B65H1/08

Robotic document feeder
11142416 · 2021-10-12 · ·

A robotic document feeder system may comprise a robotic arm coupled to a Bernoulli cup assembly powered by a vacuum source; a base disposed over an imaging surface of a document scanner, wherein the base comprises a designated scan area through which a document may be imaged by the document scanner; an input bin for storing at least one document to be imaged by the document scanner; and an output bin for storing the at least one document after it has been imaged by the document scanner. The system may further comprise an alignment mechanism in proximity to the designated scan area and configured to align the document substantially over the imaging surface of the document scanner; at least one automated door configured to close the designated scan area after the document has been placed in the designated scan area; and a camera positioned above the designated scan area for imaging a second side of the document.

SHEET FEEDING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
20210309468 · 2021-10-07 ·

A sheet feeding device includes a sheet loading portion which is capable of an elevating operations, and on which a sheet is loaded, a feeding member for feeding the sheet loaded on the sheet loading portion, the feeding member being capable of elevating movement between a contacting position in contact with the sheet, and a distanced position distanced upward from the sheet, and a control portion that controls the elevating operation of the sheet loading portion and the elevating movement of the feeding member. When the feeding member at the contacting position moves to the distanced position, the feeding member is distanced upward from the sheet loaded on the sheet loading portion after the sheet loading portion starts a descending operation.

SHEET FEEDING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
20210309468 · 2021-10-07 ·

A sheet feeding device includes a sheet loading portion which is capable of an elevating operations, and on which a sheet is loaded, a feeding member for feeding the sheet loaded on the sheet loading portion, the feeding member being capable of elevating movement between a contacting position in contact with the sheet, and a distanced position distanced upward from the sheet, and a control portion that controls the elevating operation of the sheet loading portion and the elevating movement of the feeding member. When the feeding member at the contacting position moves to the distanced position, the feeding member is distanced upward from the sheet loaded on the sheet loading portion after the sheet loading portion starts a descending operation.

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.

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.

Rotatable dispenser assembly for solid units

A dispenser assembly (2) for solid units (4) includes an outer sleeve (10) having an end (12) and a first sidewall (14) extending from the end of the outer sleeve, the first sidewall having a window (19) proximate to the end of the outer sleeve; and an inner) housing (50) inserted into the outer sleeve, the inner housing including an end (54) with an opening therein leading to a compartment configured for storing the solid units. The dispenser assembly (2) is configured to rotate between a CLOSED position corresponding to the window being blocked by a portion of the inner housing, and an OPEN position corresponding to the window not being blocked by the inner housing in order to allow at least one of the solid units to be dispensed through the window.

Rotatable dispenser assembly for solid units

A dispenser assembly (2) for solid units (4) includes an outer sleeve (10) having an end (12) and a first sidewall (14) extending from the end of the outer sleeve, the first sidewall having a window (19) proximate to the end of the outer sleeve; and an inner) housing (50) inserted into the outer sleeve, the inner housing including an end (54) with an opening therein leading to a compartment configured for storing the solid units. The dispenser assembly (2) is configured to rotate between a CLOSED position corresponding to the window being blocked by a portion of the inner housing, and an OPEN position corresponding to the window not being blocked by the inner housing in order to allow at least one of the solid units to be dispensed through the window.

Sheet feeding cassette and image forming apparatus including the same
11072504 · 2021-07-27 · ·

A sheet feeding cassette includes a cassette body storing a sheet, and a cursor and a rack that position the sheet. The rack is disposed on a bottom of the cassette body and has rack-teeth. The cursor includes a cursor body having a contact face, a locking member having locking-teeth, and a handling member. The cursor body moves between a restricting position where the locking-teeth mesh with the rack-teeth to restrict cursor movement and an unrestricting position where the locking-teeth are separated above from the rack-teeth to allow cursor movement. The handling member is supported on the cursor body and is used to move the locking member. The locking member takes tilt-posture when moving between the restricting position and the unrestricting position. In the tilt-posture, the bottom face of the locking body inclines with respect to an imaginary plane including the rack teeth tips with the locking-teeth inclined.

Sheet feeding cassette and image forming apparatus including the same
11072504 · 2021-07-27 · ·

A sheet feeding cassette includes a cassette body storing a sheet, and a cursor and a rack that position the sheet. The rack is disposed on a bottom of the cassette body and has rack-teeth. The cursor includes a cursor body having a contact face, a locking member having locking-teeth, and a handling member. The cursor body moves between a restricting position where the locking-teeth mesh with the rack-teeth to restrict cursor movement and an unrestricting position where the locking-teeth are separated above from the rack-teeth to allow cursor movement. The handling member is supported on the cursor body and is used to move the locking member. The locking member takes tilt-posture when moving between the restricting position and the unrestricting position. In the tilt-posture, the bottom face of the locking body inclines with respect to an imaginary plane including the rack teeth tips with the locking-teeth inclined.

Sheet conveying apparatus, image reading apparatus therewith and image forming apparatus therewith
11124374 · 2021-09-21 · ·

Disclosed is a sheet conveying apparatus, including: a first guide member for restricting a movement of an end portion of a sheet in a sheet width direction; a second guide member for restricting a movement of the other end portion of the sheet in the sheet width direction; and a moving portion, wherein when one guide member of the first guide member and the second guide member is moved in the sheet width direction, the moving portion moves the other guide member in a direction opposite to a direction in which the one guide member is moved while being interlocked with a movement of the one guide member in a first area of a moving area, and allows the one guide member to be moved without being interlocked with a movement of the other guide member in a second area of the moving area.