Abstract: A combination sheet-feed and utilization machine wherein the sheet feeder comprises an endless belt, or series of belts. The belt is driven in a path which is normally out of contact with a paper sheet stack and when a sheet is to be fed, the run of the belt between end supports is distended toward the sheet stack until contact is made and frictional engagement picks up the top sheet and begins it on its feed path. A retard mechanism prevents double feeding. The feed cycle is initiated by whatever means is convenient for the particular use, such as manual feed button or a machine cycle controller requesting another master, for example. The sheet travels to the utilization device, whatever type is being supplied, and when the sheet arrives at the utilization device in-feed, it triggers a sensor to initiate a circuit which ends the paper feed cycle and begins the utilization device cycle to pick up the paper from the feeder.

Abstract: The drawings and specification set forth a structure in which one sheet at a time is dispensed to a utilization device, which is a table top and a belt drag conveyor. As the sheet is dispensed from the feeder, it trips a switch which starts the utilization device and turns off the feeder. The utilization device may be a photocopier table, for example, and the drag conveyor brings the document to be copied to a specific register line without the use of stops which might damage the forward edge of a document. The system is coordinated by a controller which will supply the documents to be copied at a maximum rate one after the other for collating, or on command, according to operator preference.