Abstract: The present invention provides an original conveying apparatus in which originals stacked on an original tray are separated one by one by a separation unit to be conveyed to a reading portion for reading an image, and then the read original is discharged.

Abstract: A document scan apparatus comprises a document scanner unit 1 which scans a document by illuminating the document with light, a feed path 10 which extends from a document stack portion 4 to a document discharge portion 8 through the document scan portion 7 of the document scan unit 1, driving units 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 which drive the document on the document path and document size detection units 23 and 24. The document size detection units 23 and 24 detect the document size during the document is carried by the driving units 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20. Then, the documents 4 are fed to the document scan position 7 without passing the document discharge portion 8.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing a jammed paper from an ink jet printer is aimed at an efficient removal of the jammed paper. When an operator pulls jammed paper to remove it the feed roller rotates in response to such a motion, and a sensing unit senses a rotational movement of the feed roller and activates a line feed motor, whereby the jammed paper is ejected. The operator has only to pull the jammed paper just a little so as to remove it from the ink jet printer, thereby permitting an efficient removal of the jammed paper and decreasing the chance of tearing of the jammed paper by pulling it too hard which may be a more serious problem than the paper jam itself.

Abstract: A system for dispensing sheet material such as security documents from one of two sheet compartments to a collecting station is disclosed. The system includes a delivery roller and a stepping motor provided independently for each of the two sheet compartments. The delivery roller associated with each of the sheet compartments draws the foremost sheet from a sheet stack within the respective compartment. The foremost sheet drawn off from the stack is fed to a conveyor roller independently associated with each respective sheet compartment wherein the conveyor roller of each sheet compartment is driven by the stepping motor of the other sheet compartment. The sheet drawn off from the stack is fed to a dispensing conveyor which is common to both sheet compartments. The drive for the system is carried out by the two stepping motors. The motors are operated in opposite directions when dispensing is taking place from each of the sheet compartments.

Abstract: A multiple media sheet stack selection mechanism for selectively presenting multiple media sheet stacks to the same sheet separation and feed mechanism. The multiple media stack selection mechanism includes a primary sheet holder and at least one secondary stack holder. In the first embodiment, the multiple media stack selection mechanism includes a rotatable feed arm mechanism for holding the second paper stack and for positioning the second paper stack for picking and advancement. In the second embodiment, the multiple media sheet stack selection mechanism includes a paper stack gripping device for holding a second paper stack and for positioning the second paper stack for picking and advancement. In both the first and second embodiment, the paper stacks are positioned at a near vertical angle. The near vertical angle provides additional advantages in that the gravity force assists in constantly urging the sheets toward the feed zone, and results in a greater feed reliability.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder mounted removably to a computer input device having a medium receiving and supporting surface includes a plurality of interconnectable modular assemblies for defining a medium path that extends from a medium input tray to a medium output tray via the medium receiving and supporting surface of the computer input device. One of the modular assemblies is a main chassis assembly includes an integrally formed main chassis shell having a substantially planar base. The input tray has a document receiving surface with a concave shape in both the vertical and horizontal planes to help facilitate proper sheet stiffening and alignment for sheet loading purposes onto the receiving and supporting surface of the computer input device. A pair of spaced apart drive rollers mounted to a spring loaded drive axle engage in seriatim individual sheets for loading and unloading them onto the supporting surface of the computer input device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a plurality of parallel mounted sheet conveying paths including at least two guide plates swingable between a sheet guiding position in which the plates guide a sheet, and a jammed sheet removing position in which the sheet conveying path is opened. The image forming apparatus further includes an opening and shutting mechanism for moving the swingable guide plates between the sheet guiding position and the jammed sheet removing position.

Abstract: A transmission unit mounted on the machine base of an office automation machine and covered with a cover and controlled to turn a document feeding control roller through a first driven gear set and/or a thermal paper letting-off control roller through a second driven gear set, including motor, a drive gear turned by the motor, a gear transmission mechanism which includes a first planet gear, a second planet gear, and a sector gear respectively turned by the drive gear to turn the first driven gear set and/or the second driven gear set, and a memory transmission setting mechanism which includes an electromagnetic valve, and a reciprocating rod reciprocated by the electromagnetic valve and having a front notch at a front end thereof, the front notch of the reciprocating rod being forced into engagement with the gear shaft of the first planet gear to disengage the first planet gear from the first driven gear set when the fax machine is set at the memory transmission mode.

Abstract: A paper feed device for a duplex printing apparatus. The paper feed device includes a hinge link coupled to an end of a solenoid, an arm link extended upwards from the hinge link, a reverse guide coupled to the arm link by a guide hinge, a vertical link coupled to one side of the hinge link by a hinge, and a plurality of gears for changing the turning direction of rollers according to a print mode.

Abstract: A turning device for a sheet-fed printing press contains a turning pocket (9) which is bordered by two walls (10,11) which in the interior of the turning pocket are situated close together and which at an opening side of the turning pocket are a predetermined distance from each other forming an elongated sheet intake and output opening (12) with two edges parallel to each other.

Abstract: An information detection apparatus and information detection method for processing recording media to ascertain validity of checks and other negotiable instruments and print as necessary on the recording media. The information detection apparatus for processing recording media comprises in sequence along transportation path 1009 from the insertion opening 1006 a recording medium transportation mechanism 1003, printing mechanism 1004, and reading mechanism 1005. When a recording medium 1008 is transported by transportation mechanism 1003 along transportation path 1009 to a predetermined position, the check is positioned between presser roller 1051 and a detector 1052 of reading mechanism 1005. Presser roller 1051 then presses recording medium 1008 against detector 1052 while transportation mechanism 1003 pulls the recording medium and particular information recorded to the recording medium is detected. This operation straightens wrinkles and removes slack from recording medium 1008 to reduce reading errors.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is provided with a main body including a video controller, having video signal generation device for generating a video signal from image information based on a recording command from an external apparatus and control device, and with a supervisory controller including optional unit control device for controlling at least an optional unit connectable to the main body. The video controller includes a process time informing device for informing the supervisory controller of an image development process time, and the supervisory controller includes a paper transport time memory for storing the paper transport time from the optional paper feed source to the entrance of the printing apparatus, a comparator for comparing the process time informed by the process time informing device with the paper transport time stored in the paper transport time memory, and a paper feed source changing device for changing the paper feed source in case the comparator identifies that the process time is shorter.

Abstract: A sheet discharging apparatus has a plurality of trays for receiving sheets from an image forming apparatus and discharge rollers corresponding to the respective trays. The discharge rollers are rotatable in forward and reverse directions. The sheet discharging apparatus has a transport path for connecting the trays and a sheet discharge opening of the image forming apparatus. A gate for switching the destinations of sheets is disposed at each branched point in the transport path. A selected tray for finally receiving sheets is selected from the trays, and a temporary tray is selected from the trays other than the selected tray. A sheet is temporarily fed in a non-reversed state to the temporary tray from the image forming apparatus. Then, by rotating the discharge rollers in the reverse direction, the sheet is discharged in a reversed state to the selected tray from the temporary tray. A tray which can efficiently execute reverse discharge processing is appropriately specified according to the selected tray.

Abstract: A multi-function sheet handling system including an automatic document feeder (ADF) for automatically feeding sheets of a document held in an ADF input tray. An ADF pick roller selectively picks a sheet of the document and advances the picked sheet along an ADF path. The system includes an automatic sheet feeder (ASF) for automatically feeding sheets of a print media held in an ASF input tray. An ASF pick roller selectively picks a sheet from the ASF input tray and advances the picked sheet along an ASF path. The system further includes an ADF gear for driving the ADF roller, an ASF gear for driving the ASF roller, and a motor drive including a gear train, the motor drive including a stepper motor or other motor with position control. A three-state shifting device couples the motor drive gear train to the ADF and the ASF gears.

Abstract: When performing printing by the ink jet head 13, the control unit 78 controls the step motor 75 to rotate counterclockwise by the first number of steps corresponding to the paper feeding quantity of one-line and, after the paper feeding of one-line, to rotate clockwise by the second number of steps smaller than the first number of steps to thereby rotate the paper supply roller 70 clockwise through the middle gear 74 and the driven gear 73, during which the back-tension generated in the paper sheet S is removed. Accordingly, a constant paper feeding quantity can be maintained without regard to the back-tension, providing a stable paper feeding accuracy. Since the back-tension has been removed from the paper sheet S whenever characters and the like are printed on the paper sheet S, in combination of the stable paper feeding accuracy, high printing quality can be obtained without the occurrence of white lines in the printed characters.

Abstract: A paper guide device for a duplex image forming apparatus. The paper guide device for a duplex image forming apparatus having, on a reverse paper feed path, an upper paper guide, a lower paper guide installed under the upper paper guide, and a paper cassette installed under the lower paper guide, includes a first side guide rail extended along one side of the lower paper guide and bent inwards, and a hinge guide having one side coupled to the lower paper guide by a hinge and having the opposite side curved upwards.

Abstract: An identification card processor receives cards from a hopper, and passes them through a graphic imager for printing, and either prior to printing or subsequently the cards are positioned on an index table that permits moving the cards about an axis to different positions for further operations. The further operations take place at locations set off from the plane of movement of the cards in the graphics imager to conserve space. The indexing table is capable of being indexed to any desired rotational position in a full 360.degree. of movement, and for moving a card under positive drive to and from the index table.

Abstract: A paper-reversing device includes: a driving roller that rotates in one direction; a plurality of driven rollers that are installed around the driving roller while being kept in contact with the driving roller, and that revolve around the driving roller while rotating on their respective axes following the rotation of the driving roller. There is a paper-sending roller that rotates without contacting the driving roller; a roller supporting plate for supporting the driving roller and the driven rollers; a paper-feeding guide section; a paper-reversing guide section; and a solenoid. Paper, which has been fed to the paper-feeding guide section, is sent to the paper-reversing guide section by being sandwiched between the driving roller and one of the driven rollers. Thereafter, the driven roller is separated from the driving roller and is pressed against the paper-sending roller by the revolution.

Abstract: A reversing device for at least one sheet of paper, intended particularly for inclusion in a scanner in a printing device such as a printer or a copying machine. The reversing device has a first guide for guiding one or more paper sheets along a feed path in a first direction. A roller system is also provided and is disposed downstream from the first guide. The roller system defines a transport nip and comprises at least one driven roller which is adapted to be driven selectively in two opposite directions of rotation for selectively driving the sheet of paper respectively in a second direction and a third direction. The second direction has a component which is in the first direction, and the third direction is opposite to the first direction. A second guide is also provided for guiding the paper sheet in a fourth direction which has a component in the third direction. When moving in the fourth direction, the paper sheet moves along a discharge path which is different from the feed path.

Abstract: A document feeder includes: a document detecting device arranged on the top of the copier body, for detecting a document inserted from the outside; a feed roller arranged adjacent to the document detecting device, on the top of the copier body, for feeding an inserted document into a space between the original table and the original cover, in response to the detection of a document by the document detecting device; and an original cover lifting device arranged on the top of the copier body, for lifting the original cover to create a gap between the original table and the original cover, in response to the detection of a document by the document detecting device. Alternatively, the feed roller further has a rotary cam on its shaft, so that the cam rotates to lift the original cover up as the feed roller rotates in the document feeding direction.

Abstract: A sheet jamming-proof mechanism for a paper-feeding system provided outside of a left and a right paper boundaries delimited along a predetermined paper-feeding pathway to supervise the paper-feeding direction for preventing sheet jamming. The sheet jamming-proof mechanism includes: a plurality of touch plates, each touch plate being closely contiguous to the outside of the left or right boundary of paper-feeding pathway and being elastically hold by the paper-feeding system so that the touch plate is forced to shift when the contact plate is pressed by a deviated paper; a plurality of detectors, each detector locates in the vicinity of the touch plate to sense the shift of the touch plate; and a controller which controls the driving device of the paper-feeding system to alter the ordinary paper-feeding operation for preventing sheet jamming when shift of any touch plate is sensed by the detectors.

Abstract: A transmission unit mounted on the machine base of an office automation machine and covered with a cover and controlled to turn a first roller and a second roller, including a gear transmission mechanism, a first roller having a driven gear set at one end, and a second roller having a driven gear set at one end, wherein the gear transmission mechanism includes a motor, a rounded seat raised from the machine base, a drive gear mounted on the rounded seat and coupled to the motor, a first annular gear holder revolvably mounted around the rounded seat and having an upright gear shaft, a second annular gear holder revolvably mounted around the rounded seat and having two upright gear shafts, an auxiliary gear mounted on the machine base, a first planet gear revolvably mounted around the gear shaft of the first annular gear holder and driven by the drive gear to turn the driven gear set of the first roller, a second planet gear revolvably mounted around one upright gear shaft of the second annular gear holder and

Abstract: In a technique for copying a multipage document, a document feed roller and a paper feed roller are started when a document to be copied is sensed, so that image information is scanned by a scanner and copied onto sheets of paper. After this operation, a determination is made as to whether or not the next sheet of the multipage document exists. If so, the copying operation continues, but the paper feed roller stops while the document feed roller continues to be driven if the transporting distance is greater than a predetermined distance.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving a sheet bi-directionally. The apparatus includes a first roller and a second roller. A drive system is associated with the rollers to drive the first roller in a first direction. The drive system is adapted to rotate the second roller simultaneously with the first roller in the same direction as the first roller or in the opposite direction thereto. In addition, the drive system is capable of idling the second roller so as to adjust the timing of the sheet as it moves to subsequent processing stations within a printing machine.

Abstract: A sheet feeding mechanism including a pick apparatus for selectively moving a sheet of media from a stack. A kicker is disclosed in several embodiments and serves to retain media on the stack. A cam is coupled to the pick apparatus for deflecting the kicker from the first position at which it retains media on the stack to a second position at which paper is allowed to move through the mechanism. The mechanism includes a frame and a shaft mounted on the frame for rotational movement relative thereto. The pick apparatus includes a pick tire mounted on the shaft and adapted to rotate therewith. The kicker is mounted on the frame for retaining media on the stack in a first position. The cam is adapted to deflect the kicker during a first portion of a rotational cycle and to release the kicker when the cam is in a second rotational position.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording or reading information on or from a sheet is disclosed. The apparatus includes a holding unit for holding a sheet, a first arm which has one end pivotally fixed to the holding unit, a second arm whose one end or a specific point is pivotally fixed to the first arm, a driving system which can integrally move the other end of the first arm and the other end of the second arm, and can change the interval between the other end of the first arm and the other end of the second arm, a posture regulating mechanism for regulating the posture of the holding unit with respect to the first arm, a sheet supply unit provided with the holding unit, the first arm, the second arm, the driving system, and the posture regulating mechanism, and a recording or reading unit for performing information recording or information reading on a sheet supplied to the sheet supply unit.

Abstract: A base cabinet for an electronic printer has facilities for feeding sheets of paper from the base to a printer resting on the base and selectively for a) returning printed sheets to the base for stacking; b) inverting printed sheets exiting the printer and passing them to a receiver; c) passing sheets or envelopes exiting the printer straight through to a receiving tray; and d) feeding sheets exiting the printer upwardly to a sorter or mailbox.

Abstract: During first side printing, a media sheet is fed along a feed roller over a refeed guide toward a metering roller and into a print zone. As the trailing edge approaches a metering pinch line, the metering roller stops. After a drying time, the rollers reverse direction. The refeed guide directs the media sheet around the metering roller onto an inner guide having a reversible roller. When the trailing edge of the media sheet clears the refeed guide, the reversible roller is moved into contact with the metering roller causing such roller to reverse direction. The media sheet now moves back along the inner guide onto the feed roller. When the media sheet trailing edge is detected at the feed roller, the feed roller and metering roller change direction back to the original direction. The media sheet now is fed through the print zone for second side printing.

Abstract: A copying machine having a two-in-one copying mode comprises a document feeder means 65, 75 and three conveying means 90, 95, 101. The feeder means 65, 75 feeds a document toward a glass platen 29 one by one to stop the document at a first-out position. The first conveying means 90 conveys the document fed by the feeder means 65, 75 onto the glass platen. The second conveying means 95 conveys the document conveyed by the first conveying means 90 along the glass platen 29 until the rear end of the document reaches at a predetermined switch-back position, then conveys the document to the opposite direction to retreat a predetermined distance, and then conveys the document as well as a succeeding document stopped at the first-out position such that the front end of the document situated on a downstream side of the document conveying direction may be aligned with a exposure reference SP, and then discharging the documents to the downstream side of the document conveying direction after exposure.

Abstract: A currency counting and discrimination machine for rapidly counting and discriminating currency bills is set forth having a jam detection and clearing mechanism. The machine has a transport mechanism which engages and transports the currency bills, one at a time, along a transport path from an input receptacle to an output receptacle. A sensing device for scanning and counting the currency bills is adjacent a segment of the transport path. Several sensors along the transport path detect when a currency bill becomes jammed. Once a jammed currency bill is detected, the operation of the transport mechanism is interrupted. A portion of the transport mechanism is then adjusted to relieve pressure exerted on the jammed currency bill by the transport mechanism. The transport mechanism is then reactivated to remove the jammed currency bill from the transport path.

Abstract: A beltless, automatic document feeder for a flat bed document scanner or other hard copy apparatus using a flat bed scanning station is disclosed. A paper path is formed between a feeder frame guide and a paper loading tray. A document sheet pulled from a stack loaded in the tray is transported along the path by a dual function driver. A pad overlaying the flat bed of the scanner is provided with a cooperative lip such that the leading edge of the pulled document sheet is directed from the paper path to the flat bed and under the pad. A second, bi-directional driver, associated with the pad and the flat bed, transports the document sheet to a fully scannable position between the pad and flat bed without releasing the trailing edge of the document sheet. After scanning, the second driver is reversed to remove the scanned document sheet from the bed and transport it to the dual function driver which then ejects the sheet along a second path. The first path and second path are on the same side of the flat bed.

Abstract: Printing to aNd MICR code reading from a cut-sheet form imprinted with an MICR code, such as personal checks, are continuously accomplished by a single apparatus, thereby simplifying processing and reducing the required installation space. A magnetic head and a magnet for reading the MICR code are disposed on the slope of a paper path provided in a printer housing. A personal check in paper path is held by cut-sheet form loading rollers and/or transportation rollers which operate at a synchronized speed, and is passed over the magnetic head for MICR code reading. Thereafter, the personal check is held by the loading rollers and/or the transportation rollers for endorsement printing by the print head.

Abstract: A method for discharging a sheet from a printer that includes feeding a first sheet from a sheet tray, conveying the sheet by the force applied by the driving roller until a leading edge of the first sheet contacts the trailing edge of a second sheet, thereby urging the second sheet in the feed direction such that the second sheet is no longer supported by supporting portions, and reversing the direction of the first sheet by reversing the rotation of the driving roller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermal printer for printing a card. The printer includes a housing having an input/output end configured for both inputting the card into the housing and outputting the card from the housing. A print head is positioned within the housing for printing the card. A card input station and a card output station are located at the input/output end of the housing. A stationary diverter ramp is positioned between the input/output end of the housing and the print head. The diverter ramp has a sloped diverting surface generally facing away from the input/output end of the housing. The printer is also equipped with a mechanism for feeding the card from the input station, past the diverter ramp, to the print head. The printer further includes a mechanism for reversing direction of the card and feeding the card from the print head back towards the diverter ramp such that the card engages the sloped diverting surface of the diverter ramp and is directed toward the output station.

Abstract: A thickness filter device is for use in an insertion chute of a reader for tickets, cards or the like. The device includes a mobile assembly comprising a stirrup member in the form of a yoke pivoting about a fixed axis parallel to a flat support along which the ticket, card or the like passes and perpendicular to a direction of displacement of said ticket, card or the like along this plane and a roller mounted in the stirrup member. The roller has a support shaft parallel to the fixed shaft and mounted in the stirrup member with play so that, in the absence of any ticket, card or the like between the roller and the support plane, it allows the roller to be pressed onto this plane with a pressure calibrated by traction spring means. This play also allows the roller, under the effect of a force opposing the action of the spring means, to bear against a wall of the stirrup member linking two parallel flanges of said stirrup member forming a yoke.

Abstract: A feeding/discharging device designed for an image forming apparatus includes an inner tray and an outer tray which also serves as a feed tray, for receiving sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus. In the main body of the image forming apparatus, a transportation system is formed above a feed cassette, and an inner tray is provided in a sheet discharge section formed above the transportation system. The outer tray is mounted to an external section of the main body so as to be freely rotatable. The outer tray is formed at a different level from the inner tray, and there is a gap defined betwen the inner tray and the outer tray. The outer tray is positioned below the inner tray, and in such a manner that the outer tray is positioned below the inner tray at the gap between the inner tray and the outer tray, thereby forming an opening in the gap, which leads to a transportation roller of the transportation system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for feeding a mailpiece into and out of a weighing module. The apparatus comprises a device for feeding the mailpiece; and a device for positioning the feeding device in a first position for receiving the mailpiece from a first direction and feeding the mailpiece into the weighing module. Additionally, the positioning device moves the feeding device into a second position for feeding the mailpiece in a second direction out of the weighing module. The feed device includes a drive roller and an idler roller for keeping the mailpiece in operative engagement with the drive roller. The method comprises the steps of: (a) positioning a feeding device in a first position for receiving the mailpiece from a first direction; (b) feeding the mailpiece in the first direction into the weighing module; and (c) positioning the feeding device in a second position for feeding the mailpiece in a second direction out of the weighing module.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus with a sheet supporting unit for supporting sheets, a sheet absorb device for air-absorbing a lowermost sheet from among the sheets supported by the sheet supporting unit, a conveyer for conveying the sheet absorbed to the sheet absorb device, a regulator for regulating a downward movement of the sheets supported by the sheet supporting unit by abutting tip ends of such sheets against the regulator, a passage arranged between the conveyer and the regulator and adapted to guide the sheet conveyed by the conveyer, and a controller for driving the conveyer in a reverse direction after the sheet conveyed by the conveyer is fed out through the passage.

Abstract: A device for inverting a sheet along a path in an electric photographic printing machine. A gateless sheet inverter is provided in which a curved portion of a sheet path branch intersects a second portion of the sheet path to form a curved inverter throat. As the sheet is driven from the curved branch portion of the path into the throat portion the beam strength of the sheet causes the trail edge of the sheet to flip toward a second nip leading to the second sheet path. A pair of reversing rolls captures the lead edge of the sheet to be inverted and then reverses to drive the sheets out of the second nip formed by a tri-roll arrangement. A sheet having a radius of curvature equal to or greater than the radius of curvature of the throat will be guided along the throat baffle and fed through the second nip. To further assist in assuring the trail edge flips to the second sheet path an air knife can be added at the intersection of the path branches to assist in moving the trail edge into the second path branch.

Abstract: An improved sheet feeding apparatus and a method thereof, which includes a driving unit for driving corresponding elements; a sheet feeding unit for feeding a sheet by the driving unit; a sheet withdrawing detection unit for detecting as to whether or not a sheet is withdrawn; a sheet feeding direction converting unit for converting a feeding-back direction of the sheet; a sheet feeding-back completion detecting unit for detecting the completion of feeding-back sheet; and a sheet storing unit for storing a sheet into a sheet storing box, and further includes the steps of a first step which judges as to whether or not a sheet is fed back; a second step which converts a sheet feeding direction; a third step which feeds back the sheet; a fourth step which judges as to whether or not a sheet feeding-back is completed; and a fifth step which stores a sheet into a sheet storing box, thus advantageously preventing jamming and skewing of a sheet in operation.

Abstract: The conveying apparatus has a feed conveyor which is intended for conveying printed products against a stop. The printed products arrive at the conveying apparatus in an imbricated formation in which each printed product rests on the following printed product. The distance (A) between the stop and the directing member can be changed in time with the arriving printed products, with the result that, when the distance (A) is shortened, the directing member engages beneath the printed product respectively butting against the stop and directs it into the range of action of the removal conveyor.

Abstract: Special sheets to be handled differently from normal sheets are accommodated in a specific sheet feeding deck such that a predetermined operation or presentation associated with reproduction procedure is permitted or prohibited for the special sheets in the specific sheet feeding deck. For example, if the production of two-sided copies is prohibited for a specific sheet feeding deck which accommodates sheets to be used again, the sheets are not automatically selected during the production of two-sided copies even if they are of the same size as a document original. This ensures erroneous handling is prevented, such as image forming on both sides of the special sheets in the specific sheet feeding deck.

Abstract: A printer in which a paper feeder (a cut sheet feeder or continuous sheet tractor feeder) is mounted as an option, and wherein the driving power of a paper conveying motor is transmitted to a gear 110 via a clutch mechanism C2. The gear 110 meshes with the driving gear of the mounted paper feeder. A paper conveyance path is switchable between a plurality of levels by means of a switching lever 90. The paper supply is enabled from the paper feeder at one switching position thereamong. The clutch mechanism C2 is interlinked with the switching lever 90 such that at one switching position, the driving power of the motor is transmitted to the paper feeder.

Abstract: A triple-roller device having paper-feeding and sending driven rollers, a paper-feeding guide section and a paper-reversing guide section are provided on both sides of a driving roller that rotates in one direction. The paper-reversing guide section has an upper guide section that corresponds to an upper portion from a mid-point of its curved section, and the upper guide section is driven by a solenoid, and allowed to shift. The upper guide section is allowed to shift to a position at which its end on the paper-feeding and sending side is placed between the driving roller and the paper-feeding driven roller, as well as to a position at which it is placed between the driving roller and the paper-sending driven roller. A sheet of paper, which has entered the paper-reversing guide section, is held by a paper-holding roller device. It is possible to provide a shorter paper interval with respect to the paper-sending operation from the paper-reversing guide section.

Abstract: In a document processing apparatus, transport means feed a document along a track past one or more processing devices such as scanning means or printing means. The apparatus includes first and second corrugating rolls (44, 45) between which a document is fed. The rolls (44, 45) are arranged to produce a plurality of corrugations (122) in the document (120) prior to the document reaching the processing device or devices. The corrugations (122) are shallow, being not more than one millimeter in depth, these corrugations (122) producing satisfactory stiffening and straightening of the document (120) while having no adverse effect so far as reading information from, or printing information on, the document (120) is concerned.

Abstract: A sheet supplying apparatus comprises sheet supporting means for supporting a sheet, rotary supply means for feeding out the sheet, rotary convey means for conveying the sheet by a predetermined amount and then for effecting the registration of the sheet by a reverse rotation, drive means for driving the rotary convey means in a normal direction and a reverse direction, a switching output gear connected to the drive means so that a driving force from the drive means is transmitted to the switching output gear, and switching means for engaging the switching output gear with an input gear connected to the rotary supply means to transmit a rotational driving force of the rotary convey means to the rotary supply means, and for disengaging the switching output gear from the input gear.

Abstract: The disclosed document feeder apparatus includes a document drive that comprises only a single line of feed rollers with a simple skew adjustment system. This drive is shown incorporated in a cassette-loaded automatic document feeder ("ADF") that is attachable to an existing independent engineering document copier in a non-intrusive manner. The cassette can be loaded, either when positioned in the ADF or at a location remote from the ADF, with a stack of large engineering documents of mixed media and varying sizes; and it is even possible for the cassette to carry a document several yards (meters) long. Documents are fed serially from the top of the stack through the ADF's document flow path by the document drive which is centered for alignment along a line positioned parallel to the document flow path.

Abstract: A paper path switching mechanism including a plurality of feeding rollers which feed a page when the page is pressed against the feeding rollers by guide members of a switching guide. The switching guide has long guide members which press the paper against the feeding rollers and short guide members positioned near the edges of the page. The short guide members guide the page without imparting too much resistance at the edges of the page in order to reduce the frequency of paper jams. The longer guide members are tapered in width at portions near the periphery of the feeding rollers in order to reduce the size of the contact area of the page to the long guide members which reduces resistance on the page and consequently reduces paper jams. After the page passes between the switching guide and feeding rollers, its direction of travel is reversed and the page again contacts the switching guide but moves along a different edge of the guide members and along a different paper path in order to invert pages.

Abstract: A sheet supplying device having a sheet support for supporting sheets, a sheet supply provided in a laterally deviated position with respect to the sheet supplying direction for supplying sheets supported by the sheet support and a stacking reference guide for impinging on a lateral end of the sheets supported by the sheet support to thereby define the position of the sheets. The guide defining the position of the sheets is supported by the sheet support in such a manner that the sheets are supported in a state inclined by a predetermined angle with respect to the sheet supplying direction.

Abstract: A paper feeding method for an image forming apparatus having a sensing device for sensing the feeding state of paper fed from a manual paper feeding device and an automatic paper feeding device includes the steps of: picking up and feeding paper from the automatic paper feeding device in response to a printing command during an automatic paper feeding mode; determining whether or not a predetermined time period has elapsed after picking up the paper; determining whether the sensing device senses a paper input before the predetermined time period has elapsed; and providing output of an error message indicating a paper feeding error state when the sensing device senses the paper before the predetermined time period has elapsed.