Abstract: An inverter for reversing the direction of movement of sheets fed to it even at high speed comprises a guide member onto and along which a sheet is fed and having an end edge portion spaced a small distance from a bend-over guide that lies across and at an acute angle to the path of the leading edge of the sheet and deflects the leading edge so that a leading portion of the sheet is bent over the end edge portion to retard the sheet movement. The sheet then is in a position to be delivered by movement in the reverse direction. The bend-over guide typically is disposed at a distance of 3 to 10 mm from the end edge portion and at an acute angle of 60.degree. to 85.degree. to the adjacent surface of the guide member. Preferably, the guide member presents a concavely bowed sheet guiding surface having angled recesses extending across it.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling sheets in a hopper, whereby the stack of sheets is partially supported at various elevations along the stack so that only a portion of the weight of the stack bears downwardly on the sheet removal devices. The stack support members are movable into and out of supporting position relative to the stack, by virtue of a solenoid or the like, for passing a discrete lower portion of the stack down to the take-off device, and a feeler is provided for sensing the need for passing more sheets downwardly, in accordance with the rate of removing the sheets from the bottom of the stack.

Abstract: A sheet unloading device for use in a printing or duplicating machine, or the like, wherein sheets are delivered seriatim to a receiving tray whereat the sheets are deposited onto the top of a stack of sheets in the tray. An interposer mechanism is movable to an operative position at the end of the tray for dividing the tray into a first, lower portion and a second, upper portion. The interposer mechanism permits removal of the lower portion of the stack while sheets are continuously delivered to the upper portion of the stack. A back stop is provided at the end of the tray and can be selectively lowered to permit removal of the lower portion of the stack of sheets.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a stalled roll sheet feeding device is illustrated. It comprises a registration roll and a feed roll driven in timed sequence each with a control collar comprising a clutch to engage and disengage the respective shaft and each collar having control stops positioned to interact with a control arm pivotally mounted between them which with a solenoid actuator selectively pulls one end of the control arm down releasing the other and, when the solenoid is deenergized a spring positively retracts the control arm from engagement with the control collar. In a preferred embodiment the sheet feed roll comprises a segmented feed roll and a cam actuated spring is used to multiply the positive retraction force supplied to the control arm when it is retracted from engagement with the control collar.