Patents Examined by Kenneth W. Bower
  • Patent number: 6877735
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a paper sheet managing device is provided. The sheet managing device includes a storage part for storing paper sheets and sheet supply means for supplying a paper sheet from the storage part. The sheet supply means comprises a pick up roller extending in a sheet width direction orthogonal to a sheet feeding direction, a drive shaft extending parallel to the pick up roller and rotationally driving the pick up roller and a plurality of power transmitting means for transmitting a power from the drive shaft to the pick up roller. The plurality of power transmitting means is disposed at at least both ends of the pick up roller and each of the plurality of power transmitting means comprises a gear train that links the drive shaft and the pick up roller and an arm that oscillates the pick up roller. The driving shaft includes processing that prevents rotational phase shifts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: F&F Limited
    Inventor: Hitoshi Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 6874775
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus is formed of a transfer unit and an image reading unit. The transfer unit includes a transfer belt disposed along a contact glass held vertically for transferring a document or photograph to a reading position; a first suction portion for allowing the photograph to be sucked onto the belt; and a second suction portion for sucking the photograph at an upstream side of the first suction portion in a transfer direction. The first and second suction portions hold the photograph at a reading position apart from the contact glass by a predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Takei
  • Patent number: 6874779
    Abstract: A paper separating guide of a paper feeding cassette for a printing apparatus in which a picking error does not occur when a thick printing paper is stacked in a cassette. In the paper separating guide, a surface friction coefficient varies depending on a position of the printing papers. The friction coefficient is linearly varied depending on the contact position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Gyeong-ho Park
  • Patent number: 6874782
    Abstract: A sheet detection system comprising: a first sheet transport for transporting a sheet along a first sheet transport path; at least second and third sheet transports for selectively transporting a sheet transported along the first sheet transport path along second and third spaced and substantially parallel sheet transport paths which branch from the first sheet transport path; a radiation source for emitting a beam of radiation which intersects the second and third sheet transport paths in the region where the second and third paths branch from the first path; a radiation detector for detecting the radiation beam; and a control for controlling the first, second and third sheet transports the radiation source and the radiation detector, such that when a sheet which is transported along the first sheet transport path by the first sheet transport is caused to be transported along one of the second or third transport paths, interruption or lack of interruption of the radiation beam by the sheet is detected by the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: John H. Hall, Paul B. Stumpf, Anthony M. Olexy
  • Patent number: 6869072
    Abstract: A device for feeding packaging blanks (3) to a packaging machine has a magazine with two shafts (7) mounted at the bottom for supporting the blanks (3). The shafts (7) are brought to rotate at constant speed in opposite directions to each other, hence eliminating the static friction from the bottom of the magazine. An angle is formed between the shafts (7), so that a small, forwardly directed force component contributes to the movement of the blanks (3). The dynamic friction is used to move blanks (3) towards a gate (2) at the end of the magazine, and only a small, constant feeding force (A) from a pusher is necessary for the movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventor: Roland Andersson
  • Patent number: 6866260
    Abstract: A sheet registration system, especially for printers, with a lower cost and lower mass-movement system for both sheet deskewing and transverse registration repositioning of the sheets in the same integral system, especially for higher speed printing. Only one main drive motor can drive both of the two spaced apart sheet feeding nips, together with a lower power, lower mass, deskewing differential drive system for providing the relative differential angular movement of the two spaced sheet feeding nips to achieve the desired amount of sheet deskewing movement, without interrupting the forward feeding movement of the sheet. Also disclosed are extensive further reductions in the component mass of the lateral translation movement for lateral sheet registration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Lloyd A. Williams, Joannes N. M. deJong, Matthew Dondiego, Michael J. Savino
  • Patent number: 6866262
    Abstract: A sheet punching and embossing machine has a gripper carriage and a positioning device for the gripper carriage. The gripper carriage has grippers for clamping sheets, being fixed with limited springing to a transport chain and, by the transport chain, being movable intermittently between the processing stations. The machine further has at least one stop face on its leading side in the running direction. The positioning device contains at least one stop that can be pivoted into the movement path of the gripper carriage and is fixed to a driven pivoting shaft. A pivoting drive of the stop used being at least one electrically operated, controllable servomotor, which is connected directly to the pivoting shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Dieter Gronau, Gerhard Klaassen, Hermann Namowitz
  • Patent number: 6863272
    Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for feeding a stack of sheets in a direction of movement to a process station, including: a sheet tray for holding the stack of sheets; an air plenum, positioned above the stack of sheets, for picking up a sheet from the stack of sheets when a vacuum force in the air plenum; a paper fluffer for blowing air between individual sheets in the stack, the paper fluffer having a system for adjusting air flow between individual sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Ernest L. DiNatale, Timothy G. Shelhart, Robert A. Austin
  • Patent number: 6860480
    Abstract: A banknote drive arrangement comprises a series of drive rollers which allow initial pivotting of a banknote during insertion of a banknote into a validator and also provide positive drive of a banknote out of the validator if the banknote is refused. The banknote drive arrangement includes at least two drive rollers which are always active and cooperate with respective passive rollers which are notched. The passive rollers lock against rotation in an infeed direction and freely rotate during ejection of a banknote.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Cashcode Company Inc.
    Inventors: Leon Saltsov, Sergiy Bukhman
  • Patent number: 6860481
    Abstract: A sheet stacking device for stacking sheets of generally rigid material, comprised of at least one gripper device operable to releasably grip an edge of a sheet material and gripper drive means operable to move the gripper device from a first location to a second location. A support device supports the sheet as the sheet moves from the first location to the second location. The support device has a supporting position, wherein the support device supports the sheet and a non-supporting position wherein support for the sheet is removed. A stacking platform is provided below the second location. Control means control the gripper device, the gripper drive means and the support device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Nikko Materials USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Maurice Chiasson, Stephen Copley, Albert Burgun
  • Patent number: 6860375
    Abstract: Methods and devices for dynamically assigning document parameters to output receptacles of multiple output receptacle document evaluating devices. Documents are directed into individual output receptacles based upon their document parameter or parameters. For example, according to one embodiment a currency evaluating device comprises an input receptacle adapted to receive a stack of currency bills, a plurality of output receptacles, a transport mechanism, and a processor adapted to control the operation of the device. The processor is programmed to determine the denomination of a bill and determine if an output receptacle is associated with the denomination of the bill. If an output receptacle is not associated with the denomination of the bill, the processor is programmed to associate an output receptacle with the denomination of the bill and cause the bill to be transported to an output receptacle associated with the denomination of the bill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corporation
    Inventors: Curtis W. Hallowell, Robert J. Klein, Mark C. Munro, Bradford T. Graves
  • Patent number: 6854725
    Abstract: After a separating arm is rotated forward so that a plate axis of an attachment plate is inserted into a hole and an insertion slit of the separating arm, in a state that the insertion slit faces an arresting slit, the separating arm is rotated reverse while a portion in the periphery of the hole that faces the portion at which the insertion slit is formed is kept pressed against an end portion of the plate axis, so that a portion in the periphery of the hole other than the portion at which the insertion slit is formed is fit into the arresting slit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideaki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6851668
    Abstract: A representative embodiment provides for a sheet media level detection system, including a first level detector configured to provide a first signal corresponding to a first predetermined level of a first sheet media from a first source within an output tray, and a second level detector configured to provide a second signal corresponding to a second predetermined level of a second sheet media from a second source within the output tray. Another embodiment provides for a method including routing a first sheet media and a second sheet media from respective sources into a common output tray, and issuing a first signal in response to detecting a first predetermined level of the first sheet media using a first level detector, and issuing a second signal in response to detecting a second predetermined level of the second sheet media in the output tray using a second level detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul K. Mui, Gustavo Guillemin, Roberto Obregon, Russell A. Mendenhall, David J. Arcaro
  • Patent number: 6845979
    Abstract: An independent motor/reductor drives a conveyance device that feeds a converting press. The converting press includes a number of stations including a feeding station, a converting station, a waste stripping station and a delivery station. The conveyance device services the stations and includes two endless gripper bar chains to convey sheet material through the converting press. A transverse drive shaft drives the conveyance device under the control of the independent motor/reductor. The independent motor/reductor provides motion trajectories for the conveyance device that are independent of, but synchronized with, the serviced stations. The arrangement improves throughput, reduces machine wear and results in a simplified design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Bobst, S.A.
    Inventors: Mauro Chiari, Daniel Tapis
  • Patent number: 6845977
    Abstract: A printer paper tray improper loading protection system which is automatically moved by the repositioning of a conventional repositionable stack edge guide to restrict improper loading of sheets into the area of the tray which is outside of the proper sheet stacking area for sheet feeding, even though that restricted area varies depending on the selected size of the sheets being properly loaded within the proper sheet stacking area. A customer warning and partial obstruction of the non-feeding restricted area of the tray eliminates confusion as to where the operator should load paper into the tray whenever the tray is accessed, no matter where the tray stack edge guides are positioned for different paper sizes. An accordion-folded, reeled, or other expandable and contractible member operatively connects between the repositionable stack edge guide and the opposite end of the tray, extending above the tray stacking surface therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Mark L. Leveto, Henry T. Bober
  • Patent number: 6843476
    Abstract: A print media stack clamp and method for processing print media in an output receptacle. In one embodiment, a print media output device includes an output receptacle and a surface extending over and facing the receptacle. One or both of the receptacle and the surface are movable relative to one another such that print media output to the receptacle can be alternately clamped between the surface and the receptacle and released. In another embodiment, a method for processing print media in an output receptacle includes outputting a first document to the receptacle, moving the first document toward one side of the receptacle, clamping the first document in the receptacle, outputting a second document to the receptacle on top of the first document while the first document is clamped, releasing the first document, and moving the second document toward the one side of the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Peter D. Schuller, Thomas G. Lindblom
  • Patent number: 6837489
    Abstract: A jam removing apparatus of a machine having an ADF function to effectively remove a sheet of paper jammed between an ADF roller and a feed roller includes a middle gear engaged with a gear train engaged with an ADF gear of the ADF roller and having a unit to transfer only one-way rotation, a feeding gear engaged with the middle gear and coaxially connected with the feed roller to transfer the paper, and a jam removing unit connected with a shaft of the feeding gear to rotate the feeding gear when removing the jammed paper. The jammed paper is transferred only in a paper supplying direction but not in an opposite direction of the paper supplying direction, thus the jammed paper can be prevented from being damaged by being crumpled by the ADF roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Won-taek Kim
  • Patent number: 6837491
    Abstract: A device for preventing a spring-loaded control roller from being lifted off a control cam therefor in a gripper control system in a sheet processing machine, includes a support mechanism disposed separately from the gripper control system. The support mechanism impresses an additional force upon the control roller in critical regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Willi Becker, Andreas Fricke
  • Patent number: 6837490
    Abstract: A paper feeding apparatus includes a first support member for supporting a central area of a lower surface of printing paper placed on a paper tray, second support members for supporting corner areas of the lower surface of the printing paper, sensors for detecting heights of an upper surface of the printing paper placed on the paper tray, motors rotatable based on signals from the sensors, and lift screws vertically movable by the motors. The second support members are connected to the lift screws to be vertically movable therewith, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Hirai, Masahiko Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6832761
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an image forming device includes an image forming mechanism for forming an image onto print media. The device includes a media pusher having at least one flexible arm for moving the imaged media along a media path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, LP.
    Inventor: Stanley S. Young