Abstract: A sheet set feeder receives a stack of offset-jogged sheet sets, including a topmost sheet set and a next-to-topmost sheet set. The feeder separates the topmost sheet set from the remainder of the stack.

Abstract: In a sheet set feeder, a shutter mechanism disposed at least in part beneath a hopper for receiving a stack of offset-jogged sheet sets defines an aperture sized to admit individual sets from the stack. The shutter mechanism is driven so that the aperture is moved from beneath one end of the bottommost sheet set--where a retainer supports the next-to-bottommost sheet set--to beneath the other end of the bottommost set. Individual sets fed by the feeder are then carried by a conveyor to a sheet set processor.

Abstract: In a sheet set feeder, a shutter mechanism disposed at least in part beneath a hopper for receiving a stack of offset-jogged sheet sets defines an aperture sized to admit individual sets from the stack. The shutter mechanism is driven so that the aperture is moved from beneath one end of the bottommost sheet set--where a retainer supports the next-to-bottommost sheet set--to beneath the other end of the bottommost set. Individual sets fed by the feeder are then carried by a conveyor to a sheet set processor.

Abstract: Apparatus for holding a stack of sheets for entry into a sheet feeder, wherein there is provided a tray for vertically supporting the stack, left and right guide elements moveable toward and away from the lateral edges of the stack for centering the stack in the tray, and a flexible band formed in a loop, the band being attached to the guide elements at two locations, such that the guide elements move inward and outward laterally in unison, and the band being supported beneath the tray, and wherein the band is bent (e.g., around a convex surface) during inward movement of the guide elements so that when the movement stops the band tends to move the guide elements outwardly as it assumes an equilibrium position, thereby preventing overtightening of the guide elements against the stack.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding single sheets of paper from a stack of the sheets, including fixed upper and lower guide surfaces between which the sheets travel during feeding, a single, centrally-located feed roll, a registration roll downstream of the feed roll, the registration roll being activated at the end of a predetermined delay period beginning when the feed roll is activated, the delay period being sufficient to assure that a single sheet is moved into engagement with the registration roll before the end of the period, the separation between the upper and lower guide surfaces being greater at a location intermediate the separation and registration rolls than at the rolls to define a buckle-restraint region intermediate the rolls wherein buckling of the sheet occurs after engagement with the registration roll and before the end of the delay period, and the moving feed surface of the feed roll being adapted to slip with respect to the sheet after the sheet has buckled against the surface of the region.