Abstract: An image recording device includes a conveying mechanism disposed in a predetermined conveying path including a plurality of rollers for conveying a recording medium by a predetermined conveying distance while nipping the recording medium. The device also includes an upstream-side trailing edge detector for detecting a trailing edge of the recording medium, a downstream-side trailing edge detector for detecting the trailing edge of the recording medium, and a skip warning region determination unit for determining whether the trailing edge is located in a skip warning region. Moreover, the device includes a storage unit for storing a correction value table including a predetermined correction value, and a correction unit for correcting the predetermined conveying distance when the trailing edge is in the skip warning region.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to a feed roller system for high speed image scanning equipment, which improves the feeding of documents, and in particular, thin or ultra-thin documents, into the scanner equipment. The feed roller system comprises a pick roller and a feed roller, each associated with its own clutch, allowing the pick roller and feed roller to be selectively driven together, independently, and/or not at all. Initially, both rollers are driven to feed a document. Drive to the pick roller is disabled by the pick roller clutch when the leading edge of the document reaches a gap control sensor, downstream of the rollers. Drive to the feed roller continues until it is disabled by the feed roller clutch when the leading edge of the document reaches a page entry sensor, downstream of the gap control sensor and the first transport rollers.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes first and second sheet sensors provided in order from upstream to downstream sides in feeding direction on a paper feed path, sheet conveyor roller sets arranged along the path, and a roller controller individually controlling groups of rollers on the upstream and downstream sides of the first sheet sensor, in response to a change in values of output signals from first and second sheet sensors. The roller controller includes an overlapped feeding determining device outputting a determination signal assuming a first value when overlapped feeding occurs and a second value otherwise, in response to the change in values of the output signals from the sensors, an overlapped feeding eliminating device eliminating overlapped feeding by controlling the roller controller upon receiving the determination signal of the first value, and a conveyor roller stopping device stopping the sheet conveyor rollers if the overlapped feeding eliminating process should fail.

Abstract: An image scanning apparatus includes a paper thickness detection unit arranged to detect a paper thickness of an original document based on a reception signal, and a multiple-feeding detection unit arranged to detect, based on the reception signal, whether or not the original document that is being transported has been multiply fed. Based on a detection result obtained by the paper thickness detection unit and the multiple-feeding detection unit, the transportation speed is adjusted.

Abstract: In a device for singulating vertically positioned flat mailings from a stack of mail, at least two discharge rockers are disposed on top of one another, wherein the discharge rockers are adjacent to revolving second discharge belts that are arranged in a fixed manner along the path of travel. A supporting element in relation to which the stack of mail is aligned ends at a defined distance from the undeflected discharge rockers. A flexible, elongated retaining element is arranged in a resiliently pressed manner from the end of the supporting element to the beginning of the second discharge belts located downstream of the discharge rockers and further on to the discharge rockers and to further discharge belts of successive singulating stages. The distance of the supporting element from the leading end of the second discharge belts relative to the direction of travel is greater than the maximum permissible length of a mailing.

Abstract: A paper sheet storage device comprises paper sheet transporting units 401 to 406 having a transport path 450 for paper sheets and for transporting the paper sheets; a paper sheet feeder 250 for feeding a paper sheet onto the transport path; sensors 301 to 303, disposed on the transport path, for detecting passage of a paper sheet; a transport speed acquiring unit for acquiring the transport speed of a paper sheet based on detection by the sensors; and a controller 210 for controlling the paper sheet transport unit and the paper sheet feeder. In the event that the acquired transport speed of a paper sheet is slower than a prescribed speed, the controller causes the paper sheet feeder to halt the feeding of paper sheets, and operates in reverse a portion of the paper sheet transport unit that is situated closer to the paper sheet feeder than the slow moving paper sheet.

Abstract: An ADU transport roller driving device, an image forming apparatus and an ADU transport roller driving method, in which a phenomenon of a warp does not occur on a succeeding sheet, are provided. There are included one drive motor that drives plural transport rollers to transport sheets in an ADU, a first one-way clutch that transmits only rotation force of the drive motor in a forward direction to an entrance side transport roller disposed at an ADU entrance side in a sheet transport direction among the plural transport rollers, a second one-way clutch that transmits only rotation force of the drive motor in a reverse direction of an opposite direction to the forward direction to an exit side transport roller disposed at an ADU exit side in the sheet transport direction among the plural transport rollers, and an electromagnetic clutch capable of transmitting only the rotation force of the drive motor in the forward direction to the exit side transport roller.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a first detector configured to detect a leading edge of a sheet conveyed in a conveying direction, a second detector provided on a downstream side of the first detector in the sheet conveying direction to detect the leading edge of the sheet conveyed, a punching portion, in the downstream side of the first detector in the sheet conveying direction, to move in a sheet width direction crossing the sheet conveying direction and perform a punching process for the sheet, an edge detector configured to move in the width direction together with the punching portion and detect the edge of the sheet conveyed in the width direction, and a controller, on the basis of at least either of information of a conveying speed of the sheet and a sheet length in the conveying direction, when the edge detector starts movement in the width direction after the first or second detector detects the leading edge of the sheet, to judge whether the edge detector can detect the edge of the sheet or no

Abstract: A device and method for assisting a user to clear a media jam in a printing device that announces pages, picks media responsively to the announced pages and images the picked media using a media transport path, that: detects a media jam at a given location along the media transport path; halts printing device components upstream from the given location in the media path while continuing to image picked media downstream from the given location in the media transport path; and, prompts the user to clear the detected media jam from the given location after all downstream media has been imaged.

Abstract: A paper leaf detecting device includes a plurality of sensors positioned at an oblique angle relative to a transporting direction of leaves of paper, the plurality of sensors being arranged in a single row that extends in a direction orthogonal to the transporting direction of the leaves of paper. The paper leaf detecting device makes it possible to detect information on leaves of paper by using their transportation to scan the leaves of paper in a direction that is orthogonal to the transporting direction. An increase in size in the transporting direction of the leaves of paper is prevented.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a sheet placing tray on which a sheet is placed, a feeding member for feeding the sheet placed on the sheet placing tray, a first sheet detection unit for detecting presence of the sheet on the sheet placing tray at a first detection position, and a second sheet detection unit for detecting presence of the sheet on the sheet placing tray at a second detection position disposed on an upstream side of the first detection position in a sheet feeding direction. A control unit controls the feeding member so as not to perform the sheet feeding operation when the first detection unit detects the sheet and the second detection unit does not detect the sheet.

Abstract: A medium transporting apparatus and method for transporting a medium in a transport direction is provided.

Abstract: A sheet carrier, includes an upstream side sheet carriage part; a downstream side sheet carriage part; an overlapping detection part which is provided between the upstream side sheet carriage part and the downstream side sheet carriage part and is configured to detect an overlap of a front sheet and a rear sheet carried by the upstream side sheet carriage part and the downstream side sheet carriage part; and a driving control part configured to drive the upstream side sheet carriage part and the downstream side sheet carriage part at the time when the sheets are carried so that the sheets are carried via the sheet carriage path, and configured to stop driving the upstream side sheet carriage part and continue driving the downstream side sheet carriage part at the time when the overlap of the sheets is detected by the overlapping detection part.

Abstract: There are provided a thickness detecting apparatus which can restrain erroneous detection even though a sheet or the like overlaps with only a part of a rotary body, and, which can enhance the degree of accuracy of detection, comprising a cylindrical displaceable rotary body and a cylindrical stationary rotary body which are opposed to each other, the thickness detecting apparatus detecting a thickness of the sheet or the like to be transferred in accordance with a displacement by which the displaceable rotary body is separated from the stationary rotary body, when the sheet or the like passes through between the displaceable rotary body and the stationary rotary body, and the center of a load with which the displaceable rotary body presses the sheet or the like is biased from the center of the displaceable rotary body in one of center axial direction.

Abstract: A system for removing an interleaf sheet contacting a plate sheet used in an imaging system, comprised of a substantially horizontal member; an assembly comprising at least two elements configured to directly contact and pick up the interleaf sheet, a portion of said assembly connected to said member; a motor configured to move said member in a direction substantially perpendicular to a surface of the interleaf sheet as positioned prior to contact; and a first sensor system that generates a signal indicating when said member is a first predetermined distance from the interleaf sheet; and a second sensor system comprised of a second sensor that generates a signal indicating that the sheet beneath the second sensor is an interleaf sheet; said motor utilizing the first predetermined distance to move said member a second predetermined distance from the interleaf sheet, the at least two elements not contacting each other at the second predetermined distance, said motor moving said member in a direction toward the

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus comprises an upper unit, a lower unit and a banding unit. When sheets being conveyed are jammed in the upper unit, the upper unit is stopped and the processes of the lower unit and the banding unit are continuously executed. After the upper unit is stopped, sheets that may possibly be conveyed into the lower unit by inertia are rejected in a safety pocket.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a structure to lift or lower a paper loading tray without a separate drive source while preventing damage to constituent elements even under an abnormal situation in that excessive force is transmitted to the paper loading tray. The image forming apparatus includes a paper feeding cassette including a paper loading tray and a lifting member to lift or lower the paper loading tray, the paper feeding cassette being detachably coupled to the body, a power intermittence device to intermit power to be transmitted from a drive source provided in a body of the image forming apparatus to the lifting member, and a power transmission device to transmit the power transmitted through the power intermittence device to the lifting member by use of at least one worm gear. The image forming apparatus further includes a safety lever having one end to cooperate with a pickup roller assembly.

Abstract: A delivery system comprises a frame, and a plurality of hoppers attachable to the frame in a vertically spaced apart arrangement. The hoppers are each configured to hold a plurality of sheet-like materials. At least one upper belt is movably coupled to the frame, with the belt being configured to move the sheet-like materials downward from the hoppers. At least one contact roller is disposed below each hopper, and at least one suction apparatus that is associated with each hopper. A moving system is configured to move the suction apparatus toward and away from the hopper to grasp and remove one of the sheet-like materials from the hopper, and to move the removed sheet-like material downward until grabbed by the contact roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that effectively reduces sheet collision and increases productivity includes a storage unit to store sheets of a recording medium, a feeder to feed the sheets one by one from the storage unit, a conveyance device to convey the sheets along a conveyance path, a plurality of sensors to detect the sheets, a registration device to perform registration to the sheets, and a controller to control the feeder, the conveyance device, and the registration device. When a first sheet is stopped at or before it reaches the registration device, the feeder feeds a second sheet to the conveyance path, while the controller checks an interval between the first and second sheets. The controller stops the second sheet when the interval is shorter than a given interval and conveys the second sheet to the registration device without stopping when the interval is not shorter than the given interval.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of media trays, a specifying device, an acquisition device, and a determination device. The plurality of media trays are configured to load media sheets thereon. The specifying device specifies a condition on a media sheet for an image to be formed thereon and one of the plurality of media trays. The acquisition device acquires a condition on a media sheet to be loaded in the specified media tray. The determination device determines the presence or absence of the media sheet in accordance with the specified condition in the specified media tray by comparing the specified condition and the acquired condition. In the absence of the media sheet in the specified media tray, another media tray is searched for the media sheet. When the media sheet is found in the another media tray, the media sheet is fed from the another media tray.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus is provided including a sheet feed tray on which sheets of a plurality of sizes are placed. A conveying unit conveys a sheet on the sheet feed tray to a predetermined processing position. A sheet position detector has a plurality of light-emitting units respectively arranged at positions corresponding to different sheet widths and one light-receiving unit capable of moving to positions corresponding to the plurality of light-emitting units. A light reception position detector which detects the position of the light-receiving unit, and a control unit which selects one of the plurality of light-emitting units can also be provided.

Abstract: A bill handling apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention has a bill insertion slot into which a bill is inserted, a bill feeding mechanism for feeding the bill inserted from the bill insertion slot in the insertion direction, a bill reading section for reading the bill fed by the bill feeding mechanism, and a control section for controlling a bill feeding speed by the bill feeding mechanism in a plurality of kinds of speeds.

Abstract: A reflective sheet detector includes first and second guide plates constituting a sheet travelling path, an emitter, a receiver and a reflecting portion. The emitter is disposed on a first side of the sheet travelling path and close to a first input opening of the first guide plate. The receiver is disposed on the first side and close to a first output opening of the first guide plate. The reflecting portion is disposed on a second side of the sheet travelling path opposite the first side and is close to the second guide plate. The emitter outputs a signal to the reflecting portion through the first input opening and a second input opening of the second guide plate, and the reflecting portion reflects the signal to the receiver through a second output opening of the second guide plate and the first output opening.

Abstract: An external force application unit is allowed to impact on a sheet material, and an external force detection unit detects an impact force through the sheet material. Further, there is provided a push-in sensing unit for detecting abnormality of the sheet material entering a space between the external force application unit and the external force detection unit. When the push-in sensing unit detects the abnormality, a control circuit operates a motor to rotate a cam, thereby moving the external force application unit to be retracted in a direction in which the external force application unit is moved away from an entering position of the sheet material.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a sheet sensor (7) and a leading end position sensor (9). The sheet sensor (7) detects the passage of a trailing end of a printing sheet (10) along a feeding path of the printing sheet (10) fed by a first feeding roller (2) from a sheet storing portion (1). The leading end position sensor (9) detects a protruding amount of the subsequent printing sheet (102) when the preceding printing sheet (101) is fed by the first feeding roller (2). The feeding of the subsequent printing sheet (102) is started when an adjusting time has elapsed after the sheet sensor (7) detects the passage of the preceding printing sheet (101). The adjusting time is determined according to the protruding amount of the subsequent printing sheet (102) detected by the leading end position sensor (9).

Abstract: Image forming methods and apparatuses capable of performing stable and fast sheet transfer operations are provided. In a continuous feed mode, a preceding sheet and a succeeding sheet are successively fed from a sheet tray through first and second transfer rollers to an image forming position. When it is determined that a trailing edge of the preceding sheet has passed the first transfer roller, the driving of the first transfer roller is stopped for a predetermined time period. As a result, the preceding sheet and the succeeding sheet are transferred with a desired sheet interval while suppressing sheet interval variations.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a first detector for detecting if conveyed work that has passed or is passing a specific position is or is not present at a first position; a calculator for calculating a distance traveled by the conveyed work based on the specific position; and an evaluator that determines the conveyed work was removed if the first detector does not detect the conveyed work when the conveyed work is determined to be present at the first position based on the calculated traveled distance.

Abstract: A recording medium transport device includes a transport roller unit nipping a recording medium and transporting it to a recording area, the transport roller unit including a sheet detection lever coming in contact with a leading end part of the recording medium to detect it and a width detection lever coming in contact with the recording medium having a wide width to detect the width of the recording medium which are disposed at an upstream side of the recording area, the sheet detection lever is disposed substantially at a center part of the recording medium in a width direction, the width detection lever is disposed at a side part away from the center part toward one side in the width direction. An urging force of the width detection lever is set to be smaller than an urging force of the sheet detection lever to the recording medium.

Abstract: When a thickness sensor detects a corner fold in a front end part of the paper sheet being carried, a light sensor checks whether a break exists or not in the front end part. When there is no break, it means the thickness sensor does not detect a corner fold but a foreign matter such as a tape mending a break. When there is a break, it means the thickness sensor detects a corner fold in the front end part. When there is no corner fold, the light sensor checks the front end part. When there is a break, it means there is a corner break but no corner fold in the front end part. When there is no break, it is a normal state. Regarding the back end part, a corner fold is detected in similarly to the foregoing.

Abstract: A banknote dispensing device including a storage section for storing one or more banknotes, a discharging unit driven by a first motor for discharging banknotes one-by-one at a first speed, and a transporting unit driven by a second motor for receiving the discharged banknotes from the discharging unit and transporting the discharged banknotes at a second speed where the second speed is faster than the first speed, the one-way clutch permitting the discharged banknote to be continuously drawn at the second speed without damaging the discharged banknote. The banknote dispensing device includes one or more sensors connected to a control unit, the control unit determining whether the transported banknote is transported properly and turning off the motors in an error condition.

Abstract: An apparatus and method feed paper in an image forming apparatus.

Abstract: Control (P) of imaging device (1) senses the period of time sensor (17) senses media (5) at input feed roller (16a). When a too-long-over-sensor condition is sensed, drive of input feed roller (16a) is terminated by operation of clutch (C). A feed roller (19a) farther in the media path continue to operate. One sheet of media (5) is fed while a dual fed sheet is held in the nip of feed roller (16a) and idle roller (16b). Subsequently, feed roller (16a) is again driven to feed the dual fed sheet for normal imaging.

Abstract: A paper feeding device comprises a document tray for loading the document, a document-detecting sensor for detecting the document loaded in the document tray and a MYLAR® made of a sheet-shaped resilience material. A part of the MYLAR® is in contact with the document carrying surface at the upstream side of the detecting position of the document-detecting sensor The document is pushed towards the detecting position during the MYLAR® pushing the upper surface of the document. The MYLAR® is bent to form a loop. The lower guide plate is arranged to be in contact with a part of the loop When the document is not detected, the filler of the document-detecting sensor and the MYLAR® overlap each other. A long hole is set in the loop of the MYLAR®.

Abstract: An apparatus for detection of multiple documents (10) in a document transport system comprises a transmitter (15), located on a first side of a document feed path (40), and emits a signal through the document feed path. A reflector (52), located on a second side of said document feed path, reflects the signal through the document feed path. A first sensor detects the signal from the transmitter. A second sensor detects the signal from the transmitter.

Abstract: A media processing system retrieves a sheet of media and transports it to an imaging process. Misalignment of media from retrieving and transporting is removed by a media realignment process which wedges the leading edge of the media into stopped rollers while additionally advancing the trailing edge of the media for a predetermined distance. The media flexes and forms an arching buckle which aligns parallel to the leading edge of the media with the stopped rollers, thereby removing the skew of the media in relationship with the stopped rollers. The amount of over-advancement of the trailing edge of the media is modified according to the stiffness of the media. A media stiffness sensor measures the media stiffness by quantifying the deflection of the media when a portion of the media is cantilevered into deflection-measuring sensors. Imaging processes are also improved by employing media stiffness measurements to modify imaging processes.

Abstract: A sheet registration system for a sheet transport path of a reproduction apparatus providing positive feeding yet lateral registration of a wide range of different image substrate sheets. Independent sheet transport units with plural radius sheet feed rollers spaced along the sheet transport path engage sheets being fed to provide positive feeding of even very short sheets from one sheet transport unit to another, yet provide automatic opening of the nips of selected units to allow lateral registration movement of even a very long sheet in the downstream lateral sheet registration system. The same drive motor rotatably driving each sheet transport unit is controlled in rotational position to selectively open the number of open sheet feeding nips needed for the lateral registration movement of that particular sheet length. The mating idlers for the sheet feed rollers need not be moved to open the nips.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for providing diagnostic information relating to the performance of an inserter system having a roller arrangement for conveying a document in a linear direction and first and second sensors located in close proximity to the roller arrangement. Each of the sensors are operable to detect at least the presence of a leading edge of a document conveying in close proximity to each sensor. The control system of the inserter determines the time it takes for a leading edge of a document to convey from said first sensor to said second sensor and compares that time to a prescribed threshold time and provides diagnostic information based upon the measured times values.

Abstract: There is disclosed a sheet handling machine capable of surely verifying whether the number of bills is one or not based on the kind of a bill even when bills different in thickness are inserted, handling the bills of different thickness mixed in, dealing with new bills issued in recent years using various novel feature technologies for bill forgery prevention, and detecting the presence of a foreign object in the bill surface. The kind of each of bills successively fed in is specified by bill checking means for identifying the kind of a bill, and reference thickness information regarding the sheet of a specified kind is read from a reference thickness table recording a bill kind and the thickness information of a bill full surface.

Abstract: A control system and a method of a media dispenser with which a user can selects preferable media and dispenses preferable kinds of media can broaden the usefulness media and can recollect abnormal media existing in the media feeding path thus to ease the use. The control system includes a driving motor installed at one side of the base plate in which a media cassette is positioned, for generating driving force, a clutch installed at one side of a media pickup part which discharges media stored in the media cassette and connected to the driving motor, for selectively transmitting the driving force generated in the driving motor to the media pickup part and a clutch controlling means for controlling operation of the clutch by turning on/off a power source applied to the clutch so that the media can be discharged from the media cassette consequently.

Abstract: A sheet separation and feeding system for measuring substrate bending stiffness and thereby basis weight on a real time basis. Provided is a corrugator having a plurality of parallel ribs, with one or more sheets of the substrate provided below the corrugator wherein a predetermined gap exists between a topmost sheet of the sheets and the corrugator. A vacuum is applied between the corrugator and the topmost sheet, wherein the vacuum is sufficiently large to raise the topmost sheet, thereby deflecting and bending it into a profile corresponding to the arrangement and size of the corrugator ribs and bending stiffness of the substrate. One or more sensors are provided for measuring the deflection of the topmost sheet. The vacuum, an air knife output and/or a fluffer output are then adjusted according to predetermined rules and the measured deflection.

Abstract: A method for detecting a copy jam or buildup in a folder uses sensors assigned to a copy transport path for determining a sequence of copies along the copy transport path. The sensors are formed of a transmitting part and a receiving part, and the method includes having the sensors release an input signal to a paper jam-detection device in response to the presence of copies detected by the receiving parts of the sensors. The input signal produces a counting pulse. A system for performing the method and a folder including the system are also provided.

Abstract: In a device for loading a feeder rack (5) in further-processing machines such as gather-stitcher machines or gathering machines (6) for folded sheets (1), sheets, booklets or similar printed products, which has a first conveyor arrangement (15) extending in planar manner for the purpose of feeding printed products (1) standing on their edges in the form of a horizontal stack (2), a second, initially upwardly sloping conveyor arrangement (16) for drawing the printed products (1) off the stack (2) in an overlapping formation and for transferring the overlapping stream (3) to the feeder rack (5), infinitely variable drives (20, 24) associated with the two conveyor arrangements (15, 16), and a light barrier (31) arranged in the feeder rack (5), a control means (23) is provided by means of which the drives (20, 24) can be controlled in dependence on the degree of coverage (BG) of the light barrier (31), as a result of which the fill level of the feeder rack (5) remains at an at least substantially constant height

Abstract: A paper jam detection system for a folding machine includes an interval signal generator for generating an interval signal which assumes ON and OFF levels alternately according to cutting intervals of a cutting cylinder; a signature detection mechanism including reflection plates each having a light reflection surface and being arranged circumferentially at an outer circumferential surface portion of a jaw cylinder and a photoelectric sensor adapted to generate a reflection plate detection signal upon detection of the reflection plate; and a control unit for outputting a paper jam signal on the basis of the interval signal and the reflection plate detection signal.

Abstract: A transport method and system that operates to feed mixed size mail pieces in singular fashion and adaptively controls the velocity of the mail pieces such that overall system performance is optimized is provided. The length of a mail piece is measured and a desired gap time between the mail piece and a subsequent mail piece is calculated. The gap time between the mail piece and the subsequent mail piece is measured, and a difference between the desired gap time and measured gap time is calculated. Based on the calculated gap time difference, the velocity of the subsequent mail piece is adaptively controlled to decrease the difference between the desired gap time and the measured gap time such that the measured gap time is adjusted to be approximately equal to the desired gap time, thereby optimizing throughput of the mailing system.

Abstract: In a multiple-sheet monitoring device for sheet-processing machines, provision is made to arrange a number of sensing elements spaced apart from one another over the format width of the sheets to be conveyed or the sheet stream to be conveyed, and in this case all the sensing elements interact with the same switching element in order to stop the sheet-processing machine.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus permits keeping predetermined sheet intervals, even when sheet conveyance is temporarily discontinued and then resumed, after resumption of conveyance. The sheet conveying apparatus has a first roller which feeds sheets at predetermined sheet intervals, and a second roller which conveys a plurality of sheet fed from the first roller. After temporarily discontinuing conveyance of the plurality of sheets, conveyance of the plurality of sheets is resumed by use of the first roller and the second roller. The variation in the sheet interval caused when temporarily discontinuing sheet conveyance is corrected upon resumption of sheet conveyance.

Abstract: A device for detecting a placement position of a document includes at least two sensors mounted on a document feeding device. Each of the sensors is in parallel with the tangential direction of the leading edge of a document feeding roller, and may be moved by the document feeding device to adjust the placing document width.

Abstract: An original feeding apparatus has a sensor for detecting an original by a light emitting element and a light receiving element. A first detector for detecting presence/absence of a sheet, and a second detector capable of being electrically switched between a detection possible condition that the presence/absence of the sheet can be detected and a detection impossible condition that the presence/absence of the sheet cannot be detected are provided and the second sensor is switched to the detection impossible condition when presence of the original is detected by the first detector.

Abstract: A sheet feeder apparatus and method with throughput control. By varying the speed at which sheets are fed from a supply, the sheet feeder apparatus and method assures that the throughput capacity of a downstream operation is never exceeded. Speed is varied based upon the length of the sheets being fed. Furthermore, the sheet feeder apparatus can have worn components replaced quickly and by operators of minimal skill level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring substrate bending stiffness and thereby basis weight on a real time basis. Provided is a corrugator having a plurality of parallel ribs, with one or more sheets of the substrate provided below the corrugator wherein a predetermined gap exists between a topmost sheet of the sheets and the corrugator. A vacuum is applied between the corrugator and the topmost sheet, wherein the vacuum is sufficiently large to raise the topmost sheet, thereby deflecting and bending it into a profile corresponding to the arrangement and size of the corrugator ribs and bending stiffness of the substrate. One or more sensors are provided for measuring the deflection of the topmost sheet. The vacuum, an air knife output and/or a fluffer output are then adjusted according to predetermined rules and the measured deflection.