Single Separator Acts On Multiple Supplies Patents (Class 271/9.07)
  • Patent number: 11009811
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a chassis having an opening, a cover, photosensitive members, an intermediate transfer belt, a primary-transfer member, a secondary-transfer roller, a cleaner device, an external-sheet inlet, a waste toner container, a connector, and a conveying roller, which is arranged within the feeding path to feed the recording sheet inserted through the external-sheet inlet in the feeding path. The conveying roller is mounted on the waste toner container and removable from the chassis along with the waste toner container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 9927758
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a tray having first and second receiving portions is configured to move between a first position, at which at least part of the tray is positioned inside an apparatus body, and a second position, at which the tray is outside the apparatus body. The tray in the first position allows a first recording medium to be conveyed from the first receiving portion. When the tray is in the first position, the second receiving portion is configured to move between a third position, which is at an upstream side relative to a first opening of the apparatus body in a second direction, and a fourth position, which is at a downstream side relative to the third position in the second direction. The second receiving portion at the third position allows a second recording medium to be conveyed from the second receiving portion in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasushi Okabe
  • Patent number: 9156636
    Abstract: A sheet-supply tray device for use with an image recording apparatus, includes a lower sheet-supply tray and an upper sheet-supply tray. The upper sheet-supply tray includes a main body, a leading-end stopper, a trailing-end stopper and a side-end stopper. The main body includes a support surface that supports a recording sheet. The leading-end stopper is fixed on the main body and stops a leading end of the recording sheet. The trailing-end stopper includes a trailing-end contact surface having a trailing-end protrusion extending over an upper surface of a trailing-end portion of the recording sheet toward the leading-end stopper. The trailing-end contact surface contacts a trailing end of the recording sheet. The side-end stopper includes a side-end contact surface that contacts a side end of the recording sheet. The side-end contact surface has at least one side-end protrusion extending over an upper surface of a side-end portion of the recording sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuo Asada, Yukio Shiohara
  • Patent number: 9073712
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a medium cassette provided with a medium accommodation tray that has a medium accommodation unit for accommodating a medium which is transported to a recording unit, and a paper discharge tray that is disposed on the upper side of the medium accommodation tray and that receives a medium on which recording has been performed at the recording unit. The paper discharge tray has a cutout formed from an end portion of the paper discharge tray which is on a feed-out side in a transport direction of the medium accommodation unit, and the cutout exposes the medium accommodation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Toshikazu Kotaka
  • Patent number: 9039005
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including a chassis with an opening formed on one side thereof; a first placement section, on which a sheet inserted through the opening is placeable; a cover configured to be openable to expose and closable to cover the opening and configured to form, when in a position to expose the opening, an outer part of the first placement section outside the chassis; and a second placement section arranged in an upper position with respect to the first placement section, and on which a sheet inserted through the opening is placeable, is provided. The second placement section is detachably attached to the chassis through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Saya Minoshima, Junki Ueyama
  • Publication number: 20150097329
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus including a first guide configured in one of a first manner that the first guide is disposed on a first tray surface of a first tray and extends in a first direction perpendicular to a rotational axis of a second tray and parallel to the first tray surface, and a second manner that the first guide is disposed on a second tray surface of the second tray and extends in a second direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of the second tray and parallel to the second tray surface, and a second guide connected with the first guide, so as to move between a first position where the second guide faces the first tray surface in a direction perpendicular to the first tray surface and a second position where the second guide faces the second tray surface in a direction perpendicular to the second tray surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shinji UKAI
  • Publication number: 20150091241
    Abstract: A sheet conveyor device includes a first housing having a sheet conveyance path. A second housing is pivotably disposed above the first housing and movable between a first position at which the second housing is adjacent to an upper side of the first housing and a second position at which the second housing is angled relative to the upper side of the first housing. A sheet support member is connected to the first housing and has a sheet inlet communicating with the conveyance path. An interlock mechanism is pivotable about a second rotational axis that is parallel to the first rotational axis in response to movement of the second housing between the first position and the second position to move a cover between a first state and a second state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Keisuke WAKAKUSA
  • Patent number: 8967614
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus including a first tray having a first holding portion for holding sheets, a second tray disposed above the first tray and including a second holding portion for holding sheets, a sheet feeder that selectively feeds a sheet from one of the first tray and the second tray in a sheet feed direction, a recording unit that records an image on the sheet fed by the sheet feeder, and a discharge roller that discharges the sheet on which the image is recorded by the recording unit. The second holding portion of the second tray moves above the first holding portion of the first tray. The second tray further includes a discharged sheet receiving portion for receiving the sheet discharged by the discharge roller. The second tray including the discharged sheet receiving portion pivots relative to the first tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukio Shiohara, Tetsuo Asada, Yuji Koga
  • Patent number: 8851466
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a lower tray which is detachably mounted to an apparatus body, an upper tray provided above the lower tray, which is detachably mounted to the apparatus body, and a feeding roller capable of contacting each of a recording medium stored in the lower tray and the recording medium stored in the upper tray from above. The feeding roller is supported at an intermediate position, which is lower than a position of the feeding roller reached when the feeding roller contacts a bottom surface of the upper tray and higher than a position of the feeding roller reached when the feeding roller contacts a recording medium set as a top sheet in a state in which a maximum number of recording media are stored in the lower tray, in an unmounted state of the upper tray and the lower tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Toshikazu Kotaka, Tetsuya Tamura
  • Patent number: 8807553
    Abstract: An image recording device includes a tray unit, a sheet feeder disposed above the tray unit, a recording unit disposed above the sheet feeder, and a unit for discharging the sheet having as image recorded thereon. The tray unit includes a first tray for holding thereon a first sheet, a second tray disposed above the first tray to hold thereon a second sheet, and a third tray disposed above the first tray. The second tray selectively moves between a first position and a second position. When the second tray is in the first position, the sheet feeder feeds the second sheet from the second tray, and the third tray receives the second sheet discharged from the discharging unit. When the second tray is in the second position, the sheet feeder feeds the first sheet from the first tray, and the first tray, the second tray, and the third tray overlap one another vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuo Asada, Satoru Nakakita
  • Publication number: 20140210154
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus including a first tray having a first holding portion for holding sheets, a second tray disposed above the first tray and including a second holding portion for holding sheets, a sheet feeder that selectively feeds a sheet from one of the first tray and the second tray in a sheet feed direction, a recording unit that records an image on the sheet fed by the sheet feeder, and a discharge roller that discharges the sheet on which the image is recorded by the recording unit. The second holding portion of the second tray moves above the first holding portion of the first tray. The second tray further includes a discharged sheet receiving portion for receiving the sheet discharged by the discharge roller. The second tray including the discharged sheet receiving portion pivots relative to the first tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yukio SHIOHARA, Tetsuo ASADA, Yuji KOGA
  • Patent number: 8764004
    Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a sheet guide portion disposed upstream of a nip portion so as to guide a leading edge of a sheet sent from a sheet storing portion to the nip portion, and a manual bypass guide member which extends from a manual bypass sheet feeder and has a leading edge portion disposed between the sheet guide portion and the nip portion and can be elastically deformed in up and down direction so as to guide a manual bypass sheet to the nip portion. The manual bypass sheet is guided by the manual bypass guide member toward the nip portion and is sent out by the feed roller to a sheet transport path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Susumu Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 8714540
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus including a first tray having a first holding portion for holding sheets, a second tray disposed above the first tray and including a second holding portion for holding sheets, a sheet feeder that selectively feeds a sheet from one of the first tray and the second tray in a sheet feed direction, a recording unit that records an image on the sheet fed by the sheet feeder, and a discharge roller that discharges the sheet on which the image is recorded by the recording unit. The second holding portion of the second tray moves above the first holding portion of the first tray. The second tray further includes a discharged sheet receiving portion for receiving the sheet discharged by the discharge roller. The second tray including the discharged sheet receiving portion pivots relative to the first tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukio Shiohara, Tetsuo Asada, Yuji Koga
  • Patent number: 8695960
    Abstract: A media loading and unloading system, for use with a media cutting system having a cutting table and cutting apparatus to cut or score media held on a surface of the cutting table, includes an elevator assembly and a bi-directional transport system. The elevator assembly includes a drive and multiple vertically displaced bins that are vertically movable up and down by the drive. The bi-directional transport system transports media in a lateral feed direction from the elevator assembly to the cutting table surface and removes media from the cutting table surface in a lateral direction opposite to the feed direction to the elevator assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Barry P. Mandel, William W. Nowak, Robert A. Clark, Linn C. Hoover, Thomas C. Hollar, Peter J. Knausdorf, Thomas J. Wyble, Kathleen A. Feinberg, Ming Yang
  • Patent number: 8616543
    Abstract: A guide device includes a plate on which a first medium is to be placed, and provided above a space in which a container is to be inserted, a moving member that moves along a surface of the plate in a supply direction of the first medium or in an opposite direction, a substantially sheetlike guide member that guides the first medium in the supply direction, and a drawing member that draws the moving member toward the plate. When the container is taken out of the space, the moving member is drawn toward the plate in the opposite direction by the drawing member, and the guide member withdraws to a position superposed on the plate. When the container is inserted in the space, the moving member is pushed in the supply direction by the container, and the guide member protrudes from the position in the supply direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shun Ikeura, Kenichi Ishikura, Takayuki Yazawa
  • Patent number: 8585037
    Abstract: In a media tray, a mid-tray sensor is located relatively equally distant between the tray front and the tray back. This allows the tray to be free of a divider between the front and reserve stack areas. After the user closes the tandem tray, an elevator plate lifts media in the lead stack location and a slider moves in a forward direction toward the tray front based on the front media sensor not detecting media in the front stack area, or whenever the mid-tray sensor detects media located between the front stack area and the reserve stack area. An alarm is produced when the front media sensor does not detect any media, or when the slider is unable to move when it should be able to move (forward into the front stack area, back through the reserve stack area, etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Jos Wim Jacobs
  • Patent number: 8550448
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a decolorizing device includes a first stacker to stack sheets to be decolorized images on the sheets, a second stacker arranged adjacent to the first stacker, wherein the sheets stacked on the first stacker is kept waiting on the second stacker in order to be decolorized the images, a pressing unit to urge the sheets stacked on the second stacker downward and keep the sheets stacked on the second stacker flat, an image decolorizing unit to decolorize the images on the sheets, and a sheet feed unit positioned on an upper surface of the pressing unit to convey the sheets pressed on the pressing unit from the second stacker to the image decolorizing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ken Iguchi, Isao Yahata, Takahiro Kawaguchi, Hiroyuki Taguchi, Hiroyuki Tsuchihashi, Hiroyuki Taki
  • Patent number: 8517370
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus including a first tray having a first holding portion for holding sheets, a second tray disposed above the first tray and including a second holding portion for holding sheets, a sheet feeder that selectively feeds a sheet from one of the first tray and the second tray in a sheet feed direction, a recording unit that records an image on the sheet fed by the sheet feeder, and a discharge roller that discharges the sheet on which the image is recorded by the recording unit. The second holding portion of the second tray moves above the first holding portion of the first tray. The second tray further includes a discharged sheet receiving portion for receiving the sheet discharged by the discharge roller. The second tray including the discharged sheet receiving portion pivots relative to the first tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukio Shiohara, Tetsuo Asada, Yuji Koga
  • Publication number: 20130140756
    Abstract: A medium storage box is provided. The medium storage box includes a first supporting plate for storing first medium, a second supporting plate spaced apart from the first supporting plate, for storing second medium, and a pickup roller, disposed between the first supporting plate and the second supporting plate, for selectively picking up one of the first medium and the second medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: LG N-SYS INC.
    Inventor: LG N-SYS INC.
  • Patent number: 8439344
    Abstract: An image recording device includes a housing, a tray unit mounted in the housing and configured to hold thereon sheets, a feeder configured to feed a sheet from the tray unit, a recording unit configured to record an image on the sheet fed by the feeder, and a discharging unit configured to discharge the sheet after the recording unit records the image on the sheet. The tray unit includes a first tray including a first holding surface for holding thereon a first sheet, a second tray includes a second holding surface for holding thereon a second sheet and configured to move above the first holding surface between a first position and a second position, and a third tray supported by the first tray and disposed above the second tray in the second position, and configured to receive the sheet discharged by the discharging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuo Asada, Satoru Nakakita
  • Patent number: 8413980
    Abstract: In one example, a printer sheet holding system includes: a support for printable substrate sheets in a support area; and a movable indicator to indicate the presence in the support area of a second sheet stack on top of a first sheet stack. The indicator being movable between a first position in which the indicator extends over the support area where it can rest on top of the first stack when a first stack is supported in the support area and a second position in which the indicator is withdrawn from the support area. In another example, a method includes sensing the presence of a second stack of printable substrate sheets on top of a first stack of printable substrate sheets and, in response to sensing the presence of the second stack on the first stack, configuring the printer to print on sheets of the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Indigo B.V.
    Inventor: Shahar Stein
  • Patent number: 8398068
    Abstract: An image recording device includes a tray unit, a sheet feeder disposed above the tray unit, a recording unit disposed above the sheet feeder, and a unit for discharging the sheet having an image recorded thereon. The tray unit includes a first tray for holding thereon a first sheet, a second tray disposed above the first tray to hold thereon a second sheet, and a third tray disposed above the first tray. The second tray selectively moves between a first position and a second position. When the second tray is in the first position, the sheet feeder feeds the second sheet from the second tray, and the third tray receives the second sheet discharged from the discharging unit. When the second tray is in the second position, the sheet feeder feeds the first sheet from the first tray, and the first tray, the second tray, and the third tray overlap one another vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuo Asada, Satoru Nakakita
  • Patent number: 8342502
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus including a first tray having a first holding portion for holding sheets, a second tray disposed above the first tray and including a second holding portion for holding sheets, a sheet feeder that selectively feeds a sheet from one of the first tray and the second tray in a sheet feed direction, a recording unit that records an image on the sheet fed by the sheet feeder, and a discharge roller that discharges the sheet on which the image is recorded by the recording unit. The second holding portion of the second tray moves above the first holding portion of the first tray. The second tray further includes a discharged sheet receiving portion for receiving the sheet discharged by the discharge roller. The second tray including the discharged sheet receiving portion pivots relative to the first tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukio Shiohara, Tetsuo Asada, Yuji Koga
  • Patent number: 8342503
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus including a first tray having a first holding portion for holding sheets, a second tray disposed above the first tray and including a second holding portion for holding sheets, a sheet feeder that selectively feeds a sheet from one of the first tray and the second tray in a sheet feed direction, a recording unit that records an image on the sheet fed by the sheet feeder, and a discharge roller that discharges the sheet on which the image is recorded by the recording unit. The second holding portion of the second tray moves above the first holding portion of the first tray. The second tray further includes a discharged sheet receiving portion for receiving the sheet discharged by the discharge roller. The second tray including the discharged sheet receiving portion pivots relative to the first tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukio Shiohara, Tetsuo Asada, Yuji Koga
  • Patent number: 8333523
    Abstract: A recording device includes a feed tray for storing sheets, a first conveying path, an arm having one end attached to a pivot, and a roller attached to the other end of the arm. The roller feeds the sheet to the first conveying path. A recording unit is positioned in the first conveying path, and records an image onto the sheet. The recording device also includes a second conveying path between the pivot and the feed tray, and a path changing unit. The path changing unit moves between a first position, where it discharges the sheet, and a second position, where it conveys the sheet to the second conveying path. The arm moves between a third position where the roller contacts the sheets in the feed tray, and a fourth position where the roller is above the second conveying path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuo Asada
  • Patent number: 8297611
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus including first and second bodies that are removably connected to each other. The first body includes (i-a) a pair of first box portions (i-b) a connector interconnecting the first box portions, (i-c) at least one first foot portion provided on a bottom surface of each of the first box portions so as to be in contact with an installed surface, and (i-d) at least one first support portion extending upwardly from the at least one first foot portion. The second body includes (ii-a) a pair of second box portions, (ii-b) a connector interconnecting second box portions, and (ii-c) at least one second foot portion provided on a bottom surface of each of the second box portions. The second foot portion is located in a position aligned with the first support portion, so as to be in contact with a distal end of the first support portion. A sheet conveying device is held by a frame member which bridges between the second box portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Samoto
  • Patent number: 8292287
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a decolorizing device includes a first stacker to stack sheets to be decolorized images on the sheets, a second stacker arranged adjacent to the first stacker, wherein the sheets stacked on the first stacker is kept waiting on the second stacker in order to be decolorized the images, a pressing unit to urge the sheets stacked on the second stacker downward and keep the sheets stacked on the second stacker flat, an image decolorizing unit to decolorize the images on the sheets, and a sheet feed unit positioned on an upper surface of the pressing unit to convey the sheets pressed on the pressing unit from the second stacker to the image decolorizing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ken Iguchi, Isao Yahata, Takahiro Kawaguchi, Hiroyuki Taguchi, Hiroyuki Tsuchihashi, Hiroyuki Taki
  • Publication number: 20120175836
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a dual hopper assembly (104) for use in a credential processing device (100), a credential processing device (100) that includes a dual hopper assembly (104), and methods of feeding substrates in a credential processing device (100). One embodiment of the dual hopper assembly (104) comprises an upper hopper (106) configured to support one or more card substrates (102), a lower hopper (108) configured to support one or more card substrates and an input feed roller (140). The input feed roller is positioned between the upper and lower hoppers and is movable between a first position (132), in which the input feed roller engages a bottom substrate (102A) supported in the upper hopper, and a second position (134), in which the input feed roller is displaced from the bottom substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: HID Global Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Meier, Jeff Stangler, Chad Johnson
  • Patent number: 8181953
    Abstract: A printing system includes a first media holder configured to hold a plurality of sheets of media, and a second media holder configured to hold a different plurality of sheets of media. A contacting component is configured to selectively contact an individual sheet of media within the first media holder or within the second media holder. Additionally, a member, having a measurable property that is sensed by a sensor in correlation with a position of the individual sheet of the media in either the first or second media holder, provides a signal selectively indicative of the position of the individual sheet of media in either the first media holder or the second media holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Hongsheng Zhang
  • Publication number: 20120086162
    Abstract: A method for commonly using scanning/printing path of a multifunction office machine and a device thereof. The device has a first and a second feeder slots adjacent to each other, whereby documents to be scanned and sheets to be printed can be respectively placed into the first and second feeder slots. A first restricting member is arranged on one side of the output end of the first feeder slot. A second restricting member is arranged on one side of the output end of the second feeder slot. A common pivotal member is disposed between the first and second restricting members. The common pivotal member is able to selectively drivingly abut against the first or the second restricting member. A power source serves to drive the first and second restricting members or the common pivotal member to respectively transfer the documents and the sheets for scanning and printing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: KINPO ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Ying-Chieh HUANG
  • Patent number: 8152391
    Abstract: A recording device includes a feed tray for storing sheets, a first conveying path, an arm having one end attached to a pivot, and a roller attached to the other end of the arm. The roller feeds the sheet to the first conveying path. A recording unit is positioned in the first conveying path, and records an image onto the sheet. The recording device also includes a second conveying path between the pivot and the feed tray, and a path changing unit. The path changing unit moves between a first position, where it discharges the sheet, and a second position, where it conveys the sheet to the second conveying path. The arm moves between a third position where the roller contacts the sheets in the feed tray, and a fourth position where the roller is above the second conveying path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuo Asada
  • Patent number: 8096544
    Abstract: A sheet containing device includes a supporting part that supports a first sheet and a second sheet, wherein the first sheet and the second sheet are different types of media, and the first sheet and the second sheet are stacked on one another; a feeding member that is located at a front end of the supporting part and that feeds the first sheet and the second sheet in correspondence with rotation of the feeding member; a sheet operating member that selectively prevents one of the first sheet and the second sheet from being fed by the feeding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Hiromi Kano
  • Patent number: 8081919
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus has an original mount, a recording material mount for mounting recording materials, a supply roller, a separating unit, a reading unit for reading an image of the original, an original detection sensor for detecting the original on the original mount, and an original widthwise direction reference surface for being abutted by the original mounted on the original mount to position that original. The recording material widthwise direction reference surface is used to position the recording material so that a portion of the original does not superpose on the recording material having a maximum width and the original detection sensor detects that a portion of the original mounted on the original mount is not superposed on the recording material having maximum width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideyuki Terashima, Yoshiaki Suzuki, Takashi Awai
  • Patent number: 7963517
    Abstract: A sheet feed device includes a first sheet cassette having an accommodating portion accommodating a first plurality of sheets and a second sheet cassette, disposed on the first sheet cassette, accommodating a second plurality of sheets. The sheet feed device also includes a sheet feeder configured to selectively feed the first plurality of sheets and the second plurality of sheets toward a sheet feed path, and a sheet separator configured to separate, one by one, the sheets fed by the sheet feeder. Specifically, the second sheet cassette is configured to move above the accommodating portion and with respect to the sheet feeder between a sheet feed position in which the sheet feeder contacts sheets accommodated in the second sheet feed cassette to a non-sheet feed position in which the second sheet feed cassette prevents the sheet feeder from contacting sheets accommodated in the second sheet feed cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukio Shiohara, Tetsuo Asada, Yuji Koga
  • Patent number: 7950648
    Abstract: A feeding device according to the present invention includes a box, paper holders, and a shifting mechanism. The box is open at its top. The paper holders are open at their tops and positioned in the box. Each of the paper holders holds a pile of sheets of paper in it. The shifting mechanism so shifts at least one of the paper holders that the top sheet in one of the paper holders is positioned in a single feed position in the box according to selection data output from the apparatus with which the feeding device is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaya Asakawa, Masahiko Fujita, Tadasu Taniguchi, Masatsugu Ohishi, Masaharu Kimura, Yasuaki Fukada, Norichika Katsura, Yasuhiro Takai
  • Patent number: 7909318
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of preventing simultaneous delivery of two sheets of paper when they are supplied from a paper supply device, thereby improving operational reliability of the paper supply device. The image forming apparatus includes a body incorporating a printing device, a first paper supply unit, in which first paper is loaded, a second paper supply unit, on which second paper is disposed, at least one feed roller to deliver the second paper disposed on the second paper supply unit, a pickup roller to pick up the first paper from the first paper supply unit, and a pickup pad, which is located at a first position to contact the pickup roller when the pickup roller picks up the first paper from the first paper supply unit, and which is located at a second position spaced apart from the pickup roller when the second paper disposed on the second paper supply unit is delivered by the feed roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hak Kyum Kim, Byeong Hwa Ahn
  • Patent number: 7883082
    Abstract: A sheet feed device includes a first tray comprising a first plate configured to receive a first plurality of sheets thereon, in which the first tray includes a support, and a second tray positioned on the first tray. The second tray includes a first and a second side portion, and a second plate configured to receive a second plurality of sheets thereon. The device also includes a feed roller configured to selectively feed the sheets in a sheet feed direction. The support is configured to selectively support the second tray at a retracted position and a sheet feed position at which the feed roller is configured to selectively feed the first plurality of sheets and the second plurality of sheets, respectively. Moreover, a shortest distance between an upper surface of the first plate and a lower surface of the second plate when the second tray is in the sheet feed position is less than a shortest distance in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuo Asada
  • Patent number: 7885597
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a tray, a sensor, and a transport mechanism. The tray holds a media stack. The transport mechanism moves the tray past the sensor to scan a side of the media stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: David Gast, Steven B. Elgee
  • Patent number: 7815183
    Abstract: A device (10) for extracting and feeding sheets from two trays, comprising a first tray (20) to contain a first ream (21a) of sheets (21), a second tray (30) to contain a second ream (31a) of sheets (31), and a feeding member (50, 53, 53a, 53b) for extracting and feeding one sheet (21, 31) at a time from said first ream (21a) or from said second ream (31a), wherein the two trays (20, 30) are positioned one on top of the other on the same side of the feeding member (50), and the second tray (30), in an intermediate position between the first tray (20) and the feeding member (50), comprises a fixed wall (32, 32a, 32b), to support the second ream (31a), which is configured in order to define an opening or cooperation zone (41) between the first tray (20) and the feeding member (50), so that, when the second ream is not present in the second tray (30) the feeding member (50, 53, 53a) and the first ream (21a) are intended to cooperate in contact with each other, through said cooperation zone (41) in order to extra
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Telecom Italia S.p.A.
    Inventors: Paolo Cappello, Daniele Mazzini
  • Publication number: 20100225047
    Abstract: There are provided a plurality of sheet feed trays in which sheets are stored, a sheet feeding section which enables a continuous sheet feeding of sheets stored in the above sheet feed tray, and a control section which controls the above sheet feeding section and has an auto tray switch function, and the aforesaid control section obtains information on an amount of sheets stored in the above sheet feed tray, during a continuous sheet feeding from the above sheet feed tray, and judges whether or not the amount of the remaining sheets in the above sheet feed tray satisfies the prescribed condition. In the case where the above prescribed condition is satisfied, the control section stops motion of sheet feeding from the above sheet feed tray while leaving sheets in the above sheet feed tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kazutoshi YOSHIMURA, Kazumichi YAMAUCHI, Hideki NAKAMURA, Akira OKAMOTO, Yoshiki KATAYAMA, Masatoshi OGAWA
  • Patent number: 7782504
    Abstract: Provided is an image reading/recording apparatus capable of actualizing downsizing and a decrease in cost of an apparatus body by commonizing components and functions of a document conveying system and a recording sheet conveying system, and enabling a user to readily clean a contaminated portion even when a reading surface of reading means and a white plate are contaminated. A separation feeding means, a reading means, conveying means, and discharging means are disposed in this sequence from an upstream side in a conveying direction, wherein the reading means is provided to read an undersurface of a document with a reading surface directed upward, and a white plate facing the reading surface of the reading means is disposed in an openable/closable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akio Okubo, Takashi Awai, Hideyuki Terashima, Yoshiaki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7748692
    Abstract: A sheet tray device including (a) a first tray and (b) a second tray which is disposed on an upper side of the first tray and which includes (b-1) a support member which bridges between opposite side walls of the first tray and which is movable relative to the opposite side walls, and (b-2) a supported body pivotably supported by the support member. Each of the opposite side walls includes a first rail portion and a second rail portion that is located on an upper side of the first rail portion. The support member includes (i) a main slide portion that is slidably held in contact with an upper surface of the first rail portion, (ii) a removal-preventing slide portion that extends through a space between the first and second rail portions, and (iii) a rotation-preventing slide portion that is slidably held in contact with a side surface of the first rail portion. Also disclosed is an image forming apparatus including the sheet tray device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yukio Shiohara
  • Publication number: 20100156028
    Abstract: A locking device locks or separates a first paper feed tray to a second paper feed tray in a state where the first paper feed tray and the second paper feed tray being arranged in parallel at a storage position of an image forming apparatus. The locking device includes an engaging mechanism that can be set to an interlocked state. When the engaging mechanism is in an interlocked state, and when a drawing tray is drawn out from the storage position, a drawn tray is drawn out after the drawing tray is drawn out for a predetermined distance from the storage position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventor: Hiroshi Akema
  • Publication number: 20100157391
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus enabling a user to place originals on any of sheet feed trays without confirming requested orientation of the originals, either front facing or back facing. Image data of an original fed from a first sheet feed tray and read by a first reading unit is processed handling as image data of a front surface of the original, and image data of an original fed from the first sheet feed tray and read by a second reading unit is processed handling as image data of a back surface thereof. Image data of an original fed from a second sheet feed tray and read by the first reading unit is processed handling as image data of the back surface of the original, and image data of an original fed from the second sheet feed tray and read by the second reading unit is processed handling as image data of the front surface thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: CANON DENSHI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ayaka Sato
  • Patent number: 7699303
    Abstract: A feeder for feeding media items from a tray includes a first nudger roller and a second nudger roller. The first and the second nudger roller are moveably mounted to the feeder. The first and the second nudger rollers are in a first position when a tray of a first type is connected to said feeder the first and said second nudger rollers are in a second position when a tray of a second type is connected to said feeder. The tray of a first type may be a shingle feed tray and the tray of a second type may be a stacks feed tray. With the shingle feed tray the first position for the first and the second nudger rollers are where each nudger roller engages each media item in a shingles tray when each such media item is positioned in the shingles tray to exit the shingles tray and to be moved from the shingles tray into said feeder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Fairweather, Thomas M. Lyga, Theresa Bartick
  • Patent number: 7694951
    Abstract: A sheet feeder includes a first sheet-feeding cassette capable of accommodating a stack of recording medium and a second sheet-feeding cassette capable of accommodating a stack of recording medium smaller than the recording medium accommodated in the first sheet-feeding cassette. The second sheet-feeding cassette is disposed on the first sheet-feeding cassette so as to be movable with respect to the first sheet-feeding cassette. The second sheet-feeding cassette includes a first accommodating section and a second accommodating section. The second accommodating section is displaceable relative to the first accommodating section between a closed position and an open position. The second accommodating section exposes an accommodating section of the first sheet-feeding cassette wider in the open position than in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yukio Shiohara
  • Patent number: 7694950
    Abstract: A sheet feed device includes a first sheet cassette comprising an accommodating portion configured to accommodate a first plurality of sheets, and a second sheet cassette disposed on the first sheet cassette and configured to accommodate a second plurality of sheets, in which at least one characteristic of the first plurality of sheets is different than at least one characteristic of the second plurality of sheets. The sheet feed device also includes a sheet feeder configured to feed the first plurality of sheets and the second plurality of sheets in a sheet feed direction toward a recording unit, and a sheet separator configured to separate, one by one, the sheets fed by the sheet feeder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukio Shiohara, Tetsuo Asada, Yuji Koga
  • Patent number: 7690640
    Abstract: This invention is related to a feeder for transporting a print medium from a tray along a U-shaped transporting path. The feeder comprises a transporting guide. The transportation guide comprises an outer transporting guide and an inner transporting guide, the U-shaped transporting path is formed between the outer transporting guide and the inner transporting guide. The outer transporting guide extends from a position adjacent to one end of the first tray. The inner transporting guide extends from a position adjacent to one end of the second tray. The inner transporting guide comprises a concave portion facing the outer transporting guide. The concave portion has a length which extends from an upstream end to a predetermined position of the inner transporting guide along a transportation direction of the second print medium, and a width which is adjusted such that the second print medium is capable of passing within the concave portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Koga, Daisuke Kozaki, Yusaku Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7681875
    Abstract: A supply tray includes a first tray configured to receive a stack of recording medium thereon, and a second tray configured to receive at least one recording medium thereon, which is different in size or type, or both, from the stack of recording medium received on the first tray. The second tray is disposed in an upper portion of the first tray and is slidable within a predetermined direction. The supply tray further includes a locking mechanism configured to place and to fix the second tray in position with respect to the first tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuo Asada, Yukio Shiohara, Keisuke Wakakusa
  • Patent number: 7654514
    Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for feeding a stack of sheets in a direction of movement to a process station, including: an elevator tray for holding stacks of sheets; a feed head for picking up a sheet from the stack of sheets when a vacuum force; air knife for blowing air between individual sheets in the stack of sheets, the sheet feeding apparatus having a first mode of operation for feeding a single stack of sheets from the sheet tray and a second mode of operation for feeding first stack of sheets and a second stack of sheets from the elevator tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: William D Milillo