Receivers Moving Into Registry With Delivery Zone Patents (Class 271/294)
  • Patent number: 8840111
    Abstract: A sheet delivering device includes a first frame stood on a base and a housing having a height position adjusted to the base. A second frame is attached to the housing in a body and located adjacent to the first frame. The height adjustment member is attached to one frame and includes engaged stop parts with different heights. The lever member is turnably attached to another frame and includes a contact stop member stopped into contact with the engaged stop part. Between an interference posture forming a contact stopping state by an interference of the contact stop member and engaged stop part and a withdrawal posture withdrawing from the interference when the housing moves to the base in the upward and downward directions, the lever member usually is advanced to the interference posture by a movement force, but changed to the withdrawal posture by turning against the movement force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Seiichi Shirasaki
  • Patent number: 8801173
    Abstract: A sheet-discharge device, including: a sheet-discharge mechanism having a discharge opening from which a sheet is discharged in a discharge direction; a stopper having a hitting portion against which a leading edge, in the discharge direction, of the discharged sheet hits, so that the sheet is bounced back; a discharge tray having a support surface on which the sheet bounced back by the stopper is supported; and a sheet-discharge controller configured to control the sheet-discharge mechanism such that the discharged sheet flies above the support surface, wherein the hitting portion is provided at a position where a one-side portion of the leading edge first hits the hitting portion, the one-side portion of the leading edge being nearer to a one-side end of the sheet than a center of the leading edge in an orthogonal direction parallel to a horizontal plane and orthogonal to the discharge direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhito Ode
  • Patent number: 8749816
    Abstract: A printing system includes, for example, a printing apparatus which forms an image on a sheet, and a plurality of dollies which are assigned different dolly identification information and used to stack the sheet discharged from the discharging port of the printing apparatus. The printing system also includes a designation unit which designates a dolly to be used for a print job, and an output unit which outputs alert information when the dolly designated by the designation unit is not allocated at the discharging port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidenori Sunada, Mitsuhiko Sato, Naoto Watanabe, Takashi Yokoya
  • Patent number: 8500123
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus and method of adjusting a vertical position of a sheet input of a sheet processing apparatus includes a support of the apparatus having first vertically elongated guiding members and second vertically elongated guiding members. The second guiding members are slideably arranged at the first guiding members. The first guiding members are connected to at least one base member, and the second guiding members are connected to a support frame. A vertical position of at least one of the second guide members is adjustable relative to a corresponding one of the first guide members in order to adjust a vertical position of the sheet input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: OCE Technologies B.V.
    Inventors: Floris J. Marcelis, Antonius J. J. Van Gerven
  • Patent number: 8485522
    Abstract: A transfer device for mail items with a transfer unit which has an ejection point for transferring individualized mail items to an item carrier is provided. Further, the transfer device includes a transport device for transporting the mail items to the ejection point in a direction of transport. The transport device includes two belts for holding the mail items on both sides and for transporting the mail items and further has means for adapting a space between the belts to the thickness of a mail item. The means for adapting is a belt tilt means which is pivotal about an axis of rotation, the pivotal movement pivoting one of the belts and therefore a distance between the belts is variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Holger Schererz, Rolf-Peter Skrdlant, Bertram Wanner
  • Patent number: 8267392
    Abstract: An inserter device for a document printer and inserter system includes a first container sensor. A belt mechanism includes a flexible delivery belt receiving a printed document from a document printer. A motor rotates the delivery belt in response to an actuation signal from the first container sensor indicating the presence of a container at a document loading position proximate the delivery belt. A support shaft is rotatably connected to a support frame. The belt mechanism is fixed to the support shaft. The support shaft is rotated to achieve a desired belt drive angle and fixed to the support frame to maintain the belt drive angle. A rigid document diverter proximate the delivery belt deflects a document discharged from the delivery belt at the belt drive angle into the container. First and second belt tensioning assemblies are individually positioned in either a belt mechanism drive box or idler box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Andersen & Associates
    Inventors: Anthony F. Morgott, Mark J. Jordan
  • Patent number: 8123223
    Abstract: An inserter device for a document printer and inserter system includes a first container sensor. A belt mechanism includes a flexible delivery belt receiving a printed document from a document printer. A motor rotates the delivery belt in response to an actuation signal from the first container sensor indicating the presence of a container at a document loading position proximate the delivery belt. A support shaft is rotatably connected to a support frame. The belt mechanism is fixed to the support shaft. The support shaft is rotated to achieve a desired belt drive angle and fixed to the support frame to maintain the belt drive angle. A rigid document diverter proximate the delivery belt deflects a document discharged from the delivery belt at the belt drive angle into the container. First and second belt tensioning assemblies are individually positioned in either a belt mechanism drive box or idler box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Andersen & Associates
    Inventors: Anthony F. Morgott, Mark J. Jordan
  • Patent number: 8070158
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a main body and a plurality of paper trays. The main body includes a mounting plate, and the mounting plate defines a paper outlet. A mounting bracket is secured to the main body. A control module is disposed on the mounting bracket. A driving member is connected to the paper trays. The control module is capable of causing the driving member to move the paper trays along a direction parallel to the mounting plate, so that one of the paper trays is aligned with the paper outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen-Lu Fan, Chih-Kun Shih, Chun-Hsien Lin
  • Patent number: 7850170
    Abstract: A first tray is adapted to stack a paper discharged from a discharge port thereon. A lifter is operable to raise or lower the first tray. A detector is operable to detect a stacked state of the paper and the first tray. In a case where the paper is discharged onto the first tray, the first tray is raised or lowered based on the stacked state detected by the detector so as to keep a distance from the discharge port to an uppermost paper of the paper stacked on the first tray within a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: PFU Limited
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Matsue, Takumi Nakayama, Mitsuhiro Shikan
  • Patent number: 7784788
    Abstract: A first tray has notches allowing second-tray arms to pass therethrough, and arm-receiving recesses in which respective first-tray arms are received. With such a plurality of sheet stacking trays that are movable vertically, a large stack of sheets can be removed efficiently, whereby a highly productive system is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuo Fukatsu, Hitoshi Kato, Naoki Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7762551
    Abstract: A multi-function peripheral includes a main body and a paper feeding module which includes a paper outlet structure, a tray and a gate. The paper outlet structure is disposed at the main body and has a first paper outlet and a second paper outlet below the first paper outlet. The tray is disposed movably up and down at the paper outlet structure, so as to support papers fed out from the paper outlet structure. The gate is pivoted at the paper outlet structure and near the second paper outlet. When the papers are fed out from the first paper outlet, the tray is below the first paper outlet and the gate covers the second paper outlet. When the papers are fed out from the second paper outlet, the tray is below the second paper outlet and the gate does not cover the second paper outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Kinpo Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Yen-Jui Wu, Ming-Chih Huang
  • Patent number: 7722041
    Abstract: Provided is a sheet processing apparatus, including: a stacking unit that is capable of stacking discharged sheets; a drive mechanism that is capable of moving the stacking unit; a storage device that holds data on a moving time of the stacking unit in a rewritable manner; an arithmetic unit that is calculates an estimated value of the moving time of the stacking unit based on the data; and a correcting unit that corrects the data held in the storage device by using an actual measurement value of the moving time of the stacking unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Finetech Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Honda
  • Patent number: 7422118
    Abstract: An equipment (22) for the automatic deposit of banknotes (23) comprising a transaction port (33) for receiving a stack (24) of banknotes, a separating device (36) for separating the constituting sheets of the stack (24), a validation device (37) for discriminating the constituting sheets as recognized banknotes and constituting sheets not recognized, a transport mechanism (38, 39) servo-dependent on the validation device to drag said constituting sheets along differentiated paths (72, 73) for the recognized banknotes and the constituting sheets not recognized, and a box assembly (51) adjacent to the transaction port. The box assembly (51) includes two storage boxes (53, 54) and is shiftable among at least three different positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: CTS Cashpro, S.p.A.
    Inventors: Franco Ugo, Guido Genisio, Stefano Maglione, Paolo Ciampi
  • Patent number: 7377511
    Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus including a first tray on which sheets discharged form an outlet are stacked, the first tray being movable between a stacking position at which sheets discharged from an outlet are stacked and a first retracted position above the staking position; a second tray on which sheets discharged from an outlet are stacked, the first tray being disposed below the first tray and being movable independently of the first tray, the second tray being movable between the stacking position and a second retracted position below the stacking position; and a controller that causes the second tray to descend when the sheets are to be stacked on the first tray, the controller causing the second tray to stop descending when the second tray reaches a standby position where a distance between the outlet and a top surface of the sheets stacked on the second tray is a predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Canon Finetech Inc.
    Inventors: Naoto Watanabe, Yoshinori Isobe, Masahiro Yonenuma, Tetsuya Terada
  • Patent number: 7331573
    Abstract: A sheet treating apparatus for treating a sheet having an image formed thereon is provided, which includes a pair of transport rollers for transporting the sheet upward, a sheet post-treating portion having an intermediate treatment tray, provided to execute post-treatment such as sheet stitching or punching while holding the sheet in a substantially vertical state, and a sheet delivery portion arranged above the sheet post-treating portion. Also, an image forming apparatus is provided, which includes an image reading portion for reading an image, an image forming portion arranged below the image reading portion to form an image on a sheet, a delivery space portion provided in an apparatus housing between the image reading portion and the image forming portion to deliver the sheet, sheet treating portion for treating the sheet while holding it in a substantially vertical state, and an in-body transportation path for transporting the sheet treated by the sheet treating means to the delivery space portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshimi Mizuta, Toshimasa Suzuki, Masaaki Inoo, Daisaku Kamiya, Hiromichi Tsujino, Junichi Moteki, Shunsuke Nishimura
  • Patent number: 7152857
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, which has sophisticated functions of feeding recording paper of various sizes selectively and of sorting printed paper, is reduced in size. The feed bin sorters, the output bin sorters, and the output tray are arranged in tiers. Pre-printed paper is supplied from any of the feed bin sorters, and printed paper is delivered to any of the output bin sorters or the output tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Hiramoto, Akira Nakashima
  • Patent number: 7131646
    Abstract: A system and method for improved accessibility of media output from a media processing device. Media receivers are coupled to an actuator such that the media receivers can be moved under manual command by a user, or automatically by a controller. Movement selectors are provided for activation thereof by a user. The user selects a media receiver for movement, and then the desired direction of movement. The media receiver is moved to a position most convenient for the user so that the media in the media receiver is most accessible to that user. In an illustrative embodiment, a laser printer with a plurality of paper trays is adapted to the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Srinivas Guddanti, Chet Butikofer
  • Patent number: 6988728
    Abstract: A sheet sorter including a plurality of trays on which sheets are to be placed, adapted to sort sheets by switching the trays on which the sheets are to be placed, and designed to enable users to easily find their own sheets even if no tray is designated. Trays are each provided with a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of sheets, and the tray bearing no sheet is preferentially selected as the tray on which a sheet is to be placed when no tray is designated. If there are a plurality of trays bearing no sheet, the uppermost one thereof is selected. If there is no tray bearing no sheet, the tray having a longest duration from the last time when the sheet is placed thereon is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuhiko Kida
  • Patent number: 6986511
    Abstract: A finisher for finishing papers sequentially driven out of an image forming apparatus includes a plurality of trays selectively movable to a single paper outlet. The finisher reduces a period of time necessary for designated one of the trays to reach the paper outlet, increases the number of papers which can be stacked on the trays, and determines the number of papers stacked with a simple configuration. Papers are prevented from returning from the tray to the paper outlet without complicating the configuration of the outlet. An outlet roller protrudes from the paper outlet, but does not interfere with the tray moving past the paper outlet. The trays protect the operator from injury and protect the structural elements of the finisher from damage despite their movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Yamada, Shinji Asami, Hiroki Okada
  • Publication number: 20040207152
    Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus including a first tray on which sheets discharged from an outlet are stacked, the first tray being movable between a stacking position at which sheets discharged from an outlet are stacked and a first retracted position above the staking position; a second tray on which sheets discharged from an outlet are stacked, the first tray being disposed below the first tray and being movable independently of the first tray, the second tray being movable between the stacking position and a second retracted position below the stacking position; and a controller that causes the second tray to descend when sheets are to be stacked on the first tray, the controller causing the second tray to stop descending when the second tray reaches a standby position where a distance between the outlet and a top surface of the sheets stacked on the second tray is a predetermined distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicants: CANON FINETECH INC., CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoto Watanabe, Yoshinori Isobe, Masahiro Yonenuma, Tetsuya Terada
  • Patent number: 6764073
    Abstract: An adjustable gripper system for releasably holding at least one sheet against a surface includes an adjustment body, a gripper connected thereto for holding the sheet against the surface, and a cam follower to be actuated by a cam. The cam follower is connected to the adjustment body and displaces the adjustment body dependent upon a cam position, which correspondingly displaces the gripper along the surface. The system can be part of a sheet-collating pocket having a top portion, forward and rearward walls pivotally connected to one another and defining a sheet-receiving opening, which pocket can be part of a sheet-collating machine having the cam, a conveyor, a sheet feeding device, and other pockets. A method for adjusting the grippers positions the cam in the pocket path to contact each and selectively displace the gripper holding portion with dependent upon the cam position while the cam and pocket contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Mehmet Oktay Kaya, Heiner Philipp Luxem
  • Publication number: 20040051238
    Abstract: A finisher for finishing papers sequentially driven out of an image forming apparatus includes a plurality of trays selectively movable to a single paper outlet. The finisher reduces a period of time necessary for designated one of the trays to reach the paper outlet, increases the number of papers which can be stacked on the trays, and determines the number of papers stacked with a simple configuration. Papers are prevented from returning from the tray to the paper outlet without complicating the configuration of the outlet. An outlet roller protrudes from the paper outlet, but does not interfere with the tray moving past the paper outlet. The trays protect the operator from injury and protect the structural elements of the finisher from damage despite their movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Kenji Yamada, Shinji Asami, Hiroki Okada
  • Patent number: 6695306
    Abstract: A sheet material conveying apparatus includes a plurality of pockets running along a track, each pocket including a setting device for adjusting a height of the pocket so as to define a set height. At least one setting actuator located to a side of the pockets is provided, with the setting actuator being selectively movable between a first position where the setting actuator contacts the setting device for adjusting the setting device when the pockets are stationary and a second position where the setting actuator is free from the setting device to allow movement of the pockets along the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Mehmet Oktay Kaya, Heiner Phillipp Luxem, Glenn Alan Guaraldi
  • Publication number: 20030234481
    Abstract: An adjustable gripper system for releasably holding at least one sheet against a surface includes an adjustment body, a gripper connected thereto for holding the sheet against the surface, and a cam follower to be actuated by a cam. The cam follower is connected to the adjustment body and displaces the adjustment body dependent upon a cam position, which correspondingly displaces the gripper along the surface. The system can be part of a sheet-collating pocket having a top portion, forward and rearward walls pivotally connected to one another and defining a sheet-receiving opening, which pocket can be part of a sheet-collating machine having the cam, a conveyor, a sheet feeding device, and other pockets. A method for adjusting the grippers positions the cam in the pocket path to contact each and selectively displace the gripper holding portion with dependent upon the cam position while the cam and pocket contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Mehmet Oktay Kaya, Heiner Philipp Luxem
  • Patent number: 6641135
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the storage and/or dispensing of sheet-like material, in particular bank notes 23, comprising a compartment module (10) having a plurality of compartments (11), a slider (6) which can be travelled into and out of a compartment (11) so that a sheet-like material (23) lying in front of an opening (11a) of the compartment (11) can be inserted into and/or dispensed from the compartment (11) while being folded; and a guide device (3) which is displaceable between two positions, with in the first position the sheet-like material (23) being able to be introduced into the guide device (3) and the opening (11a) of the compartment (11) being blocked, and in the second position the opening (11a) of the compartment (11) being free so that the sheet-like material (23) can be inserted into the compartment (11); and a guide device for sheet-like material (23), in particular bank notes, comprising a first guide plane (3a); a second guide plane (3b), which is opposite the first guide
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Löwen Automaten Gerhard W. Schulze GmbH
    Inventor: Alfred Weinheimer
  • Patent number: 6631896
    Abstract: A finisher for finishing papers sequentially driven out of an image forming apparatus includes a plurality of trays selectively movable to a single paper outlet. The finisher reduces a period of time necessary for designated one of the trays to reach the paper outlet, increases the number of papers which can be stacked on the trays, and determines the number of papers stacked with a simple configuration. Papers are prevented from returning from the tray to the paper outlet without complicating the configuration of the outlet. An outlet roller protrudes from the paper outlet, but does not interfere with the tray moving past the paper outlet. The trays protect the operator from injury and protect the structural elements of the finisher from damage despite their movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Yamada, Shinji Asami, Hiroki Okada
  • Patent number: 6568675
    Abstract: A multiple bin output device for use with an image forming device. The output device comprises a plurality of removable bins configured to receive sheets output by the image forming device. The output device can either move a selected bin into position to receive a sheet or the device can guide a sheet into a selected removable but otherwise stationary bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Co., L.P.
    Inventor: Roland Boss
  • Patent number: 6567722
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for storage and dispensing of bank notes, preferably having a device connected in series to verify genuineness of bank notes inserted. To provide the apparatus which is characterized by a simple and therefore economical performance construction with the required security of pay-out, a compartment module having components lying next to each other, separated from each other by partitions and opened at their end sides is provided which is guided moveably by a controlled drive. To store the bank notes, a slider travelable to and fro by a controlled drive is guided in the housing in the transverse middle plane of the bank note supplied in each case, this slider pushing the bank notes while folding them in the middle in a loop-like manner into a compartment of the compartment module traveling into the middle plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: NSM Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Wilhelm Menke
  • Patent number: 6547501
    Abstract: A device for preparing a book spine includes a plurality of movable pockets, each pocket having an angled back, a packer and a spine stop at a lower end of the pocket for receiving the spine. The spine stop has a first collect position, a second position wherein the spine stop is lower with respect to the packer than in the collect position but still holds the spine, and a third position wherein the spine stop is rotated away from the spine. A method for preparing a spine is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: James Richard Schlough
  • Patent number: 6422557
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes discharging bins in which image-formed sheets are stacked, and uses a bin elevating motor to switch discharging of sheets into a selected discharging bin. The image forming apparatus is provided with a sensor for detecting the amount of stacked paper in the selected discharging bin. When the selected discharging bin is changed to a newly selected discharging bin, the discharging bins are moved by the bin elevating motor, whereby the sensor detects the amount of stacked paper in the newly selected discharging bin to which discharging can be performed after the moving. Subsequently, the sensor directs the start of image formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nobuyoshi Kakigi
  • Patent number: 6390469
    Abstract: A sheet material conveying apparatus includes a plurality of pockets, each pocket including a setting device for adjusting a height of the pocket when the pocket is stationary so as to define a set height, the setting device including a setting rod, a ring gear having an outer surface connected to the setting rod, and a lock ring selectively releasable from the ring gear, the setting rod including a disengaging device for releasing the lock ring from the ring gear during a setting operation. A method and a sheet material pocket are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Jackson Hacker Jones, Andrew Lynn Klopfenstein, Hugh Thompson Lee
  • Patent number: 6336630
    Abstract: A printing apparatus provided with a deposition unit for printed sheets comprising a number of copy trays situated one above the other, which trays are adjustable in height independent of one another to a deposition position with respect to the sheet delivery rollers disposed at a fixed height, and to a parking position. Upon the activation of the printing apparatus by a start key provided on the printing apparatus, a control system sets the bottom copy tray into a deposition position and the other copy trays into a higher parking position. Upon the activation of the printing apparatus by a start key disposed at a distance from the printing apparatus at a workstation, the control system selectively sets one of the other copy trays into a deposition position and the bottom copy tray into a lower parking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: OCE-Technologies B.V.
    Inventors: Lodewijk Taroisius Holtman, Ronald P. H. in 't Zandt
  • Patent number: 6328299
    Abstract: A moving shelf set finishing mailbox has a plurality of trays vertically movable by rotatable cams to opposite sides of a sheet inlet location from which sheets are supplied serially from a copier or printer, the sheets being supported at their trailing edge on a shelf integral with the tray and their forward ends being supported by the tray and by any underlying sheets. The trays are sequentially or randomly moved by the rotary cams and when randomly moved, the apparatus functions as a mailbox in which the sheets are stapled while the trailing edges are supported on the shelf and the sets are moved by pushers from the shelf by pushers so that the trailing end of the sets are finally supported by the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: GRADCO (Japan) Ltd
    Inventor: Peter M Coombs
  • Patent number: 6322070
    Abstract: A finisher for finishing papers sequentially driven out of an image forming apparatus includes a plurality of trays selectively movable to a single paper outlet. The finisher reduces a period of time necessary for designated one of the trays to reach the paper outlet, increases the number of papers which can be stacked on the trays, and determines the number of papers stacked with a simple configuration. Papers are prevented from returning from the tray to the paper outlet without complicating the configuration of the outlet. An outlet roller protrudes from the paper outlet, but does not interfere with the tray moving past the paper outlet. The trays protect the operator from injury and protect the structural elements of the finisher from damage despite their movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Yamada, Shinji Asami, Hiroki Okada
  • Patent number: 6234474
    Abstract: A paper accumulating device (20) according to the present invention comprises a paper bundle feeding port (31), a plurality of paper bundle receiving portions (33, 34) including paper bundle receivers (21, 22) for accumulating paper bundles respectively, a delivery path (23, 24, 25) for delivering the paper bundles sequentially fed to the paper bundle feeding port to the paper bundle receiving portions (33, 34). The paper bundle receiving portions (33, 34) are provided with sorting mechanisms (40, 60) for sorting the delivered paper bundles. The delivery path includes a main delivery path portion (23) extended from the paper bundle feeding port (31) to a branch point (32), and a plurality of branch delivery path portions (24, 25) extended from the branch point (32) to the related paper bundle receiving portions (33, 34) respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Horizon International Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Horii, Masayuki Kashiba, Masato Nogawa
  • Patent number: 6231045
    Abstract: A finisher for finishing papers sequentially driven out of an image forming apparatus includes a plurality of trays selectively movable to a single paper outlet. The finisher reduces a period of time necessary for designated one of the trays to reach the paper outlet, increases the number of papers which can be stacked on the trays, and determines the number of papers stacked with a simple configuration. Papers are prevented from returning from the tray to the paper outlet without complicating the configuration of the outlet. An outlet roller protrudes from the paper outlet, but does not interfere with the tray moving past the paper outlet. The trays protect the operator from injury and protect the structural elements of the finisher from damage despite their movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Yamada, Shinji Asami, Hiroki Okada
  • Patent number: 6227539
    Abstract: In a mailboxing system in which the different numbers and types of printed sheets being printed by the different users of a shared users printer are separately stored in different assigned mailbox bins in an array of mailbox bins, there is provided a system for automatically changing the spacing between selected adjacent bins to provide selectably different sheet stacking capacities for different bins for the different numbers of printed sheets being stored in the respective bins of different users. With this system the bin capacity can also be automatically reduced when the sheets are removed from that bin. Greatly increased overall and individual bin sheet stacking capacity is thus provided for the same overall system size as compared to conventional fixed spacing bins. Also, many more print jobs can be stored in the same user-assigned bin instead of having to split up large print jobs into other, overflow, bins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph J. Ferrara
  • Patent number: 6213457
    Abstract: An apparatus for feeding flat products from a pile of flat products to a receiving location especially on a conveyor includes a plurality of delivering units for extracting a single flat product from the pile. Each of the delivering units has a first driven belt and is engageable with a pile. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a diverting element for diverting the flat products in a predetermined direction. A method of operating the apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen
    Inventor: James Richard Schlough
  • Patent number: 6170821
    Abstract: An automatically sheet sorting device has multistage trays for storing sheets fed from a copying machine or the like, which each incorporate a sheet detecting mechanism including a sheet-empty detection lever of sheet-empty detecting means for detecting the sheet existing on the tray, and a sheet-full detection lever of sheet-full detecting means for detecting the sheets reaching a prescribed storage limit. The individual operable sheet-empty detection lever and sheet-full detection lever can be assembled in the tray compactly. A sheet-empty actuating member connected to the sheet-empty detection lever for actuating a sheet-empty switch and a sheet-empty actuating member connected to the sheet-full detection lever for actuating a sheet-full switch are of electrically non-contacting mechanism, thus to enable the tray to he readily detached from and attached to the device without any troublesome work of establishing an electrical connection or disconnection of electric elements between the tray and the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Kubota
  • Patent number: 6146085
    Abstract: There is disclosed a sheet accumulation processing device in which sheets with images formed thereon are processed as a bunch before the sheet bunch is efficiently sorted and discharged to any one of plural discharge trays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignees: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Toyoaki Namba, Kyosuke Taka, Tsuyoshi Asahara, Kazuyuki Kubota, Kazuaki Sano
  • Patent number: 6116596
    Abstract: An improvement in sheet sorters in which movable bins are incremented past a sheet entrance and the bins are cantilever-mounted and incremented in the sorter from only one side of the bins. The unsupported side or end of at least one of the cantilevered bins is temporarily supported to prevent its sagging from the weight of sheets loaded therein, or other causes. Specifically, the free end of the bin which is currently in position to receive sheets entering the sorter from the sheet entrance is supported by a small rotatably driven indexing bin support, such as a star-wheel, which is mounted to allow unrestricted access to the bins for the removal of stacks of sorted sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Len Victor Gates
  • Patent number: 6053496
    Abstract: A guard inhibits access between a first member and a second member having relative motion between the first member and the second member. The guard includes a body having a first portion and a second portion. The second portion is pivotably connected to the first portion by a living hinge. The first portion of the body is connected to the first member and the second portion is connected to the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Vicente P. Nunes
  • Patent number: 5961110
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet post-treatment apparatus comprising a sheet convey portion having a sheet path and a sheet discharge opening, and a sheet receiving tray portion having a plurality of sheet receiving tray means. Wherein a sheet is transferred between the sheet convey portion and the sheet receiving tray portion, and the sheet convey portion and the sheet receiving tray portion can be shifted relative to each other in an arrangement direction of the sheet receiving tray means whenever the sheet is transferred. Further, there is provided detection means for detecting the fact that the sheet exists between the sheet convey portion and the sheet receiving tray portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiichiro Adachi, Katsuhito Kato, Hitoshi Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 5934670
    Abstract: A sorter includes a plurality of receiver members for receiving a workpiece, and a rotary circulating mechanism driven by a driving unit to circulate along a circulatory path. The circulating mechanism mounts the receiver members to be pivotable about a first pivot axis. On the circulatory path of the rotary circulating mechanism, each receiver member is switchable between an extended posture at which the receiver member is capable of receiving the workpiece and a folded posture at which the receiver member is pivotally folded about the first axis to the vicinity of the rotary circulating mechanism. Each receiver member has at least one second pivot axis extending substantially parallel to the first pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Todoki
  • Patent number: 5934669
    Abstract: A sorter includes a non-sorting paper exit, a sorting paper exit, a non-sorting bin and a bin assembly having a plurality of sorting bins. When a non-sorting mode is selected, papers is ejected from the non-sorting exit to the non-sorting bin which faces to the non-sorting exit. When a sorting mode is selected, papers are ejected from the sorting exit to the sorting bins each of which faces to the sorting exit by sequentially shifting the bin assembly. In this operation, the non-sorting bin is kept stationary while the papers are ejected to the upper sorting bins, and the non-sorting bin is shift together with the sorting bins while the paper are ejected to the lower sorting bins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motonari Uchida, Kazunori Ono
  • Patent number: 5924689
    Abstract: A sheet sorter with a stapler includes bins arranged in a vertical direction each of which receives a plurality of sheets discharged from an image recording apparatus to form a stack of sheets. An indexer receives the sheets from the image recording apparatus and is movable up and down along the array of sheet inlet ends of the bins to distribute the sheets to the respective bins through the sheet inlet ends. A stapler is movable along the path of travel of the indexer independently therefrom to staple the stack of sheets on each bin. The stapler is arranged to wait in a waiting position retracted from the path of travel of the indexer in a direction of width of the sheets while the indexer is travelling along the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Riso Kagaku Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeki Fukai, Tsunemitsu Kazama
  • Patent number: 5901955
    Abstract: A rotatable gripper drum includes a seat mounted on the drum and a gripper supported on the drum for pivotal movement relative to the seat between an open position and a closed position. The seat is made from a resilient material and includes a body portion having first and second grip surfaces. The drum has a retaining pocket for receiving the body portion of the seat to secure the seat for rotation with the drum. The seat is selectively mountable in the retaining pocket with the body portion in a first orientation in which the first grip surface cooperates with the gripper to grip sheet material or in a second orientation in which the second grip surface cooperates with the gripper to grip sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Heidelberg Finishing Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew L. Klopfenstein
  • Patent number: 5895043
    Abstract: An arrangement for feeding a conveying apparatus comprising hoppers for flat products such as envelopes, mailing pouches, workpieces and the like, which can be emptied at certain intervals and are secured on a rotatably driven traction element. A device including a slanted guide wall defining a conveying channel is located above the conveying apparatus for conveying the products in a conveying direction into a respective one of the hoppers located below the conveying channel. The device includes a size intake opening communicating with the conveying channel for receiving products into the conveying channel from a side of the device in a direction at a right angle to the conveying direction. The device further includes a rotating clearing mechanism laterally penetrating the conveying channel and operating jointly with the guide wall for conveying the products into the hoppers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: GRAPHA-Holding AG
    Inventors: Wilhelm Maier, Jean-Claude Oppliger
  • Patent number: 5887869
    Abstract: The apparatus for carrying out the method comprises a plurality of delivery trays arranged in the manner of a circulating bucket lift, which on the basis of user inputs can be freely selected and transported to a loading plane in which an inlet opening for the copy or print jobs also is located. An outlet opening is provided opposite the inlet opening, the individual delivery trays can be moved around a passthrough region which joins the inlet opening to the outlet opening, and each of the delivery trays can, in order to receive copy or print jobs, be slid into a loading position in the passthrough region and receives the copy or print job intended for that selected delivery tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Rolf Munz, Jurgen Ries
  • Patent number: 5845901
    Abstract: A moving bin sorter of the type in which the trays are individually and collectively moved vertically relative to a sheet inlet location and opened to provide an enlarged sheet entry space for receiving the sheets, has cams and counterbalancing springs to lift the trays supported in a support structure which maintains the trays in parallel relation, thereby maintaining equal spacing for printed sheet storage along the complete effective length of the trays. In one form, the support structure is a unit moved upwardly by the springs, and in another form, the support structure has a member integrated with the tray housing and a cooperative member moved upwardly by the springs, the trays being supported at all times in parallel relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Gradco (Japan) Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter M. Coombs, Klaus Thogersen