Abstract: A feed unit (17) feeds a master sheet (14) from an etching unit (28) to a master drum (13), the distance from the etching unit (28) to the feed unit (17) being smaller than the length of the master sheet (14). The feed unit (17) includes a support member (48); (73) disposed above the etching unit (28) and a retractable stopper (41). A lifting member (48); (72) lifts the trailing edge portion of the master sheet (14) onto the support member (48); (73) after the leading edge portion of the master sheet (14) is abuttingly stopped by the stopper (41). The support member (48); (73) and lifting member (48); (72) may be integral and constituted by a conveyor belt (48). Alternatively, the support member (48); (73) may be constituted by a support plate (73) and the lifting member (48); (72) constituted by a rocker frame (72).

Abstract: An apparatus for piling veneer sheets for plywood sheets at a predetermined position comprising at least one stage of conveyer means having two horizontal, parallel and spaced conveyer belts to support a veneer sheet, stopping means to stop the veneer sheet when one edge of the veneer sheet reaches a predetermined position, detecting means to detect the veneer sheet when the veneer sheet is fed to or adjacent to the predetermined position, and pressing means for pressing the veneer sheet downwards in response to a signal from the detecting means to a predetermined piling position. When the veneer sheet is stopped, one terminal edge is at said predetermined position. Thus, when veneer sheets are piled, the edges of the sheets maintain their position so that piled sheets can be readily used in plywood manufacturing process, and productivity of plywood sheets is improved.

Abstract: The invention concerns a sheet feed for rapidly and accurately placing a sheet onto a processing station. A carriage is movably mounted above this processing station and reciprocated for feeding. Two belts extend between the sheet feed frame and opposite ends of the movable carriage, leaving an opening in the carriage. When the carriage is reciprocated, the belts transport the sheet to register it, feed it through the carriage opening onto the processing station, hold it down on the processing station, and remove it from there.

Abstract: A document sheet registration mechanism is located on a copier adjacent a platen. The mechanism has a pair of registration members connected to a shaft by a pair of levers so that the members are moved in response to rotation of the shaft. Each member has a flat upper surface and a registration surface that is perpendicular to the upper surface. The registration members are movable by the shaft between (1) a registration position wherein the registration edges project above the platen surface for engagement by a document sheet and (2) a release position wherein the registration edges are beside the platen surface and the upper surfaces of the members are substantially coplanar with the platen so that a sheet can be driven from the platen across the upper surfaces of the members.

Abstract: A document transport for a document scanning device has an elevator for locating a stack of documents to be fed automatically into position to be scanned. The top document is removed from the stack by a feed roller. Other documents which may become entrained with the top document are returned to the stack by separation rollers. The top document is driven into the scanning device against an alignment gate and this action eliminates any skew in the position of the document. At a read or scan station beyond the gate, which is reached by the document once the alignment gate has been withdrawn, the data on the document is scanned as the document is moved by read rollers in a controlled fashion. As the document leaves the read station it is trapped between the two single opposing belts in a buffer unit, which move the document at the spped of the scanning rollers.

Abstract: A recirculating feeder for use with a document copier to produce collated copies of multi-page documents and the like. The feeder operates with the document pages or sheets stacked right-side-up in their normal sequential order. The sheets are removed one-at-a-time from the bottom of the stack, presented face-down for copying, and returned again right-side-up to the top of the stack. The right-side-up orientation and bottom feed permits visual inspection of the copying cycle for assurance that it is proceeding properly, facilitates collation of the final copies in the right-side-up orientation, and permits visual comparison of the document stack with the copy stack.

Abstract: A compensating or correcting arrangement for electronically adjusting the resetting of a paper gate device in a xerographic machine; such arrangement eliminates the problem which occurs, under certain conditions, when the trailing edge of a copy sheet is clipped by the projections or fingers controlled by the solenoid of the paper gate device. The arrangement includes a time delay circuit for delaying the application of the reset signal to the solenoid thereby extending its activation period.

Abstract: An original sheet document for electrostatic reproduction is inserted into the mechanism face up, and the mechanism feeds and positions the document onto a glass platen face down. Endless belts are trained over pulleys forming a plurality of parallel runs which are disposed closely above the platen. Idler feed rollers are disposed above the pulleys which feed the document into engagement with a guide member which reverses the direction of movement of the document by 180.degree. and guides the document between the belts and the platen. The belts are oriented at an angle to the edges of the platen and move the document both forwardly and laterally across the platen. Elongated stops are provided at the edges of the platen toward which the document is moved by the belts, and the document aligningly abuts against the stops. The belts are arranged to yield upon said abutment. The stop at the forward edge is movable to allow the belts to move the document off the platen onto a receiving tray.

Abstract: A registration apparatus for a reproducing machine includes a resilient means which cooperates with a stop member to control the path of a sheet as it is intercepted by the stop member. Preferably the resilient member also operates to strip the sheet from the stop member as the stop member moves out of the sheet path.

Abstract: A document feeder for an electrostatic copier of the type which includes instrumentalities for flash illuminating a document placed by an operator at the illuminating station of the copier. The document feeder includes an evacuatable enclosure having apertured upper and lower walls, and a flexible perforated belt endlessly looped about the enclosure. In addition, the document feeder includes instrumentalities for driving the belt in an endless path of travel including an upper belt run, wherein the belt perforations are disposed in air flow communication with the upper wall apertures, and a lower belt run, wherein the belt perforations are disposed in air flow communication with the lower wall apertures.

Abstract: A document sensing and control system for a document handling system for feeding documents across the imaging station of a copier. At a document input area two document sensors are centrally positioned respectively at the upstream and downstream sides of a pre-registration gate to sense the presence or absence of documents to control the document handling system in a desired manner during its operating cycle. Protection is provided, without requiring additional sensors, against improper insertion of documents into the document handling unit, over or under sized documents, document misfeeding, and lifting of the document handling unit away from the platen.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus and process including apparatus for discharging an original from an exposure station after exposure. The original is fed over a fixed stop surface after its lead edge is lifted by an air flow directed against it.

Abstract: A gate for allowing copy paper to pass at a selected one of a plurality of points in a copy cycle so that the leading edge of the copy paper mates with the leading edge of an image. The gate control mechanism includes a solenoid responsive to specific points in the copy cycle and to different sizes of copy paper such that the solenoid is actuated at different points in the copy cycle dependent upon the size of copy paper. The solenoid moves a gate arm which positions an interposer in a first position whereby it is struck by one of a plurality of tabs. The interposer is moved by the tab, causing a pivot shaft to rotate, thus releasing a pawl and allowing the gate shaft to rotate opening the gate.

Abstract: A stacking assemblage fed from a conveyor which transports materials to a staging area. The materials are formed into a tier on a movable platen of the assemblage in accordance with a prescribed pattern. The platen can be raised or lowered to a desired level and then shifted to deposit each tier on an outboard conveyor until a desired multi-tier stack is formed.

Abstract: A machine for successively feeding stacked blanks comprising a conveyor mounted for movement along a conveyor path passing through a receiving station where blanks may be deposited thereon, and a plurality of chutes mounted successively above the conveyor path at the receiving station with each chute positioned in spaced relation with the conveyor. A machine for extracting blanks from stacks and for depositing them upon the chutes is located at the receiving station. The feed machine also has a mechanism for simultaneously holding blanks deposited upon the chutes and for simultaneously releasing them thereby to enable them to be simultaneously placed upon the conveyor and successively conveyed from the receiving station.

Abstract: A system for presenting documents to a slit-scan exposure station includes a first fluidic storage station in which a rack for storing documents is located. The rack includes a plurality of pockets in each of which a document may be stored, the rack being movable in a vertical direction. Fluid is used to move a document in a pocket partially out of the storage apparatus through an opening and into registration with a gate and a wall of the pocket. Thereafter, the gate is opened and a drive associated with the exposure station moves the partially ejected document past a scan window. The rack is then vertically stepped to align another pocket with the opening and the procedure is repeated. Exposed documents are moved to a second fluidic storage station, similar to the first. At this station fluid drawn through an opening moves a document into a pocket of a rack and vertical movement of the rack is used to provide a separate pocket for each of the documents.

Abstract: In a copier, an original document feed moves two originals to be copied simultaneously onto a document glass. The document glass is 11 inches by 17 inches and accommodates two 81/2 by 11 inch documents side-by-side. The dual document feed is loaded sequentially with two originals and registers the two originals side-by-side to right and left corner references at an entry station. The entry station includes aligning rollers whereby the operator need only position the originals close to the correct position. The aligning rollers then corner-register the documents side-by-side. After the originals have been registered side-by-side in the entry station, they are automatically fed forward substantially simultaneously to be registered side-by-side on the document glass. Electronic control circuits are shown whereby the dual document feed apparatus may be controlled to feed either single or dual original documents.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to item or document signing apparatus for imprinting a legally acceptable signature and/or date, etc., upon individual items or documents fed on demand thereto at high speed from an input to an output hopper in a stop-start operation. An adjustably positionable item stop mechanism permits the printing of the data at selectable locations along the longer dimension of the item. Both date and signature imprinting means are simply efficiently and easily demountably removable and replaceable permitting alteration and/or rapid change of the imprinted data. Novel to be automatically maintained regardless of document thickness.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement is provided for sensing the position of an edge of a fed sheet adjacent a front stop. Timing circuitry responsive to the sensor arrangement is used to time a reference time interval from the sensing of the edge. The timing circuitry is coupled to a sheet feeder and is capable of stopping the sheet feeder upon the expiration of the reference time interval. The reference time interval is selected to be sufficiently long to allow the sheet feeder when feeding a sheet to form a buckle in the sheet. The reference time interval is adjustable to provide adjustability of the height of the buckle.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a machine for dispensing a predetermined number of banknotes in bundle form with the banknotes being removed from a stack in sequence and there being counting apparatus for counting banknotes passing along a flow-path and a double note detector for detecting the simultaneous passage of plural banknotes along the same flow-path. The banknotes, as they are dispensed, are collected in a collecting compartment and if the proper number is dispensed without double notes being detected, the collected banknotes are delivered to a customer. However, if double banknotes are detected or there is an error in counting, the dispensing of notes from the stack ceases and all notes in the collecting department are diverted into a storage compartment and the machine is recycled.

Abstract: A registration mechanism for feeding sheets seriatim including a plurality of continuously driven roller sets located along a sheet feed path. A first roller set receives the sheets seriatim and moves the sheets toward a second roller set. The second roller set includes a pair of axially spaced, continuously driven rollers mounted on a drive shaft and a pair of thrust washers which sandwich a registration disc therebetween, the disc being freely mounted on the roller drive shaft. The registration disc has a registration finger which selectively extends through the sheet feed path. When the finger is positioned to extend through the feed path, it is latched to prevent rotation of the disc and provide registration of the sheets fed by the first roller set against the finger.

Abstract: A registration mechanism for feeding sheets seriatim including a plurality of continuously driven roller sets located along a sheet feed path. A first roller set receives the sheets seriatim and moves the sheets toward a second roller set. The second roller set includes a pair of axially spaced, continuously driven rollers mounted on a drive shaft and a pair of thrust washers which sandwich a registration disc therebetween, the disc being freely mounted on the roller drive shaft. The registration disc has a registration finger which selectively extends through the sheet feed path. When the finger is positioned to extend through the feed path, it is latched to prevent rotation of the disc and provide registration of the sheets fed by the first roller set against the finger.

Abstract: A document feeding apparatus sequentially feeding documents, including an automatic feeder for removing one document at a time from a stack and for delivering each document to a feed path. An endless conveyor moves each document along the path towards a document aligning gate means that temporarily interrupts the movement of the documents to effect desired alignment thereof. The automatic feeder and the document aligning gate are automatically controlled so that the documents are selectively removed from the stack as a function of the preceding document moving along the path. A pair of printing heads are positioned along the path and are respectively actuated in response to movement of the documents so that the documents can be printed at accurately positioned locations on a surface thereof.

Abstract: Sheets are fed down an inclined feedboard to a transfer cylinder of a printing press. Adjacent the delivery end of the feedboard there are a plurality of pairs of feed rolls to accelerate the sheets toward the transfer cylinder and a plurality of front guide members to preregister the front edge of the sheet. The pairs of feed rolls each include a driven roll that oscillates through an arc in timed relation with the transfer cylinder. The feed roll drive mechanism includes pairs of flexible members wrapped in opposite directions around and secured to the feed roll drive shaft on which the driven feed rolls are mounted. In one embodiment one of the flexible members is connected to a lever mechanism and the other flexible member is connected to the press housing through a spring member. In another embodiment both flexible members are connected to the lever member with a spring member on the lever member maintaining a tension on both flexible members.

Abstract: Disclosed is a registering apparatus for sheet handling machines in which sheets are collected at a receiving station and arranged in registration with each other for performing an operation on the collected stack of sheets. The invention is utilized particularly in machines for stitching, stapling or punching stacks of sheets which have been collated into booklets, the sheets having been delivered to the stitching, stapling or punching machine by a suitable feeding apparatus. The registering apparatus operates on the rear edge of the sheets after they are deposited on a receiving tray and incorporates mechanism by which a jogging device can be adjustably set to an infinite number of operating positions between predetermined limits which allows the machine to handle sheets ranging from approximately seven inches to approximately fourteen inches in length.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, a stop having a plurality of ports is connected to and covers an end of a rectangular sleeve having a movable wide wall. In a region near the stop, a narrow wall of the sleeve also has a plurality of ports. A nozzle coupled to a pump provides a flow of air into the other end of the sleeve and the air exits through the ports. With this arrangement, a rectangular sheet inserted into said other end of the sleeve is fluidly brought into registration with the narrow wall and stop. After the sheet has been registered, the movable wide wall is moved towards the other wide wall of the sleeve. If a sheet is wrinkled, such movement flattens the sheet. In a second embodiment, similar to the first, the narrow wall and stop include internal projections against which an inserted sheet is registered. In a third embodiment, similar to the first, a manifold is coupled to the ports and a vacuum pump is coupled to the manifold to accelerate registration.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sheet jogging assembly for use in a sheet registering apparatus in which sheets are collected at a receiving station and arranged in registration with each other for performing an operation on the collected stack of sheets. The invention is utilized particularly in machines for stitching, stapling or punching stacks of sheets which have been collated into booklets, the sheets having been delivered to the stitching, stapling or punching machine by a suitable feeding apparatus. The registering apparatus operates on the rear edge of the sheets after they are deposited on a receiving tray and incorporates mechanism by which a jogging device can be adjustably set to an infinite number of operating positions between predetermined limits which allows the machine to handle sheets ranging from approximately seven inches to approximately fourteen inches in length.

Abstract: Sheets fed from a supply in a reproducing machine are forwarded against a movable stop and buckled. A chute forming member movable with the stop provides space for buckling when the stop is blocking sheet movement and aids in flattening the buckle when the stop is not blocking sheet movement. In one embodiment the supply consists of two separate sheet stacks. Sheets fed from one of these stacks to the stop are buckled in one direction and sheets fed from the other stack are buckled in the opposite direction. Cantilevered buckle flattening elements disposed adjacent the buckle aid in flattening the buckle when the stop is moved from the sheet blocking position.

Abstract: A belt type separator contacts a stack to feed a sheet to a retard nip formed between the belt and a retard member. The belt is supported by a first pulley downstream of the stack and a second pulley adjacent the stack which is pivotable relative to the first pulley. Frictional resistance encountered by the belt at the nip will cause the normal force with which the belt bears against the stack to increase. Oppositely skewed rolls are used to tension sheets fed to a sheet aligning abutment. When the separator is positioned below the stack, a pivotable lever may be used to hold the stack against the separator. The pressing effect of the lever may be overridden upon an increase of the force with which the separator engages the stack.

Abstract: A letter feeder including a pair of belts mounted perpendicular to each other for transporting letters positioned thereon, a rotating brush roller and a control assembly both selectively movable to a position to stop a letter being transported by the belts and to separate double letters a selectively operated stop member for controlling the movement of letters from the feeder and a plurality of sensing members for selectively operating the brush roller, the control assembly and the stop member.