Means To Spread Apart Stackers Patents (Class 270/58.15)
  • Patent number: 10273108
    Abstract: A multi-stage sheet ejection device including a tray and a level adjusting structure is provided. The level adjusting structure includes a body and a sliding element. The body has a plurality of stages arranged on a vertical surface of the body in order. The sliding element is disposed on the body and horizontally movable with respect to the vertical surface of the body. Through the movement of the sliding element, the tray can be controlled to move on the vertical surface stage by stage and be supported on one of the stages in sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Avision Inc.
    Inventor: Chia-Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 9517652
    Abstract: A sheet post-processing device includes a conveying section that conveys the paper sheet, a punch section that punches punch holes in the paper sheet conveyed by the conveying section, a stacker section that stores the paper sheet in which the punch holes are punched by the punch section, a stopper section that regulates a conveying direction leading end of the paper sheet stored in the stacker section; a binding section that binds the paper sheet bundle whose leading end is regulated by the stacker section, and a folding section that folds the paper sheet bundle bound by the binding section at a predetermined folding position. The punch section punches the punch holes at the front and rear of the folding position in the sheet conveying direction, and the binding section binds the paper sheet bundle with a paper-made staple by making the paper-made staple penetrate the punch holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: NISCA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Kubota, Eiji Fukasawa, Ichitaro Kubota, Hideyuki Kubota, Hisashi Osada, Takahiro Nakano, Hiroyuki Sorita, Junya Nakajima, Takuma Kobayashi, Takashi Saito, Isao Kondo
  • Patent number: 9448746
    Abstract: A control method for controlling a printing system that includes selectively executing an inline job and an offline job, where the inline job is for executing post-processing on a sheet printed by a printing apparatus by using a post-processing apparatus and the offline job is for executing post-processing on a sheet without executing printing by the printing apparatus by using the post-processing apparatus. The method includes detecting that a sheet has been set in a paper feed unit, setting whether to execute an offline job that uses the sheet if the sheet is detected as being set in the paper feed unit, and controlling the post-processing apparatus to automatically start post-processing corresponding to the offline job in a case where both the system is set to execute the offline job and the system detects that the sheet has been set in the paper feed unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Junichi Mori
  • Patent number: 8794616
    Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus includes a first unit having a guide device for guiding a sheet, a second unit having a first post-processing device for performing post-processing on the sheet, and a third unit having a second post-processing device for loading sheets and performing post-processing on the sheets in bunch form placed on the processing tray. A first coupling device is provided for coupling the first unit and at least one of the second and third units. A second coupling device is provided for coupling the second unit and the third unit. The second unit and the third unit are capable of being pulled out in the sheet carrying-out direction with respect to the first unit by releasing the first coupling device. The entire or front side of the second unit is shiftable to the first unit side with respect to the third unit by releasing the second coupling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Satoru Matsuki, Yuji Kunugi, Ikuhiro Obata, Kazunori Hatakawa, Hiroto Akiyama, Tsukasa Kondo, Tatsuya Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8328176
    Abstract: To provide a paper-sheet-loading device that makes it easy to take out booklet or the like loaded on a tray. The paper-sheet-loading device 1 is provided with a discharge-processing portion 7 which discharges the booklet or the like through a discharge portion and a discharged paper stacker 8 having a loading stage 80 on which the booklet or the like discharged from the discharge-processing portion 7 is loaded. The loading stage 80 is provided with a tray 81 on which the booklet or the like is loaded and which can be pulled out from the front side of the device and an auxiliary loading member 80b closing the lower side of a rear side of the tray 81 when the tray 81 is pulled out. The auxiliary loading member 80b has a shape after a loading face 81a of the tray 81 and becomes exposed continuously from the lower side of the tray 81 to the rear side thereof, thereby enabling the booklet or the like to be loaded without losing its balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: MAX Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masashi Shimamura
  • Patent number: 8322841
    Abstract: A printing apparatus has been developed that prints inkjet images on a continuous web with a configurable number of distinct ink colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Herman Lang, Gregory Joseph Kovacs, Peter Gordon O'Dell, Jeffrey William Drawe
  • Patent number: 8052131
    Abstract: A bookmaking apparatus includes a first path to convey a sheet bundle, a second path to convey a cover sheet, a joining stage disposed at an intersection of the first path and the second path, a gripping conveyance device arranged for gripping and a conveyance device arranged at a downstream side of the joining stage for conveying out the cover sheet and sheet bundle. The gripping conveyance device includes clamping members to grip the sheet bundle and clamping control device for opening and closing the clamping members. The clamping control device operates the clamping members to grip a lower edge of the sheet bundle when joining the sheet bundle to the cover sheet, and the clamping members to retract to an upstream side of the first path and to grip the sheet bundle again when conveying the joined sheet bundle to the conveyance device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Keiichi Nagasawa, Akihiko Tsukui, Katsumasa Takagi, Hiroshi Nakagomi
  • Patent number: 8042808
    Abstract: The image forming system includes: a first transporting unit transporting paper sheets along a first transportation route; an image forming unit forming images on the paper sheets; a sheet supplying unit having a second transportation route, and transporting a sheet along the second transportation route to supply the sheet to a gap between the paper sheets sequentially transported along the first transportation route, the second transportation route joining the first transportation route at a position located on a downstream of the image forming unit in a transportation direction; and a controller outputting, to respective first and second output units, a paper sheet located on a downstream of the gap, and a paper sheet located on an upstream of the gap while causing the image forming unit to form an image on the paper sheet on the upstream of the image forming unit, when the sheet is not supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryuichi Sato
  • Patent number: 7988140
    Abstract: A sheet stack loader includes a loading table to support a first folded sheet bundle, an elevator to lift the first folded sheet bundle from the loading table, and a conveyer to convey a second folded sheet bundle into a space between the loading table and the first folded sheet bundle, wherein the space is created by the elevator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ken Iguchi
  • Patent number: 7874552
    Abstract: A sheet post-process apparatus according to one example of the present invention includes a movable stack tray for stacking a sheet that is elevated in a vertical direction; a movable tray position detection unit that detects a vertical position of the movable stack tray while a request command for post-processing of the sheet is not received; an upper surface sensor that senses either an upper surface of the movable stack tray or an upper surface of the sheet stacked on the movable stack tray when a first position of the movable stack tray detected by the movable tray position detection unit is lower than or equal to a predetermined first height; and a movable tray moving unit that moves the movable stack tray upward when either the upper surface of the movable stack tray or the upper surface of the sheet stacked on the movable stack tray is not sensed by the upper surface sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Chiaki Iizuka
  • Patent number: 7712733
    Abstract: A bookmaking apparatus includes: a first path for horizontally conveying a sheet bundle; a second path for vertically conveying a cover sheet; a joining stage for joining the cover sheet and sheet bundle; a gripping conveyance device at an upstream side of the joining stage for gripping and conveying the sheet bundle along the first path; and a folding conveyance device arranged at a downstream side of the joining stage for folding and conveying out the cover sheet and sheet bundle. The gripping conveyance device includes opening and closing clamping members for gripping the sheet bundle and clamping control device for opening and closing the clamping members. The clamping control device operates to vary a gripping position of the sheet bundle by the clamping members when joining the sheet bundle to the cover sheet at the joining stage and when conveying the joined sheet bundle to the folding conveyance device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Keiichi Nagasawa, Akihiko Tsukui, Katsumasa Takagi, Hiroshi Nakagomi
  • Patent number: 7690637
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus of the invention includes a post-processing unit that applies post-processing to sheets supplied from an image forming apparatus, a conveying tool that guides the sheets subjected to the post-processing to a discharge port, a sheet discharge tray that receives the sheets discharged from the discharge port, and a control unit that controls an operation of the conveying tool and stops a discharge operation for new sheets, when a quantity of the sheets stacked on the sheet discharge tray reaches a full state set in advance. The sheet processing apparatus further includes a pressing unit that temporarily prevents movement of the sheet on the conveying tool, when a sheet is present on the conveying tool in the full state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mikio Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7571909
    Abstract: The invention is to provide a sheet treating apparatus achieving a space saving and enabling easy identification of an output mode of sheets. The sheet treating apparatus of the invention for treating sheets after image formation is accommodated in a space formed in an image forming apparatus, and includes plural sheet stacking devices which stack treated sheets, and a lifting and lowering device which independently lifts and lowers the plural sheet stacking devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Finetech Inc.
    Inventors: Naoto Saeki, Hiroshi Suzuki, Atsushi Takada, Akihito Nagayama
  • Patent number: 7549621
    Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus is constructed to apply post-processing to sheets successively supplied from an image forming apparatus and received into an apparatus main body, and includes a main discharge tray onto which the sheets that have passed through the apparatus main body are discharged. The sheet post-processing apparatus further has an elevating mechanism for moving the main discharge tray up and down and a control unit for controlling an elevation control of the elevating mechanism. The control unit controls the elevating mechanism to move the main discharge tray up and down in synchronism with the discharge of the sheet onto the main discharge tray. The control unit carries out the elevation control of the main discharge tray so as not to adversely affect the discharge of a succeeding sheet even if the sheet discharged from the apparatus main body is curled up or down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Kotani
  • Patent number: 7497428
    Abstract: A sheet bundle conveyance apparatus includes a tray arranged substantially horizontally below a discharge outlet of an image forming apparatus. The tray, including a drive device for lowering the tray to a sheet configuration position, is configured to rise and lower a predetermined distance between a sheet stacking position and a sheet conveyance position below the sheet stacking position. The apparatus further includes a gripping conveyance device configured to convey a sheet bundle received from the tray to a finishing device at a substantially vertical posture and turned a predetermined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Keiichi Nagasawa, Akihiko Tsukui, Katsumasa Takagi, Hiroshi Nakagomi
  • Patent number: 7364149
    Abstract: A sheet finishing apparatus of the present invention takes in sheets of paper ejected from an image forming apparatus through a taking-in port and clamping and conveying the sheets of paper by a pair of pinch rollers for post processing, has a sheet guidance member which supports one of the pair of pinch rollers and can rotate between a first position where the one pinch roller and the other pinch roller make contact with each other and a second position where the one pinch roller is released from the other pinch roller, and furthermore includes a tray for loading the sheets of paper conveyed by the pair of pinch rollers and an assist arm which is attached rotatably to the sheet guidance member and when the one pinch roller and the other pinch roller are in contact with each other, is projected in the direction for pressing the sheets of paper in the tray and when the one pinch roller is released from the other pinch roller, is rotated in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasunobu Terao, Hajime Yamamoto, Takahiro Kawaguchi, Yoshiaki Sugizaki, Hiroyuki Taki
  • Patent number: 7331573
    Abstract: A sheet treating apparatus for treating a sheet having an image formed thereon is provided, which includes a pair of transport rollers for transporting the sheet upward, a sheet post-treating portion having an intermediate treatment tray, provided to execute post-treatment such as sheet stitching or punching while holding the sheet in a substantially vertical state, and a sheet delivery portion arranged above the sheet post-treating portion. Also, an image forming apparatus is provided, which includes an image reading portion for reading an image, an image forming portion arranged below the image reading portion to form an image on a sheet, a delivery space portion provided in an apparatus housing between the image reading portion and the image forming portion to deliver the sheet, sheet treating portion for treating the sheet while holding it in a substantially vertical state, and an in-body transportation path for transporting the sheet treated by the sheet treating means to the delivery space portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshimi Mizuta, Toshimasa Suzuki, Masaaki Inoo, Daisaku Kamiya, Hiromichi Tsujino, Junichi Moteki, Shunsuke Nishimura
  • Patent number: 7328894
    Abstract: A sheet finishing apparatus of the present invention has a gate for taking in sheets of paper ejected from an image forming apparatus through a taking-in port and switching to either of a conveying path for post processing or a conveying path for non-post processing to convey the sheets of paper and a tray attached to the upper part of the sheet finishing apparatus by a link mechanism, and the tray can rotate between the height position for storing sheets of paper and the height position away from the upper part and keeps the angle of inclination thereof constant at either of the height positions, and furthermore, sheets of paper taken in from the taking-in port are clamped and conveyed by a pair of rollers, and one of the pair of rollers is supported by a sheet guidance member, and the sheet guidance member rotates in connection with the link mechanism and can cope with paper jamming, if any.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasunobu Terao, Tomomi Iijima, Mikio Yamamoto, Takahiro Kawaguchi, Hiroyuki Taki
  • Patent number: 6336630
    Abstract: A printing apparatus provided with a deposition unit for printed sheets comprising a number of copy trays situated one above the other, which trays are adjustable in height independent of one another to a deposition position with respect to the sheet delivery rollers disposed at a fixed height, and to a parking position. Upon the activation of the printing apparatus by a start key provided on the printing apparatus, a control system sets the bottom copy tray into a deposition position and the other copy trays into a higher parking position. Upon the activation of the printing apparatus by a start key disposed at a distance from the printing apparatus at a workstation, the control system selectively sets one of the other copy trays into a deposition position and the bottom copy tray into a lower parking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: OCE-Technologies B.V.
    Inventors: Lodewijk Taroisius Holtman, Ronald P. H. in 't Zandt
  • Patent number: 6328299
    Abstract: A moving shelf set finishing mailbox has a plurality of trays vertically movable by rotatable cams to opposite sides of a sheet inlet location from which sheets are supplied serially from a copier or printer, the sheets being supported at their trailing edge on a shelf integral with the tray and their forward ends being supported by the tray and by any underlying sheets. The trays are sequentially or randomly moved by the rotary cams and when randomly moved, the apparatus functions as a mailbox in which the sheets are stapled while the trailing edges are supported on the shelf and the sets are moved by pushers from the shelf by pushers so that the trailing end of the sets are finally supported by the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: GRADCO (Japan) Ltd
    Inventor: Peter M Coombs