STRIP CUTTING AND MOUNTING APPARATUS

Apparatus for severing a portion of an information bearing strip from a remaining strip length and for sealing such a severed strip portion in a mount, wherein the apparatus is of the kind provided with (a) a strip cutting member, (b) a strip retaining member and (c) a mount sealing mechanism. Upon initial movement of the cutting member toward a strip portion disposed in a mount, a spring is actuated to urge the retaining member from a rest position to a position in which the retaining member firmly holds the strip portion against the mount. In this way, the retaining member serves to prevent the strip portion from being displaced from the mount when the cutting member severs the strip portion from the remaining strip length. Thereafter, the mount and the severed strip portion are transported with the retaining member (which still holds the severed strip portion against the mount) toward the mount sealing mechanism. After movement of the mount and the severed strip portion to the mount sealing mechanism, the spring is actuated to return the retaining member to the rest position.