Abstract: Methods and apparatus of producing collectible cards are disclosed. An example method includes producing a first stack of cards including a first card type and a second card type from a single substrate sheet, separating the first stack of cards into a first sub-stack and a second sub-stack. The first sub-stack includes the first card type and the second sub-stack includes the second card type. The example method includes comparing a first top card of the first sub-stack to a first reference card and, based on the first top card being substantially similar to the first reference card, automatically transferring the first sub-stack to a first tray designated to receive the first card type.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is provided a feeder that includes: a feed table on which a plurality of papers are staked in one direction, wherein some of the papers are bundled by a staple; a take-out module configured to sequentially take out the stacked papers from an outermost surface of the papers; a first detector configured to detect whether or not the staple exists in the papers within a distance h measured from the outermost surface; a controller configured to control the take-out module in a first mode or a second mode. When the staple is detected in the papers within the distance h, the controller controls the take-out module in the first mode. When the staple is not detected in the papers within the distance h, the controller controls the take-out module in the second mode.

Abstract: A substrate finishing system includes a sheet input that feeds sheets to a compiler for compiling. The sheets may be stapled at the compiler. A trail edge support of the compiler is movable from a first position to a second position. The compiler is configured to drop a sheet or set of sheets to build compiled set stacks at the first and second positions on a stacking tray positioned beneath the compiler.

Abstract: A paper sheet handling apparatus 1 includes: a casing which includes a first face and a second face opposed to the first face; a receiving unit 211 which receives paper sheets; a recognition unit 212 which performs at least one of a counting process and a recognition process with respect to the paper sheets; at least two stacking units 31-34 which stack the paper sheets after processing in the recognition unit 212; a transport unit 4 for transporting the paper sheets among the receiving unit 211, the recognition unit 212 and the stacking units 31-34; and a controller which controls each of the units, thereby having each of the paper sheets selectively stacked in the stacking units 31-34. Each of the stacking units 31-34 has at least two paper sheet removal openings 3L, 3R which are open in the first face and the second face. The paper sheets in the stacking units 31-34 are allowed to be removed through the paper sheet removal openings 3L, 3R, from the first face side and the second face side of the casing.

Abstract: A method for moving a first combination of media from a media stack including one or more combinations of media. The first combination of media is an uppermost combination of media in the media stack. The method includes gripping the first combination of media and bending along a first axis by moving a first portion away from the media stack. The first combination of media is bent along a second axis by moving a flexing member while in contact with a second portion of the first combination of media, wherein the second axis is not parallel to the first axis. The first combination of media is repeatedly bent along the second axis while pausing movement of the first combination of media between the first bending along the second axis and the second bending along the second axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for the removal of proof sheets from a sheet-processing machine has at least one sheet catcher provided with a gripper device. The gripper draws the sheet out of the stacking region. A lower sheet catcher is first moved into the stacking region above the sheet stack. Following a deposition of at least one proof sheet, the sheet is gripped with the gripper device, and following sheets are held back with an upper sheet catcher. Then the proof sheet is drawn out of the stacking region by moving the lower sheet catcher and the gripper device back.

Abstract: Signatures are successively conveyed one after another by a conveying system from a printing press to a stack-forming device, in which the signatures are separated into stacks by a separating device. A remaining number of non-stacked signatures of a current production is counted with a counting device. The separating device separates the remaining number of signatures of the current production into standard stacks of a varying length between a minimum length and a maximum length based on the number of the counted remaining signatures.

Abstract: A paper clip removing device capable of removing a paper clip made of a shape memory alloy, that has such a shape that a plurality of documents are bound at a normal temperature and a document bundle is released in a heated state, when the paper clip is on any positions on an end side of a document is provided. When a paper clip made of a shape memory alloy, that has such a shape that a plurality of documents are bound at a normal temperature and a document bundle is released in a heated state, is removed, the paper clip removing device detects a position of the paper clip to heat the paper clip and deforms the paper clip into a shape of releasing a document bundle to attract and remove the paper clip, resulting that the paper clip is collected in the collecting box.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating at least two bridges, especially gripper bars, of a segmented transport system for printing materials, e.g. sheets of paper in a printing press, include a transport system having a segmented electric linear drive with first and second primary parts constructed as segmented. The drive has a plurality of secondary parts constructed as carriages. Each secondary part assigned to the first primary part and each secondary part assigned to the second primary part are coupled by a crossmember to form a movable bridge. Two bridges in the same segment are moved jointly. A first bridge, reaching into a further segment due to jointly controlled movement, is moved individually under closed-loop control and separated from a second bridge, for locating the two bridges in different segments during further movement. Electrical and mechanical collisions of the bridges or of the carriages can therefore be eliminated.

Abstract: A paper sheet processing apparatus includes a plurality of bundling devices, and a plurality of chute devices which temporarily hold bundles, which are bundled by the bundling devices. A second transfer conveyor, which is slower than a first transfer conveyor, is disposed on a downstream side of the first conveyor. A transmission sensor, which detects abnormality in length of the bundle, is provide along the second conveyor. The distance from a release position of the bundle from the chute device, which is located on a most downstream side, to a terminal end of the first conveyor and the length of the second conveyor are set such that a time until the bundle, which is released from the most downstream chute device, is transferred onto the second conveyor is longer than at least a time until the bundle, which is transferred from the first conveyor, passes through the second conveyor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for separating a media combination from a stack of interleaved slip-sheets and printing plates. A media combination is separated from a media stack, including image recordable materials and a slip-sheet, is separated. The media combination is gripped and flexed in a direction, and then flexed in a second direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for the removal of proof sheets from a sheet-processing machine has at least one sheet catcher provided with a gripper device. The gripper draws the sheet out of the stacking region. A lower sheet catcher is first moved into the stacking region above the sheet stack. Following a deposition of at least one proof sheet, the sheet is gripped with the gripper device, and following sheets are held back with an upper sheet catcher. Then the proof sheet is drawn out of the stacking region by moving the lower sheet catcher and the gripper device back.

Abstract: A binding member removing apparatus 300 comprises a tray 30 for mounting thereon a bundle D of document sheets bound with a staple S, a removing unit 410 for removing the staple S from the bundle D of document sheets mounted on the tray 30, and a moving unit for moving the staple S removed by the removing unit 410. The removing unit 410 is provided with an inserting member 411 to be passed between the bundle of document sheets and the binding member binding the bundle of document sheets and the inserting member 411 is provided with a plurality of elongated parts 412 formed in the shape of a comb having teeth extended in the direction of insertion thereof. The inserting member optionally comprises a first inserting member 811 to be passed between the obverse face of the bundle D of document sheets and the staple S and a second inserting member 812 to be passed between the reverse face of the bundle D of document sheets and the staple S as a binding member.

Abstract: Device for stacking an incoming sheet stream wherein the device includes a sheet conveying device that feeds sheets to be stacked, a receiver device adapted to support a stack of the sheets, a separating element for separating the stack into a collected stack and a pre-collected stack, whereby the collected stack can be removed before the pre-collected stack, and a holding device for holding the pre-collected stack. The holding device has a first crossbeam and a plurality of holding elements arranged on the first crossbeam. A separating table is adapted to receive the pre-collected stack during stack changing. A forward guiding device is a adapted to at least one of guide the stack and align the stack. A rear guiding device is adapted to at least one of guide the stack and align the stack. The rear guiding device has a movable guide arrangement adapted to move vertically relative to a plane of the separating table.

Abstract: A binding member removing apparatus 300 comprises a tray 30 for mounting thereon a bundle D of document sheets bound with a staple S, a removing unit 410 for removing the staple S from the bundle D of document sheets mounted on the tray 30, and a moving unit for moving the staple S removed by the removing unit 410. The removing unit 410 is provided with an inserting member 411 to be passed between the bundle of document sheets and the binding member binding the bundle of document sheets and the inserting member 411 is provided with a plurality of elongated parts 412 formed in the shape of a comb having teeth extended in the direction of insertion thereof. The inserting member optionally comprises a first inserting member 811 to be passed between the obverse face of the bundle D of document sheets and the staple S and a second inserting member 812 to be passed between the reverse face of the bundle D of document sheets and the staple S as a binding member.

Abstract: The automatic document feeder of the present invention includes a document feed tray for placing documents thereon, a document conveying device for conveying the documents from the document feed tray to a prescribed document image reading position, a remover provided in the conveying path of the document conveying device for removing staples binding the documents, and a separating device provided in the conveying path for separating the documents one by one after passing the remover position, and when documents are stapled with staples, the documents are separated one by one and conveyed to a prescribed reading position after removing the staples by cutting both of the upper ends of the staples.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to the manufacture of lites (glass sheets) which have at least a pair of thin spacers applied thereto which maintain the lites in spaced relationship when stacked upon pallets, wrapped and shipped. The spacers are preferably only partially adhered to the lites, either by weak bonding adhesive or electrostatically, and can be readily removed during end-use applications. The spacers are applied automatically during production runs of the lites, and the spacers are applied from above or from below relative to the path of travel of the lites.

Abstract: An image forming system includes a digital copy machine to form an image on a group of sheets from an image of a group of documents, and a staple sorter sorting and discharging copied sheets from the digital copy machine. According to the staple sorter, control is provided so that a sheet of a long left period of time is transported from the bin to a nonsort tray when all of a plurality of bins provided in the staple sorter are used during a print operation. The left time of a sheet is monitored even when a print operation is not carried out. When the left time exceeds a predetermined time, control is provided so that the sheet left in the bin is transferred to the nonsort tray. As a result, a sheet discharge device is provided improved in operability of sheet discharge.

Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) includes a user interface (12) including an opening (20) for users to deliver and receive individual sheets and stacks of sheets to and from the machine. The machine includes a sheet handling mechanism therein including a first transport path (46) and a second transport path (42). Various devices for dispensing and receiving sheets (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40) are positioned adjacent to the second transport path and dispense and/or receive sheets therefrom. The second transport path meets the first transport path at an intersection (60). The machine includes control circuitry (44) which controls the dispensing and movement of sheets along the sheet paths in response to inputs by customers. A sheet directing apparatus (110) is positioned adjacent to the intersection (60). The sheet directing apparatus (110) is selectively operative as a stack of sheets moves through the intersection to either add a sheet to the stack or to separate a sheet from the stack.

Abstract: The sheets (18) output from an office machine (10) are deposited in stacked form in a sheet depository (16). Combined with the sheet depository (16) is a tray or container (22) in which separating films (20) are stored. The separating films (20) are placed via a guiding device (26) onto the stack of sheets (18) in the sheet depository (16) in order to be able to separate associated groups of sheets (18) in a simple manner.