Abstract: A sorting machine (1) for sorting flat articles (2) on edge, which machine includes an upstream conveyor (10), and a downstream conveyor (30) that conveys the flat articles (2) by nipping them, the upstream conveyor (10) and the downstream conveyor (30) being separated by detector means (100) including an intermediate conveyor (20) provided with intermediate belts (22) that convey said flat articles (2) by nipping them, and that are associated individually with suction means (24, 25) pressing any flat article (2) against one or the other of said intermediate belts (22), image capture means (26) for capturing images of the bottoms of said flat articles (2) passing between the intermediate belts (22), and analysis and processing means (4) for analyzing and processing said images to detect any bunching of said flat articles (2).

Abstract: A mail doubles detection and correction system for a mail processing system with a feeder includes a mail support configured to support at least two mail pieces in a detection space downstream of the feeder, a pair of vacuum belt assemblies disposed on opposite sides of the detection space, and one or more sensors positioned about the detection space to detect a position of one or more mail pieces in the detection space. Each vacuum belt assembly includes a vacuum port facing the detection space and a perforated belt movable across the vacuum port in a mail transport direction. The system detects a mail double when the sensors indicate that more than one mail piece is disposed in the detection space and corrects the situation by moving one of the belts and holding the other belt stationary to advance only one of the mail pieces, and subsequently moving both of the belts to advance the remaining mail piece.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the monitored conveying of sheet metal plates, particularly into a working or forming plant, in which a plate is taken up by a feeder from a first position and the plate and feeder are moved to a second position. According to the invention, during feeder movement to the second position a first sensor element located at the feeder, as well as a second sensor element located in the second position, are brought into a signal-based arrangement, and that on the basis of a measurement signal transmitted between the sensor elements the number of plates at the feeder and/or the second position is determined. The invention also relates to a device for the monitored conveying of plates, particularly into a forming plant.

Abstract: An apparatus feeds paper inserts or other flat products from one area to another. The apparatus is particularly useful for use with newspaper insert machines. A first rotating disk presses against a first roller, and a second rotating disk presses against a second roller. Each roller is arranged to rotate about an axis of rotation that is movable with respect its opposing disk. Moving each roller toward its opposing disk permits thin products to be fed through the apparatus, and moving each roller away from its associated disk permits thick products to be fed through the apparatus.

Abstract: A sheet carrier, includes an upstream side sheet carriage part; a downstream side sheet carriage part; an overlapping detection part which is provided between the upstream side sheet carriage part and the downstream side sheet carriage part and is configured to detect an overlap of a front sheet and a rear sheet carried by the upstream side sheet carriage part and the downstream side sheet carriage part; and a driving control part configured to drive the upstream side sheet carriage part and the downstream side sheet carriage part at the time when the sheets are carried so that the sheets are carried via the sheet carriage path, and configured to stop driving the upstream side sheet carriage part and continue driving the downstream side sheet carriage part at the time when the overlap of the sheets is detected by the overlapping detection part.

Abstract: An air blowing portion blows air to the end of sheets supported by a lifting and lowering tray. The sheets blown up by the air from the air blowing portion are sucked and conveyed by a sucking and conveying portion. The sheets are preliminarily blown up above the suckable rang. Then, the sheets are lowered to the suckable range before a sucking and conveying operation is started. In the above operation, the tray is lifted, and thereafter the tray is lowered until the sheets reach the suckable range while repeating a step operation of performing a lowering operation and a stop operation based on detection of the upper surface of the sheets by a sheet detecting mechanism.

Abstract: A system and method for adaptive and predictive analysis of sensor readings to track documents in a document processing system. The system comprises: a plurality of sensors for sensing a document, wherein each sensor includes an associated filtering system for filtering sensor readings, and a performance tracking system for collecting performance data; and a control system that and adjusts filtering characteristics of the filtering system based on the collected performance data. In addition, a correlation system is provided for using data from at least one upstream sensor to interpret an ambiguous downstream sensor signal.

Abstract: A sheet transport system (20) comprising at least one sheet transporter (30,36) that receives and hands off a sheet being transported by the system so as to transport the sheet from a first position to a second position, wherein the at least one transporter (30,36) comprises at least one orifice (44) through which air is aspirated to create a vacuum that grips a sheet when it is received by the transporter (30,36); a vacuum system coupled to the at least one orifice (44) controllable to aspirate air through the at least one orifice (44) to grip the sheet; at least one vacuum sensor (60) that generates signals responsive to magnitude of vacuum of the at least one orifice (44); and a controller (49) that receives the signals generated by the at least one vacuum sensor (60) and provides a signal indicative of a location of the sheet in the transport system (20) from the signals.

Abstract: An object sensor includes at least one sensor device which is integrated with a fluid source. The object sensor includes a sensor housing having an object passage through which an object is moved. The object sensor further includes a fluid passage through which a flow of fluid passes. The object passage communicates with the fluid passage. A fluid source is positioned to generate a flow of fluid through the fluid passage. When an object, such as a paper sheet, moves through the object passage the object will obstruct or eclipse the flow of fluid produced by the fluid source and flowing through the fluid passage to diminish the flow of fluid. As a result, the impeded flow of fluid is sensed and one or more of a position, a presence and/or an absence of the object in the object passage is detected.

Abstract: A multi-item detector for use with a document feeder for feeding documents along a document path includes first and second vacuum heads having juxtaposed faces and being spaced apart on opposite sides along the document path. Each head is adapted to be connected to a vacuum source. The faces of the vacuum heads include a plurality of apertures through which a vacuum is applied for drawing documents into contact with either the first or second vacuum head. A first vacuum sensor is coupled to the first vacuum head. A second vacuum sensor is coupled to the second vacuum head. Each of the sensors have an on-state and an off-state for sensing an increase in vacuum level when a document contacts one of the vacuum heads in order to place the sensor in the on-state. When multiple documents are present in the document path, both sensors are in the on-state.

Abstract: A device for detecting mis-fed or missing sheets in a printing press having a storage drum includes a plurality of holding suction devices disposed on the storage drum and connected fluidically with one another via a first connecting line, a plurality of detecting suction devices disposed on the storage drum and connected fluidically with one another via a second connecting line, the holding suction devices and the detecting suction devices being formed with respective suction openings coverable at least partly by a sheet properly fed thereto, and a pressure monitoring device fluidically connected to the second connecting line for controlling the operation of the printing press in accordance with pressure prevailing in the second connecting line, the holding suction devices and the detecting suction devices being formed primarily of suction devices of the same type, the second connecting line having a cross section smaller than that of the first connecting line, and being connected fluidically with the first

Abstract: A method for on-the-fly detection and separation of multiple checks or like documents transported in a track, wherein the documents are first subjected to twin opposed vacuum forces from a suction source, to separate multiple documents; then a measuring and analysis of the resulting pressure differentials is taken within the vacuum-forming system; the system being provided with a cyclonic filter-separator upstream of the suction source, for removing a storing dust and debris entrained within the vacuum-forming air flow; the cyclonic filter-separator being designed to provide constant vacuum-forming airflow regardless of the nature or quantity of debris removed and collected; the system also being provided with a pressure sensor to give clear indication of the separated/unseparated state of the passing documents, and to exhibit a variable damping accessory.

Abstract: An apparatus for differentiating and separating multiple overlapped like documents from single like items, transported along a track comprising a suction device applying opposed vacuum forces to separate the documents at a separation station. Measuring and analyzing the resulting pressure differentials within the suction system by a pressure sensor to indicate whether single or multiple documents are passing.

Abstract: A method for differentiating and separating multiple overlapped like documents from single like items, transported along track means, comprising: subjecting the documents to opposed vacuum forces from suction means to separate them at a separation-station; then determining whether the documents are single or multiple, by measuring and analyzing the resulting pressure differentials within the suction system; using a cyclonic filter for removing and storing dust and debris entrained within the suction-conducting airflow, the cyclonic filter and suction system being designed and adapted to provide a relatively constant vacuum-generating airflow regardless of the nature of quantity of debris removed; plus a pressure sensor for indicating whether one or several documents are passing.

Abstract: In a check processing apparatus, a technique for separating multiple checks from single like items, these transported along a track wherein the checks are first subjected to twin opposed vacuums to separate them; their state (whether single or multiple) is then determined by measuring and analyzing the resulting pressure differentials within the vacuum-generating system; which is, in turn, provided with a cyclonic filter/suction pump for removing and storing dust and debris entrained within the vacuum-forming air flow, this cyclonic pump providing a constant vacuum-airflow regardless of the nature or quantity of debris removed and collected; the system being also provided with pressure sensor(s) to indicate whether (single or multiple checks are passing, plus a fail-safe unit to warn of vacuum failure. A pressure sensing unit is further provided with a variable damping stage to mask-out minor, insignificant pressure fluctuations.

Abstract: A method for on-the-fly detection and separation of multiple checks or like documents transported in a track, wherein the documents are first subjected to twin opposed vacuum forces from a suction source, to separate multiple documents; then a measuring and analysis of the resulting pressure differentials is taken within the vacuum-forming system; the system being provided with a cyclonic filter-separator upstream of the suction source, for removing and storing dust and debris entrained within the vacuum-forming air flow; the cyclonic filter-separator being designed to provide constant vacuum-forming airflow regardless of the nature or quantity of debris removed and collected; the system also being provided with a pressure sensor to give clear indication of the separated/unseparated state of the passing documents, and to exhibit a variable damping accessory.

Abstract: A method for differentiating and separating multiple overlapped like documents from single like items, transported along track means, comprising: subjecting the documents to opposed vacuum forces from suction means to separate them at a separation-station; then determining whether the documents are single or multiple, by measuring and analyzing the resulting pressure differentials within the suction system; using a cyclonic filter for removing and storing dust and debris entrained within the suction-conducting airflow, the cyclonic filter and suction system being designed and adapted to provide a relatively constant vacuum-generating airflow regardless of the nature or quantity of debris removed; plus a pressure sensor for indicating whether one or several documents are passing.

Abstract: A document transport apparatus provides continuous transport of documents input with a prescribed spacing between the documents, and can rapidly detect when documents close up or overlap. Detection of close up or overlap is made by measuring a length of each document by a transported document length measuring device and comparing the measured length with a predetermined length for that document measured by an input document length measuring device positioned upstream of the transported document length measuring device. If a measured length exceeds the predetermined length, a condition of close up or overlap is deemed to exist. The document transport apparatus is described in the context of its use in an image capture apparatus or scanner.

Abstract: An apparatus in which a stack of sheets is detected at a preselected location. An air jet is directed towards an edge of the stack of sheets at a preselected location. A pressure transducer is located at the prescribed location and positioned to have the air jet at impact thereon. The pressure transducer is enabled to transmit a signal indicative of the absence of the stack of sheets at the preselected location in response to the air jet impacting thereon. The pressure transducer is inhibited from transmitting the signal in response to the stack of sheets blocking the air jet. When the stack of sheets blocks the air jet, the signal from the pressure transducer indicates the presence of the stack of sheets at the preselected location. A pneumatic stack height detector of this type may be used to regulate the movement of a stack of sheets used in electrophotographic printing machines.

Abstract: A detecting device is provided for detecting carry-out of a last glass sheet from a stacking stand. The detecting device comprises a suction cup releasably attached with a suction force to the last glass sheet, and a sensor for detecting attachment and detachment to and from the last glass sheet and producing electrical signals representative thereof. The signals from the sensor are supplied to a robot or the like for the above carry-out for stopping the robot or the like when the sensor detects detachment of the suction cup from the last glass sheet.

Abstract: Device for scanning lengths of sheets in a sheet-processing machine, wherein the sheets travel with a leading and a trailing edge, including suction-air measuring nozzles alignable with the trailing edges of the sheets and connected to a suction-air source via control elements connected in an electrical circuit of the machine drive, a feeder for aligning the sheets to be processed at stops for the leading edges of the sheets, lift-type suckers for lifting the sheets individually off a pile of sheets, and have structure defining a scanning hole in at least one of the suction-air measuring nozzles, the one nozzle being disposed in the feeder and being directed towards the trailing edge of an uppermost sheet disposed on a pile of sheets, a suction-air connecting line connecting the one nozzle to the suction-air source, and a differential pressure-measuring valve connected in the line and cooperatively associated with the control elements.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for picking up a fabric workpiece by applying vacuum provides two vacuum sensors; one for a sample fabric and the other for a fabric workpiece to be picked up. Where the apparatus has picked up incorrect number of sheets, the two vacuum sensors will output different voltages and the values are converted from analog to digital and input to a comparator. Thus, in such a case, the comparator outputs particular signals to stop the picking-up action of the apparatus.

Abstract: This bill device is constituted of a relatively elongated casing. A bill insertion slit is formed substantially in the center of this casing in its longitudinal direction. A first U-shaped bill conveying passage communicating with the bill insertion slit is provided in one half of the casing and a second U-shaped bill conveying passage communicating with this first U-shaped bill conveying passage is provided in another half of the casing. A bill discrimination section is disposed in the former half of the first U-shaped bill conveying passage and a bill accumulating device is disposed in the latter half of the second bill conveying passage such that a plurality of bills after discrimination are retained in the two U-shaped bill conveying passages.

Abstract: A double feed detector to detect the feeding of multiple sheets into processing equipment such as printing presses which includes a reciprocally mounted gauge tube with a passage opening onto its opposite ends so that one of its ends is lowered into a gauging position over a support surface on which the sheets being fed are located. A pressurized air supply is connected to the gauge tube intermediate its ends and a cap closes that end of the passage opposite the end at the support surface so that, when more than one sheet is located on the support surface, the rise in air pressure in the gauge tube will urge the cap against a switch to stop the sheet feed to the processing equipment.

Abstract: A sheet feeder is adapted to feed sheets, received in a stack within a sheet cassette, one by one by a feed roller which rocks in response to a feed signal. The sheet feeder includes a detecting member for detecting the number of sheets left within the cassette, and means responsive to a signal from the detecting member for controlling the timing when the feed signal is produced. In this manner, an amount of flexure produced in the sheet being fed before it reaches resistor rollers is maintained constant.

Abstract: A drum (13) is provided with vacuum openings (14), (16), for suckingly holding a sheet (19) thereto for printing or the like. A sheet feed failure is detected by sensing for a drop in the level of vacuum at a vacuum source (12) below a predetermined value. Several regulators (36), (37), (38), (39) are provided for regulation to selected levels of vacuum.

Abstract: A sheet supplying apparatus, in which photographic sheets of various sizes are lifted by a plurality of suction disks, includes edge detectors for detecting the edges of the topmost sheet and disabling any suction disc not completely located on that sheet.

Abstract: A monitoring device for missing and skewed sheets in sheet feeding devices on printing machines having feed grippers includes at least two sensors spaced along the width of the feed table for monitoring the front edge of the sheet being fed. The sensors have air outlet means which are disposed to be covered by a transported sheet when the latter is properly aligned.

Abstract: Sheet sensing device in a rotary printing press having a sheet transferring drum provided at respective regions thereof with gripping means for gripping the leading and trailing edges of a sheet being transferred, includes sensing nozzles disposed in the region of the gripping means for gripping the trailing edge of a sheet, a line system connecting the sensing nozzles to a pneumatic pressure-generating source, and pressure monitoring means connected in the line system between the sensing nozzles and the pneumatic pressure-generating source.

Abstract: A printing machine receives single sheets which are removed from a stack by the suction cups of a feeding mechanism which is combined with a monitoring unit serving to detect the absence of sheets at the undersides of suction cups or the lifting of two or more sheets. The monitoring unit employs a transducer having two feelers which determine the thickness of lifted sheet material and an indicating device which is actuated by the feelers and produces signals serving to indicate the absence of sheets, the lifting of two or more sheets and/or to control the operation of the printing machine. The suction cups can form part of the transducer when the latter is designed to detect only the absence of sheets or they form part of a second transducer which is provided in addition to the first mentioned transducer.