Abstract: A sheet discharging apparatus includes a first discharge unit and a second discharge unit configured to discharge a sheet respectively, a first stacking unit configured to stack the sheet discharged by the first discharge unit, a second stacking unit disposed below the first stacking unit, and configured to stack the sheet discharged by the second discharge unit, a lifting unit configured to lift and lower the first and second stacking units, and a control unit configured to perform a separation process of moving at least one of the first and second stacking units so as to increase a distance between the first and second stacking units in a vertical direction in a case where a matter has come into contact with a lower surface of the first stacking unit.

Abstract: A sheet discharging apparatus includes a first stacking unit to stack a sheet discharged by a first discharge unit, a second stacking unit disposed below the first stacking unit to stack the sheet discharged by a second discharge unit, and a lifting unit to lift and lower the first and second stacking units. A detection unit changes an output value based on contact of a matter with a lower surface of the first stacking unit, and a distance estimation unit estimates a distance between the first stacking unit and the second stacking unit. A separation process lifts the first stacking unit to increase a distance between the first and second stacking units in a vertical direction in a case where the output value changes based on contact of the matter with the lower surface of the first stacking unit and the estimated distance being smaller than a threshold value.

Abstract: Provided is an image processing apparatus that utilizes the storage capacity of a ring buffer. A ring buffer is set in the storage unit. A page area setting unit allocates a maximum size page area in page units of the job in the ring buffer set in the storage unit. A band storing unit stores band data while compressing the band data in the page area allocated by the page area setting unit. An image processing unit performs image processing of the band data stored by the band storing unit. Then, the page area setting unit determines whether or not the page has high possibility to be reused, and when the page has high possibility to be reused, the page area setting unit allocates the page area at the head of the ring buffer.

Abstract: Provided is an image processing apparatus that efficiently uses the ring buffer. A ring buffer is set in the storage unit. A page area setting unit allocates a maximum size page area in the page unit of the job in the ring buffer. A band storing unit stores band data while compressing the band data in the page area allocated by the page area setting unit. An image processing unit performs image processing on the band data. A temporary deletion unit sets the page area including the band data into a temporary deletion state in which overwriting is possible at a specific timing. Here, when the band data of the page is needed again and the temporarily deleted page area is not overwritten, the page area setting unit reuses the page area.

Abstract: An image processing system includes an image forming unit, an image decoloring unit, a first sheet stacking unit, a second sheet stacking unit, a first detector for the first sheet stacking unit, a second detector for the second sheet stacking unit, and a control unit. The control unit controls a transport path of a sheet discharged from one of the image forming unit and the image decoloring unit.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide sheet supplying apparatus. The sheet supplying apparatus has a tray; a guide mechanism; a movement conversion mechanism; a rotary member; a cam and slider mechanism and a compression spring. The movement conversion mechanism converts an up and down motion of the tray to a rotational motion. The rotary member comprises a transmitted portion configured to receive a rotational motion converted from the up and down motion of the tray in cooperation with the movement conversion mechanism and a driven portion configured to receive a rotational driving force to lift the tray. The cam and slider mechanism converts the rotational motion of the rotary member to a linear motion of a linearly movable member. The compression spring elastically presses the linearly movable member of the cam and slider mechanism in the rotational axis direction to lift the tray.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for receiving an item in a receptacle are disclosed. Features are disclosed for receiving and guiding an item in a receiving space of a receptacle so as to attenuate or remove the impact force of the item on the receptacle. Some embodiments of the disclosure include a bumper having an impact surface which absorbs most or all of the impact force of the item and thereby mitigates or removes the imposition of cyclic impact loads on the receptacle from repeated receipt of items. The bumper may be structurally and/or functionally de-coupled or otherwise physically separated from the receptacle such that an advantageous division of labor is created between absorbing the impact and receiving the item. This disclosure may be useful, for example, in modern industrial operations where a high volume of items are received daily, such as in mail sorting and handling operations.

Abstract: A sheet processing method in a printing system constituted by a sheet processing apparatus including a plurality of paper discharge trays having different sheet stacking capacities, to any of whose paper discharge trays a printed sheet is discharged, and a printing apparatus includes setting which of the paper discharge trays is used first for discharging the sheet, specifying the number of remaining pages of sheets to be discharged by a job to be executed, and executing control for discharging the sheets starting from a paper discharge tray different from the set paper discharge tray according to the specified number of remaining pages and a restriction on a stacking amount on each paper discharge tray.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that executes image forming processing and stores sheets in a sheet storage location of the image forming apparatus even when the image forming processing results in needing to store more sheets that the amount of sheets storable in the sheet storage location.

Abstract: A flexible wiring board includes a base member having flexibility, a write terminal section which is formed on the base member and which is a section to be protected, a protecting section which is integrally formed with the base member and which is folded back so as to cover the write terminal section, and a slit which is formed in the base member in a position that overlaps with the protecting section in a folded state and into which the protecting section can be inserted.

Abstract: Methods and systems output printed items based on a job of instructions from a printing device; cut the printed items into cut items and output the cut items to a first location based on the job of instructions using a patterning device; and pick the cut items from the first location and place the cut items on a first conveyor based on the job of instructions using a robotic arm. The first conveyor is adjacent the first location. Further, methods and systems transport the cut items to a receiving conveyor based on the job of instructions using the first conveyor. The receiving conveyor is adjacent the first conveyor. Also, methods and systems move the receiving conveyor to position the receiving conveyor to receive specific ones of the cut items in corresponding locations based on the job of instructions.

Abstract: A sheet delivering device includes a first frame stood on a base and a housing having a height position adjusted to the base. A second frame is attached to the housing in a body and located adjacent to the first frame. The height adjustment member is attached to one frame and includes engaged stop parts with different heights. The lever member is turnably attached to another frame and includes a contact stop member stopped into contact with the engaged stop part. Between an interference posture forming a contact stopping state by an interference of the contact stop member and engaged stop part and a withdrawal posture withdrawing from the interference when the housing moves to the base in the upward and downward directions, the lever member usually is advanced to the interference posture by a movement force, but changed to the withdrawal posture by turning against the movement force.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which performs image forming processing on sheets and outputs the sheets to a sheet stacking unit includes an instruction unit configured to issue an instruction for shutting down the image forming apparatus, an acquisition unit configured to acquire a remaining amount of sheets stacked in the sheet stacking unit, and a control unit configured to display, when the instruction unit receives the instruction, a warning indicating a shift to a state in which sheets are not extractable from the sheet stacking unit, based on the remaining amount of sheets acquired by the acquisition unit.

Abstract: A sheet storage device is equipped with sheet storage portions which are provided in an upper portion of a copying machine body and receive sheets, conveyed in sequence from the copying machine body, from downward and store the sheets in such a state that the sheets stand. The sheet storage portions are relatively rotatably supported in sequence and parallel. Each sheet storage portion receiving the sheet from the copying machine body is rotated to be held in the rotational position.

Abstract: A printing system includes, for example, a printing apparatus which forms an image on a sheet, and a plurality of dollies which are assigned different dolly identification information and used to stack the sheet discharged from the discharging port of the printing apparatus. The printing system also includes a designation unit which designates a dolly to be used for a print job, and an output unit which outputs alert information when the dolly designated by the designation unit is not allocated at the discharging port.

Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus which is capable of efficiently stacking sheets of various sizes while efficiently using space therein to thereby realize compactness thereof, and maintaining a high availability. Stacker trays for stacking sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus can be separately removed. It is detected whether any of the stacker trays is removed. When large-size sheets are stacked, a stacker control section causes the stacker trays to operate as one tray to stack the sheets in a state extending on the stacker trays, whereas when small-size sheets are stacked, the section causes one of the stacker trays to stack the sheets. Further, when one stacker tray is removed to make it impossible to stack the large-size sheets, the section causes a display section to display a guide message advising setting of the removed stacker tray.

Abstract: A sheet storage apparatus having a sheet conveying portion and a sheet storage portion to receive the sheet as conveyed upward from below by the sheet conveying portion and to store the sheet in a vertical direction. The sheet storage portion includes a guide portion, first and second holding members. The first holding member forms a first nipping portion between the first holding member and the guide surface. The first holding member permits the sheet to be conveyed upward to pass through the first nipping portion, and holds the sheet by restricting the sheet from moving downward at the first nipping portion. The second holding member forms a second nipping portion between the second holding member and the guide surface. The second holding member permits the sheet to be conveyed upward to pass through the second nipping portion, and holds the sheet at the second nipping portion.

Abstract: A conveying roller conveys a sheet. A sheet holding portion receives a sheet from below and holds the received sheet with keeping its forward end upward and its rear end downward. The sheet holding portion has: a storing guide provided in a vertical state and having a guide surface configured to guide the received sheet upward; a conveying guide provided to face the guide surface and having a curved surface portion whose distance from the guide surface increases in the upward direction; and a holding member provided between the guide surface and the curved surface portion and configured to roll on the curved surface portion toward the guide surface to nip the received sheet with the guide surface. An inclination angle of the curved surface portion with respect to the guide surface decreases with distance from the guide surface.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus and method of adjusting a vertical position of a sheet input of a sheet processing apparatus includes a support of the apparatus having first vertically elongated guiding members and second vertically elongated guiding members. The second guiding members are slideably arranged at the first guiding members. The first guiding members are connected to at least one base member, and the second guiding members are connected to a support frame. A vertical position of at least one of the second guide members is adjustable relative to a corresponding one of the first guide members in order to adjust a vertical position of the sheet input.

Abstract: A printer includes a main body capable of printing and outputting paper, a bracket attached to the main body, two sliding blocks, and a tray configured for receiving the paper. The bracket includes two sidewalls. A retaining member is secured to each sidewall. The sliding blocks are slidably attached to the sidewalls of the bracket. The tray is received in the bracket and has tray posts corresponding to the retaining members. The sliding blocks bring the tray to slide in the bracket. The retaining members have a first position, where the tray posts urge the retaining members to slide before passing across the retaining members, and a second position, where the tray posts are blocked by the retaining member when the tray is released from the sliding blocks.

Abstract: A sheet-stacking apparatus includes a gripper configured to convey a sheet, two stacker trays stacking sheets arranged in a row, and a support member configured to separately elevate the two stacker trays. The stacker tray is selected according to a sheet length.

Abstract: A CPU of a printing apparatus selects one of a plurality of setting permission information items based on sheet property information in a case in which printing processing is performed employing a specific sheet type. Subsequently, the CPU of the printing apparatus performs a setting regarding each of a plurality of printing setting items so as to obtain a setting permitted in the selected setting permission information item in a case in which printing processing is performed employing a specific sheet type. Thus, a printing apparatus capable of executing the printing settings of a plurality of printing setting items appropriately is provided.

Abstract: With representative configurations of the sheet processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the sheet processing apparatus which includes an intermediate stacking portion in which a sheet is temporarily placed, an aligning portion which supports a part of a lower surface of the sheet stacked in the intermediate stacking portion and which presses a lateral surface end portion of a sheet width direction to align the sheet, and a stapler which processes the sheet aligned by the aligning portion, includes a sheet supporting member which can support the lower surface of the sheet conveyed while sheet stacked in the intermediate stacking portion is processed and a sheet discharging member which presses the rear end of the sheet processed by the stapler and discharges the sheet to the stack tray.

Abstract: A sorting system for sorting flat objects, particularly mail items, and a method for sorting such objects. The sorting system has a discharge device and an arrangement having at least two output devices. The output devices are arranged one behind the other as viewed in a longitudinal axis. The discharge device is designed to discharge each flat object to be sorted into one of the output devices in each case in such a way that the objects discharged into the same output device form a stack. Each output device has a bottom. The bottom of each output device rises with respect to the horizontal as viewed in a rising direction. An edge appears between the bottoms of two adjacent output devices. The edge slopes downward vertically or aslant as viewed in the rising direction.

Abstract: A discharging unit including: a casing; a discharger to discharge printing medium; a storage plate disposed in the casing below the discharger, to store the printing media discharged by the discharger; and a separation preventing unit to prevent the printing media from being ejected from the discharging unit by selectively protruding from the storage plate.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main housing, a post-processing unit including a pivotable processing tray, and a recording medium discharging outlet. The processing tray includes a lock member, urging member and lock releasing member. The lock member is supported movably between first and second positions. The lock member engages with an engaging hole at the first position and disengages from the engaging hole at the second position. The urging member urges the lock member towards the first position. The lock releasing member resists a force applied by the urging member so as to allow the lock member to travel to the second position. A recording medium depressing member is disposed within a pivotal range of the lock member. A first slope is provided on at least one of a contact portion of the lock member and a contact portion of the recording medium depressing member.

Abstract: An inserter device for a document printer and inserter system includes a first container sensor. A belt mechanism includes a flexible delivery belt receiving a printed document from a document printer. A motor rotates the delivery belt in response to an actuation signal from the first container sensor indicating the presence of a container at a document loading position proximate the delivery belt. A support shaft is rotatably connected to a support frame. The belt mechanism is fixed to the support shaft. The support shaft is rotated to achieve a desired belt drive angle and fixed to the support frame to maintain the belt drive angle. A rigid document diverter proximate the delivery belt deflects a document discharged from the delivery belt at the belt drive angle into the container. First and second belt tensioning assemblies are individually positioned in either a belt mechanism drive box or idler box.

Abstract: The sheet processing system includes: an image forming unit forming an image on a sheet; a sheet stack unit that lowers along a moving route, as more sheets are stacked on the sheet stack unit, the sheets each having an image formed by the image forming unit and being transported through a first route; a processing unit provided in a housing, and applying processing to a sheet having an image formed by the image forming unit, the sheet being transported through a second route; a cover member provided so that a part of the housing is openable, partially reaching a position in the moving route when the part is opened, and allowing a user to operate the processing unit by opening the part; and a moving unit moving the sheet stack unit to a position where the sheet stack unit does not interfere with the cover member, upon abnormal transportation.

Abstract: A photo printing device includes a microprocessor, operable to receive photo printing data, a printer, configured to print photographs from the photo printing data, an order sorter, having a plurality of moveable bins for receiving prints from the printer, and means for conveying information to a user related to operation of the order sorter.

Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus includes a stage, a driving unit to drive the stage, and a sheet detection device to detect that a sheet exists on the stage. Operation of the sheet stacking apparatus is controlled so that the stage descends in accordance with an amount of sheets to be stacked, and when a job executed in an image forming apparatus is completed, the stage automatically moves to a sheet removing position. The sheet stacking apparatus is controlled so that sheets of a mixing prohibition job are not stacked with sheets of another job, by detecting that a sheet of another job exists on the stage.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a main body and a plurality of paper trays. The main body includes a mounting plate, and the mounting plate defines a paper outlet. A mounting bracket is secured to the main body. A control module is disposed on the mounting bracket. A driving member is connected to the paper trays. The control module is capable of causing the driving member to move the paper trays along a direction parallel to the mounting plate, so that one of the paper trays is aligned with the paper outlet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet stacking apparatus, whose lifting and lowering mechanism having excellent assembly properties and maintenance properties. A sheet stacking apparatus includes: a stacking portion which stacks a discharged sheet thereon; a housing portion which can support the stacking portion so as to lift and lower the stacking portion; and a lifting and lowering mechanism which lifts and lowers the stacking portion. In the sheet stacking apparatus, the stacking portion has a connecting portion which connects the stacking portion to the housing portion. The connecting portion can connect the stacking portion to the housing portion in a direction perpendicular to the lifting and lowering direction of the stacking portion.

Abstract: A first tray is adapted to stack a paper discharged from a discharge port thereon. A lifter is operable to raise or lower the first tray. A detector is operable to detect a stacked state of the paper and the first tray. In a case where the paper is discharged onto the first tray, the first tray is raised or lowered based on the stacked state detected by the detector so as to keep a distance from the discharge port to an uppermost paper of the paper stacked on the first tray within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A first tray has notches allowing second-tray arms to pass therethrough, and arm-receiving recesses in which respective first-tray arms are received. With such a plurality of sheet stacking trays that are movable vertically, a large stack of sheets can be removed efficiently, whereby a highly productive system is provided.

Abstract: A multi-function peripheral includes a main body and a paper feeding module which includes a paper outlet structure, a tray and a gate. The paper outlet structure is disposed at the main body and has a first paper outlet and a second paper outlet below the first paper outlet. The tray is disposed movably up and down at the paper outlet structure, so as to support papers fed out from the paper outlet structure. The gate is pivoted at the paper outlet structure and near the second paper outlet. When the papers are fed out from the first paper outlet, the tray is below the first paper outlet and the gate covers the second paper outlet. When the papers are fed out from the second paper outlet, the tray is below the second paper outlet and the gate does not cover the second paper outlet.

Abstract: Provided is a sheet processing apparatus, including: a stacking unit that is capable of stacking discharged sheets; a drive mechanism that is capable of moving the stacking unit; a storage device that holds data on a moving time of the stacking unit in a rewritable manner; an arithmetic unit that is calculates an estimated value of the moving time of the stacking unit based on the data; and a correcting unit that corrects the data held in the storage device by using an actual measurement value of the moving time of the stacking unit.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes multiple sheet discharge trays arranged on a downstream of a fixing unit in a layer structure, and multiple sheet-receiving units provided corresponding to the multiple sheet discharge trays arranged in the layer structure. Each of the sheet-receiving units respectively includes a climbing slope from a sheet discharge direction start point to a sheet discharge direction end point, and an angle of the climbing slope of a sheet-receiving unit is close to plane, as the sheet-receiving unit is arranged on a further downstream. It is thus possible to provide the image-forming apparatus in which discharged sheets of paper are not piled up on the sheet-receiving unit in a curled state or the discharged sheet does not push out the sheet piled on the sheet-receiving unit.

Abstract: The invention is to provide a sheet treating apparatus achieving a space saving and enabling easy identification of an output mode of sheets. The sheet treating apparatus of the invention for treating sheets after image formation is accommodated in a space formed in an image forming apparatus, and includes plural sheet stacking devices which stack treated sheets, and a lifting and lowering device which independently lifts and lowers the plural sheet stacking devices.

Abstract: A modular bin or pocket has an integrated transport assembly and mail piece diverter assembly and is usable in a bin stacker section in mail handling and sorting systems. The modular bin is individually removable, interchangeable and replaceable from the bin stacker sections of the mail processing system to allow for repair or maintenance of malfunctioning bins leading to reduced down time of the mail processing system. The modular bin further enables vertical and/or horizontal progressive modularity, i.e., vertical and/or horizontal expansion, of the bin stacker sections of the mail processing system which allows for cost-effective expansion of mail handling systems. Further, there is disclosed a tray management system and a tier diverter system that are usable in mail handling systems that use the modular bin with double sided bin stacker sections or single sided bin stacker sections with or without a turnaround section.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus ejects the sheet to witch image processing unit perform to an ejection tray or a staple stacker by a pair of ejection rollers and the like. A sheet path for guiding the sheet to the ejection rollers is opened and closed in conjunction with slide movement of the ejection tray when the ejection tray is attached to a main body of the apparatus, and the sheet path is opened and closed in conjunction with the slide movement of a staple stacker when the staple stacker is attached to the main body of the apparatus.

Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus of the invention includes a sheet guiding unit configured to have plural components including paper carrying components be attached thereto, a tray onto which a sheet of paper is discharged, and a protection cover attached to the sheet guiding unit at a portion in close proximity to the tray side. A protection cover has a cover main body, a screw attachment portion, a screw cover that covers the screw attached to the screw attachment portion, and a slit used for the tip end of the screw cover to be inserted into the cover main body to be fixed thereto.

Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus including a first tray on which sheets discharged form an outlet are stacked, the first tray being movable between a stacking position at which sheets discharged from an outlet are stacked and a first retracted position above the staking position; a second tray on which sheets discharged from an outlet are stacked, the first tray being disposed below the first tray and being movable independently of the first tray, the second tray being movable between the stacking position and a second retracted position below the stacking position; and a controller that causes the second tray to descend when the sheets are to be stacked on the first tray, the controller causing the second tray to stop descending when the second tray reaches a standby position where a distance between the outlet and a top surface of the sheets stacked on the second tray is a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A sheet deposition system having multiple supports detachably suspended in multiple guide members, wherein a support can be placed in a sheet deposition location or the distance between supports can be altered by driving the guide members. Multiple sheet deposition locations may be provided. The system enables that supports can be easily removed, added or relocated either manually or in an automated manner.

Abstract: A sheet treating apparatus for treating a sheet having an image formed thereon is provided, which includes a pair of transport rollers for transporting the sheet upward, a sheet post-treating portion having an intermediate treatment tray, provided to execute post-treatment such as sheet stitching or punching while holding the sheet in a substantially vertical state, and a sheet delivery portion arranged above the sheet post-treating portion. Also, an image forming apparatus is provided, which includes an image reading portion for reading an image, an image forming portion arranged below the image reading portion to form an image on a sheet, a delivery space portion provided in an apparatus housing between the image reading portion and the image forming portion to deliver the sheet, sheet treating portion for treating the sheet while holding it in a substantially vertical state, and an in-body transportation path for transporting the sheet treated by the sheet treating means to the delivery space portion.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus ejects the sheet to witch image processing unit perform to an ejection tray or a staple stacker by a pair of ejection rollers and the like. A sheet path for guiding the sheet to the ejection rollers is opened and closed in conjunction with slide movement of the ejection tray when the ejection tray is attached to a main body of the apparatus, and the sheet path is opened and closed in conjunction with the slide movement of a staple stacker when the staple stacker is attached to the main body of the apparatus.

Abstract: A modular bin or pocket has an integrated transport assembly and mail piece diverter assembly and is usable in a bin stacker section in mail handling and sorting systems. The modular bin is individually removable, interchangeable and replaceable from the bin stacker sections of the mail processing system to allow for repair or maintenance of malfunctioning bins leading to reduced down time of the mail processing system. The modular bin further enables vertical and/or horizontal progressive modularity, i.e., vertical and/or horizontal expansion, of the bin stacker sections of the mail processing system which allows for cost-effective expansion of mail handling systems. Further, there is closed a tray management system and a tier diverter system that are usable in mail handling systems that use the modular bin with double sided bin stacker sections or single sided bin stacker sections with or without a turnaround section.

Abstract: A sheet post-treating apparatus is provided with a discharged sheet stacking tray displaceably provided in a casing portion for stacking thereon sheets discharged from the casing portion, and a holding portion for holding the discharged sheet stacking tray in a first position and a second position overlying the first position, and is designed such that the sheets are stacked on the discharged sheet stacking tray when in the first position, and therefore, when the sheet post-treating apparatus is incorporated into a printer and a cartridge in the printer is to be interchanged with a cartridge cover opened, a user can retract the discharged sheet stacking tray to the second position to thereby interchange the cartridge.

Abstract: A system and method for improved accessibility of media output from a media processing device. Media receivers are coupled to an actuator such that the media receivers can be moved under manual command by a user, or automatically by a controller. Movement selectors are provided for activation thereof by a user. The user selects a media receiver for movement, and then the desired direction of movement. The media receiver is moved to a position most convenient for the user so that the media in the media receiver is most accessible to that user. In an illustrative embodiment, a laser printer with a plurality of paper trays is adapted to the present invention.

Abstract: A sheet depositing device for a sheet processing apparatus, includes a feeding section for sequentially feeding sheets or sets of sheets from the sheet processing apparatus, at least one sheet stacking element movable along a guide, for facilitating depositing the sheets or sets of sheets fed by the feeding section, and a sensor arrangement for detecting the position of a sheet stacking element along the guide. The sensor arrangement includes a stationary linear array of active elements and a passive element moving in unison with the sheet stacking element. The active and passive elements are of a kind that interact through the use of electric or magnetic fields. Examples of such sensors are an array of conductive fields arranged in parallel to a conductive strip or a second array of conductive fields, and a conductive plate connected to a capacitance meter; and an array of Hall-effect sensors and a magnet.

Abstract: A displacement device for a machine for processing flat printing materials includes a slide displaceable along a displacement path in and counter to a thrust direction, and being divided along the thrust direction into two slide parts. A drag joint forms a mutual connection between the slide parts. The drag joint has a joint axis extending perpendicularly to the displacement path. A machine for processing flat printing materials, such as a sheet-processing rotary printing press, is provided with the displacement device.