Abstract: A sheet finisher of the invention includes a saddle stitch unit configured to stitch a center of a sheet bundle in which printed sheets are bundled, a fold unit configured to fold the center stitched by the saddle stitch unit and to form a fold line, and a fold reinforcing unit configured to reinforce the fold line formed by the fold unit, the fold reinforcing unit includes a roller unit that includes a first roller and a second roller, and moves along a direction of the fold line while nipping and pressing the fold line of the sheet bundle transported from the fold unit by the first roller and the second roller, a drive unit configured to move the roller unit along the direction of the fold line from a standby position located at a position separate from an end of the sheet bundle, and a nip unit that includes a first nip plate and a second nip plate, and configured to nip the sheet bundle transported from the fold unit at a position between the fold line and the fold unit, and in the nip unit, the first nip

Abstract: A sheet finisher of the invention includes a saddle stitch unit configured to stitch a center of a sheet bundle in which printed sheets are bundled, a fold unit that includes a pair of fold rollers and presses the center stitched by the saddle stitch unit into a nip of the fold rollers to form a fold line, and a fold reinforcing unit configured to reinforce the fold line, and the fold reinforcing unit includes a roller unit that includes a first roller and a second roller, and moves along a direction of the fold line while nipping and pressing the fold line of the sheet bundle by the first roller and the second roller, a drive unit configured to move the roller unit along the direction of the fold line from a standby position, and a nipping unit that includes a first nip plate and a second nip plate, places the sheet bundle on the first nip plate, and nips the sheet bundle at a position between the fold line and the fold unit by the first nip plate and the second nip plate, and a position of the nip of the fo

Abstract: A sheet finisher of the invention includes a saddle stitch unit configured to stitch a center of a sheet bundle in which printed sheets are bundled, a fold unit configured to fold the center stitched by the saddle stitch unit and to form a fold line, and a fold reinforcing unit configured to reinforce the fold line formed by the fold unit, the fold reinforcing unit includes a placement table on which the sheet bundle transported from the fold unit is placed, and a roller unit that includes a reinforce roller and moves the reinforce roller along a direction of the fold line while pressing it to the fold line, and the placement table is provided with a groove-like edge clearance along an edge of the sheet bundle.

Abstract: A sheet finisher of the invention includes a saddle stitch unit configured to stitch a center of a sheet bundle in which printed sheets are bundled, a fold unit configured to fold the center stitched by the saddle stitch unit and to form a fold line, and a fold reinforcing unit configured to reinforce the fold line formed by the fold unit, the fold reinforcing unit includes a roller unit that includes a reinforce roller with a structure for preventing an occurrence of a wrinkle, and moves along a direction of the fold line while applying pressure by the reinforce roller to the fold line of the sheet bundle transported from the fold unit, and a drive unit configured to move the roller unit along the direction of the fold line from a standby position located at a position separate from an end of the sheet bundle.

Abstract: There is provided a technique in which while the occurrence of a sheet jam is avoided, a pair of folding rollers for a folding process and a stapler for a staple process can be disposed to be close to each other, and a contribution can be made to the improvement of productivity.

Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus includes: a stacking tray which stacks a fold-processed and ejected sheet, and descends in response to a mass of stacked sheets; and a first sheet pressing member which holds the stacked sheets downward from an upper side of the stacked sheets at a constant height.

Abstract: There is provided a technique which can stably realize a high precision folding process irrespective of the number of sheets and the material of sheets constituting a bundle of sheets as an object of the folding process. At least one of information relating to the bundle of sheets as the object of the folding process by a folding blade and information relating to an environment in which the folding process is performed is acquired, and based on the acquired information, a position where the folding blade is brought into contact with the bundle of sheets as the object of the folding process is adjusted.

Abstract: In a sheet processing apparatus that performs processing for sheets after image formation such as sorting or stapling of the sheets, sheets conveyed into a waiting tray are temporarily stopped while being kept clamped by a driving roller and a pinch roller in the waiting tray and the clamping is once released. A waiting tray unit on a left side is shifted to a right side by a predetermined amount, whereby an end of the stacked sheets is pushed and shifted by a lateral wall on the left side. Thereafter, the sheets are clamped again by the roller pair and discharged.

Abstract: Provided is a printing assembly for printing and binding pages. The assembly includes pinch rollers for feeding a sheet of paper into the assembly, and a printhead arrangement arranged after the rollers for printing on the paper. The assembly also includes an adhesive applicator arranged after the printhead for applying adhesive to the printed paper, as well as a binding press arranged after the applicator for binding printed sheets of paper together.

Abstract: In a sheet post-processing apparatus, a sheet guide is arranged above a processing tray that aligns stacked one or plural sheets. The sheet guide is moved by racks to be spaced apart from or brought close to the processing tray. The racks are controlled to be driven on the basis of the number of sheets stacked on the processing tray or the thickness of a stack of the sheets to adjust a space between the processing tray and the sheet guide.

Abstract: In a sheet processing apparatus that performs processing for sheets after image formation such as sorting or stapling of the sheets, when the sheets are subjected to processing in a processing tray, after the sheets are discharged to the waiting tray, a paddle operation is started to drop the sheets to the processing tray. When the paddle is in a position where the paddle does not come into contact with the sheets on the processing tray, the rotation of the paddle is stopped once to prevent the paddle from interfering with the sheets.

Abstract: A moving unit includes first and second transportation paths that can selectively link to main transportation path of a recording sheet, a first roller arranged between the first and the second transportation paths, second and third rollers capable of making contact with the first roller across the first and the second transportation paths, respectively. When the moving unit moves to a position at which the first transportation path or the second transportation path is linked to the main transportation path, a mechanism varies a pressing force of the second roller or the third roller with respect to the first roller.

Abstract: The invention provides, as an aspect thereof, a feeding apparatus that includes: a target-medium feeding roller that feeds a target medium; a target-media placement unit on which target media are placed, the target-media placement unit being able to move toward and away from the target-medium feeding roller; a first urging unit that urges the target-media placement unit toward the target-medium feeding roller; a target-media-placement-unit retraction movement unit that moves the target-media placement unit away from the target-medium feeding roller; a movement unit that is provided at a downstream position as viewed from the target-media placement unit in a target-medium-feed direction and is able to move toward and away from the target-medium feeding roller; and a second urging unit that urges the movement unit toward the target-medium feeding roller.

Abstract: A tabbed sheet table is detachably attached to a lifting and lowering tray when a tabbed sheet is fed. A tabbed sheet regulating member is provided in a side surface on an upstream side in a sheet feeding direction of the tabbed sheet table while being movable in a vertical direction. The tabbed sheet regulating member includes an abutting portion and a contacting portion. The abutting portion is vertically extended, and the abutting portion abuts on a tab of the tabbed sheet. The contacting portion is extended along the tabbed sheet table, and the contacting portion is contacted on the top-most tabbed sheet placed on the tabbed sheet table. In lifting a tray, a length in a vertical direction of the tabbed sheet is set such that a state in which the regulating member is contacted on the tabbed sheet is maintained irrespective of the lifting of the tray.

Abstract: The present application is directed to devices and methods for moving media sheets in an image forming device. In one embodiment, a contact member includes a contact roller that contacts a top-most media sheet in a stack of media sheets positioned on a support surface in an input area of the image forming device. A hub extends outward from an axial side of the contact roller. The hub includes a smaller length than the contact roller, forming a gap between the hub and the top-most media sheet when the contact roller is in contact with the top-most media sheet. The hub prevents or reduces transverse buckling of the top-most media sheet when it is moved from the stack of media sheets.

Abstract: This paper feed mechanism includes a paper feed cassette integrally having a paper contact portion on a position deviating from the center of a rear-side inner wall surface in the cross direction by a prescribed distance in the cross direction and an apparatus body mountable with the paper feed cassette, and the apparatus body includes a driving portion rotating a paper feed roller in a paper feed direction and a paper discharge direction and a control portion bringing the rear end of the paper into contact with the paper contact portion for generating torque for the paper and thereafter transporting the paper to the apparatus body in paper feeding.

Abstract: A device (10) for extracting and feeding sheets from two trays, comprising a first tray (20) to contain a first ream (21a) of sheets (21), a second tray (30) to contain a second ream (31a) of sheets (31), and a feeding member (50, 53, 53a, 53b) for extracting and feeding one sheet (21, 31) at a time from said first ream (21a) or from said second ream (31a), wherein the two trays (20, 30) are positioned one on top of the other on the same side of the feeding member (50), and the second tray (30), in an intermediate position between the first tray (20) and the feeding member (50), comprises a fixed wall (32, 32a, 32b), to support the second ream (31a), which is configured in order to define an opening or cooperation zone (41) between the first tray (20) and the feeding member (50), so that, when the second ream is not present in the second tray (30) the feeding member (50, 53, 53a) and the first ream (21a) are intended to cooperate in contact with each other, through said cooperation zone (41) in order to extra

Abstract: A feeding apparatus including a feeding roller for conveying a sheet, a separation roller for conveying the sheet in a reverse direction, a transmission mechanism for transmitting the rotational force to the feeding roller, a limited force reverse transmission mechanism for transmitting the rotational force to the separation roller through a torque limiter, a forced reverse transmission mechanism for directly transmitting the rotational force to the separation roller, a temperature detector and a controller, wherein the controller controls the separation roller to receive rotational force through the forced reverse transmission mechanism after the limited force reverse transmission mechanism transmits the rotational force to the separation roller, then allows the limited force reverse transmission mechanism to transmit the rotational force to the separation roller, or to rotate the feeding via the transmission mechanism and the limited force transmission mechanism to transmit the rotational force to the separ

Abstract: In a sheet processing apparatus that, for example, sorts or staples sheets after image formation, when preceding finishing is not completed on a processing tray, a third sheet fed anew into a waiting tray of a sheet placing member configuring a sheet waiting unit, which temporarily puts a sheet conveyed thereto on standby, is stacked to be shifted such that leading ends of second and third sheets are located further on a conveying direction upstream side than a leading end of a first sheet. Consequently, longitudinal alignment in the processing tray after that is surely performed.

Abstract: A sheet discharge apparatus includes a discharge portion configured to discharge sheets, a wall member provided below the discharge portion, a tray configured to receive the discharged sheets from the discharge portion, and a holding member provided on the wall member to approach relatively the tray, holding the sheets between itself and the tray, and moving linearly by holding the sheets.

Abstract: A bundle claw attached to a sheet conveyor belt includes a concave portion having a bottom surface for regulating a position of a trailing end of the sheets, and, in the bottom surface, a surface on a lower side that comes into contact with the sheet conveyor belt is formed deeper than a surface on an upper side to form the step portion between the surface on the lower side and the surface on the upper side. Therefore, when a small number of sheets are discharged from a processing tray to a stacking tray, a trailing end of the sheets is located on the lower surface side of the concave surface of the bundle claw, where the trailing end of the sheets should be originally located, and does not move to the upper surface side of the concave surface of the bundle claw.

Abstract: When a sheet is conveyed from a processing tray to a stacking tray, a bar-like pushing member is moved in a direction of the stacking tray in synchronization with an ejector. Consequently, simultaneously with the movement of the sheet by the ejector, a lower surface of a leading end of the sheet is pushed to relax and reduce a contact force between the lower surface of the leading end of the sheet and the stacking tray (or an upper surface of a sheet already stacked on the stacking tray). As a result, static friction at the leading end of the sheet is changed to dynamic friction and the entire sheet is conveyed to the stacking tray without bending.

Abstract: There is provided a technique in which in a sheet processing apparatus including a switchback portion in a sheet transport path, a contribution can be made to the improvement of maintenance in the case where a sheet jam occurs in the vicinity of a switchback position. In a sheet processing method of a sheet processing apparatus for performing a specified process to a sheet, the sheet processing apparatus includes a first sheet transport path for transporting the sheet, and a second sheet transport path that is for performing switchback transport of the sheet transported in the first sheet transport path and includes at least one of a hole, a projection and a recess in the vicinity of a meeting position between the second sheet transport path and the first sheet transport path, and the first sheet transport path and the second sheet transport path are enabled to be integrally pulled out to the outside of the sheet processing apparatus.

Abstract: There is provided a technique in which a retracting operation of a bundle of sheets from a stapler after a staple process can be stably performed irrespective of the number of sheets constituting the bundle of sheets or the transport resistance. When the bundle of sheets subjected to the staple process is moved by a stacker in a direction of retracting from the stapler, an alignment roller is caused to come in contact with the bundle of sheets held by the stacker and to assist the movement of the bundle of sheet.

Abstract: A stack-like arrangement of printed products with folded edges, in which arrangement the printed products are all arranged with identical orientation, has an increased stability, if it comprises stack sections, within which the folded edges of the printed products indeed lie on top of each other, but wherein the stack sections are arranged displaced in relation to each other, such that the stack sections with folded edges protruding from the arrangement alternate with stack sections with edges opposite the folded edges protruding from the arrangement.

Abstract: An alignment device for substantially aligning a plurality of signatures of a book block comprising a projection and an actuator coupled to the projection. The actuator may be actuable to move the projection within a path of the book block such that the projection contacts an edge of at least one of the plurality of signatures and positions the at least one of the plurality of signatures into substantial alignment with the other signatures of the book block.

Abstract: A feeding apparatus including a feeding roller for conveying a sheet, a separation roller for conveying the sheet in a reverse direction, a transmission mechanism for transmitting the rotational force to the feeding roller, a limited force reverse transmission mechanism for transmitting the rotational force to the separation roller through a torque limiter, a forced reverse transmission mechanism for directly transmitting the rotational force to the separation roller, a temperature detector and a controller, wherein the controller controls the separation roller to receive rotational force through the forced reverse transmission mechanism after the limited force reverse transmission mechanism transmits the rotational force to the separation roller, then allows the limited force reverse transmission mechanism to transmit the rotational force to the separation roller, or to rotate the feeding via the transmission mechanism and the limited force transmission mechanism to transmit the rotational force to the separ

Abstract: A posture control device has a posture detecting section, an upstream conveying section, a posture control section, and a downstream conveying section along a conveying path for mail items. The distance from a nip of the upstream conveying section and a nip of the posture control section (D-E distance) is designed to be substantially as long as the longest one of the mail items to be processed by the device which has the greatest length along a conveying direction. The distance from the nip of the posture control section and a nip of the downstream conveying section (E-F distance) is designed to be slightly longer the shortest one of the mail items to be processed by the device which has the shortest length along the conveying direction.

Abstract: To provide a paper feeding device that can switch setting information only with an easy action of sheet removal and setting in a predetermined position. The paper feeding device includes a first detecting unit that detects whether a sheet is set in a predetermined position, a second detecting unit that detects whether the sheet removal and setting is performed in the predetermined position after the setting of the sheet is detected by the first detecting unit, and a switching unit that switches setting information concerning the sheet when the sheet removal and setting is detected by the second detecting unit.

Abstract: There is provided a technique which can greatly improve throughput at the time when, after a folding process is performed to a bundle of sheets, the bundle of sheets subjected to the folding process is transported to a downstream side, and can prevent a wrinkle from occurring in the bundle of sheets at the time of the folding process. A sheet transport speed of a pair of rollers is changed from a first transport speed to a second transport speed at a specified timing between when a folding blade finishes a pressing operation of the bundle of sheets and starts a return operation to a waiting position and when a rear edge of the bundle of sheets pressed into a nip of a pair of rollers by the folding blade passes through the nip of the pair of rollers.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first guide portion disposed to be movable for opening a transportation path of a medium; a second guide portion disposed to be movable for opening the transportation path and arranged adjacent to the first guide portion; a first transportation member for transporting the medium to the transportation path; and a second transportation member for discharging the medium from the transportation path to outside the image forming apparatus. Further, when the first guide portion and the second guide portion close the transportation path, the second guide portion is arranged to guide a rear edge of the medium.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward devices which all a person to view playing cards without having to actually pick up the cards themselves. There are two basic versions of the invention: a portable version which can be carried by the user, and an installed version which sits in a cavity cut out from a card playing table. Both versions have sides to prevent others from seeing the cards, a mirror to reflect the cards up onto the eyes of the user while the cards remain face down on the table, and a ramp, or means by which a user can pull cards from a table over the mirror. A number of accessory items can be added to the installed version, such as advertising gaskets between the rim of the device and the table, various LCD screens and control buttons displayed around the edges of the devices, and other such add-ons.

Abstract: A device for shuffling a deck of playing cards is described. The cards are placed in a compartment having a shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, and dimensioned so that the cards are constrained in rotation in two of the three axes. The device is oriented so that a thickness dimension of the deck is horizontal, and groups of cards of the deck of cards are ejected in a vertical direction so as to provide a spacing of between a top edge of cards at rest and a bottom edge of the cards being ejected. The time duration of the ejection process is sufficient to effectively randomize the deck of cards. The ejection of cards may be by a plurality of pistons, and the pistons may be actuated by a motor, a solenoid or by air pressure.

Abstract: A portable piece game set comprises a gameboard and a plurality of pieces. The gameboard includes two boards, where on an inner surface of a first board has a plurality of recessed piece seats for placing pieces, and a second board is connected with and used for covering the first board. Each piece includes a holding part and a positioning part, where the holding part is used for players to position or place the piece and the positioning part is fit with the recessed piece seat for placing the piece on the inner surface of the first board.

Abstract: A vehicle racing card game according to embodiments of the invention includes a number of track cards that can be arranged by the players to form a race course. A vehicle racing card game also includes a number of vehicle cards to be played by the players. In some embodiments, players advance along the race course by playing their vehicle cards one at a time, and by scoring points depending, for example, on how closely certain graphical elements of a players vehicle card matches corresponding graphical elements of the track card corresponding to their position along the race course.

Abstract: Layout game comprising a number of cards (1) having images (3) which when playing the game have to be laid out in matching connections, wherein the images are spaced from at least one border portion (4a-d) of the cards. Preferably the cards are at least partially made of transparent material, particularly the said border portion. Preferably the images are spaced from at least almost the entire circumferential border of the cards. Preferably the images have the shape that is similar to the cards.

Abstract: A method of playing a casino table wagering game of blackjack has the steps of: at least one player and preferably at least two players placing individual wagers on an underlying blackjack game; an initial 2-card common player hand is dealt; an initial 2-card dealer hand is dealt, with rank of one card of the initial 2-card dealer hand exposed to view; each player making independent decisions on the play of the player's hand to complete of the common hand for each individual player's hand using only community cards; completing the dealer's hand; and resolving all wagers. A series of player count identifying areas may be provided and individual player identifiers are placed in the areas. The player count areas comprise six areas separately representing player counts of a) 16 or less, b) 17; c) 18; d) 19; e) 20; and f) 21.

Abstract: Aspects of the present inventions concerns methods and devices for playing a game with predetermined rules using at least one standard deck of 52 actual or virtual playing cards, wherein at least two but no more than three cards are dealt to a first hand, at least two but no more than three cards are dealt to a second hand, and a player wagers on either (i) the first hand having a score closer or equal to a predetermined high value than the second hand, (ii) the second hand having a score closer or equal to the predetermined high value than the first hand, or (iii) the first and second hands having the same score, wherein the predetermined rules make the odds of the first hand having a score closer or equal to the predetermined high value more likely than the second hand having a score closer or equal to the predetermined high value.

Abstract: A betting card game for play by a plurality of players against a dealer using at least one deck of playing cards, a payout being received by one player when the numerical value of their three cards totals 7 or 11. A first bet is placed by the player before the start of a game and a second bet is placed by the player after the player and dealer have each been dealt a set of three cards each. One of the dealer's three cards are placed face-up to be visible to all players. After placing a second bet, each player is given the option of substituting one card from their hand with a new card from the deck. The dealer is likewise given the option of substituting one card from their hand with a new card from the deck. If the numerical value of three dealer cards totals 7 or 11, the dealer keeps a payout in the amount of the first and second bets of the player. In the event the dealer cards total 7 or 11 and the player cards have an equal numerical value, then the game is a tie.

Abstract: A community-style poker game is played by dealing each player two cards face-down followed by a community card face up. A first round of bets is solicited, and then two more community cards are dealt, face up. A second betting round is conducted, and then a final third card is dealt face-down to each player. A third and final betting round is solicited from the players, following which a game decision is reached by evaluating the respective hands considering the three community cards and each players' three private cards to determine the best five-card poker hand out of the six cards available to each player. Because each player that remains in the game can expect to receive the third and final card face down, players will be drawn to remain in the game at least thorough the second betting round with the hope that the third and final card will secure a victory.

Abstract: A novel card game in which cards are dealt and placed into a space on a three-by-three grid in order to create the most number of high-scoring poker hands out of the eight possible hands; three rows, three columns and two diagonals. Using the present invention, numerous different games can be played with one or more players and using a deck of standard playing cards, a computer, a handheld device or a gaming machine. The present invention can also be used for lottery tickets and the like.

Abstract: An Enhanced Deck of playing cards and related methods of use comprising a core deck of cards with either about 52 to about 54 cards or about 72 cards, with said deck featuring suits of spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs, and where an obverse of at least one of the cards of said deck further includes an indicia for a dimension of information; and where supplemental decks with additional dimensions of information or numbers of cards may be used to modify existing card games.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement is provided, including a sealing ring for sealing two machine elements from one another, the sealing ring being configured in an installation space for the second machine element that is open toward the first machine element to be sealed, and sealingly contacting the surface to be sealed of the first machine element, by way of at least one dynamically loaded first sealing lip. The sealing ring is arranged under elastic axial and radial preloading within the installation space.

Abstract: A gasketed collar for reducing EMI emission from a communication module is presented. The gasketed collar includes a conductive metal collar designed to fit at least partway around the communication module, and a gasket. The gasket is electrically conductive and compressible. The gasket fits at least partway around the communication module and overlaps the conductive metal collar. A communication module including such gasketed collar and a method of making such communication module are also presented.

Abstract: A brush seal assembly is formed of a bristle array receiving at least one housing member. Alignment structures are formed on the housing and bristle assembly to ensure that the bristle assembly will be properly positioned in a working environment.

Abstract: A radial shaft seal for a shaft or axle supported in a housing comprises a sealing element lying on the shaft made of a polymer material and a part fixed relative to the housing. The radial shaft seal for a shaft or axle can be supported in the drive train of a motor vehicle. The radial shaft seal can comprise a holding guide means supported on the shaft to hold the sealing element coaxial to the shaft. The holding guide means is connected to the part fixed relative to the housing by means of a flexible sealing membrane. The holding guide means at least in the contact area to the shaft is made of an essentially rigid material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing profile for the sealing of joints between laid covering panels (2), having a base body (1, 18) which is composed of elastomeric material, with the sealing profile having, in cross section, a widening (10, 10?) on both sides on its foot end which faces toward the underlying surface (5). The invention is characterized in that the widenings (10) are composed of elastomeric material and in that, from the foot face (11) of the base body (1), a groove or notch (12) is formed upward into the interior of said base body (1).

Abstract: A joining surface of a lower case including a plurality of grooves and bolt holes. The plurality of grooves are formed with a substantially arced shape and intersect with each other. The bolt holes are used for tightening. The grooves intersect with each other, and connecting sections of the grooves form a continuous groove that separates the inside of the case from the outside of the case. A liquid gasket is filled in the grooves.

Abstract: An inflatable sealing device includes a bushing and a plunger which is movably guided in the bushing through application of air pressure from an air supply to execute a predefined limited stroke. A sealing tube is connected to the plunger and has an interior space which is connected to the air supply to radially expand the sealing tube when air pressure is applied.

Abstract: A lip gasket (1) designed to be mounted between the lid (2) and the bowl (3) of a cooking appliance (4) for the purpose of providing sealing between the lid (2) and the bowl (3), the gasket (1) comprising at least first and second lips (1A, 1B), interconnected by a heel, the lips (1A, 1B) and the heel (1C) being such that, when the lips (1A, 1B) are brought together, they are suitable for defining a closed interstitial space (100), the gasket (1) being characterized in that it is provided with at least one geometrical discontinuity (80) suitable for acting, when the lips (1A, 1B) are brought together, to provide at least one path (9, 90) for putting the interstitial space (100) into communication with the outside. The invention applies to household cooking appliances.