Plural Copy Medium Sources Patents (Class 399/391)
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Publication number: 20040131384Abstract: A sheet storing portion storing a stack of recording sheets and sequentially supplying recording sheets to an image forming portion has a tray pullout frame that can be pulled out to the front side of the apparatus and a sheet tray provided in the tray pullout frame. The sheet tray stores recording sheets, and the tray pullout frame can be pulled out to a lateral side while the frame is mounted in the apparatus. The front part of the tray pullout frame can be open as the frame is mounted to the apparatus main body, so that the recording sheet transport path can be open and the apparatus can be restored upon a paper jam.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2003Publication date: July 8, 2004Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.Inventors: Tatsuo Miyaji, Masayuki Enta
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Patent number: 6739778Abstract: Disclosed is a sheet transport device for use in an image forming apparatus in which one surface of a guide member and one surface of a first counterpart member define a first sheet transport path, and the opposite surface of the guide member and one surface of a second counterpart member define a second sheet transport path. The second counterpart member is pivotally supported on a main body of the image forming apparatus to be selectively set to a closed position for defining the second sheet transport path and an opened position for exposing an interior of the second sheet transport path. The guide member is pivotally supported on the main body of the image forming apparatus to be selectively set to a closed position for defining the first sheet transport path and a closed position for exposing an interior of the first sheet transport path. The sheet transport device has retaining means for retaining the guide member at the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2002Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: Kyocera Mita CorporationInventors: Masami Fuchi, Hideaki Kimata, Mitsuhiro Shibata, Tsuyoshi Koyanagi, Yuzo Onishi
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Publication number: 20040047662Abstract: A paper feed cassette or a paper transporting unit is selectively inserted into an image forming apparatus body. A manual paper feed unit is coupled to the paper transporting unit. A recording medium is fed out of the manual paper feed unit, passes through the paper transporting unit and reaches a main transporting path in the image forming apparatus body. An image is formed on the recording medium by image forming unit disposed in the main transporting path.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2003Publication date: March 11, 2004Applicant: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toru Ozawa, Manabu Saito, Michiaki Yoshida, Minoru Satoh
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Patent number: 6674983Abstract: An image forming apparatus and sheet feeder in which a recording-material transporting system is provided for transporting to an image forming section recording material supplied from a recording-material supplying section and for subsequently guiding the recording material to a recording-material discharging section. A portion of the transporting path is arranged on a rear side of the apparatus body located on an opposite side to the user operation side. At least either one of the recording-material supplying section and the recording-material transporting system is provided with a jam clearing section for allowing recording material jammed in the recording-material transporting system to be both accessed from and cleared on the user operation side without need to open any access panels on the side portions or rear portion of the apparatus body. As a result the apparatus may be located without reserving space for opening a side or rear access portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2001Date of Patent: January 6, 2004Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuo Enomoto, Kazuhiro Iihara, Toshiaki Misu, Masakuni Nishimura
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Patent number: 6655676Abstract: An image formation apparatus including a paper feeding unit for selectively feeding color papers, each of which is assigned by an operation unit, and a controlling device, for controlling storing an assigned color paper data and an image data into a storage device, and for controlling selecting the same color paper when the image data is again output from the storage device. Therefore, the same image data can be automatically output to the same color paper.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2002Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Isao Nishimura
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Publication number: 20030170059Abstract: An image forming apparatus which includes: an image forming apparatus main body provided with an image forming portion for forming an image on a sheet; an upstream-side sheet feed unit which is juxtaposed to the image forming apparatus main body and feeds a sheet contained therein to the image forming portion; a sheet treatment portion for treating a sheet fed thereto; and a downstream-side sheet feed unit which is juxtaposed between the image forming apparatus main body and the sheet treatment portion and feeds a sheet contained therein to the sheet treatment portion, in which each of the upstream-side sheet feed unit and the downstream-side sheet feed unit is selectively attachable to the image forming apparatus main body, and the upstream-side sheet feed unit and the downstream-side sheet feed unit have the same construction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2003Publication date: September 11, 2003Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroto Koga, Wataru Kawata
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Patent number: 6611353Abstract: A method of imaging an item is provided comprising the steps of determining a media type of a first portion of an item to be imaged, determining a media type of a supply of media for an imaging device, determining if the first portion media type is compatible with the first supply media type based on a criterion, and imaging the first portion on one or more sheets of the first supply media type using the imaging device if the first portion media type is compatible with the first supply media type. At least one of the determining steps is performed by sensing for multiple media types. Sensing the media type is preferably performed by at least one sensor.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2001Date of Patent: August 26, 2003Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventor: Mark P. Richards
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Patent number: 6603952Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a print media input device. In one embodiment, the input device comprises a housing that defines an interior compartment that includes a storage compartment in which print media can be stored, and at least one lifting tray that is adapted to support print media that are to be fed to another device. In another embodiment, the input device comprises a housing that defines an interior space, a first lifting tray adapted to store print media, and a second lifting tray adapted to feed print media to another device, wherein the first and second lifting trays can be vertically displaced both independently and in unison.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2001Date of Patent: August 5, 2003Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Keith Hoene, Robert Sesek
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Publication number: 20030113148Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a print media input device. In one embodiment, the input device comprises a housing that defines an interior compartment that includes a storage compartment in which print media can be stored, and at least one lifting tray that is adapted to support print media that are to be fed to another device. In another embodiment, the input device comprises a housing that defines an interior space, a first lifting tray adapted to store print media, and a second lifting tray adapted to feed print media to another device, wherein the first and second lifting trays can be vertically displaced both independently and in unison.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2001Publication date: June 19, 2003Inventors: Keith Hoene, Robert Sesek
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Patent number: 6567643Abstract: The color image formation apparatus of the invention can include an image formation unit that is placed diagonally in relation to the vertical direction, a largest paper-feed tray that is placed below the image formation unit and feeds paper to image formation sections of the image formation unit, and a small-size paper-feed tray, placed below the image formation unit and above the largest paper-feed tray, which feeds paper to the image formation sections of the image formation unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2001Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Motokazu Yasui, Hiroyasu Shijo, Masumi Sato, Tomotoshi Nakahara
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Patent number: 6546227Abstract: A continuous-medium-box feeding device feeds a continuous-medium box to a printing device printing on a continuous medium fed from the continuous-medium box containing the continuous medium. The continuous-medium-box feeding device includes a set table capable of sliding between a first position and a second position adjacent to the first position, and a stand-by table capable of sliding between the first position and a third position adjacent to the second position. At the first position, the continuous medium can be fed from the continuous-medium box to the printing device. At the second position, the continuous-medium box can be removed from the set table. At the second and third positions, a continuous-medium box containing a continuous medium to be printed on next can be placed on the stand-by table. In the continuous-medium-box feeding device, the stand-by table can feed the continuous-medium box on the set table positioned at the first position.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2001Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Kunio Miyakoshi, Masatoshi Kobayashi
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Patent number: 6526253Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of paper feed control that can selectively feed paper in such a manner as to be able to reduce the first copy time as much as possible when there is more than one paper tray that holds the same size paper. The apparatus includes an image forming section, two or more paper accommodating sections, a paper feed means provided for each of the paper accommodating sections, and a paper feed control section for performing paper feed control so as to reduce the first copy time. The paper accommodating sections include a first paper accommodating section whose paper transport time to the image forming section is shorter and a second paper accommodating section whose paper transport time to the image forming section is longer. Paper feed control is performed so that the paper consumption in the first paper accommodating section whose paper transport time to the image forming section is shorter is reduced, thereby increasing the opportunity of being able to shorten the first copy time.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2001Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shigeki Hayashi, Toyoaki Nanba
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Publication number: 20020118975Abstract: To cope with a situation that kinds of recording sheets capable of being discharged by a discharger are limited, in an image forming apparatus which has plural discharge trays, the kind of recording sheet is first discriminated, it is judged whether or not the recording sheet of the discriminated kind can be discharged to the discharge tray to which recording sheets should be discharged, feeding of the recording sheet is controlled based on the judged result, and the contents of the controlling are displayed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2002Publication date: August 29, 2002Applicant: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hidehiko Asai
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Patent number: 6438351Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of sheet feed units each for feeding a sheet, a single pair of registration rollers provided at the upstream side of the image formation site where an image is formed on the sheet with respect to the direction of sheet conveyance, for conveying the sheet in accordance with the timing of forming the image on the sheet, and a plurality pair of loop forming rollers provided in correspondence with the plurality of sheet feed units respectively at the upstream side of the pair of registration rollers with respect to the direction of sheet conveyance. Each of the plurality pair of loop forming rollers is controlled in a manner such that a loop is formed between each of the plurality pair of loop forming rollers and the pair of registration rollers.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2000Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: Konica CorporationInventors: Kunihiro Kawachi, Kyoichi Mizuno
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Publication number: 20020051666Abstract: An image forming apparatus that forms images of originals on sheets, and includes a plurality of feeders for feeding sheets, a memory for storing sheet types in association with said plurality of feeders, and storing the order of priority between the sheet types, and a selector for selecting one of the plurality of feeders to be used for a sheet feeding operation in accordance with the sheet types and the order of priority stored in the memory.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2001Publication date: May 2, 2002Inventors: Hidehiko Asai, Yasushi Shimizu, Kazuhiro Kasai
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Publication number: 20020044809Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of paper feed control that can selectively feed paper in such a manner as to be able to reduce the first copy time as much as possible when there is more than one paper tray that holds the same size paper. The apparatus comprises an image forming section, a plurality of paper accommodating sections, a paper feed means provided for each of the paper accommodating sections, and a paper feed control section for performing paper feed control so as to reduce the first copy time. The plurality of paper accommodating sections include a first paper accommodating section whose paper transport time to the image forming section is shorter and a second paper accommodating section whose paper transport time to the image forming section is longer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2001Publication date: April 18, 2002Inventors: Shigeki Hayashi, Toyoaki Nanba
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Publication number: 20020041781Abstract: The color image formation apparatus of the invention comprises: the image formation unit that is placed diagonally in relation to the vertical direction; the largest paper-feed tray that is placed below the image formation unit and feeds paper to the image formation sections of the image formation unit; and the small-size paper-feed tray, placed below the image formation unit and above the largest paper-feed tray, which feeds paper to the image formation sections of the image formation unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2001Publication date: April 11, 2002Inventors: Motokazu Yasui, Hiroyasu Shijo, Masumi Sato, Tomotoshi Nakahara
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Patent number: 6356719Abstract: An image forming device is a digital composite machine which provides a plurality of image input modes in which image information is inputted in different forms, respectively. The image forming device is provided with (1) feed devices for supplying a plurality of types of recording materials, (2) a display device for displaying information regarding recording materials which are ready to be fed from the feed devices, (3) mode keys for selecting one from among the plurality of image input modes, (4) selecting keys for selecting one recording material on which image information is to be recorded, from among the recording materials displayed by the display device, (5) a recording section for recording image information inputted in the mode selected through the mode keys, onto the recording material selected through the selecting keys, and (6) a CPU for determining information regarding the recording materials to be displayed by the display section, depending on the mode selected.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 1999Date of Patent: March 12, 2002Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Syoichiro Yoshiura
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Patent number: 6308027Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a common sheet processing station with a sheet supply unit, at least one image forming unit which is detachably arranged with the common sheet processing station. The image forming unit forms images on a sheet carried from the common sheet processing station via a sheet carrying path. Many different image forming units may be utilized with the common sheet processing station.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2000Date of Patent: October 23, 2001Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Makoto Obu, Shigeharu Uda
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Patent number: 6304732Abstract: A stock library contains objects that encapsulate attributes of respective stocks that may be used in an image reproducing apparatus. The objects may include visual representations, such as icons, for representing the stocks. A stock library window may display the icons and selected attributes of the stocks to provide a visual catalog of the stocks that are available to an operator. The visual representations may be dragged and dropped to program paper trays, select stocks for print jobs and provide other behavior.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1999Date of Patent: October 16, 2001Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Thomas Arthur Myers, Jonathan A. Dorsey, Richard M. Hraber, Kenneth C. Favata
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Patent number: 6285844Abstract: In addition to a parameter commonly used for all printing jobs, a parameter used for each printing job is also set at the performing of the print job. During the performing of the print job, when no available sheet is left, a switching is effected to another sheet supplying tray on the basis of the commonly used parameter and parameter for each printing job. By doing so it is possible to, during the performing of the print job, prevent a switching to a sheet supply tray in which a sheet not wanted by the user is held.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2000Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masato Kuga
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Publication number: 20010009615Abstract: The present invention concerns an image forming apparatus, wherein workability in forming images on recording materials in various types and sizes has been improved. The image forming apparatus includes a storing member for storing recording materials having an arbitrary size; a first input device for inputting size information corresponding to the arbitrary size of the recording materials; and a controller for controlling an image forming operation according to the size information inputted by the first input device. The size information includes regular size information and non-regular size information.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2000Publication date: July 26, 2001Inventors: Jun Yokobori, Junji Sato, Hiroki Ueda, Minoru Asakawa, Takaaki Sakai, Akio Ueda, Chikatsu Suzuki
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Publication number: 20010007618Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of sheet feed units each for feeding a sheet, a single pair of registration rollers provided at the upstream side of the image formation site where an image is formed on the sheet with respect to the direction of sheet conveyance, for conveying the sheet in accordance with the timing of forming the image on the sheet, and a plurality pair of loop forming rollers provided in correspondence with the plurality of sheet feed units respectively at the upstream side of the pair of registration rollers with respect to the direction of sheet conveyance. Each of the plurality pair of loop forming rollers is controlled in a manner such that a loop is formed between each of the plurality pair of loop forming rollers and the pair of registration rollers.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2000Publication date: July 12, 2001Inventors: Kunihiro Kawachi, Kyoichi Mizuno
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Patent number: 6249666Abstract: A print medium is fed through a printer along a print path that can include one or more devices and a print engine. A plurality of path identifiers are used to identify the different print paths through the printer. According to one embodiment of the invention, a path identifier defines a print path from an input device through the print engine and possibly through an output device. According to another embodiment of the invention, path identifiers are separated into input paths and output paths. An input path identifier defines a print path from an input device to the print engine, while an output path identifier defines a print path from the print engine to an output device.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1999Date of Patent: June 19, 2001Assignee: Hewlett-Packard CompanyInventors: Lawrence Bert Newell, Jr., Ricardo Osuna Leyva, Carlos F. Becerra Jimenez, Gary G. Stringham
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Patent number: 6208831Abstract: A mounting device for an image forming apparatus comprises a mounting rack for mounting an image forming apparatus for forming an image at a predetermined speed, a feeding section provided within the mounting rack for feeding a medium into the image forming apparatus, and a changing section for changing a medium feeding speed of the feeding section in accordance with an image forming speed of the image forming apparatus. The changing section comprises a movable gear having coaxially-arranged large and small gear portions different in the number of teeth and rotating upon receipt of driving force, and first and second power transmitting sections for transmitting power to the feeding section when the large and small gear portions are selectively connected by shifting the movable gear, to thereby drive the feeding means at a different speed.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2000Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Toshiaki Amano
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Patent number: 6185406Abstract: When the front and rear side (the first and second side) image data to be formed on both sides of the first paper and the front side data to be formed on one side (the first side) of the second paper are input in this sequence, the first paper is fed from a paper feed portion to an imaging portion, and is imaged on its first side with the image data and then is stored into the first intermediate tray. While the first paper is being stored into the first intermediate tray, the second sheet is fed from the paper feed portion to the imaging portion and formed on its first side with the image of the image data, and then is discharged to the paper output portion. While the second sheet is being discharged to the paper output portion, the first sheet is fed from the first intermediate tray to the imaging portion and formed on its second side with the image of the image data and then is discharged to the paper output portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 1999Date of Patent: February 6, 2001Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Naofumi Ueda
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Patent number: 6179281Abstract: In order to control the ejection of sheets from input compartments in a paper output device belonging to a printing or photocopying system, verification occurs as to whether a previously processed sheet has been removed as soon as it has been established that at least one input compartment is almost empty. Ejection of the sheet immediately following according to the order of processing occurs thereafter. These steps are repeated until the input compartment is empty. The printing operation is then stopped.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Oc{acute over (e)} Printing Systems GmbHInventors: Stephan Pilsl, Bernward Heller, Gerhard Oberhoffner
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Patent number: 6169863Abstract: In a structure that setting for a second job is possible even if a first job is being executed, if the first job is the job which uses a manual sheet feed unit, a sheet selection key is handled on a second job setting screen to display a manual feed key with shading or halftone dots on a sheet setting screen. Thus, it is inhibited from selecting the manual sheet feed unit, whereby it is inhibited from changing sheet size setting of the manual sheet feed unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1999Date of Patent: January 2, 2001Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshihito Osari, Masahiro Serizawa
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Patent number: 6152561Abstract: A recording apparatus has a recording unit for recording, in response to image information, an image on a sheet conveyed through a common convey path, a first sheet support disposed at an upper part of a main body of the recording apparatus to obliquely support stacked sheets, a first automatic supply unit for automatically supplying the sheet supported by the first sheet support, a second sheet support disposed at a lower part of the main body of the recording apparatus to support stacked sheets horizontally, a second automatic supply unit for automatically supplying the sheet supported by the second sheet support, a first sheet supply path for conveying the sheet supplied from the first automatic supply unit sloped downwardly toward the common convey path, a second sheet supply path for surface reversing the sheet supplied from the second automatic supply unit and conveying the sheet toward the common convey path, and a third sheet supply path disposed between the first and second sheet supply paths.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1997Date of Patent: November 28, 2000Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hiroshi Watanabe
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Patent number: 6148172Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with a plurality of storing units for storing respective recording materials of various sizes; a plurality of feeding members for feeding out the recording materials from each of the storing units; a conveyance path along which the recording materials being fed out by each of the feeding members are conveyed; a plurality of conveying members for conveying the recording materials along the conveyance path; an image forming section for forming an image on the recording materials conveyed along the conveyance path; and a plurality of first regulators provided at respective predetermined positions with respect to corresponding ones of each of the storing units for regulating at least a maximum size of the various sizes of the recording materials while at least at a part of each of the recording materials is fed out from the respective corresponding storing units.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 1999Date of Patent: November 14, 2000Assignee: Konica CorporationInventors: Takanori Kanda, Akira Kosugi, Keisuke Tanaka, Daisuke Ueda, Akitoshi Matsubara, Minoru Asakawa, Jun Yokobori, Chikatsu Suzuki, Takaaki Sakai, Junji Sato, Yoshinao Kitahara
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Patent number: 5995779Abstract: An image forming apparatus such as a copying machine which is capable of multi print job is disclosed, the image forming apparatus stores identification information of the recording sheet tray selected by a selection means for each registered print job in memory for each print job. When a recording sheet tray for a new print job is selected, selection of the recording sheet tray for the registered print job stored in memory is inhibited or a notice will be issued. Thereby, the recording sheet tray selected for the preceding print job will not be selected for the subsequent print job.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 1999Date of Patent: November 30, 1999Assignee: Minolta Co., LTD.Inventors: Junko Natsume, Hiroshi Sumiyama, Kazuo Inui
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Patent number: 5991556Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1998Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hiroshi Yamashita
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Patent number: 5978643Abstract: An electrophotographic apparatus is provided with suppressed or eliminated electrostatic fatigue and physical wearing-off of a photoconductive element and drive system layout, and is further provided with resultant reduced running cost which is realized by minimum rotation of a photoconductive element and minimum applying time of an impressive charger for each image forming procedure. The electrophotographic apparatus is provided with optional feeders in addition to a main feeder, and a detecting device is provided at a position capable of detecting a tip end position of a recording sheet at an upper stream of a transfer process, from any of the main sheet feeder or the optional sheet feeders, in which a photoconductive element motor or charge applying process is started in accordance with an output of the recording sheet detecting device.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 1997Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Mugijirou Uno
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Patent number: 5963755Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1996Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shigeru Ueda, Junichi Kimizuka, Satoshi Nagata, Akihiro Nakamura, Yuichi Higuchi, Satoshi Egawa, Yoichi Toyokura, Shinichiro Maekawa, Yutaka Tokura
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Patent number: 5909607Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly including an image forming station, a conveying unit for conveying a recording material on which the image forming station forms an image, the conveying unit including a recording material inlet, recording material feeding device and a recording material discharging outlet, and being supported on the main assembly for movement toward and away from the main assembly. The image forming station is at least partly disposed adjacent the conveying unit and is exposed when the conveying unit is moved away from the main assembly. When mounted to the main assembly, the convening unit constitutes a passage for conveying the recording material substantially in a vertical direction through the image forming station, and the conveying unit is separable, substantially along the conveying passage, from the main assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 1997Date of Patent: June 1, 1999Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yutaka Kikuchi, Masanobu Kanoto
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Patent number: 5899613Abstract: The present invention provides an image recording apparatus with an image recording unit for recording an image on a recording medium, a first conveyor for conveying the recording medium to an image recording portion of the image recording unit while bending the recording medium along a drive convey roller by means of the drive convey roller, and a second conveyor for conveying an elongated recording medium having a plurality of pin holes to the first conveyor. A guide capable of changing a contact area between the recording medium and the drive convey roller at a curved portion of the recording medium along the drive convey roller is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 1997Date of Patent: May 4, 1999Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasushi Koike, Yoji Ara, Jun Katayanagi, Masaaki Kakizaki, Nozomu Nishiberi, Seiji Ogasawara
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Patent number: 5895142Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a first sheet feeding device for storing therein recording sheets; a second sheet feeding device for storing therein the same sized recording sheets as those stored in the first sheet feeding device in a direction perpendicular to the recording sheets stored in the first sheet feeding device; an image processing device capable of processing an image of a document under a condition that an image data thereof is rotated by 90.degree.; an image forming device for forming an image on a recording sheet based on the image data processed by the image processing device; and a controller for detecting whether or not a sorting device for sorting the recording sheet is connected or operative.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 1998Date of Patent: April 20, 1999Assignee: Konica CorporationInventors: Atsushi Takahashi, Utami Soma, Kazumichi Yamauchi, Ryuji Okutomi
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Patent number: 5884132Abstract: A copier has a plurality of paper trays for holding paper, and a housing having a front surface as cabinetry with shape-based indicators. The front surface includes a plurality of access panels adjacent to the paper trays, with each access panel allowing access to a respective paper tray, and each access panel has a curved exposed surface extending from the front surface. Each access panel includes a flat exposed surface extending from the respective access panel and having output indicators for indicating status conditions of a set of copying components.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1997Date of Patent: March 16, 1999Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: David R. Gotham, Kevin C. Koek, Timothy J. White, Robert Gerenski
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Patent number: 5875383Abstract: A plural mode printing system utilizing a cut sheet print engine for printing conventional cut sheet print substrates, in which page print images are generated and transferred to the cut sheets at an image transfer station. This plural mode printing system selectively provides printing onto either the cut sheets or onto an uncut continuous web printing substrate, in the same cut sheet print engine. An independently moveable continuous web printing substrate supply module is selectively operatively docked with the cut sheet print engine. That web printing module has a web feeding and image transfer assistance system for feeding the continuous web uncut into the cut sheet printing engine for transferring the page print images onto the web instead of onto cut sheets when the print engine is operatively docked with the web printing substrate module. The web printing module does not itself need to print.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1997Date of Patent: February 23, 1999Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventor: Denis J. Stemmle
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Patent number: 5842083Abstract: An electrostatic copying machine made up of an image-forming unit including a rotary drum having an exposure zone and a transfer zone, an optical system for projecting the image of the document to be copied onto the exposure zone, a copying paper-feeding system including a paper-feeding cassette that can be freely drawn to the front surface of the body of the copying machine, and a copying paper conveying passage for conveying a copying paper fed from the copying paper-feeding means through the transfer zone. A fixing device and a pair of paper-discharging rollers are disposed on the downstream side of the transfer zone. The paper-feeding cassette, image-forming unit, fixing device and the pair of paper-discharging rollers are successively arranged from one side toward the other side in the body of the copying machine within the maximum exposure scanning length of the optical system, and the copying paper conveying passage is arranged substantially linearly.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 1997Date of Patent: November 24, 1998Assignee: Mita Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kiyoaki Miyamoto, Kenichi Tanabe, Tadakazu Ogiri
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Patent number: 5826156Abstract: The size of a paper put in a tray for manual insertion is decided according to detectors provided in the tray. When detection precision of the paper size is not so high to determine paper size, it is instructed to specify a paper size manually. In another example, a paper size selection picture including a plurality of paper sizes is displayed in a touch panel for assisting an operator to select paper size manually. Thus, paper size for the tray can be specified manually, and erroneous copying can be prevented. In situations where paper size is not needed to update, paper size selection is not instructed.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 1997Date of Patent: October 20, 1998Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventors: Junko Natsume, Kazuhiro Araki
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Patent number: 5820067Abstract: An image-forming apparatus comprising a process unit above a feed unit. The feed unit receives material which can selectively be fed from rolls of receiving material rotatably placed in drawers in the feed unit. A channel is formed on a panelling part of the feed unit at a working height for a standing operator. It is possible to place a roll of receiving material provided with a hollow core in the channel in order to introduce a spindle into the roll core. After the fitting of the spindle into the core, the operator can, without moving his position, place the roll of receiving material in an open drawer on bearing blocks disposed therein.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 1997Date of Patent: October 13, 1998Assignee: OCE-Nederland B.V.Inventors: Wilhelmus Hendrikus Maria Orbons, Marcel Pierre Joseph Marie Teheux
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Patent number: 5797080Abstract: A copying machine allowing high copying efficiency and reliability by feeding recording sheets from any of a plurality of recording sheet storage regions to an image transfer region at a constant timing. Recording sheets stored in a cassette are fed one by one to a conveyance path by a sheet feed roller. The recording sheets P retained in an intermediate tray are fed one by one to a conveyance path by a sheet feed roller. The timings at which the sheet feed rollers, which are first drive rollers, are driven are controlled in such a way that a register roller, which is a second drive roller, can be driven at a constant cycle time with respect to a plurality of recording sheets fed from the conveyance path. Even when the cassette and the tray are switched over, the register roller is driven always at a constant cycle time. Thus, the image forming operation can be executed by feeding recording sheets in synchronization with the image-reading timing.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 1997Date of Patent: August 18, 1998Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yuji Okamoto
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Patent number: 5758249Abstract: Two stacked paper trays (43, 45) are connected electrically by cable (53) and are physically combined, as by bolts. The combined unit has a single microprocessor (49). The paper trays communicate status, such as paper size and paper amount to the microprocessor. The microprocessor reports upon interrogation from a control processor (61) of a printer (7) that it is a multiple tray unit and reports the status for each unit. This avoids the use of a microprocessor with each tray.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 1997Date of Patent: May 26, 1998Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Todd Alan Dutton, Armando Villarreal Flores
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Patent number: 5734958Abstract: An image formation apparatus for transferring an image of an original document to a copy paper sheet. Original documents are placed in an original document tray and copy paper sheets are stored in a paper tray. The original document tray has a tray sensor for sensing the original document placed on the original document tray. Upon transferring the original documents to an image scanning apparatus, a regi-sensor measures the length of the original document when the original document is transported to the scanning apparatus. A value corresponding to a transport distance is stored until the original document leaves the tray sensor based on the length of the original document. The tray sensor can sense when the original document is transported more than the transport distance corresponding to the value stored. Paper is fed out of the copy paper sheet tray to the image transfer apparatus when the controller senses the original document.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 1996Date of Patent: March 31, 1998Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroatsu Kazama, Akira Kurimoto
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Patent number: 5732321Abstract: A sheet feeder has a feed cassette containing sheets to be supplied to an image forming unit in an image recording apparatus and able to be drawn out of the apparatus through a front portion of the apparatus, and another feed cassette able to be drawn out of the apparatus through a side portion. The feed cassette that can be drawn out through the side portion has a portion projecting outward from the side portion of the apparatus and located below a discharge tray for receiving sheets on which images are formed and which are discharged. This feed cassette can contain sheets having a size larger than the maximum size of recording sheets containable in the feed cassette drawn out through the front portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1996Date of Patent: March 24, 1998Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Haruo Ishizuka, Yasushi Ishida
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Patent number: 5717981Abstract: In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus having a toner image forming device, an image transfer device includes an image transfer roller for transferring the toner image to a sheet in an image transferring operation. At least two sheet feeding devices feed and convey a sheet to the image transfer device, at least one of the feeding devices having a sheet width sensor. A power supply applies a bias to the image transfer device and a control device controls the application of the bias so as to remove toner on said image transfer roller between image transferring operations. The control device applies the bias for a predetermined time, or with a predetermined voltage, when it has received a signal indicative of a width of the sheet conveyed to the image transfer device and applies the bias for a longer time, or with a higher voltage, when it has not received a signal indicative of a width of the sheet conveyed to the image transfer device.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1996Date of Patent: February 10, 1998Assignee: Ricoh Company Ltd.Inventor: Tetsuo Yamanaka
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Patent number: 5669058Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit for optically scanning a document to accomplish an image formation, a first paper supply port for accommodating a batch of OHP sheets, a second paper supply port for accommodating a batch of copying papers. A first selector is used to set an OHP copy mode as one operation relative to one document during which, after a copy paper supplied from the second paper supply port has been discharged, an OHP sheet is supplied from the first paper supply port and is, after an image has been formed thereon by the image forming unit, discharged. A second selector is operable to set a multi-copy mode in which using the copy papers accommodated in the second paper supply port a multiple copy is carried out, and a third selector is operable to set a copying condition.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1996Date of Patent: September 16, 1997Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hiroyasu Ito
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Patent number: 5666595Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an apparatus body and an optional cassette feeder unit which is detachably mounted on the apparatus body. The optional cassette feeder unit stores sheets and feeds sheets to the image forming section of the body. The image forming apparatus is provided with locking sections which engage with leg sections provided at the lower surface of the apparatus body in order to connect the body to the optional cassette feeder unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 1995Date of Patent: September 9, 1997Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takao Sameshima, Yutaka Kikuchi, Kazuaki Takahashi
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Patent number: 5621541Abstract: An image forming apparatus having functions of a scanner, a printer, and a facsimile includes a rectangular recording sheet, a first sheet cassette to enclose the recording sheet in a first direction, a second sheet cassette to enclose the recording sheet in a second direction different from the first direction by 90.degree., an input unit to input first and second image data in the first direction, a rotating unit to rotate the second image data from the input unit in the second direction, an image forming unit to form an image based on the first image data from the input unit or the second image data from the rotating unit onto the recording sheet fed from the first or second sheet cassette, and a feeder for feeding the recording sheet in the first sheet cassette to the image forming unit when the input unit inputs the first image data and for feeding the recording sheet in the second sheet cassette to the image forming unit when the input unit inputs the second image data.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 1995Date of Patent: April 15, 1997Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masanori Sakai, Kunio Yoshihara, Yoshinobu Aiba, Hiroshi Ohmura, Hideto Kohtani, Eiji Sakaguchi, Takehito Utsunomiya, Makoto Kikugawa