Post-processing Patents (Class 399/407)
  • Patent number: 8249479
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is controlled such that the amount of heat supplied to an outer surface recording sheet to be placed onto an outer surface of a book document for fixing a toner image thereon is greater than an amount of heat supplied to each of the other recording sheets to be placed onto an inner side of the book document for fixing a toner image thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Furuya, Takeshi Uchida
  • Patent number: 8246030
    Abstract: A sheet folding apparatus includes a first folding unit that folds a sheet of recording medium along first folds that extend orthogonal to a sheet conveying direction, a second folding unit that folds the sheet along a second fold that extends orthogonal to the first fold, a folded-sheet conveying unit that conveys the sheet folded by the first folding unit to the second folding unit, and a stacker unit. The stacker unit is arranged above the folded-sheet conveying unit. The sheet folding apparatus has a first exit through which a non-folded sheet is output, a second exit through which a fan-folded sheet is output, and a third exit through which a cross-folded sheet is output. Sheets output from the first exit and the second exit are stacked in the stacker unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Noriaki Sekine
  • Patent number: 8238809
    Abstract: An image forming system is provided that alleviates throughput reductions and enables reductions in power consumption and lower noise. The image forming system includes an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material and a plurality of sheet-conveying devices that convey the recording material. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus includes a storage unit configured to store connecting orders of the plurality of sheet-conveying devices and a determination unit configured to determine which of the sheet-conveying devices should be given notification by an operation start request or an operation end request according to designation information that designates the sheet-conveying device to which the recording material is conveyed and the connecting orders for the plurality of sheet-conveying devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsuhiko Sato, Ichiro Sasaki, Hidenori Sunada, Manabu Yamauchi, Naoto Watanabe, Takayuki Fujii, Toshiyuki Miyake, Takashi Yokoya, Naohisa Nagata
  • Patent number: 8233175
    Abstract: Reprographic or imaging systems and methods issue a command to place multiple finishing devices into an alternating delivery mode such that consecutive sets are sent to different finishing devices, rather than to the same finishing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Paul N. Richards, Wilbert D. Douglas, Richard Fischer, Donald Ryan, Carol-Lynn Goldstein, Jeff Gramowski, Mehmet Gungor, Douglas F. Sundquist, Diego Pereda, Jose Soler
  • Patent number: 8228511
    Abstract: The one embodiment of present invention provides an image forming apparatus including a memory unit that stores image data, a main control block that causes an image forming section to output an output image onto an output medium on the basis of the image data generated by an image reading section and stored in the memory unit, case members that houses any one of the memory unit and the main control block or both, respectively, and a cooling mechanism that is located in a predetermined position of the case members and guides an air flow that has passes through one case member to the other case member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Noriyuki Takuwa
  • Patent number: 8224231
    Abstract: A finishing unit includes a first compiling module and a second compiling module operatively connected in parallel with the first compiling module. Each compiling module includes a finishing head adapted to perform a finishing operation upon a plurality of sheets of media. A printing system includes a sheet media source, a finishing unit operatively spaced from the sheet media source and a marking unit operatively disposed therebetween. A method of performing a print job using such first and second compiling modules is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Steven R. Moore
  • Patent number: 8213855
    Abstract: A drive unit for changing the driving rate of paper ejection rollers for ejecting sheets of paper after fixing is installed, and an image forming apparatus has an option, and when ejecting the sheets of paper to an intra-body paper ejection unit, after the sheets of paper pass a fixing device, the paper ejection rate of paper ejection rollers 24 is increased, and the ejection force of the sheets of paper P is increased, and paper jamming at the time of paper ejection to the intra-body paper ejection unit is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenichiro Shishikura
  • Patent number: 8213854
    Abstract: A sheet pre-processing device includes a space portion as a sheet receiving unit that receives a pre-processed sheet, a first sheet conveying path for discharging the sheet to the sheet receiving unit, and a second sheet conveying path for reversing the sheet. A sheet post-processing device is removably attached into the space portion. When the sheet post-processing device is attached into the space portion, a conveying path and a reversing path works are provided, which are switched over by a switching unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Junichi Iida, Shinya Kitaoka, Shuuya Nagasako
  • Patent number: 8208847
    Abstract: A sheet folding apparatus includes a fan folding unit that fan folds a folded-back sheet into a width or length of the regular size to file the sheet in the regular-size folder such that the sheet forms layers along a traveling direction of the sheet; first and second punching units that punch the filing hole in the sheet fan folded, respectively, into the width and the length of the regular size at the portion to be punched to file the sheet in the regular-size folder; and a sheet-processing setting unit that sets a fold mode of the fan fold and selects one of the first punching unit and the second punching unit for use in punching of the filing hole in the sheet based on a size and orientation of the delivered sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yusuke Harasawa
  • Patent number: 8204431
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, when a first sheet discharger discharges a sheet bearing an image in a first direction from a proximal end to a distal end of the image forming apparatus, a post-processing device performs post-processing including at least one of stapling, punching, stamping, and sorting of the sheet discharged from the first sheet discharger. After a second sheet discharger discharges the processed sheet in a second direction opposite to the first direction in which the first sheet discharger discharges the sheet bearing the image, a sheet stacker stacks the sheet discharged from the second sheet discharger. A sheet conveyance path is provided between the first sheet discharger and the second sheet discharger. An opening is provided between the sheet stacker and an image reader so that the sheet discharged from the second sheet discharger can be retrieved from the sheet stacker in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takamasa Shiraki, Takayuki Andoh, Kohji Hatayama, Yoshihide Ohta, Masato Ogawa, Tetsuya Fujioka, Takuji Takahashi, Yasunobu Youda, Kazushige Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20120134728
    Abstract: A copy machine 1 is provided with: a main body device includes a main body ejection portion that ejects a target material on which an image is formed; and a post-processing device that performs predetermined post-processing on the target material that is fed to a post-processing unit inlet. The post-processing device is provided with a transformation unit that transforms a voltage of power supplied from a main power supply unit inside the main body device to a voltage required for driving of the post-processing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: KYOCERA MITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shinichi KOTERA
  • Patent number: 8190049
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus performs a single-side image formation such that, when a delay is needed, a stacked sheet discharge control section controls a sheet carrying mechanism so that: a first sheet (for a second imaging job) to be discharged after passing a first sheet-discharging roller via a first sheet-carrying path is directed to another carrying path without being discharged, and is stood by therein. The first sheet and a second sheet (for the second imaging job) which is carried to the first sheet-discharging roller via the first sheet-carrying path after the first sheet, then are concurrently discharged overlappingly. This eliminates needs for delaying image formation for the second imaging job, and for securing time for post-process for the first imaging job. Even if a delay is inevitable, this reduces the delay time greatly and improves the productivity of the image forming apparatus, without reducing its performance wastefully.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8185035
    Abstract: An image forming system which realizes reliable output of an original of a finished book, while maintaining security. A sheet-unique information-reading unit reads sheet-unique information unique to a sheet used for making a finished book based on image data. A memory section stores the sheet-unique information read by the sheet-unique information-reading unit in association with the image data based on which a finished book is made. In outputting an original of the finished book, a CPU causes an image forming device to perform image output based on the information stored in the memory section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideaki Kosasa
  • Patent number: 8185039
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a stack tray, a stapler, a stapler moving device, and an aligning member. When a stapling process is performed at least two staple positions of the sheet bundle stacked on the stack tray using the stapler, the stapler is moved to the next staple position by relative movement in which the stapler and the sheet bundle are moved in the opposite directions by the stapler moving device and the aligning member respectively. When the number of sheets in the sheet bundle or a weight of the sheet bundle is lower than a predetermined value, a moving speed of the sheet bundle is set faster than a moving speed of the sheet bundle at which the number of sheets in the sheet bundle is not lower than the predetermined value or the weight of the sheet bundle is not lower than the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kato, Tsuyoshi Moriyama, Naoki Ishikawa, Yasuo Fukatsu
  • Patent number: 8170464
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus to form an image on a sheet media, including: a memory section which memorizes a position of holes previously punched on the sheet media; an operation section via which the sheet media to be used for image formation, a double-surface print operation and a binding direction are selected; and a control section which determines whether the position of the holes previously punched on the selected sheet media is the same as the binding direction selected via the operation section, after the sheet media carrying the holes and the double-surface print are selected via the operation section, wherein the control section interrupts starting operation of the image formation, if the position of the holes previously punched on the selected sheet media is not the same as the selected binding direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Akio Ueda
  • Patent number: 8170460
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device, an adhesion processing device, an adhesion device, and a fixing device. The image forming device forms an image on a light-transmitting medium with image formation toner. The adhesion processing device sets whether or not to make the light-transmitting medium contact a light-reflecting medium for each of multiple areas of the image. The adhesion device adheres adhesive toner to an area of the light-transmitting medium. The fixing device aligns the light-reflecting medium with the light-transmitting medium such that the light-reflecting medium contacts a surface of the light-transmitting medium to which the adhesive toner adheres and fixes the light-reflecting medium to the light-transmitting medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuki Matsushima
  • Patent number: 8165515
    Abstract: An image forming system which is capable of causing a clear coating apparatus to discharge processed sheets in proper page order, and improving usability and operability of the system by users. An image forming apparatus is set to perform single-sided image formation or double-sided image formation. A clear coating apparatus is set to perform single-sided clearing coating or double-sided clear coating. Whether to perform inverted discharge of sheets is controlled according to the settings of the image forming apparatus and the clear coating apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akinobu Nishikata, Satoru Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8160488
    Abstract: An image formation processing system is provided with an image formation portion, an adhesive applying portion which receives a plurality of sheets from the image formation portion, gathers the received sheets in the shape of a bundle to form a sheet bundle, and applies an adhesive to an end face of the sheet bundle, and a post-processing portion which receives a plurality of sheets from the image formation portion, gathers the received sheets in the shape of a bundle to form a sheet bundle, and performs predetermined post-processing on the sheet bundle, where the adhesive applying portion is disposed downstream of the image formation portion in the sheet transport, while the post-processing portion is disposed downstream of the adhesive applying portion in sheet transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignees: Canon Finetech Inc., Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Honmochi, Masayoshi Kubo, Toshiaki Nochi, Ken Yonekawa, Yuji Ueno, Keiichi Nagasawa, Hiroshi Nakagomi
  • Patent number: 8160469
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a setting unit configured to set binding processing for binding a part of the document data including data of plurality of pages as a partial binding set for the document data, and a display control unit configured to display a setting verification image for verifying a status of setting of the binding processing by using a binding mark, which indicates that the binding processing is set, on a display apparatus in a display state in which the plurality of partial binding sets is discriminable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akihiko Tokuda
  • Patent number: 8155576
    Abstract: The invention is to provide a miniaturized sheet processing apparatus in that a conveying length a conveying distance need not be increased even though the number of sheets per bundle increases. A glue applying bookbinder that partially glues sheets and performs a pressing process to form a sheet bundle. The glue applying bookbinder includes a processing tray that stacks sheets, a glue applying portion that applies a glue on the sheets on the processing tray, and pressing portions that press the sheets on the processing tray. The glue applying portion is arranged such that the glue applying portion can be moved from a first standby position outside the sheets stacked on the stacking portion to a second standby position, different from the first standby position, outside the sheets through an upper surface of the sheets, and the pressing portions are moved integrally with the glue applying portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daijiro Kato, Katsuaki Hirai, Takeshi Aoyama, Masahiro Funakoshi, Shoko Magata, Yuichi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8149432
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus that can be connected to an image-forming apparatus, a method, and a program used for the information processing apparatus are disclosed. The information processing apparatus comprises a control unit for controlling print-setting information set for document data to be printed, a recognition unit for recognizing information about a first function specified by the print-setting information by translating the print-setting information controlled by the control unit, an obtaining unit for obtaining information about a second function of the image-forming apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus, a determination unit for determining whether or not the image-forming apparatus can perform the first function recognized by the recognition unit based on the second-function information obtained by the obtaining unit, and a modification unit for modifying the print-setting information controlled by the control unit based on the determination result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Junichiro Kizaki, Satoshi Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 8145118
    Abstract: There is provided a paper curl correction apparatus including: an input curl determining unit that determines, on the basis of curl characteristic information of a first apparatus which processes a sheet, input curl information corresponding to an amount of curl of a sheet input from the first apparatus; a target curl acquiring unit that acquires, from a post-processing apparatus which performs a post process on a sheet, target curl information suited for the post process; a correction determining unit that determines, on the basis of the input curl information and the target curl information, an amount of curl correction for correcting an amount of curl of the sheet input from the first apparatus to an amount of curl suited for the post process; and a curl correcting unit that corrects the curl of the sheet input from the first apparatus in accordance with the amount of curl correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Seto
  • Patent number: 8136810
    Abstract: A sheet alignment and ejection mechanism includes a sheet alignment device, a sheet ejection device, a power device and a transmission unit. The sheet alignment device includes a first one-way element. The sheet ejection device includes a second one-way element. The transmission unit includes plural gears. The transmission unit is connected with the power device, the first one-way element and the second one-way element for driving rotation of the first one-way element and the second one-way element. The first one-way element and the second one-way element are rotated in opposite directions. When the first one-way element is rotated in a first direction, the sheets aligned on a sheet placement tray are aligned by the sheet alignment device. When the second one-way element is rotated in the first direction, the stapled sheets are ejected out of the sheet placement tray by the sheet ejection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventors: Ching-Tse Wang, Chung-Kai Wang, Ming-Han Chiu
  • Patent number: 8139998
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus which can achieve reduction of running cost. A notch part forming portion 400A including a punch 403 and a die 404 forms plural notch parts in an end part of a sheet bundle folded by a sheet folding portion. A discharge roller pair 402a and 402b turns back the notch parts to bind the sheet bundle. As a result, the sheet bundle can easily be opened and the reduction of the running cost can be achieved because stapling is not performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takaharu Hayasaka, Hideki Kushida, Kenichi Hayashi, Hitoshi Fujimoto, Shigeo Doi
  • Patent number: 8139995
    Abstract: To remove also VOC gas generated from the discharged sheets, an image forming apparatus comprises an image forming unit which forms an image on a sheet; a tray on which sheets on which images are formed by the image forming unit are stacked; a suction device which sucks air from the surrounding space of sheets stacked up on the tray; and a VOC removing unit which removes VOC contained in the air sucked by the sucking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Fujita, Hiromasa Katayama, Koji Nojima, Kiyoshi Oyama
  • Publication number: 20120063830
    Abstract: The post-processing device which performs a post-processing operation for a discharged printing medium with an image formed thereon, includes: an image forming unit which forms an image on the printing medium; a medium feeding unit which feeds the printing medium to the image forming unit; a discharging unit which is provided in the post-processing device and discharges the printing medium with the image formed thereon; a medium alignment unit which aligns the printing medium for post-processing for the discharged printing medium; a user interface unit which receives an instruction form a user; and a control unit which controls a width of the medium alignment unit to correspond to a width of the discharged printing medium based on a setting value for the medium feeding unit, which is input through the user interface unit, when the size of the printing medium loaded on the medium feeding unit is not detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun-soo Song, Hyou-Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 8115961
    Abstract: In the image forming system, there is provided an image processing section which determines a rotation standard for rotating image information so that an orientation of an image which is to be formed on an output medium on which prescribed post processing is not to be conducted agrees with an orientation of an image formed on an output medium on which prescribed post processing is to be conducted, if a booklet division mode is set by the setting section, and which conducts rotation processing on the image information based on the rotation standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Shoichi Nakamura, Takao Kurohata, Hiroshi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8104756
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting media trays for hole punching in an image production device in an image production device is disclosed. The method may include receiving a request to print a print job, the print job having a required number of media sheets, determining if print job requires hole punching, wherein if it is determined that print job requires hole punching, determining the media sheet capacity of one or more media trays, determining if the capacity of one of the one or more media trays is greater or equal to the number of media sheets required for the print job, wherein if it is determined that the capacity of one of the one or more media trays is greater or equal to the number of media sheets required for the print job, selecting one of the one or more media trays having the required number of media sheets for the print job, and printing the print job with media from the selected media tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Richard Bridges
  • Publication number: 20120020715
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus may include an image forming unit, a stacking unit, a control unit, and an alignment unit. The image forming unit forms an image on a recording material having a type. The stacking unit stacks the recording material on which the image formation is formed by the image forming unit. The control unit sets a predetermined number of sheets to a number that corresponds to the type of the recording material. The alignment unit aligns the recording material if the predetermined number of sheets of the recording material is stacked by the stacking unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Genki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8102555
    Abstract: A configuration of an image forming system that includes an image forming apparatus and at least one of a paper feed apparatus and a post-process apparatus is defined based on system configuration information including a combination of identification information for the apparatuses and setting information for the order of arrangement of the apparatuses corresponding to the identification information without using a dedicated line connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akinobu Nishikata, Naohisa Nagata
  • Patent number: 8099038
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus for processing a print job includes an acquiring unit configured to acquire information about a set of printed sheets to be post-processed by a post-processing apparatus, the post-processing apparatus not being connected to the image forming apparatus via a conveying path of the print sheets output from the image forming apparatus, an analyzing unit configured to analyze the print job, and an output control unit configured to output printed sheets on the basis of the print job in which offset stacking is applied to each set of printed sheets to be post-processed as defined by the post-processing apparatus in accordance with a result of analysis performed by the analyzing unit and information regarding the set of printed sheets to be post-processed acquired by the acquiring unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tatsuo Matoba
  • Patent number: 8089666
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an upper cover attached to a main body, an image forming part provided in the main body and configured to record an image on a sheet, an image reading part having a document press member, and a lock mechanism. The upper cover is configured to be pivotable on a support axis with respect to the main body. The image reading part is slidably mounted on the upper cover. The document press member is configured to open and close with respect to a housing of the image reading part in a direction similar to a direction in which the upper cover opens and closes. The lock mechanism is configured to prevent the document press member from opening over a slidable range of the image reading part when the upper cover is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Andoh, Takuji Takahashi, Takamasa Shiraki, Shigeo Nanno, Yoshihide Ohta, Kohji Hatayama
  • Patent number: 8083219
    Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus includes a warming-up device including a first duct connected to a fan to lead warm exhaust air sucked from an image forming apparatus into an apparatus, a second duct provided to lead the warm exhaust air discharged by a fan or ambient Air in a housing to the fan, and a control valve that performs switching control to lead, when a temperature sensor measures temperature equal to or higher than proper operation temperature, high-temperature Air in the housing and the warm exhaust air such that the fan discharges the high-temperature Air and the warm exhaust air to the outside and lead, when the temperature sensor measures temperature lower than the proper operation temperature, the warm exhaust air to the mechanical members of the sheet post-processing apparatus and the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuya Sasahara, Yoshiaki Sugizaki, Katsuhiko Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 8086165
    Abstract: A bookbinding system includes an image forming apparatus and a bookbinding apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus. The bookbinding system includes an image forming unit to form an image on a recording sheet; a loading unit to load, as a bookblock stack, plural recording sheets on which images are formed; a bonding unit to form a booklet by bonding a cover with the bookblock stack; a setting unit to set a bookblock size, a cover size, and a finishing size; a cutting unit to cut the booklet bonded together with the cover into the finishing size; a stack thickness detection unit to detect a thickness of the bookblock stack; and a bookbinding permission/inhibition determination unit to determine permission/inhibition of a bookbinding operation based on a stack thickness detection result as well as the bookblock size, the cover size, and the finishing size set by the setting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Yokoya, Naoto Watanabe, Mitsuhiko Sato, Hidenori Sunada
  • Patent number: 8081329
    Abstract: A merging module connects two printing systems at approximately 90 degrees to one another. The merging module includes a sheet rotator in a plane that is common to the paper paths of both print engines and a buffer. It also includes two bypass paths (one above and one below the rotator) to route the two paper paths around the rotator and enable both print engines to deliver their output to the appropriate finishing device as well as to the buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph H. Lang, Gregory Sosinski, Geoffrey C. Williams, William K. Fancher
  • Patent number: 8078082
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a modular printing system having individual units comprising input modules, transporter modules, marking engine modules, fuser modules and exit modules each with its own support structure and cabinet. The modular units have common matching interface configurations for paper feed and electrical connections so as to permit numerous combinations and variations of printing systems capable of monochrome, color, duplex, hybrid and simplex printing by modular interconnection as opposed to built-up systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Barry Paul Mandel, James J. Spence, Henry T. Bober
  • Patent number: 8075211
    Abstract: A printing system includes a printing unit that, after printing information across plural pages, prints print result relevant information about printing of the plural pages on continuous forms paper following the plural pages; a holder unit that receives and holds the continuous forms paper printed by the printing unit in the same order in which the paper has been printed by the printing unit; a paper feeding unit that feeds the printed continuous forms paper which has been held in the holder unit in reverse order to the order in which the paper has been printed by the printing unit; a reading unit that reads the print result relevant information printed on the continuous forms paper fed by the paper feeding unit; and a post-processing unit that post-processes the continuous forms paper fed by the paper feeding unit, based on the print result relevant information read by the reading unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshikazu Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8078093
    Abstract: A recording material processing apparatus includes an image forming apparatus, a post-processing device, a recording material judging section and a recording material transport controlling section. The recording material judging section judges whether the recording material used in the image forming apparatus has post-processing permissible size and thickness or not. And the recording material transport controlling section that, permits when the recording material judging section judges the recording material has the post-processing permissible size and thickness, the recording material to be transported into the post-processing device and prohibits when the recording material judging section judges the recording material does not have the post-processing permissible size and thickness, the recording material to be transported into the post-processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Sasaoka, Ryuichi Shiraishi, Toshio Kawachidani, Tsuyoshi Nakamura, Munetake Nagata
  • Publication number: 20110299869
    Abstract: Toner is applied to a receiver having an area to be folded and a separate area not to be folded. Non-fold and fold-area screening patterns are selected. The non-fold screening pattern has a toner coverage greater than 50% and the fold-area screening pattern has a toner coverage less than 50%. Image data to be applied to the receiver in the area to be folded and the area not to be folded are received. The image data in the area not to be folded are processed using the non-fold screening pattern and the image data in the area to be folded are processed using the fold-area screening pattern to provide screened data. Toner corresponding to the screened data is applied to the receiver. The applied toner is fused to the receiver, so that the area to be folded includes fused toner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Hwai-Tzuu Tai, Thomas N. Tombs, Brian J. Kwarta, Donald S. Rimai
  • Publication number: 20110268485
    Abstract: Methods are provided for folding a receiver having a dry toner thermally fused thereon. In one aspect, water is applied along a fold line. The receiver is folded along the fold line. The folding is performed after a predetermined absorption period during which at least a portion of the applied water is absorbed by the receiver to reduce the extent to which the receiver cracks proximate to the fold line during folding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas N. Tombs, Donald S. Rimai, Brian J. Kwarta
  • Patent number: 8036591
    Abstract: A bookbinding apparatus which forms a booklet by coating adhesive onto a spine of a sheet bundle, the bookbinding apparatus comprising: an adhesive tank which stores adhesive; a supplying section which supplies solid adhesive to the adhesive tank; a melting section which melts the solid adhesive supplied to the adhesive tank; a coating section which coats the adhesive onto the spine of the sheet bundle; and a controller which controls the supplying section to supply the solid adhesive from the supplying section to the adhesive tank when an amount of adhesive that has been coated by the coating section reaches equal to or more than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Masato Hattori
  • Patent number: 8028984
    Abstract: A sheet finishing apparatus includes an inlet roller to receive a sheet conveyed from an image forming apparatus, a sheet introduction unit to guide the sheet received by the inlet roller to a finishing unit, a sheet ejection unit to guide the sheet performed to a post process by the finishing unit to an ejection port and to eject from the ejection port, a paper storage tray to receive the ejected sheet, a drive unit including a plurality of motors to drive respective devices, and a control unit to control operations of the plurality of motors. In a trial operation of the sheet finishing apparatus, the control unit controls the plurality of motors, and first drives a motor with a sound pressure level less than a previously set reference level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Taki, Mikio Yamamoto, Shinichiro Mano, Toshiaki Oshiro
  • Patent number: 8027629
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention is arranged so that plural sheets of paper are conveyed to a main conveying path and a sub-conveying path at the time of double-side image formation. In performing double-side image formation jobs on plural sets of sheets of paper, a sequence control section makes a change of sequences for image formation so that a post-process for the previous job can be performed during image formation of the next set. With this, in performing double-side image formation jobs on plural sets of sheets of paper in an image forming system constituted by an image forming apparatus and a post-processing apparatus, images can be formed in succession without suspending image formation of the next set to allow post-processing time for the previous set. This makes it possible to achieve a system with high job efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8027630
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus which enable users to easily set the cutting amount of sheets according to the intended purpose of use. A folding unit folds the sheets. A cutting unit cuts off ends of the folded sheets. A setting unit sets details of processing of the sheets to be executed at least by the center-folding unit and the cutting unit. The setting unit is capable of selecting a first cutting amount-setting mode in which a cutting amount is set using a cutting width of the at least one end, and a second cutting amount-setting mode in which the cutting amount is set using a sheet size which the sheets should have after being cut. The setting unit sets the cutting amount in a selected one of the first cutting amount-setting mode and the second cutting amount-setting mode, when setting details of processing of the sheets to be executed by the cutting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayuki Fujii, Tsuyoshi Moriyama
  • Patent number: 8023880
    Abstract: The disclosure concerns a standby tray for making a sheet at the position above a processing tray. The sheet on the standby tray is dropped and supplied onto the processing tray. The upper end of the center area of a shutter supporting the rear end of the sheet on a sheet discharge tray which is slidable to the sheet discharge section of the standby tray or processing tray is made lower than the upper end of the peripheral area of the shutter. Movable portions of the shutter are extended when the sheet discharge tray is slid to close the sheet discharge sections of the processing tray and/or standby tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasunobu Terao, Mikio Yamamoto, Yoshiaki Sugizaki, Hiroyuki Taki
  • Patent number: 8023881
    Abstract: A sheet finisher having a post-processing section that conducts post-processing on a sheet on which an image has been formed by an image forming apparatus, the sheet finisher comprising: an intermediate storing section in which a plurality of sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus are superposed to be stored temporarily; a pair of conveyance rollers that convey the plurality of sheets stored in the intermediate storing section to the post-processing section while the plurality of sheets are superposed; each of two drive motors which drives one of the pair of conveyance rollers that comes in contact with one sheet of the plurality of sheets and the other of the pair of conveyance rollers that comes in contact with the other sheet of the plurality of sheets, separately; and a correction controller that controls a rotation speed of at least one of the two drive motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Masayuki Watanabe, Eiji Sugimoto, Hideo Yamane, Takumi Shirakuma
  • Publication number: 20110222944
    Abstract: A paper transporting device includes a driving roller member, a driven roller member, a first guiding member and a second guiding member. The driving roller member is rotated. The driven roller member is rotated in contact with the driving roller member. The first guiding member is disposed on a driving roller member side, and guides a paper to a contact portion in which the driving roller member and the driven roller member are in contact with each other. The second guiding member is disposed on a driven roller member side, and guides the paper to the contact portion. The second guiding member partially protrudes inward in a radial direction of the driving roller member from an outer peripheral surface of the driving roller member at a downstream side in a paper transporting direction of the contact portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuki TANAKA, Yukihiro ICHIKI, Motoyuki YAGI, Tahei NAKAMURA
  • Patent number: 8011650
    Abstract: There is set sheet post-processing (SPP) information having a post-processing-edge (PPE) code, a staple code and a punch code. When the staple code indicates one end of the PPE and the PPE is rotated towards the one end by 90° with respect to the center of the sheet, the SPP code is updated, and the staple code SC is updated to indicate the other end of the PPE. Referring to a table, it is checked if the present SPP information indicates that SPP is inhibited or an error. When determined as an error, it is judged if the PPE can be changed to the neighboring edge with removing the error. In an affirmative judgment, the error is automatically removed with the PPE being changed to the neighboring edge together with changing the SPP position and an image being rotated by 90°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventors: Kozo Tao, Hiroki Saito
  • Patent number: 8011281
    Abstract: A punching device includes a detecting unit, a punching unit, a moving unit, a storage unit, and a controlling unit. The detecting unit detects a lateral edge position of a recording medium to obtain edge position data. When the edge position data does not indicate an error value, the edge position data is stored in the storage unit as reference data. The controlling unit determines, when the edge position data indicates an error value, a movement amount of the punching unit based on reference data previously obtained and stored in the storage unit. The moving unit moves the punching unit by the movement amount in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Makoto Hidaka, Akira Kunieda, Junichi Tokita, Hitoshi Hattori, Ichiro Ichihashi, Kazuhiro Kobayashi, Masahiro Tamura, Tomoichi Nomura, Hiroshi Maeda, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Tomohiro Furuhashi, Shuuya Nagasako, Naohiro Kikkawa
  • Publication number: 20110211891
    Abstract: A post-processing apparatus includes a second sheet conveying portion that conveys a paper sheet, a movement portion that displaces in a displacement direction that is different from the conveying direction of the paper sheet in the second conveying portion, a sheet edge detection portion that is disposed on the movement portion and detects the position of the paper sheet, a punching processing portion that is disposed on the movement portion, and that executes a punching process at a predetermined position on the paper sheet based on the position of the paper sheet detected by the sheet edge detection portion, and a post-processing control portion that controls the second sheet conveying portion to stop the conveying of the paper sheet when the sheet edge detection portion detects that the paper sheet is positioned on an abnormal conveying path that diverges from a normal conveying path within a conveying path region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: KYOCERA MITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shigeaki Nakamura