Abstract: A sorter includes a plurality of sheet output trays, a first actuator, a transferring mechanism, a control device, and a plurality of tray full detection mechanisms. The first actuator travels along the plurality of sheet output trays to guide a sheet onto any one of the plurality of sheet output trays. The transferring mechanism transfers the first actuator. The control device controls an operation of the transferring mechanism. The plurality of tray full detection mechanisms are provided one for each of the plurality of sheet output trays. Each of the plurality of tray full detection mechanisms includes a second actuator and a tray full detection sensor. The control device identifies an actual location of the first actuator based on a change of a detection signal produced by a change in attitude of the second actuator due to transfer of the first actuator and output from the tray full detection sensor.

Abstract: If an inter sheet on a designated feed tray during execution of a print job is lacking, and when a setting received via an operation unit is for a first mode, a control unit switches a feed source from the designated feed tray to another feed tray on which an inter sheet of the same size has been placed and continues the print job, and when the setting is for a second mode, interrupts the print job without switching the feed source from the designated feed tray to another feed tray. In a case where a plurality of feed trays are designated as a feed source, the control unit interrupts the print job without switching the feed source from the feed tray in which the inter sheet is lacking to another feed tray even if the setting is for the first mode.

Abstract: To effectively correct a sheet that is transported while being skewed, a post-processing apparatus B provided with a processing tray 25 that temporarily stores a sheet to perform post-processing and a stack tray 30 that loads sheets subjected to the post-processing performs preliminary alignment with one of an alignment mechanism 35 on the processing tray 25 side and an alignment mechanism 38 on the stack tray 30 side corresponding to size information of a sheet in transporting the sheet from the stack tray 30 side toward the processing tray 25 for post-processing in a post-processing device 31, and takes in the sheet toward a regulation stopper 29 with a take-in roller 33. Then, after aligning the sheet with the alignment mechanism 35, the apparatus performs the post-processing on the sheet with the sheet post-processing device 31 to transport to the stack tray 30.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet storage device having a high sheet receiving performance and whose size is reduced. A point 272 of intersection of a first upper guide and a second upper guide is located upstream from a point 271 of intersection of a first lower guide and a second lower guide in a sheet conveyance direction. Thus, the size of the sheet storage device can be reduced while the sheet receiving performance remains unaffected.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an image forming unit, a sheet supplying unit, a register roller, and a paper particle removing unit which includes a paper particle removing roller arranged to face the register roller and configured to collect paper particles on the sheet which is nipped between the register roller and the paper particle removing roller, a paper particle container configured such that the paper particles removed by the paper particle removing roller are accumulated therein, and an auger arranged inside the paper particle container. The paper particle removing roller, the paper particle container and the auger of the paper particle removing unit are configured to move together between a contact position where the paper particle removing roller contacts the register roller and a spaced position where the paper particle removing roller is spaced from the register roller.

Abstract: A currency bill processing system includes a transport mechanism that is configured to transport bills from an input receptacle along a transport path that extends generally horizontally past at least one detector. The transport path transitions generally-vertically upward between a first and a second output receptacle. The transport mechanism is configured to deliver some of the bills toward a first end of the system into the first output receptacle and some of the bills toward a second end of the system into the second output receptacle. The system provides access openings in a front side of the system that are proximate the first and the second output receptacles thereby permitting operator access into the first and the second output receptacles from the front side.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a currency processing device for receiving and processing a stack of currency bills is described. The currency processing device comprises an input receptacle for receiving a stack of bills to be processed, a plurality of output receptacles for receiving bills after the bills have been processed, a transport mechanism for transporting the bills from the input receptacle to the output receptacles, and a discriminating unit for examining the bills. The output receptacles are arranged such that a center of at least one output receptacle is laterally offset from a center of the input receptacle. The discriminating unit includes a detector positioned between the input receptacle and the output receptacles and is adapted to determine the denomination of bills.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for processing mail by severing an edge of each envelope in a stack of mail. The apparatus includes an input bin for receiving a stack of mail. A feeder feeds the bottom envelope from the input bin to a transport that conveys the envelope along an envelope path. A cutter positioned along the envelope path severs one edge of the envelopes. A detector detects a characteristic of the envelope and a sorter sorts the envelope in response to the detected characteristic.

Abstract: One embodiment of a credential manufacturing device comprises a first hopper, a first processing path, a first processing device, a substrate shuttle and a shuttle drive. The first hopper is configured to contain a plurality of card substrates and includes an output port. The first processing device is in the first processing path and is configured to perform a first process on individual card substrates in the first processing path. The substrate shuttle is positioned between the first hopper and the first processing path and is configured to receive individual card substrates from the output port of the first hopper, transport received card substrates along a shuttle path, and deliver received card substrates to the first processing path. The shuttle drive is configured to drive movement of the substrate shuttle along the shuttle path.

Abstract: A document storage device includes a document storage rack, a document distributing apparatus, and a transmitting roller. The document storage rack defines a first storage space and a second storage space. A first protecting door is mounted on the document storage rack to close and lock the first storage space. The second storage space is readily accessible. The document distributing apparatus includes a controlling pole and a first distributing roller connected to the controlling pole. The transmitting roller transmits a document to the first distributing roller. The controlling pole moves the first distributing roller between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first distributing roller transmits the document into the first storage space. In the second position, the first distributing roller transmits the document into the second storage space.

Abstract: A printing device is provided with a housing, and a card stacker is disposed above the housing. The card stacker stores cards to be placed parallel in a laminate manner. The housing houses a card rotating section, linear card transport path each being disposed below the card stacker, printing section provided below the card transport path, various sensors, and control section. A card storage section is disposed on the most downstream side of the card transport path. The card storage section stores processed cards to overlap in a laminate manner. The card stacker enables the supply number of cards to be increased, and it is possible to increase the height of the card storage section by the card transport path positioning in the upper portion inside the housing.

Abstract: A paper discharge apparatus includes a conveying path configured to convey a paper from an upstream portion to a downstream portion. A preventing mechanism is provided on the conveying path. The preventing mechanism is configured to prevent the paper from being conveyed to the downstream portion by pushing the paper or blocking the conveying path. A control unit is configured to bend the paper by preventing the conveyance of the paper by using the preventing mechanism, and then convey the paper to the downstream portion of the conveying path for discharge of the paper from the conveying path.

Abstract: A sheet guiding apparatus with a sheet diverter function, a production system with a printer and a folding machine for printed products, in which such a sheet guiding apparatus is used, and a method for producing printed products with the production system, permit productivity to be raised without increasing the operating speed of the folding machine.

Abstract: A stacker includes a sheet discharging portion constituted by a discharging belt and an extension roller that is in contact with the discharging belt. The position of the extension roller is changeable along the discharging belt. This means that, in the stacker, the position from which a sheet is discharged is changeable to a desired position in accordance with the sheet length by changing the position of the extension roller. Therefore, it is possible to stack sheets at a desired position on stacker trays, enabling the user to easily carry the stacked sheets from the stacker.

Abstract: A paper sorting apparatus for an electronic device includes a chassis with a control module disposed therein, a paper transporting module accommodated in the chassis, and a plurality of paper trays attached to the chassis. The paper transporting module has a first end, that is pivotable, and a second end, that is attached to the control module. The control module is capable of rotating the second end about the first end and coupling the second end with one of the paper trays.

Abstract: A card activated automated banking machine (10) includes a user interface (15). The user interface includes a card reader (16), receipt printer opening (30), cash dispensing opening (38) and deposit accepting opening (40). A stack of notes (84) input to the machine are separated one by one from the stack through the action of at least one picking member (158, 352) and at least one stripper member (64, 162, 354). Note holding cassettes include sensors operative to detect near full and near empty conditions. At least one processor in the machine is operative to control the addition and/or removal of notes from each cassette so as to avoid overfilling or depleting the cassettes which may result in machine malfunctions.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling documents of value comprises at least a first device, which has a transport path portion, along which a document of value is transported to and/or from the first device and/or into the first device, at least a second device, which has a transport path portion, along which a document of value is transported to and/or from the second device and/or into the second device, wherein the devices are arranged such that a document of value can be transported from the transport path portion of the first device into the one of the second device and/or from the transport path portion of the second device into the one of the first device, and at one coupling end of the respective transport path portion in a fixed position in relation to the respective transport path portion a pair of rolls mounted to be rotatable around a rotation axis, between the rolls of which a document of value is clamped when transported and the rolls of which in a section through the rotation axis have a comblike structure

Abstract: A non-gated print media crossover for a printing system includes crossover pathways which intersect at a crossover junction. A control system controls arrival of sheets of print media at the crossover junction whereby a sheet conveyed on the first crossover pathway traverses the junction in an intersheet gap between sheets traversing the junction on the second crossover pathway. The printing system includes print media processing units, such as marking engines, paper sources, and output destinations, which are connected by a conveyor system incorporating the crossover.

Abstract: A liquid droplet discharge apparatus includes a conveyor belt that retains and conveys a recording medium, a liquid droplet discharge head that discharges liquid droplets onto the recording medium retained on the conveyor belt, a discharge belt that moves to a recording medium feeding position of the conveyor belt, receives the recording medium, and retains and conveys the recording medium to a discharge port; and an inversion belt that moves to the recording medium feeding position, receives and retains the recording medium, and feeds the recording medium to an inversion path. By disposing the inversion belt, the conveyance direction of the recording medium can be switched without contacting the recording surface of the recording medium, and even when two-sided printing is to be conducted at a high speed, the inversion belt does not become soiled by the liquid droplets adhering to the recording surface of the recording medium.

Abstract: A control command communicated between a print control section and a finisher control section are relayed by an inserter control section. The print control section and the finisher control section generate the control command without taking into account processing at an inserter, and the inserter control section judges the content of the control command upon receiving the control command sent from the print control section or the finisher control section, and converts the control command or adjusts output timing of the control command if the control command needs to take into account the processing at the inserter.

Abstract: A device (10) for stacking sheets and a device for depositing notes, which comprises a plurality of such devices (10), are shown. The device (10) comprises at least one carrying face (16, 18) for carrying a sheet stack, the carrying face itself or the surface of a sheet stack located on it forming a stack face for depositing the sheets. It comprises, furthermore, a roll-on device with a first roller (30) which can be adjusted transversely with respect to its longitudinal axis along an adjustment path which is directed parallel with respect to the stack face, and with at least one first belt (26) which is led from above around the first roller and, parallel with respect to the stack face, to a first fastening point (28) in the region of one end of the adjustment path, at which fastening point said first belt is secured, the stack face (16) being pressed from below against the at least one first belt (26) in order to retain the sheet stack.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a sheet discharge device is provided. The sheet discharge device may include a drive roller and a driven roller driven by the drive roller. Also, the sheet discharge device can have a flange portion disposed at one end of the driven roller in a longitudinal direction thereof so as to rotate together with the driven roller. The flange portion may include a cutout having a first guide surface and a second guide surface disposed downstream of the first guide surface in a rotating direction of the driven roller. The first guide surface may be longer than the second guide surface.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an apparatus and method for distributing print media are provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus for distributing print media includes an accumulator that is pivotable about an axis. The accumulator has a print media inlet, a print media outlet, and an actuator that pivots the accumulator about the axis.

Abstract: A linear translation table for use in conjunction with a sheet feeding machine and a conveyor for laterally translating the sheet feeding machine over rows of product receiving portions of boxes or blisters in sheets of bubble packaging such that the sheet feeding machine can deliver product in an array of rows and columns of product receiving portions as the linear translation table is pitched. The rows of product receiving portions are indexed and linear translation table reverses direction to fill the next row. A controller on the linear translation table is programmed for the distance between columns and stops long enough for the sheet feeder to dispense a product into the product receiving portion. In this manner boxes with rows and columns of segments to be filled with product or formed pocket sheets can be filled with a sheet feeding machine which normally only delivers product linearly.

Abstract: The invention provides a sheet distributor and a sheet distributing method. The sheet distributor with which supplied sheets of a specified length are distributed to a plurality of lines of sheets, has a transport unit which keeps transporting each supplied sheet in a transport direction while the sheet is being distributed, a moving unit which moves said transport unit laterally in a perpendicular direction to the transport direction, a position detecting sensor which detects a position of a advancing end of the sheet in the transport direction when the sheet is transported and a control section that controls the start of the movement of said moving unit in accordance with a timing of detecting the advancing end of the sheets. The sheet is moved in a direction oblique to the transport direction during transporting such that a position of the sheet in a widthwise direction is changed at each time of sheet supply, whereby supplied sheets are arranged in a plurality of lines.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an abnormality detecting device for detecting the abnormality of the sheet, an abnormal sheet containing portion for containing therein the sheet of which the abnormality has been detected, a normal sheet containing portion for temporarily containing therein a normal sheet of which the abnormality has not been detected, and a controlling portion for controlling the image forming portion so that the abnormal sheet is contained in the abnormal sheet containing portion, and that an image formed on the abnormal sheet may be formed on a predetermined subsequent sheet subsequent to the abnormal sheet. The normal sheet between the abnormal sheet and the predetermined subsequent sheet is contained in the normal sheet containing portion after the abnormal sheet is contained in the abnormal sheet containing portion, and the normal sheet contained in the normal sheet containing portion is delivered after the predetermined subsequent sheet has been delivered.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for printing on at least one page of a print media is disclosed. The apparatus includes a removable media handling device that directs the printed media to a first location or a second location, the second location functions as a finishing stage to perform a finishing step on the print media. The removable media handling device includes a media diverter to direct the media to either the first or second location. The image forming apparatus also includes a housing, a print engine to fix an image representing data to the page of print media, a formatter to supply data to the print engine, the formatter being configured to supply a first set of data representing the side of the page to be printed and a second set of data to provide instructions on the output of the printed page, and print media supplier to supply pages of print media to the print engine from a stack of print media pages having leading edges.

Abstract: A facsimile machine has a stacker to which printed pages are delivered, and a paper sensor that senses whether the stacker is empty. The facsimile machine clears an internal page count to zero when the stacker is empty, increments the page count as each printed page is delivered, suspends printing when the page count reaches a limit value, and resumes printing when the stacker is emptied. While printing is suspended, facsimile reception may continue in a memory mode.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to improve an efficiency in using bins in a sorter of an image forming system, to which a plurality of personal computers are connected. If the number of the receptacles appointed in accordance with the receptacle appointment command or the number of sets of sheets to be sorted is larger than the number of empty receptacles, offset sorting is performed in which the position, at which the recording sheets are received, is shifted in the same receptacle. If the appointed number of the receptacles or the number of sets of sheets to be sorted is smaller than the number of empty receptacles, a normal sorting process is performed in such a manner that the bins are allotted in accordance with the position of the bins appointed with the command for appointing receptacles or the number of sets of sheets to be sorted.

Abstract: A sheet or set receiving post processing machine has a plurality of vertically spaced sheet or set receiving trays extending generally horizontally at an incline, a sheet delivering infeed with vertically spaced gates, and a vertically movable sheet sender extending horizontally between each infeed location and a selected tray, wherein the sheet sender has a stapler for stapling sets of sheets thereon and wherein the sender has first and second offsetting devices for offsetting sets of sheets, whether or not stapled, and for feeding the sets to the trays in offset relation.

Abstract: A paper discharging apparatus for a printer includes a movement path having a first movement track and a second movement track for independently guiding paper printed in an image forming unit in a printer body and means for branching the movement path and allowing the printed paper to selectively enter the first or second movement track. A first indexer is installed in the printer body, which clamps a first sheet of paper that has passed through the first movement track, and which moves to a first selected discharge tray to discharge the paper thereto. A second indexer is installed in the printer body, which clamps a second sheet of paper that has passed through the second movement track, and which moves to a second selected discharge tray to discharge the paper thereto. Means are provided for elevating the first and the second indexers, and a controller controls the driving of the elevating means and the first and the second indexers.

Abstract: A printed sheet transporting apparatus has a sheet inlet adjustable to selected heights and including an optional inverter for incoming sheets, a sheet feed path leading to selected positions in which a deflector may be adjustably positioned for deflecting sheets to various receivers for the sheets which are mounted on the apparatus at a plurality of vertically spaced sheet receiving positions.

Abstract: A sheet sorting apparatus capable of changing the discharge priority bin in accordance with the number of sheets. The sheet sorting apparatus discharges sheets from a specified discharge port into a corresponding bin. The bins are constructed so as to be readily removable, and the discharge priority bin is determined based on the estimated number of discharge sheets and the capacity of the bin.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing sheets carrying images thereon and sequentially driven out of an image forming apparatus in consecutive bins thereof is disclosed. The apparatus includes a deflector for deflecting a sheet toward the inlet of a preselected bin and a plurality of cylindrical cams cooperating to open and close the inlet of the bin. The deflector and cams are interlocked to each other to operate at a relatively high speed. The apparatus is capable of surely inserting a sheet into the inlet of the bin and highly reliable and durable.

Abstract: An automatically sheet sorting device has multistage trays for storing sheets fed from a copying machine or the like, which each incorporate a sheet detecting mechanism including a sheet-empty detection lever of sheet-empty detecting means for detecting the sheet existing on the tray, and a sheet-full detection lever of sheet-full detecting means for detecting the sheets reaching a prescribed storage limit. The individual operable sheet-empty detection lever and sheet-full detection lever can be assembled in the tray compactly. A sheet-empty actuating member connected to the sheet-empty detection lever for actuating a sheet-empty switch and a sheet-empty actuating member connected to the sheet-full detection lever for actuating a sheet-full switch are of electrically non-contacting mechanism, thus to enable the tray to he readily detached from and attached to the device without any troublesome work of establishing an electrical connection or disconnection of electric elements between the tray and the device.

Abstract: A photo-processing apparatus having an exposing section and a developing section is disclosed. In this photo-processing apparatus a predetermined treatment of the photo-sensitive material is executed by conveying it along a conveying path through the exposing section and then through the developing section. A pair of rollers for nipping the photo-sensitive material and a drive unit for conveying the pair of rollers with the nipped photo-sensitive material along a conveying path are installed in the apparatus.

Abstract: A sheet ejecting mechanism is provided with a sheet ejecting sensor which detects a sheet to be ejected onto an offset tray and an upper-surface position-regulating section which regulates the position of the upper surface of the sheets in accordance with the position of an arm which is in contact with the upper surface of the sheets on the offset tray. When the sheet ejecting sensor detects a sheet to be ejected, a CPU of the upper-surface position-regulating section turns on a solenoid so as to remove a contact between an arm and the upper surface of the sheets. Meanwhile, when the sheet ejecting sensor detects no sheet to be ejected, the CPU turns off the solenoid. With this operation, the arm is allowed to come into contact with the upper surface of the sheets so as to regulate the position of the upper surface of the sheets.

Abstract: There is disclosed a sheet distribution device in which by using a junction conveying means for conveying sheets from a main sorter unit to a slave sorter unit also as a first conveying portion of the sheet distribution device when sheet distribution devices are interconnected, the manufacture cost of the sheet distribution device is reduced. The interconnectable sheet distribution device is provided with a first conveying portion 5A for receiving an image formed sheet 2 from an image forming device 1 to convey the sheet into a body and a second conveying portion 5B for receiving the sheet 2 from the first conveying portion 5A to convey the sheet to each of plural distribution bins 4. At the time of interconnection, a third conveying portion 5D (junction conveying means) for conveying the sheet 2 from a main sorter unit S1 to a slave sorter unit S2 is used also as the first conveying portion 5A.

Abstract: In a multi-bin printed sheets distribution system, a simple safety system solution is provided for protection from accidental dropping of the vertically moving sheet distribution carriage by failure of its movement system. A safety stop member connects with both the tension member providing the carriage movement and the carriage. The safety stop member automatically repositions into stopping engagement with an adjacent vertical guide member in response to breakage or other release of tension in the tension member, to prevent the sheet distribution carriage from accidentally dropping. Preferably the repositioning is by a spring normally overcome by the tension in the tension member. The safety stop member may be a pivotally mounted plate with an aperture though which the guide member normally passes unobstructedly, which plate is both pivoted and laterally moved by the spring to lock to the guide member.

Abstract: A sheet sorter includes a plurality of bins arranged in a vertical direction each of which receives a plurality of sheets discharged from an image recording apparatus and forms thereon a stack of sheets. A sheet transfer mechanism transfers the sheets discharged from the image recording apparatus, and an indexer receives the sheets from the sheet transfer mechanism and distributes the sheets to the respective bins through the sheet inlet ends. A sheet stack ejector mechanism ejects the stack of sheets on each of the bins beyond the sheet inlet end of the bin by a predetermined length, thereby giving a stapler access to the stack of sheets. The ejector mechanism includes a guide rail which extends in a vertical direction through the bins, and a sheet stack ejector member which is mounted on the guide rail to be movable up and down along the guide rail and is adapted to eject the stacks of sheets on the respective bins one by one toward the stapler.

Abstract: Individual sheets of a sheet material to be treated which arrive in an arrival sequence, are distributed on two or more adjacently located conveying tracks. The sheets are conveyed along the conveying tracks through a processing station and are sorted thereafter in accordance with their arrival sequence. The distribution of the sheets is based on evaluating utilization of the conveying tracks to minimize the distance between sheets following each other on the same transport track. A throughput for sheets with varying length that is approximately equal to the throughput for sheets of same length is achieved.

Abstract: In a sheet sorting device for distributing sheets consecutively fed from an image forming device such as a copying machine to sorting trays aligned in multiple stages at high speed, there are disposed sheet pressure members for pressing down preceding sheet or sheets previously introduced into the designated sorting tray so as to successfully introduce the following sheet into the designated sorting tray without being hindered by the preceding sheet or sheets on the designated sorting tray. Since the following sheet is in no way hindered by the preceding sheet on the sorting tray in entering into the designated tray by means of the sheet pressure members, the interval between the adjoining sorting trays can be reduced thus to diminish the sorting device in size.

Abstract: A sorter for sorting a printed sheet discharged from an image forming machine, comprises: a plurality of bins arranged in a vertical direction; a conveyer provided vertically along the plurality of bins to convey the printed sheet vertically downward; an indexer having a guide surface in its upper portion, being vertically movable along a sheet travel route of the conveyer, for peeling the printed sheet off the conveyer with the guide surface and sending the printed sheet in either one of the plurality of bins; a controller connecting to driving the conveyer and the indexer; and a operating panel connecting to the controller, wherein the operating panel receives a printing sheet information of the sheet to be printed and fed the information to the controller, and the controller determines a start position of a working bin out of the plurality of bins in response to the information from the control panel.

Abstract: In a sheet handling system with a supporting frame, a sheets compiling tray, and a sheets ejection system including an drive shaft with plural sheet drive rollers and a pivotal mounting system for pivoting the drive shaft between a first position for sheets ejection and a raised second position, the pivotal mounting system provides vertical freedom of movement of at least one end of the shaft in the first position to provide a self-leveling more uniform sheet engagement force, yet also provides a positive accurately centered constrained position of the shaft in the second position. The illustrated pivotal mounting system includes a pivot pin vertically movable within a mounting slot in the supporting frame in the first position and spaced apart limited length mounting slots providing end stops engaging mounting pins in the second position to automatically center the pivot pin.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus for feeding sheets or sheet bundles of differing thickness and a sheet sorting apparatus using the same includes a rotatable belt convey member, and a sponge roller arranged in an opposed relation to the rotatable belt convey member. Preferably, the sheet feeding apparatus further includes a shaft-to-shaft spacer for ensuring a minimum shaft-to-shaft distance between the rotatable belt convey member and the sponge roller, and a pressurizing device for urging the sponge roller and the rotatable belt convey member against each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for accumulating sheets from a secondary source and changing their conveyance direction 90.degree.. The accumulator is a group of vertically stacked bins that discharge batchwise and are loaded from the secondary source alternately by way of a diverter. Discharge is synchronous with a directionally constant primary sheet source.

Abstract: In a sheet stacking system with an array of plural sheet stacking bins with sheet entrances for stacking plural flimsy print substrate sheets from a printed sheets output path into selected bins, with a sheet feeding input path system for feeding selected sheets into a selected bin to be stacked therein, with a bin fullness indicator system for indicating that the estimated height of the stack has reached a preset allowable maximum, and a stacking control system controlled by the bin fullness indicator system to control the sheet feeding input path; there is a single stack height sensing system including a stack height sensor for respective measurements of the actual stack height of the stack of sheets in respective bins for the bin fullness indicator system, a movable carriage system for moving this single stack height sensing system from adjacent to one bin to adjacent another bin for respective measurements, the stack height sensor including a movable sensing element extendable by an intermittent actuator

Abstract: A transmission includes a first simple planetary gear set having first, second, and third elements, the first element of the first gear set receiving rotational motion input to the transmission, and a second simple planetary gear set having first, second, and third elements, the first element of the second gear set outputting rotational motion from the transmission and the second element of the second gear set being connected to the second element of the first gear set. The elements of the first gear set include a sun gear, a first carrier, and a first ring gear, and the elements of the second gear set include a second sun gear, a second carrier, and a second ring gear. A first clutch selectively couples the third element of the first gear set to the third element of the second gear set. A second clutch selectively couples two elements selected from the group consisting of the first, second, and third elements of the first gear set and the second element of the second gear set.

Abstract: A sheet resident space is provided on an indexer of a sheet transfer system, and a controller stops the image recording apparatus upon detection of a sheet jam about the indexer and stops the sheet transfer system after keeping it operating for a predetermined time interval sufficient for the sheet transfer system to transfer all the sheets in the sheet transfer passage thereof to the sheet resident space.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet sorting and containing apparatus for conveying thin sheets or thick sheets to a plurality of containing portions and for sorting such sheets into the containing portions. The apparatus includes a first path for distributing the thin sheet to the containing portion, and a second path for distributing the thick sheet to the containing portion. The first path or second path is selected in accordance with a thickness of the sheet.