Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus comprises a conveying path formed between an upper and a lower units facing each other; a feed roller which feeds a sheet by a portion partially exposed from an upper surface of the lower unit to the conveying path; a separation member disposed to oppose the feed roller; a stopper which stops entrance of the sheet into the conveying path by abutting against a sheet end in a closed state in which the stopper is moved in a direction to intersect with an exposed surface of the feed roller; a driving unit which drives at least the feed roller and the stopper; and a control unit which controls the driving unit to rotate the feed roller through a predetermined angle in a sheet feeding direction and to then open the stopper when feeding of the sheet is started from the closed state of the stopper.

Abstract: A sheet delivery device (80) includes a sheet presser member (61), which is positioned in the vicinity of a sheet delivery port (53) on a downstream side in a sheet delivery direction, for pressing a trailing end of a sheet to be delivered from the sheet delivery port (53). The sheet presser member (61) includes a side surface portion (61a), which is positioned to face a leading end of the sheet to be delivered from the sheet delivery port (53) and a bottom surface portion (61b) which is projected from a lower end of the side surface portion (61a) toward the downstream side in the sheet delivery direction.

Abstract: A sheet feed assembly with a pair of rollers to feed sheets of media along a feed path. The roller pair has a drive roller and an idler roller. The drive roller is mounted between two bearings and for rotation about its longitudinal axis. The idler roller is shorter than the drive roller and is held against the drive roller by two guide formations and at either end. The guide formations bias the idler roller against the drive roller while allowing some lateral displacement of the idler roller from the drive roller.

Abstract: A media picking mechanism includes a pair of transmission shafts rotating in opposite directions. A housing is mounted around the pair of transmission shafts such that the first transmission shaft and the second transmission shaft are positioned substantially equidistant from a centerline of the housing. During a media picking operation, the rotation of the first transmission shaft of the pair of transmission shafts provides a first moment to the housing and rotation of a second transmission shaft of the pair of transmission shafts provides a second moment to the housing, which is equal and opposite to the first moment such that a net moment on the housing is near zero minimizing twisting of the housing. The two transmission shafts rotating in opposite directions, also results in substantially equal normal force to be applied by the first and second pick tires on the media.

Abstract: A feeding apparatus includes a pressing plate movable up and down configured to allow recording media to be stacked thereon, a feeding roller configured to feed recording media stacked on the pressing plate, an urging unit configured to urge the pressing plate in a direction to come close to the feeding roller, and a moving-away unit configured to cause the pressing plate to move away from the feeding roller against an urging force from the urging unit. The moving-away unit causes the pressing plate to move so that a distance between the uppermost recording medium being stacked and the feeding roller becomes approximately constant regardless of an amount of recording media stacked on the pressing plate.

Abstract: A sheet separating device includes: an air blowing unit that is configured to blow air toward a side face of stacked sheets being stacked with a plurality of sheets to separate the sheets by forming an air layer between the sheets; and a sheet pressing unit that is configured to apply a pressing force on the uppermost sheet in the stacked sheets while the uppermost sheet is separated from other sheets, the pressing force having a downward component and a component in a direction along the uppermost sheet.

Abstract: A paper pickup structure of a paper feeding device is provided. The paper pickup structure includes: a rotating arm, including a connection portion, a base, and a combination member, in which the connection portion and the combination member are located on the base; a first gear, combined with the connection portion to be switched between a forward rotation state and a reverse rotation state, so as to drive the rotating arm to rotate; a limiting member, located on the rotating arm, in which one end of the limiting member is combined with the combination member of the rotating arm, or one end of the limiting member is separated from the combination member through the rotation of the rotating arm; a second gear, located on the base; and a third gear, driven by the second gear to rotate when the rotating arm rotates to a predetermined position.

Abstract: A medium feeding device includes: a sheet holding unit, which holds a sheet and is pivotally attached to a device main unit so that the sheet holding unit is pivotal between open and closed positions; a sheet feeding roller that is located close to the sheet holding unit and that feeds the sheet to the inside of the device main unit; and a driving shaft that is located on an axis that is different from a rotation shaft for the sheet feeding roller and that drives the rotation shaft.

Abstract: A placing table includes a placing surface on which a substrate is placed; a suction unit which sucks the substrate to the placing surface; a separation unit which separates the substrate from the placing surface; and a rotation unit, being a part of the placing surface and rotating about a vertical axis with respect to the placing surface. In the table, the suction unit sucks the substrate to the placing surface at the rotation unit and the separation unit separates the substrate from a part of the placing surface excluding the rotation unit if the rotation unit is rotated.

Abstract: An image processing device includes first and second feeding units. The first feeding unit feeds a sheet toward the second feeding unit in a sheet feeding direction via a sheet feeding path. The device further includes an image processing portion. The first feeding unit is in the path upstream of the processing portion and includes a first shaft rotating in the feeding direction. The second feeding unit is in the path downstream of the processing portion, and the first and the second units feed and hold the sheet. The second feeding unit includes a second shaft rotating in the feeding direction. The device includes a first supporting member supporting first and second ends of the first shaft, a second supporting member supporting first and second ends of the second shaft, and a third supporting member supporting one shaft at a predetermined portion which is not either end of either shaft.

Abstract: A document feeding mechanism includes a frame, a document picking means positioned in the frame for picking up and conveying a document, a stopper means positioned in the frame for blocking the conveyance of the document, a supporting portion cooperating with the stopper means for supporting the document picking up means while the document picking up means is raised at a predetermined level, and a blocking portion restricting a rotatable angle of the stopper means for blocking the conveyance of the document while the document picking up means is raised at the predetermined level. The document feeding means is kept at the predetermined level via the cooperation of the supporting portion and the stopper means for supporting the document feeding means. Since, the document feeding mechanism has high reliability to resist shake and crash for preventing the document picking up means from being drooped.

Abstract: A method of feeding media in an inkjet printer including moving a media stopper element for selectively allowing a sheet of media to advance along a media advance path in a media advance direction. A shaft is connected to the media stopper element for moving the media stopper element by rotating the shaft. The media stopper element can be moved via biasing to a first position for preventing the sheet of media from advancing and to a second position for allowing the sheet of media to advance along the media advance path.

Abstract: A document handler is provided that comprises a validator 2 having a main conveyor 4, a stacker 3 having a storage 50 detachably attached to validator 2, a storage conveyor 5 in storage 50 for stowing a document fed from validator 2 into storage 50 and picking out the document stored in storage 50 to validator 2 through main conveyor 4 to issue picked document from validator 2, a reversible motor 70 in main conveyor 4 drivingly and detachably connected to storage conveyor 5 of storage 50.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet feeding apparatus and an image forming apparatus which can suppress generation of sheet skew feeding by a simple configuration and a pair of side edge regulating portions 30r and 30l is provided opposite each other in a sheet storage portion in order to regulate positions of side edges in a width direction orthogonal to a sheet feeding direction of the stored sheet S. At least one of the side regulating plates 30r and 30l can be moved in the width direction, and abutting portions 301r and 301l are provided opposite each other on inner wall surfaces of the side regulating plates 30r and 30l to abut on side edges of the sheet S.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a sheet conveying portion which conveys a sheet to be formed with an image, and an abutment member which is abutted by the tip end of a sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying portion, and movable to a first attitude of being abutted by the tip end of the sheet being conveyed, and to a second attitude of allowing passage of the sheet and being in the state of abutting the surface of the sheet, wherein the abutment member in the second attitude abuts a part which is outside an image forming region and on the sheet surface having the image forming region in a central part in a width direction orthogonal to a sheet conveying direction.

Abstract: A printer media transport system includes a pick roller and a cleaner roller. The pick roller has a pick surface configured to rotate and frictionally direct printable media along a feed path, and the cleaner roller is configured to contact the pick roller, rotate as the pick roller rotates, and translate rotation of the cleaner roller to lateral movement of the cleaner roller against the pick surface of the pick roller.

Abstract: A paper-sheet-separating/conveying roller 10 includes a rubber member (conveying member 11A or 11B) having a specific diameter and a through-hole at the center thereof; a core (protrusion 12b or 12c) inserted in the through-hole; and supports which have a diameter greater than that of the core and smaller than that of the rubber member and which sandwich the rubber member from both sides, wherein a member (fixing member 12) having the support which is in close contact with one side surface of the rubber member and a member (holding member 13) having the support which is in close contact with the other side surface of the rubber member are aligned and fixed in an axial direction.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder includes an upper cover, a sheet separation member and a crank. The sheet separation member includes a separation roller, a separation pad and a first elastic element. When the upper cover is opened, the upper cover is separated from the crank, and a first extension part of the crank is uplifted to push a second extension part of the separation pad, so that the separation pad is separated from the separation roller.

Abstract: A media picking device for an image forming apparatus having a sensing mechanism for detecting the leading and trailing edge of a sheet of media being picked while in a media input tray.

Abstract: A document transporter is provided which has a conveyor 3 comprising a frictional carrier 4 rotatably mounted in a passageway 2, a drive device 5 for driving frictional carrier 4 and a weighting device 7 for pressing a bill 1 within passageway 2 against frictional carrier 4. Bill 1 can move within a two-directional plane containing a contact point with a ball 6 of weighting device 7 to release reactive force accumulated in bill 1 so that bill 1 moves to come into alignment with a longitudinal central axis of passageway 2 for automatic centering. [Representative Drawing] FIG.

Abstract: An image reading and recording apparatus has: a carriage for mounting a recording head; a reading unit which reads an original document; a conveying roller arranged on a conveying path which is used in common for recording paper and the original; and a platen arranged so as to face the recording head. The reading unit is movable between a reading position on an upper side of the conveying path and a retracting position on a lower side of the conveying path. The platen can relatively and independently move for the reading unit.

Abstract: A paper sheet cassette includes a paper sheet containing part for loading and containing paper sheets, a pair of side edge positioning members provided so as to move toward or away from each other in a width direction of the paper sheets for determining a position of the paper sheets in their width direction, an interlock mechanism for synchronously moving the pair of side edge positioning members toward or away from each other, a latch member which is movable along with a first member of the pair of side edge positioning members and is provided with a lock tooth portion formed thereon, and a lock member which has a latch claw which can be brought into or out of engagement with the lock tooth portion and is movable along with a second member of the pair of side edge positioning members.

Abstract: A document feeding mechanism includes a frame, a document picking means positioned in the frame for picking up and conveying a document, a stopper means positioned in the frame for blocking the conveyance of the document, a supporting portion cooperating with the stopper means for supporting the document picking up means while the document picking up means is raised at a predetermined level, and a blocking portion restricting a rotatable angle of the stopper means for blocking the conveyance of the document while the document picking up means is raised at the predetermined level. The document feeding means is kept at the predetermined level via the cooperation of the supporting portion and the stopper means for supporting the document feeding means. Since, the document feeding mechanism has high reliability to resist shake and crash for preventing the document picking up means from being drooped.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic paper supply apparatus for a paper shredder which can shred stapled paper sheets regardless of the volume or thickness of the paper sheets to be shredded. The present invention can shred stapled paper sheets without need to previously remove the staples thereof, increases the user's safety, and prevents damage to the apparatus.

Abstract: A retard roller of an automatic document feeder provides a frictional force to separate plural documents from each other. The retard roller can provide a first damping torque and a second damping torque with different directions. The second damping torque is smaller than the first damping torque. As such, the frictional force exerted on the document is reduced for returning the document out of the automatic document feeder. A retard roller module having such a retard roller is also provided.

Abstract: A document feeding mechanism includes a frame, a document picking means positioned in the frame for picking up and conveying a document, a stopper means positioned in the frame for blocking the conveyance of the document, a supporting portion cooperating with the stopper means for supporting the document picking up means while the document picking up means is raised at a predetermined level, and a blocking portion restricting a rotatable angle of the stopper means for blocking the conveyance of the document while the document picking up means is raised at the predetermined level. The document feeding means is kept at the predetermined level via the cooperation of the supporting portion and the stopper means for supporting the document feeding means. Since, the document feeding mechanism has high reliability to resist shake and crash for preventing the document picking up means from being drooped.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder includes an upper cover, an input tray for placing plural documents, a pick-up module and a stopper module. A guide plate is disposed on the upper cover. The guide plate has a confining aperture. The confining aperture includes a fixing region and a releasing region. The stopper module has a stopping slice inserted into the confining aperture. When the automatic document feeder is enabled and the pick-up module is swung to be close to the input tray, the stopper module is moved from the fixing region of the confining aperture in response to the swinging action of the pick-up module. As such, the stopper module is released and the document is allowed to be fed into the internal portion of the automatic document feeder.

Abstract: A sheet transport device includes: a registration roller pair that includes a first roller and a second roller lower in abrasion resistance than the first roller, and nips and transports a recording medium; and a drive mechanism that provides a rotation to the first roller to rotate at the first circumferential speed, and provides a rotation to the second roller to rotate at the second circumferential speed different from the first circumferential speed.

Abstract: A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a conveyance unit configured to convey a sheet and a pair of roller units, provided on a downstream of the conveyance unit in the conveyance direction, wherein the pair of roller units forms a plurality of nipping portions, arranged along a width direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction, a downstream end of the sheet to be conveyed is caused to abut against abutting positions of the plurality of nipping portion, and wherein the abutting position of the nipping portion nearer to a center in the width direction is positioned on a more downstream in the conveyance direction than the abutting position of the nipping portion at end side in the width direction.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a first rotating shaft, a driving roller fixed to the first rotating shaft, a driven roller that faces and is pressed against the driving roller, and a second rotating shaft supporting the driven roller. The driving roller or the driven roller includes a cylindrical center portion, and end portions located at both ends of the center portion and having an approximately circular truncated cone shape. Surfaces of the center portion and the end portions are made of an elastic material. An outer surface of the center portion is matched with outer surfaces of one end of the end portions, and a diameter of another end of the end portions is larger than a diameter of the one end. The end portions have a hollow inside, and have a thin surface.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a sheet stacking portion for stacking a sheet, a sheet feeding roller for feeding the sheet stacked on said sheet stacking portion, a supporting member, rotatably supported by a base member, for rotatably supporting said sheet feeding roller, and a spring stretched between the base member and an acting portion of the supporting member. The acting portion of the supporting member is located downward with respect to a rotation center of the supporting member when a sheet stacking amount is small, and the acting portion of the supporting member is located upward with respect to a rotation center of the supporting member when a sheet stacking amount is large.

Abstract: In a scan apparatus, a sheet feeder having a sheet-stopping function includes a rotating shaft, a sheet-input roller, a pick-up mechanism and a sheet-stopping mechanism. The pick-up mechanism, including a bracket mounted on the rotating shaft and a pick-up roller mounted on the bracket, picks up a sheet from a paper tray. The sheet-stopping mechanism, driven independent of movement of the bracket by the rotating shaft, switches between a sheet-stopping state and a sheet-non-stopping state. The rotating shaft rotates in a first direction to enable the sheet-stopping mechanism to enter the sheet-non-stopping state and rotates in a second direction to enable the sheet-stopping mechanism to enter the sheet-stopping state, in which a passage to the sheet-input roller is blocked up.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a sheet of material at a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly includes a sensor configured to measure a property of the sheet. The method also includes stabilizing the sheet with respect to the sensor using a guide roller. Stabilizing the sheet includes using the guide roller to remove at least a portion of a first boundary layer of air moving towards the guide roller and to reform at least a portion of a second boundary layer of air moving away from the guide roller. For example, the guide roller could include a plurality of grooves or openings in a surface of the guide roller, or the guide roller could include a plurality of rings spaced apart from one another. Air could move from one side of the guide roller to another side of the guide roller through the grooves, through the openings, or between the rings.

Abstract: A medium transport apparatus includes a transport member configured to transport a medium in a discharge direction or in a drawing direction, a medium loaded member configured to be placed a medium transported in the discharge direction by the medium transport member, and a movement member. The movement member is configured to move in a direction away from the transport member when the transport member transports a medium in the drawing direction.

Abstract: An image reading and recording apparatus includes a trigger arm configured to start transmission of a drive to a paper feed unit in accordance with the position of a carriage. The trigger arm includes a first lever portion for feeding a recording sheet in a state in which a cap is separated from a recording head and a second lever portion for feeding a document in a state in which the cap is in contact with the recording head.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the torque limitation in a machine for processing means of payment. The invention has use as a device for limiting torque in a machine for processing means of payment, wherein the device for the torque limitation includes two elements transmitting a torque, the two elements having magnets which are disposed in the two elements with an angular distribution of the same kind, the magnets connecting the two elements to each other in a non-positive fashion, and the connection of the two elements being disrupted when a maximum transmittable torque is exceeded.

Abstract: A medium feeding device is provided in order to address the problem of double feeding which occur when feeding media to be fed having different hardness. A medium feeding device includes an arm that supports a feeding roller and a placement section wherein a portion of the placement section that opposes the feeding roller is displaceable in directions to come into contact with and be separated from the feeding roller. The medium feeding device is configured such that, when the feeding roller receives a force from the medium as a reaction force against a force acting on the medium by the feeding roller, which causes the arm to move in a direction that causes the feeding roller to move toward the medium, the portion of the placement section is displaced if a pressing force of the feeding roller against the medium exceeds a predetermined amount of force.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an erasing apparatus including a recording medium removing apparatus includes: a thickness determining unit configured to determine whether the thickness of a recording medium is equal to or larger than a first threshold, a conveyance guide forming a conveying path for the recording medium; a conveyance guide displacing device configured to lift the conveyance guide if the thickness determining device determines that the thickness of the recording medium is equal to or larger than the first threshold, and a removing mechanism configured to remove, from a recording medium conveying path, the recording medium determined as unconveyable.

Abstract: A paper transporting device includes a driving roller member, a driven roller member, a first guiding member and a second guiding member. The driving roller member is rotated. The driven roller member is rotated in contact with the driving roller member. The first guiding member is disposed on a driving roller member side, and guides a paper to a contact portion in which the driving roller member and the driven roller member are in contact with each other. The second guiding member is disposed on a driven roller member side, and guides the paper to the contact portion. The second guiding member partially protrudes inward in a radial direction of the driving roller member from an outer peripheral surface of the driving roller member at a downstream side in a paper transporting direction of the contact portion.

Abstract: A sheet guide device according to an embodiment includes: a sheet carrying unit which carries a sheet from a paper discharge port of an image forming apparatus to a paper supply port of a finishing apparatus; and a pair of guide plates having one end attached to an inner side of the paper discharge port so as to be narrowed in a tapered form from the paper discharge port toward the paper supply port and having the other end attached to an inner side of the paper supply port. The pair of guide plates has one of the one end and the other end as a fulcrum and has the other as a turning end. When the paper discharge port and the paper supply port are shifted from each other in height position, the turning end turns according to the quantity of shift in the height position.

Abstract: A method for separating envelopes from a stack using a separator having a feeding roller for exerting a force onto the envelope, urging it in a direction tangential to its circumference and parallel to a separating plane, and having a deflecting surface for deflecting a leading edge of the envelope as it is urged in the tangential direction. The feeding roller and the deflecting surface bound a feeding path having a width, and starting at the separating position. Both feeding roller and deflecting surface include portions each extending from or from beyond opposite lateral sides of the feeding path inwardly across a lateral outer portion of the feeding path.

Abstract: A slide restricting member for restricting detachment of a feed roller which is rotatably supported and which is detachably held in an axial direction is held at a lock release position for allowing the detachment of the feed roller by a rib of a sheet feeding frame, a projection of an auxiliary member, and a snap fit. When the feed roller is mounted on the sheet feeding frame, the slide restricting member positioned at the lock release position is moved to a lock position in conjunction with a mounting operation of the feed roller.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes: a sheet storage unit into which a sheet is inserted in a generally vertical direction through a sheet inlet, the sheet storage unit having a first opening portion formed on a front of the sheet storage unit, a second opening portion formed on a rear thereof, and a third opening portion formed on a top thereof; a pressure plate having a bottom portion on which the sheet inserted into the sheet storage unit is placed, and a rear portion formed on rear of the bottom portion, the pressure plate being disposed in a manner slidable in front and rear directions; a moving device configured to slide the pressure plate in the front direction so that the rear portion presses the sheet through the second opening portion; and a roller rotatably disposed so as to contact with the sheet through the first opening portion, the roller moving the sheet in a vertical direction in response to rotation of the roller, to output the sheet through the third opening portion.

Abstract: Methods and system for reducing sheet skew in a sheet transport system are disclosed. A sheet transport system may include an idler wheel, a drive wheel a drive motor and an actuator. The idler wheel may have a substantially rigid outer layer. The drive wheel may have a compliant outer layer and may correspond to the idler wheel. The drive motor may be operably connected to the drive wheel and may be configured to cause the drive wheel to rotate around a shaft. The actuator may be operably connected to the drive wheel and configured to cause the drive wheel to move between a closed position and an open position. The drive wheel is configured to contact a sheet in the closed position and to not contact a sheet in the open position.

Abstract: To provide a media separator including a lumped-media conveyer mechanism which receives lumped media to convey the lumped media in a predetermined direction, and a picker roller which separates the lumped media conveyed by the lumped-media conveyer mechanism, the lumped-media conveyer mechanism including an auxiliary conveyer body for conveying the lumped media to the picker roller. That makes it possible to reliably separate and send out the lumped media, when having shorter media mixed, and to achieve downsizing of the media separator.

Abstract: A stacking apparatus includes: a cassette which accommodates a plurality of recording media in a superimposed manner; a mounting portion on which the cassette is mounted; a transportation path which is arranged at a downstream side in a direction in which the cassette is mounted on the mounting portion and on which the recording media are transported from the cassette mounted on the mounting portion; a stopper of which surface for regulating downstream side edges of the recording media regulates the side edges until the cassette is mounted on the mounting portion and of which surface for regulating the side edges of the recording media releases the regulation of the side edges with a rotational operation after the cassette is mounted on the mounting portion; and a slider which slides along a back surface of the regulating surface of the stopper for regulating the side edges.

Abstract: A reversely-rotatable roller conveys a sheet having an image formed on its one side at a sheet conveying velocity faster than that of a conveying roller by normal rotation and then, the reversely-rotatable roller conveys the sheet to a re-conveying path by reverse rotation. The sheet conveying velocity of the reversely-rotatable roller when the reversely-rotatable roller reversely rotates is made slower than the sheet conveying velocity when the reversely-rotatable roller normally rotates so that the sheet conveying velocity of the re-conveying roller is substantially equal to or slower than the sheet conveying velocity of the conveying roller.

Abstract: A scanning device may include a first structural member and a second structural member, a movable body that is configured to reciprocate between the first structural member and the second structural member, and a cable of which a first end is fixed to one of the first and second structural members and a second end fixed to the movable body. The cable may have a curved portion between the first end and the second end thereof. The scanning device may further include an elastic member of which a first end portion is fixed to one of the first and second structural members to which the first end of the cable is fixed, and a second end portion is engaged to the curved portion. The elastic member may be configured to elastically urge the cable in a direction opposite to the curving direction of the curved portion.

Abstract: A feed assembly including: feed roller; support element for supporting feed roller; separating mechanism for facilitating separation of first and second sheets; and base with guide surface for guiding sheets and positioning wall for positioning separating mechanism; wherein engaging portion for engaging with separating mechanism is formed in positioning wall; separating mechanism includes: separator for separating sheets; first biasing element including first and second ends; seat including first and second walls; positioning element installed on first wall to be moved between first and second positions; and shifter for shifting positioning element; first biasing element biases separator; shifter holds positioning element in first position; and when feed roller is removed from support element, shifter moves positioning element to second position.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for feeding sheets of paper printed by a printer to a sheet processing device, such as a print on demand (POD) book publishing system. The printer has a sheet discharge through which each sheet printed by the printer is discharged or ejected one sheet at a time. The printer heats the sheets to an elevated temperature as the sheets are printed, and the sheets printed by the printer and discharged from the printer carry a static electricity charge. The sheet processing device has a sheet infeed located at a location (height) different from the printer sheet discharge. The apparatus has a sheet conveyor that has an inlet, an outlet, and a conveyor path between the conveyor inlet and the conveyor outlet for conveying the sheets from the printer sheet discharge to the sheet processing device sheet infeed. The sheets are accumulated in a stack within the sheet processing device.