Abstract: A discharge device includes a transport unit that transports a medium in the form of a sheet having a first surface and a second surface on the opposite side of the first surface; a contact member that comes into contact with the second surface of the medium transported by the transport unit, and that moves in a first direction in which the contact member presses the medium to a side of the first surface, and in a second direction opposite to the first direction within a predetermined range; a guide member provided so that the guide member does not come into contact with the contact member, that guides the medium transported by the transport unit while contacting the first surface of the medium, after the contact member comes into contact with the medium; and a discharge unit that discharges the medium guided by the guide member.

Abstract: An inserter device for a document printer and inserter system includes a first container sensor. A belt mechanism includes a flexible delivery belt receiving a printed document from a document printer. A motor rotates the delivery belt in response to an actuation signal from the first container sensor indicating the presence of a container at a document loading position proximate the delivery belt. A support shaft is rotatably connected to a support frame. The belt mechanism is fixed to the support shaft. The support shaft is rotated to achieve a desired belt drive angle and fixed to the support frame to maintain the belt drive angle. A rigid document diverter proximate the delivery belt deflects a document discharged from the delivery belt at the belt drive angle into the container. First and second belt tensioning assemblies are individually positioned in either a belt mechanism drive box or idler box.

Abstract: For a sheet circulating transfer route that includes a sheet transfer portion of a printing mechanism provided with a transfer belt for transfer of a sheet as positioned thereto, a transfer section provided with drive rollers for transfer of a sheet as image-formed by an image former of the printing mechanism, and a sheet invert portion operable for inversion of the sheet as image-formed, there is a drive controller adapted, in conformity to a condition that a sheet to be positioned in the printing mechanism is equal in length to or longer than a path distance from the image former to the drive rollers, to set a transfer speed of the sheet as image-formed by the drive rollers up as an identical speed to a transfer speed of the sheet as positioned by the transfer belt, and in non-conformity to the condition, to set it up as a greater speed than the transfer speed by the transfer belt.

Abstract: An image arranging device arranging an image in a predetermined region, includes: a regulation obtaining section that obtains an arrangement regulation of the image in the region; and a data obtaining section that obtains print image data which represents a print image to be printed on a print medium and in which a finish size of a printed matter is designated. The device further includes: a protrusion removal section that, regarding the print image represented by the print image data obtained by the data obtaining section, obtains an image portion protruding from the finish size designated by the print image data and removes the obtained image portion; and an image arranging section that, regarding the print image represented by the print image data, arranges an image portion remaining after the removal by the protrusion removal section in the region according to the arrangement regulation obtained by the regulation obtaining section.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sheet feeding apparatus having a sheet buffer function (temporal storage function), which has a simple structure without a buffer drum and feeds a present sheet and a subsequent sheet by stacking the present sheet and the subsequent sheet. The sheet feeding apparatus includes a pair of discharge rollers including a driving roller and an idle roller, a first feeding path connected to the discharge rollers, a second feeding path located at a rear of the first feeding path, branch flaps installed at a branch part of the first and second feeding paths, a sheet detecting sensor installed on the first feeding path, a cam holder for rotatably supporting both ends of a rotating shaft of the driving roller, and a cam for moving the cam holder up and down to allow the driving roller to selectively engage with the idle roller.

Abstract: A duplex automatic document feeder includes first, second, third, and fourth paths, an ejecting path, a scanning module, first and second reversing roller units, a feeding tray, and an ejecting tray. A document is moved from the feeding tray to the scanning module for scanning of a first side surface thereof. Subsequently, the document is moved along a second-side scanning path defined by the first reversing roller unit, the third path, a portion of the first path, the fourth path, and the first reversing roller unit to allow for scanning of a second side surface thereof. After the first and second side surfaces are scanned, the document is moved along a document-inverting path defined by the second reversing roller unit, a portion of the fourth path, the ejecting path, a portion of the second path, the first reversing roller unit, and the ejecting tray.

Abstract: A check receiving device of an automatic teller machine having a receiving unit and a storage unit to accumulate the check unit includes a first transfer unit having inspection devices installed along a transferring; a second transfer unit communicated with an end of the first transfer unit along the transferring path such that the check transferred from the first transfer unit stands by; a third transfer unit communicated with an end of the second transfer unit along the transferring path and receiving the check; a fourth transfer unit communicated with a communicating position between the second transfer unit and the third transfer unit; and a gate installed at a communicating position of the second transfer unit, the third transfer unit, and the fourth transfer unit. The gate changes a transferring direction of the check positioned in the third transfer unit to the fourth transfer unit.

Abstract: A conveying and dividing mechanism in which a first conveyance path and a second conveyance path facing each other can bidirectionally convey banknotes between each other and that can divide into multiple-direction banknotes conveyed from both the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path. A first dividing member is rockably provided at the intersection of the first conveyance path, the second conveyance path, a third conveyance path, and a fourth conveyance path. The first dividing member enables banknotes to be bidirectionally conveyed between the first and second conveyance paths. Further, the first dividing member enables bank notes conveyed from the first and second conveyance paths to be divided into the third and fourth conveyance paths.

Abstract: In the state that a preceding sheet awaits at an awaiting position, a pair of conveying rollers are separated from each other, and the front end of a subsequent sheet sent out from a main conveying path passes the gap between the pair of conveying rollers. Based on a configuration that the distance from the trailing end of the subsequent sheet in the conveying direction to the pair of conveying rollers becomes equal to that from the front end of the preceding sheet to the pair of conveying rollers, the preceding sheet and subsequent sheet are sandwiched by the pair of conveying rollers so as to be conveyed in a first direction, thereby making the sheets into a state that the sheets are put on each other. Thereafter, the sheets are conveyed in a second direction by the pair of conveying rollers, so as to be discharged into discharging unit.

Abstract: When a sheet of paper is inverted and the direction is changed, members such as a roller do not come into contact with the printed surface of the sheet and it is possible to prevent smudges by eliminating an ink stain on a surface of the sheet.

Abstract: A sheet conveyance relay unit, including: a convergence unit, including: a convergence section, in which a plurality of sheet receiving sections are respectively connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses, to receive recording sheets, wherein the convergence section makes the recording sheets, conveyed from the plurality of the sheet receiving sections, to merge into a single sheet conveyance path; and a first common sheet-conveyance section, which conveys the recording sheets from the convergence section to a sheet feeding outlet, and a divergence unit, including: a second common sheet-conveyance section, which conveys the recording sheets, conveyed from the convergence unit; a plurality of sheet feed-out sections, which are combined to a plurality of post-finishing apparatuses; and a divergence section, which sorts the recording sheets, conveyed by the second common sheet-conveyance section, onto the plurality of the sheet feed-out sections.

Abstract: An image formation device is configured such that a feed roller and a discharge roller are rotated in a first direction so that the sheet is fed from the fixing unit to the discharge opening at a first speed V1, in a second direction so that the sheet is fed from the discharge opening to the diverging point at a second speed V2 if the entire sheet has reached a discharge opening side with respect to the diverging point, and the feeding speed is changed to a third speed V3 if the sheet has reached a position where it is nipped by the sheet feed rollers after the sheet was started to be fed at the second speed V2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medium stacking apparatus for an automatic medium dispenser. A medium stacking apparatus according to the present invention comprises a medium box provided with a seating space allowing medium to be pulled and stacked therein, inlet rollers provided to face each other and to rotate in opposite directions relative to one another so that the medium are pulled into the seating space, a damping unit colliding against the medium pulled into the seating space by the inlet rollers, and a pressing unit for pressing down a trailing end of the medium. The damping unit and the pressing unit are connected to both ends of a link by the pins to cooperate with each other. Thus, the medium are stacked in the seating space, so that the following medium can be pulled therein without any interference. According to the present invention, there is an advantage in that a stacking reliability is enhanced when medium are stacked.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a housing having a discharge port, a plurality of photosensitive bodies mounted in the housing, a transfer unit to transfer visible images formed on the plurality of photosensitive bodies onto a printing medium, a fusing unit to fuse transferred visible images to the printing medium, and a reverse unit to reverse a moving direction of the printing medium, after the printing medium has passed through the fusing unit. As the moving direction of the printed printing medium is reversed by the reverse unit, the printing medium may be discharged while a printed surface of the printing medium is directed downward, allowing a user to easily draw out the printing medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming section which forms normal images on sheets sequentially based on normal image data and forms sample images on sheets based on sample image data; a discharge section which discharges normal image sheets in a stack which are sheets on which the normal images were formed and sample image sheets which are sheets on which the sample images were formed; and a control section which is configured to control at least one of the image forming section and the discharge section to discharge the normal image sheets in the stack and the sample image sheets to the discharge section so as to enable timings at which the sample image sheets were discharged to be appreciated in the stacked normal image sheets.

Abstract: A combined sheet inverting and buffering system and method including a sheet drive for transporting sheets into a sheet collecting area. The sheet drive is selectively operable to transport the sheets in a first and second direction along a processing path. A holding device can hold a plurality of sheets. The sheet drive and holding device cooperate to compile the plurality of sheets into a stack wherein the sheets overlie each other in a shingled manner. A take away drive is in operative communication with the sheets for individually unloading the sheets from the sheet collecting area.

Abstract: A transport apparatus for transporting flat, rectangular sheet material, in particular sheet-shaped value documents such as bank notes, comprises a distributing element reciprocating between at least two positions, or at least two distributing elements reciprocating between two positions, the distributing element or elements moving delivered sheets of the sheet material alternatively or alternatingly into at least two removal positions, and at least one removal device for carrying off the sheets out of the removal positions in removal directions associated with the removal positions.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus for OCR/VSC integrated systems, which selectively delivers postal items to upper- and lower-side stackers, includes at least one pair of conveyor belts bifurcating from a bifurcation gate to the down-side stackers, and at least one pair of conveyor belts bifurcating from the bifurcation gate to the upper-side stackers. The conveyor belts include a first twisted section, an S-shaped ascending portion, and a second twisted portion. Each postal item is tilted by the first twisted portion, then raised by the S-shaped ascending portion with its tilted attitude maintained, and returned to upright by the second twisted portion.

Abstract: An improved sheet accumulator for stacking serially fed sheets transported on a paper path includes a guide deck. Above the guide deck, a plurality of parallel belts are positioned to provide a driving force for sheets on the deck. Within the accumulator, a ramp apparatus is positioned across the paper path whereby sheets driven by the belts on an upstream portion of the accumulator deck are driven over the ramp apparatus and deposited in an accumulating region of the accumulator deck on a downstream side of the ramp apparatus. Sheets are stopped by an accumulator stop mechanism located at a downstream end of the accumulating region that prevents movement of sheets by the belts while sheets for an accumulation are being collected. When an accumulation is completed, the accumulator stop mechanism allows sheets to be transported from the accumulating region.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus is capable of changing the forward motion direction (V1) of sheet articles (10) by means of a first rotating diverting member (4) situated above a lower active run (2h) of a second conveyor (2). The second conveyor is disposed at an angle (H1) with respect to the first conveyor (1) and the first rotating diverting member (4) is shaped like a cam with an active portion (4h) for moving the sheet article to the second conveyor without changing orientation of the sheet article. A third conveyor (3) can be added, at an angle (H2) with respect to the second conveyor, with a second rotating diverting member (5) for moving the sheet articles from the second conveyor to the third conveyor (3) without changing orientation of the sheet articles.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing a crosslaid fiber web including a first conveyor belt and a second conveyor belt, which are oriented in two different directions, wherein the second conveyor belt adjoins a side of the first conveyor belt. During operation of the device, the first conveyor belt transports longitudinal fiber web segments, which are conveyed to the second conveyor belt in a conveyance region. During transportation by the first conveyor belt, a conveyance area of the longitudinal fiber web segments projects with respect to the side of the first conveyor belt. The device comprises a guiding belt for supporting a portion of this conveyance area, in order to guarantee that, in the conveyance region, the longitudinal fiber web segments may be conveyed to the second conveyor belt in a completely outstretched fashion.

Abstract: In an automatic original conveying device, a motor rotates in a single direction and a driving force transmission mechanism transmits the driving force of the motor from a sheet feeding roller to a switchback roller. The sheet feeding roller conveys an original that stands by in a switchback conveying path to a second conveying path. A sorting unit sorts the original conveyed from a paper delivery path to an original delivery table or to the switchback conveying path. The switchback roller is provided between the sorting unit and the switchback conveying path and it is rotatable in a normal direction or a reverse direction.

Abstract: Disclosed are a multi-sheet buffer module and a modular printing system incorporating the buffer module. The buffer module includes a primary sheet transport path that extends horizontally across a frame. Vertical buffer paths extend downward and upward from the primary sheet transport path. Each buffer path connects to a secondary sheet transport path, which provides a loop back connection to the primary sheet transport path. As a stream of sheets moves along the primary sheet transport path, sheets printed out of order will be selectively diverted into the sheet buffer paths. Then, at the proper moment, the sheet buffer paths will feed the buffered sheets into the secondary sheet transport path(s), which will transport them to the primary sheet transport path, such that they are inserted at the proper locations back into the stream of sheets.

Abstract: An equipment for transferring sheets with change of direction for sheets entering along a first direction comprises output rollers to move the sheets along a second direction, right-angled with respect to the first direction, and members of engagement and movement, actuatable for engaging and moving the sheets entering along the first direction along the second direction up to the engagement with the output rollers. The members of engagement and movement provide a condition of reception in which define a space of reception for the entering sheets and a condition of engagement and movement in which engage the entered sheets and move the sheets for the engagement with the output rollers. The members of engagement and movement return to the condition of reception upon the engagement of the entered sheet with the output rollers for enabling a following sheet—to enter and to be moved along the first direction jointly with the movement of the previous entered sheet along the second direction.

Abstract: A media path jam clearance apparatus installable in a supporting structure includes media drive mechanisms for moving flexible media through media paths and a rotatable, removable jam clearance element. Within the jam clearance element facing surfaces of guide elements define guide surfaces for media paths, with the guide elements having external surfaces capable of supporting the flexible media as it is wrapped around the external surfaces. A pivotal support element supports and enables rotational movement of the jam clearance element within the supporting structure. The jam clearance element may be partially or entirely extracted from the supporting structure.

Abstract: A method for personalizing a plurality of documents and a personalization installation which comprises a plurality of processing stations arranged one behind the other along a longitudinal axis of the personalization installation for carrying out individual personalization steps, wherein in order to carry out the personalization steps the documents or smart cards run through one processing station in a first direction running transversely to the longitudinal axis and the other processing station in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction and likewise runs transversely to the longitudinal axis, wherein all the processing stations are oriented with their run-through directions transverse to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A Right Angle Turn (RAT) module for processing multi-sheet collations includes opposed belt segments defining a conveyance channel for capturing multi-sheet collations therebetween and for conveying multi-sheet collations from an input and to an output end of the conveyance channel. The opposed belt segments define a first re-directing bend, a second re-directing bend, and a twist section disposed therebetween. The first re-directing bend includes a rolling element for re-directing the opposed belt segments about a first axis of rotation while the second re-directing bend includes a rolling element for re-directing the opposed belt segments about a second axis of rotation. The first and second axes of rotation are orthogonal to each other so as to effect a twist section therebetween.

Abstract: System and methods for directing sheet media to one of multiple output paths is described. A multi-path gating system includes a multi-positionable gate including a fixed pivotable input end for receiving sheet media and a movable output end for routing the sheet media to one of multiple output paths. The multi-path gating system also includes an actuator configured to control the position of the output end of the multi-positionable gate, wherein the actuator orients the output end of the gate forming an output path for the sheet media.

Abstract: A page buffer for receiving and holding, in queue, pages prepared by a printer and subsequently processed by mailpiece inserter. The page buffer includes pairs of vertically-aligned rollers defining a plurality of page stations therebetween. Each pair of rollers is spaced-apart and defines a nip for driving printed pages along a feed path. Furthermore, each page station is defined by and between a first pair of rollers disposed downstream of an adjacent second pair of rollers. A drive means is also provided for independently driving the pairs of vertically-aligned rollers. The drive means is controlled such that, in a first operating mode, the pairs cooperate to drive printed pages along the feed path. In a second operating mode, the drive means is controlled such that at least one of the page stations causes its respective first pair of rollers to retain and hold a leading edge portion of a printed page while the adjacent second pair drives and releases a trailing edge portion of the printed page.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for altering the spatial orientation and/or direction of sheet material. The apparatus includes an input deck for receiving sheet material along an input feed path, an output deck for forwarding sheet material along an output feed path, and an orbit nip roller assembly disposed adjacent to and aligned with the input and output decks. The orbit nip roller assembly includes a primary and secondary roller defining a roller nip which lies substantially parallel to the input and output feed paths. The secondary roller is adapted to be bi-directionally displaced in an arc about the periphery of the primary roller such that the roller nip orbits the primary roller from a first radial position to a second radial position.

Abstract: A sheet ejection mechanism including a sheet ejection roller capable of rotating along a selective direction and having an arc portion and a plane portion, the arc portion and the plane portion forming a D-shape cross-section, and a pinch member configured at a position adjacent to the sheet ejection roller, wherein a recording medium is clamped and conveyed between the pinch member and the arc portion of the sheet ejection roller, and a gap is formed between the plane portion and the pinch member for allowing the recording medium to pass. Also, the present invention provides a duplex sheet feeding system having the sheet ejection mechanism.

Abstract: Digital scanning of document sheets with a substantially vertical scanning system is provided by sequentially feeding the uppermost document from an upright input loading and image viewing area to a scanning head, and then to an output, along a sheet feeding path which is substantially linear, planar and vertical, but also somewhat rearwardly inclined, defined by a correspondingly rearwardly inclined document rear supporting surface and a substantially horizontal bottom edge supporting surface providing a lateral movement guide and at least initial gravitational registration and support of the bottom edges of the loaded documents. The scanned documents can be automatically ejected to stack in the collated order in which they were fed to be scanned by automatically deflecting them forwardly (outwardly) from their substantially vertical rearwardly inclined lateral movement path onto a forwardly inclined stacking area.

Abstract: A printer includes a housing, one or more print cartridges, and a positioning system configured to position print media for printing by the one or more print cartridges. The positioning system including a rotatable star wheel for translating the print media relative to the housing, the star wheel including a plurality of teeth disposed around an outer perimeter of the star wheel. At least the tips of the star wheel teeth are formed from plastic.

Abstract: A paper conveying apparatus and method for flipping paper includes a paper feeding roller that can rotate in a positive direction or in a reverse direction, a motion transfer member that has one end coupled with the paper feeding roller, and a paper depressing element coupled with another end of the motion transfer member to be driven and rotated. The method of flipping paper includes: first, feeding a sheet of paper into a first paper conveying path; next, depressing the paper into a second paper conveying path while the paper is leaving the first paper conveying path; and reentering the paper from the second paper conveying path into the first paper conveying path upside down.

Abstract: A sheet discharging device and image forming apparatus are provided. The sheet discharging device includes a sheet discharging port; a sheet discharging tray which is provided correspondingly to the sheet discharging port, a sheet discharged from the sheet discharging port being stacked on the sheet discharging tray; and a plurality of sheet lifting members provided so as to be moveable between a retraction position and a protrusion position; wherein when a leading end portion of the sheet contacts with the sheet lifting members, the sheet lifting members move from the retraction position to the protrusion position, the sheet lifting members stay at the protrusion position and lift up the sheet while the sheet is discharged from the sheet discharging port to the sheet discharge tray, and the sheet lifting members return to the retraction position when the sheet has been discharged from the sheet discharging port.

Abstract: A duplex automatic document feeder includes first, second, third, and fourth paths, an ejecting path, a scanning module, first and second reversing roller units, a feeding tray, and an ejecting tray. A document is moved from the feeding tray to the scanning module for scanning of a first side surface thereof. Subsequently, the document is moved along a second-side scanning path defined by the first reversing roller unit, the third path, a portion of the first path, the fourth path, and the first reversing roller unit to allow for scanning of a second side surface thereof. After the first and second side surfaces are scanned, the document is moved along a document-inverting path defined by the second reversing roller unit, a portion of the fourth path, the ejecting path, a portion of the second path, the first reversing roller unit, and the ejecting tray.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus connected to a conveying-speed-changeable sheet post processing device includes a discharging unit which discharges a sheet in a reverse discharge mode with front and back surfaces of the image-formed sheet reversed, and a non-reverse discharge mode without front and back surfaces of the image-formed sheet reversed, and discharges the sheet at a first speed or a second speed lower than the first speed; and a control unit which controls the discharging unit to discharge the sheet at the first speed in the reverse discharge mode and at the second speed in the non-reverse discharge mode. When the sheet is discharged at the second speed, the control unit controls the discharging unit to discharge a subsequent sheet at the second speed even if the subsequent sheet is to be discharged in the reverse discharge mode.

Abstract: A card collection mechanism may include a card collection box for collecting a card, a feeding roller for carrying the card from a feeding passage to the card collection box, and a guide part for guiding the card to the card collection box. The guide part guides the card while the guide part causes the card to be resiliently bent in a direction where an urging force directed to a surface of the feeding roller is applied to the card when the card is fed to the card collection box, and the feeding roller carries the card to a state in which the card is capable of being collected in the card collection box. The card collection mechanism may be used in a card issuing device having a card issuing part.

Abstract: Apparatus for rotating a sheet moving in a first direction, the rotator comprising: at least one first roller that rotates against a sheet first side, the at least one first roller having a first drive; at least one second roller that rotates against the sheet first side, the at least one second roller having a second drive that is capable of rotating the second roller independently of the first roller, the second roller being spaced a distance from the at least one first roller in a direction perpendicular to the first direction; and a controller that controls the first and second drives to rotate the sheet around an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the sheet.

Abstract: A sheet transfer direction changing apparatus having a plurality of discharge sections, a direction changing device, discharge sheet transfer device and transfer device wherein a sheet transferred from an image forming apparatus is changed by its direction, obverse side and reverse side, and transfer direction according to a process command from the image forming apparatus and transferred to the discharged section.

Abstract: The present application is directed to devices and methods for directing media sheets moving along a media path within an image forming apparatus. In one embodiment, a gate is positioned in proximity to the media path. The gate may include an elongated shape that extends across at least a section of the media path. A fluid damper may be operatively connected to the gate and may include a shaft and a chamber that holds fluid. The shaft is rotationally positioned with a first section within the chamber and a second section extending outward from the chamber. Rotation of the shaft in a first direction may force the fluid within the chamber to move relative to the body and cause the gate to move to a first position in the media path to direct the media sheets towards a first part of the media path.

Abstract: By means of a feed conveyor (10), planar objects (12) accruing in an overlapping formation (S), in particular printed products, are fed to a deflecting device having at least one deflection member pair (24). This deflection member pair (24) has a deflection member (26) and a further deflection member (26?) disposed below it. These form, synchronously with the cycle of the supplied objects (12) and starting from a passage gap, a transport gap (72), and then, again, the passage gap. Downstream of the passage gap and transport gap (72), viewed in the feed direction (Z), a stop (20) is present, against which the respective object (12) is brought to bear with its leading edge (16) through the passage gap. The transport gap (72) acts in the evacuation direction of an evacuating conveyor, to which the deflection member pair (24) feeds the objects (12) in a timed manner.

Abstract: A system for handling media sheets is provided which comprises a plurality of hardware components including a first image marking engine operative to mark media sheets, and a second image marking engine operative to mark media sheets. In addition, the plurality of hardware components can include a first object delivery path operative to transport media sheets presented by the first image marking engine to a first destination, and a second object delivery path operative to transport media sheets presented by the second image marking engine to a second destination. The first and second destinations may be a single destination, separate destinations, or interchangeable destinations. One of the first and second delivery paths can be redundant.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a currency processing device for receiving and processing a stack of currency bills is disclosed. The currency processing device comprises an input receptacle for receiving a stack of bills to be processed, a plurality of output receptacles for receiving bills after the bills have been processed, a transport mechanism for transporting the bills from the input receptacle to the output receptacles, and a discriminating unit for examining the bills. The output receptacles are arranged such that a center of at least one output receptacle is laterally offset from a center of the input receptacle. The discriminating unit includes a detector positioned between the input receptacle and the output receptacles and is adapted to determine the denomination of bills.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments are directed to the printing of mixed output jobs automatically as a single integrated job. More particularly, a merging module connects two print systems, for example, at approximately 90 degrees to one another, although other configurations are possible. The merging module includes at least one sheet rotator in a plane that is common to both the paper paths of both print engines. It also includes at least two bypass paths (one above and one below the rotator) to route the two paper paths around the rotator and enable both print engines to deliver their output to the appropriate finishing device.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus has a pair of conveying rotary members for conveying a sheet, an openable and closable conveying guide for guiding the sheet conveyed by the pair of conveying rotary members, a conveying path, which is disposed on a downstream side of the conveying guide, on which the sheet guide passes, a discharging portion on which the sheet having passed on the conveying path and discharged is stacked, and an obstructing member for obstructing the entrance of the conveying path. In a state in which the conveying guide is closed, the sheet conveyed by the pair of conveying rotary members is guided to the conveying path by the conveying guide. In a state in which the conveying guide is closed, the obstructing member is retracted from the entrance of the conveying path, and in a state in which the conveying guide is opened, the obstructing member obstructs the entrance of the conveying path.

Abstract: A sheet storing device having a conveyance device that converts the conveyance direction while holding the sheet and a storing section that has the first support member supporting the surface of the sheet substantially vertically, the second support member supporting the edge of the sheet and a pressing member pressing the sheet against the first support member, a post-processing apparatus equipped with the sheet storing device and an image forming system equipped with the aforesaid items.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device, that can be included in an image forming apparatus, includes a first conveying unit to convey a sheet in a first sheet conveying direction, a second conveying unit to convey the sheet conveyed by the first conveying unit in a second sheet conveying direction that is different from the first sheet conveying direction, a first sheet conveying path provided between the first conveying unit and the second conveying unit, a belt-type sheet conveying unit to the holding section of the second conveying unit, and a positioning control mechanism to move and position the first supporting member and the second supporting member in respective directions different from each other. The belt-type sheet conveying unit includes a belt, a first rotary belt holding member, a second rotary belt holding member, a first supporting member, and a second supporting member.

Abstract: An apparatus for deflecting sheet material from a first transport direction to a second transport direction while maintaining the orientation of the sheet material comprises a deflecting area (5) with a sheet-material supply zone (5a) and a sheet-material removal zone (5b), as well as at least one slider (11) with slider elements (12), which engages on the trailing edge of the sheet material to be deflected. By moving the slider from the sheet-material supply zone to the sheet-material removal zone around a rotation axis (13) the sheet material is deflected by the desired deflection angle. The sheet-material transport path preferably has two steps and the rotation axis (13) of the sliders (11) is preferably arranged in such a fashion that the slider elements (12) substantially only engage with the sheet-material transport path in the deflecting area (5) and emerge from the sheet-material transport path both upstream of the sheet-material supply zone (5a) and downstream of the sheet-material removal zone (5b).

Abstract: Systems, methods, and programs for adjusting an output orientation of multi-thickness media input marking data, determine a number of sheets of the multi-thickness media that is to be alternated within an output stack, and adjust the output orientation of at least one sheet of multi-thickness media to be output based on the determined number of sheets of the multi-thickness media to be alternated.