Stapling Or Stitching Patents (Class 270/37)
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Patent number: 7753353Abstract: A vertical sheet compiling apparatus and method compile sheets in a slot that accumulates a plurality of sheets. The slot includes a first baffle and a second baffle that each define generally vertical sides of a sheet path of the slot. The first and second baffles are separated from each other by a space therebetween. An actuator is coupled to at least one of the first and second baffles to move one of the baffles toward or away from the other one of the baffles, thereby adjusting a width of the sheet path as the sheets compile in the slot. A binding mechanism fastens the plurality of sheets together. The apparatus and method may also include a sensing device for determining an amount of available space in the slot during compilation of the sheets in the slot. The determined amount of space can be used to control movement of the baffle(s).Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2007Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventor: Joseph Michael McNamara
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Patent number: 7744073Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2008Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Ken Iguchi, Katsuya Sasahara, Takahiro Kawaguchi, Hiroyuki Taguchi, Katsuhiko Tsuchiya
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Publication number: 20100156020Abstract: In a sheet post-processing apparatus that folds a sheet bundle, a folding roller drive motor that drives folding rollers is PWM driven such that its speed is varied in each control during the period until a blade contacts the sheet bundle, during the period when the sheet bundle is conveyed to a discharge port, during discharge operation, and during return of the motor to its home position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2010Publication date: June 24, 2010Applicant: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Ken Iguchi
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Patent number: 7740238Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention including a saddle-stitcher configured to fold and discharge a sheet supplied from an image forming apparatus, and an assisting mechanism arranged in a sheet carrier path extending from the image forming apparatus to the saddle-stitcher and configured to form a folding line on the sheet in a first direction orthogonal to a direction of the carrying of the sheet in order to assist folding of the sheet. The assisting mechanism has a disc-shaped roller blade rotatably attached to a moving body that is movable in the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2007Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tomomi Iijima, Katsuhiko Tsuchiya
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Patent number: 7740237Abstract: A post-processing apparatus that is set beside an image forming apparatus and applies staple processing to sheets subjected to image formation and folds the sheets to manufacture a booklet includes a hooking control mechanism that is provided on the opposite side of center folding rollers across a sheet bundle and pushes the sheet bundle in a stapler direction to prevent a bent staple from hooking on an edge of an anvil.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2006Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shinichiro Mano
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Patent number: 7726638Abstract: Provided is a sheet processing apparatus for performing a bookbinding process by folding a sheet stack, including: a folding roller pair including a first roller and a second roller brought into press contact with the first roller to be contacted/separated with/from the first roller, for conveying the sheet stack while folding the sheet stack; a plurality of urging members capable of urging the second roller in a direction of the first roller; and an urging mechanism for changing a number of the urging members for urging the second roller according to a thickness of the sheet stack to be folded.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2006Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Canon Finetech Inc.Inventor: Isao Itagaki
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Patent number: 7722021Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus of the invention includes a folding mechanism that includes paired folding rollers, presses a sheet to a nip portion of the paired folding rollers from a direction orthogonal to a transport direction, and folds the sheet by rotating the paired folding rollers. Further, there are provided a drive motor capable of making positive rotation and reverse rotation, a variable speed mechanism to convert a rotation force of the drive motor into a rotation output in a single direction and with a low speed or a high speed by changing a rotation direction of the drive motor, a transmission mechanism to transmit the rotation output in the single direction to the paired folding rollers, and a control unit to control the rotation direction of the drive motor and to change the rotation speed of the paired folding rollers.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2007Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Katsuya Sasahara
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Publication number: 20100117286Abstract: An apparatus for thread-stitching of folded print products includes a sewing station in which individual print products are stitched along the fold and print products are then sewn together along the spine to form a book block. A pivoting saddle supplies individual print products straddling thereon to the sewing station. A feeder separates folded print products from a stack of folded print products. A feeding arrangement includes a feed path connecting the feeder to the pivoting saddle, and has a feeding end that cooperates with the feeder to supply the individual print products to the feed path and a discharge end that operates to supply the individual print products to the pivoting saddle. The sewing station, as seen from the top, is arranged on the machine frame of the apparatus, between the feeding end of the feeding arrangement and the pivoting saddle.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2009Publication date: May 13, 2010Applicant: Mueller Martini Holding AGInventor: Franz Mezger
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Patent number: 7699302Abstract: A sheet handling apparatus comprises: a stacking mechanism to stack sheets of one or more printable media as a sheaf; a sheet conveyance mechanism to transport the sheaf to a respective position; a stapling mechanism to perform a stapling operation with respect to the sheaf; and a plurality of sheet regulating mechanisms disposed at positions spaced from each other along a sheet conveyance path, each sheet regulating mechanism being operable to align ends of the sheets in the sheaf according to a sheet conveyance direction. An image forming apparatus comprises such a sheet handling apparatus and an image forming device to form respective images upon the sheets and to provide the sheets to the sheet handling apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2006Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.Inventor: Mitsuru Ichikawa
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Patent number: 7699300Abstract: In a sheet post-processing apparatus that folds a sheet bundle, a folding roller drive motor that drives folding rollers is PWM driven such that its speed is varied in each control during the period until a blade contacts the sheet bundle, during the period when the sheet bundle is conveyed to a discharge port, during discharge operation, and during return of the motor to its home position.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2007Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Ken Iguchi
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Patent number: 7690632Abstract: A sheet bending apparatus and a sheet postprocessing apparatus are provided for improved alignment of recording sheets during center-folding. A center-folding unit mounted in a sheet postprocessing apparatus performs a center-folding processing to a stack of recording sheets aligned on their sides and placed in a sheet holding member. Side aligning is performed near a central portion in a sheet conveyance direction of the sheet holding member. The center-folding unit includes: two upper end aligning members positioned upstream in the sheet conveyance direction on the sheet holding member and movable equally in opposite width directions of the sheet holding member; and a pair of lower side end aligning members positioned on downstream in the sheet conveyance direction on the sheet holding member and are movable equally in opposite width directions of the sheet holding member and independently from the upper end aligning members.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2006Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: Kyocera Mita CorporationInventors: Sachio Izumichi, Mitsutoshi Takemoto, Takashi Kotani, Terumitsu Noso
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Patent number: 7690633Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus may include a conveyance path and a tray. The conveyance path may convey sheets. The tray may receive the sheets conveyed from the conveyance path. The tray may include a stapler and a folding member. The stapler may staple the sheets. The folding member may fold the stapled sheets and may be provided upstream from the stapler relative to a sheet conveyance direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2006Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masahiro Tamura, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Shuuya Nagasako, Shohichi Satoh, Akira Kunieda, Tomoichi Nomura, Hiroshi Maeda, Kazuhiro Kobayashi
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Patent number: 7681872Abstract: The sheet processing apparatus is provided with a second folding, conveying roller pair that discharges a folded sheet bundle with its folded portion being the leading edge and a folded bundle tray provided below the second folding, conveying roller pair on which the sheet bundle discharged by the second folding, conveying roller pair is to be stacked and that moves the stacked sheet bundle. Before a succeeding sheet bundle is discharged onto a preceding sheet bundle, the folded bundle tray moves the preceding sheet bundle in the upstream direction with respect to the sheet conveyance direction to place the trailing edge of the preceding sheet bundle at a position upstream of the leading edge of the succeeding sheet bundle. Thus, it is possible to provide a sheet processing apparatus that can stack folded sheet bundles with reliability and to improve the image forming efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2006Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kenichi Hayashi
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Patent number: 7677544Abstract: A booklet-loading device includes: a carry-out unit that conveys plural of booklets sequentially; and a transfer unit that transfers the plural of booklets sequentially conveyed from the carry-out unit, and arranges the plural of booklets in a partly overlapped state; a loaded unit that is loaded with the booklets transferred by the transfer unit; and a transfer control unit that controls a transfer amount per booklet in the transfer unit to a transfer amount depending on a quantity of booklets loaded on the loaded unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2006Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Fuji Xerox, Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hiroaki Awano
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Patent number: 7673863Abstract: In a sheet post-processing apparatus to perform a folding processing to a sheet bundle, a folding roller drive motor to drive a pair of folding rollers is PWM driven, and its speed is changed according to the sheet type or sheet size and between a period before a blade comes in contact with the sheet bundle, a period when the blade is being inserted between the folding rollers after coming in contact with the sheet bundle, and a period when folding is being performed by the folding rollers.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2006Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Ken Iguchi
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Patent number: 7669842Abstract: A sheet turning apparatus includes a vacuum source used to capture and hold a sheet onto a rotatable disc that is connected to a servo motor. Actuation of the servo motor causes rotation of the disc which in turn rotates the sheet 90°.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2006Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventor: Wayne R. Smith
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Patent number: 7658372Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus including: a stapler; a conveying path, which conveys a sheet to the stapler; a bundle forming device to form a sheet bundle in the conveying path, the bundle forming device having a pinch device, which successively pinches an upstream end portion of the sheet to pinch plural sheets integrally; a control portion, which controls the stapler and the bundle forming device to staple the sheet bundle selectively between at one end of the sheet bundle for the side stitching and on the fold line of the sheet bundle for the saddle stitching; a discharging device, which discharges the sheet bundle stapled at the one end onto a stacking portion, a two-fold device, which folds the sheet bundle stapled on the fold line in two along the fold line, and a joining device, which joins the sheet bundle folded by the two-fold device into the discharging device.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2006Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: Canon Finetech Inc.Inventor: Masayoshi Kubo
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Patent number: 7660556Abstract: In a sheet post processing apparatus having a folding device that carries out the process of book folding by folding either one sheet or a plurality of sheets at a time on the sheets discharge from the image forming apparatus, a sheet stacking section that successively stacks the booklet-folded sheets, and a control unit that controls the sheet post processing apparatus, said control unit controls said folding device so that said booklet folding process of said sheets is carried out at the portions of two folding lines which are almost parallel thereby obtaining a square-shaped back of booklet.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2005Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Yasushi Saitsu, Tetsuo Hirata, Motoki Nakamichi, Norishige Kato, Takehiro Ogushi
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Publication number: 20100007072Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet processing apparatus including: a conveying portion which conveys a sheet; a stacking portion which stacks the sheet conveyed by the conveying portion; a first processing unit which performs a process to the sheet at a first process position on the stacking portion; a second processing unit which performs a process to the sheet at a second process position on the stacking portion, the second process position being at the downstream side in the conveying direction of the first process position; and a controlling portion which performs positioning of the sheet at the first process position when the first processing unit performs the process to the sheet and positioning of the sheet at the second process position when the second processing unit performs the process to the sheet which is passed through the first process position without being positioned.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2009Publication date: January 14, 2010Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Daisaku Kamiya
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Publication number: 20100001451Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes: an image processor; an image forming portion for forming images on recording paper based on the image data output from the image processor; a folding mechanism for folding the recording paper with images formed by the image forming portion when the input image information is confidential image information; and a stapling mechanism for binding the recording paper folded by the folding mechanism, at the end part when the input image information is confidential image information. When the input image information is confidential image information, the image forming portion outputs the pouch-binding image data for a pouch-bound image to be formed on the facing pages of the recording paper that is folded by the folding mechanism, by editing the layout of the confidential image.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2009Publication date: January 7, 2010Inventor: Michiaki NISHIMURA
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Publication number: 20090315241Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus configured to bind a sheet bundle includes a folding portion configured to fold the sheet bundle, a sheet processing portion provided upstream of the folding portion and configured to form a groove at a fold position of at least one sheet of the sheet bundle, and a controller configured to control an operation of the sheet processing portion. The controller controls an operation of the sheet processing portion such that a width of a groove formed on a sheet located on an outer side of the folded sheet bundle is larger than that of a groove formed on a sheet located on an inner side of the folded sheet bundle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2009Publication date: December 24, 2009Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Wataru Kawata, Masahiko Yokota, Hideaki Kosasa, Akihiro Shimizu, Shoji Takeda, Toshiro Tomono, Ryuichi Kojima
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Patent number: 7635121Abstract: A sheet folding apparatus, including: a sheet folder configured to fold a sheet bundle; a sheet tray configured to support the sheet bundle folded by the sheet folder; a first frame configured to support the sheet folder; a second frame configured to movably support the first frame and the sheet tray; a first sensor unit supported by the second frame, configured to change its condition depending on presence of the sheet bundle on the sheet tray; a second sensor unit supported by the first frame, configured to detect the condition of the first sensor unit; and a controller supported by the first frame, configured to control the sheet folder according to the detection of the second sensor unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2008Date of Patent: December 22, 2009Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shoichi Dobashi, Yasunobu Terao
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Patent number: 7635120Abstract: A booklet finishing apparatus has a clamping unit that flattens a booklet of folded sheets by clamping at least on portion adjacent to a back of the booklet from both surfaces of the booklet, a forming unit that flattens the back of the booklet by pressing the back of the booklet, and a switching unit that has a plurality of modes to control the forming unit and switches between the plurality of modes.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2006Date of Patent: December 22, 2009Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hiroaki Awano
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Publication number: 20090309286Abstract: A manually operated Workstation that allow users to store, staple and fold collated pages into booklets without the use of a power source. It purposes to create a work environment that allow users to manually perform the task of stapling and folding materials into booklets with a speed and accuracy comparable to that of some more expensive power driven stapling and folding equipment. It comprises a storage bin for (500) sheet of collated papers, a flat bed guide that places booklet papers in perfect alignment under dual staple heads, that simultaneously drive (2) evenly spaced staples when activated by the provided stapling lever. It further provide a folding tray that facilitates accurate folding of booklets before placement in the provided holding tray.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2008Publication date: December 17, 2009Inventor: Maurice McCain
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Patent number: 7631858Abstract: A folded portion flattening unit includes: a sheet conveyance unit that conveys a booklet including a folded sheet with a folded portion in a lead toward a predetermined conveyance direction; a sheet stopper that stops the booklet conveyed by the sheet conveyance unit at a predetermined position; a pair of booklet grasping members that clamp and grasp the booklet stopped by the sheet stopper at both faces of the booklet; a pressing member that flattens a curve at a front end of the folded portion being grasped by the booklet grasping members, by pressing the front end toward a direction opposite to the conveyance direction; and an opening amount setting unit that sets an opening amount of an opening portion between the pair of booklet grasping members, when the conveyed booklet is sandwiched between the pair of booklet grasping members.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2006Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.Inventor: Katsunori Harada
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Patent number: 7631860Abstract: A paper processing apparatus according to one or more embodiments includes a first and second convey mechanism, a first and second alignment mechanism, and a folding mechanism, where the second alignment mechanism is configured to align a paper bundle conveyed by the first convey mechanism in the vicinity of a folding position to fold the paper bundle, and the second convey mechanism is configured to convey the paper bundle aligned by the second alignment mechanism to the folding position, and the folding mechanism is configured to fold the aligned paper bundler at the folding position.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2007Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Shinji Asami, Hitoshi Hattori, Takeshi Sasaki, Shohichi Satoh
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Patent number: 7628388Abstract: A postprocessing apparatus includes: a housing to which a recording sheet is fed from a predetermined upstream device; a first postprocessing mechanism mounted in the housing and adapted for performing a predetermined first postprocessing to the recording sheet; a second postprocessing mechanism selectively mountable in the housing, and is provided with a predetermined driver, the second postprocessing mechanism being adapted for performing a predetermined second postprocessing to the recording sheet; a conveyance passage provided in the first postprocessing mechanism and adapted for conveying the recording sheet to the second postprocessing mechanism when the second postprocessing mechanism is mounted in the housing; and a conveying member provided in the conveyance passage and adapted for conveying the recording sheet. The conveying member is driven by a transmission of a driving force from the driver of the second postprocessing mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2006Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Assignee: Kyocera Mita CorporationInventor: Keisuke Egawa
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Patent number: 7628390Abstract: In an installation and a method for the lifting of folded printed products (1) from a conveyor, wherein the printed products (1) are transported straddled across a saddle (2), the saddle (2) includes a counter tool (4) for processing of printed products (1) straddled across the saddle (2). Therein a means of lifting (5) extends alongside and parallel to the saddle (2) and is staggered at right angles to a support shoulder (3)of the saddle (2) as well as to the counter tool. As the means of lifting, the support shoulder (3) and in particular the counter tools are not situated in line but staggered, an unrestricted positioning of binding points along the support shoulder (3) is possible. There is no need to consider the position of lifting tappets or levers for the lifting of the printed products in the support shoulder (3).Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2006Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Assignee: Ferag AGInventor: H. Ulrich Stauber
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Patent number: 7618033Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus for covering a sheet bundle with a cover sheet includes a creasing unit for making a crease along an end portion of the cover sheet adjacent the edge of the sheet bundle opposite the spine edge of the sheet bundle. The sheet processing apparatus further includes a folding-back unit for folding-back the end portion of the cover sheet along the crease made by the creasing unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2006Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Keiko Fujita, Hitoshi Kato, Wataru Kawata, Youichi Chikugo
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Patent number: 7613422Abstract: An image forming apparatus having therein an image forming apparatus body and at least one post-processing apparatus, wherein there is provided an intermediate conveyance unit which is connected with and located between the image forming apparatus body and the post-processing apparatus and which has a sheet feed-in section that feeds in sheets ejected from the image forming apparatus body one by one at the same speed as the sheet ejection linear speed of the image forming apparatus body, a sheet storing section that stores two or more sheets which are fed in by the sheet feed-in section and a sheet feed-out section that feeds out the two or more sheets stored in the sheet-storing section with the two or more sheets superposed on each other, at the same speed as the receiving linear speed of the post-processing apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2006Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Toshio Shida, Masaaki Uchiyama
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Patent number: 7607648Abstract: A staple hole forming apparatus including a pair of pins and a pin receptor. The pair of pins are spaced from each other a distance substantially equal to a distance between two legs of a staple. The pin receptor is positioned opposite the pair of pins relative to a sheet path through the staple hole forming apparatus. The pin receptor is positioned to mate with at least one of the pair of pins. One of the pair of pins and the pin receptor is configured to move towards and mate with the other of the pair of pins and the pin receptor causing the pair of pins to penetrate a sheet extending between the pair of pins and the pin receptor to form two holes in the sheet. Each of the two holes is configured to receive one of the two legs of the staple.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2005Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Steven W. Trovinger, Ross R. Allen
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Publication number: 20090261521Abstract: To provide a sheet post-processing apparatus where a cutting means for cutting a fore-edge portion of a center-folded bunch of sheets is disposed in a position spaced from a sheet discharge outlet in an apparatus frame to eliminate the risk for inflicting a wound on the body such as the finger, hand and the like of an operator, provided are an end binding means (31) for gathering sheets received from a carry-in entrance (23a) in a bunch form and performing binding processing in the end portion of a bunch of sheets, saddle-stitching means (40) for gathering sheets received from the carry-in entrance in a bunch form and performing binding processing in the center portion of a bunch of sheets, center-folding means for performing center-folding processing on the bunch of sheets subjected to the saddle-stitching processing, cutting means for cutting a fore edge of the bunch of sheets subjected to the center-folding processing, and a second discharge outlet (22x) disposed in the other side face of the apparatus fraType: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2009Publication date: October 22, 2009Applicants: CANON FINETECH INC., NISCA CORPORATIONInventors: Koji Okamoto, Ken Obikane, Jun Kondo
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Patent number: 7604225Abstract: This invention can improve the appearance quality of a pamphlet produced by suppressing a swell of a folded sheet bundle and prevent a drop in productivity without enlarging the size of a sheet processing apparatus. A sheet bundle receiving position is changed depending on a sheet size and the moving direction of the press unit is changed corresponding to the sheet size of a conveyed sheet bundle. As a consequence, the enlargement of the sheet processing apparatus can be avoided without deteriorating productivity.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2006Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasuo Fukatsu, Yushi Oka
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Publication number: 20090256300Abstract: A saddle stitcher for making paperback books is provided by the present invention. The saddle stitcher is provided for manually assembling one or a few (or a greater number if desired by the user) booklets in a cost-effective, yet professional manner. The saddle stitcher generally includes a tray, a saddle, and a plurality of staplers. The tray is provided for receiving a plurality of pages to be made into a booklet and in which the pages are stitched to form the booklet. The staplers are provided for stitching the plurality of pages to form a booklet and are pivotally and slidably mounted within the tray in order to accommodate booklets of varying sizes. An engagement device is provided for engaging each of the staplers in tandem in order to fabricate a booklet.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2008Publication date: October 15, 2009Inventor: Gary L. Grizzell
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Patent number: 7597311Abstract: A sheet bundle stored in a sheet storage portion is pushed from a predetermined folded position with a first pushing plate, and the sheet bundle is normally conveyed along with the first pushing plate and plunged into a nip between first folding rollers to make a fold. The first folding rollers are reversely rotated while the first pushing plate is retreated, and the sheet bundle with the fold is reversely conveyed and returned to the sheet storage portion. Then, a second pushing plate pushes the sheet bundle, conveyed through a U-shape conveyance path, from a backside of the fold to reversely fold the sheet bundle, and the sheet bundle is completely folded. Therefore, the sheet bundle having good appearance can be realized in good bundle folding processing.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2006Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Wataru Kawata, Hitoshi Kato, Keiko Fujita, Youichi Chikugo
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Patent number: 7594645Abstract: A sheet processing device includes a pair of gripping rollers which can grip and convey a sheet bundle in a booklet-like form, a pressing roller which presses and flattens the folded back portion of the sheet bundle gripped by the gripping rollers, and a control unit which performs rotation control on the pair of gripping rollers. The control unit controls the gripping rollers so as to stop when the folded back portion of the sheet bundle protrudes from the rollers by a predetermined amount. The pressing roller flattens down the protruding folded back portion when the gripping rollers are stopped by the control unit and is in the state of gripping the sheet bundle.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2005Date of Patent: September 29, 2009Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toshimasa Suzuki, Yusuke Obuchi, Daisaku Kamiya, Hitoshi Fujimoto, Kiyoshi Watanabe, Tomokazu Nakamura, Kenichi Hayashi, Hideki Kushida, Atsuteru Oikawa
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Publication number: 20090230605Abstract: A console unit recognizes an operation schedule of a punch unit and a saddle unit based on an operation instruction received from an MFP. Further, the console unit determines, based on a result of the recognition, whether start timings of motors and solenoids in the respective units overlap with each other between the respective units. When the result of the determination is affirmative, the console unit controls execution timings of operations of the respective units corresponding to the operation instruction to prevent the start timings of the motors and the solenoids in the respective units from overlapping with each other between the respective units.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2009Publication date: September 17, 2009Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hiroyuki Taguchi
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Patent number: 7578497Abstract: The sheet processing apparatus is equipped with a process tray on which sheets conveyed are stacked, a return belt which moves the sheets stacked on the process tray, a trailing edge stopper which receives an end portion of the sheets moved by the return belt, and a conveyance assist roller which comes into contact with the sheets on the upstream side of the return belt with respect to the sheet moving direction and imparts a load to the movement of the sheets. The return belt moves the sheets to which a load has been imparted by the conveyance assist roller and causes them to be abutted on the trailing edge stopper.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2008Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Wataru Kawata, Taro Ikeda, Hiroaki Takagishi, Kenichi Hayashi, Tomokazu Nakamura, Hideki Kushida, Hiromasa Katayama
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Patent number: 7575227Abstract: Provided is a sheet folding apparatus for folding a sheet stack, including a sheet stack support member for supporting a sheet stack by being abutted against a lower edge of the sheet stack, an abutting member for folding the sheet stack by making the sheet stack supported by the sheet stack support member abutted against a leading edge of the abutting member, and paired folding rollers for sandwiching the sheet stack folded by the abutting member to fold the sheet stack at a fold position, in which a position where the sheet stack is abutted against the leading edge of the abutting member with respect to the fold position is varied based on sheet stack information.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2006Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toshimasa Suzuki, Kenichi Hayashi, Atsuteru Oikawa
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Patent number: 7574033Abstract: There are provided a sheet paper identification device and method capable of preventing use of the device in an abnormal state by preventing erroneous identification caused by dust attached to an interior of a pickup section, detecting the abnormal state in the pickup section due to the dust, and notifying it outside. When a sheet paper is inserted from a sheet paper insert section (3), the sheet paper is fed by a sheet paper feed section (4). An image pickup section (7) images the interior of the image pickup section (7) before the sheet paper is fed to the image pickup section (7) so as to acquire image data without any sheet paper so as to acquire image data having the sheet paper. A dust detection section (8) calculates the position and the area of the image indicating dust of the image data having no sheet paper.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2004Date of Patent: August 11, 2009Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Nippon ConluxInventors: Takeshi Ishida, Yasuyuki Kimura
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Publication number: 20090175667Abstract: Based on the image size and folding setting, a recording medium storing device is selected among a plurality of the recording medium storing devices, an image is formed on a recording medium in the selected recording medium storing device based on image information, and the recording medium on which the images is formed is folded by a folding device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2009Publication date: July 9, 2009Applicant: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Akio UEDA, Junji Sato, Shoichi Nakamura
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Publication number: 20090166945Abstract: According to the invention, a sheet finisher has a folding mechanism, a discharging mechanism, a stacking mechanism, and a slip amount calculator. The folding mechanism forms a folding line by folding a sheet which an image forming unit discharges. The discharging mechanism discharges the sheet including the folding line which the folding mechanism forms. The stacking mechanism stacks the sheet which the discharging mechanism discharges. The slip amount calculator outputs a fullness state of the stacking mechanism to the image forming unit, if a slip amount of the discharging mechanism exceeds a threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2008Publication date: July 2, 2009Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroyuki TAGUCHI, Ken Iguchi
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Publication number: 20090152788Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus includes a first and a second guide plate having a guide surface inclined to a perpendicular plane to take an open state having a gap of a first interval in a direction crossing the inclination direction and a closed state of a second interval narrower than the first interval, a sheet take-in portion standing by under the first and second guide plates to support sheets dropped from the guide surfaces with the leading edge thereof in a conveying direction directed downward in a standing position, and a controller configured to permit the first and second guide plates to enter the closed state and guide another sheets conveyed following the sheets supported internally by the sheet take-in portion by the guide surfaces and then to enter the open state and drop the another sheets from the gaps onto the preceding sheets.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2008Publication date: June 18, 2009Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Takahiro KAWAGUCHI
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Patent number: 7543805Abstract: A bookbinding system wherein, when additional printing is conducted on a cover sheet which has been printed thereon outside an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus is provided with an ejection-outlet through which the image forming apparatus accepts the cover sheet coming from a bookbinding apparatus and the cover sheet printed by a printing device of the image forming apparatus is fed out to the bookbinding apparatus for bookbinding.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2006Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kohji Yoshie, Saburo Shimizu, Riichi Hama, Masahiro Kaneko, Kiyoshi Hata
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Patent number: 7537144Abstract: A stitcher system includes a stitcher mechanism for stitching collations of documents and adapted to form stitches from a conductive wire moved into the stitcher mechanism. A non-conductive spool is mounted for rotation on a spindle. A conductive wire is wound on the non-conductive spool. The conductive wire has a tail end adjacent to the non-conductive spool and a lead end remote from the spool. The spool rotates when the conductive wire is moved into the stitcher mechanism to provide conductive wire to be used by the stitcher mechanism to form stitches. A sensing circuit is provided with a circuit path that includes the conductive wire wrapped on the non-conductive spool and a conductive member mounted to engage the wire. The sensing circuit path becomes open when the conductive wire is not wrapped on the non-conductive spool to thereby detect an out of wire condition.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2007Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Robert F. Marcinik, Anthony H. Vill
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Patent number: 7537558Abstract: An assembly to crease a paper set in a booklet maker is provided. A booklet is formed in a booklet marker when a crease blade strikes the middle of the stack and pushes it toward a set of nipped crease rolls. The assembly engages spring-loaded idlers against the crease rolls after the crease blade initiates the buckle of the stack and prior to creasing. The spring loaded idlers apply a drive force to the stack that assists the formation of the crease. With the assistance of this extra drive force, the crease blade tip can be stopped in time to avoid jamming while reducing the chance of getting a cover, or more sheets tearing off the booklet. This design is compact in size and therefore may also be retrofitted into existing designs.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2007Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Sandro Vono, Raymond Matthew Ruthenberg, Joao Carlos Morais
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Publication number: 20090121408Abstract: The recording medium post-processing apparatus is provided with: a recording-medium collecting member that collects plural recording mediums transported from outside as a recording-medium bundle; a stitching unit that stitches the recording mediums having: a supporting portion which supports the recording-medium bundle transported from the recording-medium collecting member; and a stapler portion which pushes a stitching needle into the supported recording-medium bundle; and a recording-medium bundle stacking member that is arranged below the stitching unit and stacks the recording-medium bundle stitched by the stitching unit in a vertical direction. The supporting portion and the stapler portion of the stitching unit are moved outside a position at one edge portion of the recording-medium bundle when the recording-medium bundle is not stitched.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2008Publication date: May 14, 2009Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.Inventor: Hiroaki Awano
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Patent number: 7530560Abstract: When a sheet bundle is being conveyed by any one pair of plural pairs of rollers independently movable toward and away from the bundle sheet, before the bound portion of the sheet bundle passes the pair of rollers, the pair of rollers on the downstream side nearest to the bound portion are separated from the sheet bundle, and the pairs of rollers more downstream than that pair convey the sheet bundle. Thereby, it happens less often that the pairs of rollers gather the air collected between adjacent ones of the sheets of the sheet bundle to the bound portion to thereby cause a slack to the sheets, and the occurrence of wrinkles or twists in the sheet bundle can be reduced. Also, the pair of rollers are separated from the sheet bundle before the bound portion passes the pair of rollers, whereby it happens less often that the pair of rollers are damaged by the bound portion, and the sheet bundle can be conveyed smoothly.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2005Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hideki Kushida, Taro Ikeda, Hiroaki Takagishi, Kenichi Hayashi, Tomokazu Nakamura, Wataru Kawata, Hiromasa Katayama
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Patent number: 7530559Abstract: Various embodiments and methods relating to a booklet maker are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2006Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Abdolreza Movaghar, Miquel Boleda Busquets, Eng Long Goh
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Patent number: 7523593Abstract: A sheet processing device is provided which is adapted to process bundles of sheets, each bundle defined by opposing first and second bundle edges, each bundle including a sealing sheet having a larger size than the sheets which form the bundle, the sealing sheet including a sealing portion which projects away from the second bundle edge. The device includes an abutting member adapted to abut against the first bundle edge; a folding unit adapted to fold the bundle between the first and second bundle edges; and a processing unit adapted to seal the bundle using the sealing portion of the sealing sheet, wherein the sealing portion is overlapped over the second and first bundle edges to form a seal.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2006Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shigeo Aoyagi, Akinobu Nishikata, Takayuki Fujii, Shigeru Kasahara