An image reading apparatus according to an embodiment includes a first sensor, a roller, a correction unit, a second sensor, a control unit, and a scanner. Upstream to downstream positions with regard to a transportation direction of the sheet are determined in the following order: the first position, a second position, a third position. The first sensor detects the presence or absence of a fold of the sheet in the first position. If it is detected in the first position that the fold is present, the roller transports a sheet in a reverse transportation direction. The correction unit corrects the fold in the first position. The second sensor detects the presence or absence of the fold in the second position. If it is detected in the second position that the fold is present, the control unit controls drive of the roller in such a manner that the sheet is transported up to the first position in the reverse transportation direction. The scanner reads an image on the sheet of which the fold is corrected in the first position.

An image reading apparatus according to an embodiment includes a first sensor, a roller, a correction unit, a second sensor, a control unit, and a scanner. Upstream to downstream positions with regard to a transportation direction of the sheet are determined in the following order: the first position, a second position, a third position. The first sensor detects the presence or absence of a fold of the sheet in the first position. If it is detected in the first position that the fold is present, the roller transports a sheet in a reverse transportation direction. The correction unit corrects the fold in the first position. The second sensor detects the presence or absence of the fold in the second position. If it is detected in the second position that the fold is present, the control unit controls drive of the roller in such a manner that the sheet is transported up to the first position in the reverse transportation direction. The scanner reads an image on the sheet of which the fold is corrected in the first position.

Disclosed herein are protective packaging stock material units that are used in a dunnage system. A dunnage system includes a dunnage conversion machine and a supply station. The supply station is a cart that includes a biased support that is connected to a vertical side support. The biased support is movable from an open position to a closed position with respect to opposing vertical side supports. In the closed position, the biased support is configured to at least partially block the opening between the opposing vertical side supports. In the open position, the biased support leaves the opening between the opposing vertical side supports sufficiently open to load fanfold stock material therein. The biased support is biased towards the closed position and the open position. The supply station also includes an alignment device forming a funnel positioned under its base. The alignment device receives a dunnage machine stand base causing the supply cart to consistently align with the stand base in response to the stand base being slid into engagement with the alignment device.

Disclosed herein are protective packaging stock material units that are used in a dunnage system. A dunnage system includes a dunnage conversion machine and a supply station. The supply station is a cart that includes a biased support that is connected to a vertical side support. The biased support is movable from an open position to a closed position with respect to opposing vertical side supports. In the closed position, the biased support is configured to at least partially block the opening between the opposing vertical side supports. In the open position, the biased support leaves the opening between the opposing vertical side supports sufficiently open to load fanfold stock material therein. The biased support is biased towards the closed position and the open position. The supply station also includes an alignment device forming a funnel positioned under its base. The alignment device receives a dunnage machine stand base causing the supply cart to consistently align with the stand base in response to the stand base being slid into engagement with the alignment device.

This discloses a knot untier. The knot untier consists of an arm or pawl which is inserted into the knot to be untied plus, in some embodiments, a base which resembles a credit card. The knot untier in one embodiment is thus small enough to fit in a wallet. The knot untier may also be hung on a keychain. The knot untier does not, as many existing untiers do, damage most lines.

This discloses a knot untier. The knot untier consists of an arm or pawl which is inserted into the knot to be untied plus, in some embodiments, a base which resembles a credit card. The knot untier in one embodiment is thus small enough to fit in a wallet. The knot untier may also be hung on a keychain. The knot untier does not, as many existing untiers do, damage most lines.

The unfolding device includes a frame that provides a space for placing an empty box, a plurality of stress concentrating members that unfolds a plurality of corners of the empty box, a plurality of movable portions, and a power transmission portion that transmits power for moving the stress concentrating member via the movable portion. The stress concentrating member is brought into contact with the inside of the empty box from the opening side of the empty box, thereby placing the empty box. The power transmission portion transmits, to the stress concentrating member, power for moving the stress concentrating member so as to bring the stress concentrating member into contact with the corner. The power transmission portion transmits the power to the stress concentrating member so that the stress concentrating member unfolds the corner by tearing and opening the corner.

The unfolding device includes a frame that provides a space for placing an empty box, a plurality of stress concentrating members that unfolds a plurality of corners of the empty box, a plurality of movable portions, and a power transmission portion that transmits power for moving the stress concentrating member via the movable portion. The stress concentrating member is brought into contact with the inside of the empty box from the opening side of the empty box, thereby placing the empty box. The power transmission portion transmits, to the stress concentrating member, power for moving the stress concentrating member so as to bring the stress concentrating member into contact with the corner. The power transmission portion transmits the power to the stress concentrating member so that the stress concentrating member unfolds the corner by tearing and opening the corner.