Abstract: Disclosed is a sheet handling device comprising an unprocessed sheet material storage box, a processed sheet material storage box located therebelow, and a suction device which may be telescopically moved between the sheet material storage boxes and a work table onto and from which the sheet material is to be fed and taken out by means of suction cups provided on the lower surface of the suction device. To keep the state of the sheet material in transit under control, a plurality of nozzles are provided along the suction cups for blowing air along the sheet material. Since the two sheet material storage boxes are arranged one over the other and there is no rail extending over the work table, very little floor space is taken up and the work performed on the work table is not hindered by the sheet handling device.

Abstract: An envelope feeder for a duplicating press having a suction feeder wherein the envelope feeder includes a conveyer for transferring envelopes one at a time from a magazine storing a supply stack to a feed stack from which the suction feeder of the duplicating press removes the envelopes one at a time from the top of the stack. The conveyer coacts with the magazine and other means for taking the envelopes from the bottom of the supply stack one at a time and feeding them to the bottom of the feed stack at the press. A detector at the feed stack shuts down the conveyer when the feed stack reaches a predetermined height, and thereafter starts the conveyer when the stack diminishes to a given level.

Abstract: Paper handling equipment is disclosed having a cart and a paper feeder. The paper feeder has an elevator and a paper feed train. The cart allows rolling transfer of a stack of paper sheets from the cart to the elevator in the paper feeder. The elevator positions the stack of paper sheets with respect to a desired elevation of the top sheet in the stack. The paper feed train removes the top sheet from the stack of paper in the elevator by using a rotating high-vacuum wheel. Included is a marker sheet detection means for detecting specially prepared marker sheets. A doubles detector is used to eliminate double sheets which are inadvertently fed into the paper feed train. A counting means is used to count the number of single sheets fed. A control means is used to automatically feed a preprogrammed number of sheets from a number of different types of paper separated by marker sheets. Excess copies of paper sheets of any particular type are rejected into a rejection tray.

Abstract: A separator sheet feeder for use with an automatic newspaper bundle palletizer is disclosed. An elevator mechanism maintains the top of a stack of nested separator sheets at a constant level. Suction means lifts the top sheet upward and a reciprocating carriage moves between the top of the remaining stack and the lifted sheet. The lifted sheet is deposited onto a carriage which moves the sheet to a location over a layer of newspaper bundles. As the carriage returns to get the next sheet, a stripper mechanism engages the sheet to hold it so that it drops onto the layer of newspaper bundles.

Abstract: A document feeder defines a sheet path along which a document sheet is fed across a platen of a copier/duplicator, for example, in order to copy the sheet. An oscillating vacuum tube feeds sheets from a supply into the sheet path. The feeder includes a platen vacuum transport having vacuum belts that move the sheet across the platen. The vacuum transport has a first vacuum plenum and a second vacuum plenum located along the sheet path. The first vacuum plenum has a relatively high level of vacuum to insure lifting of the sheet onto the vacuum belts. The sheet is then transported into the area where it comes under the influence of the second vacuum plenum. The second vacuum plenum has a somewhat lower level of vacuum, but it is sufficient to retain the sheet on the belts as the belts drive the sheet into engagement with a registration member. The lower level of vacuum applied at the time the sheet engages the registration member voids damage to the leading edge of the sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for alternately stacking finite numbers of n positive battery plates and n+1 negative battery plates wherein a negative battery plate is provided at both the top and bottom ends of the stack. The apparatus includes a moving conveyor belt on which the positive plates are deposited having a spacing interval greater than the length of two negative plates. A negative plate is dropped onto the conveyor belt in the space between the positive plates and, in order to provide a negative plate at both the top and bottom ends of a resulting stack, two negative plates are dropped into the space between the positive plates whenever the required number of positive plates for a stack have been deposited on the conveyor belt. The negative and positive plates are then sequentially removed from the conveyor belt and dropped on top of each other thus producing a stack of alternating negative and positive plates, with a negative plate at both the bottom and top of the stack.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for exposing the contents of an envelope which has two opposing panels wherein the panels have been separated from each other along all but one edge portion where the panels remain connected. The envelope is gripped on one of the panels and then the envelope is oriented so that at least the contents of the envelope fall away from the gripped panel to thereby expose the envelope contents.

Abstract: A case (1) comprises a pile of bank notes (2). An air supply circuit (13, 14, 15) forms a jet of air (16) in the vicinity of an edge of the first note (2a).In order to separate the note (2a) from its pile (2) in a simple manner, a succession of states of pressure and of reduced pressure is created downstream of the edge (d) of the opening (17). The interruption in profile creates a reduced pressure over the face of the note (2a) in the vicinity of this opening (17). The edge of the note is then raised and enters the jet of air (16). A change of state occurs and a pressure applies the note (2a) against the moving rollers (5) while holding the following note applied against the pile (2).

Abstract: An apparatus which moves documents in a recirculating path from a stack to an imaging station. Successive uppermost document are fed from the stack to the imaging station. After imaging, the documents are returned to the bottom of the stack.

Abstract: A paper sheet accumulator assembly for successively underlaying paper sheets in good order at a collection station which has a paddle wheel disposed downstream of a conveyor belt assembly for delivering paper sheets, such as bills of money, to the accumulator assembly. The paddle wheel has a number of overlapping paddles which receive paper sheets on their underside, and which are accumulated and released by an abutting plate. In use as a bank note discharge ports provided on opposite side walls of the frame of the dispenser, allowing a bundle of bank notes to be dispensed from either of the discharge ports as desired.

Abstract: A feeder has an endless belt conveyer which removes flat articles one-by-one from the bottom of a stack and transports them downstream to a delivery point. A chamber is connected to a vacuum source in timed sequence to apply a vacuum through apertures in the belt to pull the underside face of the lowermost article against the upper surface of the moving belt. Further, restraining chambers are connected to a vacuum source to engage the article next thereabove and prevent its premature downstream travel.

Abstract: A feeder device for transferring a stack of paper sheets, such as bank notes, from a stack feeder device to a sheet receiving device includes an air conducting plate mounted between the stack feeder device and the receiving device. The plate has a plurality of bores extending therethrough at spaced intervals. Fluid pressure means are connected to the bores for discharging a stream of pressurized fluid along a feed path in the direction of the sheet receiving device and producing a low pressure along a surface of the plate adjacent the feed path. The bores are oriented to diverge toward opposite sides of the feed path.

Abstract: The mail sorting machine of the present invention is capable of receiving a supply of envelopes in a magazine from which the individual envelopes are picked off in succession by means of a suction device operating in combination with a pair of conveying belts having a friction surface facing the incoming envelopes. The suction device acts through holes in the conveying belts to draw the lead envelope against the friction surface of the conveying belts for separation of this envelope from the rest of the supply. The separated envelope is then transferred to a read station where a reading device reads a sort code imprinted on the envelope. The envelope is then provided to the storage section of the machine where it is directed to its designated sorting bin. The storage section of the machine is provided with a plurality of diverter mechanisms which are arranged in pairs to form a guideway through which the envelopes are directed.

Abstract: A method and device for emptying a belt reel or bobbin filled with tobacco leaves or portions thereof, the belt being withdrawn from the bobbin and wound on a reel, while each time the tobacco leaf portions are removed from the corresponding strip of belt, wherein prior to the removal of each tobacco leaf portion the belt is stretched in excess of the normal tensile force required for winding off the belt in order to detach the tobacco leaf portion from the belt, which additional stretching effect need only be very slight in order to pick up all tobacco leaf portions without disturbance.

Abstract: An offset lithographic web printing press capable of printing a series of relatively short runs without interruption and with minimum waste of web material. The press includes a plurality of printing units. During a given run, some of the printing units are in a printing mode, while others are in a nonprinting or thrown-off mode. The web moves freely through the units which are thrown-off while those units are made ready for a succeeding run. Each unit includes a motor which has adequate capacity to drive such auxiliary equipment as a web infeed and folder, in addition to the unit, itself. Each unit motor may be clutched into a common drive line passing through all the units in order to drive the infeed and folder. Each printing unit also includes apparatus for throwing the printing cylinders of the unit to and from the web, and for changing the attitude of the web as it passes through the unit.

Abstract: The printing plate processing machine includes a first conveyor for receiving printing plates and a second conveyor for receiving plate-separating sheets, and a feed mechanism for selectively transporting the plates and sheets from a loading station in which the plates and sheets are alternately disposed in a stack, toward the first and second conveyors. A plate and sheet diverting mechanism is located between the first and second conveyors for alternately delivering the plates to the first conveyor and the sheets to the second conveyor. The plates are processed after disposition on the first conveyor. A collecting station received the plates and sheets from the first and second conveyors alternately in a stack after processing of the plates. The feed-mechanism includes a fluid-operated cylinder and ram, the ram being movable selectively between an extended position and a retracted position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus permitting accurate and repeatable steps of location and alignment of flimsy sheets during their transfer. A preferred embodiment comprises a sheet handler and method for aligning unfired ceramic green sheets used in multi-layer ceramic semiconductor packages. The thin flexible sheets are square or rectangular in shape and are provided with holes accurately punched in each corner thereof for alignment purposes. The sheets are moved by a vacuum input transfer head into orientation with a porous registration surface of an alignment fixture. The sheet is then trapped between opposed pressure zones emanating from the input transfer head and through the porous registration surface, respectively. With the sheet stabilized between the pressure zones four bullet-nosed alignment pins are raised from the registration surface into contact with the holes in the corners of the green sheet, thereby accurately aligning the sheet with respect to the alignment fixture.

Abstract: In a device for the synchronized introduction of sheets into a treatment machine, e.g. a printer-slotter or cutter for processing corrugated cardboard sheets, in which a reciprocating pusher pushes forward the lowermost sheet of a stack in a magazine between two stops and into engagement with feed rollers, the stack rests on the upper run of a set of endless belts, which upper run extends over a suction box which is maintained continuously under suction during forward movement of the pusher, the belts are driven forwardly to facilitate movement of the lowermost sheet from the bottom of the stack, and belts being immobile during the return movement of the pusher.

Abstract: Signatures fresh from the printing press are fed in a shingled stream toward and then dropped one by one into a hopper which may feed a gathering chain.The signatures are "broken" (unstuck) by first stacking them edgewise on a horizontal support, shingling them in a constant stream by an unusual form of suction feed, bending the shingled stream and thereafter cascading the stream into the hopper.

Abstract: A record member feeding device is disclosed for feeding record members from a stack, located in a hopper having spaced-apart surfaces positioned at one end thereof defining an opening through which the record members may be fed. A vacuum-operated, solenoid-control picking member grasps one of the record members and shifts it through the opening to a position in which it is contacted by projections on a rotatable feeding element and is moved thereby into engagement with counter-rotating take away rollers which further transport it to its desired destination.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling facing sheets for application to pressed board and other laminate stacks adapted to be bonded together comprises a feed device for causing engagement of the uppermost sheet of a pile of facing sheets with a pick-up device of a drum which destacks the sheets individually and advances them to an assembling table at which the laminate stack is formed. The drum is associated with a reversible drive for enabling the trailing end of the sheet to pass a discharge point, whereupon reversal of the direction of rotation of the drum feeds the sheet with its trailing end foremost to the laminate stack thereby enabling the facing sheets to be applied alternately with their top faces turned upwardly or downwardly.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for removing the top sheet from a stack of sheets and transporting it to a predetermined location includes a vacuum head for displacing and separating the sheet from the stack, a drive arrangement including a threaded shaft supporting the vacuum head for transporting the sheet to the predetermined location and control circuitry for regulating the cyclical operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: A system for presenting documents to a xerographic exposure station includes a first fluidic storage station in which a rack for storing documents is located. The rack includes a plurality of pockets in each of which a document may be stored, the rack being movable in a vertical direction. A fluid stream is used to move a document in a pocket out of the storage apparatus through an opening and into orthogonal registration at the exposure station. Exposed documents are fluidically moved to a second fluidic storage station which is similar to the first, the exiting direction being generally transverse to the path followed by a document in entering the exposure station. Vertical movement of the racks at the first and second storage stations is used to serially feed documents to the exposure stations and to provide a pocket for each of the exposed documents.

Abstract: An automatic machine receives a cassette with an exposed plate, preferably radiographic, unlocks and opens the cassette, unloads the exposed plate, reloads the cassette with a plate of appropriate size, and closes, locks and ejects the cassette. The machine can sense the size of the cassette automatically and adjust to unload and reload such cassette with the appropriate sized plate.

Abstract: A paper feeding and receiving system for use on presses and duplicators, such system including a paper feed regulator assembly which has a microswitch mounted on a supporting arm above a vertically reciprocable feed table for sensing the height of papers vertically stacked thereon. An electrically actuated solenoid is mountable on the duplicator or press, and operates in response to closure of the microswitch to actuate a pawl latch lever and mechanical linkage to control and effect the incremental elevation of the paper feed table disposed below the microswitch. The paper feed and receiving system further includes a balance beam subassembly mounted on the paper feed table for supporting dual, horizontally spaced, vertically extending stacks of paper to facilitate simultaneous feeding of two sheets of paper to the press or duplicator.

Abstract: A sheet turning machine includes two slidable platforms, one of which is ascending while the other is descending, the upward travel of one of the platforms being synchronized with the downward travel of the other platform. The ascending platform is arranged between two vertical guide columns solidly fastened to a fixed chassis, while the descending platform is guided between two columns solidly fastened to a frame which tilts about the fixed chassis. The ascending platform is arranged under the field of action of a suction pump. A turning bridge is arranged above the descending platform and includes an endless conveyor belt which has a lower or return run part which diverges in a direction perpendicular to the columns guiding the descending platform. At the front of a roller whereat the endless belt returns, there is an air generator capable of maintaining a sheet of paper fixed to the belt while the sheet, travelling with the belt, passes from the upper run to the lower or return run.

Abstract: Inspection apparatus for glass articles, particularly curved glass panes produced by a tempering and shaping furnace, including a jig providing a reference shape with which the shape of the article is compared, conveyors for feeding and removing the articles and a carriage for moving the articles between the conveyors and the jig and rejection means for rejecting broken or mishapen articles. The articles are lifted by pneumatic seizing devices carried by the carriage.

Abstract: A transport mechanism for sheets of X-ray film includes a pair of cooperating rollers, at least one of which is hollow, between which the top sheet of a stack of sheets in a loading cartridge is transported to a location within the associated X-ray machine, where it is exposed. The attachment of the sheet of film to the hollow roller is aided by reducing the air pressure therein, providing suction to the film through a slot or slots in the periphery of the hollow cylinder. The drive assembly for the rollers includes various switches and relays, actuated automatically by cams or manually, for controlling the transport of the film into the X-ray machine and for delivering the exposed film to a developing machine.