Abstract: A bottle trimming machine and method where blow molded two-bottle logs are fed down an arcuate path during trimming of neck flash and neck rings.

Abstract: A light management film includes a first layer with a thermoplastic resin and a particular phosphonium sulfonate salt, and a second layer formed from a curable composition and having a refractive index of at least 1.5. The light management film exhibits reduced static electricity build-up and reduced dust attraction, making it easier to handle during fabrication of display devices such as the flat panel displays of laptop computers.

Abstract: A belt type continuous plate manufacturing apparatus comprising two facing endless belts 1, 1? and gaskets 7 sandwiched by belt surfaces at their both side edge portions, wherein a polymerizable raw material is fed into a space surrounded by the facing belt surfaces and the gaskets 7 from its one end, the polymerizable raw material is solidified together with running of the belts in a heating zone, and the plate polymer is taken out from the other end, characterized in that three or more upper and lower roll pairs satisfying the following formulae (1) and (2) are placed so that respective axes thereof orthogonally cross the belt running direction, between a raw material feeding position and a heating initiation position; and a method of producing a plate polymer by using it: D/Z?0.04 (1), 0.30?D/X?0.99 (2) [D=outermost diameter of roll body portion (mm), Z=width of roll body portion (mm), X=distance between axis centers of adjacent upper and lower roll pairs (mm)].

Abstract: There are provided a dry aggregate mixture wherein the binder, even when heated, does not evolve unpleasant odor or gas hazardous to human health; a method of foundry molding wherein a space for foundry molding, up to minute portion thereof, can satisfactorily be filled with an aggregate mixture composed of a binder and granular aggregate; and a method of foundry molding wherein the mold used in molding of an aggregate mixture composed of a binder and granular aggregate can retain satisfactory properties even in high humidity. In the method of foundry molding, a mold is formed by the use of a dry mixture obtained by providing an aggregate mixture composed of granular aggregate, a water soluble binder and water and evaporating the water contained in the aggregate mixture through heating, pressure reduction or aeration while mixing so as to effect separation into single granules, or with the addition of a lubricant and a crosslinking agent thereto.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for use in a fusion process for conduit. The method includes the steps of: removably positioning a first terminal edge of a first conduit portion with a first terminal edge of a second conduit portion; facing the terminal edges of the first conduit portion and the second conduit portion; aligning the terminal edges of the first conduit portion and the second conduit portion; melting at least a portion of the terminal edges of the first conduit portion and the second conduit portion; engaging the melted terminal edge of the first conduit portion with the melted terminal edge of the second conduit portion; maintaining pressure between the engaged terminal edges, thereby creating a fused joint area; and removing at least a portion of the resultant external bead extending around the fused joint area. A fusion apparatus for employing this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A decorative sheet (S) for in-mold decorating injection molding has a base sheet (1A) and a resin layer (2) formed on a surface of the base sheet (1A) to be brought into contact with an injection-molded molding and containing an acrylic-modified polyolefin resin. The acrylic-modified polyolefin resin is a resin composed by grafting-copolymerizing an acrylic monomer and/or an acrylic prepolymer on principal chains of a polypropylene resin. The decorative sheet (S) includes, for example, a base sheet (1A) of an acrylic resin, a decorative layer (3) of a binder resin and at least either an acrylic resin contained in the binder resin or a polyvinyl chloride-acetate resin, and a bonding layer (2) containing an acrylic-modified polyolefin resin. A primer layer (4) may be sandwiched between the bonding layer (2) and the decorative layer (3).

Abstract: A three-dimensional object is fabricated from powder. A powder layer is deposited. The powder layer is selectively wetted to hinder movement of the powder. A binder is applied to selected areas of the powder layer to harden the areas of the powder layer. The steps are repeated until the three-dimensional object is fabricated.

Abstract: A method of compression molding preforms for blow molding containers includes the steps of providing a preform mold that includes a mold cavity and a mold core, placing a mold charge of plastic resin into the mold cavity, advancing the mold core into the mold cavity to cause the mold charge resin to flow and fill a preform mold volume between the core and cavity, and then as the plastic resin cools and shrinks, advancing the mold core further into the mold cavity. Accordingly, in this method of compression molding plastic articles, the mold core is advanced into the mold cavity as the mold charge material cools and shrinks, to reduce the volume of the preform mold.

Abstract: A continuous production system for fabricating composite articles from a moldable material includes, in an exemplary embodiment, a pair of opposed closed loop cleated belt conveyors spaced apart a predetermined distance. Each cleated belt includes a plurality of cleats, and each cleat includes a notch. The forming system also includes a pair of opposed endless profile mold belts positioned at least partially between the pair of cleated belts. The mold belts are located at least partially in the notches of the cleats.

Abstract: Leak of a metered resin by backflow in injection filling is prevented not depending on reverse rotation of a screw but by closing a ring valve by controlling a screw forward movement speed in injection filling. An injection filling speed and a valve closing operation speed are set to the screw forward movement speed. The valve closing operation speed is different from an initial speed of the injection filling speed, and the operation time thereof is set to the time necessary for moving the injection screw by a distance capable of performing the valve closing after the end of metering. The valve closing is performed with the set operation speed and the set operation time.

Abstract: A method for connecting a catheter balloon with a catheter shaft of a balloon catheter that improves the welding quality of a weld between the catheter balloon and the catheter shaft of the balloon catheter. Preferably, a welding energy absorbing device is arranged, preferably in the form of a coloured tubing, in the area of a fixation site after attaching a pre-fixation and then to irradiate this welding energy absorbing device with the radiation energy to carry out the welding. After the welding the pre-fixation and the welding energy absorbing device are removed.

Abstract: A calibration device for calibrating extruded continuous profiles, in particular tubes, includes a housing and a plurality of segment bodies which are received in the housing in a substantially in circular manner, with axially neighboring segment bodies partially overlapping in a circumferential direction. Each segment body is made from a single-piece workpiece and has a contoured inner surface, wherein the inner surfaces of the segment bodies jointly define a calibration opening for passage of a tube. An operating device retains the segment bodies in the housing and allow adjustment of each segment body in radial direction.

Abstract: Process for producing hollow bodies comprising fibre-reinforced ceramic materials, where cores whose shape corresponds to that of the hollow spaces are produced in a first step, a green body is produced in a second step by introducing the abovementioned cores and a press moulding compound into a mould, where the press moulding compound comprises carbon fibres and/or carbon threads and pitch and/or resins, the green body is cured in a third step by heating under pressure, and then carbonised in a fourth step by heating in the absence of oxidants to form a C/C body, which latter can be infiltrated with liquid metal with retention of its shape in a fifth step, with at least partial formation of carbides, where the cores comprise a material which is non-meltable but undergoes at least sufficient shrinkage above the curing temperature of the shaping by pressing of the press moulding compound for the shrunken core to be able to be taken out from the carbonised body; hollow bodies produced by this process and also t

Abstract: A method for producing a silicon nitride filter, which comprises subjecting a molded product comprising from 35 to 58 mass % of metal silicon particles, from 30 to 62.5 mass % of organic polymer particles, from 0.3 to 10 mass % based on the content of the organic polymer particles of the following inorganic particles A and from 1 to 15 mass % based on the content of the metal silicon particles of the following inorganic particles B, to a heat treatment in nitrogen to substantially convert metal silicon into silicon nitride: inorganic particles A: inorganic particles of at least one member selected from the group consisting of an oxide, a hydroxide and a salt of an element selected from the group consisting of Si, Ti and Ce; inorganic particles B: inorganic particles of at least one member selected from the group consisting of an oxide, a hydroxide and a salt of an element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Y, La, Nd, Yb, Ca and Fe.

Abstract: The continuous heat treatment furnace of the present invention is provided with at least one drying and binder-removing area where drying of the objects to be thermally treated and/or removal of binder are carried out and a firing area where the objects to be thermally treated is fired in succession from inlet side towards outlet side of the furnace, the objects to be thermally treated being subjected to drying and/or removal of binder while being transported through the drying and binder-removing area and thereafter being fired while being transported through the firing area, wherein the heat treatment furnace has at least two transporting mechanisms disposed along the transporting direction of the objects to be thermally treated as transporting mechanisms for transporting the objects to be thermally treated, the objects to be thermally treated are transported by different transporting mechanisms in the drying and binder-removing area and the firing area, respectively, and the transporting speed of each tran

Abstract: Smelting apparatus comprises a vessel (11) and a solids injection lance (27a) extending through an opening in the wall of vessel barrel (16) into the interior space of the vessel. Lance (27a) includes a central core tube (31) through which to pass solid particulate material into the vessel and an annular cooling jacket (32) surrounding the central core tube (31) throughout a substantial part of its length. Lance (27a) has a mounting structure (61) comprising a tubular part (60) extended about cooling jacket (32) and about twice the diameter of the cooling jacket. Tubular part (60) fits within a tubular lance mounting bracket (62) welded to the shell (16a) of vessel barrel (16) to extend outwardly from the vessel. The lance is held within mounting bracket (62) by clamping bolts acting between flanges (63,65) on tubular part (60) and tubular bracket (62).

Abstract: A self-pumping hydropneumatic MacPherson strut unit is provided with a working cylinder filled with oil under pressure and a piston and rod unit displaceable in the cylinder so as to define two working spaces in the cylinder, and high-pressure and low pressure chambers surrounding the cylinder. The strut unit further has a piston pump operable to transport a working medium from the low-pressure chamber into one of the working spaces of the working cylinder, wherein the one working space being in flow communication with the high-pressure chamber. The piston pump has a cylinder defined by the inner surface of the piston and rod unit, a hollow pump rod coupled to the working cylinder and having an inner bore in flow communication with the low-pressure chamber, a deregulating opening and a deregulating channel provided with a throttle in flow communication with the deregulating opening and the low pressure chamber.

Abstract: A fluid suspension device includes a first end member, a second end member and a flexible member supported therebetween. A method of manufacturing a fluid suspension member is included.

Abstract: One pair of first rubber-like elastomer bodies (27) are interposed between an inner cylinder (1) and an intermediate cylinder (4); one pair of second rubber-like elastomer bodies (37) are interposed between the intermediate cylinder (4) outside the first rubber-like elastomer bodies (27) and an outer cylinder (2); and one pair of liquid chambers (5) and an orifice (6) are formed between the intermediate cylinder (4) and the outer cylinder (2).

Abstract: In order to provide a vibration-isolating device having a stopper mechanism to an excessive displacement of a vibration-isolating base in upward and horizontal directions with a light weight and a low cost, an inner cylinder and an attachment member with an opening surrounding it are connected by a rubber-like elastomer, a cylindrical portion is extended downwardly from the opening to form a stopper rubber between the cylindrical portion and the inner cylinder, while ensuring a clearance gap thereby providing a first stopper part limiting a horizontal displacement of the inner cylinder; and an extension portion extending from a lower end of the inner cylinder outwardly is provided to form a stopper rubber between the extension portion and a lower end of the cylindrical portion while ensuring a clearance gap thereby providing a second stopper part limiting an upward displacement of the inner cylinder.

Abstract: A hydraulic antivibration device capable of sufficiently reducing strange sounds is provided. The one in a first embodiment includes first ribs whose tops are spaced apart from lattice members and second ribs having tops abutting on the lattice members and a smaller rib width than the first ribs. When an elastic partition membrane impinges on the lattice members with vibration, the second ribs resist and the elastic partition membrane impinges moderately on the lattice members, so that strange sounds can be reduced. In a second embodiment, such first and second displacement-regulating protrusions are provided that are disposed asymmetrically relative to a phantom plane passing through a center of the elastic partition membrane in its thickness direction.

Abstract: A dual spring includes a pair of conically-shaped spring sections, which are joined at a common fulcrum. One of the spring sections is disposed radially inward from the fulcrum and the other of the spring sections is disposed radially outward from the fulcrum. Both of the conical sections open axially in the same direction relative to the fulcrum section.

Abstract: A jig stop placement assembly is presented for use with a truss assembly table having a plurality of jig assembly slots extending laterally across the table top. Jig stop assemblies are movable along the jig assembly slots and can be clamped into a desired location. An energy-emitting distance measuring device determines the distance between the jig stop and a reference piece or point. The energy-emitting device is preferably a laser device capable of emitting a laser beam. The measurement device provides information regarding the distance between the jig stop and the reference piece which enables the user to accurately place the jig stop in a desired location. The jig stop placement assembly preferably includes alignment mechanisms for positioning the assembly into a predetermined relationship with a jig stop, the truss assembly table, the reference piece or any combination thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a flat panel display (FPD) manufacturing apparatus for performing a desired process for a substrate positioned in a chamber after establishing a vacuum atmosphere in the chamber. The vacuum chamber is divided into a chamber body and an upper cover to ensure easy opening/closing operations of the upper cover.

Abstract: A clamping device contains a clamp jaw fixed in vertical direction, a clamp jaw moveable in vertical direction and a force transducer for applying a force to the moveable clamp jaw. The moveable clamp jaw is curved. The force transducer preferably comprises a coil and an iron core. In the non-clamping condition of the clamping device, the moveable clamp jaw is loaded with the weight of the iron core. For clamping, a current is applied to the coil that produces a magnetic field that presses the iron core against the moveable clamp jaw.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a platen which is set at an image reading position, a loading guide portion which is arranged upstream in a convey direction of an original to be adjacent to the platen and guides the original to an upper surface of the platen, a scoop-up guide portion which is arranged downstream in the convey direction of the original to be adjacent to the glass platen and guides a leading edge of the original, which has passed through the platen, by scooping up, a convey guide portion which is arranged to oppose the platen and scoop-up guide portion, to form a convey path between the convey guide portion and both of the platen and the scoop-up guide portion, a support portion which supports the convey guide portion to be slidable parallel to the platen, and a regulating portion which is arranged between the convey guide portion and the scoop-up guide portion to hold a constant gap between the convey guide portion and the scoop-up guide portion.

Abstract: A sheet feed device has a sheet supply tray in which sheets to be fed are stored, a roller mechanism which ejects each printed sheet on to a sheet holding part, and a cover member which is placed between a sheet supply side on which each sheet is fed before printing and a sheet ejection side on which each sheet is fed after printing. In the sheet feed device, each sheet supplied from the sheet supply tray changes its sheet feed direction approximately 180 degrees before being ejected to the sheet holding part. Part of the cover member on the sheet holding part's side is provided with a first projecting part which lets the ejected sheets be held in the sheet holding part while being bent substantially in an S-shape.

Abstract: In a recording material guiding device, a second guide member 606 is comprised of a hopper swinging surface 23c, an edge guide member 25 including a second side end guide member 25a, and a liftup preventing guide 251. The hopper swinging surface 23c is engaged in an opening provided in a side surface of a reference end guide 24 serving as a first guide member 603. The second guide member 606 can be slid in a main scanning direction with respect to the reference end guide 24 (first guide member 603). During recording a gap d1 can be formed between the second side end guide member 25a and a side end Pa of the recording paper P by sliding the second side end guide member 25a from a first position 604 to a second position 605, so that frictional contact can be prevented at the side end Pa of the recording paper P on the second side end guide member side.

Abstract: An image-recording apparatus including (a) a carriage carrying a recording head, (b) a maintenance unit disposed at a standby position located outside a recording area (L) of the recording head, (c) medium feeding devices to feed recording media from respective cassettes (d) first, second and third gears which are disposed outside the recording area and through which a drive force is selectively transmitted from a drive-force output gear to one of the medium feeding devices and the maintenance device, and (e) a power-transmission switching device having a shift gear which is moved for selective meshing engagement with the first, second and third gears according to a distance of movement of the carriage from the recording area toward the maintenance unit.

Abstract: A speed mode for a printer (1) which has a pivotally mounted autocompensating system (19) mounted at an intermediate position in paper guide (17). That system (19) is driven by a motor (40) through a slip drive (70, 72, 74). The motor also drives paper feed system (15). When the motor turns in a direction to feed by system (15), the intermediate system is moved away from the paper guide. In basic operation, when a sheet (5) reaches a position to be fed by the intermediate system, the motor is reversed, and the intermediate system pivots against the paper for moving it further through the paper guide. In the speed mode the intermediate system is not employed and all of the feed is by the system at the tray. Since this will not feed shorter sheets, preferably the speed mode must be positively invoked, as by operator input or definitive information in the header of a print job.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a printing mechanism having a media path. A print media source is provided for supplying a sheet of print media to the printing mechanism. A drive unit is provided, with a drive shaft coupled to the drive unit. A media sensor device is mounted to the drive shaft, wherein as the drive shaft is rotated in a first direction the media sensor device is moved from a first position that is out of the media path to a second position that is in the media path for sensing the sheet of print media. As the drive shaft is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction the media sensor device is moved from the second position that is in the media path for sensing the sheet of print media to the first position that is out of the media path.

Abstract: A sheet feeder includes a housing, a cover and a sensing device. The cover is mounted on the housing, and the sensing device is disposed between the housing and the cover. The sensing device includes a light sensor and a reflecting mirror. The light sensor is mounted on the inside surface of the cover, and the reflecting mirror is mounted on the housing opposite the light sensor. As a signal light is being emitted from the light-emitting unit of the light sensor, the signal light is reflected from the reflecting mirror or a document and received by the receiving unit of the light sensor. The reflected signal light will then be transformed to a signal voltage which, according to its value, indicates the using status of the sheet feeder, such as ‘without document’, ‘document present’ or ‘cover open’, such that the number of the sensors on the sheet feeder can be reduced and the manufacturing costs can be lessened.

Abstract: A sheet feed device of this invention includes a sheet feed tray, a sheet feed unit which feeds a sheet placed on the sheet feed tray, a detection sensor which detects the presence/absence of a sheet on the sheet feed tray, and a sensor mounting member which mounts the detection sensor on the sheet feed tray. The sensor mounting member can mount the detection sensor on the sheet feed tray such that the angle of the sensor can be adjusted with respect to the tray.

Abstract: For separating flat articles from a lying stack of articles, each foremost article of the stack is conveyed away one after the other in an upwards direction. For making such separation applicable also for mechanically relatively unstable articles, a preparatory step is implemented prior to the step of conveying-away upwards. In this preparatory step each foremost article of the stack is gripped, then separated from the front end of the stack in a direction essentially perpendicular to the main surfaces of the stacked articles and simultaneously or immediately afterwards accelerated upwards. Only when the article has a speed component in upwards direction of approximately the order of magnitude of the conveying-away speed is the article transferred to the conveying-away means. The preparatory step is carried out with a suction device that moves on a suction device track.

Abstract: A film sheet feeding mechanism which can be reduced in size, and which can stably conduct a feeding operation, and a thermal development recording apparatus having such a mechanism are provided. A film sheet feeding mechanism that, from a tray on which plural film sheets are stacked, takes out one by one a uppermost film sheet, and that feeds the film sheet toward a downstream side in a direction of transporting the film sheet, includes: a feeding arm having film sucking unit for taking out the film sheet in the tray; arm moving unit for, while supporting the feeding arm, moving the feeding arm between a film taking out position of the tray and a film supplying position on the downstream side in the transportation direction; and a lifting and lowering amplification mechanism which is disposed in the feeding arm, and which lifts and lowers the film sucking unit.

Abstract: A pickup roller increasing a force adhering a top sheet contacting the pickup roller, an image forming apparatus with the same, and a method. A plurality of holes are formed on a surface of the pickup roller contacting the paper, and an internal diameter of part of the holes is expanded by compression between the paper and the pickup roller.

Abstract: A paper pick-up unit of an image forming apparatus includes an elliptical pick-up rubber having a first arcuate part and a second arcuate part. The first and second arcuate parts are symmetrical to each other and contact a paper. A pick-up housing supports the pick-up rubber, which are attached around the circumference thereof. A first shaft opening and a second shaft opening are formed opposite to each other in the pick-up housing and are eccentrically disposed with respect to a center of the pick-up housing. A pick-up shaft is engaged with one of the first shaft opening and the second shaft opening of the pick-up housing, and is capable of rotating. The pick-up shaft is engaged with the first shaft opening of the pick-up housing for the first arcuate part of the pick-up rubber to pick up a paper. The pick-up shaft is engaged with the second shaft opening of the pick-up housing for the second arcuate part of the pick-up rubber to pick up a paper.

Abstract: For separation and feeding of sheets of the recording carrier, these sheets are supplied stacked in a cassette. An advance head (18) sits on the stack with advance rollers (20), which is mounted on the free end of a pivotable arm (22). In order to be able to insert the cassette accommodating the stack and remove it, a release mechanism is provided that is operated by the cassette. For this purpose, the arm (22) is mounted on a slide (28) that is pulled into a release position by tension springs (32). A pusher (44) is also provided on the slide (28) that raises the arm (22) under spring force. With the cassette, an operating pin (58) is inserted into the release mechanism. The pin (58) pushes the slide (28) against the force of spring (32), into the operating position of arm (22) and pushes the pusher (44) into a position that releases the arm (22) for lowering onto the stack.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus including: a sheet-supply cassette which accommodates a stack of recording sheets and which is insertable into and removable from a main body of the apparatus; an end wall which is disposed at a downstream end of the cassette in a sheet-supply direction in which the sheets are supplied, so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the sheet-supply direction and which has a height larger than that of a maximum number of the sheets that can be accommodated in the cassette; an image recording unit disposed in the main body for recording an image on the sheets; an arm disposed in the main body and pivotable about a shaft which extends in the direction perpendicular to the sheet-supply direction; a sheet-feed roller which is disposed at a free end of the arm and which is, in a state in which the cassette is inserted into the main body, in contact with an uppermost one of the sheets accommodated in the cassette and which feeds the uppermost one of the sheets toward the image recordin

Abstract: A moveable media dam comprises a media dam rotatably connected to a dam shaft, the dam shaft extending from a lever. An arm has at least one camming member and the lever is engaged by the at least one camming member. The arm operably engages a gear train and further comprises an arm ring disposed over a gear of the gear train. The media dam is moveable between a first and second position. The device functions to clear a media feed zone and align leading edges of media sheets in order to inhibit multi-sheet feeds.

Abstract: The present invention provides a paper feed portion for image forming apparatuses having a simple structure capable of generating a carrying force and of preventing double feeding effectively. A paper feed roller 1 and a carrying auxiliary portion 2 are arranged in a symmetrical manner with respect to the paper feed path, that is, above the paper feed path on the upstream side and below the paper feed path on the downstream side respectively. In the carrying auxiliary portion 2, a carrying force generating rib 22 is arranged at the center in the width direction and in a position facing the contact member 10a of the paper feed roller 1, while double feed preventing ribs 23a and 23b are arranged in a symmetrical manner with respect to the carrying force generating rib 22 in the width direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a chassis, a paper feed roller, a lifting member, and a biasing member. The chassis has a first side surface, a second side surface, and a bottom surface that connects the first and second side surfaces. The bottom surface has one of a first L-shaped projecting portion and a first coupling hole unitarily formed thereon. The paper feed roller is rotatably supported by the first and second side surfaces of the chassis and configured to convey paper. The lifting member is pivotably supported by the bottom surface of the chassis, and has a main portion and the other of the first L-shaped projecting portion and the first coupling hole unitarily formed on the main portion. The first L-shaped projection is pivotably coupled to the first coupling hole, such that the lifting member is pivotably coupled to the bottom surface.

Abstract: A cartridge apparatus includes a media cassette, face plate and a locking and unlocking mechanism. The locking and unlocking mechanism includes a lock bar, a first post and a second post, and is configured to lock and unlock a cartridge during insertion in a printer.

Abstract: A sheet-supply cassette including a main member which is open upward and which is adapted to store recording sheets that are stacked on each other; an auxiliary member which is open upward and which is adapted to support respective trailing end portions of the recording sheets as seen in a sheet-feed direction in which each of the recording sheets is fed, wherein the auxiliary member is attached to the main member such that the auxiliary member is movable relative to the main member, in each of opposite directions parallel to the sheet-feed direction, so that the auxiliary member is engaged with the main member at an arbitrary one of engagement positions; first engaging portions which are distant from each other in the sheet-feed direction; and an elastically deformable portion including, as an integral portion thereof, a second engaging portion which can engage an arbitrary one of the first engaging portions so as to define a corresponding one of the engagement positions.

Abstract: A sheet-supply cassette including a main member which is open upward and which is adapted to store a plurality of recording sheets which are stacked on each other and each one of which is separated from the other recording sheets, and is fed in a sheet-feed direction, by a sheet feeder; an inclined sheet-separate plate which is provided in a downstream-side portion of the main member as seen in the sheet-feed direction, and which cooperates with the sheet feeder to separate the each recording sheet from the other recording sheets; and a plurality of back-surface support portions which are formed integrally with the downstream-side portion of the main member, such that the back-surface support portions are distant from each other in a perpendicular direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet-feed direction.

Abstract: A sheet inverter includes a sheet path, such as a curved sheet path. A sheet driver is positioned to receive a sheet along the sheet path. The sheet driver is adapted to draw in the sheet and reverse a direction of the sheet. An exit path is positioned to receive the sheet from the sheet driver. An inverter path is also positioned to receive the sheet from the sheet driver. The curve of the sheet path biases the sheet's trailing edge into the exit path and the inverter path, and the sheet is directed to the exit path or the inverter path depending only upon how far the sheet is drawn into the sheet driver.

Abstract: The combination of a plurality of streams of printed products. The first stream of products is selectively inserted into a packaging device while being merged into a second stream of products.

Abstract: A linear translation table for use in conjunction with a sheet feeding machine and a conveyor for laterally translating the sheet feeding machine over rows of product receiving portions of boxes or blisters in sheets of bubble packaging such that the sheet feeding machine can deliver product in an array of rows and columns of product receiving portions as the linear translation table is pitched. The rows of product receiving portions are indexed and linear translation table reverses direction to fill the next row. A controller on the linear translation table is programmed for the distance between columns and stops long enough for the sheet feeder to dispense a product into the product receiving portion. In this manner boxes with rows and columns of segments to be filled with product or formed pocket sheets can be filled with a sheet feeding machine which normally only delivers product linearly.

Abstract: An accumulator apparatus for accumulating one or more sheets or articles is provided and includes a sheet accumulator portion for accumulating one or more sheets or articles, a ramp disposed upstream of the sheet accumulator portion relative to a flow direction of the sheet or article, an actuator and a pusher plate connected to the actuator. The actuator is configured to move the pusher plate away from the ramp in a direction toward a sheet accumulation portion of the accumulator apparatus.

Abstract: A post-processing apparatus includes a compile tray that contains a recording sheet and has a sheet end position determination portion contacting with and determine a position of an end edge of the contained recording sheet, a first sheet end alignment member that carries the recording sheet to the sheet end position determination portion and aligns the end edge, a second sheet end alignment member that moves between the sheet carrying position and a standby position, wherein the sheet carrying position is where the second sheet end alignment member contacts with the recording sheet to carry the recording sheet to a side of the first sheet end alignment member, and the standby position is separated from the recording sheet, and a second sheet end alignment member control unit that moves the second sheet end alignment member between the sheet carrying position and the standby position and changes a carrying position sustaining time to sustain the second end alignment member at the sheet carrying position accor