Abstract: An idler system that is both self-centering and self-aligning with a drive roll. The idler assembly consists of a pair of rolls connected by a shaft, the shaft being supported in a housing. The housing is retained by a resilient spring member which member allows the axis of rotation of the idler rolls to pivot in more than one plane simultaneously. This pivoting causes the axis of rotation of the idler assembly to align parallel with the drive roll axis. The single spring also provides an even loading of the normal force across the width of the drive nip. As a result of the alignment and even loading, skewing of a sheet is prevented as it is driven through the nip formed by the drive roll and the idler roll. The resilient spring mounting also allows for easy replaceability of the idler assembly and the housing is easily locatable between tabs formed in the frame of the machine for mounting the idler assembly therein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recording apparatus comprising convey means for conveying a sheet in a predetermined convey direction, a pair of rollers arranged downstream of the coney means in the convey direction for conveying the sheet in the convey direction or in a reverse direction by rotation in a forward direction or in a reverse direction, and control means for controlling the convey means and the pair of rollers. The control means controls these elements in such a manner that, after a sheet conveyed by the convey means is conveyed in the convey direction by a predetermined amount by the pair of rollers, the pair of rollers are rotated in the reverse direction while applying a conveying force in the convey direction to the sheet using the convey means, thereby conveying the sheet in the reverse direction until the sheet passes through a nip formed between the pair of rollers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet conveying apparatus comprising a convey roller for conveying a sheet; a plurality of pinch rollers arranged along the convey roller and adapted to urge the sheet against the convey roller; a pinch roller holder formed as one piece for supporting the plurality of pinch rollers, the rigidity of the pinch roller holder in a sheet conveying direction being greater than the rigidity of the pinch roller holder in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction; and a biasing means for acting on the pinch roller holder to urge the pinch rollers against the convey roller.

Abstract: A pressure roller assembly for use in a transport system. The transport system including a drive system in operative engagement with the pressure roller assembly for feeding an article in a path of travel. The pressure roller assembly including: a shaft; a roller having an inner diameter; a pair of first hubs each having a bearing surface and fixably mounted to the shaft in spaced apart relationship so that the first hub bearing surfaces are facing each other; a pair of second hubs each including an through hole having a diameter greater that the shaft diameter and a bearing surface corresponding to the first hub bearing surfaces, respectively, the second hubs spaced along the shaft between the first hubs and slideably mounted to and in bearing engagement with the roller inner diameter so that the second hub bearing surfaces are facing the first hub bearing surfaces, respectively; and means for biasing the second hub bearing surfaces into bearing engagement with the first hub bearing surfaces, respectively.

Abstract: A document alignment system includes a plurality of drive rolls (42, 44) operative to drive documents one by one along a feed path, and a plurality of alignment rolls (100) spaced apart along the feed path with their axes perpendicular to those of the drive rolls (42,44) and operative to move a document (124) transversely to the feed path so as to bring a long edge of the document (124) into parallel abutting contact with a reference surface (72). When the alignment rolls are operative the drive rolls (42) are inoperative and out of contact with the document (124). Each alignment roll (100) is arranged to cooperate with a spring biased rotatably mounted ball (112) whereby in the course of an alignment operation the document (124) is gripped resiliently between the alignment rolls (100) and the cooperating balls (112).

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting documents from two directions includes first direction transporting structure for transporting first documents seriatim over the deck in a first direction, and second direction transporting structure adjacent a downstream end of the first direction transporting structure for seizing control of the first documents and transporting the first documents over the deck in a second direction. The second direction is approximately at a 45.degree. angle to the first direction. A third direction transporting structure is downstream from the second direction transporting structure for transporting the first documents in the third direction as the first documents are released from the control of the second direction transporting structure. The third direction is orthogonal to the first direction. An in-line transport is located upstream from the third direction transporting structure and adjacent a downstream end of the second direction transporting structure.

Abstract: Device for extemporaneously raising a transport roller in a feeder of a sheet processing machine, wherein the transport roller is swivelably arranged on a shaft supported crosswise in a frame of the machine above a feed table, so as to execute stroking movements in synchronism with the machine and be liftable from the feed table extemporaneously by a swiveling motion of the shaft, includes an entrainer disposed on the shaft, and an adjusting member formed with a coulisse, the entrainer engaging in the coulisse with a rotary angle clearance at least equivalent to the stroking movements in synchronism with the machine, the adjusting member being swivelable, out of a stop position and counter to a spring bias, about the shaft axis and through a rotary angle greater than the rotary angle clearance.

Abstract: In a scanning unit such as a facsimile machine, an automatic document feeder transports individual sheets from a stack of documents along a document path over a scanning window to an output tray. Precise co-planar referencing is provided between a pick roller mounted on a frame beneath a document path and a document separator mechanism mounted on an upper guide member which moves between an open position for allowing manual access to the document path to a closed position for scanning document sheets. An integrated sheet metal chassis on the upper guide member provides a direct reference path between a central portion of the chassis which carries the document separator mechanism as well as Z axis and Y-axis (media transport direction) reference datums on both side edges of the channels which are engaged by a rigid vertical reference arm.

Abstract: In a scanning unit such as a facsimile machine, an automatic document feeder transports individual sheets from a stack of documents along a document path over a scanning window to an output tray. An upper guide member includes an integrated rigid chassis for positioning document control components adjacent the scanning window. The document control components included a central pre-scanning pinch roller, a full width hold-down limiter, and a central post-scanning pinch roller which are each mounted with their own separate biasing springs on the integrated chassis. Two elongated wire springs respectively engage both ends of the hold-down limiter, while two sets of cantilever leaf springs provide strong and weak spring biasing, respectively, to the pre-scanning and post-scanning pinch rollers.

Abstract: An imaging device which reciprocatively transports a recording sheet to form a color image thereon. A front extreme end of the recording sheet is clamped between a pair of rollers, and the pair of rollers are reciprocatively moved along a recording sheet feed path, while clamping the recording sheet therebetween, to repeatedly execute an image forming process. After completion of the repeated image forming processes, at least one of the pair of rollers is driven to rotate, to thereby transport the recording sheet forwardly on the feed path.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet convey apparatus having a convey roller contacting with a sheet while rotating to apply a convey force to the sheet, a pinch roller for cooperating with the convey roller to convey the sheet, a support for supporting a center of the pinch roller in its widthwise direction, and a biasing device for biasing the support in such a manner that the support means urges the pinch roller against the convey roller in the widthwise direction of the pinch roller.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device avoiding diagonal feeding of a sheet for use in an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a sheet cassette and a sheet supply roller unit positioned deviatedly with respect to a widthwise center of the cassette. The deviated position of the sheet supply roller provides rotational force to the sheet for causing diagonal feeding thereof. The sheet feeding device includes a plurality of feed rollers arrayed side by side in the widthwise direction of the sheet. One feed roller positioned close to the sheet supply roller unit provides the sheet feeding force greater than that of the remaining sheet feed roller positioned far away from the sheet supply roller for providing a linear relationship between a resultant sheet feeding force and a resultant resistive force in a direction parallel with the sheet feeding direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting documents along a paper path includes a plurality of in-line idler rollers biased against a corresponding plurality of in-line driven rollers. The in-line idler rollers are mounted to an in-line transport assembly that is cantilevered over a paper path on a deck. The in-line transport assembly includes a plurality of idler shafts rigidly and transversely suspended over the paper path between two end plates. The in-line idler rollers are rotatably mounted to arm members that are secured to the idler shafts in pairs above the deck. Guide structure is located at the downstream end of the in-line transport for preventing the documents from skewing and lifting away from the deck as the documents are transported. The transport also includes structure for enabling and disabling the in-line transport.

Abstract: Apparatus for conveying, accommodating and paying out bank notes, includes shaft-mounted guide rollers for feeding bank notes from a stacking space to a pay-out tray, shaft-mounted vane wheels with eccentric ends mounted between adjacent guide rollers, a spring-biased shutter at an inlet/outlet of the pay-out tray, a lid covering a stacking space and including a finger application notch, the lid being opened and closed by one touch operation when a spring is brought to a dead point, a conveying path communicating with a bank note insertion opening and including a pair of bank note guide bars having a substantially S-shaped sectional profile, large and small monetary amount stacking spaces provided above and below the guide bars, respectively, such that bank notes are fed to either stacking space with forward or reverse rotation of the guide bars, a stationary roller provided with an adjacent ratchet wheel, and step rotated by an operating member with an end pawl thereof engaged with a ratchet wheel tooth to d

Abstract: A document feed array comprising a pinch-roll mounted to rotate about its center to engaged documents, being mounted on a cantilever-arm pivoted at a point distal from said roll-center and including an elastomeric sleeve which, alone, couples the arm to its pivot point (in operation), the sleeve comprising high-damping, durable elastomeric material adapted to accommodate thickness anomalies in said documents, yet to maximize driving contact therewith.

Abstract: A document transport array, including pinch roll, which accommodates varied inter-document gaps, and varied-thickness documents, pinch roll including a moveable roll mounted on a yoke Which is spring-mounted by a spring flexure to allow this roll to be resiliently thrust away from the document path, this yoke means also including a resilient-pad absorber suspended therefrom and adapted to absorb energy and minimize motion developed normal to this path, thus enabling the moveable pinch roll to better maintain contact with a transported document.

Abstract: A bank note conveying apparatus provides stable conveyance of bank notes by firmly pinching the bank notes from both sides. The apparatus comprises an endless belt 1 contacting one of the two faces of a bank note A, a belt driving mechanism which rotates the endless belt 1, a ball 2 which is provided to come into contact with the opposite face of the two faces of the bank note, and a holder 4 which supports the ball 2 to rotate freely. The holder 4 comprises a casing 4a which houses the ball 2 so that it is movable in the direction to and from the endless belt. A coil spring 7 is provided within the casing 4a which pushes the ball 2 in the direction of the endless belt.

Abstract: A folder apparatus is disclosed which has at least one lead-in tape mechanism having a left lead-in tape and left exit roller and a corresponding right lead-in tape and right exit roller, the fight and left lead-in tapes forming a signature passage for delivery of a stream of signatures. One of the exit rollers is spring-loaded in the direction of a fixed exit roller. The spring loading takes place with two springs acting opposite one another, the springs having different spring rates or modula. This dual spring action reduces pounding caused by the signatures as they pass through the lead-in tapes.

Abstract: A thermal fixing apparatus includes a heating member for heating a recording medium by contact with its face other than that on which an image has been formed by an image forming apparatus. The face of said heating member which contacts with said recording medium is shaped, in its section perpendicular to the conveying direction for said recording medium, so that the central portion of the face extremely projects into the conveying pass side for said recording medium. The thermal fixing apparatus acts in the image forming apparatus as thermal fixing means for image fixing the recording medium on which a desired record image has been formed by the relative movement with recording means included in the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A device for driving documents having one edge in contact with a reference plane includes a drive roller having its axis perpendicular to the reference plane, and an idle roller pressing a drive document against the drive roller. The axis of the idle roller can be freely tilted in a plane parallel to the plane of the driven document, between two limit positions on either side of a position perpendicular to the reference plane. A spring urges the idle roller against an abutment at one end of its axis to create friction.

Abstract: A catch type sheet tray for accommodating sheets sequentially driven out of an image forming apparatus by catching the leading edges of the sheets. The tray has a transport unit for transporting the sheet driven out through the outlet downward. A holder receives the sheet conveyed by the transport unit by catching the leading edge of the sheet while causing the trailing edge of the sheet to hand down to the outside. A mounting section mounts the transport unit on a portion of the apparatus from which the horizontal tray has been removed. The catch type tray is mounted on the apparatus in place of the horizontal tray.

Abstract: A sheet handling device comprising a first roller (5) defining a reference surface which defines part of a sheet feed path along which sheets are fed, The roller (5) is mounted to a support (26) by arms (6) such that under normal working conditions the roller is fixed relative to the support, The arms (6) are biassed by a spring (12) to hold the roller (5) in its fixed position, the spring force being such that under abnormal conditions the roller (5) moves relative to the support (26) whereby the reference surface moves away from its sheet feed path defining position.

Abstract: A document feeder which can be coupled to a motorized, portable optical scanner to feed documents across the scanner window of the scanner, including a housing with a support surface and an opposite offset platform surface which together form a slit through which the document is fed and including openings in the support surface for a drive and a drive set of spring-loaded rollers which are coupled together by a belt, and which extend partially below the platform surface and are adapted to cooperate with drive roller(s) of the motorized, portable optical scanner to feed documents across the scanner.

Abstract: A paper money conveying equipment, comprising a driving roller and a driven roller which rotate to convey paper money in the predetermined direction. The driven roller is supported by a supporting member and movable between a first contactable position with the driving roller and a second disengaged position from the driving roller. The driven roller is urged toward the first contactable position by the force of a coil spring. At the supporting member, a lifting member is equipped for moving the driven roller from the contactable position to the disengaged position against the urging force by the coil spring for easy removal of paper money when it causes jam between the rollers.

Abstract: A conveying device prevents slip or disengagement of a conveying endless belt. The belt has an flat outer periphery, which is to be contact with one of the major faces of the bank note to be conveyed, and an inner periphery having a plurality of teeth formed thereon. A drive pulley and a driven pulley are both cylindrical and have a plurality of gear teeth formed on their outer peripheries. The teeth of each of the pulleys may be engageable with the plurality of teeth of the endless belt. Between the drive pulley and the driven pulley, the endless belt is tensioned and a belt drive mechanism for rotating the drive pulley is provided. Each pulley has a flange which has a larger outer diameter than that of each pulley and provided at one end portion thereof in which each of the rotary shaft extends.

Abstract: The present invention relating to a feeder adapted to be used with a scanner for feeding for the scanner an article comprises a shell adapted to mount therewith the scanner, a driving device for feeding for the scanner the article, an adjusting device contained in the shell to adjust a height of a passage through which the article can pass to be scanned by the scanner according to a thickness of the article, and a floating box contained in the shell and mounting therein the driving device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for slidably contacting and pressing upon the back side of a conveyor to urge an advancing corrugated paperboard sheet into substantially uniform contact with adjacent laterally extending heating surfaces irrespective of any thermally induced deflection or bowing thereof. A plurality of heating chests arranged in side-by-side relation define the series of laterally extending heating surfaces. A conveyor belt is positioned opposite the series of heating surfaces for advancing the corrugated paperboard sheet longitudinally along a predetermined path of travel. A plurality of contact assemblies provides the sliding contact with the conveyor belt. Each contact assembly, in turn, preferably includes a plurality of contact shoes arranged in side-by-side relation and carried by a laterally extending supporting frame. The contact shoes have contact surfaces slidably contacting the back side of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A sheet feeding and separating apparatus for feeding sheets from a stack by exerting a drive force against the top sheet. The sheet is urged off the stack by a nudger roll toward a retard nip formed where a feed roll contacts a retard roll. The retard roll is movable relative to the feed roll, and thus is capable of producing drive forces of varying magnitude at the retard nip to propel a sheet toward the copying mechanism. A controller signals the nudger roll to urge a sheet off the stack and then monitors a sensor to determine whether the sheet passes through the retard nip. A misfeed condition occurs when the sensor fails to detect a sheet within a predetermined length of time. In response, the controller moves the retard roll toward the feed roll to increase the drive force exerted on the sheet. The retard roll is further adapted to detect the occurrence of a multifeed when multiple sheets contact the retard nip.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding mixed mail in a mailing machine. The apparatus includes: a feed deck for stacking and feeding a plurality of envelopes; a device for urging the lowermost envelope along the feed deck; a feed roller located downstream of the urging device; a restraint belt system located above the feed roller, the downstream end of the belt system defining a feed nip with the feed roller; and an ingestion roller biased against the feed roller upstream of the feed nip.

Abstract: A roller pair assembly for a pair of registration rollers which accelerates a sheet along an image receiving path. A compression spring positioned between a clip and a retainer provides a force at each end of the rollers urging them together. The retainer includes a nest for receiving the compression spring and a bearing surface for engaging a bearing housing for one of the rollers. The clip includes a projection for engaging the compression spring and a pair of resilient arms with detents engaging detents in an outside surface of a housing for the other roller.

Abstract: A replacement roller cartridge for a cut sheet retard feeder. The cartridge assembly includes a feed roll , a nudger roll, and a retard roll aligned so that the axis of rotation are substantially in the same plane within a frame. The frame is inserted into the feed head and pivoted into an active position. Upon insertion into the feed head, the retard roll is captured by a separate retard bracket so that when the feed head is pivoted into the active position the retard roll is withdrawn from the frame and forms a feed nip with the feed roll. A gear train is provided on both sides of the cartridge to drive the feed roll and the nudger roll. The cartridge assembly provides a low cost, easily replaceable unit that eliminates the need for a service technician to replace worn feed rolls. The design is also adaptable for use in various types of sheet and document feeders and can be used throughout a printing machine.

Abstract: A device for aligning box blanks in a box blank processing machine including a frame supporting a lengthwise guiding rail, an upper carrier and lower carrier which are directly interconnected by brackets and have one end pivotably mounted to the frame adjacent an exit end of the device so that the entrance end of the carriers can be spaced from the rail to provide a lateral movement of a blank against the rail. The position of the entrance end of the carriers is adjustable relative to the guide rail. The upper carrier preferably is formed of a series of rollers and the lower carrier has a series of rollers supporting a belt which is driven by a drive pulley.

Abstract: A sheet feeder, provided at a printing machine, has continuously conveying transport tapes to which transport rollers are engaged. The transport tapes and the transport rollers convey overlappingly fed sheets to a front guide, wherein the last transport rollers, provided upstream of the front guide, are adjustable with respect to the sheet format being processed. There are also additional driving rollers which may be pivoted into contact with the transport tapes in order to process minimum size sheet formats.

Abstract: Paper tray (3) has a camming surface (60). Sets of nip rollers (22 and 24; 26 and 28) are permanent in the printer. One of set of nip roller is pivotally mounted and biased by springs (50, 56) to a follower (54). With the tray inserted, the follower is cammed to stretch the springs to apply desired nip force. The height of the cam surface may be varied to change that force for different paper contained in the tray. With the tray removed, the nip force is removed and jammed paper may be easily removed, particularly since area of the nip rollers is close to the front of the machine and near the opening left when the tray is removed.

Abstract: Improvements relate to a photocopying machine with an auxiliary sheet feeder including a sheet-separation unit which withdraws sheets disposed on a tray. The improvements enable better separation of the sheets and easier removal of jammed sheets. (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A document transport system for transporting and selectively recirculating relatively large documents through a processing station. In accordance with this invention, a transport is provided which has a defined endless document path. A gripper bar is provided for selectively and releasably securing the leading edge of large documents, and a driven chain is also provided for supporting and moving the gripper bar at a predetermined imaging speed through an imaging station. Further, drive rollers are provided proximate the imaging station to urge documents in the document path through the imaging station at the predetermined imaging speed. The invention also includes control apparatus for halting the gripper bar at a first position downstream from the processing station to enable release of documents from the gripper bar and at a second position upstream from the processing station to enable selective insertion and retention of documents in the gripper bar.

Abstract: A document feed array comprising a pinch-roll mounted to rotate about its center to engage documents, being mounted on a cantilever-arm pivoted at a point distal from said roll-center and including an elastomeric sleeve which, alone, couples the arm to its pivot point (in operation), the sleeve comprising high-damping, durable elastomeric material adapted to accommodate thickness anomalies in said documents, yet to maximize driving contact therewith.

Abstract: An XY plotter includes a pair of grip and pinch rollers for feeding recording paper in one direction while gripping the recording paper therebetween, a pen carriage arranged to be movable in the direction perpendicular to the one direction, a pen supported by the pen carriage for performing recording on the recording paper, a grip roller shaft provided parallel to the traveling direction of the pen carriage, the grip roller shaft having a non-circular section, a movable stand arranged so that the position thereof is adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the grip roller shaft, and the grip and pinch roller including a movable partial grip roller and a pinch roller, the movable partial grip roller being mounted on the movable stand so that the movable partial grip roller is not rotatable relative to the grip roller shaft but is movable on the grip roller shaft in the longitudinal direction thereof, the pinch roller being supported on the movable stand so that the pinch roller is made to come into contact

Abstract: In an inserting machine, guide apparatus for maintaining control of individual sheets and collations that are conveyed along a transport deck by at least one pair of pushers, comprises a mounting beam coupled to a frame member of the inserting machine, and a plurality of guide arms pivotally mounted at one end to the mounting beam and biased against the transport deck. Each of the guide arms has a second end resting against the deck between the pair of pushers. Each of the guide arms has a curved shape for engaging a collation gradually An idler roller is rotatably mounted to the second end of each of the guide arms. The mounting beam is pivotally mounted at one end to the frame member of the inserting machine, whereby the other end of the guide apparatus is pivotable away from the transport deck.

Abstract: A sorter for sorting recording sheets after image recording by an image forming apparatus is disclosed here. The sorter is provided with a plurality of bins arrayed along a main path of the recording sheet, a plurality of change over gates to guide the recording sheet from the main path to a selected bin, a conveyance mechanism to convey the recording sheet through the main path to the selected bin, a plurality of pinch rollers dispersively located near the gates and the bins to press the recording sheet onto a conveyance surface of a conveyor belt of the conveyance mechanism and a member to back up the conveyor belt from the pressure of the pinch rollers.

Abstract: A paper conveying apparatus having follower rollers arranged in opposition to and in contact with the rotationally driven conveying rollers and a second guide plate arranged to form a predetermined space between the second guide plate and a stationary first guide plate. The follower rollers and the second guide plate are supported on an openable/closable support plate independently of each other. The guide rollers are urged toward the conveying rollers and the second guide plate is urged toward the first guide plate independently of each other. In the above arrangement, the openable/closable support plate can be locked and unlocked easily to facilitate closing and opening.

Abstract: A sheet feeding system includes a first conveyor and a second endless, clamp conveyor wherein the first conveyor includes an endless belt and an idler roller which is biased toward the belt and adjustably mounted along the belt relative to a clamp on the endless, clamp conveyor. The roller is spaced from the clamp a distance approximately equal to the length of a sheet being conveyed so that the sheet remains in a nip between the idler roller and the belt until the leading edge of the sheet is driven into the clamp and the trailing edge of the sheet clears the nip so that the sheet is not driven further into the clamp.

Abstract: An arrangement in an automatic document-handling apparatus for transporting large numbers of documents at high speeds includes first and second transportation paths for the transportation of documents in the direction of their long axes and transverse axes, respectively, and a gripping device for moving documents from the first to the second of these paths. This gripping device includes a firmly mounted, rotatable drive device, and a moveably mounted, relay-activatable co-rotating device rotating together with the drive device when in engagement therewith. The relay is inactive when moving a document between the transportation paths and becomes active upon completion of one revolution of the corotating device. This device is moved into engagement with the drive device, when the relay switches from its active to its inactive state.

Abstract: A feeding device for a printer having a combination of at least one feeding roller with an opposing pinch roller both upstream and downstream, in the feed direction, of a print position. The upstream and downstream side paper feeding rollers are made from metal and the upstream and downstream pinch rollers are made of a elastic material. The upstream and downstream side paper feeding rollers feed a paper sandwiched between the feeding rollers and opposing pinch rollers. The nip pressure on the downstream side is slightly stronger than the nip pressure on the upstream side so that the feed rate is slightly higher at the downstream side than at the upstream side. As a result, the paper is tant as it moves past the print position. Further, the paper is accurately positioned for each line, even after the paper has cleared than nip of the upstream side paper feeding and pinch rollers.

Abstract: A mechanism for inserting a flat object into a processing device for processing the object, the processing device including a fixed frame having an insertion slot via which the object is inserted, the slot forming a passage having a wall which is perpendicular to the surface of said flat object, and which serves as a reference abutment surface for one side of said flat object, the mechanism being wherein the mechanism includes two wheels, each of which penetrates into the slot via a respective aperture, at least one of the wheels being mounted at the end of a rocker arm whose other end is mounted in a cradle to pivot about a rocking axis that is parallel to the direction F in which the flat object is inserted, wherein the cradle is in turn mounted in the fixed frame to pivot about a swivel axis that is perpendicular to the plane of the insertion slot, wherein resilient elements apply a certain pressure to press the wheels together, and wherein an abutment delimits the swivelling stroke of the cradle about the

Abstract: An electronic franking machine comprises a franking head, a mail item storage and feed module and a conveyor for feeding individual mail items from the storage and feed module to the franking head. The machine is in two parts comprising a lower part forming a base having a first closing edge and an upper part hinged to the lower part and having a second closing edge. The upper part is adapted to be closed onto the lower part to form a tunnel when the first and second closing edges are in contact extending longitudinally from the storage and feed module to the franking head. The upper part carries a first drive system. The lower part carries a second drive system cooperating with the first drive system to feed a mail item along the tunnel. The drive system constitutes the conveyor. The upper part or the lower part carries the franking head.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for diverting a sheet having a leading edge to a first position or a second position. The apparatus comprises a first roller, a second roller, a third roller, a fourth roller and a diverter assembly. The first roller has segments separated by first gaps. The second roller has segments separated by second gaps. The second roller segments form incoming nips with the first roller segments. The third roller has segments separated by third gaps. The third roller segments form first exit nips with the first roller segments. The fourth roller has segments separated by fourth gaps. The fourth roller segments form second exit nips with the second roller segments. The diverter assembly has diverter segments positionable within at least one of the first gaps, the second gaps, the third gaps and the fourth gaps. The diverter assembly is for directing the leading edge of the sheet from the incoming nips to the first exit nips or the second exit nips.

Abstract: A sheet carrier apparatus of the present invention includes a first and a second rotary roller member, at least one of them having a rotary driving force. The second rotary roller member is constructed so as to be able to rotate around the first rotary roller member while it is being driven by the first rotary roller member. In order to control these rollers, the sheet carrier apparatus includes a control device for selectively setting the direction in which a sheet is moved from among a plurality of directions by controlling the rotary driving of the rotary roller members while carrying a sheet and by controlling the degree of angular displacement causing the second rotary roller member to rotate around the first rotary roller member while a sheet is grasped between them.

Abstract: An articulated document feeder and diverter which allows pivoting and rotation about two mutually perpendicular axis of rotation to thereby allow idle rollers mounted on a pivotable carrier to maintain contact with drive rollers, whether a divert pivoting occurs or not. Compliance members, preferably resilient O-rings mounted on the periphery of the idle rollers, help to absorb unevenness in the contact face between an idle roller and a drive roller/s/.

Abstract: An image reading device comprising a device body and an image sensor unit located near the bottom of the body and facing the path through which original documents are transported. The image sensor unit is retained by a retaining member rotatably mounted on a rotary fulcrum shaft located near the bottom of the body. Turning the retaining member around the shaft causes the image sensor unit to extend out of the device and be exposed to perform maintenance thereon.