Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for interrupting a stream of signatures. The apparatus comprises successive conveyor belts in series which can be controlled to advance the belt supporting surfaces at relatively different speeds. At least one conveyor belt has a supporting surface capable of varying in length.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for prestacking in a sheet feeder of a rotary printing press provided with lateral stack stops, which can be adjusted to the format of the sheet to be printed, the printing press also having an automatic lateral stacking orientation and a stack raising apparatus, which are designed so that they make possible an easy manual prestacking in the sheet feeder by the operator.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a sheet accommodation unit for supporting a plurality of sheets, the sheet accommodation unit being movable between waiting and sheet feed positions, an urging device for urging the sheet accommodation unit toward the sheet feed position, a sheet feed device for sending out the sheets supported by the sheet accommodation unit at the sheet feed position, a moving device for moving the sheet accommodation unit between the waiting and sheet feed positions, a driving force transmitting device for transmitting a driving force of moving the sheet accommodation unit to the moving device when engaged with the displacing device, a release device for releasing the engagement of the displacing device with the driving force transmitting device, and a locking device for cancellably restricting the moving device when the engagement of the moving device with the driving force transmitting device is released by the release device.

Abstract: A container (10) for receiving bank notes in a bank note dispensing device has a closable housing (12) with an intake opening (20) for the bank notes. Two driven, cooperating draw-in rollers (22,24) in the region of or in the intake opening (20) delimit a draw-in gap (26) through which bank notes are drawn in. The device comprises a plurality of compartments (I to V, 48) for receiving bank notes. The receiving openings of the compartments (I to V, 48) can be optionally connected to the draw-in gap (26).

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a sheet containing device for supporting sheets, a sheet supply device for feeding out the sheet from the sheet containing device, and a path surface for deflecting the sheet by abutting the sheet fed from the sheet supply device against the path surface to guide the sheet in a predetermined direction. In such sheet feeding apparatus, a rotary feeding device for applying a feeding force to the sheet by slidingly contacting with a surface of the sheet fed from the sheet supply device, which is opposite to a surface facing the path surface, is provided.

Abstract: A diverting apparatus for diverting successive sheets from an entrance path in one of two different directions. The apparatus comprises a driven diverter roller having a plurality of spaced gripping sections for urging the sheets through the diverting apparatus. A pair of primary idler rollers are provided, each being in direct contact with the driven diverter roller, so as to cause the idler rollers to rotate in the opposite direction the diverter roller is rotated. A second pair of idler rollers may be provided which are in direct contact with the primary idler rollers which provide a moving support guide which assists in controlling the path of the sheets passing through the diverting apparatus.

Abstract: A diverting apparatus for diverting successive sheets from an entrance path in one of two different directions. The apparatus comprises a driven diverter roller having a plurality of spaced gripping sections for urging the sheets through the diverting apparatus A pair of primary idler rollers are provided, each being in direct contact with the driven diverter roller, so as to cause the idler rollers to rotate in the opposite direction the diverter roller is rotated. A second pair of idler rollers may be provided which are in direct contact with the primary idler rollers which provide a moving support guide which assists in controlling the path of the sheets passing through the diverting apparatus.

Abstract: A document receiving tray assembly (10) including a base (14) formed for positioning beneath a document handling machine and for support of the weight of the document handling machine thereon to hold the tray assembly (10) in place relative to the machine. A document catching tray (16) is pivotally attached to the base (14) by hinged members (20 and 22) and is formed for catching documents ejected from the associated machine. The document catching tray (16) pivots between an open, extended position for catching documents and a closed, retracted position substantially above the upper surface of the document handling machine for storing the tray (16) above the machine while the base (14) is held in place beneath the machine.

Abstract: This invention discloses a paper supplying device for supplying paper sheets to an image forming portion of an image forming apparatus, which include a cassette attachable to the body of the image forming apparatus for storing the paper sheets therein, an accommodating portion provided at the body of the image forming apparatus for accommodating the cassette thereinto, paper supplying member disposed at an upper portion in said accommodating portion for supplying the paper sheets in the cassette in a direction opposed to a cassette insertion direction toward the image forming portion, and guiding member provided in the accommodating portion for guiding the cassette in a first position through a second position toward a third position, the cassette being completely inserted into the accommodating portion in said first position and an uppermost surface of the paper sheets in the cassette being pressed into contact with the paper supplying member in the third position.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sheet feeding apparatus with a support for stacking sheets; feeding roller for feeding out sheets stacked on the support; a plurality of urging members for urging the stacked sheets against the feeding roller; and a stopper for releasing at least one of the plurality of urging members from urging against the stack of sheets whenever the amount of sheets is less than a predetermined level.

Abstract: An apparatus which damps movement of sets of sheets being stacked on a support member. The support member moves, at selected intervals, to offset adjacent sets of sheets from one another. A pair of pivotably mounted arms have their free ends engaging the outermost sheet of the sets of sheets stacked on the support member. The arms apply a normal force on the sets of sheets without applying a lateral force thereon. In this way, the sets of sheets are damped without disturbing the integrity of the sets of sheets during offsetting.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for diverting a sheet having a leading edge to a first position or a second position. The apparatus comprises a first roller, a second roller, a third roller, a fourth roller and a diverter assembly. The first roller has segments separated by first gaps. The second roller has segments separated by second gaps. The second roller segments form incoming nips with the first roller segments. The third roller has segments separated by third gaps. The third roller segments form first exit nips with the first roller segments. The fourth roller has segments separated by fourth gaps. The fourth roller segments form second exit nips with the second roller segments. The diverter assembly has diverter segments positionable within at least one of the first gaps, the second gaps, the third gaps and the fourth gaps. The diverter assembly is for directing the leading edge of the sheet from the incoming nips to the first exit nips or the second exit nips.

Abstract: A sheet transport and aligning apparatus that engages with a sheet to shift the sheet laterally during forward transport of the sheet by a roller. The lateral shift brings the sheet into engagement with a light weight pivotal edge guide which aligns to the sheet to establish a line contact with the sheet as the sheet is driven by the conical drive roller. By continuing to drive the sheet, the sheet pivots with the light weight pivotal edge guide until the sheet is in cross-track and skew alignment.

Abstract: A dual drive signature stacker having side-by-side stacker sections, each of substantially identical design and including a stepper motor for driving a pair of buckets for receiving signatures secured at spaced intervals along a drive chain driven by the stepper motor. The buckets have intercept blades supported by brackets joined to the drive chain to position one of the intercept blades of each drive assembly in front of the adjacent drive assembly so that all of the buckets of the dual drive assembly are in alignment with one another and with the signature stream. The side-by-side arrangement greatly simplifies the design cost and assembly. A microprocessor-based control system permits stacking of stacks having as few as two signatures and is further capable of forming successive signature stacks of differing count in a precision manner and compatible with the speeds of any signature flow rate.

Abstract: A device which forms a stack of flat articles such as envelopes is disclosed. A conveyor delivers flat articles to a movable carriage. The movable carriage includes a horizontal support and vertical support for aligning flat articles received. A stacking head supported on the movable carriage comprises four rotary rollers positioned at the vertices of a parallelogram. Two non-adjacent rollers are movable but maintained a fixed distance apart. The rollers support a belt which transfers received flat articles from the conveyor onto the horizontal and vertical supports. A strain-sensitive detector is coupled to the movable rollers for providing a signal to control carriage movement as the stack of accumulated flat articles increases.

Abstract: A sheet feed mechanism of an image recording apparatus comprises a lifter mechanism movable between a first position in engagement with a cassette that holds a sheet thereon and a second position in disengagement with the cassette, a first urging mechanism for urging the lifter mechanism to the first position with a first urging force, a second urging mechanism for urging the lifter mechanism to the second position with a second urging force that acts opposite to the first urging force, and a control mechanism connected the second urging mechanism, wherein the control mechanism is adapted to engage with the cassette when the cassette is mounted on the image recording apparatus for causing a change in the second urging forces depending on whether the cassette is mounted on the image recording apparatus or the cassette is dismounted from the image recording apparatus, such that the second urging force is smaller than the first urging force when the cassette is dismounted from the image recording apparatus and s

Abstract: A device for dispensing liquids in drop form of substantially uniform size is provided which includes a container having a dropper tip including a passageway for ingress of air to and egress of liquid from the device, the passageway communicating between the container and an orifice in the dropper tip; means for temporarily reducing the volume of the container; and, disposed within the dropper tip, across the passageway, a microporous composite membrane with pores of a size to resist passage of contaminants. The membrane has a liquophilic component which permits delivery of drops of a liquid to a desired location outside the container and a liquophobic component which is adapted to resist the passage of such liquid but to permit the passage therethrough of air. Both the liquophilic and liquophobic components of the membrane (which intersects the passageway) communicate with the passageway.

Abstract: The stiffness of the suspension is very much a function of the load in hydro-pneumatic vehicle suspensions. With high loads the vehicle suspension is stiff and with a light load it is relatively soft. In addition, the vehicle suspension of the wheel on the outside of the turn is stiffer than that of the wheel at the inside of the turn. The changes in the stiffness of the vehicle suspension are very disagreeable and can result in dangerous driving conditions. Equalization of the stiffness of the vehicle suspension is provided with the aid of a supplemental force. The supplemental force acts in the same direction as the load force of the vehicle chassis. The vehicle suspension is preferably suited for motor vehicles.

Abstract: For use with container production equipment, an apparatus is provided for controllably feeding a consistent stream of carton blanks in shingled form from a stack by applying constant pressure downwardly on a rotating belt which frictionally engages the top carton blanks to remove them from the stack. The preferred arrangement for removing carton blanks includes a device for applying pressure comprising an air pressure cylinder, and includes an arrangement for controlling the pressure applied to automatically maintain a constant pressure. The level of pressure applied may be adjusted to accommodate changing coefficients of friction between the feed belt and carbon blanks, and between adjacent carbon blanks, as well as to control the pressure applied to shingle a series of single carton blanks or to shingle a series of groups of two or more carbon blanks.

Abstract: A sheet removal apparatus for unloading a sheet from a hollow drum mounted for rotation about its axis and having a vacuum provided to the interior thereof and to first and second sets of vacuum openings through the surface of the drum. The sheet is arranged to overlie and close the first set of vacuum openings with the second set of openings extending substantially parallel with an edge of the sheet and comprising only a small portion of the total number of vacuum openings through the drum. An exit blade is disposed adjacent the drum and has an edge proximate the drum that extends substantially parallel to the edge of the sheet and forms an acute angle with the drum surface with the proximate edge of the blade closely adjacent the apex of the angle and parallel with the edge of the sheet. When the drum is rotated to a sheet removal position, the first set of vacuum openings lies beneath the acute angle when the edge of the sheet is disposed on the opposite side of the apex.