Abstract: The disclosed technology can include, in some embodiments, a packaging and display system comprising a box, a flap connected to the box, a pop-up portion hingedly connected to the box, a connector member hingedly connected to both the flap and the pop-up portion, and a drawer configured to at least partially insert into the box. In certain embodiments, the packaging and display system can comprise an object, and in some embodiments, the drawer can include a cutout configured to at least partially receive the object.

Abstract: Plastic container has a container body having an outer surface and defining a longitudinal axis, at least one recessed panel defined in the container body having an outer perimeter and recessed relative to the outer surface of the container body, the perimeter including opposing longitudinal sides and transverse ends, a transition region defined along the perimeter of the recessed panel, the transition region extending between the recessed panel and the outer surface, and at least one indentation formed in the transition region proximate at least one transverse end of the outer perimeter, the indentation having a height, a width, and a depth, the height of the indentation extending beyond the transition region. The indentation can prevent or reduce container failure due to external forces, such as side loading during a hot-fill process.

Abstract: Container (1) made of a plastic material, provided with a base (7) including a standing ring (8) forming a support flange (9) and a diaphragm (11) extending from the standing ring (8) to a central portion (10), the diaphragm (11) being capable of standing in an outwardly-inclined position. The diaphragm (11) connects to the standing ring (8) at an outer junction (12) forming an outer articulation of the diaphragm (11). The diaphragm (11) connects to the central portion (10) at an inner junction (13) forming an inner articulation of the diaphragm (11). The diaphragm (11) is invertible with respect to the standing ring (8) from the outwardly-inclined position to an inwardly-inclined position. In the inwardly-inclined position, at least an inner portion (16) of the diaphragm (11) adjacent to the inner junction (13) is curved in radial section, with a concavity turned outwards.

Abstract: A connecting system for providing a fluidic connection, preferably between containers, wherein the connecting system has at least two connecting arrangements configured to provide the fluidic connection, namely a first connecting arrangement and a second connecting arrangement, each of which is fluidically sealed in an initial state, wherein the first connecting arrangement has, in particular, a film-shaped, brittle and/or unstable opening region, is deformable outside the opening region and is configured such that deformation causes the first connecting arrangement to open in the opening region.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for enabling serial delivery of a plurality of interconnected gloves, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of flexible gloves, a distal tip end of one or more of the fingers of a downstream one the plurality of gloves being readily detachably attached to a bottom proximal edge of an open bottom end of an immediately upstream one of the plurality gloves.

Abstract: Packet for smoking articles, comprising an external shell and an internal shell to contain smoking articles. The external shell comprises an external containing body, a closing lid hinged to the internal shell and a connection tongue configured to connect the closing lid to the external containing body. Moreover, the internal shell is configured to slide, with respect to the external containing body, between a closed configuration where the internal shell is completely inserted inside the external shell, and an open and extracted configuration where the internal shell is partly extracted from the external containing body.

Abstract: Computationally implemented methods and systems include acquiring user information associated with one or more users for preparing one or more customized food items for the one or more users, the user information including one or more user preferences related to integrity of one or more food ingredients to be included in the one or more customized food items; and directing generation of one or more customized packagings for holding the one or more customized food items of the one or more users, the one or more customized packagings having one or more features that are customized based, at least in part, on the acquired user information. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text.

Abstract: A folding cargo container is disclosed. The folding cargo container has a left frame, a right frame, a rear frame, a bottom frame, a cross bar, a first connection member, a second connection member, and a third connection member, the left frame is foldably connected to the rear frame via the first connection member, the right frame is foldably connected to the rear frame via the second connection member, the left end of the bottom frame is foldably connected to the left frame via the third connection member. Locking slots can lock the bottom frame and right frame. The described cargo container has a simple structure and low production cost, and all frame parts thereof may be folded together, which takes up less space when not in use.

Abstract: A cassette for use in dispensing a pleated tubing. The cassette includes an annular body having a generally U shaped housing with a central cylindrical core. The at least one wall has an upper end with a downturn lip disposed thereon. An annular cover extends radially outward from the central cylindrical core over the annular body defining a gap. The cover has a socket into which the upper end with the downturn lip is secured. A tubing is disposed within the u-shaped housing and withdrawn from the gap.

Abstract: Container including a base and an outer wall defining an interior space receivable of a bag. A bag handling assembly is coupled to the wall and includes a retainer connected to the wall, a bag support pivotally coupled to the retainer by cooperating hinge components on the retainer and bag support, and a closure component pivotally coupled to the bag support by cooperating hinge components on the bag support and closure component, independent of the pivotal coupling of the bag support to the retainer. The container includes two separate and independent pivotal attachment mechanisms, one of which serves to fix a bag between the closure component and bag support and the other of which serves to enable better access to the interior of the container for bag insertion and removal.

Abstract: Containers are described which can accommodate a variety of flexible bag assemblies used for containing waste. Internal accommodating structures are designed to accommodate and secure various types of bag assemblies, including single bag assemblies and cassettes.

Abstract: A cargo body of a refuse truck includes a support frame and a bed having a storage volume supported by the support frame. A container handling apparatus includes a primary lift arm for lifting a container lift platform using an actuation system. The primary lift arm is pivotally connected to the support frame at a pivot location between the support frame and the primary lift arm. The actuation system includes a hydraulic cylinder including an actuation rod that is used to move the primary lift arm between raised and lowered positions. A clevis member is connected at an end of the actuation rod. The clevis member has an arm link connection portion that pivotally connects to an arm linkage at a pivot location between the clevis member and the arm linkage and a traveler portion including a traveler member that moves along a guide track as the actuation rod is extended and retracted. The pivot location between the clevis member and the arm linkage is offset from the traveler member.

Abstract: A storage and retrieval system including a storage structure having storage shelves, each storage shelf having slats for supporting stored items where the slats are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, an autonomous transport vehicle including at least one sensor configured to sense each of the slats and output a signal indicating when a slat is sensed, and a controller for verifying a location of the autonomous transport vehicle within the storage structure based on at least the output signal.

Abstract: A retrieval/storage apparatus (2) for warehouses (1), including: a support frame (8) having a retrieval/storage surface (9) for at least one article which must be retrieved from a respective warehouse (1) or stored in the warehouse (1); the frame (8) defining a housing space (10) of a drawer (4) for containing one or more articles; and an access device (11) operatively active on the retrieval/storage surface (9) so as to open/close at least one opening (12) through which it is possible to access the housing space (10), inside the drawer (4); the access device (11) includes a first and a second wall (13, 14) both mobile along the retrieval/storage surface (9), and at least a third wall (15) mobile along the retrieval/storage level (9) in a direction transversal to the direction of movement of the first and second walls (13, 14).

Abstract: Storage compartment configurations of pickup locations may be modified (e.g., by dividing larger storage compartments into multiple smaller storage compartments, or vice versa) based on sizes of items to be delivered to the pickup locations, so as to allow more items to be stored with less unused space in each of the storage compartments. Partitions may be positioned (e.g., inserted, moved, removed, etc.) utilizing positioning elements (e.g., rollers, motors, actuators, robotic arms, etc.) for configuring the sizes of each of the storage compartments. Door operations for each of the storage compartments may be modified so as to correspond to the current sizes of the storage compartments, and in some instances multiple doors may be utilized for providing access to larger storage compartments while individual doors may be utilized for providing access to smaller storage compartments.

Abstract: A warehouse automation system adapted to improve warehouse operating productivity includes a plurality of carts for transporting products within a warehouse and a controller. The controller is adapted to associate a first one of the plurality of carts with a first person and to control the first cart to lead the first person around the warehouse. According to one advantage, the time the first person spends restocking, picking, counting, sorting, moving, and packing product into customer orders and shipments, for example, is reduced.

Abstract: A towing apparatus is provided. The towing apparatus includes a clamp. The clamp includes a first arm and a second arm. Each of the first and second arms includes a handle portion and a gripping portion. The first and second arms are pivotally secured together in between the handle portions 12a and the gripping portions. A spring biases the gripping portions together. A first lock plate is pivotally secured to a distal end of the gripping portion of the first arm and a second lock plate is pivotally secured to a distal end of the gripping portion of the second arm. The towing apparatus further includes a rope attached to the clamp.

Abstract: A modular chute system for providing safe convenient access to an inside cavity of the chute system from a variety of locations to enhance safer serviceability features a chute channel formed from a plurality of chute sections. Each chute section is formed from a plurality of rigid structural panels. An edge flange is disposed on each panel edge encompassing an entire panel outer periphery, and the edge flange of one panel is connected to the edge flange of another structural panel. Upon removal of a structural panel or set of adjacent structural panels, the chute channel is self-supporting and non-collapsing. Chute serviceability, such as replacement of interior liners or panels, can be accomplished by removing panels and replacing liners without entering the chute cavity.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a steep conveying installation for arranging on a slope of an open-cast mining glory hole, by means of which raw materials can be transported from a lower height level, in particular from a mining floor of the open-cast mine, to an upper height level, in particular formed by a soil, encompassing a line arranged on the slope. According to the invention, provision is made for a first conveying basket and for a second conveying basket, which conveying baskets can be displaced on the line between the lower height level and the upper height level and are embodied to receive the raw materials, wherein the conveying baskets are in contact with one another via at least one common traction means.

Abstract: An article transport device includes a transport mechanism which is configured to support, from below, a container being transported and to transport the container along a transporting path, and a housing which forms an accommodating space in which at least a part of the transport mechanism is housed. The housing has one or more support plates, a plurality of brackets, and a housing panel. Each of the one or more support plates is a plate-shaped member extending along the transporting path and is configured to support the transport mechanism from below. A lower end portion of each of the plurality of brackets is attached to a corresponding one of the one or more support plates such that the plurality of the brackets are spaced apart from one another along a direction along the transporting path, outside the accommodating space along the lateral width direction.

Abstract: A thermoplastic endless belt has a smooth outer surface substantially free of discontinuities and an inner surface with a plurality of teeth at a given belt pitch. The teeth are adapted to engage a pulley with circumferentially spaced sheaves at a pulley pitch greater than the belt pitch. The belt is slightly stretchable so that the pulley can drive the endless belt when engaging the teeth within a range of load on the belt. Means are provided to minimize friction between the belt and the drive pulley. Also, a position limiter ensures that the driven tooth stays engaged optimally with the drive sheave.

Abstract: A parts organizer receives small parts such as mechanical fasteners in bulk form and organizes a plurality of the parts in a common desired orientation. Unoriented parts are received on top of a parts holder and subsequently moved along an upper side of the parts holder by an agitator. A plurality of receptacles are formed in the parts holder and open on its upper side. Each receptacle is configured to hold one of the parts in the desired orientation and may include a lead-in feature to help reorient the parts as they encounter the receptacles during movement. A retaining wall operates to contain unheld parts at the upper side of the parts holder during a parts organizing step and to allow the agitator to clear unheld parts away from the upper side of the parts holder during a purge step.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for an automatically pivoting return side idler trainer for returning a drifting conveyor belt back to a central position during operation. The trainer includes a non-collinear shaft having ends fixed to the conveyor structure while a non-collinear tube is pivotally mounted to the shaft. A tapered roller element is rotatably mounted to the tube on each side of the pivotal mounting. The shaft and tube include an offset angle that is determined by the taper angle of the tapered roller elements such that when the trainer is installed, the profile of the roller elements form a level surface along the trainer, parallel to the belt return side, regardless if the belt has a straight or cupped profile. A second embodiment uses a non-collinear shaft to which the tapered roller elements are rotatably mounted and whereby the shaft itself is pivotally mounted to an external conveyor structure.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a movable conveyor belt adapted for conveying articles supported by a conveying surface in a conveying direction, the conveyor belt including guide links. Guides in the form of at least two stationary rods elongated in the conveying direction engage the guide links of the conveyor belt during conveyance. The guides may form part of a conveyor frame including connectors spaced in the conveying direction connecting to at least one upper guide and at least one lower guide without projecting between them. An elongated support may be provided for supporting the connectors, and may include at least portion curved in the conveying direction and a vertical direction.

Abstract: An egg orientation device is provided to position eggs downwards or upwards in egg retainers. The device includes a stationary lane with a support plate. The support plate includes a central zone and two lateral zones. The device also includes a pusher movable along the stationary lane and configured to push an egg over the support plate and around its longitudinal axis. The egg retainer is also movable in the beneath the support plate of the stationary lane in a synchronized manner with the pusher. A drop opening is provided in the support plate. The drop opening enables eggs to fall through such that they are positioned downwards or upwards in the egg retainer positioned beneath the drop opening. The drop opening is either located in the central zone or in the lateral zone.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a conveyor system reorients objects from a side-by-side orientation to a sequential orientation. The system has an upper conveyor level and a subsequent conveyor level disposed below the upper level. The upper level has an upper conveyor segment that has an upstream end, a downstream end opposite the upstream end along a flow direction, a pair of lateral sides, a top side, and a bottom side. The upper conveyor segment defines an conveying surface that is between the pair of lateral sides and that carries objects aligned therewith along the flow direction. The upper conveyor segment also defines a discharge opening that is between the conveying surface and one of the lateral sides. The discharge opening extends through the upper conveyor segment along a vertical direction so as to discharge objects onto the subsequent conveyor level that are aligned with the discharge opening.

Abstract: To develop a transfer device which has a lower overall height than that of a conventional technology. A transfer device 1 includes a main conveying unit 3 equipped with main conveying bodies 82, a sub conveying unit 2 equipped with sub conveying bodies 14, a lifting and lowering mechanism 4 which lifts and lowers the main conveying unit 3 and the sub conveying unit 2 such that the respective units 3 and 2 are located at different positions in the up-down direction, and a motor 5 which operates the lifting and lowering mechanism 4. A planar position of the motor 5 resides in a planar area overlapping with the main conveying bodies 82 and the sub conveying bodies 14. A position of the motor 5 in the height direction is set such that a part or the whole of the motor 5 is located above a height of a lower end of a rotational track or a traveling track of any one of the conveying bodies 82 and 14 in a lowered state of any one of the conveying units 3 and 2.

Abstract: A container raising/lowering conveyance apparatus is provided with: rod-shaped gripping raising/lowering bodies which are long in a raising/lowering direction, and which are supported so as to be capable of being horizontally fitted to and detached from corners of a container; and lifting raising/lowering bodies in which supporting implements protruding towards two parallel side surfaces of the container are provided to rod-shaped main bodies which are long in the raising/lowering direction and are capable of being moved closer to and away from the two parallel side surfaces of the container. When the supporting implements are moved closer to the two parallel side surfaces of the container, the supporting implements are inserted underneath a flange portion at the two parallel side surfaces of the container, and when the rod-shaped main bodies are raised, the supporting implements lift the container via the flange portion.

Abstract: A container raising/lowering conveyance apparatus including four gripping raising/lowering bodies capable of being respectively horizontally fitted to and detached from four corners of an article-conveyance container is configured such that, in a planar view, central raising/lowering link members capable of being raised and lowered are disposed at central positions of respective edges of a right-angled parallelogram surrounded by the four gripping raising/lowering bodies, and each of the central raising/lowering link members and the gripping raising/lowering bodies at both sides thereof are coupled to each other by at least one pair of upper and lower rocking parallel links capable of rocking in the vertical direction.

Abstract: A receiver having a horizontally elongated chamber within a housing, the chamber having a convex triangular cross-section and a dump flap defining a bottom vertex of the triangular cross-section, with a horizontal air/vacuum resin material inlet connecting to the chamber, and a horizontal air/vacuum outlet leading from and connected to the chamber.

Abstract: A holder (10) for use in a conveyor line (20) formed from a stator of a long stator linear motor with at least a first retaining element (1) and a second retaining element (2), wherein the first retaining element (1) and the second retaining element (2) are arranged side by side and spaced apart from each other in a first direction (3) and the first retaining element (1) in this first direction (3) comprises a first rigidity (S1) and the second retaining element (2) in this first direction (3) a second rigidity (S2), which is lower than the first rigidity (S1).

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an article handling apparatus includes a gripper, a supporting portion, a sensor, and controller. The gripper grips an article. The supporting portion supports an article from below. The sensor recognizes a plurality of articles to generate a recognition result. The controller calculates a position of a first article located highest among the plurality of articles based on the recognition result, calculates a position of a second article located second highest in a region determined based on the position of the first article, controls movement of the gripper based on the position of the first article, and controls the movement of the supporting portion based on the position of the second article.

Abstract: A ship to railroad intermodal freight system. In an embodiment, a conveyor system is provided for placing railroad cars in a position for loading shipping containers thereon. Railroad cars have a frame with a front end and a rear end, supported between bogies. Conveyor hooks are pivotally mounted to the frame, and a guide roller with hook guide is provided to adjustably support the conveyor hook(s) below the frame of the railroad car. A method for loading or unloading the railroad cars includes lifting a conveyor hook from a drag chain conveyor using the interaction of the guide roller with a pivot board mounted at the chain conveyor, while shipping container(s) are placed on the railroad car. By utilizing the method, efficient loading and unloading of railcars involved in ship to railroad intermodal shipments may save considerable time, and thus reduce costs.

Abstract: A shuttle van system for a container terminal, including: at least one rail and a transfer device. The transfer device includes a plurality of shuttle vans and a plurality of transition platforms. Each shuttle van includes: a base frame, a wheel group, a wheel driving device, a lifting device, and a supporting plate. Each transition platform includes brackets. The shuttle vans run on the rail between the brackets. The lifting device of the shuttle van is configured to lift the container from the supporting plate. The container is transferred from the supporting plate of the shuttle van to the bracket after contraction of the lifting device.

Abstract: A drive-over conveyor for unloading fracking sand is designed to be towed as a highway semi-trailer includes a center frame structure containing a conveyor belt with two pivotal ramps on each side to be moved to a raised position standing upwardly and a lowered position extending outwardly. The ramps have sufficient length and the center structure has a low height to allow a highway semi-trailer to pass over a grate in the center structure. A platform is attached at the forward end with a king pin on the underside for engaging a towing platform of a highway tractor. A wheel and axle assembly including suspension of the axle for highway travel is mounted on a sub-frame pivotal relative to main rear frame for movement relative to the center frame structure from a lowered road position to a raised position allowing the center frame structure to rest on the ground.

Abstract: A sheet tray includes: a first receiving member; a second receiving member including a first holding portion configured to be pushed into and drawn out from the first receiving member and a third receiving member including a second holding portion configured to be pushed into and drawn out from the second receiving member. The first receiving member covers the second and third receiving members in a state of being pushed into. The second receiving member is configured to expose the second holding portion while maintaining a state in which the third receiving member can be drawn out. The first receiving member is configured to expose the second holding portion while maintaining a state in which the third receiving member can be drawn out.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a body portion with a supporting portion to support a sheet and a feed portion to feed the sheet, a pivoting portion arranged upstream in a sheet feeding direction of the supporting portion, and a slide portion supported slidably on the pivoting portion. A first regulating portion abuts against the slide portion and regulates the slide portion from moving downstream in the sheet feeding direction, and a second regulating portion regulates a position of the sheet supported on the supporting portion. A guide portion is formed across the supporting portion and the slide portion and guides the second regulating portion between the supporting portion and the slide portion along the sheet feeding direction, with the second regulating portion moving on the supporting portion by being guided by the guide portion in a state where the second regulating portion is separated from the slide portion.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a side face of a device body and a bypass tray. The bypass tray is supported turnably around a fulcrum part in the side face between a close position along the side face and an open position held at a predetermined angle with the side face. The bypass tray includes a locked piece having a locked hole. The side face includes a locking hook engaging with the locked piece when the bypass tray is at the close position. The locking hook includes an elastically deformable arm part, an engaging protrusion part protruded inwardly from a distal end of the arm part in a width direction of a sheet to insert into the locked hole, and a regulating part coming into contact with an opening edge of the locked hole to regulate an insertion amount of the engaging protrusion part to the locked hole.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sheet feeding apparatus including: a tray unit provided rotatably with respect to an apparatus main body; a sheet stacking member which can be moved to a stand-by position for waiting for sheet feeding and a feeding position at which a sheet can be fed; a moving portion which abuts against the sheet stacking member from below and to move the sheet stacking member to the feeding position and the stand-by position, the moving portion being movable to a first position at which the moving portion locates the sheet stacking member at the stand-by position and to a second position at which the moving portion locates the sheet stacking member at the feeding position; and a restricting portion which restricts movement of the sheet stacking member by interfering with the moving portion located at the first position when the sheet stacking member moves.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a lift plate, an actuator, a photosensor, and a controller. Paper is placed on the lift plate. The lift plate is driven to increase a first inclination angle in response to a decrease in a residual amount of the paper placed on the lift plate. The first inclination angle indicates an angle of inclination of the lift plate with respect to a horizontal plane. A second inclination angle indicating an angle of inclination of the actuator with respect to the horizontal plane increases in response to an increase in the first inclination angle. The actuator increases or decreases a transmitted light quantity along with an increase in the second inclination angle. The photosensor detects the transmitted light quantity. The controller calculates the residual amount of the paper on the basis of the transmitted light quantity.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a first rotary member to feed a sheet supported on a sheet supporter, a second rotary member to feed the sheet with a feeding force weaker than the first rotary member, and a third rotary member in contact with a separation member to separate the sheets fed by the first rotary member one by one. A drive transmission switches between a first drive transmission state in which a driving force from a motor to the first rotary member and the third rotary member is transmitted while the driving force from the motor to a second rotary member is cut off, and a second drive transmission state in which the driving force from the motor to the second rotary member is transmitted while the driving force from the motor to the first rotary member and the third rotary member is cut off.

Abstract: A sheet conveyer having a tray, a feed roller, a separator roller, a holder, an arm, a load applier unit, and a cam member is provided. The load applier unit includes a contacting member, a lever, and a contractive spring. One of the contacting member and the arm has one of a protrusion and a hole section, and the other of the contacting member and the arm has the other of the protrusion and the hole section. The holder is maintained in a second holder-position when the protrusion contacts one end of the hole section and applies a weight of the load applier unit to the arm and maintained in the first holder-position when the protrusion contacts the other end of the hole section and applies a load from the contractive spring acting in a direction to press the feed roller against sheets to the arm.

Abstract: In the separation roller, an entire area of a circumferential surface of the separation roller facing the sending roller is exposed to come in direct contact with the banknote, moving from the storage unit, on the storage unit side with respect to a contact portion which is in contact with the sending roller, both end portions in an axial direction of the separation roller are formed of a material having a friction coefficient smaller than that of a central portion thereof, and the diameter of the both end portions is the same as the diameter of the central portion.

Abstract: A contact-and-separation system includes a first roller, a second roller, and a contact-and-separation device. The first roller contacts a belt. The second roller is opposed to the first roller. The contact-and-separation device contacts or separates the belt to or from the second roller via a sheet conveyed. The contact-and-separation device includes an eccentric cam, a motor, and a circuitry. The eccentric cam is mounted on an end of a rotation shaft of the first roller. The motor rotates the eccentric cam. The circuitry controls the motor to rotate the eccentric cam to contact or separate the belt to or from the second roller via the sheet conveyed. The circuitry controls the motor to decelerate a rotation speed of the motor on contact or separation of the belt to or from the second roller between the first roller and the second roller.

Abstract: A paper sheet handling apparatus includes a housing, a first unit, a second unit, and a joint module. At least one of the first and second units is a slidable paper sheet module slidably disposed at a rail on the housing and includes a module channel. The joint module is disposed in the housing and includes a main body, a moving shaft, a joint conveying channel, and a limiting member. The main body is located at a side of the rail. The moving shaft is slidably connected to the main body and configured to slide relative to the rail. The joint conveying channel is connected to the moving shaft. The limiting member is disposed on the main body and configured to limit the moving shaft to move between an outer point and an inner point. The outer point is located closer to the rail than the inner point.

Abstract: A card conveyance system may include a first device; a second device; a conveying passage; and a host apparatus controlling the first and second device. The first device may send a card to and receive the card from the second device via the conveying passage. The second device may receive the card from and send the card to the first device via the conveying passage. The host apparatus may include an application executing section to execute an application including a user interface; a middleware executing section to execute middleware controlling the second device and the first device corresponding to a command of a standard specification; and a synchronous control section configured to acquire a command of the standard specification and control a conveying roller of the first device and a conveying roller of the second device synchronously with conveyance of the card.

Abstract: The sheet conveyance apparatus includes first and second rollers, the second roller coming into contact with the first roller and thereby forming a nip portion, the second rotation axis being inclined with respect to the first rotation axis, wherein the second roller includes a first outer circumferential portion having a first outside diameter, a second outer circumferential portion arranged on one side of the first outer circumferential portion in an axial direction of the second rotation axis and having a second outside diameter larger than the first outside diameter, and a third outer circumferential portion arranged on the other side of the first outer circumferential portion, and wherein an outer circumferential surface of the first roller contacts with at least the first, second and third outer circumferential portions of the second roller, to form the nip portion.

Abstract: A spool comprises a three-dimensional substrate and a core. The three-dimensional substrate comprises a plurality of projections extending outwardly from a plane of the substrate. The spool comprises a first plurality of spirally wound portions and a first plurality of helically wound portions. The substrate is spirally wound around the core to form each spirally wound portion of the first plurality of spirally wound portions. The spirally wound portions of the first plurality of spirally wound portions are located next to each other along a longitudinal axis of the core between a first transversal side edge of the core and a second transversal side edge of the core. The substrate is helically wound around the core along the longitudinal axis of the core to form each helically wound portion. Each helically wound portion extends between two adjacent spirally wound portions of the first plurality of spirally wound portions.

Abstract: A meandering correction device for a roll medium includes: a first roll medium conveyance unit; a second roll medium conveyance unit disposed downstream of the first roll medium conveyance unit in a conveyance path for a roll medium; a meandering correction roller located between the first roll medium conveyance unit and the second roll medium conveyance unit in the conveyance path and being vertically downwardly in contact with the roll medium to thereby apply a tension to the roll medium. The meandering correction roller includes a rotational shaft whose direction is changeable. A change in the direction of the rotational shaft causes a position of the roll medium in contact with the meandering correction roller to move in the direction of the rotational shaft.

Abstract: A sheet handling apparatus for a printing system includes a rotary drum having an inner chamber circumferentially surrounded by an outer peripheral wall with perforations formed therein. By means of sucking an air flow through the perforations of the drum to a suction system, sheets are attracted to the peripheral wall of the drum. A stationary shutter member is positioned inside the inner chamber for blocking the flow of air through the perforations when they pass, with the rotation of the drum, through a first predetermined angular range. The shutter member includes protrusions while the rotary drum includes recesses for receiving the protrusions, such that a meandering air flow passage is formed between the shutter member and the rotary drum. As such, friction between the rotary drum and the stationary shutter member is reduced, thereby reducing the power consumption of the suction system.