Abstract: A sheet feeder includes: a sheet rack; a pair of side plates movable along a width of a sheet on the sheet rack and abuttable against both widthwise ends of the sheet; a widthwise drive device that moves the side plates along the width of the sheet; a pair of end detecting devices provided one for each of the side plates and capable of detecting both the ends of the sheet abutting the side plates, respectively; and a control device that includes a processor, controls the widthwise drive device through the processor executing a control program to allow the widthwise drive device to move, based on outputs of the end detecting devices, the side plates until abutment against both the ends of the sheet, acquires respective travel distances of the side plates moved by the widthwise drive device, and determines a size of the sheet based on the travel distances.

Abstract: A physical property detecting device, includes: an insertion part that includes an insertion port through which a sheet is inserted and removed; a first physical property detector that detects a first physical property of the sheet in a non-nipping state; and a second physical property detector that nips the sheet and detects a second physical property of the sheet in a nipping state, wherein the first physical property detector and the second physical property detector are disposed at different positions in an insertion and removal direction of the sheet.

Abstract: A conveying device includes a sensor to read a sheet to be conveyed, a first conveyor arranged on an upstream side from the sensor in a sheet conveying direction of the sheet, a second conveyor arranged on a downstream side from the sensor in the sheet conveying direction, and correcting circuitry to correct a distance of the sheet having an error detected when the sensor reads the sheet conveyed by the first conveyor and the second conveyor, to an actual distance. The correcting circuitry uses at least a first correction value correcting a distance read by the sensor when the first conveyor conveys the sheet and a second correction value correcting a distance read by the sensor when the second conveyor conveys the sheet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a sheet feed portion, a conveying portion, a control portion, a first sensor having the detection position at a first position in the sheet conveying passage, and a second sensor having the detection position at a second position downstream of the first position in the sheet conveying direction. The control portion performs first sensing to sense whether the sheet's rear end has passed the first position within a first time of the start of the feeding and second sensing to sense whether the sheet's rear end has passed the second position within a second time of the start of the feeding. Even if the control portion is unable to sense passage of the sheet's rear end in the first sensing, when it senses passage of the sheet's rear end in the second sensing, it makes the conveying portion continue feeding the sheet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: an image former; a sheet detection sensor; an image reader; and a hardware processor that: detects an image abnormality by analyzing the read image data and obtains a position in a sheet conveyance direction of the detected image abnormality in the read image data for each piece of the read image data corresponding to each of the sheets; estimates a conveyance interval of the plurality of sheets based on a detection result by the sheet detection sensor, and determines whether a specific periodicity exists based on the estimated conveyance interval and the position of the image abnormality detected from the read image data corresponding to each of the sheets; and when the specific periodicity is determined to exist, estimates a part corresponding to the specific periodicity as a failure point.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a storage unit configured to store a recording medium; a conveyance unit configured to convey the recording medium from the storage unit; an image formation unit configured to perform an image formation for forming an image to be transferred onto the recording medium conveyed from the storage unit; and a detection unit configured to detect a start of the image formation. Upon the detection unit detecting the start of the image formation, the conveyance unit moves the recording medium by a predetermined distance from the storage unit.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an image forming apparatus has an image forming device, a discharge port of a recording medium, a conveying device of the recording medium, and a controller. The controller judges a kind of the recording medium and the discharge port that is a conveying destination of the recording medium. The controller controls a conveying speed of the recording medium to be discharged from the discharge port by the conveying device, in accordance with the kind of the recording medium and the conveying destination of the recording medium which have been judged.

Abstract: Various methods and devices maintain a registration nip and a transfer nip at the same sheet feeding speed when the leading edge of a sheet is between them. These methods and devices create a buckle in the sheet by increasing the sheet feeding speed of the registration nip while maintaining the transfer nip at the original sheet feeding speed during a first portion of when the sheet is simultaneously within the registration nip and the transfer nip. Such methods and devices then decrease the sheet feeding speed of the registration nip after creating the amount of buckle in the sheet and maintain the registration nip and the transfer nip at the same sheet feeding speed to maintain that specific amount of buckle in the sheet during the remaining portion of when the sheet is simultaneously within the registration nip and the transfer nip.

Abstract: A sheet conveyance device includes conveying portion, first sensing portion, second sensing portion, drive control portion, response time calculation portion, and setting time changing portion. First sensing portion is disposed upstream conveying portion in conveyance direction. Second sensing portion is disposed downstream conveying portion in conveyance direction. Drive control portion makes conveying portion stop until a predetermined setting time has elapsed after sensing of the leading end of the sheet-like member in the conveyance direction of the sheet-like member by first sensing portion, to deflect the sheet-like member, and outputs a drive signal that drives the conveying portion when setting time has elapsed. Response time calculation portion calculates response time until conveying portion is driven since drive signal is outputted. Setting time changing portion changes setting time based on response time calculated by response time calculation portion.

Abstract: In a sheet conveyance device, if a sheet has not been detected at a second position when a predetermined time has elapsed since the sheet has been detected at a first position, a separating portion switches operation thereof from a separating operation to a non-separating operation of conveying the sheet from upstream to downstream in a sheet conveyance path, and a sheet feed portion continues a feeding operation. If the sheet has not been detected at the second position by the time a predetermined time has elapsed since the separating portion has started the non-separating operation, the separating portion and the sheet feed portion stop driving, and if the sheet has been detected at the second position by the time, the separating portion switches operation thereof from the non-separating operation to the separating operation, and the sheet feed portion continues the feeding operation.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a conveying unit configured to convey a sheet by a first rotating body and a second rotating body that is provided so as to be movable in a contacting/separating direction with respect to the first rotating body; a rotation amount measuring unit configured to measure a rotation amount of the second rotating body, the rotation amount measuring unit being provided so as to be movable in the contacting/separating direction along with the second rotating body; and a conveying distance calculating unit configured to calculate a conveying distance of the sheet based on a measurement result obtained by the rotation amount measuring unit.

Abstract: There is provided a transport system including: a transport mechanism including first and second rollers; first and second driving devices; first and second measuring devices configured to measure a state quantities Z1 and Z2; and a controller configured to control the first and second driving devices. The controller is configured to perform: estimating reaction forces R1 and R2; calculating control inputs U1 and U2; inputting, to the first driving device, a control signal in accordance with a sum of the control input U1 and the control input U2; inputting, to the second driving device, a control signal in accordance with a difference between the control input U1 and the control input U2; estimating non-tensional components RE1 or RE2; and correcting the control input U2 to prevent a control error caused by the non-tensional components RE1 and RE2 included in an estimated tension of the sheet (R1?R2)/2.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a processor-readable medium stores code representing instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to receive sheet length data for two paper sheets of a same standard dimension passing consecutively through a printing device. The processor calculates a length difference between the two paper sheets, and when the length difference exceeds a two-sheet threshold, it initiates an alignment correction cycle in a paper finishing device.

Abstract: A sheet feeder control method for controlling a sheet feeder of an image forming apparatus includes feeding a sheet through a sheet feed path exposable to the exterior of the sheet feeder, detecting the feeding of the sheet at at least a first position on the sheet feed path, discharging the fed sheet to the exterior of the sheet feeder, detecting the discharge of the sheet at a second position downstream of the first position in a sheet feeding direction, detecting a sheet jam during the feeding and discharging of the sheet, and if the jammed sheet is detected at the second position but not at the first position, cancelling a malfunction state due to the sheet jam when the sheet stops being detected at the second position, irrespective of whether the sheet feed path is covered or exposed.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus includes a sheet conveying unit including a drive roller and a driven roller; a downstream detection unit and an upstream detection unit; a conveying amount measuring unit that measures a conveying amount of the sheet; and a conveying distance calculation unit that calculates a conveying distance of the sheet, wherein a distance between the downstream detection unit and the upstream detection unit or a perimeter of one of the drive roller and the driven roller is set such that an expected conveying distance calculated based on a set sheet length of an expected value of the sheet becomes a substantially integer multiple of a perimeter of the one of the drive roller and the driven roller.

Abstract: In a sheet conveying device, a first sensing portion is configured to output a first sense signal when a sheet is absent at a first sensing position determined in advance on a sheet placement portion, and output a second sense signal when the sheet is present at the first sensing position. A second sensing portion is configured to output the second sense signal when the sheet is absent at a second sensing position separated from the first sensing position in a width direction perpendicular to a conveying direction of the sheet, and output the first sense signal when the sheet is present at the second sensing position. A sensing control portion is configured to sense a plurality of states in accordance with a combination of the first sense signal and the second sense signal.

Abstract: The check deposit apparatus of the present invention comprises an insertion part that is used to insert a check from outside for deposit, a feed part furnished with a feed roller that feeds the placed check along a feed path, an alignment part furnished with an alignment roller that feeds the check fed from the feed part to one side of the feed path and also aligns it, a check reading part that reads information of the check that has been aligned by the alignment part, first and second sensor groups that judge whether the check inserted into the insertion part has a specification that enables it to be fed and processed toward the alignment part normally, a third sensor group that judges whether the check aligned in the alignment part has a specification that enables it to be read and processed normally in the check reading part, and a control part that judges whether to deposit or return the check in question based on the information sensed by the first and second group or third sensor group.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus includes a detecting unit configured to detect a sheet; a conveying unit including a driving roller and a driven roller that rotates in conformity with the driving roller and configured to convey the sheet by holding the sheet between the driving roller and the driven roller; a disk configured to rotate in correspondence with the driven roller and including multiple slits arranged in a periphery thereof; first and second sensors configured to detect the multiple slits and output detection signals, the first and second sensors being provided substantially opposite to each other where a rotational axle of the disk is positioned at a center between the first and second sensors; and a conveyance distance calculating unit configured to calculate a sheet conveying distance based on a detection result of the detecting unit and the detection signals.

Abstract: There is provided a transporting system including two rollers to transport a sheet, two driving devices to drive the rollers, two measuring devices to measure state quantities Z1 and Z2 concerning the rollers, and a controller to control the transport. The controller includes first and second estimating units to estimate values R1 and R2 related to reaction forces act on the rollers, a first calculating unit to calculate control input U1 in accordance with a deviation between a target state quantity and (Z1+Z2)/2, a second calculating unit to calculate control input U2 in accordance with a deviation between a target value and (R1?R2)/2, a first drive controller to input a control signal in accordance with (U1+U2) to the first driving device, and a second drive controller to input a control signal in accordance with (U1?U2) to the second driving device.

Abstract: A paper sheet conveying apparatus includes: a conveying path in which a paper sheet is conveyed; a plurality of conveying rollers; a plurality of driving motors; an out-of-step detection portion; a stop control portion; and a driving restart control portion. The plurality of conveying rollers are disposed along the conveying path. The plurality of driving motors rotates the conveying rollers. The out-of-step detection portion detects an out-of-step in each of the driving motors. The stop control portion stops each of the driving motors when an out-of-step is detected. The driving restart control portion drives, after each of the driving motors is stopped, a first driving motor in which an out-of-step has occurred, and a second driving motor in which no out-of-step occurs, under a driving start condition that an amount of rotation of the second driving motor is less than an amount of rotation of the first driving motor.

Abstract: A sheet sensing module and a duplex scanning apparatus having the sheet sensing module are provided. The sheet sensing module includes a first sensing arm, a second sensing arm, and an electronic sensor. The first sensing arm is partially exposed to a sheet feeding channel of the duplex scanning apparatus. The second sensing arm is partially exposed to an inverting channel of the duplex scanning apparatus. When a document is transferred through the sheet feeding channel to trigger said first sensing arm or the document is transferred through the inverting channel to trigger the second sensing arm, the electronic sensor generates a sensing signal.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes an image reading unit for reading an image of a document at a reading position, a document feeding unit for discharging the document via the reading position, an abnormality detection unit for detecting a feeding abnormality, and a reading determination unit. The reading determination unit determines that the reading of the image of the fed document by the image reading unit is complete in a case where it is determined that a fed document, which is being fed by the document feeding unit, is not a final document, and it is detected that the leading edge of the fed document has reached the reading position, and when it is detected that the leading edge of the subsequent document has reached the reading position without the abnormality detection unit detecting any abnormality.

Abstract: A duplex scanning apparatus and a sheet-feeding control method thereof are provided. The duplex scanning apparatus includes a sheet feeding channel, a sheet transfer channel, an inverting channel, and a sheet sensing module. A first end of the inverting channel is connected to a junction between said sheet feeding channel and the sheet transfer channel. A second end of the inverting channel is connected to the sheet transfer channel. A distance between the sheet sensing module and the first end of the inverting channel is greater than a distance between the sheet sensing module and the second end of the inverting channel. When a document is transferred through the sheet sensing module at the second time, a next document is fed into the sheet feeding channel through a sheet entrance.

Abstract: There are provided a paper conveying apparatus, a jam detection method and a computer-readable, non-transitory medium which can precisely determine any occurrence of a jam by a sound regardless of the conveyance speed of the paper. The paper conveying apparatus includes a sound signal generator for generating a sound signal corresponding to a sound generated by a paper during conveyance of the paper, a corrected signal generator for correcting the sound signal to generate a corrected signal, and a sound jam detector for determining whether a jam has occurred based on the corrected signal, wherein the corrected signal generator sets a method of correcting the sound signal in accordance with conveyance speed information.

Abstract: A printing and paper delivery system includes at least two printers disposed adjacent to one another. A first conveyor is coupled to a first printer of the at least two printers such that the first conveyer is configured to receive media output from an output chute of the first printer. A second conveyor is coupled to a second printer of the at least two printers such that the first conveyor is configured to receive media output from an output chute of the second printer. A controller is in signal communication with the first and second conveyors to facilitate the transfer of media from at least one of the at least two printers to a delivery location.

Abstract: There are provided a paper conveying apparatus, a jam detection method and a computer-readable, non-transitory medium that can suppress erroneous detection of a jam. The paper conveying apparatus includes a sound signal generator for generating a sound signal, a sound jam detector for determining whether a jam has occurred based on the sound signal, a special sound detector for determining whether a special sound has been generated based on a component of the sound signal, and a control module for performing abnormal processing when the sound jam detector determines that a jam has occurred and the special sound detector determines that a special sound has not been generated, and determining that no jam has occurred and not performing the abnormal processing when the sound jam detector determines that a jam has occurred and the special sound detector determines that a special sound has been generated.

Abstract: There is provided an image recording apparatus including: a main body with first and second transporting paths, a transporting roller pair, a recording portion, a reversal roller pair, a re-transporting roller pair, a transporting motor, first and second transmission mechanisms, and a controller. The second transmission mechanism has: a sun gear, an arm, a pendulum gear, and a gear row. The second transmission mechanism is configured to change a posture between a first posture and a second posture. The controller is configured to determine a position of the sheet, determine a size of the sheet, switch the rotation of the transporting motor under certain conditions, and increase the rotation amount of the transporting motor more for the case that the size of the sheet is determined to be not less than a transport distance than for the case that it is determined to be less than the transport distance.

Abstract: A sheet conveyance device includes conveying portion, first sensing portion, second sensing portion, drive control portion, response time calculation portion, and setting time changing portion. First sensing portion is disposed upstream conveying portion in conveyance direction. Second sensing portion is disposed downstream conveying portion in conveyance direction. Drive control portion makes conveying portion stop until a predetermined setting time has elapsed after sensing of the leading end of the sheet-like member in the conveyance direction of the sheet-like member by first sensing portion, to deflect the sheet-like member, and outputs a drive signal that drives the conveying portion when setting time has elapsed. Response time calculation portion calculates response time until conveying portion is driven since drive signal is outputted. Setting time changing portion changes setting time based on response time calculated by response time calculation portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to the present disclosure includes: a printing unit configured to perform printing on a recording medium; a multiple-sheet-feed detecting unit configured to detect a multiple sheet feed of the recording medium; an image holding unit configured to hold an image expected to print on the recording medium on which the multiple sheet feed is detected (i.e. the multi-fed medium); and a print control unit configured to control the printing unit. The print control unit is further configured (a) to cancel printing on the multi-fed medium, and (b) to cause the printing unit to print the held image on another recording medium, which (b1) is in transfer after the multi-fed medium, (b2) is nearest in a transferring order to the multi-fed medium, and (b3) has a property same as that of the multi-fed medium.

Abstract: The unstacker device (1) for unstacking flat articles comprises: a magazine (3) in which the articles (2) to be unstacked are disposed on edge in a stack against a jogging edge (5) and facing an unstacking plate (4) arranged to separate a first article (2A) and to drive it in a certain unstacking direction (A) that is perpendicular to the jogging edge (5); a conveyor (7) for conveying the unstacked articles, the conveyor having an inlet (7A) downstream from the jogging edge (5); and retaining means (8) disposed between the jogging edge (5) and the inlet of the conveyor (7A) and actuated to exert a retaining force on an article (2A, 2B), which retaining force opposes movement of the article.

Abstract: A recording medium conveying apparatus includes a conveying path, a conveying section, recording medium detection sensors, a medium interval calculation section, a control section, and a difference calculation section. The difference calculation section sets a medium interval based on an output from the recording medium detection sensor serving as a reference sensor to a reference value and calculates a difference by subtracting a medium interval based on the output from each of the other recording medium detection sensors from the reference value. When, during the continuous conveyance of recording media, a value obtained by subtracting the difference from the medium interval based on the output from any of the other recording medium detection sensors is equal to or less than zero, the control section controls the conveying section to extend the medium interval.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a sheet feeding unit for feeding a sheet, a registration roller for transporting the sheet toward the image forming unit, a rotational member for transporting the sheet toward the registration roller, at least one detection member provided on an upstream side of the registration roller, and a sheet size detection unit configured to receive an output from the detection member. The rotational member is configured to continue rotation until transportation of the sheet is completed. The registration roller is configured to rotate when a predetermined waiting time period has elapsed since the detection member detects sheet arrival. The sheet size detection unit is configured to detect a size of the sheet using a time period from a time when the detection member detects the sheet arrival to a time when the detection member detects sheet passage.

Abstract: A sheet conveyance apparatus includes an apparatus main body, an opening/closing door movably supported by the apparatus main body so as to be capable of opening a conveyance path through which a sheet is conveyed, a sensor lever configured to rotate when pushed by the sheet in the conveyance path, a holder rotatably holding the sensor lever and movably supported by the opening/closing door, a positioning portion provided in the apparatus main body and configured to perform positioning of the holder by coming into contact with the holder, and a sheet detection sensor provided in the apparatus main body and configured to generate a signal corresponding to the position of the sensor lever.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes: a first motor for rotating first and second rollers; a second motor; a recording portion provided downstream of the first roller, the second roller provided downstream of the recording portion; a sensor portion provided between the recording portion and the second roller to sense a sheet; and a first gear movable between a first position and a second position where reverse rotational power of the first roller is transmitted to the second roller. When a controller determines that an upstream edge of the sheet in a conveying direction has reached a third position located between the recording portion and the sensor portion, the controller starts driving the second motor to move the first gear from the first position to the second position and thereafter controls the first motor to perform a forward rotation and a reverse rotation alternately a set number of times.

Abstract: Provided are a high-quality sheet feeding apparatus which can detect multifeeding of sheets in a wide range of the sheet conveying direction and realize a stable conveying state, and an image forming apparatus therewith. A CPU controls a multifeeding detection sensor to detect multifeeding of sheets at a plurality of transmission points P1 to P5 of the multifeeding detection sensor. This CPU sets a plurality of transmission points across the front end and rear end of a sheet moving in the sheet conveying direction, based on size information of the sheet read from a storage portion and the timing of detection passing of the sheet in a horizontal path first sensor. This enables detection of multifeeding across the front end and rear end of a preceding sheet in the sheet conveying direction, and also enables detection of unseparated multifeeding that a subsequent sheet follows overlapping the preceding sheet.

Abstract: A medium transport unit includes: a transport roller; a transport belt which transports a loaded medium by driving of the transport roller; a sensor array which includes a plurality of imaging elements arranged vertically to a transport direction of the medium and outputs reading signals which are detected and output by the plurality of imaging elements and indicate a density value of the medium on the transport belt; a comparator which outputs a digitalized signal of HIGH if the reading signal exceeds a threshold signal; and a signal output circuit which receives the digitalized signal and outputs a first value if the digitalized signal is transitioned from LOW to HIGH.

Abstract: Detachable sheet feeding units are connected to an image forming apparatus. A transmitting unit transmits a feeding instruction via a signal line to a sheet feeding unit that is to perform sheet feeding. A first sheet detector, which is placed in the sheet feeding unit, detects a sheet that has been fed from the sheet feeding unit. A second sheet detector is provided downstream of the first sheet detector in terms of the sheet conveyance direction. If the feeding instruction is transmitted and a plurality of sheets are fed from the sheet feeding unit, an image formation controller determines whether to cause the image forming operation to continue or stop based upon whether a sheet-to-sheet interval of a plurality of sheets has been detected by the second sheet detector in a state in which the result of detection by the first sheet detector indicates presence of a sheet.

Abstract: A paper conveying device includes: a conveyance path, along which paper is conveyed; paper jam removal zones provided side by side along the conveyance path; paper detection sensors respectively provided in the paper jam removal zones for detecting the presence or absence of paper; a paper jam detecting section for detecting paper jam based on output signals from the paper detection sensors; a signal storing section for storing previous signal statuses just before current signal statuses of the output signals of the paper detection sensors; a display section for displaying one of the paper jam removal zones; and a display controlling section for identifying the one of the paper jam removal zones based on the current signal statuses and the previous signal statuses of the paper detection sensors when paper jam is detected, and displaying the identified paper jam removal zone on the display section.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided that, even when a recording material is conveyed with a short interval between papers, reduces mistaken detection of a jam without reducing throughput of image formation. To accomplish this, when an interval between papers is not detected by a sensor that is disposed upstream in a conveyance direction but is detected by a sensor that is disposed downstream in the conveyance direction, there is a high possibility of determining that a jam has been generated in which recording material wraps around a fixing roller, but even in such a case, discharge processing is executed normally without a determination that a jam has been generated in which recording material has wrapped around a fixing roller, by using a recording material size and a time period of detection of the interval between papers.

Abstract: A computer readable storage medium stores a feeding and conveyance control program. The feeding and conveyance control program causes a computer to perform executing sequence control of a feeding sequence module with respect to a feeding mechanism that feeds the recording medium. The sequence control includes two kinds of sequence control executed in accordance with an identifier indicating whether the vertical conveyance mechanism exists. Sequence control of a vertical conveyance sequence module is executed with respect to a vertical conveyance mechanism that relays conveyance of the recording medium. Sequence control of a resist conveyance sequence module is executed with respect to a resist conveyance mechanism that conveys the recording medium to the transfer position at a predetermined timing. Overall management of the above-described modules is executed.

Abstract: A sheet identification device includes plural detecting units, an estimating unit, and an output unit. The plural detecting units are provided along a transport path along which a sheet is transported by a transport unit, and detect passing of the sheet. The estimating unit estimates a length in a transport direction of the sheet as a detection target on the basis of individual detection results generated by the plural detecting units. The output unit outputs, if the length estimated by the estimating unit on the basis of at least one of the detection results is not a predetermined length, a signal indicating that a sheet having a length in the transport direction different from the predetermined length is being transported.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus including: a sheet conveying unit; an upstream side guiding member that forms an upstream side conveying route of a sheet; a downstream side guiding member that forms a downstream side conveying route of the sheet; an upstream side detection unit; and a downstream side detection unit, wherein a detection position of the sheet for the upstream side detection unit is set between the sheet conveying unit and a position where the sheet is in contact with the upstream side guiding member, and a detection position of the sheet for the downstream side detection unit is set between the sheet conveying unit and a position where the sheet is in contact with the downstream side guiding member.

Abstract: A system for conveying mailpieces along a conveyance path and singulating a mailpiece from a stack of mailpieces along the conveyance path. The system includes a first conveyance for conveying mailpieces at a variable velocity and a second conveyance, downstream of the first conveyance, for conveying mailpieces at a constant velocity along the conveyance path. A series of optical sensors extends from the first to the second conveyance and is operative to issue a gap signal indicative of the relative spacing between sequential mailpieces along the conveyance path. A processor is responsive to the gap signal and is operative to control the first conveyance to decrease the relative spacing between sequential mailpieces when the gap signal exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: A system for conveying mailpieces along a feed path includes a plurality of conveyances. A first conveyance is operative to convey mailpieces along the feed path and includes a singulating and drive belt. The singulating and drive belts define a throat for singulating a mailpiece from the stack of mailpieces. A second conveyance accepts mailpieces from the first conveyance and conveys singulated mailpiece downstream of the first conveyance. The system further includes a series of sensors extending from the first to the second conveyance for issuing a gap signal indicative of the relative spacing between sequential mailpieces along the feed path. Additionally, the system includes a means, responsive to the gap signal, for developing a variable opposing force between the singulating and drive belts to optimize singulation of mailpieces along the feed path.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sheet handling apparatus includes a conveying path to convey a sheet, a processing portion to perform a predetermined process on the sheet while conveying the sheet on the conveying path, a separable roller pair that is arranged at a certain distance from the processing portion on an upstream side or a downstream side in conveying direction, the separable roller pair being adapted to hand over the sheet between the conveying path and the processing portion by holding the sheet with a nip and rotating, a separating mechanism to separate the separable roller pair, and a controller that controls the separating mechanism such that the separable roller pair is separated before or after processing is started with the processing portion on a sheet that is conveyed on the conveying path.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a sheet storage unit, a sheet feeding unit, a conveyance path for conveying a sheet to the image forming unit, a plurality of sheet detection sensors disposed along the conveyance path, a determination unit for determining whether predetermined time elapses from a detection of a front end of the sheet until a detection of a rear end of the sheet and a discharge unit. When the determination unit determines that the predetermined time has elapsed based on the detection by the sheet detection sensor disposed in the furthest upstream position among the plurality of sheet detection sensors, the sheet is discharged from the discharge unit, and when the determination unit determines that the predetermined time has elapsed based on the detection by the sheet detection sensors other than that disposed in the furthest upstream position, the sheet is stopped.

Abstract: A method and system for insuring printing accuracy in simplex imaging or duplex imaging, including a media sheet in a media path adapted to move the media sheet through the system. The media path includes sensors and a datum. The sensors include a leading edge sensor and a trailing edge sensor adapted to record the time of arrival of the edge. The edge arrival time difference is determined between the arrival time of the edge using output from the trailing edge sensor and the arrival time of the edge using output from the leading edge sensor. A correction factor is based upon the time difference. The time of arrival of the media sheet at the datum is determined using the correction factor to align items printed on both side of the media sheet.

Abstract: To provide a sheet take-out apparatus for preventing double feed of sheets and controlling gaps to a desired value, a sheet processing apparatus, and a sheet take-out method. A take-out apparatus includes a supply structure for supplying postal matter to a take-out position, a take-out structure for taking out the postal matter from the take-out position, and a conveying structure for receiving and conveying the postal matter taken out on a conveying path. When a leading edge of the postal matter is held by the conveying structure, an absorbing operation of a vacuum pump is stopped and a moving speed of a take-out belt is reduced. Furthermore, when the postal matter is detected by a sensor, the take-out belt is stopped.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a manual feed tray on which sheets are stacked, a feeding member, side regulating plates, a detecting portion which detects positions of the side regulating plates and detects a width size of the sheets, an operation panel which receives an input of width size information of the sheets from a user, and a control circuit which compares width size information detected by the detecting portion and the width size information input to the operation panel, and stops a sheet feeding operation of the feeding member when the two pieces of width size information are different, and the control circuit compares the width size information of the detecting portion and the width size information of the operation panel, per sheet before the feeding member starts feeding the sheet.

Abstract: A sheet loading and handling apparatus that suppress anomalies in sheet supply operation and feed sheets in a stable manner is disclosed. The sheet loading unit includes a supply mechanism that moves a plurality of stacked sheets in a direction toward a feeding position located at an end of the loading unit, a feeding mechanism that individually feeds sheets to the feeding position, and a control unit controlling a plurality of sensors, which detect whether there is a sheet at the feeding position. The supply mechanism operates based on detection information of the sensors. The control unit monitors a relationship between signal information of the optical sensor and that of another sensor, and if a signal relationship that is not normal as compared to that of normal feeding occurs, the unit retracts the signal information of the optical sensor and uses only the signal information of the other sensor.