Abstract: A loader (1) for a printer for printing flat articles (2), this loader (1) which delimits a storage magazine (9) for the articles in the stacked condition being provided internally with a pivoting member (4) arranged to hold the articles (2) in bearing contact with a drive element (5) for discharging the articles (2) to be printed through an opening (7) provided in a wall of the magazine (1). This loader (1) is characterized in that the pivoting member (4) is provided with a counterweight (6) to form an assembly exerting a substantially constant bearing force on the article or articles (2) to be printed, this forced being self-positioning in the course of emptying the loader by moving along one of the articles to be printed in a direction generally opposite to the direction of expulsion of the articles from the loader.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a document processing and collating machine having a feeding path leading to at least one document conveying devices having one or more document accumulating bins for receiving a series of documents that are fed downstream in spaced apart collations with documents in shingled relationship. The document accumulator bins have an intermediate conveying and diverting apparatus which is momentarily engaged to cause a leading end of a shingled collation of documents to be diverted into a document accumulating bin where the documents are registered at their common leading end at a nip of a set of downstream conveying rollers that are stopped during the registration process.

Abstract: A trimming apparatus for a booklet maker is described which provides a compact and low cost booklet maker for desktop publishing. The booklet maker includes a sheet receiving tray for receiving a stack of sheets to be stapled into a booklet, a stapler unit arranged to staple the stack of sheets, and a trimming system for trimming the sheets in a sheet wise manner. The trimming system includes first and second pick and separate mechanisms arranged to separate each of the sheets in the stack of sheets and first and second cutters arranged to cut each of the separated sheets after the have been separated by the first and second pick and separate mechanisms. A controller positions the sheets and controls the trimming system to cut each of the separated sheets at a location determined based on a trimming schedule. The trimming schedule varies the position of the cut depending on a position of the sheet in the booklet and a thickness of the sheets.

Abstract: In a device for loading further-processing machines with printed products, in particular a feeder rack (5) in gather-stitcher machines or gathering machines (6) for folded sheets (1), sheets, booklets or the like, which has a first conveyor arrangement (15) extending in planar manner for the purpose of feeding printed products (1) standing on their edges in the form of a horizontal stack (2), a second, initially upwardly sloping conveyor arrangement (16) for drawing the printed products (1) off the stack (2) in an overlapping formation and for transferring the overlapping stream (3) to the feeder rack (5), and infinitely variable drives (20, 24) associated with the two conveyor arrangements (15, 16), a control means (23) is provided which controls the two drives (20, 24) at a speed ratio to one another which is dependent on the thickness (D) of the printed products (1) to be processed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an input system for feeding sheets from a paper web to a high speed mass mailing inserter system. Sheets of paper are separated from the paper web and are fed to a stacking module configured to receive the separated sheets, to stack the sheets, and to individually feed sheets from the stack. The rate of feeding sheets into the stacking module is adjusted as a function of the rate at which individual sheets are fed out of the stack, and as a function of the deviation of the stack height from a pre-selected nominal stack height.

Abstract: A feeder is rotatably mounted in cooperative relation to a discharge end of a conveyor system. In a first position, the feeder is in line with the conveyor system so that the path of travel of conveyed articles is not changed. In a second position, the feeder device is disposed at a right angle to the conveyor system so that the path of travel of conveyed articles is changed by ninety degrees. An adjustable length conveyor belt enables the discharge of conveyed articles into the feeder at differing positions, depending upon the size of the articles. A pair of upstanding walls having sloped edges reciprocates as the feeder operates to ensure that all articles are in shingled relation to one another so that the articles are fed into the feeder one at a time in the substantial absence of jamming.

Abstract: A stacker on which a recording medium discharged from an outlet of a recoding apparatus is placed, is movable between a first position for closing the outlet and a second position for opening the outlet. A sheet receiving face receives the discharged recording medium, while being a first form when the stacker is placed in the first position, and being a second form when the stacker is placed in the second position. The sheet receiving face is formed with at least one aperture in an upstream end portion with regard to a sheet discharging direction. A holder supports the upstream end portion of the sheet receiving face. The holder includes at least one retainer engaged with the aperture so as to prevent the sheet receiving face from deforming upward.

Abstract: An automatic document feeding apparatus of the present invention is arranged such that a transportation unit 24 (enclosing a pre-feeding roller 25, a pair of paper feeding rollers 26, a pair of resist rollers 27, a reading section 28, a pair of discharging rollers 29, etc.) is attached to a framework member 65 (a stay 66, a front-end plate 7, a rear-end plate 68, etc.) not fixedly, but in such a manner that at least the rearward end of the transportation unit 24 is capable of displacements in a vertical direction with respect to the framework member 65. Consequently, when the framework member 65 causes deflection, such deflection caused on the framework member 65 will not adversely affect an attachment state of the transportation unit 24.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an input system for feeding sheets from a paper web to a high speed mass mailing inserter system. Sheets of paper are separated from the paper web and are fed to a stacking module configured to receive the separated sheets, to stack the sheets, and to individually feed sheets from the stack. The rate of feeding sheets into the stacking module is adjusted as a function of the rate at which individual sheets are fed out of the stack, and as a function of the deviation of the stack height from a pre-selected nominal stack height.

Abstract: A sheet and stack feeding mechanism comprising an accumulating area, a mechanism for feeding sheets into the accumulating area, a pair of exit rollers and a mechanism for moving the stack of sheets out of the accumulating area through the exit mechanism, the exit roller being resilient to permit stacks of various thickness to pass therethrough.

Abstract: In a sheet finisher having a stacker for sheets conveyed from an image forming apparatus and a stapler for stacked sheets, the sheet finisher further has a conveying timing adjustment section arranged upstream of the stacker including: a conveying-in section for a sheet from the image forming apparatus; a conveying-out section separately provided from the conveying-in section; and a reversal conveying section for reversing a conveying direction of the sheet conveyed in one direction from the conveying-in section and for conveying-out from the conveying-out section. A controller controls the reversal conveying section such that at least a second bundle or a bundle after the second bundle of sheet bundles to be stapled by the stapler, in which a plurality of sheets having at least a top sheet and a succeeding sheet to the top sheet are overlapped each other, is conveyed-out from the reversal conveying section.

Abstract: In a method for intermediately storing documents being supplied in a supply cycle by an upstream system to an intermediate storage device, the documents supplied by the upstream system to a downstream system are transferred in a transfer cycle that is independent of the supply cycle. The intermediate storage device for performing the method has an input side and an output side and a transport device for transporting the documents from the input side to the output side in a transport direction through the intermediate storage device. The transport device has a first transport unit and a second transport unit. The first transport unit is arranged at the input side and is configured to be continuously driven. The second transport unit is arranged at the output side and is driven in a cycled operation.

Abstract: Sheet processing apparatus including a first tray for stacking sheets received from an image forming apparatus, a discharge unit for discharging the sheets from the first tray in a bundle, a second tray for stacking the sheets discharged from the first tray, a discriminating unit for discriminating an attribute of a sheet to be stacked on the first tray, and a controller for selectively controlling whether or not to discharge sheets by the discharge unit in accordance with a discrimination of the discriminating unit.

Abstract: A sheet stacking device of the present invention includes a receipt tray for stacking sheets sequentially driven out by an outlet roller. The outlet roller has a cylindrical portion and a conveying portion, which is contiguous with the end face of the cylindrical portion facing the center of the sheets, for exerting a conveying force on the sheets. The conveying portion has a circumference greater in diameter than the cylindrical portion and contacts the sheets at a position deviated from a staple bound the sheets.

Abstract: Part of the space occupied by a conveying device (guides) for conveying sheets and part of the space occupied upon movement of a post-processing device (stapler) for achieving a post-process over the sheets on the post-processing tray (post-processing sheet stacking table) are adapted to share the same space.

Abstract: A banknote store comprises a rotatable structure such as a drum which has a number of banknote storage regions arranged around its periphery. Each stores a stack of banknotes, the stacks growing inwardly as banknotes are added. The drum can be rotated to bring each storage region into proximity to means for delivering banknotes to and/or retrieving banknotes from the store.

Abstract: Loader of signatures or sheets with scale-shaped arrangement comprising a retractable plane (10) onto which a small stack (7) of signatures or sheets (3) is deposited, which is unloaded onto the plane (2′) of a feeder (2) after the retractable plane (10) has moved back.

Abstract: A combination banknote validator, banknote accumulator, banknote storage cassette and banknote dispenser is designed in a modular manner and the accumulator and banknote dispenser cooperate to additionally define part of a processing pathway therebetween. The banknotes can move in either direction along the processing pathway and preferably several accumulators are located along the pathway. The banknote dispenser is of a rotary design and stacks banknotes on the surface thereof and dispenses a stack of banknotes through a discharge opening.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device for feeding sheets of paper to an inserter system having a control system. The sheet feeding device including a sheet supplying device that is coupled to the control system and is operative to supply sheets of paper at a first controlled rate. A sheet stacking device is coupled to the sheet supplying device and is operative to receive and stack the sheets fed from the sheet supplying device substantially atop one another. The sheet stacking device includes a sheet feeder operative to supply individual sheets at a second controlled rate to another device in the inserter system that is coupled to the sheet feeder. A sheet monitoring system is coupled to the control system and is operative to determine a stack height for the sheet stack in the sheet supplying device such that the height determination for the sheet stack effects the rate for the first controlled rate of the sheet supplying device.

Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) includes a user interface (12) including an opening (20). Users of the machine deliver individual sheets and stacks of sheets to and from the machine through the opening. Stacks of sheets may include sheets such as notes, checks or other documents. Stacks input to the machine may include mixtures of various types of sheets. The machine operates to receive notes, process checks and perform other operations. Notes received in the machine may be recycled and dispensed to other users. Checks processed by the machine may be imaged by an imaging device, cancelled and stored in the machine or alternatively returned to a user. Documents produced by the machine such as receipts, checks or money orders as well as notes dispensed from the machine are assembled into a stack within the machine and delivered from the machine through the opening.

Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) includes a user interface (12) including an opening (20). Users of the machine deliver individual sheets and stacks of sheets to and from the machine through the opening. Stacks of sheets may include sheets such as notes, checks or other documents. Stacks input to the machine may include mixtures of various types of sheets. The machine operates to receive notes, process checks and perform other operations. Notes received in the machine may be recycled and dispensed to other users. Checks processed by the machine may be imaged by an imaging device, cancelled and stored in the machine or alternatively returned to a user. Documents produced by the machine such as receipts, checks or money orders as well as notes dispensed from the machine are assembled into a stack within the machine and delivered from the machine through the opening.

Abstract: In the in-line processing of flat objects (S1-S7), the flat objects (S1-S7) are fed from a device (4) and serially transferred to a downstream system (5). In the system (5) the objects (S1-S7) are transported and, if necessary, temporarily collected. The temporary collection of specimens of the objects (S1-S7) occurs in a configuration with a pitch in the direction of transport which is smaller than the dimensions in the direction of transport of the objects (S1-S7) in question. Then collected objects (S1-S7) are moved away from each other, from that configuration, and further transported with mutual interspaces. Because the flat objects (S1-S7) are stored with a pitch less than the size in the direction of transport, a large number of objects (S1-S7) can be collected in a buffer portion (34, 35; 134; 234) of a small length. Because the objects (S1-S7) are stored with a pitch in the direction of transport, however, they can be readily moved away from each other.

Abstract: Bank notes arriving from a control machine are fed along a feed pipe which has a plurality of outfeeds, each connected to an infeed zone of a forming channel along which an accompanying element moves, equipped with a surface on which the bank notes are rested, on top of one another, by a rotary drum located between each outfeed and the respective infeed zone, forming an ordered stack. Close to the infeed zone each forming channel has a shielding wall which is mobile between a non-operating position in which the infeed zone is open, and a position in which the latter is partially closed, limiting the inflows of air which facilitate bank note feed along the pipe and the inflows of air generated by rotation of the drum. A vibrating plate on a side wall of the channel and close to the infeed zone of the channel facilitates correct bank note stacking.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus, which is configured in a simple construction and at low cost, includes a first sheet stacking portion for temporarily stacking a sheet discharged thereon, an alignment member for aligning the sheet discharged on the first sheet stacking portion, a sheet processing member for performing a predetermined process on the sheet stacked on the first sheet stacking portion, and a second sheet stacking portion located substantially vertically below the first sheet stacking portion. The alignment member acts to cause the aligned sheet to drop to the second sheet stacking portion.

Abstract: A media storage system for an automated banking machine (10) includes a flipper member (90, 178) which is rotationally movable to engage sheets. A gripper member (138, 182) is movably mounted relative to the flipper member. The flipper member further includes an arcuately extending slot (92, 180). The sheet extending in the slot is held in fixed engagement with the flipper member by the gripper member. Rotation of the flipper member to a releasing position causes the sheet to be engaged with a stop surface (160, 188) as the gripper member moves to release the sheet. Sheets released by the flipper member are positioned in a stack (94, 184). The flexible flap (160) engages each sheet after it has been released by the flipper member to conform the sheet to the stack. In alternative embodiments a flipper member (178) includes a picker portion (202). Picker portion is selectively operated to remove sheets from the stack.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for supplying document accumulation sets to an inserter system wherein sheets are first feed into a sheet stacking device to be stacked into a stacking pile. Individual sheets are then fed in seriatim from the stacking pile into a collating device, which collates a predetermined number of the individual sheets into a collation set. The collation set is then advanced into an accumulating device, which accumulates at least one collation set to form an accumulation set. The accumulation set is then advanced into the inserter system for further processing.

Abstract: A modular duplex media handling system used in conjunction with a simplex media handling print recording apparatus, includes a drive roller having a simple gear linkage. The simple gear linkage provides a fixed rotational relationship between the drive roller and a feed roller of the simplex handling apparatus. A media guide pivots about the drive roller's axle between a first position into which it is biased, and a second position into which it is deflected by a media sheet. From the first position, a media sheet retracting from a print zone can enter the duplex media handling system. From the second position, a media sheet can move from the input tray around the feed roller into the print zone, or move out of the duplex media handling system back into the input tray to await refeeding for second side printing.

Abstract: A dispensing compartment for an automatic cash dispensing/depositing machine, having a base (26) and a removal opening which can be closed off by a closure flap (16), is designed as a module which can be inserted into the machine, comprising a frame (10) which has the removal opening and, arranged on said frame, the closure flap (16) which can be adjusted between its open position, in which it releases the removal opening, and its closed position, in which it closes off the removal opening, also comprising the compartment base (26), a stacking device (100) for setting down banknotes on the compartment base (26), a separating device (38) for drawing off banknotes from the compartment base (26), a first transporting path (72, 80, 90) for conveying banknotes from a first connection location of the module to the stacking device (100), a second transport path (101, 90, 80) for conveying banknotes from a second connection location (105) of the module to the stacking device (100), and a third transporting path (56)

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to be used for the automatic handling of sheets from which leaflets are formed and which includes a transfer unit for conveying sheets, an accumulator station disposed adjacent the transfer unit and being adapted to receive sheets from the transfer unit and to accumulate the sheets in a stack, a sensor associated with the accumulator station and being adapted to generate a signal indicative of whether the height of the stack of sheets in the accumulator station is at least equal to a minimum height, a sheet feeder adapted to periodically remove sheets from the stack of sheets at a substantially constant rate and a control mechanism operatively coupled to the sensor and the sheet feeder.

Abstract: An ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) for an image forming apparatus includes a drive roller and a driven roller constituting document send-out means located downstream of a contact glass for sending out a document. The driven roller is movable into and out of contact with the drive roller. The driven roller is spaced from the drive roller when a document sensor does not sense the arrival of the leading edge of the document at the document send-out means. When the document sensor senses the leading edge of the document, the driven roller is moved toward the drive roller in order to convey the document in cooperation with the drive roller. The ADF insures accurate reading of the document without varying the document conveying speed at an image reading position.

Abstract: In a method for intermediately storing documents being supplied in a supply cycle by an upstream system to an intermediate storage device, the documents supplied by the upstream system to a downstream system are transferred in a transfer cycle that is independent of the supply cycle. The intermediate storage device for performing the method has an input side and an output side and a transport device for transporting the documents from the input side to the output side in a transport direction through the intermediate storage device. The transport device has a first transport unit and a second transport unit. The first transport unit is arranged at the input side and is configured to be continuously driven. The second transport unit is arranged at the output side and is driven in a cycled operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an input system for feeding one-up sheets from a paper web to a high speed mass mailing inserter system. The input system includes a feeding module for supplying a paper web having two web portions in side-by-side relationship. A merging module is located downstream in the path of travel from the feeding module and is operational to feed the two web portions in an upper-lower relationship so as to reorient the paper web from the side-by-side relationship to an upper-lower relationship. A separating module is located downstream in the path of travel from the merging module and is operational to receive the paper web in the upper-lower relationship and separate the paper web into individual two-up sheets. In order to separate the two-up sheets into one-up sheets, a stacking module is located downstream in the path of travel from the separating module and is configured to receive the two-up sheets, stack the two-up sheets and individually feed one-up sheets from the stack.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of processing sheet media such as document sheets to be duplex scanned or media sheets on which two sided printing is to take place involves the controlled rotation of a transport roller assembly positioned in the media path in different directions such that moving media sheets engage a crenellated surface of the transport roller assembly which moves the leading edge of the moving sheet toward one or the other of two nips defined between the transport roller assembly and associated upper and lower pinch rollers or guides. The crenellated surface of the transport roller assembly includes grooves or spaces which extend in the direction of the leading edge of the sheet so that the leading edge of the sheet enters a moving groove to thus move the leading edge of the sheet in the desired direction. The direction of rotation of the transport roller assembly can be reversed before the sheet leaves the nip to thus re-route the sheet back in a desired path for further sheet processing.

Abstract: To determine the number of bills in a money processing apparatus, a dividing pin enters a bill housing via a guide groove to fall onto the top of the accumulated bills. The bills are circulated through a transport path, while identification of bill type and counting are executed. When sensors detect that the pin has reached the lowest point, the whole bills have once circulated through the transport path. The pin is withdrawn from the bill housing and is moved to a standby position. Number of bills in the bill housing is accurately and easily determined.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a hopper loader apparatus for separating and forming an overlapping shingled stream of individual signatures of sheet materials from a vertically aligned, parallelepiped shaped stack of such signatures for subsequent handling operations. The hopper loader has a slippage resistant belt which engages a bottom edge of each signature and assists in preventing the signatures from slipping by keeping them upstanding. Preferably the slippage resistant belt has an array of projections extending upwardly from a belt surface which secures the signatures in place. This produces a smooth, regular, even signature stream. Individual signatures flow reliably, one-by-one off of the downward conveyor to another conveyor.

Abstract: An original carrying apparatus includes a separation unit for separating one original from a plurality of stacked originals, a carrying roller for carrying the original separated by the separation unit, a carrying belt for receiving the original carried by the carrying roller, and carrying the originals in a state where the plurality of originals are being held, wherein the carrying belt carries the original such that the original passes through an exposure position at a first speed, and a control unit for performing control to set an interval between the two originals carried by the carrying belt to be a first distance. The control unit performs the control to set the interval between the two originals to be the first distance after setting it to be a second distance shorter than the first distance, by using the carrying roller. Further, the control unit accelerates the carrying belt up to a second speed, decelerates the second speed to the first speed to set the second distance to be the first distance.

Abstract: A method for controlling an intermediate stacking device for flat shipments, in particular in letter sorting facilities, comprising a stacking device (SR) on a movable stacking cart (SW), a bottom transporting belt (UB) on which the shipments are positioned crosswise to the belt movement direction, and a separating device with a withdrawal means (AR), as well as a shipment sensor (FH2), which detects the shipments at the separating device. In order to correct without problems a slanted position of the shipment stack at the separating device, the normal operational control of the intermediate stacking device becomes invalid if a predetermined time interval during which no shipments are detected at the withdrawal means (AR) is exceeded, the supply of shipments to the intermediate stacking device is interrupted, the bottom transporting belt (UB) is stopped, and the stacking cart (SW) is put into motion in the direction of the separating device.