Abstract: The invention concerns a device for feeding objects which have the shape of essentially flat but flexible sheets (1) or blanks of sheet material, piece by piece from the top of a magazine (24) consisting of a plurality of such objects which are arranged on top of one another, comprising separation means (31a, 31b, 27a, 27b) for parting the uppermost object from the underlying objects in the magazine, before it is moved from the magazine, and first motion devices (42, 43, 44, 45) for removing the parted uppermost object from the magazine. A characteristic feature is that said separation means comprises members provided to bend the uppermost object (1a) to adopt an upwardly convex shape, while the adjacently underlying object is bent to a less convex shape than the uppermost object, or remains at least essentially flat, before the uppermost object has been removed from the magazine.

Abstract: A handling device is proposed, in particular for handling boards and foils, with a number of suction grippers located in a plane. A suction plate (10) is provided which is made of a porous material or sintered material and a suction pressure can be applied to said suction plate, where said suction plate is equipped with openings (19) permitting passage of the suction grippers (18). In addition, positioning means (23) are provided so that in a first position setting, the suction grippers (18) extend past the suction surface (15) of the suction plate (10) and so that in a second position setting, the suction grippers (18) are set back into the openings (19) in such a manner that they no longer extend past the suction surface (15) of the suction plate (10).

Abstract: A feed apparatus which combines a slider crank feed head drive system and cam actuated stack height sensing system to form a new combined shuttle feeder. The new feed head drive includes the replacement of a solenoid driven feed head with a more reliable stepper driven twin slider crank drive. Included in the slider crank drive for the feed head is an integral cam as part of the crank arm mounted to the motor shaft. This cam is designed drives a stack height sensor to drop and lift the stack height sensing arm to sense stack height after the sheet trail edge has passed the point of arm contact with the stack. The cam also provides a “service mode” position for the stack height arm which lifts it out of the way of the paper supply when it is opening. The cam dwells in a neutral home position during the rest of the drive out and return motion of the feed head.

Abstract: A sheet feeding method for plate-shaped members is disclosed. In a sucker unit, suction nozzles are move down from respective original positions toward a bottom plate of a cassette at a fixed speed, and time t1 until the bottom plate is detected by a contact sensor, and an amount by which the suction nozzles move, &Dgr;y, until the suction nozzles suction adhere to the bottom plate after the bottom plate is detected by the contact sensor are measured. Subsequently, separation positions of the suction nozzles with respect to the original positions are set based on an interval between the bottom plate of the cassette and separation plates, and an interval required by the photopolymer plate being bent between the suction nozzles and the separation plates at an appropriate curvature. Based on the result of the setting, the photopolymer plate is reliably taken out from the cassette.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a flat product from a pile of flat products includes a sucker mechanism. The sucker mechanism has a sucker cup, a sucker tube and a vacuum device for generating a vacuum. The sucker tube has a first and second end, the sucker cup being coupled to the sucker tube at the first end of the sucker tube and the vacuum device being coupled to the sucker tube at the second end of the sucker tube. The second end of the sucker tube is movable arranged in the vacuum device so as to vary the sucker stroke of the sucker cup.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for feeding objects which have the shape of essentially flat but flexible sheets (1) or blanks of sheet material, piece by piece from the top of a magazine (24) consisting of a plurality of such objects which are arranged on top of one another, comprising separation means (31a, 31b, 27a, 27b) for parting the uppermost object from the underlying objects in the magazine, before it is moved from the magazine, and first motion devices (42, 43, 44, 45) for removing the parted uppermost object from the magazine. A characteristic feature is that said separation means comprises members provided to bend the uppermost object (1a) to adopt an upwardly convex shape, while the adjacently underlying object is bent to a less convex shape than the uppermost object, or remains at least essentially flat, before the uppermost object has been removed from the magazine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for decollating flat objects from a stack, in particular objects individually separated from one another in the stack by interlayers, preferably printing plates. The object of the invention is to ensure that only one object is taken from the stack and made available for any further handling. A lifting device lifts the object from the stack and a separating device separates any article possibly adhering to the underside of the lifted object from the lifted object. The article possibly adhering may in particular be a second object or an interlayer. For example, the separating device may be of similar construction to the lifting device and in particular include suction elements.

Abstract: A lifting/pull-sucker drive mechanism for a separating element of a sheet-processing machine, having a drivable control cam for moving at least one lifting sucker, and having a drivable control cam for moving at least one pull sucker, respectively, includes a pivotable control cam for synchronizing a lifting movement of the at least one lifting sucker and a pulling movement of the at least one pull sucker.

Abstract: A method for separating a respective sheet from a sheet pile and transporting it to a sheet processing machine, wherein the respective sheet is lifted by at least one lifting suction device to a transfer level lying above a suction air intake level, and the respective sheet is taken over by at least one forwarding suction device at the transfer level, includes thereafter transporting the respective sheet by the forwarding suction device on the transfer level in a direction towards the sheet processing machine, and after transferring the sheet from the lifting suction device to the forwarding suction device, lifting the lifting suction device to an elevation level above the transfer level; a device for performing the method; and rotary printing machine and method of operation including the foregoing.

Abstract: An unloading and erecting apparatus has a frame fixed to a magazine holding a stack of flattened cartons, an outer horizontal guide on the frame, an outer horizontal slide horizontally displaceable on the outer horizontal guide and carrying a nonstraight outer vertical guide. A drive motor connected to the outer horizontal slide horizontally displaces same. A vertical guide on the frame carries a vertical slide and another drive motor connected to the vertical slide vertically displaces same. A shaft pivotal about a generally horizontal axis transverse to the forward direction on the vertical slide is fixed horizontally relative to the outer horizontal slide.

Abstract: A feed apparatus which combines a slider crank feed head drive system and cam actuated stack height sensing system to form a new combined shuttle feeder. The new feed head drive includes the replacement of a solenoid driven feed head with a more reliable stepper driven twin slider crank drive. Included in the slider crank drive for the feed head is an integral cam as part of the crank arm mounted to the motor shaft. This cam is designed drives a stack height sensor to drop and lift the stack height sensing arm to sense stack height after the sheet trail edge has passed the point of arm contact with the stack. The cam also provides a “service mode” position for the stack height arm which lifts it out of the way of the paper supply when it is opening.

Abstract: An image transfer apparatus shuttle feeder module comprising a module frame, an air fluffer assembly, a vacuum shuttle box assembly, and an air knife assembly. The air fluffer assembly is supported from the module frame. The vacuum shuttle box assembly is supported from the module frame. The air knife assembly is supported from the module frame. The vacuum shuttle box assembly is movably mounted to the module frame to shuttle relative to the frame between first and second positions. The module frame has attachment members adapted for removably mounting the module frame with the air fluffer assembly, vacuum shuttle box assembly, and air knife assembly thereon to an image transfer apparatus. The image transfer apparatus has a sheet media supply section. The module frame is mounted in a predetermined location on the image transfer apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a flat product from a pile of flat products includes a sucker mechanism. The sucker mechanism has a sucker cup, a sucker tube and a vacuum device for generating a vacuum. The sucker tube has a first and second end, the sucker cup being coupled to the sucker tube at the first end of the sucker tube and the vacuum device being coupled to the sucker tube at the second end of the sucker tube. The second end of the sucker tube is movable arranged in the vacuum device so as to vary the sucker stroke of the sucker cup.

Abstract: An apparatus for picking up a plurality of papers stacked in an upright position one by one is disclosed. A pick-up mechanism is angularly movable about a single point between a position for sucking the outermost paper and a position for conveying it. While an sending mechanism sends air toward the bottom of a stack of papers positioned on a tray, the pick-up mechanism sucks the outermost paper and moves away from the other papers at a low speed. After the pick-up mechanism has conveyed the above paper, it moves toward she next paper for sucking it at a high speed. Air being sent from the above mechanism insures the separation of the consecutive papers. Because the pickup mechanism retaining the outermost sheet by suction moves slowly away from the other papers, the outermost paper is easily spaced from the other papers and therefore more surely separated from the other papers. This obviates a shearing force otherwise acting on and damaging, e.g., letters and magazines of delicate quality.

Abstract: The invention relates to a labeling machine for wet adhesive labels comprising a gluing and application device which holds and guides the labels. A label magazine is connected upstream from the gluing and application device to which labels are fed from said label magazine. During the processing of multiple labels, the label magazine is configured as a support platform with a support wall that extends over the entire length of the platform, and transporting means for transporting the labels are provided above the support platform in the vicinity of the support wall. Said transporting means transfer the detached label to a label conveyor arranged above the support wall, and a conveyor platform is provided on the label conveyor.

Abstract: A method is proposed for separating flat, stacked products, which are preferably fed individually, at a distance from one another and lying one behind another, to a further processing process, first of all the uppermost product being lifted, at least partially and preferably completely, off the stack of products and subsequently transported away in the transport direction to the further processing process, the transport direction forming an angle (&agr;), preferably in the range from 30° to 150° with the vertical axis of the stack of products, wherein the products are transported away in such a way that as a product that still partially overlaps the stack with its trailing edge region is being transported away, a following product is already being lifted off the stack of products, in its trailing edge region, to be transported away.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for feeding a compilation of sheets to a process station, including: a sheet tray for holding the compilation of sheets; an air plenum, positioned above the compilation of sheets, the air plenum including an outer perimeter, and a corrugated surface for corrugating one of the compilation of sheets into predefine multiple spans; a blower for generating a vacuum force in the air plenum to drive one of the compilation of sheets into contact with the air plenum thereby corrugating one of the compilation of sheets into predefine multiple spans; a series of sets of seals around the outer perimeter of the air plenum, for sealing one of the compilation of sheets against the air plenum.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for feeding a compilation of sheets to a process station, including: a sheet tray for holding the compilation of sheets; an air plenum, positioned above the compilation of sheets, the air plenum including an outer perimeter, a seal around said outer perimeter and a blower for generating a vacuum force in the air plenum to drive one of the compilation of sheets into contact with the air plenum and the seal.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for feeding a compilation of sheets in a process direction to a process station, including: a sheet tray for holding the compilation of sheets; an air plenum, positioned above the compilation of sheets, the plenum including a corrugated surface having a first set of ribs at a first height and a second set of ribs at a second height; and a blower for generating a vacuum force in the air plenum to drive one of the compilation of sheets into contact with the corrugated surface.

Abstract: A sheet feeding method for plate-shaped members is disclosed. In a sucker unit, suction nozzles are move down from respective original positions toward a bottom plate of a cassette at a fixed speed, and time t1 until the bottom plate is detected by a contact sensor, and an amount by which the suction nozzles move, &Dgr;y, until the suction nozzles suction adhere to the bottom plate after the bottom plate is detected by the contact sensor are measured. Subsequently, separation positions of the suction nozzles with respect to the original positions are set based on an interval between the bottom plate of the cassette and separation plates, and an interval required by the photopolymer plate being bent between the suction nozzles and the separation plates at an appropriate curvature. Based on the result of the setting, the photopolymer plate is reliably taken out from the cassette.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding sheet-like articles, such as newspapers, periodicals, and inserts therefor, from a vertical stack of the articles. The stack is supported on a fixed rest 3, and a sucker arrangement 24 and a pushing away unit 38 are mounted on a load bearing structure 44 which is supported so as to float with the height of the stack. The sucker arrangement 24 includes a pair of suction heads 25 which are mounted for movement between a lowered extended position and a raised retracted position, and the suction heads have suction openings 25a which are permanently connected to a source of negative pressure. In operation, the suction heads 25 engage the uppermost one of the articles in the stack, which closes the suction openings 25a and causes the suction heads and uppermost article to be lifted. The pushing away unit 38 then engages and laterally moves the article away from the suction heads.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for feeding a compilation of sheets in a direction of movement to a process station, comprising: a sheet tray for holding said compilation of sheets; an air plenum, positioned above said compilation of sheets, for picking up sheets into contact with said air plenum when a vacuum force is applied; drive means, attached to said air plenum, for translating said air plenum initially in a direction reverse from the direction of movement so that a trailing edge of said one of said compilation of sheets abuts against a portion of said sheet tray to generate a buckle area in said one of said compilation of sheets thereby allowing separation of one of said compilation of sheets from other sheets in said compilation of sheets, and said drive means translates said one of said compilation of sheets in said direction of movement.

Abstract: A method of operating a lifting sucker which takes sheets off a pile, the sheets being picked up and lifted by suction, which comprises determining at least one of the physical variables characterizing the method and comparing it with an associated desired value, and initiating countermeasures if there are any deviations from the desired value; and a lifting device operated by the method.

Abstract: For individually separating outer sheets (9, 109) of a stack (6, 106) in a holder (1, 101), in each case in the area of an outer sheet or an outer set of sheets a suction is generated for sucking at least a portion of an outer sheet or set of sheets (9, 109) from an initial position, away from the stack, to a discharge position. From that discharge position a sheet or set of sheets is discharged away from the stack (6, 106) by a discharge structure engaging the sheet or set of sheets. The suction assembly (12, 112, 212) in each case generates a pulsed suction in a position spaced from the initial position. As a result, the sheets or sets of sheets can be reliably displaced one by one to the discharge position, while the intended operation of the apparatus is little sensitive to the suction strength set.

Abstract: A sheet feeder feeds sheets separated from a stack to a feed head which is translatable toward take away nip rolls. The sheets are separated from the stack by fluffers and acquired by an acquisition surface of the feed head which is in communication with a vacuum pressure. An air knife is used, in conjunction with a corrugation surface, to separate any secondarily acquired sheets from the acquisition surface. The time for acquiring the sheet is determined from the opening of a vacuum valve in communication with the feed head to the acquiring of the sheet by the acquisition surface. The time for acquiring the sheets is dependent on the sheet characteristics.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for feeding a stack of sheets in a direction of movement to a process station. A sheet tray is provided for holding the stack of sheets; an air plenum is positioned above the stack of sheets. The air plenum picks up a sheet from the stack of sheets when a vacuum force is in the air plenum; a paper fluffer is provided for blowing air between individual sheets in the stack. The paper fluffer is able to adjust air flow between individual sheets. The paper fluffer includes a support structure and a plate pivotality mounted in the support structure, the plate having a venturi plate portion in contact the sheet and regulating plate portion, the regulating plate portion has an aperture defined therein which permits air to go through and has a cross-section area which limits air low as the sheet moves in contact with the air plenum while pivoting the plate.

Abstract: A sucker adjustment device including a moving lever having a cam surface adjacent its far end. An axis is located adjacent the near end and a first cam follower is mounted intermediate the ends. The first cam follower bears against an actuating cam which causes the former to move between an extended position, wherein the sucker cup attached thereto contacts the bottom newspaper of a stack, and a retracted position, wherein the sucker cup is out of the path of the lowest newspaper. There is an actuating lever pivotally mounted about the axis and carrying an arm between its distal end and the axis. There is a second cam follower on the arm at a point remote from the actuating lever and bearing against the cam surface. A pivot adjacent the rotating end of the sucker bar spaced apart from the sucker cup permits the sucker bar to move between its extended and retracted positions.

Abstract: The apparatus for processing flexible, sheet-like products (14) has a feed conveyor (12) which is intended for feeding the products (14) to an intermediate conveyor (18). The latter has pivotably controlled grippers (22) arranged one behind the other and moved along a continuous circulatory path (26) in the direction of circulation (U). The intermediate conveyor (18) is intended for altering the position of the fed products (14), while the sequence of the products remains unaltered, such that the previously mutually facing sides of adjacent products (14) are reversed, and then for transferring the products to a removal conveyor (38). For this purpose, each gripper (22) is controlled such that the product (14) retained by it is drawn around the following gripper (22) as seen in the direction of circulation (U), from one side of the gripper to the other side.

Abstract: A method and unit for feeding blanks to a user machine, whereby at least two synchronized pickup heads withdraw the blanks from respective hoppers and feed them to respective conveying pockets moving continuously along a user path of the machine; each blank adheres by suction to a flat conveying surface of the respective pickup head, with a first lateral edge projecting outwards of the flat conveying surface and with a second edge contacting a push tooth projecting from the respective flat conveying surface, and is so inserted inside the respective conveying pocket as to be maintained in a flat configuration between the push tooth and a stop element moving together with the conveying pocket.

Abstract: The apparatus for separating a flat product from a pile of flat products, has a sucker mechanism with an upper and a lower part. The upper part is connected to a first link joint of a central lever and the lower part is connected to a second link joint of the central lever. The central lever is rotatable about an axis which extends through the central lever. The axis is movable along the central lever, in order to change the position of the pivot point of the central lever.

Abstract: A cylinder-type paper feeding device designed so that the air suction fan in the paper feed cylinder is suspended at the moment each document conveyed by rotation of the paper feed cylinder reaches a sensor placed along the conveyer path, and after the lapse of a predetermined time, the paper feed cylinder is reversely rotated to return to the initial position.

Abstract: Device for supplying air to at least one electromegnetic linearly driven air consumer in a sheet-processing machine, includes a fixedly disposed air supply bar, the air consumer being arranged so as to be movable along the air supply bar.

Abstract: A sheet material supplying apparatus having a low-cost sucker adsorbing unit of a simple structure is provided for the carrying of sheet materials that are used under a high-humidity environment or that include humidity, to ensure a proper separation of each sheet material. Sheet materials accommodated in a tray are being sandwiched between a push-up panel and an engagement claw. At the time of taking out the sheet materials from the tray, the push-up panel is pressed down by a cam to cancel the state of sandwiching between the engagement claw and the push-up panel. Accordingly, only the top layer sheet material is taken out from the tray, with the rest of the lower layer sheet materials being dropped by their self-weight. Further, the sheet materials are carried by the sucker adsorbing unit.

Abstract: A device for transporting to a printing press, sheets singly separated from a sheet pile, includes an electromagnetic linear drive mechanism; and a method of operation of the device.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus module for a vending machine is provided that enables stacked articles to be lifted off of the stack and translated from a loading station to a discharge station. An elevator apparatus is provided for progressively moving articles to a load station. A conveying apparatus with a linkage assembly for supporting a section nozzle can contact the uppermost article and lift it off the stacked array. The conveying apparatus can move the article to a discharge station for releasing the article to the user. A self-contained suction source is provided in the dispensing apparatus to provide low atmospheric pressure to the suction nozzle.

Abstract: A a sheet supplying apparatus includes a sheet holding member adapted to hold a plurality of sheets and having a regulating wall for regulating movement of the sheets in a sheet supplying direction, a sucker member for absorbing with a vacuum force an uppermost sheet among the sheets held by the sheet holding member, and a pressure reducer for reducing pressure in the sucker. In addition, a driver drives the sucker member to convey the sheet absorbed by the vacuum, a height detector detects a height position of the uppermost sheet, and a sheet urging member urges the sheets in a sheet stacking direction and moves the sheet toward the regulating wall. The sheet member urges means urging the uppermost sheet with predetermined pressure on the basis of the detected height position.

Abstract: An automated media transport apparatus and method includes a load module for loading media plates from a flat cassette through one end of an internal drum of an imaging module. Sensors detect the presence of interleaved paper sheets from the media plates being loaded, and paper assemblies remove any interleaved paper sheets. An unload module unloads imaged media plates from the other end of the drum, and position the unloaded plates onto a multi-directional conveyor of the unload module. The conveyor is capable of moving the imaged media plate in one of several directions to other devices for further processing of the media plates.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying sheets has a sheet containing portion containing a number of sheets therein, a conveying mechanism for absorbing the uppermost one of the number of sheets in the sheet containing portion, and taking the absorbed sheet out of the sheet containing portion, and a protuberance absorbing portion provided in the sheet containing portion, the absorbing portion being adapted to absorb the partial protuberance of the number of sheets during at least the sheet absorbing by the conveying mechanism.

Abstract: A flexible sheet to which manufacturing processes are to be applied is tensioned within a carrying fixture having tacky surfaces to which the flexible sheet is fastened. One version of the fixture includes an "L"-shaped attachment surface on a frame member and two tensioning members deflected toward the frame member in mutually perpendicular directions. When the flexible sheet has been fastened to the carrying fixture, the tensioning members are allowed to return toward their undeflected positions while applying tensioning forces to the flexible sheet. Another version of the fixture includes "L"-shaped attachment surfaces on both a frame member and a tensioning member. A loading station includes a stack of unprocessed flexible sheets, a fixture for deflecting tensioning member(s) within the carrying fixture, and a robot arm moving a transport fixture capable of carrying a flexible sheet and a carrying fixture.

Abstract: A cylinder-type paper feeding device designed so that the air suction fan in the paper feed cylinder is suspended at the moment each document conveyed by rotation of the paper feed cylinder reaches a sensor placed along the conveyer path, and after the lapse of a predetermined time, the paper feed cylinder is reversely rotated to return to the initial position.

Abstract: Device for cyclically lifting and lowering at least one lifting sucker in a feeder of a sheet-processing machine, wherein a sheet lifted by the lifting sucker is transferred to at least one pull sucker for further transport, the lifting sucker being operatively connected by a lifting-sucker transmission to a cyclically controlled drive, the lifting-sucker transmission including a coupler having a joint steplessly bringable onto various cam paths in accordance with a selective suction position of the lifting sucker, all of the cam paths having a common intersecting point.

Abstract: A film sheet picker assembly comprising: a picker member which is movable into and out of proximity with the top film sheet of a stack of film sheets; a plurality of vacuum cups rotatably mounted on the picker member; means for biasing the plurality of vacuum cups at an angle relative to the top surface of the top film sheet; a roller assembly operatively associated with the plurality of vacuum cups; and a control for moving the picker member into proximity with the top film sheet of a stack of film sheets, such that the roller assembly contacts the top film sheet and rotates the plurality of vacuum cups into vacuum engagement with the top film sheet and for moving the picker member out of proximity with the stack of film sheets such that the biasing means rotates the vacuum cups to move the top film sheet out of contact with the stack of film sheets.

Abstract: A device for raising an edge of a topmost sheet from a pile of sheets comprises two cursors slidably coupled to a mobile head. On one end of each cursor two needles are fixed, which needles pierce into said edge. The device is especially useful in the manufacturing process of phenolic-melaminic decorative plastic laminates and preformable or postformable treated panels for raising sheets of paper which have been impregnated with resin and piled one on another.

Abstract: The apparatus has, along with a magazine in which flat, flexible objects such as cords are stored in a stack, a retaining device for holding the stack in the magazine. Symmetrically disposed retaining elements aligned parallel to the surface of the objects are provided in the retaining device. The form of the retaining elements is selected such that an object of the stack can be singled by being arched past the retaining elements and an object can also be stacked in the magazine by being arched past the retaining elements. A gripping device is provided for moving the objects.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding sheets seriatim from a stack of sheets which substantially prevents image ruboff. Such sheet feed apparatus includes a tray for supporting a stack of sheets. A plate associated with the tray supports the lead edge of the sheet stack. A major portion of the sheet stack, measured from the top of the sheet stack at the lead edge of the sheet stack, is supported by a mechanism associated with the plate. A positive flow of air is directed at a minor portion of the sheet stack, measured from the bottom of the sheet stack at the lead edge of the sheet stack, to enable the minor portion of the sheet stack to be levitated for separation of the sheets in the minor portion of the sheet stack.

Abstract: A suction device for handling light, flat and bendable articles has a suction line and a sucker at an end of the suction line. The sucker has a suction lip made of an elastically deformable material for individually contacting and lifting articles. A lip-deforming bending template having a deforming edge defining a concave shape is displaceable relative to the suction lip so that the suction lip is deformed by contact with the deforming edge to conform to the concave shape. A second bending template can be laterally spaced from the suction lip and have a bending edge for contacting an article lifted by the suction lip, the lip being displaceable relative to the bending edge.

Abstract: A top vacuum corrugation feeder includes articulating suction fingers to assist in raising the top sheet of a stack of sheets to the feedhead of the vacuum corrugation feeder. The suction fingers are rotated down from their interleaved position between feed belts to contact the top sheet in the sheet stack and raises the top sheet to the feed belts. As a result, the feeder can handle heavy sheets, curled sheets, and sheets which are edge welded.

Abstract: A recording/reading apparatus includes a recording/reading device for recording or reading information on sheets, a suction cup for picking up an object by suction, with the suction cup having an air outlet hole, a container having an inner space that is closed except for an opening for connection with the air outlet hole. The container has a flexible portion, and the volume of the inner space is variable through deformation of the flexible portion. Also provided is a driving device for deformation-driving of the container and a hollow member for connecting the opening for connection with the air outlet hole of the suction cup.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording or reading information on or from a sheet is disclosed. The apparatus includes a holding unit for holding a sheet, a first arm which has one end pivotally fixed to the holding unit, a second arm whose one end or a specific point is pivotally fixed to the first arm, a driving system which can integrally move the other end of the first arm and the other end of the second arm, and can change the interval between the other end of the first arm and the other end of the second arm, a posture regulating mechanism for regulating the posture of the holding unit with respect to the first arm, a sheet supply unit provided with the holding unit, the first arm, the second arm, the driving system, and the posture regulating mechanism, and a recording or reading unit for performing information recording or information reading on a sheet supplied to the sheet supply unit.

Abstract: A vacuum high-speed feeding apparatus equipped structure for moving suction nozzles attached to a cylindrical body towards sheet feeding rollers. The application of suction force is suspended upon detection that a drawn sheet has been caught and its conveyance has been stated by feeding rollers. This is done by detection of a leading edge of the sheet by a first sensor. The cylindrical body is restored to its home position when feeding of the sheet by a given distance is detected by a second sensor. The suction force is again applied when passage of the rear edge of the sheet through the feeding rollers is detected by the first sensor.