Abstract: The present invention relates to a receiving area or stacking tray for items. Thc stacking tray may be flat and the items mail items. The mail items may also be flat. The flat mail items are accommodated in an upright position. The receiving area has a stacking base, a stacking location, and a stack-retaining stack support which is movable in approximately horizontal stacking direction.

Abstract: A paper sheet feeder (1), comprising a bill feeding means (4) having a motor (11) for feeding a bill (A) as a paper sheet along a bill feeding route (2), a bill detection sensor (15) disposed in the bill feeding route (2), and a control means for stopping the driving of the motor (11) after the bill passes the bill detection sensor (15) and positioning the bill (A) at a specified position on the downstream side of the bill detection sensor (15), wherein the control means (25) controls the driving time of the motor (11) after the bill (A) passes the bill detection sensor (15) based on a time (T1) required for the bill (A) to pass through the specified interval of the bill feeding route (2) positioned on the upstream side of the bill detection sensor (15).

Abstract: A paper currency receiving system is constructed to include a paper currency take-up unit adapted for taking up paper currency inserted therein, a paper currency storage cabinet mounted in the paper currency take-up unit to collect paper currency, a paper currency holding down mechanism installed in the paper currency take-up unit and controlled to hold down inserted paper currency onto a spring-supported bearing plate in the paper currency storage cabinet, the paper currency holding down mechanism including a rack set driven by a motor through a transmission gear train to move a linkage in an out of the paper currency storage cabinet for setting collected paper currency in a stack, and a transmitter receiver module, which automatically cuts off power supply when a predetermined amount of paper currency collected in the paper currency storage cabinet.

Abstract: A lockable, removable cassette is described. In an implementation, the cassette includes a plastic shell and a currency access door. The cassette may also include a flexible handle and/or an integrated grip. In addition, the cassette may include at least one of an aperture and a transparent window positioned to reveal the contents of the cassette. In an implementation, the cassette includes a stacking mechanism which may include a drive means having non-circular drive gears.

Abstract: A note stacker for a currency validator includes a stationary punch and movable rails having slots therein adapted for receiving the currency tendered thereto. The stationary punch comprises a top plate surface of the housing maintaining drive motors and gears of the stacker itself. The top plate is curved to accommodate the natural deflection of the bill as it is being stacked, and is provided with a durable frictional material along lateral edges thereof to prevent the bill from sliding or otherwise moving upon the surface of the curved plate. A leading edge of the curved plate is provided with serrations or teeth which, in conjunction with a shutter fixed to the movable rails, serves to defeat strings or other retrieval elements.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking articles on edge is provided which has a discharge magazine for stacking the articles face-to-face and on-edge. The magazine has an article edge receiver having a non-offset position and an offset position. The article edge receiver has a register wall for aligning the articles in the non-offset position and a segmented rotational offset disk for aligning the articles in the offset position. The disk has a cut out segment having a planar stop edge surface. The cut out segment is rotatable from an article receiving position to an article bypass position. When in the receiving position, the planar stop edge surface is at a right angle to the two faces of the article. When in the article bypass position, the segmented rotational offset disk allows the articles to bypass the segmented rotational disk.

Abstract: An automatic bill storage device for storing bills of different widths or sizes, includes a bill loading device for receiving a bill and positioning it at an initial storage position. A bill contact device can then engage the bill at the initial storage position and translate the bill to other side of a restraining device to a storage location that is biased by a movable plate. A contact member can contact an intermediate portion of the bill and translate the bill by a moving contact that extends from the intermediate portion of the bill towards one end of the bill as the bill is moved towards the storage location. This looping movement of contact can accommodate bills of different width in a compact configuration and can permit an initial bending of the bills from the initial storage position to aligning the bills so that they are straightened so that they can be stored in a stacked array in an efficient and compact manner.

Abstract: A currency handling device for rapidly processing a plurality of currency bills comprises an input receptacle adapted to receive the currency bills to be processed, a plurality of output receptacles adapted to receive the bills after the bills have been processed, a transport mechanism adapted to transport the bills, one at a time, along a transport path from the input receptacle to the plurality of output receptacles, an evaluating unit that is adapted to determine information concerning the bills, and a controller. The evaluation unit includes at least one sensor positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the plurality of output receptacles. The controller is adapted to operate the currency handling device according to a mode of operation wherein the mode of operation designates the output receptacle to which each of the bills are transported based on the determined information concerning the bill.

Abstract: A device for forming a stack of successively arranged printed sheets has a stack support with support elements and a conveying device supplying printed sheets, arranged in an imbricated arrangement, in a vertical direction to the stack support. The printed sheets formed stacks on the stack support in a stack forming direction and the support elements define a leading end and a trailing end of the stacks. A controllable insertion device correlated with the stack support moves end plates into an intermediate position between the support elements and the leading and trailing ends of the stack, respectively. The insertion device has an insertion member arrangement with passages allowing the support elements to pass through and has a drive for moving the insertion member arrangement perpendicularly to the stack support for inserting the end plates. The insertion device has at least one interstice for receiving end plates.

Abstract: An improved jogger includes a sidewall with a guide groove, a chain defining a closed path including a sloped loading end and a straight transport section, the sloped loading end being angled toward the transport section in the direction of the travel of the chain at least two sprockets, the sprockets defining the slope of the sloped loading end of the closed path, a plurality of fingers coupled to the chain at spaced apart intervals, the fingers receiving flat articles therebetween at the sloped loading end and conveying the articles along the horizontal transport section and a plurality of guides coupled to the fingers, the guides engaging the guide groove and orienting fingers in a position perpendicular to the horizontal transport section as the fingers are carried into the sloped loading end.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a mailpiece sorting and stacking apparatus. The sorting and stacking apparatus has a series of stacking bins. Each stacking bin is designed to include a set of kicker fingers that engage the trailing ends of the mailpieces traveling towards a stop registration wall in each stacking bin. The stop registration wall in combination with the spring force exerted by the kicker fingers against the trailing ends of the mailpiece cause the end of each mailpiece to engage the outside surface of a pressure mailpiece conveying roller. The pressure mailpiece conveying roller is part of the conveying roller assembly leading to the stacking bin. The periphery of the pressure mailpiece conveying roller along with the deflection force against the trailing end of each mailpiece caused by the kicker fingers causes each mailpiece to stack against a pressure paddle inside the stacking bin.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a plurality of documents from a first compartment to a second compartment. The apparatus comprises a plunger assembly having a paddle adapted to contact the documents, and at least one outwardly extending arm hingedly connected to the plunger assembly. A gate is disposed between the first compartment and the second compartment forming a document supporting surface. The gate has an open position and a closed position. At least one lever extends from the gate, the lever being in a first position when the gate is in the closed position and the lever being in a second position when the gate is in the open position. The gate moves from the closed position to the open position when the paddle urges the documents against the gate from the first compartment towards the second compartment.

Abstract: In a high speed sheet printing or coating machine there is a tendency for the sheets to move about as they are being fed to the datum stops, so that precise registration is not achieved. This is remedied by exerting a damping force which pulls each sheet continuously towards a fixed support surface 12 before and during registration and during printing or coating. The damping force comprises vacuum and/or magnetic forces which settle each sheet rapidly on the fixed support surface as it is fed into contact with the datum stops. The vacuum force is provided by drawing air through an array of holes 26 in the fixed support surface into an underlying chamber 24 evacuated through a pipe 28 by a vacuum pump, and is adjustable either by controlling the flow rate through the pump or by controllably venting the chamber or pipe to atmosphere.

Abstract: A retractable arm serves as a combined pushing mechanism and dead plate for holding and moving articles that have been stacked onto an accumulation tray for a stacking station in an article sortation conveying system. The stacking station stacks articles sequentially onto the accumulation tray standing upright on edge and in series side-by-side. While the articles are being stacked, the retractable arm is positioned in the down position and positioned so that a first side of the arm holds the articles on edge without tipping, much like a bookend. A linear motion actuator, preferably a pneumatic cylinder, moves the retractable arm along the length of the elongated accumulation tray. During the stacking procedure, the pneumatic cylinder is deactivated (i.e. a dead cylinder), and the stacked articles push the retractable arm incrementally along the accumulation tray towards an unloading area.

Abstract: A tamping mechanism for tamping the edge of sheets in a stack including a tamping assembly having a tamping blade. The tamping blade is positioned adjacent an edge of a stack of sheets and is moved toward and away from the edge. Magnets are provided to move the tamping blade toward and away from the edge. The tamping blade has one magnet and another magnet is movable into and out of magnetic interaction of the said first magnet. The second magnet is in a wheel adjacent tamping blade. The wheel has a plurality of magnets and is rotated so that the magnets in the wheel are moved into and out of magnetic interaction with the magnet in the tamping blade.

Abstract: A cassette for receiving and storing banknotes advantageously uses a movable guide in combination with a movable actuator which each move toward the other for stripping of a banknote received in the guide and adding the stripped banknote to a stack of banknotes.

Abstract: An output card hopper for use in connection with an identification card printer as a hopper that receives the cards and permits the cards to be supported on movable lift rails. The rails can be moved up and down, and the hopper has a pair of pawls that extend into the hopper from the sides and which are retracted as the card is lifted up by the lift rails, and then permitted to move back inwardly so that as the card support is lowered, the card that had been carried up by the rails is supported on the pawls in a stack above the pawls. The hopper includes one adjustable side wall to permit adjusting the width of the hopper. The card lift rails are raised and lowered by operating a cam, with a spring return on the card lift rails to urge the lift rails toward a home or lowered position.

Abstract: A mixed mail stacking method and apparatus using a nip to ingest incoming mailpieces, a set of rollers to move the ingested mailpieces toward a registration wall, and a sensor upstream from the nip to detect the mailpieces. When the sensor detects the trailing edge of an ingested mailpiece, it causes the moving devices to pause, leaving a section of the ingested mailpiece sticking out of the nip. When the sensor detects the leading edge of the following mailpiece, it sets the moving devices in motion again so that the ingested mailpiece and the following mailpiece partially overlap when the following mailpiece is ingested by the nip. As such, the ingested mailpieces are shingled before they are moved toward the registration wall for stacking, preventing leading to trailing edge collisions. With the sensor to control the moving devices, the stacker is capable of stacking a wide variety of mail with a wide range of sizes without adjustment.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a staple tray that stacks a sheet discharged from an image forming apparatus, a rear end fence that vertically aligns the sheet stacked on the staple tray by hitting a tail end of the sheet in a conveying direction against the rear end fence, and a stapling device that executes a stapling operation at an end of a bundle of the sheets. A limiting member is movable in a direction of a thickness of the bundle of sheets stacked on the staple tray, in which a distance between the limiting member and a sheet stacking face of the staple tray guiding the sheet to the rear end fence is variable.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for automatically adjusting a rate at which a document decelerates when entering a sort pocket of a document processing machine. The apparatus includes a track adapted for transporting the document, a guide wall, and a stacker flag spaced away from the guide wall to define the sort pocket therebetween. The sort pocket communicates with the track so that the document exits the track to enter the sort pocket. A wave spring is disposed proximate the guide wall so that the document engages the wave spring and is decelerated by the wave spring when the document enters the sort pocket. The weight of the document is calculated, and a signal is produced that represents the weight of the document. The wave spring is distorted according to this signal to vary a configuration of the wave spring depending on the weight of the document to decelerate the document at an optimal rate.

Abstract: A system and method for providing automatic validation of fares collected is disclosed. An automatic validating farebox, being adapted for mobile use, such as in the cabin of a bus, and to provide convenient access to both patrons and an operator, includes validation mechanisms and circuitry to accept patron payment in both coin and note. All tendered payment is automatically validated as to acceptable tender as well as its value being electronically registered. Accordingly, the operator is freed from validating payment of a fare and may simply confirm that the registered value is the proper amount for the type of fare purchased. The automatic validating farebox also includes mechanisms adapted both to store accepted currency in an efficient manner as well as to present the collected currency in a manner readily acceptable for handling and counting.

Abstract: Banknotes printed with magnetic ink pass through a tri-color age detector 34, and then between a pair of premagnetization rollers (10,12) having opposite magnetic polarity of such strength that the magnetic signature of all banknotes is enhanced to the same level; the notes are then stacked 50 in an electromagnetic stacker 42. Such notes, having magnetic signatures of the same level, can also be recognized and/or validated by magnetic techniques also.

Abstract: An automated sheet metal blanking apparatus includes a loading table having a conveyor horizontally moveable between a loading position wherein sheet metal pieces are loaded onto the conveyor and a destacking station wherein the conveyor transfers the sheet metal pieces onto the destacking station for subsequent processing. A qualifier receives and positions destacked sheet metal pieces. A steel rule die blanking press receives prepositioned sheet metal pieces from the qualifier. The lower die includes mechanical positioners for final positioning the sheet metal pieces. A feed manipulator including an elongated arm mounts a plurality of controllable vacuum pickups operable for transferring sheet metal pieces between the destacking station, qualifier and blanking press. The feed manipulator is moveable over the destacking station and qualifier and moveable in between the upper and lower dies.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sorter preferably for an inserting system for sorting mailpieces into one of at least two sorting bins, the sorter having a transport device for conveying the mailpieces along a transport path. Each sorting bin includes a bending mechanism for bending the tail edge portion of a mailpiece and a final stacking roller for unbending the tail edge portion of the mailpiece such that the tail edge portion of the mailpiece is diverted into the sorting bin and away from the transport device without the occurrence of jamming of the mailpiece in the entry portion of the sorting bin.

Abstract: A bottom sheet feeding system for feeding individual image substrate sheets for reproduction apparatus out from under a stack of such sheets by intermittently feeding the bottom sheet out from under the overlying stack of sheets in a sheet stacking tray with a bottom sheet feeder, which may be electrostatic, while that stack of sheets is intermittently at least partially levitated relative to the bottom sheet to substantially reduce the gravitational force of the overlying stack of sheets normally bearing down on the bottom sheet to resist the separation and feeding of the bottom sheet out from under the rest of the stack. This intermittent stack levitation may be accomplished by appropriate cyclical transducer system forces applied to the bottom of the stacking tray at a frequency coordinated with intermittent feeding of the bottom sheet out from under the stack.

Abstract: A bill handling system of the invention comprises a cashbox (80) having a mechanism for automatically storing bills and a collection system (10) for gathering bills taken in game play media lending machines (12) and transporting the bills to the cashbox (80). The collection system (10) comprises stackers (30) each being placed for each of gaming machine islands (10a)-(10f) and a transport mechanism (50) connecting the stackers (30) and the cashbox (80) for transporting the bills. The transport mechanism (50) comprises a transport chain (52) and transport cassettes (60) transported on the chain (52). Bills are stored in the transport cassette (60) for transport.

Abstract: A security box for a bill validator is closed to the contents thereof even when the box is removed from a validator. The box has a lockable lid through which access to the box can only be gained when the lid is opened. The security box is also preferably lockable to the validator.

Abstract: In an envelope stacker, a pusher mechanism continuously applies a force to the envelope flap for sealing the envelope. The stacker is comprised of a horizontal deck, a rear wall, and a plate for supporting a stack of envelopes. Upon receiving an envelope, a pusher advances the envelope towards the stack of envelopes while applying a continuous force to the flap and rear panel of the envelope.

Abstract: A device for stacking sheets comprises a drive (1) with a control device (29) and a pusher plate (6) which is arranged on a rod linkage (2), is displaceable perpendicular to a transport plane (8) and which pushes a sheet (5), which has been advanced in the transport plane (8) and aligned over a substantially rectangular entry opening (11) of a cassette (3), through the entry opening (11) into the cassette and onto a stack (4). The rod linkage comprises a control plane (13) and two pairs of arms (15, 16) forming double scissors that can be pivoted about an axle pin (19) by the drive (1). Pivoting of the double scissors moves the pusher plate (6) relative to the cassette (3). The control device (29) is arranged to limit the depth of penetration of the pusher plate (6) into the cassette (3) by reversing the direction of rotation of the drive (1) when the desired depth of penetration has been reached.

Abstract: A currency validator with a cash cassette for use in vending machines has an acceptor module for receiving various sizes and denominations of currency, a sensor which confirms the validity of the currency and a drive unit which transfers the currency to a stacker mechanism for inserting the currency into a cassette cash box that is securable and tamper resistant. The currency validator also has a screw drive mechanism operative with the stacker wherein the screw drive mechanism controls the movement of the stacker to insert the currency into the cassette cash box. A processor controls the stroke or movement of the stacker mechanism depending upon the size of the currency inserted into the currency validator. Moreover, the cassette cash box is structured such that the stacker is included within the cassette cash box and is operatively controlled by the rotation and movement of the screw drive mechanism which may also be included in the cash cassette.

Abstract: A more readily manufacturable and repairable lockable removable currency storage cassette is described. The cassette employ a container within a container or box within a box construction in which an outer box provides tamper evident security and a removable inner box contains operating components which may require service or repair.

Abstract: In a stacker apparatus for stacking mail pieces, an offset apparatus is included to cause lateral registration of a vertically oriented mail piece to a preselected side registration wall. The offset apparatus is comprised of a generally conical elastomer roller which is fastened to the shaft of a drive motor. The roller engages the bottom edge of a mail piece in order to urge the mail piece towards a preselected side registration wall.

Abstract: A magnetic separator for separating magnetically permeable, stacked sheets has permanent magnets mounted on a movable support for movements toward and away from the stack of sheets. The magnets normally occupy a position closely adjacent the stack of sheets but are movable away from such position in response to inflation of inflatable and deflatable air bag activators. Deflation of the air bag actuators enables biasing springs to return the magnets to the normal position. The rate of inflation and deflation of the actuators is controllable so as to regulate the rate of movement of the magnets.

Abstract: Apparatus for validating paper currency banknotes and for forming a stack of such banknotes for removal from the apparatus. The apparatus includes a removable stacker box, a note acceptor for validating a paper currency banknote inserted in the apparatus, a transport mechanism for carrying the validated banknote to the stacker box, and a drive assembly including a motor and a pusher rod coupled to the motor for reciprocation thereby. The currency stacker box is in the form of an enclosed housing containing a holding plate, a pair of carrier belts and associated guide members, and a pusher plate. The housing includes a first small access opening, and a narrow slot through which the banknotes are introduced edgewise for engagement by the carrier belts. The carrier belts carry the validated banknote in front of the pusher plate. The pusher rod is arranged to extend through the small access opening in the currency stacker box when the stacker box is mounted in the apparatus.

Abstract: A bill processor for use in a bill handling machine comprises a first bill transport passage for guiding a bill inserted in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of bills stacked in a stacker toward substantially middle of interior of the main body of the bill handling machine, and a second bill transport passage for guiding the bill from the termination end of the first bill transport passage along the longitudinal direction of the stacked bills, wherein the first bill transport passage is formed in a meandering form along the longitudinal direction of the stacked bills, whereby the depth of the bill processor can be made small.

Abstract: A mail piece stacking machine is disclosed which is designed for use on conjunction with a mail piece processing or handling machine, such as a typical mailing machine, for stacking a plurality of pieces of mail as they are ejected seriatim from an outlet end of the processing or handling machine. The stacking machine has an elongate frame with a first feeding device consisting of a pair of cooperating rollers disposed adjacent the inlet end of the stacking machine, receives the mail pieces seriatim from the processing or handling machine and positively feeds the mail pieces into the stacking machine.

Abstract: An installation for cutting a knife material which accurately cuts and produces an intermediate knife material to be supplied to a bending device for bending and forming a knife for working a sheet body. The installation is provided with a repository member horizontally stocking different kinds of assorted and piled knife materials, a conveyance conveying the knife materials at the repository member to a predetermined spot one by one from the uppermost material, a receiving mechanism horizontally receiving the knife material dropped from the conveyance, an inductive guidance mechanism adjusting the knife material to a proper position and guiding the longitudinal traveling of the knife material, a feeding mechanism feeding the knife material to the longitudinal direction, and a cutter cutting the knife material fed by the feeding mechanism to a predetermined length and produce an intermediate knife material.

Abstract: An improvement in a stacking system having an urge roller, an input guide, a spring loaded backup paddle, a substantially horizontal surface and a substantially vertical registration wall. The improvement comprising a rib wrapped around the surface of the urge roller in a helical pattern. Thus, as the urge roller rotates and feeds an article toward the vertical registration wall, the helical rib forces the bottom edge of the article into contact with the horizontal surface. As a result, a properly aligned and tight stack of articles is formed.

Abstract: A bill processor for use in a bill handling machine comprises a first bill transport passage for guiding a bill inserted in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of bills stacked in a stacker toward substantially middle of interior of the main body of the bill handling machine, and a second bill transport passage for guiding the bill from the termination end of the first bill transport passage along the longitudinal direction of the stacked bills, wherein the first bill transport passage is formed in a meandering form along the longitudinal direction of the stacked bills, whereby the depth of the bill processor can be made small.

Abstract: A money box with an anti-theft device includes a motor gear housing, a paper money pressing lid and a paper money stacking case. The motor housing had a pair of racks disposed at both side walls of the housing. The bracket is locked to the motor housing. A driving plate is connected to the driving shaft of the motor. A sliding block is sleeved onto the driving shaft of the motor. A connecting plate is attached to the connecting socket through a screw. A positioning plate is riveted to the rear corners of the motor gear housing. A circular slot is disposed at the upper portion of the paper money pressing lid. A pressing shaft and a spring are installed within the circular slot. A screw is used to connect the paper money shaft to the money pressing plate. A positioning shaft is further used to pass through the through hole of the paper pressing lid. Then a pair of screws are used to lock it. It can be positioned with the positioning plate. A clipping plate is attached to the button of the connecting socket.

Abstract: An improved modular currency validator and stacker with a removable currency cassette and a removable currency validator and transport unit is described. The cassette and the validator and transport unit are slidably guided into their operating positions using guides in the chassis, and a currency transport extends from an entry in the validator and transport unit to a prestacking position in the removable cassette. Engagement of a transfer gear in the chassis with gears in the validator and transport unit and the cassette is enhanced by offsetting the gear center lines in a direction perpendicular to the guides, and by enlarging the operating pitch of the gears.

Abstract: Short multi-ply business forms, or other flexible planar articles, are stacked with a vertical orientation in a horizontally elongated stack. The forms are conveyed in a first horizontal direction, then deflected by a deflecting roller and conveyor belts to move toward a generally vertical orientation, and driven vertically into contact with a depth stop, so that they have a vertical orientation and the first form in a stack is against a backstop. The backstop is moved intermittently in the horizontal first direction to accommodate further forms in the stack. A conveyor for moving the forms vertically is mounted for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis, which movement is sensed by a sensor which in turn, through a controller and motor, effects intermittent movement of the backstop. The depth stop may be adjusted to accommodate forms of different depths, and the position of the horizontal axis about which the second conveyor pivots may also be adjusted.

Abstract: An improved currency validation and storage arrangement is described including a currency validation and transport unit and a currency storage cassette which are slidably removable from a chassis. An improved stacking and sensing arrangement for a currency validator is disclosed including a cam driven actuating fork and interrupt arm which push currency from a prestacking to a stacked position and to sense both a stacking operation and the removal or presence of the removable currency cassette. The arrangement eliminates the need for any electrical or electronic components in the removable currency cassette for purposes of sensing its presence or absence. The arrangement also provides a simple and robust mechanical pusher arrangement.

Abstract: Articles, such as envelopes, are formed into stacks that are transported to packing station. For this purpose a stacking and transport mechanism is positioned between a depositing mechanism (4, 4a) and the packing station. Continuously and individually arriving articles are set with one of their edges (6, 6a) on a stacking surface (7, 7a). The articles to be stacked are first held at the beginning of the formation of a stack (10, 10a), by a first, forward or leading stack holder (8, 8a) which moves in the direction in which the stack (10, 10a) increases, (FIG. 4 ) toward the packing station. Thereafter, a second forward or leading stack holder (9, 9a) takes the position of the first, forward stack holder (8, 8a) (FIG. 6 ). Upon completion of the stack (10, 11 or 10a, 11a) (FIG.

Abstract: A sheet feed device for image forming equipment and capable of feeding sheets one by one from a stack by separating them. The device has a flat plate including a dielectric portion which is capable of making surface-to-surface content with the top of the stack, a unit for moving the plate in a reciprocating motion, a unit for moving the plate into and out of contact with the stack, and a unit for applying a voltage to the plate to cause it to exert an electrostatic adhering force.

Abstract: A casing of a stacker is provided with an opening and a chamber for disposing a pusher within the casing adjacent to the opening so that the pusher can be removably attached within the stacker. Also provided in the pusher is a slit-shaped inlet connected with an exit of a passageway within a transporter. By removing the pusher from the stacker and attaching same to another stacker having its compartment of different capacity, bill storing capacity may easily be changed. In malfunction of the pusher, it may easily be exchanged with new one for easy maintenance.

Abstract: The method and the device serves for the production of defined stacks of folded or unfolded sheets. The individually supplied sheets are placed on edge onto a horizontal table whereby the separation of the individual stacks is achieved by a separating support that is advanced parallel to the table at the stack forming velocity. In order to be able to separate and individualize product stacks of differently sized sheets without the need for structural adaptation of the device, the formation of a first separating plane defining the beginning of the stack as well as the formation of a second separating plane defining the end of the stack is achieved by a separating support that is insertable between the sheets in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the table. Further supports are completely insertable into the thus formed separating planes.

Abstract: In a bill discriminating apparatus, a bill stacking unit is adapted for detachable attachment to a bill discriminating unit at both an up-stacking position and a down-stacking position. At the up-stacking position the stacking unit is arranged at a position higher than the bill discriminating unit whereas at the down-stacking position the stacking unit is arranged at a position lower than the bill discriminating unit. The bill stacking unit is detachably attached by a detachable attaching mechanism to the bill discriminating unit at one of both the up-stacking position and the down-stacking position. A torque is transmitted by a torque transmitting mechanism from a drive mechanism of a bill conveyer of the bill discriminating unit to a drive pulley of the stack conveyer of the stacking unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for feeding sheets separately, the apparatus comprises a feed unit disposed over a stack of sheets for causing a conveyance force upon the uppermost of the stack thereby to feed the uppermost sheet from the stack with the conveyance force being directed in a sheet path direction. The feed unit has an alternating charged pattern on a surface thereof. The apparatus further comprises a separation unit disposed opposite to the feed unit so as to form a sheet path in association with the feed unit for causing a preventive force onto an under face of the fed sheet thereby to prevent the sheet from being fed. The preventive force is set to be less than the conveyance force and greater than a friction force between sheets. The separation unit has another alternating charged pattern on a surface thereof.

Abstract: A sheet feeding and separting device incorporated in image forming equipment for feeding sheets one by one from a sheet stack while preventing two or more sheets from being fed together as far as possible and, when a plurality of sheets are accidentally fed together, surely separating one of them from the others. A pick-up member is implemented as an endless dielectric belt. An AC power source forms a charge pattern on the belt via an electrode. As a result, the belt retains a sheet by attraction and transports it due to the Maxwell stress generated in the sheet. When a plurality of sheets are fed together, an arresting member which faces the belt separates one of them from the others. Alternatively, a charge pattern may be formed on the surface of the arresting member.