Abstract: A vacuum timing device for applying a vacuum on a roll includes a roll with an axis of rotation, a surface, and a surface longitudinal axis oriented in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation. The device also includes at least one vacuum line running along at least a portion of the length of the roll. The device also includes a plurality of apertures defined in a surface of the roll and in fluid communication with the vacuum line. In order to alleviate angular delay of vacuum propagation, the plurality of apertures is arranged in a line that is skewed with respect to the surface longitudinal axis. Preferably, the plurality of apertures is arranged in a line that is skewed away from the direction of rotation of the roll, thereby substantially eliminating the angular propagation delay as the vacuum roll operates.

Abstract: A device for conveying an imbricated stream of sheets from a sheet pile to a sheet-processing machine includes a conveying table provided with at least one revolvingly drivable, air-permeable conveyor belt. The belt has a top strand with an underside slidable over the conveying table, and a plurality of suction chambers arranged behind one another for subjecting the conveyor belt to negative pressure, so that the conveyed sheets are retained on the conveyor belt until they are transferrable to the sheet-processing machine. It further includes a common negative-pressure supply provided for negative-pressure activation of all of the suction chambers, and at least one throttle via which the suction chambers, respectively, are pneumatically connected to the common negative-pressure supply.

Abstract: The invention proposes a system for manufacturing sheet-like printed products (3), in which sheet-like starting sections (2) are processed. These starting sections are transported through at least one printing station (13) by means of a transport device (4). The application of a printed image takes place in the printing station (13) with the aid of a printer (26) and a subsequently arranged dryer (32), with an electronic printed image specification device (43) making it possible to realize individual printed images on individual sheets.

Abstract: A vacuum roller includes a roller having transverse holes and surface holes, in which each of the surface holes intersects with at least one of the transverse holes. A cap mates to a portion of the roller where the transverse holes are exposed. The cap has a cavity that aligns to at least one of the transverse holes and remains substantially stationary during rotation of the roller. A vacuum device evacuates the cavity.

Abstract: A vacuum drum assembly for a printing machine has a drum with an array of passageways distributed along its length and around its periphery to permit airflow from outside the drum to inside the drum in response to reduced air pressure inside the drum. An array of valves are movable between a closed position in which that valve restricts at least one of the passageways and an open position in which the restriction of the same passageways is reduced. When a partial area of the drum is wrapped with a sheet of material, at least some of the passageway valves adjacent the edges of that area are open, and the valves for the passageways not covered by the sheet and not adjacent the edges of that area are closed. The drum open area is regulated to be small in regions where there is no paper. Accordingly, the open area of the drum is adapted to the paper shape and size and the paper position on the drum, while minimizing the required suction flow.

Abstract: A vacuum holddown has a holddown member with an outer surface for temporarily capturing a flexible sheet material via a vacuum force distributed across the outer surface through discrete vacuum channels. A vacuum force valving mechanism abuts an inner surface of the holddown member in a selectable sliding engagement. The valving mechanism has a pattern of apertures therethrough in predetermined pattern such that discrete valve mechanism positions produce discrete vacuum force patterns at the outer surface of the holddown member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for holding recording media against a media support surface of an imaging system using an arrangement of variable cross-section vacuum grooves. Each vacuum groove has a continuously decreasing cross-section along its length. Each vacuum groove has a maximum cross-section adjacent a vacuum port and a minimum cross-section at a distal end of the vacuum groove.

Abstract: There is provided a recording medium transportation apparatus providing air suction to adhere a recording medium to a belt while the recording medium is being transported thereby, wherein the belt can have an optimized surface roughness and adjacent suction holes provided therein can be spaced by an optimized distance to provide an optimized level of force allowing the belt to adhere to the recording medium to transport the recording medium with high precision. The belt transporting a sheet of paper adhered thereto through air suction has a surface roughness (Ra) set in a range obtained by substituting an equivalent adhesion diameter (Dx) defined by: 0.5 × D ⁢   ⁢ 0 2 ⁢   ⁢ e c0 / c1 ≦ Dx ≦ 0.

Abstract: A method of retaining a sheet on at least one of a transfer cylinder and a guide surface of a sheet-guiding device in a sheet-processing machine by pneumatically activatable nozzles for producing an air cushion beneath the respective sheet, which comprises producing an air cushion by an air-pressure distribution resulting in air flows beneath the respective sheet, the air-pressure distribution being based virtually only on radially decelerated air flow, and being capable of retaining the respective sheet in position; and a retaining device for performing the method.

Abstract: In a recording medium transportation apparatus that transports a recording medium held attracted to a belt by air suction, the recording medium can be transported stably with generation of curling at the side end of the recording medium suppressed. A plurality of suction holes generating suction force by air suction are formed at the belt. A plurality of suction holes extending in one row over the belt running direction form hole rows. Each hole row is set to be located corresponding to the width dimension of a paper sheet of the size of A3, B4, A4, B5 defined by the Japanese Industrial Standard and post card. When a sheet of respective size is placed on the belt, the side end of the width direction is drawn by suction holes.

Abstract: A hardcopy apparatus including a main roller and a loading mechanism to load a medium into the hardcopy apparatus, said loading mechanism including a vacuum holddown input unit to hold media down onto a surface of said holddown unit. In addition, a method of loading a medium into a hardcopy apparatus including a vacuum holddown unit, a driving roller and a secondary roller, comprises the steps of: manually positioning the medium onto a surface of the holddown unit; by rotating the secondary roller, advancing the medium towards the main roller; and engaging the medium to the main roller.

Abstract: This invention relates to a vacuum holder for securing workpieces, such as flexible media or printed circuit boards, through a suction force. Pressure responsive, one way flow valves are incorporated between chambers under suction openings to control the application of suction. This results in a restraining force that is uniform in time and space, resulting in a vacuum holder that has reduced pumping requirements.

Abstract: A vacuum holddown for sheet materials has a surface having a field of vacuum ports in which each individual port is gated. When a vacuum is applied to the underside of the holddown, the gates close. When a sheet of material is introduced onto a region of the field, the gates only within vacuum manifold passageway covered by the material are configured to spring open, applying a suction force to the sheet via the now opened ports. The holddown thus automatically adjusts to material size. An implementation for use in an ink-jet printer with cut-sheet print media is demonstrated.

Abstract: A leading edge chuck provided at a leading edge clamp unit and a trailing edge chuck provided at a trailing edge clamp unit are removable from a rotating drum. Therefore, a direction in which the rotating drum rotates in order for printing plates to be mounted thereon, a direction of rotation when the printing plates are exposed, and a direction of rotation in order for the printing plates to be removed from the rotating drum may all be made into a same, single direction. Accordingly, labor impacting working effectiveness, such as switching the rotational direction of the rotating drum, can be eliminated, and image exposure can be conducted rapidly.

Abstract: A lightweight vacuum drum for use in labeling and similar applications having components constructed of castable, non-metal materials. The vacuum drum includes a main drum core having a flexible cylindrical wall casting, investment casting or extrusion of polymeric material coupled to a polymeric bottom ring. A support flange is formed from either aluminum or a polymeric material and is fastened to the cylindrical wall and bottom ring castings. The cylindrical wall includes air passages in fluid communication with radially extending vacuum ports formed in the outer surface of the side wall to provide a vacuum conduit to the outer surface of the cylindrical wall.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet feeding apparatus for delivery of sheets from multiple sheet stores. The sheet feeding apparatus comprises a sheet feed member such as an endless belt having a plurality of movable sheet receiving surfaces. A plurality of sheet transfer mechanisms move sheets from the sheet stores, which may be stationary, onto the receiving surfaces. Once on the receiving surfaces, the sheets are transported toward a common delivery position such as the entrance to the common paper path of a reprographic print engine.

Abstract: A wide format thermal printer for printing a multicolor graphic product on a printing sheet; a vacuum workbed for supporting a sheet material for performing work operations, such as cutting, printing or plotting, thereon; a replaceable donor sheet assembly, which includes a memory, for use with a thermal printer; methods and apparatus for improved thermal printing, including methods and apparatus for conserving donor sheet and reducing the amount of time required to print a multicolor graphic product; a thermal printhead including a memory; methods and apparatus for the alignment of a sheet material for printing or performing other work operations on the sheet material; and methods and apparatus for controlling the tension of the donor sheet during printing with a wide format thermal printer. The wide format thermal printer can include provision for the automatic loading of cassettes of donor sheet from a cassette storage rack.

Abstract: A transported-object stacking apparatus includes first fluid discharge unit and second fluid discharge unit. The first fluid discharge unit is disposed on one side of a transported object and is adapted to discharge working fluid in order to press the transported object against transporting unit. The second fluid discharge unit is disposed downstream from the first fluid discharge unit with respect to the direction of transport of the transported object and on the other side of the transported object, and is adapted to discharge working fluid toward a rear half portion of the transported object in order to separate the transported object from the transporting unit. When working fluid is discharged from the first fluid discharge unit, an object transported by the transporting unit is pressed against the transporting unit.

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

Abstract: A sucking hole is formed at a longitudinal groove at a leading end chuck side end of the longitudinal groove. In a clamp of the leading end chuck, a shut-off valve facing the sucking hole is provided at a clamp portion which opposes a leading end of the printing plate. When the longitudinal groove is not covered with the printing plate, a cap portion of the shut-off valve enters the longitudinal groove so as to shut the sucking hole. In this way, negative pressure is supplied only to the longitudinal groove which is covered with the printing plate, and leakage of negative pressure from the sucking holes of the longitudinal grooves not covered by the printing plate is prevented. As a result, desired suction adhesion can be obtained without need for a large-capacity negative pressure source.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for holding recording media against a media support surface of an imaging system using an arrangement of variable cross-section vacuum grooves. Each vacuum groove has a continuously decreasing cross-section along its length. Each vacuum groove has a maximum cross-section adjacent a vacuum port and a minimum cross-section at a distal end of the vacuum groove.

Abstract: A device for transferring a sheet via a peripheral region of a cylinder includes an airflow-generating device for applying at least one air flow to the peripheral region of the cylinder, with which the sheet is associated, the airflow being directed in a direction of rotation of the cylinder; and a method of operating the device for transferring a sheet via a peripheral region of a cylinder.

Abstract: A vacuum transport for a printer or copier guides a sheet through a machine, such as from a photoreceptor toward a fuser. The vacuum transport includes a partially enclosed vacuum chamber having rollers rotatably mounted therein. Portions of the rollers protrude through openings in the top of the chamber. A series of ribs are disposed between the openings. Some of the ribs extend diagonally toward one end of the width of the paper path over the transport.

Abstract: A vacuum holddown for sheet materials has a surface having a field of vacuum ports in which each individual port is gated. When a vacuum is applied to the underside of the holddown, the gates close. When a sheet of material is introduced onto a region of the field, the gates only within vacuum manifold passageway covered by the material are configured to spring open, applying a suction force to the sheet via the now opened ports. The holddown thus automatically adjusts to material size. An implementation for use in an ink-jet printer with cut-sheet print media is demonstrated.

Abstract: A suction gripper for transferring a trailing edge of a sheet guided on an upstream sheet-conveying cylinder to a downstream sheet-conveying cylinder of a turning device of a sheet-fed rotary printing machine includes a holding arm. The holding arm can be extended out of the circumferential surface of the downstream sheet-conveying cylinder, to which a suction head is movably fastened. The suction head is connected to the holding arm via a spring and its movement in a direction toward a circumferential surface of the upstream sheet conveying cylinder is limited by a stop.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for holding recording media against a media support surface of an imaging system using an arrangement of variable cross-section vacuum grooves. Each vacuum groove has a continuously decreasing cross-section along its length. Each vacuum groove has a maximum cross-section adjacent a vacuum port and a minimum cross-section at a distal end of the vacuum groove.

Abstract: An ink-jet apparatus is disclosed having a vacuum type print media transport subsystem for moving the print media through a printing zone. A transport belt is provided with an array of perforations such that vacuum flow is restricted. The perforations only pass vacuum induced airflow through the belt when over vacuum ported platen regions.

Abstract: A mechanism for manifolding a vacuum force to separate surface sectors of a vacuum holddown uses subsurface ducting to apply the vacuum to separate subsurface vacuum plenums wherein each is fluidically coupled to a separate surface sectors. The plenum is segregated by a diaphragm into surface side and vacuum side cavities. Trigger ports and appropriate ducting through the holddown subjacent the surface associated with each sector determine how the vacuum is routed. Only when a trigger port is covered is the vacuum routed to the surface sector associated therewith. The system can be implemented in planar or curvilinear constructs and be provided with features to accommodate a near-continuous range of flexible material sizes. A specific implementation in an ink-jet hard copy apparatus is also described.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus is disclosed for feeding astride signatures (3) to a collection path. The signatures (3) are removed from a magazine (4) with a conveyor drum (6) and transferred to an opening device (16). The transport speed of the signature lifted from the magazine (4) is first increased relative to a circumferential speed of the conveyor drum, in order to lengthen the time interval until the next signature (3) is removed. Thereafter, the transport speed of the signature (3) is decreased again either before or inside a region of the discharge location or in a capture region of the opening device, whereby the signature (3) is moved again in the opposite direction with respect to the circumference of the conveyor drum.

Abstract: A vacuum holddown has a holddown member with an outer surface for temporarily capturing a flexible sheet material via a vacuum force distributed across the outer surface through discrete vacuum channels. A vacuum force valve mechanism abuts an inner surface of the holddown member in a selectable sliding engagement. The valve mechanism has a pattern of apertures therethrough in predetermined pattern such that discrete valve mechanism positions produce discrete vacuum force patterns at the outer surface of the holddown member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for conveyance of sheets, in which said sheets are advanced or slowed down in such a manner that a distance is altered. A value of said change in distance can be preselected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining media size and width and position by detection on a vacuum platen. Detection is provided by using electrical signals from vacuum ports arranged in an X-Y array in the platen. The electrical signals are capable of interfacing with digital circuitry. The X-Y array of vacuum ports with associated detectors permit the determination of media size, shape, and position with reference to the platen, allowing printing to be contained within the media.

Abstract: A suction conveyor conveys sheets which are stacked in a hopper of a sheet stacker. The suction conveyor includes a suction box and a suction belt that cycles along the surface of the suction box. Porous sections, having sets of suction holes or the like, are formed intermittently at a prescribed pitch on the suction belt. The leading section of the sheet is suctioned to these porous sections, and the sheets are conveyed by the motion of the belt. A scraper at a terminal end region of the conveyance path forcibly peels off the sheet from the porous sections of the suction belt. The sheets are dropped down with the trailing end dropping before the leading end and are stacked in the hopper.

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: Suction ports (14) are provided in one end (15R) of a drum (10), connecting the interior (16) and exterior of the drum (10). Corresponding suction ports (34) are provided at a stationary side (5R), opposing the suction ports (14), respectively. A suction fan (32) is provided, which draws air from the interior (16) of the rotating drum (10) through the corresponding suction ports (34) and the suction ports (14). A printing medium M can be attracted and held onto the outer circumferential surface (11) of the drum (10) by virtue of negative pressure, by utilizing the negative pressure generated in the interior (16) of the drum (10) as the suction fan (32) rotates and a plurality of suction holes (12) extending in a radial direction and connecting the interior and exterior of the drum (10). A damper (38) is provided at the air outlet port of the suction fan (32), for opening and closing the outlet port of the fan (32).

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing jams in a folder of a printing press includes a roller having vacuum holes to which vacuum pressure may be applied to attract the loosely constrained signature towards the roller. The signature will follow the curved path of the roller and be led away from a jam area of the printing press. When the printing press is running at normal operating speed (e.g., steady state), the vacuum is removed from the roller because the signatures will be guided by grippers and will then take a path through the printing press for further processing.

Abstract: A turning device for a printing press, wherein a sheet printed on one side thereof is acceptable from an impression cylinder of an upline printing unit and is transferable to an impression cylinder of a downline printing unit, includes a first gripper device for accepting the sheet by a leading edge thereof from the upline impression cylinder, a register cylinder formed with a multiplicity of suction openings distributed over a circumferential surface thereof and being communicable with a negative pressure source for holding the sheet by suction and for guiding the sheet in-register with a leading edge thereof in the lead, the sheet, while being guided in-register, being held solely by the suction openings, and a second gripper device for accepting the sheet from the register cylinder at a trailing edge of the sheet.

Abstract: A method for transferring, by a trailing edge thereof, a sheet conveyed on an upline sheet-conveying cylinder to a gripper device of a downline sheet-conveying cylinder in a reversing device of a sheet-fed rotary printing press, the gripper device having sheet-holding surfaces for accepting the sheet trailing edge, which comprises lifting the sheet by the trailing edge thereof from the upline sheet-conveying cylinder; moving the sheet-holding surfaces of the gripper device out of the periphery of the downline sheet-conveying cylinder; with the sheet-holding surfaces of the gripper device, accepting the sheet trailing edge outside the periphery of the downline sheet-conveying device; and moving the sheet-holding surfaces back into the periphery of the downline sheet-conveying cylinder; and a transferring device for performing the method.

Abstract: A leading edge of a leading blank in a series of overlapping envelope blanks is fed at a preselected speed into contact with a rotatably mounted backing roller. The backing roller is mounted in a frame and is selectively adjustable between a first position and a second position. A rotatably mounted segment roller is positioned opposite the backing roller. A pull-out segment is a secured to a radial portion of the backing roller. A plurality of longitudinal slots are provided in the surface of the pull-out segment and are selectively connected to a source of negative pressure. The segment roller is driven at a preselected speed greater than the speed of the series of overlapping blank. In a first mode of operation, the backing roller is adjusted to a first position in the frame so that upon rotation, the pull-out segment frictionally engages the leading edge of the leading blank, separating it from the series of overlapping blanks.

Abstract: An ink-jet printer includes a rotary drum which rotates at a constant speed; a medium holding system which holds a printing medium on the rotary drum; and a print head which prints an image by jetting ink onto a printing medium which is held on the rotary drum by the medium holding system and which rotates along with the rotary drum, while the rotary drum makes a predetermined number (greater than one) of rotations during a printing operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for receiving, transporting and stacking thin sheets onto a transport pallet includes a vacuum conveyor for transporting the sheets one at a time from a horizontal collection station vertically downward and then horizontally onto a collection pallet.

Abstract: A suction-air control device for controlling suction air applied to suction openings of a printing-press cylinder, having controllable valves by which the suction openings are connectable to a suction-air source, and a first pneumatic control device for timed or cyclically feeding the suction air, includes a second pneumatic control device for controlling the suction air in a manner dependent upon the format of the printing substrate, the valves being pneumatically controllable and being disposed on the cylinder.

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 thermal transfer image forming method using a laser is disclosed.

Abstract: Device for guiding a paper sheet on a belt that includes first air guidance surfaces located on a paper sheet guiding side of the belt. The first air guidance surfaces may be positioned to create a dynamic pressure between the first air guidance surfaces and the paper sheet and to press the paper sheet into the belt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for unloading a sheet medium from a vacuum drum which may be a vacuum drum of an imagesetter for example, or a vacuum drum of an input scanning machine. The unloading is facilitated by the stiffness of sheet medium. When the vacuum holding a sheet medium is released, the stiffness of the sheet medium causes the sheet to separate from the drum. A roll forces the sheet onto the drum and the motion of the drum forces the sheet medium onto a table which has been moved into proximity of the drum. The sheet travels onto a transport mechanism which eventually takes over the moving of the sheet medium without requiring synchronism between the drum rotational speed and the transport mechanism.

Abstract: A sheet transfer system for transferring sheets on which an image is recorded by an image forming system and discharging the sheets to a tray includes a conveyor belt and a vacuum fan which generates a suction force for attracting the sheets against the conveyor belt. The suction force is stronger at the downstream side portion of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A labeling machine applies an adhesive to labels for attachment to containers and has a glue bar which engages a glue roller. A label drum receives and delivers labels into engagement with containers for wrap around labeling of the containers. An adhesive is delivered to the glue bar. The adhesive is a hot melt adhesive which can maintain its label bond while withstanding high heat such as from a pasteurization process. The hot melt adhesive has a viscosity which tends to increase if the adhesive is not kept in constant motion or is allowed to set. The shear of the adhesive is increased during adhesive transfer to ensure low viscosity transfer of the adhesive from the glue roller to a label positioned on the label drum.

Abstract: A device for conveying a stream, in particular an imbricated or shingled stream, of sheets to a sheet processing machine, having a conveyor table formed with suction holes, and at least one endless transport belt formed with suction holes extending therethrough and being revolvingly drivable around the conveyor table, includes at least one suction box disposed under the conveyor table and having vacuum applied thereto, the one suction box being connected, via the suction openings formed in the conveyor table, to an underside of the transport belt, the one suction box being individually assigned to the respective one endless transport belt and being formed with a single suction chamber, the one suction box having at least two suction connections spaced apart from one another, as viewed in a sheet transport direction.

Abstract: Flat articles such as letter envelopes or letter envelope blanks or the like are aligned for further processing by transporting the articles through an alignment path with the help of a pulling mechanism that seizes or entrains each individual article along its leading edge as viewed in the transport direction and moves the article by pulling the article against a stop member or members which are also moved, but with a slower speed than the pulling of the article. Once the leading edge of the article bears against the stop member or members, the article is aligned and ready for further processing. The entraining or seizing takes place in an area positioned substantially centrally along the leading edge of an article between ends of the leading edge of an article.