Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus includes a sheet alignment mechanism configured for aligning a sheet in a predetermined reference position; a gripper arrangement configured to grip the aligned sheet at at least two spaced-apart points of the sheet and to release the sheet on a stack; and a holder configured to hold the sheet in position on the stack while the gripper arrangement releases the sheet. The gripper arrangement is movable along a predetermined trajectory for moving the sheet from the reference position to a stacking position.

Abstract: To prevent deformation to relatively stiffer sheets during flipping, while ensuring reliable holding of relatively weaker sheets, a method for stacking sheets received from a printer by a sheet flipping device includes at least one slot for receiving a leading portion of a sheet. The method includes determining a respective insertion depth parameter for a first and a second sheet, wherein the second sheet has a greater stiffness than the first sheet; inserting a length of the first sheet into the at least one slot in correspondence with its respective insertion depth parameter, followed by flipping said first sheet; inserting a length (D2) of the second sheet into the at least one slot in correspondence with its respective insertion depth parameter, followed by flipping said second sheet, wherein the inserted length of the first sheet is greater than that of the second sheet.

Abstract: When using a flipping wheel to flip sheets of weak or long media, there is a risk that these sheets collapse upon themselves. To reduce this risk, a method of stacking sheets includes flipping a sheet while holding its leading edge and bringing the leading edge down towards a stack support; bringing a trailing portion of the sheet into contact with a guide member positioned over the stack support; forming an overpressure in an inner volume of the bent sheet during flipping, while its trailing portion is in contact with the guide member; and maintaining the overpressure and contact while a trailing edge of the sheet travels along the guide member.

Abstract: During flipping sheets may fold upon themselves under the influence of gravity. To prevent a sheet stacker is provided with a support device for supporting an inner surface of the sheet during flipping, the support device comprising a plurality of flexible fingers elements of different length, each configured to support a different inner area of the sheet during its flipping motion.

Abstract: A deflecting device for deflecting a conveyed sheet includes a guiding assembly having an inlet for receiving a conveyed sheet front an upstream section of a main conveying path, a primary outlet for discharging a conveyed sheet onto a downstream section of a main conveying path, a secondary outlet for discharging a conveyed sheet onto an initial section of a side conveying path, and a passing area for passing a conveyed sheet from the inlet towards the primary outlet; and a deflector for deflecting a conveyed sheet towards the secondary outlet, movable into a receiving position for receiving a leading edge of a conveyed sheet inside the passing area and movable into a discharge position for discharging a leading edge of a conveyed sheet towards the secondary outlet, wherein the deflector defines a curved trajectory for a conveyed sheet deflected towards the secondary outlet in the discharge position, wherein one side of the curved trajectory faces the primary outlet.

Abstract: A stacker module includes a lift table, a stacker configured to place sheets that are successively supplied thereto onto the top of a stack forming on the lift table, a controller configured to lower the lift table as the stack grows, a height-adjustable eject table, and an eject mechanism configured to transfer a completed stack from the lift table onto the eject table. The eject mechanism is height-adjustable for transferring stacks onto the eject table in different height positions of the lift table.

Abstract: During flipping sheets may fold upon themselves under the influence of gravity. To prevent a sheet stacker is provided with a support device for supporting an inner surface of the sheet during flipping, the support device comprising a plurality of flexible fingers elements of different length, each configured to support a different inner area of the sheet during its flipping motion.

Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus includes a sheet alignment mechanism configured for aligning a sheet in a predetermined reference position; a gripper arrangement configured to grip the aligned sheet at at least two spaced-apart points of the sheet and to release the sheet on a stack; and a holder configured to hold the sheet in position on the stack while the gripper arrangement releases the sheet. The gripper arrangement is movable along a predetermined trajectory for moving the sheet from the reference position to a stacking position.

Abstract: A sheet flipping device comprising: a flipping element rotatably disposed adjacent to a sheet receiving plane and having, in its outer periphery, at least two insertion slots for insertion of a respective leading edge of a sheet to be flipped; a sheet transport device configured for feeding sheets with their respective leading edges into the insertion slots; and a controller configured to control the sheet transport device and a rotary drive (54) for the flipping element such that each sheet the leading edge of which has been inserted into one of the insertion slots is temporarily restrained while the transport mechanism continues to feed the sheet, so that the sheet flips over, and the sheet is then dropped onto the receiving plane, wherein each insertion slot has a mouth defined between a peripheral surface of the flipping element and a flexible finger that extends tangentially from said peripheral surface, the controller is configured to move one of the insertion slots into a sheet receiving position re

Abstract: A deflecting device for deflecting a conveyed sheet includes a guiding assembly having an inlet for receiving a conveyed sheet front an upstream section of a main conveying path, a primary outlet for discharging a conveyed sheet onto a downstream section of a main conveying path, a secondary outlet for discharging a conveyed sheet onto an initial section of a side conveying path, and a passing area for passing a conveyed sheet from the inlet towards the primary outlet; and a deflector for deflecting a conveyed sheet towards the secondary outlet, movable into a receiving position for receiving a leading edge of a conveyed sheet inside the passing area and movable into a discharge position for discharging a leading edge of a conveyed sheet towards the secondary outlet, wherein the deflector defines a curved trajectory for a conveyed sheet deflected towards the secondary outlet in the discharge position, wherein one side of the curved trajectory faces the primary outlet.

Abstract: A plasma generating device includes a first plasma electrode and a counter electrode facing each other. The first plasma electrode extends in a lateral direction and includes two projections. Each of the two projections protrudes from the first plasma electrode in the direction of the counter electrode over a predetermined distance. The plasma generating device further includes a preload mechanism adapted for urging each of said two projections of the first plasma electrode against the counter electrode. The two projections cooperatively define a plasma gap between the first plasma electrode and the counter electrode. The counter electrode includes a support surface facing said plasma gap. The support surface is substantially flat along the plasma gap.

Abstract: A plasma generating device includes a first plasma electrode and a counter electrode facing each other. The first plasma electrode extends in a lateral direction and includes two projections. Each of the two projections protrudes from the first plasma electrode in the direction of the counter electrode over a predetermined distance. The plasma generating device further includes a preload mechanism adapted for urging each of said two projections of the first plasma electrode against the counter electrode. The two projections cooperatively define a plasma gap between the first plasma electrode and the counter electrode. The counter electrode includes a support surface facing said plasma gap. The support surface is substantially flat along the plasma gap.