Abstract: Bank notes are drawn out of containers provided in a bank note handling machine into first paths and then delivered therefrom to a second path through a junction where each of the first paths joins the second path. A guide is positioned at the junction. The guide is made in a comb-like form which has an upper portion curved upwardly and throughout the whole width-length of the bank note and a plurality of depending members. Notches are defined between the depending members to be adapted to cause rollers and belts of the first path to project therethrough.

Abstract: An image transfer material separation apparatus for an electrophotographic copying machine, in which a leading edge of an image transfer material is curled in such a direction as to be separated from the surface of a photoconductor on which a latent electrostatic image or a visible image is formed, before the image transfer material is brought into close contact with the latent-electrostatic-image- or visible-image-bearing photoconductor, and after image transfer, an image transfer material separation member, disposed away from the surface of the photoconductor, is pushed by the curled leading edge portion of the image transfer material, whereby the image transfer material is guided in the direction different from the movement direction of the photoconductor and is separated from the surface of the photoconductor and is then transported, for instance, towards an image fixing station.

Abstract: A sheet transportation and separation apparatus separates a sheet, which is moved in close contact with the surface of a member moving in synchronization with the sheet, from the surface of the moving member by deforming the corner of a leading edge of the sheet by a member operated by the edge of the sheet.

Abstract: A transfer-printing sheet separating system including a device for bending the leading end portion of a transfer-printing sheet having a pair of rotary members interposed between a sheet feeding device and a transfer-printing station near the periphery of a photosensitive member and disposed on opposite sides of the path of travel of the transfer-printing sheet, and a separating member disposed downstream of the transfer-printing station with respect to the direction of travel of the transfer-printing sheet and having a forward end spaced apart from the periphery of the photosensitive member a predetermined distance. The transfer-printing sheet has its leading end portion bent or curved before being fed to the transfer-printing station, and separated from the periphery of the photosensitive member by the separating member after a toner image is printed thereon.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating a copy sheet from a photoconductive imaging surface in an electrophotographic copier following image transfer in which a plurality of guides are stationarily disposed at transversely spaced locations across the imaging surface at sufficiently small spacings therefrom to intercept the leading edge of a copy sheet moving past the guides and separate the sheet edge from the surface. The guides are disposed at progressively retarded positions relative to the movement of the imaging surface to effect laterally progressive peeling of the leading edge of the copy sheet from one lateral edge to the other and have such progressively decreasing lengths along arcuate guide paths as to compensate for their progressively retarded positions and direct the sheet onto an exit path with a leading edge orientation corresponding to its original orientation in the transfer station.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic copying apparatus a substantial saving of space is realized at the image-transfer-separation area by providing the transfer electrode with a shield having an open face opposite the photosensitive drum and an open end adjacent which a grounded separation roller is mounted. The separation roller acts as an end plate of the shield and receives a charge from the transfer electrode. The charged separation roller rotating at the same peripheral speed as the drum thereby attracts the transfer paper from the drum to the roller, thereby separating the paper from the drum.

Abstract: In a photocopier, a sheet hold down member with a rounded end, extends to the photosensitive drum surface from a resilient support, adjacent the edge of a pick-off blade, near where sheets conveyed to the drum surface transfer station arrive. Portions of the sheet adjacent the blade are held down by the member to contact the image bearing drum surface, thereby minimizing image lost to the sheet.

Abstract: Sheet stripping apparatus for removing sheets from an imaging member having a light sensitive layer thereon and a band-like elastomeric layer carried by the imaging member adjacent one end thereof contiguous the light sensitive layer. A cam member is adapted for pressure engagement with the elastomeric layer through a transfer paper in contact therewith such that the lead edge of the transfer paper is lifted from the imaging member.

Abstract: An ink jet printer includes a rotatable support for supporting a sheet of paper, a rotary drive for rotating the support, and an ink jet print head mounted adjacent the support for printing on a sheet of paper supported thereon during a plurality of successive rotations of the support. A paper supply loads a sheet of paper onto the support such that the sheet of paper is supported thereby. A paper ejector removes a sheet of paper from the support. A control is provided which controls operation of the paper supply and the paper ejector such that as a sheet of paper is removed, after a plurality of rotations on the support, another sheet is concurrently loaded onto the support, whereby the time required for loading and unloading a sheet of paper is minimized and the overall speed of the printer enhanced.

Abstract: The sheet separation apparatus for separating a transfer sheet from a toner image bearing photoconductor for use in an electrophotographic copying machine comprises a plurality of separators which are rotatably mounted on a shaft arranged parallel to the photoconductor, and each of the separators is independently urged into pressure contact with the surface of the photoconductor by a spring member through a control member which is substantially integral with the shaft. In one embodiment of the sheet separation apparatus, the control member serves as a protector for preventing toner particles from being scattered from the surface of the photoconductor and in another embodiment of the sheet separation apparatus, the shaft can be turned about a predetermined point of one end portion of the shaft in the direction that the other end portion of the shaft can be moved away from the photoconductor for easy maintenance of the sheet separation apparatus.

Abstract: An ink jet printer includes a rotatable support for supporting a sheet of paper. The support defines an interior vacuum chamber and a plurality of vacuum openings in the surface thereof which communicate with the vacuum chamber. A rotary drive rotates the support and a vacuum source is provided for partially evacuating the vacuum chamber. A paper supply adjacent the rotatable support, loads a sheet of paper onto the rotatable support. An ink jet print head is mounted adjacent the rotatable support for printing on a sheet of paper supported thereon. A sheet diverter is positioned adjacent the rotatable support between the ink jet print head and the paper supply for stripping sheets of paper from the rotatable support when the sheets are not firmly supported thereon. A paper sensor is mounted adjacent the rotatable support, intermediate the sheet diverter and the ink jet print head, for inhibiting operation of the ink jet print head when a sheet of paper is diverted by the paper diverter.

Abstract: A conveying system adapted for use with a screen printing machine having an endless printing blanket for supporting and indexing a work piece during a screen printing operation. The system includes transfer apparatus disposed adjacent the discharge end of the indexing printing blanket which includes removing apparatus in the form of belt strips having gripping pins to peelingly remove the work piece from the printing blanket. Elevating apparatus for first lifting the leading edge of the work piece away from the printing blanket so as to suspend the leading edge until the work piece is advanced in a position for engagement by the gripping pins is provided such that the leading edge bridges any spacing between the discharge end of the printing blanket and the removing apparatus.