Abstract: A sheet product transfer device includes an elastic belt forming a continuous loop, the elastic belt having an inner surface, a first drive unit contacting the inner surface, a second drive unit spaced apart from the first drive unit and contacting the inner surface of the elastic belt, the second drive unit driving the elastic belt at a different surface speed than the first drive unit, and a plurality of sheet product grippers arranged on the elastic belt. Also disclosed is a method for transferring sheet products comprising gripping a sheet product with a gripper attached to a continuous elastic belt, decelerating the sheet product, and releasing the sheet product.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes transporting belt transporting a printing sheet in a flat surface region opposing to respective ejection openings of printing heads, suction force generating means for generating an electrostatic suction force on a transporting surface of the belt and control means for controlling to generate the suction force only in a region opposing to the head. The control means applies positive and negative high potential to the suction force generating means with reference to a potential of the head.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement of sheet-holding systems at storage drums in turning devices of sheet-fed printing machines.

Abstract: The invention relates to a storage drum in turning drives of sheet-printing machines.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting individual sheets past an exposure station for exposing the individual sheets, including a roller that has parallel spaced annular grooves and has plurality of parallel endless belts on each side of the exposure station, which belts respectively overlie the grooves for pressing the individual sheets against the roller. Guiding fingers extend into the roller parallel annular grooves for lifting the individual sheets from the roller.

Abstract: A roller device eliminating unnecessary space and capable of feeding paper manually realized by disposing a motor and a speed reducer inside a cylindrical roller or coaxially, and an electronic apparatus including a printer using the same are disclosed. This roller device comprises a motor (5) disposed on a cylindrical roller (2), a sun gear (7), planet gears (8), a first inner tooth gear (10) provided inside of the cylindrical roller (2), and a second inner tooth gear (11) provided inside of a bearing element (12). The rotation of the bearing element (12) is suppressed by a predetermined force. Thus the rotation of the motor (5) is decelerated, and the cylindrical roller is rotated at a reduced speed. Besides, by rotating the bearing element with a force more than a predetermined force, the cylindrical roller can be rotated manually.

Abstract: A media transport belt assembly has a continuous belt encompassing two rollers supported on a frame. A tension mechanism biases the rollers apart to generate tension in the belt. The end of one roller moves in response to increased belt tension to skew the first roller with respect to the second roller. The roller end may be pivotally attached to a frame for movement in an arc, or may be otherwise constrained to displace the roller from the plane of the belt.

Abstract: A paper discharge device for a printer has a housing having a circular inside guide wall, a paper inlet, a paper taking out opening, a paper discharge opening, and a paper discharge space. A paper winding roll is rotatably provided in a space inside the circular inside guide wall. A paper introducing roller is provided for introducing a paper sheet into the paper winding roll, and a paper discharge roller is provided for discharging the paper sheet in the paper discharge space. A first sensor is provided for detecting a rear end of the paper sheet when the paper sheet is fed to the paper discharge opening, and a second sensor is provided for detecting a forward end of the paper sheet when the paper sheet is fed to the paper taking out opening. In response to output signals of the first and second sensors, the rotation of the paper winding roll is controlled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor device, including a conveyor belt for transporting workpieces out of a cutting or stamping device and a placement star wheel for putting upright the workpieces, which are delivered horizontally upright. The placement star wheel is mounted downstream of the conveyor strip. Conveyor bands which grip the workpieces on top and/or at the bottom are provided between the conveyor belt and the delivery star wheel. The conveyor bands move at essentially the same speed as the conveyer belt and the placement star wheel and are arranged in such a way to guide the workpieces into the receiving elements of the placement wheel.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device comprising a belt with one side opposite unsprung support means and extending between an upstream roller and a downstream roller both suspended so that the object can be sandwiched between the unsprung support means and said belt side, the latter being wound around at least two other rollers whereof at least one is unsprung.

Abstract: Provided in a sheet-fed printing machine is a sheet transport drum, including a first comb segment and a second comb segment, the second comb segment being mounted so as to be rotatable relative to the first comb segment for providing an adjustment to a format length corresponding with that of a printing-material sheet, the comb segments being formed of prongs having interspaces therebetween, and at least one covering provided for covering the interspaces between the prongs.

Abstract: A sheet stacking device, comprised of a sheet support bed having a plurality of side-by-side rollers that are freely rotatable about an associated roller axis. A drive assembly moves the sheet support bed in a predetermined direction along a closed path. The path has a horizontal upper run and a horizontal lower run, and is dimensioned such that a space exists between the first end and the second end of the sheet support bed as the sheet support bed moves along the path.

Abstract: A printing unit includes a rotatably mounted transport device for transporting a print carrier sheet in which the transport device is equipped with a holding device for holding a print carrier sheet. The printing unit includes a NIP printing head aligned with the transport device and intended for printing the print carrier sheet. The printing unit is distinguished in that the holding device is mounted to be adjustable into the interior of the transport device.

Abstract: In general, the present invention provides an efficient and effective means for positioning multiple documents over a scanning surface of a scanner or copier without a user's intervention. More specifically, the present invention provides an apparatus and process for allowing a plurality of photographic prints to be moved from a tray to a scanning surface and back to the tray without being damaged. Each document is scanned through a transparent belt that protects the document as it moves through the inventive photofeeder and across an associated surface of a scanner or copier.

Abstract: A print media loading mechanism for a printer includes a feeding device comprising a pair of surface-defining elements which define surfaces which are movable relative to each other in the same direction parallel to a direction of feed of the print media, the feeding device being operable to engage a leading edge of the print media for feeding it towards an exit region of the printer to effect loading of the printer. A displacement arrangement displaces the surface-defining elements, in a direction transverse to a direction of feed of the print media, into abutment with each other when loading of the print media is required and for displacing the surface-defining elements out of abutment with each other when loading of the print media has been completed.

Abstract: A sheet transport system comprises a plurality of separately driven transport sections (1, 2; 4, 5, 6), each transport section being driven by a respective motor or motors (7-12). A control system (22-27, 50) controls operation of the motors (7-12). A monitoring system (37) monitors the performance of the motors, the control system being responsive to the monitoring system to maintain correct operation of the motors.

Abstract: In a printer with a print engine having simplex and duplex sheet printing functions, and simplex and duplex sheet feeding paths, and at least one sheet output path, a plural function module is mounted on top of the print engine. This plural function module provides a document handling unit for feeding original documents to be imaged, and also provides a reversible sheet feeding path operatively communicating with the duplex sheet feeding path of the print engine to provide a space savings printed sheet reversing chute which is outside of the print engine for the duplex printing function. This reversible sheet feeding path in the module is alternately operable unidirectionally to provide an arcuate, inverting, sheet output path to a sheet output stacking tray which may be located on top of the plural function module.

Abstract: A sheet stacking device comprised of a sheet support bed having a first end and a second end. The sheet support bed is comprised of a plurality of side-by-side rollers, each of the rollers being freely rotatable about an associated roller axis. A drive assembly moves the sheet support bed in a predetermined direction along a closed path, the path having a horizontal upper run and a horizontal lower run, and is dimensioned such that a space exists between the first end and the second end of the sheet support bed as the sheet support bed moves along the path. A roller control assembly for selectively and sequentially controlling rotation of select ones of the rollers at select intervals during a stacking operation.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus and an image recording apparatus in which an electrode at a particular position on a conveying belt is formed in a particular aspect, whereby the position can be recognized without a marker or the like being discretely required. The sheet conveying apparatus and the image recording apparatus have a conveying belt for conveying a sheet, and comb-teeth electrodes having a plurality of electrodes installed in the conveying direction of the conveying belt, and the electrode at a particular position among the comb-teeth electrodes is formed in a particular aspect, and a probe for detecting the aspect of the electrode is provided, and the operation is controlled on the basis of the information by the probe.

Abstract: An improved delivery section of a folder of a printing press in which the bucket assemblies and side guides are adjustable to accommodate varying widths of signatures.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes transporting belt transporting a printing sheet in a flat surface region opposing to respective ejection openings of printing heads, suction force generating means for generating an electrostatic suction force on a transporting surface of the belt and control means for controlling to generate the suction force only in a region opposing to the head. The control means applies positive and negative high potential to the suction force generating means with reference to a potential of the head.

Abstract: Disclosed is a paper feeding mechanism making it possible to reliably prevent deflection of the paper feeding roller and perform a stable paper feeding free from feeding deviation even when the paper feeding roller is formed as an elongated member. There is arranged a paper feeding roller and a plurality of press contact rollers held in press contact with the paper feeding roller, and there is arranged on the opposite side of the press contact rollers with respect to the paper feeding roller a support block which is held in contact with the peripheral surface of the paper feeding roller to support the paper feeding roller.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting individual sheets past an exposure station for exposing the individual sheets, including a roller that has parallel spaced annular grooves and has plurality of parallel endless belts on each side of the exposure station, which belts respectively overlie the grooves for pressing the individual sheets against the roller. Guiding fingers extend into the roller parallel annular grooves for lifting the individual sheets from the roller.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for sorting a single stream of signatures into two or more streams, the apparatus includes two counter-rotating bucket assemblies. Each bucket assembly includes a plurality of buckets spaced from one another along a common axis. The respective common axis of each bucket assembly is disposed parallel to the common axis of the other. Each of the buckets of one of the bucket assemblies is disposed adjacent to and in a respective common plane with a respective one of the buckets of the other of the bucket assemblies. Further, each of the buckets includes a plurality of blades, the tips of the blades of each bucket defining an outer circle. A respective outer circle of one bucket overlaps the outer circle of the opposing bucket disposed in the common plane. Two neighboring blades have respective surfaces defining a slot therebetween.

Abstract: A turnover mechanism for handling sheets having a pair of belts, said belts are spaced one above the other, sheet turnover tubes interposed between the two belts, one of the turnover tubes facing in a direction opposite to the other turnover tubes, the sheets being fed to one of the belts, the belt moving the sheets to a turnover tube whereby the turnover tube inverts the sheets and transfers the sheets from one belt to the other belt. The belts and turnover tubes are mounted in an invertable module.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for conveying flexible sheet-like products wherein a plurality of conveying elements (12) are arranged one behind the other on a rotatable support member in a circular array, and each conveying element comprises a roller segment (24), which is driven continuously in the direction of rotation (D), and a mating element (26), which interacts with the roller segment. In the product receiving region (14), a recess section (44) of the respective roller segment (24) forms, with the mating element (26), an introduction gap (48), of which the leading end is closed. The forward position of the recess section (44) forms a stop (62) for engaging the leading edge (52) of the fed product (19).

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for feeding a processing machine with flat products, such as printed sheets, cards, patterns or the like. Over a conveyor path arranged between a storage unit and the processing machine and forming a product storage unit, the flat products are carried from the storage unit in a stream formed by products arranged in an overlapping configuration. The product stream conveyed on the conveyor path toward the processing machine is followed by a product stream having a higher speed. The apparatus includes a device with a drivable storage unit for removing the flat products, wherein the storage unit is connected through a conveyor unit to a processing machine for processing the products.

Abstract: Disclosed is a printer wherein an inverted paper feeding roller (5), for inverting and feeding a recording sheet, is located under a horizontal, paper transportation path (20), along which is provided a main paper feeding roller (21) for feeding a recording sheet to a recording/writing unit; and wherein when the recording sheet reaches the main paper feeding roller (21), paper pressing rollers (8) and (16) that are in contact with the inverted paper roller (5) are separated from it to reduce the transportation resistance engendered by the recording sheet, and a movable guide member (30), which is located at the portion whereat the horizontal paper transportation path (20) and the inverted paper transportation path meet, is smoothly connected to the horizontal paper transportation path (20) to prevent the occurrence of a flipping sound at this portion.

Abstract: In a reversing device of a sheet-fed rotary printing machine, there is provided a suction gripper for taking over a trailing edge of a sheet conveyed on an upline sheet-conveying cylinder, the suction gripper being movable out of a periphery of a downline sheet-conveying cylinder, gripping the sheet to be reversed in a region of the trailing edge thereof, and being movable back in a substantially radial direction towards the downline sheet-conveying cylinder for transferring thereat the trailing edge of the sheet to a further gripper device, including a device for converting the substantially radial return movement of the suction gripper into an axial movement of the suction gripper so as to tauten the sheet.

Abstract: A banknote validator comprises a banknote transport path divided in multiple transport sub-systems. Each sub-system is easy to maintain because the axes of a sub-system are in reduced number, and easily removable for maintenance of the sub-system. The validator allows continuous frictional engagement of a banknote in the transport path, including between sub-systems.

Abstract: An ink-jet printer includes a rotary drum for rotating at a constant speed and holding a paper sheet on its peripheral surface, a print head having ink-jet nozzles aligned in the axial direction of the rotary drum to perform printing by spitting ink from these ink-jet nozzles on the paper sheet rotating together with the rotary drum, and a sheet feed-in mechanism for feeding a paper sheet from a cassette and a manual feed tray to the rotary drum. Particularly, the sheet feed-in mechanism has a loading roller unit for loading the paper sheet to the rotary drum, a pickup section for picking up a paper sheet from one of the cassette and the manual feed tray to strike the leading end of the paper sheet against the loading roller unit, and a control section for controlling the loading roller unit to feed, to the rotary drum, the paper sheet whose posture has been corrected upon strike by the pickup section.

Abstract: A piezoelectric sheet conveying device of a linear contact type contains a pair of rollers containing the sheet therebetween. The first roller is driven by a piezoelectric vibrator forming a contact line between the edge insert of the vibrator and the outer surface of the first roller. The vibrator is urged against the first roller by a bias spring. The hardness of the edge insert of the vibrator is about 5.times.10.sup.7 N/cm.sup.2 and much higher than the hardness of the first roller being about 2.times.10.sup.6 N/cm.sup.2. As a result, elastic compressions of the first roller are achieved during periodic elongations of the vibrator and engagements of the first roller surface. Microgroove is formed along the contact line between the vibrator and the first roller which transmits the rotational torque to the first roller and advances the sheet in a predetermined direction. Subsequent contraction of the vibrator restores the outer surface of the first roller to its initial shape.

Abstract: A method of producing hybrid plants involves inducing cross-pollination of self-pollinating species by selecting a female plant and a male plant having different genotypes, the female plant having a phenotype of sensitivity to a micronutrient deficiency, and the male plant having a phenotype of male fertility, growing the female plant to sexual maturity in a fertility-selective growth medium deficient for the micronutrient, to produce a plant having female fertility and male sterility, growing the male plant to sexual maturity to produce a plant having high male fertility, cross-pollinating the female plant with pollen from the male plant to produce cross-fertilization with essentially no self-fertilization, raising the female plant to produce hybrid seeds having genetic material from both parents, and harvesting the hybrid seeds.

Abstract: A document handling system adapted for delivery of input documents to an imaging station of an imaging input terminal, wherein a friction transport belt transports the input documents across an imaging platen of the imaging station. The belt is urged into planar orientation with the platen by a self-levitating pressure loading element in the form of a ski-like member that bears upon the belt for encouraging flat or horizontal orientation of input documents on an imaging platen. The ski like member is provided with a configuration for capturing inherent airflow generated by the transport motion of the belt so as reduce the load pressure produced by the ski when the transport belt is in motion, thereby reducing frictional forces to substantially reduce drag and wear in the document handling system.

Abstract: A document feed component is presented comprising a foamed epichlorohydrin elastomer, a curing agent, and a blowing agent. The elastomer optionally further includes activators, polymerization accelerators, and a filler material. An important feature of the present invention is that the use of a foamed epichlorohydrin elastomer in accordance with the present invention does not require the use of processing aids and migratory additives. Consequently, the document feed component of this invention has the advantage of not contaminating paper or other media with which they come into contact, even for extended periods of time, while maintaining other advantageous properties, such as a high coefficient of friction, low hardness, low compression set, and excellent resistance to ultraviolet light and ozone. The document feed component of the present invention may be shaped as a roller, wheel, belt, pad or the like.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of synchronizing entry of a mailpiece from a mail feeder into a designated mailpiece location of a mail sorting conveyor. The method includes the steps of establishing a symmetric speed versus time profile around a send signal. In a first case, when the mailpiece stops before receiving the send signal, the method further includes following the speed versus time profile to accelerate to a merge speed for merging the mailpiece with the designated mail location of the sorting conveyor. In a second case, when the send signal arrives before the mailpiece reaches the stop position, holding the mailpiece at a constant speed across the speed versus time profile until the position of the mailpiece intersects an opposing side of the speed versus time profile and then following the speed versus time profile to accelerate the mailpiece to a merge speed for merging the mailpiece within the designated mail location of the sorting conveyor.

Abstract: In a stencil printer including a rotatable drum for wrapping a perforated stencil or master therearound, a pair o f inclined tension rollers are movable into and out of contact with the drum in order to smooth a creased master. The distance between the tension rollers sequentially increases from the upstream side toward the downstream side with respect to an intended direction of master transport. While the master is sequentially wrapped around the drum, the tension rollers pull the opposite side edges of the master outward. At the same time, the elastic member presses the intermediate portion of the master. The tension rollers and elastic member cooperate to smooth the master. The elastic member is located at a position not closer to the drum than a position around a line connecting the points of the tension rollers contacting the master, and where it can contact the intermediate portion of the master.

Abstract: A conveyer belt includes a conveying face which is divided into at least two areas one of which has a larger coefficient of friction than the other. Alternatively, the conveying face includes an area in which a coefficient of friction thereof varies from a large value to a small value from one side to the other side along a direction transverse to the belt. A transfer device is provided for discharging sheet material on to the conveying face of the conveyer belt in the direction transverse to the belt. The conveyer belt is disposed in such a manner that the area of the conveying face on the side of the transfer device has a larger coefficient of friction than the area on the other side.

Abstract: Sheet handling apparatus, and more particularly a cash dispenser unit, has a number of cassettes (1,2) which hold currency notes. Pick mechanisms (3,4) are associated with each cassette and function to transfer notes from the cassettes to conveyor belts for passage to an outlet point. There are two successive conveyor belt systems. The first belt is driven by an induction motor (7) which also provides power for the pick mechanisms. The second belt system (9,19) is driven by a stepper motor (12). The stepper motor is required to operate under two different control regimes. In one it is synchronized to the speed of the induction motor (7) and for this purpose the induction motor (7) has an optical timing disc 27 mounted on its shaft (21) which cooperates with an optical sensor (28) to generate a pulse train to drive the stepper motor (12) through a selector (25) and driver circuit (23). For the other control regime a pulse generator (26) supplies pulses through the selector (25) to the stepper motor (12).

Abstract: In the present invention, a U-turn path is formed by facing an outer guide surface of a guide member to an outer peripheral surface of a convey roller. A terminal edge of the outer guide surface forming a part of an outlet of the U-turn path is configured not to coincide with a straight line but is tapered to be convex at a central portion. When a thick sheet is conveyed through the U-turn path, a trail end of the thick sheet is shifted to the terminal edge while rubbing the outer guide surface. Then, the trail end of the sheet leaves the terminal edge. Since the terminal edge has the tapered configuration, the trail end of the sheet is gradually disengaged from the terminal edge, thereby preventing the snapping restoring action of the trail end to weaken the shock.

Abstract: A bill handling machine includes a bill placement base on which bills to be handled are placed, a bill transaction section through which the bills are received and fed out and a drum provided adjacent to the bill placement base, the drum including a pair of endless drive belts and a pair of movable endless driven belts which are disposed so as to face the endless drive belts and are adapted to hold the bills between the endless drive belts and themselves, a bill transportation passage being formed in the drum by the endless drive belts and the endless driven belts, the length of the bill transport passage being determined to be slightly greater than a length of a bill in a transporting direction whose length in the transporting direction is greatest among the bills to be handled, the bill handling machine further including a shutter which can project into and be retracted from the bill transportation passage, a length between an end portion of the bill placement base on a side opposite from the drum and the s

Abstract: A baffleless, easily accessible, copy sheet transport apparatus without sheet baffles that enables viewing and accessing jammed sheets without opening any baffles. The transport includes a pulley driven narrow timing belt with biased idler rolls providing normal force on belt driven copy sheets. Unobstructive copy sheet side guides are included to enhance viewing and removal of copy sheets from the copy sheet transport.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel extension apparatus and method for providing a selectively adjustable conveying path for sheet articles between sheet processing apparatuses. The extension apparatus includes a base bracket with a pair of rotatably movable spring-loaded bracket arms attached to a shaft extending therethrough. A pair of bracket arm rollers are attached to each of the bracket arms. An extension plate is positioned above and slidably movable on the base bracket, and a pair of rotatable extension rollers are rotatably attached to a shaft extending through the extension plate such that slidable movement of the extension plate simultaneously and identically moves the extension rollers. A pair of rear rollers are utilized and are operatively aligned with an extension roller and a pair of the bracket arm rollers.

Abstract: A passbook transport and handling apparatus (10) for transporting a passbook between a customer using an automated banking machine and a printer (12) located inside the banking machine includes first belt flights (32) movable on first pulleys (22). The transport further includes second belt flights (34) movable on second pulleys (28). The second belt flights are disposed traversely intermediate of the first belt flights so that a passbook carried therein between is engaged firmly but with limited slippage. The passbook is guided through the transport by a first fixed edge guide (44). A second edge guide (46) is mounted on a spring (48) so as to bias the passbook into alignment as it passes through the transport. A gate member (72) is movable between positions blocking or admitting a passbook to the transport. Movement of the gate member as well as the belt flights is under control of a processor.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of applying labels which includes providing (a) an applicator cylinder and a drive for rotating the applicator cylinder and (b) a source of discrete lengths of label material, traveling the lengths with the applicator cylinder, applying an electrostatic charge to the discrete lengths, advancing a carrier for sequentially receiving the discrete lengths from the applicator cylinder at a point of application, equipping one of the carrier and discrete lengths with an adhesive having an initial tack, and controlling the attraction of the discrete lengths to the applicator cylinder adjacent the point of application.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to securing a sheet medium onto a support surface and, more particularly, to a print drum for supporting a flexible film sheet medium on a relieved support surface so as to desensitize to medium to the effects of debris contamination and air turbulence for allowing the sheet to be imprinted with consistent resolution.

Abstract: A registration/indexing system is disclosed having a conveyor system (20), a gate (30), a plurality of hard rollers (40,50) and a plurality of soft rollers (60).

Abstract: Paper transport system for printing presses includes a drive roller, a deflection drum disposed in spaced relationship with the drive roller, and a conveyor belt extending around the drive roller and the deflection drum, the conveyor belt having first regions formed with engagement elements, as well as second and substantially smooth-surfaced regions, the drive roller and the deflection drum, respectively, being subdivided into axially separate, respective roller and drum segments rotatable independently of one another and surrounded by the first and the second regions of the conveyor belt, the conveyor belt being of such construction between the first regions and the second regions thereof that small relative movements are possible therebetween in a longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A baffleless, easily accessible, copy sheet transport apparatus without sheet baffles that enables viewing and accessing jammed sheets without opening any baffles. The transport includes a pulley driven narrow timing belt with biased idler rolls providing normal force on belt driven copy sheets.

Abstract: Guide passages I for guiding bills S to a main transport passage M are formed. An endless belt 25 coming in contact with one face of each bill S is placed in the main transport passage M. Feed rollers 70 coming in contact with one face of each bill entering the guide passages, swing arms 74 swingably attached to a rotating shaft 73 of the feed roller, pressure rollers 27 rotatably attached to the swing arms so as to come in contact with the feed rollers 70, and coil springs 75 for urging the swing arms 74 in a direction approaching the endless belt 25 are provided upstream of the main transport passage when the guide passage I is considered to be the center of the main transport passage M. The feed roller 70 comes in contact with the pressure roller 27 rotated by motion of the endless belt 25 and is rotated by rotation of the pressure roller for transporting bills in the guide passage.