By Conveyor Section Movable To Direct Sheets Along Alternate Paths Patents (Class 271/302)
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Publication number: 20030030210Abstract: A document delivery device comprises a carriage (2) which is movable along a path system comprising a first path (10) which extends between a document receiving station for the carriage and a document delivery station for the carriage, and a second path (20) which is connected to the first path and defines an end position (22) for dumping of documents from the carriage. On each side the carriage has wheels (42) which are received in and run in guide tracks (43) on opposite sides of the path. The device also comprises a document holder (3) which is carried by the carriage (2), and means (91, 92) for displacing the document holder (3) in relation to the carriage at the document delivery station. The carriage carries a magnet (70, 71), and the device comprises one or more hall-element(s) in the movement path for the magnet, for detection of the position of the magnet (70, 71) along the path.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2001Publication date: February 13, 2003Applicant: De La Rue Cash Systems ABInventors: Anders Nordin, Jorgen Andersson
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Publication number: 20020101031Abstract: Delivery and ejection device (20) for flat elements (2) into a machine working them, in particular into a machine (10) of packaging production continuously delivering a plurality of lines of flat elements (2) arranged into parallel streams (22) successively onto three conveyor belts (13, 23, 33). These streams are recurringly delivered into a stacker (40) thanks to a mechanism (60) of drive and interruption of the streams. The device (20) allows to separately reject at least one stream towards a reject conveyor belt (90) comprising flat elements (2) scanned as being defective. The mechanism (60) includes two carriages, one upper (61) and the other lower (62), able to move simultaneously, at the same speed and into opposite direction along a axis parallel to the streams lines (22).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2001Publication date: August 1, 2002Applicant: Bobst S.A.Inventors: Oskar Dittli, Pierre Robadey, Michel Mermet
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Publication number: 20020088742Abstract: A sheet stacking device, comprised of a sheet support bed having a plurality of side-by-side rollers that are freely rotatable about an associated roller axis. A drive assembly moves the sheet support bed in a predetermined direction along a closed path. The path has a horizontal upper run and a horizontal lower run, and is dimensioned such that a space exists between the first end and the second end of the sheet support bed as the sheet support bed moves along the path.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2001Publication date: July 11, 2002Applicant: Gould Electronics Inc.Inventor: Hermann Wursthorn
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Publication number: 20020074721Abstract: Provided is a sheet diverter for directing signatures moving in serial fashion along a diverter path to one of a plurality of collation paths. The sheet diverter includes a pair of diverter rolls for directing a signature to one of the plurality of collation paths and a diverter wedge for deflecting the signature to a selected one thereof. The diverter wedge is positioned between the diverter rolls so as to reach high into the diverter path thereby providing increased support to the signature as it travels from between the diverter rolls to the diverter wedge. The diverter rolls are permitted to intermesh with the diverter wedge so as to allow the diverter wedge to be so positioned.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2001Publication date: June 20, 2002Applicant: Quad/Tech, Inc.Inventors: Karl P. Schaefer, Ingermar S. d'Agrella, Eric L. Kuhne
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Patent number: 6364548Abstract: A transfer apparatus for transferring pre-processed sheet materials discharged from an outlet of a sheet processing apparatus includes a transfer unit provided outside of the outlet for receiving the sheet materials discharged from the outlet and transferring the sheet materials to a plurality of collecting sites. The transfer unit is capable of selectively shifting the transfer direction thereof in such a manner as to transfer each of the sheet materials to a predetermined collecting site.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 1999Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kenji Todoki
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Patent number: 6357743Abstract: A sheet or set receiving post processing machine has a plurality of vertically spaced sheet or set receiving trays extending generally horizontally at an incline, a sheet delivering infeed with vertically spaced gates, and a vertically movable sheet sender extending horizontally between each infeed location and a selected tray, wherein the sheet sender has a stapler for stapling sets of sheets thereon and wherein the sender has first and second offsetting devices for offsetting sets of sheets, whether or not stapled, and for feeding the sets to the trays in offset relation.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2000Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Assignee: Gradco Japan Ltd.Inventors: Toshio Endo, Kiichiro Noguchi, Kenji Umehara
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Patent number: 6349938Abstract: A reject mechanism (10) for use with a slitter (S) which slits a printed metal sheet (B) into segments (s) subsequently used to form containers. The mechanism is mounted at the outlet of the slitter to deflect rejected segments from a collection bin (C) to which acceptable segments are delivered for further use in container manufacture. The mechanism comprises a series of pneumatically actuated reject fingers (14) normally positioned beneath a path over which the segments pass from the slitter to the collection bin. However, when a reject segment approaches the mechanism, a piston (16) is activated to extend the fingers into the path of the segment to deflect the segment off its path into another collection area in which rejected segments are collected. The fingers are then retracted so that succeeding acceptable segments pass freely over the path.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2000Date of Patent: February 26, 2002Assignee: United States Can CompanyInventors: Ed Kubacki, Robert C. Jack, John Czarnota
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Patent number: 6349937Abstract: A conveying system for the conveying of a product stream of products arranged in an overlapping formation has an incoming pressing belt pair (18, 20) and at least two departing pressing belt pairs (88, 90, 88′, 90). A switching mechanism 10 is provided between the incoming pressing belt pair (A) and the outgoing pressing belt pair (C).Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1999Date of Patent: February 26, 2002Assignee: Gammerler AGInventors: Hagen Gämmerler, Xaver Thum, Ulrich Obermeier
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Patent number: 6341698Abstract: A sheet stacking device comprised of a sheet support bed having a first end and a second end. The sheet support bed is comprised of a plurality of side-by-side rollers, each of the rollers being freely rotatable about an associated roller axis. A drive assembly moves the sheet support bed in a predetermined direction along a closed path, the path having a horizontal upper run and a horizontal lower run, and is dimensioned such that a space exists between the first end and the second end of the sheet support bed as the sheet support bed moves along the path. A roller control assembly for selectively and sequentially controlling rotation of select ones of the rollers at select intervals during a stacking operation.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2000Date of Patent: January 29, 2002Assignee: Ga-Tek Inc.Inventor: Hermann Wursthorn
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Patent number: 6331004Abstract: In order to provide a reversing section for reversing the recording paper for recording on both sides, in such a manner as to avoid increase in size of the device, reversing rollers 14 are provided over the rear part of the paper cassette 3, and a reversing path 15 is formed at the back of the paper cassette 3. The recording paper 2 having passed the reversing rollers 14 enters the reversing path 15. Additional reversing path 16 is provided under the paper cassette 3, and the recording paper 2 moves from the reversing path 15 into the reversing path 16.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1998Date of Patent: December 18, 2001Assignee: Oki Data CorporationInventors: Yasuyuki Katou, Kiyoshi Matsuda
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Patent number: 6315288Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus having a sheet tray, a sheet transportation path for guiding a sheet into the sheet tray, a bypass path bypassing a part of the sheet transportation path for guiding a sheet into the sheet tray, a post-processing mechanism for performing a post-processing operation on one set of sheets retained in the sheet tray, and a sheet transportation mechanism for feeding the sheet into the sheet tray. During the post-processing operation performed on the one set of sheets previously fed into the sheet tray, the first sheet of the next sheet set is once stopped in one of the transportation path and the bypass path, and the second sheet of the next sheet set is introduced into the other of the bypass path and the transportation path. Upon completion of the post-processing operation performed on the one sheet set, the first and second sheets of the next sheet set are fed into the sheet tray.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 1999Date of Patent: November 13, 2001Assignee: Kyocera Mita CorporationInventors: Yoshio Sugishima, Hiroshi Shimoyama, Keiji Okumura, Kazuhisa Kondoh, Sadahiro Matsuura, Tohru Tanjyoh, Tadakazu Okitsu
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Patent number: 6315279Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1999Date of Patent: November 13, 2001Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Hayato Minamishin, Yuji Tanaka, Hayami Abe
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Patent number: 6308952Abstract: A paper sheet discharge apparatus comprises a transport roller that transports paper sheets discharged from an image-forming apparatus, a plurality of switching flappers that guide the paper sheets to desired bins, and a plurality of delivery rollers that discharge the paper sheets via the switching flappers to the bins. The paper sheets are reliably stored in the desired bins without decreasing their transport speed by the aid of the transport roller, the switching flappers, and the delivery rollers. The power from a motor is transmitted only to the delivery rollers which are used to discharge the paper sheets while being interlocked with the specified switching flapper.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 1999Date of Patent: October 30, 2001Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuhiko Takagi, Hiroaki Nishimura, Hiroyuki Kashima, Kazumasa Makino, Atsuo Hirose
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Patent number: 6293542Abstract: 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 includes automatic positioning of an active sheet guide gate and drag clutch by the rotation of a transport roller with which the active gate and drag clutch is frictionally engaged. The transport roller may comprise one or more coaxial rollers in an assembly positioned in the media path and is rotatable in different directions such that the leading edge of a moving media sheet is moved through one or the other of two nips defined between the transport roller assembly and associated upper and lower pinch rollers. The direction of rotation of the transport roller assembly can be reversed before the sheet leaves the nip to thus re-position the sheet guide gate and re-route the sheet back in a desired path to a scanner or printer for further sheet processing.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2000Date of Patent: September 25, 2001Assignee: Hewlett-Packard CompanyInventor: Kevin Bokelman
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Patent number: 6286828Abstract: For rotating a flat object, a rotor is provided with a transport element for engaging an object in the rotor. A transmission element is coupled to the rotor. Between the transmission element and the transport element of the rotor, there is a transmission for causing the transport element to rotate relative to the rotor in response to rotation of the transmission element relative to the rotor. As a coupling structure between the rotor and the transmission element is arranged for retaining the transmission element relative to the rotor when rotation of the rotor is allowed, and for releasing rotation of the transmission element relative to the rotor when a switch is made to retaining the rotor, a fast, friction-low operation is enabled.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1999Date of Patent: September 11, 2001Assignee: Neopost B.V.Inventor: Sieberen Adema
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Patent number: 6270076Abstract: The conveyor line (1) of a conveyor has a branching point (6) with a switch (7). This switch has a pivotable switching member (8) which in one position lies in this conveyor line (1) and in the other position connects this first conveyor line (1) with a second conveyor line (10). Preceding the branching point (6) is a retaining member (11) that can be inserted into the path of movement of the transport elements (2) conveyed along the conveyor line (1). This retaining member (11) can be used to hold back the transport elements (2) approaching the branching point in order to create room for changing over the switching member (8). The transport elements are independent of one another, which makes it possible, selectively and as required, either to move the oncoming transport elements (2) along the first conveyor line (1) or to divert them into the second conveyor line (10).Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 1999Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Assignee: Ferag AGInventor: Walter Reist
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Publication number: 20010005067Abstract: A finisher for finishing papers sequentially driven out of an image forming apparatus includes a plurality of trays selectively movable to a single paper outlet. The finisher reduces a period of time necessary for designated one of the trays to reach the paper outlet, increases the number of papers which can be stacked on the trays, and determines the number of papers stacked with a simple configuration. Papers are prevented from returning from the tray to the paper outlet without complicating the configuration of the outlet. An outlet roller protrudes from the paper outlet, but does not interfere with the tray moving past the paper outlet. The trays protect the operator from injury and protect the structural elements of the finisher from damage despite their movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2001Publication date: June 28, 2001Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Kenji Yamada, Shinji Asami, Hiroki Okada
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Patent number: 6244593Abstract: Provided is a sheet diverter for directing signatures moving in serial fashion along a path to one of a plurality of collation paths. The sheet diverter includes a non-uniform angular velocity drive mechanism, the function of which is to improve the collation process such that the quality of signatures is improved as the signatures move along one of the plurality of collation paths and to increase the speed of the folder.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 1999Date of Patent: June 12, 2001Assignee: Quad/Tech, Inc.Inventors: Karl P. Schaefer, Ingermar S. d'Agrella
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Patent number: 6186339Abstract: A device for processing accepted banknotes uses a processing junction with banknote accumulators arranged on either side thereof and a banknote vault or stacker located at one end of the processing junction. A banknote dispensing outlet is associated with the banknote accumulators for receiving previously accumulated banknotes which are dispensed through the outlet.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 1999Date of Patent: February 13, 2001Assignee: Cashcode CompanyInventors: Leon Saltsov, Sergiy Bukhman, Oleksandr Onipchenko
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Patent number: 6186501Abstract: The present invention is directed to a diverter mechanism for use in a web fed rotary printing press, that is simple, low in mass, provides positive control of signatures passing through it, and can be located close to elements or mechanisms within the printing press for receiving signatures that have passed through the diverter mechanism. The diverter mechanism includes a nip formed using two cylinders. The nip can be rotated around an axis formed by the center of the nip, or can be rotated around a rotational axis of one of the two cylinders, to selectively aim a signature exiting from the nip at one of two or more receiving devices.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 1998Date of Patent: February 13, 2001Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AGInventor: Joseph Adrian St. Ours
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Patent number: 6170821Abstract: An automatically sheet sorting device has multistage trays for storing sheets fed from a copying machine or the like, which each incorporate a sheet detecting mechanism including a sheet-empty detection lever of sheet-empty detecting means for detecting the sheet existing on the tray, and a sheet-full detection lever of sheet-full detecting means for detecting the sheets reaching a prescribed storage limit. The individual operable sheet-empty detection lever and sheet-full detection lever can be assembled in the tray compactly. A sheet-empty actuating member connected to the sheet-empty detection lever for actuating a sheet-empty switch and a sheet-empty actuating member connected to the sheet-full detection lever for actuating a sheet-full switch are of electrically non-contacting mechanism, thus to enable the tray to he readily detached from and attached to the device without any troublesome work of establishing an electrical connection or disconnection of electric elements between the tray and the device.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1998Date of Patent: January 9, 2001Assignee: Nisca CorporationInventor: Kazuyuki Kubota
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Patent number: 6158735Abstract: A stream of signatures is delivered by a conveyer belt to an angled conveyer. The angled conveyor grips a set of signatures from the stream. The gripped set of signatures is transported by the angled conveyer to a third conveyer belt, and deposited on the third conveyer belt. By transporting the set of signatures at an angle, a lateral offset between the individual signatures within the set of signatures is created. A diverter on the third conveyer belt grips the laterally offset signatures, separating the signatures into substreams.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 1998Date of Patent: December 12, 2000Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AGInventors: Kevin Lauren Cote, Richard Daniel Curley, David Clarke Pollock
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Patent number: 6129352Abstract: In a device comprised of two rotating cam rollers that are spaced apart from each other by a nip, which device is for distributing a flow of signatures, first and second conveyor belts are disposed so that they can be moved cyclically back and forth onto the guide face of a guide tab respectively associated with them.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1999Date of Patent: October 10, 2000Assignee: Koenig & Bauer-Albert AktiengesellschaftInventor: Rudolf Stab
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Patent number: 6120017Abstract: An automatic document feeder for sending a document from a document setting position on a document bearing plate to a document feeding path and returning the document onto the document bearing plate after feeding of the document along the document feeding path. A document mover includes a moving plate for moving the document that has been returned to the document bearing plate to the document setting position. A document presser presses the document that has been moved by the document mover to the document setting position. A controller controls the operation of the document presser and the document mover. The controller operates the moving plate of the document mover to move the document that has been returned to the document bearing plate to the document setting position, then operates the document presser to press the document that has been moved to the document setting position, and causes the moving plate of the document mover to recede, while maintaining the document in a pressed state.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1999Date of Patent: September 19, 2000Assignee: Kyocera Mita CorporationInventors: Toru Tanjo, Jun Kusakabe, Hiroshi Kobayashi, Kazuhisa Kondo, Hiroyuki Harada, Masahiro Sako
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Patent number: 6112047Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the type having a sheet transport path extending substantially vertically upward from a sheet feed section to a sheet discharge section is disclosed. The apparatus allows different kinds of finishers to be mounted thereto without lessening the advantages particular to the substantially vertical path configuration. A relay unit intervenes between the sheet discharge section and the finisher. A sheet jamming the relay unit or the sheet discharge section during usual sheet discharge mode operation can be removed with ease.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 1997Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Yasuhisa Kato, Hidenobu Endo, Masaaki Yoshikawa, Motokazu Yasui
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Patent number: 6105952Abstract: A stacked-sheet prefeeder comprises a sheet guiding device for receiving therein a stack of sheets, an intermediate tray, a scale former for removing sheets, arranged in a stack and/or in a scalelike mode of arrangement, jointly from the lower surface of the stack received in the sheet guiding device and for introducing these sheets into the intermediate tray in a first direction of movement, a sheet separator for removing from the intermediate tray the respective lowermost sheet as a single sheet in a second direction of movement which is substantially opposed to the first direction of movement, and a guide means arranged in the intermediate tray and used for guiding the sheets in the intermediate tray at their sheet edges constituting the front sheet edges in the second direction of movement, the guide means being implemented as a transport and guide means in such a way that it moves the sheet edges constituting the front sheet edges in the second direction of movement in the interior of the intermediate trType: GrantFiled: March 31, 1998Date of Patent: August 22, 2000Assignee: Bowe Systec AGInventors: Maximilian Helmstadter, Josef Batzer, Karl Zimmermann
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Patent number: 6092799Abstract: A sheet supplying apparatus capable of supplying sheets in a circulating manner, includes a sheet resting device on which the sheets rest, a sheet supplier for supplying the sheets rested on the sheet resting device, a trail and regulating member provided in correspondence to a trail position of the sheet and protruded from a sheet resting surface of the sheet resting device, and an urger for urging the sheets by abutting against the trail end of the sheet discharged on the sheet resting means through a sheet discharge opening to shift the sheet so that the trail end thereof rides over the trail end regulating member.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 1998Date of Patent: July 25, 2000Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Michiro Koike
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Patent number: 6086065Abstract: An arrangement for feeding sheets from a sheet store to either one of a plurality of stations includes a movable carriage which receives sheets fed from the store and which has driving cogwheels for coaction with a fixed cog railway outside the carriage.The fixed cog railway includes a path selection slide that includes cog segments that can fit into the cog railway. The selector slide can be switched to either one of two possible positions by means of a processor-controlled, motor-driven arm.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 1998Date of Patent: July 11, 2000Assignee: De La Rue Cash Systems ABInventor: Lars Svensson
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Patent number: 6027108Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet conveying apparatus for conveying a sheet in recirculation. The apparatus comprises a feed tray, a feed mechanism, a recirculation conveying mechanism for conveying the sheet fed by the feed mechanism to return it to the feed tray. The recirculation conveying mechanism includes a discharge tray on which the plurality of sheets are temporally discharged and accumulated and a moving mechanism for moving the sheets accumulated on the discharge tray to the feed tray. The apparatus further comprises a feed sensor detecting whether or not any sheets present on the feed tray. The sheets discharged on the discharge tray are moved to the feed tray by the moving mechanism when all sheets on the feed tray are fed and the feed sensor detects none of the sheet.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 1998Date of Patent: February 22, 2000Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akiyoshi Johdai, Masao Kondo, Koji Higashikawa
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Patent number: 6019367Abstract: In a multi-bin printed sheets distribution system, a simple safety system solution is provided for protection from accidental dropping of the vertically moving sheet distribution carriage by failure of its movement system. A safety stop member connects with both the tension member providing the carriage movement and the carriage. The safety stop member automatically repositions into stopping engagement with an adjacent vertical guide member in response to breakage or other release of tension in the tension member, to prevent the sheet distribution carriage from accidentally dropping. Preferably the repositioning is by a spring normally overcome by the tension in the tension member. The safety stop member may be a pivotally mounted plate with an aperture though which the guide member normally passes unobstructedly, which plate is both pivoted and laterally moved by the spring to lock to the guide member.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1998Date of Patent: February 1, 2000Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Barry P. Mandel, Frederick A. Green
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Patent number: 6010124Abstract: The preset invention relates to a sheet conveying apparatus equipped with a tray which couples feed port and discharge port to each other by a continuous surface. The tray comprises a first surface adjacent to the feed port for placing thereon sheets to be fed, a second surface adjacent to the discharge port for placing thereon discharged sheets, the second surface being tilted up so that the front end of the discharged sheet is positioned upper than the rear end thereof, and a bent portion at which the end of the first surface at the discharge side and the end of the second surface at the feed side are coupled to each other. A length of the first surface ranging from the bent portion to the feed port in the sheet conveyance direction is larger than one half of the length of a feedable maximum size sheet in the sheet conveyance direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 1998Date of Patent: January 4, 2000Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koji Higashikawa, Satoshi Fujii, Hiroki Nishikubo
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Patent number: 6003854Abstract: The holding elements (28), designed as hook-gripper elements (26), are driven in a circulating manner by means of a drive arrangement (44) in a plane at right angles to a stack (16) of printed products that have back margins (20). In the takeover section (46), the cantilever arm (36) of a hook-gripper element (26) comes to bear against the back margin (20) of the topmost printed product (14) of the stack (16). The hook-gripper element is then guided in a sliding manner on the printed product (14) in the direction of a stop, until the hook mouth (38) of the hook-gripper element (26) has seized the back margin (20). From the takeover section up to the transfer of the printed product (14) separated in this way from the stack (16), the direction of movement of the hook-gripper element (26) has a component toward the stop and a component away from the stack (16).Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 1998Date of Patent: December 21, 1999Assignee: Ferag AGInventor: Alex Keller
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Patent number: 5996987Abstract: The uppermost printed product is lifted from an intermediate stack, that was loaded from below, by a suction arrangement. The lifted product is fed into the active range of a pushing arrangement that is driven in synchronism with the suction arrangement. The pushing arrangement has stops which are arranged one behind another at a distance and circulate along a closed peripheral path and function to push the printed products released by the suction arrangement, one after another, by acting on the trailing edge of the printed products. The printed products are conveyed from the intermediate stack into the effective range of a conveying apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1997Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Ferag AGInventors: Willy Leu, Hans Frei
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Patent number: 5996988Abstract: A device for producing a scaled stream with a controllable scaled-stream thickness has a sheet guiding device for receiving therein a stack of sheets, a first transport means, which has a selectively operable or controllable drive, which engages only the lower surface of the stack of sheets and which is arranged relative to the stack of sheets in such a way that the stack of sheets rests thereon with at least a first part of its weight, a second transport means, which is arranged behind the first transport means when seen in the direction of the stream of sheets, which is arranged relative to the stack of sheets in such a way that, when the second transport means is operated without operating the first transport means, it will transport only sheets which have already been drawn out of the stack of sheets by the first transport means, and which is also arranged relative to the stack of sheets in such a way that the stack of sheets rests thereon only with a second part of its weight, the second part of its weigType: GrantFiled: February 27, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Bowe Systec AGInventors: Maximilian Helmstadter, Josef Batzer, Karl Zimmermann
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Patent number: 5993083Abstract: In the improved method of distributing sheets of light-sensitive material for use in an image recording apparatus, the sheets of light-sensitive material are distributed in a lateral direction perpendicular to their transport through a developing machine to form a plurality of rows. The method uses two distributing units that lift the sheets of light-sensitive material and transport the sheets in the lateral direction. The two distributing units are alternately put into action to distribute the sheets of light-sensitive material into a plurality of rows. The improved distributing device comprises two lift units, a substrate having guide members, two paddle plates, a spring and a motor. Employing a short pathlength, the method is capable of distributing individual sheets of light-sensitive material into two or three rows, practically keeping pace with rapid print production (imagewise exposure) such as processing one print every two seconds.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 1998Date of Patent: November 30, 1999Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yoshiyuki Tsuzawa
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Patent number: 5992841Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet conveying apparatus for conveying a sheet in recirculation. The apparatus comprises a feed tray on which a plurality of sheets are set, a discharge tray on which the plurality of sheets are discharged, a feed mechanism for feeding the plurality of sheets set on the feed tray one by one, a recirculation conveying mechanism for conveying the sheet fed by the feed mechanism to discharge it on the discharge tray and return it to the feed tray, and a plurality of stoppers. The stoppers are disposed at different positions along the sheet conveying direction correspondingly to the sheet size. Each of the plurality of stoppers is moveable between an operation position and a withdrawal position and restricts the front end of the sheet discharged on the discharge tray to align the sheet in the operation position.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 1998Date of Patent: November 30, 1999Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventors: Satoshi Fujii, Noritoshi Maruchi, Tohru Murakami, Masao Kondo
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Patent number: 5988621Abstract: A recycle document feeder according to the present invention includes a pair of document width regulating guides (9a, 9b) for guiding opposite edges of document originals (D) fed back onto a document placing plate (8) for alignment thereof with respect to the width thereof. With this construction, if the document width regulating guides (9a, 9b) each had a small length (A) as measured along a document transportation direction, the document originals (D) fed back onto the document placing plate (8) could not properly be aligned by the document width regulating guides (9a, 9b) thereby to be randomly stacked on the skew with respect to the document transportation direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1997Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Mita Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuhisa Kondo, Toru Tanjo, Hiroshi Kobayashi, Hiroyuki Harada, Masahiro Sako, Jun Kusakabe
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Patent number: 5988632Abstract: A staple sorter comprising a large-capacity non-sort tray. Sheets are stacked one by one on a plurality of bins so as to make collated sets of sheets (sort mode), and each set is stapled by a staple unit. A sheet conveyer gate has rollers and is capable of moving vertically. The sheet conveyer gate takes a stapled stack of sheets out of a bin with the rollers when lowered, and ejects the stack onto the non-sort tray after elevated. When ejecting, the gate is elevated to a position which is higher than the uppermost surface of the sheets stacked on the non-sort tray.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1997Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuyuki Tomishige, Tatsuya Shinno
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Patent number: 5941522Abstract: An identification card processor receives cards from a hopper, and passes them through a graphic imager for printing, and either prior to printing or subsequently the cards are positioned on an index table that permits moving the cards about an axis to different positions for further operations. The further operations take place at locations set off from the plane of movement of the cards in the graphics imager to conserve space. The indexing table is capable of being indexed to any desired rotational position in a full 360.degree. of movement, and for moving a card under positive drive to and from the index table.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1997Date of Patent: August 24, 1999Assignee: Fargo Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Erick Hagstrom, Matthew K. Dunham, Darren W. Haas
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Patent number: 5938192Abstract: A sheet accommodating apparatus includes sheet accommodating means for accommodating one by one sheets fed thereto; aligning means for aligning the sheets; sheet interval detecting means for detecting interval time or distance between adjacent sheets; and control means for preventing the aligning means from operating when an output of the sheet interval detecting means indicates that sheet interval time or distance is shorter than time required for the aligning means to align the sheets or the distance through which the sheets moves in the time required for the aligning means to align the sheets.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 1997Date of Patent: August 17, 1999Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hideaki Kosasa
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Patent number: 5931464Abstract: In a sheet sorting device for distributing sheets consecutively fed from an image forming device such as a copying machine to sorting trays aligned in multiple stages at high speed, there are disposed sheet pressure members for pressing down preceding sheet or sheets previously introduced into the designated sorting tray so as to successfully introduce the following sheet into the designated sorting tray without being hindered by the preceding sheet or sheets on the designated sorting tray. Since the following sheet is in no way hindered by the preceding sheet on the sorting tray in entering into the designated tray by means of the sheet pressure members, the interval between the adjoining sorting trays can be reduced thus to diminish the sorting device in size.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1997Date of Patent: August 3, 1999Assignee: Nisca CorporationInventors: Masao Shimizu, Hiroshi Kaneda
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Patent number: 5927711Abstract: In a sheet ejection and stacking system, such as for a document handler output, in which an upper sheet feeding and ejection unit with a sheet ejection path is repositionable between an open and a closed position relative to a lower sheet stacking unit which is providing a sheet stacking tray for the ejected sheets, here a platen cover unit. The sheet stacking tray has an automatically adjusting sheet stacking registration edge wall defining system which is automatically maintained closely adjacent to the sheet ejection position of the upper unit. This system is defined by upstanding stack retaining wall members movably mounted to the sheet stacking tray and a plurality of aligning post members integral the upper unit which automatically engage and move the stack retaining members into alignment with the upper unit, into a proper sheet receiving position therewith, when the upper unit is closed.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1997Date of Patent: July 27, 1999Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventor: Margaret P. Tsai
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Patent number: 5927712Abstract: A device for selectively extracting samples from a folding unit is provided. The device includes a signature transport system for transporting signatures to a deceleration device. The deceleration device has a plurality of rotating arms with gripping elements assigned thereto for seizing signatures emerging-from the transport system. Portions of the signature transport system or selectively actuable gripping elements either deliver sample signatures to a delivery system or deviate sample signatures into an alternate transport path.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1996Date of Patent: July 27, 1999Assignees: Heidelberg Harris, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AGInventors: Richard D. Curley, Kevin Lauren Cote
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Patent number: 5879000Abstract: An automatic document conveying device comprises a document table on which documents are placed; a vacuum separating/feeding means for feeding the set documents placed on the document table; a set document stopper for positioning the front ends of the documents placed on the document table; and a discharged document stopper for restraining the movement of the document discharged onto the set documents after being fed by the vacuum feeding means and subjected to image processing. A first opening and a second opening are provided in the document table. The vacuum separating/feeding means is disposed below the first opening. A feed drum connected to the vacuum chamber of the vacuum separating/feeding means via an opening/closing means is disposed below the second opening.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 1998Date of Patent: March 9, 1999Assignee: Mita Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masayuki Kakuta
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Patent number: 5876033Abstract: A device to stack and collect banknotes with the possibility of returning them. It comprises conveyors (18) to take every banknote at the level of the inlet (12) and to drag the buntnote and spread it on a support surface (14) over a central opening (14'), and a presser (19), set by the central opening of the support surface (14), that can be moved from a raised position over the support surface to a first work level causing the passage of every banknote under the support surface between, the presser and holders (17); and to a second work level to cause the banknotes to be discharged below the holders. The device moreover comprises a mechanism to return the banknotes after horizontal movements of the support surface (14).Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 1997Date of Patent: March 2, 1999Assignee: Officina Meccanica L.A.R. di Lonati Lorenzo & C. S.n.c.Inventor: Pietro Antonio Lonati
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Patent number: 5806850Abstract: A sheet resident space is provided on an indexer of a sheet transfer system, and a controller stops the image recording apparatus upon detection of a sheet jam about the indexer and stops the sheet transfer system after keeping it operating for a predetermined time interval sufficient for the sheet transfer system to transfer all the sheets in the sheet transfer passage thereof to the sheet resident space.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1997Date of Patent: September 15, 1998Assignee: Riso Kagaku CorporationInventors: Hideharu Yoneoka, Hiroshi Saito
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Patent number: 5720479Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 3, 1997Date of Patent: February 24, 1998Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshimasu Yamaguchi, Yuji Takahashi, Kimiaki Hayakawa, Toshihiko Kusumoto, Hideaki Kosasa, Hiroshi Ohta, Yuji Yamanaka, Kozo Sakakibara
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Patent number: 5706632Abstract: A method for obtaining an output stream of mutually different graphic products in a desired order, for instance sorted according to address code, wherein the products are assembled in an assembly line as desired by an addressee and/or a sender, and after the assembly line the product undergoes at least one additional operation, depending upon the desire of the addressee and/or sender, for which purpose the product stream is divided over at least two sublines in which the or each additional operation, such as for instance packaging, is carried out, whereafter the products are merged again in a single downstream line, characterized in that, for the purpose of avoiding buffers, the order of the products (2) that are formed in the assembly line (3) is such that, allowing for the desired additional operations in the sublines (9, 10), the products, after traversing the sublines, have acquired the desired order in the downstream line (14, 15), while the products in the sublines (9, 10) can be temporarily delayed andType: GrantFiled: December 8, 1995Date of Patent: January 13, 1998Assignee: Buhrs-Zaandam B.V.Inventors: Petrus Franciscus Kivits, Ronald Timmerman
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Patent number: 5702100Abstract: A diverter mechanism for signatures in a folding apparatus is provided including a set of high-speed tapes (3) for conveying signatures in a conveying plane (1) toward delivery stations (12, 13). Rotating diverting elements (7.1, 7.2) are integrated into the path of the high speed tapes (3). Each of the diverting elements (7.1, 7.2) has at least two rotatably mounted guiding surfaces (10) that alter the diverting direction of signatures upon rotation of the diverting elements (7.1, 7.2).Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 1996Date of Patent: December 30, 1997Assignees: Heidelberg Harris, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AGInventors: Michael Alexander Novick, Roger Robert Belanger
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Patent number: 5690325Abstract: A triple-roller device having paper-feeding and sending driven rollers, a paper-feeding guide section and a paper-reversing guide section are provided on both sides of a driving roller that rotates in one direction. The paper-reversing guide section has an upper guide section that corresponds to an upper portion from a mid-point of its curved section, and the upper guide section is driven by a solenoid, and allowed to shift. The upper guide section is allowed to shift to a position at which its end on the paper-feeding and sending side is placed between the driving roller and the paper-feeding driven roller, as well as to a position at which it is placed between the driving roller and the paper-sending driven roller. A sheet of paper, which has entered the paper-reversing guide section, is held by a paper-holding roller device. It is possible to provide a shorter paper interval with respect to the paper-sending operation from the paper-reversing guide section.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 1996Date of Patent: November 25, 1997Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Toshihide Morimoto