Abstract: A method and apparatus for high capacity stacking and stitching in an image production device is disclosed.

Abstract: A disk type apparatus is provided for handling sheets of material. The apparatus has a first path for receiving first ones of the sheets from an input highway, a second path for receiving second ones of the sheets from the input highway; and a compiling disk capable of simultaneously receiving the first and second ones of the sheets from the first and second paths. The first and second paths have a common input end, and the first and second paths have a common output end.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for feeding a stack of sheets in a direction of movement to a process station, including: an elevator tray for holding stacks of sheets; a feed head for picking up a sheet from the stack of sheets when a vacuum force; air knife for blowing air between individual sheets in the stack of sheets, the sheet feeding apparatus having a first mode of operation for feeding a single stack of sheets from the sheet tray and a second mode of operation for feeding first stack of sheets and a second stack of sheets from the elevator tray.

Abstract: This is a marking system, either electrostatic or non-electrostatic marking system that directs both single and sets of media to a common stacker. This invention provides a way or path 1 to send media sheets directly to the stacker without going through the compiler. Compiling stations do not stack unfinished sheets well. An additional media path 2 is added to send sheets directly to the compiler for making into sets, and then to the stacker to be stacked with the single media sheets of path 1.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for high capacity stacking and stitching in an image production device is disclosed.

Abstract: This is a stacker/stitcher assembly having two disc stackers facing each other. In between the stackers is a common collection tray for receiving the stacked substrates. The assembly can handle printed output of up to 360 ppm. A bypass is provided to divert printed substrates to an exit tray or another finishing station including disc stackers.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for feeding a stack of sheets in a direction of movement to a process station, including: an elevator tray for holding stacks of sheets; a feed head for picking up a sheet from the stack of sheets when a vacuum force; air knife for blowing air between individual sheets in the stack of sheets, the sheet feeding apparatus having a first mode of operation for feeding a single stack of sheets from the sheet tray and a second mode of operation for feeding first stack of sheets and a second stack of sheets from the elevator tray.

Abstract: This is a stacker/stitcher assembly having two disc stackers facing each other. In between the stackers is a common collection tray for receiving the stacked substrates. The assembly can handle printed output of up to 360 ppm. A bypass is provided to divert printed substrates to an exit tray or another finishing station including disc stackers.

Abstract: Substrates are received by a compiling mechanism and compiled into sets. Incoming sheets are tamped by a tamping system into position on the compiling platform to register the sheets. The compiler platform mechanism includes two narrow, low-friction panels that are driven in opposite directions. The compiled and registered sheets sets can be manipulated by a manipulation device, to be stapled, punched, stitched, etc. The compiled, manipulated and registered sheet sets can be dropped onto an output catch platform located below the compilation platform. The compiling platform includes two retractable panels that slide open to allow the compiled set to drop to the output catch platform below. Once the set is dropped, the compiling platform panels are driven back to their original position in order to receive another set. Alternatively, the compiled and registered sets can be ejected from the compiling platform to a subsequent, downstream device.

Abstract: A printing apparatus places multiple images on a sheet 10, at least once on one side, and at least once on an opposite side. After the first printing, the sheet 10 is inverted by an inverter 50 and sent to a duplex path 42. Sensors 20, 40, both in a feed path 22 and the duplex path 42 detect the side edge of the sheet 10 to register the position of the sheet 10 to an image rendering device 14. A user has the option to input preferences at a user interface 26, the preferences including running average and registration options. More specifically, the user has the option to choose a number of sheets 10 used to calculate a running average for registration of both the simplexed and duplexed sheets 10. The user also has the option to select between image to image registration, and image to page registration for duplex printing.

Abstract: Substrates are received by a compiling mechanism and compiled into sets. Incoming sheets are tamped by a tamping system into position on the compiling platform to register the sheets. The compiler platform mechanism includes two narrow, low-friction panels that are driven in opposite directions. The compiled and registered sheets sets can be manipulated by a manipulation device, to be stapled, punched, stitched, etc. The compiled, manipulated and registered sheet sets can be dropped onto an output catch platform located below the compilation platform. The compiling platform includes two retractable panels that slide open to allow the compiled set to drop to the output catch platform below. Once the set is dropped, the compiling platform panels are driven back to their original position in order to receive another set. Alternatively, the compiled and registered sets can be ejected from the compiling platform to a subsequent, downstream device.

Abstract: A printing apparatus places multiple images on a sheet 10, at least once on one side, and at least once on an opposite side. After the first printing, the sheet is inverted by an inverter 50 and sent to a duplex path 42. Sensors 20, 40, both in a feed path 22 and the duplex path 42 detect the side edge of the sheet 10 to register the position of the sheet 10 to a image rendering device 14. A user has the option to input preferences at a user interface 26, the preferences including running average and registration options. More specifically, the user has the option to choose a number of sheets used to calculate a running average for registration of both the simplexed and duplexed sheets. The user also has the option to select between image to image registration, and image to page registration for duplex printing.

Abstract: For printer sheet separating and feeding with stack side edge air fluffing assistance from variable size sheet stacks in a sheet feeding tray with at least one repositionable stack side edge guide in an openable machine drawer, the stack edge fluffer system automatically operatively engages the edge guide to provide a preset spacing from the variable side edge positions of various size stacks when said machine drawer is closed, plus an air baffle extension out over the stack, but automatically disengages to provides unobstructed loading when the drawer is opened. It may include an automatically variable length manifold.

Abstract: A substrate tray includes a tall backstop guide that is attached to the bottom of the feed tray and which rotates about a vertical axis into three positions 45° apart, presenting four different surfaces to a stack of substrates in the tray. Each surface accommodates a different substrate size and thereby accommodates four different widths of substrates. The backstop guide includes a cam member that is flexed against a back wall of the tray when a load is applied to the backstop guide by the stack of substrates shifting inboard if the tray is pushed to forcefully into a machine after loading, in order to prevent skewing of the substrates.

Abstract: For printer sheet separating and feeding with stack side edge air fluffing assistance from variable size sheet stacks in a sheet feeding tray with at least one repositionable stack side edge guide in an openable machine drawer, the stack edge fluffer system automatically operatively engages the edge guide to provide a preset spacing from the variable side edge positions of various size stacks when said machine drawer is closed, plus an air baffle extension out over the stack, but automatically disengages to provides unobstructed loading when the drawer is opened. It may include an automatically variable length manifold.

Abstract: An image transfer apparatus shuttle feeder module comprising a module frame, an air fluffer assembly, a vacuum shuttle box assembly, and an air knife assembly. The air fluffer assembly is supported from the module frame. The vacuum shuttle box assembly is supported from the module frame. The air knife assembly is supported from the module frame. The vacuum shuttle box assembly is movably mounted to the module frame to shuttle relative to the frame between first and second positions. The module frame has attachment members adapted for removably mounting the module frame with the air fluffer assembly, vacuum shuttle box assembly, and air knife assembly thereon to an image transfer apparatus. The image transfer apparatus has a sheet media supply section. The module frame is mounted in a predetermined location on the image transfer apparatus.

Abstract: An image transfer apparatus shuttle feeder module comprising a module frame, an air fluffer assembly, a vacuum shuttle box assembly, and an air knife assembly. The air fluffer assembly is supported from the module frame. The vacuum shuttle box assembly is supported from the module frame. The air knife assembly is supported from the module frame. The vacuum shuttle box assembly is movably mounted to the module frame to shuttle relative to the frame between first and second positions. The module frame has attachment members adapted for removably mounting the module frame with the air fluffer assembly, vacuum shuttle box assembly, and air knife assembly thereon to an image transfer apparatus. The image transfer apparatus has a sheet media supply section. The module frame is mounted in a predetermined location on the image transfer apparatus.

Abstract: A printing apparatus places multiple images on a sheet, either by re-feeding the sheet through a duplex path back to a marking device, or by feeding the sheet to successive marking devices. An edge position detector upstream of the marking device determines the location of the sheet so that an image may be precisely placed on the sheet. The system ensures that images on both sides of a sheet are in registration with each other.

Abstract: A copy media registration module for positioning paper in a feed path is disclosed. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a module for registering copy media on an imaging member that lies at the end of a paper path, where the registration module can be removed from and replaced into a machine as a single unit. In addition, enhancements can be added to the module to provide for even more accurate copy media registration and greater media substrate latitude as desired. The modular nature of the registration module allows diagnostic testing as well as repairs and/or periodic maintenance to be easily conducted on the unit outside of the machine in which it is typically used. It also provides easy replacement of the unit if it is no longer functional, or for a temporary unit to be used while the permanent unit is being repaired.

Abstract: A copy media registration module for positioning paper in a feed path is disclosed. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for detecting pre-drilled holes in copy media. A sensor detects the presence and absence of copy media in the feed path. Once a transition from paper to no-paper, or from no-paper to paper occurs, subsequent signals from the sensor are ignored for a designated period of time. At the leading edge of the sheet, this designated time period is chosen such that any possible holes will have moved past the sensor. At the trailing edge of the sheet, the designated time period is chosen based upon the maximum size of any holes that may be present.