Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for processing sets of sheets. The apparatus includes a frame, a hopper for moving a stack of sheets, a pre-singulator for separating a portion of a sheet from the stack, a sheet peeler for peeling part of a pre-singulated sheet from the stack, a sheet picker for gathering peeled sheets into a set, and a sheet discharger for clearing the set of sheets. The sheet peeler may include at least one rotating drum. The sheet picker may include one or more augers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for processing sets of sheets. The apparatus includes a frame, a hopper for moving a stack of sheets, a pre-singulator for separating a portion of a sheet from the stack, a sheet peeler for peeling part of a pre-singulated sheet from the stack, a sheet picker for gathering peeled sheets into a set, and a sheet discharger for clearing the set of sheets. The sheet peeler may include at least one rotating drum. The sheet picker may include one or more augers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for processing sets of sheets. The apparatus includes a frame, a hopper for moving a stack of sheets, a pre-singulator for separating a portion of a sheet from the stack, a sheet peeler for peeling part of a pre-singulated sheet from the stack, a sheet picker for gathering peeled sheets into a set, and a sheet discharger for clearing the set of sheets. The sheet peeler may include at least one rotating drum. The sheet picker may include one or more augers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for processing sets of sheets. The apparatus includes a frame, a hopper for moving a stack of sheets, a pre-singulator for separating a portion of a sheet from the stack, a sheet peeler for peeling part of a pre-singulated sheet from the stack, a sheet picker for gathering peeled sheets into a set, and a sheet discharger for clearing the set of sheets. The sheet peeler may include at least one rotating drum. The sheet picker may include one or more augers.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for determining the orientation of documents based upon the acquisition of images of the documents and the detection of barcode images from the documents. A document transport conveys documents along a selected path of movement. A document imaging system is provided along the path of movement for imaging a document conveyed along the path of movement to generate image data representative of the document. A system controller processes the image data to detect the presence of a barcode image. The location and/or orientation of the barcode image is then used to determine the orientation of the document along the path of movement. A document orientor may be provided along the path of movement to orient documents into desired orientations along the path of movement based upon the location and/or orientation of the detected barcode images.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for determining the orientation of documents based upon the acquisition of images of the documents and the detection of barcode images from the documents. A document transport conveys documents along a selected path of movement. A document imaging system is provided along the path of movement for imaging a document conveyed along the path of movement to generate image data representative of the document. A system controller processes the image data to detect the presence of a barcode image. The location and/or orientation of the barcode image is then used to determine the orientation of the document along the path of movement. A document orientor may be provided along the path of movement to orient documents into desired orientations along the path of movement based upon the location and/or orientation of the detected barcode images.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for determining the orientation of documents based upon the acquisition of images of the documents and the detection of barcode images from the documents. A document transport conveys documents along a selected path of movement. A document imaging system is provided along the path of movement for imaging a document conveyed along the path of movement to generate image data representative of the document. A system controller processes the image data to detect the presence of a barcode image. The location and/or orientation of the barcode image is then used to determine the orientation of the document along the path of movement. A document orientor may be provided along the path of movement to orient documents into desired orientations along the path of movement based upon the location and/or orientation of the detected barcode images.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for separation from a stack of sheets a block of a predetermined number of sheets, the method including moving the stack in a forward direction, directing an air stream across one corner of the forward portion of the stack to spread the corners apart, sensing and counting the number of spread sheet corners that pass a predetermined location, and separating the group of sheets from the remainder of the stack when the sensed and counted sheets reach a predetermined number. Further directing a thin plane of air toward the corner and center of the sheets at said location to cause a greater space between the sheets in the group and the next sheet in the stack. Also, vacuum nozzles are provided to remove unwanted air from above and below the stack and group. With the group so formed, separation includes imparting lateral force on the group edges.

Abstract: A method of separation from a stack of sheets a block of predetermined number of sheets, the method including retaining the stack so that a portion of one edge of each consecutive foremost sheet is free to bend away from the stack, directing a plane of air flow sequentially on to the foremost surfaces of a predetermined number of foremost sheets to bend at least a portion of the free edge of each of the predetermined number of foremost sheets away from the stack, separating the bent predetermined number of foremost sheets into a block and removing the block from the remaining sheets in the stack. Preferably, the plane of the air flow intersects the plane of the sheets in the stack in the range of 5.degree.-10.degree.. The plane of the air flow can be directed to bend the free edge or just the corners of sheets in the block to be separated. In one example, the stack foremost end is inclined downward and the air flow is directed upward.

Abstract: A pizza box having a top and bottom each formed of a single layer of biodegradable, insulating material, such as molded fiber. The bottom provides an insulating airspace between the hot pizza product and the bottom major surface area and another insulating airspace between the bottom undersurface and a resting surface. The top and bottom, when closed, provided a closed chamber with no external air circulation. Thermal conduction paths are reduced by the small surface area contact between the bottom and the product and the small surface contact area between the bottom and a resting surface. Additional features include a closed storage chamber without air vents, a truncated cone or truncated pyramid shape, moisture absorption by the top inner surface, liquid resistance by the bottom top surface, stackable tops and bottoms, air restricting closure walls, cutting channels which also add strength to the bottom and radiation reflective color.