Abstract: A paper treating unit includes: a paper loading table for loading paper; a first paper aligning member that regulates position of the paper by sliding back and forth in the paper proceeding direction; a second paper aligning member disposed upstream of the first paper aligning member in the paper proceeding direction to regulate the position of the paper in the paper proceeding direction; a third paper aligning member disposed along the paper proceeding direction to regulate the position of the paper in a width direction perpendicular to the paper proceeding direction by sliding back and forth in the direction perpendicular to the paper proceeding direction; and a position detecting unit that detects the position of the first to third paper aligning members. The first and third paper aligning members are disposed independently of the paper loading table.

Abstract: In order to reduce the stack failure of a sheet bundle, there is provided a sheet stacking/aligning apparatus comprising: a stack tray for stacking sheets thereon; and a rear end aligning member for pushing and aligning the rear end of a sheet conveyed onto the stack tray. The rear end aligning member includes sheet holding paddle for holding the sheets stacked on the stack tray.

Abstract: The sheet stacking-aligning apparatus or the sheet processing apparatus includes a substantially horizontal stacking tray, a rear end aligning unit for aligning a rear end of a sheet bundle on the stacking tray, and a control unit for controlling an operation of the rear end aligning unit for aligning the sheet bundle when it is in an upstream position of the stacking tray, and the stacking tray is provided substantially horizontally. It is thus made possible to increase the stacking space, thereby increasing the number of stackable sheets and to achieve the alignment of the rear end of the sheet bundle with a simple configuration, thereby improving the stacking-aligning property of the sheet bundle on the stacking tray.

Abstract: A sheet processing device has a sheet conveying section for conveying sheets to a sheet processing section. The sheet conveying section has a sheet standby unit including a stacking device for stacking a predetermined number of sheets in a linear state, and a bundle conveying device for conveying the sheet bundle stacked in a linear state, whereby the predetermined number of sheets are conveyed to the sheet processing section after having been stacked in a linear state.

Abstract: A sheet-shaped medium processing apparatus including a pair of arranging members. The arranging members have both an arranging function for arranging paper piled on a tray after being discharged in a discharge direction from a paper discharge roller at a fixed position, and a sorting/arranging function for arranging the papers grouped together at a different position in a direction perpendicular to the discharge direction for grouping together a predetermined number of papers. The apparatus arranges and sorts using low drive power and arranges the paper with high precision regardless of the amount of paper on the tray.

Abstract: Multiple sheet set compiling in a compiler of the seriatim output of printed sheets from a printer with a sheet entry position and a lateral sheet tamping system for laterally tamping the sheets being stacked in the compiler, in which the accumulated stack height of the sheets being compiled is estimated, and in response thereto the height of the top of the lateral sheet tamping system is raised to be maintained above the top of that rising (thicker) stack in the compiler, and lowered for the initial sheets stacking, and the compiler sheet entry position is also automatically raised in proportion to the increasing height of the stack of sheets being compiled in the compiler.

Abstract: A sheet-shaped medium aligning apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and a sheet-shaped medium after-treatment apparatus where an arranging device is moved from a position predetermined to arrange sheet-shaped mediums on a sheet piling device to a position receiving the sheet-shaped mediums in a body so that, in taking out the sheet-shaped mediums from the body, an injury of hands or destruction of the arranging device can be prevented.

Abstract: A stapler processing apparatus includes a paper jogging tray 6 for a collated sheet 3, a paper jogging unit 7 for jogging the collated sheet 3 by pressing it on the tray 6 by a presser jogging member 13, a stapler 8 for stapling the collated sheet 3 jogged by the paper jogging unit 7 and a paper discharging unit 9 for discharging the collated sheet 3 stapled by the stapler 6 from the tray 6. In operation, when the stapler 8 staples the collated sheet 3, it is forced to the tray 6 while making an upper driven roller 30b in close contact with a lower drive roller 30a. After stapling by the stapler 8, the paper jogging operation of the paper jogging unit 7 is stopped and the upper driven roller 30b is separated from the lower drive roller 30a to release the collated sheet 3 from it nipped state once. Subsequently, the upper driven roller 30b is brought into close contact with the lower drive roller 30a again and the discharge operation is started.

Abstract: A sheet finishing apparatus has a stacking tray for stacking sheets formed with indicia; a processing tray on the stacking tray for receiving sheets; a movable aligning plate on the processing tray that moves traverse to the direction of discharge of the sheets; with a plurality of aligning operations. The first aligning operation has a distance of L1 from the aligning position of the movable aligning plate to the first aligning operation starting position. The last aligning operation is a distance of L2 from the aligning position of the movable aligning plate to the final aligning operation starting position. L1>L2 for the last sheet of a plurality of sheets in a set. A first and second aligning operation are performed on each of a set of sheets. The distance from the aligning position in the second aligning operation to the aligning start position is L1, wherein L1>L2>L3.

Abstract: A rotational cable shortening system for shortening the effective length of a cable by bending a section of the cable. The shortening system comprises a rotatable bridged channel through which the cable is threaded. Upon rotation of the bridged channel, the cable is deflected and effectively shortened.

Abstract: A device stacks sheet-shaped materials (1, 1′) on a sheet stack with at least one deflecting element (82, 82′), mounted above the sheet stack and in the area of the leading edges (6, 6′) of the stacked sheet-shaped materials (1, 1′) so that it can rotate, and exhibiting at least one deflecting fin (83, 83′), whereby deflecting element (82, 82′) is driven and mounted so that it can rotate, whereby one deflecting fin (83, 83′) is in contact with the topmost sheet-shaped material (1) of the sheet stack that has already been stacked so that the leading edge (6′) of the next sheet-shaped material (1) to be stacked is deflected until the deflecting element (82, 82′), after stacking this next sheet-shaped material (1′), rotates far enough that a deflecting fin (83, 83′) is in contact with this sheet-shaped material (1′) that is now lying topmost.

Abstract: A sheet treating apparatus includes a stacking tray, a delivery rotary member, an endless belt member, and a traction device. The stacking tray has a stacking surface for receiving and stacking sheets thereon and a stopper portion for regulating the end portions of the sheets. The delivery rotary member delivers the sheets to the stacking tray. The endless belt member contacts with and acts on the upper surface of the sheets on the stacking tray, and feeds the delivered sheet so as to pull the end portion thereof into the stopper portion. The traction device pulls a portion of the endless belt member in a predetermined direction. During sheet feeding caused by the endless belt member, the traction device is operated in conformity with the height of the sheets stacked on the stacking tray to thereby control the contact pressure of the endless belt member against the sheets stacked on the stacking tray so as to become substantially constant.

Abstract: A sheet finisher of the present invention includes jogger fences for jogging sheets sequentially stacked in a stapling section, and a stapler for stapling the sheets together. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) controls a jogger motor such that the jogger fences each move to a first position, a second position, and a third position in accordance with the width of sheets in a direction perpendicular to the direction of sheet conveyance. The first position is remote from the edge of a sheet stack in the direction of the width by a preselected amount. The second position is closer to the edge than the first position by a preselected amount and slightly overlaps the edge. At the third position, when the stapler staples the sheet stack, the jogger fence substantially contacts the edge in accordance with the width.

Abstract: An apparatus for centering preferably flat objects, in particular, printing plates, includes a centering device with portion that can be moved, in particular, can be driven, in opposite directions with respect to one another. The portions are coupled to one another for movement such that, during the centering operation, they move jointly and uniformly toward an axis of symmetry, which, at the same time, is the centering axis for the object that is to be centered. The centering operation results in reliable alignment of the object, following which it is basically unnecessary to check the position of the object.

Abstract: A method and system for aligning a moving stack of sheets. A pair of cams, positioned on opposite sides of the moving stack, rotate synchronously to each other but in opposite directions. When the stack approaches the cams, the distance between the outer surfaces of the cams is wider to the stack width to receive the stack. As the stack moves forward further, the distance between the cam surfaces is reduced so as to allow the cam surfaces push the sheets toward a center line until the distance between the cam surfaces is substantially equal to the width of the sheets. In a sheet collator where sheets are moved by a plurality of finger pairs which are linked to a moving chain, the cam can also be linked to the moving chain so that their rotation is synchronous to motion of the stacks.

Abstract: A sheet discharge apparatus includes a sheet storage tray for receiving a sheet; a discharge device for discharging the sheet transported from a processing apparatus to the sheet storage tray; a reference member for aligning an edge of the sheet on the sheet storage tray; a transport device for transporting the discharge device between a first position for the discharge device to discharge the sheet to the sheet storage tray and a second position for the discharge device to align the sheet discharged on the tray against the reference member; and a control device for controlling an operation of the discharge device.

Abstract: A jogger for a signature feeder includes a back stop disposed at a first side of a hopper of the feeder and a flexible jogging element disposed at a second side of the hopper opposite the first side. As a stack of signatures is formed in the hopper, the flexible jogging element is oscillated in a lateral direction so as to periodically bend the flexible jogging element against the stack of the signatures and form a pushing zone and a vibrating zone in the hopper. The vibrating zone is below the pushing zone, and the vertical lengths of the pushing and vibrating zones are a function of the height of the stack of signatures. The signatures in the pushing zone are urged against the back stop by the flexible jogging element so as to register the signatures as the stack is formed, and the signatures in the vibrating zone are vibrated by the flexible jogging element so as to improve the registration of the signatures in the stack.

Abstract: A method and system for aligning a moving stack of sheets. A pair of cams, positioned on opposite sides of the moving stack, rotate synchronously to each other but in opposite directions. When the stack approaches the cams, the distance between the outer surfaces of the cams is wider to the stack width to receive the stack. As the stack moves forward further, the distance between the cam surfaces is reduced so as to allow the cam surfaces push the sheets toward a center line until the distance between the cam surfaces is substantially equal to the width of the sheets. In a sheet collator where sheets are moved by a plurality of finger pairs which are linked to a moving chain, the cam can also be linked to the moving chain so that their rotation is synchronous to motion of the stacks.

Abstract: A sheet finishing apparatus including a sheet tray, a pair of jogging fences, and a case. The sheet tray stacks a plurality of sheets that have been sent from an image forming apparatus. The pair of jogging fences hold the sheets stacked in the sheet tray and jog the sheets in a transverse direction relative to a sheet transferring direction. The jogging fences are moved toward and away from each other. The case encloses the apparatus and includes a plate covering the sheet tray from an operator accessible side. The plate has an opening. When the pair of jogging fences is expanded to outward limits, one of the pair of jogging fences at the operator accessible side is passed by the plate through the opening and located at an outside position relative to the plate.

Abstract: A shingling nip roll is added between an infeed conveyor and a reciprocating table. The nip roll slows the speed of the sheets thereby reducing bruising and buckling as sheets are ejected to the table. Further, the trailing end of a dropped sheet is overlapped by a leading end of the next upstream sheet which assists in maintaining control of the dropped sheet as it drops onto the reciprocating table.

Abstract: A sheet finisher of the present invention includes jogger fences for jogging sheets sequentially stacked in a stapling section, and a stapler for stapling the sheets together. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) controls a jogger motor such that the jogger fences each move to a first position, a second position, and a third position in accordance with the width of sheets in a direction perpendicular to the direction of sheet conveyance. The first position is remote from the edge of a sheet stack in the direction of the width by a preselected amount. The second position is closer to the edge than the first position by a preselected amount and slightly overlaps the edge. At the third position, when the stapler staples the sheet stack, the jogger fence substantially contacts the edge in accordance with the width.

Abstract: A jogger for a signature feeder includes a back stop disposed at a first side of a hopper of the feeder and a flexible jogging element disposed at a second side of the hopper opposite the first side. As a stack of signatures is formed in the hopper, the flexible jogging element is oscillated in a lateral direction so as to periodically bend the flexible jogging element against the stack of the signatures and form a pushing zone and a vibrating zone in the hopper. The vibrating zone is below the pushing zone, and the vertical lengths of the pushing and vibrating zones are a function of the height of the stack of signatures. The signatures in the pushing zone are urged against the back stop by the flexible jogging element so as to register the signatures as the stack is formed, and the signatures in the vibrating zone are vibrated by the flexible jogging element so as to improve the registration of the signatures in the stack.

Abstract: A sheet jogging device includes a compact housing having an inclined front face, and a rack resiliently mounted to said housing along said front face. Within the housing a drive spring is fixed at one end to the housing and connected at an opposite end to the rack. An electromagnet is mounted beneath the drive spring to exert an oscillating magnetic force on the drive spring to flex the drive spring about its base to reciprocate the rack along the inclined face of the housing.

Abstract: Sheets (57) exit printer (1) into finisher (3) through corrugation rollers (13a-13d, 15a, 15b, 15aa, 15bb) encounter actuator tab (9a) to thereby rotate actuator (9) upward. Bails (11a-b) are engaged by this and rotate upward. Each bail has a wing (11d, 11dd, 11e), which prevents curling. When the sheet is exited, gravity acting on the sheet and the actuator tab causes the sheet to drop. The bails also drop under gravity. The sheet is positioned to drop flat and near the exit, as intended for the finisher to form stacks of sheets.

Abstract: A sheet receiving apparatus includes a sheet placing surface inclined such that the sheet is placed toward an upstream side of an ejecting direction of a sheet ejecting device, a sheet pressing device for pressing the sheet toward the second sheet placing surface, a driving device connected to the sheet pressing device for retreating the sheet pressing device from the sheet placing surface every time the sheet is ejected and moving the sheet pressing device back to the sheet placing surface, and a sheet detecting device located at the upstream side of the ejecting device for detecting the sheet and actuating the driving device. The sheet can be properly stacked and placed on the sheet placing surface.

Abstract: A drop table is used for accumulating a desired number of sheets of items in a bundle and then dropping the bundle onto a conveyor belt. The drop table has a plurality of rods acting as a floor in a collection box. When the drop table receives a signal from a sheet feeder that the number of items desired is in the bundle the rods are withdrawn from beneath the collection box and the bundle drops to a conveyor belt. The rods are then moved back into position for receiving more sheets to form another bundle and the drop table signals the sheet feeding machine to send more sheets to the collection box. The collection box may have a vibrating jogger to align the sheets into a squared bundle on one axis and a tamping foot to align the sheets into a squared bundle on a second axis. The drop table can accumulate sheets in a squared bundle quickly without jamming and release the bundle onto a conveyor below the collection box.

Abstract: A binding apparatus includes a receiving device configured to receive a sheet from outside and convey the sheet, and a sheet folding device configured to fold the sheet, conveyed by the receiving device, in two at a center portion thereof in a direction the sheet is conveyed, so as to be a folded sheet, and convey the folded sheet with the folded portion thereof being a leading edge of the folded sheet. A jogging device includes a jogging table and is configured to receive and jog the folded sheet, conveyed by the sheet folding device, one after another, so as to be stacked into a stack of folded sheets on the jogging table. A binding device is configured to bind the stack of folded sheets stacked on the jogging table at an edge portion of the stack of folded sheets at the side where the folded portion of each folded sheet of the stack of folded sheets is located. A discharging device is configured to discharge the bound stack of folded sheets.

Abstract: A sheet finishing apparatus including a sheet tray, a pair of jogging fences, and a case. The sheet tray stacks a plurality of sheets that have been sent from an image forming apparatus. The pair of jogging fences hold the sheets stacked in the sheet tray and jog the sheets in a transverse direction relative to a sheet transferring direction. The jogging fences are moved toward and away from each other. The case encloses the apparatus and includes a plate covering the sheet tray from an operator accessible side. The plate has an opening. When the pair of jogging fences is expanded to outward limits, one of the pair of jogging fences at the operator accessible side is passed by the plate through the opening and located at an outside position relative to the plate.

Abstract: A sheet treating apparatus has a discharging device for discharging a sheet with an image formed thereon to a sheet stacking device, the stacking device having an abutment reference member disposed on the leading end side of the sheet stacking device and an urging member disposed on a sheet trailing end side of the sheet stacking device for urging the sheet discharged from the discharging device toward the abutment reference member.

Abstract: A sheet accommodating device including a sheet-laid tray including a processing tray and a carrying tray for laying a discharged sheet thereon, a first transporting device for moving the sheet laid on the sheet-laid tray toward an alignment reference position and a space of an aligning portion, a staple unit for stapling the aligned sheet, a second transporting device for moving the sheet(s) aligned at the alignment reference position selectively to first and second positions for sorting the sheets, a pushing member for pushing the sheet toward the processing tray for alignment, a guide member guiding a leading end of the sheet to the space of the aligning portion, a guide member moving device for moving the guide member from a sheet guide position to a sheet pushing position when the pushing member is escaped from the sheet, as well as a sheet processing system including a combination of the sheet accommodating device and an image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A sheet alignment device is provided with a movable aligning member and a variable push member, movable to push one or more sheets fed onto a tray toward a sheet aligning reference surface defined on the tray, thus to align the sheets. The sheets of large size are pushed at the point close to the center of gravity of the sheets toward the aligning reference surface mainly by the variable push member, and the sheets of small size are pushed at the point close to the center of gravity of the sheets toward the aligning reference surface mainly by the movable aligning member. The sheets of any size can be properly pushed stably without experiencing an undesirable rotational moment, thus to be exactly aligned.

Abstract: A battery powered paper jogger can be placed on a countertop for individual use. The paper jogger includes a power module for receiving DC power from a DC power source, and a vibration system for producing vibratory motion in response to the DC power. The paper jogger also includes a housing enclosing the power module and coupled to the vibration system such that the vibratory motion of the vibration system is transferred to the housing. A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a timer for generating a control signal upon expiration of a predetermined amount of time or upon manual termination, and a switching mechanism disposed between the DC power source and the vibration system. The switching mechanism disconnects the DC power source from the vibration system in response to the control signal.

Abstract: Sheet receiving apparatus is disclosed for receiving paper sheets from a supply of printed sheets, aligning the sheets edgewise, dropping the sheets to a receiver tray through horizontally openable preliminary sheet supporting plates, the sets of sheets being either stacked in vertical alignment or horizontally offset relationship, and in one form means are provided for stapling the sets of sheets.

Abstract: A sheet handling device includes an ejection device for ejecting sheets; a stack device for stacking thereon the sheets ejected by the ejection device and having a stopper portion for supporting the ends of the sheets; a rotatable feeding member shaped like an endless belt for making contact with the sheets stacked on the stack device to pull the sheets toward the stopper portion; an aligning device for aligning the sheets on the stack device by moving the sheets in the direction orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction; a shift device for moving the endless feeding member between the acting position to act on the surface of the sheets on the stack device and the retracted position to separate from the sheet surface or to reduce the force acting on the sheet surface; and a control device for exerting control so that the endless feeding member is retracted to the retracted position during the aligning operation by the aligning device.

Abstract: A tamping mechanism for tamping the edge of sheets in a stack including a tamping assembly having a tamping blade. The tamping blade is positioned adjacent an edge of a stack of sheets and is moved toward and away from the edge. Magnets are provided to move the tamping blade toward and away from the edge. The tamping blade has one magnet and another magnet is movable into and out of magnetic interaction of the said first magnet. The second magnet is in a wheel adjacent tamping blade. The wheel has a plurality of magnets and is rotated so that the magnets in the wheel are moved into and out of magnetic interaction with the magnet in the tamping blade.

Abstract: A sheet handling apparatus which stores sheets ejected from an image forming apparatus in a bin, staples the sheets if necessary, takes the stapled or unstapled set of sheets out of the bin and transports the set of sheets up to a large-capacity tray nipping the set of sheets between rollers of a conveying gate to deliver the set of sheets onto the tray. While the conveyer gate is transporting the set of sheets upward, the set of sheets hangs down from the nipped portion, and the hanging-down portion is guided by a guide plate. A limit is set to the number of stapled sets of sheets which can be stacked on the large-capacity tray, and transportation of stapled sets of sheets to the tray by the conveyer gate over the limit is canceled. When a set of sheets is delivered onto the tray, pressing sticks press sets of sheets which have been stacked on the tray.

Abstract: A sheet registration apparatus for registering sheets all at one time by regulating them at a reference position on the side of the sheet transport direction and on the side perpendicular to the sheet transport side. The sheet registration apparatus comprises: a regulation plate for regulating the side of the sheets perpendicular to the discharge direction (or transport direction) thereof with respect to sort bins for receiving the sheets which have been imaged by an image forming apparatus; and a reference wall for regulating the side of the sheets in the transport direction. On the other hand, a registration rod, as extended through inclined openings formed in the sort bins, are moved toward the regulation plate and turned to the direction to feed the sheets toward the reference wall, so that the sheets are registered while being regulated by the regulation plate and the reference wall in accordance with the movement for the registration of the registration rod.

Abstract: A sheet handling device for accommodating, aligning and storing sheets fed from an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine is provided with front-side and rear-side aligning members for pressing the sheets stacked on a first storage means between the aligning members to stably and exactly align the stacked sheets. The front side aligning member is movable vertically or rotatable to open a sheet transferring passage so as to enable a sheet aligning mechanism in the sheet handling device to be operated in a small space, and thus, made compact. While transferring the aligned sheets from the first storage means to a second storage means, the aligned sheets are stably held by the front-side aligning member being in soft contact with the upper surface of the sheets being transferred.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a staple tray that stacks a sheet discharged from an image forming apparatus, a rear end fence that vertically aligns the sheet stacked on the staple tray by hitting a tail end of the sheet in a conveying direction against the rear end fence, and a stapling device that executes a stapling operation at an end of a bundle of the sheets. A limiting member is movable in a direction of a thickness of the bundle of sheets stacked on the staple tray, in which a distance between the limiting member and a sheet stacking face of the staple tray guiding the sheet to the rear end fence is variable.

Abstract: A sheet aligning apparatus for a copying machine having a loading unit capable of loading a plurality of stacked sheets. A comparing unit determines and compares respective sizes of at least two sheets partially stacked and loaded on the loading unit. An alignment unit carries out alignment when the width of a sheet of a first job is the same or smaller than a sheet of a second job and inhibits carrying out alignment when the width of a sheet of the first job is greater than a sheet of the second job. The apparatus further includes first and second discharge units for discharging a group of sheets from respective first and second jobs onto the load unit. A determination unit determines successiveness of the first and second jobs and, based on a result of the determination, a post-processing unit executes post-processing for the group of sheets of the first job upon completion of discharging the group of sheets of the second job.

Abstract: A finisher includes an additional-working tray and a leading edge stopper and trailing edge stopper for aligning folded and unfolded sheets fed into the additional-working tray. The leading edge stopper contacts a leading edge of each sheet when it is fed into the additional-working tray. The trailing edge stopper is movable relative to the additional-working tray in accordance with a sheet length. The trailing edge stopper is adapted to align one or more sheets received in the additional-working tray relative to a discharge direction.

Abstract: An imagesetting or platesetting system and method for transporting one or more sheets of media having varying stiffness and thickness includes the steps of: transporting the sheets through the system in a first direction (A); recording an image onto the sheets; and redirecting one or more of the sheets in a transverse direction (B) relative to the first direction (A). Preferably, this is accomplished using: a transport mechanism for transporting the sheets of media through the system in the first direction (A); an imager for recording the image onto the sheets; and a jogging mechanism for redirecting the sheets in the transverse direction (B). The jogging mechanism can be integrated or modular to the system. Moreover, the jogging mechanism can be used in both internal and external drum imagers.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or the like having a sorter with a plurality of paper ejection bins, there is provided a sorter apparatus which can efficiently execute a dividing and sorting operations for every work irrespective of a size and a direction of sheets, the presence or absence of a sheet stapler, a remaining state in the sheet sorter apparatus, or the like. A recycle automatic document feeder (RDF) for automatically feeding originals, a sorter, an aligning bar and a reference bar in a sorter bin, and the like are provided. When a length of sheet exceeds a predetermined value, the movement of the sheets by the reference bar is inhibited.

Abstract: There is disclosed a sheet distribution device in which by making various the modulus of elasticity of a stopper member and a sheet matching member, a stopper function at the time of discharging a sheet and a matching function at the time of matching the sheet are sufficiently fulfilled, respectively. The sheet discharge device is provided with a sheet position regulating member which abuts on a discharge tip end of a sheet 2 with an image formed thereon discharged from an image forming device 1 onto a distribution bin 4 to regulate a position of the sheet 2. The position regulating member is constituted of a stopper member 45 and a sheet matching member 40 which differ in modulus of elasticity from each other. At the time of discharging the sheet and at the time of matching the sheet, the stopper member 45 is moved relative to the sheet matching member 40 to advance or retreat in a sheet conveying direction.

Abstract: An improved simple and low cost tamping system for a printed sheets compiling system directly driven by partial rotation of a reversible stepper drive motor driving a single molded plastic tamper drive unit. That tamper drive unit integrally includes a rigid radially extending portion rotatably driven by the drive motor, an elongate flexible member portion driven from one end by the rigid rotatable portion, and a tamper at the opposite end of the elongate flexible member. The elongate flexible member is slidably mounted in a fixed guides system to smoothly transition from an initial arcuate configuration to a final linear configuration to convert reversing partial rotational movement of the stepper drive motor into the desired substantially linear reciprocal sheet edge tamping movement of the tamper.

Abstract: An improved device for edging flat products is provided having a plurality of spaced apart generally upstanding fingers, the fingers being forwardly translatable with a group of flat products between them. Each of the fingers is rockable back and forth across a vertical centerline as the fingers are forwardly translated to jostle the flat products, thereby to align the bottom edges of the flat products.

Abstract: A machine and process is described for squaring sheets stacked in a bundle supported along a plane. The bundle includes a leading bundle end, a trailing bundle end and opposed bundle sides. The machine includes a frame with a leading end stop mounted by a stop actuator mounting to position the leading end stop across the plane to engage the leading end of the bundle. A trailing end tamper is mounted to a trailing end actuator on the frame for movement to engage and urge the bundle against the leading end stop and align the sheets along the leading and trailing ends of the bundle. A pair of side plates are mounted by a side plate actuator assembly for movement to (a) engage and align sheets along the bundle sides and (b) position the bundle at a prescribed position on the plane.

Abstract: A sheet accommodating apparatus includes sheet accommodating means for accommodating one by one sheets fed thereto; aligning means for aligning the sheets; sheet interval detecting means for detecting interval time or distance between adjacent sheets; and control means for preventing the aligning means from operating when an output of the sheet interval detecting means indicates that sheet interval time or distance is shorter than time required for the aligning means to align the sheets or the distance through which the sheets moves in the time required for the aligning means to align the sheets.

Abstract: In a sheet ejection and stacking system, such as for a document handler output, in which an upper sheet feeding and ejection unit with a sheet ejection path is repositionable between an open and a closed position relative to a lower sheet stacking unit which is providing a sheet stacking tray for the ejected sheets, here a platen cover unit. The sheet stacking tray has an automatically adjusting sheet stacking registration edge wall defining system which is automatically maintained closely adjacent to the sheet ejection position of the upper unit. This system is defined by upstanding stack retaining wall members movably mounted to the sheet stacking tray and a plurality of aligning post members integral the upper unit which automatically engage and move the stack retaining members into alignment with the upper unit, into a proper sheet receiving position therewith, when the upper unit is closed.

Abstract: A collecting station (1) has a first (3) and a second lateral side guide (4) which are movable transversely to the direction of transport (A). The first side guide (3) has a rigid alignment surface (3a) with a convex, arcuate surface and, for the alignment of a deposited sheet, is moved at a first, high speed to an intermediate position and from there at a second, lower speed to the alignment end position. The second side guide (4) is provided with flexible bristles (5) which compensate for sheet tolerances and which are inclined downwards at an angle of 45.degree.. When the first side guide (3) comes to a standstill, the second side guide (4) is moved at a high speed to the alignment end position, then at a high speed back to an intermediate position in which contact with the sheets is no longer established, and thereafter at a lower speed back again to the alignment end position. For the return of the side guides (3 or 4), firstly the second side guide (4) and then the first side guide (3) are moved.