Abstract: A sheet pick-up device of an automatic document feeder is used for feeding a sheet into a sheet feeding path. The sheet pick-up device includes a sheet pick-up module and a sustaining element. The sheet pick-up module includes a driving shaft and a sheet pick-up arm coupled to the driving shaft. The sheet pick-up arm is driven by the driving shaft to be rotated to either a standby position or a sheet feeding position. The sustaining element is pivotally coupled to the sheet pick-up arm. When a distal end of the sustaining element is rotated to be in contact with the sheet feeding path, the sheet pick-up arm stays in the standby position.

Abstract: A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a reference surface extending along a sheet conveyance direction and configured to regulate the position of a side edge of a sheet to be conveyed, a skew conveyance mechanism configured to convey the sheet obliquely so that the side edge of the sheet collides against the reference surface, and a sheet deforming unit configured to deform the side edge of the sheet when the sheet is conveyed toward the reference surface by the skew conveyance mechanism.

Abstract: A sheet guide is rotationally supported by a shaft member to rotate freely on the shaft member. The sheet guide includes a support part that supports the sheet guide on the shaft member, a guide part that contacts sheets and guides sheets in a predetermined direction, and a weight, which has a predetermined weight, is arranged on an opposite side of the support part from the guide part, wherein the weight causes the guide part to rotate to a predetermined position when an external force applied to the guide part is released.

Abstract: A medium carrying mechanism includes a carrying roller that carries a medium, two correction rollers for medium correction that face the carrying roller and that are positioned along a medium carrying direction, a bracket that includes a rotation shaft and that supports the correction rollers, a supporting member that supports the rotation shaft, and a bias member that biases the rotation shaft toward the carrying roller.

Abstract: A rotation measuring mechanism capable of measuring a rotation amount and a displacement amount of a rotary member in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis is provided. An exemplary combination of the rotation measuring mechanism includes a detection target rotating in synchrony with the rotary member and range sensors. Each time the detection target rotates once, each sensor outputs one cycle of a sine wave. The amplitude of the sine wave output from the sensor varies in accordance with the displacement of the detection target together with the rotary member in the direction perpendicular to the axis, thereby obtaining the rotation amount and the displacement amount of the rotary member.

Abstract: A sheet processing system capable of performing lateral shift correction of a sheet in an upstream sheet processing apparatus based on an amount of lateral shift to be caused by conveying thereof into a downstream sheet processing apparatus. A side edge sensor of a stacker detects a lateral shift amount of a sheet conveyed into the stacker. A stacker controller corrects lateral shift of the sheet by a shift unit. A side edge sensor of a finisher disposed downstream of the stacker detects a lateral shift amount of a sheet conveyed into the finisher. The finisher sends the detected lateral shift amount to the stacker. The stacker receives the lateral shift amount from the finisher, and the stacker controller corrects lateral shift of subsequent sheets based on both the lateral shift amount detected in the stacker and the lateral shift amount sent from the finisher.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a cover member attached to and detached from a main body in a sliding manner, and achieves power transmission from the main body to driving elements of the cover member through an electronic clutch, thereby simplifying a power transmission structure and improving reliability.

Abstract: According to aspects illustrated herein, there are provided systems for conveying a sheet article into an intended pathway. The multi-way gate system for diverting sheets into multiple pathways in a sheet conveying device includes at least three pathways for directing the sheet from the sheet conveying member in a particular direction. A single gate plate is between the sheet conveying member and the pathways. The single gate plate is rotatable about a single axis to direct the sheet exiting the sheet conveying member toward one of the pathways.

Abstract: An inkjet image forming apparatus including a printing media storage unit configured to store printing media, a pickup unit configured to pick up a printing medium stored in the printing media storage unit, and a cover made of a conductive material and adapted to come into contact with the printing medium picked up by the pickup unit. An effective removal of static charge from the printing medium is possible by having the printing medium picked up by the pickup unit come into contact with the cover.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device, having a sheet feeding mechanism and an image processor is provided. The sheet feeding mechanism includes a base structure, a first roller, and a second roller. The first roller includes a first shaft and a first roller body fixed to the first shaft. The second roller includes a second shaft and a second roller body fixed to the second shaft. The first roller feeds a sheet into a sheet feeding path, and the second roller conveys the sheet in the sheet feeding path. The first roller and the second roller are connected with each other by a connector member, which rotatably supports the first shaft and the second shaft and maintains positional relation of the first shaft and the second shaft with respect to each other.

Abstract: A media transport element comprises: a fixed roller, a first coupling connected an end of the fixed roller for receiving rotational motion therefrom, a second coupling connected to the first coupling for receiving rotational motion therefrom, and being rotatable about a pivot axis; and a pivoting roller mounted in registration with the fixed roller. The fixed roller and the pivoting roller define a media passage therebetween. The media transport element also comprises: a link coupled to the pivoting roller and mounted on a link shaft co-axial with the pivot axis. The fixed roller and the pivoting roller are both continuously driven even when media items pass through the media passage and move the pivoting roller away from the fixed roller.

Abstract: A sheet separator for a paper handling apparatus comprising: a pick-up shaft having an axis; a plurality of pick-up wheels mounted on the shaft for rotation about the axis; and wherein the axial location, on the pick-up shaft, of at least one pick-up wheel is adjustable.

Abstract: There is provided a technique which can greatly improve throughput at the time when, after a folding process is performed to a bundle of sheets, the bundle of sheets subjected to the folding process is transported to a downstream side, and can prevent a wrinkle from occurring in the bundle of sheets at the time of the folding process. A sheet transport speed of a pair of rollers is changed from a first transport speed to a second transport speed at a specified timing between when a folding blade finishes a pressing operation of the bundle of sheets and starts a return operation to a waiting position and when a rear edge of the bundle of sheets pressed into a nip of a pair of rollers by the folding blade passes through the nip of the pair of rollers.

Abstract: A feed roller assembly includes a shaft, a plurality of rollers, and a plurality of covers. The rollers are fixed to the shaft at intervals along it. The covers are positioned at both ends of the rollers and surround the shaft, without being fixed to it. Paper dust falls from the outer cylindrical surfaces of the rollers and accumulates on the covers, without coming into direct contact with the cylindrical surface of the shaft. Because the covers are not fixed to the cylindrical surface of the shaft, they rotate at a lower speed than the shaft.

Abstract: A single sheet handling device (14a to 14d, 30, 200, 252, 270, 350) for the input and the output of rectangular single sheets (38) respectively into and out of a container (12a to 12d). These rectangular single sheets can in particular be banknotes (38). The single sheet handling device (14a to 14d, 30, 200, 252, 270, 350) has a feeding device with feeding elements for the sheet-by-sheet feeding of single sheets (38) and for storing these single sheets (38) in a stack (36) of single sheets in the container (12a to 12d). Further, the single sheet handling device has a separating device with separating elements for the sheet-by-sheet removal of single sheets (38) of the stack (36) from the container (12a to 12d). The feeding elements and the separating elements are arranged separately from the container (12a to 12d).

Abstract: A media transport system comprising a roller system, a baffle, and at least one lead-in guide positioned to guide a sheet towards the roller system. The roller system includes a drive roller and an idler roller forming a nip, each roller being mounted on a corresponding drive shaft and an idler shaft, respectively. The lead-in guide, lying at an angle to the baffle, is coupled to at least one of the drive shaft or an idler shaft. The mounting of the lead-in guide eliminates tolerances between the lead-in guide and the nip due to baffle flatness, or baffle and shaft deflections as the lead-in guide is positioned by the drive shaft that locates the nip roller. This arrangement enables the lead-in guide to direct a leading edge of the sheet substantially close to a tangent plane of the nip and minimizes drive forces in the system.

Abstract: A paper-feeding roller including a rubber composition containing short fibers in which the short fibers has an average fiber diameter not less than 10 ?m nor more than 100 ?m and an average fiber length not less than 0.01 mm nor more than 4 mm. At least one part of all of the short fibers is radially oriented at an angle not less than 10 degrees nor more than 90 degrees with respect to a plane which contacts a surface of the paper-feeding roller, with one end of each of the radially oriented short fibers disposed exposably on the surface of the paper-feeding roller.

Abstract: A sheet transport system and method including a first drive module including a frame. A first drive wheel is rotatably disposed on the frame. A first drive motor is operably connected to the first drive wheel and disposed on the frame. The first drive module is pivotally secured to a structure. A first idler wheel corresponds to the first drive wheel. An actuator is operably engagable with the first drive module. The actuator is configured to move the first drive module to cause the first drive wheel to move between an open position and a closed position. The first drive wheel is configured to propel a sheet in the closed position and to not propel a sheet in the open position.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring media stack height utilizes a pick mechanism and stack height sensing mechanism. The pick mechanism has a pick arm and a pick roller, the arm rotatably mounted at one end to pivot about an axis and change its angular position relative thereto. The roller rotatably mounted to an opposite end of the arm contacts a media stack top and is rotatably driven to feed sheets one at a time from the stack top changing the stack height. The angular position of the arm relative to the stack changes as the stack height changes. The stack height sensing mechanism arranged on and adjacent to the arm senses arm angular displacement as the stack height changes to provide an indication of the sheet quantity remaining in the stack. A method for calibrating stack height sensing of the monitoring system provides one or more calibration points such as at “full stack” and “stack out” conditions.

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.

Abstract: A paper output mechanism for an automatic document feeder, including: a seat; a connecting shaft, passed through the seat; and a paper feeding roller, placed around the connecting shaft, and including: a shaft portion; a roller portion, placed around the shaft portion; and adapted to convey a document, and an elastic element, placed around the shaft portion, and one end thereof being connected to the seat.

Abstract: Document obfuscation devices and systems are disclosed for obfuscating paper documents so as to prevent dissemination of sensitive information without shredding in order to increase recycling potential. Certain obfuscation devices include a pair of rollers, at least one of which is imprinted with an obfuscation pattern, and a mechanism for feeding sheets of paper through the pair of rollers. Certain obfuscation systems include an obfuscation device and a recycle bin coupled together.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a sheet feed apparatus for an electronic device are disclosed. The sheet feed apparatus includes a mount pick arm that pivotally moves closer to a stack of media as the media is picked from the stack of media. A pick arm is pivotally connected to the mount pick arm and picks media from the stack of media.

Abstract: A printer is provided having a support frame, a media cartridge removably engaged with the support frame, the media cartridge having a supply of sheet media, a driven roller arranged to be rotated so as to contact and pick-up sheet media from the media cartridge and deliver the picked sheet media to a sheet media transport mechanism of the printer, and a gear assembly for engaging driving power from a motor to the driven roller. The gear assembly has a first gear on a shaft of the driven roller and a second gear directly coupled with the first gear. The gear assembly is configured to decouple the second gear from the first gear to thereby disengage said driving power upon delivery of the picked sheet media to the sheet media transport mechanism.

Abstract: A paper feeding device includes a supporting base and a paper arranging module. The supporting base has a supporting surface, an inclined supporting plane and a slot at the supporting surface. The paper arranging module includes a pivot structure fixed under the supporting surface, a paper-pushing structure pivoted to the pivot structure, an elastic element connected between the paper-pushing structure and a fixed end, and a cam disposed on the pivot structure. When a first supporting part of the cam corresponds to the paper-pushing structure causing the paper-pushing structure to be driven by the elastic element, the paper-pushing structure moves toward the inclined supporting plane along the slot to arrange the paper on the supporting base, thereby facilitating subsequent paper dividing. When a second supporting part of the cam corresponds to the paper-pushing structure, the paper-pushing structure is returned to an original position by a driving force of the cam.

Abstract: A paper feeding device includes a supporting base and a paper arranging module. The supporting base has a supporting surface, an inclined supporting plane, and a slot located at the supporting surface. The paper arranging module includes a guiding structure fixed under the supporting surface, a paper-pushing structure slidably disposed on the guiding structure, an elastic element interconnected between the paper-pushing structure and a fixed end, and a gear disposed on the guiding structure. The gear has an engaging part for engaging with and driving the paper-pushing structure to move toward the inclined supporting plane along the slot for arranging the paper sheets supported on the supporting base, thus facilitating subsequent paper dividing. When a non-engaging part of the gear corresponds to the paper-pushing structure, the paper-pushing structure is restored to an original position by an elastic force of the elastic element.

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

Abstract: A sheet carrying apparatus having a sheet pressing mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention includes: a paper supply tray in which sheets for printing an image thereon are stacked; a pickup roller which is abutted from above against a sheet on a top layer of the sheets stacked in the paper supply tray, then rotates and move the sheet on the top side; and a holding plate which presses the top layer sheet from above in a part where the pickup roller is abutted against the top layer sheet.

Abstract: The sheet conveying roller includes a shaft member and a sliding portion arranged in the circumferential direction of the shaft member. The sliding portion is adapted to make sliding contact with the shaft member. The sheet conveying roller also includes an elastic member configured to fasten the sliding portion to the shaft member and makes contact with a conveyed sheet at an outer circumference thereof. The elastic member generates a frictional resistance between the shaft member and the sliding portion by a clamping force of the elastic member.

Abstract: This paper feed mechanism includes a paper feed cassette integrally having a paper contact portion on a position deviating from the center of a rear-side inner wall surface in the cross direction by a prescribed distance in the cross direction and an apparatus body mountable with the paper feed cassette, and the apparatus body includes a driving portion rotating a paper feed roller in a paper feed direction and a paper discharge direction and a control portion bringing the rear end of the paper into contact with the paper contact portion for generating torque for the paper and thereafter transporting the paper to the apparatus body in paper feeding.

Abstract: A method of controlling a solenoid for controlling the force thereof, and a controllable force transducer includes that only a small part of the maximal stroke length of the solenoid is utilized, whereby the exerted force thereof is substantially constant within said stroke-length distance, when the solenoid is fed with a constant driving power. At a constant driving voltage, the feed current can be controlled for a proportional alteration of the exerted force of the solenoid within said stroke-length distance. The controller finds favourable use in a sheet separator.

Abstract: A movable component which can be moved between a protruding position in which the movable component protrudes from the outer chute into a curved path toward an inner chute so as to be able to contact the recording medium and a retracted position in which the degree of protrusion of the movable component from the outer chute into the curved path is smaller than the degree of protrusion in the protruding position, and the movable component is moved from the protruding position to the retracted position at a timing on or after a first timing and before a second timing.

Abstract: A torque limiting roller includes a shaft, a frictional unit, a roller assembly, a fixing unit and an elastic unit. The shaft includes a first end and a second end. The frictional unit is mounted on the first end of the shaft. The roller assembly is rotatably mounted on the shaft and includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the roller assembly is in frictional contact with the frictional unit. The fixing unit is mounted on the second end of the shaft. The elastic unit is mounted on the shaft, disposed between the fixing unit and the roller assembly, and contacts with the second end of the roller assembly and the fixing unit to provide a normal force between the roller assembly and the frictional unit and thus to provide limiting torque. A medium separating mechanism using the torque limiting roller is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pick-up assembly moves a sheet of recording medium from a stack of recording media. The pick-up assembly includes a pick arm having a first end and a second end. Notably, a pivotal mounting is located proximate the first end of the pick arm; and a pick-up roller is mounted proximate the second end of the pick arm. Lastly, a motor and a transmission are located inside the pick-up roller.

Abstract: A sheet bundle with storage tags, a method for producing the sheet bundle and a sheet transport mechanism in an image forming apparatus are provide. The sheet bundle includes a plurality of sheets stacked to one another, each sheet being attached with a storage tag at an attachment position and having a thickness larger at the attachment position than other positions thereof. The plurality of sheets includes a plurality of kinds of sheets which have different attachment positions when the sheet bundle is viewed from a direction orthogonal to a surface of the sheets.

Abstract: A store for storing value sheets such as banknotes in a stack and for dispensing the value notes from the stack. When more than a single value sheet is dispensed from the stack, the store returns all but one of the value sheets to the stack while moving the stack to reduce friction between the returning value sheet and the topmost value sheet of the stack. Means for securing the stack are also provided: a support for the stack is anchored and/or extra pressure is applied to the stack. The store includes means for indicating when the stack contains more than a predetermined number of value sheets and means for preventing securing of the store when the predetermined number of value sheets is exceeded. A value sheet store with part of a sidewall integrally formed with the lid. A value sheet store which includes a lid attached to a housing by a hinge located on an edge of the housing. Apparatus and a method for determining the height of a stack of value sheets.

Abstract: A sheet conveyance apparatus having: a conveyance roller, wherein a surface roughness Ra of a surface layer remains in a range from 8 ?m to 30 ?m, at a stage where a total length of sheets conveyed reaches at 42,000 m.

Abstract: A transmission mechanism of an image forming apparatus includes: a first transmitting section transmitting a driving force of a drive mechanism to a first transporting roller; and a second transmitting section transmitting the driving force of the first transmitting section to a second transporting roller. The first transmitting section has a first gear rotatable integrally with the first transporting roller. The second transmitting section has a second gear engaged with the first gear; a shaft extended in a direction intersecting the rotational axes of the first and second transporting rollers, and rotatable integrally with the second gear; a third gear rotatable integrally with the shaft; and a fourth gear engaged with the third gear and rotatable integrally with the second transporting roller. The image forming apparatus is capable of transporting a paper favorably along a re-transporting path.

Abstract: A paper feeding mechanism, an image forming apparatus employing the same and a paper feeding method thereof are disclosed. In an image forming apparatus capable of performing the printing operations at a particular printing operation that calls for a particular corresponding reference paper feeding speed, a reduction in the paper feeding noise may be achieved by providing a pickup roller operable at pickup/feeding speed that is slower than the reference feeding speed called for by the particular printing speed and a registration roller operable at the reference feeding speed. In addition, the pickup period at which the pickup roller picks up successive sheets of paper may be shortened to account for the slower operating speed of the pickup roller.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a printing media feeding unit and an image forming apparatus having the same. The feeding unit may include a feeding roller and a reverse roller arranged parallel to, and to opposingly face, each other. The feeding roller may be supported on a feeding shaft so as to rotate together with the feeding shaft. The reverse shaft may be supported on a reverse shaft so as to rotate together with the reverse shaft. The reverse shaft is arranged to be movable along the radial direction in compensation of the radial movement of the reverse roller with respect to the feed roller that may result from the friction between printing media and the reverse roller so as to improve the performance of the reverse roller in returning of extraneous sheets of printing media to prevent simultaneous feeding of multiple sheets of printing media.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising: a paper feeding cassette which selectively stores at least two kinds of paper sheets having different size with respect to a paper feeding direction, and includes a posterior end cursor which restricts a posterior end position of the stored paper sheets with respect to the paper feeding direction, wherein the height of the posterior end cursor is changeable. According to this construction, a smaller space is provided to stack large-sized paper sheets which are not frequently used while a larger space is provided to stack small-sized paper sheets which are frequently used can be reserved.

Abstract: An image generating apparatus capable of reducing the number of components and discharging a paper with a simple structure is obtained. This image generating apparatus comprises a feed roller for carrying a paper, a paper discharge roller coming into contact with the lower surface of the paper for discharging the paper carried by the feed roller and a paper support member arranged at a prescribed interval from the axial center of the paper discharge roller in a paper feed direction while supporting the upper surface of the paper so that the lower surface of the paper discharged by the paper discharge roller comes into contact with the paper discharge roller with prescribed contact force, and the paper discharge roller discharges the paper with frictional force generated between the paper discharge roller and the lower surface of the paper coming into contact with the paper discharge roller with the prescribed contact force.

Abstract: A sheet picking system for picking a sheet of media includes a power source having a driveshaft. A first housing arm containing a drive gear is drivably coupled to the driveshaft. The drive gear defines a first pivot axis for the first housing arm, wherein the drive gear is driven by the driveshaft to rotate about the first pivot axis. A second housing arm contains an intermediate gear, a transmission device, and a pick roller. The transmission device is configured to rotatably couple the intermediate gear to the pick roller. The intermediate gear is positioned to be meshed with the drive gear. The intermediate gear defines a second pivot axis for the second housing arm. A link mechanism pivotably couples the first housing arm at the first pivot axis to the second housing arm at the second pivot axis.

Abstract: Provided are a paper pickup device and an image forming apparatus having the same. The paper pickup device and the image forming apparatus having the same include a driving shaft whose end has a first combining portion and a driving shaft having a second combining portion configured to be integrally connected with the first combining portion. When the first combining portion and the second combining portion are combined with each other, the driven shaft bends and separates from the driving shaft. The first combining portion and the second combining portion may be screw-coupled to each other.

Abstract: A sheet conveyance device to convey a sheet which is stored within a sheet storing section, including: a plurality of sheet conveyance rollers, mounted on a sheet storing section, to be parallel to each other with respect to rotating centers, wherein the plurality of the sheet conveyance rollers come into contact with the sheet to convey the sheet toward an exterior of the sheet conveyance device; and a coupling section to couple the plurality of the sheet conveyance rollers and to rotate the plurality of the sheet conveyance rollers, wherein at least one of the plurality of the sheet conveyance rollers represents an irregularly shaped roller, wherein the irregularly shaped roller is coupled to another sheet conveyance roller by the coupling section, and wherein a distance between a rotation center and a peripheral surface of the irregularly shaped roller is inconstant, in a rotational direction of the irregularly shaped roller.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes: a transporting unit that transports a sheet; guiding members that regulate side portions, in a sheet transporting direction, of the sheet, and that guide the sheet being transported; a distance changing member that is configured to be movable, that is coupled with the guiding members, and that changes a distance between the guiding members; and a restricting unit that restricts movement of the distance changing member in conjunction with a transporting operation of the transporting unit.

Abstract: A sheet folding apparatus includes: a carrying path through which a printed sheet is carried and which has an exit facing upward; a tray on which the sheet carried through the carrying path is stacked while being vertically sloped; an assist roller which rotates in a manner of pushing the sheet against the tray and pushing the sheet upward on the tray before a rear end of the sheet is discharged from the exit after a forward end of the sheet passes the exit of the carrying path, and which rotates in a reverse direction in a manner of pushing the sheet downward on the tray after the rear end of the sheet is discharged from the exit; and a stacker which is provided below the tray and receives and supports the rear end of the sheet pushed down by the assist roller.

Abstract: A sheet feeding unit includes a side warm-air mechanism that blows air toward a side surface of a sheet stack S from a warm-air outlet. The sheet feeding unit controls the lift mechanism so as to perform a sheet separating operation every time a predetermined number of sheets P are fed during a continuous sheet feeding operation.

Abstract: A paper-separating plate is adapted for a paper-separating mechanism having a paper-separating roller. The paper-separating plate placed around a side of the paper-separating roller comprises a main body and a cushion. The main body has a surface and a plurality of grooves and the grooves are positioned on the surface. The cushion is positioned on the surface of the main body and covers the grooves. The cushion positioned over the partial grooves is elastically pressed onto the paper-separating roller. The grooves, neighboring one another or each other, linearly extend in a direction substantially parallel with the axis of the paper-separating roller. Besides, the cushion is made of flexible material and the main body is made of rigid material.