The invention relates to an ejection device (2) for ejecting sample blanks (P) for a processing machine (1) for processing elements in sheet form, the processing machine (1) comprising: a plurality of work stations (300, 400, 500, 600) including at least one waste removal station (600), and a conveying device (70) comprising a plurality of gripper bars (75) configured to drive the elements in sheet form through the work stations (300, 400, 500, 600), the ejection device (2) being characterized in that it comprises at least one actuating element (3) able to move between: an inactive position in which the at least one actuating element (3) is positioned away from the path of the gripper bar (75), and an active position in which the at least one actuating element (3) is positioned on the path of the gripper bar (75), the at least one actuating element (3) being configured to collaborate with the gripper bar (75) as the gripper bar (75) passes by, so as to open the gripper bar (75) and eject, flat, a sample of blanks (P).

The present invention also relates to a waste removal station, a processing machine for processing elements in sheet form, and to a method for ejecting blanks samples in a machine for processing elements in sheet form.

The invention relates to an ejection device (2) for ejecting sample blanks (P) for a processing machine (1) for processing elements in sheet form, the processing machine (1) comprising: a plurality of work stations (300, 400, 500, 600) including at least one waste removal station (600), and a conveying device (70) comprising a plurality of gripper bars (75) configured to drive the elements in sheet form through the work stations (300, 400, 500, 600), the ejection device (2) being characterized in that it comprises at least one actuating element (3) able to move between: an inactive position in which the at least one actuating element (3) is positioned away from the path of the gripper bar (75), and an active position in which the at least one actuating element (3) is positioned on the path of the gripper bar (75), the at least one actuating element (3) being configured to collaborate with the gripper bar (75) as the gripper bar (75) passes by, so as to open the gripper bar (75) and eject, flat, a sample of blanks (P).

The present invention also relates to a waste removal station, a processing machine for processing elements in sheet form, and to a method for ejecting blanks samples in a machine for processing elements in sheet form.

A sheet stacking apparatus includes a sheet alignment mechanism configured for aligning a sheet in a predetermined reference position; a gripper arrangement configured to grip the aligned sheet at at least two spaced-apart points of the sheet and to release the sheet on a stack; and a holder configured to hold the sheet in position on the stack while the gripper arrangement releases the sheet. The gripper arrangement is movable along a predetermined trajectory for moving the sheet from the reference position to a stacking position.

A sheet stacker includes a sheet stacking portion, a guide portion, and an air blower. The sheet stacking portion is configured to stack a sheet bundle. The guide portion is configured to receive a leading end of a sheet conveyed toward the sheet stacking portion and guide the sheet downstream in a sheet conveyance direction in which the sheet is conveyed. The air blower is disposed above the sheet stacking portion and configured to blow air toward the sheet on a downstream side, in the sheet conveyance direction, from a position at which the guide portion receives the leading end of the sheet.

A sheet stacker includes a sheet stacking portion, a guide portion, and an air blower. The sheet stacking portion is configured to stack a sheet bundle. The guide portion is configured to receive a leading end of a sheet conveyed toward the sheet stacking portion and guide the sheet downstream in a sheet conveyance direction in which the sheet is conveyed. The air blower is disposed above the sheet stacking portion and configured to blow air toward the sheet on a downstream side, in the sheet conveyance direction, from a position at which the guide portion receives the leading end of the sheet.

A media transport system, includes a transport path, a drive gear at one end of the transport path, a driven gear at an opposite end of the transport path, an endless loop transmission element engaged with the drive gear and the driven gear, a media clamp secured to the endless loop transmission element, and a one-way clutch coupled with the driven gear. The endless loop transmission element is to rotate in one direction to move the media clamp and transport media from the one end of the transport path toward the opposite end of the transport path, and the one-way clutch is to allow rotation of the driven gear in the one direction and resist rotation of the driven gear in an opposite direction.

A media transport system, includes a transport path, a drive gear at one end of the transport path, a driven gear at an opposite end of the transport path, an endless loop transmission element engaged with the drive gear and the driven gear, a media clamp secured to the endless loop transmission element, and a one-way clutch coupled with the driven gear. The endless loop transmission element is to rotate in one direction to move the media clamp and transport media from the one end of the transport path toward the opposite end of the transport path, and the one-way clutch is to allow rotation of the driven gear in the one direction and resist rotation of the driven gear in an opposite direction.

A sheet conveying device includes a tray, a conveyor, and a guide body. The tray is configured to stack a sheet. The conveyor is configured to convey the sheet to the tray. The guide body has a space, a height of the space being greater than a thickness of the sheet. The guide body is configured to guide the sheet conveyed by the conveyor, with a leading end of the sheet being inserted in the space. The guide body is configured to separate the sheet from the space, according to a difference of a sheet conveying speed of the conveyor and a moving speed of the guide body, and to stack the sheet on the tray.

A sheet conveying device includes a tray, a conveyor, and a guide body. The tray is configured to stack a sheet. The conveyor is configured to convey the sheet to the tray. The guide body has a space, a height of the space being greater than a thickness of the sheet. The guide body is configured to guide the sheet conveyed by the conveyor, with a leading end of the sheet being inserted in the space. The guide body is configured to separate the sheet from the space, according to a difference of a sheet conveying speed of the conveyor and a moving speed of the guide body, and to stack the sheet on the tray.

A sheet stacking apparatus includes: a sheet stacking part on which a sheet is stacked; a tilt detection sensor arranged on an upstream side in a conveying direction of the sheet of the sheet stacking part, and which detects a tail end in the conveying direction in the conveyed sheet; a pair of correction rollers arranged on a downstream side in the conveying direction of the tilt detection sensor and arranged immediately before an upstream side in the conveying direction of the sheet stacking part, and which corrects a tilt of the sheet; and a sheet holder that holds the sheet with the tilt corrected by the pair of correction rollers, and conveys and stacks the sheet on the sheet stacking part.