According to an embodiment, a sheet processing apparatus includes a transport unit and a holding unit. The transport unit transports a first sheet to a first position. The transport unit transports a second sheet, which is transported after the first sheet, to a second position displaced to the upstream side of a sheet transport direction relative to the first position. The transport unit transports a third sheet, which is transported after the second sheet, to a third position displaced to the downstream side of the sheet transport direction relative to the second position. In the case where the second sheet is transported to the second position, the holding unit holds the first sheet at the first position. In the case where the third sheet is transported to the third position, the holding unit holds the second sheet at the second position.

According to an embodiment, a sheet processing apparatus includes a transport unit and a holding unit. The transport unit transports a first sheet to a first position. The transport unit transports a second sheet, which is transported after the first sheet, to a second position displaced to the upstream side of a sheet transport direction relative to the first position. The transport unit transports a third sheet, which is transported after the second sheet, to a third position displaced to the downstream side of the sheet transport direction relative to the second position. In the case where the second sheet is transported to the second position, the holding unit holds the first sheet at the first position. In the case where the third sheet is transported to the third position, the holding unit holds the second sheet at the second position.

An image forming apparatus comprises a printing module, a transporting mechanism and a sorting module. The printing module prints data on media in order. The transporting mechanism transports the media past the printing module. The sorting module is disposed downstream of the transporting mechanism, and comprises an output mechanism, a rack and a driving pinion. The output mechanism transports the media out in a first direction. The rack is connected to the output mechanism. The driving pinion meshing with the rack drives the rack and the output mechanism to reciprocate in a second direction, different from the first direction, to sort the media into stacks. Thus, the sorting function can be achieved without providing a larger space and moving a discharge tray, and this is advantageous to the miniaturization of the image forming apparatus.

The invention relates to a method for the optimal positioning of veneer sheets at a lay-up station, wherein the veneer sheets are attached for a veneer assembly composed of veneer sheets glued on top of each other. The method comprises determining an optimal position for each veneer sheet and a location for virtual alignment edges and laying up the veneer sheets as positioned in accordance with the virtual alignment edges, for a veneer assembly.

A stacked-sheet detection device includes a main shaft portion, a first detection arm portion, a parallel shaft portion, a second detection arm portion, an interlocking arm portion, a detected portion, and a detection sensor. The second detection arm portion is provided outside a first passing range, rotates in a predefined rotation direction and causes the interlocking arm portion to rotate in the predefined rotation direction by contacting a sheet that passes through a second passing range. When at least one of the first detection arm portion and the interlocking arm portion rotates in the predefined rotation direction, the main shaft portion rotates in the predefined rotation direction, and the detected portion rotates in the predefined rotation direction.

In example implementations, a flexible bail of a printing device is provided. The flexible bail comprises a rigid bail coupled to a rotational motor, a flexible portion and a controller. The flexible portion is coupled to an end of the rigid bail. The flexible portion includes a plurality of segments that are unidirectionally flexible. The controller is communicatively coupled to the rotational motor to control movement of the rigid bail.

A printing device to skew print media in accordance with pre-determined offsets, in order to assist a user to delineate the print media of successive print jobs.

A printing device to skew print media in accordance with pre-determined offsets, in order to assist a user to delineate the print media of successive print jobs.

In example implementations, a flexible bail of a printing device is provided. The flexible bail comprises a rigid bail coupled to a rotational motor, a flexible portion and a controller. The flexible portion is coupled to an end of the rigid bail. The flexible portion includes a plurality of segments that are unidirectionally flexible. The controller is communicatively coupled to the rotational motor to control movement of the rigid bail.

A device for offsetting sheets as they are conveyed in a paper path toward a stacker includes a narrow channel mounted to a set of linked arms which when moved in a process direction (upstream-downstream) articulate in a cross process direction (inboard-outboard) to register the sheets at various locations for stacking or finish processing. The linked arms keep the channel parallel to the paper path at all times regardless of inboard-outboard offset.