Abstract: Device for laterally aligning sheets in a feeder of a sheet-fed rotary printing press wherein sheets having respective leading edges aligned at front lays of a feeder table are gripped by a gripper system of a pregripper in succession individually at an edge region thereof, and transferred with a swivelling or revolving movement to a gripper system of a revolvingly driven feed cylinder, includes motorized adjustment elements for laterally displacing at least one of the gripper systems transversely to sheet travel through the printing press, measuring elements for determining an actual position of a side edge of a respective sheet on the feeder table, and a setpoint- actual value comparator for comparing a setpoint position of the side edge of the respective sheet on the feeder table with the actual position of the side edge determined by the measuring elements, and for generating pulses for controlling the measuring elements in accordance with the comparison.

Abstract: To produce a desired sheet orientation between upstream and downstream positions of a sheet path along which sheets travel successively in a predetermined sheet travel direction, each sheet is driven uniformly along the path with an intermediate phase in which the sheet is driven differentially to rotate the sheet without changing its velocity component in the sheet travel direction. If the sheet has a skew or an offset error, the amount of rotation and its starting point are adjusted appropriately to compensate for both.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet conveying apparatus with a pair convey rollers arranged upstream of a registration mechanism for correcting a skew-feed of a sheet in a sheet conveying direction that can be abutted against or separated from each other, or can be shifted in accordance with a length of the sheet in the sheet conveying direction. As the result, when the skew-feed of the sheet is corrected by the registration mechanism, a trailing end of the sheet is not restrained.

Abstract: A sheet jamming-proof mechanism for a paper-feeding system provided outside of a left and a right paper boundaries delimited along a predetermined paper-feeding pathway to supervise the paper-feeding direction for preventing sheet jamming. The sheet jamming-proof mechanism includes: a plurality of touch plates, each touch plate being closely contiguous to the outside of the left or right boundary of paper-feeding pathway and being elastically hold by the paper-feeding system so that the touch plate is forced to shift when the contact plate is pressed by a deviated paper; a plurality of detectors, each detector locates in the vicinity of the touch plate to sense the shift of the touch plate; and a controller which controls the driving device of the paper-feeding system to alter the ordinary paper-feeding operation for preventing sheet jamming when shift of any touch plate is sensed by the detectors.

Abstract: A printing press electronic side guide registry apparatus for sheet stock to be printed on a printing press having a print cylinder, print stock forward motion advancer through the print cylinder, and a forward motion registry stop including a laterally movable side registry stock gripper device comprising a slide anvil positioned to be adjacent one surface of the stock, and a fluid cylinder positioned to be adjacent the opposite surface of the stock, aligned with the slide anvil to grip sheet stock therebetween, the slide anvil and fluid cylinder both mounted on a laterally shiftable support movable transverse to sheet stock forward motion, a nut connected to the support, and a laterally extending screw operably engaging the nut, a rotational servo motor drivingly connected with the screw for rotation of the screw to laterally drive the nut, support, fluid cylinder and slide anvil, and a sheet edge detector electrically associated with the servo motor to controllably actuate and deactuate the servo motor, wh

Abstract: An image recording apparatus for controlling an image recording operation on the basis of a detected width of a recording medium by a paper width detecting means after the recording medium is fed to a predetermined position on a platen. Whether the recording medium is desirably conveyed or not is determined on the basis of a signal obtained by said paper width detecting means.

Abstract: A copy media registration module for positioning paper in a feed path is disclosed. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a module for registering copy media on an imaging member that lies at the end of a paper path, where the registration module can be removed from and replaced into a machine as a single unit. In addition, enhancements can be added to the module to provide for even more accurate copy media registration and greater media substrate latitude as desired. The modular nature of the registration module allows diagnostic testing as well as repairs and/or periodic maintenance to be easily conducted on the unit outside of the machine in which it is typically used. It also provides easy replacement of the unit if it is no longer functional, or for a temporary unit to be used while the permanent unit is being repaired.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning paper in a feed path by providing continuous feedback of copy sheet registration parameters is disclosed. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a system which compares measured sheet registration information with an ideal value stored in a microprocessor. These measured registration parameters are averaged and pertinent information is fed back to the control system of the copy sheet registration device. The information that has been fed back is then used to adjust the orientation of subsequent copy sheets, thereby allowing for ideal placement of the copy sheet onto the photoreceptor for successful transfer of a developed image.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a feed roller mechanism disposed downstream of a transfer corotron 412 constituting a transfer section and composed of driven rollers 506 located on both edges of a continuous recording medium 100 which are outside an image transfer area and a drive roller 508 extending over the whole width of the continuous recording medium 100, so that when transferring a toner image from an image recording member 402, on which the toner image is to be formed, to the continuous recording medium 100, friction by the rollers achieves reliable conveyance against an attraction between the image recording member 402 and the continuous recording medium 100 without disturbing an unfixed image on the continuous recording medium 100.

Abstract: To compensate for sheet registration errors and to produce a desired target sheet offset between upstream and downstream positions of a sheet path along which sheets travel successively in a predetermined sheet travel direction, each sheet is driven along the path in at least three successive phases, i.e. a first phase in which the sheet is driven differentially to rotate the sheet in a first direction, a second phase in which the sheet s driven uniformly in the sheet travel direction, and a third phase in which the sheet is driven differentially with a driving velocity versus time profile opposite to that in the first phase, to rotate the sheet in a second direction opposite the first direction. If the sheet has a skew error, an intermediate phase in which the sheet is driven differentially with a driving velocity versus time profile dertmined to correct for the detected skew error, is nested in the second phase.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming the crotch in a garment having a front panel and a back panel which are joined at respective ends thereof to form the crotch. A holding fixture engages the front and back panels adjacent to the ends to be joined. A first positioning apparatus positions the ends of the front and back panel in their respective grippers. A second positioning apparatus aligns the edges of the front and back panels with respect to one another. After positioning the front and back panels in their respective grippers, the holding fixture positions the ends of the panels in override flapping relationship. A sewing apparatus is insertable into the holding fixture for sewing the ends of the panel together while the panels are held in the holding fixture.

Abstract: There is provided a calibration system for a deskewing and registering device for an electrophotographic printing machine. The method includes a.) moving a sheet from a first position to a second position along a paper path; b.) sensing the position of the sheet at the first position and the second position; c.) choosing a correction value to cause the sheet to change a lateral position from the first position to the second position; d.) repeating the moving, sensing, and choosing steps until a predetermined adjustment is made when moving the sheet from the first position to the second position to determine a proper calibration value.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for registering and deskewing a sheet along a paper path. A pair of independently driven selectively actuable nips are used to drive a sheet transverse to a paper path direction until the edge of a sheet is registered laterally and in skew. The transverse nips are then deactivated and a drive nip moves the sheet in a process direction along the paper path. A first transport sensor senses the lead edge of a sheet, a second sensor is used to also detect the lead edge of a sheet within a certain distance from the detection by the first sensor. The transport drive nip can then be adjusted based on the transport time between the first transport sensor and the second transport sensor so that the sheet arrives at a registration sensor at the prescribed time. This apparatus and method allows the use of simple point type sensors as opposed to more complex and expensive sensor arrays.

Abstract: A registering device for an electrophotographic printing machine. A steerable pair of drive nips is located in the paper path. A lead edge sensor detects when a sheet is within the steerable drive nips. The steerable nips are turned so that the sheet is transported toward a side registration sensor located in the paper path. When the side registration sensor detects the edge of the sheet the actuator causes the steerable nips to be straightened. The sheet may be forwarded to a second, higher accuracy registration device for final registration. The steerable nip device provides a course preregistration device which may utilize inexpensive and non complex components. This device also enables the use of less expensive components in the fine registration device as the range of correction required by the fine registration device can be much narrower due to the preregistration device.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device can perform registration of a sheet with high precision even if the sheet is fed at high speed. The device includes a pair of active registration rollers, disposed at a side upstream from a reading unit in the sheet feeding direction, for correcting skew of the sheet, skew-amount detection sensors, disposed at a side downstream from the pair of active registration rollers in the sheet feeding direction, respective pairs of feeding rollers, disposed at a side upstream from the pairs of active registration rollers in the sheet feeding direction, and sheet detection sensors, disposed at a side upstream from the pairs of feeding rollers in the sheet feeding direction. Each of the pairs of feeding rollers includes a roller having a semispherical cross section at the driving side.

Abstract: A deskewing and registering device for an electrophotographic printing machine. A single set of sensors determine the position and skew of a sheet in a paper path and generate signals indicative thereof. A pair of independently driven nips forward the sheet to a registration position in skew and at the proper time based on signals from a controller which interprets the position signals and generates the motor control signals. An additional set of sensors can be used at the registration position to provide feedback for updating the control signals as rolls wear or different substrates having different coefficients of friction are used.

Abstract: The disclosed document feeder apparatus includes a document drive that comprises only a single line of feed rollers with a simple skew adjustment system. This drive is shown incorporated in a cassette-loaded automatic document feeder ("ADF") that is attachable to an existing independent engineering document copier in a non-intrusive manner. The cassette can be loaded, either when positioned in the ADF or at a location remote from the ADF, with a stack of large engineering documents of mixed media and varying sizes; and it is even possible for the cassette to carry a document several yards (meters) long. Documents are fed serially from the top of the stack through the ADF's document flow path by the document drive which is centered for alignment along a line positioned parallel to the document flow path.

Abstract: A sheet handler for deskewing and registering sheets en route to a processing station in an image processing apparatus includes cross rolls that drive each copy sheet against a registration edge for deskewing purposes. The angle of a driven one of the cross rolls with respect to the registration edge is adjusted, as well as, its speed varied based on the output of a sheet weight detector to a controller that controls pivotal movement of the driven cross roll.

Abstract: A stalled roll registration method and apparatus used as the sole timing adjustment in a paper path includes a clutch or motor driven registration nip, a buckle chamber and two sensors. After a sheet reaches a sensor upstream of the registration nip, the sheet lead edge advances a fixed distance into the stalled registration nip in order to buckle a known amount. Afterwards, the registration nip advances the deskewed sheet until a second sensor downstream of the registration nip is reached. The registration nip then stops, allowing the sheet to form an upstream buckle. This second buckle can be large since the lead edge is constrained by the registration nip. Therefore, large timing variations between sheet locations and image locations can be accommodated.

Abstract: A sheet feeder for a sheet-fed printing machine having a cylinder with a gripper system, movable suction conveyors for separating individual sheets from a sheet pile, the suction conveyors being disposed adjacent one another in a sheet-conveying direction, and groups of revolving adjustable conveying elements for aligning the sheets on a drive side and on an operating side of the printing machine in association with the suction conveyors and cooperating therewith for feeding the sheets to the gripper system of the cylinder of the printing machine, includes a drive system for driving the groups of conveying elements independently of one another and with varied speed so as to align the sheets on both of the sides of the printing machine, and a device disposed at locations of the revolving conveying elements for querying the sheet edges and for generating, in accordance with a response to a respective query, an electric pulse for controlling the drive system; and a method of separating and aligning the sheets in

Abstract: An auto-splice device includes a cutting conveyer on which a sheet is cut to produce a fabric, a vacuum take-out unit for taking the fabric from the cutting conveyer onto a take-out conveyer, and a splice mechanism for splicing the fabric to another fabric on the take-out conveyer. A sheet end position measuring unit controls the location at which the fabric is held by the vacuum take-out unit.

Abstract: A device for actuating lateral sheet guides in accordance with respective sheet format widths to be processed includes an actuator disposed on an operating side of a rotary printing press for displacing a side stop transversely to the longitudinal direction of a sheet, the actuator being disposed so as to be visible and freely accessible on an operating side of a sheet pile, adjustable lateral sheet guides disposed in a feed region and a delivery region of the printing press, mutually cooperating tensioning devices form-lockingly connected to the actuator and to the lateral sheet guides and being simultaneously adjustable by the actuator in the feed region and in the delivery region symmetrically to a center of a printing unit of the printing press.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for continuously feeding sheets and transferring images thereon, includes an endless type rotatable image forming body, an image forming unit for forming an image on the image forming body, a transfer unit for transferring the image on the image forming body onto a sheet being fed, a feeding unit for feeding the sheet, a first position detector for detecting the sheet being fed at a first predetermined position in a feeding path of the sheet, and a second position detector, located on a side of the transfer unit at a second predetermined position, for detecting the sheet being fed. A control unit is provided for controlling a feeding speed of the feeding unit to compensate for a transfer position of the sheet, in accordance with a measured feeding time from the first predetermined position to the second predetermined position based on outputs of the first and second position detectors.

Abstract: A feeder for a sheet-fed printing machine having a feeder table having at least one pulling unit coupled to the machine drive train for imparting to each newly arrived sheet a defined direction of pull, and a sensing arrangement for sensing the position of the side edges of the sheet, the feeder which includes at least one sensor having a response range, facing a respective side edge of the sheet, the sensor which produces two distinctly different signals that indicate the presence or absence, respectively, of the sheet in the desired position of the sheet before and after imparting the pull; electronic logic control apparatus operatively responsive to the signals from the sensor that are produced at the first and second interrogation of the sensor before and after the pull for determining if the sheet after the pull is positioned within the response range of the sensor; and alarm indicator operatively responsive to the logic control apparatus for producing an alarm indication in case it is determined by the

Abstract: With a banknote processing apparatus, banknotes stored in a storing section are fed in a feeding direction one by one by take-in rollers. First and second sensors for detecting passage of the banknote are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the sheets and spaced from each other. A difference between a first passing timing at which a leading edge of the banknote is detected by the first sensor and a second passing timing at which the leading edge of the banknote is detected by the second sensor is detected by a control section. A second difference between a passing timing at which a trailing edge of the banknote is detected by the first sensor and a passing timing at which the trailing edge of the banknote is detected by the second sensor is detected by the control section. If the first and second difference are different from each other, it is determined by the control section that a bent or torn portion exists in the banknote.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the cancellation of stamps and printing of pre-programmable messages on envelopes. The apparatus comprises structure for feeding a plurality of envelopes in singulated manner to a sensing assembly, which detects the leading and top edges of the envelope and trigger printing structure which cancels the stamp and/or prints on a pre-programmable message. The apparatus and method is of value when envelopes of different sizes, generally having the stamp in a common region, i.e. upper right-hand corner, as part of the plurality of envelopes are present.

Abstract: A copying machine in which an image of a document placed on a platen is optically read and transferred on a transfer sheet sent out from a sheet feeding cassette. The temporary stop times of transfer sheets at the registration unit are averaged after transfer sheets in each sheet feeding cassette have been copied. The obtained average is compared with a predetermined reference value. The start of the sheet feeding operation by sheet feeding cassette is advanced in accordance with the result of the comparison.

Abstract: A process and device for automatically feeding workpiece layers to be processed in a hanging position in a vertical plane to a scanning and aligning station (R). The workpiece layers are grasped individually in a horizontal starting position, brought into the vertical position, and transferred to the scanning and aligning station (R), from which they are taken over directly after alignment and forwarded to the processing station (N). The device for carrying out this process has two conveyors (F and F'), each of which consists of a feed conveyor (Z; Z') designed as a manipulator and a transport mechanism (T; T') formed by a conveyor belt (48; 48'). The workpiece layers are held by controllably movable clamps (20; 20') in the scanning and aligning station (R). The transport mechanisms (T and T') can be moved to and fro between a carrying position and a non-carrying position in the area of the clamps (20 and 20').

Abstract: A sheet feeding and lateral registration system, including feed rollers (41, 42) for feeding sheets (50) in a process direction and registration apparatus (52, 53) for registering each sheet in a direction laterally of the process direction. The registration apparatus includes a shifting system (53) for laterally shifting a carriage (52) on which the feed rollers are mounted. A single edge sensor (57) is arranged to provide a signal on detecting the presence of a sheet, and a control controls the lateral shifting system in response to that signal. The control is operated such that if the sheet (50) is not detected by the sensor (57) on initial entry of the sheet into the feed rollers, then the shifting system (53) is activated to move the feed rollers laterally towards the sensor until the sheet is detected by the sensor, whereupon the lateral movement is stopped.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the side lay marks and excess draw of a sheet fed rotary press that further ensures that sheets are at a sufficient distance from the side lay mark prior to transverse conveyance. A lateral sensor is positioned at a predetermined distance from the side lay mark so that when front sensors determine the presence of a sheet at front lay marks, the lateral sensor is evaluated. The sheet will only be conveyed transversely toward the side lay if the lateral sensor has not detected a sheet but the front sensors have, thus ensuring that the side edge of the sheet is at a sufficient distance from the side lay mark. A single sensor can also be used for all side lay mark monitoring, including monitoring for excess draw.

Abstract: A continuous-operation device for the treatment of a leather piece and similar materials, comprising a work station including a roller unit including a pair of rollers and through which the leather piece is moved, the work station including an inlet side and an outlet side, a traversing path upon which the leather piece is transversely moved, the traversing path extending from the inlet side and through the work station to the outlet side, a gripper for removal of the leather piece from one of the pair of rollers as the leather emerges from the work station outlet side, the gripper also for traversal movement of the leather piece after it emerges from the work station outlet side, a drive for driving the gripper, the gripper being operatively connected to the work station outlet side and movably mounted on the drive.

Abstract: A document feed apparatus is provided which feeds document sheets from a stack of sheets seriatum to a position remote from the stack. Two motor driven feed belts are pivotally mounted to contact or not contact a top sheet of the stack. The belts are driven by separate motors which are activated or deactivated depending upon the top sheet position.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for sequentially moving sheets into a predetermined registration position with a sheet support surface of an associated optical imaging device including a sheet displacement assembly for engaging and guidingly displacing the sheet along a predetermined displacement path having an upstream end and a downstream end; an abutment surface disposed along the displacement path in spaced relationship from the sheet support surface; and a drive for driving the displacement assembly for moving the sheet downstream a predetermined distance along the path past the abutment surface, then moving the sheet upstream into edge aligning engagement with the abutment surface and then moving the sheet downstream a predetermined distance along the path.

Abstract: An apparatus to bilaterally register and deskew sheets in an electrophotographic printing machine by driving the sheet against a pair of stalled drive rolls and then activating the drive rolls when the sheet is deskewed. The drive rolls are then laterally translated while the sheet is within the nips of the drive rolls. The proper side registration position of the sheet is sensed and stored and the sheet is brought to that proper registration position. Once the sheet has passed through the drive rolls, the rolls return to the center of the paper path to receive subsequent sheets. A stepper motor is used to translate the roll pairs in a lateral direction and the pulse counts are utilized to store the side registration and sheet acquisition positions thereby eliminating the need for a home position sensor or switch.

Abstract: A sheet stacking tray apparatus for receiving sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus such as a printer or copying machine. The sheets are correctly stacked, that is, without inclination or deviation. The tray apparatus according to the present invention is such that the speed at which the sheet is discharged to the tray apparatus is reduced when the tray apparatus receives the sheet material. And, the sheet is laterally shifted so as to correct the lateral deviation thereof. The tray is lowered in accordance with the amount of the sheets so as to keep a proper height thereof with respect to the discharging outlet from which it receives the sheet. An auxiliary sheet stacking plate is provided operable in association with the lowering of the tray so as to raise the sheet receiving side thereof so as to keep the sheet material on the tray horizontal.

Abstract: An apparatus for sequentially feeding an accumulation of sheets stored in a storing section thereof one by one to a predetermined transport path. A pressing member presses the accumulation of sheets to one side in a direction in which the sheets are accumulated. A pair of pick-up rollers abut against the surface of the accumulation of sheets at the above-mentioned one side. A pair of feed rollers are located at a predetermined feed position in parallel with the pair of pick-up rollers. Actuators cause the pick-up roller pair and the feed roller pair to move toward and away from each other in a reciprocating motion. A pair of reverse rollers are located to face the pair of feed rollers and rotatable in a counter-feed direction opposite to a predetermined feed direction. The pick-up rollers and feed rollers moving toward and away from each other pay out a sheet from one side of the accumulation.

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 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: A paper conveying apparatus which facilitates increased printing speed in a printer, such as a laser printer, by providing rollers which are rotated at different respective speeds at different times during a paper feeding and image transfer operation, so as to provide even feeding of the paper to an image transfer device. The paper is fed, one sheet at a time, relatively rapidly to the image transfer device, and at a slower speed, in synchronism with the image transfer operation, while transfer is being effected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for deskewing and registering a copy sheet, including the use of two or more selectably controllable drive rolls operating in conjunction with sheet skew and lead edge sensors, for frictionally driving and deskewing sheets having variable lengths. Subsequently, said sheets will be advanced so as to reach a predefined registration position at a predetermined velocity and time, at which point said sheets will no longer be frictionally engaged by said drive rolls.

Abstract: The printer drives the sheet feeding mechanism in response to the initial sheet-setting command and both the first sensor's and the second sensor's detection of no sheet, first forward until the second sheet sensor detects no sheet, then backward until the second sheet sensor detects no sheet, and finally forward the predetermined distance. The paper is neither caught nor crumpled near the exit of the first sheet supplier when the paper is fed backward.

Abstract: In a copying machine inclucing paired register rollers which are driven after a front end of a paper supplied from a paper supply cassette comes in contact with the paired register rollers and is aligned and a copying unit for copying a document image on the paper fed by the paired register rollers, the paired register rollers are mounted on a frame via self-aligning bearings, two paper front detecting sensors are disposed on both sides of the center of a feeding path between the paired register rollers and the copying unit, the direction and angle of tilt of the paper held by the paired register rollers with respect to the feeding direction of the paper are detected based on a difference between timings at which the two sensors are turned on, and the paired register rollers are tilted in a direction opposite to the detected direction by the detected angle, thus correcting the tilt of the paper.

Abstract: A system for locating a corner of an angularly oriented workpiece on a worksurface includes a gripper and associated two axis transport assembly, and a set of sensors on the gripper for detecting reflected radiation from the workpiece and surrounding work. A controller translates the gripper in the directions of two orthogonal axes until the sensors each overlie an edge of the corner-to-be detected. In the preferred form, the transport assembly includes a pneumatic position control system for each axis. Each pneumatic position control system includes an air cylinder and associated piston, a position valve assembly and a controller, and may further include a velocity valve assembly. The controller may control the position valve assembly to be in a first state during a selected time interval, thereby establishing axial motion of the piston in a first direction during that interval.

Abstract: In a procedure for feeding two limp workpiece sheets intended to be treated together and/or connected with each other and positioning them with respect to each other, it is provided to clamp them in a planar suspended position in clips of trolleys guided by rails. They are moved by the trolleys to scan their contours in a scanning station and to align them relative to each other in an alignment station. The alignment position of the workpiece sheets is fixed through a coupling device, which acts upon clip holders on the trolleys and can be moved together with them. This simultaneously connects the trolleys assigned to each other in pairs into a structure moving as a unit. The workpiece sheets are subsequently guided in their fixed alignment position to a treatment or processing station.

Abstract: Two shearing blades disposed along two lines which intersect each other are carried on the bottom edges of two adjacent walls of a four-sided ram structure. The ram is supported at four points whereby to provide greater stability. The workpiece is carried on the aligned top surfaces of a fixed bed and a movable carriage. The movable carriages is movable in a first direction. Finger grippers, joined by a connecting bar, are movable in slots along the top surface of the movable carriage in a second direction. Thus, the workpiece is moved in the first direction by movement of the movable carriage and in the second direction by movement of the finger grippers. The workpiece may be precisely and accurately positioned under the shearing blades making use of sensors in each of the finger grippers and a lateral sensor at the end of the movable carriage.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding a piece of sheet material to a tool utilizes a set of grippers on telescoping arms of a mean trajectory control system for displacing the sheet material in accordance with a predetermined trajectory. Local correction is effected by passing the piece of sheet material between two discs, one of which is rotatable about a horizontal axis but swingable about a vertical axis while the other, on the opposite side of the sheet, is rotatable about a vertical axis coincident with the first vertical axis. A line is marked on the sheet material with a substance stimulated by ultraviolet and emits a wavelength to which photodetectors are responsive to control the local correction device.

Abstract: Apparatus for aligning a sack disposed at the leading end of a series of shingled sacks, which have been unwound from a roll of shingled sacks and which have openings at their leading ends. The sack is aligned by transversely spaced gripping rollers that are operable to align the leading edge of a sack for proper orientation prior to transfer of the sack to a filling apparatus. An intermittently driven conveyor belt conveys the unwound series of shingled sacks as they are unwound from a roll. At least one pressure-applying roller is disposed above the conveyor belt and acts on the leading sack of the series of shingled sacks and cooperates with a backing roller, which is adapted to be driven, and optional pressure-applying elements, which are adapted to be lowered onto the next following sack.

Abstract: A plotter having the capability of unattended operation incorporates several innovations. An X-axis dual motor drive mechanism moves the plotting chart through the plotter using two independently controlled motors driving respective individual friction drives at either side of the chart. An automatic chart alignment mechanism aligns the chart with the plotter X-axis using the X-axis dual motor drive for swiveling of the chart as necessary and a sensor to detect and correct the position of the chart. A chart cutting mechanism allows chart stock supplied in roll form to be cut to a desired length for a plot using a knife assembly carried by the pen carriage like a pen. A cut chart handling mechanism enables cut charts to be retrieved and neatly stored.

Abstract: A bi-directional actuator is disclosed which comprises a frame, rotatable about a principal longitudinal axis. The frame mounts two or more partially spherical drive elements. The centers of the partially spherical elements are located on the longitudinal axis of the frame, and the elements are mounted for rotation about individual axes which are perpendicular to but intersect with the longitudinal axes. The individual axes of the respective drive elements are also angularly oriented with respect to each other. The cross sectional outline of the frame is contained within a cylindrical envelope of less diameter than the spheres. Driving devices, such as a belt, are provided to engage at least one of the drive elements in any rotary position of the frame. Directly opposite the belt or other driving device, the driven element or elements engages a material to be driven, typically a piece of fabric.

Abstract: A document printer includes sheet-feeding apparatus for sequentially presenting both faces of a print-receiving sheet to a print station. According to a preferred embodiment, such apparatus features, as part of the duplex sheet path, reversible sheet-feeding means operable in first or second active modes for selectively feeding sheets into and out of a chute, located upstream from the feeding means, to reverse the sheet's lead edge/trail edge orientation. Such sheet-feeding means is also operable in a passive mode in which it allows sheets to advance, without substantial interference, downstream therepast to a registration position.