Abstract: A stacking storage arrangement and method of operating stacking storage arrangement. The stacking storage arrangement includes multiple container receiving spaces and a loading space arranged below the container receiving spaces. A loading vehicle that is movable in the loading space includes a chassis and a container seat that is height-adjustable relative to the chassis. A holding device is arranged between each container receiving space and the loading space and a hold-open device is arranged on the chassis separately from the container seat.

Abstract: An article accumulation pattern building load plate assembly is provided. The assembly includes a deck for support of patterned articles, a stop for retaining deck supported articles, and spaced apart guides adjustably positionable in relation to the deck so as to transversely guide articles thereacross towards the stop. Articles of the patterned articles are received at an ingress portion of the assembly from a metered article source, the articles extendable at least across a width of the deck in a direction transverse to an article ingress direction. The stop is adjacent the deck, extending in a direction transverse to the article ingress direction, the stop delimiting an egress portion of the assembly.

Abstract: A self-hold type solenoid pulls a plunger by passage of electric current, and attracts and holds with permanent magnets also after interruption of the passage of electric current. A stopper member shifts between a regulation position for striking a front end of a transported sheet and a retracted position retracted from the regulation position by operation of the plunger. The self-hold type solenoid enhances the pull force of the plunger by being supplied with an electric current corresponding to one pulse at timing at which the transported sheet strikes the stopper member existing in the regulation position, and the stopper member is prevented from retracting by receiving an impact in striking the sheet.

Abstract: There is described a method for processing bundles (5) of securities, in particular banknote bundles, during production thereof, the method comprising the steps of (a) processing stacks of sheets (SS), each carrying an array of multiple security prints arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, into successive sets (2) of consecutive bundles (5) of securities arranged side-by-side, (b) forming at least one intermediate pile (8; 8*) of consecutive bundles (5) by placing the consecutive bundles (5) of a set (2) one on top of the other, and (c) successively ejecting bundles (5) one-by-one from a bottom of the said at least one intermediate pile (8; 8*) and conveying each ejected bundle (5) with a determined spacing from a preceding and/or following ejected bundle (5). There is also described a bundle processing system to carry out the above method.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing arrays of absorbent articles with varying orientations, and a methods for forming alternating arrays of absorbent articles, suitable to be operated at a high speed, are provided.

Abstract: A supply device (10) for a machine for transversely cutting two strips (11 and 12) of a flexible material, in particular a strip of paper, moving continuously, to produce separate stacks of documents cut transversely according to predetermined formats. The device comprises lower and upper driving mechanisms (13, 14) associated with the two strips (11, 12) of flexible material respectively, which each include a mechanically rotated first roller (13a, 14a) and a freely rotatable second bearing roller (13b and 14b). The driving mechanism is mounted on a frame (15) supported by a movable platform (16) which is rigidly connected to a linear actuator (17) arranged to be moved transversely with respect to the direction of movement of the strips (11 and 12). Optical reading cells (11a, 11b, 12a, 12b) define the operating modes of the driving servomotors (13b and 14b) and of the linear actuator (17).

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus capable of shortening a time period required to determine whether or not a sheet bundle has been normally stapled, while suppressing an increase of apparatus size and an increase of apparatus manufacturing cost, and capable of stacking sheet bundles on a sheet discharge tray such that sheet bundles not normally stapled can be distinguished from normally stapled sheet bundles. When the absence of staple is detected in a sheet bundle by one or both of staple detecting sensors, sheet bundles starting from a sheet bundle to be discharged next are shifted on a processing tray, whereby a sheet discharge position of the next and subsequent sheet bundles on the sheet discharge tray is changed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for locating at least one item of media at a desired location. The apparatus includes a first and further transport element for transporting an item of media along a transport path having a pre-determined plane of transport. The apparatus also includes at least one abutment surface that locates respective first and second lateral edge regions of the item or a central region of the item to a side of the plane of transport to provide an arcuate cross-section in at least a region of the item.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for depositing leaf-shaped objects (4, 5), and to an assembly for carrying out said method, wherein a plurality of such objects are successively placed on top of each other, and wherein, at intervals, single or several objects are removed again from the top. To this end, the objects (4, 5) are placed on top of each other offset from one another and/or rotated in relation to one another.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a laterally moveable post-processing module moveable from a predetermined operating position to a predetermined lateral delivery position and a control unit. The control unit is configured to operate the post-processing module such that a lateral delivery position for a set of at least one sheet is determined, the post-processing module is moved to the operating position, the post-processing module is operable to subsequently engage the set of at least one sheet to obtain a processed set of at least one sheet, then move the post-processing module from the operating position to the delivery position in coupling engagement with the processed set of at least one sheet, to move the processed set of at least one sheet to the lateral delivery position and disengage the post-processing module to deliver the processed set of at least one sheet at the lateral delivery position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a sheet stacking apparatus including a tray on which sheets are stacked, and an aligning member aligning the sheets stacked on the tray. The aligning member aligns sheets stacked, on a sheet previously stacked on the tray, with a displacement in an aligning direction of the aligning member with respect to the sheet previously stacked. An aligning operation of the aligning member is changed on the basis of whether or not the number of the sheets stacked on the sheets previously stacked is a predetermined number or less.

Abstract: Provided is a device for the alignment of sheets in a printing machine, said device comprising two pairs of rollers for the alignment of the sheets in their advance direction, for the alignment transverse to their advance direction and with respect to skewing, whereby each pair of rollers consists of a driving roller and of a counter-pressure roller. One drive unit is provided for each of the two driving rollers, whereby each of the drive units consists of a motor and a drive shaft linked therewith, whereby the driving rollers are non-torsionally accommodated on respective drive shafts. The driving rollers can be slid in linear direction on their drive shaft, or the respective drive shafts, and thus the driving rollers accommodated thereon, can be linearly shifted with respect to their drive motors.

Abstract: A method of positioning copy or subsets for the easy insertion of tabs thereinto that includes creating a shingled boundary between subsets, with the top sheets of all subsets in the same position, but with the rest of each subset progressively offset so that the last page of the upper subset is significantly offset from the top sheet of the next subset in sawtooth fashion. As a result, the subsets can then be separated from one side more easily and tabs or other pages can be manually inserted with minimal difficulty.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device which has a reduced size and is capable of detecting the amount of lateral sheet registration deviation and correcting the deviation at high speed. The sheet conveying device includes shift roller pairs for conveying sheets, and a shift unit for shifting a conveyed sheet in a direction orthogonal to a sheet conveying direction. After the sheet has reached a position where it is to be detected by a lateral registration deviation-detecting sensor unit, a CPU causes the sensor unit and the sheet to be shifted in respective opposite directions, detect a sheet lateral edge, and thereby measure the position of the sheet lateral edge. Further, the CPU causes the sheet to be shifted based on a result of the measurement, such that the sheet lateral edge is aligned with a predetermined position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a sheet stacking apparatus including a tray on which sheets are stacked, and an aligning member aligning the sheets stacked on the tray. The aligning member aligns sheets stacked, on a sheet previously stacked on the tray, with a displacement in an aligning direction of the aligning member with respect to the sheet previously stacked. An aligning operation of the aligning member is changed on the basis of whether or not the number of the sheets stacked on the sheets previously stacked is a predetermined number or less.

Abstract: A setting acceptor is operable to accept printing settings for a current printing job, including a setting of a first printing condition involving a confirmation print to print a copy set of sorted pages before a temporary pause waiting for a continuation instruction to print a designated number of copy sets, and a setting of a second printing condition involving a sorting print to print the designated number of copy sets of sorted pages, and a controller stores a last stack position in a previous printing job, as a first stack position, and is operable, as the printing settings accepted includes the setting of the first printing condition and the setting of the second printing condition, to discharge sheets in the confirmation print to a second stack position offset from the first stack position, and after the continuation instruction, discharge sheets of the designated number of copy sets in the sorting print to an alternating stack position alternating every copy set between the first and second stack posi

Abstract: A stack-like arrangement of printed products with folded edges, in which arrangement the printed products are all arranged with identical orientation, has an increased stability, if it comprises stack sections, within which the folded edges of the printed products indeed lie on top of each other, but wherein the stack sections are arranged displaced in relation to each other, such that the stack sections with folded edges protruding from the arrangement alternate with stack sections with edges opposite the folded edges protruding from the arrangement.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming stacks with print products includes a platform on which respective stacks are formed. A lift comprised of two lift parts is arranged on the platform to lift up the print products.

Abstract: A handling system able to efficiently process information relating to a plurality of conveyed articles, the handling system provided with a conveyer for conveying workpieces, a visual sensor for detecting positions of workpieces by acquiring images of a plurality of tracking ranges obtained by dividing a belt into sections, an encoder for detecting an amount of movement of the belt, a tracking manager for monitoring amounts of movement of the plurality of tracking ranges based on the amount of movement detected by the encoder and specifying the tracking range passing through a workpiece detection area, a workpiece manager for selecting the article in the tracking range specified by the tracking manager, and a controller for controlling operations of robots so as to hold the workpiece selected by the workpiece manager.

Abstract: An automatic stacking device includes a plurality of successive conveyors to convey properly cut corrugated paper board. By setting the conveyors at different operation speeds and different levels, paper boards can be deposited in stacked forms by predetermined numbers. Thus, the paper boards are deposited to form alternately offset stacks in a vertical pile of paper board. Mechanisms are incorporated to laterally shifted stacks of paper boards during the deposition of the paper boards to allow the paper boards to be piled up in the form of multiple and alternately shifted stacks to facilitate subsequent packaging and shipping.

Abstract: A paper processing device includes a processing unit, a paper ejection roller, a sorting mechanism, a paper overlapping mechanism, and a control unit. The processing unit performs predetermined processing upon sheets of paper being conveyed one at a time along a paper conveyance direction. The roller discharges the sheets in the paper conveyance direction, after completion of processing by the processing unit. The sorting mechanism shifts the roller to and fro between an initial position and a sorting position in a direction orthogonal to the paper conveyance direction. The overlapping mechanism superimposes, between the processing unit and the roller in the paper conveyance direction, a predetermined number of sheets of paper upon which processing has been completed. The control unit superimposes a predetermined number of sheets of paper by operating the overlapping mechanism, before shifting the roller from the initial position to the sorting position with the sorting mechanism.

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

Abstract: A system and method for preparing mail pieces is disclosed. A business provides one or more designs for a mail piece to a data center, which converts the designs to a format suitable for viewing via an on-line network connection utilizing a browser. A custom Web site for the business is created and accessed by the business's employees. A defined design for a mail piece is selected, information to be included on the mail piece is provided, and a mailing list is provided to the data center. Multiple requests for mailings are combined by the data center into a single print run and arranged in a presort sequence to allow for postal discounts. The aggregated mailing is printed, and the entire mailing is mailed by the data center.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device of the present invention includes a conveying member for conveying a sheet, a switching mechanism for switching the direction of conveyance of the sheet being conveyed by the sheet conveying member, and a shifting mechanism for shifting the sheet passed through the switching mechanism and nipped by the conveying member in a direction perpendicular to the direction of conveyance. The switching mechanism and shifting mechanism share a single drive source.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved stacker, method of stacking sheets such as tags, and a stack of sheets. The stacker and the stacking method produces a stack of sheets, wherein same-size sheets are stacked so that the endmost sheet or sheets in one batch are offset or staggered to provide batch separators in a stack of sheets. The stacker includes an improved sheet feed mechanism that enables sheets having different characteristics to be fed without disassembling any portion of the mechanism or the stacker.

Abstract: A roller turning force generator is connected to a driving gear which is mounted on a shaft. The shaft is connected to offset roller assemblies disposed in an offset mechanism via connecting gears. The offset roller assemblies rotatably supported inside the offset mechanism are turned by a driving force transmitted from the roller turning force generator to discharge individual sheets of a printing medium in a sheet transport direction. The offset mechanism is linked to an offsetting force generator so that the offset mechanism can be shifted along a direction perpendicular to the sheet transport direction.

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

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for stacking of sheets. A high-speed printer is provided for printing the sheets or at least one continuous web which is cut to sheets (2). The stacking device is provided to receive sheets in at least one flow (AS1 and/or AS2) thereof to said stacking device and to transfer said sheets (2) in the flow (AS1 and/or AS2) thereof to at least one first stacking table (11b) in order to form thereon at least one stack (2A and/or 2B) of sheets (2).

Abstract: An offsetting discharging apparatus with aligning member or a sheet discharge apparatus is provided with a sheet discharge device for discharging sheets, a storage device for receiving the sheets discharged from the discharge device, and an alignment reference member for aligning at least one edge of the sheets discharged to the storage means. Furthermore, the sheet discharge apparatus includes rotating bodies (belt unit) that contacts the sheets while the sheets are discharged by the discharge device to move the sheets discharged to the storage device to the alignment reference member. The rotating bodies for alignment do not hinder a discharge operation of discharge rollers of the discharge device, thereby fully utilizing a capacity of a sheet storage tray.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for lateral movement of sheets (2) during transport thereof to a stacking device (11) such that the sheets (2) or stacks of sheets occupy laterally displaced positions relative to each other in the stacking device (11). A high-speed printer (6) is provided for printing the sheets (2) or a continuous web which is then cut to sheets (2). A vacuum generating device has vacuum means (12, 13) with vacuum openings located within vacuum holes (20) in conveyor belts (14), and is provided to generate a vacuum in said vacuum openings and vacuum holes (20) that said conveyor belts (14) can grip or engage and transport the sheets (2).

Abstract: Substrates are received by a compiling mechanism and compiled into sets. Incoming sheets are tamped by a tamping system into position on the compiling platform to register the sheets. The compiler platform mechanism includes two narrow, low-friction panels that are driven in opposite directions. The compiled and registered sheets sets can be manipulated by a manipulation device, to be stapled, punched, stitched, etc. The compiled, manipulated and registered sheet sets can be dropped onto an output catch platform located below the compilation platform. The compiling platform includes two retractable panels that slide open to allow the compiled set to drop to the output catch platform below. Once the set is dropped, the compiling platform panels are driven back to their original position in order to receive another set. Alternatively, the compiled and registered sets can be ejected from the compiling platform to a subsequent, downstream device.

Abstract: A sheet-shaped medium processing apparatus including a pair of arranging members. The arranging members have both an arranging function for arranging paper piled on a tray after being discharged in a discharge direction from a paper discharge roller at a fixed position, and a sorting/arranging function for arranging the papers grouped together at a different position in a direction perpendicular to the discharge direction for grouping together a predetermined number of papers. The apparatus arranges and sorts using low drive power and arranges the paper with high precision regardless of the amount of paper on the tray.

Abstract: A sheet-shaped medium aligning apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and a sheet-shaped medium after-treatment apparatus where an arranging device is moved from a position predetermined to arrange sheet-shaped mediums on a sheet piling device to a position receiving the sheet-shaped mediums in a body so that, in taking out the sheet-shaped mediums from the body, an injury of hands or destruction of the arranging device can be prevented.

Abstract: A method and device for discharging paper, the paper discharging device having a rotary shaft rotating by a driving source, a hollow shaft into which the rotary shaft is slidably inserted, the hollow shaft rotating with the rotary shaft and reciprocating on the rotary shaft, a driving shaft disposed at a predetermined distance from and parallel to the rotary shaft to rotate with the rotary shaft, a driven gear rotatably disposed at the driving shaft and engaging a driving gear on an end of the rotary shaft, an electrical clutch selectively transmitting rotation power of the driven gear to the driving shaft, and a reciprocating portion reciprocating the hollow shaft according to rotation of the driving shaft. The paper is discharged in an oblique, rightward, or leftward direction with respect to a discharging direction due to the reciprocal movement of the hollow shaft, thereby stacking the paper on a stacker in a zigzag fashion.

Abstract: Flat objects (7) to be stacked in a stacking device (2) are supplied serially, individually held and aligned with one another. Cross stacks (12) are produced by subjecting alternating groups (11, 11′) of the supplied objects (7) to one of two step sequences, wherein, in both step sequences, the objects of the groups are released from held conveyance and are, in at least one of the step sequences, brought to the stacking device lying on a conveying surface (10.1, 10.1′) in an imbricated formation. In the two step sequences, a rotation difference of 180° around an axis perpendicular to the object surfaces is established between alternating groups (11, 11′). The objects (7) positioned in the stacking device in groups form a cross stack (12), without requiring the stacking device (2) or parts thereof to be rotated between groups of objects being positioned. This results in shorter cycle times and in a smaller number of moving parts.

Abstract: Large items such as magazines or large envelopes lie flat upon and are transported by a first conveyor in a first, transverse direction until they sequentially encounter a frustoconical member rotatably mounted to a back wall. A second conveyor is disposed normal to the first conveyor so that it transports the items that have encountered the frustoconical member in a second direction normal to the first. A rotatably mounted barrier has a first, retracted position where it does not interfere with items approaching the frustoconical member and a second, deployed position where it stops the items short of the frustoconical member. The position of the barrier is controlled by information concerning postal routes. The items are sorted into sharply defined groups that are transversely staggered with respect to one another.

Abstract: A mechanism and method for accumulating sheet stacks from a continuous web having sheets printed both in side-by-side relationship and with the sheets behind each other. Slitting the continuous web lengthwise between said side-by-side sheet and cutting the web transversely between the sheets behind each other sheets to separate the printed sheets. Accumulating the printed sheets into separate stacks and stacking the separate stacks one on top of the other in offset relationship to each other and moving the offset stacks into a receptacle, such as a cassette.

Abstract: A sheet finishing apparatus includes a discharge device having a pair of rotating shafts and discharge rotating bodies supported on the rotating shafts; a shift device for shifting the rotating shafts in a shaft direction; a support device for receiving and supporting the sheet discharged by the discharge means; an alignment device having an alignment reference member for aligning one edge of the sheet discharged on the support means and a moving member for moving the sheet to the alignment reference member along the shaft direction; a finishing device disposed at a side facing the support device with the alignment reference member in between for finishing the sheet aligned by the aligning device; and a shift tolerance portion disposed at a side facing the support device with the aligning device in between for allowing the rotating shafts to protrude when the shift device shifts the rotating shafts.

Abstract: Documents are fed in a stream through the first station of a machine that senses the last page of each document along alternative paths in order to accumulate the groups in a staggered stack on a vertically adjustable elevator. When this staggered stack reaches a predetermined number (N) the elevator drops down to off load the stack onto a takeaway conveyor. The documents continue to be accumulated at the second station on a reciprocating support surface that redeposits these additional documents on the elevator when the elevator returns to a raised position and the support surface is retracted.

Abstract: Flat objects (7) to be stacked in a stacking device (2) are supplied serially, individually held and aligned with one another. Cross stacks (12) are produced by subjecting alternating groups (11, 11′) of the such supplied objects (7) to one of two step sequences, wherein, in both step sequences, the objects of the groups are released from held conveyance and are, in at least one of the step sequences, brought to the stacking device lying on a conveying surface (10.1, 10.1′) in an imbricated formation, and wherein in the two step sequences a rotation difference of 180° around an axis perpendicular to the object surfaces is established between alternating groups (11, 11′). The objects (7) positioned in the stacking device in groups form a cross stack (12), without it being necessary, that the stacking device (2) or parts of it have to be rotated between groups of objects being positioned. This results in shorter cycle times and in a smaller number of moving parts.

Abstract: An offset sheet stacker device for flexible sheet material (2), especially paper, with at least one deflection wheel (3) which has at least one receiving slot (4) which is located essentially tangentially, a sheet feed device (5) which discharges into at least one receiving slot (4) when it is in the receiving position (6), and a sheet delivery stop (7) in the area of the deflection wheel (3) which is opposite a receiving position (6), the wheel running in a recess (8) of said sheet delivery stop (7) and the latter lying in the sheet delivery position (17) at least on one side of said receiving slot (4). On one shaft (9) there are at least two deflection wheels (3) which have receiving slots (4) in identical positions and that the shaft (9) can be inclined relative to the transport direction (10) of the sheet feed device (5).

Abstract: A single tray is used to collate the printed papers from a printer. The tray is moved to different positions to receive the printed papers. Thus, the printed papers are collated into different stacks. The movement of the tray can be linear or curvilinear. The circular movement can collate the printed papers into more than two stacks.

Abstract: Transfer media is positioned with a positioning apparatus. The apparatus has an output repository, a sensor, a controller, a lateral transporter, and a longitudinal conveyor. The output repository has an offset edge axis. The sensor is configured to sense a lateral position of the media relative to longitudinal alignment with the offset edge axis of the output repository and output an alignment signal responsive to the sensed lateral position of the media longitudinally aligning with the offset edge axis of the output repository. The controller is configured to output a lateral movement signal in absence of an alignment signal from the sensor and output a longitudinal movement signal. In response to the lateral movement signal from the controller, the lateral transporter laterally transports the media towards alignment with the offset edge axis of the output repository.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for separating one or more endless streams of pages into corresponding staggered stacks of reports for further processing. Each page of a first report is taken from the endless stream and moved into a first position on a first stack of reports, and each page of the next subsequent report is moved onto a second stack staggered from the first. This process is continued indefinitely. Alternatively, more than two stacks can be provided for. Also, numerous endless streams of pages, in side-by-side relation, can be stacked into a plurality of stacks of reports in side-by-side relation so as to be conveniently assembled for further processing.

Abstract: A single tray is used to collate the printed papers from a printer. The tray is moved to different positions to receive the printed papers. Thus, the printed papers are collated into different stacks. The movement of the tray can be linear or curvilinear. The circular movement can collate the printed papers into more than two stacks.

Abstract: Newspapers and other printed matter fed from a printing press or inserting machine are generally folded or delivered in a continuous stream with the papers oriented in an overlapped or imbricated relationship. The stream of papers are received and stacked by the stacking apparatus or stacker which must operate at high speeds. The stacker orients the papers in the stacks and ejects the bundles of papers. The present invention relates to devices intended to reduce the prospects for inadvertent interference with the stacking mechanism or to reduce the potential for injury.

Abstract: According to the collating apparatus of the present invention, if the collation error is detected, the erroneously collated matter selection and discharge unit discharges the erroneously collated matter so as to be distinguishable from the correctly collated matters. Besides, the collation error can be recognized and the erroneously collated matter can be removed after the collation operation is completed for all collated matters. Therefore, it is possible to continue the collation operation without stopping the collation operation when the collation error occurs.

Abstract: A machine and method is disclosed for stacking product, including but not limited to, cardboard, magazines, newspapers, newspaper supplements, flyers, press signatures, and softcover books. The stacking machine includes an infeed assembly for receiving a product stream or flow. The infeed assembly includes a belt jogger assembly for aligning and distributing product as it enters the machine. A transport assembly delivers product from the infeed assembly to a stacking assembly.

Abstract: Newspapers and other printed matter fed from a printing press or inserting machine are generally folded or delivered in a continuous stream with the papers oriented in an overlapped or imbricated relationship. The stream of papers are received and stacked by the stacking apparatus or stacker which must operate at high speeds. The stacker orients the papers in the stacks and ejects the bundles of papers. The present invention relates to devices intended to reduce the prospects for inadvertent interference with the stacking mechanism or to reduce the potential for injury.

Abstract: A cross-stacker for paper products has a pre-collection chamber, at least one rotation device and two ejection devices, with a transport device being provided beneath the pre-collection chamber which transports paper products collected in the pre-collection chamber.