Bidirectionally Rotating Diverter Roller Patents (Class 271/304)
  • Patent number: 11679170
    Abstract: A sanitizer is described which frames a payment media, such as a bill, a coin and a credit card, in an irradiation zone between narrowly spaced support walls having associated ultraviolet lamps arranged to irradiate the payment media for at least a predetermined minimum time period. In one approach a motorized transport transports the payment media to an entry point from which it falls into the irradiation zone. In another aspect, a gravity feed approach is employed to return the irradiated media item to a dispense zone. One application is to alleviate concern at a point of sale where customers and merchants are concerned about whether payment media may be carrying a dangerous virus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Ellenby Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron H. Dobbins, Bob M. Dobbins, Thomas Carullo
  • Patent number: 8998206
    Abstract: A medium transport direction switching mechanism may be provided of a simple configuration which is capable of switching the transport direction of a transported information recording medium. One end may be a biasing member for biasing a pinch roller toward a transport roller engages a support shaft which supports the pinch roller, whereas the other end of the biasing member engages a retaining member which retains the support shaft. In the medium transport direction switching mechanism, rotational behavior of the pinch roller centering upon a rotational center of the transport roller is possible between a first facing position and a second facing position, wherein the pinch roller moves to the first facing position when the transport roller rotates positively, and moves to the second facing position when the transport roller rotates negatively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Nidec Sankyo Corporation
    Inventor: Chisato Hiyama
  • Patent number: 8939448
    Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus including a driving source, a switchback roller which switches between a normal rotation direction and a reverse rotation direction, first and second gear train for rotating the switchback roller in the normal and reverse rotation directions, respectively, a switching mechanism which switches among a first mode for transmitting driving force to the first gear train, a second mode for transmitting the driving force to the second gear train, and a third mode for not to transmit the driving force, a switching element which switches between a first state allowing switching of the switching mechanism into the first or third mode and a second state allowing switching of the switching mechanism into the second mode; and a controller which controls a state change of the switching element between the first state and the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yohei Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8876111
    Abstract: An inverting roller device is used for changing a conveying path of a paper. The inverting roller device includes a first rotating shaft, a first roller, a second rotating shaft, a second roller, and a first swinging arm. The first roller and the second roller are disposed on the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft, respectively. The first swinging arm is pivotally disposed on the first rotating shaft and connected with the second rotating shaft. First, the first roller and the second roller are rotated to allow the paper to be moved in a first traveling direction. Then, the rotation of the first roller is temporarily stopped, and the second rotating shaft and the second roller are driven by the first swinging arm to be moved relative to a surface of the first roller. Consequently, the conveying path of the paper is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Chia-Tsui Lan
  • Patent number: 8517379
    Abstract: A 3-way letterbox media diverter directs and controls media in 2 forward directions and 1 reverse direction within a printer's paper path. The letterbox design enables actuation of the diverter from a first position to a second position just as the trail edge of a sheet passes a post fuser nip. Once the diverter reaches the second position, an invert nip now controlling the sheet is reversed to thereby invert the sheet. Thus, inversion of the sheet is accomplished in a small space envelope, time to reverse direction is reduced, process speed can be reduced and additional paper guides are eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Nicola M Bianco, Richard G Hubbard
  • Patent number: 8459644
    Abstract: A dual path, single reversing roll inverter driven by a single actuator includes a single reversing roller with two, diametrically opposed idler rollers. The configuration of the reversing roller and idler rollers forms a first nip and a second nip that are alternately used to accept sequential sheets from a paper path. The first and second nips discharge the sheets into respective first and second inverting paths. A method for inverting sheets using the dual path, single reversing roll inverter includes rotating the roller in a first direction to direct a first sheet through the first nip. The roller is then rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction to direct the first sheet from the first nip and into the first inverting path and to simultaneously direct a second sheet into the second nip. A gate alternately directs the sequential sheets into the first and second nips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce Allen Thompson, Frank Albert Porter, Michael J. Linder, William Matthew Harney, Robert J. Rinefierd
  • Patent number: 8433234
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a housing formed with a discharge port, a printing device mounted in the housing, a discharge reverse unit to reversely move paper passing through the printing device, and a discharge unit to convey the paper, moving reversely by the discharge reverse unit, to the discharge port. The discharge reverse unit includes a guide member to guide the paper passing through the printing device to the discharge unit, and a lifting part to lift the guide member up and down. The image forming apparatus can prevent jams in a paper discharge device even when increasing a discharge speed in a discharge path, through which a printed printing medium is discharged in such a state that a printed surface of the printing medium is directed in a down direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Min Jae Kim, Jin Min Chung
  • Patent number: 8328195
    Abstract: An exit path assembly for an imaging device according to one embodiment includes a first exit nip formed by a first roller and a second roller and a second exit nip formed by the second roller and a third roller. The rotational direction of the second roller is opposite the rotational direction of the first and third rollers. The exit path assembly further includes a common drive linkage for driving the rotation of the first, second and third rollers. The common drive linkage has a one-way clutch coupled to the third roller for limiting the drive of the third roller to one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Julian Rosacker, Scott Stephen Williams
  • Publication number: 20120228824
    Abstract: An apparatus for diverting incoming printed products is provided. The apparatus includes a roll, a first motor coupled to the roll and a controller coupled to the first motor for controlling the rotation of the roller for diverting printed products along one of two different paths, each path associated with a direction of rotation of the roll. This apparatus may also include a shaft with at least one flipper mounted thereon and a second motor coupled to the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: GOSS INTERNATIONAL AMERICAS, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Adrian ST. OURS, Mark Anthony WINGATE, David Elliot WHITTEN, Jared David KINSON
  • Patent number: 8231126
    Abstract: A medium-directing device includes: first-third roll members, the third roll member contacting the first and second roll members in first and second regions, respectively; and a directing member having first and second directing surfaces and being rotatable between first and second positions such that the directing member, when located at the first position, directs a medium conveyed along a first conveyance path toward the first region via the first directing surface and directs a medium conveyed from the second region toward a second conveyance path via the second directing surface, the directing member including a region of the second directing surface on a side closer to the second region relative to a bent portion, in which, when the directing member is at the first position, a distance between the second directing surface and a tangential line between the second and third roll members increases toward the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akio Shimonaga
  • Patent number: 8219020
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a sheet support is described. Using one or more configurations, the number of parts for the sheet support may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Ito
  • Patent number: 8113500
    Abstract: A duplex automatic document feeder includes first, second, third, and fourth paths, an ejecting path, a scanning module, first and second reversing roller units, a feeding tray, and an ejecting tray. A document is moved from the feeding tray to the scanning module for scanning of a first side surface thereof. Subsequently, the document is moved along a second-side scanning path defined by the first reversing roller unit, the third path, a portion of the first path, the fourth path, and the first reversing roller unit to allow for scanning of a second side surface thereof. After the first and second side surfaces are scanned, the document is moved along a document-inverting path defined by the second reversing roller unit, a portion of the fourth path, the ejecting path, a portion of the second path, the first reversing roller unit, and the ejecting tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chen-Tsai Tsai, Keng-Wei Shih, Hsuan-Yang Lin
  • Patent number: 8095063
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus having an improved structure to enable a user to conveniently operate the image forming apparatus at a front of the image forming apparatus, and a method thereof. The image forming apparatus includes a main body formed with a discharge port at a front portion, a printing unit mounted inside the main body and disposed adjacent to a front panel of the main body, a feeding unit to feed paper printed by the printing unit toward a rear panel of the main body, and a discharge reversal unit to reverse a moving direction of the paper fed by the feeding unit to feed the paper to the discharge port. A sensor to detect a moving position of the paper and a paper guide guiding movement of the paper is mounted between the feeding unit and the discharge reversal unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung Sun Ahn, Jin Min Chung, Jin Soo Lee, Min Jae Kim
  • Patent number: 8087665
    Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus includes a first conveying path through which a sheet is conveyed; a reversal conveyance driving unit which drives to reversely convey the sheet conveyed through the first conveying path; a second conveying path which branches off with the first conveying path and through which the sheet reversely conveyed by the reversal conveyance driving unit is conveyed; and a movable unit which causes a branch position between the first conveying path and the second conveying path to move on a downstream side in a conveying direction of the sheet which is conveyed through the first conveying path, after a trailing end of the sheet which is conveyed through the first conveying path passes the movable unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ko Hirai
  • Patent number: 8052147
    Abstract: An inserter system includes a pre-fold accumulator subsystem in which plural sheets are collected before folding and insertion into an envelope. A divert gate is at the upstream side of the pre-fold accumulator to selectively downwardly divert sheets fed in a reverse direction from the pre-fold accumulator. Positioning of the divert gate is controlled by a mechanism that couples the divert gate and a drive shaft that drives a sheet drive belt component of the pre-fold accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Salomon, Norman R. Lilly, Aaron D. Smith
  • Patent number: 8047544
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a holding section connected to a downstream end of a main transfer path for consecutively transferring paper sheets and formed of a curved transfer path, which consecutively transfers the paper sheets led out from the main transfer path in a curved state and holds them in an overlaid state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshiharu Sekino
  • Patent number: 7946578
    Abstract: In an automatic original conveying device, a motor rotates in a single direction and a driving force transmission mechanism transmits the driving force of the motor from a sheet feeding roller to a switchback roller. The sheet feeding roller conveys an original that stands by in a switchback conveying path to a second conveying path. A sorting unit sorts the original conveyed from a paper delivery path to an original delivery table or to the switchback conveying path. The switchback roller is provided between the sorting unit and the switchback conveying path and it is rotatable in a normal direction or a reverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohji Hatayama, Taku Kudoh
  • Publication number: 20110109039
    Abstract: An apparatus for diverting incoming printed products which includes a shaft, at least one first flipper mounted in a first fixed direction on the shaft, a motor coupled to the shaft; and a controller coupled to the motor for controlling positioning of the shaft to allowing printed products to be diverted along different paths associated with a particular shaft position. The apparatus further includes a low inertia coupler interconnected between the motor and the shaft. Alternatively, the apparatus includes a roll, a first motor coupled to the roll and a controller coupled to the first motor for controlling the rotation of the roller for diverting printed products along one of two different paths, each path associated with a direction of rotation of the roll. This alternative apparatus may also include a shaft with at least one flipper mounted thereon and a second motor coupled to the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: Goss International Americas, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Adrian St. Ours, Mark Anthony Wingate, David Elliot Whitten, Jared David Kinson
  • Patent number: 7896148
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for receiving and distributing currency. In particular, the present invention provides a novel apparatus for the inflow and outflow of a variety of currency. The systems of the present invention are capable of recycling a variety of currency from multiple countries and multiple denominations. The systems of the present invention have the added advantage of compact size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Scan Coin AB
    Inventors: Per Christian Aas, John Haakon Lippert
  • Patent number: 7810628
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for receiving and distributing currency. In particular, the present invention provides a novel apparatus for the inflow and outflow of a variety of currency. The systems of the present invention are capable of recycling a variety of currency from multiple countries and multiple denominations. The systems of the present invention have the added advantage of compact size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventors: Per Christian Aas, John Haakon Lippert
  • Patent number: 7802786
    Abstract: A duplex automatic document feeder includes first, second, third, and fourth paths, an ejecting path, a scanning module, first and second reversing roller units, a feeding tray, and an ejecting tray. A document is moved from the feeding tray to the scanning module for scanning of a first side surface thereof. Subsequently, the document is moved along a second-side scanning path defined by the first reversing roller unit, the third path, a portion of the first path, the fourth path, and the first reversing roller unit to allow for scanning of a second side surface thereof. After the first and second side surfaces are scanned, the document is moved along a document-inverting path defined by the second reversing roller unit, a portion of the fourth path, the ejecting path, a portion of the second path, the first reversing roller unit, and the ejecting tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chen-Tsai Tsai, Keng-Wei Shih, Hsuan-Yang Lin
  • Patent number: 7578504
    Abstract: An automatic document feeder includes first, second, third, and fourth paths for guiding movement of a document. The document is fed through the first path and a scanning module so as to allow for scanning of a first side surface of the document. Thereafter, a switching gate is pivoted to a first position so as to allow the document to be moved from a front section of the second path onto a roller unit via the fourth path and a rear section of the third path. The rotational direction of the middle roller is changed in response to movement of the document onto the roller unit so as to allow the document to be moved onto the first path via the third path, thereby allowing for a subsequent scanning operation on a second side surface of the document. The automatic document feeder further includes a document-inverting path such that documents are automatically arranged according to paper number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chen-Tsai Tsai, Keng-Wei Shih, Hsuan-Yang Lin
  • Patent number: 7198268
    Abstract: A sheet finisher for executing preselected processing with a sheet conveyed thereto of the present invention includes a first processing tray configured to temporarily store the sheet and deliver it. A first and a second path are positioned downstream of the first processing tray in a direction of sheet conveyance and configured to convey a first and a second sheet stack, respectively. The first path conveys the first sheet stack upward over the downstream portion of the first processing tray while the second path conveys it downward over the same. A switching device selects either one of the first and second paths. The sheet finisher of the present invention is low cost and highly productive and space saving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Yamada, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Masahiro Tamura, Hiromoto Saitoh, Shuuya Nagasako, Hiroki Okada, Junichi Iida, Akihito Andoh
  • Patent number: 6929262
    Abstract: A sheet diverting assembly comprising at least three sheet access openings (5, 10, 15) through which sheets can be fed; and a rotatable diverting member (2) cooperating with each sheet access opening (5, 10, 15) so as to guide a sheet fed towards the diverting member (2) through one access opening (5, 10, 15) towards one or other of the remaining access openings (5, 10, 15) while rotating in the feed direction. The diverting member (2) includes a plurality of radially extending members (23), the members (23) being sufficiently stiff so as to extend radially outwardly in their rest position but to flex on contact with a sheet as the member (23) rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: De la Rue International Limited
    Inventor: Urs Hostettler
  • Patent number: 6854727
    Abstract: A knock-off unit for knocking off sheet material from the circumferential surface of an impression cylinder in a rotary printing machine operatable in recto and in recto/verso or perfector printing modes, includes a knock-off device mounted on a rectilinear guide and controllable by a gripper shaft for lifting a leading region of the sheet material off the circumferential surface of the impression cylinder. The knock-off device is coupled via a transmission mechanism to said gripper shaft and, during an outward movement, said knock-off device being extended beyond the circumferential surface of the impression cylinder, initially bridging an idle stroke; an impression cylinder in combination with the knock-off unit; and a printing unit having the knock-off unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Gerhard Heppenstiel
  • Publication number: 20040113359
    Abstract: A sheet diverting assembly comprising at least three sheet access openings (5, 10, 15) through which sheets can be fed; and a rotatable diverting member (2) cooperating with each sheet access opening (5, 10, 15) so as to guide a sheet fed towards the diverting member (2) through one access opening (5, 10, 15) towards one or other of the remaining access openings (5, 10, 15) while rotating in the feed direction. The diverting member (2) includes a plurality of radially extending members (23), the members (23) being sufficiently stiff so as to extend radially outwardly in their rest position but to flex on contact with a sheet as the member (23) rotates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Ure Hostettler
  • Patent number: 6341777
    Abstract: An inverter for reversing the orientation of a moving sheet includes a drive roller and an idler roller in circumferential contact in at least two positions, with a nip defined in each position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel L. Carter
  • Publication number: 20010022427
    Abstract: A paper discharge device which can temporarily stock paper in the device before the paper is discharged from a discharge port, without a fear of wrinkling or folding the paper during the stock, and without a limitation on the kind and length of paper which can be stocked is disclosed, a paper discharge device comprises a first conveyance path (31) for guiding paper from an input side (16) to between a driving roller (2) and a driven roller (3), a second conveyance path (32), an initiating end thereof being joined to the first conveyance path (31) at a point nearer to the input side than the driving roller (2) and a terminating end thereof being connected to a discharge port (17), a paper stock space (8) provided on an opposite side to the input side (16) with a contact point (P1) of the driving roller (2) and the driven roller (3) being sandwiched therebetween, and a third conveyance path (33) for guiding the paper (60) from the contact point (P1) of the driving roller (2) and the driven roller (3 to the pape
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Inventor: Akihiko Ito
  • Patent number: 6240260
    Abstract: A system and method for transferring and buffering sheets of media between first and second components of an imagesetting system operates by: rotating a transfer buffer having at least two storage devices, to align a first storage device with the first component while concurrently aligning a second storage device with the second component; transferring a first sheet of said media from the first component to the first storage device; rotating the transfer buffer to align the first storage device with the second component while concurrently aligning the second storage device with the first component; and transferring the first sheet of said media from the first storage device to the second component while simultaneously transferring a second sheet of said media from the first component to the second storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Agfa Corporation
    Inventors: Libor Krupica, Arthur R. Newton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6186501
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Joseph Adrian St. Ours
  • Patent number: 6186497
    Abstract: A low cost inverter apparatus of includes a dual positionable, multi-function gate and a stationary baffle that guides sheets toward catch or output trays or work in conjunction with reversible rolls to direct the sheets into a duplex path. The dual positionable gate and stationary baffle have points thereon that are positioned to use the beam strength of the sheets to align the sheets with a duplex nip that feeds the sheet into the duplex path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Donald E. Johnston
  • Patent number: 6076818
    Abstract: A miniaturized and inexpensive sheet sensing device which is easy to control and simple in construction and makes it possible to reliably sense one circulation of the sheet. A sensing member whose tip end is reciprocatingly displaceable in the direction of stacking of documents is disposed from the top face side to the bottom face side of the documents. At this time, the sensing member is bent and the tip end thereof passes along the side face of the document. In this way, at an initial stage of the conveyance of the document, the sensing member is disposed on the bottom face side of the stack of documents and at this time the sensing member becomes substantially linear, whereby the tip end thereof abuts on the bottom face of the stack of documents. In such a state, the conveying operation is repeated. A sensor senses that the sensing member has passed through the top face side and thereby senses that the conveying operation of the document has made its one circulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ayumu Oda
  • Patent number: 5988621
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Mita Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Kondo, Toru Tanjo, Hiroshi Kobayashi, Hiroyuki Harada, Masahiro Sako, Jun Kusakabe
  • Patent number: 5966556
    Abstract: A method is provided for copying in which a duplex copy can be smoothly made. In making N sets of double-sided copies of M one-sided documents, a method of copying includes a first document circulating step of copying images of even ordinal numbered documents on unused sheets and then stores these sheets into an intermediate tray. The second document circulating step of copying images of odd ordinal numbered documents on rear faces of one-side copied sheets forming double-sided copied sheets which are discharged. A cycle detecting solenoid for separating each circulation of the one-sided documents is provided and breakdown judging step of judging by a controlling device that a cycle detection sensor is out of order in the case where the cycle detecting solenoid is operated and a polarity of the cycle detection sensor is not changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Nakagawa, Yuji Okamoto
  • Patent number: 5931454
    Abstract: A recycle document feeder according to the present invention includes a cover (251) covering a document discharge portion (30). The cover (251) is openably supported by a pivot shaft (256) between a pair of frames (255). A feed-back path (32) for guiding a document original onto a document placing plate is defined by a pair of guide members (257, 258) provided in an opposed relation. The upper guide member (258) is attached to the interior face of the cover (251). A switch claw (253) for switching the document traveling direction is attached to the pivot shaft (256) which supports the cover (251). Thus, there is no need for additionally providing a shaft for supporting the switch claw (253), thereby simplifying the construction of the document discharge portion (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Mita Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Kondo, Toru Tanjo, Hiroshi Kobayashi, Hiroyuki Harada, Masahiro Sako, Jun Kusakabe
  • Patent number: 5879000
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Mita Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Kakuta
  • Patent number: 5868387
    Abstract: First and second switchback convey paths are arranged to be symmetrical about the convey path between an inlet and a discharge path. First and second detection sensors are arranged on the first and second switchback convey paths, respectively, to detect sheets conveyed therein. A switching gate is rotatably placed between the respective convey paths. The switching gate is constituted by a first reverse guide path for causing the inlet to communicate with the first switchback convey path and also causing the discharge path to communicate with the first switchback convey path, and a second reverse guide path for causing the discharge path to communicate with the second switchback convey path and also causing the inlet to communicate with the second switchback convey path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kida, Norio Hontani, Masanori Kato, Masanori Takeda, Kiyohide Ochi
  • Patent number: 5676361
    Abstract: The paper tray for an automatic sheet feeder has a tray base (2) to which is attached a lower paper alignment face (4) having a sheet ejection slot (6). An upper paper striking face (8) is located opposite the lower paper alignment face, in the vicinity of which is a set-count finger (10). The upper paper striking face (8) in the form of a striking block (9) which increases in thickness from the tray base (2) upwards is shaped in such a way that the documents returned to the paper tray can be relied upon to come to rest on top of the set-count finger (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Siegfried Garbe
  • Patent number: 5394992
    Abstract: A sorter for separating a plurality of documents into two groups on the basis of characteristics which distinguish the documents of one group from the documents of the other group in which a cabinet has an input tray from which documents are fed one by one along a path past a sensor and between a pair of belts having divergent path portions between which a diverter responsive to the sensor is disposed and is adapted to divert documents alternatively to the nip between an upper pinch roller and one of the belts in its divergent path portion to cause the document to be deposited in an upper output tray by an upper stacker or to the nip between a lower pinch roller and the other belt in its divergent path portion to cause the document to be deposited in a lower output tray by a lower stacker in which the upper output tray and the upper stacker and the pinch rollers are mounted for movement as a unit between an operative position and an inoperative position at which the diverter is accessible with a magnetic coup
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Brandt, Inc.
    Inventor: Theodore Winkler
  • Patent number: 5258045
    Abstract: A route selector for a sheetlike article comprises an delivery path for feeding the sheetlike article, a pair of feed rollers located at the end of the delivery path, and a first and a second discharge paths separated by the feed rollers. The feed rollers are arranged so that a line connecting the central axes of rotation of the feed rollers is inclined with respect a line which is perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction. The feed rollers are rotatable forwardly and backwardly, determining the directions to which the sheetlike article is conveyed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: Hirakawa Kogyosha Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Miyuki Yamashita
  • Patent number: 5234210
    Abstract: A diverting apparatus for diverting successive sheets from an entrance path in one of two different directions. The apparatus comprises a driven diverter roller having a plurality of spaced gripping sections for urging the sheets through the diverting apparatus. A pair of primary idler rollers are provided, each being in direct contact with the driven diverter roller, so as to cause the idler rollers to rotate in the opposite direction the diverter roller is rotated. A second pair of idler rollers may be provided which are in direct contact with the primary idler rollers which provide a moving support guide which assists in controlling the path of the sheets passing through the diverting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Anthony M. Olexy
  • Patent number: 5234211
    Abstract: A diverting apparatus for diverting successive sheets from an entrance path in one of two different directions. The apparatus comprises a driven diverter roller having a plurality of spaced gripping sections for urging the sheets through the diverting apparatus A pair of primary idler rollers are provided, each being in direct contact with the driven diverter roller, so as to cause the idler rollers to rotate in the opposite direction the diverter roller is rotated. A second pair of idler rollers may be provided which are in direct contact with the primary idler rollers which provide a moving support guide which assists in controlling the path of the sheets passing through the diverting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Anthony M. Olexy
  • Patent number: 5196897
    Abstract: A printer produces single and double sided images in correct page order using identically oriented sheets. An imprinting path is provided with mechanisms for transferring an image to one side of the sheet. The printer also has a sheet side reversing path that communicates with the imprinting path, and an output path. The printer includes first and second direction reversing paths that communicate with the imprinting path, the first direction reversing path further communicating with the sheet-side reversing path and the second direction reversing path communicating with the output path. A path selection apparatus is operable, when the printer is to imprint a double-sided image, to direct a sheet initially to the first direction reversing path after an image has been imprinted on one side thereof, and to direct the sheet to a second path after a second image has been imprinted on a second side thereof, whereby the sheet is directed to the output path after the second imprinting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Trask
  • Patent number: 5131649
    Abstract: The invention includes a sheet feeding apparatus having a sheet pocket with a first end and a second end, rollers spaced a predetermined distance from the first end and including a plurality of sheet-feeder nips, one of the nips being an inlet nip for directing a sheet into the first end of the sheet pocket, and at least one other of the nips being an exit nip for directing a sheet out of the first end of the sheet pocket, and bypass rollers for selectively permitting a sheet to exit the sheet pocket via the second end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Martin, Vinod K. Agarwal, Gerald M. Garavuso
  • Patent number: 5106075
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for selectively inverting flexible and limp planar workpieces such as fabric. The apparatus includes a primary workpiece propeller having a cylindrical means for contacting the workpiece about a central rotating axis. A slot of sufficient size to receive the workpiece is positioned in a substantially vertical orientation beneath the primary propeller. The slot preferably has a flared upper end positioned directly beneath and in contact or near contact with the propeller. The fabric is drawn into the slot by the rotation of the propeller and follows the contour of the flared open end of the slot. The fabric enters into the slot until the trailing edge of the fabric is in contact with the primary propeller. The trailing edge of the fabric is drawn by the propeller to the opposite side of the flared opening of the slot and is subsequently pulled out of the slot. Collisions are prevented between workpieces by a control circuit that instructs the workpieces when to leave the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Levi Strauss & Co.
    Inventors: Lawrence Wafford, Richard L. Harrington, Hubert Blessing, Ted M. Ray
  • Patent number: 5088722
    Abstract: A diverter assembly has a pair of spaced idler rollers located in spaced relation, and a grooved diverter roller which contacts both of the idler rollers. A sheet is fed along an entrance path between the idler rollers and into engagement with the diverter roller. The diverter is rotated in a first direction to deflect a sheet into a first exit path or in a second direction to deflect the sheet into a second exit path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Anthony M. Olexy
  • Patent number: 4968021
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for flipping over flexible and limp planar workpieces such as fabric. The apparatus includes a primary workpiece propeller having a cylindrical means for contacting the workpiece about a central rotating axis. A slot of sufficient size to receive the workpiece is positioned in a vertical orientation beneath the primary propeller. The slot preferably has a flared upper end positioned directly beneath and in contact or near contact with the propeller. The fabric is drawn into the slot by the rotation of the propeller and follows the contour of the flared open end of the slot. The fabric enters into the slot until the trailing edge of the fabric is in contact with the primary propeller. The trailing edge of the fabric is gripped by the propeller and thereby drawn to the opposite side of the flared opening of the slot and is subsequently pulled out of the slot. The fabric has thereby been inverted so that the top of the fabric is now on the bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Levi Strauss & Company
    Inventors: Lawrence Wafford, Richard L. Harrington, Hubert Blessing
  • Patent number: 4900009
    Abstract: A sheet material distributing apparatus includes a plurality of bins for accommodating sheet materials, a first sheet material gripping and conveying device displaceable to be opposed to a sheet material inlet of each of the bins, and a second sheet material gripping and conveying device displaceable to receive a sheet material from a sheet material discharging device and for transferring the sheet material to the first sheet material gripping and conveying device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Kitahara, Masataka Naito, Yuji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 4890826
    Abstract: A sorting apparatus for sheets which are supplied from an office machine such as a printer, comprises a take-up site for receiving the sheet from the printer and a plurality of output sites. The sheet can be deposited into any one of the output sites. A support carries pairs of engaged rollers which define a feed channel for a sheet. The feed channel has an inlet end which is alignable with the take-up site for receiving a sheet from the office machine. The support can be pivoted about a swiveling axis to bring the outlet end of the channel to any one of the output sites. A control mechanism is connected to a stepper motor which engages the support for rotating the support about its swiveling axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignee: Rutishauser Data AG
    Inventor: Thomas Rutishauser
  • Patent number: 4848944
    Abstract: The printer paper feed mechanism disclosed herein operates to transfer a sheet of paper being printed from the printing platen to an output tray above the platen by means of a plurality of resiliently surfaced rolls carried on a shaft which is journaled in arcuate slots in end plates at either end of the platen roll. When the rollers are driven in one direction, the shaft walks along the arcuate slots toward a guide which is overlaid by a sheet of paper being fed from the platen. The rollers drive that piece of paper upwardly away from the platen and into the output tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: Genicom Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas D. Fuller, Kenenth A. Boulanger