Abstract: Methods and devices include a patterning device positioned along a processing path. The patterning device forms one or more holes through workpieces at a contact location of the workpieces. A transport device is positioned along the processing path. The transport device removes the workpieces from the processing path and stacks the workpieces by simultaneously moving at least two of the workpieces together in workpiece sets. The transport device comprising a vacuum device that contacts the contact location of the top workpiece within each of the workpiece sets. The vacuum device applies vacuum through the holes of the top workpiece to the bottom workpiece within each of the workpiece sets to maintain the workpieces together in the workpiece sets when performing the removing and the stacking.

Abstract: In a system, at least two picker support elements are positioned adjacent a transport surface that is moving workpieces, and at least two picking elements are connected to each of the picker support elements. The picking elements have physical picking features that remove the workpieces from the transport surface and move the workpieces to another location. A controller is operatively connected to the picker support elements and the picking elements, and the controller independently controls the picker support elements and the picking elements to dynamically position the picking elements in coordination with a dynamic size, spacing, and transport speed of the workpieces being moved by the transport surface.

Abstract: In a system, one or more robotic arms are positioned adjacent a transport surface that is moving workpieces, and one or more picking elements are connected to each of the robotic arms. The picking elements have physical picking features that remove the workpieces from the transport surface and move the workpieces to another location. A controller is operatively connected to the robotic arms and the picking elements, and the controller independently controls the robotic arms and the picking elements to dynamically position the picking elements in coordination with a dynamic size, spacing, and transport speed of the workpieces being moved by the transport surface.

Abstract: Reprographic or imaging systems and methods issue a command to place multiple finishing devices into an alternating delivery mode such that consecutive sets are sent to different finishing devices, rather than to the same finishing device.

Abstract: A sheet transport system and method including a first drive module including a frame. A first drive wheel is rotatably disposed on the frame. A first drive motor is operably connected to the first drive wheel and disposed on the frame. The first drive module is pivotally secured to a structure. A first idler wheel corresponds to the first drive wheel. An actuator is operably engagable with the first drive module. The actuator is configured to move the first drive module to cause the first drive wheel to move between an open position and a closed position. The first drive wheel is configured to propel a sheet in the closed position and to not propel a sheet in the open position.

Abstract: A print device for registering a printable medium during a duplex printing process. The print device includes a controller, at least one leading edge sensor operably connected to the controller, the at least one leading edge sensor configured to detect a leading edge of a printable medium having a first and a second side when the first side is facing away from the at least one leading edge sensor, a coarse registration sensor operably connected to the controller, the coarse registration sensor configured to detect a leading edge of the printable medium when the second side of the printable medium is facing away from the at least one leading edge sensor, and at least one trail edge sensor operably connected to the controller, the at least one trail edge sensor configured to detect a trailing edge of the printable medium.

Abstract: A dual mode media registration transport and media pre-transfer baffle arrangement within a printer enables printing onto normal and heavy weight media materials. In a first mode, the arrangement allows normal media to enter pre-transfer baffles with the normal “S” shape, which allows all performance specifications to be maintained. To accommodate heavy weight media, the registration transport and pre-transfer baffles are moved into a second mode position which straightens the media path and enables heavy weight media to enter the pre-transfer area. Thus, enabling the printing of these materials which could not be processed through the “S” shape baffle arrangement.

Abstract: A dual mode media registration transport and media pre-transfer baffle arrangement within a printer enables printing onto normal and heavy weight media materials. In a first mode, the arrangement allows normal media to enter pre-transfer baffles with the normal “S” shape, which allows all performance specifications to be maintained. To accommodate heavy weight media, the registration transport and pre-transfer baffles are moved into a second mode position which straightens the media path and enables heavy weight media to enter the pre-transfer area. Thus, enabling the printing of these materials which could not be processed through the “S” shape baffle arrangement.

Abstract: An encoder idler roll includes an integral idler roll/encoder structure that forms an enclosed housing with a portion of the surface of the idler roll becoming the inner race for the encoder, as well as, the media encoding surface. Additionally, this integral idler/encoder configuration minimizes run out, improves tolerances between parts and stabilizes clearances between the idler roll and its support shaft.

Abstract: A sheet transport system and method including a first drive module including a frame. A first drive wheel is rotatably disposed on the frame. A first drive motor is operably connected to the first drive wheel and disposed on the frame. The first drive module is pivotally secured to a structure. A first idler wheel corresponds to the first drive wheel. An actuator is operably engagable with the first drive module. The actuator is configured to move the first drive module to cause the first drive wheel to move between an open position and a closed position. The first drive wheel is configured to propel a sheet in the closed position and to not propel a sheet in the open position.

Abstract: Systems for moving a moveable drive module in a cross-process direction are disclosed. A system includes a moveable drive module including a drive roll and a translation drive motor capable of moving the moveable drive module in a cross-process direction. The system may optionally include a plurality of idler rolls, each configured to be associated with the drive roll when the moveable drive module is in an associated position. Optionally, the moveable drive module may further include an idler roll associated with the drive roll. Alternately, the system may further include a moveable idler module including an idler roll and a translation drive motor capable of moving the moveable idler module in a cross-process direction.

Abstract: A print device for registering a printable medium during a duplex printing process. The print device includes a controller, at least one leading edge sensor operably connected to the controller, the at least one leading edge sensor configured to detect a leading edge of a printable medium having a first and a second side when the first side is facing away from the at least one leading edge sensor, a coarse registration sensor operably connected to the controller, the coarse registration sensor configured to detect a leading edge of the printable medium when the second side of the printable medium is facing away from the at least one leading edge sensor, and at least one trail edge sensor operably connected to the controller, the at least one trail edge sensor configured to detect a trailing edge of the printable medium.

Abstract: Systems for moving a moveable drive module in a cross-process direction are disclosed. A system includes a moveable drive module and a cross-process positioning system. The moveable drive module includes a drive roll. The cross-positioning system is capable of moving the moveable drive module in a cross-process direction. The system may optionally include a plurality of idler rolls, each configured to be associated with the drive roll when the moveable drive module is in an associated position. The moveable drive module may alternately include an idler roll associated with the drive roll. Alternately, the cross-positioning system may further be capable of moving a moveable idler module in a cross-process direction. Still alternately, the system may further include a moveable idler module including an idler roll and a translation drive motor capable of moving the moveable idler module in a cross-process direction.

Abstract: Method and system for permanently fastening an in-line plastic book spine utilizing bind spine tabs. Paper sheets can be formed into an aligned book block. A set of rectangular holes can be configured on binding edges of the paper sheets and book covers. Each bind spine tab can be inserted into the rectangular holes and connected with a binding strip utilizing a mechanical material fastening process, an ultrasonic sealing/welding process and/or a mechanical tab fastening process. The mechanical material fastening process can fasten the book spine together by a stitch or piercing a mechanical material therein. The ultrasonic sealing/welding process can apply ultrasonic waves on the spine tab and the strip to bond together. The mechanical tab fastening process can insert a pre-cut series of mechanical tabs into die-cut slots on a mating side of the book spine.

Abstract: Reprographic or imaging systems and methods issue a command to place multiple finishing devices into an alternating delivery mode such that consecutive sets are sent to different finishing devices, rather than to the same finishing device.

Abstract: A sheet handling system for correcting the skew and/or transverse position of sequential sheets, especially those moving in a process direction in a sheet transport path of a reproduction apparatus to be registered for image printing, of the type in which the deskewing and/or side registration is accomplished by partially rotating the sheet with a transversely spaced pair of differentially driven sheet steering nips. The effective range of sheet size capabilities of such systems may be increased without steering nip slippage or other problems by applying a control signal proportional to the width of the sheet to a system for automatically increasing or decreasing the transverse spacing between the pair of sheet steering nips, so as to provide a much wider spacing for larger sheets yet still be able to handle small sheets.

Abstract: A sheet handling system for a sheet transport path of a reproduction apparatus having a sheet skew correction system being fed image substrate sheets in the process direction by a sheet transport system, wherein it is desired to positively feed and yet effectively deskew a wide range of different lengths of sheets in the process direction. A plurality of identical but independent sheet transport units may be provided spaced along the sheet transport path in the process direction engageable with a sheet being fed through sheet transport path for positively feeding even very short sheets from one sheet transport unit to another and to the skew correction system. Yet these sheet transport units provide independently automatically disengageable nips for automatically releasing even a very long sheet from any unit when that long sheet is in the skew correction system. A different selected number of the sheet transport units are disengaged in response to a different sheet length control signal.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling a fail-safe operation of measurement and control apparatus for detecting the presence or absence of water by making a measurement of the impedance experienced in a gap between an insulated tip of the electrode and a surface held at a reference voltage or else connected to ground. The apparatus may be configured to provide an alarm when water is present and should not be, or vice versa. The circuit comprises comparators IC1 and IC2, a phase detector IC3 and a triple-redundant drive circuit 12 which drives a relay 14. The function of IC1 is to ensure that when operating with water as the normal condition, an electrode fault, such as could be caused by excessive contamination, will cause the system output to indicate an abnormal condition. The main function of IC2 is to discriminate between the water condition and the steam condition. The function of IC3 is to ensure that there is no output if there exists an abnormal condition or any fault condition.

Abstract: A pretransfer sheet feeding device for an electrophotographic printing machine that minimizes impact with and delivers a sheet to a photoreceptor at a desired tangential position. The sheet feeding device includes a selectively engageable drive nip and a biased baffle member which forms a buckle chamber. There is further a plurality of rollers located so as to provide substantially frictionless directional guidance to the sheet while also inducing a predetermined bend to the sheet so as to deliver the sheet to the photoreceptor. The pretransfer rollers are also moveable so that the angle of approach of a sheet can be adjusted based on sheet weight or other characteristics. Once the sheet is tacked to the photoreceptor in the transfer zone, the disengageable drive nip is released and the sheet is controlled by the photoreceptor so that speed mismatch is not a problem.

Abstract: A fluid level sensing system, particularly for sensing the water level in a steam generating boiler, comprises a vessel connected to the boiler so as to contain water and steam at substantially the same level as in the boiler, a number of vertically spaced electrodes projecting into the vessel, and circuitry for measuring the electrical impedance sensed by each electrode. The circuitry, which can be multiplexed to each electrode in turn, includes a first comparator for producing an output when the sensed impedance lies between the normal maximum impedance of the water and the normal minimum impedance of the steam above the water, this output being demultiplexed to drive a vertical display to show the level of the steam/water interface. The circuitry additionally includes a second comparator for producing a further output when the sensed impedance lies below the normal minimum impedance of the water, which further output is indicative of a variety of different fault conditions and drives a fault indicator.