The object of the present invention is to propose a novel device and a novel method to allow the transportation of printable substrates precisely, suited to substrates of various types, sizes and thicknesses. Furthermore, the invention is suited to printing machines that involve no contact with the substrate, such as inkjet printing machines.

A sheet conveyance apparatus includes: a guide member configured to guide a sheet in a first direction in a first state, and in a second direction in a second state; a driving source configured to generate a driving force; a transfer member configured to change the state of the guide member from the first state to the second state by being moved by the driving force; and a control unit configured to control the driving force. The control unit is further configured to set the driving force to a value smaller than a force necessary to move the transfer member to change the guide member from the first state to the second state, and subsequently cause the driving force to increase to a value larger than the force necessary to move the transfer member.

In an example, a print media transport apparatus comprises a plurality of pallets having a self-propulsion mechanism, and being to support print media. The pallets may circulate on an endless track comprising a printing zone, a descending zone and an ascending zone. A controller may control the self-propulsion mechanisms of the pallets such that a pallet on the descending zone is at least partially supported by another pallet which is ahead on the track, and a pallet on the ascending zone is at least partially driven by pallet which follows on the track.

A conveyance apparatus according to the disclosure includes a conveyance unit that conveys a sheet, a flapper movable between a first position and a second position, a flapper moving unit that moves the flapper to the first position when power is supplied, a door to open a predetermined conveyance path and a second conveyance path, a detection unit that detects an occurrence of an abnormal state relating to the conveyance apparatus, and a control unit that, in a case where the detection unit detects the occurrence of the abnormal state while a sheet is conveyed to the first conveyance path by the conveyance unit and the flapper is in the first position, stops a sheet conveyance operation of the conveyance unit and inhibits the flapper from moving to the second position by continuing to supply power to the flapper moving unit.

A paper feeding device in an embodiment includes a roll-paper storing unit, a curl rectifying unit, and a cutting unit. The roll-paper storing unit is capable of storing roll paper. The curl rectifying unit is disposed on a downstream side of the roll-paper storing unit in a conveying direction of a sheet let out from the roll paper and rectifies a curl of the sheet. The cutting unit is disposed on the downstream side of the curl rectifying unit in the conveying direction and cuts the sheet.

A solenoid device has a solenoid and a control portion. The solenoid has a body, a plunger, an attracting coil, a retaining coil, and a biasing member. The plunger is arranged selectively either in an attracted position, pulled into the body, or in a returning position, protruding out of the body. Fed with a voltage, the attracting coil generates an attracting force causing the plunger to move from returning position to attracted position. Fed with a voltage, the retaining coil generates a retaining force, weaker than the attracting force, causing the plunger to move to attracted position. The biasing member biases the plunger toward returning position. The control portion controls operation of the solenoid. When moving the plunger from returning position to attracted position, the control portion first starts applying the voltage to the retaining coil and then starts applying the voltage to the attracting coil.

A sheet conveyance apparatus includes: a guide member configured to guide a sheet in a first direction in a first state, and in a second direction in a second state; a driving source configured to generate a driving force; a transfer member configured to change the state of the guide member from the first state to the second state by being moved by the driving force; and a control unit configured to control the driving force. The control unit is further configured to set the driving force to a value smaller than a force necessary to move the transfer member to change the guide member from the first state to the second state, and subsequently cause the driving force to increase to a value larger than the force necessary to move the transfer member.

A winding machine (10) is disclosed comprising at least one reel holder (12) mounted on a supporting frame (11) and N rotatable around its own axis (13), and a plurality of reels (1-4) mounted on the holder (12) and integrally rotatable therewith so that at least one first reel (1) is in at least one operative winding position of a bobbin (5). It is further described a respective method for the in-line winding of bobbins (5) of stretch film (6), comprising the steps of rotating a core (7) on a reel (1) in an operative winding position to wind the film (6) onto the core (7), positioning a contact roll (15a) in at least one proximal contacting position in which it contacts the winding bobbin (5) for facilitating the peripheral winding of the stretch film (6) on the core (7), bringing the reel (1) from the operative winding position of the bobbin (5) to an operative unloading position of the bobbin, positioning an accompanying roll (15b) in at least one proximal contacting position in which it contacts the bobbin (5) for facilitating the peripheral winding of the stretch film (6) on the bobbin (7), transversally cutting the stretch film (6) and unloading the bobbin (5). The movement of the contact roll (15a) and the accompanying roll (15b) is carried out by means of electric actuators (18a, 18b).

A sheet conveyance device includes a pair of separable contact rollers configured to convey a sheet, a contact/separation mechanism configured to support the pair of separable contact rollers in such a manner that the pair of separable contact rollers are able to come into separable contact with each other, and a solenoid configured to operate the contact/separation mechanism. The solenoid is driven so that the contact/separation mechanism causes the pair of separable contact rollers to come into pressure contact with each other, and driving of the solenoid is cancelled so that the contact/separation mechanism causes the pair of separable contact rollers to be separated from each other. Pulse width modulation duty control is performed on the solenoid while the pair of separable contact rollers are in pressure contact with each other when a plurality of the sheets are conveyed one by one at an interval.

An image forming apparatus includes a tray, a casing having a first outlet, a second outlet above the first outlet, a first path, and a second path, a stack lever, a drive source, and a controller. The second path communicates with the second outlet such that a sheet conveyed along the second path is partially discharged from the second outlet and is reversed along the second path. The first outlet communicates with the first path such that the sheet conveyed along the first path is discharged from the first outlet onto the tray. The stack lever is movable between a first position where the stack lever presses a sheet on the tray and a second position higher than the first position. The controller is configured to control the drive source such that, when the sheet is discharged from the second outlet, the stack lever is at the second position.