Abstract: An autoloading shingle feeder that singulates an associated stack of media into associated individual articles. The autoloading shingle feeder includes a housing including a base, at least one loading belt with a loading surface that defines a horizontally extending loading plane. The autoloading shingle feeder also includes at least one feeding belt that is distinct from the at least one loading belt and includes a feeding surface that defines a feeding plane. The autoloading shingle feeder also includes a carriage assembly that limits vertical movement of the associated individual article when the associated individual article moves from the at least one loading belt to the at least one feeding belt. The carriage assembly includes at least one separator plate including a pressure portion that linearly extends in the loading direction for direct sliding contact with the associated individual article.

Abstract: An automatic loader for delivering vertically stacked media to a hopper of a feeder. The automatic loader includes a powered conveying device, actuated plates, a first sensor, and a second sensor. The first sensors detects a height of the vertically stacked media that is in the hopper, and the second sensor detects a separation between the hopper and the vertically stacked media that is in a staging area of the conveying device. Based on signals generated by the first and second sensors, the conveying device automatically delivers the vertically stacked media that is in the staging area to the hopper of the feeder.