Abstract: A post-processing device includes an output unit that outputs a medium; a stacking unit on which the medium that is output is stacked; and a blow-out unit that is disposed below the output unit and that blows gas toward the medium that is output, wherein a direction in which the gas is blown differs in accordance with a type of the medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sheet depositing arrangement. The sheet depositing arrangement comprises at least one sheet depositing apparatus having a sheet stacking chamber for creating a sheet stack, and a sheet extraction device which in turn has a sheet transporting means that is drivable in a direction of circulation, a sheet delivery region for delivering the sheets to be stacked to the sheet stacking chamber, a sheet stacking region, provided downstream of the sheet delivery region, for stacking the sheets to be stacked into the sheet stacking chamber, and a return region, provided downstream of the sheet stacking region. Furthermore, the sheet depositing apparatus has a sheet retaining device with at least one sheet retaining element, arranged adjacent to the sheet stacking region, for preventing at least one sheet to be stacked from being drawn into the sheet extraction device from the sheet stacking chamber by the sheet transporting means.

Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus includes a stacking unit on which a sheet bundle is to be stacked, a lifting unit that can lift and lower the stacking unit, and an air blower unit that can apply air to a side face of the sheet bundle via an air blowing port. The stacking unit further includes a stacking face that comes into contact with and holds a lowermost sheet of the sheet bundle, and a support portion that supports a portion of the stacking face near an end portion thereof, and has a face that is not parallel to the stacking face. The support portion includes a ventilating portion that allows air blown out by the air blower unit from a portion of the air blowing port to pass through the ventilating portion, the portion of the air blowing port being below the stacking face.

Abstract: A noncontact support platform includes pressure ports distributed on a surface of a table, each connected to a pressure source. Vacuum ports are distributed on the surface of the table, each connected to a vacuum source. Outward flow through the pressure ports and inward flow through the vacuum ports form a fluid cushion to support a workpiece at a nonzero distance from the table. A plurality of channels each connect at least two of the vacuum ports to enable flow of fluid between the connected vacuum ports. When one of the connected vacuum ports is covered by an edge of the workpiece and the other is not, a suction force that is exerted by the connected vacuum ports on the edge is weaker than the suction force that is exerted on a part of the workpiece where both of the connected vacuum ports are covered.

Abstract: A first leading end plate and a first rear end plate are provided at an upper part of a rotary table. When a conductor piece contacts the first leading end plate, a first contact detection sensor detects a contact of the conductor piece, and transmits a contact detection signal to a storage control unit. Upon receiving the contact detection signal, the storage control unit drives an air supply device for a predetermined period to spray air toward the conductor piece from a first air nozzle. The air spray brings the conductor piece into a tilted state with the rear end thereof moved downward. Even when the conductor piece contacts the first leading end plate and rebounds, the rear end thereof contacts an inner wall surface of the first rear end plate, thereby preventing the rear end of the conductor piece from getting over the first rear end plate.

Abstract: A stripping device for stripping sheet-shaped objects from a roller includes at least one stripper. The stripper is mounted rotatably about a bearing and includes stripping portion configured to be tapering to a point and a support portion which is different from the stripping portion. The stripping portion and the support portion are arranged relative to each other and the stripper is mounted such that, when the stripper is pressed against the roller with prestressing during operation, the stripper has two mutually spaced apart contact points with the roller, which contact points are defined by the stripping portion and the support portion of the stripper.

Abstract: A belt device includes an endless belt, a support shaft, a contact member, and a regulating member. The support shaft supports the contact member. The contact member rotates together with the support shaft and contacts the belt. The regulating member moves between a regulating position to regulate movement of the support shaft and a releasing position to allow movement of the support shaft, thereby regulating movement of the contact member in an axial direction of the support shaft.

Abstract: A sheet stacking tray that includes a single pneumatic baffle which uses the pressure differential caused by the flow of air across a horizontal planar surface of the pneumatic baffle to hold the lead edge of sheets driven by an input nip into the sheet stacking tray above a stack especially for longer and lighter weight sheets as they are driven by the input nip to a registration wall.

Abstract: A cylinder for conveying printed sheets along a UV or electron beam drier has inert-gas openings to which an inert gas is supplied at least temporarily during operation. A method for conveying printed sheets is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring a discrete substrate. A transfer apparatus may include a top plate and a bottom plate. The top plate and the bottom plate may include a first inboard supply port and a first outboard supply port and may define a passageway. The discrete substrate may enter the passageway at a first velocity and exit the passageway at a final velocity. The final velocity may be greater than the first velocity. A first inboard control valve and a first outboard control valve may be activated, and each valve may operate on a valve frequency that defines an on-period and an off-period for each cycle. Each cycle may be controlled by a controller. A visual detection device may track the discrete substrate and communicate with the controller. The discrete substrate may be adjusted as it advances in a machine direction.

Abstract: A media transport system provides full vacuum under media as the media traverses an entire print path of an ink jet printer while simultaneously providing for a no-vacuum inter-copy gap that moves along with the media past print heads of the ink jet printer. This is accomplished with a dual vacuum inner/outer vacuum drum system that includes a first drum that has a matrix of holes that allows for full coverage of vacuum with a second underlying drum that is shifted to align a second set of holes to match the sheet pitch. By shifting the second drum in relation to the first drum, a combination set of holes is aligned to provide full vacuum across the media while a column of holes is blocked to provide a non-vacuum inter-copy gap.

Abstract: A counter ejector disposed at a downstream part of a box former, the counter ejector including a hopper that receives a sheet-shaped corrugated board box being transferred from an upstream side and fallen; and a blower that downwardly blows air to a hopper from above the corrugated board box, wherein the blower is capable of changing a blowing area to be blown along a transfer direction of the corrugated board box, and blows air to the blowing area corresponding to at least the front-end portion and the rear-end portion of the hopper in the transfer direction if the corrugated board box has a possible maximum size in the transfer direction.

Abstract: A tubular cylinder (2) is disclosed for handling plastic film webs in connection with production of thin plastic film, e.g. thin packing film. The cylinder (2) includes an outer tube (4) having radial apertures (6) that communicate with an inner tube (8) which is coaxial relative to the outer tube (4). Radial longitudinal partitionings (10) divide the space between the inner and outer tube into longitudinal curving ducts (12). The inner tube (8) is connected with a tubular duct (14) for the supply of air. The cylinder (2) includes bearings at opposite ends which rotatably support the cylinder (2) to rotate. The radial nozzle apertures (6) are disposed along two helical lines so that a helix at the first side of the center plane (20) is wound in a direction opposite a helix at the second side of the center plane (20). The radial nozzle apertures (6) are disposed at an outward angle outward relative to the radial center plane.

Abstract: Processes for initiating a web winding process, more particularly a processes for initiating a web winding process that doesn't require the use of a threading rope or manually threading a tail of the web like known processes are provided.

Abstract: A machine for processing sheets of different formats includes a pneumatic drum having an outer sleeve with pneumatic nozzle channels and an inner sleeve with a covering segment for covering the nozzle channels in a format-dependent way. A motor is provided to rotate the inner sleeve relative to the outer sleeve while the machine is running to carry out a flying format change of the pneumatic drum.

Abstract: There is provided a printer including: an ink-jet head; a first rotatable body; a first attaching mechanism attaching a printing medium to the first rotatable body; a separating mechanism separating the printing medium from the first rotatable body; and a control mechanism. In the printer, first to forth routes are formed. In transporting the printing medium, the control mechanism causes the printing medium having been subjected to printing on a first surface by the ink-jet head to pass through the first route, next to pass through the second route and the third route at least once, thereafter to separate from the first rotatable body, and further to pass through the fourth route to be reversed.

Abstract: The sheet processing apparatus includes a sheet-discharge fan that blows air downward of a sheet-discharged by an upper sheet-discharge roller, and a control portion configured to control an air velocity of air blown from the sheet-discharge fan according to a basis weight of the sheet. In the case where the basis weight of the sheet is a predetermined value or less, the control portion increases the air velocity of the sheet-discharge fan according to the basis weight of the sheet based on basis weight information from an input portion for inputting the basis weight information of the sheet. The control portion also controls the air velocity of the sheet-discharge fan to be a velocity at which the sheet whose rear edge contacts the sheet-stacking wall does not move in a sheet-discharge direction in the case where the basis weight of the sheet exceeds the predetermined value.

Abstract: Imaging apparatus and methods for bindery systems. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a platform having a plurality of openings to provide suction through a surface of the platform and a first track that moves across the surface of the platform. The first track has a plurality of apertures to fluidly couple the suction to an upper surface of the first track.

Abstract: A transport apparatus includes a bearing assembly for transporting an article. The bearing assembly includes a support structure for receiving the article, and a plenum housing for receiving the support structure. The plenum housing and the support structure define a plenum cavity, the plenum cavity being configured to receive and direct a flowing gas for floatingly supporting the article above the support structure. The bearing assembly further includes at least one sensor assembly, which includes a sensor for transmitting and receiving energy emissions for determining a location of the article relative to the support structure. The sensor assembly may determine the location of the article relative to the support structure substantially through at least one aperture located on the bearing assembly. The article location determined by the sensor assembly may be communicated to a display panel or a control unit for adjusting the location if necessary.

Abstract: A sheet discharging device includes: sheet discharging rollers that receive each of sheets conveyed thereto and discharge the sheets one by one; a shift tray on which the sheets discharged by the sheet discharging rollers are to be stacked; an air blower; and a CPU. The air blower forms an air layer between the shift tray and a sheet when the sheet is discharged onto the shift tray by the sheet discharging rollers, or between a sheet and the sheet that is already placed on the shift tray when the sheet is discharged. The CPU controls an air velocity of air to be delivered by the air blower based on sheet information, thereby causing the air layer to extend to the entire surface of the sheet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pneumatic table for registering a substrate media sheet. The table including a media platen, a reversible air blower, a registration wall and a sheet biasing element. The media platen having a foraminous upper surface for received the sheet. The reversible air blower selectively generating at least one of a positive air flow and a negative airflow through the foraminous upper surface. The positive air flow forming a gaseous layer of air between the foraminous upper surface and the sheet. The negative airflow encouraging the sheet to remain fixed and engaged upon the foraminous upper surface. The registration wall extending along at least one edge of the foraminous upper surface. The sheet biasing element selectively applying a horizontal biasing force to the sheet encouraging movement of the sheet across the foraminous upper surface for engaging the sheet with the registration wall.

Abstract: To provide a plate supply and discharge device and a printing plate forming device which are capable of transferring plates and printing plates of various sizes and preventing the plates and printing plates from being damaged in the plate supply and discharge device (printing plate forming device). A plate supply and discharge unit (4) which supplies a plate (P1) to a drawing unit (3), receives a printing plate P2, which is obtained by drawing an image on the plate P1, from the drawing unit (3), and delivers it to a processor. The plate supply and discharge unit includes a plate supply table (41) for allowing the plate (P1) to float at atmospheric pressure, moves the plate (P1) in a state of being allowed to float at atmospheric pressure above the plate supply table (41), and supplies it to the drawing unit (3).

Abstract: When a sheet is brought into a sheet storage section (12), a fan 126 creates an air current towards the sheet storage part (12), and when the sheet is discharged from the sheet storage section (12), the fan stops air blow. Whereby, the conveyance of the sheet to the sheet storage section (12) is guided, and discharging of the sheet from the sheet storage section is smoothly carried out.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide improvements to dies used in the formation of pressware from blanks. In some embodiments, the die includes at least one stop that helps contain the blank as it is fed to the die and that allows for improved adjustability of the stop with respect to the die. In some embodiments, the die includes a defined recess that contains and centers the blank on the die as the blank is fed to the die.

Abstract: A pneumatic card transport system is disclosed. The system is configured to use pressurized air to transport a card inserted to a conveying duct inside a card passageway assembly from a first end to a second end. Air nozzles are configured to release the pressurized airstreams at an angle relative to the conveying duct so that the card is essentially floating when traveling along the conveying duct. Hence, the card makes zero or minimum contact with the inner surface of the conveying duct. This will not only reduce the wear and tear of the card, but also reduces the traveling time inside the conveying duct.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for making disposable pressware features a pneumatic feeding system which accelerates a paperboard blank into a forming die. In a typical embodiment, a pair of adjustable air knives propel a paperboard blank into the forming cavity.

Abstract: An equipment for conveying sheet-shaped members, including a plurality of blower ducts being arranged in parallel; a common duct connected to outlets of the blower ducts; an air stream unit for generating air streams in the blower ducts; a plurality of sheet feeding units respectively connected to the blower ducts, the sheet feeding units feeding sheet-shaped members into the blower ducts; a plurality of open/close valves respectively provided to the blower ducts, the open/close valves opening and closing the blower ducts; a drive section for respectively driving the open/close valves; a collecting unit provided to a terminal end of the common duct, the collecting unit collecting the sheet-shaped members conveyed; and a control section for controlling the drive section.

Abstract: A sheet transport method and apparatus are provided for improving the handling of sheets control in printing systems. This automatic sheet transport system and method includes transporting a sheet in the printing machine via a transport belt circulating in a direction of transport, wherein a sheet contact surface of the circulating transport belt is made of an electrically non-conducting material. The method includes placing a sheet on an area of the transport belt and sucking or holding the sheet to the circulating transport belt by a negative pressure applied through the belt and also applying electrical charges to generate electro-static holding forces between the circulating transport belt and the sheet.

Abstract: In a sheet transport system for a reproduction machine, the transport system defining a transport channel through which the sheet travels in a transport direction, an improvement comprises one or more plenums associated with the transport channel, each plenum connectable to an air flow supply, and one or more openings between each plenum and the transport channel. At least one of the one or more openings is arranged to direct air flowing through the plenum into the transport channel in the transport direction.

Abstract: A method for putting a glass plate to a target position includes (a) putting the glass plate at a preliminary position above an air table that discharges air upwardly, by moving a suction member that supports the glass plate through suction; (b) releasing suction of the suction member, while air is discharged upwardly from the air table, thereby floating the glass plate at the preliminary position above the air table; and (c) moving a pressing member in a horizontal direction, while the pressing member is in abutment with a top surface of the glass plate and while air is discharged upwardly from the air table, thereby moving the glass plate in the horizontal direction from the preliminary position above the air table to the target position above the air table by a frictional force generated between the pressing member and the glass plate.

Abstract: A sheet guide apparatus includes a transfer cylinder, first vane members, and a lateral air blowing guide. The transfer cylinder conveys a sheet. The first vane members are arranged at at least one end of the transfer cylinder and rotate together with the transfer cylinder to discharge air in a radial direction. The lateral air blowing guide is arranged close to the transfer cylinder and discharges air from the first vane members toward the sheet which is conveyed as the transfer cylinder rotates.

Abstract: In a sheet collecting apparatus having a collecting table on which a sheet charged by a charging means is collected, a suctioning/transporting means for suctioning and transporting the sheet charged by the charging means along a charging direction and releasing the sheet above the collecting table, back stoppers for receiving the sheet transported by the suctioning/transporting means downstream of the collecting table along a transport direction of the sheet, and a back guide disposed downstream of the collecting table along the transport direction of the sheet for regulating a position along the transport direction of the sheet received by the back stoppers, the sheet collecting apparatus positions the sheet charged by the charging means at a predetermined position and stacks it in a layer state.

Abstract: Curling of a printed sheet is corrected, friction is reduced on a paper transport surface, and the shape of the printed and ejected sheet is adjusted to a predetermined shape.

Abstract: A sheet supply system, for use in supplying overlapped sheets to an interfolder, includes a bed roll on which a web is cut into successive sheets. The sheets are supplied to a sheet supply passage leading to retard rolls, which overlap the sheets within the supply passage. The trailing portion of each downstream sheet bulges outwardly as the sheet is supplied to the supply passage. An air tube directs pressurized air into a volume within which the bulge in the downstream sheet is formed. The pressurized air prevents the leading portion of the upstream sheet from being drawn outwardly along with the trailing area of the downstream sheet, by counteracting a vacuum that results from outward movement of the trailing portion of the downstream sheet after it is released from the bed roll.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying or guiding a printing material sheet on an air cushion between a nozzle surface and the printing material sheet. The apparatus has first nozzle pairs which are arranged in a first row and second nozzle pairs which are arranged in a second row for generating the air cushion. The first nozzle pairs and the second nozzle pairs in each case have a blower nozzle and a suction nozzle, which are paired in such a way that one and the same air flow is blown out by the respective blower nozzle and is aspirated, at least predominantly, by the suction nozzle that is paired with the blower nozzle. The suction nozzles of the first nozzle pairs are arranged in such a way between the blower nozzles of the second nozzle pairs and the suction nozzles of the second nozzle pairs such that the air flows of the second nozzle pairs flow past the suction nozzles of the first nozzle pairs.

Abstract: A vacuum belt feeder comprising a means of conveyance having a pitch, for retrieving items from a supply zone, and then distributing them at target locations in a discharge zone.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for making disposable pressware features a pneumatic feeding system which accelerates a paperboard blank into a forming die. In a typical embodiment, a pair of adjustable air knives propel a paperboard blank into the forming cavity.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device (01) for aligning at least along one edge several stacked sheets (09) into a book, while maintaining the serial order of sheets, said device comprising an editing table (11), having on one of its sides, a front stop (13) for aligning the edges of the sheets (09). The invention is characterized in that upstream of the editing table (11) is provided a support plate (02), whereon the sheet (09) can be set into a bound book with non-aligned edges, and is further provided in the device (01), a sheet feeder (08, 04, 06) whereby the sheets can be conveyed from the support plate (02) towards the front stop (13) of the editing table (11), while forming a stream of subjacent webs.

Abstract: A configuration for generating blowing air or suction air, in particular a directing element in a sheet-processing machine, has a throttle path formed with vortex chambers. The vortex chambers generate vortex flows in a flow channel and they are formed by projections on just one side of the flow channel. This allows the element to be advantageously produced by molding, such as injection molding, thermo-molding, or stamping.

Abstract: A printing press for one-sided or two-sided printing of a sheet includes a transfer cylinder disposed in a travel direction of the sheet between a first and a second impression cylinder, respectively, of two printing units, and a sheet support assigned to the transfer cylinder for receiving the sheet thereon before the sheet is transferred to the second impression cylinder, an inverting drum disposed in the travel direction of the sheet between the sheet support and the second impression cylinder, the inverting drum serving for picking up the sheet from the sheet support and transporting the sheet to the second impression cylinder; and a method of operation.

Abstract: Objects such as pieces of mail are stacked without significant contact therewith by producing laminar air flow over a surface which defines or parallels a desired movement path for the objects. The objects are placed and form a barrier between the laminar air flow and ambient air and movement such as turning an edge of the object to prevent impact on other objects and regulation of direction velocity an kinetic energy of the motion of the objects is regulated by the Coanda effect of the laminar flow. The object thus provides an acoustic barrier to reduce generation and propagation of noise by the high pressure air used to create the laminar flow. An air amplifier reduces the volume of high pressure air required to provide control of object motion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (60) for securing stacks of sheet-shaped materials (1) during a rotary movement around an axis of rotation (R) with a first and second clamping jaw (10, 11) that have a drive (70), whereby the first and second clamping jaws (10, 11) are mounted such that the stack of sheet-shaped materials is always aligned to half its stack thickness (D). The invention also relates to a method for handling stacks of sheet-shaped materials (1), especially within a device (1000) for binding the stack of sheet-shaped materials (1).

Abstract: A method for making and handling an improved intraoral x-ray film packet by forming a first outer and a second outer sheet from a thermoplastic material wherein the first outer sheet is made more rigid than the second outer sheet such that it has a tensile modulus of at least about 700 Kg/cm2. The two outer sheets are sealed together to form an envelope with a laminated perimetric edge wherein the laminated perimetric edge is substantially coplanar with the first outer sheet. This resultant planar surface on one side of the packet aids in the accurate positioning of the packet for subsequent operations and further enhances the ability to die cut the packet and maintain outside dimension tolerances. Individual film packets are transported to a Bernoulli fixture and a laminar air flow is generated across the surface thereof to accurately position the intraoral x-ray film packet against reference stops using the Bernoulli effect.

Abstract: A supporting or guiding device for sheets in a sheet processing machine includes a supporting or guiding layer having a supporting or guiding surface formed with a plurality of outlet openings for applying a throttled air flow therethrough to a respective sheet. A covering plate is spaced away from the supporting or guiding surface, and at least two intermediate layers are formed with a plurality of openings and disposed between the supporting or guiding surface and the covering plate. The covering plate is connected via a plurality of inlet openings to at least one blast air source. A respective opening formed in one of the intermediate layers is connected to two respective openings formed in the other of the intermediate layers, and an opening formed in the other intermediate layer is connected to two respective openings formed in the one intermediate layer, between one of the respective inlet openings and one of the respective outlet openings associated therewith.

Abstract: In a device for reducing the frictional force between a guiding or carrying element for sheets in a sheet-processing machine, in particular rotary printing machines, guiding and carrying elements acted upon by throttled blowing air include a sheet surface, orifices fluidically connected to a hollow interior, and a throttle disposed in the hollow interior. The elements are to be connected to an air source for blowing air out through the orifices and for generating an air cushion between a sheet and the sheet surface. Each of the orifices is preceded by the throttle with respect to a direction of air from the air source.

Abstract: A device for automatically changing printing plates is provided in a printing machine having a plate cylinder to which a printing plate is to be fed and on which the printing plate is to be fixed detachably. The device includes a transport system for conveying the printing plate while permitting axial compensating movements thereof. The transport system has at least one driven transport roller and an air cushion for holding the conveyed printing plate in contact with the transport roller. The plate-holding air cushion is formed between a counterpressure element, on one side, and the printing plate, on the other side.

Abstract: A sheet offset printing method and a sheet offset printing press includes altering flow relationships in an interior of a housing of a sheet delivery of a sheet-fed printing machine to prevent uncontrolled spread of powder in the housing by extracting powder-laden air from the housing and/or feeding air into the housing from outside at a point along a return belt of a sheet conveying device. Air currents are channeled inside the housing by feeding air not laden with powder into the housing and/or leading the air into an air flow path along the return belt downstream of the point with respect to a return belt motion direction to transport the unladen air toward a printing unit by a drag effect of the return belt and/or impeding/blocking a supply of powder-charged air from around a conveyor belt of the sheet-conveyor or a powder-scattering device into a flow path along the return belt.

Abstract: A sheet-braking device for a sheet-processing machine includes a plurality of brake modules with a revolving suction belt formed with at least one suction opening. The brake modules have assigned thereto individual drives with controls for stipulating a reference speed relative to a speed of the machine.

Abstract: A delivery of a machine for processing flat printing materials, having a sheet guide surface over which the sheets are drawn during operation, with forcible guidance of an edge of the sheets extending in a processing direction, respectively, includes nozzles opening into the sheet guide surface and providing flow therethrough during operation, and a blown air curtain, formed during operation, which extends over the sheet guide surface transversely with respect to the processing direction and is aimed at a target region on the sheet guide surface. The nozzles are arranged on the sheet guide surface in accordance with a first mode and a second mode, the nozzles arranged in accordance with a first of the modes outputting during operation a flow which counteracts a volume flow, from the blown air curtain, which is deflected downline with respect to the processing direction.

Abstract: The sheet guide device for machines that process sheets of printing material, such as a sheet-fed rotary printing machine, has a first guide element which has a supporting face inclined transversely with respect to the transport direction of the sheets of printing material. The supporting face supports side edges of the sheets of printing material. The guide element is mounted such that it can be adjusted with an adjusting device in the form of a motor.