With Movable Diverter Patents (Class 271/303)
  • Patent number: 6478490
    Abstract: A printing apparatus with an index-feeding printing system having a first media path, a continuous feed finishing apparatus having a second media path, and a media buffer device having a third media path connecting between the first media path and the second media path. The third path may have a first portion communicating with the printing system, and a second portion communicating with the finishing apparatus, with the first and second portions merging with each other to form a common path portion terminating at a common path dead end, such that a media sheet from the printing system stops at the dead end and reverses direction for feeding to the finishing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Co.
    Inventors: Richard A Kelley, Michael W Munro, Ilan A Sabar, Bruce G. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6478298
    Abstract: A sheet handling transport apparatus. The apparatus comprises a sheet transport mechanism adapted to move a sheet in a first direction along a path in the apparatus, and a plurality of sheet receiving stations in the apparatus. The apparatus includes a gate associated with each station. The transport mechanism is adapted to deliver the sheet into a selected station by reversing the direction of the sheet in the path when the sheet is at a point adjacent the gate corresponding to the selected station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Barry Mandel
  • Publication number: 20020163121
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling the traveling direction of a piece of folded material in the feed path of a folding machine. A first roller nip is used to ingest the folded material into the front end of a turn chute. If the traveling direction is to be maintained, the folded material is allowed to move out through the rear end of the turn chute. If the traveling direction is to be reversed, a stop is used to block the rear end in order to keep the leading edge of the ingested folded material from leaving the turn chute through the rear end. At the same time, the trailing edge of the ingested folded material is caused to engage in a second roller nip located in the front end of the turn chute, in order for the second roller nip to move the folded material out of the turn chute, thereby reversing the traveling direction of the folded material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Applicant: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Sette, Richard A. Sloan
  • Patent number: 6474638
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for turning sheets. A sheet to be turned is guided into a gap between two transport elements moving in opposite directions and is pressed against the reverse-moving transport element or the forward-moving transport element depending on whether or not said sheet should be turned. The following transport elements then guide the turned or unturned sheet to the output of the device. The device preferably is configured such that the same transport time is required for turned and unturned sheets so that the order of the sheets and the interval between the sheets upstream and downstream of the turning device remain the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Giesecke & Devrient GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Mylaeus, Detlef Bielefeld
  • Patent number: 6460842
    Abstract: A device for superposing sheets of paper comprising a lower vacuum conveyance unit for one row of sheets of paper (R1) and an upper vacuum conveyance unit for another row of sheets of paper (R2). The ends of the vacuum conveyance units can be adjusted independently from each other, crosswise to the direction in which the paper advances (P). One vacuum conveyance unit can be adjusted in a slanted position in relation to the direction in which the paper advances (P) so that it cuts across the vacuum conveyance unit on the opposite side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Boewe Systec AG
    Inventor: Helmut Koelle
  • Patent number: 6460844
    Abstract: An apparatus for selectively streaming and merging side-by-side sheets is provided. In general, sheets enter in a side-by-side orientation onto an input feed surface and are directed selectively upwardly or downwardly onto overlying upper and lower feed surfaces by a diverter assembly having two diverter sides. The diverter sides can be independently moved to direct sheets upwardly or downwardly. The upper feed surface and lower feed surface have opposing edge guides. The upper feed surface and lower feed surface can be moved with respect to each other so that the edge guides are placed one sheet width apart or more than two sheet widths apart. By orienting the two diverter halves, and setting the desired distance between the upper and lower edge guides, sheets can pass along each of the upper and lower surfaces in a side-by-side streamed or over-lapping merge orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Roll Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Clifford, Steven P. Lewalski, Matthew D. Bouche, Bruce J. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20020135124
    Abstract: Provided is a sheet discharge apparatus including a plurality of stackers on which a sheet discharged from a conveyance passage is stacked, and a gate which changes a discharge direction of the sheet. The gate can move over a first changeover position to guide the sheet to one stacker, and a second changeover position to guide the sheet to the other stacker. When the gate is moved to the second changeover position, the sheet is guided to the other stacker through a bent guide passage. A pressing mechanism is disposed on an upstream side along a conveyance direction of the sheet from the gate. The pressing mechanism applies a pressure and gives a wavy shape to the sheet, and temporarily makes the sheet rigid as long as the gate is in the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Suzuki, Kouichi Akiyama
  • Patent number: 6453647
    Abstract: An inserter system for inserting folded sheets into an envelope providing at least one sheet feeding station for feeding individual sheets and an accumulation station in communication with the at least one sheet feeding station having a curved paper path wherein individual sheets are fed into the curved paper path from the at least one sheet feeding station and are accumulated therewithin. A folding station is in communication with the accumulation station for receiving an accumulation of sheets from the curved paper path for folding the accumulation of sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Adams, Martyn R. House
  • Patent number: 6443449
    Abstract: A paper sheet discharge apparatus comprises a transport roller for transporting paper sheets discharged from an image-forming apparatus, a plurality of switching flappers for guiding the paper sheets to desired bins, and a plurality of delivery rollers for discharging 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. Therefore, it is possible to diminish the load on the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Takagi, Hiroyuki Kashima
  • Patent number: 6439562
    Abstract: A web press has cutting cylinders for cutting a web into signatures and a transfer cylinder for receiving the signatures. A pre-cylinder signature collector includes a diverter station for diverting the signatures received from the cutting cylinders. At least two tape paths having different lengths receive the signatures from the diverter station. At least one collection point collects the signatures from all of the tape paths on top of one another for passage to the transfer cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Kevin Lauren Cote, Michael Lee Hearn, John Lee Ketchum
  • Publication number: 20020113365
    Abstract: An improved system for sorting mail is described, comprising a sorting machine which uses information collected about each mail item, such as address and size or weight, to map its collection bins to a specified sort order. The sorting machine has, instead of a small number of large sort bins, a large number of small bins. In this way, a small number of mailpieces may be allocated to each bin, for example, each bin may be an individual house or person at a business address The information about each mail item is achieved by communicating data to the machine before any mail is processed through it. The data may be derived from sensors which scan the mailpiece during the initial phase of the sorting process in conventional sorting systems, or may be supplied by the producer of the mail. The data is configured and transmitted electronically ahead of the physical mail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: David Thomas Britton, Graham Charles Lennard
  • Publication number: 20020109290
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for distributing flexible sheet-shaped objects into multiple selectable target stations of a sheet material processing device, wherein the distributing device is mounted between a supply station and sheet conveyor units of the target stations. According to a preferred embodiment, the distributing device has several sheet deflecting elements that are connected together, and which are moveable together by a single drive unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventor: Hans-Peter Wurschum
  • Publication number: 20020093135
    Abstract: Embodiments of an improved media output paper control system are described, the improved system including a mechanical linkage between a housing door of an image forming device, such as a printer, and a media diverter that changes direction of the media exiting the print engine. The mechanical linkage provides a sure method of switching the media path from a face-down output mode to a face-up output mode, by directing media to the housing door whenever it is open, thus, allowing, the housing door to become an output tray. The preferred mechanical linkage includes a member pivotally connected to, and extending between, the door and the diverter, in such a way that pivoting the door also pivots the diverter to a lesser degree.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Will Fetherolf, Curtis Gregory Kelsay
  • Publication number: 20020074722
    Abstract: A three-way diverter having two paper guide elements which, in the area of the fork in the paper running paths, are pivotably arranged upstream of the dividing points of the paper running paths in such a way that, in a first position, they connect the access to the central outlet and, as a result of one of the paper guide elements in each case being pivoted into a second or third position, one of the outer outlets for the paper run is opened and the other outlets are blocked. The access has a funnel-like taper in the paper running direction and, downstream of the taper of the access, there are on both sides depressions which are sufficiently large that, in the second or third position, they accommodate both leading ends of the paper guide elements such that the latter lie to one side of the paper run.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Applicant: NexPress Solutions LLC
    Inventor: Dirk Dobrindt
  • Patent number: 6398212
    Abstract: A sheet surface reversing device includes a sheet conveying path through which a sheet is conveyed, a reverse feeding device for reversely feeding the sheet conveyed through the sheet conveying path, a sheet surface reverse conveying path for directing the sheet reversely fed from the reverse feeding device branched from the sheet conveying path, and a conveying path changing member rotatably disposed at a branched portion between the sheet conveying path and the sheet surface reverse conveying path. When a distal end of the conveying path changing member abuts against an inner wall of the sheet conveying path, the distal end of the conveying path changing member guides the sheet to be reversely fed into the sheet surface reverse conveying path. In addition, an interference avoiding device is provided for avoiding interference between the sheet reversely fed and the distal end of the conveying path changing member on the inner wall of the sheet conveying path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroaki Miyake
  • Patent number: 6394446
    Abstract: A reverse feeding apparatus for switching back and feeding a sheet, includes at least one feeding roller positioned for feeding a sheet in a first direction from an upstream path to a downstream path; a reverse feeding roller located at the downstream path and positioned for feeding a sheet in a second direction that is different from the first direction; at least one branch nail movably mounted adjacent the feeding roller; at least one guiding nail movably mounted adjacent the feeding roller, wherein a tip of the branch nail and a tip of the guiding nail are positionable to overlap the feeding roller when the sheet is not being fed in the first direction by the feeding roller, a branch nail pressing device which presses the branch nail to the position overlapping the feeding roller to increase friction between a sheet being fed in the first direction and the feeding roller; and a guiding nail pressing device which presses the guiding nail to the position overlapping the feeding roller to permit a front end o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, LTD
    Inventor: Masami Okamoto
  • Patent number: 6390464
    Abstract: The present invention relates to media handling devices and media handling methods. One aspect of the invention provides a media handling method including providing a media handling device having an initial media path; selectively moving a guide member using a motor intermediate a first position where the guide member is spaced from media within the initial media path and a second position where the guide member contacts the media within the initial media path; applying a control signal to the motor to control the moving; and modulating the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Inventors: Hernan Gutierrez, Laurent A. Regimbal, Steven M. Johnson, Raul Ocampo
  • Patent number: 6386537
    Abstract: A system and corresponding method for accumulating sheets as part of the operation of a mailing system and for conveying the sheets along a normal feed path, and including a mis-scan diverter for diverting sheets that have been mis-scanned from a normal feed path to a first alternate path, and a selective diverter for diverting selective document sets from the normal feed path to a second alternate path. In some applications, the selective diverter includes a pivot table by-pass guide positioned according to commands received from a selective controller so as to selectively divert a sheet. Such a selective diverter uses a nip formed at the distal end of the pivot table by-pass guide by a continuously running cooperating roller and a surface of the pivot table by-pass guide, so that a sheet entering the nip so formed is diverted to the second alternate path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Linda A. Howard, Edward M. Ifkovits, Eric J. Janatka, Shahzad H. Malick
  • Patent number: 6349938
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: United States Can Company
    Inventors: Ed Kubacki, Robert C. Jack, John Czarnota
  • Patent number: 6338484
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlled sorting of sheet-like objects such as veneer sheets in a desired manner onto different paths of travel includes a transport conveyor formed by parallel-traveling, spaced-apart moving transport conveyor elements, such as belts, and further includes a deflecting conveyor traveling locally at least over a certain distance substantially parallel to the transport conveyor. Operating in conjunction with the transport conveyor, rotary elements are adapted so that, in a controlled manner, they can reach upward via the gaps arranged between the transport conveyor elements to lift the veneer sheets. The rotary elements are elevated so as to rest against the deflecting conveyor, and are simultaneously movable in a direction synchronized to the movement of the deflecting conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Raute Oyj
    Inventors: Jussi Puranen, Petteri Skofelt, Kari Sintonen
  • Patent number: 6332611
    Abstract: A sheet conveying path switching device for use in an image forming apparatus includes a supporting member. The supporting member includes two fulcrums for supporting a separation pick and for rotatively moving the supporting member itself. An engagement portion is formed in a sheet guide plate fixed to a cover opening a space around the separation pick for removing a jammed sheet. An elastic member of the supporting member engages in the engagement portion. When the cover is opened, the separation pick and the supporting member open together with the cover by rotatively moving about the second fulcrum. When a jammed sheet is jammed between the separation pick and the cover, the cover opens without moving the separation pick and the supporting member while the elastic member is disengaged from the engagement portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kan Tomita
  • Patent number: 6332606
    Abstract: A finisher system for an image formed sheet transported from an image forming apparatus. A finisher finishes the image formed sheet. A direct sheet feeding path feeds the image formed sheet to a sheet stacker. The sheet finishing path is branched from the direct sheet path for transporting the image forming sheet to the sheet stacker by way of the finisher, and the sheet finishing path can include a turning point. A sheet piling system set in the sheet finishing path piles up the image formed sheets. Further, a stopper is set in the finishing path for temporarily trapping the image formed sheets. The sheet piling system can include plural sheet suspending paths which each suspend a transported sheet and which each include a sheet transport device, and such that the stopper is set between the turning point and the sheet transport devices. The direct sheet feeding path can also be straight and the stopper may be configured to be positioned into and out of the sheet finishing path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuyoshi Seki
  • Publication number: 20010048191
    Abstract: A sheet post-processing device comprises a feed-in opening through which sheets of paper fed out of a copying machine are supplied, a staple tray on which the sheets of paper to be stapled are stacked, a stapler for stapling the sheets of paper stacked on the staple tray, a feed-out opening for discharging the stapled sheets of paper, and a plurality of paths for transporting the sheets of paper from the feed-in opening, to the staple tray, and further to the feed-out opening. The sheet post-processing device is further characterized in that the feed-in opening is positioned not higher than a position of an upper edge of the post-processing tray and not lower than a position of a lower edge of the post-processing tray. With this arrangement, the sheet post-processing device can be arranged so as to have smaller limitation on positions of the post-processing tray and the feed-in opening in the sheet post-processing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toyoaki Nanba, Jinichi Nagata, Tomomi Tanaka, Masahiro Kanezaki, Takehiko Josako, Hironori Takada
  • Patent number: 6321902
    Abstract: A device for dividing the flow of signatures into two paths of signatures uses two cam rows and a stationary guide wedge. Two conveyor belt systems initially deliver the signatures to a leading edge of the guide wedge. This leading edge is provided with guide channels into and out of which the conveyor belts in each of the two conveyor belt systems are alternatingly moved by high and low cam portions of the cam disks carried on the two cam rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Rudolf Stäb
  • Patent number: 6315288
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Sugishima, Hiroshi Shimoyama, Keiji Okumura, Kazuhisa Kondoh, Sadahiro Matsuura, Tohru Tanjyoh, Tadakazu Okitsu
  • Patent number: 6308952
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Takagi, Hiroaki Nishimura, Hiroyuki Kashima, Kazumasa Makino, Atsuo Hirose
  • Patent number: 6302392
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Quad/Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl P. Schaefer, Ingermar S. d'Agrella, Eric L. Kuhne
  • Patent number: 6293542
    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 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: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: Kevin Bokelman
  • Patent number: 6290226
    Abstract: A method and system for transporting envelopes from an envelope feeder to an envelope staging area in an envelope insertion machine. The envelope transport system includes two envelope bins and two envelope supply paths linking the envelope bins to an envelope feeder. Each of the bins is used to temporarily store an envelope before that envelope is moved to the staging area. The envelope supply paths are controlled by a flipper gate which alternately opens one path and closes another so as to allow an envelope to enter one envelope bin while another envelope in the other envelope bin is moved to the staging area. With the dual envelope bins connected to the dual supply paths to receive envelopes released by the envelope feeder, the envelope feeder does not have to slow down substantially in order to wait for the released envelope to clear the feeding path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos L DeFigueiredo, Linda A. Howard, John W. Sussmeier, William J. Wright, Karel J. Janatka
  • Patent number: 6286831
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for guiding a sheet in a stream of sheet progressing through a paper path of a printing machine. The apparatus includes an input feed mechanism for feeding the sheets in a first direction. The apparatus also includes a guide which is operably associated with the input feed mechanism for guiding the sheets along the first direction. The apparatus further includes a movable gate operably associated with the guide. The gate and the guide define a passageway therebetween for passing sheets therethrough. The passageway has a first width at a first position of the gate selected for passing sheets therethrough having a thickness less than a first thickness. The first width of the passageway is selected for inhibiting sheets therethrough having a thickness greater than the first thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Marasco, David M. Attridge
  • Patent number: 6273419
    Abstract: A method and device for collating a number of sheets, serially and separately entering an entry point, into a stack at an exiting point without slowing down or pausing the sheets. The method and device, according to the present invention, provide a plurality of traveling paths with different path lengths to connect the entry point and exiting point, and use controlling devices to control the paths such that a sheet entering the entry point will travel a shorter path than the preceding sheet. It is preferred that the path length difference between any two adjacent paths is the same. The path length difference can be smaller than or equal to the length of the sheets. When the path length difference is equal to the sheet length, all sheets travel through different paths will arrive the exiting point concurrently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Allen, John W. Sussmeier, William J. Wright
  • Patent number: 6257572
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a main body and a sheet post-processing unit. The main body has a first discharge path, a second discharge path, a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion. The sheet post-processing unit has a first sheet receiving path and a second sheet receiving path each connecting to a common sheet transport path, a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion. The first discharge path is connected to the first sheet receiving path by coupling the first mounting portion of the main body to the first mounting portion of the sheet post-processing unit. The second discharge path is connected to the second sheet receiving path by coupling the second mounting portion of the main body to the second mounting portion of the sheet post-processing unit. By providing the plurality of mounting portions in the top and side portions of the main body, the sheet post-processing unit can easily be disposed on the top or side of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kou Yamada, Yuuji Takarabe, Shinji Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6254093
    Abstract: A diverter wedge for a pinless folder is adapted for cooperative association with a diverter guide mechanism operating to direct the lateral disposition of the leading edge of a signature relative to the wedge to one of a plurality of collation paths. The diverter wedge includes an elongated bar having a longitudinal axis and a generally triangular cross section transverse to said longitudinal axis. The bar is fixed in position and also includes a base, a vertex edge opposite the base, and planar diversion surfaces diverging from the vertex edge, an air inlet port connectable to a source of pressurized air, and a plurality of air discharge ports connected to the air inlet port and intersecting one of the planar diversion surfaces. At least one air discharge port intersects the vertex edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Quad/Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Ingermar S. d'Agrella, Karl P. Schaefer
  • Patent number: 6250627
    Abstract: A printed sheet transporting apparatus has a sheet inlet adjustable to selected heights and including an optional inverter for incoming sheets, a sheet feed path leading to selected positions in which a deflector may be adjustably positioned for deflecting sheets to various receivers for the sheets which are mounted on the apparatus at a plurality of vertically spaced sheet receiving positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Gradco (Japan) Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakazu Takeuchi, Kiichiro Noguchi, Ryan S Stevenson, Peter M. Coombs
  • Patent number: 6250625
    Abstract: A method for supplying envelopes to an inserter system, including the steps of providing an envelope supply structure having an exit point, providing at least first and second supply paths from the exit point of the envelope supply structure and providing a common path from the at least first and second supply paths. Individual envelopes are fed from the envelope supply structure to a selected one of the at least first and second supply paths wherein the envelope is conveyed to a holding area in the selected supply path and from the holding area of the selected supply path it is conveyed to the common path. The envelope then travels from the common path to an envelope insertion area wherein prearranged documents are caused to be inserted into the envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Karel J. Janatka, John W. Sussmeier, William J. Wright
  • Patent number: 6244419
    Abstract: This invention provides an improved diverter for a flat article/mail handling system which diverter includes a conveyor for moving articles through the diverter. A mechanism is preferably provided for minimizing contact between a moving part of the conveyor and a stationary part of a diverter platen. This mechanism may, for example be a bearing surface on the platen in a contact region between a conveyor pinch roller and the platen and/or may be a recess formed in the platen in the regions thereof underlying the conveyor. The bearing may be slightly enlarged so as to raise the pinch roller a very small distance above the surface of the platen, eliminating the need for the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Federal Systems
    Inventor: Douglas A. Slocum
  • Patent number: 6244594
    Abstract: An apparatus for storing sheets carrying images thereon and sequentially driven out of an image forming apparatus in consecutive bins thereof is disclosed. The apparatus includes a deflector for deflecting a sheet toward the inlet of a preselected bin and a plurality of cylindrical cams cooperating to open and close the inlet of the bin. The deflector and cams are interlocked to each other to operate at a relatively high speed. The apparatus is capable of surely inserting a sheet into the inlet of the bin and highly reliable and durable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Tohoku Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Araseki, Masanori Takahashi, Dai Itoh, Tatsuro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6234475
    Abstract: Transporting apparatus for individual sheets, having two transporting paths which are aligned at an angle to one another. A diverter arrangement with a first diverter body, which can be adjusted in a translatory manner, and a second diverter body, which can be pivoted about its longitudinal axis synchronously with said first diverter body, serves for optionally guiding a single sheet along the first transporting path, deflecting the sheet into the second transporting path or deflecting it back from there into the first transporting path. For this purpose, a first diverter surface and a third diverter surface, which is aligned at an acute angle to the first diverter surface, are formed on the first diverter body. The second diverter body bears a second diverter surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Siemens Nixdorf Informationssyteme Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Weigel, Klaus Tauchert
  • Patent number: 6234468
    Abstract: An envelope transport system, for transporting envelopes, flaps opened, along a final common path in a direction at ninety degrees from a feed direction along which the envelopes are provided in two parallel paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Karel J. Janatka, John W. Sussmeier, William J. Wright
  • Patent number: 6227540
    Abstract: A sheet carrying apparatus (2) includes: a sheet receiving means (6, 16) for receiving a sheet ejected from a sheet output device (1); a first carrying path (7) for guiding the sheet; a second carrying path (8) branched out of the first carrying path; a carrying path switching means (9) provided in a branching portion between the first and second carrying paths; a first receiving device attachment portion (11) for detachably holding a first receiving device (3) for receiving the sheet ejected from the first carrying path; and a second receiving device attachment portion (12) for detachably holding a second receiving device (4) for receiving the sheet ejected from the second carrying path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Nakamura, Akira Terakado, Yasushi Hashimoto, Tatsuo Matsuda, Tatsuya Shiraishi, Jun Ogino
  • Patent number: 6227532
    Abstract: A turnover mechanism for handling sheets having a pair of belts, said belts are spaced one above the other, sheet turnover tubes interposed between the two belts, one of the turnover tubes facing in a direction opposite to the other turnover tubes, the sheets being fed to one of the belts, the belt moving the sheets to a turnover tube whereby the turnover tube inverts the sheets and transfers the sheets from one belt to the other belt. The belts and turnover tubes are mounted in an invertable module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: GBR Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew Bakoledis
  • Patent number: 6196464
    Abstract: When selected documents traveling along a first feed path (46) are to be fed to a second feed path (48), a solenoid is energized causing pivotal movement of a pair of flipper arms (56a, 56b) so as to direct the documents onto the second feed path (48). When the solenoid is de-energized, documents on the first feed path (46) may proceed to the continuation portion thereof i.e., path (46a), or documents from the second feed path (48) may be fed to the continuation portion (46a) of the first feed path (46). The flipper arms (56a, 56b) are coupled by gearing mechanisms so that they are moveable relative to each other, pivotal movement of one flipper arm (56a, 56b) causing pivotal movement of the other arm (56a, 56b). Such relative movement between the flipper arms (56a, 56b) allows for a compact and reliable structure and activation of the mechanism is required only when documents are to be fed from the first feed path (46) to the second feed path (48).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Patterson, Andrew R. B. Halket
  • Patent number: 6189881
    Abstract: A sheet dispensing apparatus includes at least one pair of sheet stores, and a transport system for transporting sheets from the stores to a dispense position. The transport system includes, for each pair of sheet stores, a common feed member which, upon relative movement between the common feed member and the stores, can be moved between a pair of feed positions in each of which it engages a sheet in a respective one of the pair of stores so as to enable sheet(s) to be withdrawn from the corresponding store. The common feed member is able to take up also a neutral position in which, even if actuated, no sheets are fed from either store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: De La Rue International Limited
    Inventors: Roger Walter Bolton, John Gerwyn Price, Deborah Suzanne Taylor
  • Patent number: 6186339
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Cashcode Company
    Inventors: Leon Saltsov, Sergiy Bukhman, Oleksandr Onipchenko
  • Patent number: 6186496
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for guiding a sheet in a stream of sheet progressing through a paper path of a printing machine. The apparatus includes an input feed mechanism for feeding the sheets in a first direction. The apparatus also includes a guide which is operably associated with the input feed mechanism for guiding the sheets along the first direction. The apparatus further includes a movable gate operably associated with the guide. The gate and the guide define a passageway therebetween for passing sheets therethrough. The passageway has a first width at a first position of the gate selected for passing sheets therethrough having a thickness less than a first thickness. The first width of the passageway is selected for inhibiting sheets therethrough having a thickness greater than the first thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Marasco, David M. Attridge
  • Patent number: 6176485
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a diverting device for a continuous sequence of flat products travelling in a product travel plane. A first product exit path and a second product exit path emerge both from said product travel plane. An upper set of supply tapes and a lower set of supply tapes each comprise actuatable diverter guide members, respectively. The diverter guide members, form upper and lower diverting planes, respectively, with exit tapes upon movement of the diverter guide members about respective axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Mark Anthony Wingate
  • Patent number: 6170818
    Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) identifies and stores documents such as currency bills deposited by a user. The machine then selectively recovers such documents from storage areas and dispenses them to other users. The machine includes a central transport (70) in which documents which are deposited are oriented and identified. Such documents are then routed to storage areas in recycling canisters (92, 94, 96, 98) when a user subsequently requests a dispense of documents. Documents are selectively picked from the storage areas and delivered to the customer. Media gates (116, 118, 120, 122) are used to selectively direct documents between remote transport segments (108, 110, 112, 114) and canister delivery transports (124, 126, 128, 130). The media gates operate by selectively directing documents through an intersection (421) in engagement with transversely offset belt flights (396, 422).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffrey Eastman, H. Thomas Graef, Michael Harty, Andrew Junkins, Mark Owens
  • Patent number: 6164638
    Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) identifies and stores documents such as currency bills deposited by a user. The machine then selectively recovers such documents from storage and dispenses them to other users. The machine includes a central transport (70) wherein documents deposited in a stack are unstacked, oriented and identified. Such documents are then routed to storage areas in recycling canisters (92, 94, 96, 98). When a user subsequently requests a dispense, documents stored in the storage areas are selectively picked therefrom and delivered to the user through an input/output area (50) of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Dicbold, Incorporates
    Inventors: Mark Owens, H. Thomas Graef, Jeffrey Eastman, Michael Harty, Andrew Junkins
  • Patent number: 6161828
    Abstract: A collating device that collates one or more sheets of paper into a sheet collation that includes an input end that receives individual sheets and an output end through which passes the sheet collation. A plurality of sheet paths are provided each providing a sheet path between the input end and the output end. Each sheet path includes a switching mechanism located in proximity to the input end that is operative to selectively direct a sheet received in the input end to the associated sheet path and a drive mechanism operative to vary the speed at which a sheet is conveying in the sheet path associated with the drive mechanism to effectuate a common collation with other sheets being conveyed through other sheet paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Sussmeier
  • Patent number: 6158736
    Abstract: A sheet diverting system for the delivery of products arriving in a stream into at least one of two paths. A first supply belt acting in conjunction with a second supply belt transport a printed product held therebetween. A rotatable sheet diverting lobe diverts the printed product to one of a first delivery path and a second delivery path. A first delivery belt is guided around a first deflection roller and together with the first supply belt defines the first delivery path. A second delivery belt is guided around a second deflection roller disposed vertically and horizontally offset with respect to the first deflection roller and together with the second supply belt defines the second delivery path for the printed product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Eugene John Bergeron