Against Front-edge Aligner Interposed Into Sheet Path Patents (Class 271/245)
  • Patent number: 7451979
    Abstract: An improved sheet accumulator for stacking serially fed sheets transported on a paper path. The accumulator includes a guide deck. Above the guide deck, a plurality of parallel belts are positioned to provide a driving force for sheets on the deck. Within the accumulator, a ramp apparatus is positioned across the paper path whereby sheets driven by the belts on an upstream portion of the accumulator deck are driven over the ramp apparatus and deposited in an accumulating region of the accumulator deck on a downstream side of the ramp apparatus. Preferably, snap-down belts are provided between ramp structures snap transported sheets quickly into place on the stack and to hold them there. Sheets are stopped by an accumulator stop mechanism located at a downstream end of the accumulating region that prevents movement of sheets by the belts while sheets for an accumulation are being collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Masotta, William J. Wright, Robert E. Manna, Charles C Fuller, John W. Sussmeier
  • Patent number: 7401777
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for supplying a shingled or overlapping sheet stream from a stack of sheets of a sheet feeder to a feed table of a sheet-processing machine with a belt table. The belt table is provided with at least one revolvingly driven suction belt, which is in operative connection with at least two suction boxes that can be acted upon by negative pressure. The invention can include a device for taking hold of the sheets. The invention also relates to altering a device so that, independently of the material to be processed, a last sheet of a sheet stream can be easily aligned. This objective is accomplished as follows: after the last sheet is detected and its front edge has been placed against the front guide stops, the operation of the suction belt is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer AG
    Inventor: Arndt Jentzsch
  • Patent number: 7392982
    Abstract: A sheet feeder for feeding sheets one-at-a-time along a path having: a feeder/separator for engaging the sheets and feeding them one-at-a-time along the path whilst remaining sheets not being fed along the path are halted by the separator; and a clearance mechanism for engaging the remaining sheets and removing them from the separator region in a sheet clearance process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Ltd.
    Inventors: Geoffrey A. Farmer, Peter J. Watson
  • Publication number: 20080143045
    Abstract: A paper-feeding mechanism includes an input roller for picking up a print medium, a pinch input roller for nipping the print medium with the input roller, and a deskew shutter installed on a side of the input roller and the pinch input roller. The deskew shutter includes a flexible pad for blocking the print medium before the print medium is nipped by the input roller and the pinch input roller so as to adjust the skew print medium. The paper-feeding mechanism further includes an elastic component connected to the deskew shutter for providing an elastic force to the deskew shutter. The deskew shutter is connected to the elastic component in a rotatable manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Chung-Lung Yu, Tien-Ho Hsu, Hsuan-Yang Lin, Yu-Jen Tsao
  • Patent number: 7384039
    Abstract: A method for registering a sheet material article in a sheet material article handler includes sequentially engaging, using a movable backstop, a leading edge portion of a sheet material article moving in a direction of movement of the sheet material article along a path of movement of the sheet material article in the sheet material article handler so as to register the sheet material article relative to the sheet material article handler. The backstop is moved along an arcuate path in the direction of movement of the sheet material article from a first position out of the path of movement to a second position in the path of movement using a driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Goss International Americas, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Lauren Cote, Richard Daniel Curley, Benedict Sammuel Raffaele
  • Patent number: 7370863
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus is capable of suppressing occurrence of a problem caused by misalignment of the feeding speed at the time of delivery and receipt in the intermediate feeding roller with a simple configuration without increasing costs. The image forming apparatus includes a drive controller that controls the drive speed of an intermediate feeding roller that performs skew correction for the sheet, and a feeding speed information acquisition section that acquires information relating to the feeding speed of the sheet to be fed to the intermediate feeding roller. The drive controller drives the intermediate feeding roller at least three different speeds based on the information relating to the feeding speed acquired by the feeding speed information acquisition section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazumasa Yasui, Masaya Arakawa
  • Publication number: 20080093795
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, which can efficiently align a paper supplied to a printing unit of a main body from a paper feeding unit that is removably mounted to the main body, includes a paper aligning unit, integrally provided with a paper container of the paper feeding unit, to align the paper supplied to the main body and thereby prevent paper misalignment. The paper container to automatically feed paper, the paper supply case to manually feed paper, and the paper aligning unit to align the supplied paper and to supply the paper to the main body are integrally provided within the paper feeding unit to reduce the number of components and thereby decrease manufacturing costs, increase efficiency, and increase productivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin Soo LEE, Byung Sun Ahn, Jae Yong Kim, Ki Hun Kim
  • Patent number: 7306220
    Abstract: An accumulator apparatus for paper collations having an accumulation chamber for receiving sheet material, the chamber defined by a fixed guide on one side, a movable guide on the other side and a movable stop member at one end. Rollers are included for driving the sheet material against the stop member, and gates are provided for moving the movable guide between a first position in which it is spaced from the fixed guide by a gap sufficiently small to prevent buckling of the sheet material as it is driven by the rollers against the stop member, and a second position in which the movable guide is spaced away from the fixed guide for discharge of the sheet material from the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Ltd.
    Inventors: Geoffrey A. Farmer, Paul Blamire, Eric A. Belec, Peter Watson, Keith G. R. Watts, Chris Brown
  • Patent number: 7261292
    Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for feeding sheets to a sheet-processing machine, the leading edge of the sheet is smoothed before the grippers are closed by further transport into the sheet-processing machine. A curvature or bend in the sheet transport direction is imparted to the sheet. The feed table has, in its feeder region, a curvature in the sheet transport direction, against which curvature the sheet leading edge is laid with the aid of pneumatic or mechanical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Hans Butterfass, Wolfgang Dolz, Hendrik Frank, Andreas Henn, Markus Möhringer
  • Patent number: 7156390
    Abstract: The invention relates to devices for aligning sheets (1), which are overlapped with an offset and supplied to the device by a stream feeder and which can be transferred to a device (63) that is located downstream, after alignment of the front edge and one lateral edge of the sheets. At least pant of a sheet can be brought to rest on the periphery of an alignment cylinder (62), which is used to align the front edge of the sheet by means of front lay marks located on the periphery of said cylinder. At least one recess is provided on the periphery of the alignment cylinder, which, by the application of a negative pressure to said recess allows at least part of the sheet to be fixed by friction on the periphery of the alignment cylinder, in such a way that in the contact zone, drive forces from said cylinder can be transferred by friction to the sheet. A measuring device (64) determines the offset of a lateral edge of the sheet in relation to a predetermined set alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktienegesellschaft
    Inventors: Johann Emil Eitel, Kurt Georg Nagler, Johannes Georg Schaede
  • Patent number: 7150563
    Abstract: A formed bearing assembly and a method of making the bearing is provided. The bearing assembly includes a housing and a bearing space formed therein. A slide is disposed within the bearing space and is movable along its longitudinal extent. A bearing is formed in the bearing space between the housing and the slide. The bearing is a solid, formed in the bearing space while in liquid state. At least a portion of the bearing forms the shape of at least a portion of the slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: PHD, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce D. McIntosh, Kenneth A. Steele, Clinton L. Alexander, William E. Davenport
  • Patent number: 7128318
    Abstract: Sheet registration with improved sheet deskewing of print media sheets may be provided with an intermediately transversely pivotal baffle member overlying and engaging at least part of a buckled sheet being edge registered so that the effective buckle chamber size and sheet path length on one side of the sheet is automatically different from the other side of the sheet with said pivoting of said pivotal baffle member, to assist in the deskewing of the sheet as it is being partially buckled by the sheet registration system. The direction and amount of baffle pivoting may be self-pivoted by the extent of transverse buckle difference, or positively driven in response to a detected sheet skew.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph Andre Michel Loiselle
  • Patent number: 7121544
    Abstract: An improved sheet accumulator for stacking serially fed sheets transported on a paper path. The accumulator includes a guide deck. Above the guide deck, a plurality of parallel belts are positioned to provide a driving force for sheets on the deck. Within the accumulator, a ramp apparatus is positioned across the paper path whereby sheets driven by the belts on an upstream portion of the accumulator deck are driven over the ramp apparatus and deposited in an accumulating region of the accumulator deck on a downstream side of the ramp apparatus. Preferably, snap-down belts are provided between ramp structures snap transported sheets quickly into place on the stack and to hold them there. Sheets are stopped by an accumulator stop mechanism located at a downstream end of the accumulating region that prevents movement of sheets by the belts while sheets for an accumulation are being collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Masotta, William J. Wright, Robert E. Manna, Charles C Fuller, John W. Sussmeier
  • Patent number: 7025347
    Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus in which after a bundle of sheets is placed in an erect posture on a sheet supporting stand, the bundle of sheets placed on the sheet supporting stand is continuously vibrated upward and downward for a predetermined time, and is moved in a sheet feeding direction by an aligning portion to be hit against a hitting portion, and the bottom edges and the side edges of the bundle of sheets are accordingly aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Denshi Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hironori Masui, Kazuhide Sugiyama, Jun Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7021185
    Abstract: A registration device for a sheet material article handler includes a movable backstop which sequentially engages a leading edge portion of a sheet material article as the article moves in a direction of movement along a path of movement in the sheet material article handler, thereby registering the sheet material article relative to the sheet material article handler. A driver is provided, the driver moving the backstop along an arcuate path in the direction of movement of the sheet material article from a first position out of the path of movement to a second position in the path of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Goss International Americas, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Lauren Cote, Richard Daniel Curley, Benedict Sammuel Raffaele
  • Patent number: 7014189
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for processing a document traveling along a document path within a document validator. The such apparatus includes a disk where a periphery of the disk extends into the document path of the document validator, a support shaft that passes through a center hole of the disk, the shaft loosely supporting the disk and allowing the disk to rotate around the shaft in a predominant plane of the disk and to freely move in the predominant plane of the disk in a direction that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the shaft and a resilient member that biases the disk into the document path to engage a side edge of the document when the document is misaligned with the document path as it travels along the document path thereby retarding forward movement of the side edge and rotation of the document into alignment with the document path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Valtech International, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Pakman Liu, Raymond Waiman Lui
  • Patent number: 6991227
    Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for a printing device includes a pickup roller and a feeding roller picking up sheets loaded on a tray and feeding the sheets into a sheet feeding path, respectively, a rotation member installed on a rotation shaft of the feeding roller to support and rotate the pickup roller at a free end, a relay gear engaging the feeding roller and the pickup roller, a clutch unit selectively transferring a raising force of the rotation shaft to the rotation member, and a stopper installed in the rotation member to be elevated and lowered with respect to the rotation member to block a path between the pickup roller and the feeding roller. Accordingly, since the pickup roller is raised to allow the sheets to be loaded and then lowered after the sheets are loaded on the tray, front ends of the sheets are automatically inserted under the pickup roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Won-taek Kim
  • Patent number: 6934505
    Abstract: A paper transferring device for an image forming apparatus includes a plurality of guide members forming a paper transferring path connecting a paper feeding device and a photosensitive drum, a feeding roller disposed on a side of the paper transferring path adjacent to the photosensitive drum, the feeding roller transferring a paper incoming along the paper transferring path to the photosensitive drum, at least one transferring roller disposed on the paper transferring path between the feeding roller and the paper feeding device, the transferring roller transferring the paper picked-up from the paper feeding device to the feeding roller, and a paper leading edge aligning unit for aligning a leading edge of the paper so that the leading edge of the paper is parallel to a rotation axis of the feeding roller prior to entering the feeding roller to prevent the paper from being skewed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang-yob Shin
  • Patent number: 6905449
    Abstract: A bundled sheet processing apparatus has a chute unit tilting between the first and second positions. A downstream side in the chute unit conveying direction, there is provided a stopper that has the contact surface narrower than the thickness of a bundle and stops the bundle by contacting the end of the bundle in the conveying direction with the contact surface. At this time, sheets protruding beyond the contact surface are detected by a detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masakazu Itoya, Hiroyuki Kamiyama
  • Patent number: 6866261
    Abstract: A device for laterally aligning sheets in sheet-processing machines includes a pulling device having a drivable transport roller and a dabber roller mounted on a pivotable lever. A spring system cooperates with the lever for adjusting a pressing force between the rollers. The spring system has a progressive spring characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Georg Grasmück, Markus Leva
  • Patent number: 6863273
    Abstract: A document handling apparatus for processing sheets comprises a dynamic in-feed device, a sheet receiving section disposed downstream from the dynamic in-feed device, and an electronic controller. The dynamic in-feed device comprises a sheet-driving device and a variable-speed motor operatively engaging the sheet-driving device. The dynamic in-feed device inputs a sheet according to a repeatable dynamic speed profile. The dynamic speed profile is defined by an initial input speed, a subsequent decelerating or accelerating speed curve, and a final input speed that is less than the initial input speed. The electronic controller communicates with the variable-speed motor for executing the dynamic speed profile and controlling the input device according to the dynamic speed profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Bowe Bell & Howell Company
    Inventor: Edward M. Otto
  • Publication number: 20040251592
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a sheet media input structure for a printer or other sheet media processing device comprises a sheet media supporting surface and a moveable face positioned downstream along a media path from the supporting surface. The face is moveable between a first position in which the face protrudes into the media path to block a leading edge of media sheets supported on the supporting surface and a second position in which the face does not protrude into the media path and media sheets are free to move from the supporting surface along the media path past the face. In one embodiment, the face pivots between the first and second positions. In another embodiment, the face rotates in a plane between the first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Tom Ruhe, Jiangxiao Mo, Scott Smith, Gary Miller
  • Patent number: 6822768
    Abstract: A combination automatic document feeder and scanner operates so as to detect automatically an over-sized sheet of media. A linear image sensor detects motion of the oversized document as it is being fed into the scanner in a portrait orientation. A control algorithm responsive to the image sensor functions so those first and second portions of the over-sized sheet are successively registered over the transparent platen of the scanner and scanned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Joseph Scott McCoy
  • Patent number: 6805347
    Abstract: The skew of a sheet of print media is precisely controlled by intentionally inducing print media deformation, so that cooperative mechanical and gravitational forces may be used to align the leading edge of the sheet. The sheet is driven into a nip region of deskew rollers in a manner that causes the print media to deform, lifting a movable member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the feedpath into the nip region. The movable member applies a return force that is generally equal along a widthwise surface region of the print media. As a result, there is a reduced likelihood that the print media will be skewed relative to the nip region. In some applications, the return force is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Akinobu Kuramoto
  • Publication number: 20040201166
    Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for feeding sheets to a sheet-processing machine, the leading edge of the sheet is smoothed before the grippers are closed by further transport into the sheet-processing machine. A curvature or bend in the sheet transport direction is imparted to the sheet. The feed table has, in its feeder region, a curvature in the sheet transport direction, against which curvature the sheet leading edge is laid with the aid of pneumatic or mechanical devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: Hans Butterfass, Wolfgang Dolz, Hendrik Frank, Andreas Henn, Markus Mohringer
  • Publication number: 20040094892
    Abstract: The skew of a sheet of print media is precisely controlled by intentionally inducing print media deformation, so that cooperative mechanical and gravitational forces may be used to align the leading edge of the sheet. The sheet is driven into a nip region of deskew rollers in a manner that causes the print media to deform, lifting a movable member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the feedpath into the nip region. The movable member applies a return force that is generally equal along a widthwise surface region of the print media. As a result, there is a reduced likelihood that the print media will be skewed relative to the nip region. In some applications, the return force is adjustable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventor: Akinobu Kuramoto
  • Publication number: 20040080099
    Abstract: A module in an envelope insertion station for transporting an envelope to an enclosure material insertion location, which uses endless belts to move the envelope until it is stopped by rotatable stops. A fixedly-mounted vacuum module having vacuum ports provides a suction force to the envelope urging the trailing edge of the envelope to press against the belts and provides the normal force required to move an envelope downstream as it enters the insertion deck without slippage against the translating endless belts. Additionally, a second vacuum module having vacuum ports provides suction force urging the leading edge of the envelope to press against the belts and provides the normal force required to prohibit the leading edge of the envelope from buckling during impact with the rotatable stops. The second vacuum module is removably mounted and mechanically linked to the rotatable stops so they can be repositioned together to accommodate different-sized envelopes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Pitney Bowes Incorporated
    Inventors: Karel J. Janatka, Boris Rozenfeld, John W. Sussmeier, Joseph R. Vassallo
  • Patent number: 6712355
    Abstract: A method for locating and conveying a veneer sheet includes: causing a downstream end of a veneer sheet conveyed by a travelling conveying member to abut against a blocking member to correct the attitude of the veneer sheet in such a state that a downstream end of the veneer sheet is perpendicular to the conveying direction of the veneer sheet; and after moving the conveying member in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction until one side end of the veneer sheet perpendicular to the conveying direction reaches a predetermined position and stopping the conveying member, moving the blocking member to a position where the blocking member does not abut against the veneer sheet. Accordingly, attitude correction of a veneer sheet and locating thereof in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction can be performed effectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Meinan Machinery Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Toshinori Nakaoda, Teruaki Aoto
  • Patent number: 6682069
    Abstract: A conveyor system conveys sheets of different widths in a direction normal to the direction of width with an edge of each sheet held along a reference position. The conveyor system includes a drive roller and a nip roller and conveys the sheet with the nip roller urged toward the drive roller under its gravity and a predetermined urging force. The nip roller is heavier at a part on the side of the reference position than at a part on the side opposite to the reference position and is substantially uniform in weight over a predetermined length between the end on the side of the reference position and a part at a predetermined distance from the end on the side of the reference position, and the predetermined urging force is set stronger on the side opposite to the reference position than on the side of the reference position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadanobu Shibabuki
  • Patent number: 6681697
    Abstract: A device for aligning sheets on a feeder of a sheet-processing machine includes a plurality of pivotably disposed front lays and a plurality of pivotably disposed top lays, the top lays being vertically adjustable. The front lays and the top lays are respectively assigned to and combined with one another and have a common pivoting drive. A push rod vertically adjusts the top lays, and a wedge-like slide actuates the push rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Markus Möhringer, Jochen Renner
  • Patent number: 6676124
    Abstract: A printer or copier has a sheet alignment apparatus including a pair of detents, or walls, at a right angle to one another against which the sheet is moved. To move the sheet, a sheet positioning mechanism is provided which includes two paddlewheels that engage the sheet as they rotate and that are directed offset from one another. The paddlewheels may be angled to shear with one another, and the mounting on which they are supported may be pivotable to redirect the paddlewheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Océ Printing Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Wirtz
  • Patent number: 6669193
    Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting paper copies which are skewed and for providing a shingled stream, the apparatus including an input, a singulating device having a vertically movable gate member, a first abutting surface formed on the gate member, a second fixed abutting surface formed rearwardly of the movable gate member, a gate member being reciprocally driven in a vertical direction, and an output section to receive copies from the singulating device. The apparatus can be used in conjunction with other copy handling machines such as various integrators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Inventor: John Lovaghy
  • Patent number: 6655682
    Abstract: A device for fixing the position of a sheet includes a feeding table for transporting the sheet; at least one front lay disposed in vicinity of the feeding table and, in a working position, protruding upwardly beyond the plane of the feeding table; a swivellable holder to which the front lay and an adjusting device for the front lay are secured; and a adjusting device secured to the holder, the front lay and the adjusting device being disposed separated from one another on the holder, the front lay being in continuous biasing engagement, under tension, with the adjusting device, so that, by changing the position of the holder, the front lay and the adjusting device are movable from the working position into a neutral position and, conversely, from the neutral position into the working position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Willi Becker, Wolfgang Dolz
  • Patent number: 6651972
    Abstract: A document feeding apparatus includes a cam set fixed to a drive shaft and being driven selectively by the drive shaft. The drive shaft selectively rotates in a first direction and a second direction. The cam set includes a first cam, a second cam, and a first one-way clutch. The present invention further includes a one-way gear train fixed to the drive shaft and being driven selectively by the drive shaft; a paper-stopping plate connected with a paper-stopping arm; a pick-up roller fixed to and rotatable with a pick-up shaft; a strip roller fixed to and rotatable with a strip shaft; and a gear train transferring the power from the one-way drive gear set to the pick-up roller and the strip roller. The relative operational relationship between the pick-up arm and the paper-stopping arm is coordinated by the cam set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Silitek Corporation
    Inventors: Sidney Hsiao, Julian Liu, Jackly Liu, Clark Huang
  • Patent number: 6598870
    Abstract: A document conveying apparatus comprising a document conveying passage and a pair of document introduction rollers disposed at a document insertion portion, and a copier equipped with the document conveying apparatus. A cover frame is pivotably supported by the support frame body of the document conveying apparatus. A shutter member is supported by the support frame body so as to move up and down between a shut-off position and an open position. The cover frame and the shutter member are interlocked to each other so that the shutter member is moved up to the open position when the cover frame is turned to the closed position and the shutter member is moved down to the shut-off position when the cover frame is turned to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventor: Susumu Hanano
  • Patent number: 6592120
    Abstract: An apparatus for registering a signature moving along a surface, such as a drum, includes one or more pinch rollers for advancing the signature, and a register stop for stopping the advancement of the signature. The register stop is rotatable about an axis so as to accommodate skewing of the signature. The pinch rollers do not rotate with the register stop, but remained aligned with the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Mehmet Oktay Kaya, Heiner Philipp Luxem
  • Publication number: 20030094747
    Abstract: A method of feeding sheets to a printing-technology machine includes individually separating sheets from a sheet pile, conveying the sheets against movable lays for effecting an alignment thereof, and cyclically conveying the sheets from the lays to the machine. A control device coordinates movement of the lays with the individual separation of the sheets from the sheet pile and onward conveyance of the sheets to the machine. Data related to characteristics of the sheets are processed in the control device for generating actuating signals for a separate, controllable drive system. The lays are moved by the drive system. A device for performing the method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventors: Christopher Berti, Bernhard Buck
  • Patent number: 6557848
    Abstract: A paper-stopping mechanism applied in an automatic document feeder (ADF). The paper-stopping mechanism includes a shaft, a stepping motor for carrying the shaft to rotate, a cam structure having a first protruding portion and a second protruding portion and carried by the shaft to rotate the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion thereof, a paper-stopping arm having a bearing point, wherein the bearing point is moved against by the first protruding portion to move the paper-stopping arm upward, and an elastic buckling device for buckling the paper-stopping arm when the paper-stopping arm is moving upward to stay at a paper-feeding position, and for shifting when the second protruding portion of the cam structure is rotated against the elastic buckling device for removing the paper-stopping arm from the elastic buckling device to return to a paper-stopping position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Silitek Corporation
    Inventors: Sidney Hsiao, Jones Wu, Jackly Liu, Julian Liu
  • Patent number: 6551228
    Abstract: A quarterfold folding device and method forms groupings of signatures in a signature product stream by delaying selected signatures during transport to a chopper mechanism, the chopper mechanism adapted to fold multiple signatures in a single chop, thereby increasing throughput of the quarterfold folding device and reducing the rate of operation of the chopper mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: John Sheridan Richards
  • Patent number: 6505826
    Abstract: A device for separating or singling sheets, which have been piled up to form a stack, in a feeder of a sheet-processing machine, having a transport element with a guide edge, includes a device for matching the shape of the guide edge to the contour of the topmost sheet at a front side of the stack, as viewed in a sheet transport direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Markus Gerstenberger, Andreas Henn, Wolfgang Luxem, Tobias Müller, Thomas Wolf
  • Patent number: 6502818
    Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes: a conveyance path along which a recording sheet is conveyed; a separation roller that separates a recording sheet and conveys it; a registration roller that stops temporarily a recording sheet separated and conveyed by the separation roller and further conveyed along the conveyance path, and conveys the recording sheet again toward the image forming position at the prescribed timing; a detector that is provided in the conveyance path between the separation roller and the registration roller, and detects the recording sheet; a recognizing device that recognizes fluctuation of conveyance timing of the recording sheet based on the results of the detection made by the detector; and a controller that conducts conveyance control for the recording sheet at the upstream side of the registration roller based on the results of the recognition made by the recognizing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Ken Nonaka, Kunihiro Kawachi, Kyoichi Mizuno
  • Patent number: 6481709
    Abstract: Device (1) for the longitudinal alignment of plate elements (2) within an infeed station of a machine working them. The aforementioned device is secured by two lateral brackets (9, 10) between which is settled a conveyor track for the said plate elements, comprising two plates (5, 6) folded downwise according to a line (7) non-perpendicular in the meaning of the shifting (3) of the said plate elements (2). The latter are moved downstream by means of at least two conveyor belts running around at least two pulleys (15, 16) secured between unmovable bearings (11-14) at the input of the said device. The device (1) has on its leading edge a protection plate (39) over which are flaps (30-32) movable and interdependent of a transverse shaft (24) connecting the leading edges of the two lateral brackets (9, 10). This shaft is moved by an alternate rotation between 0 and 45 degrees, synchronized with the production speed of the machine in order to allow the successive alignment of the said plate elements (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Bobst S.A.
    Inventors: Georges Gombau, Patrick Lüscher
  • Publication number: 20020158407
    Abstract: A paper-stopping mechanism applied in an automatic document feeder (ADF). The paper-stopping mechanism includes a shaft, a stepping motor for carrying the shaft to rotate, a cam structure having a first protruding portion and a second protruding portion and carried by the shaft to rotate the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion thereof, a paper-stopping arm having a bearing point, wherein the bearing point is against by the first protruding portion to move the paper-stopping arm upward, and an elastic buckling device for buckling the paper-stopping arm when the paper-stopping arm is moving upward to stay at a paper-feeding position, and for shifting when the second protruding portion of the cam structure is rotated to be against the elastic buckling device for removing the paper-stopping arm from the elastic buckling device to return a paper-stopping position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Sidney Hsiao, Jones Wu, Jackly Liu, Julian Liu
  • Publication number: 20010040338
    Abstract: The feeding mechanism for feeding media from an initial site to a predetermined site comprises a base, a scrubber, a deskewer, two feeders, a lifting device having two cam portions, a driving element and a releasing device. The deskewer is moved between a first position and a second position and sets the media located at the initial site. The two feeders are used for transmitting the media located at the initial site toward the predetermined site. The cam portions are used as a lifter to move the deskewer from the first position to the second position. The driving element disposed between the lifting device and the releasing device generates forces to actuate the cam portions to move the deskewer. The releasing device is used as an overload protection clutch connected between the lifting device and the driving element, having a first plate separately contacting the driving element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: Acer Communications and Multimedia, Inc.
    Inventors: Ying-Hsien Kuo, Tsung-Te Lin
  • Publication number: 20010020767
    Abstract: Device (1) for the longitudinal alignment of plate elements (2) within an infeed station of a machine working them. The aforementioned device is secured by two lateral brackets (9, 10) between which is settled a conveyor track for the said plate elements, comprising two plates (5, 6) folded downwise according to a line (7) non-perpendicular in the meaning of the shifting (3) of the said plate elements (2). The latter are moved downstream by means of at least two conveyor belts running around at least two pulleys (15, 16) secured between unmovable bearings (11-14) at the input of the said device. The device (1) has on its leading edge a protection plate (39) over which are flaps (30-32) movable and interdependent of a transverse shaft (24) connecting the leading edges of the two lateral brackets (9, 10). This shaft is moved by an alternate rotation between 0 and 45 degrees, synchronized with the production speed of the machine in order to allow the successive alignment of the said plate elements (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Publication date: September 13, 2001
    Applicant: Bobst S.A.
    Inventors: Georges Gombau, Patrick Luscher
  • Publication number: 20010017443
    Abstract: A method of aligning sheets prior to transferring them to a sheet-processing machine includes feeding a respective sheet, by a first sheet edge thereof, against a stop; gripping the sheet by at least one sheet holder, and displacing the sheet holder at least approximately transversely to the stop in a direction towards a first control region; and onwardly moving the sheet holder, while the sheet is held thereby, over a given first distance, after a second sheet edge has reached the first control region; and a device for performing the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Inventor: Andreas Henn
  • Patent number: 6244592
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet feeding apparatus for a corrugated fiberboard box making machine, which has front stops disposed at two locations spaced in the width direction (transverse direction) to true up the front edges of stacked corrugated fiberboard sheets and is constructed so as to feed a lowermost corrugated fiberboard sheet successively from the front end side of the front stop, characterized in that the front stops at the two locations are constructed so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction in such a manner as to be capable of supporting the corrugated fiberboard sheets while tilting the front edges thereof obliquely in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Baba, Osamu Hatano
  • Patent number: 6241241
    Abstract: A method for eliminating rhythmic register errors in sheet-fed rotary printing machines, the sheets therein being transported by an impression cylinder of double size having two gripper arrangements, includes bringing front lays, which have been provided for orienting the sheets at a feed table, out of an end position outside a conveying plane of the sheets and into a first orientation position on the feed table, then bringing the front lays back into the end position, and thereafter bringing the front lays into a second orientation position on the feed table; and a device for performing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Andreas Fricke, Rudi Hofstetter, Heiner Luxem
  • Patent number: 6199855
    Abstract: A paper feeding apparatus for an office automation system constructed to accommodate the storage of paper, a sheet feeder that guides paper to travel in a selected direction of travel, and a device that aligns paper that is being stored to conform to the state of the feeder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Won Choeng, Jin-Ho Park, Heung-Kyu Jang, Seung-Taik Hwang
  • Patent number: 6168154
    Abstract: A sheet handling device for accommodating, aligning and storing sheets fed from an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine is provided with front-side and rear-side aligning members for pressing the sheets stacked on a first storage means between the aligning members to stably and exactly align the stacked sheets. The front side aligning member is movable vertically or rotatable to open a sheet transferring passage so as to enable a sheet aligning mechanism in the sheet handling device to be operated in a small space, and thus, made compact. While transferring the aligned sheets from the first storage means to a second storage means, the aligned sheets are stably held by the front-side aligning member being in soft contact with the upper surface of the sheets being transferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation Yamanashi-ken
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Asahara, Hirofumi Kaneko, Kazuaki Sano, Takashi Saito, Hideki Mimura