Abstract: The holding-down arrangement for holding down a sheet (24) in a sheet-bearing region of a sheet-processing machine, in particular of a folding machine, includes a plurality of blowing devices (19, 21) which, during use, are directed toward a sheet (24) and direct an air jet (20, 22) onto the sheet (24). The holding-down arrangement may be fitted in a sheet-aligning device which is arranged downstream of a sheet infeed and includes a sheet-bearing device (12), on which an incoming sheet (24) comes to rest.

Abstract: The invention is an automatic paper-feeding structure, which includes: a lifting member, which is arranged at the paper-feeding side of this automatic paper-feeding structure, and on which plural document papers are supported, and which may make the plural document papers skewed to one side and lifted up; a paper-taking member, of which face generates frictional force to the first paper of the document to make the first paper touched by the member's face be fed into the interior of the paper-feeding structure by the paper-taking member; a paper-separating member, which is with the paper-taking member to generate the squeezing function onto the papers and is able to separate the paper, such that the first paper on the document may be separated from other papers thereunder; a paper-feeding member, which receives the papers delivered from the paper-taking member and generates necessary interaction with the paper-separating member and the de-skewing member; a de-skewing member, which makes a de-skewing and delive

Abstract: A device is provided for diverting an imbricated flow of printed products that is transported on a roller table having a plurality of rollers arranged one behind the other. The device comprises an elongated adjustment member whose position can be varied within a sliding plane extending in parallel to a transportation plane defined by the rollers. The device further comprises a plurality of guide elements for guiding the imbricated flow. The guide elements extend into clearances formed between every two rollers and are received on the adjustment member for rotation relative to the adjustment member in a direction perpendicular to the sliding plane and for sliding movement in lengthwise direction of the adjustment member.

Abstract: A pickup roller is movable in a vertical direction and pulls out papers to the paper feed rollers, is provided. The pickup roller moves down towards the papers stacked on the paper tray. A front edge alignment member that aligns the front edge of the papers and a stopper that controls rotation of the front edge alignment member engages the front edge alignment member. A stopper release member pivots the stopper to release it from the front edge alignment member in synchronization to the up and down movement of the pickup roller.

Abstract: An article jogging apparatus for the lateral straightening of sheet material located on a conveyor includes a pair of vertically opposed timing belts. One belt being adjustable per product width as well as stream throat. The other belt oscillating between a reference and a thrown position to realign those articles of the stream that are out of alignment. The apparatus utilizes a uniquely assembled drive pulley and position system.

Abstract: A sheet material feeder and an image forming apparatus in which, even when a sheet of thick paper is transported through a sharply curved sheet material guide, the sheet can be adjusted to a lateral registry position. A base plate, a movable lower guide and a movable upper guide can slide in a direction perpendicular to the direction of sheet transport in union with each other. Where a sheet material stopped at a lateral registry adjustment position is a sheet of thick paper, it is brought into a tightly stretching condition supported at three points, i.e., a crotch point of the movable upper guide, a top of the movable lower guide, and a guide surface of a regulation-side lateral register plate. The sheet material supported from both sides at the three points is moved together with the movable lower guide and the movable upper guide toward a reference-side lateral register plate for abutment against the same, whereby the lateral registry position adjustment of the sheet material is completed.

Abstract: A sheet handling system for correcting the skew and/or transverse position of sequential sheets, especially those moving in a process direction in a sheet transport path of a reproduction apparatus to be registered for image printing, of the type in which the deskewing and/or side registration is accomplished by partially rotating the sheet with a transversely spaced pair of differentially driven sheet steering nips. The effective range of sheet size capabilities of such systems may be increased without steering nip slippage or other problems by applying a control signal proportional to the width of the sheet to a system for automatically increasing or decreasing the transverse spacing between the pair of sheet steering nips, so as to provide a much wider spacing for larger sheets yet still be able to handle small sheets.

Abstract: A banknote centering device uses a clutch arrangement to limit inward movement of side engaging plates used to center a banknote. The clutch also allows a fixed cycle motor to be used for both inward and outward movement of the side engaging numbers. The resistance of the banknote to buckling in the slot is sufficient to cause the clutch to slip. The device is rugged, easy to produce, and has proven very reliable.

Abstract: In a lateral sheet shifting system, wherein sheets are fed from a sheet input to a sheet output with controlled shifting transversely of the process direction, there is a pivotal arcuate sheet path defining baffle unit providing an arcuate sheet-feeding path between the input and output. This arcuate baffle unit is mounted for pivotal angular movement laterally of the process direction by a controllable automatic variable angle pivoting system to form a variable sheet spiraling path therein. The arcuate baffle unit may be generally "S" or "U" shaped, and may be defined by, or consist solely of, opposing relatively closely spaced similarly arcuate baffles, such as at least two operatively connecting but oppositely facing generally quarter-cylindrical sections which can provide sheet side shifting without introducing any sheet skewing. The sheets in the baffle unit need not be engaged by any sheet feeding rollers therein, and the sheet input and output can be simple conventional fixed rollers on fixed axes.

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

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

Abstract: 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: An arrangement for feeding flat, thin objects, such as valuable documents in the form of banknotes, cheques, etc., along a transport path, including object straightening and repositioning means which straighten or reposition the objects as they pass sequentially along the transport path. The straightening means includes rotating driven object straightening rollers that lie briefly against the objects as the objects pass along the transport path. The straightening means includes two rotatable, driven straightening rollers, each mounted on a driving shaft and intended to lie in abutment with the objects. The straightening means further includes control means which causes the rollers to move in accordance with the deviation of respective objects from an intended correct position on the transport path.

Abstract: Device for avoiding registration errors at an oscillating pregripper of a sheet-processing machine includes a gripper bar deflectable in synchronism with the machine so that a respective sheet being processed therein undergoes stretching in a trailing region of the sheet. The gripper bar, in a middle region thereof, is guided and driven in a flexurally bending-resistant manner. A feeder cylinder carries thrust pads at both sides thereof for deflecting the gripper bar at the ends thereof in a sheet travel direction before a respective transfer of a sheet at the feeder cylinder, and for maintaining the deflection until sheet transfer has been completed.

Abstract: A trailing end regulating device is slidably and rotatably supported by a bottom plate of a sheet cassette so as to regulate trailing ends of sheets supported on an intermediate plate in the sheet cassette. The trailing end regulating device is supported to be orthogonal to a sheet supporting surface of the intermediate plate by a guide which is mounted on the intermediate plate. Thus, the trailing end regulating device can constantly be maintained in an orthogonal state even if the intermediate plate rotates due to a change in the amount of sheets loaded, and the trailing end position of the sheets can appropriately be regulated. It is thus possible to maintain a constant amount of engagement between the sheets and separation claws used to separated the sheets from each other.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for deskewing sheets as they are transported along a path. An intake roller assembly and an urged roller assembly are positioned along the path. The urge roller assembly bears upon a sheet with a forced selected so that the urge roller will slip if the sheet is blocked before the sheet is damaged. A rotatable element having a pair of stop elements in an upstream and a pair of deflecting elements at a downstream end is pivotable mounted beneath the path and rotates in a plane normal to the path, and is bias so that the deflecting elements intersect the path and the stop element are clear from the path. When the intake roller assembly drives a sheet against the deflecting elements the rotatable element rotates as the sheet rides over the deflecting element so that the stop elements intersect the path. If the sheet is skewed, that is if one edge is advanced, that edge will encounter the stop elements first.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for centering and aligning sheets. The apparatus includes a D-roller assembly for cyclically engaging and transporting sheets and a centering and aligning mechanism for centering the lining sheets which is synchronized with the operation of the D-roller assembly so that the centering and aligning mechanism acts upon the sheets before the sheets are engaged by the D-roller assembly. The centering and aligning mechanism includes a pair of elements extending parallel to, and symmetrically from the center-line of, the path followed by the sheets and the elements cycle from first positions inward to second positions separated by approximately the width of the sheets so that sheets positioned between the elements are centered a aligned. Movement of the elements is synchronized with the D-roller assembly by a pair of complementary oppositely faced barrel cams mounted on a common shaft with the D-roller assembly.

Abstract: A passbook transport and handling apparatus (10) for transporting a passbook between a customer using an automated banking machine and a printer (12) located inside the banking machine includes first belt flights (32) movable on first pulleys (22). The transport further includes second belt flights (34) movable on second pulleys (28). The second belt flights are disposed traversely intermediate of the first belt flights so that a passbook carried therein between is engaged firmly but with limited slippage. The passbook is guided through the transport by a first fixed edge guide (44). A second edge guide (46) is mounted on a spring (48) so as to bias the passbook into alignment as it passes through the transport. A gate member (72) is movable between positions blocking or admitting a passbook to the transport. Movement of the gate member as well as the belt flights is under control of a processor.

Abstract: A device for arranging sheets of paper (32) in a stack (33) having a frame (2) to be mounted fixed in place, with an inlet opening (62) for introducing the sheets (32) to be stacked. The arm (4) is pivotably seated at its rear end on the frame (2) and contains a conveying member (45) driven by a motor (43) for conveying the sheets (32). A container (3) is provided for receiving the sheets (32), with a vertically displaceable carriage (12) and a drive member (15) for displacing the carriage (12). The front end of the arm (4) is pivotably connected to with the carriage (12). There is a sensor (68) at the front end of the arm (4) for detecting the upper edge of the stack (33), and a control device (67), connected with the sensor (68) and the drive member (15), for maintaining the front end of the arm (4 ) at the height of the stack (33) being formed. Finally, an exchangeable cassette (28) for receiving the stack (33) can be inserted into the container (3).

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes an endless belt which is postioned to be adjacent to a rear part of a sheet stand on which trailing edges of a pile of sheets are loaded. The endless belt includes a holding member to hold a leading edge of a sheet that is being returned to the sheet stand so that the endless belt conveys the sheet together with the holding member and inserts the sheet being returned to the sheet stand under the pile of sheets. A single stopper is provided on the sheet stand to align the sheets of the pile as well as the sheets inserted under the pile.

Abstract: A sheet feeder includes a first laterally adjustable guide for guiding a vertically displaceable pile table, a second laterally adjustable guide for guiding a vertically displaceable non-stop device, and a device for adjusting the first guide and the second guide in common and for adjusting the first and the second guides relative to one another in a given direction of movement for effecting a lateral alignment.

Abstract: A conveying mechanism, particularly useful with a printed-circuit board laminator, in which the board is conveyed by several conveyor rollers having a small gap against several guide members, such as rollers, to accommodate the board and prevent its warping. A sliding device aligns the board as it is transported by the rollers.

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

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

Abstract: 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 machine for processing sheet material, an apparatus for centering and deskewing the sheet material being processed, comprises a deck; a pair of side guides adjustably located above the deck; adjustment limiting structure coupled to the side guides for limiting the distance adjustments can be made; linkage structure operatively coupled to the side guides and to the adjustment limiting structure for maintaining fixed center adjustments to the side guides, the linkage structure comprising at least three links, including a center link pivotally mounted to a center point of the deck and two end links, each of the end links coupled to one of the side guides; and friction structure coupled to each of the side guides for maintaining a position of the side guides after an adjustment is made.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sheet post treatment apparatus having receive means for receiving sheets, align means provided with a reference member providing a reference for aligning the sheets and a moving member movable relative to the reference member to align the sheets, and control means for controlling the aligning means to cause the moving member to wait at a different position in conformity with sheet size information before the discharge of the sheets in a case where the sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus are discharged so that the centers thereof may coincide with one another irrespective of the sizes of the sheets.

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

Abstract: A three-side cutting apparatus which cuts a carried-in book at its top, bottom and side.

Abstract: A sheet-fed press includes a front guide device which performs a positional adjustment of a printing sheet before transferring it to a transfer drum. In order to adjust an image forming portion on the printing sheet, both ends of a front guide rod are moved independently of each other. Moving distances of the both ends of the rod are computed by a central processing unit on the basis of a paper size, etc.

Abstract: This invention relates to an automatic sheet-feeder for feeding a sheet from the bottom of a stack of sheets placed on a sheet tray and for circularly returning the sheet to the top of the stack. The sheet tray comprises a movable tray and a stationary tray, and the movable tray can move upward or downward in accordance with the size of the sheet, and further the movable tray comprises an intermediate sheet-feed to transport the sheet, whereby the edges of the pile of sheets are aligned in order to prevent erroneous sheet-feeding.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying a base is disclosed which comprises a crosswise base guide for causing a centerline in a conveyance direction of the base to coincide with a centerline in the conveyance direction of the apparatus, a base position detecting sensor for causing the crosswise base guide to start its operation and base breadth detecting sensors for causing the crosswise base guide to stop its operation. The apparatus may further comprise base guide moving mechanism for causing a centerline of the crosswise base guide to coincide with the centerline of the thin film.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying a base, having feed rollers and presser rollers, is disclosed which comprises a sheet press-clamping mechanism for clamping a sheet to be arranged on the base; and a base holding member for temporarily holding the base in position when the base has been fed to a predetermined position of the sheet press-clamping mechanism. The base holding member is projected to press the base when the base has been fed to the sheet press-clamping mechanism. The base holding member is retracted when the base is set at the sheet press-clamping mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying a base by means of feed rollers and presser rollers in disclosed which comprises a base support member for supporting the base in place. The base support means is projected to a predetermined position when the base is fed to a pressure applying position. The apparatus is provided with a base holding member for temporarily fixing in place the base which has been fed to the pressure applying position, without changing a condition of the base. The base support means operated in cooperation with or independently of the base holding member.

Abstract: A reproduction machine having a duplex tray for processing duplex copies and copy sheet inverter, each with an adjustable back stop for adjusting the duplex tray and inverter size in accordance with the copy size being processed. To enable automatic operation, a control which includes sensors disposed in the path of the copy sheets is provided for measuring the size of the first copy sheet as the copy sheet is being processed and adjusting the duplex tray and inverter back stops in accordance with the size copy sheet determined.

Abstract: A handling machine for deposit envelopes includes a delivery device for carrying inserted deposit envelopes along a delivery path, a printer for printing deposit information on one side of a succession of labels, the other sides of which contain an adhesive, a label feed device for supplying the printed labels at a given place along the delivery path, and members for sandwiching under pressure therebetween the labels fed to the delivery path and the carried deposit envelopes to stick the labels to the deposit envelopes.

Abstract: The disclosed data reading apparatus carries an inserted sheet continuously inward and around a drum where data on the sheet is sensed optically and out of the apparatus reversely, close to the point of insertion. Sheets of different widths are aligned initially, and are held against the drum by tensioned belts. The drum "floats", being movable toward and away from the data reader to accommodate abnormal sheet thickness, wrinkling, etc. and to limit the sensing gap. Jamming of an inserted sheet is virtually eliminated by the floating drum and other special provisions. The entire apparatus is very compact, due in part to making the drum hollow and mounting the drive motor in the hollow.

Abstract: Multiple simultaneous envelope duplicating apparatus has a windowed feed elevator supplying envelope stacks to an offset duplicator. The elevator has an open frame supporting a pair of spaced apart parallel envelope stack supporting plates. The plates and the frame define windows for receiving in vertically movable relationship, guide members to maintain the envelope stacks upright and in alignment with suction feet at a receiving station of the offset duplicator. A delivery end of the duplicator having a receding stacker also has an open frame supporting a pair of spaced apart envelope stack supporting plates to receive printed envelopes, and define windows for receiving in vertically movable relationship, a second set of guide members to maintain the printed envelope stacks upright. Upright member supporting bases are adjustable so that the guide members can be fitted to bound the sides of different sized envelopes. Bulk envelope chargers have envelope receiving side plates and a back retaining plate.

Abstract: A system for remote sensing, indicating and remote control provides for the non-smear guidance of sheets through a sheet-fed machine and is especially useful for printing machines which print on both sides of the sheets. Sheet guides are adjustable during machine operation from a control panel at a central location outside of the machine. The positions of the sheet guides are preferably displayed in direct comparison with zones of ink application. Also, the sheet guides are adjustable from the control panel so that the guides fall within the gaps between printed areas on the sheet. An immediate and graphic check of the sheet guides is provided.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for registering flexible sheets has a first conveyor belt with a smooth sheet contacting surface movably mounted to a frame. A movable abutment belt is mounted to said frame and juxtaposed with said conveyor belt. The conveyor belt and the abutment belt move at the same rate of speed so that a sheet deposited on said conveyor belt is engaged by and aligned with said abutment belt and is thereby registered during advancement between said inlet end and said outlet end.

Abstract: A computer-controlled machine for printing business documents, such as, checks, check vouchers, check registers and other forms used in quantity. Paper stock of varying dimensions, color or other characteristics is loaded into individual hoppers or trays in a paper input module. Under computer control, predetermined numbers of sheets are extracted from the plural hoppers in a prescribed sequence and transported, in proper alignment, to a first printing station where alpha/numeric characters are printed on the paper sheets by means of a non-impact xerographic printer in accordance with preprogrammed instructions. Next, the partially completed documents are serially transported, again in proper alignment, to a further printing station where MICR characters are impressed on the sheets using a drum and hammer-type printer, again with format, spacing and positioning controlled by a preprogrammed microcomputer system.

Abstract: In a flash-on-the-fly, web-type copier, copy sheets fed to a transfer station are adjusted to align such sheets with transferable document images formed on the web to compensate for positional deviations of such document images from nominal or expected image positions.

Abstract: A pair of colinearly movable, reciprocating paddles for bumping the side edges of sheets flowing serially along a feed path is disclosed. The sheets travel between the reciprocating paddles in a direction generally perpendicular to paddle movement. The paddles jog the sheets into a correct alignment position to establish registry between the sheets and, for example, the plate cylinder of an offset printing press supplied with the sheets. The distance between each paddle and the sheet feed path centerline can be adjusted during reciprocating movement of the paddle to meet registry requirements. A disengagement mechanism permits separate use of either paddle.

Abstract: A top-sheet feeder in which the feed table comprising suckers engaging a sheet fed from the top of the stack, is pivotable to position the input end of the feed table at any offset position the sheet may have occupied at the top of the stack; the feed table comprising an end portion to direct the suckers upstream of the pivot normal to the leading edge of the sheet and thus align them correctly for output from the feeder.

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: A device for duplicating apparatus adapted to prevent an image of a printing master from being printed in an inclined position on copies produced from the printing master mounted in the apparatus. The device comprises, in combination, a pair of delivery rollers adapted to hold therebetween one copy sheet after another as the copy sheets are fed from a sheet feed tray and to deliver the same to the printing position, and means for causing each copy sheet to assume an inclined position immediately before being held between the pair of delivery rollers.