Abstract: An apparatus for directing media sheets from a media tray to a feed roller may be coupled to a feeder module. The apparatus includes a support member, a coupler, and a media director. The support member extends across a portion of a media tray width. The coupler extends from the support member and is configured to engage a feeder module to install the support member in a printer. The media director extends from the support member, and is configured to direct a leading edge of a media sheet moving from the media tray towards a feeder nip in the feeder module. The media director is vertically displaced from the support member and the coupler.

Abstract: A sheet transport technique of clamping and transporting a sheet by a roller and a belt abutted against the roller, the technique capable of suppressing shift of the belt in the rotation axis direction of the roller without hindering downsizing of the apparatus is provided. A sheet transport apparatus is made up of a roller 101 being formed with a tubular cavity having a predetermined length in a rotation direction and covered with an elastic body on the outer periphery in the rotation radius direction of the cavity and a belt unit 102 for abutting a belt 102c of a width narrower than the width of the cavity in the rotation axis direction of the roller 101 against the roller face of the roller 101 so that it is positioned inside the range in which the cavity is formed in the rotation axis direction of the roller 101, and sandwiching a sheet 7 between the belt 102c and the roller 101 and transporting the sheet.

Abstract: A method and system of making a book formed of a plurality of booklets having a plurality of sheets including receiving a paper value from an input device which corresponds to a sheet thickness. A maximum number of sheets per booklet based on the paper value is determined. The minimum number of sheets which will contain all pages of the book pages and the least number of booklets required responsive to the maximum number of sheets required are determined. The number of sheets in each booklet is determined and is stored. The sheets are distributed among the number of booklets. The creep for each sheet based on the paper value is determined. An image transfer device is controlled responsive to the determination of the creep.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a dog-earing arm which folds a corner of a recording medium, and a dog-eared fold reinforcing portion which presses the corner of the recording medium folded by the dog-earing arm and thus reinforces the fold. The image forming apparatus prints an ID at a position that can be visually recognized when the recording medium is folded in the middle, and then fold the recording medium in the middle. Therefore, a print user can be specified without viewing the inside of a printed matter that is folded in the middle. There is an advantage that security can be secured simply without raising the print cost.

Abstract: In a bookbinding apparatus, an adhesive applying portion applies an adhesive to an end face of a sheet bundle allowed to stand in the substantially vertical direction, a storage portion that gathers and stores the sheet bundle which is applied with the adhesive and bound in the adhesive applying portion while letting the sheet bundle stand in the substantially vertical direction, transport means for conveying the sheet bundle while letting the sheet bundle stand in the substantially vertical direction from the adhesive applying portion to the storage portion along a substantially vertical transport path, and a cutting portion which is provided on the transport path between the adhesive applying portion and the storage portion, and which cuts an end face of the sheet bundle while letting the sheet bundle stand in the substantially vertical direction.

Abstract: There are provided a sheet post-processing apparatus which can reliably stack a sheet bundle in imbricated state without bending it and an image forming apparatus having the same. A sheet post-processing apparatus includes: a stacking portion which stacks a folded sheet bundle subjected to the folding process; a discharge portion which discharges the folded sheet bundle onto the stacking portion with the folded end thereof set to the leading position; and a conveying portion which conveys the folded sheet bundle stacked onto the stacking portion, wherein the conveying portion starts the conveyance of a previous folded sheet bundle at the timing at which the folded end of a next folded sheet bundle discharged by the discharge portion is abutted onto the previous folded sheet bundle which is being conveyed to the downstream side in the discharge direction.

Abstract: A cover-driven book production method and system are disclosed. The method of cover-driven book production includes providing a plurality of book covers. The book covers can be identified using, for example, a scanner. A book block can then be retrieved from a book repository based on the identified cover. After performing raster image processing (RIP) of the book block, copies of the book block can be printed. Finishing can be accomplished by binding the printed book blocks to the book covers using an in-line binder or off-line binder.

Abstract: A printing and binding apparatus (1) is disclosed which can print on demand, bind, and trim a perfect bound book. The apparatus includes one or more text page printers (110, 200) and a color cover printer (114). The text page printers print the text pages of a book and form the text pages into a book block (BB). The color cover printer (114) prints a cover for the book. The book block and the cover are delivered to a binding station at which the spine (S) of the book block is adhesively bound to the cover. The bound book is then delivered to a trimming station (TS) at which excess margins (are trimmed from the book. A method of printing and binding a perfect bound book on demand is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for processing and printing print job portions. The method includes providing an output related attribute, and using the attribute to divide a portion of one or more print jobs into a first section (including a first print output stack) and a second section (including a second print output stack). When the portion of the one or more print jobs is printed, an output stack processing instruction is used to separate the first output stack from the second print output stack along a boundary defined by the instruction.

Abstract: An image forming device includes an image formation path extending from an entrance end adjacent to a source of supply of media sheets, past an image forming station, to an exit end adjacent to a top collection site adapted to receive media sheets, a duplex path extending from an inlet end adjacent the top collection site to an outlet end adjacent a lower front opening in the device, a media sheet directing mechanism disposed between the exit end of the image formation path, top collection site and inlet end of the duplex path and selectively operable to deliver printed media sheets to the top collection site or the inlet end of the duplex path, and a deflector mechanism between the lower front opening and the outlet end of the duplex path and operable to divert printed media sheets from the duplex path through the lower front opening to exterior of the device.

Abstract: Image forming system including at least one image forming apparatus for forming images on sheets on the basis of image data. At least one temporary containing apparatus is disposed downstream of the image forming apparatus for temporarily containing therein the sheets on which the images have been formed. A separating and conveying apparatus separates and conveys the sheets contained in the temporary containing apparatus one by one. A sheet post-processing apparatus conveys the sheets conveyed by the separating and conveying apparatus and the sheets on which the images have been formed by the image forming apparatus and which bypass the temporary containing apparatus in an arbitrary order, in order to effect a set post-process on the conveyed sheets.

Abstract: A sheet folding apparatus includes a first folding unit that folds a sheet of recording medium along first folds that extend orthogonal to a sheet conveying direction, a second folding unit that folds the sheet along a second fold that extends orthogonal to the first fold, a folded-sheet conveying unit that conveys the sheet folded by the first folding unit to the second folding unit, and a stacker unit. The stacker unit is arranged above the folded-sheet conveying unit. The sheet folding apparatus has a first exit through which a non-folded sheet is output, a second exit through which a fan-folded sheet is output, and a third exit through which a cross-folded sheet is output. Sheets output from the first exit and the second exit are stacked in the stacker unit.

Abstract: A finishing unit includes a first compiling module and a second compiling module operatively connected in parallel with the first compiling module. Each compiling module includes a finishing head adapted to perform a finishing operation upon a plurality of sheets of media. A printing system includes a sheet media source, a finishing unit operatively spaced from the sheet media source and a marking unit operatively disposed therebetween. A method of performing a print job using such first and second compiling modules is also included.

Abstract: A method and apparatus includes/uses a media supply that maintains the media sheets and a printing engine that places markings on the sheets. The media sheets have multiple opposing partially formed envelopes. The markings placed have opposite orientations on the opposing envelopes. The apparatus also optionally includes a separator that separates the opposing partially formed envelopes after the printing engine places the marking, to leave partially formed individual envelopes. A folder device optionally folds the partially formed individual envelopes to produce completed individual envelopes.

Abstract: A printer for sheets of porous media supplied from a stack of such sheets. The printer has a printhead, a sheet pick-up assembly having a conduit connected to a reversible air supply, the conduit having an outlet directed towards a top sheet of the stack for directing an airstream onto the top sheet such that air penetrates the top sheet and generates an air cushion lifting the top sheet from a second sheet, the reversible air supply configured to suck air into the outlet after the top sheet has lifted from the second sheet to hold the top sheet against the outlet and a sheet feed mechanism for displacing the conduit to draw the top sheet away from the stack.

Abstract: A compiling unit includes a collection tray and a variable-speed compiling system adapted to operate at at least two speeds to thereby receive a sheet of media at a higher speed and register the sheet of media within the collection tray at a lower speed. A control system is adapted to selectively operate the variable-speed compiling system at the at least two speeds. A printing system having a sheet media source, at least one marking engine, such a compiling unit and such a control system is included. A method of compiling sheet media is also included.

Abstract: A printer type paper money binding apparatus can print bundle-of-paper money information, such as a logo, the date, the money unit and the amount of money, on the binding strip, which is used to bind a bundle of paper money. A printer type paper money binding system capable of authenticating an operator and the operation method thereof can prevent an unauthorized operator from performing a printing and binding operation, thereby ensuring security in the printing and binding operation.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for printer-lane-packaging of documents utilizing a printer for printing on a linear web medium documents having fixed-data and variable-data information to produce in-lane formatting for each of the document and including a web cutter for cutting each of the in-lane printed documents into a stream of shingled sheets, a folder and collator for folding and collating the stream of shingled sheets into folded sets of variable page-counts per set for storage or immediate subsequent processing, and a computer for controlling the overall operation of the system components.

Abstract: A printing device includes a recessed output tray having a nudging mechanism including a nudger component that engages a stack of paper such that when the nudger moves, the stack will move with it and an actuating mechanism to move the nudger, thereby moving the stack of papers. The nudger may be automatic or may be controlled manually. The stack may be moved in a particular direction or may be rotated.

Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus includes a conveying unit that stacks sheet stacks while sequentially shifting the sheet stacks by a feed amount in a substantially horizontal direction; and a feed amount changing unit that, when the conveying unit stacks the sheet stacks, is configured to change the feed amount at a job transition point based on various conditions.

Abstract: A medium transportation apparatus is provided with a medium placing unit having a placing surface for placing a medium. The medium placing unit includes a first flat surface portion and a second flat surface portion on the placing surface. The second flat surface portion is formed on an upstream side with respect to the first flat surface portion in a medium transportation direction. The first flat surface portion and the second flat surface portion are situated on different planes.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for feeding a stack of sheets in a direction of movement to a process station, including: an elevator tray for holding stacks of sheets; a feed head for picking up a sheet from the stack of sheets when a vacuum force; air knife for blowing air between individual sheets in the stack of sheets, the sheet feeding apparatus having a first mode of operation for feeding a single stack of sheets from the sheet tray and a second mode of operation for feeding first stack of sheets and a second stack of sheets from the elevator tray.

Abstract: An image forming system includes a printing unit which prints an image on a recording sheet and a wrap bookbinding unit which performs wrap bookbinding of a batch of recording sheets including a plurality of document sheets on which images are printed by the printing unit. In the image forming system, a thickness detection unit detects a thickness of the batch of recording sheets. A wrap bookbinding control unit causes, when the detected thickness of the batch of recording sheets exceeds a thickness threshold value, the wrap bookbinding unit to perform wrap bookbinding to create two or more volumes. A relevant information printing control unit causes the printing unit to print an image of relevant information, indicating a relationship of the two or more volumes, on a cover sheet used to wrap each volume.

Abstract: An imaging device including a pivoting media pick tire is described.

Abstract: A modular print engine assembly for a peripheral comprises an upper paper support, a tray base, the upper paper support pivotally connected to one of the tray base or an extender disposed between the upper paper support and the tray base. The extender allows the modular print engine to be utilized across multiple print models or platforms with housings of various shape and size.

Abstract: A paper guide adjusting mechanism of an office machine includes a main body, a plurality of elastic elements, a transmission member, a plurality of fixing elements and a pressing plate. The main body includes a plurality of confining elements, which have respective recess structures. The transmission member includes a roller axle and a plurality of rollers, wherein the roller axle is partially received in the recess structures and the rollers are sheathed around the roller axle. The fixing elements are disposed in respective recess structures of the confining elements, wherein each fixing element has a base and the base has a first surface sustained against a corresponding elastic element and a second surface sustained against the roller axle. The pressing plate is sustained against the elastic elements.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a common conveyance path through which a sheet fed from a sheet feed tray is conveyed from a registration roller to a transfer section; a direct conveyance path through which the sheet is directly fed from the sheet feed tray to the common conveyance path; a delay conveyance path in which the sheet after being branched from the direct conveyance path is joined to the common conveyance path, and is caused to delay in being fed from the sheet feed tray to the common sheet conveyance path; a conveyance section which conveys the sheet fed from the sheet feed tray to the transfer section; and a controller which controls the conveyance section to convey once the sheet fed from the sheet feed tray from the direct conveyance path to the delay conveyance path, and thereafter to convey to the common conveyance path.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing directory printing. The disclosed systems may include a roll having a first axis. In addition, the systems disclosed may comprise a first print cylinder configured to receive web from the roll. The first print cylinder has a second axis parallel to the first axis and is configured to print a first plurality of rectangular pages on the web from the roll. Each page of the first plurality of rectangular pages has a dimension parallel to the second axis longer than a dimension perpendicular to the second axis. Moreover, the disclosed systems may comprise a collector configured to collect the web from the roll subsequent to the first plurality of pages being printed on the web from the roll.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a book on demand includes a first printing unit for printing a first component of the book (i.e. a cover), a second printing unit for printing a second component of the book (i.e. a text block), and a binding station for binding the first component and the second component together. The system may further include a computer control system receiving information relating to the book to be manufactured, the information comprising information relating to the content of said first or second component and information relating to the finished size of the book. The computer control system initiates—among other functions—manufacture of the first component by said first printing unit, receives a signal that the printing of the first component is successful and, after receipt of this signal, initiates printing of the second component by said second printing unit. The first component could be stored in a buffer until the second component is ready.

Abstract: The present application is directed to methods and devices for aligning media sheets in an input tray of an image forming device. The input tray includes a support surface and at least two spaced apart side walls. A first side wall includes a reference surface to align the media sheets. A second side wall includes a plurality of biasing members. The biasing members bias the media sheets toward the reference surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus comprising: a feeding section to perform a feeding of printing sheets; an image forming section to perform an image forming for the printing sheets fed by the feeding section; an ejection tray to which the printing sheets for which the image forming is performed by the image forming section are ejected; an input section to receive a pause condition of the feeding performed by the feeding section; and a control section to instruct the feeding section to pause the feeding based on the pause condition received by the input section.

Abstract: An improved system and method for tracking and managing documents in a high throughput document printing line comprising a printing means, a sensor means and a processing means. The printing means prints a desired invisible symbology and visible text on a document fed to it. The clear printing toner is fused with an invisible marker. The invisible symbology is printed on the document using the invisible marker. The sensor means is capable of reading the invisible symbology printed on the document. The sensor means communicates the sensor readings to a processing means. The processing means receives the sensor readings from the sensor means and correlates the sensor readings with data identifying a plurality of projects thereby determining the appropriate project to which the printed document belongs.

Abstract: A finisher includes: a stapling unit configured to staple a sheet bundle; a conveying unit; a stacking unit; and a control unit configured to change a driving speed of the conveying unit in accordance with the sheet bundle stapled by the stapling unit Thus, the sheet discharge speed after stapling can be suitably controlled in accordance with the stapled sheet bundle.

Abstract: A processing unit performs a predetermined processing on a sheet in a process of carrying the sheet. A home-position detecting unit detects a home position of a moving member of the processing unit by detecting a part of the moving member using a detecting unit. The home-position detecting unit sets in advance a detection range for recognizing the home position, and when a part to detect the home position is detected in a state in which the moving member is stopped, sets a detection position as the home position by assuming that the detection position is in the detection range without moving the moving member once out of a detection range of the detecting unit.

Abstract: A page buffer for receiving and holding, in queue, pages prepared by a printer and subsequently processed by mailpiece inserter. The page buffer includes pairs of vertically-aligned rollers defining a plurality of page stations therebetween. Each pair of rollers is spaced-apart and defines a nip for driving printed pages along a feed path. Furthermore, each page station is defined by and between a first pair of rollers disposed downstream of an adjacent second pair of rollers. A drive means is also provided for independently driving the pairs of vertically-aligned rollers. The drive means is controlled such that, in a first operating mode, the pairs cooperate to drive printed pages along the feed path. In a second operating mode, the drive means is controlled such that at least one of the page stations causes its respective first pair of rollers to retain and hold a leading edge portion of a printed page while the adjacent second pair drives and releases a trailing edge portion of the printed page.

Abstract: The inclination in the sliding direction to an inner rail of the sheet cassette is limited by a swing lever which is provided at a roller bearing support member so as to be protruded through the side of the upper guide surface of the inner rail when the sheet cassette is moved and the limitation of the inclination of the sheet cassette by the swing lever is released when the sheet cassette is pulled out.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet includes a reading unit that reads a plurality of original document sheets, a supply unit that supplies a sheet for a cover and a sheet for an inner page, a designating unit for designating an arbitrary one from original document sheets read by the reading unit, an image forming unit that forms an image based on information on a read original document, and a control unit that controls selection of a sheet, wherein, the control unit performs control to supply a sheet for a cover from the supply unit when an image is formed based on an original document sheet designated by the designating unit, and to supply a sheet for an inner page from the supply unit when an image is formed based on an original document sheet not designated by the designating unit.

Abstract: A printing medium transferring device and an image forming apparatus having the same, which are capable of stably conveying a printing medium supplied to a printing engine while ensuring a manual feeding path for the printing medium includes a conveyer roller which conveys a printing medium to the printing engine, a plurality of printing medium pressing devices which include pressing rollers installed along an outer circumference of the conveyer roller such that the printing medium is pressed in a normal direction of a surface of the conveyer roller, and a releasing device which allows at least one pressing roller to be moved apart from the conveyer roller in order to provide a manual feeding function.

Abstract: A feeding device includes a feeding unit configured to be driven while being in contact with a recording sheet to feed the recording sheet, and a stacking unit configured to stack a plurality of the recording sheets and to press or release the stacked recording sheets to or from the feeding unit. Also, the feeding device includes a separating unit configured to separate the plurality of recording sheets fed by the feeding unit, one by one, a detecting unit configured to detect the recording sheet in an area downstream of the separating unit, and a control unit configured to control each of the units. The control unit switches a feeding operation between at least two feeding operations in accordance with a drive time of the feeding unit from when the feeding unit is started to be driven to when the detecting unit detects the recording sheet.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a tray having a bottom surface. The tray holds at least one sheet therein, and has a recess formed in the bottom surface. A rotating member moves between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the rotating member contacts a sheet held in the tray, and in the second position, the rotating member is separated from the tray. The rotating member selectively rotates to convey a sheet held in the tray in a when the rotating member is in the first position. An operative portion moves in and out of the recess in the bottom surface of the tray, and movement of the operative portion corresponds to a movement of the rotating member into the second position.

Abstract: A sheet folding apparatus includes an adjuster which supports a stack of sheets stacked on an inclined surface of a sheet path and adjusts a position of the stack of sheets along the inclined surface, a stapler which staples the stack of sheets set at a stapling position, a folding unit which folds the stack of sheets set at a folding position, and a guide provided between the stapler and the folding unit. The stapler ejects a staple from a staple surface by sinking from the inclined surface. The folding unit includes folding rollers and a folding blade which inserts the stack of sheets into a nip between the folding rollers. The guide includes a loading surface offset from the staple surface and an uprising member which is disposed on a part of the loading surface to keep the stack of sheets symmetric with respect to the folding rollers.

Abstract: A sheet folding apparatus includes a sheet supporting member which has an inclined surface to support a stack of sheets, a sheet position adjuster which adjusts a position of the stack of sheets along the inclined surface, a sheet pressing unit which presses the stack of sheets from a lower side of the stack of sheets to an upper side of the stack of sheet, and a folding unit which folds the stack of sheets pressed by the sheet pressing unit.

Abstract: A sheet folding apparatus including a sheet supporting member which has an inclined surface to support a stack of sheets, a sheet position adjuster which adjusts a position of the stack of sheets along the inclined surface, a sheet pressing unit which presses the stack of sheets against the inclined surface, a folding unit which folds the stack of sheets pressed by the sheet pressing unit, and a controller which controls the sheet pressing unit to press the stack of sheets on the sheet position adjuster against the inclined surface, and to create a gap between the stack of sheets on the sheet position adjuster and the sheet pressing unit to receive a sheet onto the sheet position adjuster.

Abstract: A sheet width aligning device includes two width aligning members which respectively contact widthwise ends of a sheet to regulate a widthwise position of the sheet. A first detector detects one widthwise end of the sheet and a second detector detects the other widthwise end of the sheet. A moving mechanism moves the first and second detectors located at initial positions at outer sides of the sheet towards the center of the sheet in the widthwise directions. A determining section determines the positions of the width aligning members based on a detection timing, at which the first detector detected the one widthwise end, and a detection timing, at which the second detector detected the other widthwise end. A driving mechanism drives the width aligning members to move to the positions determined by the determining section.

Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus having: a sheet discharge tray to move upward and downward; an alignment section including first and second regulating members to align a side edge of a sheet on the tray; a first drive section for moving the tray upward or downward; a second drive section for moving the regulating members in a conveyance width direction; and a control section for controlling the first and the second drive sections so as to: align the side edge of the sheet discharged on the tray on the basis of the position of the first regulating member; when a predetermined amount of the sheets are discharged on the tray, separate the sheets from the first regulating member and the second regulating member by moving the tray or the alignment section and, after that, move the regulating members in the conveyance width direction; and align the side edge of the sheets.

Abstract: A sliding sheet for fixing devices in the present invention is inserted in between an endless belt constituting one member out of two members which form a nip section for fixing operation and a pressure member for pressing the endless belt from an inner surface side toward the other member out of the two members. The sliding sheet, which is made of a single resin, repeatedly has a thick section and a thin section at least with respect to a sliding direction of the endless belt due to substantial difference in resin amount per unit area corresponding to positions within a sheet surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus which can achieve reduction of running cost. A notch part forming portion 400A including a punch 403 and a die 404 forms plural notch parts in an end part of a sheet bundle folded by a sheet folding portion. A discharge roller pair 402a and 402b turns back the notch parts to bind the sheet bundle. As a result, the sheet bundle can easily be opened and the reduction of the running cost can be achieved because stapling is not performed.

Abstract: A paper feeding unit and an image forming apparatus having the same capable of maintaining a constant paper feeding force regardless of a size of paper. The image forming apparatus includes a main body, a printing unit provided in the main body to form an image on paper, a paper feeding unit to supply the paper into the main body, and a force adjusting unit. The paper feeding unit includes a paper feeding cassette to load paper therein, a knock-up plate to guide the paper loaded in the paper feeding cassette to a pickup device, an elastic member to elastically bias the knock-up plate toward the pickup device, and guide sides provided at both sides of the knock-up plate. The guide sides are adjusted along a distance therebetween according to a width of the paper. The force adjusting unit adjusts an elastic force of the elastic member when the distance between the guide sides is adjusted according to a size of the paper.

Abstract: A sheet processor includes a holding unit for holding a folded batch of sheets, a pressing member for pressing against a folded portion of the batch of sheets, a nipping member for nipping portions of the batch adjacent to the folded portion so as to nip the batch of sheets from opposite directions, and a casing for supporting the pressing member and the nipping member.

Abstract: A recorded medium feeding device includes a pickup roller that feeds recorded medium dowstream from a setting position by contacting with the recorded medium and rotating and a separating means for separating recorded medium to be fed and subsequent recorded media from the next page onward. The positions of a nip point of the separating means and a place where the pickup roller contacts the recorded medium in the direction orthogonal to the recorded medium feeding direction with respect to a recorded medium of a predetermined size to be fed by the pickup roller are located within a range deviated to one side from the center of the recorded medium of the predetermined size. A path elongating portion that elongates the feed path length of the recorded medium by abutting the recorded medium is apart from the nip point and the place where the pickup roller contacts the recorded medium.