By Staple Patents (Class 399/410)
  • Patent number: 8433236
    Abstract: A paper processing apparatus includes: a discharging unit that discharges the paper onto a staple tray; a paper returning unit that reverses the paper discharged by the discharging unit and performs alignment in a conveying direction by abutting the paper against a rear end reference fence; a supporting unit that supports the discharging unit in a state capable of coming in contact with or separating from the paper; a contact and separation unit by which the discharging unit comes in contact with or separates from the paper; and a pressurizing unit that is moved by the contact and separation unit, does not load the discharging unit in a standby state where the discharging unit is held apart from the paper, and applies contact pressure in a state where the discharging unit is in contact with the paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Terumitsu Azuma, Shigefumi Soga, Takeshi Hirabayashi, Kentaro Fukami, Daishi Watanabe, Kazumasa Takeuchi, Hiroki Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8398066
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus with a stapling function is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a printing device and a stapling device. The printing device is used for printing images on plural papers. The printed papers are transmitted to the stapling device and stapled by the stapling device. The printing device has a printing device casing. The stapling device includes a minor casing and a main casing, which are respectively connected with a first surface and a second surface of the printing device casing. Since the stapling device is connected with two difference surfaces of the printing device casing, the overall height of the image forming apparatus is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Primax Electronics, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Kai Wang, Ching-Tse Wang, Ming-Han Chiu
  • Patent number: 8393606
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a printing device with a detachable stapling device including a printing device housing, a connecting frame and a stapling device. The connecting frame has a locating post and a fixing hook and is connected with the stapling device. The position of the connecting frame can be adjusted by the locating post of the connecting frame, and the connecting frame can be assembled on the printing device housing or detached from the printing device housing by the fixing hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Primax Electronics, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Kai Wang, Ching-Tse Wang, Ming-Han Chiu, Chung-Jung Chiu
  • Patent number: 8387965
    Abstract: A stapler system for an image forming apparatus according to one example embodiment includes a housing and a mounting device for mounting the housing to the image forming apparatus. A staple head is positioned within the housing for stapling media. A media sheet path is disposed within the housing for directing media received from the image forming apparatus to the staple head for stapling. When the housing is mounted on the image forming apparatus, a portion of the housing extends above an output bin of the image forming apparatus to permit delivery of stapled media from the housing to the output bin of the image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: John Edward Borsuk, Jie Chen
  • Patent number: 8385758
    Abstract: An image forming device includes a first medium container for a first printing medium; a second medium container for a second printing medium; a medium feeder for feeding one of the first and second media from one of the first and second medium containers; a special process unit that performs a special process on the first printing medium fed by the medium feeder when image data, including instruction information instructing the special process, is received; a detector that detects a characteristic of the first printing medium; a special process capability determination unit for determining whether or not the special process can be performed based on the characteristic; and a control unit that ejects the printing medium and that causes the second medium to be fed from the second medium container when the special process capability determination unit determines that the special process cannot be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsunori Nakai
  • Publication number: 20120321365
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a feeder having a longer side direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of a recording medium, and feeds a maximum size recording medium with a longer side first, an image forming unit having a maximum sheet feed width corresponding to a longer side length of the maximum size recording medium, and prints a toner image onto the recording medium, and a sub feeder that can feed the maximum size recording medium to the image forming unit independently from the feeder. A post processing apparatus receives a printed recording medium and executes post processing on a side of the recording medium. A feeding source of the maximum size recording medium is selected from the feeder and the sub feeder for executing the post processing on the longer and shorter sides of the maximum size recording medium, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi SENDO, Teruo Nagashima, Osamu Okada, Hideyuki Kurahashi, Kenji Tsuru, Shigeo Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8326209
    Abstract: A printer includes a main body for printing and outputting paper, a bracket attached to the main body, a driving mechanism, and a tray for receiving the paper. The bracket includes two sidewalls. A retaining member is secured to each sidewall. A first spring member is secured between each retaining member and the corresponding sidewall. The driving mechanisms are secured to the sidewalls. Each driving mechanism includes a sliding member slidable on the sidewall. The tray is received in the bracket. The tray has tray posts. The sliding members are slid to bring the tray. The tray posts slide the retaining members from a first position to a second position before passing across the retaining members, and the retaining members are slid from the second position to the first position by rebounding of the first springs after the tray posts pass across the retaining members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen-Lu Fan, Chih-Kun Shih, Chun-Hsien Lin
  • Patent number: 8317178
    Abstract: A bookbinding system includes an image forming apparatus, a plurality of post-processing apparatuses, a controller, and an operation-and-display unit. The image forming apparatus forms images on recording media and outputs the recording media. The plurality of post-processing apparatuses is connected to the image forming apparatus and includes at least a folding apparatus and a ring-binding apparatus. The folding apparatus folds the recording media according to a plurality of folding types including at least Z-shape folding and double folding. The ring-binding apparatus binds the recording media with a ring. The controller is communicatively connected to the image forming apparatus and the plurality of post-processing apparatuses and prevents simultaneous selection of ring binding and a folding type incompatible with ring binding. The operation-and-display unit displays an indication that ring binding and the folding type incompatible with ring binding are not simultaneously selectable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Junichi Iida, Takeshi Sasaki, Satoshi Saito, Ikuhisa Okamoto, Shingo Matsushita
  • Patent number: 8320818
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus are supplied capable of adjusting binding margins per quire included in a quire book. In the image processing apparatus that has a setting section sets a quire page number of each quire; a size obtaining section obtains medium size information of the print mediums; an assigning and obtaining section assigns respective page numbers to each page of inputted image data and obtains an image page number; a page calculating section calculates an all page number of the quire book on the basis of the quire page number and the image page number; a determining section respectively determines a print region corresponding to the respective page number on the basis of the quire page number, the medium size information and the all page number; and a changing section respectively changes the image data to change image data within the determined print region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Takara Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 8310714
    Abstract: A print control apparatus includes an input unit configured to input a binding position of sheets related to a binding processing for the sheets on each of which an image is printed based on print data, a setting unit configured to set a printing position of an auxiliary image of transparent color to be printed with the image that is printed based the print data, according to the binding position of the sheets input by the input unit, and a print control unit configured, based on the printing position of the auxiliary image set by the setting unit, to control printing of the auxiliary image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akiko Matsumura
  • Patent number: 8305593
    Abstract: According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a user interface system for preparing an output document of a digital printing device having a user interface, a set of output options for the output document. The user interface enables selection of at least one output option from the set of output options. The system further provides a display device operatively connected to the user interface and configured to display at least one user interface mimic for the output document, with the at least one user interface mimic providing a graphical representation of the output document based on selection of the output options. After displaying the at least one user interface mimic, the user interface allows users to modify the output options prior to printing the output document. Then, the system updates the display of the at least one user interface mimic, based on modifications to the output options, prior to printing the output document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas L. Pierce, Andrew J. Welsh, Kara Allison Rozen
  • Patent number: 8246033
    Abstract: An image forming system includes an image forming unit that forms images on sheets; a sheet compiling unit that compiles the sheets on which the image forming unit has formed the images into a sheet stack; a first binding unit that binds a first end portion of the sheet stack by performing a first binding process; a second binding unit that binds a second end portion of the sheet stack by performing a second binding process, the second end portion being different from the first end portion; and an image rotation unit that rotates an orientation of each of the images in accordance with whether the sheet stack is to be bound by using the first binding unit or the second binding unit, the images being formed on the sheets of the sheet stack by the image forming unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryuichi Sato
  • Patent number: 8243324
    Abstract: When a user sets, from a user interface window using a bookbinding application, instructions of dividing a document into a plurality of parts and stapling each part of the document, a printer driver generates one job in which the staple attribute of a binder corresponding to each part is set to “ON” or “OFF”, and issues the job for a printer. With this operation, the user can perform staple designation to an arbitrary part of the document, and can realize a plurality of staple processes in one print job.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koji Nakagiri
  • Patent number: 8226079
    Abstract: A stapling apparatus includes: a processing tray; a paper discharge unit configured to discharge sheets on the processing tray; an aligning unit configured to align sheets manually inserted onto the processing tray from a paper discharge port of the paper discharge unit; and a stapler configured to staple the sheets manually inserted on the processing tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shogo Ozawa
  • 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: 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: 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
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20120082497
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a stapler includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on a recording material, a power source configured to supply electric power to the image forming unit and the stapler, and a control unit configured to control the operation of the stapler. In the image forming apparatus, a time period for prohibiting the operation of the stapler is set such that a total of a power consumption of the image forming unit and a power consumption of the stapler is equal to or less than an electric power the power source can supply so as to perform the operation of the stapler and the operation of the image forming unit partially in parallel with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Osamu Nagasaki
  • 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: 8146903
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein include as apparatus for folding printed sheets. The apparatus including first crease roller and a second crease roller longitudinally aligned with the first crease roller. A spacing device separating the first and second crease rollers to form a nip space therebetween. A crease blade is disposed adjacent the nip space and adapted to urge the sheets toward the nip space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey W. Ryan
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20120027484
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus with a stapling function is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a printing device and a stapling device. The printing device is used for printing images on plural papers. The printed papers are transmitted to the stapling device and stapled by the stapling device. The printing device has a printing device casing. The stapling device includes a minor casing and a main casing, which are respectively connected with a first surface and a second surface of the printing device casing. Since the stapling device is connected with two difference surfaces of the printing device casing, the overall height of the image forming apparatus is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Kai Wang, Ching-Tse Wang, Ming-Han Chiu
  • Patent number: 8104757
    Abstract: A stapler is provided in a housing of a finisher. The stapler has a sheet insertion opening extending in a direction along conveyed sheets. The stapler staples the sheets inserted into the sheet insertion opening in the housing. The finisher includes a rotating mechanism that rotates, when the stapler is moved in a direction orthogonal to a conveying direction of the sheets and removed to the outside of the housing, the stapler such that the sheet insertion opening of the stapler faces a further upper side than the direction along the sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Taki, Hiroyuki Tsuchihashi
  • Patent number: 8091881
    Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes: an image processor; an image forming portion for forming images on recording paper based on the image data output from the image processor; a folding mechanism for folding the recording paper with images formed by the image forming portion when the input image information is confidential image information; and a stapling mechanism for binding the recording paper folded by the folding mechanism, at the end part when the input image information is confidential image information. When the input image information is confidential image information, the image processor outputs the pouch-binding image data for a pouch-bound image to be formed on the facing pages of the recording paper that is folded by the folding mechanism, by editing the layout of the confidential image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Michiaki Nishimura
  • 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: 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
  • Patent number: 8050586
    Abstract: In a case where a display unit displays a setting screen having a first display area to display a draft graphical image in accordance with draft setting and a second display area to display a finished graphical image in accordance with sheet setting, and a user designates a position to be stapled, a staple region mark is superimposed and displayed on a region corresponding to the position to be stapled in the draft graphical image in accordance with the draft setting, and a staple position mark is superimposed and displayed on a position corresponding to the position to be stapled in the finished graphical image in accordance with the sheet setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Hoshino, Yuko Kimoto
  • Patent number: 8045912
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image forming system including: an image forming unit for forming images based on a plurality of document pages on a plurality of recording media to form a printed matter; a special sheet feeding unit for storing a special sheet group constituting one set in which a plurality of different types of special sheets are arranged in a predetermined order; a special sheet setting input unit for accepting the number of the special sheets constituting the one set and a page of which the special sheet is inserted into the plurality of recording media; a division setting input unit for accepting an instruction for dividing the printed matter into a plurality of groups by carrying out a post-processing for the printed matter; and a control unit for setting a special sheet inserted into a first place in each of the plurality of groups to a special sheet arranged at a top of the one set when the special sheet setting input unit accepts the page of which the special sheet is inserted and when the div
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Masaru Ushio
  • Patent number: 8038147
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes an intermediate stacking portion which temporarily stacks, thereon, a sheet conveyed thereto; a discharge portion which discharges sheet stacked on the intermediate stacking portion; an aligning member which is provided downstream of the discharge portion in a sheet conveying direction and has a sheet holding surface capable of holding the lower surfaces of the sheet and a sheet aligning surface capable of abutting against end portions of the sheet in the widthwise direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction, the aligning member being movable in the widthwise direction; a first stacking portion which is provided below the aligning member and stacks, thereon, a sheet discharged from the discharge portion; and a second stacking portion which is provided above the aligning member and stacks, thereon, a sheet conveyed thereto; wherein a standby position of the aligning member is at a position more inward than the outermost position in the widthwise direction, within
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Ogata, Masayoshi Fukatsu, Junichi Sekiyama, Hiroharu Tsuji, Akihiro 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: 8002401
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a stapler configured to staple a bundle of sheets by driving a staple into the sheet bundle; a cutting mechanism configured to cut off portions of staples driven into the sheet bundle; a storage portion configured to store cut-off portions of staples; a lid mounted on the storage portion capable of opening and closing; an open and closed state detecting portion configured to detect open and closed state of the lid; a collecting portion configured to collect cut-off portions of staples from the storage portion; and a lid opening and closing portion configured to open the lid when cut-off portions of staples are collected, wherein after the lid opening and closing portion has performed a lid opening and closing motions, if the open and closed state detecting portion detects that the lid is not closed, the lid opening and closing portion repeats a lid opening and closing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Moriyama, Hitoshi Kato
  • Patent number: 7995962
    Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus (1) includes a first stapler (4) and a second stapler (5) for stapling the stack of sheets on a stack tray (61), a first moving frame member (10) on which the first stapler (4) is mounted rotatably, a second moving frame member (11) on which the second stapler (5) is mounted, a rotating member (20) rotatably mounted on the first moving frame member (10), the rotating member (20) so held in engagement with the first moving frame member (10) as to move linearly the first moving frame member (10) by rotation of the rotating member (20), and also rotating the first stapler (4) by rotation of the rotating member (20), and a single drive power source (16) for driving the rotating member (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Matsuo
  • Patent number: 7979021
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, a sheet discharging device and method of controlling the sheet discharging device are disclosed. They require no instructions from users and no recording materials for initial setting of a staple when the users exchange a staple cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Yokoyama, Atsuhiko Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7954800
    Abstract: A sheet processing device includes a sheet aligning unit that aligns a sheet recording medium. The sheet aligning unit is configured to be pulled out from a main body of the sheet processing device, and includes a sheet conveying member for conveying the sheet recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Hiroshi Maeda, Masahiro Tamura, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Shuuya Nagasako, Naohiro Kikkawa, Kazuhiro Kobayashi, Tomohiro Furuhashi, Tomoichi Nomura, Makoto Hidaka, Hitoshi Hattori, Junichi Tokita, Akira Kunieda, Ichiro Ichihashi
  • Patent number: 7949294
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus in which an original reading portion is disposed in an upper portion of the apparatus main body, a feed portion is disposed in a lower portion of the apparatus main body, and a printing portion is disposed between the original reading portion and the feed portion as an image forming system, is configured as follows. A paper post-processing portion that can perform a plurality of types of paper post-processing for recording paper transported from the apparatus main body after printing by the printing portion is finished, and a discharge portion to which recording paper is discharged after paper post-processing by the paper post-processing portion is finished, are disposed in a space of the apparatus main body formed by the original reading portion, the printing portion, and the feed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignees: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Jinichi Nagata, Naofumi Okada, Kouzou Yamaguchi, Susumu Hashimoto, Toshiki Ohgita, Yoshitaka Matsumoto, Hideo Yoshikawa, Yasunobu Ohkawa, Shin Tsugane, Kazuhito Shimura
  • Publication number: 20110103859
    Abstract: A method of a sheet alignment includes carrying a sheet from a sheet discharging port; transferring the sheet on a tray device toward a sheet end regulating device; moving the sheet on the tray device in a width direction orthogonal to the sheet discharging direction for widthwise alignment; and abutting again the sheet on the tray device against the sheet end regulating device while the sheet is in the widthwise alignment. When the sheet on the tray device is transferred toward the sheet end regulating device, the sheet is transferred at a predetermined speed. Before the sheet abuts against the sheet end regulating device, the speed is reduced to provide a conveying force to the sheet without stopping. While the conveying force is continuously applied to the sheet, the sheet is aligned in the width direction to thereby prevent skewing of the sheet relative to the sheet end regulating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: NISCA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eiichi Kubo, Masato Hosaka
  • Publication number: 20110091260
    Abstract: A paper processing apparatus includes: a discharging unit that discharges the paper onto a staple tray; a paper returning unit that reverses the paper discharged by the discharging unit and performs alignment in a conveying direction by abutting the paper against a rear end reference fence; a supporting unit that supports the discharging unit in a state capable of coming in contact with or separating from the paper; a contact and separation unit by which the discharging unit comes in contact with or separates from the paper; and a pressurizing unit that is moved by the contact and separation unit, does not load the discharging unit in a standby state where the discharging unit is held apart from the paper, and applies contact pressure in a state where the discharging unit is in contact with the paper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Terumitsu Azuma, Shigefumi Soga, Takeshi Hirabayashi, Kentaro Fukami, Daishi Watanabe, Kazumasa Takeuchi, Hiroki Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7922164
    Abstract: At the time when an aligning unit collects and aligns a recording sheet, the front portion of a movable supporting member of a collecting tray is moved toward the recording sheet to close a space in the collecting tray. Moreover, the front portion of the movable supporting member abuts against the front end of the recording sheet. As a result, the front end of the recording sheet does not hang loose in the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Nakayama
  • Patent number: 7907887
    Abstract: An image forming system has an image forming apparatus which has a printing unit which can perform a printing process of data of a storage unit which can store data of a plurality of jobs and which has a conveying unit which can convey a sheet from the print unit to a sheet processing device which can perform sheet processing, including at least a gluing process, for sheets from the printing unit, the system comprising: a controller adapted to permit a predetermined process related to the gluing process when the job to be processed is a job which meets a predetermined condition, and to inhibit the predetermined process related to the gluing process when the job to be processed is not a job which meets the predetermined condition, thereby overcoming obstacles to realization of an image forming system capable of a gluing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidehiko Asai, Kazuhiko Ushiyama
  • Publication number: 20110058840
    Abstract: When executing an image forming process for same sheets divisionally a plurality of number of times, a subsequent image forming process needs to be prevented from becoming impossible depending on the process result of a preceding image forming process. To accomplish this, when executing a second image forming process for a sheet having an image formed by a first image forming process is designated, an image forming apparatus of this invention restricts execution of post-processing for the sheet that has undergone the first image forming process even when executing the post-processing for the sheet is designated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kosuke Tsujita
  • Publication number: 20110033218
    Abstract: A stapling apparatus includes: a stapler having an opening, into which plural sheets are inserted while being laid one on top of another, and configured to staple one end of the sheets; first and second switches configured to be turned on when the sheets are inserted into the opening of the stapler and respective edges of adjacent two sides of the sheets are pressed; and a stapler driving unit configured to instruct the stapler to perform stapling when both the first and second switches are turned on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuya SASAHARA
  • Patent number: 7878497
    Abstract: The image forming apparatus including a sheet conveying path which is arranged at the sheet inserting device and which conveys the sheets on which the images are formed at the image forming apparatus main body and the insertion sheet to the post-processing device and a sheet conveying portion which is arranged at the sheet conveying path and which conveys the sheets being capable of accelerating and decelerating is controlled to accelerate sheet conveying speed of the sheets from the image forming apparatus main body from a predetermined conveying speed at the sheet conveying path, to insert the insertion sheet so as to follow a preceding sheet which is accelerated, and to convey the sheets from the image forming apparatus main body and the insertion sheet to the post-processing device after being decelerated to the predetermined conveying speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Seiichiro Adachi
  • Patent number: 7877034
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus, a sheet finisher and an image forming system; each of them including: a display for displaying a work item for a maintenance in the form of a guidance display; a detection section for detecting whether the work item is executed or not; an energization controller for supplying/blocking power supply to electric components to be maintained; a connection judging section for judging whether the electric components are electrically connected with the power supply or not; and a controller for controlling the display to switch displays of the work item and for controlling the energization controller, in accordance with a detection result of the detection section; wherein the controller causes the display to display an alarm and a guidance display of a corresponding work, according to a judgment of the connection judging section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hideki Nakamura, Kazutoshi Yoshimura, Satoshi Sakata, Kazumichi Yamauchi, Akira Okamoto, Kenji Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7869065
    Abstract: An image forming system includes an image forming device having an image forming section that forms image on a recording medium based on image information and ejects the recording medium; a post-processing device that performs post-processing on a recording medium, the post-processing device having a sheet feeding section to load the recording medium; a power switching device to turn on power to the image forming system; a post-processing operation setting device for setting post-processing dedicated mode to execute post-processing on the recording medium loaded on the sheet feeding section; and a controller that executes startup operation for setting only the post-processing device into an operable state and prohibits startup operation of the image forming section of the image forming device when power has been turned on via the power switching device and the controller has detected that the post-processing dedicated mode has been set via the post-processing operation setting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eiji Sugimoto, Hideo Yamane
  • Publication number: 20100316425
    Abstract: A connecting apparatus includes a rotation conveyance section whose end is positioned below a recording medium discharge port of a recording medium discharging apparatus, and which is constructed separately from an inlet roller to nip and convey a recording medium and is rotated to receive and guide the recording medium discharged from the recording medium discharging apparatus to an inside of a recording medium receiving apparatus, and an upper conveyance mechanism whose end is positioned above the recording medium discharge port of the recording medium discharging apparatus and which is constructed separately from the inlet roller. An upper end of the connecting apparatus at a recording medium discharging apparatus side is positioned above the recording medium discharge port of the recording medium discharging apparatus, and a lower end is positioned below the recording medium discharge port of the recording medium discharging apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Katsuya SASAHARA, Kikuo MIZUTANI
  • Patent number: 7841589
    Abstract: After an image was formed, a position in the width direction of the sheet stacked on a stacking portion is aligned by fixing one of aligning plates which can independently be driven and moving the other aligning plate in one direction. When the image is formed onto the sheet, a side edge of the sheet on the side which is come into contact with the aligning plate on the side fixed as a reference wall upon aligning is used as a reference and the image is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Wataru Kawata
  • Patent number: 7839532
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for imaging systems according to various aspects of the present invention provide a system for making physical copies of images and, substantially concurrently, generating electronic images. The imaging system suitably includes a scanner and a control system. The scanner makes copies of the documents or other images and substantially concurrently stores image data corresponding to images. The control system controls the scanning process and/or the handling of the generated images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: IPRO Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis E. Brawn, James M. King
  • Publication number: 20100284722
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming portion that forms an image on a sheet; a upper unit that is movably mounted above the image forming portion; a sheet processing apparatus that processes the sheet, having the image formed thereon by the image forming portion, by a processing portion; and a stacking portion on which the sheet processed by the sheet processing apparatus is stacked and which is disposed between the image forming portion and the upper unit, wherein the sheet processing apparatus includes a sheet conveyance path that guides the sheet, having the image formed thereon by the image forming portion, to the processing portion, and the sheet conveyance path is opened with a moving operation of the upper unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kunihiko Kitayama
  • Patent number: RE43687
    Abstract: An image forming system of the present invention includes an image forming method and section for forming an image on a sheet fed thereto. A stapler included in a finisher staples a stack of sheets each carrying image formed by the image forming section thereon. A controller causes the image forming section to form an image in accordance with input image data and causes the stapler to staple the stack of sheets at a preselected point or points. When sheets of different sizes are mixed together, the controller inhibits the stapler from stapling the stack except when the short edges of a large size sheet and the long edges of a small size sheet are identical in length in a direction perpendicular to the direction of sheet feed and when all the images printed on the sheets have the same orientation when the stapled stack is spread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaki Ohtani