Abstract: A method of controlling the average sheet velocities in the separate paths in a parallel architecture to prevent sheet collision and provide for sheet arrival in the proper order at the sheet merger point(s) in the media path. Modifying the travel time of the sheets, or re-phasing strategy, at various points along the media path ensure that sheet collision is avoided even at maximum capacity. Adjusting the velocity of the sheets allow for the printer to run at maximum capacity without jamming and collision of the sheets running therethrough.

Abstract: A sheet feeder is provided that includes a feeding unit configured to feed a sheet through a feeding path and a guide portion that is bent in a shape of a relaxation curve and configured to feed the sheet thereon and turn a feeding direction of the sheet.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a sheet conveying path, a first conveying roller pair, a second conveying roller pair and a sheet guiding member. The sheet conveying path conveys a sheet in a first direction, and then, conveys the sheet in a second direction. The first conveying roller pair conveys the sheet in the first direction. The second conveying roller pair is located at a downstream side from the first conveying roller pair to convey the sheet to the second direction from the first direction. The sheet guiding member is located between the first conveying roller pair and second conveying roller pair so as to advance and retreat to the sheet conveying path, and then, in an advance state, to come into contact with a sheet face of the sheet conveyed while being bridged across the first conveying roller pair and second conveying roller pair.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes: a conveyor roller pair for conveying a sheet along a first path in a conveying direction; a reversible roller pair including first and second rollers and for conveying the sheet in the conveying direction and to a second path; a state switching mechanism for switching the reversible roller pair between a first state in which the first roller is pressed against the second roller and a second state in which the first roller is distant from or pressed against the second roller with smaller force; and a controller for controlling: the reversible roller pair to convey the sheet along the second path until its leading edge reaches a position downstream of the conveyor roller pair and upstream of the reversible roller pair; the reversible roller pair to switch from the first state to the second state; and a recorder to perform image recording.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes an image forming section; a conveyance path to convey a recording medium to the image forming section; a drawer unit including the conveyance path and configured to be pulled out relative to the apparatus; an electrical cable to electrically connect the drawer unit and an interior of the apparatus even when the drawer unit is pulled out from the apparatus; and a cable holder (a first regulating member) to ensure that that the cable is securely prevented from protruding from the drawer unit. According to the present invention, the electric cable is prevented from running off from the drawer unit due to the folding of the cable caused by the regulating member, so that the electric cable is prevented from getting hung up on the parts disposed in the body.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a first conveying unit configured to convey a sheet in a conveying direction; a conveying path configured to guide the sheet to the first conveying unit, the sheet having been conveyed by the first conveying unit in a direction opposite to the conveying direction; a second conveying unit configured to convey the sheet in the conveying path; a rotation direction detecting unit configured to detect a rotation direction of the second conveying unit; and a control unit configured to perform control, at startup, to drive the first conveying unit in a direction that causes the sheet to be conveyed in the conveying direction, and if the rotation direction detecting unit detects rotation of the second conveying unit, to drive the second conveying unit in the rotation direction that is detected by the rotation direction detecting unit.

Abstract: A card substrate rotator comprises a substrate support, a rotator mechanism and a lift mechanism. The substrate support is configured to receive a card substrate and comprises a feed roller. The rotator mechanism is configured to rotate the substrate support about an axis. The lift mechanism is configured to move the substrate support and the axis in a vertical plane.

Abstract: A reversely-rotatable roller conveys a sheet having an image formed on its one side at a sheet conveying velocity faster than that of a conveying roller by normal rotation and then, the reversely-rotatable roller conveys the sheet to a re-conveying path by reverse rotation. The sheet conveying velocity of the reversely-rotatable roller when the reversely-rotatable roller reversely rotates is made slower than the sheet conveying velocity when the reversely-rotatable roller normally rotates so that the sheet conveying velocity of the re-conveying roller is substantially equal to or slower than the sheet conveying velocity of the conveying roller.

Abstract: A sheet transport device includes a registration section, a first sheet transport path and a second sheet transport path the two transport directions of which are substantially perpendicular to the sheet transport direction of the registration section, a confluence transport path, and a first guide member. The confluence transport path merges the first sheet transport path and the second sheet transport path. The first guide member may rotate toward the first sheet transport path when the sheet is fed from the first sheet transport path to the confluence transport path. The first guide member may rotate toward the second sheet transport path when the sheet is fed from the second sheet transport path to the confluence transport path.

Abstract: A sheet conveyor included in an image forming apparatus includes a conveying roller rotatable in normal and reverse directions to convey a sheet in opposite sheet conveyance directions, a switching guide rotatable about a support shaft to guide the sheet to a path, a first switchback mechanism performing a first operation of changing a direction of rotation of the conveying roller, a first actuator actuating the first switchback mechanism, a second switchback mechanism performing a second operation of changing a position of the switching guide, a second actuator actuating the second switchback mechanism. The switchback mechanisms and the actuators are configured to be replaceable with a switchback linking mechanism, by employing a linking member, configured to link the first and second operations to be actuated by one actuator of the first and second actuators without changing an arrangement of the one actuator of the first and second actuators.

Abstract: A form conveyance device can reverse a form without pulling another form already stored in a storage unit into the conveyance path. A form conveyance device conveys a form on edge in forward and reverse directions and feeds the form into the storage unit. Such device includes a cylindrical support shaft, and a paper feed roller that is axially supported on the support shaft and can rotate in forward and reverse directions. Also included is an in-feed roller that is axially supported on the support shaft, can rotate only in the forward direction, and on the outside surface has in-feed tabs extending in the axial direction. A power transfer unit of the device is disposed between the paper feed roller and in-feed roller, and transfers drive power from the paper feed roller to the in-feed roller only when the paper feed roller rotates in the forward direction.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus includes a casing, a first conveying path, a second conveying path, a joining conveyance path, and a guide member. The joining conveyance path is connected to a junction portion of the first conveying path and the second conveying path, and extends downward in a sheet conveying direction. The guide member is disposed in the junction portion of the first conveying path and the second conveying path, and shifted to a position between a first position to guide the first sheet from the first conveying path to the joining conveyance path and a second position to guide the second sheet from the second conveying path to the joining conveyance path. The guide member includes a supporting point portion disposed at a central part or around thereof in a lengthwise direction, so as to change in position by pivoting around the supporting point portion.

Abstract: A sheet take-out apparatus includes a first separation unit, a second separation unit, a drawing roller for drawing sheets from a nip of the second separation unit, and a pinch roller rotating in contact with it. Overlapping sheets which pass the first and second separation units and are not separated are detected to be overlapped in a state that they are clamped by the nip of the drawing roller and pinch roller. When overlapping is detected, in a state that the rear ends of the overlapping sheets in the conveying direction are restricted by the nip, the drawing roller and pinch roller are stopped and the overlapping sheets are re-separated.

Abstract: A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a first path and a second path through which a sheet is conveyed, and a guide portion rotatable between a first position where the sheet is guided to the first path and a second position where the sheet is guided to the second path, wherein the guide portion includes a resin member including a first guide surface configured to guide the sheet to the first path at the first position, and a second guide surface configured to guide the sheet to the second path at the second position, and a reinforcing member including a main body portion extending in a direction along an axis line of guide portion, and protrusions protruding, along the first guide surface and the second guide surface, from both end portions in a longitudinal direction of the main body portion.

Abstract: The sheet feeding device includes a housing, first and second feeding paths, and first and second covers. The first feeding path extends in a vertical direction within the housing. The second feeding path extends in the vertical direction within the housing, and a lower end thereof is connected to an upper end of the first feeding path. The first cover exposes, in an open state, the first feeding path outside of the housing. The second cover exposes, in an open state, the second feeding path outside of the housing. When both the first cover and the second cover are opened, the first cover and the second cover are respectively in the open state relative to the housing in a mode where a second opening angle of the second cover relative to the housing is smaller than a first opening angle of the first cover relative to the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a self-adjusting processing system for sheet material. A self-adjusting processing system for sheet material comprises a guiding device for sheet material having a main transport and a redirecting device for sheet material having a branch transport in association with the main transport to redirect the sheet material. The redirecting device further has fixed rollers adopted to interact with the branch transport and floating members, the fixed rollers and the floating members are positioned at opposite sides of the branch transport and each floating member is adopted to be aligned with appropriate fixed roller.

Abstract: An image forming device, comprising: a main body; an image formation unit; and a re-carrying path along which a sheet-like medium on which the image has been formed is carried again to the image formation unit. In this configuration, the re-carrying path comprises: a first path formed to extend downward; a bending part formed to bend from a lower end of the first path toward an upstream side of the image formation unit; and a second path formed to extend from the bending part toward the upstream side of the image formation unit. A pair of re-carrying rollers which carry the sheet-like medium are provided on the second path. A recessed part formed to be recessed downward with respect to a common tangential line of the pair of re-carrying rollers is provided on the second path between the bending part and the pair of re-carrying rollers.

Abstract: A sheet conveyer includes: a conveyance unit configured to convey a sheet along a conveyance path comprising an inversion path, which is configured to convey the sheet from a lower side to an upper side and is defined by an inner circumference side and an outer circumference side; and a guide provided in a downstream side in a conveyance direction of the inversion path, the guide provided between the inner circumference side and the outer circumference side so that the guide is to be displaced toward the outer circumference side by contacting with a front end of the sheet that is conveyed from an upstream side in the conveyance direction.

Abstract: An approach is provided for directing a cut media in a media feed system. The approach involves causing, at least in part, a media to be fed through an incoming media path. The approach also involves causing, at least in part, air to be supplied through an air input configured to input air along a curved baffle positioned between the incoming media path and at least a first outgoing media path. The approach further involves causing, at least in part, the media to take one of the first outgoing media path and a second outgoing media path based, at least in part, on an interaction between the air supplied through the air input and the curved baffle.

Abstract: An approach is provided for inverting a sheeted substrate processed by a printing system while continuously running the sheeted substrate through the printing system without stopping. The approach involves a series of rolls that cause an orientation of the sheeted substrate to be changed such that the sheeted substrate may be returned to a first process path when inverted for duplex printing, or otherwise diverted to a bypass path.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body. The main body includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on a medium, and a media conveyance mechanism configured to convey the medium to the image forming unit. A media conveyance unit is attached to the main body and is configured to convey the medium to the media conveyance mechanism. A media retreat path is defined by opposed surfaces of the media conveyance unit and the main body which are opposed to each other. The media retreat path is configured to receive at least a part of the medium being retreated. The media retreat path inclines in a way that a height level of the media retreat path gradually becomes lower from its entrance side to its back-end side.

Abstract: An alignment and transport apparatus is provided including an input conveyor transporting and positioning successive sheets in a first plane in a first direction and a twisting apparatus defining a transport path for the successive sheets. The twisting apparatus is configured such that each of the sheets enters the transport path in the first plane and traveling in the first direction with a first side of each of the sheets facing upward and such that each of the sheets exits the transport path in a second plane and traveling in a second direction with a second side of each of the sheets facing upward. A variable data sheet insertion device, a post-press processing apparatus and a method for aligning and transporting printed products are also provided.

Abstract: An approach is provided for inverting a sheeted substrate processed by a printing system while continuously running the sheeted substrate through the printing system without stopping. The approach involves a series of rolls that cause an orientation of the sheeted substrate to be changed such that the sheeted substrate may be returned to a first process path when inverted for duplex printing, or otherwise diverted to a bypass path.

Abstract: A sheet conveyance device includes an upstream rotary member and a downstream rotary member, an endless rotatable conveyance belt, stretched over the upstream rotary member and the downstream rotary member, to convey a sheet of recording media thereon in a predetermined conveyance direction, a conveyance guide disposed downstream of the conveyance belt in the predetermined conveyance direction, disposed across a gap from the conveyance belt, to guide the sheet to a predetermined conveyance position, and a guide member to introduce the sheet into a gap between the conveyance belt and the conveyance guide and onto the conveyance belt, so that the sheet is conveyed from the downstream rotary member to the upstream rotary member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a manual feed portion provided on a side surface of a housing that accommodates an image forming portion and having an abutting portion against which a downstream end in a sheet feeding direction of a sheet inserted into a gap between the manual feed portion and the side surface abuts. The manual feed portion also includes a holding portion configured to hold the sheet such that a sheet surface is held along the side surface of the housing in the condition in which the downstream end of the sheet abuts against the abutting portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section to form an image on a sheet, a reversing section to reverse the sheet between front and rear surfaces, and an apparatus main body that houses the image forming section and the reversing section. The reversing section includes a lower-side horizontal conveying path arranged horizontally and adapted to convey the sheet, an upper-side horizontal conveying path arranged vertically above the lower-side horizontal conveying path and extending parallel to the lower-side horizontal conveying path, and a connection conveying path which connects the lower-side horizontal conveying path and the upper-side horizontal conveying pathand is detachably coupled to the upper-side horizontal conveying path. The reversing section is horizontally supported by the apparatus main body so as to be movable along a direction in which the sheet is sent from the lower-side horizontal conveying path or upper-side horizontal conveying path to the connection conveying path.

Abstract: In a sheet transport apparatus, first transport guides are provided in pair in parallel to, and spaced from, each other to form a first transport path to convey sheets. The transport guides have one ends engageable with the ends of second transport guides, which are provided in pair to be parallel to, and spaced from, each other to form a second transport path. A supporting member rotatably supports the second transport guides in response to the position of the first transport guides. When the ends of the first and second transport guides are brought into engagement with each other with the one ends of the second transport guides inclined against the first transport guides to displace the ends from each other, both transport paths can be connected to each other without changing the transverse cross-sectional depth thereof, thereby preventing a step or hollow from being formed in the connecting section.

Abstract: A sheet reversing device including a first conveyance unit, second conveyance unit, third conveyance unit, and sheet pressing member. The first conveyance unit includes a first holder, and a support surface that supports the sheet, and conveys the sheet with an edge held by the first holder, and its entire surface supported by the support surface. The second conveyance unit includes second holders, which convey the sheet. The third conveyance unit is supported to be swingable between a reception position at which the third conveyance unit receives the sheet, and a transfer position at which the third conveyance unit transfers the sheet to the second conveyance unit. The third conveyance unit includes a third holder, and conveys the sheet held by the third holder. The sheet pressing member presses the sheet, transferred from the third conveyance unit to the first conveyance unit, against the first conveyance unit support surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sheet transport device including a main body, a first transport path through which a transported sheet passes, a second transport path through which the sheet that passes through the first transport path and is reversed in a transport direction thereof passes, having a curved portion on a downstream side thereof, a first guiding member that forms a first guiding surface of the second transport path, and a second guiding member that forms a second guiding surface opposite to the guiding surface, wherein the first guiding member is supported to be rotatable between a guiding posture where the sheet is guided and an open posture that rotates from the guiding posture to open the guiding surfaces, and an interval between the first guiding member and the second guiding member in the open posture is greater than that in the guiding posture.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus which enables quick removal of remaining sheets in the image forming apparatus via an orthogonal reverse section in case a jam occurs inside the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a main conveyance section to convey a sheet in the image forming apparatus and to convey the sheet to an ejected sheet section; an orthogonal reverse section to receive the sheet from the main conveyance section and turn over the sheet without swapping a front edge for a rear edge of the sheet by conveying the sheet in a direction perpendicular to a sheet conveyance direction of the main conveyance section and a sheet ejection section to eject the sheet in the orthogonal reverse section outside the orthogonal reverse section along a direction to turn over the sheet by the orthogonal reverse section.

Abstract: A conveying direction-switching device is formed by direction-changing drums each having the same hollow cylindrical shape having a length corresponding to a lateral width of paper money bills to be conveyed. The direction-changing drum has first to fourth openings arranged in the outer periphery thereof, in a manner spaced from each other by a rotational angle of 90 degrees, and the rotational angle position thereof is controlled to be a predetermined phase angle. Inside the direction-changing drum, the first opening and the fourth opening are connected by a paper money guide forming a first curved passage, the second opening and the fourth opening are connected by a paper money guide forming a straight passage, and the third opening and the fourth opening are connected by a paper money guide forming a second curved passage.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for handling a sheet of substrate media in a marking assembly. The apparatus includes a rail support track, a first marking zone and a first platen cart. The rail support track forms a closed path. The first marking zone marks a sheet of substrate media. Also, the first platen cart moves along the rail support track. The first platen cart recirculating around the closed path. The first platen cart conveying the sheet of substrate media in a process direction along at least a portion of the closed path through the first marking zone.

Abstract: An optical reader is provided. A transport section is capable of transporting a medium which is a reading target in forward and backward directions along a transport path. An optical reading section is installed in the transporting path. The optical reading section optically reads the medium which is transported by the transport section. A control section sets a transport direction of the medium at the time of reading of the medium on the basis of a position of the medium before or when the reading of the medium is started and a reading position of the optical reading section such that a transport distance of the medium until the reading of the medium is completed is shortened, and controls the transport section and the optical reading section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous dual-feed simplex in an image production device is disclosed. The image production device may include an image production section that includes a first media print path and a second media print path each of which produces simplex images on media, and a user interface that receives a request to print a first simplex print job and a second simplex print job, the first simplex print job being printed using the first media print path and the second simplex print job being printed using the second media print path, wherein the first simplex print job and the second simplex print job are printed at the same time.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a recording medium is fed by being switched between a first conveying path feeding a recording medium to a first image forming portion and a second conveying path feeding the recording medium to a second image forming portion without being enabled to pass through the first image forming portion.

Abstract: The control portion controls the sheet adjusting portion to alternately convey the sheet of paper fed from the sheet-feeding path for single-side printing and the sheet of paper fed from the sheet-feeding path for duplex printing to the image forming portion during the duplex printing mode. Images are alternately formed on the front surface of each of the sheets of paper and the back surface of each of the sheets of paper when three sheets of paper are conveyed to the image forming apparatus and they are left therein. The control portion controls the sheet conveying portion to release the contact of the conveying rollers after it is detected that the sheet of paper reaches the sheet adjusting portion.

Abstract: A conveyor device includes: a first conveyor having a first roller; a second conveyor having a second roller and disposed downstream of the first conveyor; and a storage storing first information and second information in which a velocity or a deceleration of the first and second rollers is less in the second information than in the first information. A controller executes: a first rotation processing in which, when a state in which a sheet is nipped by the first conveyor is kept during a next conveyance in intermittent conveyance, a first roller and a second roller are rotated according to the first information in the next conveyance; and a second rotation processing in which, when the state is not kept in the next conveyance, the first drive roller and the second drive roller are rotated according to the second information in the next conveyance.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes: a first motor for rotating first and second rollers; a second motor; a recording portion provided downstream of the first roller, the second roller provided downstream of the recording portion; a sensor portion provided between the recording portion and the second roller to sense a sheet; and a first gear movable between a first position and a second position where reverse rotational power of the first roller is transmitted to the second roller. When a controller determines that an upstream edge of the sheet in a conveying direction has reached a third position located between the recording portion and the sensor portion, the controller starts driving the second motor to move the first gear from the first position to the second position and thereafter controls the first motor to perform a forward rotation and a reverse rotation alternately a set number of times.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus, including: a drive source foratable forwardly and reversely; a first roller rotatable in a first direction by the forward rotation of the drive source to convey a conveyed medium and rotatable in a second direction reverse to the first direction by the reverse rotation of the drive source; a recording device; a second roller; a first power transmitter which transmits a first-direction driving power to the second roller and not to transmit a second-direction driving power to the second roller, wherein the first-direction driving power is a rotational driving power of the first roller rotating in the first direction, and the second-direction driving power is a rotational driving power of the first roller rotating in the second direction; and a second power transmitter which transmits the second-direction driving power to the second roller and not to transmit the first-direction driving power to the second roller.

Abstract: A sheet conveyor device may include a first portion configured to move, a cam configured to move in response to movement of the first portion, and a guide portion configured to move between first and second positions in response to the movement of the cam, to choose a first or second conveying path for a sheet. The cam may cause the guide portion to remain in position even if the first portion is moved a small amount, thereby helping to reduce the likelihood of paper jams arising from undesired movement of the guide portion.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a first upper-position guide member, a first lower-position guide member defining a first feeding path and a first feeding portion feeding a sheet in a feeding direction along the first feeding path. The image recording apparatus further includes a recording portion located downstream of the first feeding portion in the feeding direction, a second upper-position guide member, a second lower-position guide member defining a second feeding path and a second feeding portion comprising at least one pair of rollers each consisting of an upper-position roller and a lower-position roller. The second feeding portion feeds the sheet along the second feeding path and a first axis of the upper-position roller is located upstream of a second axis of the lower-position roller in the feeding direction.

Abstract: Provided is an information recording device in which jam processing operation can be easily performed with simple operation when a recording medium such as a card is jammed in a conveyance passage. A card storing section and a medium conveyance passage for conveying a card to an image forming section are arranged in a housing at upper and lower sides and a passage open-close member for removing a card jammed at the image forming section is arranged therebetween. Then, electronic information recording means is incorporated in the passage open-close member and a medium conveyance path which conveys a card toward the electronic information recording means is arranged on a medium introduction passage for feeding a card from the card storing section to the medium conveyance passage. According to the above, a card jammed at the image forming section or the information recording section can be easily removed to the outside of the device by opening the card storing section.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming part; a paper dust collecting roller that collects paper dust from a sheet; a conveying roller that is opposed to the paper dust collecting roller and conveys the sheet; a paper dust removing member that contacts the paper dust collecting roller for removing the paper dust therefrom; a supporting member that extends in a width direction of the sheet; a swing shaft for swinging the supporting member; and a pressing member that presses the supporting member for contacting the paper dust removing member with the paper dust collecting roller. The supporting member includes: a guiding surface that contacts the sheet conveyed along the conveying path for guiding the sheet toward the image forming part along the conveying path; and a paper dust receiving part which receives the paper dust removed by the paper dust removing member.

Abstract: An auto document feeder includes a lead path, a first reverse path, a second reverse path, and a both surfaces eject path. The lead path guides a document from a left side to a right side of a read position. The first and second reverse paths are connected to the lead path, and reverse the document to guide the document from the right side to the left side of the read position. A both surfaces eject path is connected to the first and second reverse paths and guides the document whose image information of a second surface has been read to eject further to the right side than the read position. A shared curve path shared by the lead path and the both surfaces eject path includes a portion between the read position and a portion in which a lead curve path protrudes the most.

Abstract: With a printing device in which a printing medium is moved relatively, and which prints on the printing medium, the surface of the medium is illuminated, a plurality of illuminated regions of the medium moving in this illuminated state are imaged to acquire a plurality of images. A region to be matched having a characteristic region within a first image is set out of the images, a similar region having the highest similarity to the characteristic region is determined within a second image that is different from the first image. The estimated movement amount of the medium is calculated from the positional relation between the region to be matched and the similar region. Error information indicating error in the estimated movement amount of the medium attributable to the angle of light directed at the medium is acquired, and the estimated movement amount is corrected.

Abstract: To convey a following sheet toward a discharge tray together with a preceding sheet made to wait in a buffer path, while a switch member provided at a branch portion of the path is maintained at a lower position, the following sheet conveyed from an upstream side of the branch portion toward the discharge tray is guided by a second guide face of the switch member at the lower position, made to meet the waiting sheet on a downstream side of the switch member, and conveyed toward the discharge tray in a sheet bundle.

Abstract: An improved rotator/translator mechanism includes multiple thin discs that mate with an idler roll to distribute nip pressure and spin at different rotational velocities to produce the same linear velocity at the nip and thereby reduce marking on certain media.

Abstract: A device is described for directing sheets (2) which has at least two inlets for the sheets, a first inlet (A1) and a second inlet (A2), associated respectively to a first sheet infeeder line (L1) and a second sheet infeeder line (L2), and an outlet (AU) for the sheets. A support member is associated to the first inlet (A1) in order to restingly receive at least one sheet (2) which enters the first inlet (A1)) for transfer of the sheet (2) towards the outlet (AU). A guide and transfer element (D2) is associated to the second inlet (A2) for guiding at least an entering sheet into the second inlet (A2) and to transfer the sheet towards the outlet (AU). The guide and transfer element (D2) and the support member (S) are reciprocally arranged for conveying the sheets (2) towards the outlet along a common outlet direction (DAU).

Abstract: A fully active retard feeder is configured to move a partially feed sheet back into a feed tray in response to a jam either in the nip of the feed head or in a location downstream of the feed head and thereby ease user jam clearance.

Abstract: Presented herein is a sheet turning unit (1) comprising a first sheet conveyor device (2a) for transporting a sheet at least along a first transport path (B1) in a first plane (E1), and comprising a second sheet conveyor device (2b) for transporting the sheet along a second transport path (B2), said second transport path extending at an angle of 90° with respect to the first transport path (B1) and, in sum, describing a curve of 180°, whereby the starting point of said curve is located in the first plane (E1) and the end point of said curve is located in a second plane (E2) that is different from the first plane, and comprising a third sheet conveyor device (2c) for transporting the sheet along at least a third transport path (B3). As a result of this, the leading edge of the sheet remains in front even after the turning operation, and a precisely functioning and reliable sheet turning unit is being provided.