Abstract: A material-feeding device (14) includes a base (52), a material passage (54) formed on the base, at least one guide member (56, 58) provided in the material passage and having a material-guide surface (56a, 58a), a direction-correcting roller assembly (60) provided in the material passage, and a conveyor roll mechanism (62) disposed downstream of the direction-correcting roller assembly in relation to a material-feeding direction, for conveying a material along the material passage. The direction-correcting roller assembly (60) includes a pair of integrally rotatable polygonal rollers (76) having a common rotation axis oblique to the material-guide surface and a freely rotatable ball (78) opposed to the pair of polygonal rollers and elastically supported in an operative position closer to the polygonal rollers to define a gap between the ball and each of the polygonal rollers for allowing the material to be inserted into the gap when the ball is in the operative position.

Abstract: The apparatus has an input pocket into which a stack of sheets is inserted. At least the sheet to be picked from the stack by the picking device is transported by means of a feed device to a picking device which then picks one sheet from the stack at a time. To improve singling quality, a presingling device is provided which first transports only part of the stack to the picking device. In order to ensure that stacks of different-sized sheet material are singled reliably, an aligning device is provided which transports at least the sheet to be picked from the stack in the direction of a defined stop and thus aligns the sheet against said stop. The aligning device preferably cooperates alternatingly with the feed device. To increase singling reliability, a pressure plate is provided in the presingling device for acting upon the presingled partial stack with a certain pressure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet registration system that uses a rigid arm having a sheet engaging surface to move sheets towards a registration position. The arm is mounted to a support member and is located adjacent a sheet store. The arrangement is such that relative movement between the support member and the sheet store causes the sheet engaging surface of the arm to engage a sheet in the sheet store. Pivoting of the arm then causes the sheet engaging surface to move the sheet into the registration position.

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

Abstract: In a sheet conveying device, sheets having of various width sizes can be adjusted to sheet conveyance reference of a regulating device without moving the regulating device in the lateral direction of a sheet. An image forming apparatus uses two kinds or sheets of different width sizes (the LTR-size and the A4-size). The regulating device is fixed to a position where an LTR-size sheet can be regulated. When performing switchback conveyance of an A4-size sheet, switchback conveying devices convey the sheet while moving it toward the sheet conveyance reference of the regulating device by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A positioning conveyor is incorporated in a conveyor system for adjusting the position of a sheet on the conveyor system. The positioning conveyor has two belt type conveyor sections that are independently movable transverse to the feed path and are utilized to adjust the position of the sheet. The sheet is scanned by a scanner and the data is input to a computer. A vacuum zone on each section provides spaced apart gripping points to establish a pivot axis to correct for skew. The computer controls the coordinated movement of the sections to pivot and side shift the sheet to a desired position.

Abstract: Sheet-guiding device assembly includes at least one sheet hold-downer disposed on a movable protective guard.

Abstract: Each sheet of a stack of media is aligned with a fixed alignment surface prior to being fed towards a process station of a printer by a single pick roll. During the first portion of its cycle of operation, the sheet advancing force of the pick roll, which is offset from the axis or centerline of the sheet, exerts a torque on at least the uppermost sheet of the stack to have one of its sides engage the alignment surface if it is skewed. When the one side of the sheet is not engaging the alignment surface when the pick roll is initially energized, the uppermost sheet's leading edge engages a resilient projection of an insert of a rib, which is offset from the axis of the sheet but farther from the alignment surface than the pick roll. The skewed sheet pivots about the projection, which is formed of a high coefficient of friction material, extending beyond the surface of the rib. During the remainder of its energization, the pick roll advances the sheet towards the process station of the printer.

Abstract: A blade for use in an apparatus for urging sheets against registration edges in a sheet compiler is provided. The blade includes a body having a contact surface for contact with the sheets and a locating feature. The locating feature is connected to the body for locating the blade to the apparatus. The locating feature includes a prevention feature for preventing the blade from being inserted into the apparatus in a first orientation and to permit the blade to be inserted into the apparatus in a second orientation, opposed to the first orientation, so that the blade is properly installed into the apparatus.

Abstract: A carrier (2) of an apparatus (1) is pivotably mounted on a shaft (6) and can be moved by means of a stepper motor (34) via a cable (40). Apparatus (1) is positioned above tray surface (29) of storage container (28) and has a motor-driven impeller (27) and motor-driven separating fingers (25, 26). Driving motors (7 and 13, respectively) and their appropriate drawing means (12 and 20, 24 respectively) for impeller (27) and for separating fingers (25, 26) respectively are arranged on carrier (2). The sheets are individually arranged on top of one another to form a stack on tray surface (29) and are aligned by impeller (27) on front stopping edge (41), while separating fingers (25, 26) serve to temporarily retain subsequently arriving sheets as long as the finished stack of sheets still lies on tray surface (29).

Abstract: Disclosed is a printer apparatus for correcting a slant of a medium at a medium insertion port. This printer apparatus corrects slants of the mediums having a variety of thicknesses. The printer apparatus comprises a slant correcting mechanism for correcting the slant of the medium inserted, a conveying roller for conveying the medium the slant of which is corrected, and a printing mechanism for executing a print on the medium conveyed by the conveying roller. This slant correcting mechanism includes a plurality of polygonal rollers, having rotational phases different from each other, for conveying the medium, and an impingement member upon which the medium conveyed by the polygonal rollers impinges.

Abstract: Method for laterally aligning a sheet to be aligned at front lays in a revolving direction of the sheet includes, in a first alignment step, moving the sheet against a side stop; in a second alignment step, moving the sheet against front lays; and in a third alignment step, moving the sheet a second time against the side stop; and device for performing the method.

Abstract: A sheet supply device supplying sheets from a magazine thereof to an image forming apparatus and a mechanism for setting the magazine to a body of the image forming apparatus. The magazine storing stacked sheets is provided with reinforcing members which are disposed at side walls of the magazine to form convex portions relative thereto so as to reinforce the side walls and regulate the position of the stacked sheets in a sheet width direction. A projecting portion having an inclined surface is provided in either the magazine or a receiving portion in the image forming apparatus body to which the magazine is set. When the magazine is slid on an upper surface of the receiving portion for being set to the image forming apparatus body, a leading end of the magazine in a magazine setting direction is lifted by use of the inclined surface of the projecting portion so as to be accurately and smoothly set to the body.

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: Device for aligning sheets in a sheet-processing machine having a rotatingly driven suction plate disposed in a transport surface and being formed with suction openings collectively forming hole patterns shaped as circular-ring sectors, the suction openings communicating intermittently, at each revolution of the suction plate, with a suction-chamber arrangement situated below the suction plate, the suction-chamber arrangement having two suction-chamber openings disposed on respective diametrics of the suction plate and offset from one another by a defined diametric angle, each of the suction-chamber openings having a radial extent matching a radial extent of the hole pattern respectively associated therewith.

Abstract: Device for correctly-registered feeding of sheets supplied thereto in a sheet stream in a sheet transport direction, to front lays of a sheet-processing machine having a lateral pulling device, and a sheet-advancing device disposed within a smallest format width to be processed. The feeding devices includes at least one permanently driven drive roller disposed in the vicinity of the front lays, and at least one contact pressure device cooperatively engageable with the at least one drive roller. The drive roller has a rotational axis directed crosswise to the sheet transport direction, and at least part of the drive roller is disposed laterally of the sheet advancing device.

Abstract: A bearing part (7 or 20) is arranged on a continuously driven drive shaft (4) arranged parallel to the transport plane of a sheet (6) to be aligned and at right angles to the sheet transport direction (A), on which bearing part an aligning roller (5 or 15 or 16 or 18 or 21) at an oblique angle (.alpha.) to said sheet transport direction (A) is rotatably mounted. The bearing part (7 or 20) is stationarily secured against turning and moving, and is freely passed through by the drive shaft (4). The aligning roller (5 or 15 or 16 or 18 or 21) is mounted rotationally symmetrical to said drive shaft (4).The drive shaft (4) and the rotatably and obliquely mounted aligning roller (5 or 15 or 16 or 18 or 21) are connected to one another by a positive coupling (5a, 8 or 14, 15a, or 17 or 19).Several bearing parts (7 or 20) with aligning rollers (5 or 15 or 16 or 18 or 21) can be arranged on the drive shaft (4) and be driven by one and the same drive shaft (4).

Abstract: A sheet registration device including a hub having an axis of rotation and a plurality of resilient plastic blades arranged in radial planes passing through said axis and extending in the direction of said axis beyond one end of the hub towards sheet-engaging tips lying in a common plane normal to said axis said blade being made of a polyurethane elastomer obtained by the reaction of a polytetramethylene ether glycol having the formula HO[(CH.sub.2).sub.4 O].sub.n H where n is from 8 to 41, preferably 39 to 41, and from about 20 to about 95 parts preferably 22 to 26 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said glycol of a diisocyanate selected from the group consisting of diphenylmethane diisocyanates, toluene diisocyanates, naphthalene diisocyanates and blends thereof and a sufficient amount of cross linking agents to provide a crosslinked elastomer, said cross linking agents comprising a mixture of from about 75% to 60% by weight of a diol having the formula: HO(R.sub.1) OH where R.sub.

Abstract: Apparatus for manipulating streams of discrete sheets or webs of coherent sheets has a frame for a carriage which supports several tools for depression, alignment, orientation, stoppage, severing, flexing and/or other manipulation of sheets. At least some of the tools are adjustable in or counter to the direction of advancement of sheets and/or transversely of the direction of advancement of sheets in order to change the setup for the manipulation of different sheets or for a different manipulation of sheets. The operation of the parts which serve to adjust the tools can be automated, and such parts comprise a locating device which is movable longitudinally or transversely of the path for the sheets or web and can be coupled to two or more discrete distancing elements which are affixed to or form part of holders for the tools.

Abstract: A device for laterally aligning sheets in a printing machine can have a feeding table via which the sheets are stream-fed to front lays, and a corresponding side-pull device for laterally moving the sheets after having been aligned at the front lays. The side-pull device can operate by admitting a suction to the sheets, and when moving heavy sheets, e.g. cardboard, at high machine speeds, a pull roller can supplement the suction air by pressing the sheets onto the side-pull device.

Abstract: A cut sheet stacking system receives and stacks cut sheets in registry against intersecting registration surfaces. The system comprises a sheet support surface, and first and second planar registration surfaces which extend upwardly from the sheet support surface and intersect to form a 90.degree. angle of intersection therebetween. A roller having a flexible tab is rotatably mounted above the sheet support surface and is positioned to frictionally engage a topmost sheet of a stack on the sheet support surface. The roller/tab exerts a force on the topmost sheet in a direction that intersects the first and second planar registration surfaces at their point of intersection and, when rotated, imparts forces on the topmost sheet which directs it towards the intersecting first and second planar registration surfaces.

Abstract: Apparatus (22) and a method for positioning a heated glass sheet on rolls (26) on a conveyor (24) utilizes an air hearth (28) for supplying upwardly directed pressurized air and an elevator (32) for providing relative movement between the rolls and the air hearth for either the conveyance or floating of the glass sheet over the rolls to allow a positioner (36) to position the heated glass sheet while out of engagement with the rolls. The air hearth (28) has stationary supports (38) and the elevator (32) has cam actuators (42) that move the rolls (26) of the roll conveyor (24) vertically with respect to the stationary air hearth between raised and lowered positions to provide either the roll conveyance or floated glass sheet positioning.

Abstract: A device (1) for aligning sheets against two sheet abutments (3 and 5) which are disposed perpendicularly relative to each other consists of a rotatably mounted sleeve (6) in which a rod member (16) is guided. Rod member (16) is held in the sleeve by spring means (18). At least one aligning element (8) is mounted on sleeve (6) for pivotal movement about a pin (10), the aligning element being provided with a friction element (14) at one end. Spring means (24) connecting arm (12) of the aligning element with the lower end (22) of rod member (16) cause the friction element (14) to rest with a predetermined pressure force on the surface (4) of the uppermost sheet of paper.

Abstract: A manual sheet feeding apparatus for manually feeding a cut sheet into a printer, including a paper pan for supporting the cut sheet manually inserted to a predetermined position, a sheet guide provided on the paper pan, for guiding the cut sheet along one edge thereof, a sheet advancing device for advancing the manually inserted cut sheet in a sheet advancing direction parallel to the one edge, in contact with the cut sheet, and an operator-controlled switch for starting an operation of the sheet advancing means to advance the cut sheet. The operator-controlled switch is disposed near the sheet guide, so that the switch can be easily operated with the operator's hand used to manually insert and hold the sheet.

Abstract: A sheet registering unit for an image forming apparatus in which in the location upstream of the transfer stage, a preregistering roller device and a registering roller device are disposed while being separated with a predetermined distance from each other, and the leading edge of a sheet of paper is positioned with the aid of a loop of the sheet formed in a manner that the leading edge is thrust against the nip of the paired rollers of the registering roller device, and in this state the sheet is additionally pushed by the preregistering roller pair. In the sheet registering unit, the shafts supporting the roller members of the registering roller device or the roller members are supported by the combination of linear bearing members and springs, and by a pressure in the oblique direction caused in the sheet nipped by the registering roller device, the roller members of the registering roller device are shifted in the axial direction.

Abstract: A first guide groove and a second guide groove are formed on a device housing at predetermined positions in such a manner that a first pin disposed at one end of a movable member is displaceably fitted into the first guide groove and a second pin disposed at the other end of the same is displaceably fitted into the second guide groove. To slidably displace the first pin along the first guide groove, a cam is operatively connected to a geared motor. An arm 41 having a frictional member attached to the uppermost end thereof is fixedly secured to the movable member.

Abstract: A sheet transport for transporting sheets across a surface which includes an elongated member supported for transverse movement across the surface. The transport further includes a fibrous material which comprises a base substrate portion carried by the member and a plurality of fibers extending from the base substrate so that the extending fibers form a sheet engaging area with the surface. Apparatus for moving the member across the surface is also provided so that a sheet in the sheet engaging area is translated in a process direction across the surface when the member is translated.

Abstract: A sheet transport roller device is disclosed, comprising a drive roller member and a free roller member disposed facing each other with a specified pressure between them and transport a sheet held between them, a device which allows each roller of the drive and free roller members to move in the axial direction, urging members disposed at both ends of the rollers, in which the roller devices are moved in the direction lateral to a sheet transport path as a sheet is being held by the roller devices, in accordance with an action moving said sheet in the direction lateral to the transport path.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for aligning the lateral edge of sheets fed to a printing press. The lateral position of a sheet is detected. A slidable suction device beneath the sheet is operated to pull the sheet toward a lateral abutment at a constant speed, the suction being applied at an individual time for each sheet in accordance with the detected position. Suction pressure is released when the sheet reaches the side lay, such that suction pressure is only applied for the time necessary to place the sheet in proper registration.

Abstract: A sheet registering and gripping device for registering and gripping sheets transported along a sheet path. The device includes a registration edge and a gripping edge which extends from the registration edge. The invention further provides an apparatus for actuating the registration edge and gripping edge between a gripping and registering position, and may also include actuation to a third out-of-the-way position to allow substantially free transport of sheets by the registration and the gripping edge.

Abstract: The present invention employs a pneumatically driven front stopper which maintains multiple contact points with a sheet combined with a pneumatically driven push guide to position a sheet beneath an engraving press. An electrically driven sheet supply and plurality of drive belts bring sheets to the front stopper. A plurality of fans cause the imprinted portion of an engraved sheet to raise upwards, preventing smearing of wet ink, and encourage drying of the ink. The sheet feeder is driven by pneumatic actuators which are triggered by a cam assembly connected to the main drive shaft of the engraving press.

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: Business form components are stacked to separate them into different jobs, and after stacking are synchronously conveyed together to a pressure sealer, or similar device, for sealing the components together into a business form or are conveyed to subsequent operations such as secondary stacking into larger stacks. Each component moves from an aligner/feeder to a stacker, moving up an incline of a continuously running conveyor belt so that each successive component passes underneath any previous components in a stack. When a movable stop against which the components are held rotates out of the way, a top roller near the trailing ends of the components pinches them against a bottom roller so that the components move together away from the stacker in register with each other.

Abstract: A side edge alignment system for pre-aligning side edges of sheet stock prior to feeding them into a printing press employs a sheet engaging vacuum suction member driven reciprocatingly across the feed path of the press. As the member travels towards a side alignment stop the engaged sheet is aligned upon engaging the stop. The suction level is adjustable so that the suction member disengages to slide over the top surface of the aligned sheet after engagement with the side alignment stop. Suction is terminated before the return stroke of the suction member. For stack feeding operations the side alignment stop is configured as a rail having planar upper and lower vertical wall surfaces, the upper being offset away from the suction member. Initial stack alignment is secured by lower elements of the stack engaging the lower face of the side alignment stop, leaving upper sheets at a standoff distance from the upper stop surface.

Abstract: A bottom vacuum corrugated feeder (BVCF) includes a tray for supporting a stack of documents. The tray is angled downhill relative to the feeding direction of the documents such that the leading edge of the stack is urged to a common stop member. The tray also includes a single side guide for aligning one side edge of the stack. A stack height sensor sends a signal corresponding to stack height to a controller which in turn controls voltage to be applied to a DC motor controlled blower based on a predetermined ratio of air flow pressure to stack pressure. The structure enables intermixed size document feeding in a BVCF.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus in which a stack of sheets is supported and stored in a biased base tray. Successive uppermost sheets contained within the biased base tray are caused to move into engagement with a segmented feed roller. A cone shaped roller in combination with edge guides provide cross-track, in-track and skew alignment for the uppermost sheet after is it separated and advanced from the stack by the segmented feed roller. A biased retard pad prevents multiple sheet feeds from the stack.

Abstract: A sheet feeder with single sheet bypass sheet feeding capability has a sheet support platform for supporting a stack of sheets, at least one sheet feed roll fixedly mounted on a rotatable shaft and having a segmented feed portion for contacting and feeding the top sheet in a stack of sheets and defining therewith a sheet feeding path, sheet registration rolls downstream of the feed roll, at least one sheet bypass registration finger upstream of the registration rolls and downstream of and freely mounted about the feed roll shaft in the sheet feeding path, a sheet bypass guide rotatably mounted about the sheet registration rolls, the bypass guide having an angled sheet entrance throat to center a sheet and guide the leading edge into said bypass registration finger, the feed roll being rotatable through an opening in the bypass guide from a nonfeeding, standby position where the segmented portion is on the side of the shaft opposite the sheet support platform and a sheet feeding position where the segmented po

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: 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: In a collecting tray (1) having a lateral limiting member (6) and an end-side abutment (3), a driven aligning wheel (16) is arranged on a pivotally mounted, spring-biased tube (9 and 10 respectively). The abutment (3) is pivotally mounted on an arm (3a) and connected with a lever (4) which includes a pin (4a) adapted to support tube (9). When abutment (3) is pivoted to its opening position, aligning wheel (16) is lifted off sheet stack (24) so that the stack can be removed unimpededly. The aligning wheel (16) is conically shaped and pivotable from a position in which it is spring-biased towards the lateral limiting member (6) to a position directed at the front abutment (3) such that when a sheet has been laterally aligned, aligning wheel (16) is caused by the increasing friction to pivot in opposition to its spring bias to the position direction at the front abutment (3).

Abstract: An electrophotographic printing machine of the type having a duplex tray for collecting sheets having an image formed on one side thereof. Successive sheets collected in the duplex tray are advanced therefrom to the processing stations of the printing machine to have an image formed on the other side thereof. The duplex tray has at least one backstop member positioned thereon and adapted to engage an edge of the sheets being collected. The backstop member stops movement of the sheets and is adapted to deflect upon being contacted by the sheet edge. When the leading edge of the sheet engages the backstop member, the backstop member deflects and absorbs energy. This also increases the sheets contact area and minimizes denting and deletions of the image edge of the sheet edge contacting the backstop member.

Abstract: At the free end of an arm (1) which is pivotable about a shaft (12), a driven coupling portion (3) with a claw coupling (3a) is rotatably mounted, such coupling being held in positive engagement with a sleeve (5) shiftable on a shaft (2). Sleeve (5) is provided with a circumferential cam groove (5b) which has an advancing and returning pitch and is engaged by a stationary projection (11). Sleeve (5) is provided with a concentrical collar (5d) on which a second wheel (4), having a smooth circumferential surface, is shiftably mounted and held in positive engagement. On an eccentric collar (5a) of sleeve (5), a first wheel (6) designed as a radial ball bearing is mounted whose circumferential surface has high static friction. When sleeve (5) is set in motion, it moves to and fro, the second wheel (4) being urged via an inclined surface (4b4c) into contact with the first wheel (6) and entraining said wheel by frictional engagement.

Abstract: Apparatus for shifting X-ray films in a magazine wherein films having different sizes form a stack and which as a straight or corner-shaped internal stop for properly oriented films. The apparatus has a frame which is reciprocable toward and away from the magazine and carries two or more pivotable links each of which supports one or more driven wheels movable into frictional engagement at least with the outermost film of the stack to shift the engaged film toward and against the stop. Properly oriented films are withdrawn from the magazine by one or more suction cups which share the movements of the links relative to the magazine. The wheels are rotated by a common prime mover.

Abstract: A device for correcting lateral alignment of a workpiece removed from a pile of workpiece prior to being fed into a processing machine. The device includes at least two pairs of rollers spaced along the direction of movement of the sheet, with each pair of rollers including a driven lower roller and a driven upper roller, with the upper roller having its axis forming a slight angle with the axis of the lower roller to provide a lateral force to move the workpiece against a lateral guide. The device can be used in the second arrangement providing front stops for aligning the front or leading edge of the workpiece after the lateral position alignment has been accomplished.

Abstract: In a sheet stacking system with top sheet input registration assistance by a scuffer, or the like, and a cooperative floating buckle suppression baffle or ski over the stack, disclosed is a flotation and mounting system for automatically maintaining a baffle evenly spaced closely above the top of said stack, and automatically moved up as incoming sheets are added to the top of said stack, to allow incoming sheets to be easily fed thereunder with low friction. Preferably this spacing is maintained by the scuffer position. This floating baffle can also provide an integral sheet stopping lip extending downwardly from the top of the stack along one edge thereof to provide stack edge registration and to prevent registration edge climbing of incoming sheets.

Abstract: In a sheet stacking system with top sheet input registration assistance by a scuffer, or the like, and a cooperative floating buckle suppression baffle or ski over the stack, this floating baffle can provide plural mode functions by providing an integral sheet stopping lip extending downwardly from the top of the stack along one edge thereof to provide stack edge registration and to prevent registration edge climbing of incoming sheets. Also disclosed is a spring or other flotation and mounting system for automatically maintaining a baffle spaced within a few millimeters above the top of said stack, and automatically moved up as incoming sheets are added to the top of said stack, to allow incoming sheets to be easily fed thereunder with low friction. Preferably the spacing is maintained by the scuffer position.

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: An improved recirculating document feeder for presenting sheets from a document sheet stack individually to a station of the reproduction apparatus for reproducing of information contained on such sheets. The improved recirculating document feeder comprises a support for a document sheet stack with a selected side of each document sheet facing up and with the selected side of the topmost document sheet in said stack for ready viewing. A feed path extends away from the then back to the document stack support, for directing sheets from the support into association with the reproducing station and then back to the stack, the feed path defining with the support a closed-loop that inverts a sheet and directs the sheet into association with the reproducing station selected side down and then inverts the sheet again and directs the sheet to the top of the stack selected side up. Document sheets are selectively fed from the stack seriatim about the feed path.

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: 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