An object processing machine for processing a plurality of objects, the machine comprising: a plurality of processing modules, each processing module having a modular structure co-operable with the modular structure of another processing module to form a modular assembly constituting the object processing machine; each processing module being operable to perform a corresponding processing operation on an object and being provided with at least one transfer unit located at a respective port of the processing module; each transfer unit being arranged to transfer an object to or from the corresponding processing module and/or to or from a transfer unit of another processing module of the modular assembly; the transfer units being arranged to co-operate with one another and/or with another processing unit such that objects can be guided from an input of the machine to an output of the machine via a plurality of different transport pathways through the machine, wherein the transport pathway taken by a said object being processed corresponds to the pre-determined processing operations to be performed on the said object. A method of processing a plurality of objects using such a machine is also described.

An object processing machine for processing a plurality of objects, the machine comprising: a plurality of processing modules, each processing module having a modular structure co-operable with the modular structure of another processing module to form a modular assembly constituting the object processing machine; each processing module being operable to perform a corresponding processing operation on an object and being provided with at least one transfer unit located at a respective port of the processing module; each transfer unit being arranged to transfer an object to or from the corresponding processing module and/or to or from a transfer unit of another processing module of the modular assembly; the transfer units being arranged to co-operate with one another and/or with another processing unit such that objects can be guided from an input of the machine to an output of the machine via a plurality of different transport pathways through the machine, wherein the transport pathway taken by a said object being processed corresponds to the pre-determined processing operations to be performed on the said object. A method of processing a plurality of objects using such a machine is also described.

The present invention provides a sheet diverting unit for selectively diverting a sheet towards a first receiving path or a second receiving path, comprising an inlet path for advancing a sheet in a sheet supply direction towards a diverter; the diverter comprising a shaft, a deflector being connected to said shaft and extending between said shaft and a tip, and an actuator arranged for rotating the shaft thereby selectively pivoting the deflector between a first deflector position for directing the sheet into the first receiving path and a second deflector position for directing the sheet into the second receiving path; said deflector comprising a guiding edge and a second edge, said second edge arranged facing a second trajectory to the second receiving path in the second deflector position for directing the sheet into the second receiving path and said guiding edge arranged facing a straight first trajectory to the first receiving path thereby said guiding edge facing a guiding element in the first deflector position for guiding the sheet into the first receiving path; wherein the guiding edge comprises a recess portion, wherein the recess portion is arranged inwardly away from the straight first trajectory to the first receiving path when the deflector is arranged in the first deflector position, wherein the recess portion is arranged for extending substantially from the guiding element towards the shaft when the deflector is arranged in the second deflector position.

The present invention provides a sheet diverting unit for selectively diverting a sheet towards a first receiving path or a second receiving path, comprising an inlet path for advancing a sheet in a sheet supply direction towards a diverter; the diverter comprising a shaft, a deflector being connected to said shaft and extending between said shaft and a tip, and an actuator arranged for rotating the shaft thereby selectively pivoting the deflector between a first deflector position for directing the sheet into the first receiving path and a second deflector position for directing the sheet into the second receiving path; said deflector comprising a guiding edge and a second edge, said second edge arranged facing a second trajectory to the second receiving path in the second deflector position for directing the sheet into the second receiving path and said guiding edge arranged facing a straight first trajectory to the first receiving path thereby said guiding edge facing a guiding element in the first deflector position for guiding the sheet into the first receiving path; wherein the guiding edge comprises a recess portion, wherein the recess portion is arranged inwardly away from the straight first trajectory to the first receiving path when the deflector is arranged in the first deflector position, wherein the recess portion is arranged for extending substantially from the guiding element towards the shaft when the deflector is arranged in the second deflector position.

An automatic document feeder, which is included in an image reading device and an image forming apparatus, includes first and second document trays, a document output tray, a document conveying passage, multiple document conveying bodies, a drive source, a detector, and a controller. The multiple document conveying bodies include a document holding and conveying body to convey and hold the original document sheet on the second document tray. On detection of the original document sheet on the second document tray while conveying a different original document sheet from the first document tray, the controller stops feeding the different original document sheet, causes the different original document sheet downstream from the document holding and conveying body in a document conveying direction to be conveyed to the document output tray, and stops the drive source after the different original document has been conveyed to the document output tray.

An automatic document feeder, which is included in an image reading device and an image forming apparatus, includes first and second document trays, a document output tray, a document conveying passage, multiple document conveying bodies, a drive source, a detector, and a controller. The multiple document conveying bodies include a document holding and conveying body to convey and hold the original document sheet on the second document tray. On detection of the original document sheet on the second document tray while conveying a different original document sheet from the first document tray, the controller stops feeding the different original document sheet, causes the different original document sheet downstream from the document holding and conveying body in a document conveying direction to be conveyed to the document output tray, and stops the drive source after the different original document has been conveyed to the document output tray.

An image forming apparatus includes: a toner image forming section; a transfer section; a fixing section; a conveyance roller section disposed on a downstream side of the fixing section in a sheet conveyance direction; a conveyance guide section disposed on a downstream side of the conveyance roller section and including a first guide member disposed on a fixing side of a sheet and a second guide member disposed on a rear surface side of the sheet; a feeding-path-switching section disposed on a downstream side of the conveyance guide section and configured to switch sheet feeding paths; and a nip angle adjusting section configured to change a nip angle of a conveyance nip in accordance with whether a sheet on which an image is formed on a first surface thereof is conveyed, or a sheet on which an image is formed on a second surface thereof is conveyed.

An image forming apparatus includes: a toner image forming section; a transfer section; a fixing section; a conveyance roller section disposed on a downstream side of the fixing section in a sheet conveyance direction; a conveyance guide section disposed on a downstream side of the conveyance roller section and including a first guide member disposed on a fixing side of a sheet and a second guide member disposed on a rear surface side of the sheet; a feeding-path-switching section disposed on a downstream side of the conveyance guide section and configured to switch sheet feeding paths; and a nip angle adjusting section configured to change a nip angle of a conveyance nip in accordance with whether a sheet on which an image is formed on a first surface thereof is conveyed, or a sheet on which an image is formed on a second surface thereof is conveyed.

A method and an associated appliance for the cyclically controlled separating and singularizing of flat, flexible products from the lower side of a stack of such products and for conveying the singularized products away from the stack. The method includes the: gripping the lowermost product of the stack, separating the lowermost product from the stack lower side and transporting the product away from the stack. A first process condition is detected within cycle-linked measuring time window and a second process condition is detected within at least one further cycle-linked measurement time window in the same work cycle, by way of a single sensor in combination with a control device.

A method and an associated appliance for the cyclically controlled separating and singularizing of flat, flexible products from the lower side of a stack of such products and for conveying the singularized products away from the stack. The method includes the: gripping the lowermost product of the stack, separating the lowermost product from the stack lower side and transporting the product away from the stack. A first process condition is detected within cycle-linked measuring time window and a second process condition is detected within at least one further cycle-linked measurement time window in the same work cycle, by way of a single sensor in combination with a control device.