Abstract: A system for handling sheets of flexible material. The system comprises a first roller (5.2) which comprises a plurality of first releasable connectors (3.2) and a second roller (5.3) which comprises a plurality of second releasable connectors. The system further comprises an array of third releasable connectors (2.1) which is displaceable between at least the first and second rollers (5.2, 5.3). The first, second and third releasable connectors releasably attach to a sheet of flexible material in use.

Abstract: According to the invention, in the transport path between the input device and the output device, at least one intermediate buffer is arranged that serves as input device and as output device. The input device, the output device and the intermediate buffer are positioned adjacent to the conveyor belt and operated by the control device in such a way, that sheets forwarded from the input device or sheets stocked in the intermediate buffer are coupleable pneumatically to the lower side of the conveyor belt, and that sheets pneumatically attached to the lower side of the conveyor belt are selectively decoupleable at the intermediate buffer or at the output device.

Abstract: A single sheet handling device (14a to 14d, 30, 200, 252, 270, 350) for the input and the output of rectangular single sheets (38) respectively into and out of a container (12a to 12d). These rectangular single sheets can in particular be banknotes (38). The single sheet handling device (14a to 14d, 30, 200, 252, 270, 350) has a feeding device with feeding elements for the sheet-by-sheet feeding of single sheets (38) and for storing these single sheets (38) in a stack (36) of single sheets in the container (12a to 12d). Further, the single sheet handling device has a separating device with separating elements for the sheet-by-sheet removal of single sheets (38) of the stack (36) from the container (12a to 12d). The feeding elements and the separating elements are arranged separately from the container (12a to 12d).

Abstract: An image recording apparatus according to one aspect comprises: a first tray disposed within an opening of a main body to allow a recording medium to be placed thereon; a second tray disposed above the first tray, the second tray having a second end portion located on a side of the opening; a conveying unit; and a recording unit. The second tray is movable between a first posture and a second posture. When the second tray is in the first posture, a top surface of the second tray in the vicinity of the second end portion is positioned at a predetermined height relative to the first tray. When the second tray moves from the first posture to the second posture, the top surface in the vicinity of the second end portion is moved toward the first tray.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for depositing sheets for a printing machine, preferably for an electrophotographically operating printing machine, said device comprising at least one sheet transport member which can be driven so as to rotate and which is provided for the detection of a lead edge of a sheet and for depositing the sheet after it has covered a rotating path. Therefore, the object of the invention is to make depositing a sheet and turning over a sheet, in particular also larger and/or thinner sheets, more reliable with the use of a device of the aforementioned type. In accordance with the invention, this object is achieved by a device which is characterized by a blower arrangement for the application of air to the sheet to be deposited. Due to the application of air, the sheet to be deposited and to be turned over is advantageously supported by an additional momentum and by its inherent stiffness, so that the sheet will unroll fully after its lead edge has been caught by the rotation.

Abstract: An air-suction sheet supplying device, including: a sheet stacking plate to stack recording sheets; an air-suction duct, arranged to face a top surface of the recording sheet stacked on the sheet stacking plate, and having an air-suction opening with a predetermined width; a belt member, rotatably arranged so as to cover the air-suction opening, and having plural areas having various distributions of suction holes in a direction perpendicular to a conveying direction; a driving section to rotate the belt member; a detecting section to detect a position of the belt member in a rotating direction; and a control section to operate the driving section so as to set a starting position of suction work, in a conveying direction of the belt member, on an area having suitable distribution of the suction holes, based on information detected by the detecting section.

Abstract: A sheet supply apparatus including: a suction conveyance mechanism which suctions a topmost sheet of a plurality of sheets stacked and conveys the suctioned sheet to a sheet conveyance path; an outlet elevation mechanism which moves an air outlet to and from a first position at which the air outlet faces the side of the stacked sheets and a second position at which the air outlet faces a side of the sheet suctioned onto the suction surface; a suction detection sensor; a sheet supply detection sensor; and a control section which moves the air outlet to the first position or to the second position by controlling the outlet elevation mechanism based on detections by the sensors.

Abstract: A sheet supply device including an elevation section for up and down movement of the sheet bundle accommodated on the sheet placement table, blow sections for blowing air to the upper side surface of the sheet bundle to float up the sheet from the aforementioned sheet bundle, and a non-contact sheet detection sensor for detecting the existence or nonexistence of a sheet at the predetermined position of the aforementioned sheet placement table. The elevation drive motor is controlled in such a way as to move the sheet bundle up and down, based on the frequency or ratio of the sheet existence in the detection result of the sheet detection sensor in the operation mode of the blow section.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for feeding a stack of sheets in a direction of movement to a process station, including: an elevator tray for holding stacks of sheets; a feed head for picking up a sheet from the stack of sheets when a vacuum force; air knife for blowing air between individual sheets in the stack of sheets, the sheet feeding apparatus having a first mode of operation for feeding a single stack of sheets from the sheet tray and a second mode of operation for feeding first stack of sheets and a second stack of sheets from the elevator tray.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for forward transferring sheet-like objects from a stack, said apparatus including separate lifting elements gripping by suction to the upper surface of the sheet-like object situated top-most on the stack. The gripping elements are positioned in a row extending over the stack of the sheet-like objects in transversal direction with respect to the forward direction of the sheet-like object. The suction effect of the lifting elements is individually controlled by means of a control device including a light source creating a substantially line-shaped illumination pattern over the top of the stack. The illumination of the light source is focused substantially parallel to the lifting element row, at an inclined angle to the surface plane of the sheet stack. Camera means for observing the illumination pattern forwards information about the uniformity of the uppermost layer of the stack for controlling the gripping elements.

Abstract: A sheet take-out apparatus includes a supplying structure configured to move a plurality of sheets supplied in a stacking state in a stacking direction and supply a sheet at a leading edge thereof in a movement direction to a take-out position, a take-out structure configured to make contact with the sheet supplied to the take-out position and rotate, thereby taking out the sheet in a direction almost orthogonal to the stacking direction, and move the sheet to a conveying route, a suction structure configured to generate an air current to suck the sheet at the leading edge in the movement direction to the take-out position on an upstream side of a position where the take-out structure makes contact with the sheet in the sheet take-out direction by the take-out structure, and a controller configured to control an operation of the suction structure so as to decrease suction force by the suction structure when the sheet at the leading edge in the movement direction is not taken out by the take-out structure.

Abstract: Provided is a serial recording apparatus including: a feed unit which feeds a recording medium; a recording unit which performs recording with respect to the fed recording medium; a movement unit which moves the recording unit in order to performing recording; a transporting unit which transports the recording medium in a direction crossing the movement direction of the recording unit; a controller which controls the recording unit, the movement unit, the transporting unit and the feed unit; and a determination unit which determines whether a target stop position of the recording unit satisfies a target position condition, during the movement of the recording unit, wherein the controller starts a feed operation of the subsequent medium using the feed unit at a timing before the movement of the recording unit is stopped, if the target stop position satisfies the target position condition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for grouping a multitude of film-like or sheet-like materials, which are stacked in a magazine (20) and which consist of at least one material layer, using at least one suction apparatus (42), which suctions the film-like or sheet-like materials in a clocked matter while removing them from the magazine, whereby one film-like or sheet-like material at a time directly rests with a portion of its surface that forms a contact surface against the suction device. To this end, one portion of the magazine contents consists of gas-impermeable film-like or sheet-like materials whereas another portion contains film-like or sheet-like materials that are each provided with at least one gas-permeable zone. The invention develops a method for grouping film-like or sheet-like materials during which a number of film-like or sheet-like materials can be grouped without impairing the speed of subsequent processing.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a regulation member having a sheet-regulation surface, and an air blowing mechanism. The regulation member regulates the positions of sheets that are stacked on a sheet stacking device. The air blowing mechanism raises the sheets by blowing air onto an edge of a stack of the sheets that are stacked on the sheet stacking device. The regulation member is formed so that air that is blown from the air blowing mechanism passes the regulation member, thereby overcoming the problem of the flow of sheet-loosening air and sheet-separation air being disturbed by the regulation member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for grouping a multitude of film-like or sheet-like materials, which are stacked in a magazine (20) and which consist of at least one material layer, using at least one suction apparatus (42), which suctions the film-like or sheet-like materials in a clocked matter while removing them from the magazine, whereby one film-like or sheet-like material at a time directly rests with a portion of its surface that forms a contact surface against the suction device. To this end, one portion of the magazine contents consists of gas-impermeable film-like or sheet-like materials whereas another portion contains film-like or sheet-like materials that are each provided with at least one gas-permeable zone. The invention develops a method for grouping film-like or sheet-like materials during which a number of film-like or sheet-like materials can be grouped without impairing the speed of subsequent processing.

Abstract: A banknote store can remove banknotes individually from a stack by light air pressure extending over a substantial area of the banknote, the banknote then being transportable without needing to move the source of the reduced pressure. Banknotes are added individually by using reduced pressure to hold them against a transport belt before they are deposited on the stack.

Abstract: A film supply system for use in an imager to separate sheets of photosensitive media from a film cartridge and deliver individual sheet of the photosensitive media to a film transport system. The film supply system comprises: a frame for attachment of the film supply system within the imager; a heel plate pivotably attached to the frame and actuatable by a motor; and a cup plate pivotably attached to the heel plate, the cup plate including at least one suction cup for selectively engaging a sheet of the photosensitive media.

Abstract: A banknote store comprises a rotatable structure such as a drum which has a number of banknote storage regions arranged around its periphery. Each stores a stack of banknotes, the stacks growing inwardly as banknotes are added. The drum can be rotated to bring each storage region into proximity to means for delivering banknotes to and/or retrieving banknotes from the store.

Abstract: A lifter device for separating the uppermost of a stack of flexible flat workpieces in suction holders for engaging a sheet when suction is applied thereto. At least one suction holder adjacent a side of the frame is movable independently of other suction holders spaced inwardly therefrom to bend an edge portion of the workpiece upwardly. A stop is provided on the frame to limit upward motion of the body of the sheet as the edge portion bends upwardly.