US3843964A

US3843964A - Magnetic transfer recording apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3843964A
Application number: US00318710A
Authority: US
Inventors: S Fujimoto
Original assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Priority date: 1971-12-27
Filing date: 1972-12-27
Publication date: 1974-10-22
Anticipated expiration: 1991-10-22
Also published as: GB1416727A; DE2263070A1; DE2263070C3; FR2167117A5; DE2263070B2

Abstract

An apparatus for magnetic transfer recording of the magnetic information carried on a master sheet onto a magnetized blank sheet pressed against the master sheet, comprising a cleaning means for cleaning the magnetized blank sheet which has a magnetically recording layer on its surface, and means for bringing the magnetized blank sheet into pressing contact with the master sheet and for applying a magnetic field to the two sheets whereby the information magnetically carried by the master sheet can be magnetically transfer recorded on the magnetized blank sheet.

Description

States Patent 1 1 1 1 ,9 4 Fujimoto 1 Oct. 22, 1974 1 1 MAGNETIC TRANSFER RECORDING 3.128.492 4/1964 Hanscom et a1 15/308 APPARATUS 3'233235 5133? E ya/S13 1 11'1 t Inventor: Sakae Fujimoto, y Japan 3.640.293 2/1972 Freeman 274/47 3 72l,775 3/1973 Fujimoto et a1 179/1002 E [73] Asslgnee' fiz Ka'sha Rlcoh Tokyo 3,760,391 9/1973 w61f 179 1002 T [22] Filed: Dec. 27, 1972 Primary ExaminerAlfred H. Eddleman Attorney, Agent, or FirmCooper, Dunham Clar [21] Appl. No.. 318,710 Grim & Moran [30] Foreign Application Priority Data [57] ABSTRACT Dec. 27, 1971 Japan 46-2812 An a 6 pparatus for magnetlc transfer recording of the July 24, 1972 Japan 4. 47-87028 magnetic information carried on a master Sheet Onto a magnetized blank sheet pressed against the master [52] US. Cl 360/ 17, 15/308, 2376467873, Sheet, Comprising a cleaning means for Cleaning the magnetized blank sheet which has a magnetically regg g cording layer on its surface, and means for bringing 0 274/47. 7 6 the magnetized blank sheet into pressing contact with the master sheet and for applying a magnetic field to the two sheets whereby the information magnetically [56] References Cited carried by the master sheet can be magnetically trans- UNITED STATES PATENTS fer recorded on the magnetized blank sheet 2,986,609 5/1961 Hoshino et a1. 179/1002 E 3.093709 6/1963 Hoshi et a1. 179 1002 E 16 Clams 23 Drawlng Flgures 3.843.984 SHEET 1!! 7 PAYENTEum 22 I974 w wmov PATENTEUUNPE M 3.843.964

sum

2 or 7 VACUUM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to magnetic transfer recording apparatus for effecting magnetic transfer recording of the magnetically recorded information carried by a master sheet onto magnetized blank sheets.

Information may be magnetically recorded on magnetized sheets each comprising a base layer which may be a sheet of paper, plastic or other suitable material and a coating of a ferromagnetic material, such as Fe O M 6 0, or combined ferrite. Information such as mucic speech, etc., may be recorded on a master sheet of this type. The master sheet may then be brought into intimate contact with each of a succession of similar magnetized blank sheets, with the magnetic material coatings of the master and blank sheets being disposed adjacent each other, and a magnetic field may be applied to the two sheets to magnetically transfer the information recorded on the master sheet onto the magnetized blank sheet to thereby make a duplicate copy of the master sheet. The duplicate copy may be provided with positioning or registration openings which are useful when magnetically reading the information recorded thereon by this type of transfer recording.

Heretofore, it has been customary to print a title or caption on a surface of a magnetized blank sheet after recording thereon magnetic information by transfer recording from a master sheet. A disadvantage of this arrangement is that the magnetized sheet tends to swell when printing ink or ink repellent etching solution are applied to it during printing. Further the magnetized surface of the blank sheet may be damaged by contact with the printing machine or foreign matter may adhere thereto thereby causing distortion in the reproduced sound and rendering the produced recorded sheet unacceptable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention obviates the aforementioned disadvantages which result from the prior art method of subjecting to a printing operation the magnetized sheets on which information has been magnetically recordedby transfer recording from the master sheet. Accordingly, the invention has as its object to provide a magnetic transfer recording apparatus comprising means for cleaning the magnetic blank sheet before information is magnetically recorded thereon by transfer recording from the master sheet, so that any matter which may adhere to the magnetized sheet as a result of the print ing operation performed prior to transfer recording of magnetic information can be removed so as not to interfere with the transfer recording operation.

According to the invention, a blank magnetized sheet (on which no magnetic information is recorded yet) is first processed through a printing operation, then processed through a cleaning operation, and finally brought into pressing engagement with the master sheet while a magnetic field is applied to the two sheets so as to magnetically transfer record the magnetic information carried by the master sheet onto the magnetized blank sheet. When the information carried by the master sheet is magnetically transfer recorded on the magnetized blank sheet in accordance with the invention, there is no swelling of the magnetized sheet under the influences of printing ink or the like which may occur during the prior art printing operation, and there is no possibility of distortion which may adversely affect recording tracks on the sheet. Additionally, any foreign matter which may adhere to the master sheet or to the magnetized blank sheets during printing can be removed by the cleaning pperation, so that magnetic transfer recording can be carried out satisfactorily.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a sectional view of one form of a magnetic transfer recording apparatus incorporating the invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the manner in which guide threads of a sheet cleaning means shown in FIG. 1 are trained.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a thread stretching rod showing the manner in which the guide threads of FIG. 2 are connected thereto.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the mounting plate shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the mounting plate showing the manner in which it is attached to a case shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the thread stretching rod shown in FIG. 3 as a guide plate is tensioned.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing by way of an example the manner in which the thread stretching rod is mounted on the case.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the manner in which a pressing disc and a receiving table shown in FIG. 1. are disposed adjacent each other.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing by way of example a drive means for the pressing plate.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing by way of an illustration the construction of a connecting rod for the pressing plate.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing another example of the manner of connection between the connecting rod for the pressing plate and a connecting bar.

FIG. 12 is a front view of one example of means for opening the pressing plate.

FIG. 13 is a front view showing the manner of operation of means shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the construction of sheet positioning means.

FIG. 15 is a sectional front view showing the construction of sheet pressing means.

FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 are sectional side views showing the manner in which the leading end portion of a sheet is positioned.

FIG. 18 is a side view of one form of a one-way clutch.

FIG. 19 is a side view showing a form of construction of feed rollers for positioning a sheet.

FIG. 20 is a sectional view showing the construction of a punch.

FIG. 21 is a plan view showing by way of illustration a magnetic sheet onto which information has been magnetically transferred from the master sheet.

FIG. 22 is a sectional view showing the construction of brush rollers.

FIG. 23 is a side view of another form of magnetic transfer recording apparatus incorporating the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 schematically shows one form of a magnetic transfer recording apparatus according to this invention. The purpose of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is to successively pick up the topmost of the magnetic blank sheets from a stack of sheets in a tray 1, which is at the right-hand side of FIG. 1, to successively move the magnetic blank sheets through a cleaning means, to then record magnetic information on the cleaned sheets, and to punch registration or positioning holes in the sheets on which magnetic information is so recorded.

Each of the sheets S which are in the tray 1 has a magnetic material surface on which information, such as music, speech and the like may be magnetically recorded. However, the sheets S in the tray 1 are blank, i.e., carry no magnetically recorded information. They may be bulk-magnetized in preparation for subsequent magnetic transfer recording of magnetic information, but such magnetic transfer recording has not yet been carried out.

The sheets S in the tray 1 may have been processed through a printing step in which labels, identifying information and the like may have been printed on them. In the course of the printing step and in the course of the associated handling, foreign matter may have adhered to the sheets S. In order to remove any such foreign matter and in order to make sure that the sheets S are adequately clean for magnetic transfer recording, they are suitably cleaned by the means enclosed in a case 21 prior to transfer recording of magnetic information.

In particular, the topmost sheet S1 from the stack of sheets S in the tray is picked up by means disclosed in detail below and is moved forwardly (to the left in FIG. 1), and through the cleaning means enclosed in the case 21. The cleaned sheet 51 is then moved further forward and is placed on top of and in proper registration with a master sheet S which is resting on a receiving table 37 and has magnetic information, such as music, speech and the like recorded on its top surface. Then, a pressing plate 46 is brought down onto the sheet S1 which is in proper registration with the master sheet S0, and two concomitant operations are performed: the information which is magnetically recorded on the master sheet S0 is recorded magnetically on the sheet S1 by magnetic transfer recording, and registration (positioning) openings are punched in the sheet S1 for use in future playing of the sheet S1. The pressing plate 46 is then lifted, and the sheet S which has magnetic information recorded on it is ejected into a duplicate sheet receiving tray 157. These operations are repeated with successive topmost sheets $1 from the tray 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, the sheet rest tray 1 disposed at the right portion of the apparatus supports a stack of sheets S. The sheet rest tray 1 is supported for vertical movement by

rollers

2 and 3 which are provided at opposite sides of the tray 1 (only one side being shown) and are received in vertical slots 40 formed in two support walls 4 (only one wall being shown). The tray 1 has a rack 5 secured to its front and maintained in meshing engagement with a pinion 6, so that the tray 1 can be moved upwardly by being driven by the pinion-and-rack arrangement as the number of sheets S on the tray 1 is reduced.

Successive topmost sheets S1 from the tray 1 are moved forwardly as follows: The leading ends of the sheets S are aligned vertically by a front vertical plate 7 and one sheet after another, starting with the uppermost sheet, is fed to conveyor rollers 9 and 10 disposed anterior to the tray 1 by means of a plurality of suction boards 8 (only one suction board being shown) arranged in a row above the stack of sheets on the tray 1.

Each suction board 8 is secured to the lower end of a tubular arm 12 together with a keep plate 11 for preventing two sheets from being fed at a time, and the tubular arm 12 is secured to a tubular shaft 13 which is supported for angular rotation by two arms 15 (only one arm being shown) connected to an immovable member (not shown) through a shaft 14. The two arms 15 are adapted to be controlled by a group of cams 16 disposed in the center lower portion in FIG. 1 for vertical swinging motion about the shaft 14.

Also secured to the tubular shaft 13 is an arm 17 supporting at its forward end a roller 18 received in a slot 19 formed in one side wall 4 of the apparatus. The slot 19 is formed with a forwardly directly inclined edge and a downwardly directed substantially vertical opening, so that the roller 18 reciprocates in the opening when the arms 15 pivot about the shaft 14. In order to ensure that the roller 18 reciprocates in the opening of slot 19, a spring 20 is connected to the lower end of the arm 17.

When the roller 18 moves in the slot 19, the arm 17 pivots and causes the suction boards 8 to reciprocate along a path similar to the path of movement of the roller 18 in the slot 19. As the suction boards 8 move downwardly above the sheets S by moving as aforementioned, air in the suction boards 8 is withdrawn by a suction pump (not shown) through the tubular arms 12 and tubular shaft 13 to permit the uppermost sheet S1 on the stack of sheets S to be drawn by suction and attracted to the suction boards 8 which move the sheet S1 forwardly and feed to the rollers 9 and 10. As soon as the sheet S1 is nipped by the conveyor rollers 9 and 10, the suction pump is rendred inoperative and the sheet S1 is released from the suction boards 8.

The successive sheets S1 which are moved forwardly as described above are cleaned as described below.

Disposed leftwardly of the conveyor rollers 9 and 10 in FIG. 1 is a case 21 formed with sheet passing openings 21a and 2112 at the right and left sides thereof and housing therein cleaning means C comprising a pair of

tubular brush rollers

22 and 23 rotatably mounted therein for cleaning sheets supplied thereto. The two

rollers

22 and 23, which are intended to remove from the sheet S1 a powder applied to the magnetic surface of the sheet S1 to prevent printing ink from adhering to the magnetic surface when the sheet S1 is processed through a printing operation, are rotated in the direction of arrows shown in FIG. 1 to clean the sheet S1 with the hair of brushes provided on the peripheries of the rollers.

In order to remove the foreign matter which may have been dislodged by the

brush rollers

22 and 23, the rollers are formed in their peripheral surfaces with a large number of suction openings connected through lines to a suction pump. The powder or dust removed by the brushes from the sheet S1 is drawn by suction through the suction openings into the interior of each roller and collected through the lines.

In order to guide a sheet S1 between the

brush rollers

22 and 23, a plurality of sets of

guide threads

24 and 25 which may be made of nylon or other suitable material are trained between the upper edges of the openings 21a and 21b and between the lower edges of the openings 21a and 21b respectively. In FIG. 2, the upper set of guide threads 24 are trained between a thread stretching rod 26 disposed in the case 21 near the upper edge of the opening 21a and a thread connecting bar 28 disposed in the case 21 near the upper edge of the opening 21b while the lower set of guide threads 25 are trained between stretching rod 27 disposed in the case 21 near the lower edge of the opening 21a and a thread connecting bar 29 disposed in the case 21 near the lower edge of the opening 21b. The manner of stretching the guide threads will now be described.

The thread stretching rods 26 and 27 are formed therein with a plurality of openings 30 as illustrated in FIG. 3 with reference to the thread stretching rod 26. Each of the openings 30 is constructed such that it has a major diameter portion as shown at 30a at the thread entrance side and a minor diameter portion as shown at 30b at the thread exit side, the minor diameter portion being sufficiently large to permit a single thread to pass there-through.

Each thread is formed at its trailing end with a stop knot 24a by forming a knot or by inserting a metal piece or the like in the knot, and threaded into each opening 30 till the stop knot 24a catches against the minor diameter portion 30b and the thread is fixed in position. The

thread connecting bars

28 and 29 are each formed with a thread connecting portion 28a formed with a row of openings 31 each large enough for the thread to pass therethrough and a mounting portion 28b for mounting the bar itself to the case 21, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 with reference to the bar 28. The threads extending from the bar 26 each pass through the respective opening 31 and are prevented from being dislodged from the opening by a stop knot 24b. The lower set of guide threads 25 are also secured to the rod 27 and bar 29 and prevented from being dislodged therefrom by means of stop knots 25a and 25b as shown in FIG. 2.

The mounting portion 28b of each thread connecting bar is formed therein with a plurality of openings 32 comprising major diameter openings 32a and minor diameter openings 32b as shown in FIG. 4. Screws 33 mounted in a row in the case 21 can be received at their heads in the major diameter openings 32 while only the stems of these screws can be received in the minor diameter openings 3212. Thus, by fitting the heads 33a of screws 33 in the major diameter openings 32a and then moving the bar 28 so that the stems 33b of screws 33 may be received in the minor diameter openings 32b, the thread connecting bar 28 can be fixed to the casing 21 after the threads 24 are connected to it. It is to be understood that the openings 33 may be formed in the case 1 and the screws 33 may be provided in the thread connecting bar 28.

After the

thread connecting bars

28 and 29 are fixed to the case 21, the thread stretching rods 26 and 27 are loosely mounted on the case 21. The rods 26 and 27 are slightly rotated in the thread stretching direction as shown in FIG. 6 to tension the threads, and then the rods 26 and 27 are fixed, thereby finishing the stretching of the threads. The operation can be facilitated if the thread stretching rods 26 and 27 are temporarily made to be loosely supported by the case 21 before the

thread connecting bars

28 and 29 are fixed. The thread stretching rods 26 and 27 may be secured to the case 21 by threadably connecting the end surface of each rod to the case by a screw as shown in FIG. 7 with reference to the rod 26.

After a sheet S1 is cleaned as described above, it is moved forwardly for magnetic transfer recording thereon and for punching registration opening thereon. The magnetic transfer recording apparatus according to the invention therefore includes a magnetic transfer recording section T. In FIG. 1, another pair of conveyor rollers 35 and 36 maintained in pressing engagement with each other and rotating at all times are disposed leftwardly of the opening 21b of the case 21 for nipping the sheet S1 after it is cleaned and forwarding it to a receiving table 37.

Disposed above the receiving table 37 is a pressing plate 46 which, as seen in FIG. 8, is supported for vertical swinging motion by mounting

arms

42 and 43 pivotally connected, through pins 44 and 45, to pressing plate supports or

support cylinders

40 and 41 slidably fitted over fixed pressing plate guides or guide

posts

38 and 39 respectively. In FIG. 8,

openings

47a and 47b are formed in portions of the receiving table 37 which corresponds to upper and lower diametrically opposed edges of the pressing plate 46 for receiving therein connecting

bars

49 and 50 respectively operatively connected to a pressing plate drive cam 48, shown in FIG. 9, of the cam group 16. As shown in FIG. 10, the connecting

bars

49 and 50 are each formed therein with a cutout 51 comprising a round opening portion 51a and a constricted neck portion 51b contiguous therewith.

Rod supportportions 53 and 54 are disposed in the lower edge of the upper surface of pressing plate 46 shown in FIG. 8 and in a connecting portion 52 of the

support cylinders

40 and 41 respectively for slidably supporting a connecting rod 55. As shown in FIG. 10, the connecting rod 55 is a round rod formed therein with flattened

narrow width portions

55a and 55b which can enter the constricted neck portions 51b of the cutouts 51 formed in connecting

bars

49 and 50, while the main portion of the rod 55 is round and has a diameter sufficiently large to fit snugly in the round opening portions 51a of the

bars

49 and 50. A bendable portion 55d is formed in a portion of the rod 55 leftwardly of the connecting bar 50, as shown in FIG. 10, by cutting the left portion and fitting the flattened narrow width portion 55b in a fork 55c provided in the cut left portion. The fork 55c and flattened narrow width portion 55b are pivotally connected to the rod 55 by a pin 56 so that the rod 55 may be bendable at 55d. A knob 57 is connected to the left end of the rod 55 while a click groove 55:: is formed at the right end thereof, as shown in FIG. 10.

The connecting rod 55 is mounted in a position to connect the present plate 46 to the connecting

bars

49 and 59 as shown in FIG. 12 by first inserting the fiattened

narrow width portions

55a and 55b in the constricted neck portions 51b of the cutouts 51 of

bars

49 and 50 respectively as shown in FIG. 10 and then pulling the knob 57 leftwardly to permit the round rod portion of the rod 55 to be fitted in the round opening portions 51a. The connecting rod may be detachably connected to the connecting

bars

49 and 50 by means other than that described above. For example, such means may comprise, as shown in FIG. 11, a pin 58 attached to the rod 55, and the connecting bar 49 may be formed with a cutout 59 including a portion 59a large enough for the round rod portion of the rod to extend therethrough and a portion 59b adapted to be engaged by the pin 58, so that the connecting bar 49 (50) can be brought into and out of engagement with the connecting rod 55.

Attached to a right portion of the connecting rod 55 in FIG. 12 is a pin which is received in a slot 54a formed in the rod support portion 54. When the pin 60 is positioned in a left end portion of the slot 54a, the click groove 556 is locked in place by a ball 62 fitted through a spring 61 in an opening 54b formed in the rod support portion 54, so that the connecting rod 55 is effective to permit the pressing plate 46 and the connecting

bars

49 and 50 to be connected to each other. When the connecting rod 55 is moved till the pin 60 comes into engagement with a right end of the slot 540, the pins 44 and 45 shown in FIG. 8 about which the pressing plate 46 pivots, and the pin 56 about which the connecting rod 55 is bent are brought into alignment with each other, and the cutouts 51 are brought into index with the flattened

narrow width portions

55a and 55b of the rod 55, thereby permitting the pressing plate 46 to be disconnected from the connecting

bars

49 and 50. By holding the know 57 and moving the rod 55 upwardly, it is possible to move the connecting rod 55 and pressing plate 46 upwardly by causing them to pivot about the

pins

56, 44 and 45 as shown in FIG. 13. By moving the pressing plate 46 further upwardly, access can be had to the receiving table 37 dipposed below the pressing plate 46 to inspect and repair it when necessary.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the connecting

bars

49 and 50 are pivotally connected at their lower ends by a pin to an arm 64 which in turn is pivotally connected by a pin 63 to a memter (not shown) which is stationary with reference to the connecting bar 49. The free end of the arm 64 is urged to move upwardly in FIG. 9 by a spring 67 connected at one end to the other end of the arm 64 and at the other end to a fixed pin 66. A roller 69 is rotatably supported by a pin 68 attached to the portion of the arm 64 disposed between the pin 64 and the spring 67 and maintained in contact with a cam 48 of the cam group 16 which rotates in the direction of the shown arrow at a uniform rate as a shaft 16a is driven. The arm 64 moves in slaved relation to the cam 48 whereby the pressing plate 46 can be moved up and down through the connecting

bars

49 and 50.

The sheet S1 is fed to the receiving table 37 when the pressing plate 46 is moved to its upper position. Referring to FIG. 8, a groove 70 is formed in the rightward portion of the receiving table 37 for receiving a bent edge 71a of a master sheet keep plate 71 at its left marginal portion. As seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, the keep plate 71 is fixed at one end by means of a screw 72 and a washer 73 and at the other end by means of a stop lever 74 shown. Thus, the keep plate 71 can hold down a master sheet S (e.g., the sheet S0 shown in FIG. 1) against the receiving table 37, but can be released by means of a stop lever 74 which is pivotally connected to the receiving table 37 by a pin 75 through a washer 76 and held against inadvertent pivotal movement. When a master sheet S is mounted or removed, the keep plate 71 can be released by pivoting the stop lever 74 counter clockwise about the pin 75 in FIG. 8.

Still referring to FIG. 8, a sheet positioning means comprising members 78, 79, 80 and 81 for correctly positioning the sheet S1 is disposed in the upper portion of the receiving table 37. The members of the positioning means which are arranged in a row from right and left on the receiving table 37 are shown in detail in FIG. 14 and each comprise a column 83 and an upward movement preventing plate 84 fitted in a shallow hold 82 formed in the receiving table 37 and secured in place by means of a screw 85. The sheet S1 is moved as one side edge thereof is below the upward movement preventing plates 84 and in engagement with the peripheral surface of the columns 83. The member 81 has no upward movement preventing plate 84. The columns 83 of all the members of the positioning means are arranged such that the portions of the peripheral surfaces of the columns in contact with the sheet S1 are on a straight line.

Referring again to FIG. 8, pressing means 86 is provided for pressing the sheet S1 against the peripheral surfaces of the columns of all the members of the positioning means and is disposed in the lower portion of the receiving table 37 and rightwardly of the connecting rod 55. The pressing means 86 is shown in detail in FIG. 15 and comprise a column 88 and an upward movement preventing plate 89 received in a hole 87 formed in the receiving table 37, and a lever 91 including a portion 91a to which the column 99 and upward movement plate 89 are secured by means of a screw 90. The lever 91 is pivotally connected by a screw 93 to a supporter 92 secured to the table 37.

A spring 94 (FIG. 8) is connected at one end to the portion 91b of the lever 91 to urge the lever 91 to pivot clockwise about the screw 93 so as to maintain the portion 91b of the lever 91 in engagement with an upper end portion 950 of a lever 95. As shown in FIG. 9, the lever 95 extends through an opening 96 formed in the receiving table 37 and is pivotally connected at its lower end through a pin 97 to an arm 95b which rotatably supports at its lower end (through a pin 98) a roller 99 maintained in contact with a cam 99 of the cam group 16 under the influence of the spring 94 exerted through the lever 91.

Referring to FIG. 9, the cam 99 is shaped such that it causes the lever 95 to pivot slightly clockwise about the pin 97 at the initial stages of the feeding of the sheet S1 to the receiving table 37, with the result that the lever 91 is pressed by the upper end portion 95a of lever 95 to move the column 88 out of the path of movement of the sheet S1 (see FIG. 8). However, when the major portion of the sheet S1 is placed on the receiving table 37, the lever 95 is caused to pivot counter clockwise by the cam 99 and releases the lever 91 from engagement with its upper end portion 95a. This permits the lever 91 lever 91 to pivot slightly clockwise about the screw 93 in FIG. 8 by the action of the biasing force of spring 94 and to bring the column 88 into pressing engagement with the side edge of the sheet S1, so that the sheet S1 is pressed against the columns 83 of all the members of positioning means to correctly position the sheet S1 crosswise of the table. A stop 100 to which the other end of the spring 94 is connected is secured to the receiving table 37 by a screw 10] received in a slot 100a. By loosening the screw 101, it is possible to adjust the biasing force of spring 94 to conform to the stiffness or the hardness of the sheet S1.

Referring to FIG. 1, the sheet S1 moves forwardly (to the left in FIG. 1) on the receiving table 37 while it is being correctly positioned crosswise of the table 37 as described above. Then, its leading end portion is nipped by a normally rotating'roller 102 and a roller 103 maintained in pressing engagement with roller 102 and is moved further forwardly. The upper end portion 104a of a sheet positioning member 104 is disposed beyond the

rollers

103 and 104, and the sheet S1 abuts against the positioning member 104 to be correctly positioned lengthwise thereof. As described below, roller 103 is released from engagement with roller 102 at this time to prevent overfeeding of the sheet S1.

Referring to FIG. 1 again, roller 103 is rotatably supported by pin 1030 connected to a supporter 105 (FIG. 16) which extends through a connecting bar 106 connected to the receiving table 37. The connecting bar 106 slidably extends through a receiver 107 (FIG. 1) secured to an immovable member (not shown) and abuts at its lower en against one end of a lever 108 which is pivotally supported by a pin 108 and rotatably supports at the other end, through a pin 110, a roller 111 maintained in contact with a cam 112 of the cam group 16 for vertical pivotal motion.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the positioning member 104 extends slidably through another receiver 112 secured to an immovable member (not shown) and is normally urged to move upwardly by the biasing force of a spring 113. The member 104 is maintained at its lower end in engagement with an engaging portion 114a of a lever 114 connected to the cam group 16 in the same manner as lever 108 for vertical pivotal motion when the cam group 16 rotates. The positioning member 104 is adapted to move upwardly into its operative position when the sheet S1 moves forwardly on the receiving table 37 and roller 103 is adaptedto be released from engagement with roller 102 immediately before the sheet S1 abuts against the positioning members 104.

When the sheet S1 moves at high speed, the sheet S1 may bump against the positioning member 104 and may be thrown backwardly by reaction into a solid line position which falls short of a normal position shown in dash-and-dot lines in FIG. 16. Means are provided therefore to prevent this phenomenon from occurring and to correctly position the sheet S1 lengthwise, as described below.

In FIG. 17, a roller 115 is shown as being disposed on the rightward portion of table 37 and rotatably supported, through a pin 116, by an arm 117 supported through a pin 119 by a support 118 secured to the receiving table 37. A spring 120 is mounted between the arm 117 and table 37 to bring the roller 115 into pressing engagement with the table 37. A one-way clutch (shown in FIG. 18) is mounted between the roller 115 and pin 116 which permits the roller 115 to rotate in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 18 but prevents the roller 115 from rotating in the reverse direction. Thus, the roller 115 is free to rotate in the direction of the arrow as the sheet S1 moves on the table 37 but stops rotating when the sheet S1 attempts to move backwardly so as to thereby prevent readward movement of the sheet S1.

The one-way clutch shown in FIG. 18 is of the known type comprising a star wheel 12] and a plurality of balls 122 each interposed between the two adjacent teeth of the wheel 121. Any other suitable one-way clutch may be used.

Means for preventing rearward movement of the sheet S1 may be of any other form in addition to the one using the roller provided with a one-way clutch. For example, referring to FIG. 19, roller 103 may be connected through a one-way clutch to a lever 124 connected to a solenoid Sol adapted to be energized only when the sheet S1 is fed to the table 37, to bring the

rollers

102 and 103 into pressing engagement with each other with a greater force when the sheet S1 is moved on the table 37. The solenoid is de-energized immediately before the sheet S1 abuts against the positioning members 104 to reduce the force with which the two rollers are maintainedin pressing engagement with each other so as to prevent the rearward movement of the sheet S1 in reaction to its abutting engagement with the positioning member 104. The lever 124 is supported through a pin by a support 124 secured to the table 37.

After the sheet S1 is correctly positioned on the receiving table 37 both crosswise and lengthwise thereof, the pressing plate 46 is moved downwardly and brings the sheet S1 into pressing engagement with the master sheet So. Referring to FIG. 1, a platform 126 on which electromagnets a and 125b are mounted is disposed below the receiving table 37 and is supported by a vertical shaft 127 mounting a gear 128 which is in meshing engagement with a drive gear 129 and driven thereby, so that the platform 126 rotates at all times. Referring to FIG. 8, the pressing plate 46 has

arms

130, 131 and 132 connected thereto. As seen in FIG. 12, arm 132 has a depending arm 133 connected to it and mounting a switch Sw at its lower end for supplying a current to the electromagnets 125a and 125b by sensing the downward movement of pressing plate 46. The electromagnets produce a magnetic field while moving on the sheet S1 by transfer recording the information carried by the master sheet So.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the

arms

130, 131 and 132 connected to pressing plate 46 have secured to their undersides,

pressers

134, 135 and 136 respectively which are juxtaposed to

punches

137, 138 and 139 supported by

arms

140, 141 and 142 respectively which are secured at their bases to marginal portions of the receiving plates 37.

The

punches

137, 138 and 139 each comprise, as shown in detail in FIG. 20, a supporter 143 secured to ends of an arm 142 and having a metallic member 144 provided with an opening forming upper cutting edge 144a and guide

rods

145 and 146 fitted therein. A pressed member 147 is secured to the top of metallic member 144, and the

guide rods

145 and 146 loosely extend through the member 147 and their

heads

145a and 146a are enlarged to prevent the dislodging of the guide rods from the member 147. A sheet hold-down member 148 formed therein with an opening 148a large enough for the opening forming upper cutting edge 144a to move therethrough is secured to the lower ends of

guide rods

145 and 146.

Springs

149 and 150 are mounted around the upper and lower portions of guide rod 145 respectively while springs 151 and 152 are mounted around the upper and lower portions of guide rod 146 respectively with the supporter 143 being interposed between the upper and lower portions of the guide rods. An opening forming lower cutting edge 153 defining an opening 153a and cooperating with the opening forming upper cutting edge 144a for forming an opening is disposed in a portion of the receiving table 37 below the punch 139.

When the pressing plate 46 moves downwardly and the presser 136 also moves downwardly to push the pressed members 147 downwardly, the punches move downwardly and the sheet S1 is held in place by the sheet hold-down members 148. Then, the opening forming upper cutting edges 144a further move downwardly and form openings in the sheet S1 in cooperation with opening forming lower cutting edges 153. The

punches

137 and 138 also works in the same way as the punch 136.

Thus, when the pressing plate 46 moves downwardly, the information magnetically recorded on the master sheet is transferred magnetically to the sheet S1 and recorded thereon, and openings are formed in the sheet S1, so that the sheet S1 is converted into a magnetically recorded duplicate sheet S2 (FIG. 21) which is formed thereon with a spiral track of magnetically recorded information as shown by a dash-and-dot line and

positioning openings

154, 155 and 156 produced by

punches

139, 137 and 138 respectively.

After the information carried by the master sheet is recorded on the sheet S1 by transfer recording and the openings are formed in the sheet S1, the pressing plate 46 moves upwardly and the duplicate sheet S2 is discharged from the receiving table 37 into a duplicate sheet receiving tray 157 (FIG. 1) by means of roller 102 and roller 103 brought into pressing engagement with roller 102 at this time. When the duplicate sheet S2 is ejected on to the sheet receiving tray, the forward end portion 104a of sheet positioning member 104 is moved temporarily out of the path of movement of the sheet S2 by the action of the cam group 16.

FIG. 22 shows one form of construction of the

brush rollers

22 and 23.

Brush rollers

22 and 23 are adapted to rotate in the directions of arrows opposite to the direction of movement of the sheet S1. The directions of rotation of

rollers

22 and 23 may be decided as desired, and they may not be driven but may be permitted to rotate in slave relation to the movement of the sheet S1.

In FIG. 22,

brush rollers

22 and 23 each comprise a tubular roller R made of rubber of plastic and formed therein with a number of holes H extending from the peripheral surface to the interior, and a brush B including hair, feathers or short fibers of synthetic resin planted on the roller,

Brush rollers

22 and 23 are connected to a suitable suction pump (not shown) so as to draw by suction any dust which may be removed from the sheet without scattering it. It is to be understood that any other form of brush rollers may be used and that the number of brush rollers used in the invention is not limited to two.

FIG. 23 shows another embodiment of the magnetic transfer recording apparatus in which a sheet receiving table 201 made of aluminum or other non-magnetic material and having strength sufficiently high to withstand a high pressure is firmly supported by a supporter 202. A master sheet 203 is disposed on the sheet receiving plate 201 with a magnetically recorded information carrying surface facing upwardly and being positioned correctly by suitable means.

A pair of magnetic

sheet conveyor rollers

204 and 205 pressing against each other are disposed on one side of the sheet receiving table 201 while another pair of magnetic

sheet conveyor rollers

206 and 207 are disposed on the other side thereof, with an endless chain 208 being trained over

rollers

205 and 207.

A drive shaft 209 is mounted below the sheet receiving table 201, and a gear 2050 supported coaxially with roller 205 is operatively connected, through an intermediate gear 210, to another gear 211 having a toothless portion extending substantially one-half the extent of its periphery. Thus, when the drive shaft 209 rotates in the direction of the arrow a, roller 205 is driven by the teeth disposed around one-half of the circumference of gear 211 to rotate in the direction of the arrow b, but is not driven by the other toothless portion thereof. Thus, roller 205 is driven intermittently at every other one-half revolution of gear 211 and its rotation is transmitted through the chain 208 to roller 207.

Disposed rightwardly of

rollers

204 and 205 in FIG. 23 are a pair of brush rollers 212a and 212b, which is constructed identically with the

brush rollers

22 and 23, a pair of sheet conveyor rollers 213, and a nonrecorded (blank) magnetized sheet rest tray 214 arranged in the indicated order. A stack of magnetic sheets S (hereinafter referred to as magnetized sheets) are piled with the magnetically coated surfaces of the sheets facing downwardly. The sheets S are blank magnetically, but have already been provided with other information such as printed matter. The sheets S are fed by a suitable feed means (not shown in detail) using a sheet feed roller 215 or the like and are supplied one by one starting with the uppermost sheet through guide plates P1 and P2 to the pair of conveyor rollers 213 which pass the sheet on to the brush rollers 212a and 2l2b which clean the sheet and move the same toward

rollers

204 and 205.

A pressing plate 216 is mounted above the sheet receiving table 201. Connecting bars 219 and 220 are loosely connected at one end thereof to

pins

217 and 218 which are secured to rise portions 216a and 216k of the plate 216 respectively.

A cam 221 is secured to the drive shaft 209, and a pivotal member 224 supporting a roller 223 at its forward end through a pin is secured at its base to a shaft 222 loosely supported by an immovable member (not shown), the pivotal member 224 being urged by the biasing force of a spring 225 to move counter clockwise in FIG. 23 to bring roller 223 into engagement with cam 221. The connecting bar 219 is connected at the other end thereof through a pin 226 to the pivotal member 224. The other connecting bar 220 is also connected to a pivotal member (not shown) identical in construction with the pivotal member 224 and having at its forward end a roller identical with roller 223 maintained in engagement with a cam identical with cam 221. Thus, when the drive shaft 209 rotates in the direction of the arrow a, the pivotal member pivot and intermittently bring the pressing plate 216 into pressing engagement with the sheet receiving table 201.

Another cam 227 is secured to the drive shaft 209, and another pivotal member 229 is secured to a shaft 228 loosely supported by an immovable member (not shown) and supports at one end thereof a roller 230, the pivotal member being urged by the biasing force of a spring 230 to move clockwise and brings roller 230 into engagement with cam 227.

A positioning member 231 formed with two vertical slots 231a and 231b is disposed leftwardly of supporter 202 in FIG. 23 (only one member is shown). A fixed pin 232 is loosely received in one slot 231a of positioning member 231 while a pin 233 secured to the other end of pivotal member 229 is loosely received in the other slot 231b thereof. A compression spring 235 is mounted between a pin 233 and a pin 234 secured to a lower end of positioning member 231. Thus, the positioning member 231 is under the influence of pivotal member 229 adapted to pivot as cam 227 rotates, so that it moves up and down as the drive shaft 209 rotates and its upper end moves into and out of the path of movement of the sheets. Gear 211 and cam 227 secured to the drive shaft 209 are positioned relative to each other such that the upper end of positioning member 231 moves into lhe path of movement of the sheets in the terminal stages of rotation of

rollers

205 and 207 and moves out of the path immediately before the rollers being to rotate again.

The pair of rollers 213 feeds the sheet S1 standing by to brush rollers 212a and 21212 which cleans the sheet S1 by rotating in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the sheet. The sheet cleaned by the brush rollers is fed to

rollers

204 and 205 which convey and place the sheet on the master sheet 203. At this time, roller 207 also rotates in the same direction as roller 205 through endless chain 208. The spacing between the pair of

rollers

204 and 205 and the pair of

rollers

206 and 207 is set such that his smaller than the length of the magnetic sheet S1, so that the leading end portion of the sheet is nipped and moved by

rollers

206 and 207 even after its trailing end portion is released from

rollers

204 and 205. The numbers of teeth of gear 211, intermittent gear 210 and gear 205a are set such that they continue to rotate till the sheet S1 fed by

rollers

204 and 205 has its leading end portion nipped by

rollers

206 and 207 and has its leading end abut against the positioning member 231, and then stop rotating. Thus, the magnetic sheet S1 never fails to be positioned correctly when placed on the master sheet 203 by the action of the positioning members 231. if roller 207 is still driven at this time,

rollers

206 and 207 will slip while nipping the sheet S1 therebetween.

Gear 211 and cam 221 operate such that, when the magnetized sheet S1 is correctly positioned on the master sheet 203 and

rollers

204, 205, 206 and 207 has stopped rotating, the pressing plate 216 is moved downwardly.

A presser 236 made of rubber or sponge is attached to the entire undersurface of pressing plate 216.

Punches

237, 238 and 239 for forming positioning openings in the sheet S1 are also secured to the lower surface of pressing plate 216, and punch receiving openings 202a, 202b and 202s are formed in corresponding positions in supporter 202. When pivotal members 224 pivot clockwise about shaft 222, the pressing plate 216 is moved downwardly by connecting bars 219 and 200 to bring the master sheet S1 into pressing engagement with the master plate 203 and also to form the aforementioned positioning openings in the sheet S1.

Electromagnets

240 and 241. supported by some suitable support means (not shown) are disposed on a plane parallel to the master sheet 203 and magnetic sheet S1 are below the sheet receiving table 201. The

electromagnets

240 and 241 are adapted to apply a magnetic field to the two sheets 203 and S1 when the pressing plate 216 has moved completely downwardly and brought the two sheets into pressingengagement with each other so as to magnetically record the information carried by the master sheet on the magnetic sheet by transfer recording. The electromagnets may be moved on the same plane by suitable means.

After the recorded information is magnetically transferred to the magnetized sheet and positioning openings are formed therein, the pivotal members 224 are caused by cams 221 to pivot counter clockwise so as to move the pressing plate 216 upwardly, thereby releasing the two sheets 203 and S1 from pressing engagement with each other. At the same time, the upper end of positioning member 231 are moved out of the path of movement of magnetic sheet by cams 227, and

rollers

203, 205, 206 and 207 are driven again immediately thereafter. Thus, the magnetized sheet S1 is moved to the left in FIG. 23 and the next following magnetic sheet is placed on the master sheet 203.

I claim:

1. A magnetic transfer recording apparatus comprising a magnetic transfer recording section including means for magnetically transfer recording onto a magnetized blank sheet information which is magnetically recorded on a master sheet, magnetized blank sheet storage section including means for successively moving individual magnetized blank sheets from the storage section to the magnetic transfer recording section, and a cleaning section interposed in the path of the magnetized blank sheets moved from the storage section to the recording section and including at least one pair of brush rollers disposed opposite each other and flanking the path of the moved magnetized blank sheets for cleaning opposite sides of the sheets before the sheets reach the magnetic transfer recording section, and guide means for centering the sheet between the brush rollers, said guide means disposed at least partially intermediate the brush rollers.

2. A magnetic transfer recording apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said brush rollers each comprise a tubular roller and a brush provided around the periphery of the tubular roller.

3. A magnetic transfer recording apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the cleaning section includes a plurality of sets of threads trained parallel to each other in two spaced apart rows flanking the path of the magnetic blank sheets moved between the storage section and the recording section and in operative proximity to the brush rollers for guiding the magnetic sheets in their movement between the two brush rollers.

4. A magnetic transfer recording apparatus as in claim 3 wherein the cleaning section includes a thread stretching rod having a plurality of openings each securing fixedly one end of one of said plurality of threads, means for rotating said thread stretching rod for tensioning the threads secured thereto, and means for fixing the angular position of the thread stretching rod.

5. A magnetic transfer recording apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said magnetic transfer recording section comprises a sheet receiving table including means for mounting a master sheet in a predetermined position thereon, the means for moving magnetized blank sheets include means for successively placing magnetized blank sheets in a predetermined position on said receiving table and for ejecting the magnetized sheets from the transfer recording section after the information magnetically carried by the master sheet is magnetically recorded thereon by transfer recording, a

pressing plate including means for successively bringing each of said magnetized blank sheets into pressing engagement with said master sheet, and magnets including means for applying a magnetic field to each magnetized blank sheet positioned at said predetermined position and to said master sheet to thereby record the information magnetically carried by the master sheet on each magnetic blank sheet by transfer recording.

6. A magnetic transfer recording apparatus as in claim 5 including means for moving the pressing plate between an open position and a closed position, said pressing plate moving means comprising a plurality of pressing plate guides, a plurality of pressing plate supporters each being slidably fitted over one of said plurality of pressing plate guides for pivotally supporting the pressing plate, drive means and a plurality of connecting bars connected to the drive means for moving the pressing plate in vertical pivotal motion, connecting rod connecting the-plurality of connecting bars and the pressing plate to each other such that the former can be selectively connected to and disconnected from the latter, said connecting rod including means allowing for selective bending at a selected point along the length of the connecting rod, and connecting rod slide means adapted to bring the center of bending movement of said connecting rod out of index with the center of pivotal movement of said pressing plate when the connecting rod is brought to a position in which it connects the connecting bars and the pressing plate to each other and to bring the center of bending movement of said connecting rod into index with the center of pivotal movement of said pressing plate when the connecting rod is brought to a position in which it disconnects the connecting bars and the pressing plate from each other.

7. A magnetic transfer recording apparatus for cleaning magnetic blank sheets and then transfer recording thereon magnetic information carried by a master sheet, comprising storage means for storing a plurality of magnetic blank sheets, cleaning means comprising a pair of cleaning rollers disposed opposite each other, transfer recording means including means for supporting a master sheet carrying magnetically recorded information and means for transfer recording said information onto a magnetic blank sheet positioned at a defined position with respect to the master sheet, moving means for moving successive magnetic blank sheets from the storage means through the cleaning means, between the cleaning rollers thereof, and to said defined position in the transfer recording means, to thereby successively clean magnetic blank sheets and to transfer record thereon the magnetic information carried by the master sheet, and guide means disposed at least partially intermediate said cleaning rollers for centering the successive magnetic sheets between the cleaning rollers as the sheets are moved through the cleaning means.

8. A magnetic transfer recording apparatus as in claim 7 wherein the cleaning means include means for drawing by suction foreign matter dislodged by the cleaning rollers from the magnetic blank sheets passing therebetween.

9. A magnetic transfer recording apparatus as in claim 7 wherein the guide means comprise an enclosure defining an opening for guiding magnetic blank sheets between the two cleaning rollers and two sets of guide threads flanking the path of the magnetic blank sheets between the two cleaning rollers, and means for selectively tensioning each set of guide threads.

10. A magnetic transfer recording apparatus as in claim 7 wherein the magnetic transfer recording means comprise a receiving table including means for mounting a master sheet, the moving means include means for positioning successive magnetic blank sheets at a predetermined position in operative proximity to the master sheet on the receiving table, and the magnetic transfer recording means further include a pressing plate having a first position in which it is spaced from the receiving table and a second position in which it is in pressing engagement with the receiving table, means for moving the pressing plate from its first to its second position when a magnetic blank sheet is at said defined position in operative proximity with the master sheet on the receiving table, and means for generating a magnetic field for effecting transfer recording of the magnetic information carried by the master sheet onto the magnetic blank sheet which is at said defined position in operative proximity with the master sheet.

11. A magnetic transfer recording apparatus as in claim 10 including means responsive to the movement of the pressing plate from its first to its second position for punching registration openings at selected points of the magnetic blank sheet which is at said defined position in operative proximity with the master sheet on the receiving table.

12. A magnetic transfer recording apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said cleaning rollers each comprise a perforated hollow shaft carrying radially extending bristles, and including vacuum suction means operatively connected with said perforated shafts to draw foreign matter dislodged from magnetic blank sheets by said bristles.

13. A magnetic transfer recording apparatus comprising a magnetic transfer recording section including means for magnetically transfer recording onto a magnetized blank sheet information which is magnetically recorded on a master sheet, a magnetized blank sheet storage section including means for storing a plurality of magnetized blank sheets, means for successively moving individual magnetized blank sheets from the storage section to the magnetic transfer recording section, and a cleaning section interposed in the path of the magnetized blank sheets moved from the storage section to the recording section and including at least one pair of brush rollers flanking the path of the moved magnetized blank sheets for cleaning opposite sides of the sheets before the sheets reach the magnetic transfer recording section, wherein the cleaning section includes a plurality of sets of threads trained parallel to each other in two spaced apart rows flanking the path of the magnetic blank sheets moved between the storage section and the recording section and in operative proximity to the brush rollers for guiding the magnetic sheets in their movement between the two brush rollers.

14. A magnetic transfer recording apparatus as in claim 13 wherein the cleaning section includes a thread stretching rod having a plurality of openings each securing fixedly one end of one of said plurality of threads, means for rotating said thread stretching rod for tensioning the threads secured thereto, and means for fixing the angular position of the thread stretching rod.

15. A magnetic transfer recording apparatus comprising a magnetic transfer recording section including means for magnetically transfer recording onto a magnetized blank sheet information which is magnetically recorded on a master sheet, magnetized blank sheet storage section including means for storing a plurality of magnetized blank sheets, means for successively moving individual magnetized blank sheets from the storage section to the magnetic transfer recording section, and a cleaning section interposed in the path of the magnetized blank sheets moved from the storage section to the recording section and including at least one pair of brush rollers flanking the path of the moved magnetized blank sheets for cleaning opposite sides of the sheets before the sheets reach the magnetic transfer recording section, wherein said magnetic transfer recording section comprises a sheet receiving table including means for mounting a master sheet in a predetermined position thereon, the means for moving magnetized blank sheets include means for successively placing magnetized blank sheets in a predetermined position on said receiving table and for ejecting the magnetized sheets from the transfer recording section after the information magnetically carried by the master sheet is magnetically recorded thereon by transfer recording, a pressing plate including means for successively bringing each of said magnetized blank sheets into pressing engagement with said master sheet, and magnets including means for applying a magnetic field to each magnetized blank sheet positioned at said predetermined position and to said master sheet to thereby record the information magnetically carried by the master sheet on each magnetic blank sheet by transfer recording, means for pivotally moving the pressing plate between an open position and a closed position, said pressing plate moving means comprising a plurality of pressing plate guides, a plurality of pressing plate supporters each being slidably fitted over one of said plurality of pressing plate guids for pivotally supporting the pressing plate, drive means and a plurality of connecting bars connected to the drive means for moving the pressing plate in vertical pivotal motion, a connecting rod connecting the plurality of connecting bars and the pressing plate to each other such that the former can be selectively connected to and disconnected from the latter, said connecting rod including means allowing for selective bending at a selected point along the length of the connecting rod, and connecting rod slide means adapted to bring the center of bending movement of said connecting rod out of index with the center of pivotal movement of said pressing plate when the connecting rod is brought to a position in which it connects the connecting bars and the pressing plate to each other and to bring the center of bending movement of said connecting rod into index with the center of pivotal movement of said pressing plate when the connecting rod is brought to a position in which it disconnects the connecting bars and the pressing plate from each other.

16. A magnetic transfer recording apparatus for cleaning magnetic blank sheets and then transfer recording thereon magnetic information carried by a master sheet, comprising: storage means for storing a plurality of magnetic blank sheets, cleaning means comprising a pair of cleaning rollers, transfer recording means including means for supporting a master sheet carrying magnetically recorded information and means for transfer recording said information onto a magnetic blank sheet positioned at a defined position with respect to the master sheet, and moving means for moving successive magnetic blank sheets from the storage means to the cleaning means and between the cleaning rollers thereof and to said defined position in the transfer recording means, to thereby successively clean magnetic blank sheets and to transfer record thereon the magnetic information carried by the master sheet, wherein the cleaning means comprise an enclosure defining an opening for guiding magnetic blank sheets between the two cleaning rollers and two sets of guide threads flanking the path of the magnetic blank sheets between the two cleaning rollers, and means for selectively tensioning each set of guide threads.

Claims

5. A magnetic transfer recording apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said magnetic transfer recording section comprises a sheet receiving table including means for mounting a master sheet in a predetermined position thereon, the means for moving magnetized blank sheets include means for successively placing magnetized blank sheets in a predetermined position on said receiving table and for ejecting the magnetized sheets from the transfer recording section after the information magnetically carried by the master sheet is magnetically recorded thereon by transfer recording, a pressing plate including means for successively bringing each of said magnetized blank sheets into pressing engagement with said master sheet, and magnets including means for applying a magnetic field to each magnetized blank sheet positioned at said predetermined position and to said master sheet to thereby record the information magnetically carried by the master sheet on each magnetic blank sheet by transfer recording.

6. A magnetic transfer recording apparatus as in claim 5 including means for moving the pressing plate between an open position and a closed position, said pressing plate moving means comprising a plurality of pressing plate guides, a plurality of pressing plate supporters each being slidably fitted over one of said plurality of pressing plate guides for pivotally supporting the pressing plate, drive means and a plurality of connecting bars connected to the drive means for moving the pressing plate in vertical pivotal motion, connecting rod connecting the plurality of connecting bars and the pressing plate to each other such that the former can be selectively connected to and disconnected from the latter, said connecting rod including means allowing for selective bending at a selected point along the length of the connecting rod, and connecting rod slide means adapted to bring the center of bending movement of said connecting rod out of index with the center of pivotal movement of said pressing plate when the connecting rod is brought to a position in which it connects the connecting bars and the pressing plate to each other and to bring the center of bending movement of said connecting rod into index with the center of pivotal movement of said pressing plate when the connecting rod is brought to a position in which it disconnects the connecting bars and the pressing plate from each other.