Against Front-edge Aligner Interposed Into Sheet Path Patents (Class 271/245)
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Patent number: 7451979Abstract: An improved sheet accumulator for stacking serially fed sheets transported on a paper path. The accumulator includes a guide deck. Above the guide deck, a plurality of parallel belts are positioned to provide a driving force for sheets on the deck. Within the accumulator, a ramp apparatus is positioned across the paper path whereby sheets driven by the belts on an upstream portion of the accumulator deck are driven over the ramp apparatus and deposited in an accumulating region of the accumulator deck on a downstream side of the ramp apparatus. Preferably, snap-down belts are provided between ramp structures snap transported sheets quickly into place on the stack and to hold them there. Sheets are stopped by an accumulator stop mechanism located at a downstream end of the accumulating region that prevents movement of sheets by the belts while sheets for an accumulation are being collected.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2006Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: John R. Masotta, William J. Wright, Robert E. Manna, Charles C Fuller, John W. Sussmeier
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Patent number: 7401777Abstract: The invention relates to a device for supplying a shingled or overlapping sheet stream from a stack of sheets of a sheet feeder to a feed table of a sheet-processing machine with a belt table. The belt table is provided with at least one revolvingly driven suction belt, which is in operative connection with at least two suction boxes that can be acted upon by negative pressure. The invention can include a device for taking hold of the sheets. The invention also relates to altering a device so that, independently of the material to be processed, a last sheet of a sheet stream can be easily aligned. This objective is accomplished as follows: after the last sheet is detected and its front edge has been placed against the front guide stops, the operation of the suction belt is stopped.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2005Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: Koenig & Bauer AGInventor: Arndt Jentzsch
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Patent number: 7392982Abstract: A sheet feeder for feeding sheets one-at-a-time along a path having: a feeder/separator for engaging the sheets and feeding them one-at-a-time along the path whilst remaining sheets not being fed along the path are halted by the separator; and a clearance mechanism for engaging the remaining sheets and removing them from the separator region in a sheet clearance process.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2005Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: Pitney Bowes Ltd.Inventors: Geoffrey A. Farmer, Peter J. Watson
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Publication number: 20080143045Abstract: A paper-feeding mechanism includes an input roller for picking up a print medium, a pinch input roller for nipping the print medium with the input roller, and a deskew shutter installed on a side of the input roller and the pinch input roller. The deskew shutter includes a flexible pad for blocking the print medium before the print medium is nipped by the input roller and the pinch input roller so as to adjust the skew print medium. The paper-feeding mechanism further includes an elastic component connected to the deskew shutter for providing an elastic force to the deskew shutter. The deskew shutter is connected to the elastic component in a rotatable manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2007Publication date: June 19, 2008Inventors: Chung-Lung Yu, Tien-Ho Hsu, Hsuan-Yang Lin, Yu-Jen Tsao
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Patent number: 7384039Abstract: A method for registering a sheet material article in a sheet material article handler includes sequentially engaging, using a movable backstop, a leading edge portion of a sheet material article moving in a direction of movement of the sheet material article along a path of movement of the sheet material article in the sheet material article handler so as to register the sheet material article relative to the sheet material article handler. The backstop is moved along an arcuate path in the direction of movement of the sheet material article from a first position out of the path of movement to a second position in the path of movement using a driver.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2005Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: Goss International Americas, Inc.Inventors: Kevin Lauren Cote, Richard Daniel Curley, Benedict Sammuel Raffaele
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Patent number: 7370863Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus is capable of suppressing occurrence of a problem caused by misalignment of the feeding speed at the time of delivery and receipt in the intermediate feeding roller with a simple configuration without increasing costs. The image forming apparatus includes a drive controller that controls the drive speed of an intermediate feeding roller that performs skew correction for the sheet, and a feeding speed information acquisition section that acquires information relating to the feeding speed of the sheet to be fed to the intermediate feeding roller. The drive controller drives the intermediate feeding roller at least three different speeds based on the information relating to the feeding speed acquired by the feeding speed information acquisition section.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2005Date of Patent: May 13, 2008Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazumasa Yasui, Masaya Arakawa
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Publication number: 20080093795Abstract: An image forming apparatus, which can efficiently align a paper supplied to a printing unit of a main body from a paper feeding unit that is removably mounted to the main body, includes a paper aligning unit, integrally provided with a paper container of the paper feeding unit, to align the paper supplied to the main body and thereby prevent paper misalignment. The paper container to automatically feed paper, the paper supply case to manually feed paper, and the paper aligning unit to align the supplied paper and to supply the paper to the main body are integrally provided within the paper feeding unit to reduce the number of components and thereby decrease manufacturing costs, increase efficiency, and increase productivity.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2007Publication date: April 24, 2008Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jin Soo LEE, Byung Sun Ahn, Jae Yong Kim, Ki Hun Kim
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Patent number: 7306220Abstract: An accumulator apparatus for paper collations having an accumulation chamber for receiving sheet material, the chamber defined by a fixed guide on one side, a movable guide on the other side and a movable stop member at one end. Rollers are included for driving the sheet material against the stop member, and gates are provided for moving the movable guide between a first position in which it is spaced from the fixed guide by a gap sufficiently small to prevent buckling of the sheet material as it is driven by the rollers against the stop member, and a second position in which the movable guide is spaced away from the fixed guide for discharge of the sheet material from the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2005Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: Pitney Bowes Ltd.Inventors: Geoffrey A. Farmer, Paul Blamire, Eric A. Belec, Peter Watson, Keith G. R. Watts, Chris Brown
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Patent number: 7261292Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for feeding sheets to a sheet-processing machine, the leading edge of the sheet is smoothed before the grippers are closed by further transport into the sheet-processing machine. A curvature or bend in the sheet transport direction is imparted to the sheet. The feed table has, in its feeder region, a curvature in the sheet transport direction, against which curvature the sheet leading edge is laid with the aid of pneumatic or mechanical devices.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2004Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AGInventors: Hans Butterfass, Wolfgang Dolz, Hendrik Frank, Andreas Henn, Markus Möhringer
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Patent number: 7156390Abstract: The invention relates to devices for aligning sheets (1), which are overlapped with an offset and supplied to the device by a stream feeder and which can be transferred to a device (63) that is located downstream, after alignment of the front edge and one lateral edge of the sheets. At least pant of a sheet can be brought to rest on the periphery of an alignment cylinder (62), which is used to align the front edge of the sheet by means of front lay marks located on the periphery of said cylinder. At least one recess is provided on the periphery of the alignment cylinder, which, by the application of a negative pressure to said recess allows at least part of the sheet to be fixed by friction on the periphery of the alignment cylinder, in such a way that in the contact zone, drive forces from said cylinder can be transferred by friction to the sheet. A measuring device (64) determines the offset of a lateral edge of the sheet in relation to a predetermined set alignment.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2001Date of Patent: January 2, 2007Assignee: Koenig & Bauer AktienegesellschaftInventors: Johann Emil Eitel, Kurt Georg Nagler, Johannes Georg Schaede
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Patent number: 7150563Abstract: A formed bearing assembly and a method of making the bearing is provided. The bearing assembly includes a housing and a bearing space formed therein. A slide is disposed within the bearing space and is movable along its longitudinal extent. A bearing is formed in the bearing space between the housing and the slide. The bearing is a solid, formed in the bearing space while in liquid state. At least a portion of the bearing forms the shape of at least a portion of the slide.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2004Date of Patent: December 19, 2006Assignee: PHD, Inc.Inventors: Bruce D. McIntosh, Kenneth A. Steele, Clinton L. Alexander, William E. Davenport
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Patent number: 7128318Abstract: Sheet registration with improved sheet deskewing of print media sheets may be provided with an intermediately transversely pivotal baffle member overlying and engaging at least part of a buckled sheet being edge registered so that the effective buckle chamber size and sheet path length on one side of the sheet is automatically different from the other side of the sheet with said pivoting of said pivotal baffle member, to assist in the deskewing of the sheet as it is being partially buckled by the sheet registration system. The direction and amount of baffle pivoting may be self-pivoted by the extent of transverse buckle difference, or positively driven in response to a detected sheet skew.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2004Date of Patent: October 31, 2006Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventor: Joseph Andre Michel Loiselle
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Patent number: 7121544Abstract: An improved sheet accumulator for stacking serially fed sheets transported on a paper path. The accumulator includes a guide deck. Above the guide deck, a plurality of parallel belts are positioned to provide a driving force for sheets on the deck. Within the accumulator, a ramp apparatus is positioned across the paper path whereby sheets driven by the belts on an upstream portion of the accumulator deck are driven over the ramp apparatus and deposited in an accumulating region of the accumulator deck on a downstream side of the ramp apparatus. Preferably, snap-down belts are provided between ramp structures snap transported sheets quickly into place on the stack and to hold them there. Sheets are stopped by an accumulator stop mechanism located at a downstream end of the accumulating region that prevents movement of sheets by the belts while sheets for an accumulation are being collected.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2004Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: John R. Masotta, William J. Wright, Robert E. Manna, Charles C Fuller, John W. Sussmeier
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Patent number: 7025347Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus in which after a bundle of sheets is placed in an erect posture on a sheet supporting stand, the bundle of sheets placed on the sheet supporting stand is continuously vibrated upward and downward for a predetermined time, and is moved in a sheet feeding direction by an aligning portion to be hit against a hitting portion, and the bottom edges and the side edges of the bundle of sheets are accordingly aligned.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2003Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: Canon Denshi Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hironori Masui, Kazuhide Sugiyama, Jun Tanaka
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Patent number: 7021185Abstract: A registration device for a sheet material article handler includes a movable backstop which sequentially engages a leading edge portion of a sheet material article as the article moves in a direction of movement along a path of movement in the sheet material article handler, thereby registering the sheet material article relative to the sheet material article handler. A driver is provided, the driver moving the backstop along an arcuate path in the direction of movement of the sheet material article from a first position out of the path of movement to a second position in the path of movement.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2001Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: Goss International Americas, Inc.Inventors: Kevin Lauren Cote, Richard Daniel Curley, Benedict Sammuel Raffaele
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Patent number: 7014189Abstract: An apparatus is provided for processing a document traveling along a document path within a document validator. The such apparatus includes a disk where a periphery of the disk extends into the document path of the document validator, a support shaft that passes through a center hole of the disk, the shaft loosely supporting the disk and allowing the disk to rotate around the shaft in a predominant plane of the disk and to freely move in the predominant plane of the disk in a direction that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the shaft and a resilient member that biases the disk into the document path to engage a side edge of the document when the document is misaligned with the document path as it travels along the document path thereby retarding forward movement of the side edge and rotation of the document into alignment with the document path.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2004Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Valtech International, LLCInventors: Donald Pakman Liu, Raymond Waiman Lui
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Patent number: 6991227Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for a printing device includes a pickup roller and a feeding roller picking up sheets loaded on a tray and feeding the sheets into a sheet feeding path, respectively, a rotation member installed on a rotation shaft of the feeding roller to support and rotate the pickup roller at a free end, a relay gear engaging the feeding roller and the pickup roller, a clutch unit selectively transferring a raising force of the rotation shaft to the rotation member, and a stopper installed in the rotation member to be elevated and lowered with respect to the rotation member to block a path between the pickup roller and the feeding roller. Accordingly, since the pickup roller is raised to allow the sheets to be loaded and then lowered after the sheets are loaded on the tray, front ends of the sheets are automatically inserted under the pickup roller.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2002Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Won-taek Kim
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Patent number: 6934505Abstract: A paper transferring device for an image forming apparatus includes a plurality of guide members forming a paper transferring path connecting a paper feeding device and a photosensitive drum, a feeding roller disposed on a side of the paper transferring path adjacent to the photosensitive drum, the feeding roller transferring a paper incoming along the paper transferring path to the photosensitive drum, at least one transferring roller disposed on the paper transferring path between the feeding roller and the paper feeding device, the transferring roller transferring the paper picked-up from the paper feeding device to the feeding roller, and a paper leading edge aligning unit for aligning a leading edge of the paper so that the leading edge of the paper is parallel to a rotation axis of the feeding roller prior to entering the feeding roller to prevent the paper from being skewed.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2003Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Sang-yob Shin
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Patent number: 6905449Abstract: A bundled sheet processing apparatus has a chute unit tilting between the first and second positions. A downstream side in the chute unit conveying direction, there is provided a stopper that has the contact surface narrower than the thickness of a bundle and stops the bundle by contacting the end of the bundle in the conveying direction with the contact surface. At this time, sheets protruding beyond the contact surface are detected by a detector.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2004Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Masakazu Itoya, Hiroyuki Kamiyama
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Patent number: 6866261Abstract: A device for laterally aligning sheets in sheet-processing machines includes a pulling device having a drivable transport roller and a dabber roller mounted on a pivotable lever. A spring system cooperates with the lever for adjusting a pressing force between the rollers. The spring system has a progressive spring characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2002Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AGInventors: Georg Grasmück, Markus Leva
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Patent number: 6863273Abstract: A document handling apparatus for processing sheets comprises a dynamic in-feed device, a sheet receiving section disposed downstream from the dynamic in-feed device, and an electronic controller. The dynamic in-feed device comprises a sheet-driving device and a variable-speed motor operatively engaging the sheet-driving device. The dynamic in-feed device inputs a sheet according to a repeatable dynamic speed profile. The dynamic speed profile is defined by an initial input speed, a subsequent decelerating or accelerating speed curve, and a final input speed that is less than the initial input speed. The electronic controller communicates with the variable-speed motor for executing the dynamic speed profile and controlling the input device according to the dynamic speed profile.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2002Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: Bowe Bell & Howell CompanyInventor: Edward M. Otto
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Publication number: 20040251592Abstract: In one embodiment, a sheet media input structure for a printer or other sheet media processing device comprises a sheet media supporting surface and a moveable face positioned downstream along a media path from the supporting surface. The face is moveable between a first position in which the face protrudes into the media path to block a leading edge of media sheets supported on the supporting surface and a second position in which the face does not protrude into the media path and media sheets are free to move from the supporting surface along the media path past the face. In one embodiment, the face pivots between the first and second positions. In another embodiment, the face rotates in a plane between the first and second positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2003Publication date: December 16, 2004Inventors: Tom Ruhe, Jiangxiao Mo, Scott Smith, Gary Miller
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Patent number: 6822768Abstract: A combination automatic document feeder and scanner operates so as to detect automatically an over-sized sheet of media. A linear image sensor detects motion of the oversized document as it is being fed into the scanner in a portrait orientation. A control algorithm responsive to the image sensor functions so those first and second portions of the over-sized sheet are successively registered over the transparent platen of the scanner and scanned.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 1999Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventor: Joseph Scott McCoy
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Patent number: 6805347Abstract: The skew of a sheet of print media is precisely controlled by intentionally inducing print media deformation, so that cooperative mechanical and gravitational forces may be used to align the leading edge of the sheet. The sheet is driven into a nip region of deskew rollers in a manner that causes the print media to deform, lifting a movable member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the feedpath into the nip region. The movable member applies a return force that is generally equal along a widthwise surface region of the print media. As a result, there is a reduced likelihood that the print media will be skewed relative to the nip region. In some applications, the return force is adjustable.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2002Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventor: Akinobu Kuramoto
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Publication number: 20040201166Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for feeding sheets to a sheet-processing machine, the leading edge of the sheet is smoothed before the grippers are closed by further transport into the sheet-processing machine. A curvature or bend in the sheet transport direction is imparted to the sheet. The feed table has, in its feeder region, a curvature in the sheet transport direction, against which curvature the sheet leading edge is laid with the aid of pneumatic or mechanical devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2004Publication date: October 14, 2004Inventors: Hans Butterfass, Wolfgang Dolz, Hendrik Frank, Andreas Henn, Markus Mohringer
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Publication number: 20040094892Abstract: The skew of a sheet of print media is precisely controlled by intentionally inducing print media deformation, so that cooperative mechanical and gravitational forces may be used to align the leading edge of the sheet. The sheet is driven into a nip region of deskew rollers in a manner that causes the print media to deform, lifting a movable member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the feedpath into the nip region. The movable member applies a return force that is generally equal along a widthwise surface region of the print media. As a result, there is a reduced likelihood that the print media will be skewed relative to the nip region. In some applications, the return force is adjustable.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2002Publication date: May 20, 2004Inventor: Akinobu Kuramoto
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Publication number: 20040080099Abstract: A module in an envelope insertion station for transporting an envelope to an enclosure material insertion location, which uses endless belts to move the envelope until it is stopped by rotatable stops. A fixedly-mounted vacuum module having vacuum ports provides a suction force to the envelope urging the trailing edge of the envelope to press against the belts and provides the normal force required to move an envelope downstream as it enters the insertion deck without slippage against the translating endless belts. Additionally, a second vacuum module having vacuum ports provides suction force urging the leading edge of the envelope to press against the belts and provides the normal force required to prohibit the leading edge of the envelope from buckling during impact with the rotatable stops. The second vacuum module is removably mounted and mechanically linked to the rotatable stops so they can be repositioned together to accommodate different-sized envelopes.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2002Publication date: April 29, 2004Applicant: Pitney Bowes IncorporatedInventors: Karel J. Janatka, Boris Rozenfeld, John W. Sussmeier, Joseph R. Vassallo
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Patent number: 6712355Abstract: A method for locating and conveying a veneer sheet includes: causing a downstream end of a veneer sheet conveyed by a travelling conveying member to abut against a blocking member to correct the attitude of the veneer sheet in such a state that a downstream end of the veneer sheet is perpendicular to the conveying direction of the veneer sheet; and after moving the conveying member in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction until one side end of the veneer sheet perpendicular to the conveying direction reaches a predetermined position and stopping the conveying member, moving the blocking member to a position where the blocking member does not abut against the veneer sheet. Accordingly, attitude correction of a veneer sheet and locating thereof in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction can be performed effectively.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2002Date of Patent: March 30, 2004Assignee: Meinan Machinery Works, Inc.Inventors: Toshinori Nakaoda, Teruaki Aoto
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Patent number: 6682069Abstract: A conveyor system conveys sheets of different widths in a direction normal to the direction of width with an edge of each sheet held along a reference position. The conveyor system includes a drive roller and a nip roller and conveys the sheet with the nip roller urged toward the drive roller under its gravity and a predetermined urging force. The nip roller is heavier at a part on the side of the reference position than at a part on the side opposite to the reference position and is substantially uniform in weight over a predetermined length between the end on the side of the reference position and a part at a predetermined distance from the end on the side of the reference position, and the predetermined urging force is set stronger on the side opposite to the reference position than on the side of the reference position.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2001Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tadanobu Shibabuki
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Patent number: 6681697Abstract: A device for aligning sheets on a feeder of a sheet-processing machine includes a plurality of pivotably disposed front lays and a plurality of pivotably disposed top lays, the top lays being vertically adjustable. The front lays and the top lays are respectively assigned to and combined with one another and have a common pivoting drive. A push rod vertically adjusts the top lays, and a wedge-like slide actuates the push rod.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2002Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AGInventors: Markus Möhringer, Jochen Renner
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Patent number: 6676124Abstract: A printer or copier has a sheet alignment apparatus including a pair of detents, or walls, at a right angle to one another against which the sheet is moved. To move the sheet, a sheet positioning mechanism is provided which includes two paddlewheels that engage the sheet as they rotate and that are directed offset from one another. The paddlewheels may be angled to shear with one another, and the mounting on which they are supported may be pivotable to redirect the paddlewheels.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2001Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignee: Océ Printing Systems GmbHInventor: Andreas Wirtz
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Patent number: 6669193Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting paper copies which are skewed and for providing a shingled stream, the apparatus including an input, a singulating device having a vertically movable gate member, a first abutting surface formed on the gate member, a second fixed abutting surface formed rearwardly of the movable gate member, a gate member being reciprocally driven in a vertical direction, and an output section to receive copies from the singulating device. The apparatus can be used in conjunction with other copy handling machines such as various integrators.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2002Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Inventor: John Lovaghy
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Patent number: 6655682Abstract: A device for fixing the position of a sheet includes a feeding table for transporting the sheet; at least one front lay disposed in vicinity of the feeding table and, in a working position, protruding upwardly beyond the plane of the feeding table; a swivellable holder to which the front lay and an adjusting device for the front lay are secured; and a adjusting device secured to the holder, the front lay and the adjusting device being disposed separated from one another on the holder, the front lay being in continuous biasing engagement, under tension, with the adjusting device, so that, by changing the position of the holder, the front lay and the adjusting device are movable from the working position into a neutral position and, conversely, from the neutral position into the working position.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2001Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AGInventors: Willi Becker, Wolfgang Dolz
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Patent number: 6651972Abstract: A document feeding apparatus includes a cam set fixed to a drive shaft and being driven selectively by the drive shaft. The drive shaft selectively rotates in a first direction and a second direction. The cam set includes a first cam, a second cam, and a first one-way clutch. The present invention further includes a one-way gear train fixed to the drive shaft and being driven selectively by the drive shaft; a paper-stopping plate connected with a paper-stopping arm; a pick-up roller fixed to and rotatable with a pick-up shaft; a strip roller fixed to and rotatable with a strip shaft; and a gear train transferring the power from the one-way drive gear set to the pick-up roller and the strip roller. The relative operational relationship between the pick-up arm and the paper-stopping arm is coordinated by the cam set.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2002Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: Silitek CorporationInventors: Sidney Hsiao, Julian Liu, Jackly Liu, Clark Huang
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Patent number: 6598870Abstract: A document conveying apparatus comprising a document conveying passage and a pair of document introduction rollers disposed at a document insertion portion, and a copier equipped with the document conveying apparatus. A cover frame is pivotably supported by the support frame body of the document conveying apparatus. A shutter member is supported by the support frame body so as to move up and down between a shut-off position and an open position. The cover frame and the shutter member are interlocked to each other so that the shutter member is moved up to the open position when the cover frame is turned to the closed position and the shutter member is moved down to the shut-off position when the cover frame is turned to the open position.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2001Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Assignee: Kyocera Mita CorporationInventor: Susumu Hanano
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Patent number: 6592120Abstract: An apparatus for registering a signature moving along a surface, such as a drum, includes one or more pinch rollers for advancing the signature, and a register stop for stopping the advancement of the signature. The register stop is rotatable about an axis so as to accommodate skewing of the signature. The pinch rollers do not rotate with the register stop, but remained aligned with the drum.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2001Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AGInventors: Mehmet Oktay Kaya, Heiner Philipp Luxem
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Publication number: 20030094747Abstract: A method of feeding sheets to a printing-technology machine includes individually separating sheets from a sheet pile, conveying the sheets against movable lays for effecting an alignment thereof, and cyclically conveying the sheets from the lays to the machine. A control device coordinates movement of the lays with the individual separation of the sheets from the sheet pile and onward conveyance of the sheets to the machine. Data related to characteristics of the sheets are processed in the control device for generating actuating signals for a separate, controllable drive system. The lays are moved by the drive system. A device for performing the method is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2002Publication date: May 22, 2003Inventors: Christopher Berti, Bernhard Buck
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Patent number: 6557848Abstract: A paper-stopping mechanism applied in an automatic document feeder (ADF). The paper-stopping mechanism includes a shaft, a stepping motor for carrying the shaft to rotate, a cam structure having a first protruding portion and a second protruding portion and carried by the shaft to rotate the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion thereof, a paper-stopping arm having a bearing point, wherein the bearing point is moved against by the first protruding portion to move the paper-stopping arm upward, and an elastic buckling device for buckling the paper-stopping arm when the paper-stopping arm is moving upward to stay at a paper-feeding position, and for shifting when the second protruding portion of the cam structure is rotated against the elastic buckling device for removing the paper-stopping arm from the elastic buckling device to return to a paper-stopping position.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2001Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: Silitek CorporationInventors: Sidney Hsiao, Jones Wu, Jackly Liu, Julian Liu
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Patent number: 6551228Abstract: A quarterfold folding device and method forms groupings of signatures in a signature product stream by delaying selected signatures during transport to a chopper mechanism, the chopper mechanism adapted to fold multiple signatures in a single chop, thereby increasing throughput of the quarterfold folding device and reducing the rate of operation of the chopper mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 1997Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AGInventor: John Sheridan Richards
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Patent number: 6505826Abstract: A device for separating or singling sheets, which have been piled up to form a stack, in a feeder of a sheet-processing machine, having a transport element with a guide edge, includes a device for matching the shape of the guide edge to the contour of the topmost sheet at a front side of the stack, as viewed in a sheet transport direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2001Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AGInventors: Markus Gerstenberger, Andreas Henn, Wolfgang Luxem, Tobias Müller, Thomas Wolf
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Patent number: 6502818Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes: a conveyance path along which a recording sheet is conveyed; a separation roller that separates a recording sheet and conveys it; a registration roller that stops temporarily a recording sheet separated and conveyed by the separation roller and further conveyed along the conveyance path, and conveys the recording sheet again toward the image forming position at the prescribed timing; a detector that is provided in the conveyance path between the separation roller and the registration roller, and detects the recording sheet; a recognizing device that recognizes fluctuation of conveyance timing of the recording sheet based on the results of the detection made by the detector; and a controller that conducts conveyance control for the recording sheet at the upstream side of the registration roller based on the results of the recognition made by the recognizing device.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2000Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Assignee: Konica CorporationInventors: Ken Nonaka, Kunihiro Kawachi, Kyoichi Mizuno
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Patent number: 6481709Abstract: Device (1) for the longitudinal alignment of plate elements (2) within an infeed station of a machine working them. The aforementioned device is secured by two lateral brackets (9, 10) between which is settled a conveyor track for the said plate elements, comprising two plates (5, 6) folded downwise according to a line (7) non-perpendicular in the meaning of the shifting (3) of the said plate elements (2). The latter are moved downstream by means of at least two conveyor belts running around at least two pulleys (15, 16) secured between unmovable bearings (11-14) at the input of the said device. The device (1) has on its leading edge a protection plate (39) over which are flaps (30-32) movable and interdependent of a transverse shaft (24) connecting the leading edges of the two lateral brackets (9, 10). This shaft is moved by an alternate rotation between 0 and 45 degrees, synchronized with the production speed of the machine in order to allow the successive alignment of the said plate elements (2).Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2001Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: Bobst S.A.Inventors: Georges Gombau, Patrick Lüscher
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Publication number: 20020158407Abstract: A paper-stopping mechanism applied in an automatic document feeder (ADF). The paper-stopping mechanism includes a shaft, a stepping motor for carrying the shaft to rotate, a cam structure having a first protruding portion and a second protruding portion and carried by the shaft to rotate the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion thereof, a paper-stopping arm having a bearing point, wherein the bearing point is against by the first protruding portion to move the paper-stopping arm upward, and an elastic buckling device for buckling the paper-stopping arm when the paper-stopping arm is moving upward to stay at a paper-feeding position, and for shifting when the second protruding portion of the cam structure is rotated to be against the elastic buckling device for removing the paper-stopping arm from the elastic buckling device to return a paper-stopping position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2001Publication date: October 31, 2002Inventors: Sidney Hsiao, Jones Wu, Jackly Liu, Julian Liu
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Publication number: 20010040338Abstract: The feeding mechanism for feeding media from an initial site to a predetermined site comprises a base, a scrubber, a deskewer, two feeders, a lifting device having two cam portions, a driving element and a releasing device. The deskewer is moved between a first position and a second position and sets the media located at the initial site. The two feeders are used for transmitting the media located at the initial site toward the predetermined site. The cam portions are used as a lifter to move the deskewer from the first position to the second position. The driving element disposed between the lifting device and the releasing device generates forces to actuate the cam portions to move the deskewer. The releasing device is used as an overload protection clutch connected between the lifting device and the driving element, having a first plate separately contacting the driving element.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2001Publication date: November 15, 2001Applicant: Acer Communications and Multimedia, Inc.Inventors: Ying-Hsien Kuo, Tsung-Te Lin
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Publication number: 20010020767Abstract: Device (1) for the longitudinal alignment of plate elements (2) within an infeed station of a machine working them. The aforementioned device is secured by two lateral brackets (9, 10) between which is settled a conveyor track for the said plate elements, comprising two plates (5, 6) folded downwise according to a line (7) non-perpendicular in the meaning of the shifting (3) of the said plate elements (2). The latter are moved downstream by means of at least two conveyor belts running around at least two pulleys (15, 16) secured between unmovable bearings (11-14) at the input of the said device. The device (1) has on its leading edge a protection plate (39) over which are flaps (30-32) movable and interdependent of a transverse shaft (24) connecting the leading edges of the two lateral brackets (9, 10). This shaft is moved by an alternate rotation between 0 and 45 degrees, synchronized with the production speed of the machine in order to allow the successive alignment of the said plate elements (2).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2001Publication date: September 13, 2001Applicant: Bobst S.A.Inventors: Georges Gombau, Patrick Luscher
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Publication number: 20010017443Abstract: A method of aligning sheets prior to transferring them to a sheet-processing machine includes feeding a respective sheet, by a first sheet edge thereof, against a stop; gripping the sheet by at least one sheet holder, and displacing the sheet holder at least approximately transversely to the stop in a direction towards a first control region; and onwardly moving the sheet holder, while the sheet is held thereby, over a given first distance, after a second sheet edge has reached the first control region; and a device for performing the method.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2001Publication date: August 30, 2001Inventor: Andreas Henn
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Patent number: 6244592Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet feeding apparatus for a corrugated fiberboard box making machine, which has front stops disposed at two locations spaced in the width direction (transverse direction) to true up the front edges of stacked corrugated fiberboard sheets and is constructed so as to feed a lowermost corrugated fiberboard sheet successively from the front end side of the front stop, characterized in that the front stops at the two locations are constructed so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction in such a manner as to be capable of supporting the corrugated fiberboard sheets while tilting the front edges thereof obliquely in the longitudinal direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1999Date of Patent: June 12, 2001Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Yasuyuki Baba, Osamu Hatano
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Patent number: 6241241Abstract: A method for eliminating rhythmic register errors in sheet-fed rotary printing machines, the sheets therein being transported by an impression cylinder of double size having two gripper arrangements, includes bringing front lays, which have been provided for orienting the sheets at a feed table, out of an end position outside a conveying plane of the sheets and into a first orientation position on the feed table, then bringing the front lays back into the end position, and thereafter bringing the front lays into a second orientation position on the feed table; and a device for performing the method.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 1999Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AGInventors: Andreas Fricke, Rudi Hofstetter, Heiner Luxem
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Patent number: 6199855Abstract: A paper feeding apparatus for an office automation system constructed to accommodate the storage of paper, a sheet feeder that guides paper to travel in a selected direction of travel, and a device that aligns paper that is being stored to conform to the state of the feeder.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 1999Date of Patent: March 13, 2001Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Sang-Won Choeng, Jin-Ho Park, Heung-Kyu Jang, Seung-Taik Hwang
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Patent number: 6168154Abstract: A sheet handling device for accommodating, aligning and storing sheets fed from an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine is provided with front-side and rear-side aligning members for pressing the sheets stacked on a first storage means between the aligning members to stably and exactly align the stacked sheets. The front side aligning member is movable vertically or rotatable to open a sheet transferring passage so as to enable a sheet aligning mechanism in the sheet handling device to be operated in a small space, and thus, made compact. While transferring the aligned sheets from the first storage means to a second storage means, the aligned sheets are stably held by the front-side aligning member being in soft contact with the upper surface of the sheets being transferred.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1998Date of Patent: January 2, 2001Assignee: Nisca Corporation Yamanashi-kenInventors: Tsuyoshi Asahara, Hirofumi Kaneko, Kazuaki Sano, Takashi Saito, Hideki Mimura