Abstract: An inverter (1) for thin, flat products (2), especially printing substrates in a printing machine, with belts (7, 8) positioned over two deflection pulleys (3, 4, 5, 6) that are set together at 180° between the deflection pulleys (3, 4, 5, 6). Such inverter is configured so that the product (2) and the belts (7, 8) move precisely in their reference positions. This is achieved by the fact that, in the transport direction (9), after a setting region (10) at least three guide rolls (11, 12, 13) are mounted on the supporting strand sides (7′, 8′) of belts (7, 8) in alternating arrangement and at least one of the guide rolls (11, 12 13) has a retaining collar (14) on at least one side and at least one guide roll (18) is arranged before the setting region (10). Further, at least one guide device (19, 20, 21) is arranged to guide product (2) to facilitate inversion.

Abstract: An assembly including a device for holding a sheet on a cylinder participating in a reversal of the sheet, includes a region wherein the holding device is effective for holding a sheet, the effective region for the holding device being located downline, as viewed in a sheet transport direction, from an upline effective region wherein the sheet is gripped by a lifting device.

Abstract: In high speed reproduction apparatus in which closely spaced printed sheets are sequentially fed downstream in a sheet path at a process velocity, a dual inverter system of two independent but cooperative sheet inverters is sheet control gated to receive alternate sheets from the sheet path for inversion in the alternate independent sheet inverters. These dual alternate sheet inverters may advantageously operate at substantially the same sheet velocity as the connecting sheet path, instead of the much higher speed and acceleration/deceleration typical of conventional single inverter systems. This enables less critical higher speed cut sheet handling and thus more reliable faster printing. Yet collated sequential sheet order is maintained. This dual inverter system may be an integral part of a duplex path to provide inversion of sheets for duplex printing of their other sides.

Abstract: An apparatus that can rotate a sheet 180° or invert the sheet, if required, includes a horizontal cylinder. The apparatus includes a horizontal cylinder. A front image output sheet wraps around the horizontal cylinder (turning counterclockwise), entering the cylinder from the bottom. The cylinder then rotates 180° with the wrapped sheet. Continued counter-clockwise rotation of the cylinder will now unwrap the sheet from the cylinder and drive it away from the cylinder. In order to accomplish inversion, a deflector is raised in front of the cylinder. A sheet is directed over the top of the cylinder by the deflector as the cylinder turns clockwise. The sheet wraps around the cylinder and thereafter, the cylinder is rotated counter-clockwise resulting in the sheet exiting the cylinder at the bottom after having been inverted.

Abstract: In an automatic document feeder for use in an image forming device such as copy machine and facsimile machine: a document shunting path for temporarily shunting a document is provided at an upstream side of a document reading portion; in a different-size mixed mode where different sizes of documents are placed in a mixed manner, the leading edge and rear edge of the document are detected by a sensor during conveyance of the document in the direction toward the document reading portion, so that the length of the document is detected; thereafter the document is conveyed in the reverse direction so that the rear edge of the document is shunted into the document shunting path; and thereafter the document is again conveyed in the forward direction to conduct reading. Thus, it becomes unnecessary to provide, a longer conveyance path for detecting the length of the documents, so that the size of the feeder itself can be reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus for inverting and returning sheets from a printer (1) for large-sized paper comprises an inlet area (11) where the sheet is received from the printer (1), and an outlet area (12) where said sheet is returned to the printer (1). The apparatus comprises a frame (16) mountable on the support of the printer (1), and a guiding slit (18) in the inlet area, said guiding slit being defined by an upper wall (13) and a lower wall (17), where the lower wall (17) extends from the inlet (11) to a clamping slit (22) between a first pair of roller means (23, 24) for receiving and temporarily retaining the front edge of a sheet when seen in the advancing direction, said sheet being received through the inlet area. The lower guiding wall (17) is tiltable and adapted to be moved about a substantially horizontal axis from a sheet-supporting position to a downward sheet-releasing position.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus of the present invention comprises: an inserter tray to support insert sheets, an insert sheet supply roller to supply the insert sheets in the direction of a recording medium conveying path from the inserter tray; an insert sheet conveying device extending from the insert sheet supply roller to the recording medium conveying path to convey the insert sheets; a sheet reversing/conveying device provided from the insert sheet supply roller to the recording medium conveying path to reverse both the front and back sides of the insert sheets; and a gate to sort the insert sheets supplied from the insert sheet supply roller to the insert sheet conveying device or the insert sheet reversing/conveying device, and supplies insert sheets on the inserter tray by reversing the front and back sides in the direction of recording media according to a type of finish processing to be applied to recording media.

Abstract: In high speed reproduction apparatus in which closely spaced printed sheets are sequentially fed downstream in a sheet path at a process velocity, a dual inverter system of two independent but cooperative sheet inverters is sheet control gated to receive alternate sheets from the sheet path for inversion in the alternate independent sheet inverters. These dual alternate sheet inverters may advantageously operate at substantially the same sheet velocity as the connecting sheet path, instead of the much higher speed and acceleration/deceleration typical of conventional single inverter systems. This enables less critical higher speed cut sheet handling and thus more reliable faster printing. Yet collated sequential sheet order is maintained. This dual inverter system may be an integral part of a duplex path to provide inversion of sheets for duplex printing of their other sides.

Abstract: Provided is a sheet diverter for directing signatures moving in serial fashion along a diverter path to one of a plurality of collation paths. The sheet diverter includes a pair of diverter rolls for directing a signature to one of the plurality of collation paths and a diverter wedge for deflecting the signature to a selected one thereof. The diverter wedge is positioned between the diverter rolls so as to reach high into the diverter path thereby providing increased support to the signature as it travels from between the diverter rolls to the diverter wedge. The diverter rolls are permitted to intermesh with the diverter wedge so as to allow the diverter wedge to be so positioned.

Abstract: In order to fold folded products having sealing flaps with or without mating flaps, such as packaging bags including envelopes with or without self-adhesive glue, the envelopes are moved against a stationary stop and the mating flaps and the sealing flaps are then turned over by suction elements arranged on a mating flap roll and on a sealing flap roll. The mating flap roll, which bears the suction element that turns the mating flaps over, has a radius that is reduced on a part of the roll's circumference that is not equipped with the suction element. The mating flap roll can be locked in such a rotational position, that a folded product not having a mating flap can be moved past this roll to the stationary stop without contacting or virtually without contacting this roll.

Abstract: A flexible sheet handling apparatus comprising an input section for receiving the flexible sheet, a reversion section for rotating the flexible sheet about an axis of motion and an output section for transferring the rotated flexible sheet to a sheet processing system.

Abstract: In high speed reproduction apparatus in which closely spaced printed sheets are sequentially fed downstream in a sheet path at a process velocity, a dual inverter system of two independent but cooperative sheet inverters is sheet control gated to receive alternate sheets from the sheet path for inversion in the alternate independent sheet inverters. These dual alternate sheet inverters may advantageously operate at substantially the same sheet velocity as the connecting sheet path, instead of the much higher speed and acceleration/deceleration typical of conventional single inverter systems. This enables less critical higher speed cut sheet handling and thus more reliable faster printing. Yet collated sequential sheet order is maintained. This dual inverter system may be an integral part of a duplex path to provide inversion of sheets for duplex printing of their other sides.

Abstract: A device for reversing the direction of motion of a paper sheet has a passage for guiding the paper sheet inside and includes a plurality of rollers each having a specified function. A first roller serves as a driver roller, its rotation causing the paper sheet to be transported into and out of the passage. A second roller is for contacting and rotating with the first roller and thereby transporting the paper sheet in the first direction into the passage. A third roller is disposed on the opposite side of the first roller from the second roller and serves to transport the paper sheet in the second direction out of the passage by contacting and rotating with the first roller. A fourth roller is another driver roller and is disposed in the passage. It allows the front edge of the paper sheet to pass by when it is transported in the first direction by means of the first and second rollers.

Abstract: The switchback device has two switchback portions for inverting the conveying path of paper-like materials and a detour conveying path. The switchback portions receive paper-like materials in the nip between the switchback rollers and the pinch rollers, clamp the paper-like materials, decelerate, stop, and accelerate them in the opposite direction in a clamping state, thereby switch back the paper-like materials. The stopping time of paper-like materials in the switchback portions is changed according to the length of the paper-like materials in the conveying direction.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder (ADF) used in a facsimile machine, photocopier or the like. A sheet path from a sheet inlet to outlet is defined by lower, intermediate and upper frames of the ADF. The sheet path is generally shaped like “C” when viewed laterally. The intermediate frame has a pivotable member that can be opened and closed, and a guide member for guiding a sheet passing over a platen glass. An elastic member is provided for biasing the guide member on the platen surface from a turning portion of the C-shaped sheet path. Therefore, it is possible to maintain a clearance between the platen surface and guide member and prevent the sheet from flapping. A retard roller is removably supported by the pivotable member so that replacing and maintenance of the retard roller is simplified. Further, the pivotable member is a one-piece element and made from resin.

Abstract: An image scanning machine includes a document feeder for feeding sheets into a first paper path from a stack one sheet at a time if a one-side scanning mode is selected. If a both-side scanning mode is selected, a sheet is introduced into a second paper path which is an inverting path that turns a sheet, which is fed from the document feeder, upside down prior to scanning. Rollers located at a downstream end of the inverting path reverse a transportation direction of the sheet and feed the sheet to a scanner through a return path. The transportation direction of the sheet is reversed after the scanner scans one side of the sheet, and the sheet is then fed to the scanner again to scan the other side of the sheet. This transportation direction reversal results in turning the sheet upside down. A guide member is located a bifurcation of the return path and the inverting path for opening one of the return and inverting paths and closing the other of the return and inverting paths.

Abstract: A turning device for individual sheets has at least one transport unit transporting individual sheets. At least one turning unit turns the individual sheets by 180° to turned sheets while they are being transported to a processing station arranged downstream. At least one vacuum element is arranged proximal to the at least one turning unit and transports the turned sheets in a direction toward the processing station arranged downstream.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for duplex printing of a sheet-like substrate in a continuous single-pass flat printing process. The device comprises a first conveyor unit in communication with a feeder and a second conveyor unit in communication with a delivery. Each conveyor unit has a printing device and a drying/curing device disposed adjacent to the conveyor unit for applying a printed material to the substrate. A transfer device is disposed between the two conveyor units for transferring the substrate from the first conveyor unit to the second conveyor unit and turning the substrate, thereby allowing both sides of the substrate to be printed. Alternative embodiments may include any number of conveyor units and transfer units.

Abstract: A printing apparatus with an index-feeding printing system having a first media path, a continuous feed finishing apparatus having a second media path, and a media buffer device having a third media path connecting between the first media path and the second media path. The third path may have a first portion communicating with the printing system, and a second portion communicating with the finishing apparatus, with the first and second portions merging with each other to form a common path portion terminating at a common path dead end, such that a media sheet from the printing system stops at the dead end and reverses direction for feeding to the finishing apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for turning sheets. A sheet to be turned is guided into a gap between two transport elements moving in opposite directions and is pressed against the reverse-moving transport element or the forward-moving transport element depending on whether or not said sheet should be turned. The following transport elements then guide the turned or unturned sheet to the output of the device. The device preferably is configured such that the same transport time is required for turned and unturned sheets so that the order of the sheets and the interval between the sheets upstream and downstream of the turning device remain the same.

Abstract: A substrate inverter, comprising: an inversion channel having an input path having an input nip and output path having an output nip; input drive means for driving a substrate into said inversion channel means in an initial incoming direction so that a leading edge and trailing edge of said substrate pass by said input nip until said trailing edge of substrate reaches a first position in said inversion channel; output drive means for driving said substrate out of said inversion channel in an output direction generally opposite said initial incoming direction; said output drive means includes a xnip for engaging said leading edge of said substrate when said substrate is in said first position; a Controller, responsive to said output drive means, for adjusting speed of said output drive means so that substrate is driven a first speed until said trailing edge of substrate reaches a second position in said inversion channel, and second speed when said trailing edge passes said second position.

Abstract: A method and device for identifying small stacks of currency bills within a large stack of currency bills using a currency evaluation device. A stack of currency bills to be processed is received in an input receptacle and the bills are transported from the input receptacle, one at a time, past an evaluating unit to at least one output receptacle. The evaluating unit determines the face orientation of each of the bills. Next it is determined whether the face orientation of each of the bills matches a target orientation. If the face orientation of a bill matches the target orientation, the face orientation of that bill is maintained. If the face orientation of a bill fails to match the target orientation, the face orientation of that bills is reversed with a bill facing mechanism. Each of the bills are then stacked in the output receptacle. After a predetermined number of bills having a common face orientation are stacked in the output receptacle, the target face orientation is redefined.

Abstract: A method for packaging flat articles in a stack in a package such as a box. In particular, the method is used to stack articles having different thicknesses at different ends in the direction of their plane. A stack portion is gripped by a gripping device and rotated 180° from the direction of an adjacent stack portion.

Abstract: A printer for printing on both sides of a document includes first printing document guides, through which a document is driven for printing on a first side of the document, second printing document guides, through which the document is driven for printing on a second side of the document, and transfer document guides, into which the document is driven between motions within the first and second printing document guides, with a deflector determining the printing document guide into which a document is driven from the transfer document guides. A print head is pivotally mounted between the printing document guides, being pivoted between a position adjacent the first printing document guides and a position adjacent the second printing document guides.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling the traveling direction of a piece of folded material in the feed path of a folding machine. A first roller nip is used to ingest the folded material into the front end of a turn chute. If the traveling direction is to be maintained, the folded material is allowed to move out through the rear end of the turn chute. If the traveling direction is to be reversed, a stop is used to block the rear end in order to keep the leading edge of the ingested folded material from leaving the turn chute through the rear end. At the same time, the trailing edge of the ingested folded material is caused to engage in a second roller nip located in the front end of the turn chute, in order for the second roller nip to move the folded material out of the turn chute, thereby reversing the traveling direction of the folded material.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotating a bill approximately 180° comprising a first and a second belt. The first belt has a bill transport portion, a return portion, a first end, and a second end. The second end of first belt being twisted approximately 180° in relation to the first end of the first belt. The second belt has a bill transport portion, a return portion, a first end, and second end. The bill transport portion of the first belt is disposed adjacent to the bill transport portion of the second belt. The second end of second belt is twisted approximately 180° in relation to the first end of the second belt. A bill transport path is defined by the bill transport portions of the first and the second belts. The bill transport path has an inlet and an outlet. The outlet of the bill transport path is twisted approximately 180° in relation to the inlet.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of aligning sheets of printed materials, of the type that aligns sheets of printed materials for a desired output, for example, from a finishing device. According one aspect of the invention, an alignment device is provided configured as a separate, replaceable unit. According to a further aspect of the invention, an alignment device and process are provided wherein a sheet is inverted about one or both axes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inverting sheets traveling through a machine with an inverter having a reversing chute and a reversing nip in the reversing chute. An incoming sheet is receiving into the reversing chute. The reversing nip reverses the direction of travel of the sheet and drives sheet out of the reversing chute. A gap is opened in said reversing nip, while the outgoing sheet still extends through the reversing nip. A subsequent incoming sheet is received into the reversing chute and through the gap in the reversing nip, while the outgoing sheet still extends through the gap. The gap is closed after the outgoing sheet has exited the reversing nip, such the reversing nip reverses the direction of travel of the subsequent incoming sheet and drives the sheet out of the reversing chute. The machine may be a printing or copying machine.

Abstract: There are provided an image recording apparatus comprising an exposing device for forming a latent image by imagewise exposure of a light-sensitive material, a transport device for supplying the light-sensitive material into the exposing device and for transporting an as-exposed light-sensitive material into a developing device, and a reversing device for reversing the light-sensitive material being transported such that its advancing end in the direction of transport becomes the trailing end and vice versa and being located in the pathway of transport by the transport device; a light-sensitive material processing apparatus comprising a reversing device upstream of the developing device; and an image forming apparatus comprising one of the two apparatus. These apparatus are capable of consistent production of high-quality prints by substantially reducing the permeation of processing solutions into the light-sensitive material and the color forming due to the damage to its advancing end.

Abstract: A conveyor system lifts advancing signatures from a conventional conveyor, conveys the lifted signatures along an upright path of travel, turns the advancing signatures from the upright path of travel to a downward path of travel, deposits the advancing signatures from the downward path of travel back onto the conventional conveyor, and rotates the advancing signatures 180° about an axis which is parallel to their path of travel during either their upward path of travel or their downward path of travel so that the signatures are turned over when deposited back onto the conventional conveyor.

Abstract: An arrangement for examining a textile material section is provided, more particularly of toweling goods, by visual inspection by an examiner. In this respect, the examining arrangement has a laying area arranged in the field of vision of the examiner, in which the material section can be positioned so that it is laid flat for examination of the first side of the material section. In addition, the examining arrangement includes a turning device (2, 3), by which the material section (4), starting from the position for examining the first side (8) of the material section (4), can be reversed in such a manner that the material section (4) can be positioned so that it is laid flat in the laying area (6) for examination of the second side (10) of the material section (4).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inverting sheets traveling through a machine with an inverter having a reversing chute and a reversing nip in the reversing chute. An incoming sheet is receiving into the reversing chute. The reversing nip reverses the direction of travel of the sheet and drives sheet out of the reversing chute. A gap is opened in said reversing nip, while the outgoing sheet still extends through the reversing nip. A subsequent incoming sheet is received into the reversing chute and through the gap in the reversing nip, while the outgoing sheet still extends through the gap. The gap is closed after the outgoing sheet has exited the reversing nip, such the reversing nip reverses the direction of travel of the subsequent incoming sheet and drives the sheet out of the reversing chute. The machine may be a printing or copying machine.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus includes a sheet constant speed conveying device for conveying a sheet at a predetermined speed, a sheet conveying path for guiding the sheet being conveyed by the sheet constant speed conveying device, a sheet reverse feeding rotary member pair capable of forwardly rotating to convey the sheet toward a downstream side and then reversely rotating to send the sheet reversely, a surface reverse conveying path branched from the sheet conveying path and adapted to guide the sheet reversely fed by the sheet reverse feeding rotary member pair, a trailing end detecting sensor disposed between the sheet constant speed conveying device and the sheet reverse feeding rotary member pair and adapted to detect a trailing end of the sheet conveyed through the sheet conveying path, and a control device for controlling rotation of the sheet reverse feeding rotary member pair in such a manner that the sheet can be conveyed at a higher speed than the predetermined speed when the trailing end of the s

Abstract: In high speed reproduction apparatus in which closely spaced printed sheets are sequentially fed downstream in a sheet path at a process velocity, a dual inverter system of two independent but cooperative sheet inverters is sheet control gated to receive alternate sheets from the sheet path for inversion in the alternate independent sheet inverters. These dual alternate sheet inverters may advantageously operate at substantially the same sheet velocity as the connecting sheet path, instead of the much higher speed and acceleration/deceleration typical of conventional single inverter systems. This enables less critical higher speed cut sheet handling and thus more reliable faster printing. Yet collated sequential sheet order is maintained. This dual inverter system may be an integral part of a duplex path to provide inversion of sheets for duplex printing of their other sides.

Abstract: A sheet surface reversing device includes a sheet conveying path through which a sheet is conveyed, a reverse feeding device for reversely feeding the sheet conveyed through the sheet conveying path, a sheet surface reverse conveying path for directing the sheet reversely fed from the reverse feeding device branched from the sheet conveying path, and a conveying path changing member rotatably disposed at a branched portion between the sheet conveying path and the sheet surface reverse conveying path. When a distal end of the conveying path changing member abuts against an inner wall of the sheet conveying path, the distal end of the conveying path changing member guides the sheet to be reversely fed into the sheet surface reverse conveying path. In addition, an interference avoiding device is provided for avoiding interference between the sheet reversely fed and the distal end of the conveying path changing member on the inner wall of the sheet conveying path.

Abstract: A reverse feeding apparatus for switching back and feeding a sheet, includes at least one feeding roller positioned for feeding a sheet in a first direction from an upstream path to a downstream path; a reverse feeding roller located at the downstream path and positioned for feeding a sheet in a second direction that is different from the first direction; at least one branch nail movably mounted adjacent the feeding roller; at least one guiding nail movably mounted adjacent the feeding roller, wherein a tip of the branch nail and a tip of the guiding nail are positionable to overlap the feeding roller when the sheet is not being fed in the first direction by the feeding roller, a branch nail pressing device which presses the branch nail to the position overlapping the feeding roller to increase friction between a sheet being fed in the first direction and the feeding roller; and a guiding nail pressing device which presses the guiding nail to the position overlapping the feeding roller to permit a front end o

Abstract: A sheet inversion device for inverting a sheet that is fed in and for feeding out the inverted sheet has intermediate rollers, feed-in rollers, feed-out rollers, inversion rollers, and pressing guide members. The feed-in rollers are positioned on one side of the intermediate rollers to feed a sheet. The feed-out rollers are located on the other side of the intermediate rollers to feed the sheet. The inversion rollers are located to the rear in the feed-in direction upon the receipt of the force produced by the advance of a sheet slip across the sheet while rotating in the feed-out direction. The pressing guide members exert, with the inversion rollers, a sheet pressing force to counter the force transmitted by the sheet. In the sheet inversion device, the pressing faces of the pressing guide members have the same arced shape as have the outer circumferential faces of the inversion rollers.

Abstract: An automatic document feeding device is capable of one-side process and double-side process, and includes a paper supply stacker, a paper supply path for transferring a document fed from the paper supply stacker to a sheet processing section, a switchback path for switching back the document processed at the sheet processing section, a paper ejection path for ejecting the document switched back in the switchback path in a reversed condition, and a paper ejection stacker for receiving the document ejected from the paper ejection path. In the double-side process, in accordance with a sheet size of the document to be processed, the device is controlled to switch between a mode wherein only one document is transferred in and ejected from the switchback path and another mode wherein a second document is transferred into the switchback path in the condition that a first document is still in the switchback path.

Abstract: In a mail processing system with a franking and addressing machine and to a method for combined franking and address printing, both printing jobs for franking or addressing are sequentially implemented in a specific sequence in separate passes with a single print head. The print medium surface is correspondingly printed while the print medium is transported past the print head. A turning station is provided for rotating a print medium by approximately 180° before or after the printing and is arranged in the mail processing system preceding or following the digital printer device.

Abstract: When it is detected that a first containing section contains or is being supplemented with used paper sheets, a CPU feeds the used paper sheets one by one to a table incorporated in a housing tray in a second containing section, via a conveyance path. When the housing tray is filled with used paper sheets, the CPU stops feeding and conveyance of used paper sheets from the first containing section to the second containing section, and confirms whether a main body is operating or is in a late-night standby state. If it is confirmed that the main body is operating or is in the late-night standby state, the table in the second containing section is moved into the third containing section, thereby shifting the used paper sheet on the table to the third containing section. The used paper sheets placed in the third containing section are fed to the main body one by one when necessary.

Abstract: A mechanism for reversing and discharging a sheet of the present invention includes a first roller for conveying the sheet and a second roller for nipping the sheet with the first roller. After an image has been printed on the sheet, a drive mechanism causes the first and second rollers to convey the sheet until the trailing edge of the sheet arrives at a position of the inlet side spaced from the first roller by a preselected distance. Subsequently, the drive mechanism rotates the first roller in the reverse direction and moves the second roller along the circumference of the first roller by a preselected angle in the reverse direction, thereby conveying the sheet to an outlet section. The mechanism is capable of discharging the sheet in a side opposite to a side in which the sheet is input, while surely reversing the sheet. The mechanism therefore allows a print head to be arranged in the lower portion of an apparatus to which the mechanism is applied.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotating a bill approximately 180° includes a first and a second belt. The first belt has a bill transport portion, a return portion, a first end, and a second end. The second end of first belt being twisted approximately 180° in relation to the first end of the first belt. The second belt has a bill transport portion, a return portion, a first end, and second end. The bill transport portion of the first belt is disposed adjacent to the bill transport portion of the second belt. The second end of second belt is twisted approximately 180° in relation to the first end of the second belt. A bill transport path is defined by the bill transport portions of the first and the second belts. The bill transport path has an inlet and an outlet. The outlet of the bill transport path is twisted approximately 180° in relation to the inlet.

Abstract: A switchback device has an inverting tray for temporarily holding a sheet guided inside the switchback device thereon; a guide unit for guiding the sheet in pressing contact with the inverting tray when the sheet exits the switchback device in an exiting direction on the inverting tray, the exiting direction opposite to an entering direction of the sheet on the inverting tray; a guide switching unit for selectively changing the guide unit to a sheet guide allow state to allow the sheet to enter in the entering direction on the inverting tray and a sheet pressing state to make the sheet in pressing contact with the inverting; and a sheet transporting unit for transporting the sheet out of the switchback device in the exiting direction on the inverting tray.

Abstract: In a printer with a print engine having simplex and duplex sheet printing functions, and simplex and duplex sheet feeding paths, and at least one sheet output path, a plural function module is mounted on top of the print engine. This plural function module provides a document handling unit for feeding original documents to be imaged, and also provides a reversible sheet feeding path operatively communicating with the duplex sheet feeding path of the print engine to provide a space savings printed sheet reversing chute which is outside of the print engine for the duplex printing function. This reversible sheet feeding path in the module is alternately operable unidirectionally to provide an arcuate, inverting, sheet output path to a sheet output stacking tray which may be located on top of the plural function module.

Abstract: An inverter for reversing the orientation of a moving sheet includes a drive roller and an idler roller in circumferential contact in at least two positions, with a nip defined in each position.

Abstract: An improved signature stacker is disclosed which has a drive drum which operates to re-orient the signatures into a vertical stack. The drum has a curvature which is less than the maximum allowable curvature that the signatures can withstand and still recover an initial planar configuration elastically. Also disclosed is a direct drive arrangement having the drum being gear driven from a frequency controlled alternating current motor.

Abstract: In a recording apparatus of the present invention, a both-side path is formed not to overlap with an area of a one-side path. Recording paper is inverted at a location of the both-side path, and then is returned to the one-side path. The both-side path is provided with paper removing mechanisms in respective areas corresponding to a bottom, top and rear of an housing. Thereby the removing mechanism of the both-side path does not superimpose with the one-side path.

Abstract: There is disclosed a sheet feeding unit, for an image forming apparatus, provided with a sheet stacking means for stacking the sheets for image formation, an external cover surrounding the perimeter of the sheet stacking means, and a substantially vertical reversal path provided at a side of the sheet stacking means and serving for sheet reversing, the unit comprises a slit-shaped aperture provided in the external cover substantially horizontally and an inclined path connecting the slit-shaped aperture and the lower end of the reversal path, whereby the sheet dropping into the reversal path for example by the jammed sheet disposal in the image forming unit is smoothly discharged to the exterior of the unit and is prevented from remaining in the reversal path.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder is operable in a simplex, or one-sided, reproduction mode and a duplex, or two-sided, reproduction mode. In the duplex mode, the original document sheets are transported through the feed path only twice and output in the same relative page order in which the sheets were input. By this, 100% productivity can be achieved. The feeder assembly uses two separate feeders, one simplex top feeder and one duplex top feeder, to obtain two pass operation. Alternatively, a single feeder is used that can feed from both the top of the stack or from the bottom of the stack depending on the mode of reproduction. A controller allows selection between the simplex and duplex modes and controls the feeding assembly based on the selection.

Abstract: Provided is a sheet diverter for directing signatures moving in serial fashion along a diverter path to one of a plurality of collation paths. The sheet diverter includes a pair of diverter rolls for directing a signature to one of the plurality of collation paths and a diverter wedge for deflecting the signature to a selected one thereof. The diverter wedge is positioned between the diverter rolls so as to reach high into the diverter path thereby providing increased support to the signature as it travels from between the diverter rolls to the diverter wedge. The diverter rolls are permitted to intermesh with the diverter wedge so as to allow the diverter wedge to be so positioned.