Holder Movable Relative To Feed Position Patents (Class 271/162)
  • Patent number: 7258334
    Abstract: A paper tray mechanism that is applicable to machines with paper trays, such as printers, scanners, copiers, fax machines, all-in-one multifunction center and the like, comprises an input paper tray, an output paper tray, where both trays are movable and attached to the machine at sides, and an interconnecting mechanism therein between the two trays. When one paper tray is moved by the user, due to the interconnecting mechanism therein between, another paper tray will automatically move simultaneously. Therefore, this invention provides a paper mechanism that only needs one simple and easy step to have both paper trays unfolded/folded and unstashed/stashed so that some spaces are saved for other usage and machine is compact enough to be repacked into the original box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Chung-Yi Cheng
  • Publication number: 20070176354
    Abstract: An image forming device includes: a housing; and a sheet feeding cassette that stores a stack of sheets. The housing includes: a cassette accommodation portion that is provided at a lower part of the housing; an insertion slot from which the sheet feeding cassette is detachably inserted in the cassette accommodation portion in an insertion direction; a first support portion that is formed on a bottom part of the housing on a side near to the insertion slot; a second support portion that is formed on the bottom part of the housing on a side remote from the insertion slot; and an opening that is formed between the first support portion and the second support potion to expose the bottom face. The sheet feeding cassette includes a roller that is disposed at the bottom face of the sheet feeding cassette at a downstream side end in the insertion direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yukio Shiohara
  • Patent number: 7249761
    Abstract: An ATM includes a currency note dispenser having a currency cassette, a note picker, a note transporter, and a note presenter. A cassette tambour door automatically opens during insertion of the cassette into the dispenser. The picker can pick notes through the opening. A spring loaded housing wall tab retains the picker shaft in mating connection with a drive pin. The transporter can move notes vertically and horizontally. The transporter includes belts between an idle shaft and a drive shaft. The idle shaft is vertically movable relative to a drive shaft to maintain belt tension. The transporter also includes convexly tapered rollers that automatically recenter a loose belt. A presenter gate is at a note dispensing outlet of the ATM. The gate is opened by actuating a lever linked with an arm connected to the gate. The gate opens by moving a pin upward in an angled slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems division of Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: H. Thomas Graef, Damon J. Blackford, Michael S. Johnson, Kenneth Kontor, Thomas A. VanKirk
  • Patent number: 7243915
    Abstract: The illustrated input and output trays are pivotally attached to the hardcopy device and are movable between a processing position and a storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Howard G. Wong, Peter Hwang
  • Patent number: 7216864
    Abstract: A paper supply cassette includes a separately formed case, accommodating unit cover, and handle part. A separating mechanism for separating and conveying paper stacked in the case one sheet at a time is supported in a support unit provided on the front side surface of the case. Generally, high precision is required when mounting the separating mechanism into the paper supply cassette, and the separating mechanism must be demonstrated to have sufficient separating performance prior to shipping the product. When modifications are made to the design of the laser printer, it is possible to reuse the case while replacing the handle part with a new part, thereby eliminating the time and effort required to redesign the separating mechanism and to demonstrate its separating performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideo Yoshihara
  • Patent number: 7198420
    Abstract: A printer 1 includes a sheet storage unit 6 in which a stack of sheets can be set, a pickup roller 12 which contacts one side of the stack of sheets set in the sheet storage unit 6, and a lid 10 which covers the other side of the stack of sheets. In this structure, each sheet 7 is conveyed toward a print mechanism unit 14 by the revolution of the pickup roller 12. The printer 1 is provided with first ribs 10a and a second rib 3a which forcibly curl the sheets 7 set in the sheet storage unit 6 in the sheet width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Minoru Yamamoto, Takashi Okumura, Hiroshi Taira, Keiji Seo
  • Patent number: 7188835
    Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for an image forming device prevents a sheet jammed in a pickup roller from being damaged when a sheet feeding cassette is separated to remove the jammed sheet. The sheet feeding apparatus for the image forming device includes a sheet feeding cassette being removably installed in the image forming device and having a handle hole for adhesion and removal, a sheet pressure plate hinge-fixed in the sheet feeding cassette, to load and support sheets, an elastic member to elastically support the sheet pressure plate to be upwardly slanted, and a down lever installed at the lower portion of the sheet pressure plate to be moved forward or backward. When the down lever is pulled through the handle hole, the sheet pressure plate is downwardly rotated to compress the elastic member, and when the down lever is pushed, the sheet pressure plate returns to the original position by the elastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-soo Lee, Min-seon Kim
  • Patent number: 7165767
    Abstract: Dispenser modules include structure permitting their securement in stacked and aligned relation. The dispenser modules can contain sheet media such as notes and other items. The dispenser modules can be used in an automated banking machine operative to dispense multiple types of sheet media. Modules include a projection plate and a biasing latch arm on side walls thereof. The projection plate includes a pin adapted to be received in a side wall slot. A first module is locked to a second module through a first module latch preventing movement of a second module pin from a first module slot. Disassembly of the locked modules can occur with compressing of the latch to release the modules relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems a division of Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: H. Thomas Graef, Michael S. Johnson, Michael Harty, Jonathan M. Peritt, Ken Kontor
  • Patent number: 7167674
    Abstract: A sheet storage cassette includes: a case provided with a storage portion; a stacking plate on which a sheet is placed; and a lifting unit that lifts the stacking plate. The lifting unit has: a driving gear that communicates with an output gear of the device main body in a state where the sheet storage cassette is received in the device main body, is rotated by driving force transmitted from the output gear, and is provided with an engaged part; a swing portion that has an engaging part engaged with the engaged part, and lifts the stacking plate by a rotation of the driving gear; and a reverse rotation allowing unit that allows the driving gear to rotate in an opposite direction to a direction of lifting the stacking plate when inserting the sheet storage cassette into the device main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Hattori
  • Patent number: 7147219
    Abstract: A paper tray (110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710, 810) for holding a stack of sheets of paper in a printer (540, 640, 740, 840) is provided. The paper tray includes an actuator (221, 421, 521, 621, 721, 821), which is moveable between an engaged position by insertion of the tray into the printer and a refilling position by at least partial removal of the tray from the printer. A paper supporting plate (230, 330, 430, 530, 630, 730, 830) is moveably coupled to the actuator. The paper supporting plate supports the stack of paper so that a sheet furthest away from the paper supporting plate is in a picking position available for picking by the printer, when the actuator is in the engaged position. The actuator is coupled to the paper supporting plate so as to move the paper supporting plate away from the picking position when the actuator is moved into the refilling position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Eng Leong Soo
  • Patent number: 7140609
    Abstract: A cartridge apparatus includes a media cassette, face plate and a locking and unlocking mechanism. The locking and unlocking mechanism includes a lock bar, a first post and a second post, and is configured to lock and unlock a cartridge during insertion in a printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Bingham, Craig D. Sunada
  • Patent number: 7111934
    Abstract: The feeding apparatus 50 includes a hopper 51 that is provided operable to support the papers in inclined attitude and pivot around a pivot axis 51a, and a feed roller 53 that is provided at a feed roller shaft 54 and feeds the paper to the downstream side by rotating in contact with the paper. When seen from the side view of the feeding path, guide rollers 57 and 58 are provided near the feed roller 53 and are driven to rotate in contact with paper. A movable member, provided near the feed roller 53, pivots around a pivot axis 63a so that the movable member moves backward and forward to the feeding path. Accordingly, a clearance between the feed roller 53 and the hopper 51 is narrowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yasumichi Okuda, Kazuo Otsuka, Keiichiro Fukumasu, Katsuhiko Tachikawa
  • Patent number: 7104747
    Abstract: A load change safety system in which a sheet stacker having a stacking deck formed with a discharge end discharges sheet material onto and builds a sheet stack on a conveying sheet stack removal system formed with a receiving means. A variable pinch point gap is formed by relative motion between the discharge end of the stacking deck and the receiving means of the conveying sheet material removal system. The safety system includes redundant means selectively preventing a decrease in the variable pinch point gap. The redundant means of the safety system preferably includes an electro-optical light guard means operably connected to the redundant means with one or more redirections of light beams to create a light guard perimeter guarding portions of the stacker and sheet removal system to guard against access to the pinch point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Geo M. Martin Company
    Inventors: Daniel J. Talken, Charles D. Rizzuti
  • Patent number: 7100915
    Abstract: A paper feeding apparatus of an image forming device having a feeder opening and closing unit to automatically rotate a paper feeder between a storing position and a paper feeding-standby position selectively employing a driving source driving a transporting unit with a pickup roller and a feed roller. The paper feeding apparatus automatically opens the paper feeder to the paper feeding-standby position when the image forming device is used, and automatically closes the paper feeder to the storing position to minimize space when the image forming device is not in use, thereby accommodating a user and minimizing a size of the image forming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong-duk Lee, Sang-jin Bae
  • Patent number: 7086644
    Abstract: A media cartridge for a printer has a connector for connecting to the printer and a media storage volume in which sheets of media are stored. A manually operated slider ejects one sheet at a time through an outlet to an input slot of the printer. The printer then draws the sheet past a printhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Simon Robert Walmsley
  • Patent number: 7083339
    Abstract: A photographic processor and method for developing photographic images utilizes a frame and an exposure section that receives and expose print media to record an image on the print media. The exposure section includes a transport system that transports the print media to an exposing mechanism. After the exposing mechanism, the print media goes to a chemical development section contained that develops the exposed print media. A print media supply section secured to a shuttle system attached to the frame wherein the print media supply section provides print media from two or more magazines. The shuttle system sequentially moves one of the magazines to a position in line with the entry to the exposure section and then away from the entry. The shuttle system then moves other magazines from the position in line with the entry to the exposure section and then away from the entry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Ralph L. Piccinino, Jr., Kevin H. Blakely
  • Patent number: 7080833
    Abstract: A sheet base, a base portion and a paper feeding roller unit are provided. A fixed inclined portion of the sheet base is raised from the base portion. A movable portion of the sheet base is provided with an arm attached to a later shaft. The arm is attached with a shaft member of the paper feeding roller unit. When an attitude of the movable portion is changed from an erected attitude to a fallen attitude, the paper feeding roller unit is moved down. When the attitude of the movable portion is changed from the fallen attitude to the erected attitude, the paper feeding roller unit is moved up. A drive gear is attached to the lateral shaft and a driven gear for transmitting rotation of the drive gear to an input ring member is attached to the shaft member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaaki Mitsuhashi
  • Patent number: 7073787
    Abstract: A media handling device comprises a frame, a media tray, and a damper. The media tray is mountable to the frame for pivotal movement between a first position and a second position relative to the frame. The damper is disposed on the frame and configured for maintaining frictional engagement with the media tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Tod A. Kinsley, Jan W. Boldt, Michael K. Bowen, Robert G. Fritz
  • Patent number: 7063316
    Abstract: Dispenser modules include structure permitting their securement in stacked and aligned relation. The dispenser modules can contain multimedia. The dispenser modules can be used in an automated banking machine operative to dispense multimedia. Modules can include a projection plate and a biasing latch arm on side walls thereof. The projection plate includes a pin operative to be received in a side wall slot. A first module is locked to a second module due to a first module latch preventing movement of a second module pin from a first module slot. Disassembly of the locked modules can occur with compressing of the latch to release the modules relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Services Systems Division of Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: H. Thomas Graef, Michael S. Johnson, Michael Harty, Jonathan M. Peritt, Ken Kontor
  • Patent number: 7036813
    Abstract: A recording medium feed apparatus has a manual feed tray provided in open or closed state, a feed roller feeding a recording portion a recording medium on the manual feed tray, an arm body having a first end portion rotatably attached to a housing and a second end portion, a feed roller unit having a front end portion provided with the feed roller and a base end portion rotatably attached to the second end portion, and a driving source transferring driving force to the feed roller, wherein the arm body and the feed roller unit are vertically housed inside the housing when the manual feed tray is closed, and as the manual feed tray changes from closed to opened state, the arm body tilts toward outside, while a folding angle of the feed roller increases so that the feed roller abuts against a recording medium on the manual feed tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuo Asada
  • Patent number: 7025345
    Abstract: A sheet feeder and separator assembly for separating and sequentially feeding individual print media sheets from a stack thereof includes a frame having at least one bearing recess. A removable print media tray is carried by the frame. A separator is connected to the removable print media tray. A pick module assembly is removably connected to the frame adjacent the removable print media tray. The pick module assembly includes a pick roller adjacent the separator to form a nip and at least one flexible bearing is removably received in the at least one bearing recess to removably connect the pick module assembly to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Isaac S. Frazier, Jos W. Jacobs, Carl T. Urban, David B. Schaefer
  • Patent number: 7009839
    Abstract: An assembly for housing a power supply unit within a data processing system includes a carrier bracket for attaching to the power supply unit, a housing tray to engage the bracket moveably and define a size adjustable space for receiving the power supply unit, and a baffle hinged to the tray. The baffle covers a portion of the space and is moveable relative to the tray. The bracket and tray include complementary slide tracks enabling the bracket to moveably engage the tray. The baffle is hinged via pivot points engaged in baffle tracks in two of the tray sidewalls. The baffle may define a first gap between a hinged edge of the baffle and a sidewall of the tray and a second gap between a distal edge of the baffle and the bracket face plate. The baffle may include a plurality of extendible baffle plates to alter the baffle dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Kristopher Michael Clinard
  • Patent number: 6991392
    Abstract: A print media delivery system on a door assembly that is connected to an associated frame is provided. The door assembly includes a door body openable to provide access into an associated frame. A tray is pivotally connected to the door body for receiving associated print media thereon. A pick roller is rotatably mounted to the door body for contacting the associated print media and advancing the associated print media into the associated frame. A gear has a missing teeth section and is connected to the pick roller for corotation therewith. A gear bias system urges the gear to rotate in a first direction when the door body is closed and said tray is open to selectively advance the missing teeth section past an associated drive gear and allow teeth of the gear to engage the associated drive gear when the door body is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Nathan E. Hult, Darryl I. Jensen
  • Patent number: 6988723
    Abstract: A sheet member feeding and conveying apparatus has 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 in the take-out position. There is a tray driving section for driving the tray main body to be displaced in the directions close to and away from the pickup section. A control section is provided 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Kitami, Kazuo Nakamura, Souichi Takata, Hiroyuki Nagao
  • Patent number: 6986635
    Abstract: A load change safety system in which a sheet stacker having a stacking deck formed with a discharge end discharges sheet material onto and builds a sheet stack on a conveying sheet stack removal system formed with a receiving means. A variable pinch point gap is formed by relative motion between the discharge end of the stacking deck and the receiving means of the conveying sheet material removal system. The safety system includes redundant means selectively preventing a decrease in the variable pinch point gap. The redundant means of the safety system preferably includes an electro-optical light guard means operably connected to the redundant means with one or more redirections of light beams to create a light guard perimeter guarding portions of the stacker and sheet removal system to guard against access to the pinch point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Geo. M. Martin Company
    Inventors: Daniel J. Talken, Charles D. Rizzuti
  • Patent number: 6984084
    Abstract: An imaging media tray for an imaging system such as a printer is provided that includes a media cassette having a sloping end wall, and a blocking means. The blocking means has a blocking mode adapted to prevent imaging media from moving up the sloping end wall when the media cassette is being inserted into the imaging system and an inactive mode to facilitate transmission of the media to the imaging system. The blocking means adopts the inactive mode after the media cassette is inserted into the imaging system. A method for preventing imaging media from moving up the sloping end wall when the media cassette is being inserted into the imaging system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Wei Kwan Ng, Chin Long Wee, Sanil Kumar Parammal
  • Patent number: 6971808
    Abstract: Card printing apparatus, for example, for printing identification cards, pass cards and the like generally comes with a relatively restricted size card input hopper. The number of cards that can be processed in a single operation is accordingly limited. The capacity for a single run of card printing can be materially increased without leading to card feed problems because of the increased pressure at the bottom of a stack of cards by arranging that at least part of the in-feed hopper is inclined away from the vertical. In order to maintain the footprint of the printer relatively small, the hopper preferably has two vertical sections and an intermediate inclined section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: NBS Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Chris Dawson
  • Patent number: 6942211
    Abstract: A mobile, color printer capable of printing on letter-size plain paper and standard-size photo paper has a fold-up paper feeder that acts as a cover during travel. Such also serves as a storage tray for several sheets of paper to allow automatic feeding from a vertical stack. A slotted door hinged to the back of the printer, and under the hinges for the fold-up paper feeder/cover, can be flipped up or down. In the down position, a slot on the right side guides the user to feed in photo paper in the correct location. In the up position, letter-size plain paper has full-width access to the printing mechanism, and a sliding adjustable guide on the left allows letter, A4, and other size papers to be lightly corralled on both sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, LP
    Inventors: Cherng Linn Teo, Ah Chong Tee, Mylene Angele Kit-Njoek Tjin Wong Joe, Dennis Chua
  • Patent number: 6939068
    Abstract: A tray riser is configured for retrofit in a printer feed tray. The riser includes a plate for supporting a stack of sheets in the tray. A stand is integrally formed with a bottom of the plate to position a front edge of the plate higher in elevation than a back edge of the plate. A retention tab is integrally formed with the plate for engaging a pre-existing feature in the tray to retain the riser in the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy W. Rawlings, Timothy B. Baker, John C. Rosenbaum
  • Patent number: 6908244
    Abstract: A printer paper support system includes a housing, a first paper support pivotally attached to the housing and a second paper support pivotally attached to the housing, the second paper support extending the first paper support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Dale Cook, Jay Scott Siekmann
  • Patent number: 6880822
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Fukushima, Kazuhisa Kawakami, Masafumi Furuyama, Yoji Sasai, Norihiro Yamashita, Yoichi Kobayashi, Hirotomo Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6878493
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hologram-recording dry plate fabrication process and system that can be used to fabricate a transmission or reflection hologram-recording dry plate particularly best suited for applications where high precision and high cleanliness are required. The hologram-recording dry plate comprises a substrate feeding means for feeding a substrate, a film feeding means for feeding a sheet-cut form of film having a separator, a separator releasing means for releasing the separator from the thus fed film, and a lamination means for laminating the film from which the separator is released on one surface of the thus fed substrate from the side of the film from which the separator is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Ueda, Yasuyuki Ohyagi
  • Patent number: 6851670
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Douglas John Todd
  • Patent number: 6848685
    Abstract: A printer of the present invention includes a first and a second tray each being movable between a full-closed position and an open position. When the operator moves the first tray in the opening direction, the first tray forces the second tray located on the locus of movement of the first tray in the opening direction, uncovering a first and a second opening at the same time. When the operator moves the second tray in the closing direction, the second tray forces the first tray located on the locus of movement of the first tray in the closing direction, covering the two openings at the same time. The operator can therefore move the two trays by a single action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Goro Katsuyama
  • Publication number: 20040251601
    Abstract: A sheet feeder device is provided, which includes: a sheet accommodating section for accommodating a stack of sheets; a sheet pick-up section operative to feed each of the sheets toward a sheet feed path when abutting against the stack; and a sheet separating section having a feed roller and a reverse roller which are located downstream of the sheet pick-up section and abut against each other, wherein the reverse roller is supported on a rotation support shaft in a manner to allow the reverse roller to be fitted around and removed from the rotation support shaft, the rotation support shaft having opposite ends supported by a device body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Nagao
  • Patent number: 6824129
    Abstract: A printer, copier, facsimile machine or any other device for printing indicia on sheets of paper or other printable sheet materials. The device includes a paper input tray which is arranged to be oriented in a generally vertical direction irrespective of whether the device is in a horizontal orientation or a vertical orientation. The device also includes an output tray arranged to receive the paper or other printed sheet material exiting from the printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Inventor: William R. Sides, II
  • Patent number: 6822763
    Abstract: A compact structure and rapid method for calibrating a document scanner provides for a substantially cylindrical calibration casing having a central axis and an outer surface, with a brightness calibration section of the outer surface encompassing a portion of the circumference of the outer surface, a document width detection segment encompassing a second portion of the circumference of the outer surface, and a document backer element encompassing a third segment of the circumference of the outer surface of the casing. A driver selectively positions the casing in different rotational positions in which the different segments of the outer surface of the cylinder face the optical element of the scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel L. Morris, Christopher J. Spencer, Michael J. Poirier, Timothy G. Shelhart
  • Patent number: 6820872
    Abstract: A media dispensing machine having a media cassette which includes a casing disposed in a media cassette receiving unit of the media dispensing machine; a media loading unit disposed in the casing and storing media; a driving unit installed at a certain side of the media loading unit inside the casing and operated by a power transmitting unit of the media dispensing machine for dispensing the media stored in the media loading unit; a media guiding unit installed so as to connect the driving unit with an outlet formed at the outer surface of the casing and guiding the media dispensed by the driving unit to a media conveying unit of the media dispensing machine; and a media dispense security unit for controlling the driving unit so as to operate only when the casing is installed in the media cassette receiving unit of the media dispensing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: LG N-Sys Inc.
    Inventors: Kyung-Ho Ko, Jae-Wook Ahn
  • Patent number: 6808170
    Abstract: An imaging media supply tray for providing imaging media to a feed mechanism of an imaging system a first access area adapted and constructed to contain a first quantity of imaging media in a position capable of exposing the first quantity of imaging media to the feed mechanism. A second access area adapted and constructed to contain a second quantity of imaging media in a position capable of exposing the second quantity of imaging media to the feed mechanism. A securing mechanism is adapted and constructed to selectively secure the imaging media supply tray in the imaging system in a first orientation connecting the first access area to the feed mechanism, or in a second orientation connecting the second access area to the feed mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Chet M. Butikofer
  • Patent number: 6793425
    Abstract: A feeding device has a loading unit for allowing one of a plurality of recording media and a storage case having a plurality of recording media contained therein to be selectively loaded thereon, a feeding roller for feeding the recording media from the loading unit, and ribs for preventing the storage case from floating to restrict the position of the storage case relative to the feeding roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Junichi Yoshikawa, Katsuyuki Yokoi, Masahiro Taniguro, Tadashi Hanabusa, Tetsuyo Ohashi, Kiichiro Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20040178564
    Abstract: An ATM includes a currency note dispenser having a currency cassette, a note picker, a note transporter, and a note presenter. A cassette tambour door automatically opens during insertion of the cassette into the dispenser. The picker can pick notes through the opening. A spring loaded housing wall tab retains the picker shaft in mating connection with a drive pin. The transporter can move notes vertically and horizontally. The transporter includes belts between an idle shaft and a drive shaft. The idle shaft is vertically movable relative to a drive shaft to maintain belt tension. The transporter also includes convexly tapered rollers that automatically recenter a loose belt. A presenter gate is at a note dispensing outlet of the ATM. The gate is opened by actuating a lever linked with an arm connected to the gate. The gate opens by moving a pin upward in an angled slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicant: Diebold Self-Service Systems Division of Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: H. Thomas Graef, Michael Harty, Michael S. Johnson, Kenneth Kontor
  • Publication number: 20040169327
    Abstract: A media supply is provided for use in an imaging device having an entry port. The media supply has a housing defining a media storage area to hold media, an opening to receive media, and a device engagement surface shaped for insertion into the entry port A media enclosure is mounted to the housing and is movable between an open position wherein the media storage area can be accessed through the opening and a closed position blocking the opening. Wherein the media storage area, media enclosure, and engagement surface are arranged so that the media enclosure can be moved between the closed position and the open position when the engagement surface is inserted into the entry port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Samuel F. Swayze, David R. Gotham, Christopher J. Lundgren
  • Patent number: 6776412
    Abstract: A feeding module for use in an envelope inserting machine. The feeding module comprises a mounting support fixedly mounted on the chassis of the machine, and a sheet feeder releasably mounted on the mounting support, wherein the sheet feeder comprises a tray for supporting a stack of the sheets and a retrieving mechanism for retrieving one sheet at a time from the bottom of the stack. The retrieved sheet is guided through a curved channel to the moving belt of the inserting machine. The channel is formed by two curved panels, one of which can be lifted away from the other for jam clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. DaCunha, Carlos L DeFigueiredo, John J. Mercede, Jr., Joseph R. Vassallo
  • Patent number: 6776405
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Eric Unger Eskey
  • Patent number: 6769681
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Nakamura, Masahiro Someda
  • Patent number: 6770900
    Abstract: A discharge mechanism has a lid closing roller for closing a lid of a cassette and automatically delivering the cassette to a predetermined position upon rotation thereof, a motor for rotating the lid closing roller, and an electromagnetic clutch for transmitting rotational power from the motor to the lid closing roller and disconnecting the lid closing roller from the rotary actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Minagawa
  • Patent number: 6749193
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for loading the input unit of a letter sorting system with letters that are stood on their edges. The device comprises of at least one stack receiving device which is located on a carriage and which can receive a stack of letters at a given location. The device comprise a stack base which can be moved beyond the carriage in the direction of the stack, horizontally, and one or two separating blades which hold the stack. The blades can be displaced along the stack base and can rotate in and out of the stack receiving device. The dimensions and the height of the stack receiving device are configured in such a way that the stack base can be moved onto the letter conveyor line with the separating blade(s) of the stack receiving device and urged to the input unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens AG
    Inventors: Peter Berdelle-Hilge, Christoph Hofmann
  • Patent number: 6746011
    Abstract: For printer sheet separating and feeding with stack side edge air fluffing assistance from variable size sheet stacks in a sheet feeding tray with at least one repositionable stack side edge guide in an openable machine drawer, the stack edge fluffer system automatically operatively engages the edge guide to provide a preset spacing from the variable side edge positions of various size stacks when said machine drawer is closed, plus an air baffle extension out over the stack, but automatically disengages to provides unobstructed loading when the drawer is opened. It may include an automatically variable length manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene F. Miller, Joseph Marasco, William D. Milillo
  • Patent number: 6729719
    Abstract: In a method of forming an identification card printer a sheet feed printer is provided having a printhead and a sheet feed mechanism that is driven by a sheet feed drive to feed paper sheets to the printhead for printing. Next, the sheet feed mechanism is replaced with a card transport mechanism that is used to feed cards from a card supply to the printhead for printing. The card transport mechanism is then linked to the sheet feed drive through a feed drive link. Finally, a master controller for controlling the operation of the card transport mechanism is installed. Additional aspects of the present invention relate to an identification card printer formed in accordance with the above-described method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Fargo Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary M. Klinefelter, Martin A. Pribula, Leonid S. Gershenovich, Stacy W. Lukaskawcez
  • Patent number: 6722647
    Abstract: A medium transporting apparatus transports a medium along a predetermined transport path. A medium-transporting section is movable between a loading position and an unloading position and has a first transport path. A medium-holding section is movable between the loading position and the unloading position, holds a stack of medium therein, and has a second transport path continuous to the first transport path. A first locking mechanism locks the medium-transporting section to the loading position and unlocks the medium-transporting section from the loading position. A coupling mechanism brings the medium-transporting section and the medium-holding section into coupled engagement with each other and brings the medium-transporting section and the medium-holding section out of coupled engagement with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Kato, Norihisa Isaka