Abstract: Sheet feed apparatus including a scuff feed for reliably transporting sheets from different types of sheet stacks and different types of sheets within the stack. The apparatus comprises a sheet feed roller and a retard device in contact with the feed roller. A nudging device, contacting a paper stack, is used to feed single or multiple sheets into the nip between the feed roller and retard device. The feed roller, retard device, and nudging device all have a surface layer of 35-28092-N-GY-A, which gives them a much longer useful lifetime. A method for maximizing the efficent use of these rollers and of testing and using these rollers is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sheet transporting apparatus for transporting document sheets, wherein passive gripper gates, of simplified construction, selectively attach a sheet to the transport belt of the sheet transporting apparatus. The sheet transporting apparatus comprises a transport belt having a passive mechanism for selectively clamping a document sheet thereto. The transport belt is moved along a path, and a sheet is delivered into association with the passive clamping mechanism. The passive clamping mechanism is selectively actuated to clamp a sheet delivered into association therewith to the transport belt for movement with the transport belt. A mechanism, located downstream in direction of movement of the transport belt, selectively deactuates the passive clamping mechanism to release a sheet from the clamping mechanism of the transport belt. Thereafter, the sheet is separated from the transport belt.

Abstract: Sheet feed apparatus including a scuff feeder for reliably transporting sheets from the bottom of a stack of sheets without marking of the sheets. The sheet transport apparatus comprises a retard device, located in contact with the lead edge, in the direction of sheet feed, of a sheet stack for preventing double feeding of sheets from the sheet stack. A scuff feed belt is located to have a run extending in the direction of sheet feed substantially above the surface of the tray and below the retard device to form a sheet separation nip with the retard device. The run of the scuff feed belt presents an area of contact with the sheet stack to carry about 50% of the weight of the sheet stack. Additionally, the scuff feed belt of the scuff feeder and the retard device respectively have a plurality of grooves oriented in the direction of sheet feed.

Abstract: An improved transfer apparatus for use for example in an electrostatographic reproduction device wherein marking particle images are transferred from a moving transferable image support by a transfer member as the transfer member moves in contact with the support. The improved transfer apparatus includes a drive for moving the transfer member at a predetermined speed substantially in timed relation with movement of the transferable image support. A mechanism, located between the transfer member and the drive, accommodates for any mismatch in speeds of the transfer member and the support at the area of contact therebetween.

Abstract: A stapling apparatus for stapling a set of copy sheets in a copier or printer includes a noise reducing clamp mechanism for clamping the set of copy sheets. The noise reducing clamp mechanism includes means for proportionally varying the speed and force of a movable clamping member, such that the thinner the set of copy sheets, the lesser the speed and impact force of the movable member when it contacts the set of sheets.

Abstract: An improved saddle stitcher for use with a reproduction apparatus having a modular finisher apparatus for forming completely finished reproduction sets of a series of reproductions produced on sheets respectively by the reproduction apparatus. The modular finisher includes a mechanism for detachably accepting modular devices including a saddle stitcher. The improved saddle stitcher comprises a support frame mating with the finisher mechanism for detachably accepting modular devices to enable the frame to be received therein. A sheet feed path for receiving reproduction sheets is associated with the support frame, and an adjustable mechanism for registering reproduction sheets and thereafter stapled reproduction sets is mounted on the frame. Further, a mechanism associated with the frame is provided for stapling reproduction sheets at substantially the mid-line thereof, and for folding a stapled reproduction set substantially along the mid-line thereof.

Abstract: An improved Z-folder for use with a reproduction apparatus having a modular finisher apparatus for forming completely finished reproduction sets of a series of reproductions produced on sheets respectively by the reproduction apparatus. The modular finisher includes a mechanism for detachably accepting modular devices including a Z-folder. The improved Z-folder comprises a support frame mating with the finisher mechanism for detachably accepting modular devices to enable the frame to be received therein. An assembly is mounted on the frame for moving a reproduction sheet directed to the Z-folder along a prescribed path to effect Z-folding of such reproduction sheet. A device for collecting reproduction sheets prior to having a finishing operation carried out thereon is also associated with the frame. A sheet feed path is defined for delivering reproduction sheets directly to the collecting device, such path intersecting the prescribed path of the Z-folding assembly, whereby a compact arrangement is provided.

Abstract: A stapling system for stapling a set of copy sheets in a copier or printer includes a precise, but non-metering continuous wire feed mechanism. The feed mechanism has a full-feed wire sensor, and a control circuit including the wire being fed, for sensing and controlling the feeding of precise lengths of continuous staple wire to the stapler head of the system.

Abstract: A stapling apparatus using continuous staple wire for stapling a set of sheets includes a stapler head having a cover thereto that partially and advantageously defines the stapel wire path therein so as to substantially reduce staple wire jams and misfeeds.

Abstract: An improved modular finisher apparatus, for use with a reproduction apparatus producing reproduction sets, for forming completely finished reproduction sets. The improved finisher apparatus comprises a receiver for receiving sheets of reproduction sets from the reproduction apparatus. A first feed path extends from the receiver to a sheet collector where received sheets are directed. Collected sheets are stapled into finished reproduction sets. A second feed path extends from the sheet collector to a set collector where finished reproduction sets are collected. The finisher also includes at least one of the following devices: a Z-folder, a saddle stitcher, and an insert tray. Sheet transport paths are provided to any of the included devices.

Abstract: In an electrostatographic copier or printer utilizing developer material including magnetic carrier particles, a rotatable, multiple magnetic pole device, located on the backside of an image bearing member being cleaned by a cleaning apparatus, assists magnetic carrier particle removal by creating fast changing and pulsating magnetic fields that disembed and loosen embedded magnetic carrier particles from the image bearing member.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding and stacking sets of finished sheets in an electrostatographic copier or printer includes means for feeding a set of such sets one at a time onto the top of a stack of such sheets already in an output hopper, and an anti-dishevelment device for preventing the tearing, dishevelment and other damaging of the top sheet of the top set of the sets in the stack by contacting and holding down such top sheet during the feeding of a new set onto the top of the stack.

Abstract: A scuff separating device capable of feeding difficult to separate sheets from the outside of a stack includes a feed belt or roller for contacting the outside sheet and feeding it off the stack. A retard roller is supported by a support arm pivoted about a pivot downstream, and rests on the feed belt or roller and prevents double feeds. A brake on the retard roller prevents rotation when more than one sheet is in the nip but permits rotation when one or no sheets are in the nip.

Abstract: A finishing apparatus capable of binding a plurality of stacked sheets together at any of a plurality of selected location along an edge of the sheet stack. This apparatus comprises a mechanism for moving sheets seriatem along a path, and compiling such sheets in a stack. A binding unit is mounted for movement relative to such sheet path in juxtaposition to an edge of a compiled stack of sheets. The drive for moving the binding unit is controlled so that the binding unit can effect binding of a compiled stack of sheets at any of a plurality of locations along the edge. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the drive for the binding unit is a stepper motor coupled to the binding unit. A microprocessor based logic and control unit activates the stepper motor through a predetermined number of steps to position the binding unit at a particular desired location relative to the edge of a compiled sheet stack.

Abstract: A scuff separating device capable of feeding document sheets from the bottom of a stack includes a feed belt below and contacting the bottom of the stack. A retard roller rests on the belt and prevents double feeds. The retard roller and belt both have high coefficients of friction. A brake on the retard roller prevents rotation when more than one sheet is in the nip but permits rotation when one or no sheets are in the nip.

Abstract: A pump or motor has a plurality of spaced drive rollers which rotate in an annular path in a chamber about an axis eccentric to the axis of the chamber. A plurality of free-floating rollers in the chamber are driven through the chamber by the drive rollers to form expanding and contracting areas in the chamber which control the flow of fluid into and out of the chamber. Another free-floating roller or member is centrally located between the drive rollers, and it is concentric with the path of the drive rollers. The centrally located roller is closely adjacent to the drive rollers and forms therewith a fluid seal that prevents any substantial fluid leakage therebetween.

Abstract: A novel torque exchange coupling for transmitting rotational mechanical power is described. The coupling includes a torque receiving member, a torque transmitting member and means for conveying rotational mechanical power between the torque transmitting and receiving members. Typically, the torque receiving member is a housing, a cam or other suitable structure which has a surface comprising a circuitous track. The linear circumference of the track is undulant with respect to its axis of rotation. The torque transmitting member is any suitable rotatable mounting means such as a rotor which is positioned in a rotational power conveying relationship with the undulant track of the torque receiving member. Alternatively, the function of the torque receiving and torque transmitting members can be reversed.

Abstract: Chucking apparatus is disclosed for engaging articles such as screw-type caps for applying the caps to containers. Caps are bottom or center fed to a fluid operated chuck device which grips the caps and screws them onto a container. The chuck device comprises a plurality of jaw members pivotable to a cap gripping position. An annularly shaped, resilient member surrounds the jaw members. As fluid under pressure is introduced into a chamber in fluid communication with the resilient member, the member is compressed causing the jaw members to pivot to the cap gripping position. The chuck device, which is connected to a constantly operating motor through a torque clutch, screws the cap onto a threaded portion of the container. The torque clutch is set such that when the cap is properly tightened on the container, the resistance to further tightening causes the clutch to disengage.

Abstract: A novel torque exchange coupling for transmitting rotational mechanical power is described. The coupling includes a torque receiving member, a torque transmitting member and means for conveying rotational mechanical power between the torque transmitting and receiving members. Typically, the torque receiving member is a housing, a cam or other suitable structure which has a surface comprising a circuitous track. The linear circumference of the track is undulant with respect to its axis of rotation. The torque transmitting member is any suitable rotatable mounting means such as a rotor which is positioned in a rotational power conveying relationship with the undulant track of the torque receiving member. Alternatively, the function of the torque receiving and torque transmitting members can be reversed.