US 12,454,429 B2
Aligner, sheet processing apparatus, and sheet width alignment method
Yoichi Takemura, Hyogo (JP)
Assigned to GLORY LTD., Himeji (JP)
Filed by Glory Ltd., Himeji (JP)
Filed on Jan. 25, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/101,118.
Claims priority of application No. 2022-011006 (JP), filed on Jan. 27, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0234800 A1, Jul. 27, 2023
Int. Cl. B65H 7/10 (2006.01); B65H 9/16 (2006.01)
CPC B65H 7/10 (2013.01) [B65H 9/166 (2013.01); B65H 2701/1912 (2013.01)] 6 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An aligner, comprising:
a transport path;
a linear-motion transport unit that comprises a linear-motion drive roller and generates a drive force to a sheet on the transport path, the drive force being a drive force in a transport direction along the transport path;
a left-skew transport unit that is disposed in a left direction with respect to the transport direction of the linear-motion transport unit, comprises a left-skew drive roller and generates a drive force to the sheet on the transport path, the drive force being a drive force in a left-oblique direction inclined in the left direction;
a right-skew transport unit that is disposed in a right direction with respect to the transport direction of the linear-motion transport unit, comprises a right-skew drive roller and generates a drive force to the sheet on the transport path, the drive force being a drive force in a right-oblique direction inclined in the right direction; and
a control unit that controls the linear-motion transport unit, the left-skew transport unit, and the right-skew transport unit such that the sheet is transported while being selectively shifted leftward or rightward in the transport direction, wherein
the linear-motion drive roller, the left-skew drive roller, and the right-skew drive roller are disposed on a side of one main surface of the sheet,
in the case where the sheet is shifted in the left direction, the control unit causes the linear-motion drive roller and the left-skew drive roller to come into contact with the sheet and to rotate such that a component of velocity of the left-skew drive roller in the transport direction is identical to a velocity of rotation of the linear-motion drive roller, and
in the case where the sheet is shifted in the right direction, the control unit causes the linear-motion drive roller and the right-skew drive roller to come into contact with the sheet and to rotate such that a component of velocity of the right-skew drive roller in the transport direction is identical to the velocity of rotation of the linear-motion drive roller.