Abstract: An on-the-fly paper stack handler has a paper stack conveyor for continuously serially conveying stacks of paper, a tray conveyor disposed below and downstream of the paper stack conveyor for continuously serially conveying trays, and a transfer conveyor extending between the paper stack conveyor and the tray conveyor for conveying stacks of paper along a path from the paper stack conveyor into the trays. The transfer conveyor has a platform for supporting paper stacks and has pushers extending downwardly into the path of the paper stacks so that these pushers may push the stacks into the trays and operate in close proximity to the trays. A rest arm extending downstream from the transfer conveyor rests on the stacks in the trays to maintain control of same.

Abstract: A sheet feeder has a pair of rearward feed belts declining in a downstream direction at a first angle for supporting a rear portion of a stack of sheets and a forward feed belt declining in a downstream direction at a lesser angle than the first angle positioned for supporting a front portion of the stack of sheets below the rear portion of the stack of sheets. With this arrangement, the weight of a stack of sheets on the feeder is shifted forwardly to assist in ensuring entraining frictional engagement of the bottom sheet with the forward feed belt. Optionally, a feed wheel overlies the downstream end of the forward feed belt and forms a nip therewith. Preferably the forward feed belt, the rearward feed belts, and the feed wheel are each separately driven with the rearward feed belts being driven through a one-way clutch permitting free movement of the rearward feed belts in the downstream direction.