Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus has a forwarding device for successively forwarding a plurality of sheets accommodated in a state of stacked layer one by one. The forwarding device is movable between a sheet forwarding position where the forwarding device is brought in contact with the leading end of a sheet for forwarding the sheet and a retracted position where the forwarding device is separated away from the sheet. The apparatus includes a transport device for receiving a sheet forwarded by the forwarding device and transporting the sheet in a predetermined direction of transport.

Abstract: Portable apparatus for supporting a stack of sheets, the apparatus comprising: an elongate tray including a base wall and opposed longitudinally extending side walls, the side walls extending upwardly from the base wall and defining therewith opposed end openings through which sheets may be successively fed; at least one sheet-stack supporting wall slidably connected to one of the side walls of the tray for movement between the end openings, the supporting wall including a rectangularly-shaped portion thereof dimensioned to extend transversely of the tray between the side walls; memory structure connected to the tray for storing data relating to respective sheets fed thereto and structure for removably interfacing the apparatus with at least one external structure.