Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
271300190 | With alternate conveying path | 82 |
20080217837 | Sheet conveying device, sheet processing apparatus, and image forming apparatus - A sheet conveying device in which at least a sheet is guided and conveyed by a guiding member includes a discharging roller that conveys the sheet, a first guiding member and a second guiding member that are arranged along an outer periphery of the discharging roller, and a supporting shaft that rotatably supports both the first guiding member and the second guiding member. When the first guiding member is located at a first position in which a path between the first guiding member and the discharging roller is closed, the sheet is guided to a shift conveying path, and when the first guiding member is located at a second position in which the path is opened, the sheet is guided to a folding processing tray. | 09-11-2008 |
20090008858 | SHEET PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A sheet processing apparatus comprises that a plurality of sheet processing portions that perform a sheet process on a sheet; and a plurality of conveying paths which transport the sheet to connect to the plurality of sheet processing portions, respectively, wherein while one of the plurality of sheet processing portions executes the sheet process on a preceding sheet or a preceding sheet bundle, a subsequent sheet is conveyed to the conveying path connecting to the other one of the plurality of sheet processing portions and held on standby on the conveying path connecting to the other sheet processing portion. | 01-08-2009 |
20090236790 | Sheet-feeding apparatus - A sheet-feeding apparatus having simple structure and capable of single-face/double-face scanning/printing sheets at high sheet-feeding efficiency. The sheet-feeding apparatus includes a sheet-feeding path in which sheets can pass through a scanning module and/or a printing module. The sheet-feeding path includes a first passage, a second passage communicating with the first passage and a subsidiary passage formed between the first and second passages. The sheets are selectively fed into and delivered through the first passage, the second passage or the subsidiary passage to be single-face/double-face scanned/printed. | 09-24-2009 |
20100052238 | SHEET-FEEDING APPARATUS - A sheet-feeding apparatus having simple structure and capable of single-face/double-face scanning/printing sheets at high sheet-feeding efficiency. The sheet-feeding apparatus includes a sheet-feeding path in which sheets can pass through a scanning module and/or a printing module. The sheet-feeding path includes a first passage, a second passage communicating with the first passage and a subsidiary passage formed between the first and second passages. The sheets are selectively fed into and delivered through the first passage, the second passage or the subsidiary passage to be single-face/double-face scanned/printed. | 03-04-2010 |
20100123282 | DOCUMENT FEEDING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A document feeding device includes a pressing member that extends in a document conveying space from a document conveying surface of an outer conveying guide member having a counter conveying roller, of two conveying guide members provided in a first document conveying path such as to oppose front and back sides of a document, toward a document conveying surface of an inner conveying guide member. The pressing member extends in a document width direction perpendicular in a document feeding direction with its leading end extending in a conveying space from one of the conveying surfaces toward the other conveying surface. This structure prevents a large displacement of the document even when the document is released from the nip between conveying rollers or passes between the two conveying guide members provided in the document feeding direction. | 05-20-2010 |
20100133737 | STORING AND ISSUING DEVICE FOR BANKNOTES OR OTHER FLEXIBLE DOCUMENTS - A storing and issuing device ( | 06-03-2010 |
20100156025 | PRINTING APPARATUS AND PRINTING METHOD - By effectively using a sheet feeding mechanism used for feeding a printing medium in a single transporting path for the purpose of another transporting path, a printing apparatus and a printing method that can simplify a configuration and reduce a size are provided. A first transporting path and a second transporting path are selectively used when an image is to be printed on a printing sheet. The first transporting path transports the printing sheet supplied by a sheet feeding roller from a printing sheet loading portion to a printing position. The second transporting path transports the printing sheet located at a position different from the printing sheet loading portion to the printing position. When the printing sheet is to be transported by the second transporting path, the sheet feeding roller is moved onto the second transporting path so as to transport the printing sheet in the second transporting path. | 06-24-2010 |
20100194027 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a sheet storage portion, an image forming portion, a sheet ejector, a sheet-reversing unit, first to fourth conveying paths, and a two-sided conveyance unit. The fourth conveying path includes a linear path formed between two conveyance guides constituting the two-sided conveyance unit. The two-sided conveyance unit is supported in a slidable manner along a slider provided to an apparatus main body. One of the two conveyance guides is made of a flat guide plate and is supported in such a manner that it can be opened or closed with respect to the other conveyance guide. | 08-05-2010 |
20100213661 | PAPER SHEET DIVERTER, PAPER SHEET PROCESSING APPARATUS AND PAPER SHEET DIVERTING METHOD - Provided is a diverter | 08-26-2010 |
20110109035 | Cut Sheet Media Handling Transport - A media handling transport includes first and second device halves. Each of the device halves includes first, second and third body members, with the first end portion of the second body member disposed adjacent the first end portion of the first body member, the first end portion of the third body member disposed adjacent the second end portion of the first body member, and the second end portion of the third body member disposed adjacent the second end portion of the second body member. An inner body member defines a first media transport passageway with the second body member define, a second media transport passageway with the third body member, and a third media transport passageway with the first body member. The second end portions of the second and third body members define an abutting end of the device half, with the abutting end of the first device half disposed adjacent the abutting end of the second device half in an installed transport. | 05-12-2011 |
20110115145 | BANKNOTE DEPOSITING UNIT AND INSERT/RETURN UNIT ATTACHABLE TO AND DETACHABLE FROM BANKNOTE DEPOSITING UNIT - A banknote depositing unit can be made with a smaller width than those made previously. The unit includes: a first conveying section for conveying banknotes or a bundle of banknotes deposited into a temporary holding section from an inlet through a first route; a second conveying section for conveying each banknote from the bundle of banknotes held in the temporary holding section to a return outlet through a second route; and a third conveying section for conveying each bundle of banknotes held in the temporary holding section to a cassette section where the banknotes are to be stored in each bundle through a third route. The second route and the third route commonly have the temporary holding section as a starting point and three-dimensionally intersect each other. | 05-19-2011 |
20110127707 | Switchback mechanism and image forming apparatus - In a color printer in which a drive force of a fixed gear that rotates not in both a forward direction and a reverse direction but in either one direction only is transmitted to a discharging unit, a swing gear is attached to a branch guide via a switching link and a transmission link as a link mechanism. When a solenoid mechanism starts driving, the transmission link rotates. In accordance with the rotation of the transmission link, the switching link rotates, so that a switching among a discharge conveying path, a duplex-printing conveying path, and a switchback conveying path by the branch guide and a switching of a rotating direction of a transmission gear can be simultaneously performed. | 06-02-2011 |
20110127708 | SHEET CONVEYING APPARATUS - A sheet conveying apparatus for OCR/VSC integrated systems, which selectively delivers postal items to upper- and lower-side stackers, includes at least one pair of conveyor belts bifurcating from a bifurcation gate to the down-side stackers, and at least one pair of conveyor belts bifurcating from the bifurcation gate to the upper-side stackers. The conveyor belts include a first twisted section, an S-shaped ascending portion, and a second twisted portion. Each postal item is tilted by the first twisted portion, then raised by the S-shaped ascending portion with its tilted attitude maintained, and returned to upright by the second twisted portion. | 06-02-2011 |
20110156336 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A reversely-rotatable roller conveys a sheet having an image formed on its one side at a sheet conveying velocity faster than that of a conveying roller by normal rotation and then, the reversely-rotatable roller conveys the sheet to a re-conveying path by reverse rotation. The sheet conveying velocity of the reversely-rotatable roller when the reversely-rotatable roller reversely rotates is made slower than the sheet conveying velocity when the reversely-rotatable roller normally rotates so that the sheet conveying velocity of the re-conveying roller is substantially equal to or slower than the sheet conveying velocity of the conveying roller. | 06-30-2011 |
20110254216 | AUTO DOCUMENT FEEDER AND A DOCUMENT READER WITH THE AUTO DOCUMENT FEEDER - An auto document feeder includes a lead path, a first reverse path, a second reverse path, and a both surfaces eject path. The lead path guides a document from a left side to a right side of a read position. The first reverse path and the second reverse path are connected to the lead path, and reverse the document to guide the document from the right side to the left side of the read position. A both surfaces eject path is connected to the first reverse path and the second reverse path and guides the document whose image information of a second surface has been read so as to eject further to the right side than the read position. Further, the lead path includes a lead curve path which protrudes to the left side and is arranged more to the left side than the read position. A shared curve path shared by the lead path and the both surfaces eject path includes a portion between the read position and a portion in which the lead curve path protrudes the most. | 10-20-2011 |
20110291347 | TRANSPORTING DEVICE AND IMAGE RECORDING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - There is provided a transporting device transporting a medium, including: a first member pair which changes a posture of the first member pair between a first posture and a second posture; a second member pair which changes a posture of the second member pair between a third posture and a fourth posture; and a movable member which is movable between a fifth posture and a sixth posture, and which has a first abutting portion and a second abutting portion, wherein, in a process that the movable member moves from the fifth posture to the sixth posture, the first abutting portion makes the first member pair change the posture from the first posture to the second posture, and while the first abutting portion makes the first member pair change the posture, the second abutting portion abuts on one of the second member pair. | 12-01-2011 |
20110309564 | IMAGE PRINTING DEVICE - A printing device includes a first transporting mechanism driven by a first motor, a printing unit, a second transporting mechanism configured to transport the printing medium transported by first transporting mechanism and is performed image printing on a first surface thereof by the printing unit, to the first transporting mechanism. The first transporting mechanism includes first transporting rollers disposed at a position upstream of the printing unit, and further includes second transporting rollers disposed at a position downstream of the printing unit and configured to rotate in both directions. The second transporting mechanism includes third transporting rollers driven by a second motor and configured to transport the printing medium switched back by the second transporting rollers toward the first transporting rollers. A transporting force of the second transporting rollers is smaller than a transporting force of the third transporting rollers. | 12-22-2011 |
20120032389 | GATE SYSTEM DIVERTING SHEETS INTO MULTI-WAYS - According to aspects illustrated herein, there are provided systems for conveying a sheet article into an intended pathway. The multi-way gate system for diverting sheets into multiple pathways in a sheet conveying device includes at least three pathways for directing the sheet from the sheet conveying member in a particular direction. A single gate plate is between the sheet conveying member and the pathways. The single gate plate is rotatable about a single axis to direct the sheet exiting the sheet conveying member toward one of the pathways. | 02-09-2012 |
20120091651 | AUTO-DOCUMENT FEEDER AND DOCUMENT FEEDING METHOD - An auto-document feeder includes: a document placing section on which an original document is placed; a sheet detection sensor configured to detect the original document, length in a feeding direction of the original document being first length larger than second length; a length detection sensor configured to detect the length of the original document while the original document is fed; a first feeding path for feeding the original document to a reading section for reading an image of the original document; a second feeding path for feeding the original document to the reading section, the second feeding path being different from the first feeding path; a switching section configured to selectively switch the first feeding path and the second feeding path; and a control section configured to divert, with the switching section, the original document to the first feeding path if the sheet detection sensor detects the original document. | 04-19-2012 |
20120104677 | IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - An image forming device includes a sheet conveyor, an image former that forms an image on a surface of a sheet conveyed by the sheet conveyor, and a re-conveyor that re-conveys the sheet to the image former which forms another image on an opposite surface of the sheet. The re-conveyor includes a guide member including upper and lower conveyance members, a regulation member that regulates a position of the sheet, a conveyer roller set that conveys the sheet therebetween, an urger that urges a pinch roller toward a driving roller, and a roller holder disposed above the upper conveyance member. The upper conveyance member has ends which are secured independently to the lower conveyance member. The roller holder secures the pinch roller overlaps the upper conveyance member in a vertical direction, and secures the pinch roller, such that the pinch roller contacts the sheet through the upper conveyance member. | 05-03-2012 |
20120104678 | IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - An image forming device includes a sheet container, an image former that forms an image on a surface of a sheet conveyed from the sheet container, and a re-conveyor that re-conveys the sheet to the image former which forms another image on an opposite surface of the sheet. The re-conveyor includes a first conveyance roller set and a second conveyance roller set that convey the sheet therebetween. The first conveyance roller set includes a first driving roller that receives a driving force and a first pinch roller that contacts the surface. The second conveyance roller set includes a second driving roller that receives the driving force and a second pinch roller that contacts the surface. The first driving roller has a greater coefficient of friction than the first pinch roller. The second pinch roller has a greater coefficient of friction than the first pinch roller. | 05-03-2012 |
20120112400 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device including a pair of first rotating members; a first transport path having a curved portion where a recording medium is curved, the first transport path being for transporting the recording medium to which the image is fixed by the pair of first rotating members; a first transporting section including a pair of second rotating members provided downstream from the curved portion of the first transport path; and a controller that controls so that, while the recording medium is interposed between the pair of first rotating members and the pair of second rotating members, a peripheral velocity of the second rotating members and a peripheral velocity of the first rotating members are reduced at the same time, or the peripheral velocity of the second rotating members is reduced before reducing the peripheral velocity of the first rotating members. | 05-10-2012 |
20120112401 | AUTO-DOCUMENT FEEDER AND IMAGE READING APPARATUS - An auto-document feeder includes: a paper feeding section configured to feed original documents one by one; a first feeding section configured to feed the fed original document through a first feeding path; a second feeding section configured to feed the fed original document through a second feeding path; a third feeding section configured to alternately nip one by one the fed original documents; a determining section configured to determine that the original document is nipped by the third feeding section; and a document diverting and feeding section configured to alternately divert and feed, into the first feeding path and the second feeding path, the fed original documents and, if the preceding original document is present, after the preceding original document is detected by the determining section, feed the following original document into the first or second feeding path into which the preceding original document is not fed. | 05-10-2012 |
20120119430 | CONVEYANCE MECHANISM AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - An image forming apparatus comprises a sheet feeding cassette, a printing unit, and a sheet ejection tray. A first conveyance unit feeds the recording sheet from a front side of the sheet feeding cassette and inverts and conveys it to the printing unit. A path of a switchback conveyance unit extends from the printing unit to let the recording sheet switch back after the printing in an opposite direction to that the recording sheet is conveyed to the printing unit. A front and back side inversion conveyance unit conveys the printing sheet to the sheet ejection tray with a printed surface of the printing sheet facing down. Both of the sheet feeding position on the conveyance unit and the front and back side inversion conveyance unit are arranged on the front side in the image forming apparatus. | 05-17-2012 |
20120119431 | SHEET TRANSPORT APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A sheet transport apparatus includes a sheet transport portion that transports a sheet in a first transport direction and a second transport direction, a bending member that bends without breaking the sheet by corrugating the sheet in an orthogonal direction, and a restriction member that restricts, in a perpendicular direction, a corrugation in the sheet bent by the bending member. The restriction member is provided on an upstream side in the first transport direction of the bending member. | 05-17-2012 |
20120126473 | SHEET FEEDER - A switch back path is connected to a sheet feed path through a branch portion. A plurality of pairs of forward and backward rotating rollers are disposed along the switch back path from the branch portion. A driving portion selectively supplies rotation of a forward rotation direction or of a backward rotation direction to a plurality of pairs of forward and backward rotating rollers. A separation mechanism separates a first pair of forward and backward rotating rollers from each other. A control portion controls operation of the driving portion and the separation mechanism so that a sheet to be fed into the switch back path and a sheet to be fed out of the switch back path pass each other in the switch back path. | 05-24-2012 |
20120146280 | SHEET CONVEYING APPARATUS, SHEET PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - To convey a following sheet toward a discharge tray together with a preceding sheet made to wait in a buffer path, while a switch member provided at a branch portion of the path is maintained at a lower position, the following sheet conveyed from an upstream side of the branch portion toward the discharge tray is guided by a second guide face of the switch member at the lower position, made to meet the waiting sheet on a downstream side of the switch member, and conveyed toward the discharge tray in a sheet bundle. | 06-14-2012 |
20120153557 | SHEET CONVEYING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A sheet conveying apparatus includes a curve-shaped conveying path conveying a sheet from a first conveyance direction toward a second conveyance direction, a drive conveying portion conveying the sheet in the second conveyance direction by a pair of mutually-pressed rollers, and a belt conveying portion conveying the sheet toward the drive conveying portion by an endless belt member, wherein the belt conveying portion is configured to include a first belt support roller which is arranged coaxially with one of the pair of rollers and a second belt support roller which is arranged at an upstream side of the drive conveying portion from the first belt support roller, to wind the belt member around the first and second belt support members, and to set an outer diameter of the first belt support roller including the belt member to be smaller than an outer diameter of the one roller. | 06-21-2012 |
20120161380 | IMAGE RECORDING DEVICE - An image recording device includes a first arm configured to pivot between a first position and a second position in response to mounting and removal of a tray to and from the image recording device, a first driving roller attached to an end of the first arm and configured to convey a sheet from the tray toward a first conveying path, a recording unit configured to record an image on the sheet conveyed along the first conveying path, a second arm configured to pivot between a third position and a fourth position, and a second driving roller attached to an end of the second arm and configured to convey the sheet having an image recorded on one side thereof, along a second conveying path toward the first conveying path. The second arm pivots from the third position to the fourth position when the first arm pivots from the first position to the second position. | 06-28-2012 |
20120169006 | SHEET CONVEYANCE DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS EMPLOYING SAME - A sheet conveyance device comprises first and second sheet parallel conveyance paths each having first and second conveyance roller units each to receive and convey a sheet and first and second skew correctors each to correct skew of a sheet therein. A third conveyance path is disposed downstream of the first sheet conveyance path and the second sheet conveyance path, in which those sheet conveyance paths flow into each other. The sheet conveyance device alternately conveys the sheet to first sheet conveyance path and the second sheet conveyance path. One of the first pair of sheet conveyance rollers is one of the second pair of sheet conveyance rollers as a common roller. | 07-05-2012 |
20120169007 | BILL TRANSMISSION CHANNEL DEVICE - A bidirectional bill transmission channel device ( | 07-05-2012 |
20120175836 | DUAL HOPPER ASSEMBLY - Embodiments of the invention are directed to a dual hopper assembly ( | 07-12-2012 |
20120200026 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DIVERTING PRINTED PRODUCTS INTO THREE STREAMS - A diverter for receiving printed products in a single stream and diverting the printed products into a plurality of streams is provided. The diverter includes a first rotating body rotating about a first axis and including first, second and third circumferential sections positioned around the first axis. Each circumferential section of the first rotating body extends radially a different distance from the first axis. The diverter also includes a second rotating body rotating about a second axis and including first, second and third circumferential sections positioned around the second axis. Each circumferential section of the second rotating body extends radially a different distance from the second axis. The first and second rotating bodies divert the printed products into three separate streams at a diverting area between the first and second axes. The diverter also includes a steeple positioned downstream of the diverting area. A method for diverting printed products in a folder, a printing press, a method for adjusting a diverter and a steeple for a diverter are also provided. | 08-09-2012 |
20120200027 | AUTOMATIC DOCUMENT FEEDER - An automatic document feeder includes a first roller portion on the first transportation path to feed an original to a scanning position to scan a first face of the original, a second roller portion on a second transportation path to transport the scanned original, a third roller portion on the second transportation path to feed the original to the scanning position to scan a second face of the original, a fourth roller portion on the first transportation path to transport the scanned original, and a transporting speed adjusting unit gaining a circumferential velocity of the second roller portion than the one of the first roller portion and gaining a circumferential velocity of the fourth roller portion than the one of third roller portion, when the original is transported from the first transportation path to the second transportation path and from the second transportation path to the first transportation path, respectively. | 08-09-2012 |
20120205855 | Media Retractor and Recycler System for Automatic Document Feeders and Duplexers and Method for Using Same - A media retraction and recycler system for use with image processing devices such as automatic document feeders and printers that concurrently supports two media sheets for duplex printing or scanning in a partial overlapping configuration in a variable nip pressure exit roll assembly allowing use of a media path that is shorter than the total media length of the two media sheets to facilitate an increased throughput during duplex scanning or printing operations. | 08-16-2012 |
20120223471 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a main body. The main body includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on a medium, and a media conveyance mechanism configured to convey the medium to the image forming unit. A media conveyance unit is attached to the main body and is configured to convey the medium to the media conveyance mechanism. A media retreat path is defined by opposed surfaces of the media conveyance unit and the main body which are opposed to each other. The media retreat path is configured to receive at least a part of the medium being retreated. The media retreat path inclines in a way that a height level of the media retreat path gradually becomes lower from its entrance side to its back-end side. | 09-06-2012 |
20120228816 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus which may include an apparatus body, a feed tray, an image forming unit, an eject section and a first transport mechanism forming a first transport path extending between the feed tray and the eject section via the image forming unit. The image forming apparatus may also include a second transport mechanism forming a second transport path that extends between a branch position located downstream of the image forming unit on the first transport path and a merge position located upstream of the image forming unit on the first transport path. The second transport mechanism may be configured to transport the recording medium along the second transport path and reintroduce the recording medium to the first transport path from the merge position. At least one part of the second transport mechanism and the feed tray may be incorporated in a detachable unit. | 09-13-2012 |
20120313312 | SORTING BY CONTROLLING SCANNED DOCUMENT VELOCITY - A method of scanning documents and moving such documents along a path such that after scanning sorting such documents is disclosed. The method includes providing a plurality of documents in an input tray and transporting each document along the path from the input tray at a transport velocity past the scanner to obtain scanned image data. The method further includes providing at least two movable members including two rotatable exit rollers, movable belts, or a movable belt and a rotatable exit roller along the path to provide a nip for the documents; and selectively driving the movable members to provide selectable exit velocities so that such documents are sorted in accordance with their selected exit velocity. | 12-13-2012 |
20120313313 | SHEET STORAGE APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A sheet storage apparatus having a sheet conveying portion and a sheet storage portion to receive the sheet as conveyed upward from below by the sheet conveying portion and to store the sheet in a vertical direction. The sheet storage portion includes a guide portion, first and second holding members. The first holding member forms a first nipping portion between the first holding member and the guide surface. The first holding member permits the sheet to be conveyed upward to pass through the first nipping portion, and holds the sheet by restricting the sheet from moving downward at the first nipping portion. The second holding member forms a second nipping portion between the second holding member and the guide surface. The second holding member permits the sheet to be conveyed upward to pass through the second nipping portion, and holds the sheet at the second nipping portion. | 12-13-2012 |
20130075968 | HORIZONTAL STRAIGHT-LINE DUPLEX IMAGING ARCHITECTURE - An imaging architecture and method for duplex printing including a first imaging station operative to mark a first side of a substrate media with a first image, a first media transport module configured and operative to convey the substrate media in proximity with the first imaging station in a process direction along which the substrate media passes through the imaging architecture, and to invert the orientation of the substrate media without interrupting the conveyance of the substrate media in the process direction. A second imaging station is operative to mark the inverted substrate medium on a second side opposing the first side with a second image, and a second media transport module is configured and operative to convey the inverted substrate media in proximity with the second imaging station in the process direction. | 03-28-2013 |
20130307210 | SHEET TRANSPORT APPARATUS FACILITATING ESTABLISHING A CONTINUOUS SHEET TRANSPORT PATH - In a sheet transport apparatus, first transport guides are provided in pair in parallel to, and spaced from, each other to form a first transport path to convey sheets. The transport guides have one ends engageable with the ends of second transport guides, which are provided in pair to be parallel to, and spaced from, each other to form a second transport path. A supporting member rotatably supports the second transport guides in response to the position of the first transport guides. When the ends of the first and second transport guides are brought into engagement with each other with the one ends of the second transport guides inclined against the first transport guides to displace the ends from each other, both transport paths can be connected to each other without changing the transverse cross-sectional depth thereof, thereby preventing a step or hollow from being formed in the connecting section. | 11-21-2013 |
20140015190 | PAPER INVERTING DEVICE - A paper inverting device includes a first sensor, a second sensor, a guiding structure, a power mechanism, and a controller. The power mechanism is used for driving rotation of the guiding structure. The first sensor is used for detecting the position of the paper. The second sensor is used for detecting the thickness of the paper. According to the sensing signals from the first sensor and the second sensor, the controller may determine the timing of rotating the guiding structure and the rotating direction and the rotating angle of the guiding structure. Consequently, the guiding structure may be controlled to stop the paper and further invert the paper. | 01-16-2014 |
20140070477 | DOCUMENT FEEDER - A document feeder includes a reverse transporting mechanism that forms a substantially U-shaped document transporting pathway for carrying a document from a feeding tray located at a lower side to a discharging tray located at an upper side through a reading position, a pulling device, a separating-transporting device and a openable pathway cover. The pulling device and the separating-transporting device are arranged at substantially the same horizontal level within the height that is occupied by the reverse transporting mechanism. The pathway cover is capable of opening and closing to cover on the pulling device, the separating-transporting device and the reverse transporting mechanism. | 03-13-2014 |
20140103598 | IMAGE READING APPARATUS - An image reading apparatus, which includes a housing including a first housing and a second housing; a first opening located in between the first housing and the second housing; a second opening formed to communicate with the first opening through a first path; a third opening, a length of which along the first direction is smaller than a length of the first opening; a fourth opening, including a part of the second opening, formed to communicate with the third opening through a second path; a fifth opening located in a position where a part of the second path and the first path merge with each other; an image reader; a first roller exposed to a part of the first path ranging between the image reader and the fifth opening; and a second roller exposed to a part of the second path ranging between the third opening and the fifth opening, is provided. | 04-17-2014 |
20140103599 | SHEET CONVEYANCE DEVICE, DOCUMENT FEEDER, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND MULTI FEED DETECTION METHOD - A sheet conveyance device includes a paper feed section, a separation roller, a registration roller pair arranged downstream of the paper feed section, a conveyance roller pair arranged downstream of the registration roller pair, a multi feed sensor arranged between the paper feed section and the registration roller pair, and a document conveyance controller. When an original document arrives at the conveyance roller pair, the document conveyance controller suspends driving of the paper feed section and starts multi feed determination. | 04-17-2014 |
20140117611 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM STORING IMAGE FORMING PROGRAM, AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - An image forming apparatus includes a transport roller; a reading mechanism; a manuscript sensor configured to detect the manuscript; a transport controller which controls the transport roller; a display unit; and a display controller. The display controller is configured such that the display unit is allowed to display a first screen in a case that the manuscript is not detected by the manuscript sensor; and the display unit is allowed to display a second screen indicating a discharge designator to discharge the manuscript from the image forming apparatus in place of the first screen indicating no discharge designator in a case that the manuscript is detected by the manuscript sensor. The transport controller is configured such that the manuscript interposed by the transport roller is discharged without reading the manuscript by the reading mechanism in a case that an input with respect to the discharge designator is accepted. | 05-01-2014 |
20140117612 | Image Forming Device - An image forming device includes an image recording unit for recording an image on a recording sheet, an upper paper feed cassette storage unit arranged above the image recording unit, a lower paper feed cassette storage unit arranged below the image recording unit, a lower paper feed cassette stored in the lower paper feed cassette storage unit, and an upper paper feed cassette stored in the upper paper feed cassette storage unit. The upper paper feed cassette has a larger lateral length than that of the lower paper feed cassette. | 05-01-2014 |
20140138900 | Image Reading Apparatus - An image reading apparatus having a sheet path, which includes two ejection paths, is provided. The sheet path is switchable between the two ejection paths by a switchable member. An outlet cover arranged on a casing of the image reading apparatus is movable between a closed position and an open position to open and close an outlet of the second ejection path. When the outlet cover moves from the closed position to the open position, and before the switchable member switches the sheet path from the first ejection path to the second ejection path, switching of the sheet path from the first ejection path to the second ejection path is detectable. | 05-22-2014 |
20140138901 | Image Reading Apparatus - An image reading apparatus capable of reading an image from a sheet is provided. A sheet path to eject the sheet after being read may be selectively switched between a first ejection path to eject the sheet to an ejection unit and a second ejection path to eject the sheet on an outlet cover, which is openable/closable to a casing of the image reading apparatus. When the outlet cover is moved to open, a flapper arranged in a branch point between the first ejection path and the second ejection path moved in conjunction with the opening motion of the outlet cover, and the sheet path is switched from the first ejection path to the second ejection path. Further, a plurality of arms in a cover motion detector having a linkage mechanism rotate, and the rotating motions are detectable by a detector switch arranged at a terminal of the linkage mechanism. | 05-22-2014 |
20140183811 | SHEET FEEDER CONTROL METHOD, SHEET FEEDER, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A sheet feeder control method for controlling a sheet feeder of an image forming apparatus includes feeding a sheet through a sheet feed path exposable to the exterior of the sheet feeder, detecting the feeding of the sheet at at least a first position on the sheet feed path, discharging the fed sheet to the exterior of the sheet feeder, detecting the discharge of the sheet at a second position downstream of the first position in a sheet feeding direction, detecting a sheet jam during the feeding and discharging of the sheet, and if the jammed sheet is detected at the second position but not at the first position, cancelling a malfunction state due to the sheet jam when the sheet stops being detected at the second position, irrespective of whether the sheet feed path is covered or exposed. | 07-03-2014 |
20140252712 | Media Conveyance Device and Printer - To easily replace a retard roller (that is a media separation roller) while minimizing the required installation space, a printer | 09-11-2014 |
20140284866 | IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM AND RELAY APPARATUS - An image forming system includes a sheet feed apparatus that feeds a sheet; an image forming apparatus that is provided independently of the sheet feed apparatus and that includes an image-formation transport path used for transporting the sheet fed from the sheet feed apparatus and an image forming section that forms an image onto the sheet transported along the image-formation transport path; and a relay apparatus that is independently provided between the sheet feed apparatus and the image forming apparatus. The relay apparatus relays the sheet fed from the sheet feed apparatus toward the image forming apparatus and ensures a distance along which the sheet is transported from the sheet feed apparatus to the image forming apparatus. | 09-25-2014 |
20140284867 | PAPER SHEET PICKUP DEVICE AND PAPER SHEET PROCESSING APPARATUS - According to one embodiment, a paper sheet pickup device includes an input portion, pickup mechanism, and pickup assist mechanism. The pickup mechanism picks up, one by one, the paper sheets supplied to a pickup position. The pickup assist mechanism is arranged upstream of the pickup mechanism in the pickup direction of the paper sheet. The pickup assist mechanism includes a suction belt configured to be arranged to be able to travel in the pickup direction, an air drawing portion configured to suck a paper sheet to the suction belt through the suction belt, and a driving motor configured to drive the suction belt. | 09-25-2014 |
20140284868 | SHEET CONVEYING APPARATUS, AND SHEET PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS PROVIDED WITH THE SAME - A sheet conveying apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a housing, a sheet storage portion, a sheet conveying path, and a guide member. Housing is mounted to apparatus body that includes bottom portion having opening portion, and main sheet conveying path extending upward from opening portion to convey sheets, and includes top face portion arranged opposing bottom portion. Sheet conveying path extends from sheet storage portion to top face portion, and is configured to be capable of communicating with main sheet conveying path. Sheets are conveyed on sheet conveying path. Guide member is pivotably supported by housing, and is configured to be capable of changing its position between a first position where guide member follows along top face portion and a second position where guide member projects upward from top face portion to guide sheet toward main sheet conveying path from sheet conveying path. | 09-25-2014 |
20140300044 | SHEET FEEDING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A sheet feeding device includes a feeding tray, a conveying device, an ejecting tray, a feeding guide and a conveying rib. On the feeding tray, a sheet is placed. The conveying device feeds the sheet on the feeding tray to an image reading device. The ejecting tray receives the sheet after image reading. The feeding guide is configured to be movable in a direction intersecting a feeding direction of the sheet and to regulate a position in a width direction of the sheet on the feeding tray. The conveying rib is configured to be movable in interlocking with movement of the feeding guide and to lead the sheet to be ejected onto the ejecting tray. | 10-09-2014 |
20140306396 | INVERTING ROLLER DEVICE FOR CONVEYING PAPER AND METHOD FOR CHANGING CONVEYING PATH OF PAPER - An inverting roller device is used for changing a conveying path of a paper. The inverting roller device includes a first rotating shaft, a first roller, a second rotating shaft, a second roller, and a first swinging arm. The first roller and the second roller are disposed on the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft, respectively. The first swinging arm is pivotally disposed on the first rotating shaft and connected with the second rotating shaft. First, the first roller and the second roller are rotated to allow the paper to be moved in a first traveling direction. Then, the rotation of the first roller is temporarily stopped, and the second rotating shaft and the second roller are driven by the first swinging arm to be moved relative to a surface of the first roller. Consequently, the conveying path of the paper is changed. | 10-16-2014 |
20140312554 | DOUBLE-SIDED IMAGE RECORDING DEVICE HAVING A COMPACT FORM FACTOR - An image recording device is provided, having a recording unit configured to record an image on a sheet, and a tray disposed below the recording unit. The tray includes a sheet holding surface configured to hold the sheet. Additionally, the image recording device includes a sheet feeder disposed between the recording unit and the tray. The sheet feeder includes a roller for feeding the sheet from the tray. The roller is configured to move between a first roller position in which the roller contacts the sheet holding surface of the tray and a second roller position in which the roller is separated from the sheet holding surface. A return guide, disposed between the recording unit and the sheet feeder, defines a second conveying path to guide the sheet having an image recorded on one side thereof back to the feed guide. The return guide has a first opening configured to accommodate the roller of the sheet feeder when the roller is in the second roller position. | 10-23-2014 |
20140312555 | IMAGE RECORDING DEVICE - An image recording device having a recording unit to record an image on a sheet is provided. The image recording unit includes a feed guide defining a first conveying path; an arm disposed between the recording unit and the tray, the arm having a feed roller rotatably disposed at a free end and configured to feed the sheet in the tray to the first conveying path. The arm pivots between a first arm position, and a second arm position. The return guide pivots between a first return guide position, and a second return guide position. A space occupied by the return guide in the first return guide position overlaps a space occupied by the aim in the second arm position. The return guide is in the second return guide position when the arm is in the second arm position which is retracted from an insertion space occupied by the tray. | 10-23-2014 |
20140339757 | SHEET FEEDING DEVICE AND IMAGE RECORDING APPARATUS - A sheet feeding device comprising a tray, a sheet feeder, first and second guide members, a separator, and an inclined guide portion. The first guide member disposed downstream of the tray and includes a first inclined surface that contacts and guides the sheets. The separator separates the sheets from other lower sheets. The second guide member is disposed downstream of the first guide member and includes a second inclined surface that contacts the sheets. The second inclined surface is inclined more steeply than the first inclined surface relative to a supporting surface of the tray. A first inclined guide portion extends from an upper end portion of the first guide member and includes a third inclined surface that contacts the sheets. The third inclined surface is inclined more steeply than the first inclined surface. | 11-20-2014 |
20140353901 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a first guide, a switchback roller, a second guide, and a corrugation member. The corrugation member has a shape for producing a recessed portion and a ridge portion in a sheet. The second guide has a first guide surface and a second guide surface disposed to contact the recessed portion and the ridge portion of the sheet, respectively. As viewed from a downstream side of the switchback roller in a sheet ejection direction along a tangent to the switchback roller at a nip position, a distance between an end of the first guide closest to the switchback roller and an end of the second guide surface closest to the switchback roller is greater than a distance between the end of the first guide closest to the switchback roller and an end of the first guide surface closest to the switchback roller. | 12-04-2014 |
20140353902 | Image Forming Apparatus Having Tray for Receiving Recording Medium - In an image forming apparatus, a tray having first and second receiving portions is configured to move between a first position, at which at least part of the tray is positioned inside an apparatus body, and a second position, at which the tray is outside the apparatus body. The tray in the first position allows a first recording medium to be conveyed from the first receiving portion. When the tray is in the first position, the second receiving portion is configured to move between a third position, which is at an upstream side relative to a first opening of the apparatus body in a second direction, and a fourth position, which is at a downstream side relative to the third position in the second direction. The second receiving portion at the third position allows a second recording medium to be conveyed from the second receiving portion in the second direction. | 12-04-2014 |
20140353903 | Image Forming Apparatus Having Process Unit and Tray - In an image forming apparatus, a tray is configured to move between a first position inside an apparatus body and a second position outside the apparatus body. The tray allows a first recording medium to be conveyed from a first receiving portion of the tray when the tray is positioned in the first position. A supply part has a first opening and allows a second recording medium different from the first recording medium to be conveyed through the first opening. A conveying mechanism conveys, in the second direction, the second recording medium supplied from the supply part. The conveying mechanism includes a guide member disposed below the first receiving portion and configured to guide the second recording medium. | 12-04-2014 |
20140361481 | AUTOMATIC DOCUMENT FEEDER - An automatic document feeder includes a paper transmitting path for guiding documents, a driving motor for providing driving torque, a pickup device disposed at the upstream of the paper transmitting path, an output device disposed at the downstream of the paper transmitting path and transmitting rollers disposed along the paper transmitting path for transmitting the documents, a first driving gear disposed between the pickup device and the output device, a transmitting gear swing arm equipped with a transmitting gear set and axially hinged with the first driving gear to swing according to the driving torque between a first position meshing the transmitting gear set with the pickup device and a second position idling the transmitting gear set, an actuator connected with the output device and a braking device disposed on the output device for locking the transmitting gear swing arm according to the position of the output device. | 12-11-2014 |
20150035219 | MEDIA ITEM TRANSPORTATION - The present invention provides a method and apparatus for transporting media items along a transport path. The apparatus comprises a first transport member and a further transport member that selectively apply an urging force to at least one media item to urge said media item along a transport path, wherein in a first mode of operation, the urging force is applied to said media item to transport said media item at least partially along the transport path and, in a further mode of operation, the urging force on said media item is released to allow at least one end region of the media item to move freely along the transport path. | 02-05-2015 |
20150061209 | CONVEYANCE APPARATUS AND CONVEYANCE SYSTEM - A conveyance apparatus includes: a first conveying unit that includes a first conveyance passage along a first direction forming an angle with respect to a horizontal direction, and conveys a medium in the first direction; a returning conveyance unit that conveys the medium towards a second direction having a component of an opposite direction to the first direction; a second conveying unit that includes a second conveyance passage along the second direction, and conveys the medium in the second direction; a first processing unit that is disposed on the first conveyance path, and performs processing on a first surface of the conveying medium; and a second processing unit that is disposed at a position closer to the returning conveyance unit than the first processing unit, and performs processing on a second surface of the conveying medium. | 03-05-2015 |
20150069694 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GUIDING SHEET - An image processing apparatus includes a supplying section from which a sheet placed thereon is supplied into the image processing apparatus, a processing section configured to execute an image processing on an image formed on a sheet, a first storing section configured to store a sheet, a second storing section configured to store a sheet, a first conveying section configured to convey a sheet placed on the supplying section to the first storing section through the processing section, and a second conveying section configured to convey a sheet passing through the processing section to the second storing section and convey a sheet stored in the second storing section to a position at which the sheet from the supplying section enters the processing section. | 03-12-2015 |
20150076761 | SHEET PROCESS DEVICE - A sheet process device includes a supporting member and a process device main body. The supporting member is attached to the lateral face at a side of an in-body sheet ejection space of an image forming apparatus. The process device main body is supported by the supporting member. The process device main body includes a relay conveyance unit and a post process unit. The relay conveyance unit is arranged slidable in a direction to the in-body sheet ejection space. The post process unit is arranged slidable in upward and downward directions with respect to the supporting member. The process device main body provides a sheet conveying path extending from a sheet ejection port of the image forming apparatus to the post process unit through the relay conveyance unit, when the post process unit is moved upwardly after the relay conveyance unit is moved into the in-body sheet ejection space. | 03-19-2015 |
20150084265 | SHEET CONVEYING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A sheet conveying device is provided in a sheet discharge portion of an image forming apparatus. A curved path and a reverse conveyance path are formed within the sheet conveying device. An outer guide rib and an inner guide rib are provided to a conveyance guide forming a lower-side guide surface of the curved path. The inner guide rib is lower than a reference straight line connecting a pressure contact point of a discharge roller pair to a rotary roller, and the outer guide rib is higher than the reference straight line. | 03-26-2015 |
20150084266 | SHEET TRANSFER DEVICE - A first sheet transfer guide plate includes a first divided sheet guide plate and a second divided sheet guide plate separable from each other. The first divided sheet guide plate is capable of being drawn out or pushed in relative to the second sheet transfer guide plate in a sheet width direction. The first divided sheet guide plate and the second divided sheet guide plate are separable from each other by a draw-out operation or a push-in operation of the first divided sheet guide plate. The first divided sheet guide plate is configured to release nipping of a sheet by paired sheet transfer rollers corresponding to the first divided sheet guide plate, along with the draw-out operation or the push-in operation of the first divided sheet guide plate. | 03-26-2015 |
20150298932 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, a sheet feeding cassette, an image forming section, a delivery member, a conveying member, a lift plate, a driving section, a first switching section, a second switching section, and a driving control section. The conveying member is disposed in the reverse conveying path. The lift plate is enabled to change a position thereof between a sheet feeding position and a retracting position. The first switching section transmits the driving force to the delivery member and the conveying member. The second switching section transmits the driving force to the lift plate. The driving control section controls the first switching section, with the lift plate being placed in the sheet feeding position, to rotate the delivery member, and when the sheet is conveyed through the reverse conveying path, moves the lift plate from the sheet feeding position to the retracting position. | 10-22-2015 |
20150298934 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM - An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, an image forming unit, a storage portion, a moving unit, a stack portion, and a conveyance unit, wherein if the storage portion can store the sheet, the conveyance unit conveys the sheet on which the image has been formed to the storage portion, and if the storage portion cannot store the sheet, the image forming apparatus transitions to a standby state and waits for a discharge instruction, and when the discharge instruction is received, the conveyance unit conveys the sheet on which the image has been formed to the stack portion. | 10-22-2015 |
20150306890 | IMAGE RECORDING APPARATUS - An image recording apparatus includes a first upper-position guide member, a first lower-position guide member defining a first feeding path and a first feeding portion feeding a sheet in a feeding direction along the first feeding path. The image recording apparatus further includes a recording portion located downstream of the first feeding portion in the feeding direction, a second upper-position guide member, a second lower-position guide member defining a second feeding path and a second feeding portion comprising at least one pair of rollers each consisting of an upper-position roller and a lower-position roller. The second feeding portion feeds the sheet along the second feeding path and a first axis of the upper-position roller is located upstream of a second axis of the lower-position roller in the feeding direction. | 10-29-2015 |
20150307305 | POST-PROCESSING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM PROVIDED WITH THE SAME - A sheet fed from an image forming device to a path carry-in port is guided to a first accumulating section along a straight path or guided to a second accumulating section along a branch path branched from the straight path. A buffer path section is formed so as to make the sheet temporarily stay between a first sheet discharge roller pair disposed on the straight path side of the branch path at a position downstream of a branch portion and a second sheet discharge roller pair disposed in the branch path. The sheet staying in the buffer path section is conveyed to the first accumulating section by rotation of the first and second conveying rollers in one direction and to the second accumulating section by rotation of the first and second conveying rollers in an opposite direction to the one direction. | 10-29-2015 |
20150307306 | PAPER SHEET HANDLING DEVICE - A paper sheet handling device that facilitates removal of paper sheets blocked on a conveying path. The device includes a safe casing internally provided with a paper sheet storage box; a processing unit capable of being pulled out from, or stowed in, a main device; a conveying section coupled to the processing unit, and that forms a conveying path; a handover section coupled to a top plate of the safe casing to hand over the sheets between the storage box and the conveying path; and a positioning section that positions for connecting the handover section and the conveying path together when the processing unit is being stowed in the main device. | 10-29-2015 |
20150309460 | SHEET CONVEYING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS PROVIDED WITH SAME - A sheet conveying apparatus includes an apparatus main body, a sheet cassette, a mounting portion and a conveying unit. The sheet cassette is mounted into the apparatus main body. The conveying unit is arranged above the sheet cassette in the apparatus main body. The conveying unit includes a conveyance path, an upper guide unit, a lower guide unit and a locking mechanism. The upper guide unit defines an upper surface part of the conveyance path. The lower guide unit defines a lower surface part of the conveyance path and enters the mounting portion to open the conveyance path. The locking mechanism locks the lower guide unit to the upper guide unit. The lower guide unit includes a projecting piece. The sheet cassette includes a push-up portion. The push-up portion pushes up the projecting piece when the sheet cassette is mounted into the mounting portion. | 10-29-2015 |
20150321878 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - When one or more reused sheets each having a printed side and an unprinted side on which duplex printing has been performed are ejected onto an exit tray and then loaded onto a manual feed tray, an operation control section controls a sheet feed section to feed sheets alternately from a sheet feed cassette and the manual feed tray. At times at which the sheets in the sheet feed cassette are fed, the operation control section controls an image forming section to form, on the sheets fed from the sheet feed cassette, images that have been formed over the printed sides of the reused sheets in the duplex printing. At times at which the sheets loaded onto the manual feed tray are fed, the operation control section controls the image forming section to not form an image and causes the sheets to be ejected onto the exit tray. | 11-12-2015 |
20150375952 | Image Recording Apparatus - An apparatus is provided that may offer functionalities including printing, scanning and/or copying. The apparatus may include a manual sheet feeding tray disposed at the rear of the apparatus. The height of the sheet feeding tray might not exceed a height of the apparatus, allowing use of the apparatus in spaces having smaller depths. The apparatus may include a sheet guide configured to move in conjunction with the movement of the tray. In some arrangements, a surface of the sheet feeding tray may differ in height between lateral edges of the tray and a central portion. This difference may cause a sheet to be curved in a lateral direction, rendering the sheet more inflexible in a longitudinal direction. According to other aspects, a depressed portion of the tray may match a protrusion extending from the guide in shape such that the two portions may mate in a retracted position. | 12-31-2015 |
20160060053 | SHEET FEEDING DEVICE AND SHEET PROCESSING APPARATUS - A sheet feeding device has a conveying belt, a first roller, a second roller, a support portion, a takeout section. The conveying belt is wound along the first roller and the second roller, and the first roller forms a conveying terminal portion of the conveying belt in the first conveying direction. The second roller forms a slope portion of the conveying belt that slopes downward toward the conveying terminal portion. The support portion supports each of a plurality of sheets dropped from the conveying terminal portion in an upright position, at a position more downward in the vertical direction than the conveying terminal portion. The upper sheet, out of the sheets which are overlapping on the conveying belt in the vertical direction, is arranged to relatively deviate toward a downstream side in the first conveying direction than the lower sheet. | 03-03-2016 |
20160090253 | SHEET CONVEYER - A sheet conveyer has a casing defined with first and second conveying passages and respectively having first and second curved passages. The first and second curved passages curve in opposite directions. A flap rotatably provided to a second guide member constituting a curved outside part of the first curved passage. When the flap is at a first position, the flap blocks passage from a part of the first conveying passage to the connection position, while the second conveying passage is opened to the connection position. When the flap is at the second position, the first conveying passage is opened toward the connection position and a part of the second conveying passage is blocked with respect to the connection position. A guide surface constituting an upper surface of the first curved passage is closer to the third guide member than a guide roller when the flap is at the second position. | 03-31-2016 |
20160176677 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS | 06-23-2016 |
20160185542 | PRINTER - A controller is configured to drive a conveying roller to allow a sheet to abut on a registration roller and stop, and to drive the registration roller to convey the sheet abutting on the registration roller to the printing unit at a set sheet interval. The controller is configured to control a conveying speed of the conveying roller based on a time from a first timing to a second timing, the first timing at which a preceding sheet conveyed from the registration roller to the printing unit exits the conveying roller, the second timing at which a following sheet reaches the conveying roller. | 06-30-2016 |
20170233211 | TRANSPORT APPARATUS | 08-17-2017 |