To Receiver For Pack Of Sheets Patents (Class 271/207)
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Publication number: 20010020766Abstract: A device for holding sheets high in order to form gaps between sheets, during operation of a sheet pile-forming sheet-processing machine, includes vertically adjustable sheet interceptors for holding sheets high. The sheet interceptors being movable into a front pile-forming region so as to penetrate a depth therein which is so small that the sheet interceptors do not come into contact with a printed region of a sheet resting on the sheet interceptors; a sheet processing machine including the holding device; and a sheet-fed printing machine including the holding device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2000Publication date: September 13, 2001Inventors: Frank Gunschera, Sven Kerpe, Uwe Fischer
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Patent number: 6267367Abstract: A device for collecting and transferring cut products has an in-process storage device and a feeder feeding a stream of the cut products to the in-process storage device. The in-process storage device has a collecting tray in which the cut products fed by the feeder are collected. A transport device is provided for transporting the cut products away from the in-process storage device. A rotatably driven transfer drum is positioned underneath the collecting tray. The rotatably driven transfer drum has a gripping device that grips in a gripping position a preset number of the cut products collected in the collecting tray and moves the preset number of the cut products to the transport device by rotation of the rotatably driven transfer drum by a preset rotary angle.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1999Date of Patent: July 31, 2001Assignee: Pfankuch Maschinen GmbHInventor: Claus Karl Pfankuch
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Publication number: 20010008328Abstract: A sheet-braking system and method of operation for a delivery of a sheet-processing machine, includes a braking belt revolving during operation and undergoing periodic decelerating and accelerating phases. The braking belt further includes a braking strand passable over a suction region providing a suction effect passing through the braking strand. The suction region is overlapped throughout the duration of a respective decelerating phase, by a respective sheet deposited on the braking strand.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2000Publication date: July 19, 2001Inventors: Frank Gunschera, Roland Hirth, Sven Kerpe, Richard Mack, Ralf Weiser
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Patent number: 6260843Abstract: A sheet-receiving device has multiple sheet receiving faces on which to receive different print jobs. The print faces are positioned in tandem with respect to each other. Sheets ejected from an apparatus are ejected onto a first of the multiple faces and remain their until moved. If another print job is to be printed, the operator may move the first print job from the first sheet receiving face to the second sheet receiving face simply by sliding the first print job to the second sheet receiving face. The first print job snaps into place, and curled edges of upper sheets in the first print job are blocked by a barrier between the first and second sheet receiving face so that sheets in the first print job do not interfere with the reception of sheets in the second print job.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1998Date of Patent: July 17, 2001Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Takafumi Hoshimura, Yuji Suzuki, Shigeru Horiguchi
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Patent number: 6244590Abstract: A collating device for sheet material comprises a collating station (1) having a pair of guide members (8, 10) for receiving sheets to be collated through an opening (9) therebetween, first conveyor means (3) for conveying sheets consecutively into the collating station and second conveyor means (5) for conveying a collated stack of sheets out of the collating station, support means (12) biased towards a position for supporting sheets in the collating station away from the second conveyor means, and an actuator member (14) movable to urge a collated stack of sheets towards the second conveyor means against the bias of the support means.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1999Date of Patent: June 12, 2001Assignee: Printed Products Equipment, Ltd.Inventor: Christopher Hugh Williams
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Patent number: 6227536Abstract: A receiving tray insert for receiving and straightening curled printed paper discharged face down from a printer, comprising a planar member having a flat upper surface arranged to face away from the printer and arranged to receive the printed paper as it is ejected from the printer, and also having a lower surface arranged to face the printer, and also having elevating and spacing means secured to the lower surface and arranged to elevate the insert relative to the printer to create and maintain a thermally insulating air gap between the insert and the printer.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 1999Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: Moore North America, Inc.Inventor: Darvin R. Bethke
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Patent number: 6204872Abstract: An image forming apparatus which includes a main body which has a printer engine which forms an image on a recording medium, a supply unit which supplies the recording medium to the main body, and a discharge unit which receives the recording medium, on which an image is recorded, discharged from the main body. The supply unit and discharge unit detachably connect to the apparatus and the units are stackable under the main body, and the supply unit and discharge unit have a relaying device for relaying the recording medium which is supplied or discharged from another unit or the main body.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 1999Date of Patent: March 20, 2001Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroshi Hashimoto, Junichi Kimizuka, Soya Endo
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Patent number: 6199853Abstract: An automatic document feeder which is operable in each of a sort/stack mode, an inversion mode, and a staple mode. A tray is provided on which a document to be stapled is stacked. A positioning element and a driving roller are provided for directing the document to be stapled to the tray and for properly positioning the document on the tray. A movable stopper is formed on the tray for properly positioning the document at a stacking position, a stapling position, and a discharge position. The document can be stapled at either a single place or at multiple places. The document passes through a first document path in the sort/staple mode, and passes through a second document path in a staple mode. The document also passes through a portion of the second document path in the inversion mode.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 1997Date of Patent: March 13, 2001Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Akihito Andoh, Shinji Asami, Kenji Yamada, Hiroki Okada, Masahiro Tamura, Masahiro Minato
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Patent number: 6190116Abstract: The laser printer 1 is provided with a sheet stack portion 5 on which recorded sheets discharged through a discharge port 6 are stacked, and feed rollers 7b which slide the stacked sheets so as to move away from the discharge port 6. The laser printer 1 performs the slide of the stacked sheets on the stack portion 5 by detecting the height of the stacked sheets or counting the number of stacked sheets and operating the feed rollers 7b based on the detection or count result.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1998Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Tetsuo Asada
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Patent number: 6170821Abstract: An automatically sheet sorting device has multistage trays for storing sheets fed from a copying machine or the like, which each incorporate a sheet detecting mechanism including a sheet-empty detection lever of sheet-empty detecting means for detecting the sheet existing on the tray, and a sheet-full detection lever of sheet-full detecting means for detecting the sheets reaching a prescribed storage limit. The individual operable sheet-empty detection lever and sheet-full detection lever can be assembled in the tray compactly. A sheet-empty actuating member connected to the sheet-empty detection lever for actuating a sheet-empty switch and a sheet-empty actuating member connected to the sheet-full detection lever for actuating a sheet-full switch are of electrically non-contacting mechanism, thus to enable the tray to he readily detached from and attached to the device without any troublesome work of establishing an electrical connection or disconnection of electric elements between the tray and the device.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1998Date of Patent: January 9, 2001Assignee: Nisca CorporationInventor: Kazuyuki Kubota
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Patent number: 6155559Abstract: A device in a sheet delivery for accommodating flat printed products, the device having a lowerable auxiliary sheet stack frame arranged between two side walls of the sheet delivery, includes respective lifting devices to which the auxiliary stack frame, at respective corner locations thereof, is articulatedly connected, a movable auxiliary stack receiving element mounted on and completely surrounded by the auxiliary stack frame, the auxiliary stack frame being of a length in a sheet travel direction substantially equal to twice the length of the auxiliary stack receiving element.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 1997Date of Patent: December 5, 2000Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AktiengesellschaftInventor: Rainer Klenk
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Patent number: 6149148Abstract: A hurdle board assembly for separating sheet piles in a delivery of a sheet-fed printing machine includes a hurdle board. A plurality of spacer elements are connected to the hurdle board at locations in the vicinity of the border of one surface of the hurdle board. The spacer elements are respectively movable between a condition wherein they are retracted into the hurdle board and a condition wherein they extend vertically from the hurdle board. Respective prestressing devices are provided for prestressing the spacer elements, respectively, in a direction in the condition wherein the spacer elements, respectively, extend from the hurdle board. Respective locking devices are provided for securing the spacer elements, respectively, in the retracted condition. The locking devices are deactivatable from a side of the hurdle board so as to release the spacer elements.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 1999Date of Patent: November 21, 2000Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AktiengesellschaftInventors: Erich Zahn, Rainer Klenk, Richard Mack
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Patent number: 6142465Abstract: A device for justifying an end of a section released from a drop stacking machine. A capture member for engaging an end of the section is slidably mounted to a frame and is shiftable between an extended capture position wherein the capture member is position to engage the end of the section to be dropped from the stacking machine and a retracted position. An end stop having a justifying surface is mounted to the frame. An actuator connected to the capture member shifts the capture member between the extended capture position and the retracted position, and in the process brings the section end into contact with the justifying surface. A control system having a sensor is provided for detecting the presence of a section waiting to be dropped from the stacker and in response thereto activating the actuator. Accordingly, when a section is dropped from the stacking machine the section end is captured by the capture member.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 1997Date of Patent: November 7, 2000Assignee: The Bradbury CompanyInventor: Benjamin Stahly
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Patent number: 6134418Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the type having a sheet discharging section provided in an upper portion of a body of the apparatus, a stacking section for stacking a sheet driven out via the sheet discharging section, and a casing accommodating a sheet conveying mechanism. An inclined surface is formed on top of the stacking section and inclines obliquely downward toward the sheet discharge section. A guide on the bottom of the casing is used for sliding against the inclined surface when the casing is mounted to the body of the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1999Date of Patent: October 17, 2000Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Yasuhisa Kato, Hidenobu Endo, Masaaki Yoshikawa, Motokazu Yasui
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Patent number: 6113094Abstract: An image forming apparatus which can control a number of paper sheets to be stacked onto a paper receiving tray based on a read paper sheet size. This structure is particularly relevant if a receiving paper tray is inclined and has an area above the paper receiving tray limited by a structure formed above the paper receiving tray. A height of stacked paper sheets on the paper receiving tray can be sensed, and a number of paper sheets allowed to be stacked on the paper receiving tray can be limited based on the read paper size and the sensed height of the stack of paper sheets. Further, the number of paper sheets allowed to be stacked onto the paper receiving tray can be limited based on the read paper size.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1998Date of Patent: September 5, 2000Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Shigeru Horiguchi, Yuji Suzuki, Tetsuya Gotoh
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Patent number: 6095516Abstract: A discharged sheet accommodating tray in which sheets discharged from a discharging section along surfaces of the sheets are successively stacked, includes: a placement surface on which the sheets discharged from the discharging section are placed; and a sheet ride-on portion provided at the placement surface and which sheets being discharged ride on. The sheet ride-on portion can be a convex portion or an inclined plate located in an intermediate central portion of the placement surface, or can be a plurality of convex portions or inclined plates disposed in an intermediate central portion of the placement surface along a direction orthogonal to the sheet discharging direction. Accordingly, sheets which have already been placed on the placement surface have a mountain-shaped configuration at the sheet ride-on portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1998Date of Patent: August 1, 2000Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mitsuru Sawano, Hironobu Satou
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Patent number: 6089560Abstract: To provide a conveying apparatus which prevents a document being damaged by accidental opening and closing operations of the drawer portion, and a document reading apparatus; there is provided a medium conveying apparatus which at least includes a drawer type hopper or stacker which receives therein a medium and which is loaded in the apparatus body, so that the medium is fed from the hopper into a feed passage and is discharged into a stacker, wherein; a sensor is provided in the feed passage to detect the presence or absence of the medium in the feed passage, so that when the presence of the medium in the feed passage is detected by the sensor, control is carried out so as not to open or close the drawer type hopper or stacker.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1996Date of Patent: July 18, 2000Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventor: Tatsuo Fujiwara
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Patent number: 6079707Abstract: A document transport apparatus has a box-shaped housing, or case, having first and second openings provided in a sidewall of the case, a hopper in a first drawer movable into and out of the case through the first opening, and a stacker part in a second drawer movable in and out of the case through the second opening. A transport mechanism transports a document sheet, in the closed position of the first drawer, from the hopper part, past an image reader/printer, for reading data from or printing data onto the transported sheet, to the stacker part, again with the second drawer being closed.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 1998Date of Patent: June 27, 2000Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Tatsuo Fujiwara, Norio Kanemitsu
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Patent number: 6077030Abstract: An arrangement is described for the gathered collection of sheets of a recording medium, which are output by a recording device. The sheets are collected sequentially on the periphery of a drum. In the periphery of the drum is provided a depression in which drivable transport rollers are disposed. The transport rollers cooperate with pressing rollers which can be swiveled against the transport rollers. The transport rollers and the pressing rollers serve, on the one hand, for clamping the gathered sheets against the drum and, on the other hand, for ejecting the gathered bundle.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 1999Date of Patent: June 20, 2000Inventors: Heinz Frochte, Ludwig Bantle
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Patent number: 6076825Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a stacking tray for accommodating sheets discharged thereto. A sheet discharging mechanism discharges the sheets to the stacking tray. A moving mechanism reciprocates moves substantially vertically the stacking tray between a first position, which is below the sheet discharging mechanism, and a second position between said first position and the sheet discharging mechanism. A controller controls the moving mechanism to move the stacking tray to the second position when the sheet discharged by said discharging means is discharged through a predetermined distance onto a stacking tray located at the first position.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 1997Date of Patent: June 20, 2000Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Katsuhito Kato, Kenichi Hayashi
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Patent number: 6062685Abstract: A recording medium convey apparatus including a rotary member rotated while contacting with a recorded surface of a recording medium on which the recording was effected by using ink, and a cleaner for removing the ink transferred to the rotary member from the recorded surface of the recording medium, and wherein a contact position where said rotary member and said cleaner means in an axial direction, and at least one of said rotary member and said cleaner means is fixed to be inclined with respect to a rotation device.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1995Date of Patent: May 16, 2000Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuo Ohyama, Haruo Uchida
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Patent number: 6032779Abstract: Banknotes printed with magnetic ink pass through a tri-color age detector 34, and then between a pair of premagnetization rollers (10,12) having opposite magnetic polarity of such strength that the magnetic signature of all banknotes is enhanced to the same level; the notes are then stacked 50 in an electromagnetic stacker 42. Such notes, having magnetic signatures of the same level, can also be recognized and/or validated by magnetic techniques also.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1998Date of Patent: March 7, 2000Assignee: NCR CorporationInventors: John C. McAlister, Philip J. Heelan
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Patent number: 6003865Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a main assembly having an upper frame and a lower frame, the upper frame being rotatably openable with respect to the lower frame; a sheet accommodating device having at least one sheet receiving tray for receiving a sheet discharged from the main assembly, the sheet accommodating device being movable between an operative position for accommodating the sheet and a retracted position away from the main assembly; and a connector for connecting the sheet accommodating means to the main assembly, the connector being effective to keep the sheet accommodating device away from the main assembly when the upper frame is being closed.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 1995Date of Patent: December 21, 1999Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kenichi Hayashi
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Patent number: 5975522Abstract: A discharged-sheet table device mounted to an image forming apparatus near the sheet discharging port for receiving a recorded sheet discharged from the sheet discharging port of the image forming apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1997Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Assignee: Riso Kagaku CorporationInventor: Fumio Fujimaki
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Patent number: 5961115Abstract: A method of determining an output level of an output stack of print media in an image forming apparatus. The print media is transported, one print medium at a time, to the output stack. A sensor positioned in association with the output stack senses when the output level of the output stack has reached a near full level. At least one physical characteristic of the print media is identified which can affect the stacking of the print media. The number of the print media transported to the output stack is counted after the near full level is sensed. A determination that the output level of the output stack has reached a full level is made, dependent upon each of the at least one physical characteristic and the counted number of the print media.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 1997Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: Lexmark International Inc.Inventors: Thomas Wilbur Blanck, Cyrus Bradford Clarke, Matthew Lowell McKay, Phillip Byron Wright
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Patent number: 5951008Abstract: The present invention provides new offsetting paper stacking devices and methods which automatically stack sheets of paper into groups which are offset from each other. The offsetting paper stacker stacks sheets of paper that are feed into an input end of the device one at a time at a high rate of speed. The paper is stacked in one pile, however, within that pile there are groups of sheets that are stacked at a sideways offset to the group immediately above and below. Accordingly, every other group of sheets of paper will be in line with each other and each adjacent group will be offset from each other. The offsetting paper stacker includes stacker wheels which are rotatable about two axes of rotation to stack the paper in an offset manner.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1997Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Assignee: General Binding CorporationInventors: Daniel J. Williams, Frank A. Todaro
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Patent number: 5915687Abstract: A printed sheets stacking, removal, transporting and containment system for the large heavy stacks of printed sheets outputted by a reproduction apparatus with a plurality of separate sheet stack transporting tote units, each adapted to lift and retain a large stack of printed sheets, each tote unit having a bottom surface, enclosing side surfaces, and an open side through which a large stack of sheets can be laterally loaded, and also having at least one integral keying member, preferably an integral runner extending from the bottom surface and extending in the direction of the open side, with a downwardly beveled outer end; and the output stacking tray having at least one guide member designed to temporarily removably mate with the keying member to guide the tote unit on the stacking tray under the large stack of sheets so that they may be lifted and transported away from the output stacking tray retained in the tote unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 1997Date of Patent: June 29, 1999Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventor: Kenneth J. Rieck
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Patent number: 5911415Abstract: A system for light-tight handling of a supply of media between a supply station, a workstation and a collecting station, comprises a media handling apparatus defined by a frame and a housing enclosing an internal confine. Within this confine are a supply station and a collecting station disposed at opposite ends of the frame. A positioning drive is suspended above the supply and collecting stations to move media between the supply, collecting and work stations. A lifting shoe is provided as part of the positioning drive and includes a flexible material handling sheet which assumes a first and a second given radius when respectively energized and reverse energized to engage the media supported in curved form. Also, supply and collecting cassettes are provided with a tambour coverings for respectively automatically uncovering and covering the supported media while still maintained in the light-tight confines of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1997Date of Patent: June 15, 1999Assignee: Gerber Systems CorporationInventors: Alan W. Menard, Lawrence S. Wolfson, Joseph Conlan
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Patent number: 5906367Abstract: A multiple set discharge tray receives sets of copy sheets discharged from an adjoining printing apparatus. The discharge tray includes a selectively movable partition mechanism which is capable of extending a partition over, and retracting an extended partition from, a surface of the discharge tray which receives sets of copy sheets. An extended partition enables receipt of a subsequent set of copy sheets while a prior set is being processed and expelled from the discharge tray thereunder.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1997Date of Patent: May 25, 1999Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventor: Gou Takagaki
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Patent number: 5897113Abstract: An automatic document feeder according to the present invention is mountable on a copying machine. The automatic document feeder mounted on the copying machine is displaceable to a closed state and an open state with respect to the copying machine. In the closed state, originals can be automatically set on the copying machine by the automatic document feeder. When the originals are manually set on the copying machine, the automatic document feeder is brought into the open state. A tray 11 provided in the automatic document feeder is divided into a main tray 61 and a sub tray 62. The main tray 61 and the sub tray 62 are so connected to each other that their connected state is changeable to an extending state or a contracted state. When the automatic document feeder is brought into the open state, the connected state between the main tray 61 and the sub tray 62 is automatically brought into the contracted state.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 1996Date of Patent: April 27, 1999Assignee: Mita Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuhisa Kondo, Jyun Kusakabe
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Patent number: 5897110Abstract: A data processing apparatus including a drawable hopper table with a hopper and an image reading head. Sheets are conveyed from the hopper to a stacker arranged below the hopper table, and the stacker includes a pusher for discharging sheets. The hopper table and the pusher are moved by a common motor and a gear mechanism. The gear mechanism includes a partially toothed gear, so as to drive one of the hopper table and the pusher. A cam mechanism is incorporated with the gear mechanism to prohibit the movement of the not driven one. Also, a top cover is pivotally attached to the hopper table about a pivot arranged on one side of the top cover remote from the hopper, the image reading head is pivotally attached to the top cover about a fulcrum arranged on one side of the top cover near the hopper.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 1996Date of Patent: April 27, 1999Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventor: Tatsuo Fujiwara
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Patent number: 5888001Abstract: The collecting tray of a ink-jet printer is equipped with a guard to prevent the paper immediately after exiting from the printer to fall to the bottom of the tray. The guard is much narrower than the width of the tray so that the guard tilts the paper. A succeeding sheet of paper pushes the tilted paper until the tilted paper is pushed beyond the end of the guard and falls to the bottom of the tray after a time delay for the ink to dry.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1998Date of Patent: March 30, 1999Assignee: Avision, Inc.Inventor: Thomas Sheng
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Patent number: 5863039Abstract: A bill dealing apparatus facilitating the bill collection with less trouble in reduced size and cost. The door 22 of the bill dealing apparatus 21 is exposed on the outer surface of the front door 23 of the slot machine. Bill validator 25 is attached inside the door 22 for verifying the validity of the inserted bill 24. The stacker 26 for storing the inserted bill is housed in the body 27. The front of the body 27 is open to form an opening 27a, through which the stacker 26 is attached to and removed from the body 27. The door 22, which blocks the opening 27a, is attached to the body 27 pivotal about the support shaft 28, and opens in the direction B. The driving unit 29 is positioned behind the stacker 26 for driving the bill presser. The stacker 26 is inserted to and taken out from the body 27 independent from the driving unit 29.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1996Date of Patent: January 26, 1999Assignee: Universal Sales Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yasuo Suzuki
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Patent number: 5860647Abstract: An image forming apparatus in which paper fed from a paper feeder is transported to image forming portions. A toner image is formed on the paper, and a pair of paper discharge rollers of a discharge unit are disposed at the rear end of a paper storing unit to discharge the paper into the paper storing unit. Preferably, the paper storing unit is disposed inside of the apparatus, with a lid or panel covering an access opening after the paper discharge operation has been completed, the paper storing unit is withdrawn from the apparatus; and/or feeds a stack of paper outside the apparatus upon opening of the panel. Therefore during the image forming operation, the leakage of noise made in the apparatus is prevented or reduced. Furthermore, since paper is discharged toward the front of the image forming apparatus, the width of the apparatus is minimized.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1997Date of Patent: January 19, 1999Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Masumi Ikesue
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Patent number: 5775689Abstract: An accumulator apparatus and method are provided for accumulating sheet articles. The accumulator apparatus includes an upper belt system and lower belt system operative for advancing sheet articles in seriatim manner therebetween. Guide rollers are provided at the entrance of the sheet articles between the upper and lower belt systems for guiding the sheet articles therebetween without pinching. Nip rollers are provided downstream from the entry guide rollers for pulling sheet articles into the accumulator apparatus between the guide rollers and the nip rollers. A ramp system operative for deflecting advancing sheet articles is provided downstream from the nip rollers. Sheet articles deflected by the ramp assembly can then be accumulated in an accumulation location where the lower belt system is maintained in a spaced-apart position below the accumulation location such that the lower belt system cannot contact or mark sheet articles accumulated therein.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 1996Date of Patent: July 7, 1998Assignee: Bell & Howell Mail Processing SystemsInventors: James R. Moser, Donald Dudash, Richard W. Finnochio, Frank S. Lusk
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Patent number: 5743520Abstract: The apparatus according to the invention comprises a collector bin (2) for fed sheets (5) that is made up of a sheet support (4) and a sheet stop (12). A retaining apparatus (8) for the fed sheets (5) is provided facing the sheet support (4), and a stop finger (10) can be pivoted into the paper path. A jogger wheel (6), with which the fed sheets (5) can be transported toward the sheet stop (6), is installed above the sheet support (4) rotatably about a shaft (A). A holding element (14) for the stop finger (10) can be moved on the shaft (A) independently of the rotary movement of the jogger wheel (6), and a stopgap closure element (16) is also arranged on the holding element (14) in such a way that the stop finger (10) or the stopgap closure element (16) can be introduced into the paper path.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1996Date of Patent: April 28, 1998Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventor: Ulrich Barthold
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Patent number: 5737987Abstract: In a reproduction system with an output sheet stacking tray system and a slitter with selectable sheet slitting positions in which printed sheets being outputted by the reproduction system may be selectably slit (or not) in their sheet output direction into plural slit sheets of selectably variable sheet widths and stacked in the output tray sheet stacking system; a dual mode output sheet stacking tray system is selectably convertible between a single sheet stacking position mode and a plural slit sheet stacking surfaces mode, wherein in the plural slit sheet stacking surfaces mode the sheet stacking tray system provides plural opposingly transversely sloped sheet stacking surfaces with low friction to assist slit sheets slit from the same printed sheet to transversely slide laterally away from one another, wherein these opposingly sloped surfaces intersect substantially in line with the slitting position of the slitter in the process direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 1996Date of Patent: April 14, 1998Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Steven D. Olson, Roger N. Albright
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Patent number: 5711517Abstract: A sheet media handling system is provided for use in a sheet processor having support structure which is configured to accommodate reliable sheet pick-up and to minimize the sheet processor's size, while still offering suitable access to the media sheets. The handling system includes upper and lower support structure, the lower support structure supporting sheets for delivery to an input port, and the upper support structure supporting sheets which are expelled from an output port. The lower support structure includes a drawer configured for translation between a fully-dosed drawer position and a fully-open drawer position. Correspondingly, the upper support structure includes a door configured to pivot between a fully-closed door position and a fully-open door position. An overcenter mechanism is employed to bias the drawer either into a fully-closed drawer position or toward a fully-open drawer orientation.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 1996Date of Patent: January 27, 1998Assignee: Hewlett-Packard CompanyInventor: Kieran B. Kelly
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Patent number: 5676361Abstract: The paper tray for an automatic sheet feeder has a tray base (2) to which is attached a lower paper alignment face (4) having a sheet ejection slot (6). An upper paper striking face (8) is located opposite the lower paper alignment face, in the vicinity of which is a set-count finger (10). The upper paper striking face (8) in the form of a striking block (9) which increases in thickness from the tray base (2) upwards is shaped in such a way that the documents returned to the paper tray can be relied upon to come to rest on top of the set-count finger (10).Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 1996Date of Patent: October 14, 1997Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventor: Siegfried Garbe
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Patent number: 5666630Abstract: A device that allows an operator to unload copy sheets from an output tray of a machine, keep the machine running, and maintain integrity of the copy sheet stack. The output tray is slid to the right with respect to the front of the machine to allow the operator to unload the copy sheet stack. When slid to the right, an `X-shelf` is unfolded to hold the stack of continual copy sheet output. After the tray is emptied, it is slid to the left and back into the original position. The sheets on the `X-shelf` fall into the output tray and the job continues uninterrupted.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1996Date of Patent: September 9, 1997Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: John D. Zoltner, Gary A. Kelpin
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Patent number: 5649696Abstract: A bill receiver has a casing 11 having a guide groove 16 on and along which a bill is put on. A cover handle 31 is operated into a totally closed state to transfer the bill through a speed increasing gear unit 40 and a carrying roller unit 50, thereby piling up the bills on a base 21 fixed on the casing 11.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 1996Date of Patent: July 22, 1997Assignee: Tokai Riken Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yoshihiro Yamada
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Patent number: 5624196Abstract: A method and apparatus for advancing a sheet of print media through a printer mechanism having a print zone. The apparatus includes a roller assembly for advancing a sheet of media through the print zone, a printing assembly for recording information on a surface of the sheet of media and an assembly for receiving the sheet of media once information has been recorded on the sheet of media. The apparatus includes a kicker which is movable in the forward direction to engage an edge of the sheet of media to urge the sheet in a forwardly direction from the print zone to the receiving assembly. The method of this invention includes the step of pushing the edge of the sheet of media towards the receiving assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 1996Date of Patent: April 29, 1997Assignee: Hewlett-Packard CompanyInventors: Larry A. Jackson, Kieran B. Kelly
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Patent number: 5618034Abstract: A supply/conveyance mechanism for sheets includes: a hopper section (10) for accommodating a plurality of sheets stacked in layers; conveyer (20, 40) for picking up the sheets one by one or in groups of a predetermined number of sheets from the hopper section and conveying the sheets in an advancing direction along a predetermined passage; two detectors (60) for optically detecting a fore end of the sheet in the process of conveyance; correcting device (24, 25) for correcting a direction of the sheet in accordance with the results of detection of said detectors; and right and left guide plates (12) provided in the hopper section (10) for regulating both sides of stacked sheets. The guide plates (12) are capable of sliding in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the sheet advancing direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 1996Date of Patent: April 8, 1997Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventor: Yoshihiro Takashimizu
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Patent number: 5613672Abstract: A paper retainer assembly for attachment to a feed-in mechanism at a paper inlet or a feed-out mechanism at a paper outlet, includes a flexible, linear paper retainer, such as a metal or plastic wire. The paper retainer is operable to be extended to an extended position for use and retracted to a retracted position when not in use. The assembly also includes a locking mechanism operable to maintain the paper retainer in the extended position.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 1995Date of Patent: March 25, 1997Assignee: Omron CorporationInventors: Masayuki Tanaka, Yuji Ohashi, Masashi Sugimoto
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Patent number: 5599120Abstract: A thermal ink jet printer that prints onto thermal adhesive binding tape includes a tape feeding adapter that enables the feeding of tape into and out of the printer. The adapter includes a base support member for supporting a plurality of tapes in a substantially horizontal position for feeding into the printer and two tape guide members positioned orthogonally and centrally of the base support member for guiding the tapes into and out of the printer. Two support and guide members are connected to and extends orthogonally with respect to the two tape guides members for receiving and supporting the tapes between the two tape guides members and above the base support member after the tapes have exited the printer.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 1993Date of Patent: February 4, 1997Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Charles E. Conrad, William A. Sullivan, Robert A. Coons
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Patent number: 5586758Abstract: The sheet discharge apparatus includes a first sheet discharge path for discharging a sheet and a second sheet discharge path for discharging the sheet. The apparatus further includes a sheet stacking tray on which the sheets discharged through the second sheet discharge path and which is pivotally mounted on a body of the apparatus, a reverse rotation guide rotatably supported by the sheet stacking tray and forming a part of the first sheet discharge path, and a holder for holding the reverse rotation guide in a position where the reverse rotation guide forms a part of the first sheet discharge path in a condition that the sheet stacking tray is closed with respect to the body of the apparatus and for releasing the reverse rotation guide to permit the reverse rotation guide to thereby retard to a retard position where the reverse rotation guide is retarded from a stacking surface of the sheet stacking tray not to prevent the sheet from being directed in the sheet stacking tray.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 1995Date of Patent: December 24, 1996Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shoji Kimura, Nobukazu Adachi
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Patent number: 5583664Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a sheet holding mechanism has an outlet roller and a presser member cooperative to nip a sheet having a unit length and undergone predetermined processing in the apparatus. When the outlet roller is rotated, it drives the sheet out of the apparatus in cooperation with the presser member. When the sheet reaches a position where its leading edge portion protrudes from the apparatus and its trailing edge portion is brought to a predetermined position between the outlet roller and a holder member, the outlet roller is reversed to insert the trailing edge into a nipping portion included in the holder member. The holder member holds the trailing edge of the sheet. As a result, the sheet is retained in the apparatus with its leading edge portion protruding from the apparatus. A force for pulling out the sheet from the holder member is greater than the conveying force of the outlet roller.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 1995Date of Patent: December 10, 1996Assignee: NEC CorporationInventor: Takaaki Sanpei
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Patent number: 5580041Abstract: A sheet receiving and stacking apparatus includes a base table with a stacking section for stacking a rectangular sheet, and a guide device for receiving the rectangular sheet and guiding the rectangular sheet to the stacking section of the base table. The guide device has a plurality of guide sections rotating in contact with the rectangular sheet above said stacking section.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 1994Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Riso Kagaku CorporationInventor: Koji Nakayama
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Patent number: 5535894Abstract: Apparatus for conveying, accommodating and paying out bank notes, includes shaft-mounted guide rollers for feeding bank notes from a stacking space to a pay-out tray, shaft-mounted vane wheels with eccentric ends mounted between adjacent guide rollers, a spring-biased shutter at an inlet/outlet of the pay-out tray, a lid covering a stacking space and including a finger application notch, the lid being opened and closed by one touch operation when a spring is brought to a dead point, a conveying path communicating with a bank note insertion opening and including a pair of bank note guide bars having a substantially S-shaped sectional profile, large and small monetary amount stacking spaces provided above and below the guide bars, respectively, such that bank notes are fed to either stacking space with forward or reverse rotation of the guide bars, a stationary roller provided with an adjacent ratchet wheel, and step rotated by an operating member with an end pawl thereof engaged with a ratchet wheel tooth to dType: GrantFiled: May 18, 1995Date of Patent: July 16, 1996Inventor: Yoshikazu Ishiwata
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Patent number: 5516091Abstract: A sheet receiving and stacking apparatus is formed of a base table with a stacking section for stacking a rectangular sheet, and a guide device for receiving the rectangular sheet and for guiding the rectangular sheet to the stacking section of the base table. The guide device has a rotatable curved guide surface, and guides the rectangular sheet to the stacking section while being rotated with the side edges of the rectangular sheet when the guide surface has received the side edges of the rectangular sheet which is floating downwardly.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 1994Date of Patent: May 14, 1996Assignee: Riso Kagaku CorporationInventor: Koji Nakayama