Abstract: A sheet feeder including: (a) a pair of feed rollers operable to have a plurality of successive rotational motions, so as to be rotated by a predetermined amount in each one of the successive rotational motions, for thereby causing a sheet nipped between the pair of feed rollers, to be fed along a feed path by a desired distance as a result of the each one of the successive rotational motions; (b) a back-tension applier disposed in the feed path, and configured to apply a back tension to the sheet that is fed along the feed path; and (c) a motion controller configured to control the successive rotational motions of the feed rollers, and to command the feed rollers to be rotated by a compensated amount that includes a supplementary amount in addition to the predetermined amount, in each of at least one of the successive rotational motions. Also disclosed is a process of feeding a sheet, by using the sheet feeder.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates generally to a system and method for controlling functions in a mail sorting system based on gap length measurement and tracking. The system and method includes a plurality of sensors located along one or more mail piece transport paths. The sensors are used to collect data regarding the gap length between each mail piece transported through the system. The gap length data is processed and stored within a controller/processor that uses the gap lengths to control the operation of one or more devices within the mail sorting system. For example, the gap lengths may be used to control the operation of a diverter, a printer or any other electromechanical, hardware or software device. The gap lengths can be used to trigger and/or inhibit the operation of the one or more devices.

Abstract: In a beltless tandem-type image forming apparatus of the invention, a plurality of pairs of transfer rollers are placed side by side at intervals along a conveying direction of sheets. A control section independently conveys sheets in sequence through nip sections of respective pairs of transfer rollers driven by a driving section while sequentially transferring images formed by an imaging section onto the sheets. Conveying speeds of the respective pairs of transfer rollers controlled by the driving section are gradually decreased for every pair of transfer rollers from an upstream side toward a downstream side along a conveying direction of the sheets, and consequently, a driving period for driving the respective pairs of transfer rollers to convey each sheet is gradually increased for every pair of transfer rollers from the upstream side toward the downstream side along the conveying direction of the sheets.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus includes a conveyor roller, an angular velocity detection device, and a rotation angle calculation device. The conveyor roller conveys a conveyance object by a rotation thereof. The angular velocity detection device is provided to one of the conveyor roller and a rotating portion rotating with the conveyor roller such that an angular velocity detection axis is parallel with a rotation shaft of the conveyor roller. The rotation angle calculation device calculates a rotation angle of the conveyor roller based on an angular velocity detected by the angular velocity detection device.

Abstract: A transport device is provided which uses a linear motor mechanism (24) and a chain (23) in combination for transport and which accomplishes the transport by means of the linear motor mechanism (24) well even if the chain (23) is elongated. The transport mechanism (3) uses the chain (23) for the transport in a first transport section, and uses the linear motor mechanism (24) for the transport in a second transport section. The transport mechanism (3) moves the chain (23) so that a coupling pin of the chain (23) is disengaged from a chain coupling portion of a table (20) when the table (20) is transferred to the second transport section and so that the coupling pin is brought into engagement with the chain coupling portion again when the table (20) is transferred to the first transport section.

Abstract: The present application relates generally to a method and system for the processing of mail items within a document processing system. More specifically, described herein is a method and system for automatically adjusting the feeding of mail items based on a stack pressure for minimizing jams and improving the overall system efficiency. Stack pressure is monitored as mail items are fed to a transport path and mail item feeding behavior is adjusted according to the stack pressure to minimize the mail item jams.

Abstract: The present invention is a motor control device comprising a control system, the control system being capable of controlling the motor by PWM and having integration means being capable of outputting an integrated value obtained by integrating a deviation between a rotation speed and a target rotation speed of a motor, the motor control device being capable of starting control with the control system for causing the motor to rotate at the target rotation speed after rotation of the motor has been started. In this motor control device, an output value of the integration means at a time when control with the control system is to be started is set to have a value that corresponds to a counter electromotive force generated in the motor by its rotation.

Abstract: A sheet separating mechanism and a method of separating sheets is provided to prevent the multifeeding of sheets into printers or copiers. The sheet separating mechanism provides a first nip and a second nip for feeding a series of sheets therebetween. The first nip can include a first motor and the second nip can include a second motor for feeding a leading sheet from the first nip to the second nip. The mechanism further provides a first sensor for sensing a trailing edge of the leading sheet and a second sensor for sensing a leading edge of the leading sheet. The first sensor is upstream of the first motor and the second sensor is downstream of the second motor. A trailing sheet can be prevented from feeding with the leading sheet by stopping the first motor when the leading edge of the leading sheet is sensed by the second sensor while simultaneously the first sensor remains occluded.

Abstract: A bill handling apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention has a bill insertion slot into which a bill is inserted, a bill feeding mechanism for feeding the bill inserted from the bill insertion slot in the insertion direction, a bill reading section for reading the bill fed by the bill feeding mechanism, and a control section for controlling a bill feeding speed by the bill feeding mechanism in a plurality of kinds of speeds.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a code wheel for a rotary encoder is provided. The code wheel includes, in a central portion, a hole into which a rotary shaft of a rotary member is fitted and a code portion including a radial code pattern in a circumferential edge portion. The manufacturing method is configured to include the steps of forming the code portion and a reference circle in a plate so that the reference circle has a radius larger than a radius of the hole by a tolerance of deviation between a center position of the code portion and a center position of the hole and has a same center as that of the code portion; and forming the hole in the plate in which the code portion and the reference circle are formed, so as to be contained in the reference circle.

Abstract: A paper conveying apparatus, having a simple structure, in which variation in a load imposed on paper is reduced to suppress printing irregularities, and also a printer are provided. A pair of rollers of a second conveying apparatus, arranged at a predetermined interval away from a first conveying apparatus, are composed of a rotationally-driven driving roller and a driven roller which is trailingly rotated, with paper being gripped between the driving roller and the driven roller. The pairs of rollers of the second conveying apparatus are arranged in different positions along the paper conveying direction. The paper gripping pressure of the pair of driving rollers arranged on the upstream side along the paper conveying direction is set to be lower than that of the other pairs of driving rollers.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image reading apparatus which controls conveyance of an original in accordance with the temperature of a conveyance roller for conveying the original, and which performs appropriate conveyance by determining the presence of an abnormality in a temperature detection operation. A copying apparatus uses a temperature detection sensor to detect the temperature of an outlet conveyance roller for conveying an original, which is driven to rotate by a stepping motor, and adjusts the speed at which the original is conveyed by the outlet conveyance roller to a predetermined basic conveyance speed by controlling the rotation of the stepping motor on the basis of a detection signal of the temperature detection sensor. Further, the presence of an abnormality in the detection signal of the temperature detection sensor is determined, and if an abnormality is present, conveyance speed adjustment is halted.

Abstract: A printing medium transport apparatus and method and printing apparatus which is capable of properly transporting a printing medium by the cooperation of two rollers under independent drive without incurring the complication, size increase and price increase of the apparatus. In the course of transporting a sheet by the cooperation of feed and transport rollers, deceleration/stop control is made on feed and transport motors to be respectively driven such that the rollers are simultaneously stopped from rotating. When the transport roller stops from rotating that is located downstream side on a transport path of a printing medium in case the feed roller is rotating that is located upstream side on the transport path, the feed motor driving the feed roller is forcibly stopped.

Abstract: A sheet braking mechanism for a sheet punching and/or embossing machine for the braking a sheet in a processing station of the sheet punching and/or embossing machine, includes a movable pneumatic sheet brake and a movable carrier, on which at least one brake brush is mounted. The pneumatic sheet brake and the carrier are mechanically coupled, for example, by a driving element, so that a movement of the pneumatic sheet brake causes a movement of the carrier.

Abstract: A device for transporting flat objects, such as mail items, has two transport tracks and an acceleration device arranged between the transport tracks. The acceleration device includes a clamping pair for holding the objects in a clamped manner on their opposing flat sides while the objects are moving. To be able to carefully accelerate objects of different thicknesses, it is proposed that at least one clamp of the clamping pair includes a segment unit with several segments of different configuration for clamping objects of different thicknesses.

Abstract: A printing apparatus prints on a medium at a first transport speed or a second transport speed lower than the first transport speed. The printing apparatus includes: an image forming unit for forming a developer image on the medium according to a print job sent from a host device; a fixing unit for fixing the developer image on the medium; a discharge roller for discharging the medium; a discharged medium detection unit for detecting a trailing edge of the medium passing through the fixing unit; a last medium determining unit for determining whether the discharged medium detection unit detects a last medium of the print job; and a control unit for discharging the medium at the first transport speed or controlling the last medium determining unit to determine the last medium and discharging the last medium at a transport speed higher than the second transport speed.

Abstract: An item printing system for printing imprints on moving items, comprising: an item transport path through which items are in use transported in a transport direction; an item transport unit for transporting items through the item transport path; a printing unit (11) for printing imprints on items transported through the item transport path; a free roller (27) driven by respective items transported through the item transport path; and a speed measurement unit for measuring speed of rotation of the free roller, wherein the measured speed of rotation of the free roller is utilised to provide relative control of printing by the printing unit and speed of transport of items by the item transport unit.

Abstract: A printer for feeding the sheet intermittently with high precision while preventing a decrease in the print rate is provided. A printer has a feed-in roller for feeding a sheet into a printing region, a feed-out roller for feeding the sheet out of the printing region, a motor for rotating the feed-in roller and the feed-out roller, and a controller for controlling the motor. The controller controls the motor so as to start intermittent sheet feed with a first line-feed-time that specifies a time period for one line feed and vary the first line-feed-time to a second line-feed-time that is longer than the first line-feed-time before the sheet is fed by only the feed-out roller. The sheet is fed intermittently with a shorter line-feed-time while being fed by the feed-in roller which is precisely controlled. On the other hand, the sheet is fed intermittently with a longer line-feed-time while being fed by the feed-out roller which is not controlled as precisely as the feed-in roller.

Abstract: An apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a calculation device which calculates a period during which each of postal items passes through a predetermined section, based on time points of passage measured by inlet- and outlet-side measuring devices, individually, a comparison device which compares the passage period calculated by the calculation device with a required period for the passage through the predetermined section, and a control device which controls the operation of a gap correction device so as to vary the transfer speed of the postal items having passed through the outlet side, based on a comparative value obtained by comparison by the comparison device.

Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided a printing system. The printing system comprises a sheet feeding apparatus for feeding cut sheets in timed relationship into a sheet processor having a pitch. The sheet feeding apparatus includes a fixed take away roller, a first transport roller, and a second transport roller. The take away roller removes individual sheets from a feeder. A fixed length sheetpath exists between the take away roller, the first transport roller, and the second transport roller. The take away roller and/or optionally the first transport roller have a variable speed capability to vary the velocity thereof.

Abstract: The present invention includes a damping device for a media feed mechanism for a peripheral device having a media feedpath having a feed shaft and a downstream exit shaft. In one form a damping hub is mounted on said exit shaft, a resilient biasing member extending between the damping hub and the feed shaft to create a damping force on the damping hub. In another embodiment damping is provided by a brake structure engaging said damping hub. In yet another embodiment, a brake structure is pivotably mounted.

Abstract: An image scanning apparatus includes a paper thickness detection unit arranged to detect a paper thickness of an original document based on a reception signal, and a multiple-feeding detection unit arranged to detect, based on the reception signal, whether or not the original document that is being transported has been multiply fed. Based on a detection result obtained by the paper thickness detection unit and the multiple-feeding detection unit, the transportation speed is adjusted.

Abstract: Methods and devices for moving media sheets through an image forming device. A sensor is positioned within an input area to determine a height of a media stack. When the media stack is full, a top-most sheet of the media stack is physically closer to the beginning point of the media path. When the media stack is depleted, the top-most sheet is positioned a further distance away from the beginning point. Movement of the media sheet is determined based on the height of the media stack. When the media stack is above a predetermined amount, the media sheet is moved according to a first algorithm. When the media stack is below the predetermined amount, the media sheet is moved according to a second algorithm.

Abstract: A sheet transferring device includes a feeding roller configured to feed a sheet; a transferring roller configured to transfer the sheet to the feeding roller; a sheet sensor configured to detect the sheet at a sheet transferring part from the transferring roller to the feeding roller; a measuring part configured to measure an interval of a rear end of a prior sheet and a head end of a following sheet based on a sheet detection signal of the sheet sensor; and a transferring control part configured to adjust a sheet transferring speed of the transferring roller so that the interval between the prior sheet and the following sheet is adjusted to a set value as corresponding to the interval measured by the measuring unit.

Abstract: In a device for singulating vertically positioned flat mailings from a stack of mail, at least two discharge rockers are disposed on top of one another, wherein the discharge rockers are adjacent to revolving second discharge belts that are arranged in a fixed manner along the path of travel. A supporting element in relation to which the stack of mail is aligned ends at a defined distance from the undeflected discharge rockers. A flexible, elongated retaining element is arranged in a resiliently pressed manner from the end of the supporting element to the beginning of the second discharge belts located downstream of the discharge rockers and further on to the discharge rockers and to further discharge belts of successive singulating stages. The distance of the supporting element from the leading end of the second discharge belts relative to the direction of travel is greater than the maximum permissible length of a mailing.

Abstract: An offsetting device for use in a mail stacking system receiving a plurality of mailpieces at a receiving end for stacking the mailpieces along a line. The offsetting device has a nip to engage with the mailpieces, and a plurality of rollers to change the moving speed of the mailpiece so as to cause the aligning edge of the mailpiece to misalign with line so as to provide a break in a stack. Alternatively, the rollers can be used to align a mailpiece in relation to the line so as to true stacking.

Abstract: A displacement system and sorting apparatus for transposing the orientation of mailpiece from a first position to a second position such that the mailpiece may occupy a reduced space envelope within sortation bins/trays of a mailpiece sorter. The displacement system comprises first and second pairs of cooperating elements each defining a nip for accepting first and second portions, respectively, of the mailpiece therebetween. Further, the system includes a means for driving the first and second pairs of cooperating elements such that the first and second portions of mailpiece are each conveyed along a feed path at different velocities thereby transposing the mailpiece about an axis and changing the orientation of the mailpiece from the first to the second positions. The cooperating elements may include rolling elements such as nip rollers, spherical elements or belt pairs. The sortation bins/trays are adapted to support the short edge while guiding the long edge of the mailpiece.

Abstract: In a facsimile device, a CPU determines whether or not a recording sheet is conveyed normally based on the conveyance state detected by a detecting portion. When the CPU determines that the recording sheet has been conveyed normally, the CPU increases the conveying speed in a stepwise manner based on the current conveying speed until the conveying speed reaches maximum speed. Therefore, according to the present facsimile device, when conveyance of the recording sheet is normally performed at a specified conveying speed, the number of failures of conveyance of the recording sheet can be reduced compared to a facsimile device, in which the conveying speed is set at maximum speed of conveyance by a sheet feed roller. Also, the recording sheet can be conveyed at as high speed as possible.

Abstract: Paper feeding device (33) for ink jet photographic printers, comprising a paper feeding motor (83) for preparing and feeding sheets to be printed (26) for printing. The feeding device (33) is characterized in that it comprises a changeover mechanism (149) disposed downstream of the paper feeding motor (83) and suitable for activation in response to predetermined operating conditions of the printer for moving a sheet (26) at high speed in the preparation stage and at high resolution in association with printing.

Abstract: A system and method for registering a sheet transported along a sheet path of a printing system, including receiving a sheet at a first location, transporting the sheet along the sheet path from the first location in a downstream direction at a first speed. The speed at which the sheet is transported is decreased from the first speed to a second speed. The transported sheet is received at a second location downstream from the first location and registered at the second location, including correcting at least one of lateral position of the sheet, skew of the sheet, and timing error in a downstream direction.

Abstract: A device and a method for transporting a flat object are provided. A feeder module temporarily holds the object in a feeder gripping area and transports it. A first transfer component takes the object over from the feeder module, holds it temporarily in a first transfer gripping area, transports it in the first transfer gripping area at a first transfer speed which can be changed in terms of time and passes it on to the second transfer component. A second transfer component takes the object over from the first transfer component, holds it temporarily in a second transfer gripping area, transports it in the second transfer gripping area at a second transfer speed which can be changed in terms of time and passes it on to a removal module. The removal module temporarily holds the object in a removal gripping area and transports it.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention, a cam of a pitch adjustment mechanism can be slid and moved along a first shaft. When a sheet is a standard paper, the pitch adjustment mechanism is ejected from an adjustment position by an urging force of a movement spring and is moved to a standby position, and slide contact between the cam and a second shaft is released. When a sheet is a thick paper, a solenoid is turned on, the pitch adjustment mechanism is disposed at the adjustment position by a plunger, and it is prevented that the registration roller pair abruptly come in contact with each other after the thick paper passes through.

Abstract: A printer includes a motor, a position calculation unit, a speed calculation unit, a position control unit, a speed control unit, and a switching unit. The motor generates a driving force by which a transported object is transported. The position calculation unit calculates a current position of the transported object through driving the motor. The speed calculation unit calculates a current speed of the transported object through driving the motor. The position control unit controls the motor using at least PI control on the basis of the current position calculated by the position calculation unit and a target position. The speed control unit controls the motor using at least PI control on the basis of the current speed calculated by the speed calculation unit and a target speed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a conveying and stacking device for corrugated boards, which is used in a conveyor of a corrugated board production line to stack corrugated boards by a specified number and comprises an exhaust facing the downstream of the conveyor and a sucker arranged at the upstream of the exhaust and facing the procession of the corrugated boards. The sucker and the exhaust are arranged in an elevator for elevating the corrugated boards and respectively suck air and exhaust air simultaneously.

Abstract: A folder for a web printing press includes a cut cylinder cutting a web into signatures; a first transport belt having a first raised section; a second transport belt having a second raised section, the signatures being received from the cut cylinder so as to be located between the first and second raised sections; and at least one variable speed motor driving the first and second transport belts. A method is also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a technique which can greatly improve throughput at the time when, after a folding process is performed to a bundle of sheets, the bundle of sheets subjected to the folding process is transported to a downstream side, and can prevent a wrinkle from occurring in the bundle of sheets at the time of the folding process. A sheet transport speed of a pair of rollers is changed from a first transport speed to a second transport speed at a specified timing between when a folding blade finishes a pressing operation of the bundle of sheets and starts a return operation to a waiting position and when a rear edge of the bundle of sheets pressed into a nip of a pair of rollers by the folding blade passes through the nip of the pair of rollers.

Abstract: A method for an automatic document feeder which can control the feeding of a following sheet such that the following sheet can be delayed for a predetermined time when the interval between sheets is shortened, thereby maintaining a constant interval between the sheets. The method and apparatus comprises a paper feeding roller, an arranging roller for arranging a front end of a document being fed by the paper feeding roller and for transferring the document, and an arranging sensor disposed at a front portion of the arranging roller to detect whether the document is being transferred. The arranging sensor detects a rear end of a previous sheet and a front end of a next sheet, and an operation of the arranging roller is controlled using a time interval between the previous sheet and the next sheet.

Abstract: A sheet-speed reduction mechanism for a fan wheel including: fan wheels that hold, between fan blades thereof, a signature transported from a printing press thereto, and that rotates with the held signature; a stopper portion that restricts the front end of the signature held between the fan blades, and that then discharges the signature from the inside of the fan wheels; and speed-reduction guides that presses a surface of the signature advancing between the fan blades before the front end of the signature comes into contact with the stopper portion, so as to reduce the advancing speed of the signature.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus which is capable of discharging a sheet at the optimum sheet discharging speed without stopping the conveyance of the sheet irrespective of differences in sheet conveying speed according to sheet types. A sheet discharging motor is controlled to drive a discharging roller to convey sheets in selected one of a first state in which the sheets are conveyed at speeds within a first speed range specified by a first maximum speed and a first minimum speed, and a second state in which the sheets are conveyed at speeds within a second speed range specified by a second maximum speed lower than the first maximum speed and a second minimum speed lower than the first minimum speed. The first speed range includes an overlapping range where the first speed range and the second speed range overlap.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet conveying apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and an image reading apparatus capable of stably correcting the delay or the advance of a sheet even if sheet conveying rollers such as a skew feeding correction roller and the like are decentered. The delay amount or the advance amount of the sheet being conveyed is detected by a deviation amount detection unit 53 as well as a control amount setting unit 55 sets the sheet conveying speed and the correction time of a sheet conveying roller 11 which corrects the delay or the advance of the sheet based on the delay amount or the advance amount of the sheet detected by the deviation amount detection unit 53. The control amount setting unit 55 sets the sheet conveying speed and the correction time of the sheet conveying roller 11 so that the delay or the advance of the sheet is corrected when the sheet conveying roller 11 rotates integer multiple.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a pair of upstream rollers and a pair of downstream rollers each including a drive roller and a driven roller, a calculating unit, and a control unit. The upstream rollers include a measuring unit that obtains speed information of the upstream rollers. The calculating unit calculates a target value based on the speed information. The control unit controls the speed of the drive roller of the downstream rollers based on the target value.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding sheets in sheet-processing machines includes a transport belt which transports sheets from a first location to a second location. The transport belt can be driven at variable speed by a drive. The speed of the transport belt can be controlled by a control device in such a way that, through the use of a combination of at least two speed profiles, the number of sheets on the transport belt and the transfer of the sheets at the first and second locations can be adjusted. A printing press having the apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus of the invention includes a folding mechanism that includes paired folding rollers, presses a sheet to a nip portion of the paired folding rollers from a direction orthogonal to a transport direction, and folds the sheet by rotating the paired folding rollers. Further, there are provided a drive motor capable of making positive rotation and reverse rotation, a variable speed mechanism to convert a rotation force of the drive motor into a rotation output in a single direction and with a low speed or a high speed by changing a rotation direction of the drive motor, a transmission mechanism to transmit the rotation output in the single direction to the paired folding rollers, and a control unit to control the rotation direction of the drive motor and to change the rotation speed of the paired folding rollers.

Abstract: An original feeding apparatus includes a feeder tray for stacking originals, a separating device for separating the originals into a single sheet, and a feeding device for feeding the original to the separating device. The feeding device is raised or lowered between a feeding position where the feeding device contacts an uppermost original stacked on the feeder tray, and a retracted position where the feeding device is separated from the uppermost original. A drive device and a control device are disposed for raising and lowering the feeding device. The control device adjusts a rotating speed of the drive device for raising and lowering the feeding device according to a reading mode, so that the feeding device is lowered at a different speed to touch the uppermost original.

Abstract: The sheet conveyance apparatus includes a controller which controls a moving unit. The moving unit moves a sheet conveyance unit for conveying a sheet toward a direction intersecting with a sheet conveyance direction. The controller performs the control such that a moving speed of a shift moving unit is reduced when a shift amount of the sheet discharged from an image forming apparatus main body is small. Therefore, generation of a noise and vibration can be suppressed to save electric power consumption. When the shift amount of the sheet is large, the moving speed of the shift moving unit can be increased to shorten an operation time necessary to the movement.

Abstract: A first position of a media is determined with respect to a surface. The surface is advanced and a second position of the media is determined with respect to the surface. The relative speed between the surface and a linear speed feed of the media is altered based on the first and second positions.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus which synchronously conveys a conveyed object includes a first conveyance roller disposed at a downstream side of a conveyance path for conveyance of the conveyed object and a second conveyance roller disposed at an upstream side of the conveyance path, a first driving unit and a second driving unit for independently driving the first conveyance roller and the second conveyance roller, respectively, and a control unit for performing feedback control of the first driving unit and the second driving unit on the basis of amounts of rotation of the first conveyance roller and the second conveyance roller, respectively. The control unit defines a setting of driving control for the second conveyance roller different from driving of the first conveyance roller.

Abstract: A method for feeding a recording medium includes the steps of: feeding the recording medium along a sheet-feeding path by a unit feeding amount, detecting an entrance of a rear end of the recording medium into a jumping alarm area, dividing the unit feeding amount into minute divisional feeding amounts such that the recording medium is fed by each minute divisional feeding amount when the rear end of the recording medium enters the jumping alarm area, detecting a jumping amount of the recording medium corresponding to a rotation of a driving roller when a jumping phenomenon occurs in the recording medium, and adjusting the minute divisional feeding amount to cancel the jumping amount.

Abstract: A mechanism for offsetting or overlapping successive sheets of material in an interfolding machine includes a bed roll rotating at a first speed and a retard roll rotating at a slower, second speed and positioned adjacent the bed roll. As successive sheets are transferred from the bed roll to the retard roll, the sheets are engaged by a nip roller assembly positioned adjacent the retard roll and forming a nip through which the sheets pass. The retard roller forms a deflection or bubble in the individual sheet passing through the nip, which enables a successive sheet to be positioned beneath the previous sheet, thereby forming the overlap of the successive sheet with the previous sheet.

Abstract: A sheet feed device includes: a conveyor roller that rotates in a first direction; a separation roller rotatable in a second, reverse to the first direction, that nips a sheet with the conveyor roller; a sheet detector provided at a detecting position to detect a number of sheets; a pressure generator that generates a pressure to press the separation roller against the conveyor roller; a separation torque generator that generates a separation torque to convey the sheet on the separation roller in the second direction; and a controller that, if two or more sheets are detected, applies the pressure and/or the separation torque to the separation roller to separate the sheets until the detected number of sheets is decreased to be one, and that, after the number of sheets becomes one, controls the pressure and/or the separation torque to adjust a position of the sheet on the separation roller to a target position.