliding of the carriage base plate 25 being constrained to slide in the opposite X--X directions. The platen preferably is provided with a hand engaging knob 38 on its outer edge so that the X--X and the Y--Y adjustments of the platen 34 may be effected at the will of the operator.

As will be seen from FIGS. 3 and 5 the face of the platen 34 is provided with a rectangular stepped recess 39 which snugly receives the marginal edges of the opened microfiche assembly card 10, that may be employed for assuring proper registration upon the platen face. However, if it is not desired to provide such an extensive recess in the platen face it may be confined to an area thereof which will receive the film sheet 18 of such microfiche assembly with the employment of other registration means, such as holes 23 and 123 in the corners of the film-carrying card section 11 and a pair of registration pins 40 and 140 projecting from and fixed to the face of the platen that will nest into these registration holes.

Preferably, the cover section 12 of the microfiche assembly base card 10 is not equipped with delineated lines to provide the guide grid, particularly when the fiche base card is formed of "see-through" or transparent plastic. Such delineated grid may be provided on the face of the platen 34 or upper surface of the recess in the latter, as is indicated at 42. These delineated grid lines will thus provide the appearance of such grid upon the top face 15 of the cover section 12. It will be seen that such guide grid is composed of longitudinal marginal lines 43 and lateral marginal lines 44.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a camera processing apparatus 45 in which the microfiche assembly 10 of the present invention is to be processed. The housing 46 thereof is suitably supported upon a lateral base 47 and has an access slot 48 in the front thereof, through which a carriage platen 34 extends into the interior where the film sheet 18, carried by the microfiche card section 11, is hidden from view. In this embodiment the carriage platen 34 has associated therewith suitable rack and pinion, and gearing, mechanism for translation laterally (in the X--X direction) and longitudinally (in the Y--Y direction) respectively from rotary hand knobs 49 and 50 mounted on a front extension of the base 47. The front panel 51 of the housing supports in fixed position a suitable microfiche encoding punch and indicator device 52 by means of a suitable bracket 53 which may constitute or carry a fixed observable reference point. Preferably, the housing of the marking and indicator device conveniently carries, for this purpose, an arrow 54 for sight alignment with the delineated left side marginal lines 43 and another arrow 55 for sight alignment with the delineated top marginal lines of the grid areas.

The apparatus housing 46 also desirably has located therein a compressed air supply source, such as a tank 56 thereof, which is connected by a pipe 57 and duct that supplies the compressed air through bracket 53 to the interior of the marking and indicator device 52. Another duct and pipe 58 lead back through the bracket 53 to a control unit 59, such as a pressure switch unit, which may dictate operation of the recording equipment of the camera processing apparatus. For ready reference the optical path of this apparatus includes a housed lens 60 so aligned with respect to the center of any one of the film panel or frame areas, one of which is indicated at 61 in dotted lines although it is undelineated on the film surface, that the observed left side marginal line 43 and the top marginal line 44 of the replica grid area 62 respectively are aligned with the indicator arrows 54 and 55. Rate of flow of compressed air through line 57 may be controlled by a suitable needle valve 63.

As is indicated in FIGS. 5 and 6 the marking punch and indicator device 52 includes a housing barrel 152 having its interior subdivided by a transverse partition 64 into upper and lower chambers 65 and 66, and a bleed hole 67 therein intercommunicates these chambers for balancing pressures in these chambers without the air passing through the partition at a guide hole 68 for a solenoid core rod 69. The upper chamber 65 is closed by a gasketed cover plate 70 and a cupped bracket 71 is mounted with this cover plate for suspension in this upper chamber. The solenoid core rod 69 has its stem slidably extending down through this bracket 71 with a retracting coil spring 72 surrounding this stem between rod head 73 and the bracket 71. Below the bracket is mounted the electrical coil 74 of the solenoid, which is anchored on the top side of the partition by a pair of screws 75 extending down through holes in the partition to carry anchor nuts therebelow, as shown in FIG. 6.

The solenoid core rod 69 slidably extends down through the partition hole 69 with relatively close guidance, and the lower end of this rod carries a chuck 76 in the lower chamber 66. A pair of setscrews 77 and 78 in a side of the chuck 76 respectively fix it on the bottom end of the core rod 69 and fix a needle 79 in the chuck bottom end. The bottom end of the lower chamber 66 is closed by a flexible sheet steel washer or diaphragm 80 having a large central hole 81 down through which the needle tip 82 extends. This diaphragm hole 81 is surrounded on the top by an anchor ring 83 and on the bottom by a contact collar or "shoe" 84, which is formed of an elastomer, such as rubber, that seals against and annularly about an area of the plastic sheet that constitutes the cover section 12 of the base card structure of the microfiche assembly.

A pair of flow passage nipples 157 and 158 communicate to the lower chamber 66, respectively to provide parts of the flow ducts which extend through the support bracket arm 53 of FIG. 4 with one having associated therewith the needle valve 63 to control flow of compressed air from the compressed air supply 56 into the lower chamber by way of supply pipe 57.

Let it be assumed that the opened microfiche film assembly 10, having a transparent or "see-through" plastic sheet cover section 12, is laid out in open position upon the carriage platen 34 of the camera processing apparatus 45 for recording consecutively message images of successive copy sheets of the 98 panel areas or frames of the film sheet 18 of this microfiche assembly in the manner indicated with respect to FIG. 4. The exposed section of the platen 34 which projects from the front of the apparatus 45 has laid out thereon in relatively wide lines, e.g., about 1 mm. wide, of dark or distinctively contrasting color in a rectilinear grid pattern. The marginal lines, such as 43 and 44 in FIG. 4, of the grid areas of such pattern may, if desired, be defined by channels, such as that indicated at 85 in FIG. 5, with the surface thereof contrastingly colored, so that the relief afforded thereby will eliminate hazard of damage to the punching needle point 82.

If it is desired to record by the camera processing apparatus 45 of FIG. 4 a message image of the first copy sheet upon the first film panel area or frame 61 in its upper left hand corner the Y--Y knob 50 will be manually turned to move the platen 34 into the apparatus 45 until the inner end row of such observed grid areas is aligned with the center of the contact collar 84 of the punch housing 52. Accuracy of such alignment is assured when the upper or inner transverse marginal line of this first end row of grid areas is aligned with the fixed position arrow 55. Then the X--X knob 49 will be manipulated to move the platen transversely until the center of the contact collar becomes aligned with a side marginal line of the upper or inner left corner grid area 62, the fixed position arrow 54 aiding in this alignment. For example, should it be intended that the left side marginal line 43 shall receive a punch hole to indicate the recording of a message image in the first upper left hand film panel or frame 61 the axis of the lens of the apparatus will have been offset laterally to the left one-half the width of each of the matching film panel and grid areas, so that this contact collar will be aligned with this left side marginal line as a fixed reference point or pointer when the lens axis is aligned with the center of this first film panel area or frame. As, or after, the recording of the message image in this first film panel area or frame the energizing circuit of the punch solenoid will be closed to cause the punch needle 79 (FIGS. 5 and 6) to be thrust down for punching an indicator hole in the location of this marginal grid area line 43.

With the lower chamber 66 of this punch and indicator device 52 being connected by the second duct of nipple 158 and conduit 58 to a suitable pressure operated switch 59 that is located in an energizing circuit which causes manipulation of the camera processing apparatus controls the supply of pressurized air to this chamber may be utilized to cause the recording of the image in this first film panel area or frame. This function may be realized by a number of different types of mechanisms which may readily occur to one skilled in the art. For example, the pressure switch may close the energizing circuit of a suitable electrical holding relay which in turn will close control circuitry and hold it closed for one complete cycle of the message image recordation process, irrespective of a drop in the pressure of the air in the lower punch and indicator chamber sufficient to permit opening of the pressure switch before the recordation cycle is completed. This will permit, if desired, operation of the punch to form an indicator hole in the cover flap therebeneath before completion of the recordation cycle.

In any event, the punching of the indicator hole in the contact collar-defined area of the cover flap permits any pressurized air in the interior of the housing of this punch and indicator device to escape down through the central hole 81 in the bottom-closing disk diaphragm 80, the contact collar 84 and the so-formed indicator punch hole in the cover flap 12. Accordingly, whenever such indicator punch hole exists for any particular film panel area or frame that has been deformed with a message image the alignment of the center of this deformed, message image bearing panel area or frame with the camera processing optical equipment and simultaneous alignment of the center of the contact collar of this indicator device with the punch hole, any compressed air that is supplied to the interior of the housing 152 thereof will escape through the punch hole. This prevents sufficient pressure build-up in the pressure switch 59 that will cause closure of the energizing circuit of the camera controls, thereby preventing imposition of another deforming message image upon the one already existing in this same film panel area or frame. Thus, in the camera processing apparatus this indicator function of the punch and indicator device desirably prevents destruction of a wanted recorded message image that exists in any certain film panel area or frame for which an indicator punch hole exists in the microfiche film cover section.

The consecutive recordation of successive copy sheet images may then continue from film frame to frame along the lateral row thereof by successive forward X--X shift laterally of the microfiche assembly supporting platen, employing the contact collar as a fixed reference point with respect to the left side marginal line of each of the matching successive grid areas in this first lateral row of the latter. Thereafter, suitable Y--Y and reverse X--X shifts of the supporting platen will permit repetition of the recording operation with respect to the consecutive lateral rows of the film panel areas or frames in similar fashion. Each such recorded film panel area or frame will have associated therewith a record of such recordations in the form of the punched holes in the cover flap, so that if after recording images of the messages borne by all of a certain group of copy sheets a number of the film panel areas or frames have not had imposed thereon by deformation such message images they are indicated as remaining for future "add-on" use by the cover flap grid areas which are not marked by such indicator punch holes.

The photoplastic film which is used in sheet form as an element of the microfiche assembly of the present invention is known to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. In a preferred form for the present purpose it may consist of a base layer of Mylar overlaid with an electrostatic charge conductive coating as a ground plane for selective retention of electrostatic charges, this conductive coating being covered by a photoconductive emulsion coating that is chiefly a mixture of a thermoplastic polymer and a photoconductor. Preferably, the emulsion coating is covered with a thin and partially reflective metallic coating, e.g., of indium. Such photoplastic film and its use are described in the article "Reflective Photoplastic Film" on pages 495-500 of Volume 15, Number 6, November-December 1971 issue of PHOTOGRAPHIC SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING. It may be handled in normal ambient light before and after recording and is made photosensitive only during the actual surface recording period. The message deformation image developed or recorded in the emulsion coating by heat deformation and then cooling fixation is completely stable at temperatures up to about 150.degree. F., and it can be wiped out by substantially elevating the temperature of the emulsion beyond such critical temperature for reuse.

As to certain terminology employed in the claims the following are the meaning intentions thereof.

It is intended that "a certain rectilinear pattern arrangement of a plurality of separate message image bearable panel areas (of the film sheet) that are selectively message image deformable" be understood to mean that the film sheet has such pattern arrangement of the panel areas whether or not these areas be delineated by observable marks on such film sheet. Also, these, or some of these, panel areas may, or may not as yet, bear such deforming message images.

It is also intended that the provision of "a rectangular window area" for the first film sheet carrying card section does not imply the limited meaning of only a cut-out area or hole, but includes, in addition thereto, an area which has a "see-through" characteristic that could be embodied even though such area be left intact provided that it is transparent or will pass effectively the recording light and heat rays, as well as the electrostatic charging ions, therethrough. Further, in anchoring the film sheet thereagainst it may be anchored behind the windowed area, or above it to lie above the top surface of this card section.

Further, it is intended that the "means to provide the top surface of the other second one of said card sections with a guide grid pattern" be understood to include in its meanings delineation of such grid pattern by application of observable marginal lines to the inner top surface of this cover section, whether this base card section is formed of opaque or "see-through" material; application of such observable delineating lines to the bottom outside face of this card section when it is formed of such "see-through" material; or when of such "see-through" material application of the observable delineating lines to an underlying or adjacent surface.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is the novel subject matter defined in the following claims:

1. A photoplastic film microfiche assembly comprising

1. a rectangular photoconductive film sheet having a specular thermoplastic surface which includes a portion provided with a certain rectilinear pattern arrangement of a plurality of separate message image bearable panel areas that are selectively message image deformable; and

2. a flat rectangular base card structure of relatively rigid sheet material having a limited degree of flexibility and a top surface; characterized by

3. said base card structure being subdivided into a pair of lappable sections which are transversely hinged together in a manner to permit this card structure selectively to be hingedly folded to lap and sections together with their top surfaces opposed between the lapped sections and opened to substantial mutual alignment for defining together a relatively flat card structure;

4. a first one of said lappable card sections being provided with a rectangular window area and means anchoring thereto said photoconductive film sheet having its specular surface portion aligned with said window area and facing in the same direction as the top surface of this section to be covered by the other of said sections upon lapping the latter to said windowed section;

5. means to provide the top surface of the other second one of said card sections with the appearance of a guide grid pattern which is a substantial area replica of the rectilinear pattern arrangement of the panel areas of said film sheet specular surface portion when said second cover section is swung to its open flat alignment position relative to said first filmcarrying card section and the latter is inserted adjustably for use in a camera processing apparatus while said opened second section is exposed to view, these patterns of said second card section and of said film sheet carried by said first card section being so structurally related that each particular film panel area of the inserted film sheet will be accurately aligned with the axis of an optical path of such apparatus when a guide part of the grid area replica of this film panel area is moved to alignment of an observable fixed reference point of such apparatus.

2. The photoplastic film microfiche as defined in claim 1 characterized by means detachably to fasten said pair of card sections together in lapped relation.

3. The photoplastic film microfiche as defined in claim 1 characterized by said film-carrying card section having registration means for removable engagement with position-locating means of a movable carriage of the camera processing apparatus.

4. The photoplastic film microfiche as defined in claim 1 characterized by said cover card section being provided with the appearance of its guide grid pattern by delineations printed on an observable surface thereof.

5. The photoplastic film microfiche as defined in claim 4 characterized by said cover card section being formed of seethrough plastic with one of its inner top and outer bottom surfaces having such grid delineations printed thereon.

6. The photoplastic film microfiche as defined in claim 5 characterized by lines of the delineated guide grid pattern being of relatively appreciable width with encoding grid marks, that are observable at the inner top surface of the cover section and which distinguishingly identify the grid areas, being applied within the areas of the delineating lines whereby the intervening see-through and individually identified grid areas are free from such encoding marks.

7. The photoplastic film microfiche as defined in claim 5 characterized by said film-carrying card section being formed from the same see-through plastic with both card sections being provided by a single sheet thereof which is transversely weakened to define the intervening hinge fold.

8. The photoplastic film microfiche as defined in claim 1 characterized by said film-carrying section being windowed by a cutaway area with the margins of the film sheet attached to the margins of the resulting window.

9. The photoplastic film microfiche as defined in claim 8 characterized by said film sheet being located outward of the window margins with the specular surface portion of said film sheet directly exposed within the cutaway window area.

10. The photoplastic film microfiche as defined in claim 1 characterized by said guide grid pattern in its observable appearance on said cover section when said base card structure is in its open flat position being delineated by marginal line images of appreciable width having an appearance of appreciable contrast with that of the rectilinear areas margined by said line images, at least one of the marginal line images for each of at least some of such margined areas which are substantial area replicas of certain of the film panel areas as are bearing deformed message images being provided with a readable indicator mark that indicates the presence of such deformed message image.

11. The photoplastic film microfiche as defined in claim 10 characterized by said indicator mark being in the form of a punched hole.