Patents Examined by David H. Bollinger
  • Patent number: 10099875
    Abstract: A feed appliance for feeding products to a further processing appliance includes a standby circulatory apparatus with a takeover station and with several transport units that are circulatorily movable independently of one another for each receiving a product at the takeover station, a provision conveyor for feeding the products to the takeover station, and a control device for controlling the feed of the products and of the transport units into a takeover section of the takeover station and for controlling the takeover of the fed products by the transport units. The standby circulatory apparatus for creating a gapless product stream includes a release device for the cyclically controlled release of individual transport units into the takeover section. For this, the control device is designed to release a transport unit only given a feed of a cyclically correct product into the takeover section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: FERAG AG
    Inventor: Matthias Wagner
  • Patent number: 10099876
    Abstract: A sheet material thickness detection device includes a guide member, a non-rotating pressing member, a sensor, and a calculator. The guide member guides one side of a sheet material being conveyed. The pressing member presses the sheet material against the guide member in a manner displaceable in accordance with the thickness of the sheet material. The sensor is configured to magnetically or electrically detect a displaced amount of the pressing member that is displaced in accordance with the thickness of the sheet material. The calculator is configured to calculate the thickness of the sheet material based on an output signal of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuro Hirota, Shingo Nishizaki
  • Patent number: 10099885
    Abstract: A conveying apparatus, including: a main body unit including a conveyor mechanism, a first tray to receive a medium conveyed through a first conveyance path, and a switcher to switch a destination of the medium; an intermediate unit removably mountable on the upper surface of the main body unit and including a first introduction opening formed in its lower surface and at least one conveyance roller for conveying the medium through a second conveyance path and discharging the medium from a second discharge opening formed in its upper surface; and a tray unit removably mountable on the upper surface of the intermediate unit and including a second introduction opening formed in its lower surface and at least one second tray to receive the medium conveyed through a third conveyance path, the intermediate unit having a length in a height direction smaller than that of the tray unit in the direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenichi Hirata, Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 10099873
    Abstract: There is described a magazine (1) for sheet packaging elements (2) in which side portions (4a) of said packaging elements (2) are held in a vertical position by transport and support branches (15, 18, 20) of main and secondary units (6, 8, 9) and said packaging elements (2) are advanced in respective conveying spaces (16, 19, 21) along a path (P) parallel to said transport and support branches (15, 18, 20) of said main and secondary units (6, 8, 9). The packaging elements (2) are advanced along said path (P) from an inlet section (7) to an outlet section (12). During conveying, batches (3) of packaging elements (2) are formed between an accumulation unit (8) and an auxiliary conveying unit (9) so that said packaging elements (2) are advanced in said batches (3) towards an end packaging station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finances S.A.
    Inventors: Mark W. Davidson, Roy A. Johnson, Giorgio Santoni, Alessandro Morselli
  • Patent number: 10099884
    Abstract: A conveying apparatus, including: a conveyor mechanism; a housing; a first tray configured to receive a medium conveyed by the conveyor mechanism; an image reader disposed above the first tray, wherein a first discharge opening for discharging the medium outside the housing is formed in an upper surface of the housing so as not to overlap the image reader when viewed from above, and wherein the conveying apparatus further includes: a switcher for switching a destination of the medium selectively between the first tray and the first discharge opening; and a tray unit removably mountable on the upper surface of the housing and including a first introduction opening opposed to the first discharge opening, a second conveyance path for conveying the medium passed the first discharge opening and the first introduction opening, and at least one second tray for receiving the medium conveyed through the second conveyance path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenichi Hirata, Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 10099878
    Abstract: Baseline values for metal detection readings associated with an item inserted into an infeed mouth of a depository are obtained before the item is pinched on a pathway of the depository. The baseline values are adjusted by additional readings obtained when the item is pinched on the pathway for transport. The adjusted baseline values are processed with calculated values from ongoing and fluctuating current readings to determine at least one final value. A determination is made as to whether the item includes at least some metal based on comparison of the at least one final value and a predefined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Slavko Seremet
  • Patent number: 10093498
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, an image forming apparatus comprises a cassette for paper feed configured to contain a tray capable of stacking papers stored in a packaging member of which one end portion is opened, together with the packaging member; a paper feed section configured to contain a pickup roller which picks up the papers stored in the packaging member from the opened end portion of the packaging member; a regulating member configured to regulate that the packaging member is conveyed from the tray of the cassette; and a protrusion configured to be formed and protrude from the regulating member to cover the opened end portion of the packaging member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masahiro Ohno
  • Patent number: 10093510
    Abstract: Provided is a paper sheet storage unit and an automatic teller machine with which storage space can be partitioned while maintaining operability with respect to paper currency. The paper sheet storage unit is equipped with: a partition member that partitions a storage space for paper sheets into multiple storage spaces, and has a recessed portion at a position where the paper sheets are removed; and a door that has a protruding portion for filling the recessed portion at a position corresponding to the recessed portion, and that opens/closes an opening that includes the multiple storage spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: HITACHI-OMRON TERMINAL SOLUTIONS, CORP.
    Inventors: Junji Fujita, Masayasu Ueno
  • Patent number: 10091372
    Abstract: A medium feeding device includes a lower portion unit in which a feeding roller is provided, and an upper portion unit in which a separating roller is provided and which is connected to the lower portion unit so as to be openable and closable. The lower portion unit has a cover member which covers a holding portion of the feeding roller while exposing a portion of the feeding roller to the transport path, and the cover member is configured to be removable in a direction including a component directed toward an upstream side in the transport direction by being attachable to and detachable from the lower portion unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Shiota
  • Patent number: 10087029
    Abstract: A sheet conveyance device includes first, second, and third rotating members and a switching unit. The first rotating member rotates in one direction. The second rotating member conveys a sheet in a first direction with the first rotating member rotating. The third rotating member conveys the sheet in a second direction, different from the first direction, in conjunction with the first rotating member rotating. The switching unit switches from a first state where the second rotating member contacts a sheet first surface and the first rotating member contacts a sheet second surface to a second state in which the first rotating member contacts the first surface of the sheet and the third rotating member contacts the sheet second surface by moving the second rotating member before a trailing edge of the sheet conveyed in the first direction is conveyed by the first rotating member and the second rotating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Ogata, Motohiro Furusawa, Akira Kuroda
  • Patent number: 10081507
    Abstract: In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, a sheet transport device is described. The sheet transport device includes a pickup roller to insert a sheet into a sheet path. A pair of separation rollers of the sheet transportation device form a nip that advances the sheet along the sheet path. A first separation shaft on which a first separation roller is disposed rotates in a first direction as the sheet is advanced and a second separation shaft on which a second separation roller is disposed also rotates in the first direction as the sheet is advanced. The second separation roller is driven in a second direction via a torque limiter. A motor rotates the shafts. A one-way clutch is disposed on the second separation shaft to disengage the second separation shaft from the motor when the motor is operating in a reverse mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Alexander M. Nameroff, Devin Scott Uehling
  • Patent number: 10077163
    Abstract: A stacked sheet detection device includes a shaft, at least one first rotor, a second rotor, and a detection sensor. The shaft includes a plurality of attached portions that are formed in alignment along a width direction perpendicular to a discharge direction of sheets. The first rotor is attachable to any one of the plurality of attached portions. The first rotor includes a fitting portion and an arm portion. The fitting portion is configured to be fitted with one of the attached portions. The arm portion is formed to extend from the fitting portion toward the discharge tray and configured to abut on the sheets stacked on the discharge tray. The first rotor is selectively attachable to any one of the plurality of attached portions. The detection sensor is configured to detect that the second rotor rotates in the predetermined rotation direction beyond a predetermined first detection position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Wada
  • Patent number: 10077162
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for ejecting a stack of sheets from an output holder attached to a printing device, the output holder configured to hold a stack of sheets printed upon by the printing device according to a plurality of print jobs submitted to the printing device, the printing device comprising a control unit for controlling the receiving of the plurality of print jobs in a print job queue and the printing of the plurality of print jobs according to the print job queue, the method comprising the steps of receiving a trigger comprising information for an ejection of the stack for another reason than a full output holder, the stack ejection to be performed before the start of the printing of a print job residing in the print job queue or after the print job residing in the print job queue has been printed, and entering a task for the ejection of the stack at a position in the print job queue, the position determining an intended moment in time of the ejection of the stack corresponding to the i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: OCÉ-TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
    Inventors: Peter F. M. Bouwmans, Johan Van De Hee, Erik J. W. Schoenmakers
  • Patent number: 10077093
    Abstract: The present invention includes two rotatable sleeves, two springs, two pins, two plastic sleeves and a Z-shaped crank. The two springs are respectively disposed in the two rotatable sleeves. The two rotatable sleeves are respectively accommodated around corresponding left end and right end of the crank. One end of each of the two springs is abuttingly connected on an inner wall of one of the two rotatable sleeves and one other end abuttingly connected on an end wall of the crank. The two pins are respectively penetrated through the two rotatable sleeves and are insertingly connected on the crank. The two plastic sleeves are respectively accommodated around left and right ends of the crank to closely cover the two pins. Thus, the present invention not only provides a smooth and pleasant appearance, but also allows a pedal to a position parallel to a bicycle without affecting a boxing effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Jiangsu Baiyee Sports Equipment Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zhi-Feng Ge
  • Patent number: 10071873
    Abstract: A conveyor includes a first conveyor deck having a first plurality of contact elements, each having a contact surface movable around a closed path from a contact region to a non-contact region, the first contact regions lying in a plane or being bounded by the plane and a second conveyor deck having a second plurality of contact elements, each having a contact surface movable around a closed path from a contact region to a non-contact region, these contact regions lying in a second plane or being bounded by the second plane. The transport path of the conveyor is defined by the contact surfaces of the first and second contact elements in the contact regions, and the first plurality of contact elements are belts and the second plurality of contact elements are wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: A.G. STACKER INC.
    Inventors: Clarence C. Allen, Jr., Kevin G. Gorby, Micah C. Sundstrom
  • Patent number: 10065829
    Abstract: A sheet post-processing device for, after sheets that are ejected from an image forming device are stored on a storage tray, transporting the sheets in a transport direction to a post-processing position and performing post processing at the post-processing position, including: an aligner configured to align sheets on the storage tray; and a transporter configured to transport to the post-processing position a stack of sheets aligned by the aligner. The transporter includes a first contact member and a second contact member, and transports the stack to the post-processing position by causing the first contact member and the second contact member to simultaneously move in the transport direction while causing the first contact member to be in contact with a rear end portion of the stack in the transport direction and the second contact member to be in contact with a leading end portion of the stack in the transport direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Naoya Nakayama, Riichi Hama, Ryo Morita, Takuya Inoue
  • Patent number: 10065820
    Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus configured to convey a sheet includes: a rotatable support portion configured to support a rotary portion which is configured to convey a sheet; an urging portion configured to urge the support portion in a direction of a rotary shaft center of the support portion with a support shaft, which is configured to support the support portion in a rotatable manner and is inserted through the urging portion; and a regulating portion configured to regulate a position of the support portion urged by the urging portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Finetech Nisca Inc.
    Inventor: Naoki Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 10065828
    Abstract: A paper output tray includes: a tray main body where sheets discharged from an apparatus main body are stacked; a first extension tray which is to be housed in the tray main body on a lower surface side thereof so as to be pullable forward from a front end of the tray main body; and a second extension tray which is rotatably supported by the first extension tray and is expandable from a closed state, in which the second extension tray is folded on the upper surface of the first extension tray, to an open state in which the second extension tray extends forward of the first extension tray. The first extension tray has a support portion extending downward from the upper surface where the sheets are stacked, and the second extension tray is rotatably supported by the support portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaaki Takeuchi, Akinori Yokota, Yuko Harada
  • Patent number: 10059555
    Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus includes a movable stack portion on which sheets are to be stacked; a detection portion configured to detect whether or not a topmost sheet of sheets stacked on the stack portion is positioned at a predetermined position; and a control portion configured to position the topmost sheet at the predetermined position based on a detection result of the detection portion. In a case where the control portion moves the stack portion at a first speed so that a topmost sheet on the stack portion deviates from the predetermined position, the control portion moves the stack portion at a second speed lower than the first speed to position the topmost sheet at the predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Finetech Nisca Inc.
    Inventors: Ichiro Yoda, Kazuhiko Watanabe, Hiroshi Amano, Shintaro Moriya, Seiji Ono, Masao Ueno
  • Patent number: 10053314
    Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a first rotary member to feed a sheet supported on a sheet supporter, a second rotary member to feed the sheet with a feeding force weaker than the first rotary member, and a third rotary member in contact with a separation member to separate the sheets fed by the first rotary member one by one. A drive transmission switches between a first drive transmission state in which a driving force from a motor to the first rotary member and the third rotary member is transmitted while the driving force from the motor to a second rotary member is cut off, and a second drive transmission state in which the driving force from the motor to the second rotary member is transmitted while the driving force from the motor to the first rotary member and the third rotary member is cut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masaki Omori