Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a sheet container, an air blower, and a guide. The sheet container is configured to store a plurality of sheets. The air blower is configured to blow air to the plurality of sheets to separate a single sheet from subsequent sheets of the plurality of sheets. The guide is configured to contact a surface of the single sheet separated from the subsequent sheets of the plurality of sheets over a given region downstream from any position of an upstream region in a sheet conveyance direction to guide the single sheet. The upstream region is from an upstream end to a center of the single sheet in the sheet conveyance direction.

Abstract: A lifting arm arrangement includes a gripper head arm, a lifting arm, and a lifting cylinder. A gripper head is fastened to a first gripper head arm end. A first lifting arm end is pivotally connected to the gripper head arm. A second lifting arm end is pivotally connected to a stationary lifting cylinder part. A second gripper head arm end is pivotally connected to a movable lifting cylinder part. The stationary lifting cylinder part comprises a cylinder with a cylinder cavity having first and second cylinder openings. A piston rod with a piston is arranged in the cylinder cavity. A first piston rod portion projects from a first piston end of the piston. A second piston rod portion projects from an opposite second piston end of the piston. Working areas of the first and second piston ends are substantially equal to each other.

Abstract: A method and device to supply a processing section adjoining the device with print products withdrawn from a stack of print products in a feeder. The device including a magazine to contain the stack of print products and a separating device to separate a lowest print product from the stack along an edge region of the lowest print product formed by a sheet edge or a last fold. The device further includes a rear holder that is displaceable in coordination with the separating device to support the stack remaining during a cycle of withdrawing the lowest print product from the stack. A withdrawing device withdraws the lowest print product from an underside of the stack and includes a gripper to grip a front end of the lowest print product in the withdrawing direction while operating with timing of the separating device and the rear holder in the cycle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for contacting a flexible sheet to a first element with improved lateral alignment. The method includes a step of measuring a first lateral misalignment after establishing a first contact between the flexible sheet and either of the first element and a sheet parking surface called anchor in the first stage. If the 5 misalignment exceeds a predetermined threshold the flexible sheet is parked at the anchor such that it is not in contact with the first element, and the relative position of the first element and the anchor is altered during the second stage for correcting the mismatch during a contact between the flexible sheet and the first element to be established within the next step of the method. During the steps of shifting the contact point to obtain the second stage 10 the contacting process is more accurate and reproducible than the process for establishing the initial contact.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing flat parts, in particular plastic substrates, preferably plastic cards, having a store containing the parts to be processed, at least one processing device defining a processing section and a transport device for transporting the parts over the processing section is characterized in that, before the processing device, a feed device extending over a feed section is provided, and in that the feed device comprises aligning means for aligning the parts over the feed section. A suitable method has appropriate method steps.

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: In a sheet delivery/guide apparatus, a sheet released from a convey device and falling piles on a first pile device. A first blowing device is arranged above the first pile device and blows toward the first pile device. An air controller selectively performs switching between an air supply state and an air supply stop state of the first blowing device for the sheet. A guide member is supported movably and guides the sheet that passes the first pile device while being held by the convey device. A guide member switching unit switches the guide member between a guide position to enter a sheet falling path, extending from the convey device to the first pile device, to guide the sheet, and a retreat position to retreat from the sheet falling path. A controller controls the air controller and the guide member switching unit on the basis of a convey speed of the convey device.

Abstract: A substrate manager for a substrate exposure machine is used, in one example, as a platesetter. As such, it comprises a substrate storage system, containing one or more stacks of substrates, such as plates in one implementation. A substrate picker is provided for picking substrates from the stack of substrates. The substrates are then handed to a transfer system that conveys the substrates to an imaging engine. A substrate registration system is provided upstream of the imaging engine. The substrate registration system includes (1) a substrate transfer system for supporting and conveying substrates and (2) at least one engaging member for pushing the substrates on the substrate transfer system to a desired position. Preferably, two sets of engaging members are used, one on either side of the plates. This allows angular as well as positional registration. The substrate transfer system includes a frame and a series of rollers for supporting the substrates.

Abstract: Sheets can be manipulated for punching, perforating and/or folding. The systems and methods according to this invention allow sheets to be punched and/or perforated in various configurations. The systems and methods according to this invention allow sheets to be folded in various forms and/or configurations. Sheets can be inverted to ensure proper orientation. The systems and methods according to this invention allow the number and/and or locations of punches and/or perforations and the type and/or length of folds to be controlled on a sheet-by-sheet basis. The systems and methods according to this invention allow the sheet preparation module to be optionally configured within the photocopying system depending on the needs and flexibility of the finishing requirements of the operator. The modularity of the sheet preparation module design as a “plug and play” unit enables greater functionality for the manipulation of sheets.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for thin flat articles, such as monetary currency bills, includes a plenum chamber having an aperture of a size smaller than the articles to be dispensed. A suction device is connected to the plenum chamber to provide sufficient negative pressure to adhere an article to the aperture. A contact member, such as an endless belt, is mounted for movement across the aperture to drive the article adhering to the aperture for release from the stack of articles. The stack of articles can be stored in a storage tray and biased towards the plenum chamber aperture. A series of spacer members can relieve part of the bias pressure. The released articles can be counted and stored in a storage chamber until a predetermined number of articles are accumulated. Subsequently, the passageway from the storage chamber to a dispenser tray can be opened and the articles ejected to the user.

Abstract: In a high speed sheet printing or coating machine there is a tendency for the sheets to move about as they are being fed to the datum stops, so that precise registration is not achieved. This is remedied by exerting a damping force which pulls each sheet continuously towards a fixed support surface 12 before and during registration and during printing or coating. The damping force comprises vacuum and/or magnetic forces which settle each sheet rapidly on the fixed support surface as it is fed into contact with the datum stops. The vacuum force is provided by drawing air through an array of holes 26 in the fixed support surface into an underlying chamber 24 evacuated through a pipe 28 by a vacuum pump, and is adjustable either by controlling the flow rate through the pump or by controllably venting the chamber or pipe to atmosphere.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating handling particularly tab stock in a sheet feeder, having a top feed vacuum corrugated feed head assembly for feeding sheets seriatim from a sheet supply stack. The facilitating apparatus includes a platform adapted to support a sheet supply stack of the tab stock type. A tab stock sheet supply stack is located on the platform in relation to the top feed vacuum corrugated feed head assembly. A force is applied to the tab stock sheet supply stack, such force having at least a component in a direction relative to such tab stock sheet supply stack to prevent individual tab stock sheets in such stack from prematurely moving out of control of the top feed vacuum corrugated feed head assembly.

Abstract: A device for decollating stacks of flat objects includes a stack magazine. The base of the stack magazine supports the stack and includes revolving rollers that form a continuously moving series of rollers, pass underneath the stack magazine, and roll along the lowest object of the stack. A conveyor system is arranged underneath the upper run of the series of rollers and extends at an angle to the series of rollers. The lowest object that is removed from the stack by one passing roller is deposited on the conveyor system. A suction device moves or suction devices move between the rollers in the cycle in which the rollers pass underneath the magazine. The suction device or devices pulls or pull down one lateral edge of the lowest object between two rollers. The leading roller still supports the stack via the object and the trailing roller passes between the object and the object situated above so as to cause a secure separation of the lowest object from the stack.

Abstract: An object tracking and motion control system includes a thermal marking unit such as a laser for inducing localized thermal indicia on objects. A thermal tracking unit, typically a micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) such as a two dimensional thermal sensing array, is positioned to measure movement of objects marked with localized thermal indicia. A motion control unit is connected to the thermal tracking unit to permit adjustment of motion of objects marked with induced localized thermal indicia based on their measured movement.

Abstract: An apparatus including a diverting device for changing the transport direction of products in a folder is provided. Products traveling along a horizontal transport path on a first conveying tape(s) are diverted by the diverting device onto a second conveying tape(s) which forms an inclined transport path. The diverting device includes diverting tapes which are diverted from a position along the horizontal transport path to a position along the inclined transport path by levers which are swivelably mounted on stationary axes.

Abstract: The apparatus for collecting, counting and stacking material in sheets has two cascade conveyors, a loading device arranged upstream of the first conveyor, a counting station arranged downstream of the second conveyor, and a station for stacking a material in sheets or in modular pieces which have already been counted in the counting station.

Abstract: The intermediate tray of a copying machine for copying on both sides of recording paper or recording paper feeding apparatus incorporates a mechanism for loosening and separating recording papers by air blow in order to prevent duplicate feed. Conventionally, such constitution could not be commonly applied to recording papers of plural sizes, and the recording paper vibrated due to the air flow to give off a loud noise. In the invention, the air flow is formed by plural nozzles arranged in the widthwise direction of the recording paper, and the nozzles near the both ends are controlled by opening and closing depending on the paper size. When the recording paper is conveyed by vacuum attracting to the belt, the recording paper is attracted closely to the belt, eliminating the space for allowing the air flow to enter in, so that vibration may be prevented.

Abstract: A device for unstacking relatively flat objects such as letters or postal packets of various different lengths, widths, and thicknesses. The device includes: a conveyor for conveying stacks of objects as well as an object separating and grasping mechanism for separating and grasping the objects one-by-one, and a transport conveyor for transporting the objects one after another.

Abstract: A signature feeding machine which can be used on sheet feeders and the like utilized in book-binding, comprises a loading plane for supporting and conveying stacks of adjacently disposed signatures to an inclined signature elevator which transfers individual signatures to the level of a delivery plane on which the individual signatures are disposed substantially horizontally. Between the loading plane and the inclined elevator there is interposed an intermediate conveyor connection section pivoted at its end nearest the loading plane and provided with means for adjustment of its inclination.

Abstract: Storage boxes are provided in a bundle-and-bar money paying machine and arranged to be stacked one on another. Some of the storage boxes store bill bundles as stacked in a horizontal direction. An elevator is provided for moving vertically. Slide blocks are movably provided on slide guide shafts positioned between the elevator and the storage boxes. Each slide block is constructed so that bill bundles are discharged into the elevator in cooperation with the elevator.

Abstract: A garment portion loader utilizes a plurality of photo-electric sensors to determine the positions of garment portions at selected stations including a delivery assembly which supplies garment portions for loading, a pick-up assembly which removes garment portions from the delivery assembly and places them on an alignment conveyor, and an alignment assembly which aligns the garment portions with a pre-established standard relative to the alignment conveyor. A rejection assembly is provided to remove garments which are not properly aligned. The loader may be controlled by a microprocessor receiving input from the sensors and controlling the various assemblies.

Abstract: A ticket dispensing machine includes a stack support, posts and guide and the lowest ticket from the stack is moved by a striker plate actuated by a solenoid towards a pair of rollers the lower one being driven by motor which takes up the dispensing action. A nozzle with a fluid sensor detects passage of fluid e.g., beer and actuates the ticket dispensing operation after a predetermined period corresponding to a given volume of fluid discharge.

Abstract: A portable feeder table for converting existing pile fed paper folding machines and the like to continuous fed machines, in which the table is portable, and includes a motor housing having height adjustment provisions, the table has a horizontal portion with a plurality of endless driven feed belts, a detector member for detecting the presence or absence of sheets of paper and connected to control the speed and advance of the feed belts, paper hold-down rollers carried on the folding machine, and a longitudinal guide plate carried on and transversely movable across the table.

Abstract: A large number of presensitized plates are stacked on a platform. The platform is controlled to lift the stack of presensitized plates so that the uppermost presensitized plate in the stack is always positioned at a predetermined level. Sucking members suck the uppermost plate and lift it away from the rest of the stack. The lifted plate is placed on a plurality of parallel endless belts and transferred to a printing section. The plate is positioned in two dimensions with respect to the printing section on the way thereto.

Abstract: To align sheets being fed to a printing machine without interruption of smooth flow of sheet feeding, the sheets are aligned while they are being fed from a stack to a set-up or alignment table 19 by imparting thereto a lateral force to direct the moving sheets towards a side or lateral stop. The vectorial lateral force component can be obtained by skewing transport belts 33 laterally, providing a transversely running belt 83 with freely movable engagement balls to press the sheets against the transversely moving belt, or tilting the transport table or conveyor system 17 and imparting vibration thereto so that the sheets will be jogged against a lateral stop 45, arriving properly longitudinally as well as laterally oriented at the set-up or alignment table for subsequent feeding into the printing machine. Preferably, the drive mechanism for the transport conveyor belts includes a variable speed transmission to selectively control overlap of subsequent sheets being fed.

Abstract: A top-sheet feeder in which the feed table comprising suckers engaging a sheet fed from the top of the stack, is pivotable to position the input end of the feed table at any offset position the sheet may have occupied at the top of the stack; the feed table comprising an end portion to direct the suckers upstream of the pivot normal to the leading edge of the sheet and thus align them correctly for output from the feeder.

Abstract: Pneumatic means are synchronously coupled to an offset machine or the like in order to positively separate and pull down the bottom sheet in a stack. Movement of the pneumatic means is synchronized with the movement of a pivotal roller that advances the pulled-down sheet onto a conveyor belt for delivery of the sheet to the utilization device. The sheet being fed is automatically aligned in a lateral direction by movable guide means that are synchronized with the feeding of the sheet. The forward edges of the lower most sheets on the stack are separated by a flow of air.