Abstract: A paper supplying method for supplying recording sheets from a paper cassette to a printer including rotating the paper supply rollers to feed the recording sheet into the printer in response to a print start command and rotating the paper supply rollers after an end of paper supply to return other recording sheets to a predetermined paper supply start position; or, rotating the paper supply rollers in response to a print start command, detecting the recording sheets which protrude from a predetermined paper supply start position, and returning those recording sheets to the paper supply start position; or, rotating the paper supply rollers to feed the recording sheet in response to a print start command, detecting that the paper cassette is loaded, and rotating the paper supply rollers to return the recording sheets to a paper supply start position at each loading of the cassette.

Abstract: A paper cassette removably connectible to a body of an image forming apparatus. The paper cassette prevents a paper from being bent or crumpled. The paper cassette has a case wherein a paper is loaded, a finger rotatably installed at a side of the case to press a front corner of the paper, a spring installed at a lower side of the finger to flexibly support the finger to press the front corner of the paper, and a pressing plate installed at a lower side of the case to press the front corner of the paper towards the finger. The finger rotates downwardly by pressing the spring when the paper is loaded. When the loading of the paper is finished, the finger is returned to a position to press the front corner of the paper by a recovery force of the spring.

Abstract: A medium tray (101) comprises a medium support (1) connected to a medium feeding section (100) of an image recording apparatus (200) and receiving record medium (P), and a medium guide (5) extending from the medium support (1) and supporting the record medium (P) such that an angle of a rear portion of the record medium (P) is changed. A lengthy record medium (P) having a length greater than the medium support (1) is supported by the medium guide (5) with the rear portion thereof directed at a different angle so that the length record medium (P) is loaded in the medium tray (101) without enlarging an area projecting from the image recording apparatus (200).

Abstract: In a sheet feeding mechanism wherein a spring can be used to properly regulate a sheet feeding position, sheets are not deformed in spite of the urging force of the spring, and a required conveying force is prevented from being increased after sheet feeding. Specifically, immediately before a sheet is fed, a driving mechanism is used to move a slide plate leftward. A driving portion of the slide plate pushes an arm of a lever to rotate the lever counterclockwise against a tension spring. Thus, a connecting portion of the lever pushes an interlocking portion of a biasing plate downward. That part of the biasing plate rotates clockwise against the force exerted as a set spring portion is urged counterclockwise. In conjunction with this rotation, a biasing portion rotates clockwise to urge printing sheets to press them against a reference surface of a case.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring paper sheets includes a supply device which supplies sheets, a supply unit which is provided as part of the supply device and forms a supply outlet through which the sheets are ejected, a receiving device which is connected to the supply device in such a manner as to be vertically movable relative to the supply device, and a receiving unit which is provided as part of the receiving device and forms a receiving inlet by which the sheets are received, wherein one of the supply unit and the receiving unit is configured to be vertically movable, and changes a vertical position thereof in response to relative positional relationship between the supply device and the receiving device.

Abstract: A paper cassette for an image forming device includes a cassette body having a receiving section for receiving paper and a guide lever movably disposed on a bottom of the cassette body for slant arranging sides of the received paper. The guide lever includes a guiding portion, a base member, and a hinge shaft for hingedly connecting the guiding portion and the base member. A stopping portion on the base member restricts hinged movement of the guiding portion.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for selectively picking two or more types of imaging media in an imaging apparatus having only a single pick roller while simultaneously supporting each type of imaging media on the imaging apparatus, wherein such media is ready for picking. The imaging media can be supported in respective media trays while supported on the imaging apparatus. The apparatus includes an actuating mechanism that is configured to selectively position each of the media trays relative to the pick roller, one-at-a-time, to facilitate picking by the pick roller of the selected imaging media. Methods include simultaneously supporting a plurality of types of imaging media on an imaging device having a single pick roller, and selectively picking either the first imaging media or the second imaging media from the respective media tray.

Abstract: A sheet member feeding and conveying apparatus comprises a tray having a tray main body capable of displacement in directions close to and away from a pickup section for taking out a document placed in a take-out position, for holding a document, a tray driving section for driving the tray main body to be displaced in the directions close to and away from the pickup section, and a control section for controlling the tray driving section so as to, in a feeding state, drive the tray main body to be displaced so that a document closest to the pickup section held on the tray is placed in the take-out position, and in a waiting state, drive the tray main body to be displaced in a waiting position closer to the pickup section than a position where the maximum holding amount of documents are held on the tray.

Abstract: A large-capacity paper feeding apparatus comprising a main unit which is to be mounted on one side of an image forming apparatus, is movable on a floor and is configured to feed paper sheets to the image forming apparatus, a caster which is provided at a bottom of the main unit and is to contact the floor to allow the main unit to move smoothly on the floor, and a mounting device which is moved to a first position to make the caster contact the floor and to a second position to retract the caster upward from the first position.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a sheet containing tray withdrawable from a housed position to a front side of an apparatus body of the image forming apparatus. A sheet feeding device is provided so as to feed sheets in the sheet containing tray in a direction perpendicular to a withdrawal direction of the sheet containing tray. A pair of side aligning members is also provided so as to align widthwise ends of the sheets. A rear side aligning member mounts a hitching member so as to hitch and prevent a jammed sheet from remaining in the apparatus body of the image forming apparatus when the sheet containing tray is withdrawn. The hitching member includes a horizontally protruding plate so as to overhang the uppermost sheet set on the sheet containing tray at a position a prescribed length downstream of a downstream end of the rear side aligning member. A joining portion is also provided so as to join the protruding plate and the rear side aligning member.

Abstract: All the constituent members of a tray 1, for example, a side guide 30, a paper separating claw 50, a tray body 10, a drawing handle member 70, a member for regulating an end guide 40, and a holding member for holding a retard roll 60 each have a snap-fit structure. Therefore, the assembling and disassembling of the tray can be easily performed. The tray is formed only from members that enable all the steps of processes of assembling and disassembling the tray to be performed from the same direction without changing the orientation of the tray.

Abstract: A paper tray assembly for providing imaging media to an imaging apparatus, includes a base cassette and an insert cassette. The base cassette defines a first receptacle to receive at least a portion of the insert cassette, and the insert cassette defines a second receptacle to receive the imaging media.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device for an image forming apparatus including a main body case includes a sheet feeding tray that is rotatably supported by the main body case so as to be placed at at least a closed position where a sheet feeding inlet is closed by the sheet feeding tray and an open position where the sheet feeding inlet is opened for feeding the sheet into the main body case, a sheet feeding member that feeds the sheet on the sheet feeding tray into the main body case, and an arm including a base end part and a tip end part. The tip end part of the arm includes an arm engagement part that is engaged with an engagement part for the open position provided to the main body case so as to place the sheet feeding tray at the open position.

Abstract: A media cassette for an automatic dispenser which can be used easily and solve problems of incorrect operations when a push plate is locked since if the automatic dispenser receives the cassette having a locked push plate, locking is automatically released. The media cassette for an automatic dispenser includes a cassette body having a certain interior space in which media is received, a push plate installed slidably in the cassette body for supporting media, an elastic member positioned between the push plate and the cassette body for urging the push plate, guide members installed between the both sides surfaces of the push plate and the inner sides of the cassette body for guiding the push plate to perform linear movement and a locking mechanism installed between the push plate and the cassette body for locking the push plate and releasing the locking of the push plate in case the media cassette is received in the automatic dispenser.

Abstract: A hold down clamp for holding down a stack of sheet-like material, preferably for installation of a transportation trolley and/or in the area of a printing machine, having a holding arm extending vertically adjustable and lockable along a substantially upright guide member. The holding arm has at least one release member for releasing its locking, the release member being movable in the direction away from the stack. This allows the holding arm to be pliable upwardly in case of emergency.

Abstract: A thermal printer includes a thermal printer component for image recording to a thermosensitive recording sheet. There is a loading opening through which the thermal printer component is supplied with the recording sheet. Plural guiding projections position the recording sheet in the loading opening. A recording sheet package includes a packaging case for containing a loose stack of plural recording sheets. The loading opening is loadable with the packaging case. A package outlet is formed in the packaging case for passage of each recording sheet, and set directed toward the thermal printer component. Plural cutouts are formed in a periphery of the packaging case, and receive the guiding projections. Blocking portions of a blocking frame are disposed inside the packaging case, and close the cut-outs. The blocking portions are shiftable inwards from the cutouts by the guiding projections.

Abstract: In order to provide a paper feeding apparatus which is miniaturized by inclining a conveying passage and can quickly feed a manuscript even if the manuscript is thick, there is provided a paper feeding apparatus in which a conveying passage for a manuscripts is formed so as to continuously connected with a hopper on which the manuscripts are placed, and the manuscripts placed on the hopper are picked up one by one from an uppermost one thereof and fed to the conveying passage, wherein the conveying passage is inclined in the height direction so that the hopper side thereof is downward, and the angle of the hopper can be set so as to be arranged in a straight line in accordance with the inclination of the conveying passage.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a sheet storage portion that can store sheets with various sizes and accurately detect a size of the sheets. The sheet feeding apparatus has a sheet storage device, a supporting device for supporting the sheet storage device in a moving path between a sheet replenishing position and a sheet feeding position, a frame for fastening the supporting device, a sheet feeding device for separating the sheets into a single sheet and feeding the single sheet, and a sheet size detecting device established in the moving path for detecting the size of the sheets stored in the sheet storage device. The sheet size detecting device overlaps the sheet storage device in a sheet stacking direction when the sheet storage device is positioned at the sheet feeding position.

Abstract: A paper feed unit includes a hopper on which sheets are stacked and which is turned around a rotation shaft. The hopper is turned to move apart from or move to a paper feed roller. The paper feed unit has three modes: a large release mode in which the hopper is turned to be most apart from the paper feed roller, a non-release mode in which the printing sheet is abutted against the paper feed roller, and a small release mode in which the printing sheet is slightly separated from the paper feed roller, and is at a medium level between the above two modes. When a paper feeding job is still present, a state that the uppermost printing sheet is slightly separated from the paper feed roller is retained by the small release mode, whereby a swing range of the hopper is minimized.

Abstract: A paper feed cassette having a size detection function has a paper stage formed integrally with a rear end restricting plate for restricting the rear end of paper sheets. On the bottom of the paper stage, a plurality of rib-like detection targets are arranged in the paper feed direction. The detection targets are detected by a plurality of detection switches arranged in the paper feed direction in a paper feed portion inside the main body of an image forming apparatus. A discriminator receives the detection signals from the detection switches and thereby recognizes the paper size and the presence/absence of the paper feed cassette.

Abstract: A non-planar single sheet separator wall preferably inclined at about 25° from the vertical away from a paper stack first engages the side corners of the leading edge of a sheet of paper or other media picked from the top of the generally horizontal or downwardly inclined stack by a roller or pusher and causes the corners of the sheet to first curl upwardly along the wall before the central portion of the leading edge of the sheet engages the central portion of the separator wall. The separator wall configuration substantially eliminates downward curling of one or both leading corners of a sheet which is purposely upwardly bowed by an elastomeric pad near the center of the separator wall to reduce multi-sheet picks and separator jams.

Abstract: All the constituent members of a tray 1, for example, a side guide 30, a paper separating claw 50, a tray body 10, a drawing handle member 70, a member for regulating an end guide 40, and a holding member for holding a retard roll 60 each have a snap-fit structure. Therefore, the assembling and disassembling of the tray can be easily performed. The tray is formed only from members that enable all the steps of processes of assembling and disassembling the tray to be performed from the same direction without changing the orientation of the tray.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a sheet containing tray withdrawable from a housed position to a front side of an apparatus body of the image forming apparatus. A sheet feeding device is provided so as to feed sheets in the sheet containing tray in a direction perpendicular to a withdrawal direction of the sheet containing tray. A pair of side aligning members is also provided so as to align widthwise ends of the sheets. A rear side aligning member mounts a hitching member so as to hitch and prevent a jammed sheet from remaining in the apparatus body of the image forming apparatus when the sheet containing tray is withdrawn. The hitching member includes a horizontally protruding plate so as to overhang the uppermost sheet set on the sheet containing tray at a position a prescribed length downstream of a downstream end of the rear side aligning member. A joining portion is also provided so as to join the protruding plate and the rear side aligning member.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring paper sheets includes a supply device which supplies sheets, a supply unit which is provided as part of the supply device and forms a supply outlet through which the sheets are ejected, a receiving device which is connected to the supply device in such a manner as to be vertically movable relative to the supply device, and a receiving unit which is provided as part of the receiving device and forms a receiving inlet by which the sheets are received, wherein one of the supply unit and the receiving unit is configured to be vertically movable, and changes a vertical position thereof in response to relative positional relationship between the supply device and the receiving device.

Abstract: A pre-registration system increases the latitude of present active registration systems by decreasing the lateral offset of sheets before they reach the active registration system. This is accomplished by pivoting and translating a sheet supply elevator with stepper motors in conjunction with sensing a lateral edge of sheets in order to direct the sheets to the proper lateral position to be fed into the active registration system with a minimum of lateral offset.

Abstract: A thermal printer includes a thermal printer component for image recording to a thermosensitive recording sheet. There is a loading opening through which the thermal printer component is supplied with the recording sheet. Plural guiding projections position the recording sheet in the loading opening. A recording sheet package includes a packaging case for containing a stack of plural recording sheets with looseness. The loading opening is loadable with the packaging case. A package outlet is formed in the packaging case for passage of each recording sheet, and set directed toward the thermal printer component. Plural cutouts are formed in a periphery of the packaging case, and receive the guiding projections. Blocking portions of a blocking frame are disposed inside the packaging case, and close the cutouts. The blocking portions are shiftable inwards from the cutouts by the guiding projections.

Abstract: Each rear edge of an upper plate that receives a portion of a front edge side of a sheet is engaged with each slit provided to a sheet support member that receives a portion of a rear edge side of the sheet. Further, an end guide where the rear edge of the sheet contact is provided to the sheet support member. Therefore, the end guide moves back and forth in synchronization with a vertical swing of the upper plate. Even though the upper plate is vertically swung, a distance between a front edge of the upper plate and the end guide is maintained at substantially the same distance. Consequently, a deviation of the sheet caused by swinging only the upper plate can be prevented.

Abstract: An electrophotographic apparatus stop device that prevents actuation of a gear and feed shaft when a tray is not substantially inserted in an apparatus. The electrophotographic apparatus stop device includes a mechanism slidably positionable between a first position and a second position to mechanically prevent a member of a solenoid from releasing a protrusion of a gear extension.

Abstract: A cartridge comprises a shutter for opening and closing an opening portion formed on a ceiling plate of an upper side member. The shutter slides on an outer surface of the ceiling plate by attaching and detaching the cartridge. Lifter projections are projected on a back portion of a lifter provided in the cartridge. The lifter projections are projected to an outer section through an opening portion formed on a bottom plate of a lower side member. If the cartridge is put on the plane, the lifter projections are pressed to an interior, so that the lifter is pushed up. Thereby, a recording paper is pressed onto the back surface of the ceiling plate. As a result, a space of the cartridge is lessened, the flow of air from the outer section is reduced, and a variation in internal moisture is controlled.

Abstract: A safe tiltable sheet feeding apparatus is provided and includes a tiltable sheet support tray having a lead edge and a trail edge, for supporting a stack of sheets to be fed lead edge first from the stack. The tiltable sheet feeding apparatus also includes a feed head adjacent the sheet support tray for feeding a top sheet of the stack from the stack and an elevator assembly for independently raising, lowering and tilting the trail edge of the sheet support tray. The elevator assembly includes elevator drive motors, a controller, side frames defining lead edge elevator slots, and trail edge elevator slots. Importantly, the tiltable sheet feeding apparatus includes an overtilt safety sensor device mounted within the trail edge elevator slots and connected to the controller, for sensing overtilt of the trail edge of the sheet support tray, and for preventing resulting damage to the tiltable sheet feeding apparatus.

Abstract: A device for enabling access to an interior of an apparatus, with means for unlocking and swinging an upper apparatus housing part supporting a sheet stacking container clear out of a sheet dispensing area of the apparatus that has a sheet discharge unit and is freely accessible for sheet removal.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus of the present invention is provided with a casing having an open top, a lid member for closing the open top of the casing, a cartridge being insertable into the casing from above and storing sheets inside, an raising arm located in the inner bottom region of the casing, for raising the sheets in the cassette, and a pickup roller and a separation roller, which are located on an inner surface of the lid member, for taking out the raised sheets while being in contact therewith. The cartridge includes a container having a holding member located in the bottom thereof and adapted to hold a maximum replenishment number of sheets in a stacked state, and an insertion hole which is formed in the bottom of the container and into which the raising means is inserted to raise the holding member.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device for an image forming apparatus including a main body case includes a sheet feeding tray that is rotatably supported by the main body case so as to be placed at at least a closed position where a sheet feeding inlet is closed by the sheet feeding tray and an open position where the sheet feeding inlet is opened for feeding the sheet into the main body case, a sheet feeding member that feeds the sheet on the sheet feeding tray into the main body case, and an arm including a base end part and a tip end part. The tip end part of the arm includes an arm engagement part that is engaged with an engagement part for the open position provided to the main body case so as to place the sheet feeding tray at the open position.

Abstract: A sheet feeder has a sheet tray 10 disposed in such a way as to be able to rotate around a shaft 12, which is provided in such a manner as to be nearly perpendicular to a sheet mounting surface 4b, and enabled to be accommodated in a sheet feeder body. The sheet feeder also has a step-like part 10a provided in the sheet tray 10 in such a fashion as to be placed in a connection portion, in which the sheet tray 10 and an upper edge part 4 of a sheet mounting portion 4 of the sheet feeder body are connected to each other, when the sheet tray 10 is used, and an abutting rib 13 for frontwardly pushing the sheet tray 10 when the sheet tray 10 is used.

Abstract: A thermal printer includes a thermal printer component for image recording to a thermosensitive recording sheet. There is a loading opening through which the thermal printer component is supplied with the recording sheet. Plural guiding projections position the recording sheet in the loading opening. A recording sheet package includes a packaging case for containing a stack of plural recording sheets with looseness. The loading opening is loadable with the packaging case. A package outlet is formed in the packaging case for passage of each recording sheet, and set directed toward the thermal printer component. Plural cutouts are formed in a periphery of the packaging case, and receive the guiding projections. Blocking portions of a blocking frame are disposed inside the packaging case, and close the cutouts. The blocking portions are shiftable inwards from the cutouts by the guiding projections.

Abstract: A solenoid stop assembly that prevents actuation of a gear and feed shaft when a tray is not substantially inserted in an apparatus. The solenoid stop assembly includes a mechanism slidably positionable between a first position and a second position to mechanically prevent a member of a solenoid from releasing a protrusion of a gear extension. A tray is adjustably positionable and functionally interacts with the mechanism in a region of the apparatus and, upon contact, causes the mechanism to move and interrupt motion of the member. A resilient member, such as a spring, biases the mechanism to a position which prevents actuation of a gear and feed shaft when the paper tray is not substantially closed.

Abstract: A paper accommodating assembly for an office machine is provided in the invention. The paper accommodating assembly includes a first paper accommodating device for accommodating paper sheets to be processed by the office machine and a second paper accommodating device for accommodating paper sheets being processed by the office machine. In particular, feeding path of the paper sheets accommodated by the second paper accommodating device is established or blocked in response to the movement of the first paper accommodating device. The paper accommodating assembly of the invention can reduce space occupied by the office machine and avoid paper jam due to the closing of the first paper accommodating device.

Abstract: An erroneous container insertion prevention structure has a stopper mechanism disposed upstream of a positioning ledge for positioning the leading end of a cassette on a support base, for preventing the cassette from being inserted, and a releasing mechanism disposed at a container insertion reference position, for engaging the cassette to retract the stopper mechanism out of the path of said cassette only when the cassette is inserted along the container insertion reference position. The erroneous container insertion prevention structure, which is relatively simple in arrangement, allows the cassette to be reliably loaded into a cassette loading unit in a desired attitude.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus comprising a movable sheet supporting device for supporting a sheet, a sheet feeding roller urged against the sheet supported by the sheet supporting device and adapted to rotate in a sheet feeding direction to feed the sheet, a separating roller opposed to the sheet feeding roller and adapted to rotate in a direction along which the sheet is restored to separate the sheet fed from the sheet feeding roller, a feeding device disposed at a downstream side of the sheet feeding roller in the sheet feeding direction and adapted to feed the sheet fed from the sheet feeding roller, and a pressing and retracting device for moving the sheet supporting device to bring the sheet supported by the sheet supporting device into presser contact with the sheet feeding roller and release the pressure contact, and wherein the sheet supporting device which places the sheet into pressure contact with the sheet feeding roller is moved by the pressing and retracting device to release the pressure contact b

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet containing apparatus which is mounted to an image forming apparatus and adapted to contain a sheet to be fed to image forming mechanism of the image forming apparatus. And the sheet containing apparatus has a frame having a bottom plate and a side plate upright from the bottom plate, an end regulating mechanism movable in accordance with a size of a sheet contained in the frame and adapted to regulate an end of the sheet, and a flexion preventing mechanism provided on the end regulating mechanism and adapted to prevent the end regulating mechanism from being flexed by engagement with the side plate.

Abstract: A sheet feeding machine includes a sheet feeding table which is vertically movable and capable of supporting a plurality of first recording sheets thereon, first sheet feeding device movably situated above the sheet feeding table, the first sheet feeding device feeding the first recording sheets successively from a topmost sheet as the sheet feeding table with the first recording sheets moves upward, a base body detachably attached to the sheet feeding table, the base body supporting a plurality of second recording sheets thereon, and second sheet feeding device situated on the base body and feeding the second recording sheets successively from a bottommost sheet so that when the base body is attached to the sheet feeding table, the second recording sheet is fed by the second sheet feeding device and is transferred further by the first feeding device as a conveying device.

Abstract: In a storage cassette which can be inserted into a receiving module, intended for receiving a bill cassette, of an automatic bank teller, and has on its front wall (12)—seen in the insertion direction—a withdrawal opening which can be closed by a flap and into which drawing-off elements (14) of a drawing-off device of the receiving module reach in order to withdraw sheet-shaped objects (62) from the cassette in the inserted state of the latter, there are arranged a printing device (28) for printing sheet-shaped printing carriers (24), a device (18, 20) for storing a supply (22) of printing carriers and a transport device (31) for transporting a printing carrier (24) through the printing device (28) up to a withdrawal position in which the printing carrier (62) is located parallel to the front wall (12) in the region of the withdrawal opening.

Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) has a secure chest (20). A sheet dispenser assembly is supported on the chest through movable slides (40). The dispenser may be moved outward through an opening (26) in the chest by extending the slides. The dispenser may be disengaged from the slides through use of a portable carrier (50). The portable carrier has a lifting device which is operated to lift the dispenser relative to the slides enabling disengagement therefrom. The dispenser is then movable away from the chest for servicing on the carrier. The dispenser may be re-engaged with the slides after servicing using the portable carrier.

Abstract: A high capacity copy sheet supplying system for reproduction apparatus, in which a large and heavy stack of copy sheets may be much more easily and accurately loaded therein, by a sheet supplying container insertable into the sheet supply input. This container has sheet stack confining side walls, a bottom wall with plural spaced apertures, and a false bottom tray insert loosely overlying that bottom wall on which the stack of copy sheets is supported.

Abstract: Printer and receiver supply cassette therefor, and method of assembling same. A printer comprises a print head for printing an image on any of a plurality of receiver sheets arranged in a stack. A receiver sheet supply cassette is also provided, which cassette comprises a cassette body having a plurality of notches formed therein. A backstop is connected to the cassette body. The backstop has a portion thereof adapted to engage any of the notches. In this manner, the backstop is fixed relative to the cassette body while the portion of the backstop engages the notch. The cassette also includes a rotatable beam connected to the stop portion, so that the stop portion disengages the notch as the beam rotates and lifts the stop portion.

Abstract: A sheet-receiving device has multiple sheet receiving faces on which to receive different print jobs. The print faces are positioned in tandem with respect to each other. Sheets ejected from an apparatus are ejected onto a first of the multiple faces and remain their until moved. If another print job is to be printed, the operator may move the first print job from the first sheet receiving face to the second sheet receiving face simply by sliding the first print job to the second sheet receiving face. The first print job snaps into place, and curled edges of upper sheets in the first print job are blocked by a barrier between the first and second sheet receiving face so that sheets in the first print job do not interfere with the reception of sheets in the second print job.

Abstract: A film supply system for use within a photosensitive film imager. The film supply system includes a cartridge receiving apparatus and a film pick-up mechanism. The cartridge receiving apparatus includes a tray, a guide frame and an elevator mechanism. The guide frame is configured to be disposed within an imager housing. The tray includes a floor and extending walls for maintaining a film cartridge and is pivotably received by the guide frame. The tray further defines a cartridge insertion passage and moves between an elevated position and a retracted position relative to the guide frame. In the elevated position, the cartridge insertion passage is normal to a film travel path of the imager. Finally, the elevator mechanism is disposed within the imager housing and drives the tray between the elevated position and the retracted position. The film pick-up mechanism includes a retention frame, a drive frame, a drive means, a heel plate, and a cup plate.

Abstract: This invention concentrates on relieving the ergonomic strain on a bindery line operator by always loading at an ergonomically correct height for minimum wrist strain and also performing the “jogging,” which is normally done by the operator prior to placing a stack onto the pocket feeder. The signatures are placed onto a lift at the same height because the signature stack support is being lowered automatically until the pivoted conveyor is full. Then, the entire log is pivoted upwardly and advanced to meet the rear of the previously loaded log. The log is advanced through a series of air blasts to aerate the signatures, a vibrating table to align the backbones, and a set of oscillating guides to align the signatures head to foot to eliminate the manual jogging of signatures and thereby repetitive movement of the operator's wrist to do the jogging.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device comprises a sheet supporting means which is provided so as to be freely drawn out from the main body of an apparatus and supports sheets, a sheet feeding means abutting on the sheets supported by the sheet supporting means to feed the sheets, and a driving means for applying a driving force for feeding the sheets to the sheet feeding means, wherein the sheet supporting means is moved so as to be drawn out from the main body of the apparatus under the driving force of the driving means for driving the sheet feeding means while the sheets supported by the sheet supporting means are not present.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to prevent a sheet of continuous-form paper from slackening when it is fed back in a printer capable of feeding both sheets of continuous-form paper and cut-form paper.