Abstract: A media sheet tray includes a first media size sensor, a second media size sensor, a first circuit connected to the first media size sensor, a second circuit connected to the second media size sensor, and a switch within the second circuit. The switch can be in an open position disconnecting a continuity of the second circuit, or in a closed position maintaining the continuity of the second circuit. Media being within the media sheet tray closes the switch. Further, a combination of the first circuit connecting to the first media size sensor and the second circuit being discontinuous indicates that paper is absent from the media sheet tray.

Abstract: Methods and devices include a patterning device positioned along a processing path. The patterning device forms one or more holes through workpieces at a contact location of the workpieces. A transport device is positioned along the processing path. The transport device removes the workpieces from the processing path and stacks the workpieces by simultaneously moving at least two of the workpieces together in workpiece sets. The transport device comprising a vacuum device that contacts the contact location of the top workpiece within each of the workpiece sets. The vacuum device applies vacuum through the holes of the top workpiece to the bottom workpiece within each of the workpiece sets to maintain the workpieces together in the workpiece sets when performing the removing and the stacking.

Abstract: In a system, at least two picker support elements are positioned adjacent a transport surface that is moving workpieces, and at least two picking elements are connected to each of the picker support elements. The picking elements have physical picking features that remove the workpieces from the transport surface and move the workpieces to another location. A controller is operatively connected to the picker support elements and the picking elements, and the controller independently controls the picker support elements and the picking elements to dynamically position the picking elements in coordination with a dynamic size, spacing, and transport speed of the workpieces being moved by the transport surface.

Abstract: In a system, one or more robotic arms are positioned adjacent a transport surface that is moving workpieces, and one or more picking elements are connected to each of the robotic arms. The picking elements have physical picking features that remove the workpieces from the transport surface and move the workpieces to another location. A controller is operatively connected to the robotic arms and the picking elements, and the controller independently controls the robotic arms and the picking elements to dynamically position the picking elements in coordination with a dynamic size, spacing, and transport speed of the workpieces being moved by the transport surface.

Abstract: A media tray includes a cleaning mechanism that is fed into the media feed system of a printer automatically when the media tray is emptied of print media and then retracted when the media tray is accessed.

Abstract: An improved media rotator/translator apparatus includes a cylinder on sphere nip. A series of beveled/spur gears are included, one of which rotates co-axially but independent to the drive roll shafts. This enables the drive rolls to be driven about their own axis while simultaneously allowing for rotation about the roll shaft axis. A ball idler is positioned above each drive roll providing media normal force. Thus, sheet translation, jogging, and rotation is obtained, but with no relative motion, thereby eliminating marking of certain media.

Abstract: An improved rotator/translator apparatus includes a set of drive rolls driven by a pair of rotator discs. Idler rolls are positioned above each drive roll and spring loaded to provide the required normal force to drive sheets in any direction required. A pair of magnetic couplings couple the drive rolls with the idler rolls. The magnetic couplings are spaced with about a 5 mm gap to allow sheets to pass therethrough. The couplings allow the idlers and the drive rolls to stay aligned. Thus, driving media, registering media and rotating media in a transport is obtained, but with no relative motion or slip between the drive rolls/idler rolls and the media and a larger nip surface area, thereby eliminating marking of certain media.

Abstract: Methods and devices control a de-curling apparatus. A roll of material is fed through a nip formed between a first roller having a concave shape and a second roller contacting the first roller. The second roller has a convex shape mirroring the concave shape. The methods and devices automatically and continually adjust the amount of pressure applied at the nip between the first roller and the second roller as the material is unrolled from the roll into the nip.

Abstract: An improved rotator/translator mechanism includes multiple thin discs that mate with an idler roll to distribute nip pressure and spin at different rotational velocities to produce the same linear velocity at the nip and thereby reduce marking on certain media.

Abstract: An improved media rotator/translator apparatus includes a cylinder on sphere nip. A series of beveled/spur gears are included, one of which rotates co-axially but independent to the drive roll shafts. This enables the drive rolls to be driven about their own axis while simultaneously allowing for rotation about the roll shaft axis. A ball idler is positioned above each drive roll providing media normal force. Thus, sheet translation, jogging, and rotation is obtained, but with no relative motion, thereby eliminating marking of certain media.

Abstract: A belt cleaning system to clean the carrier surface of a conveyor belt. The system includes a roller assembly and a liquid supply subsystem. The roller assembly includes a cleaning web composed of a hydroscopic material and a roller to bias the cleaning web into rotating contact with the conveyor belt carrier surface. The liquid supply subsystem provides a cleaning liquid to the cleaning web.

Abstract: A belt cleaning system to clean a conveyor belt carrier surface includes a first cleaning assembly having a cleaning web sub-assembly. The cleaning web sub-assembly includes a supply roller, a take-up roller, a cleaning web and an applicator. The cleaning web extends from a supply of clean cleaning web wound on the supply roller to the take-up roller. The applicator is disposed intermediate the supply roller and the take-up roller to bias the cleaning web into contact with the conveyor belt carrier surface. The belt cleaning system may also include a second cleaning assembly positioned after the first cleaning assembly in the direction of travel of the conveyor belt. The cleaning webs of the first and second cleaning web sub-assemblies may be dry or wetted with a cleaning liquid.

Abstract: A belt cleaning system to clean the carrier surface of a conveyor belt. The system includes a roller assembly and a liquid supply subsystem. The roller assembly includes a cleaning web composed of a hydroscopic material and a roller to bias the cleaning web into rotating contact with the conveyor belt carrier surface. The liquid supply subsystem provides a cleaning liquid to the cleaning web.

Abstract: An energy storage apparatus has one or more camshafts, one or more cams connected to the camshaft, one or more followers contacting the cam, one or more biasing members connected to the follower, and one or more tracks connected to the follower. With embodiments herein the track limits movement of the follower to a constrained path intersecting the axis about which the camshaft rotates. Alternatively, the biasing member itself can limit the movement of the follower to this linear path. The biasing member can comprise any force member such as a spring, a piston, a flexible member, a compressible member, etc. that has the ability to bias the follower toward the axis of the camshaft. The embodiments herein store and transfer potential energy to reduce the total reflected torque on the motor.

Abstract: A measurement module for a printer generally includes a page diverter mechanism configured to selectively divert a sheet of media from a main media path to a module media path; a rotating drum configured to receive the media from the module media path and to affix the media on an outer surface of the drum; a measuring device spaced adjacent to the drum and configured to measure as aspect of the media affixed to the surface of the drum; and a sheet transport configured to remove the media from the drum. According to one embodiment, the module may include a drum with an electrostatic hold-down mechanism that captures a sheet and an axially translating measuring device that is configured to read the entire surface as the drum rotates. The measurement module also allows the printed media to cool to eliminate problems with color measurements due to thermo chromaticity.

Abstract: A measurement module for a printer generally includes a page diverter mechanism configured to selectively divert a sheet of media from a main media path to a module media path; a rotating drum configured to receive the media from the module media path and to affix the media on an outer surface of the drum; a measuring device spaced adjacent to the drum and configured to measure as aspect of the media affixed to the surface of the drum; and a sheet transport configured to remove the media from the drum. According to one embodiment, the module may include a drum with an electrostatic hold-down mechanism that captures a sheet and an axially translating measuring device that is configured to read the entire surface as the drum rotates. The measurement module also allows the printed media to cool to eliminate problems with color measurements due to thermo chromaticity.

Abstract: An energy storage apparatus has one or more camshafts, one or more cams connected to the camshaft, one or more followers contacting the cam, one or more biasing members connected to the follower, and one or more tracks connected to the follower. With embodiments herein the track limits movement of the follower to a constrained path intersecting the axis about which the camshaft rotates. Alternatively, the biasing member itself can limit the movement of the follower to this linear path. The biasing member can comprise any force member such as a spring, a piston, a flexible member, a compressible member, etc. that has the ability to bias the follower toward the axis of the camshaft. The embodiments herein store and transfer potential energy to reduce the total reflected torque on the motor.