Abstract: A recording apparatus includes: a recording unit which records an image by ejecting ink to a conveyed recording medium; a conveying unit which returns the recording medium, on which the image has been recorded by the recording unit, in order toward an upstream side in a conveying direction; and a reversal unit which is provided at a downstream side of the conveying unit in a returning direction, the reversal unit including a plurality of holding units which respectively suck and hold a recording medium that has been returned by the conveying unit, reverse the recording medium, and send the recording medium to the recording unit.

Abstract: A sheet conveyance system has at least one driven conveying shaft, with a variable spacing of the driven conveying shaft from the sheet stack. The driven conveying shaft includes at least one sheet conveyor that acts on the sheet to be conveyed with a friction coating. A toothed wheel is fixedly disposed on the conveying shaft, whereby this toothed wheel is enclosed by an outer ring that supports the friction coating and has an inner toothing constantly meshes with the outer toothing. The partial circle diameter of the toothed wheel is smaller than the inner toothing. A transferred force acts on the outer ring such that it is placed with a contact force onto the sheet. A spacer maintains a fixed spacing between the axis of rotation of the toothed wheel and the axis of rotation of the outer ring.

Abstract: A sheet feed assembly with a pair of rollers (2,3) to feed sheets of media along a feed path. The roller pair has a drive roller 2 and an idler roller 3. The drive roller 2 is mounted between two bearings 4 and 5 for rotation about its longitudinal axis. The idler roller 3 is shorter than the drive roller 2 and is held against the drive roller by two guide formations 7 and 8 at either end. The guide formations bias the idler roller against the drive roller while allowing some lateral displacement of the idler roller from the drive roller.

Abstract: A first roller member is adapted to be fitted on a roller shaft, and includes at least one first portion, extending in a circumferential direction of the roller shaft, and having a first thickness in a radial direction of the roller shaft, and at least one second portion, extending in the circumferential direction, and having a second thickness in the radial direction which is greater than the first thickness, and at least one projection, formed on the first portion. A second roller member is formed on the first roller member, and includes a third portion, opposing the second portion, and having a third thickness in the radial direction, and a fourth portion, opposing the first portion, and having a fourth thickness in the radial direction which is greater than the third thickness.

Abstract: An adjustable force driving nip assembly for use in a sheet transport system of a document creating apparatus has a plurality of adjustable force driving nips aligned and spaced transversely across the sheet travelling path of the sheet transport system. Each driving nip has a spring biased idler roller mounted on a cam follower and mated with a driven roller. The spring bias produces a normal force for the idler roller that urges the idler roller against the driven roller. A stepper motor is adapted to interact concurrently with the cam followers and, upon actuation, vary the force of the spring thus adjusting the normal force of the idler rollers. A controller actuates the stepper motor in response to sheet media data entered into a control panel of the document creating apparatus by an end user, thereby automatically adjusting the normal force of the idler rollers to prevent sheet marking.

Abstract: A method of processing sheet media is provided. The method may include moving a sheet medium upward by contact of a face of the sheet medium with a roller. The method also may include carrying a trailing edge of the sheet medium upward and then over the roller.

Abstract: A sheet guide apparatus includes a transfer cylinder, delivery chains, and sheet guide structure. The transfer cylinder holds a sheet. The delivery chains hold the sheet received from the transfer cylinder and conveys the sheet along a first convey path which is at least substantially arcuate. The sheet guide structure guides the sheet conveyed by the delivery chains. The sheet guide structure includes a movable guide member and stationary guide member. The movable guide member is movable between positions close to and spaced apart from the first convey path. The stationary guide member is stationarily arranged at a position spaced apart from the first convey path. When the movable guide member is close to the first convey path, a thin-sheet guide surface having a continuous substantially arcuate section is formed by only the movable guide member.

Abstract: A sheet media processing device has a storage pocket. A feed roller for conveying checks into the storage pocket is disposed beside the upstream-side end wall of the storage pocket. The feed roller has a main roller part and a small roller part that is smaller in diameter than the main roller part. A reverse feed prevention plate disposed to the end wall covers at least part of the gap between the end wall and the feed roller. The distal end of the reverse feed prevention plate extends to a position between the outside surface of the main roller part and the outside surface of the small roller part.

Abstract: A data reading apparatus for reading and/or scanning data from a first and second scanned medium comprising a first transportation path P1, along which the first scanned medium is conveyed and a second transportation path P2, along which the second scanned medium is conveyed and wherein the first and second transportation paths each have a common mutually shared middle transportation path through which both scanned media must pass and a common data reader reading data from each scanned medium respectively. Checks S are conveyed on the first transportation path P1, cards C are conveyed on the second transportation path P2 at a different transportation height from that of the first transportation path P1 with data read from the respective media as they are being conveyed. Because the transportation heights differ, scanned media can be transported on different transportation paths without involving special switching devices.

Abstract: A flexible blade for use in a paddle wheel drive element is disclosed. This flexible blade, usually made from rubber or other flexible materials is horizontally split into two sections to provide reduced audible noise when the blade contacts and moves paper sheets.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for driving a fan wheel of a web-fed printing press is disclosed. The fan wheel is driven, at least in a predetermined time period (tv-tD) in the production cycle, at a fan wheel speed, which in addition to a rotary drive speed component is comprised of an oscillating speed component.

Abstract: A shifter is equipped with a rack and a stopper. A transmission gear transmits power from an electric motor to the rack. A retention pin extends vertically downward from the transmission gear. When the shifter slides to an origin, the retention pin locks the stopper, which causes the electric motor to step out. On detecting the step-out of the electric motor, the position control device recognizes that the shifter has reached the origin (the reference position) and has been fixed at the position, thus setting the shifter position.

Abstract: An improved device and method for providing increased latitude of paper handling tires includes at least three elastomeric materials mounted on a shaft and divided into three or more torus-shaped sections of varied width. Combinations of EPDM, Silicone and Isoprene are examples of materials that can be used to make the paper handling tires.

Abstract: An apparatus serves for pressing sheet-like printed products, in particular for pressing folded printed products. The apparatus has a first pair of pressing rollers, with a first, lower pressing roller and a second, upper pressing roller. A further pair of pressing rollers arranged downstream has a third, lower pressing roller and a fourth, upper pressing roller. A drive for driving the pressing rollers is also provided. It is proposed that one pressing roller of each pair of pressing rollers can be moved away from, and toward, the other pressing roller via a mechanism.

Abstract: Sheets are conveyed through a printing machine with improved reliability of the suction grippers. The apparatus for conveying a sheet through a printing machine has a cylinder with grippers in a channel for holding the sheet at its leading edge, circulating grippers for holding and for transferring the sheet from the cylinder at its leading edge, and circulating, radially positionable suction grippers for holding the sheet at its trailing edge. An actuating apparatus opens and closes the grippers and controls vacuum for the suction grippers. A drive for the cylinder and circulating grippers and suction grippers. A control device switches on and off the sheet feed to the cylinder. The suction grippers can be moved in the radial direction into a rest position when the sheet feed is switched off.

Abstract: A sheet discharge roller assembly for a sheet feeding apparatus includes an upper cylindrical exit roller mounted on a rotatable drive shaft and a lower cylindrical pinch roller having a wheel attached to one end. The pinch roller has a length that is longer than the length of the exit roller and is moveable into contact with the exit roller so as to form a nip for gripping a print media to be discharged. The wheel has a diameter that is larger than that of the pinch roller and an outer circumferential edge composed of a plurality of protruding contact portions arranged in a radial pattern. The wheel is positioned so that the wheel can contact the media sheet being gripped and cause the sheet to deform temporarily, thereby making the sheet more rigid.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering a sheet to a surface, comprising a rotating gripper that receives and grips the sheet at or near a leading edge thereof at a first position and delivers the leading edge to a second position, the first and second positions being situated along a circular path along which the rotating gripper travels; a surface having a stop at the second position; and a blower adapted to blow air at the sheet as it is held by the rotating gripper and after it is released by the gripper at the second position, the blowing of the air being in a direction that urges the sheet away from the circular path. The sheet is not positively held on the circular path except by the leading edge grippers.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus of the invention includes a folding mechanism that includes paired folding rollers, presses a sheet to a nip portion of the paired folding rollers from a direction orthogonal to a transport direction, and folds the sheet by rotating the paired folding rollers. Further, there are provided a drive motor capable of making positive rotation and reverse rotation, a variable speed mechanism to convert a rotation force of the drive motor into a rotation output in a single direction and with a low speed or a high speed by changing a rotation direction of the drive motor, a transmission mechanism to transmit the rotation output in the single direction to the paired folding rollers, and a control unit to control the rotation direction of the drive motor and to change the rotation speed of the paired folding rollers.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit; a main body member; a door member for opening and closing an opening provided in the main body member; a hinge mechanism which joins the door member swingably with respect to the main body member; and a lock mechanism which is provided at a position deviated from the hinge mechanism, wherein the hinge mechanism includes; a first hinge hole and a second hinge hole which are provided in at least one of the door member and the main body member, and are arranged substantially coaxially while being spaced from each other, a hinge shaft inserted across the first hinge hole and the second hinge hole, and a spring unit which presses the hinge shaft against inner peripheral surfaces of the first and second hinge holes, and furthermore, the first hinge hole is smaller in size than the second hinge hole.

Abstract: A discharge system for printed media sheets and a printer which utilizes such a discharge system, the discharge system including a tray for the media sheets; rotating transport elements forming a discharge nip for discharging the sheets onto the tray; a guide plate having a surface for guiding the sheets to the discharge nip; and a rotating wheel containing bristles for guiding the sheets towards the discharge nip; the wheel facing said surface of the guide plate. At least one driven transport belt forms one of the transport elements defining the discharge nip, and the guide plate passes in approximately a one-half turn around two pulleys around which the transport belt is passed.

Abstract: A mechanism for offsetting or overlapping successive sheets of material in an interfolding machine includes a bed roll rotating at a first speed and a retard roll rotating at a slower, second speed and positioned adjacent the bed roll. As successive sheets are transferred from the bed roll to the retard roll, the sheets are engaged by a nip roller assembly positioned adjacent the retard roll and forming a nip through which the sheets pass. The retard roller forms a deflection or bubble in the individual sheet passing through the nip, which enables a successive sheet to be positioned beneath the previous sheet, thereby forming the overlap of the successive sheet with the previous sheet.

Abstract: A transport system for cut sheet media has a first and second cylinder to form a nip, a support subsystem to transport edges of cut sheets having at least one image into and out of the nip, and an array of contact points on each cylinder to make contact with the cut sheets without marking the image. A wheel for a print medium transport system has an outer rim having a series of contact points, an inner hub supporting a means to accommodate a drive shaft, and an internal spring connecting the outer rim to the inner hub. A method of transporting cut sheets in a printing system forms a nip between at least one pair of cylinders, each cylinder having an array of contact points, guides a first edge of a cut sheet into the nip, and uses the arrays of contact points to transport the cut sheets through one of either a fusing or drying process.

Abstract: A paper ejection apparatus of a multifunctional business machine having a driving wheel installed on a rotatable inner door allows the driving wheel to move with the inner door, and therefore provides sufficient space for cartridge replacement when the inner door is opened. A height difference between a platform and an end of a slit of the housing of the multifunctional business machine allows the driving wheel and an exit roller to have an interfering pre-stress in between when the inner door is closed. The driving wheel is not interfered by the exit roller when the inner door is opening, which prevents the driving wheel from deviating, imprecise homing, or even falling when the inner door is opening or closing.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder (ADF) having a replaceable friction roller assembly. The ADF includes a housing having a back plate which may be raised and a base pivotalby connected to the back plate, a supporting element disposed on the housing and having a shaft hole, a first engaging structure disposed on the housing, and a friction roller assembly. The friction roller assembly includes a rotating shaft, a friction roller and a first sleeve. The friction roller is fixed to the rotating shaft. The first sleeve is rotatably mounted on the rotating shaft. The first sleeve has a second engaging structure which is engaged with the first engaging structure in order to rotatably and firmly mount the rotating shaft to the housing. The friction roller assembly may be replaced when the second engaging structure and the first engaging structure are disengaged.

Abstract: A slip-sheet compactor for an imaging device with automatic media handling capabilities provides a two-stage compaction for a slipsheet removed from a media sheet to be imaged. A pair of rollers advances the slipsheet into a pre-compression chamber effecting a first compression or folding operation. In a second compression, a plunger sweeps the pre-compression chamber, which is narrowed towards an exit aperture thus effecting a second compression on the slipsheet material.

Abstract: A paper discharging system of an image forming apparatus to discharge a printed paper to the outside, includes side roller parts which are positioned on opposite sides of a paper proceeding direction and are inclined in a predetermined angle toward a vertical direction to a paper proceeding direction. An image forming apparatus and a paper discharging system thereof enable a printing paper to be maintained stiffly in order for printing ink to be dried before transferring onto a discharging tray. Such configuration minimizes printing damage by delaying a discharge time to discharge the printed paper and prevents overlapping contact with a previously printed paper before the printing ink has sufficiently dried.

Abstract: A transport roller is provided in a transport path in order to transport paper, the transport roller transporting the paper downstream in the transport path by making contact with the paper, and At least one contact portion that makes contact with the paper is provided in the transport roller. The contact portion is deformable in a direction that releases pressing force received from the paper when transporting the paper.

Abstract: An exit roll for use in an image forming device. The exit roll may include a body and a kicker section each configured to mount to a shaft. The kicker section may include a plurality of fingers spaced around the periphery. Each of the fingers may include a first section that is substantially parallel to the shaft, and a second section that extends outward way from the shaft. The fingers may be flexible in an upwards and downwards direction into and away from the shaft. The exit roll is constructed to move media sheets out of the exit port and away from the image forming device.

Abstract: A machine for processing printing material sheets, in particular a sheet-fed printing press, has a sheet transport drum for transporting the printing material sheets and at least one sheet supporting element. The sheet supporting element, which is formed with a sheet supporting surface, is compatible with the sheet transport drum, for supporting the printing material sheets in a first operating mode. When the machine is operated in the first operating mode the sheet supporting element is held attached to the sheet transport drum, and when the machine is operated in a second operating mode the sheet supporting element is stored in the machine detached from the sheet transport drum. A corresponding printing material processing machine is suitable for carrying out the novel method.

Abstract: A printing device includes a printing unit, a discharge roller, and a roller controller. The printing unit performs printing on a recording medium at a printing position. The discharge roller is configured to rotatably contact the recording medium on which the printing unit has performed printing, thereby discharging the recording medium. The roller controller controls the discharge roller to rotate such that the discharge roller discharges a recording medium having thickness greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value at a first speed and that the discharge roller discharges a recording medium having thickness less than the predetermined threshold value at a second speed higher than the first speed.

Abstract: A feeding device for feeding a recording medium in a feed direction, including: a drive roller having an annular recess; and a driven roller rotatably held and positioned such that a radially outer end portion of the driven roller is positioned within the annular recess of the drive roller. The driven roller is displaceable away from the drive roller, so that the recording medium is fed to pass between the drive and driven rollers, with the recording medium being gripped by the radially outer end portion of the driven roller and the radially outer end portion of the drive roller.

Abstract: A shaft of a sheet conveying roller is a pipe shaft. Both ends of the pipe shaft are formed into small-diameter portions, and a mounted portion on which a friction member is provided is formed into a large-diameter portion, which has a diameter larger than a diameter of the both ends of the pipe shaft.

Abstract: Proposed is a paper gathering and feeding method, a device therefor, and a rotation member acting sufficiently also on any deformed notes at the time of gathering, and at the time of feeding, feeding is not prevented irrespective of the plasticity deformation, and an object thereof is to reduce the exchange frequency and maintenance of the rotation member, extend the continuous operation time of the paper gathering and feeding device, and realize comprehensive reduction of production cost, service cost, and the like.

Abstract: In a sheet feeder of the present invention, a groove-shaped concave provided on an inner surface of a bearing extends therethrough in a direction where a rotational shaft of a feed roller extends. A surface of the rotational shaft of the feed roller is supported on a pair of outer edges of the groove-shaped concave formed on the inner surface of the bearing. A bottom of the groove-shaped concave is substantially circular-arc and concentric with the inner surface of the bearing other than the groove-shaped concave. The bottom of the groove-shaped concave is formed at such a depth that the surface of the rotational shaft of the feed roller does not contact the bottom while the rotational shaft of the feed roller is supported on the outer edges of the groove-shaped concave.

Abstract: In the sheet feeder, a first intermediate gear support shaft is inserted into a bearing of a first intermediate gear, and contains a bearing engaging part including a sectional shape having a substantial D-shaped cut having a flat part and a circular part. The bearing engaging part having a substantial D-shaped cut of the first intermediate gear support shaft contains two support parts and located on the boundary line between the flat part and the circular part. The support parts are arranged so as to support the circular bearing of the first intermediate gear at two positions sloping by a predetermined angle right and left for the line of a force which passes the center of the first intermediate gear and is applied to the first intermediate gear from the rotation. The support parts have a chamfered or rounded shape.

Abstract: A discharge roller device includes at least one roller pair, at least one first free roller and at least one second free roller. The roller pair includes a driving roller and a pressure roller pushed against the driving roller. The first free roller is disposed at a side where the driving roller is disposed with respect to a plane including a nip part of the roller pair and a part of the first free roller is located in the pressure roller side rather than the plane. The second free roller is disposed at a side where the pressure roller is disposed with respect to the plane and a part of the second free roller is located in the driving roller side rather than the plane.

Abstract: A bracket that rotatably supports a shaft provided along the axis of a back roller for feeding and thereby transporting a document pinched between the back roller and a close-contact-type image sensor elastically supported on a cabinet and that is fitted to the cabinet so as to be rotatable about the shaft is formed integrally with a release lever for releasing the back roller and the close-contact-type image sensor from a state in which they are pressed against each other.

Abstract: A feed wheel includes a hub and a discontinuous tread removably fitted about the hub. At leading and trailing ends of the discontinuous tread are mateable non-planar female and male surfaces which interfit with one another and tend to interlock the tread ends together. The tread has locking lugs formed under leading and trailing ends and an intermediate segment of the tread which fit into holes configured and located in the hub complimentarily to the locking lugs. The holes and locking lugs are oriented relative to one another so as to enable the tread to be retained about the hub with the tread ends interlocked together during operation of the feed wheel.

Abstract: The folder of a printing press includes an air knife assembly to reduce damage to signatures as they travel through the folder and to guide signatures through the folder.

Abstract: A sheet delivery mechanism designed to discharge successive sheets to different delivery positions includes offset rollers, an offset unit, an offsetting force generator and an offset unit swinging mechanism. The offset rollers is rotatably supported by the offset unit to discharge each sheet in a sheet transport direction. The offsetting force generator produces a driving force for shifting the offset unit back and forth along a direction perpendicular to the sheet transport direction between a reference position and offset positions. The offset unit swinging mechanism swings the offset unit about an axis parallel to rotary shafts of the offset rollers in such a manner that a sheet output direction in which the offset rollers eject each sheet varies to a direction pointing away from a sheet delivery tray when the offset unit is shifted along the direction perpendicular to the sheet transport direction by the offsetting force generator.

Abstract: A platesetting system and method comprising a pair of dual capstan rollers that receives a recording medium and records an image on the received medium as the medium is transported through the system. The system and method advantageously enable at least a portion of the image to extend from a leading edge of the medium to a trailing edge of the medium.

Abstract: A platesetting system and method comprising a pair of dual capstan rollers that receives a recording medium and records an image on the received medium as the medium is transported through the system. The system and method advantageously enable at least a portion of the image to extend from a leading edge of the medium to a trailing edge of the medium.

Abstract: A recording apparatus with a relatively simple structure for easily, reliably, and stably transporting a recording medium includes a recording head performing a recording operation by discharging ink; a platen for guiding the recording medium, disposed so as to face the recording head; a discharge roller for discharging the recording medium, disposed in the downstream region of the platen and comprising at least two first roll portions and at least one second roll portion having a smaller diameter than the first roll portions; and at least two discharge guides for guiding the recording medium from the platen to the discharge roller. One end of each of the discharge guides is rotatably supported by the platen, and the other end thereof abuts against the second roll portion of the discharge roller.

Abstract: A discharging unit has multiple discharging rollers for transporting sheets downstream from a recording head in the direction of transporting, arrayed in the direction of transporting. Of the multiple discharging rollers, a second discharging roller disposed farthest downstream in the sheet transporting direction is formed with higher precision than a first discharging roller disposed further upstream.

Abstract: A device for conveying and depositing paper on at least one stack, with a device (27) for moving conveyor rollers (1) laterally in the conveying direction of the sheets and a device (28) for transmitting rotations to conveyor rollers (1), in particular to operate within a depositing device of a sheet-processing machine. In order to ensure a quicker lateral movement of conveyor rollers (1) and to protect the devices (27) and (28) from soiling and mechanical effects, members of the same are located within a rod (2), on which conveyor rollers (1) are located. Furthermore, there are possibilities to calibrate the device with respect to the position of conveyor rollers (1) and to adjust height differences within a stack with tensionless equalization.

Abstract: A device for moving a sheets transversely to its conveying direction with a toothed belt for driving a spindle, whose conveyor rollers for grasping the sheet are attached with a blocking device with at least two toothed gears on the drive belt, whereby the toothed gears have blocking members that strike each other based on a certain gear transformation ratio of the two toothed gears following a certain number of rotations of the toothed gears and which block the movement of the toothed gears.

Abstract: An image recording device for exposing a sheet of photosensitive material is disclosed. The device has a plurality of roller pairs disposed upstream and downstream with respect to a conveyance direction of the photosensitive material. The plurality of roller pairs nip and convey the photosensitive material, ensuring flatness of the material at an exposure position. The device also has a support member that supports a back surface of the photosensitive material. The device also has a plurality of pressing members, disposed between pressing roller pairs, which press the photosensitive material against the support member. The device also has a release mechanism which causes the nipping and release of nipping by at least one of the roller pairs and the pressing and release of pressing by the pressing member.

Abstract: A sheet feeder includes a plurality of roller pairs, which are drive roller segments and driven roller segments that press against the drive roller segments, disposed in pairs at a downstream side of a reading point. At least an outer layer of each of the drive roller segments is constructed of a material, such as a rubber, having a high coefficient of friction relative to a document sheet and at least an outer layer of each of the driven roller segments is made from a material having a low coefficient of friction relative to the document sheet. The drive roller segments are disposed on an axis perpendicular to a sheet feed direction, whereas the driven roller segments are disposed on axes inclined to the sheet feed direction symmetrically about a centerline of a width of the document sheet.

Abstract: A discharging unit has multiple discharging rollers for transporting sheets downstream from a recording head in the direction of transporting, arrayed in the direction of transporting. Of the multiple discharging rollers, a second discharging roller disposed farthest downstream in the sheet transporting direction is formed with higher precision than a first discharging roller disposed further upstream.

Abstract: There is provided a sheet processing apparatus that is capable of preventing sheets conveyed to the sheet processing apparatus from being skewed, wrinkled, damaged, or jammed, and prevent sheets stored in the sheet processing apparatus from being misaligned. The sheet processing apparatus receives a sheet discharged from an image forming apparatus comprising fixing rollers that hold and convey a sheet on which is formed an image at a first conveying speed and with a first conveying force, discharge rollers disposed downstream of the fixing rollers in a sheet conveying direction, for conveying the sheet at a second conveying speed higher than the first conveying speed and with a second conveying force smaller than the first conveying force, and a controller that determines whether a trailing end of the sheet is released from the fixing rollers.