Abstract: A duplex tray is provided for an automatic duplex copying machine, or the like, for receiving and stacking thereon one-side-copied and for re-feeding those sheets into the machine in order to perform printing on the other side of each sheet, having, a gate for switching the sheet transportation directions from a sheet path for discharging sheets outside the machine to a sheet path for discharging sheets onto the duplex tray, and vice versa; a tray pressure application member means for moving the tray between (i) a reference position and (ii) a position deviated outwards from the reference position; an inclined roller which is movable upwards and downwards and can line up the sheets discharged onto the tray; whereby, at the time of sheet discharging, the gate is moved to the side of the sheet discharging path of the tray, and the tray pressure application member is moved to a non-pressure application position, and the tray is moved to a position deviated from the reference position and the inclined roller is m

Abstract: A deflector (C) is movable relative to bin (E) to selectively deflect sheets into the bins (E) for collation. An enable signal for a next collation operation is generated when a sensor (94) senses that the required number of sheets for collation have been discharged into the bins (E). The sensor (94) in combination with a sensor (45) which senses sheets entering the collator (2) detect a sheet jam and enable computation of the number of jammed sheets by subtracting the number of sheets discharged into the bins (E) from the number of sheets entering the collator (2).

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking thin objects which are delivered by a conveyor to a rotary drum having holes over its periphery extending to the interior and a fixed body within the interior having a plurality of chambers communicating with the holes over a half circumference. Valves connecting to the chambers are operated to successively connect the chamber to a vacuum source so the object is engaged and rotated with the drum and then to successively connect to a pressure source to produce a blowing action moving the object toward a stack.

Abstract: A loader for feeding signatures into a generally vertically extending pocket in which the signatures are supported on a folded edge and from which signatures are fed by a feed mechanism, such as through a signature inserter, to a saddle of a saddle gathering machine, wherein a generally horizontally oriented hopper is located between a first feeding mechanism from a supply station and a second feeding mechanism to the pocket, a quickly detachable coupling arrangement is provided for forming the pocket with the loader, and the second feeding mechanism includes an adjustably mounted vacuum manifold and perforated stripper belts for moving signatures in a shingled stream into said pocket.