Abstract: A sheet feeder (10) has a plurality of feed rollers (A,B,C) driven by a drive shaft (62) contacting at least one sheet from a stack (S) of sheets and feeding that sheet downstream. Pull rollers (D) downstream of the feed rollers (A,B,C) driven by an intermediate shaft (84) feed the one sheet to an output location. A first sensor (130) in communication with the drive shaft (62) controls the drive shaft (62) between a driving condition and a non-driving condition. A second sensor (140) in communications with the intermediate shaft (84) controls the intermediate shaft (84) between a driving condition and a non-driving condition. In a driving condition, the drive shaft (62) drives the feed rollers (A,B,C) at a first radial speed and in a non-driving condition the feed rollers (A,B,C) free-wheel.

Abstract: A label-attaching machine for attaching labels carried on a partially transparent dispensing web for attachment to serially presented envelopes has a two-beam optical sensing unit to govern the synchronization of label feeding by determining the location of the leading edge of the next label to be dispensed. One beam senses the optical transmission of label-bearing regions of the web, and the other beam reads the optical transmission of label-free used web. A comparator circuit balances the signal strengths of the two beams to provide a signal condition indicative of label edge passage. A zip code sort is provided for use in conjunction with the same optical sensor. Labels of a common zip code are serially affixed to the web, and the arrival of a new zip code is flagged by an oversize gap between the last label bearing one zip code and the next label bearing the first of the new zip codes.

Abstract: Sheet feeding apparatus includes a relatively small number of horizontally adjustable suction cups distributed over the length of a feed opening. The suction cups are raisable to grasp the bottommost sheet in the stack at the most ideal position to assure removal of the sheet from the feed opening. Adjustable guide members align the corners of a stack of sheets above the feed opening. Each suction cup is fed from a separate pneumatic tube extending from a manually switchable control panel where a source of low suction pressure is selectively connectible to the suction cups in various connection combinations.

Abstract: Sheet feeding apparatus with an adjustable stack support in confronting relation to a feed opening able to accommodate sheets of various widths, so that one or more stacks of sheets can be supported along the feed opening with the longitudinal center line of any stack being positionable along different selected points along the length of the feed opening. At least about eight selectively controlled suction cups are aligned parallel to the length of the feed opening and encompass most of the opening engaging the bottom surface of the bottom sheet in any stack of sheets and withdraw the sheet from the stack. The spacing between contiguous margins of the suction cups is much less than about two diameters of each cup. The suction cups are preferably supported on the top of a pneumatic tube and are raised with the tube to engage the bottommost sheet in the stack. The pneumatic tube is mounted for pivotal movement upon a rockable carrier framework.