Having Binding Patents (Class 399/408)
  • Patent number: 11724904
    Abstract: A medium-transporting device includes: a medium-support section that has a first mounting surface inclined relative to a horizontal plane; a transport path for transporting a medium; a discharge stacker that is configured to switch between an extended state in which a second mounting surface that is inclined relative to the horizontal plane and that receives the medium discharged along the transport path is formed and a stored state in which the second mounting surface is stored in the medium-transporting device, a control section is configured to perform first control of switching the discharge stacker from the extended state to the stored state after the medium is discharged to the second mounting surface and second control of not switching the discharge stacker from the extended state to the stored state such that the medium remains mounted on the second mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yuhei Hamada, Tokujiro Okuno, Noriyuki Koyanagi
  • Patent number: 11602941
    Abstract: A printing device includes: a casing; a first accommodating unit accommodating therein a printing medium; an image recording unit; a cutting unit; a supporting unit; a second accommodating unit; a first conveying passage; and a second conveying passage branching from the first conveying passage. The image recording unit is configured to record an image on the printing medium. The cutting unit is configured to divide the printing medium into a first medium and a second medium. The supporting unit is configured to support the printing medium conveyed in a first direction. The printing medium accommodated in the first accommodating unit is conveyed to the supporting unit along the first conveying passage. The second accommodating unit is positioned upstream of the image recording unit in the first direction and configured to accommodate therein the second medium. The second medium is conveyed to the second accommodating unit along the second conveying passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takuya Tsuji
  • Patent number: 11409221
    Abstract: An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus, a cutting apparatus, and a controller. The cutting apparatus includes a conveyance path, a first cutting unit configured to cut, at a cutting position with respect to a conveyance direction of the sheet on the conveyance path, the sheet in a width direction perpendicularly intersecting with the conveyance direction, and a second cutting unit configured to cut, at a cutting position with respect to the width direction, the sheet in the conveyance direction. The controller is configured to control the cutting apparatus such that, in a case where the sheet is cut neither with the first cutting unit nor with the second cutting unit, the sheet is conveyed through the conveyance path with the first cutting unit and the second cutting unit retreated not to contact with the sheet passing through the conveyance path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Takada, Tadashi Iwakawa, Rin Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 10761469
    Abstract: Even when a binding process for binding a plurality of sheets without using a staple is performed after performing printing on both faces of the sheets, the binding process can be performed so that the bound sheets are not easily separated. A control method for controlling a printing apparatus, comprises: performing a binding process for binding, without using a staple, a sheet on which an image is printed based on image data; specifying an area where the binding process is to be performed, the area being included in the image data; deleting image data of the specified area; and printing the image on the sheet based on the image data on which deleting is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takao Ikuno
  • Patent number: 10386773
    Abstract: A binding apparatus includes a first pressing member including a base part and multiple projections projecting from the base part, the first pressing member presses a recording media stack from one side; and a second pressing member including a base part and multiple projections projecting from the base part, the second pressing member facing the first pressing member and pressing the recording media stack from the other side. At least one of the first and second pressing members has at least one lower projection whose apex in a projecting direction closer to the base part than the apexes of the other projections are, and the lower projection is provided in the first or second pressing member that has more projections than the other, or more lower projections are provided in the first or second pressing member that has more projections than the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya Makita, Hiroaki Awano, Toshiyasu Yukawa, Kojiro Tsutsumi, Katsumi Harada, Takashi Ogino
  • Patent number: 10191695
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus that is capable of obtaining a booklet of a correct opening direction. A reading unit reads a spread of an original and generates image data of a plurality of pages. A first receiving unit receives an opening direction of the original from a user as a setting about reading of the original. A storage unit stores the image data of the plurality of pages in association with information showing the opening direction that the first receiving unit receives. A second receiving unit receives an opening direction of printed matter from the user as a setting about printing of the image data stored in the storage unit. An indication unit indicates the opening direction that the information stored in the storage shows to the user when the second receiving unit receives the opening direction of the printed matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10156824
    Abstract: A binding device includes a first pressing member that presses a recording-medium stack from one surface side of the recording-medium stack, a second pressing member disposed at a position opposed to the first pressing member to press the recording-medium stack from the other surface side of the recording-medium stack, and a reduction part provided in at least one pressing member of the first pressing member and the second pressing member to reduce creases in recording media of the recording-medium stack when an end portion of the at least one pressing member is pressed against the recording-medium stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya Makita, Hiroaki Awano, Kojiro Tsutsumi, Katsumi Harada, Toshiyasu Yukawa, Takashi Ogino
  • Patent number: 9731928
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus performs a binding process for binding a plurality of sheets. When a binding unit configured to bind sheets without using a staple performs the binding process, the image processing apparatus adds a mark for identifying a position where the binding process is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nobuaki Miyahara
  • Patent number: 9377978
    Abstract: A control method for controlling an image processing apparatus, includes causing a sheet processing apparatus to execute a sheet processing of a sheet to be printed by execution of a first print job stored in a storage unit configured to store a plurality of print jobs each of which has received an execution request, controlling a power supply required for the sheet processing to be executed by the sheet processing apparatus, determining whether a second print job in which the sheet processing is executed by the sheet processing apparatus is stored in the storage unit when the sheet processing of the sheet to be printed by the execution of the first print job is executed by the sheet processing apparatus, maintaining the power supply required for the sheet processing by the sheet processing apparatus when the determining step determines that the second print job is stored in the storage unit, and restricting the power supply required for the sheet processing by the sheet processing apparatus when the determin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuuki Maeda
  • Patent number: 9278825
    Abstract: Provided is a post-processing device including a stacking member on which recording materials sequentially transported are stacked, a pair of discharge sections that nips and transports the recording material stacked on the stacking member, an accommodation section in which the recording materials are stacked and accommodated, and a moving member that moves between a contact position where the moving member comes into contact with the recording material stacked on the stacking member and a non-contact position where the moving member does not come into contact with the recording material, wherein when the recording material is transported to the stacking member, the recording material is supported from a rear surface at the contact position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya Ishikawa, Masatoshi Kimura
  • Patent number: 9158261
    Abstract: A toner image is formed on a sheet based on image data by an image forming portion, and a plurality of sheets on which the toner image is formed is bound together by a stapleless binding unit including a pair of tooth-like members, each having a concave and convex portion. Then, the image data is corrected by a correction portion so that a ratio of toner within a part of the sheet to be subjected to binding processing by the stapleless binding unit is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideto Abe, Yusuke Obuchi
  • Patent number: 9050846
    Abstract: A finisher is to receive output. The finisher includes a plurality of destinations in which to store the output. A controller is to identify an operational history of the plurality of destinations, and direct the output to the plurality of destinations based on the operational history.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Richard W. Riper, Jessica M. Jemmott, Anthony D. Studer, Patrick J. Coven
  • Patent number: 9020413
    Abstract: In a printing apparatus, a method of controlling the same, and an information processing apparatus, a job for printing front cover image data, main body image data, and back cover image data is received. In the case where the received job is designated to bound printed sheets using rings, the image data is arranged into the printing order of main body image data, front cover image data, and back cover image data or the printing order of back cover image data, front cover image data, and main body image data, after which printing is executed based on the image data in the arranged printing order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shunsuke Iguchi
  • Patent number: 9008568
    Abstract: In a sheet storing apparatus of the present invention, a tailing end supporting member which temporarily supports a tailing end of a dropping sheet bundle is arranged between a discharging port of a processing tray to discharge the sheet bundle and the upmost sheet on a stack tray as being movable between an operating position above a sheet placement face and a waiting position outside the stack tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignees: Riso Kagaku Corporation, Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhito Shimura, Makoto Shimizu, Akira Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 8985573
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming system including: the relay apparatus; the image forming device which is connected to the first communication control unit of the relay apparatus and which acquires the sheet interval information of the downstream post-processing device through the first communication system; and the second post-processing device which is connected to the second communication control unit of the relay apparatus, the second post-processing device being compliant with the second communication system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Konishi
  • Patent number: 8983362
    Abstract: A sheet binding apparatus which forms concavity and the convexity on a sheet bundle including a plurality of sheets in a thickness direction so as to bind the sheet bundle, the sheet binding apparatus includes: a pair of concave-convex members, each of which has concave-convex portion in the thickness direction of the sheet bundle and which forms the concavity and the convexity on the sheet bundle in the thickness direction while niping the sheet bundle therebetween; wherein in the pair of concave-convex members, one of the concave-convex members has a greater difference in height of the concave-convex portion than that of the other concave-convex member which engages with the above-described concave-convex member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Fumihiko Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8958117
    Abstract: A print control device includes a prohibition determination unit, when a first sheet size of a sheet stored in a printing device is different from a second sheet size designated by an operator, preventing, when determining that the second sheet size of the sheet can be generated by cutting the sheet having the first sheet size, an execution of a post process function other than cutting in the printing device; and a workflow generation unit generating a workflow including operational steps of causing a cutting device to cut the sheet having the first sheet size to obtain the sheet having the second sheet size, and causing a functional device other than the cutting device to perform the post process function on the printing output after cutting the sheet having the first sheet size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mie Watanabe, Takashi Toriumi
  • Patent number: 8934130
    Abstract: An image forming device includes an assignment unit that detects a size of a document image to be printed in each page for each one of a plurality of pages assigned to a plurality of print sheets that configure a booklet and, in a case where it is determined that a second document image larger than a first document image is present, assigns a page that includes the second document image to a face of a print sheet that is positioned on an outermost face or an innermost face of the booklet as an exception page and a print image generating unit that generates print images by sorting the plurality of pages that include the exception page assigned by the assignment unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Yoichiro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8904932
    Abstract: A bound document having a plurality of sheets is produced. Image data for a cover image is received and dividing along a sheet-edge curve into first and second image portions. The first image portion is printed on an inner cover sheet so that an alignment location is defined on the inner cover sheet corresponding to the sheet-edge curve. The inner cover sheet and the plurality of sheets are bound together. The second image portion is printed on an outer cover sheet, and is printed borderlessly with respect to a selected edge of the outer cover sheet. After the binding step, the outer cover sheet is affixed to the inner cover sheet so that the selected edge aligns with the alignment location to form the bound document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Brian J. Kwarta, Christopher J. White
  • Patent number: 8909126
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a folding unit that folds a sheet, a sheet storing unit that stores the sheet folded by the folding unit, a post-processing unit that performs a non-fold process on the sheet transported from the folding unit, a path select unit that switches the sheet destination to the sheet storing unit or the post-processing unit, and a control unit that detects whether there is a fold process command and/or a non-fold process command, and controls the path select unit according to the detecting result. The control unit controls the path select unit to switch the sheet destination to the post-processing unit when there is a non-fold process command, regardless of a fold process command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Takekawa, Yasuki Matsuura, Masanobu Kimata, Isao Yasuda
  • Patent number: 8903302
    Abstract: In a sheet collection planned to be prepared, when there exists a monochrome sheet group comprised of one or more consecutive monochrome sheets all of whose front and back sides are monochrome pages, between two color sheet groups comprised of one or more consecutive color sheets having a color page on at least one of front and back sides, an information processor determines that sheets in the monochrome sheet group and each one or each two sheets before and after the monochrome sheet group sandwiching the monochrome sheet group are saddle-stitched sheets formed by papers for saddle-stitching. The information processor determines that any sheet other than those determined to be the saddle-stitched sheets are sheets of an adhesive bound group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Morimoto
  • Patent number: 8897692
    Abstract: An image forming system includes: a ring bookbinding section which perform a ring bookbinding to a bundle of sheets by using a binder provided with a spine portion and a plurality of finger portions; and a judging section, wherein a last page is firstly fed immediately after job initiation and, subsequently after having fed the last page, image formation based on the image data is initiated, when the judging section judges that an image is not formed on the last page, and wherein all of the image data is firstly acquired completely after job initiation, subsequently the last page is fed and formed image thereon, and then image formation of remaining pages is carried out, when the judging section judges that image is formed on the last page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Tomohiro Kiriyama
  • Patent number: 8882100
    Abstract: A post-processing device includes a sheet-bundle forming unit that stacks plural sheets and forms a sheet bundle; a binding unit that forms a cut in the sheet bundle, forms a tongue in the sheet bundle by cutting part of the sheet bundle into a predetermined shape so that a first end remains uncut and continues to the sheet bundle, and binds the sheet bundle by folding the tongue and inserting a second end of the tongue into the cut; a transport unit that transports the sheet bundle; a stack unit that stacks the sheet bundle; and a position change unit that changes a position of binding processing performed on the sheet bundle so that the tongue formed in the sheet bundle stacked on the stack unit does not contact another tongue formed in another sheet bundle stacked on the stack unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroaki Awano
  • Patent number: 8849181
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit configured to form an image to be printed on a sheet; an apparatus main body including the image forming unit therein; a recessed section provided on the outer side of the apparatus main body; and a clip unit configured to clip, when the sheet is inserted into the recessed section, an end of the sheet with a paper clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideaki Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 8838014
    Abstract: A bookbinding system includes an image forming unit to form a toner image on a sheet; a fixing device to fix the toner image onto the sheet; a sheet stacker to load sheets passing through the fixing device, to create a sheet bundle, in which the sheet bundle stacked on the sheet stacker is adhered to produce a complete book; an adhesive toner image forming unit to form an adhesive toner image on an area corresponding to a spine of the complete book; and a heater to heat the unfixed adhesive toner image formed on each sheet of the sheet bundle stacked on the sheet stacker, wherein the adhesive toner image on the sheet stacked on the sheet stacker is the unfixed toner image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Natsumi Matsue, Koichi Kudo, Tetsuo Watanabe, Takashi Hashimoto, Fumihito Masubuchi
  • Publication number: 20140153992
    Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of kinds of binding process in one job. A printer control section (304) transmits, to a finisher (500), a job for equal to or larger than a total number of copies being a sum of a first number of copies for performing the binding process by using a staple and a second number of copies for performing the binding process without use of the staple. On the finisher side (500), in accordance with the job, a finisher control section (952) causes a stapler to perform a stapling process for the first number of copies and an eco-stapler to perform an eco-stapling process for the second number of copies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masahiro Serizawa
  • Patent number: 8712315
    Abstract: An image forming system includes a printing unit which prints an image on a recording sheet and a wrap bookbinding unit which performs wrap bookbinding of a batch of recording sheets including a plurality of document sheets on which images are printed by the printing unit. In the image forming system, a thickness detection unit detects a thickness of the batch of recording sheets. A wrap bookbinding control unit causes, when the detected thickness of the batch of recording sheets exceeds a thickness threshold value, the wrap bookbinding unit to perform wrap bookbinding to create two or more volumes. A relevant information printing control unit causes the printing unit to print an image of relevant information, indicating a relationship of the two or more volumes, on a cover sheet used to wrap each volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Endoh, Tadashi Nagata
  • Patent number: 8693017
    Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus capable of realizing a trial printing function that minimizes unnecessary consumption of time and supplies. Images that are inputted are accumulated in a memory. An output mode is set and a setting is made as to whether trial printing is to be carried out in the output mode or not. A CPU provides control to read out a corresponding image from the memory according to the set output mode and form the readout image on a sheet. When it is determined that the trial printing is to be carried out during image formation according to the set output mode, the CPU provides control to set the number of trial print pages according to predetermined conditions and carry out the trial printing for the set number of trial print pages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keiju Kuboki
  • Publication number: 20140030000
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus that forms unevenness on a sheet bundle including a plurality of sheets to bind the sheet bundle includes: a scoring portion that scores the sheet along an edge of the sheet bundle apart from the edge of the sheet bundle at a predetermined interval; and a binding portion that forms an unevenness between the edge of the sheet bundle and the score formed on the sheet bundle by the scoring portion while the sheet bundle is nipped between a pair of tooth-like members, each of which has a concavo-convex portion that meshes with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Yohei Gamo, Hideto Abe, Toshiyuki Iwata, Rikiya Takemasa, Akito Sekigawa
  • Patent number: 8630576
    Abstract: An image forming system comprises: an image forming apparatus and a post processing apparatus that performs a post process on sheets each carrying thereon an image printed by the image forming apparatus. In the image forming system, a sheet feeder feeds sheets of a job to be post-processed to a post processing position; a timing judger judges which is before/after, the first timing to finish feeding the last sheet of the job to the post processing position, or the second timing to finish making preparation for a post process; a delaying time calculator calculates a post process execution delaying time that is a time difference between the first timing and the second timing; and a sheet feed controller controls sheet feed timing of the top sheet of a following job by using the calculated post process execution delaying time, if the second timing is after the first timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuhide Kokura, Yasuomi Mitsui, Takashi Noda
  • Publication number: 20140003852
    Abstract: A toner image is formed on a sheet based on image data by an image forming portion, and a plurality of sheets on which the toner image is formed is bound together by a stapleless binding unit including a pair of tooth-like members, each having a concave and convex portion. Then, the image data is corrected by a correction portion so that a ratio of toner within a part of the sheet to be subjected to binding processing by the stapleless binding unit is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Hideto Abe, Yusuke Obuchi
  • Patent number: 8616541
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus that can process a folded sheet bundle, comprising: deforming processing means configured to perform deforming processing by deforming a folded spinal portion of the folded sheet bundle to form a substantially flat portion along the folded spinal portion; and cutting means configured to cut an edge portion, opposite to the folded spinal portion, of the folded sheet bundle, wherein the distance from the folded spinal portion of a folded sheet bundle to a position to be cut by the cutting means is shorter for a folded sheet bundle A having a particular thickness and having been subjected to the deforming processing than the distance from the folded spinal portion of the folded sheet bundle to a position to be cut by the cutting means for a folded sheet bundle B not subjected to the deforming processing but having the same thickness as folded sheet bundle A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenichi Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20130343796
    Abstract: A punching processing apparatus includes: a punching scrap collection member that is disposed at a position where punching scraps produced after punching a sheet drop; a punching scrap housing unit that is disposed in the punching scrap collection member and movable in a horizontal direction; a registration detection unit that is movable in a width direction of the sheet for detecting a positional deviation amount of the sheet in the width direction when a position of the sheet in the width direction is adjusted so as to meet a punching position, wherein punching scraps accumulated in the punching scrap housing unit are shaken and flattened out by causing the punching scrap housing unit to move in the horizontal direction in coordination with the movement of the registration detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventor: Michihiro HOTTA
  • Patent number: 8556563
    Abstract: An adhesive applicator is disclosed for the application of a hot melt adhesive to the spine of a book block so as to adhesively bind the book block to its respective cover so as to form a perfect bound book. The applicator has a heated head in which a small quantity of a hot melt adhesive sufficient to bind at least one book block to its cover is quickly heated to a temperature such that it may be applied to the spine. The head is brought into operative engagement with the spine and is moved with respect to the spine so that the melted adhesive forced (dispensed) out of the head onto the spine. This applicator is particularly well suited for use with print on demand book printing and binding apparatus. A method of applying the adhesive to the spine of a book block is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Perfect Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Marsh
  • Patent number: 8554128
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus which is capable of improving operability while suppressing an increase in apparatus size. In a front cover insertion mode, an insertion sheet for a front cover is inserted into a bundle of sheets on which images have been formed, and in a rear cover insertion mode, an insertion sheet for a rear cover is inserted into the bundle of sheets. Insertion sheets for the front cover and insertion sheets for the rear cover are set with the same orientation in a manual feed tray 105. An insertion sheet for the front cover stored in the manual feed tray 105 is conveyed to a finisher 500 in one of a face-down state and a face-up state. An insertion sheet for the rear cover stored in the manual feed tray 105 is conveyed to the finisher 500 in the other of the face-down state and the face-up state. The insertion sheets for the front cover and for the rear cover conveyed from the manual feed tray 105 and the sheets on which images have been formed are stacked on the finisher 500.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuo Fukatsu, Norifumi Miyake, Takayuki Fujii, Tsuyoshi Moriyama, Takako Hanada, Kuniyasu Kimura, Toshiyuki Miyake
  • Patent number: 8515333
    Abstract: A notch forming device, comprises a notch forming section to form a notch on an edge of a sheet constituting a sheet bundle to be outputted in accordance with an execution of a job; a shifting section to shift a position of a notch to be formed on a sheet by the notch forming section; and a control section to control the shifting section. When plural sheet bundles are outputted in accordance with the execution of the job, the control section controls the shifting section to make a position of a notch on a leading sheet of each sheet bundle at the same position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Tomoya Motoyoshi
  • Patent number: 8446629
    Abstract: There is described an image forming apparatus, which makes it possible to prevent a final print product from getting its appearance worse due to such a drawback that a reference mark still remains on the final print product. The apparatus includes: a setting section to make the display section display a setting screen for inputting setting information therefrom, the setting information being in regard to a post-processing use page including a reference mark to be used for post processing; an image processing section to create image data representing a second image of the post-processing use page, based on the setting information inputted from the setting screen; and a print processing section to print the first images of the pages included in the document and the second image of the post-processing use page onto first paper sheets and a second paper sheet being separate from the first paper sheets, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Takei Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 8442422
    Abstract: Bookbinding unit that in binding an inner-leave sheet bundle together with a cover enables accurate binding of the cover onto the bundle's spine and meanwhile forms folding scores in the cover flaps. Furnished with: a stacking tray unit; a process path for sequentially transporting bundles from the tray unit into adhesive-application and cover-binding locations; an adhesive application unit, disposed in the adhesive-application location, that applies adhesive to bundles from the tray unit; a cover-supply unit that supplies covers to the cover-binding location; and a cover-binding unit, disposed in the cover-binding location, that binds sheet bundles from the adhesive-application location together with covers. The cover-binding unit has a shoulder-pressing unit that forms spine creases in the spine portion of the covers, and a flap-pressing unit that forms folds in the spine-creased sides of the covers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Katsumasa Takagi, Hiroyuki Sorita, Takehiro Yamakawa, Jun Kondou, Takeshi Harada
  • Patent number: 8437687
    Abstract: A booklet is produced including an outer sheet and an inner sheet folded and nested together. A print image having a thickness is printed where it is between the two sheets when they nest together. A cut length is calculated using the thicknesses of the sheets and the thickness of the print image, so that when the sheets are folded and the inner sheet is nested into the outer sheet, the edges of the inner sheet will not protrude beyond the edges of the outer sheet. The inner sheet is cut to the calculated cut length either before or after printing. The cut inner sheet and the outer sheet are folded and nested together to produce the booklet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Arun Chowdry, Thomas N. Tombs, Brian J. Kwarta, Donald S. Rimai
  • Patent number: 8422936
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming system including: an image forming apparatus; finishing apparatuses; and a conveyance unit apparatus; wherein the image forming apparatus include: a control section to judge which of the finishing apparatuses performs finishing and to transmit a judgment result to the conveyance unit apparatus, and the conveyance unit apparatus includes: placement sections, a conveyance path, discharging sections, discharging-section switching sections among which a discharging-section switching section corresponding to a discharging section discharging the sheet is switched, and a control section which judges the discharging section as discharging the sheet based on the judgment result and which switches the discharging-section switching section so that the sheet is discharged to the judged discharging section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Tetsuo Hirata
  • Patent number: 8422937
    Abstract: There are provided a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus which can adjust adhesive strength by a simple configuration. A toner image for adhesive strength adjustment is formed on a toner image of a sheet to be bonded by an image forming portion provided in a copying machine body. An adhesive is applied onto a bonding portion of the sheet by a gluing device provided in a finisher. The bonding portion of the sheet onto which the adhesive is applied and the toner image having the toner image for adhesive strength adjustment of the sheet are bonded together by a second pushing-out member and a pair of second folding rollers provided in the finisher. The amount of toner forming the toner image for adhesive strength adjustment formed by the image forming portion is adjusted to adjust the adhesive strength of the adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Kushida, Kenichi Hayashi, Hitoshi Fujimoto, Takaharu Hayasaka, Shigeo Doi
  • Patent number: 8398353
    Abstract: A print server checks a job ticket for a print job to be processed. When a method of printing set in the printing attributes of the job ticket is case binding, a first thickness of a bookblock is calculated using the paper type set in the printing attributes. The print server calculates a second thickness of a bookblock using the paper type after a change. The print server changes the paper type set in the job ticket when the difference between the first thickness and the second thickness is within a permissible range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuo Mori
  • Patent number: 8396410
    Abstract: A bookbinding system includes an image forming apparatus and a bookbinding apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus. The bookbinding system includes an image forming unit to form an image on a recording sheet; a loading unit to load, as a bookblock stack, plural recording sheets on which images are formed; a bonding unit to form a booklet by bonding a cover with the bookblock stack; a setting unit to set a bookblock size, a cover size, and a finishing size; a cutting unit to cut the booklet bonded together with the cover into the finishing size; a stack thickness detection unit to detect a thickness of the bookblock stack; and a bookbinding permission/inhibition determination unit to determine permission/inhibition of a bookbinding operation based on a stack thickness detection result as well as the bookblock size, the cover size, and the finishing size set by the setting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Yokoya, Naoto Watanabe, Mitsuhiko Sato, Hidenori Sunada
  • Patent number: 8385809
    Abstract: A sheet cutting device includes: an interposing section that interposes a sheet bundle in which a plurality of sheets are bundled; a cutting blade section having a cutting blade that cuts a sheet bundle interposed by the interposing section; a blade receiving member that receives a cutting edge of the cutting blade in the case of cutting; and a controller that controls a stop position of the cutting blade in the case of cutting. The controller controls the cutting blade section so that an amount of movement from a standby position of the cutting blade to the stop position becomes great when the number of times of cutting operations is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Shiokawa, Hiroyuki Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 8363235
    Abstract: A document processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit, a detection unit, a specifying unit and an output unit. The acquisition unit acquires document data containing pieces of page image data corresponding to pages of documents. Each document is formed by stacking and half-folding sheets. The detection unit detects pieces of page image data corresponding to pages to be printed on a same side of a same sheet in the documents, from the page image data contained in the document data. The specifying unit specifies pieces of page image data corresponding to respective pages of each document, from the page image data contained in the document data based on a detection result. The output unit outputs data, which is based on pieces of page image data corresponding to respective pages of at least one of the documents, based on a specifying result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tokuya Kameshima
  • Patent number: 8360704
    Abstract: The present invention provides an adhesive application apparatus that forms a uniform application layer when applying an adhesive to a sheet bundle for a various a length or a width of the sheet bundle. The apparatus includes an applying operation controlling device including a reference value storing device for previously setting and storing a preset reference value of an application length and/or an application width of the sheet bundle, a size recognizing device for identifying an application length and/or an application width of the adhesive applied to the sheet bundle, and an application region comparing device for comparing an identified value of the application length and/or the application width of the adhesive applied to the sheet bundle from the size recognizing device with a preset reference value of the application length and/or the application width of the sheet bundle from the reference value storing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Shinya Sasamoto, Atsushi Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 8346156
    Abstract: A bookbinding apparatus, which is capable of being attached to an image forming apparatus, and bookbinding by adhering a cover sheet onto a spine of a sheet bundle formed by a plurality of sheets on each of which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus, the bookbinding apparatus including: a coating section for coating adhesive onto the spine of the sheet bundle; a heater for heating the adhesive; a temperature detection section for detecting temperature of the adhesive; an input section for receiving input from a user; and a heater control section for controlling the heater based on a detection result of the temperature detection section based on the input from the input section so that temperature of the adhesive becomes a predetermined control temperature, and changing a control condition of the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroki Ueda
  • Patent number: 8345330
    Abstract: In reading an image of a document in a monochromatic document reading mode, a document reading apparatus reads the image of the document while conveying the document at a speed determined according to a variable magnification ratio, executes digital variable magnification on the read multivalued image in a main scanning direction by using a main scanning direction variable magnification unit, binarizes the multivalued image, and stores the binary image on a memory. In reading an image in a color document reading mode, the document reading apparatus reads the image of the document while conveying the document at a predetermined speed, stores the read multivalued image on the memory, and executes digital variable magnification on the multivalued image in the main scanning direction and a sub scanning direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akiko Kanno, Nobuo Sekiguchi, Shigemichi Hamano, Kenji Morita, Youhei Kattou, Satoshi Seki, Akira Morisawa
  • Patent number: 8331846
    Abstract: A book binding system comprising an image forming apparatus for forming images on a sheet, a book binding apparatus having a coating section for coating adhesive onto the spine of a sheet bundle and forming a booklet by coating adhesive and binding a plurality of sheets on which images have been formed at the image forming device, and a coating control section for controlling a coating amount of the adhesives of the coating section in accordance with the sheet type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Norishige Kato
  • Patent number: 8331847
    Abstract: A bookbinding system to bind together a batch of sheets transported from an image forming apparatus. The bookbinding system includes a punch unit to form a predetermined number of ring holes in a predetermined portion along a side of the sheets to be bound one by one or in a batch, a ring-binding unit disposed downstream from the punch unit in a direction in which the sheet is transported to insert rings of a ring member into the ring holes formed on the batch of sheets by the punch unit, a ring detector disposed at a portion where the ring member is set to detect a type of the ring member, and a determination unit to determine whether or not an ring-binding operation is executable based on a type of the ring member and a size of the sheets to be bound together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shingo Matsushita, Junichi Iida, Hiroki Okada, Takeshi Sasaki, Takeshi Akai