Abstract: The present invention relates to a feed device for feeding a sorting machine for sorting flat objects and comprising at least one input feeder for the objects and pockets to which the objects are fed vertically for transport, the feed device allowing the objects to be fed one by one from the input feeder towards a vertical pocket. A conveyor module comprises at least two stop gates spaced by a distance greater than the maximum length of the objects. An accelerator module is located between the conveyor module and a vertical transfer device and comprises a downstream stop gate. The vertical ejection device is formed by an injecting module. These modules are provided with continuously operating positive entrainment devices and the stop gates control the movements of the objects in response to detectors located in the path of the objects.

Abstract: A document size detection device for detecting the size of documents such as non-U.S. currency comprises a housing, a plate mounted in the housing past which each document is moved, and detectors positioned along the plate for sensing the size of each document and for initiating a signal indicating the size of each document.

Abstract: A printing machine system includes a printing machine which discharges a printed material after the printing operation is completed. The printing machine system also includes a drier which dries the printed material discharged from the printing machine. A stacker is disposed intermediate the printing machine and the drier. The stacker includes a frame, and a storage for storing the printed materials discharged from the drier. A transfer apparatus is disposed in the proximity of the upper portion of the stacker, for conveying the printed materials discharged from the printing machine to the drier one by one.

Abstract: An electric or electronic sheet control device is provided at a sheet-transferring cylinder of a printing machine. According to the state of the art, in order to detect a leading edge of a sheet, two detecting elements respectively detect the presence of a sheet and a misaligned sheet. According to the invention, two detecting elements are disposed in such a way that they detect at least the outer areas of a leading edge of a sheet and at least one further detecting element is provided between the two detecting elements, which makes it possible to detect whether or not the leading edge of the sheet is straight.

Abstract: A fabric position correcting device detects the position of at least one of an outer profile line and a pattern of a fabric portion corresponding to one of pressers, corrects the position of the fabric portion while holding the same whose position has been detected, and presses the fabric portion with the presser after the position thereof has been corrected. The aligning process composed of the above three steps is carried out four times successively with respect to fabric portions corresponding to the respective pressers from the leading end of the fabric in the direction in which it is fed. Then, the positionally corrected fabrics are fed to the sewing start position. Therefore, the positional correction of the fabrics relative to at least one of the outer profile line and the pattern thereof can be accurately, reliably, and automatically carried out from the leading end to trailing end of the fabrics.

Abstract: Disclosed is a paper feeder for sequentially feeding laminated cutform paper to a record/write portion or the like. Proper sagging of the cutform paper is produced on this side of a paper feeding roller during rotations of the paper feeding roller in an anti-feeding direction, thus adjusting the direction thereof. Subsequently, with rotations of the paper feeding roller in a paper feeding direction, a feed roller is temporarily rotated. The paper feeding roller is caused to exactly pull in the cutform paper without exerting abrupt fluctuations in load on the paper feeding roller and the cutform paper.

Abstract: In a light-tight photoplotter, a system handles sheets of photosensitive media from an initial supply location through the photoplotter and advances them to final a location. The system includes a loading device interposed between the supply location and a workpiece support surface on which surface a work operation is conducted on the involved media sheet. It further includes an off-loading device positioned at the opposite end of the workpiece support surface and the collecting location. The loading device includes a locating mechanism which allows the involved media to be precisely oriented on the workpiece support surface in registry with two orthogonally oriented coordinated axis. The system further permits loading and unloading of covered cassettes in daylight without exposing the media supply to light which might otherwise be cast onto it. The system further provides for the safety locking of stacked media within the photoplotter to prevent inadvertent removal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to techniques for ensuring that an image receiving sheet, which has only one major surface thereof coated with an image receiving coating, is properly oriented prior to an image being printed thereon. The image receiving sheet has a concave or convex irregularity (e.g., a notch, arc, etc.) formed in at least one nominally straight edge of the sheet. In a first embodiment, a mechanical or optical sensing means detects whether or not the image receiving sheet is stacked correctly in a loading tray by sensing whether or not the edge irregularities are properly positioned. In a second embodiment, an edge and a notch sensing means detect whether or not the image receiving sheet is oriented properly while being fed into the printer. An improperly loaded image receiving sheet is either not fed into the printer, or transits the printer without causing the printer to attempt to print the image thereon.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device for feeding a plurality of cut-type sheets, having been stacked in an accommodating member, one by one toward a predetermined position in response to a predetermined signal to be applied to the sheet feeding device. The sheet feeding device comprises: a first feeding member for feeding the stacked sheets to another predetermined position in response to the predetermined signal, a second feeding member for feeding the sheet, having been fed by the first feeding member, to the predetermined position after a feeding operation executed by the first feeding member and a controlling member for controlling the first feeding member so as not to be operated during a feeding operation executed by the second feeding member. Thus, according to the present invention, it becomes possible to avoid sheet jamming caused by sheets having been fed together in an overlapped state.

Abstract: A sleeve loader having a table for positioning trays container either a stack of folded or unfolded sleeves at a processing position, a device for lifting up an upper ply of a garment in the stack of sleeves, a device for picking up the upper ply of the sleeves in the stack, a device for assuring the correct orientation of the sleeve for sewing, a device for alignment of the sleeves in a correct position for sewing, and a device for rejecting sleeves having an undesirable characteristic or orientation.

Abstract: A process and device are disclosed for automatic sewing of a piece of fabric along its edges. The process is of the type in which a rolling element (12) orientable by pivoting around a vertical axis YY' bears against the fabric in front of the presser-foot in order to guide and entrain the fabric in front of the sewing zone. The rolling element (12) is driven into rotational movement by a cylinder (16) bearing against that element in its upper zone traversed by the pivoting axis YY' in such a manner that the contact of the cylinder against the rolling element leaves this latter free to pivot, especially at high frequency, about the axis YY' independently of the value of the friction coefficient between the cylinder and the rolling element.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing items in selected configurations and a system and method for controlling the same. More particularly, an apparatus for producing mail pieces and a system and method for controlling it to produce mail pieces in a variety of configurations are disclosed. The apparatus includes a laser printer and folding sealing apparatus controlled by a data processor. The folder sealer apparatus combines sheets printed by the laser printer with pre-printed sheets and envelope forms, which also may be printed by the laser printer or may be windowed envelopes, folds the sheets as necessary and folds and seals the envelope form about the folded sheets to produce a mail piece. A user inputs a configuration for the mail piece which is translated by the data processor into a data structure and transmitted to the controller of the folder sealer apparatus.

Abstract: A device for straightening one edge DA of the four side edges AB, BC, CD and DA of a flexible sheet such as a crumpled bed sheet disclosed. One corner A of the sheet and a portion of the edge AB are held by a pair of laterally spaced apart, left and right holders mounted on a movable member so that the sheet is displaced on an elongated plate along the longitudinal direction thereof by the movement of the movable member. One or more laterally extending endless conveyers belts are provided on the plate to laterally move the sheet on the plate. A detector is provided to determine the direction of the movement of each of the conveyors, so that the edge DA is made in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the plate.

Abstract: A fabric position correcting device for correcting relative position of two fabrics in terms of alignment in at least one of outer profile lines and patterns of the fabrics. A pair of fabric holders are provided which respectively hold first and second fabrics. The holders are movable in X, Y directions, and angularly rotatable about a vertical axis for moving the respective fabrics. A pair of image sensors are provided for picking up at least one of outer profiles and patterns of the respective fabrics. Data from the image sensors are utilized for computation of moving distance and angular rotation angle of the holders in order to eliminate misalignment between two fabrics in terms of at least one of the profiles and patterns.

Abstract: A sheet supply apparatus supplies a sheet such as an X-ray sheet film from a cassette to a recording device. The sheet supply apparatus has at least a pair of rollers for gripping and feeding a sheet, a feeding mechanism for feeding a sheet from a storage cassette and supplying the sheet along a feed path to the pair of rollers, a tilt correcting mechanism having for correcting the sheet out of a tilted condition with respect to a direction transverse to the feed path, and a position correcting mechanism for displacing the pair of rollers in the direction while the pair of rollers is gripping the sheet, to correct the sheet positionally with respect to the direction. The feeding mechanism has suction devices movable into the feed path for attracting the sheet under vacuum, and the tilt correcting mechanism has at least a pair of stoppers movable into the feed path for engaging a leading end of the sheet to correct the sheet out of the tilted condition.

Abstract: The skew angle of a sheet (e.g., business form or other document) is detected by providing two sensors spaced from each other a known distance along a straight line perpendicular to the direction of conveyance of the sheet. If there is a skew, the distance travelled by the sheet leading edge between sensings by the sensors is determined, and the skew angle calculated from its tangent. First and second independent drive rollers under the sheet are driven in opposite directions of rotation to compensate for the skew angle. The rollers preferably act in conjunction with a controller (computer) to not only reorient the sheet to compensate for the skew, but also to rotate the document through a significant angle (e.g., 90.degree.) to give the sheet a second orientation different from its initial orientation (e.g., from portrait to landscape).

Abstract: A method of deskewing and side registering a sheet is disclosed. The method includes the step of driving a sheet non-differentially in a process direction with a sheet driver, the sheet having an unknown magnitude of side-to-side misregistration and an unknown initial angle of skew. The method further includes the steps of measuring the initial angle of skew with an initial skew sensing mechanism and driving the sheet differentially with the sheet driver to compensate for the magnitude of side-to-side misregistration and thereby induce a registration angle of skew. Moreover, the method includes the steps of measuring the registration angle of skew with a registration skew sensing mechanism and summing the initial angle of skew and the registration angle of skew so as to determine an absolute angle of skew.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to deskew sheets in a short paper path in an electrophotographic printing machine by differentially driving two sets of rolls so as to create a paper buckle buffer zone in the sheet and then differentially driving a roll set to correct the skew while the sheet is still within the nips of multiple drive roll sets. Contrary to stalled roll techniques, leading edge damage to sheets is eliminated as the deskewing rolls are initially traveling at the same velocity as the sheet.

Abstract: A switch is located near a pair of register rollers for feeding a document sheet toward a platen glass. A pair of document-feeding rollers are located near a platen glass. When the switch detects the rear edge of the document sheet being fed by the register rollers, it generates a signal. Upon receipt of this signal, the document-feeding rollers rotate, thus feeding the sheet for a prescribed distance and placing it at a predetermined position on the platen glass. The image on the sheet, thus positioned, is copied. An upper roller and a lower roller contacting each other are arranged at the exit side of the register rollers. The document sheets are braked as they pass, one after another, through the gap between the upper and lower rollers and are fed at the same speed, thus reducing their speeds to one and the same speed in spite of their different inertias.

Abstract: A sheet reversing apparatus comprises a support in which sheets are stacked, an entrance section for guiding the sheet to the support, a blowing mechanism for directing an air stream to a sheet stack on the support to separate a lowermost sheet from remaining sheets, and a feeding mechanism for attracting the sheet to feed it. Further, stopper plates are provided to be pivoted above the support so that it cooperates with the support to pinch and brake the sheet therebetween in a continuous reversing mode wherein the incoming sheet is immediately fed and that it abuts against the incoming sheet by a portion thereof opposing a leading end of the sheet in a stack reversing mode wherein while the sheets are being stacked the lowermost sheet is separated and fed.

Abstract: In a sheet feeding device, the local feed of the sheet is measured in the vicinity of respective drive rollers by means of respective sensors for the purpose of aligning rectangular sheets of a preselected set. On the basis of signals from the light sensors, a control device determines an optimum pair of rollers for aligning the sheet. The control device compares the signals of the two associated sensors and adjusts the local feed of the sheet in such a way that the two sensors establish the same local feed, before the sheet leaves one of the selected rollers.

Abstract: A depository apparatus includes a common entry slot (14) for receiving both envelopes and single sheets, such as checks and a thickness sensor (216) for providing an output indicative of whether a deposit item is an envelope or a sheet. Transport apparatus (38) transports deposit items along a common feed path to a printer (42) for printing data on envelopes and sheets, and to a read head (40) for reading data from sheets. A sheet alignment mechanism is included in the common feed path and is operable to bring about alignment of a sheet relative to the read head (40) by moving the sheet into engagement with a reference member (170). Operation of the transport apparatus (38) is interrupted during operation of the alignment mechanism. Envelopes are fed directly into a first container (146). After reading of data from a sheet, operation of the transport apparatus (38) is reversed to feed the sheet into a selected one of two additional containers (138, 140).

Abstract: A mass production system for the manufacture of garments comprises a number of gantry robots which move shaped pieces of fabric over a work table between sewing and manipulating positions. In the sewing of scalloped lace to a garment, the sewing direction must always be parallel to the tangent to the undulating edge of the lace. The piece of lace is viewed by a camera, and the position of a notional datum line, such as a line passing through the minima of the undulations, is specified. Displacements of points along the edge of the lace are then determined relative to the datum line. Displacement and orientation values for guiding that particular piece of lace through a sewing position to produce a row of stitches at a constant distance inside the edge are calculated, and the piece of lace is subsequently guided through the sewing position in accordance with those values.

Abstract: A workpiece is aligned in the X, Y coordinate plane at a predetermined X, Y reference coordinate. Separate X and Y coordinate transports rapidly transport and align the workpiece. Deceleration means prevent the workpiece from slipping on the work surface. An adjustable, stationary workpiece engaging plate speeds the cycle time of the device by providing dual coordinate alignment of the workpiece. Sensors are provided to detect the presence of a workpiece properly aligned in the X, Y coordinate plane. The sensors may be either individually connected or coupled through a control means to previous and succeeding workstations in such a manner that the invention can interrupt the "fault chain" that occurs when a workpiece becomes fouled along the assembly line.

Abstract: In an electronic imaging system in which a document is electronically imaged on a platen by a scanning electronic imager, a document for which manual handling is desired is manually positioned in a special manual registration position on the platen in which one corner of the document underlies a unique signal generating optical indicia positioned over that corner of the platen. Preferably, this optical indicia is a uniquely numbered bar code pattern on a stationary baffle, or other overlying surface, upstream of the document feeder platen transport, and preferably located in a start of scan area. The electronic imager is at least partially optically occluded from reading that unique bar code pattern by a document present in that manual registration position. (A document for which automatic feeding is desired may be placed in a document feeder and fed thereby onto the platen into a different registration position in which no portion of that document is interposed between that bar code and the imager.

Abstract: Feedback control for receiver member in-track registration for immediacy of registration error correction and improved long term in-track registration accuracy. In an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus or the like, a receiver member is fed at a preselected time from a supply and transported along a travel path, including a registration mechanism adapted to selectively intercept the travel path. The receiver member is stopped at the intercept position, and a desired dwell time for the receiver member at the intercept position, prior to actuation of the registration mechanism, is established. After expiration of the dwell time, the registration mechanism is actuated to advance the receiver member from the intercept position into association with a marking particle developed image. the receiver member is sensed at a predetermined location downstream of the registration mechanism and a signal indicative thereof is provided.

Abstract: Servo methods and apparatus whereby unit-record documents are transported past a process-station according to one of several "velocity-profiles", depending upon document type and/or condition, the methods involving: using a microprocessor whereby the documents are transported past one or more process-stations according to one of several "velocity-profiles", depending upon document type and/or condition.The methods involve arranging the microprocessor to store at least two different velocity-profiles and to store prescribed characteristics of each contemplated document and deploying passage-sensors along the path in prescribed spaced-relation with the process stations, whereby a given velocity-profile is automatically selected, in real time, and on-the-fly, by the microprocessor for each said document transported.

Abstract: A system for controlling sheet feed in a sheet-processing machine having a feed table with front stops thereon includes a scanning device in the vicinity of the front stops for detecting an arrival of a sheet thereat. An angle sensor is attached to a shaft of the sheet-processing machine. A computing/control device has a device for assigning scanning signals from the scanning means to respective angular positions .phi.actual with stored setpoint values .phi.setpoint, for computing positioning data for correcting a subsequent arrival of a sheet, if there is a deviation .DELTA..phi. between angular positions .phi.actual and the stored setpoint values .phi.setpoint, and for transmitting the positioning data to an actuating device.

Abstract: Position registration of sheets in a feed path is achieved without guides or gates. Laterally separated drive rolls are speed controlled to correct for skew mispositioning. Lateral registration is achieved by translation of the drive rolls transversely to the direction of sheet movement. Longitudinal registration is controlled by varying the speeds of the drive rollers equally. The system reduces the required paper path length to achieve correct registration, thereby allowing higher speed operation.

Abstract: A device for selectively turning documents includes first and second drive rollers aligned along an axis which is transverse to a process direction along which documents are fed, and first and second follower rollers cooperatively peripherally aligned with the first and second drive rollers, respectively. One of the drive rollers is operated at a substantially constant peripheral velocity by a first drive which is a constant velocity motor while the other drive roller is operated at a variable peripheral velocity by a variable speed drive so that the document is turned. Thus, only a single variable speed drive, such as, for example a stepper motor or servo system, is required. The variable speed drive is driven through a variable velocity profile to control the amount of rotation of the document. Preferably the document is turned approximately 90.degree..

Abstract: Apparatus for aligning a document, the apparatus comprising: structure for feeding a document in a downstream path of travel, the document have a downstream edge relative to the path of travel; structure for registering the downstream edge of a document in a direction extending transverse to the path of travel, the registering structure including at least one member extending into the path of travel, the registering structure including structure for moving the at least one member downstream in the path of travel; and structure for controlling the feeding structure to urge a document into engagement with the at least one moving member.

Abstract: A sheet paper feeder for use in a printing press, includes a cam mechanism interposed between sheet feeding rollers, and a source of drive force for the sheet feeding rollers which are adapted to be repeatedly rotated and stopped along a programmed continuous cam operation curve. A retracting mechanism associated with sheet holddown wheels operates in synchronism with the sheet feeding rollers to cause reciprocating movement of the sheet holddown wheels toward and away from the sheet feeding rollers.

Abstract: A sheet movement detection system for apparatus having a sheet feed path includes a first capacitor sensor including a first pair of parallel plate members located in opposing relation on opposite sides of the feed path plane at an upstream position and second capacitor sensor including a second pair of parallel plate members, which are correspondingly sized and spaced to said first plate members, in opposing relation on opposite sides of the feed path plane at a downstream position. The sensors are coupled in a detection circuit which applies potentials across the pairs of plate members so that output signals of the first and second sensing means are subtracted from one another. A position circuit detects the output of the detection circuit during movement of a sheet lead edge through the second sensor and provides a sheet lead-edge position signals indicating the position or velocity of the sheet lead edge.

Abstract: A device suitable for an electrophotographic copying machine which comprises a detection bar for detecting the transport of a copy paper and causing its pivotal movement by being pushed by the front side of the copy paper, a plurality of paper prevention claws responsive to the position of the detection bar for selectively allowing the transport of the copy paper and, otherwise, preventing the transport of the copy paper, and a rotatable shaft for coaxially coupling the detection bar with the paper prevention claws. According to the pivotal movement of the detecton bar, the rotatable shaft can be rotated to thereby rotate and lift the plurality of paper prevention claws.

Abstract: In a paper feeding control device according to a first embodiment of the invention, paper sheets delivered from paper containing sections are stopped once when their ends are detected by a paper detecting means. The paper sheet starts to be fed from the position where it is stopped, and a subsequent paper sheet is delivered at intervals of time corresponding to the minimum spacing required between paper sheets. Accordingly, even if the spacing between sheets is below the minimum because of slipping of the sheets during feeding, the sheets tend not to collide with each other and jamming is less likely. In a second embodiment of the invention, with continuously feeding paper sheets, two conditions are ANDed, namely, the elapse of time corresponding to the ideal spacing with which sheets are fed and the elapse of time corresponding to the minimum spacing required between the sheets. This ANDing is used to control the timing of the feeding of the subsequent sheet.

Abstract: A device for conveying and positioning sheets, comprising positioning apparatus for positioning one of the longitudinal sides of the sheets on the ideal transport line for said longitudinal side, the positioning apparatus being adapted to occupy an operative or an inoperative position, and actuating apparatus for moving the positioning apparatus, the positioning apparatus comprising a first conveying device and a second conveying device, each comprising two conveying members, at least one of which is formed by a roller, which two conveying members can form a transport nip extending parallel to the ideal transport line, the transport nip of the first conveying device extending along the ideal transport line and the second conveying device being situated at some distance from the first conveying device in the zone of the sheet conveying path, and drive apparatus are provided by which the roller (or rollers) of each conveying device can be so driven that each conveying device in its operative position exerts on

Abstract: The present invention comprises an apparatus and method for automatically feeding manually inserted print media into a printer or similar device and substantially aligning the same, thereby eliminating the need to correct the alignment of the print media manually. The invention automatically feeds the media to the printer by means of a first paper drive having a low torque which aligns the media in the nip and then actuates the paper feed drive. The method of aligning the media is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for producing a singulated flow of correctly oriented flats (100 or 160) includes an input conveyor (12), a plurality of singulating conveyors (14, 16, and 18), and a skew correction station (20). A stack of flats (100 or 160) is deposited onto an inclined surface (42) of the input conveyor (12). The input conveyor (12) produced a running shingle of flats by frictionally engaging and pulling the bottom most flat in the stack. The plurality of singulating conveyors (14, 16, and 18) convert the running shingle into a singulated flow using frictional, inertial, and gravitational forces. By advancing conveyor (16) while halting conveyor (14), a flat (102) is pulled from underneath flat (108) with flat (108) remaining stationary. By operating conveyor (16) in a pulsed acceleration mode, passenger flat (122) is separated from underlying flat (120). By angling the conveyors (14, 16, and 18) in an upward direction, rearward gravitational force passenger flats (134 and 136) down conveyor (14).

Abstract: An automatic document feeder includes a document delivery belt for conveying a document, a pulse output switch for supplying pulses in synchronism with driving of the belt, and a counter for counting the number of the pulses supplied. The extent that the delivery belt is driven is roughly controlled on the basis of the number of pulses supplied from the pulse output switch. After a predetermined number of pulses have been provided, the driving of the delivery belt is controlled according to time. According to the time control, the delivery belt is driven for a constant time period. The number of the pulses supplied during this constant time period is counted. If the counted value is different from a predetermined reference value, the delivery belt is driven until the counted value reaches the reference value. The delivery belt is thus controlled to accurately set the document in a predetermined position.

Abstract: There is disclosed a device for orienting a sheet having a rectangular shape into a straight position. A sheet, which is fed forward in a position inclined in one way and then brought into contact engagement at one corner on the leading edge thereof with one of two working surfaces of the device is turned into a straight position by the feeding force acting on the sheet to move it forward and of the force of a working surface of the device acting on that corner to move it in a direction perpendicular to that of the feeding force and away from the other corner on the same leading edge of the sheet.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for registering a sheet in punch press or other apparatus having a control system carrying out a programmed position of the sheet during punching operations, in which a movable locator plate is urged into an advanced position along an axis of movement so as to be displaced when the sheet is moved a fixed distance along one axis. A distance transducer generates a continuously varying electrical signal corresponding to the displacement of the locator plate from its advanced position, which signal is transmitted to the control system to modify the part program in accordance with the actual location of the sheet.

Abstract: To adjust the posture of a sheet being conveyed, movable checker members provided adjacent to the conveyance path for the sheet are once driven in the direction of conveyance of the sheet before the members touch the sheet and are subsequently decelerated, the members being caused to abut against the front end of the sheet during the deceleration, thereby checking the sheet and thus correcting any skew thereof. Further, for positioning the sides of the sheet, the sheet is taken out of a hopper by way of a separating device and is guided and fed in such a manner that its front corner will not be caused to abut against a side registration guide, and subsequently the sheet is conveyed toward the guide by way of obliquely extending conveyer belt devices and one side of the sheet is brought into contact with the guide for positioning after a front corner of the sheet has passed at least the edge of the guide.

Abstract: A sensing device is disclosed for sensing the front edge (1a) or the rear edge (1b) of a recording material carrier (1) in a processing apparatus, wherein a feeler probe lever (2) rests on the spring-supported switching element (3a) of a microswitch (3), and wherein the connection terminal contacts (5a, 5b) of the microswitch (3) are connected to an electronic control or, respectively, display circuit (4). The invention device presents a purely mechanical, economically produceable sensing device which functions for all kinds of recording material carriers and which is wear-resistant and allows to determine with high accuracy the front edge (1a) or the rear edge (1b) of a recording material carrier (1).

Abstract: A device for scanning the length of a sheet in a sheet-processing machine including suction-air measuring nozzles alignable with the trailing edge of the sheet and connected to a suction-air source via control elements connected in an electrical circuit of the machine drive, and a feeder for aligning the sheets to be processed at stops for the leading edge of the sheet, and for lifting sheets individually off a pile of sheets includes a fall-type sucker formed of at least one of the suction-air measuring nozzles, the fall-type sucker being formed with a scanning bore directed in the feeder towards the trailing edge of the uppermost sheet in the pile of sheets, and a differential-pressure-measuring valve disposed in a suction-air line connected to the fall-type sucker, said differential-pressure measuring valve being cooperatively associated with the control elements.

Abstract: An improved sheet-position detection system for apparatus having a sheet feed path and a use location(s). The position detection system includes a first capacitive sensor including a first pair of parallel plate members located in opposing relation on opposite sides of the feed path plane and centered on a desired lead sheet edge position. A second capacitive sensor includes a second pair of parallel plate members that are located in opposing relation on opposite sides of the feed plane and are centered on a desired trail sheet edge position. A bridge circuit applies potentials across the pairs of plate members in a circuit configuration such that output signals of the first and second sensors are subtracted, and when the combined outputs of the first and second sensors is zero, a feed sheet is indicated to be centered between the sensor means.

Abstract: A method of controlling the driving of a conveyor in an automatic document conveying device in which the conveyor is positioned opposite a transparent plate in an image processing machine and a reversibly rotatable electric motor for driving the conveyor. In the automatic document conveying device, a sheet-like document fed between the transparent plate and the conveyor is conveyed in a predetermined direction on the transparent plate by applying a normally rotating voltage to the electric motor to rotate the electric motor in a normal direction and drive the conveyor in a predetermined direction. Thereafter, the document is stopped at a required site on the transparent plate by producing a braking action in the electric motor and thus stopping the conveyor. The conveying speed of the conveyor is detected as the conveyor is driven in the predetermined direction is detected.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising: a rotating section of a rotatable cassette movable between a longitudinal feed position from which paper longitudinally oriented with respect to a feeding direction is fed and a lateral feed position from which paper laterally oriented with respect to the feeding direction is fed; a document size detection device for detecting the size and orientation of a document; an automatic paper selection function for selecting a cassette in accordance with document size/orientation data obtained from the document size detection device and magnification data; a timer for measuring a predetermined perod of time; a RAM for storing the document size/orientation data; and control a device for (i) controlling the timer to start its measuring operation upon detection of a document size/orientation by the document size detection device, (ii) controlling the movement of the rotating section of the rotatable cassette to a position which corresponds to a determined orientation of the copy pa

Abstract: A system for efficiently feeding normal sized and oversized documents into different imaging positions overlying an imaging platen. All documents are initially fed onto the platen from an infeeding position desirable for normal documents substantially downstream from the upstream end of the platen. A normal document is only fed unidirectionally downstream into an imaging position. A sensed oversized document is initially fed downstream, but then, after its trail edge has cleared the infeeding position, it is reverse fed towards the upstream end of the platen into a imaging position partially overlying the normally unused upstream portion of the platen. A baffle normally directly overlies that area of the platen. During the initial reverse movement of an oversized document has baffle is pivoted upwardly at its downstream edge, at the infeeding position, to provide a document guide surface under the baffle.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device is provided for taking up and feeding a plurality of sheets one by one by a selectively driven sheet feeding roller from the stack thereof positioned on a sheet feeding base to a register roller and for transporting the sheet to an image developing and processing device at a predetermined timing by the register roller; the feeding device comprising a movable sheet guide member provided between the feeding roller and the register roller which is adapted to be displaced by the curving deformation of a sheet between the feeding roller and the register roller in the direction of the growing of the curving deformation. The feeding device may further comprise a detector for sensing the displacement of the sheet guide member to determine based upon the displacement that a predetermined curvature of a sheet has been reached, and a control for stopping the rotation of the feeding roller in response to the detection by the detector so as to prevent the sheet from deforming excessively.

Abstract: "Anti-wander" web-transport arrangements wherein web-means are intermittently advanced, while being monitored for misalignment along the transport-path, and also being automatically urged back into proper alignment along this path. Preferably, this is done with left and right roll means, one of which is selectively urged more tightly against the web to impart superior advance-thrust and so urge the web back into proper alignment.