Abstract: An inspection and/or processing apparatus for sheets such as banknotes includes a stacker wheel arrangement in which, rather than continuously rotating the stacker wheel and decelerating or accelerating the wheel to adjust the wheel speed in order to cause the grooves to align with the entrance chute at the same time that sheets arrive at the wheel, the stacker wheel is rotated only between sheet arrivals, and only for the purpose of indexing the stacker wheel to a new position at which a sheet can enter the stacker wheel without jamming. Indexing of the stacker wheel follows a predetermined profile, and the stacker wheel held stationary at each predetermined aligned position until a respective individual sheet has entered the stacker wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus for dropping paper sheets at a predetermined paper-stack position when the paper sheets are ejected from a facsimile device includes a conveyor belt which carries the paper sheets, a housing, containing the conveyer belt, which is detachably installed on the facsimile device where the paper sheets are ejected from the facsimile device such that the conveyor belt extends from a paper outlet of the facsimile device to the predetermined paper-stack position, and a driving motor, driving the conveyor belt to carry the paper sheets, which starts operating about a time when the facsimile device starts a paper-ejection operation thereof and stops operating about a time when the facsimile device stops the paper-ejection operation thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet process apparatus comprising a sheet discharge means for discharging a sheet, a first stacking means for stacking the sheet discharged by the sheet discharge means, a bundle discharge means for discharging a sheet bundle rested on the first stacking means, and a second sheet stacking means for stacking the sheet bundle discharged by the bundle discharge means. Wherein the number of sheets in the sheet bundle to be discharged onto the second stacking means is selected to become smaller, when a sheet size in a sheet conveying direction is great, than when a sheet size in the sheet conveying direction is small.

Abstract: An apparatus for advancing positions of a web material has a first transporter at which the pieces are separated from a web, a clamp which transfers the pieces to the plane of a second transporter and a second transporter operating in this plane in a direction orthogonal to the displacement direction of the first transporter. The second transporter has at least one conveyor at least part of which is movable toward and away from the clamp and toward which the clamp can be moved so that the pieces are transferred to the conveyor and can be displaced by the latter with no spacing between them or with only a limited spacing between them.

Abstract: A catch tray attachment for a sheet feeding machine allows rapid accumulation and manual removal of a predetermined count of sheet articles from the catch tray. The catch tray itself is adapted for mounting to the frame of the sheet feeding machine so as to position it in the discharge path of sheet articles exiting the sheet feeder. Upon removal of an accumulation of sheet articles from the catch tray, a signal is sent back to the sheet feeder to initiate further machine cycles whereby a predetermined count of sheet articles are again deposited in the catch tray.

Abstract: An apparatus for dropping paper sheets at a predetermined paper-stack position when the paper sheets are ejected from a facsimile device includes a conveyor belt which carries the paper sheets, a housing, containing the conveyer belt, which is detachably installed on the facsimile device where the paper sheets are ejected from the facsimile device such that the conveyor belt extends from a paper outlet of the facsimile device to the predetermined paper-stack position, and a driving motor, driving the conveyor belt to carry the paper sheets, which starts operating about a time when the facsimile device starts a paper-ejection operation thereof and stops operating about a time when the facsimile device stops the paper-ejection operation thereof.

Abstract: A method and a device form a scaled flow of overlapped articles from a flow of individual, flat and elastic articles, e.g. for stacking, without the following articles impacting with the rear edges of the preceding articles. In order to achieve a high flow rate, independent of the article length, the respectively preceding article remains during the overlapping in a locally fixed position until the supplied, respectively following article impacts from the side with the preceding article in accordance with the predetermined overlapping length. Following this, the two articles as well as all previous articles are jointly transported further until the rear edge of the now last, preceding article has reached the locally fixed position according to the predetermined overlapping length.

Abstract: An automatically sheet sorting device has multistage trays for storing sheets fed from a copying machine or the like, which each incorporate a sheet detecting mechanism including a sheet-empty detection lever of sheet-empty detecting means for detecting the sheet existing on the tray, and a sheet-full detection lever of sheet-full detecting means for detecting the sheets reaching a prescribed storage limit. The individual operable sheet-empty detection lever and sheet-full detection lever can be assembled in the tray compactly. A sheet-empty actuating member connected to the sheet-empty detection lever for actuating a sheet-empty switch and a sheet-empty actuating member connected to the sheet-full detection lever for actuating a sheet-full switch are of electrically non-contacting mechanism, thus to enable the tray to he readily detached from and attached to the device without any troublesome work of establishing an electrical connection or disconnection of electric elements between the tray and the device.

Abstract: A sheet ejecting mechanism is provided with a sheet ejecting sensor which detects a sheet to be ejected onto an offset tray and an upper-surface position-regulating section which regulates the position of the upper surface of the sheets in accordance with the position of an arm which is in contact with the upper surface of the sheets on the offset tray. When the sheet ejecting sensor detects a sheet to be ejected, a CPU of the upper-surface position-regulating section turns on a solenoid so as to remove a contact between an arm and the upper surface of the sheets. Meanwhile, when the sheet ejecting sensor detects no sheet to be ejected, the CPU turns off the solenoid. With this operation, the arm is allowed to come into contact with the upper surface of the sheets so as to regulate the position of the upper surface of the sheets.

Abstract: An image forming system which is comprised of a copying machine, and a sorter which has a bin assembly having a plurality of bins. In the sorter, the bin assembly is movable up and down pitch by pitch to store sheets on each bin, and stapled the stored sheets if necessary. A bin to store a first sheet and a first moving direction of the bin assembly are set in such a way that the bin assembly is stopped upward when the last process to sheets is finished.

Abstract: A stacking pressure control device for a stationary horizontal book stacking device in which books (C) fed at a constant rate along a vertical wall (2) are stacked on a stacking table (1). The control device consists of a strain gauge used as a pressure sensor (3, 6, 8) for continuously measuring the stacking pressure exerted directly on the vertical wall (2), and controlling the speed of the stacking table (1). The control device may be used in a horizontal book stacking device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which can control a number of paper sheets to be stacked onto a paper receiving tray based on a read paper sheet size. This structure is particularly relevant if a receiving paper tray is inclined and has an area above the paper receiving tray limited by a structure formed above the paper receiving tray. A height of stacked paper sheets on the paper receiving tray can be sensed, and a number of paper sheets allowed to be stacked on the paper receiving tray can be limited based on the read paper size and the sensed height of the stack of paper sheets. Further, the number of paper sheets allowed to be stacked onto the paper receiving tray can be limited based on the read paper size.

Abstract: A sheet conveyed into a sheet discharge processing device is conveyed through a straight convey path by first convey rollers and then is discharged onto a first discharge tray by second convey rollers and first discharge rollers. Second discharge rollers are arranged on a reverse convey path. A second discharge tray and a fan for applying an external force to the rear surface of a sheet are placed below the reverse convey path. When the trailing end of a sheet is detected by a second detection sensor, the fan is driven for a predetermined period of time to blow air against the rear surface of the discharged sheet. When sheets conveyed into the sheet discharge processing device are guided to a post-processing convey path by the first convey rollers so as to be subjected to post-processing, and are sequentially conveyed to a sheet stored section by convey rollers from the last or start page, the sheets are guided along one of guide plates constituting the sheet storing section to be aligned.

Abstract: An arrangement for the control of movement of documents to an output device such as a printer or a copier in such a manner that the document draw-in rate automatically matches the document output rate. A document intake channel forces the incoming document into a curvature transversely to the direction of the transport of the documents, whereby the degree of curvature of the documents is a function of any tensile force on the documents. A sensor includes an analog and continuous output signal to affect a continuous change of the driving frequency for a motor causing the movement of the documents as a function of the actuation of the sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for automatically adjusting a rate at which a document decelerates when entering a sort pocket of a document processing machine. The apparatus includes a track adapted for transporting the document, a guide wall, and a stacker flag spaced away from the guide wall to define the sort pocket therebetween. The sort pocket communicates with the track so that the document exits the track to enter the sort pocket. A wave spring is disposed proximate the guide wall so that the document engages the wave spring and is decelerated by the wave spring when the document enters the sort pocket. The weight of the document is calculated, and a signal is produced that represents the weight of the document. The wave spring is distorted according to this signal to vary a configuration of the wave spring depending on the weight of the document to decelerate the document at an optimal rate.

Abstract: A smudge-free sheet material handling apparatus and method are disclosed. The device moves sheet material by only pushing on the edges of the sheet material. Since there is no toner or ink at these locations, the sheet material can be fed without risk of smudging the toner material on the sheet surfaces. Furthermore, since no high friction parts come into relative contact/movement with the surfaces of the sheet material, smudging is even further reduced.

Abstract: A paper sorting apparatus includes first to fourth gap measuring units to measure gaps between sheets of paper. Using the gaps between the sheets varying between the respective gap measuring units, target gap correction values are stored for respective sort shelves. In accordance with gaps between sheets changed between the first and second gap measuring units, there are predicted gap variations possibly taking place by when the sheets reach the associated sort shelves. Depending on the predicted gap variations, a gap adjuster is controlled to set the gaps to appropriate values at a point where the pertinent sheets reach the associated sort shelves.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for feeding fabric workpieces one at a time from the top of a stack of like workpieces having a first rough side and a second smooth side, the workpieces being stacked with alternating sides up. A computer controlled picker is used to separate the top workpiece from the remaining workpieces in the stack, and for depositing the workpiece on a downstream conveyor. An ultrasonic face detector is mounted above the first conveyor for determining whether the side of the workpiece facing the face detector--the top surface--is relatively rough or relatively smooth. A pivoting feeder/inverter is provided at the end of the first conveyor. If the workpiece has the desired side up for subsequent sewing operations, the inverter/conveyor is placed in a first position so that the workpiece is directed into a sandwich belt type conveyor which will not change the orientation of the workpiece.

Abstract: A method of determining an output level of an output stack of print media in an image forming apparatus. The print media is transported, one print medium at a time, to the output stack. A sensor positioned in association with the output stack senses when the output level of the output stack has reached a near full level. At least one physical characteristic of the print media is identified which can affect the stacking of the print media. The number of the print media transported to the output stack is counted after the near full level is sensed. A determination that the output level of the output stack has reached a full level is made, dependent upon each of the at least one physical characteristic and the counted number of the print media.

Abstract: A method of assembling successively fed paper sheets subjected to a printing treatment, and groupwise delivery thereof to a following station for further treatment, is described. The paper sheets are fed by a first transport mechanism along a main transit path over a guide mechanism to a second transport mechanism situated at a distance therefrom in the processing direction. The paper sheets are engaged by the second transport mechanism for transport in the processing direction. The second transport mechanism, for the purpose of receiving each following paper sheet in the group, is temporarily driven in a direction opposite to the processing direction. The trailing part of each of the sheets returned by the second transport mechanism is deflected out of the main transit path.

Abstract: A sheet accommodating apparatus includes sheet accommodating means for accommodating one by one sheets fed thereto; aligning means for aligning the sheets; sheet interval detecting means for detecting interval time or distance between adjacent sheets; and control means for preventing the aligning means from operating when an output of the sheet interval detecting means indicates that sheet interval time or distance is shorter than time required for the aligning means to align the sheets or the distance through which the sheets moves in the time required for the aligning means to align the sheets.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus and a method of using the image recording apparatus. The image recording apparatus has a sheet sending path connecting a sheet supply section, an image forming section, and a sheet discharge section. A pull-in path branches from the sheet sending path, and a return path branches from the pull-in path to define a branch point. A first pair and a second pair of conveying rollers are provided on the pull-in path on respective sides of the branch point.The first pair and the second pair of conveying rollers are independently drivable in a forward direction and a reverse direction.

Abstract: A finishing machine is proposed for printed sheets delivered individually in rapid succession by a reproduction machine such as a printing press or a copier. The machine renders possible the manufacture in a production line in a completely automatic manner of brochures, leaflets or booklets without trimming edges. The machine comprises as its main part a station for takeover of the delivered sheets; a device for controlled retardation of the sheets received from the takeover station; a station for horizontal stacking of the retarded stacks; a mechanism for the alignment of the stacked sheets; a device for gripping the stack of aligned sheets a device for pivoting of the gripped stack from a horizontal position to an on-edge position; and a device for encasing the stack in a cover.

Abstract: A modular paper mover is disclosed which is adapted for use with existing printers and other paper processing devices. The invention included a wedge shaped opening which is located at the exit port of the paper processing device such that paper dispelled from the device will automatically enter the paper mover. A sensor, such as an optical sensor, detects the presence of the paper and is coupled with a motor which drives a platen. The platen acts like a pinch roller to grasp and pull the paper through a track and direct the paper to an outlet location typically opposite the wedge-shaped opening. The motor is designed to operate for a predetermined time interval to insure that the paper is completely clear of the platen even after the sensor is no longer activated. A preferred embodiment of the present invention is sized to sit inside a designated paper well of a paper processing device, providing a modular, removable paper mover which can be used with a variety of paper processing devices.

Abstract: In a sheet stacking system with an array of plural sheet stacking bins with sheet entrances for stacking plural flimsy print substrate sheets from a printed sheets output path into selected bins, with a sheet feeding input path system for feeding selected sheets into a selected bin to be stacked therein, with a bin fullness indicator system for indicating that the estimated height of the stack has reached a preset allowable maximum, and a stacking control system controlled by the bin fullness indicator system to control the sheet feeding input path; there is a single stack height sensing system including a stack height sensor for respective measurements of the actual stack height of the stack of sheets in respective bins for the bin fullness indicator system, a movable carriage system for moving this single stack height sensing system from adjacent to one bin to adjacent another bin for respective measurements, the stack height sensor including a movable sensing element extendable by an intermittent actuator

Abstract: A method and device for counting and discriminating documents including currency documents comprising a discriminating unit wherein the failure of a bill to be identified by the discriminating unit to causing the operation of the device to be suspended after the unidentified bill has been transported to an examining location for convenient examination by an operator. The device is provided with document-type selection elements. When an unidentified bill is found to be acceptable, an appropriate document-type selection element is chosen. The selection of a document-type selection element causes appropriate counters to incremented and the device to resume operation. The device is also provided with a continuation selection element. Alternatively, when an unidentified bill is found not be acceptable, the document is removed from the output receptacle and the continuation selection element is chosen.

Abstract: A sheet resident space is provided on an indexer of a sheet transfer system, and a controller stops the image recording apparatus upon detection of a sheet jam about the indexer and stops the sheet transfer system after keeping it operating for a predetermined time interval sufficient for the sheet transfer system to transfer all the sheets in the sheet transfer passage thereof to the sheet resident space.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring workpieces to a stack from an endless conveyor having a plurality of forward traveling flights in a defined path. The conveyor being composed of a series of flights spaced at intervals there along. Each flight being constructed for carrying one of the workpiece 3. The apparatus and method include using a stacking mechanism for supporting a stack of limp materials removed from the forward advancing flights positioned below the path of the traveling flights. The stacking mechanism works in combination with a holding mechanism which determines the position of the upper most ply in the stack. A transfer mechanism is used for removing each ply from a forward advancing flight of the conveyor for transfer to the stack supported by the stacking mechanism.

Abstract: A paper stacking apparatus for an image reading apparatus and an image reading apparatus with a paper stacking apparatus wherein paper sheets can be stacked appropriately to allow a large amount of paper sheets to be read rapidly at a time are disclosed.

Abstract: The actual position of a leading edge of a transversely folded signature is detected. This actual position detection event is used to trigger an instantaneous measurement of the actual angular position of the gripper system used for receiving the signature. If the leading edge of the signature is predicted to arrive at the gripper system of the receiving cylinder at other than the appropriate time, the speed of the receiving cylinder is corrected.

Abstract: A delivery device conveys the sheets which are output by a laser printer for delivery onto a pile. For adaptation to the growing height of the pile, at least one conveying roll defining an output is arranged on a height-adjustable carriage. A sensor lever scans the respective height of the pile and brings about automatic tracking of the carriage. The carriage is mounted so as to be longitudinally displaceable on a drive shaft by means of at least one guide. The carriage can be moved vertically along the drive shaft by driving wheels which press against the drive shaft. By means of this device, the achievable stacking height can be multiplied relative to the standard height.

Abstract: Sheet-like products are fed to the transfer location by a first conveyor. A detector arrangement determines the spacing between the products and controls the first predetermined speed of a second conveyor correspondingly, with the result that, at the transfer location, the formation of the products have a predefined spacing. If the second conveyor is driven, at the stationary transfer location, at the first predetermined speed which differs from a second predetermined speed at the stationary discharge location, the conveying length of the second conveyor changes, thereby displacing a deflection wheel. Different spacings between fed products can thus be evened out.

Abstract: An improved sheet feeding apparatus and a method thereof, which includes a driving unit for driving corresponding elements; a sheet feeding unit for feeding a sheet by the driving unit; a sheet withdrawing detection unit for detecting as to whether or not a sheet is withdrawn; a sheet feeding direction converting unit for converting a feeding-back direction of the sheet; a sheet feeding-back completion detecting unit for detecting the completion of feeding-back sheet; and a sheet storing unit for storing a sheet into a sheet storing box, and further includes the steps of a first step which judges as to whether or not a sheet is fed back; a second step which converts a sheet feeding direction; a third step which feeds back the sheet; a fourth step which judges as to whether or not a sheet feeding-back is completed; and a fifth step which stores a sheet into a sheet storing box, thus advantageously preventing jamming and skewing of a sheet in operation.

Abstract: Method of introducing an auxiliary sheet pile carrier above a main sheet pile to be removed, the introduction being effected during uninterrupted feeding of additional sheets above the main sheet pile in a sheet travel direction and in synchronism with the travel of a sheet to be deposited, includes controlling respective drives at a sheet delivery by a control device which determines actual data of a printing press, so that the auxiliary pile carrier traverses a velocity profile identical with a velocity profile of the sheet to be deposited in order to avoid relative movement between the auxiliary pile carrier and the sheet to be deposited.

Abstract: A method and device for off-sorting documents of a specific type using a device capable of discriminating among different types of documents. A stack of documents are received in an input receptacle and transported, one at a time, past a document type discriminating unit to an output receptacle where the type of each document is discriminated. Next it is determined whether the type of a current document is a specified type. Depending on the type of the current document either (1) operation of the device is halted when the current document does have the specified type and the immediately preceding document does not have the specified type; (2) operation of the device is halted when the current document does not have the specified type and the immediately preceding document does have the specified type; or (3) operation of the device is continued.

Abstract: A device for stacking sheets comprises a drive (1) with a control device (29) and a pusher plate (6) which is arranged on a rod linkage (2), is displaceable perpendicular to a transport plane (8) and which pushes a sheet (5), which has been advanced in the transport plane (8) and aligned over a substantially rectangular entry opening (11) of a cassette (3), through the entry opening (11) into the cassette and onto a stack (4). The rod linkage comprises a control plane (13) and two pairs of arms (15, 16) forming double scissors that can be pivoted about an axle pin (19) by the drive (1). Pivoting of the double scissors moves the pusher plate (6) relative to the cassette (3). The control device (29) is arranged to limit the depth of penetration of the pusher plate (6) into the cassette (3) by reversing the direction of rotation of the drive (1) when the desired depth of penetration has been reached.

Abstract: A small-size-sheet stacking unit is attached on a printed sheet tray of a printing machine so as to receive printed sheets of small size, and is detached from the printing machine after such sheets are printed. The sheet stacking unit comprises a guide plate, a plurality of carriers for supporting side edges of a printed sheet and moving the printed sheet upward, a position sensor for detecting whether or not the printed sheet is at a position where the sheet is ready to be carried by the carriers, a driver for actuating the carriers, and a sheet receptacle for receiving the printed sheets.

Abstract: The sheet material inspection apparatus has a pitch detection section for detecting pitches between sheet materials on a conveying path and a control section which effects so that the sheet material is inserted from a predetermined position of a groove of a rotary body (impeller) by adjusting rotating speed of the rotary body or by using auxiliary conveying path even if a pitch deviation is produced. The sheet material conveying device for conveying sheet materials has a conveying unit which includes pairs of rollers disposed away a predetermined distance from each other, a belt stretched between the pairs of rollers and wound on the rollers through only a predetermined angle; and a guide member disposed between the pairs of rollers so that its upper surface is located more downward by a predetermined spacing than a conveying surface of the belt. Sheet materials are supported between the belt and the guide member and conveyed by driving the belt, which enables high-speed, and less damage, in conveying.

Abstract: A paper slip storage system having a paper slip storage container (20) being placed in conjunction with a transport mechanism for storing transported paper slips is disclosed. The system has a temporary housing section (33), a rotational displacement mechanism (30, 80), and a separation mechanism (60). The temporary housing section (33) receives a transported paper slip M and temporarily houses it. The rotational displacement mechanism (30, 80) rotationally displaces the housing section for guiding the paper slip housed therein to a paper slip storage position of the paper slip storage container (20). The separation mechanism (60) blocks rotation of the paper slip housed in the temporary housing section against operation of rotational displacement of the temporary housing section and separates the paper slip from the temporary housing section at the paper slip storage position of the paper slip storage container.

Abstract: A high capacity conveyor assembly is utilizable with pressure sealers or other business forms manufacturing or handling equipment to efficiently handle forms that may be job separated, and provides high capacity outfeed. An infeed conveyor has a first horizontal conveyance surface and feeds forms in a first direction to a pair of nip wheels, with an outfeed conveyor downstream of the wheels for also feeding forms in the first direction and having a second horizontal conveyance surface. The nip wheels are powered and include a top nip wheel and a bottom nip wheel with a nip between them, the bottom nip wheel having a top peripheral surface closer to the outfeed conveyor than is the nip. A transition element (such as a low friction shelf) has a form supporting surface lower than the bottom nip wheel top peripheral surface, and is between the nip wheels and outfeed conveyor.

Abstract: A sheet reversing apparatus which has a take-in path, a reversing path which extends from the take-in path in a substantially same direction, a take-out path which extends from a junction of the take-in path and the reversing path in a substantially perpendicular direction to the extending direction of the reversing path. A sheet is fed from the take-in path to the reversing path, and when the trailing edge of the sheet comes out of the take-in path, the sheet is fed back from the reversing path to the take-out path. In an entrance portion of the reversing path, a first reversing roller which is driven to rotate in a feed-back direction toward the take-in path and a second reversing roller which is capable of coming into contact with and moving away from the first reversing roller are provided.

Abstract: Device for conveying a sheet along a conveyance path to a sheet pile having a conveyor for gripping the sheet at least at one edge thereof, a drive connected to the conveyor, fixed guides for the sheet, a pneumatic device disposed in cooperative proximity with the guides, and a control or regulating device connected to adjustment elements of the conveyor, the drive and the pneumatic device, includes at least one sensor disposed in the conveyance path of the sheet for detecting movement of the sheet, the sensor being connected to the control or regulating device.

Abstract: An image communication apparatus includes a reception unit for receiving image data, a recording unit for recording an image on a sheet on the basis of the image data received by the reception unit, a storage unit having a plurality of trays for sorting and storing sheets on which images are recorded by the recording unit, a determination unit for determining the presence/absence of the sheets stored in the trays, and a controller for sequentially selecting the trays with reference to a predetermined tray to sort and store the sheets on which the images are recorded by the recording unit in the storage unit, and selecting the predetermined tray in accordance with a determination of the absence of the sheets by the determination unit, wherein the determination unit determines that no sheet is present in the trays when it is detected that the sheet is removed and that no sheet is present for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for handling sheets (3) which are provided with information in a laser printer (4) and fed to a sorting device (5) for being sorted. In this method, in the laser printer (4), sheets (3) provided with information are continuously fed into a magazine (12) at the top thereof while at the same time sheets (3) are continuously removed from said magazine (12) at the bottom thereof for transport to the sorting device (5), whereby sheets (3) provided with information are piled on top of each other in the magazine (12) for providing a sheet buffer supply (11) therein if the speed of the rate of the laser printer (4) to provide sheets (3) with information is higher than the speed of the rate of the sorting device (5) to sort sheets (3) received from the magazine (12), whereby the magazine (12) permits piling of a substantial number of sheets (3), e.g.

Abstract: A sheet receiver has multiple trays for receiving printed sheets from a host copier or printer to collate or receive the printed sets or jobs made up of sequential sheets fed to the trays by an infeed roll driven at variable speeds depending upon the measured length of the sheets as they are moved past a sheet sensor by the infeed roll.

Abstract: A control system and method for ejecting an envelope having: a feeder for feeding the envelope out of the envelope handling device, a sensor for sensing the trailing edge of the envelope, and a microcontroller for controlling the feeder and in communication with the sensor the microcontroller causing the feeder to accelerate the envelope above a desired speed and decelerate the envelope after the sensor senses the trailing edge of the envelope so that the envelope is fed from the envelope handling device at the desired speed.

Abstract: A paper stacking apparatus including a paper stacking device for stacking plural sheets of paper thereon; a paper size detecting device for detecting a size of the paper to be stacked on the paper stacking device; a paper stack detecting device for detecting whether the paper is present or absent on the paper stacking device; and a control device for inhibiting stacking of the paper when the paper size detected by the paper size detecting device is different from a preset paper size, and for allowing the stacking when absence of the paper on the paper stacking device is detected by the paper stack detecting device during inhibition of the stacking. Accordingly, the control device inhibits paper having any sizes other than the preset paper size from being stacked on the top of stacked sheets of paper present on the paper stacking device and restores allowance of stacking when the paper present on the paper stacking device is removed during inhibition of stacking.

Abstract: A sheet feeder includes a pneumatic picker for picking the top sheet from a stack of sheets, and a flipper for inverting upside-down sheets. The picker has a row of suction cups, supplied with vacuum through hoses, for picking up the top sheet. The lip of each suction cup is inclined to the top surface of the stack at a fixed angle. If the angle is properly chosen, exactly one sheet will be picked up as the picker is moved onto and away from the stack. The inclined suction cups are for permeable materials such as cloth. The picked sheet may be inverted by a twisted-belt flipper if needed. The flipper has four rollers with axes in a rectangular configuration, and two twisted belts. Each belt is wrapped around a pair of rollers on opposite corners of the rectangle, and the belts run closely in between the far pairs. A sheet will be flipped as it travels through, held between the two belts. To select which sheets are to be flipped, a photocell and gate work to direct sheets into or around the flipper.

Abstract: A stacker jam detector, for use in a sheet handling device such as a stacker and separator, comprises a source of sheets that directs sheets downstream to a delivery location. The source of sheets includes a sheet sent signal generator that transmits a sheet sent signal in response to transferral of each of the sheets from the source. A moving sensing service, such as an elastomeric wheel, is provided at a delivery location, which can comprise a vertical stack. The surface engages each of the sheets as each of the sheets is transferred to the delivery location. Movement of the sheets thereover causes proportional movement of the sensing surface. A signal, such as a pulse, is generated in response to the movement of the sensing surface. A detector measures the signal and compares the signal received relative to at least one sheet sense signal to a predetermined signal value and indicates whether a sheet has been properly delivered to the delivery location.

Abstract: An information transmit/receive apparatus comprises a printer having a sheet feed portion and a sheet discharge portion, an original reader having a sheet feed portion and a sheet discharge portion and a sorter having a sheet entrance port which is connected to the sheet discharge portion of the printer via an adapter for coupling the sheet discharge portion and the sheet entrance port together. The adapter has a transparent portion through which the recording sheet passage in the adapter can be visually observed, whereby a jam of a recording sheet in the adapter portion can be easily observed. A control means performs receive and transmit operations.