Abstract: A sheet feeder assembly includes a self-actuating prefeed roll located upstream of a deskewing device, which can include a document sensor switch and a deskew nip roll. After a sheet has been detected at the input of the assembly, a limited slip clutch causes the prefeed nip to close. The prefeed device selectively engages the sheet based on detection of the sheet at the input and then disengages upon detection of the sheet at the deskewing device. Thus, there are no obstructions at the input that the sheet must pass before engagement by the prefeed assembly. By this, chances of misfeeding a sheet that has not been sufficiently pushed into the document feeder are greatly reduced. Moreover, the assembly has increased latitude in the positioning of the input sheet and is particularly desirable for light weight documents since no obstructions exist within the paper path.

Abstract: A corrugating roller assembly for use in sheet handling systems for advancing sheets along a path comprising a belt supported for rotation and rollers positioned adjacent the belt to form a corrugation nip with the belt. The device further includes apparatus for allowing the belt to move from a first sheet receiving position to a sheet corrugating position so that the leading edge of a sheet advancing along the path engages the belt and is guided thereby into the corrugation nip which includes the belt. The assembly further includes apparatus for actuating the rollers to drive the sheet through the corrugation nip.

Abstract: A lateral sheet registering device for registering sheets transported along a path including a lateral registration edge positioned along the path. An apparatus is provided for driving sheets laterally and along the path so that a lateral edge of a sheet is registered along the lateral registration edge and so that sheets are transported along the path. The invention further includes a gate positioned in the path opposite said lateral registration edge for engaging an edge of a sheet to oppose rotation of such sheet in the path. The gate also is positioned to permit unimpeded transport of the lead edge of a sheet so that larger sheets are transportable within the path.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding flimsy sheets of paper or the like, particularly dog-eared or curled edge original documents a sheet corner edge guiding and flattening transverse ribs system 90, 92 is provided. The sheet feeding guide baffle surface has a plurality of spaced apart and slightly vertically extending sheet-engaging ribs 90 extending thereover, divided into two opposingly diagonal sets of plural ribs 90a and 90b on the respective sides of the sheet feeding path, extending diagonally out away from one another from the centerline of the sheet separator/feeder 80 towards the respective outer edges of their respective side of the sheet feeding path. These diagonal ribs may have their upper surfaces in a common plane but can iron out towards their respective path sides the curled or folded corners of the sheet in that side of the path. The opposing baffle surface preferably has corresponding ribs 92.