With Auxiliary Support For Part Of Pile Patents (Class 271/218)
  • Patent number: 10843889
    Abstract: A sheet stacking system includes a conveyor for carrying sheets from a conveyor intake end to a conveyor discharge end and a hopper at the discharge end for receiving the sheets and guiding them as they fall in a cascade path onto a platform. The hopper has a backstop facing the discharge end of the conveyor and a first accumulator that includes a carrier and a support extending from the carrier through the backstop. The support is configured to rotate from a retracted position to an extended position relative to the backstop, and the carrier is movable linearly and vertically relative to the backstop with the support in the extended position from a raised location with the support outside the cascade path to a lowered location with the support in the cascade path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: A.G. STACKER INC.
    Inventors: Clarence C. Allen, Jr., Eric H. Crowe, Micah C. Sundstrom, Eric Stempihar, Kevin G. Gorby, Dalton Hege
  • Patent number: 10220417
    Abstract: A method for sorting bags that includes filing past flat one after the other while being separated by a gap; the exterior edges of each bag are checked to determine whether a template and a position of the bag correspond to a calibrated bag or non-calibrated bag. The non-calibrated bags are ejected and the calibrated bags are presented in front of a visual inspection system to determine an acceptable or unacceptable quality of the inspected bag. The acceptable bags are stacked and the unacceptable bags are rejected after they have passed in front of the visual inspection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: HOLWEG GROUP
    Inventor: Cedric Ritondo
  • Patent number: 10155637
    Abstract: A machine for the formation of numbered packs of interleaved sheets of paper (6), includes a pair of counter-rotating motor-driven folding rollers (2, 3), an interference surface (11) mobile with a to-and-fro motion between a position (P1) of non-interference and a position (P2) of interference, and a mechanism (36) of cyclic movement of the surface (11) including at least one supporting crank (13) oscillating with respect to the carriage (26) and articulated to a first axis (15) of rotation of the surface, and a first motor-driven connecting rod (19) kinematically connected to the surface (11) to bestow the to-and-fro motion thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED CONVERTING S.R.L.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Lupi, Gianluca Giometti, Angelo Torri
  • Patent number: 10029878
    Abstract: A method for rapidly stacking and dropping sheets is provided. The method comprises receiving a plurality of sheets from a sheet delivery device onto a landing platform of a stacking and dropping apparatus. The method also comprises lowering the landing platform from an original upper position. Lowering comprises maintaining a drop height between the sheet delivery device and a stack of delivered sheets. The method also comprises sending a delay signal that comprises a command to delay the receiving of the plurality of sheets from the sheet delivery device. The delay signal is sent in response to a detection of a predetermined stack height of the stack of delivered sheets. The method also comprises sending a movement signal, immediately following the sending of the delay signal. The movement signal comprises a command to move the landing platform, such that the plurality of sheets are received by a catch tray unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Superior Paper Handling Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven G. Sands
  • Patent number: 9896295
    Abstract: A buffer apparatus configured to hold a stack of sheets includes an input, first and second side guides each having a face facing transverse to the travel direction, and a backstop facing the input and spaced from the input in the travel direction. The first side guide, second side guide and backstop define a hopper for holding a plurality of the sheets. First and second retractable supports are shiftable from first positions in which a first portion of the respective retractable support projects a first distance into the hopper and a second position in which the first portion of the respective retractable support projects a second distance into the hopper or does not project into the hopper, the second distance being less than the first distance. The at least one second retractable support is located between the input and the at least one first retractable support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: A.G. STACKER INC.
    Inventors: Clarence C. Allen, Jr., Eric H. Crowe, Micah C. Sundstrom
  • Patent number: 9340371
    Abstract: A servo rotary shingle diverter includes toothed diverter discs disposed along the path of a stream of shingles separated by spaces. In a first or home rotary position, the diverter discs are disposed entirely beneath the shingle path so that shingles pass the diverter discs unimpeded to a first destination. The diverter discs are rotated at the same rate as the moving shingles such that a tooth of the discs moves along with the shingles and into the path of a selected shingle within the gap head of the selected shingle. The discs are stopped when their teeth align to define a ramp and the next selected shingle engages and rides up the ramp and is diverted thereby to a second destination. The diverter discs are then rotated back to their home position. Every other shingle is thus diverted to the second destination while remaining shingles move on to the first destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventor: Patrick C. Mishler
  • Patent number: 9010747
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for handling notes of value, comprising a supply module (1000) for supplying notes of value to a value note receiving region (1004) of a value note cassette (16a to 16d), wherein the notes of value are receivable in a value note receiving region (1004) in the form of a value note stack (1006). The supply module (1000) comprises at least one retaining element (1008, 1010), which, in a retaining position, contacts a front-side note of value of the value note stack (1006) and holds the value note stack (1006) in the value note receiving region (1004). In a supply position, the retaining element (1008, 1010) is arranged such that a note of value is suppliable to the value note stack (1006).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Wincor Nixdorf International GmbH
    Inventors: Udo Petermann, Paul Freitag
  • Publication number: 20150050113
    Abstract: A non-stop rack device for temporary receipt of the flat elements in the form of sheets in a converting machine, the device comprising a plurality of parallel bars which are integral with a mobile support which can be displaced between a receipt position, in which the bars can support temporarily the flat elements which are being stacked, and a released position, in which the said bars are placed spaced from any stack of flat elements. Each non-stop bar is mounted so as to be mobile in transverse displacement relative to the mobile support, and the non-stop rack device also comprises a blocking arrangement, which can block the transverse mobility of each non-stop bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: BOBST MEX SA
    Inventor: Daniel Cugnoni
  • Patent number: 8955838
    Abstract: A paper mount surface is disposed while being inclined in the sheet discharge direction or sheet-discharge orthogonal direction, and first and second support members that support the sheet rear and portion in the sheet discharge direction and rear end portion are disposed to be able to shift between actuation positions inside the tray and retract positions. Then, after collecting sheets on both support members, the support member positioned in the direction orthogonal to the inclined direction of the paper mount surface is first retracted from above the tray, and next, the support member positioned in the inclined direction is retracted to the waiting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Takehiko Saito, Satoshi Yamanushi, Tatsuzo Aoyagi, Yuichi Ichinose
  • Patent number: 8919766
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a compiler surface that receives sheets of media, and a registration surface positioned at one end of the compiler surface. The leading edges of the sheets of media contact and are aligned by the registration surface. A rotatable cam is positioned at the other end of the compiler surface. The rotatable cam has a lobe, and the surface of the lobe is a high-friction surface. When the rotatable cam is at a “first” rotation position, this causes the lobe to contact the bottom sheet as the sheets of media are received onto the compiler surface. When the rotatable cam is at a “second” rotation position, this causes the lobe to move out of the way and avoid contacting any of the sheets of media as the sheets of media are ejected from the compiler surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: XEROX Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy G. Shelhart, Aaron M. Moore, Samuel P. Sadtler
  • Patent number: 8910935
    Abstract: In an apparatus for stacking and feeding sheet products discharged successively from a discharge position, catcher bars 4 are bent to be accumulated at an accumulated position. The sheet products collide against shutter bars 9 to fall onto a conveyor 3 after being discharged successively, for stacking the sheet products on the conveyor 3. The catcher bars 4 are pushed out of the accumulated position to pass between the shutter bars 9 and protrude toward the discharge position so that coming products should be received on the catcher bars 4 after stacking the sheet products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Totani Corporation
    Inventor: Mikio Totani
  • Patent number: 8899579
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus move, when stacking a sheet on a stacking tray, a supporting tray disposed to freely appear above the stacking tray to a first position in which the supporting tray projects above the stacking tray and supports the sheet stacked on an intermediate stacking tray. When these apparatuses discharge a processed sheet bundle, these apparatuses move the supporting tray from the first position to a second position in which the supporting tray supports an edge of the discharged sheet in an upstream side in a discharging direction, and guides the moving sheet bundle to a stacking wall. Further, these apparatuses move the supporting tray from the second position to a third position at predetermined timing, so that the supporting tray stops supporting the sheet bundle and stacks the sheet bundle on the sheet bundle previously stacked on the stacking tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yohei Gamo
  • Patent number: 8882099
    Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for aligning, feeding, trimming, slitting, rotating, cross-slitting and stacking sheets, each containing one or more discrete page images thereon that allows for greater automation of the overall process so that reduced or no manual intervention is required to generate completed book stacks or “blocks” from a stream or stack of printed sheets. Sheets are fed to a first, upstream trimming station to remove margin edges and optionally separate the sheets relative to the discrete page images. The sheets are then rotated 90 degrees and fed to a second, downstream trimming station that trims the right-angle edges and optionally separates the sheets into a final group of full-bleed pages, removing margins and gutter strips. The sheets are fed to a stacking assembly to be tacked in page order and any rejected, defective sheets or stacks are removed from the order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Lasermax Roll Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven P. Lewalski, Hans Eliasson, Bruce J. Taylor, Richard Sjostedt, Sean Stewart, Edward J. Zanchi
  • Patent number: 8770580
    Abstract: In the case of a non-stop device having load-bearing rods (11,12), the load-bearing rods (11, 12) should be arranged so as to be displaceable to different extents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventor: Joachim Jakob
  • Patent number: 8628079
    Abstract: A method for forming an auxiliary stack when a sheet stack is changed in a sheet delivery of a sheet-processing machine includes providing an auxiliary stack support for supporting the auxiliary stack during a non-stop stack change and multiple stop and separator elements disposed outside a stacking area in front of edges of the sheet stack to form a gap in a stream of sheets conveyed by a conveying system and released to fall onto the sheet stack. The sheet stack is lowered to form a gap for the auxiliary stack support, the stop elements for the front edge and the rear edge of the sheet stack are moved into a disengaged stand-by position before the main stack is lowered. For this purpose, the stop elements are equipped with remote-controllable actuating devices that are connected to a control unit. A device for forming an auxiliary stack is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Bernd Herrmann, Rainer Klenk, Uwe Peters
  • Patent number: 8511678
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a fixed tray and a movable tray. The fixed tray is fixed at its downstream portion in a sheet transport direction and includes a sheet loading surface. A downstream portion of the sheet loading surface of the fixed tray is positioned at a higher level than an upstream portion thereof. The movable tray is pivotally supported, at its upstream portion, by a pivot support provided on the fixed tray. An angle between a sheet loading surface of the movable tray and a horizontal direction is more gentle than an angle between the sheet loading surface of the fixed tray and the horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Terumitsu Azuma, Shigefumi Soga, Takeshi Hirabayashi, Kentaro Fukami, Shinji Tanoue, Hiroki Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8366100
    Abstract: A discharge tray apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention is a discharge tray apparatus wherein a plurality of sheets of recording paper that have been successively transported at a fixed speed and a fixed interval, discharged from a discharge opening, and have landed on a discharge tray, are received and placed onto the discharge tray, the discharge tray apparatus being provided with a discharge tray moving means that performs a tray shift operation that moves the discharge tray in a horizontal direction approximately perpendicular to the discharge direction, such that after a preceding paper successively transported earlier has been placed on the discharge tray, a succeeding paper succeedingly transported after the preceding paper is placed at a position different from the placement position of the preceding paper on the discharge tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaru Tsuji
  • Patent number: 8366376
    Abstract: This is a paper-stacking support with segmented shelves that can support paper and can also fold upon being rotated around rollers by a driver belt. Once an upper shelf is fully loaded, it is moved downwardly by the drive belt and another shelf is moved into an upper loading position by the drive belt. This allows for a continuous running of the stacking operation without an interruption during the unloading of the stacked paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas K. Herrmann
  • Patent number: 8360421
    Abstract: With representative configurations of the sheet processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the sheet processing apparatus which includes an intermediate stacking portion in which a sheet is temporarily placed, an aligning portion which supports a part of a lower surface of the sheet stacked in the intermediate stacking portion and which presses a lateral surface end portion of a sheet width direction to align the sheet, and a stapler which processes the sheet aligned by the aligning portion, includes a sheet supporting member which can support the lower surface of the sheet conveyed while sheet stacked in the intermediate stacking portion is processed and a sheet discharging member which presses the rear end of the sheet processed by the stapler and discharges the sheet to the stack tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroharu Tsuji, Masayoshi Fukatsu, Junichi Sekiyama, Tomooku Koyama, Masatoshi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8356967
    Abstract: A stacking system and method that utilizes a device control for precisely controlling the downward movement of at least one printed material support at a first speed, while substantially simultaneously permitting upward movement of the at least one support at a second speed which is greater than the first speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: GammTech Corporation
    Inventor: Gunter Gammerler
  • Patent number: 8351088
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus with a structure capable of reliably discharging a document, and a multi-functional machine having the same are disclosed. The image reading apparatus includes a document feed path having a document outlet, a reading unit which reads an image of a document fed through the document feed path, and a guide member which is disposed at the document outlet downstream of the reading unit to form a curl on the trailing end portion of the document. The curl formed on the document may make it possible for a subsequent document being discharged to push the curled document out of the document outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Hoon Choi, Yong Sok Yang
  • Patent number: 8328186
    Abstract: A post-processing method involves using a standby tray to receive a paper sheet to be supplied from a digital copier, a processing tray to receive a paper sheet dropped from a standby tray, a feed member which guides the rear end of a paper sheet received in a standby tray in the feeding direction to a processing tray, and scrapes and sends the rear end of a paper sheet dropped onto a processing tray to a stopper, a press member which clamps the rear end of a paper sheet received in a standby tray by cooperating with two feed members, and a stapler to staple the aligned rear ends of paper sheets. When a first paper sheet is supplied to the standby tray, the press member presses the rear end of the first paper sheet, to receive a second paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasunobu Terao, Mikio Yamamoto, Yoshiaki Sugizaki, Hajime Yamamoto, Hiroyuki Taki
  • Patent number: 8297615
    Abstract: The sheet processing apparatus is provided with: an apparatus main body that performs processing for a sheet; a sheet stacker on which a sheet transported from the apparatus main body is stacked in a first state where the sheet stacker is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, and that is downwardly movable; and a moving-down unit that moves the sheet stacker down. The sheet stacker is provided so as to be detachable from the apparatus main body, and so as to change posture from the first state to a second state where the sheet stacker is less inclined relative to the first state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Nakamura, Ryuuichi Shiraishi, Toshio Kawachidani, Yoshimasa Sasaoka, Munetake Nagata
  • Patent number: 8205876
    Abstract: A sheet ejector, configured to eject sheets so as to insert a later-ejected sheet under an earlier-ejected sheet on a catch tray, includes a feed roller provided to the catch tray, wherein the feed roller is configured to feed, in a predetermined ejecting direction, the later-ejected sheet that is inserted under the earlier-ejected sheet, and a switching mechanism configured to switch a state of the feed roller relative to a sheet on the catch tray between a contact state where the feed roller contacts the sheet on the catch tray and a non-contact state where the feed roller is kept from contacting the sheet on the catch tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Shingai
  • Patent number: 8172221
    Abstract: Apparatus for continuous singling of stacks of loose sheet material, in particular bank notes, vouchers, checks, separation cards, etc., includes a singler for singling stacks of loose sheet material and a feeding device which moves stacks of loose sheet material to be singled into a position where sheet material is grasped by the singler and transferred to a transport system, wherein the feeding device has a first, substantially single-axis moved feeding element and a second, substantially multi-axis moved feeding element. An area for receiving sheet material to be singled and which is divided into a first subarea and a second subarea is provided, wherein the first and second subareas adjoin each other and the second subarea forms an input area for inputting sheet material to be singled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Giesecke & Devrient GmbH
    Inventors: Mario Mönch, Erwin Demmeler
  • Patent number: 8038147
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes an intermediate stacking portion which temporarily stacks, thereon, a sheet conveyed thereto; a discharge portion which discharges sheet stacked on the intermediate stacking portion; an aligning member which is provided downstream of the discharge portion in a sheet conveying direction and has a sheet holding surface capable of holding the lower surfaces of the sheet and a sheet aligning surface capable of abutting against end portions of the sheet in the widthwise direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction, the aligning member being movable in the widthwise direction; a first stacking portion which is provided below the aligning member and stacks, thereon, a sheet discharged from the discharge portion; and a second stacking portion which is provided above the aligning member and stacks, thereon, a sheet conveyed thereto; wherein a standby position of the aligning member is at a position more inward than the outermost position in the widthwise direction, within
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Ogata, Masayoshi Fukatsu, Junichi Sekiyama, Hiroharu Tsuji, Akihiro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8010036
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an apparatus main body that performs image forming processing to a recording sheet; a sheet receiving member provided on a top surface of the apparatus main body and provided with a sheet receiving surface; a sheet discharge port through which a recording sheet bearing thereon a formed image is discharged toward the sheet receiving surface; and a swinging mechanism that allows the sheet receiving member to swing. The swinging mechanism allows the sheet receiving member to swing for the sheet receiving surface to change a posture between a first state where the sheet receiving surface sinks on the sheet discharge port side and a second state where the sheet receiving surface on the sheet discharge port side is closer to horizontal than in the first state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Fuchimoto
  • Patent number: 7950652
    Abstract: A sheet discharge apparatus includes a discharge portion configured to discharge sheets, a wall member provided below the discharge portion, a tray configured to receive the discharged sheets from the discharge portion, and a holding member provided on the wall member to approach relatively the tray, holding the sheets between itself and the tray, and moving linearly by holding the sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasunobu Terao, Yoshiaki Sugizaki, Hiromasa Harashina
  • Patent number: 7874554
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for automated, continuous singling of loose sheet material, by the steps of feeding a stack of loose sheet material to be singled located on a first feeding element from a deposit position to a position in which the uppermost sheet of the stack can be grasped by the singling unit, sheet-by-sheet singling of the fed stack by the singling unit, the stack being fed by the feeding element such that the particular uppermost sheet of the stack can be grasped by the singling unit, feeding a further stack of loose sheet material to be fed located on a second feeding element from the deposit position to a position in which the uppermost sheet of the stack to be fed is located below the first feeding element, and uniting the stack to be singled and the fed stack by drawing the first feeding element out of the feeding path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Giesecke & Devrient GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Dopfer, Christian Casensky, Erwin Demmeler, Mario Mönch
  • Patent number: 7874558
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes an intermediate stacking portion which temporarily stacks, thereon, a sheet conveyed thereto; a discharge portion which discharges sheet stacked on the intermediate stacking portion; an aligning member which is provided downstream of the discharge portion in a sheet conveying direction and has a sheet holding surface capable of holding the lower surfaces of the sheet and a sheet aligning surface capable of abutting against end portions of the sheet in the widthwise direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction, the aligning member being movable in the widthwise direction; a first stacking portion which is provided below the aligning member and stacks, thereon, a sheet discharged from the discharge portion; and a second stacking portion which is provided above the aligning member and stacks, thereon, a sheet conveyed thereto; wherein a standby position of the aligning member is at a position more inward than the outermost position in the widthwise direction, within
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Ogata, Masayoshi Fukatsu, Junichi Sekiyama, Hiroharu Tsuji, Akihiro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7871070
    Abstract: A conveyor conveys sheets and deposits the sheets at a location to be stacked. The conveyor includes a sensor for determining the presence of a sheet before the sheet arrives at the location. A controller is coupled to the sensor and responsive to sensor inputs for controlling a movable support for projecting into a projected orientation to receive the sheets as the sheets exit the conveyor. The movable support moves to a retracted orientation to assist a stack to be withdrawn therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Padana AG
    Inventors: Arlington D. Ruff, Clifford A. Ruff, Jürgen F. Trost
  • Patent number: 7850166
    Abstract: In a sheet delivery/guide apparatus, a sheet released from a convey device and falling piles on a first pile device. A first blowing device is arranged above the first pile device and blows toward the first pile device. An air controller selectively performs switching between an air supply state and an air supply stop state of the first blowing device for the sheet. A guide member is supported movably and guides the sheet that passes the first pile device while being held by the convey device. A guide member switching unit switches the guide member between a guide position to enter a sheet falling path, extending from the convey device to the first pile device, to guide the sheet, and a retreat position to retreat from the sheet falling path. A controller controls the air controller and the guide member switching unit on the basis of a convey speed of the convey device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Komori Corporation
    Inventor: Shoichi Ichimura
  • Patent number: 7779982
    Abstract: A method and device for evaluating currency bills using a strapping unit that allows a currency evaluating device to automatically strap stacks of currency bills. Currency bills are placed in an input receptacle and an evaluating unit processes each currency bill one at a time. The currency bills are then transported to a plurality of output receptacles within a strapping unit. A stack moving mechanism transports a stack of currency bills, which contains a predetermined number of currency bills, from each of the plurality of output receptacles to the strapping unit or a strapping position. Each stack of currency bills is strapped using strapping material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: Robert B. Fitzgerald, Robert J. Klein, Mark B. Renz, Alan T. Lynch
  • Patent number: 7753368
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus comprises: an first stack portion which temporarily stacks a sheet thereon; a first stack portion which is disposed under the first stack portion and stacks thereon a sheet discharged from the first stack portion; a second stack portion which is disposed above the first stack portion and stacks a sheet thereon; a stack reference wall which serves as an abutment reference at an end of the sheet on the second stack portion; and an alignment reference wall which is disposed more upstream in the sheet conveyance direction than the stack reference wall and serves as an abutment reference at an end of the sheet on the first stack portion; wherein the second stack portion has such a length that an end of the sheet stacked on the first stack portion cannot project from the second stack portion, as viewed from above in a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Junichi Sekiyama, Masayoshi Fukatsu, Atsushi Ogata, Hiroharu Tsuji
  • Patent number: 7748704
    Abstract: A post-processing apparatus has a standby tray to receive a paper sheet to be supplied from a digital copier, a processing tray to receive a paper sheet dropped from a standby tray, a feed member which guides the rear end of a paper sheet received in a standby tray in the feeding direction to a processing tray, and scrapes and sends the rear end of a paper sheet dropped onto a processing tray to a stopper, a press member which clamps the rear end of a paper sheet received in a standby tray by cooperating with two feed members, and a stapler to staple the aligned rear ends of paper sheets. When a first paper sheet is supplied to the standby tray, the press member presses the rear end of the first paper sheet, to receive a second paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasunobu Terao, Mikio Yamamoto, Yoshiaki Sugizaki, Hajime Yamamoto, Hiroyuki Taki
  • Patent number: 7748706
    Abstract: An image-forming device includes an extension tray and an engaging unit. The cover member is capable of opening and closing thereon. The extension tray is rotatably attached to an upper part of the cover member. The engaging unit engages the cover member with the main casing when the cover member is closed. The engaging unit includes an engagement part, an engaging part, and an operating part. The operating part disengages the engaging part from the engagement part when operated. The operating part is capable of being operated when the extension tray is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Ishii
  • Patent number: 7717419
    Abstract: A sheet stacking device includes a support frame, a conveyor and an accumulator at a discharge end of the conveyor, the accumulator having a plurality of elongate fingers, at least one of which includes a rack having teeth along a first side, a rotatable drive shaft extending in a width direction of the conveyor, a gear having teeth mounted on the drive shaft and operatively engaging the rack teeth, and a rotary actuator operably connected to the drive shaft, the rotary actuator rotating said drive shaft in a first and second directions to move an end of the elongate fingers toward and away from the conveyor discharge end of the conveyor. Also a method of operating the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: A. G. Stacker Inc.
    Inventors: Clarence Allen, Jr., Michael Lippy, Sharon L. Myers
  • Patent number: 7651089
    Abstract: A method and a device is provided for forming stacks of flat elements in a stacking region, the flat elements being guided to the stacking region substantially continuously. The flat elements are stacked on a main stack carrier. Upon achieving a finished stack of a predetermined number of flat elements stacked on the main stack carrier, an auxiliary stack carrier is inserted into the stacking region above the finished stack. Subsequent flat elements are then stacked on the auxiliary stack carrier. The finished stack is then removed from the main stack carrier and, subsequently, the main stack carrier is moved below the auxiliary stack carrier. The auxiliary stack carrier is then withdrawn from the stacking region, transferring the subsequent flat elements on the main stack. During or after this withdrawal process, at least an upper portion of the main stack carrier is moved substantially opposite the direction of withdrawal of the auxiliary stack carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: E.C.H. Will GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Höpner, Holger Kröger, Jochem Meyer
  • Patent number: 7624983
    Abstract: A spiral slot stacker (1) has a stacker wheel (4) for accommodating sheet material (6, 7, 8), a stripper (2) for stripping off the accommodated sheet material (6, 7, 8) and a stack deposit (9) for stacking the stripped-off sheet material (6, 7, 8). The stacker (2) is movable and in a first position strips off the sheet material (6, 7, 8) from the stacker wheel (4) in such a manner that it is intermediately stacked between the stacker wheel circumference and a guideway (3). When the stripper (2) is moved to a second position, it stacks the intermediately stacked sheet material (7) on the stack deposit (9), and subsequent sheet material (6, 7, 8) is directly stacked on the stack deposit without intermediate stacking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Giesecke & Devrient GmbH
    Inventor: August Häusler
  • Patent number: 7530566
    Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus includes driving rollers that are arranged in a leading end position in a sheet conveying direction of a standby tray and axis of which are perpendicular to the conveying direction and driven rollers that rotate following the driving rollers and are provided in a front portion in the sheet conveying direction of the standby tray such that an interval thereof narrows in the sheet conveying direction. The driven rollers may be arranged in the front in the sheet conveying direction of the standby tray while being spaced apart from the standby tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasunobu Terao, Tomomi Iijima, Mikio Yamamoto, Takahiro Kawaguchi, Hiroyuki Taki
  • Patent number: 7524121
    Abstract: A printer includes a front panel having an approximately flat main surface which serves as one of the surfaces of the external housing of the printer, a feed-tray attachment hole for detachably attaching a feed tray which stores a paper sheet to the main body of the printer, and an output hole for outputting the paper sheet after an image is printed, and an output door which is attached to the external panel to cover the output hole such that the output door can be opened and closed, the output door being opened when the printed sheet is output through the output hole. The output door serves as an auxiliary output tray while the output door is open and the printed paper which is output through the output hole is placed on the top surface of the output door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takumi Namekawa, Yoshio Kitamura, Hidaka Shinobu
  • Patent number: 7484722
    Abstract: An image-forming device includes an extension tray and an engaging unit. The cover member is capable of opening and closing thereon. The extension tray is rotatably attached to an upper part of the cover member. The engaging unit engages the cover member with the main casing when the cover member is closed. The engaging unit includes an engagement part, an engaging part, and an operating part. The operating part disengages the engaging part from the engagement part when operated. The operating part is capable of being operated when the extension tray is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Ishii
  • Patent number: 7465110
    Abstract: A printer includes a front panel having an approximately flat main surface which serves as one of the surfaces of the external housing of the printer, a feed-tray attachment hole for detachably attaching a feed tray which stores a paper sheet to the main body of the printer, and an output hole for outputting the paper sheet after an image is printed, and an output door which is attached to the external panel to cover the output hole such that the output door can be opened and closed, the output door being opened when the printed sheet is output through the output hole. The output door serves as an auxiliary output tray while the output door is open and the printed paper which is output through the output hole is placed on the top surface of the output door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takumi Namekawa, Yoshio Kitamura, Hidaka Shinobu
  • Publication number: 20080217843
    Abstract: A plasterboard wedge has an acute edge that is sufficiently thin to be inserted between the edges of consecutive plasterboard sheets arranged in a stack. The wedge is then pressed into the stack to form a gap on both lateral sides of the wedge into which the forks of a fork-lift can be inserted. The fork-lift can then lift the desired number of plasterboard sheets off the stack onto a vehicle. A tip of one of the fork-lift forks is used to press the wedge into the stack, and is located in a horizontal groove in the blunt face to prevent relative vertical slipping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventor: Robert David Pickard
  • Patent number: 7401775
    Abstract: In an apparatus for aligning sheets that are deposited on a sheet stack, there are sheet leading edge stops disposed so as to be vertically displaceable by a common leading edge shaft. An auxiliary stack carrier that is to be introduced into the stack region for nonstop operation causes the leading edge shaft or leading edge stops to be raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Roland Hirth, Rainer Klenk
  • Patent number: 7364398
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for moving stacks of product discharged from a stacking device. The apparatus includes a first conveyor movable at a first speed and a second conveyor movable at a second speed. The first conveyor includes an upstream end adjacent to the stacking device. The first conveyor is positioned to receive product from the stacking device. The second conveyor includes an upstream end adjacent to the stacking device. The second conveyor is positioned to receive product from the stacking device. The running speed of the first conveyor is faster than the running speed of the second conveyor to move stacks of product on the first conveyor away from the stacking device at a faster speed than stacks of product on the second conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: C.G. Bretting Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Michler, Jeffrey A. Gendron, Dennis P. Couturier
  • Patent number: 7354039
    Abstract: An apparatus for picking up an auxiliary pile during a renewal of a main sheet pile when feeding sheets to a printing machine. The apparatus has loadbearing elements arranged on a holder for the auxiliary pile, and a positioning device for the loadbearing elements under the auxiliary pile. The loadbearing elements are flexible with respect to positioning forces acting from outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Michael Bantlin, Wolfgang Dolz
  • Patent number: 7185886
    Abstract: A sheet delivery device for a sheet-fed press which is arranged to avoid the crushing of sheets, comprises a shutter device having a shutter bar unit that is movable between an operation position and a stand-by position. In the operation position the shutter bar unit is arranged to provisionally receive the printed sheets conveyed from the sheet conveyor. This sheet delivery device also comprises a sheet separating device having an operation position and a stand-by position and includes a belt-like blade. In the operation position the belt-like blade is arranged over an entire width of the stacked sheets and above an end portion of the stacked sheets from which the shutter bar unit enters the operation position. Thus, when in the operation position, the sheet separating device is arranged to create a separation into which the shutter bar unit is to be inserted, and to subsequently receive the printed sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenyu Tamura
  • Patent number: 6988721
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for stacking of sheets. A high-speed printer is provided for printing the sheets or at least one continuous web which is cut to sheets (2). The stacking device is provided to receive sheets in at least one flow (AS1 and/or AS2) thereof to said stacking device and to transfer said sheets (2) in the flow (AS1 and/or AS2) thereof to at least one first stacking table (11b) in order to form thereon at least one stack (2A and/or 2B) of sheets (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Stralfors AB
    Inventor: Leif Ingelsten
  • Patent number: 6978996
    Abstract: A machine for processing flat printing material, in particular a sheet processing rotary printing press, includes at least one processing station in the form of a printing unit, a feeder for loading the processing station with sheets of the printing material, a delivery for combining the processed sheets into piles, and an auxiliary pile carrier displaceable in an insertion direction from a standby position into an operational position and vice versa. Supporting members follow one another in the insertion direction and axially parallel swivel joints articulatingly connect the supporting members directly to one another. The supporting members have extensions projecting beyond the swivel joints thereof. One of the extensions directed counter to the insertion direction of a respective one of the supporting members engages underneath one of the extensions directed in the insertion direction of the respective supporting member after the next which trails in the insertion direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Peter Strauss, Michael Bantlin, Wolfgang Dolz