Abstract: A currency note storage device (10) for an ATM (50) comprises an endless rubber belt (12) carrying a multiplicity of outwardly-projecting flaps (22), the edges of the flaps attached to the belt being contiguous; the belt (12) runs around a pair of rollers (14,16) of such diameter that as the belt runs over them, the outer edges of the flaps are spread apart to form slots; the belt also runs around a pair of guides (18,20) of such diameter that as the belt runs over them the flaps are barely spaced apart. The number of slots is known, and therefore each slot is addressable; the processor (62) of the ATM (50) records the value of the currency note in a slot, and controls a stepper motor (66) to drive the belt (12) so that a required bank note (34) is positioned adjacent a pick device (38). The device (10) can also be used to deposit currency notes in an ATM.

Abstract: A chemical system and method to stop or minimize fluid loss during completion of wells penetrating hydrocarbon formations are provided. The inventions relates to formulating a highly stable crosslinked hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), control released viscosity reduction additives, and user friendly packaging. The chemical system contains a linear HEC polymer solution, a low solubility compound which slowly raises the fluid pH, a chelating agent which further increases the pH level beyond the equilibum achievable by the low solubility compound, a metal crosslinker which crosslinks HEC at elevated pH, a crosslink delaying agent which allows fluid viscosity to remain low until the fluid reaches the subterranean formation, and optionally an internal breaker. The chemical additives are packaged as an integrated pallet and transported to a field location which allows operators to conveniently mix them before pumping.

Abstract: In a printer apparatus having an automatic paper feed selection function for automatically selecting one of a plurality of paper feed means in which a paper of a designated size is loaded, an operator is permitted to set a desired priority. When there are a plurality of paper feed means in which the paper of the designated size are loaded, the paper feed means of a higher priority is selected to cause the selected paper feed means to feed the paper for printing. The priority may be set to groups each comprising a plurality of paper feed means. When there are a plurality of paper feed means in one group in which the paper of the designated size are loaded, the paper is fed from predetermined paper feed means. When no paper is loaded in a paper feed cassette of the paper feed means from which the paper is to be fed, one of a plurality of operation modes relating to a timing to inform it may be selected by the operator.

Abstract: According to a sheet feeding method capable of successive image formation for use in an image formation apparatus with a sheet transport path for an upper sheet feeding cassette also serving as a portion of a sheet transport path for a lower sheet feeding cassette, the lower sheet feeding cassette initially starts feeding sheets. When the lower sheet feeding cassette runs out of sheets, a request is signaled to resupply sheets to the lower sheet feeding cassette and the upper sheet feeding cassette feeds sheets. When the lower sheet feeding cassette is resupplied with sheets, the lower sheet feeding cassette resumes feeding sheets.

Abstract: An automatic sheet feeder having a first tray capable of moving upward and downward and a second tray arranged adjacently behind the first tray (upstream in a sheet feed direction). The first tray moves upward to press a first stack of sheets against a sheet feed roller. When the first stack of sheets is all fed out, the first tray moves downward, and a second stack of sheets is moved by a movement mechanism from the second tray onto the first tray. The first tray is shorter than the stack of sheets, and the second tray is longer than the stack of sheets. Even if the second stack of sheets on the second tray is displaced by vibration, the first tray can move downward without interfering with the second stack of sheets.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is provided with a main body including a video controller, having video signal generation device for generating a video signal from image information based on a recording command from an external apparatus and control device, and with a supervisory controller including optional unit control device for controlling at least an optional unit connectable to the main body. The video controller includes a process time informing device for informing the supervisory controller of an image development process time, and the supervisory controller includes a paper transport time memory for storing the paper transport time from the optional paper feed source to the entrance of the printing apparatus, a comparator for comparing the process time informed by the process time informing device with the paper transport time stored in the paper transport time memory, and a paper feed source changing device for changing the paper feed source in case the comparator identifies that the process time is shorter.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a mechanism and method for approximating media count in a media tray by utilizing course granularity levels of media detected in the tray in combination with an actual count of media processed by the imaging device. A preferred method of determining media count in a media holding tray includes detecting a first course granularity level of media in the holding tray, counting a number of individual media removed from the holding tray, detecting a second course granularity level of media in the holding tray and, calculating the number of media remaining in the holding tray based upon at least the second level of media detected and the counted number of individual media removed from the tray.

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.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically removing bags from a supply conveyor and stacking a predetermined number of bags upon raised pins. The stacks are then placed on a stack transfer assembly that is then moved into a transfer station wherein the stacks are placed on wickets. An endless accumulator conveyor is arranged to deliver the wickets into the transfer station in timed relation with the movement of the transfer assembly between stations.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically removing bags from a supply conveyor and stacking a predetermined number of bags upon raised pins. The stacks are then placed on a stack transfer assembly that is then moved into a transfer station wherein the stacks are placed on wickets. An endless accumulator conveyor is arranged to deliver the wickets into the transfer station in timed relation with the movement of the transfer assembly between stations.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device is provided with abreast sheet, stackers each having an elevating tray for stacking sheets, which can be held at an upper sheet send-out position when no sheet is stacked. The elevating tray which remains stationary at the send-out position when the stacker becomes empty of sheet serves as a sheet guide member for delivering the sheet discharged from the adjoining sheet stacker to an image processing device such as a copying machine through a sheet transfer path. Since the stackers other than the first stacker do not necessitate a sheet separator nor sheet transfer path, the device can be simplified without deteriorating the sheet feeding performance and manufactured at a low cost.

Abstract: A sideweld bag making machine equipped with a rotary bag transfer device and wicket conveyer utilizes a modified wicket stacking plate and transfer wicket pins to effectively place the bags on permanent wickets as they are stacked on the wicket conveyer. Stacking bags directly onto this permanent wire wicket avoids the need for the operator to transfer the stacked and counted bags from transfer wicket pins to permanent wire wickets as part of the bag packing operation.

Abstract: An automatic two-sided recording apparatus having an image forming station to form an image on a recording sheet and a sheet feeder to feed the recording sheets onto the station, includes an intermediate stacker having an inlet through which a recording sheet whose one side has been subjected to recording is stacked thereon by a switchback member provided adjacent to the inlet. The inlet is used also an outlet through which the recording sheet is fed out for recording on the other side thereof by the switchback member through a conveyor. The apparatus further includes a controller that switches between a stackless mode in which the switchback member feeds in the recording sheets the stacker and feeds out onto the station without stacking in the stacker, and a stack mode in which the switchback member feeds in and feeds out from the stacker onto the station after stacking in the stacker.

Abstract: An electrostatic copying machine has a cassette detachment detection circuit. The detection circuit detects a detachment of any one of a plurality of cassettes. When one of the plurality of paper cassettes is taken out of the main body of the copying machine and returned to the original position by the detection circuit, the returned cassette is automatically selected for supplying papers therefrom. The residual of the papers of the cassette which is taken out of the main body is checked by a paper remainder detection circuit. In a case that, when the residual of the papers in the returned cassette is not a predetermined value, the operability of the copying machine can be improved since the cassette is returned to the main body and the paper is supplied from the returned cassette.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically removing bags from a supply conveyor and stacking a predetermined number of bags upon raised pins. The stacks are then placed on a stack transfer assembly that is then moved into a transfer station wherein the stacks are placed on wickets. An endless accumulator conveyor is arranged to deliver the wickets into the transfer station in timed relation with the movement of the transfer assembly between stations.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding products, such as cards and product samples to a further processing point is disclosed. The apparatus has a magazine device which has at least two magazine compartments and a conveying device having successive grippers which travel over the magazine device. During a certain time period, a transporting member corresponding to one of the magazine compartments is activated so that it feeds products contained in the compartment one after another to the grippers as the grippers travel over the compartment. At a desired point in time, the active transporting member is deactivated and a transporting member corresponding to another magazine compartment is activated in order that uninterrupted operation is provided. While the subsequent magazine compartment is in operation, the previously active compartment can be moved from its working position and resupplied with products.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding products, such as cards and product samples to a further processing point is disclosed. The apparatus has a magazine device which has at least two magazine compartments and a conveying device having successive grippers which travel over the magazine device. During a certain time period, a transporting member corresponding to one of the magazine compartments is activated so that it feeds products contained in the compartment one after another to the grippers as the grippers travel over the compartment. At a desired point in time, the active transporting member is deactivated and a transporting member corresponding to another magazine compartment is activated in order that uninterrupted operation is provided. While the subsequent magazine compartment is in operation, the previously active compartment can be moved from its working position and resupplied with products.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device is provided with abreast sheet stackers each having an elevating tray for stacking sheets, which can be held at an upper sheet send-out position when no sheet is stacked. The elevating tray which remains stationary at the send-out position when the stacker becomes empty of sheet serves as a sheet guide member for delivering the sheet discharged from the adjoining sheet stacker to an image processing device such as a copying machine through a sheet transfer path. Since the stackers other than the first stacker do not necessitate a sheet separator nor sheet transfer path, the device can be simplified without deteriorating the sheet feeding performance and manufactured at a low cost.

Abstract: A cut sheet feeder for use with an image forming apparatus, is formed of: a sheet feed mechanism for picking up stacked cut sheets one at a time from a single sheet feed position and for feeding each sheet to an image recording portion; a sheet feed unit which is vertically movable relative to the sheet feed mechanism and to which a cassette containing cut sheets may be attached in a detachable manner; a sheet feed table which is vertically movable within the sheet feed unit and which carries a large number of cut sheets; a plurality of detectors for detecting the positions of the sheet feed unit, the sheet feed table and the cut sheets relative to the sheet feed position; and a sheet overload detector. The overload is detected by the detectors with respect to the relative position between the sheet feed unit and the sheet feed table with reference to the sheet feed position.

Abstract: A mechanical buffer for imparting a substantial delay to paper items, such as envelopes which are being individually and sequentially conveyed in a high-speed paper transport system, maintains physical separation between the conveyed items and does not require termination of item movement or item encoding. The buffer employs a directional translation of item motion, i.e., envelope motion in the length-wise direction is changed to motion in the direction of thickness, to achieve a velocity-distance compression. The buffer apparatus includes a continuous loop of item carriers which are individually positioned to have incoming items sequentially and individually inserted therein, the carriers imposing a retarding frictional force proportional to item thickness and mass to arrest item motion in the longitudinal direction as the direction of item motion undergoes the translation.