With Means To Program Discharge Destination Patents (Class 271/298)
  • Patent number: 5810353
    Abstract: A printer has one or more stacked sheet output units on top of it for increasing the printer's output capacity. Each unit includes a housing having a diverter as does the printer. The position of each diverter is controlled by a diverter/drive mechanism in the unit stacked on top of it. In its first position, the diverter of the printer or the unit diverts a fed sheet from a substantially vertical path therein to a sheet receiving area. In its second position, the diverter allows the fed sheet to be advanced by driven rolls to the unit thereabove. The feed rolls of a unit are driven only when the diverter in each of the printer and in any unit therebeneath are in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Wesley Baskette, Billy Carl Chappel, Randall Steven Gall, Michael Earl Kennedy, Michael Craig Leemhuis
  • Patent number: 5809372
    Abstract: A processing apparatus is utilized for a copying machine capable of executing successively a first job and then a second job. An user inputs the number of originals, the number of copies to be made, or the like using a picture plane for setting the first job. Based on information about the input numbers of originals and copies, and information about a copying operation that can be carried out by the copying machine, the number of originals and the number of copies that can be set for the second job are determined. The determined numbers of originals and copies are displayed. Accordingly, the number of originals and the number of copies which exceed a limitation of processing by the copying machine would not be input, thereby improving handling of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunihiko Katsuta, Takuma Ishikawa, Masayoshi Horikawa, Syuichi Katohgi, Koji Higashikawa, Satoshi Fujii
  • Patent number: 5799936
    Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus having a frame with an inlet for sheet stock and first and second sheet receiving structures. A sheet guide member is provided and is movable between positions for facilitating guiding of the sheet stock to a respective one of the first and second sheet receiving structures. A sheet stock size selection device produces control signals indicative of a size of the sheet stock inputted at the inlet. A control device is responsive to the control signals for controlling movement of the sheet guide member. The sheet guide member includes a clamp member thereon movable into and out of engagement with a support in one of the sheet receiving regions to physically hold the sheet stock delivered thereto in place. The sheet guide member additionally includes an auxiliary roller and a lever arm with a linkage interconnecting the lever arm, the sheet guide member and the sheet clamp member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Japan Digital Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Sekine, Masami Maruyama
  • Patent number: 5777882
    Abstract: A control system for a sheet handling system having a mailboxing system with a mailbox bin subsystem is provided. The mailbox bin subsystem includes a print receiving bin set with a plurality of print receiving bins, the plurality of print receiving bins being corresponded with a set of bin users. The control system includes a user interface with which one or more print receiving bins of the plurality of print receiving bins are assigned to one of the bin set users, and a controller communicating with the mailbox bin subsystem. In practice the controller: (1) determines, for the one bin set user, a frequency of use value varying as a function of a degree to which the one bin set user uses the one or more print receiving bins to which the one bin set user is assigned, and (2) reassigns one of the one or more print receiving bins to which the one bin set user is assigned when the frequency of use value drops below a preselected threshold and a selected condition is met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: David L. Salgado
  • Patent number: 5752697
    Abstract: In a shared users printing and mailboxing system, with a shared remote printer with an operatively connecting array of lockable mailboxes, in which system electronic print jobs from different users at different locations may be electronically sent to be printed, which hardcopy print jobs are automatically fed into respective selected lockable mailboxes, wherein the printer has an internal paper path for this printing with sheet jam clearance capability and a system for signaling a sheet jam, and at least one openable printer access door providing access to the paper path for jam clearances; a print job security improvement system with an automatic locking system for electronically locking the printer access door and an access door on the mailboxing system during printing of security sensitive print jobs to prevent access to the internal printer paper path, but automatically unlocking the printer access door after the hardcopies have reached the selected mailboxes if there is no sheet jam signal, and maintaini
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Barry P. Mandel, Terrence D. Charland
  • Patent number: 5734480
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a printer for recording a received image on a sheet, a sorter for sorting the sheet by stacking the sheet recorded by the printer in one of a plurality of bins, a determination unit for determining a bin in which the sheet is to be stacked, a discrimination unit for discriminating if the sheet can be stacked in the determined bin, a memory for storing the received image when the discrimination unit discriminates that the bin determined by the determination unit cannot stack the sheet, and a second memory for storing bin information indicating the bin determined by the determination unit in correspondence with the image stored in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Wataru Kawamura, Takekazu Kumagai
  • Patent number: 5724626
    Abstract: A photosensitive material transporting apparatus includes a transport passage for transporting a plurality of developed photosensitive materials in parallel with each other with a phase difference therebetween in a transporting direction thereof, a photosensitive material receiving mechanism disposed downstream of the transport passage for receiving the photosensitive materials, and a transport conveyer disposed between an exit of the transport passage and the photosensitive material receiving mechanism and having a conveying passage extending substantially normal to a discharging direction of the photosensitive materials discharged from the exit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Todoki
  • Patent number: 5720479
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshimasu Yamaguchi, Yuji Takahashi, Kimiaki Hayakawa, Toshihiko Kusumoto, Hideaki Kosasa, Hiroshi Ohta, Yuji Yamanaka, Kozo Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 5711520
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of stacking documents in an arrangement for transporting checks at a prescribed nominal speed along a given transport track, with one or several storage-pockets and associated diverter means disposed there-along, one for each storage-pocket, this involving: providing an injecting-reaction-guide structure for each storage pocket, and arranging each guide structure to drive a so-diverted document into its pocket and to include an inject roll structure to accelerate and drive the check faster than nominal speed; a coupling arm assembly structure to cooperate with each guide structure and inject roll structure, and to include an arm structure adapted to guide a so-injected document toward its position in the stack in its pocket; the roll structure and arm assembly structure being arranged to direct the arm structure away from its stack each time a document is entering under the action of the speed differential, and to later return the arm structure toward its stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Inventor: Sammy C. Hutson
  • Patent number: 5704609
    Abstract: A plural function sheet interconnect module for serially connecting plural multiple bins printed sheets job separating units, such as mailbox modules, with the output of a printer for feeding printed sheets jobs into selected bins. The printer also has a alternate variably occurring output of purge sheets designated for purging, which purge sheets are variably intermixed with the printed sheets jobs. The interconnect module has a sheet bypass transport for feeding the sheets on from one mailbox unit on to another. The interconnect module also has an integral purge tray for collecting the purge sheets and providing for their removal. The interconnect module further has a selectable shared sheet gating system for gating the printed sheets jobs into the sheet bypass transport and gating the purge sheets into the integral purge tray. The integral purge tray underlies the sheet bypass transport and is pivotably openable for the removal of purge sheets therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Barry P. Mandel, John D. Hower, Jr., Charles D. Rizzolo, Richard A. Van Dongen, L. James Rolph, William A. Novak
  • Patent number: 5678111
    Abstract: A method of processing recording media includes the steps of recording, on a second recording medium, image information recorded on a first recording medium; and effecting a parallel conveying operation for conveying the second recording medium on which the image information is recorded with divided portions of the second recording medium being arranged in a plural number of rows. The parallel conveying operation is effected in such a manner that the divided portions of the second recording medium are arranged such that a positional order of ends of the portions of the second recording medium which are disposed on an upstream side in a direction in which the second recording medium is conveyed coincides with an order of the image information being recorded on the first recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuo Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 5675836
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing recording media includes: a recording device recording image information recorded on a first recording medium onto a sheet-shaped second recording medium; a conveying/processing device effecting a predetermined processing while conveying the second recording medium onto which the image information has been recorded; a conveying device, provided between the recording device and the conveying/processing device, for enabling switching of a second recording medium received from the recording device between a held state and a non-held state, and for enabling the second recording medium to be sent out in a held state; a first moving mechanism for, after the conveying device receives the second recording medium, moving the conveying device in a second recording medium transverse direction which intersects a second recording medium sending-out direction; and a second moving device for, when the conveying device receives the second recording medium, moving the conveying device in a first di
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuo Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 5653573
    Abstract: In a multi-bundle stacker having an inclined bundle-discharging mechanism for frontward discharging of copy-sheet bundles from adjacent upwardly inclined sorting trays of a sorter disposed on the side of a photocopying machine, a stowing bin is provided having a bundle-receiving platform lying at an inclination generally parallel to the inclination of the sorting trays. A bundle discharge/stowing path, that the trailing end nearest the copying machine of a sheet bundle discharged into stowage follows, is defined having a portion generally orthogonal to, and lying between, the bundle-discharging mechanism and the stowing bin. A standing wall extends partially in the discharge/stowing path upward from the stowing bin. A tilted bundle stowing guide is mounted on a triangular foot over the standing wall. A bundle turning guide assembly including a pusher mechanism intersects the bundle discharge/stowing path at an angle below the bundle stowing guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Mita Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Aoki, Keiji Okumura, Masaki Deguchi
  • Patent number: 5644685
    Abstract: In the present invention, a microprocessor controls a moveable output hopper with multiple paper slots attached to a laser printer. Print jobs of different users are directed to separate open slots by user name or other identifier corresponding to a particular user. A small LCD panel for each slot displays an identifier representing the user whose job is currently using the output slot. Incoming print data to the laser printer is monitored for a banner page. The user name or identifier is then extracted from the banner page, and if the current job is for a new user, the trays are moved and the print job is output to the first unused tray. A user name or identifier corresponding to the printed output is also displayed on an LCD panel corresponding to a particular tray. If all trays are full, print jobs are sent to a tray designated as the default/shared tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Geoffrey G. Baehr
  • Patent number: 5640250
    Abstract: A facsimile apparatus includes a reception unit for receiving image data and a procedure signal, a detection unit for detecting a sub-address from the procedure signal received by the reception unit, a recording unit for recording the image data received by the reception unit, a sorter having a plurality of bins for sorting record sheets on which image data are recorded by the recording unit, and a control unit for controlling the sorter to sort the record sheets, on which the image data are recorded by the recording unit, in accordance with sub-addresses detected by the detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takehiro Yoshida
  • Patent number: 5632479
    Abstract: A sorter includes a feed belt for feeding a sheet, which is transferred from a sheet processor, vertically, a belt drive mechanism for running the feed belt in said one direction, a plurality of sorting trays, onto which at least one sheet is received, and which are stationary and arranged vertically, a distributing unit for distributing the sheet fed upon the running of the feed belt to a predetermined sorting tray, a press roller mechanism for pressing the sheet to the feed belt so that the sheet is frictionally engaged with the feed belt, thereby feeding the sheet upon the running of the feed belt, and moving mechanism for moving the press roller mechanism along the feed belt vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Kubota, Yoshikazu Sano
  • Patent number: 5630578
    Abstract: A system and method for manually removably locking a paper handling module to a reproduction apparatus with greatly reduced manual force, wherein the reproduction apparatus and the paper handling module have respective sheet feed openings which are operatively aligned for sheet feeding therebetween when the module is so locked to the reproduction apparatus in a locking position, and wherein the paper handling module has a weight which is undesirable for manual lifting into the locking position. The module is supported on an integral module transporting system to be freely movable in any horizontal direction into an initial docking position closely adjacent to the reproduction apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond A. Naramore, Steve S. Counoupas
  • Patent number: 5625860
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus with a sorter which is capable of performing image formation even during the implementation of a post-process. The image forming apparatus includes the sorter which has a non-sort bin and sort bins for receiving sheets each formed with an image, and a post-processor for performing the post-process on sheets received by the sort bins. When an interruption mode is designated during the post-process, the image formation is permitted while the post-process is continuously performed. Further, the sorter is controlled to discharge a sheet formed with an image into the non-sort bin. Thus, the image formation can be performed concurrently with post-process. Since the sheet formed with the image is discharged into the non-sort bin which is adapted not to receive sheets to be subjected to the post process, a jam will not occur even if an error occurs during the post-process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Mita Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Maeda, Yoshiki Yoshioka, Junichi Oura, Hidehiro Tabuchi
  • Patent number: 5617956
    Abstract: The invention relates to a banknote processing machine wherein the bank notes located in the transport path, after being tested and classified, are delivered from the transport path by means of suitably controlled switches. Deflecting means following the switches and causing rotation and a change of moving direction of the sheets feed the bank notes to the stacking pockets of the stacking units of the bank note processing machine. The entrance ports of the stacking pockets are preferably aligned perpendicular to the direction of transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Gieseck & Devrient GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Werner, Herbert Maul, Gerhard Stenzel
  • Patent number: 5602973
    Abstract: A printer accepting print requests from a plurality of users comprising bins storing printout and locks each locking a corresponding one of the bins, wherein the printer locks one of the bins and delivers the printouts to that one of the bins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirofumi Nishiwaki
  • Patent number: 5580045
    Abstract: An image communication apparatus includes a reception unit for receiving image data, a recording unit for recording an image on a sheet on the basis of the image data received by the reception unit, a storage unit having a plurality of trays for sorting and storing sheets on which images are recorded by the recording unit, a determination unit for determining the presence/absence of the sheets stored in the trays, and a controller for sequentially selecting the trays with reference to a predetermined tray to sort and store the sheets on which the images are recorded by the recording unit in the storage unit, and selecting the predetermined tray in accordance with a determination of the absence of the sheets by the determination unit, wherein the determination unit determines that no sheet is present in the trays when it is detected that the sheet is removed and that no sheet is present for a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroaki Matsumoto, Ikuo Sobue, Seishi Ejiri, Masao Kiguchi, Haruo Ishizuka, Yasuhiro Matsumoto, Yoshiyuki Nakayama
  • Patent number: 5551686
    Abstract: In a networked or other shared users electronic printing system for printing plural print jobs of plural printed sheets of the different users, with a printer mailbox having a sheet distribution system for automatically directing and stacking into different individual mailbox bins, which are electronically assigned to different respective users, the respective print jobs of the respective users, a bin almost-full sensing system detects and signals that the stacking level of the printed sheets in the bin has reached a preset almost-full level which is less than the preset limited sheet full stacking capacity of the bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Hector J. Sanchez, John P. Serio, Ronald S. Tomory
  • Patent number: 5547184
    Abstract: A sheet receiver has sheet feeding belts and coacting feed rollers for transporting sheets of paper to selected vertically spaced trays and a resilient pressure is applied between the feed rollers and the belts to drive the feed rollers due to the compressive force between them for transporting sheets to the respective trays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Bradco (Japan) Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter M. Coombs, Klaus Thogersen, Edward Seibel
  • Patent number: 5544874
    Abstract: Apparatus for turning an envelope. The apparatus includes: a pivotable feed deck for receiving an envelope; a device for stopping the envelope on the feed deck; a device for raising and lowering the downstream end of the feed deck; and a pivotable upper arm drive located above the feed deck. The drive is pivotable at its upstream end and includes a pair of feed rollers fixedly secured to the upstream end of the drive, a pair of exit rollers fixedly secured to the downstream end of the drive, and a pair of biased exit rollers secured to the drive adjacent and upstream of fixedly secured exit rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: Carlos L. DeFigueiredo
  • Patent number: 5538140
    Abstract: A buffered stacking system for selectively diverting horizontally disposed documents from a generally horizontal main conveying path, stacking the documents in a horizontal orientation and dropping the documents into replaceable receiving receptacles is provided. The system has a primary horizontal conveyor belt with a lower horizontal reach defining a horizontal primary conveying path. A plurality of sorting stations are located serially along and below the primary conveying path. Each of the sorting stations has at least one diverter arm disposed along the conveying path. The diverter arms are selectively movable from a generally horizontal position which allows passage of the documents along the conveying path to an inclined position to divert the document into the corresponding sorting station. The diverter arms divert the document in a downwardly inclined direction into a stacking station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Bell & Howell Company
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Guenther, Tom Faber, Joseph Kalika, Mel T. Kerstein, John S. O'Callaghan, K. George Rabindran, Michael A. Wisniewski
  • Patent number: 5522589
    Abstract: A document processing arrangement transporting checks or like financial documents at a prescribed nominal speed along a track, terminated by sort-pockets, each with an associated diverter plus a guide assembly for guiding and driving a so-diverted document into its pocket, the guide comprising an inject roll to accelerate the document, plus an arm-assembly coupled to rotate with the roll and including an arm for guiding a so-injected document toward its position in the pocket-stack; this roll and arm assembly being arranged to rotate the arm away from its stack each time a document is entering, and also to be spring-driven to return the arm toward its stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Unisys Corporation
    Inventor: Sammy C. Hutson
  • Patent number: 5513013
    Abstract: Separating the physical sheets outputted from a shared users printer, especially, a facsimile receiver, into separate job sets for separate designed recipients, with an independent "mailboxing" job sorting accessory unit, not requiring any electronic connection to the printer, controlled solely by physical job cover sheets outputted by the printer at the same output in advance of the other sheets of the job, which cover sheets variably encoded with simply and uncritically marked areas indicative of an assigned bin number and the job sheet count.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Youti Kuo
  • Patent number: 5505442
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus is disclosed for receiving and distributing confidential papers. This apparatus comprises: (a) a motor, which is connected to a plurality of gears, a plurality of transmission belts, and a plurality of correlated rollers, for transferring printed papers from a printer output to one of a plurality of closed-type paper bins via an arched paper guiding plate; (b) means for providing a computer signal to control the selection of the closed-type paper bin for sending the printed papers; (c) a main lock control system provided for locking and unlocking the closed-type paper bins in their entirety; (d) a plurality of independent lock control modules, each of the independent lock control modules being provided for everyone of the closable paper bins; (e) lock opening means provided with the independent lock control modules which allows a user to lock and unlock one of the closed-type paper bins by entering a set of computer-set codes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Inventors: Joseph Chang, Jenner Chang, Shih-Chin Chang
  • Patent number: 5471290
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus for continuously feeding sheets and transferring images thereon, includes an endless type rotatable image forming body, an image forming unit for forming an image on the image forming body, a transfer unit for transferring the image on the image forming body onto a sheet being fed, a feeding unit for feeding the sheet, a first position detector for detecting the sheet being fed at a first predetermined position in a feeding path of the sheet, and a second position detector, located on a side of the transfer unit at a second predetermined position, for detecting the sheet being fed. A control unit is provided for controlling a feeding speed of the feeding unit to compensate for a transfer position of the sheet, in accordance with a measured feeding time from the first predetermined position to the second predetermined position based on outputs of the first and second position detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Masato Nagayama, Seiji Inuyama, Kenji Sawada, Makoto Ohshita, Fumiaki Harada
  • Patent number: 5445277
    Abstract: A paper strip conveying and stacking apparatus including a receiving unit for receiving loaded paper strips and for discharging them, a conveying unit for conveying the paper strips discharged from said receiving unit and a stacking unit for sorting and stacking the conveyed paper strips is characterized in that said conveying unit includes a main conveying unit having a normal passage through which paper strips pass with given sides facing upwards and reach one end side of said stacking unit and a subsidiary conveying unit having a reversing passage for passing the paper strips introduced from said normal passage around the outer periphery of said stacking unit and for conveying them to the other end side of said stacking unit after reversing the upward facing sides of the paper strips, a device for detecting the faces of the paper strip being provided at a position along the length of said normal passage, and a passage switching mechanism for introducing the paper strips passing through the normal passage t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Ace Denken
    Inventors: Takatoshi Takemoto, Kazunari Kawashima
  • Patent number: 5435544
    Abstract: An electronic printer and multibin mailbox system for an electronically networked system of plural users of an electronic printer, in which printer mailbox system the individual users print jobs of printed sheets printed by the printer are automatically variably directed into particular electronically assigned print job storage mailbox bins of the multibin mailbox system, at least some of which mailbox bins are nominally locked but electronically unlockable mailbox bins providing restricted public access privacy storage of confidential print jobs, further including an electronic access code inputting system for individual users to respectively input a respective access code for unlocking their electronically assigned electronically unlockable user mailbox bins, and a control system for reporting to the individual user which locked mailbox bins are occupied by print jobs, the control system also monitoring and electronically providing a job removal prompting indicator display signal when the users leave print
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Barry P. Mandel
  • Patent number: 5419545
    Abstract: A document processing arrangement transporting checks or like financial documents at a prescribed nominal speed along a track, terminated by sort-pockets, each with an associated diverter plus a guide assembly for guiding anddriving a so-diverted document into its pocket, the guide comprising an inject roll to accelerate the document, plus an arm-assembly coupled to rotate with the roll and including an arm for guiding a so-injected document toward its position in the pocket-stack; this roll and arm assembly being arranged to rotate the arm away from its stack each time a document is entering, and also to be spring-driven to return the arm toward its stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Unisys Corporation
    Inventor: Sammy C. Hutson
  • Patent number: 5407192
    Abstract: A sorter for sorting sheets successively supplied thereto, comprising: a fixed frame; a movable frame movable vertically with respect to the fixed frame; a plurality of bins arranged one over another at a predetermined distance and each having an upper surface sloping upwardly in a sheet supply direction for receiving thereon one or more of the sheets, the bins being supported on the movable frame; a non-sort bin situated upwardly of the bins and supported pivotally on an upper portion of the movable frame for receiving the non-sorted sheets, the non-sort bin being biased normally so as to slant upwardly in the sheet supply direction; and a holder mounted on the fixed frame, at a position to which the sheets are to be supplied, for holding the non-sorer bin horizontally against the bias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Riso Kagaku Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Ueda, Yasuhiro Fujimoto, Terutoshi Nakao
  • Patent number: 5386913
    Abstract: A document transport device for document scanners and classifiers such as bar code readers which is able to send a read document different directions depending on its classification is discussed. The transport device uses a pivotable surface to direct documents and is able to be used with high speed document reading machines and documents of varying size and width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Inventor: Roberto M. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5358238
    Abstract: A dynamic "mailboxing" unit and system for separating by users the sheet outputs of various users of a shared users printer (including facsimile receivers, copiers or combination units). It provides for stacking the sheets sequentially outputted from the printer in separate job sets into one or more temporarily and variably assigned "mailboxes" of a "mailboxing" job sorting accessory unit having a number of variably assignable "mailbox" bins. It may also provide a bypass for sequentially stacking unstapled user sheets directly in a mailbox without compiling and stapling. A variable display indicates the bins into which that particular user's jobs have been placed last and not yet removed. Also disclosed is automatic overflow assignments of additional temporarily designated bins for identified users, as needed, to provide effectively unlimited or "virtual bin" plural job stacking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Barry P. Mandel, David R. Kamprath
  • Patent number: 5328169
    Abstract: In a multi-bin sheet collecting system for a reproduction apparatus, in which printed sheets may be directed an array of bins for job separation, sorting, and/or user mailboxing, to stack on a tray in a selected bin, the removal of printed sheet from individual bins is sensed to indicate the availability of those bins for receiving further printed sheets by an integral optical transmitter/receiver unit mounted in an aperture in each bin tray in an area to be overlaid by sheets stacked thereon. Each transmitter/receiver unit has a light transmitting element transmitting a first light beam in a first direction towards another transmitter/receiver unit in the next adjacent bin in the first direction, and a light beam receiving element for receiving a second light beam from a second, opposite direction and generating an electrical bin empty signal to a controller unless the second light beam is blocked by sheets in the tray of the adjacent bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Barry P. Mandel
  • Patent number: 5284339
    Abstract: A system for selective deposition of sheets on supports situated one above the other, each such support being movable into a deposition position in which a sheet deposition device disposed at a fixed place can deposit a sheet on the associated support or on a stack of sheets situated thereon. A support situated at a higher level is movable between its deposition position in which the support or the top edge of a stack of sheets disposed thereon is at the height of the sheet deposition means, and a parking position (A) in which at a higher level than the sheet deposition device. The next lower support is movable between its deposition position in which the support or the top edge of a stack of sheets disposed thereon is at the height of the sheet deposition device, and a parking position (B) in which the top edge of a stack of sheets to be formed thereon is at a lower level than the next higher support when the latter is in the deposition position with a stack of sheets thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: Oce-Nederland B.V.
    Inventors: Franciscus C. P. van Opstal, Peter J. A. Sampers
  • Patent number: 5272511
    Abstract: A sheet inserter inserts special insert sheets into a continuous stream of sheets by overlaying the insert sheets with a corresponding sheet in the continuous stream of sheets. The insert sheet overlaying the corresponding sheet in the continuous stream of sheets is then conveyed with the corresponding sheet to a final destination where the sheets can be compiled into a stack. The sheet inserter can be contained in a module which is removably attachable to a document finishing apparatus so as to insert the special insert sheets into the stream of sheets that are output from the document producing apparatus. When the document producing apparatus is associated with a finishing device such as a booklet maker, which compiles and stitches multiple copies of a booklet, the sheet inserter inserts one or more special insert sheets at the appropriate location(s) for each booklet as the sheets are entering the assembly station of the booklet maker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Conrad, Robert A. Coons, Jr., Thomas W. Cherry
  • Patent number: 5263707
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for receiving sheets of paper from a host printer and selectively transporting the sheets to a stacker tray or to a selective tray sheet sorting machine of the bin opening type. The apparatus has a sheet transport system for receiving sheets and gating the sheets to an infeed for the stacker tray or transporting the sheets to the infeed of the sheet sorting machine. The sheet transport system is in part incorporated in a cabinet door which completes the sheet transport when closed and when opened affords access to the infeeds for the stacker tray and the sorter. The sorter has nested trays to occupy a small vertical space and a tray opener which moves to locations between trays to pivot the trays open adjacent to the sheet infeed to provide a large space between trays for entry of the sheets. The sheet infeeds to the stacker tray and sorter trays can be opened when the door is open to provide access, and a blocking device prevents clsoure of the door if one of the infeeds is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignees: Gradco (Japan) Ltd., Kyocera Corporation
    Inventor: Tadayuki Kuzumi
  • Patent number: 5238120
    Abstract: A machine for sorting graphic and/or printing products in which the products are fed one after the other, comprising a framework, a conveyor for receiving individual products one after the other sensors for identifying each of the individual products on the receiving conveyor a central computer, a control console for the entry of predetermined data, selectively actuated elements for unloading the products from the receiving conveyor and at least one conveyor for discharging the unloaded products, wherein the receiving conveyor consists of a sliding surface and is disposed on the framework inclined at an angle of between 10.degree. and 90.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Sitma S.p.A.
    Inventors: Aris Ballestrazzi, Lamberto Tassi
  • Patent number: 5237382
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an input device for inputting the number of copies for every distributing place; a memory for storing the number of copies inputted by the input device; a display for displaying the number of copies; an original automatic feeder for returning an exposed sheet of an original to an uppermost position of this original; a feeder for feeding a sheet to be transferred; a device for reversing the transferred sheet; a collective sorter for collecting and sorting the transferred sheet; a detector for detecting discharge of the transferred sheet; and a discharging controller having first, second and third discharging devices. The first discharging device discharges the transferred sheet to each of bins disposed in the collective sorter in accordance with the number of copies of the original inputted by the input device. The second discharging device arranges and discharges the transferred sheet in a page order of the original.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Keiichi Matsumura
  • Patent number: 5230653
    Abstract: A currency sorting apparatus including a detector provided in a currency passage for detecting information necessary for discriminating the genuineness and the denominations of pieces of currency and outputting detection signals, a plurality of currency accommodating boxes provided downstream of the detector, the number of which is greater than the number of denominations of the pieces of currency to be sorted, each of the currency accommodating boxes being adapted for accommodating genuine pieces of currency in accordance with their denominations, a controller adapted for selectively feeding pieces of currency into the currency accommodating boxes in accordance with the detection signals input from the detector and a sorting mode selector for selecting a sorting mode which determines what currency accommodating boxes accommodates what denomination of pieces of currency and outputs a corresponding sorting mode signal when the sorting mode is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: Laurel Bank Machines Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Shinozaki, Hiroshi Tachikawa
  • Patent number: 5208640
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus including a plurality of recording modules for substantially simultaneously recording on recording sheets images according to image data supplied thereto, an image data supplier for supplying images to the recording modules, a sheet supplier for supplying the recording sheets to the recording modules, and sheet distributors for distributing the recording sheets thus supplied successively by the sheet supplier to the recording modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Horie, Toshiaki Yajima, Hiroshi Ishikawa, Akira Ogita
  • Patent number: 5206695
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed. In this apparatus, setting of documents on a document table, and designation of a numeric value more than "1" as the number of copies are detected. In accordance with this detection, a message for inquiring whether to set a sort/stack mode is displayed. An operation is started in accordance with a mode designated by a user in response to this display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Iwata
  • Patent number: 5192261
    Abstract: There is disclosed a sheet stacker, for use in combination with a copying machine, a printer or the like, capable of ensuring satisfactory sheet stacking regardless whether the sheet is folded or not. The apparatus controls the stacking operation in different modes in accordance with whether the sheets to be stacked are folded or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Honjo, Koichi Murakami
  • Patent number: 5187587
    Abstract: The handling of copy sensitive jobs in an electronic reprographic printing system comprises a unique bindexer sheet routing operation to ensure job integrity when printing copy sensitive jobs using multiset scheduling. A bindexer bin fill pattern is used which is unidirectional and begins at the same bin for each sheet of the set. Job recovery for copy sensitive jobs can include purging and remarking sets and partial sets to a greater extent for copy sensitive jobs than that required for non-copy sensitive jobs. The unique jobs recovery preserves the uniqueness of the copy sensitive jobs while improving the overall job recovery productivity for non-copy sensitive jobs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. Farrell, John C. Austin, Carla J. Kinder, James F. Matysek
  • Patent number: 5182607
    Abstract: A copy system has a duplicator with a limited capacity duplex tray and a high-volume sorter that has 10 towers with 60 bins in each tower. Transport and directing mechanisms are operated to distribute copies to the various bins. A microprocessor control system operates the duplicator and the sorter. The control determines how many bins are to receive each collated set in the collated duplex mode of operation. The towers are operated in a single tower loading mode if the number of bins for each collated set is one. On the other hand, the towers are operated in a multiple tower loading mode if the number of sets for each collated set is greater than one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Inventors: Charles D. Braswell, Robert E. Carley, Riley L. Warddrip
  • Patent number: 5172908
    Abstract: In a sorting device for sorted storage of recording media, a transport unit (32) receives the recording media (12) and conveys them to a selected storage compartment (16). Transport unit (32) runs on an endless positioning belt (24). In transport unit (32), sheet (12) is seized and gripped by rollers (34, 36). A single motor (26) drives positioning belts (24) of transport unit (32) and a drive belt (42) for their rollers (34, 36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Inventor: Helmut Steinhilber
  • Patent number: 5167300
    Abstract: A system for a financial institution such as a bank has a banking terminals to be operated by clerks, customer's cash banking terminals for transactions with customers, a commanding central section commanding the terminals, and conveyor paths for conveying cash bills from the central section to each terminal and vice versa. The conveyor path is composed of a plurality of conveyor path units and is laid on the original floor of the shop. The conveyor paths are concealed by a covering floor laid thereon, and the terminals are situated on the covering floor. The conveyor paths can be designed and laid freely in the space between the original floor and the covering floor in accordance with the lay-out of the terminals, by suitably selecting the pattern of connection of the units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazushi Yoshida, Masataka Kawauchi
  • Patent number: 5161795
    Abstract: A device and a method for controlling a sorter. The device comprises a central control unit, an interface unit connected between a control unit of the copy machine and the central control unit, an one third rotation sensor for controlling operation of transfer wheels, a home position sensor for sensing home positions of bin trays and outputting a sensed signal to the central control unit, and a bin motor driving circuit adapted for controlling normal and reversed rotations of a bin motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Sindo Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong H. Kim, Young S. Park