Members Adjustable To Sheet Size Patents (Class 271/223)
  • Patent number: 11866276
    Abstract: A medium conveying apparatus includes a main body, a placement board that is movably supported by the main body, an extension member that is movably supported by the placement board, a lever that is movably supported by the placement board, and a mechanism that moves the extension member to a contraction position when the lever is located at a protrusion position, and moves the extension member to an expansion position when the lever is located at a pushed position, wherein the lever is away from an abutting portion fixed to the main body when the placement board is located between a storage position and a midway position, and the lever comes into contact with the abutting portion and moves toward the pushed position when the placement board is located between a unfolding position and the midway position and when the placement board moves toward the unfolding position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: PFU LIMITED
    Inventor: Eiki Yamada
  • Patent number: 11827480
    Abstract: An automatic document feeder includes a media path to route media through the automatic document feeder, and an automated media tray to receive the media from the media path, with the automated media tray to be positioned based on input of the media to the media path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Rene O. Valenzuela-Rivas, Ryan M. Smith, Ki Jung Han, Michael V. Leman
  • Patent number: 11753267
    Abstract: Examples of alignment fins for output trays of media dispensing devices are disclosed. In an example, an alignment fin is coupled to a support surface of an output tray of a media dispensing device. The alignment fin is to transition between a first position wherein the alignment fin is disposed below the support surface, and a second position wherein the alignment fin is exposed through an aperture in the support surface. When the alignment fin is in the second position, the alignment fin is to align the media dispensed from the dispensing device into a stack on the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Rene Octavio Valenzuela-Rivas, Ryan M. Smith
  • Patent number: 11736639
    Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a sheet placement table, a sheet discharge table, a conveyance mechanism, raising/lowering mechanism, and a raising/lowering control portion. The sheet discharge table is located below the sheet placement table. The conveyance mechanism conveys a sheet placed on the sheet placement table onto the sheet discharge table via an execution position at which image processing is executed by an image processing portion. The raising/lowering mechanism raises and lowers the sheet placement table. The raising/lowering control portion controls the raising/lowering mechanism to raise and lower the sheet placement table to a target position that is determined in accordance with a size of the sheet on the sheet discharge table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Ryo Kawaoka, Tadaharu Kusumi
  • Patent number: 11708233
    Abstract: A sheet stop mechanism includes a sheet stopper and a support mechanism. The sheet stopper is formed on a sheet stacking surface. The support mechanism supports the sheet stopper to be rotatable between a stored state and a standing state, wherein in the stored state, the sheet stopper is stored in the sheet stacking surface, and in the standing state, the sheet stopper stands from the sheet stacking surface diagonally upward toward a downstream in the sheet discharge direction. When the sheet stopper is in the standing state, the support mechanism supports the sheet stopper in such a manner that an angle formed between the sheet stopper and the sheet stacking surface becomes small as sheets stacked on the sheet stacking surface increase in number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Takeshi Yoshida, Takeshi Iketani
  • Patent number: 11661300
    Abstract: A medium transporting apparatus includes a mounting portion configured to mount a medium, and a pressing portion configured to switch between a first state for pressing the medium against the mounting portion and a second state for releasing the medium. The pressing portion takes the first state in waiting for the medium to the mounting portion, switches to the second state in response to the sent medium and returns to the first state after the medium is sent to the mounting portion. When the last medium is mounted on the mounting portion, a timing at which the pressing portion returns to the first state from the second state is delayed with respect to the timing of the return therebefore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Mizushima, Kazuyoshi Ohashi, Akinori Muromachi, Kohei Ueno
  • Patent number: 11648787
    Abstract: A supply device configured to supply a medium to a processing unit configured to perform processing on the medium, the supply device including an accommodating unit configured to accommodate a plurality of the media in a state of being stacked therein and a vibration imparting unit configured to contact ends of the plurality of media accommodated in the accommodating unit to impart vibration to the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mami Hashizume, Hidetoshi Kodama, Tetsuji Takeishi, Toru Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 11572244
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first supporting member supporting a long sheet, a feeding unit for feeding the long sheet supported by the first supporting member with respect to a feeding direction and a second supporting member, rotatable about a rotational shaft, for supporting the long sheet with the first supporting member. In a state in which the sheet is bent so that a first portion of the long sheet is supported by the first supporting member and a second portion which is a more rear side than the first portion is positioned above the first portion, the second supporting member is movable between a first position where the second supporting member supports the second portion of the sheet and a second position where the center of gravity of the second supporting member is positioned downstream of a rotational center with respect to the feeding direction and the second supporting member maintains an attitude thereof by its own weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keitaro Taoka, Hiroyuki Nakagawa, Isao Kannari, Hiroshi Saito, Hajime Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 11465870
    Abstract: A printer extension kit that modifies a printer to receive and output longer pieces of paper. The printer extension kit includes an input extension part, an output extension part, and an output extension clip. The paper tray of a printer is extended by the input extension part allowing the printer to hold longer pieces of paper. The input extension part is attached to the paper tray of a printer. The output extension part allows a printer to output longer pieces of paper. In more detail, the output extension part prevents longer pieces of paper from falling of the catch tray of a printer. The output extension part is attached into the catch tray of a printer. The output extension clip provides another means for a printer to output longer pieces of paper. In more detail, the output extension clip is attached along the output paper catch of a printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Inventor: John Latsko
  • Patent number: 11358176
    Abstract: In order to detect a correct sorting and a correct passing of an object through an assigned opening of a plurality of openings, a sorting detection system for detecting a passage of the object through the opening of the plurality of openings is provided. Each opening is assigned to a container. The containers receive the object; at least a first sensor identifies the object and generates an identification signal. A control unit receives the identification signal of the first sensor and assigns the identified object to a container based on the identification signal. At least one second sensor having a field of view directed towards the openings and includes at least one detection surface. The detection surface is located within the respective container at a predetermined distance from an edge of a respective opening, and an object passing the detection surface triggers a detection signal of the second sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: SICK AG
    Inventor: Robert Schröder
  • Patent number: 11316994
    Abstract: A sheet discharging apparatus includes a discharge unit and a stacking portion. The stacking portion includes a first supporting portion including a first part and a second part provided with an interval therebetween in a width direction of the sheets, and configured to support a first sheet having a width larger than the interval between the first part and the second part, and a second supporting portion provided at a position between the first part and the second part in the width direction and below the first supporting portion in a gravity direction, and configured to support a second sheet having a width smaller than the interval. The second supporting portion includes a recess portion where the second supporting portion is recessed in the gravity direction to be lower than a height at which the second supporting portion comes into contact with a lower surface of the second sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Akira Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 11267665
    Abstract: A medium feed device includes edge guides provided at a medium placement part including a placement surface on which a medium is placed and including guide surfaces that guide edges in a direction intersecting with a feed direction of the medium; and a restriction part configured to take a position between the edge guides such that a position of the restriction part in a direction normal to the placement surface is a position at which the restriction part suppresses a lift of the medium from the placement surface and a position at which the restriction part suppresses separation of the edges of the medium from the guide surfaces. The position of the restriction part at which the restriction part suppresses the lift is located on a placement surface side with respect to an intermediate position between upper ends of the guide surfaces and the placement surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Anami
  • Patent number: 11208278
    Abstract: A sheet feed device includes a sheet storage portion, a first regulation portion, a feed portion, and a second regulation portion. The sheet storage portion is attached to an apparatus main body in a detachable manner. A sheet is stored in the sheet storage portion. The first regulation portion stands on a bottom surface of the sheet storage portion and regulates a position of the sheet in a predetermined width direction by externally abutting on a first side of the sheet in the width direction. The feed portion is provided in the apparatus main body and feeds the sheet in a feed direction perpendicular to the width direction. The second regulation portion is provided in the apparatus main body and regulates a position of the sheet by externally abutting on the first side at a downstream of the first regulation portion in the feed direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Danh Chien Nguyen
  • Patent number: 10351378
    Abstract: An apparatus can control the movement of a substrate through a manufacturing process. The apparatus can transport the substrate in the machine direction of the manufacturing process and can control the movement of the substrate in the cross-machine direction as well as the z-direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen A. Marrano, Daniel M. Nussbaum, Scott C. Locy
  • Patent number: 10267845
    Abstract: A system for simultaneously burning in, testing and curing all the die on an uncut semiconductor wafer having top and bottom surfaces, the system having upper and lower platen assemblies with a flow section configured to receive and discharge a temperature-controlled, circulated liquid heat transfer medium to maintain the temperatures of the top and bottom surfaces of the uncut semiconductor wafer within desired limits during wafer burn-in and testing and a programmable CPU and service controller configurable to selectively energize, monitor, test, display and store a plurality of performance parameters for the electronic circuitry of each of the plurality of die of the uncut semiconductor wafer simultaneously throughout a desired burn-in and test period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Delta V Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Storey, William Robert Caldwell, Clint D. Wilson, Glenn Lee Prince, Stephen Kyle Collins, Michael S. Walker, Kerry F. Cage
  • Patent number: 9738480
    Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus includes a discharge tray having a support surface supporting a sheet discharged by a discharge unit of a conveyor. A first stopper is provided on the support surface. A movable member is provided on the support surface between the discharge unit and the first stopper. The first stopper is changeable between a first position at which the first stopper protrudes from the support surface and a second position at which the first stopper is stored in the discharge tray. The movable member is changeable between a third position at which the movable member protrudes from the support surface and a fourth position located nearer to the support surface than the third position. The first stopper is changed from the first position to the second position in conjunction with a change of the movable member from the third position to the fourth position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tetsuo Ito
  • Patent number: 9586772
    Abstract: A sheet feeder includes a tray configured to load a sheet to be fed thereon. The tray has a tray upper face and a pair of cursors. The tray upper face has a recessed portion, a guide plate and a feeding route. The recessed portion extends along the width direction on an upstream side from the pair of cursors in the feeding direction. The guide plate is configured to cover an upper side of the recessed portion. The feeding route is formed between the recessed portion and the guide plate and extending from an inlet port positioned on an upstream side to an outlet port positioned on a downstream side along the feeding direction. The sheet in a state of being passed through the feeding route is aligned with the pair of cursors on the tray upper face and then fed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Tanaka, Masuo Kawamoto
  • Patent number: 9429893
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an ejection tray including a support portion, a plurality of ejection rollers having a nip portion, and a tray cover having a first surface and a second surface and being configured to move between an extended position where the first surface faces upward and a covering position where the tray cover is supported by the support portion to cover an upper surface of the ejection tray and the second surface faces upward. When the tray cover is in the covering position, an upstream end portion of the second surface of the tray cover in a sheet ejection direction is disposed in a position closer to the nip portion than the upper surface of the ejection tray and lower than the nip portion such that a leading end of the recording sheet ejected from the nip portion passes on or over the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koyo Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9016687
    Abstract: There is disclosed a printer and a stacking system to receive and stack tags. The stacking system includes a tag stacker and a removable tag-receiving tray to facilitate transferring a stack of tags from the tag stacker to the place where the tags are to be used. A method of handling tags involves the provision of at least first and second removable trays wherein a first tray with a stack of tags can be replaced by an empty second tray so that the stacking of additional tags can recommence without waiting for the first tray to be emptied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Donald J. Ward, Pieter-Jan N. Nijs
  • Patent number: 9010754
    Abstract: A post-processing device includes: a stacking section that stacks a sheet; an output section that outputs the sheet stacked on the stacking section; a facing section that is arranged to face an end portion of the stacked sheet on an upstream side in an output direction; a movable support section that is provided to be movable from the stacking section toward a downstream side in the output direction of the stacked sheet, and when the stacked sheet is outputted from the stacking section, supports the stacked sheet with the stacking section; and a pressing section that is provided in the movable support section to face an end portion of the stacked sheet on the downstream side in the output direction, and presses the stacked sheet against the facing section with movement of the movable support section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masashi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8967616
    Abstract: A sheet ejection device includes a sheet tray on which ejected sheets are stacked, a pair of side fences for restricting positions of the ejected sheets along a lateral direction perpendicular to an ejection direction, and at least one rib is formed vertically on each inner side of the side fences. The ribs are configured to contact with side edges of each of the ejected sheets while the each of the ejected sheets falls down to the sheet tray to align the ejected sheet along the lateral direction. The ejected sheets are aligned adequately by the ribs. According to the sheet ejection device, superior sheet ejection performance can be brought without affected by its environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Riso Kagaku Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sugitani, Tomohiko Shimoda
  • Patent number: 8899580
    Abstract: Disclosed in the present invention is a sheet-type medium stacking and guiding device, also disclosed in the present invention are a control system and a method based on the same. The device comprises: a left limiting plate (14) and/or a right limiting plate (19), which locate at the outer end of a medium passage made up of a left and a right passage plate (301, 304); a driving mechanism (25), which is in transmission connection with the limiting plates and drives the limiting plates to move along the longitudinal direction of the medium. The system comprises a central control module (901), a detection module (902), a data processing module (903), an image acquisition module (904), a storage module (905) and an execution module (906).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: GRG Banking Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Heng Liu, Dong Tan, En Wu, Fa Ran
  • Patent number: 8882104
    Abstract: A medium receiving device includes: a medium holding member having a medium receiving surface that receives a part on the leading edge side in a discharge direction of a cut sheet; a medium edge restricting member including a restricting portion that restricts movement of the leading edge of the cut sheet to the discharge direction and a guidance portion that makes contact with the medium receiving surface so as to guide the leading edge from the medium receiving surface to the restricting portion; and a connecting bar that moves a plurality of medium edge restricting members together between a restricting position where the guidance portion makes contact with the medium receiving surface so as to guide the leading edge to the restricting portion and a non-restricting position where the guidance portion is separate from the medium receiving surface and does not guide the leading edge to the restricting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Naohiro Ueyama
  • Publication number: 20140319760
    Abstract: A medium storage cassette includes a medium storage portion that stores a medium; and a medium support tray that is provided in the medium storage portion such that the medium support tray can be displaced with respect to the medium storage portion in a slidable manner, the medium support tray being able to be set in a contained state that is a state in which the medium support tray is slid to an upper portion of the medium storage portion and being able to be set in an extended state that is a state in which a medium supporting surface that supports the medium becomes an inclined surface that is oriented obliquely upwards towards an end portion of the medium support tray and in which the medium supporting surface is extended outside of the medium storage portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Shintaro KOMURO
  • Publication number: 20140319761
    Abstract: Provided is a medium receiving cassette that includes a medium receiving portion in which a medium is received, a medium support tray which is pivotally provided on the medium receiving portion and of which a state can be switched, in a pivoting manner, between a received state in which the medium support tray is positioned above the medium receiving portion and a medium support surface for supporting the medium is directed downward and an expanded state in which the medium support surface is directed upward and at least a part of the medium support surface is expanded outside the medium receiving portion, and a drawer portion which is drawn out from the medium receiving portion to extend a length of the medium receiving portion in a medium discharging direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shintaro KOMURO
  • Publication number: 20140319768
    Abstract: Provided is a medium receiving cassette that includes a medium receiving portion in which a medium is received, and a medium support tray which is pivotally provided on the medium receiving portion and of which a state can be switched, in a pivoting manner, between a received state in which the medium support tray is positioned above the medium receiving portion and a medium support surface for supporting the medium is directed downward and an expanded state in which the medium support surface is directed upward and at least a part of the medium support surface is expanded outside the medium receiving portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shintaro KOMURO
  • Patent number: 8864129
    Abstract: When a second sheet that is different from a first sheet discharged and stacked on a stacking unit is to be stacked on the first sheet, whether or not to apply an alignment process to the second sheet is determined. If it is determined that the alignment process is not to be applied to the second sheet, the second sheet is stacked on the stacking unit. The alignment process is not applied thereto. If it is determined that the alignment process is to be applied to the second sheet, the second sheet is stacked on the stacking unit and the alignment process is applied thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shin Fukuda
  • Patent number: 8794623
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a door configured to be openable and closable with respect to a housing and to support a sheet, an extender configured to be stored in the door and to support a sheet, and a mechanism configured to rotate the extender in conjunction with opening and closing the door. The extender rotates and protrudes from the door when the door is opened, and the extender rotates and is stored in the door when the door is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshiya Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8657283
    Abstract: There are provided a sheet stacking apparatus capable of stably stacking a large number of sheets and an image forming apparatus. The sheet stacking apparatus configured to stack sheets includes a plurality of discharge units disposed to an apparatus main body in a vertical direction and configured to discharge sheets, a plurality of sheet stacking units disposed to be independently elevatable on a side surface of the apparatus main body corresponding respectively to the plurality of discharge units and configured to stack thereon the sheets discharged from the discharge units, and an alignment unit disposed between the plurality of sheet stacking units and configured to sequentially align a position in a width direction perpendicular to a discharging direction of the sheets stacked on a lower sheet stacking unit among the plurality of sheet stacking units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Iwata, Hideki Kushida
  • Patent number: 8657555
    Abstract: A counter ejector of cardboard sheet box-making machine is disclosed. A front contact plate contacting cardboard sheets is movable in a feed direction. A spanker is disposed to face the front contact plate in the feed direction, and contacts the back edge portion of the cardboard sheet, aligning the sheet edge portions. Ledges separate cardboard sheets loaded between front contact plate and the spanker, forming a batch of a predetermined number of sheets. A transfer conveyor transfers batches in a transfer direction, which is the same direction as the feed direction. An elevator is furnished with a table, and carries batches from the height at which the front contact plate and the spanker are disposed to the height at which the transfer conveyor is disposed. The table is moved by the same amount and in the same movement direction as the movement of the front contact plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Isowa
    Inventors: Hidenori Kokubo, Yusuke Tozuka
  • Patent number: 8602412
    Abstract: A paper-collecting apparatus for printing apparatuses is disclosed. The paper-collecting apparatus comprises a fixing board having two first protrusion portions; a first paper holding tray having two first hooks, and two second protrusion portions; wherein each of the two first hooks corresponds to each of the two first protrusion portions; and each of the two second protrusion portions is beside each of the two first hooks; and a second paper holding tray having two second hooks; wherein each of the two second hooks corresponds to each of the two second protrusion portions, wherein the first paper holding tray is fixed on to the fixing board by each of the two first hooks engages with each of the two first protrusion portions; and the second paper tray is fixed on to the first paper tray by each of the two second hooks engages with each of the two second protrusion portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chin-Ta Ma
  • Publication number: 20130313772
    Abstract: A paper out mechanism includes a paper tray, a holding tray, and an actuating device. The holding tray is slidably attached to the paper tray. The actuating device is located on the paper tray and meshed with the holding tray. The holding tray is slidable relative to the paper tray driven by the actuating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: HONG HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
  • Publication number: 20130277908
    Abstract: A medium receiving device includes a support shaft that extends in a width direction of the sheet that intersects with an ejection direction of the sheet at a position spaced from the apparatus body, a locking member that is fixedly provided at a position which is lower than the apparatus body in the gravity direction and on the side of the apparatus body with respect to the support shaft and extends in the width direction of the sheet, and a medium holding member that is hung between the support shaft and the locking member so as to form a receiving surface for the sheet which falls thereon and is capable of holding the sheet on the receiving surface, wherein the support shaft moves between a first position and a second position with rotative displacement about a rotation shaft that extends in the width direction of the sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naohiro Ueyama, Hideo Mikuriya, Masahiro Ogihara, Ryota Takenaka
  • Patent number: 8556250
    Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a sheet placement portion, a regulating portion, and an output portion. The regulating portion includes a first regulating portion and a second regulating portion. At least one of the first regulating portion and the second regulating portion can move in the width direction. The output portion includes a first output portion that extends from the first regulating portion toward the second regulating portion, and a second output portion that extends from the second regulating portion toward the first regulating portion. The first output portion includes a first end portion. The second output portion includes a second end portion. In a proximity state, the first end portion is located closer to the second regulating portion than the second end portion. The proximity state is a state in which a distance between the first regulating portion and the second regulating portion is at a minimum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Muneaki Takahata, Huiqing Xu, Takashi Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 8556257
    Abstract: A sheet loading device that includes a tray having a sheet loading surface, transports sheets one by one to the tray along a transport path, and loads the sheets one by one onto the sheet loading surface, comprising: a guide member for guiding a sheet to the tray along the transport path; a drive member; a restriction member; and a bias mechanism. Along a course of movement for pressing a loaded sheet against the sheet loading surface, the guide member engages with the restriction member, causes the restriction member to move to a position for restricting forming of a curl on the loaded sheet, and thereby prevents the transport path from being blocked by the curl. When the engagement between the guide member and the restriction member is released, the restriction member returns to an initial position by bias force applied by the bias mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Mizubata
  • Patent number: 8485524
    Abstract: A sheet storage apparatus 10a (10b) includes a sheet storage portion 31 that loads and stores a plurality of sheets P, and an end cursor (a restriction member) 50 that is disposed in the sheet storage portion 31 and restricts a sheet position. The end cursor 50 is composed of two or more members so as to be foldable and removably fixed in the sheet storage portion 31.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8430399
    Abstract: A paper tray includes a first plate and an extension mechanism. The first plate includes a receiving space and a guiding groove. The extension mechanism includes a second plate, a paper stopper, and an elastic element. When the extension mechanism is moved to a first position in a direction opposite to the first plate and the paper stopper is rotated relative to the second plate in a first direction, the elastic element is pushed by an end of the paper stopper. Consequently, the elastic element generates an elastic potential energy. When the paper stopper is rotated relative to the second plate in a second direction, the elastic potential energy drives movement of the elastic element in a direction facing the first plate, so that the second plate is moved to a second position and the extension mechanism is automatically restored to the receiving space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Primax Electronics, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-An Huang, Chao-Min Yang
  • Patent number: 8424871
    Abstract: A medium mounting device includes a medium mounting portion for placing a medium in a stacked state in a first direction, and a medium regulating portion arranged to be rotatable relative to the medium mounting portion. The medium regulating portion is arranged to regulate an edge portion of the medium when the medium regulating portion is in a rising state relative to the medium mounting portion. The medium regulating portion in the rising state is arranged to abut against the medium to rotate and retreat when the medium is taken out in a second direction different from the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Shiro Ino
  • Patent number: 8398077
    Abstract: A check processing device accurately detects if the check storage unit is full. The check storage unit 10 of a check processing device 1 has first and second storage pockets 13 and 14. A first vertical pressure plate 54, 64 and a second vertical pressure plate 55, 65 for holding the checks conveyed into the storage pockets 13 and 14 are disposed to the storage pockets 13 and 14. The first vertical pressure plates 54 and 64 are displaced according to the total thickness of the checks stored in the storage pockets 13 and 14. Using detection mechanisms 80 and 90 having an interrupter 81, 91 disposed to the corresponding first vertical pressure plate 54 and 64, and a photosensor 82, 92 for detecting the corresponding interrupter, the total thickness of the checks stored in the storage pockets 13 and 14 can be detected, and whether the storage unit is full can be detected from this total check thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shigehiko Uehara, Toru Takami
  • Patent number: 8393617
    Abstract: A sheet alignment device includes a first alignment arm, a second alignment arm, a first sensor and a controller. The first alignment arm includes a first blocking piece and a second blocking piece. During the sheet-aligning action of each sheet, the first alignment arm is moved for a preset distance from a standby position. Then, the first alignment arm is moved back to the standby position, and a waiting time is required to introduce a next sheet into the sheet placement tray. When the first sensor is no longer interrupted by the second blocking piece of the first alignment arm, the controller starts to calculate the moving distance of the first alignment arm. Since the moving distance of the first alignment arm is calculated at the same start point during the sheet-aligning action of each sheet is performed, the possibility of resulting in the moving distance error is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Primax Electronics, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ching-Tse Wang, Chia-Wen Wu
  • Publication number: 20120319344
    Abstract: An improved sheet stacking scheme is described which is applied to a copying machine, a printer, or the like. Even when printed sheets are sorted and stacked in different stacking positions, sheet alignment is achieved by inhibiting each sheet from being displaced. When sheets are sorted into a first stacking position and a second stacking position, the finisher control unit 200 determines the common area Rc which is shared by the first stacking position and the second stacking position. Then, a finisher control unit 200 sets the positions of the pair of holding members for holding a tail edge in order to perform the tail edge holding motion in the positions F1 and F2 respectively which are located within the common area Rc and symmetrical about the center position Rcc of the common area Rc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventor: Motoki NAKAMICHI
  • Patent number: 8256766
    Abstract: A sheet aligning mechanism that aligns sheets of paper includes, in a shift tray, a pair of main joggers and a pair of sub joggers, which are arranged downstream of the main joggers in a sheet discharge direction, for use in width-direction alignment of the sheets. One of the sub joggers is configured to move from a position where the sub jogger is not upwardly receded to an upwardly-receded position so that the thus-opened up space, of which height corresponds to a height difference between the two positions, can be utilized for sheet removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirotaka Iwata
  • Patent number: 8240664
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus according to the invention includes a conveying portion that conveys a sheet; and an abutment member against which an end of the sheet in a conveying direction abuts, the sheet being conveyed by the conveying portion. Herein, the abutment member is movable so as to change a distance between the abutment member and the conveying portion adjacent to the abutment member based on sheet information about the stiffness of a sheet, when an end of the sheet in the conveying direction is abutted against the abutment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akito Sekigawa
  • Publication number: 20120049441
    Abstract: A sheet sorter includes a sheet discharge tray, a sheet conveyance unit, and a sheet pressing guide. The sheet conveyance unit is configured to convey sheets in a conveyance direction and configured to be shifted in a shift direction along a sheet plane and in a shift direction that intersects the conveyance direction, so as to sort the sheets loaded onto the sheet discharge tray from the sheet conveyance unit. The sheet pressing guide is configured to contact and press the sheets, configured to move together with the sheet conveyance unit in conjunction with the sheet conveyance unit moving in the shift direction, and configured to contact a topmost sheet among the sheets loaded on the sheet discharge tray only at a downstream edge of the topmost sheet in the conveyance direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Masaharu KIMURA, Norichika Katsura, Yasuaki Fukada, Haruhisa Furumoto
  • Patent number: 8109505
    Abstract: A printer includes a main body and a paper holding device. The main body is capable of printing and outputting paper. The paper holding device is secured to the main body, and includes a paper tray, a plurality of sliding members, a connecting mechanism, and a driving mechanism. The paper tray is configured for receiving the outputted paper. The sliding members are slidably located on the paper tray. The connecting mechanism is attached to the paper tray and connected to the sliding members. The driving mechanism is attached to the paper tray and capable of driving the connecting mechanism to slide the plurality of sliding members to shape a space to fit the size of outputted paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Kun Shih, Chun-Hsien Lin, Chen-Lu Fan
  • Patent number: 8109504
    Abstract: The paper feeding cassette 10 has the cassette frame 10 for loading and storing paper, and the width-wise cursor 20 which is disposed in the cassette frame 10 and movably carries out the positioning of paper in the paper-width direction intersecting at right angles with the paper feeding direction, and can be pulled out from a machine main body. Provided are the plurality of engagement holes 14 formed in the cassette frame 10 corresponding to a paper width, the through-holes 23 formed through the width-wise cursor 20, and the lock pins 40 which engage with the engagement holes 14 via the through-holes 23 to prevent the width-wise cursor 20 from deviating in the paper-width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventor: Keiji Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 8087667
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus according to the invention includes a conveying portion that conveys a sheet; and an abutment member against which an end of the sheet in a conveying direction abuts, the sheet being conveyed by the conveying portion. Herein, the abutment member is movable so as to change a distance between the abutment member and the conveying portion adjacent to the abutment member based on sheet information about the stiffness of a sheet, when an end of the sheet in the conveying direction is abutted against the abutment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akito Sekigawa
  • Patent number: 8074981
    Abstract: A printer includes a main body and a paper holding device. The main body is capable of printing and outputting paper. The paper holding device is secured to the main body and includes a paper tray, a connecting mechanism, and a sliding mechanism. The paper tray is configured for receiving the outputted paper. A driving gear member is located on the paper tray. The connecting mechanism is located on the paper tray and connected to the driving gear member. The sliding mechanism is located on the paper tray and connected to the connecting mechanism. The driving gear member controls the sliding mechanism by the connecting mechanism to shape a space to fit the size of the outputted paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Kun Shih, Chun-Hsien Lin, Chen-Lu Fan
  • Patent number: 8070154
    Abstract: A paper holding device includes a paper tray, a sliding plate, and a driving mechanism. The paper tray is configured for receiving printed paper. A shaft is secured to the paper tray. The sliding plate is slidably attached to the paper tray. A main gear member is disposed on the sliding plate. The driving mechanism is secured to the sliding plate and capable of sliding the main gear member along the shaft to slide the sliding plate on the paper tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Kun Shih, Chun-Hsien Lin, Chen-Lu Fan
  • Patent number: 8052141
    Abstract: A first engaging member makes a first engagement with a first locking member to lock an edge guiding unit. A second engaging member makes a second engagement with a second locking member to lock the edge guiding unit. The first locking member is movable to a first retract position and a second retract position. When the first locking member moves to the first retract position, the second engagement is released in conjunction with a release of the first engagement, and when the first locking member moves to the second retract position, the first engagement is released while maintaining the second engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Masaru Yamagishi