Abstract: An open jam-door sensor having a peripheral device such as a printer including a substantially C-shaped feed path, the C-shaped feed path defining an inner guide and an outer guide, the outer guide being connected to the peripheral device. A media sensor for detecting type of media in the device is disposed on one of said guide opposite a reflective portion disposed on the other of said guides. The media sensor also being used to detect when the outer guide is in an open position and causing a processor to inhibit device operations, such as printing.

Abstract: A reduction is prevented in stacking efficiency of a sheet stacking apparatus due to a wrong setting of a stacking tray performed by a user thereby achieving a high stacking efficiency. In a control method for controlling an image forming apparatus including a sheet stacking control unit configured to stack sheets, subjected to printing in a print job, on one of a plurality of removable sheet stacking units, the control method includes specifying a sheet discharging unit used in the print job, determining whether a sheet stacking unit corresponding to the specified sheet discharging unit is properly set, and, in a case where it is determined that the sheet stacking unit is not properly set, restricting conveying sheets to the sheet stacking unit.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device connected between image forming device and post-processing device of which sheet conveying speed is higher than that of image forming device. The sheet conveying device includes: feed-in roller for feeding in a sheet ejected from image forming device; conveying roller for conveying the sheet; ejection roller for ejecting the sheet to post-processing device; conveying path from feed-in roller to ejection roller; and controller for controlling sheet conveying speeds of the rollers, wherein the controller performs control such that: when sheet conveying device feeds in the sheet ejected from image forming device, the conveying speeds of the rollers are the same as conveying speed at which image forming device ejects the sheet; and when image forming device has completed ejection of a trailing edge of the sheet, the conveying speeds of the rollers are the same as conveying speed at which post-processing device feeds in the sheet.

Abstract: A sheet transport apparatus includes a pair of rollers for transporting a sheet and a sheet detection device for detecting the sheet transported by the pair of rollers. The sheet detection device includes a flag that is displaceable when urged by the sheet transported by the pair of rollers and a single-chip acceleration sensor attached to the flag to detect the arrival of the sheet. When the sheet is brought into contact with the flag to rotate the flag, the acceleration sensor detects the roll acceleration of the flag so as to determine the timing of stopping the pair of rollers on the basis of a detection signal.

Abstract: A discharged sheet monitoring mechanism for a printer includes: a paper receiving tray configured to receive and stack discharged printed sheets thereon; a stack amount detector configured to detect a stack amount of discharged sheets stacked on the paper receiving tray; a remaining amount calculator configured to calculate a remaining amount based on the stack amount detected by the stack amount detector, the remaining amount being a difference in amount between the stack amount and a maximum stacking amount of the paper receiving tray; a sheet type acquisition unit configured to acquire a type of a sheet to be printed; a dischargeable sheet amount calculator configured to calculate a dischargeable number of sheets further stackable on the paper receiving tray until the paper receiving tray is full therewith based on the remaining amount calculated by the remaining amount calculator and the sheet type acquired by the sheet type acquisition unit; and a notification unit configured to notify the dischargeable

Abstract: A recording medium transfer apparatus includes a motor control unit for controlling the motor to rotate at higher speed when the recording medium is fed to the liquid ejection area than that when the recording medium is discharged out of the liquid ejection area, and a feed control unit for controlling a next recording medium to be fed simultaneously with discharge of the recording medium, if a position of a rear end of the recording medium when recording or printing has been finished is situated upstream of a predetermined position, which is upstream of the discharge roller as much as a distance between a feed start position of the recording medium and the liquid ejection area, whereas controlling the next recording medium to start to be fed after discharge of the recording medium has been finished, if the position of the rear end of the recording medium when recording or printing has been finished is situated downstream of the predetermined position.

Abstract: A printer including: a plurality of paper receiving trays configured to receive discharged sheets; a tray full detection sensor configured to detect that an amount of discharged sheets stacked on the respective paper receiving trays reaches a respective predetermined amount; a tray empty detection sensor configured to detect that no discharged sheets are stacked on the respective paper receiving trays; and a paper discharge control unit configured to, when the tray full detection sensor detects that an amount of discharged sheets stacked on a first paper receiving tray used as a current paper discharge destination reaches the predetermined amount during printing, perform continuous paper discharge to continue printing by changing the paper discharge destination from the first paper receiving tray to a second paper receiving tray that the tray empty detection sensor detects as having no discharged sheets stacked thereon at a time of the detection of the first paper receiving tray and that receives discharged s

Abstract: An image reading and/or reproducing apparatus, including a single sided document feeding tray and a double sided document feed tray to each supply a stack of documents to the apparatus; a document feeding unit to feed a document from a top of the stack of documents in the single sided document feeding tray, and to feed a document from a bottom of the stack of documents in the double sided document feeding tray; and an image scan unit to scan an image of the document fed from the document feeding unit. The apparatus further includes a reverse unit to position the double-sided document, fed by the document feeding unit, upstream of the image scan unit as the image scan unit completes a scanning of the image on a first side of the document such that the image scan unit may scan the image on a second side of the document. According to the above structure, reducing a time required to scan an image is possible.

Abstract: A sheet tray (1) includes at least one sheet detecting sensor (10) for detecting a sheet set on a sheet setting surface (2). The sheet detecting sensor (10) includes (i) a movable detecting section having a projecting section which projects from the sheet setting surface (2), and (ii) a detecting section for detecting rotation of the movable detecting section, and the projecting section have a ball-like shape. This makes it possible to provide (i) a sheet tray which is able to prevent breakage of sheet and breakage of the projecting section even when setting the sheet on the sheet setting surface from any direction and any angle; (ii) a sheet transporting apparatus including the sheet tray; and (iii) an image forming apparatus including the sheet tray.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a record unit; a first roller provided upstream of the record unit; a second roller provided downstream of the record unit; a motor which drives the first and second rollers; a first drive signal generation unit which generates a first drive signal based on a first rotation amount of the first roller and a first target rotation amount; a correction value generation unit which generates a correction value based on the first rotation amount and a second rotation amount of the second roller; a target value generation unit which generates a second target rotation amount based on the first target rotation amount and the correction value; a second drive signal generation unit which generates a second drive signal based on the second target rotation amount and the second rotation amount; and a controller which controls the motor by the first drive signal until a conveyed sheet reaches a position and controls the motor by the second drive signal thereafter.

Abstract: An auto document feeder cooperated with an image processing machine defines a feeding path and has a base, a frame and a sensor device. The base has a background under the feeding path. The frame is mounted on the base. The sensor couples with the frame and has a sensor arm. The sensor arm has an optical sensor located in the feeding path and faced to the background of the base. The sensor device recognizes a sheet is present in the feeding path or not by that the optical sensor recognizes the energy of the light reflected from the background and the sheet. The sensor device also recognizes characteristic of the sheet by that the optical sensor recognizes the energy of the light reflected from the sheet. Therefore, the image processing machine executes different processes for the sheet according to the characteristic of the sheet.

Abstract: A recording medium transfer apparatus includes a motor control unit for controlling the motor to rotate at higher speed when the recording medium is fed to the liquid ejection area than that when the recording medium is discharged out of the liquid ejection area, and a feed control unit for controlling a next recording medium to be fed simultaneously with discharge of the recording medium, if a position of a rear end of the recording medium when recording or printing has been finished is situated upstream of a predetermined position, which is upstream of the discharge roller as much as a distance between a feed start position of the recording medium and the liquid ejection area, whereas controlling the next recording medium to start to be fed after discharge of the recording medium has been finished, if the position of the rear end of the recording medium when recording or printing has been finished is situated downstream of the predetermined position.

Abstract: A method of operating a self-service terminal is described in which a stack of media is presented to a customer. If it is detected that at least some of the stack remains within the terminal, the remaining media is advanced out of the self-service terminal.

Abstract: A sheet transport apparatus includes a pair of rollers for transporting a sheet and a sheet detection device for detecting the sheet transported by the pair of rollers. The sheet detection device includes a flag that is displaceable when urged by the sheet transported by the pair of rollers and a single-chip acceleration sensor attached to the flag to detect the arrival of the sheet. When the sheet is brought into contact with the flag to rotate the flag, the acceleration sensor detects the roll acceleration of the flag so as to determine the timing of stopping the pair of rollers on the basis of a detection signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a processing device for processing printed products, in particular for collecting individual printed sheets for manufacturing an assembled printed product. The device includes a drum rotatable about a rotation axis and at least two feed stations arranged distanced from one another in the direction of the rotation axis, for feeding printed products, and at least one lead-away station for leading away processed printed products. The drum includes several guides, in particular saddle-like rests or conveyor compartments which are arranged in succession in the peripheral direction of the drum and are movable along a closed revolving path, as well as advance elements controlled by a control unit, for displacing the printed products in the direction of the rotation axis. For increasing the flexibility, the device is composed of modules.

Abstract: A sheet-conveying apparatus and a method for detection of the multifeed thereof are provided. The sheet-conveying apparatus includes a passageway, a sheet-transporting mechanism and a sheet-detecting device. The sheet-detecting device disposed in the passageway includes a first transmitter, a first receiver, a second transmitter and a second receiver. A first signal is transmitted from the first transmitter along a first transmitting path and received by the first receiver. A second signal is transmitted from the second transmitter along a second transmitting path and received by the second receiver. The second transmitting path is oblique to the first transmitting path. The sheet-detecting device further includes a control-process unit for determining if the condition of the multifeed has occurred in the sheet-conveying apparatus according to the variations in the first signal and the second signal respectively received by the first receiver and the second receiver.

Abstract: A sheet transport apparatus includes a fixed driving roller and a driven roller capable of coming into contact with or being separated from the driving roller, the driving roller and driven roller being capable of rotating and transporting a sheet interposed therebetween; a rotating-body acceleration sensor moving together with the driven roller and capable of detecting acceleration of movement of the driven roller; and a determining unit for determining, based on the acceleration detected by the rotating-body acceleration sensor, the arrival of a sheet at the driving roller and the driven roller, and the thickness of a sheet.

Abstract: When a first feeding unit is not ready to perform air feeding at the beginning of a print job, roll feeding using a second feeding unit is performed; when it is determined that the first feeding unit is ready to preform air feeding, air feeding using the first feeding unit is preformed. Upon execution of a print job by roll feeding, a preparation is started to make the first feeding unit ready to air feeding. When the first feeding unit is ready to execute the print job by air feeding, the print job is executed by exchanging roll feeding to air feeding using the first feeding unit.

Abstract: A recording medium transfer apparatus includes a motor control unit for controlling the motor to rotate at higher speed when the recording medium is fed to the liquid ejection area than that when the recording medium is discharged out of the liquid ejection area, and a feed control unit for controlling a next recording medium to be fed simultaneously with discharge of the recording medium, if a position of a rear end of the recording medium when recording or printing has been finished is situated upstream of a predetermined position, which is upstream of the discharge roller as much as a distance between a feed start position of the recording medium and the liquid ejection area, whereas controlling the next recording medium to start to be fed after discharge of the recording medium has been finished, if the position of the rear end of the recording medium when recording or printing has been finished is situated downstream of the predetermined position.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus is provided including a sheet feed tray on which sheets of a plurality of sizes are placed. A conveying unit conveys a sheet on the sheet feed tray to a predetermined processing position. A sheet position detector has a plurality of light-emitting units respectively arranged at positions corresponding to different sheet widths and one light-receiving unit capable of moving to positions corresponding to the plurality of light-emitting units. A light reception position detector which detects the position of the light-receiving unit, and a control unit which selects one of the plurality of light-emitting units can also be provided.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a system and method for generating an image of a plurality of documents. More particularly, this invention is directed to a system and method for scanning a plurality of documents wherein the scanned pages are separated into distinct documents based on a pre-set page length.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for processing sheet material, in particular papers of value such as bank notes, checks, etc., wherein different groups of sheet material are processed one after the other, the different groups of sheet material being separated for processing by separation means. In order to avoid mixing of sheet material, it is provided to restrain the singling of separation means and bank notes until release.

Abstract: The image copying apparatus of the present invention comprises a document drawing-in port for drawing an original document before reading operation in and a document discharging port for discharging the original document after reading operation, and copies images of the original document on a medium. The image copying apparatus further comprises trays more than two which are movable upward and downward within a range covering a document feeding position to the document drawing-in port, a receiving position from the document discharging port, and a bottom region located further lower than the lower of these positions. At least one of the trays moves to a position within the bottom region, a tray on which an original document is placed moves to a document feeding position, and another tray moves to a document receiving position.

Abstract: In the ink jet recording apparatus, while the formation of an image on the present sheet is in progress, the remaining length-to-rear end Le between the point at which the presence of the sheet is detected by the sheet detection sensor to the rear end of the present sheet and the remaining recording time Tr from the present time point to the time point at which the formation of the image on the present sheet is completed are measured. Further, in the apparatus, the sheet for the next page is supplied from the feed sheet unit when it is found that that the formation of the image on the sheet for the next page is necessary, that the remaining length-to-rear end Le is less than the reference remaining length-to-rear end Lr, and that the remaining recording time Tr is less than the reference remaining recording time TrR.

Abstract: A representative embodiment provides for a sheet media level detection system, including a first level detector configured to provide a first signal corresponding to a first predetermined level of a first sheet media from a first source within an output tray, and a second level detector configured to provide a second signal corresponding to a second predetermined level of a second sheet media from a second source within the output tray. Another embodiment provides for a method including routing a first sheet media and a second sheet media from respective sources into a common output tray, and issuing a first signal in response to detecting a first predetermined level of the first sheet media using a first level detector, and issuing a second signal in response to detecting a second predetermined level of the second sheet media in the output tray using a second level detector.

Abstract: A card processor which maintains security against unauthorized reading of the magnetic data recorded in the card and improves operability by suppressing offensive feeling to the customers includes a card carriage control unit which rotates carrier rollers in a direction in which a card is taken in by the interior of the main body until the card is held by the pair of carrier rollers closest to the insertion port. Therefore, the customer who inserts the card does not receive offensive feeling such as supporting something with the card that occurs when the leading end of the card comes in contact with the carrier rollers that are halting. As the card is held by the carrier rollers, further, the card carriage control unit intermittently carries the card so as to be taken in by the main body. Even in case an unauthorized card reader is attached to the front surface of the insertion port, therefore, the card data are not read out without authorization.

Abstract: A document feeder apparatus is provided with the first switchback path using a space between a supply tray and a discharge tray arranged to overlap with each other, and the second switchback path between the discharge tray and a pressing cover of a platen. According to a length of an original, a flapper is switched to a position to guide the original to one of the first switchback path and the second switchback path. Through this configuration, it is possible to transport a large size double-sided original. The apparatus can be made small, and productivity of the double-sided original is improved.

Abstract: A stack control mechanism comprising a mechanism for feeding and accumulating sheets to an accumulating area. A control mechanism for controlling the feeding of the sheets to the accumulating area which includes emitting an impulse or vibration onto that stack ad receiving vibrations or impulses which are reflected from the stack. The feeding mechanism is responsive to the controlling mechanism to adjust to rate of feeding of sheets to the accumulating area.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a paper transport unit, and a control unit for supplying the image forming unit with image data for a plurality of pages so that the image forming unit forms images page by page on sheets transported by the paper transport unit, wherein, when the image data for each page includes data representative of blanks on a leading end side and on a tail end side of the page in a paper transport direction, the control unit deletes the data representative of the blank either on the leading end side or on the tail end side from the image data prior to supplying the image forming unit with the image data, and controls the paper transport unit so that a plurality of sheets are transported sequentially to the image formation unit in a multiple state in which one sheet partially overlaps with another in the paper transport direction by a length corresponding to the deleted data representative of the blank.

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 method of media handoff from a first device to a second device comprises transmitting a first signal from the first device indicating a medium is at a predetermined handoff point. The first device receives a second signal from the second device instructing the first device to transport the medium toward the second device. The first device transports the medium toward the second device and receives a third signal from the second device indicating acceptance of the medium by the second device.

Abstract: A printing apparatus has high reliability both in manual feeding and in automatic feeding of a printing medium, and a feeding control method controls the printing apparatus. In the case of manual feeding of a sheet as the printing medium, the sheet is transported by an LF roller for an amount sufficient for feeding the tip end of the sheet to a discharge paper sensor located on the downstream side of a paper path with respect to a printing head. Judgment whether paper feeding is successful or not is made depending on whether the sheet is detected by the discharged paper sensor. On the other hand, in the case of automatic feeding using an automatic feeding apparatus, the operation of transporting the sheet to the discharged paper sensor is not performed. By this, in the case of automatic feeding, it becomes unnecessary to backwardly feed the sheet before initiation of printing so that the rotation amount of the LF roller is minimized.

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: The invention is a method to inspect multiple conditions of an auto feeding device feeding standard inspection papers into a scanning device while the said auto feeding device in QC process. The method is to use a bar code printed on the standard inspection paper to recognize the conditions that feeding multiple papers in one time, paper jam, paper inclined, etc. The bar code is continuous and unique, and therefore, the results for which standard inspection paper happened problem and how many more papers needing to be inspected are known immediately.

Abstract: An improved singulation mechanism is provided for flat articles having significant variations in size, thickness and weight, which mechanism utilizes at least two vacuum chambers positioned behind a moving perforated to feed the articles and selectively controls at least one of pressure and flow for at least one of the chambers to facilitate the feeding of heavier articles, while inhibiting bleed through doubles for lighter articles. A mechanism may be provided which provides a puff of air to at least one of the chambers at the end of the operation thereof to reduce the feeding of doubles and a bent fence may be suitably positioned to both facilitate feeding of shorter articles and to facilitate proper initial alignment of the articles.

Abstract: A method of operating a sheet-processing machine having a sheet-pile station, a sheet conveyor for feeding sheets to the sheet-pile station and for releasing the sheets thereat during operation, the sheet conveyor defining therebeneath a clearance space extending downwardly with a magnitude depending upon the operating condition of the machine, and a drive operatively connected to the sheet conveyor, which comprises detecting extents of the clearance space in a vertical direction which exceed predeterminable values, and, after the drive has been stopped, forcibly keeping the drive stopped for as long as the vertical extent of the clearance exceeds a predetermined value. In another aspect of the invention, instead of the foregoing last step of the method, there is substituted a step of forcibly reducing to a predetermined value an extent of the clearance that exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method and a configuration for controlling the passage of printed media, especially letters or envelopes, in a separating apparatus of a mail processing system, include transferring the printed media, on the output side, with an ejector to a following device, such as a scale or balance or a franking machine. The intention is to widen the field of use and the throughput of printed media is to be matched to that in the following device. A transfer speed is set on the basis of a transport speed of the following device and, in remaining areas of the separating apparatus, the transport speed is optimized on the basis of a respective printed medium position.

Abstract: A right-angle sheet stager apparatus for merging multiple-input sheet streams into a single output sheet stream includes one or more input channels and an output channel. Each input channel includes a transport surface and a staging surface. Each transport surface communicates with its corresponding staging surface at a transitional member interposed between the transport surface and the staging surface. Each transitional member includes an upper surface disposed at an elevation greater than an elevation of the corresponding staging surface. The output channel includes an output surface, and is oriented in a right-angle relation with respect to the input channels and communicates with the input channels at a merger location. The stager apparatus permits a sheet from the transport surface to enter the staging surface and overlap with a preceding sheet already present on that staging surface, prior to the preceding sheet's complete exit from the staging surface.

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 apparatus for engraving images on a passport, credit card, identification card, or the like, and its adaptor for use in the apparatus, the apparatus comprising a personal computer, a controller, a vibration-preventing unit, an X axis pulse motor driver, a Y axis pulse motor driver, an X axis pulse motor, a tilt motor driver, a Z axis head motor having a minute &Dgr;Y axis driver, a stylus and a vacuum pump whereby photographs of faces, addresses, names, autographs, the images for engraving information identifying one's identity, the images from a digital camera, scanner or other information taken from a computer through a network can be automatically and correctly engraved on identification cards such as passports, drivers' licenses, employee certificates or credit cards.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes conveying means respectively located at an upstream side and a downstream side on a sheet conveyance path. First drive means rotates the upstream conveying means at a constant speed while second drive means rotates the downstream conveying means at a variable speed. When the second drive means accelerates the rotation of the downstream conveying means, speed adjusting means causes the conveying speed of the upstream conveying means to reflect the acceleration. The sheet conveying device insures smooth, reliable conveyance even when a sheet extends over both of the upstream and downstream conveying means.

Abstract: A paper money processing apparatus has a money reception unit and a payment unit. The money reception unit has a conveyance passage for receiving paper moneys supplied from the exterior into a money receipt box, a receipt discriminator for discriminating paper moneys thus received, and conveyance passages. The payment unit has conveyance passages for conveying paper moneys stacked in stackers to the exterior, and a payment discriminator for discriminating paper moneys to be paid. The money reception unit and the payment unit are detachably coupled with one another.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for detecting a stack height of sheets (21) stacked in an input and/or output tray (2) of an apparatus, said device comprising a feeler (10) cyclically controlled and driven by means of a drive unit (12) and a control unit toward the sheet stack (21) in the stacking direction into a sensing position, and a sensor (11) detecting the sheet stack height and recognizing the sensing position of the feeler.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus with a foreign material removal apparatus is formed of a sheet feeding table which is vertically movable and supports printing sheets thereon; a sheet feeding device for feeding the printing sheets stacked on-the sheet feeding table one by one; an image forming device for forming an image on the printing sheet fed by the sheet feeding means; a detecting device situated adjacent to the sheet feeding means and detecting the printing sheets fed by the sheet feeding device; and a foreign material removal device for removing foreign material covering the detecting device. The foreign material removal device includes a pump attached to the sheet feeding device and driven by vertical movements of the sheet feeding table to flow air, and a nozzle situated adjacent to the detecting device and attached to the pump. When the sheet feeding table moves vertically, the pump allows air to flow through the nozzle to remove the foreign material covering the detecting means.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a paper transport unit, and a control unit for supplying the image forming unit with image data for a plurality of pages so that the image forming unit forms images page by page on sheets transported by the paper transport unit, wherein, when the image data for each page includes data representative of blanks on a leading end side and on a tail end side of the page in a paper transport direction, the control unit deletes the data representative of the blank either on the leading end side or on the tail end side from the image data prior to supplying the image forming unit with the image data, and controls the paper transport unit so that a plurality of sheets are transported sequentially to the image formation unit in a multiple state in which one sheet partially overlaps with another in the paper transport direction by a length corresponding to the deleted data representative of the blank.

Abstract: A recording medium discharge apparatus includes bins for storing sheets of paper therein. The apparatus also includes level sensors for each detecting one of the bins having been filled with paper sheets. Each sensor consists of a light emitter and a light receiver, which are positioned on both sides of the associated bin. The emitter and the receiver are aligned on a line extending across the direction in which paper sheets can be discharged. This prevents paper sheets from coming into direct contact with the sensors. Even if paper sheets discharged into each bin are once taken out and then returned to it, the returned sheets do not come in contact with the associated sensor. It is therefore possible to keep the discharge of paper sheets in good condition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet material stacking device comprising a sheet material discharging means for discharging a sheet material, a sheet material stacking means on which the sheet materials discharged by the sheet material discharging means are stacked, and an elongation tray extensibly housed within the sheet material stacking means and capable of extending in accordance with a size of the sheet material, and wherein the elongation tray has an inclined surface at an upstream end thereof in a sheet material stacking direction.

Abstract: A taking part has a taking unit that comes in contact with the piled sheets to generate a taking force and to take the sheets one by one with the taking force. A movable lever is arranged in a side of the taking unit with respect to the piled sheets, and a driving unit gives a driving force in a linear or rotational direction to the movable lever. A force controller controls the driving force given to the movable lever by the driving unit. A detecting unit detects a position of the movable lever, and a sheet supplying unit supplies the piled sheets to the taking unit. A sheet supplying unit controller controls the sheets supplying unit on the basis of the position of the movable lever detected by the detecting unit. The sheets are pressed by the lever at a preparatory step, and then the sheets are lifted and pressed to the taking unit while canceling the driving force by the lever. The sheet and the taking unit are assured to become in good contact with each other to make the taking operation stable.

Abstract: A printer includes a plurality of cassettes and a cassette is selected from the cassettes. The printer comprises a print information memory, paper information memory, cassette information memory, cassette selector, and data editor. The print information memory stores print information contained in print data therein. The print information includes a size of the print paper and an orientation of the print paper with respect to a direction of travel of the print paper. If a size of print paper specified by the print information is different from a size of print paper accommodated in a paper cassette selected last time, a first paper cassette is selected which accommodates print paper of a size specified by the print information. If the print information specifies print paper of a same size as the print paper accommodated in a paper cassette selected last time, a second paper cassette is selected which accommodates print paper oriented in a way different from the cassette selected last time.

Abstract: A catch tray attachment for a sheet feeding machine allows rapid accumulation and manual removal of a predetermined count of sheet articles from the catch tray. The catch tray itself is adapted for mounting to the frame of the sheet feeding machine so as to position it in the discharge path of sheet articles exiting the sheet feeder. Upon removal of an accumulation of sheet articles from the catch tray, a signal is sent back to the sheet feeder to initiate further machine cycles whereby a predetermined count of sheet articles are again deposited in the catch tray.