Abstract: Multilayer expansion card for connecting an apparatus or device to an electronic apparatus, particularly for association to a mother card of a Personal Computer. The card comprises a first part, intended principally for connection, having a thickness coherent with the requirements of size for connection to the standard slots of the mother card, and a second part, intended principally for the management of the card functions and for processing, and hence the electronics, having a greater thickness with respect to the first part in order to contain a correspondingly greater number of layers intended for the management of a high density of electronic-type signals.

Abstract: An anti-theft lottery ticket includes a substrate, a redemption bar code printed on one side of the substrate, and play symbols printed in a play area on one side of the substrate. The play area is covered with a scratch-off material and a destructible bar code is printed over a portion of the scratch-off material. The portion depends on whether the ticket is a winning ticket or a losing ticket. An enclosure encloses at least one anti-theft lottery ticket, and an activation bar code is attached to the enclosure. Anti-theft lottery ticket methods include scanning the activation bar code, the destructible bar code, and the redemption bar code by a retailer and communicating with an activation-validation database to determine if a lottery ticket is valid and payable.

Abstract: An IC card system for transceiving data signal between an IC card processor and an IC card in the manner of non-contact are provided. The IC card modulates the signal to be transmitted to the processor in the manner of Quadrature Amplitude Modulation and generates the modulated signal. A card reader demodulates the signal received from the IC card in the manner of QAM. The rate of the data signal transmitted from the IC card to the card reader is improved.

Abstract: A dual-function valve with pressure adjustment and temperature control functions comprises a valve body having a first cool water inlet, a first hot water inlet, two first mixing water outlets, a first chamber and a second chamber; the first chamber and second chamber being communicated by a second cool water channel and a second hot water channel; the second chamber being communicated to the first mixing water outlets through a water outlet channel; a pressure balance device for adjusting the water pressures of hot water and cool water; the pressure balance device being installed in the first chamber; and a temperature control device installed in the second chamber; the temperature control device adjusting the amount of water flowing into the second chamber by expansion and contraction of the mixing water of hot water and cold water; and the temperature control device being connected to the first chamber in parallel.

Abstract: A wireless air-volume damper control system for regulating air balance in a ducted network, the damper control system having one damper or more damper units installable in the ducted network at locations where air flow in the terminal can be adjusted, the damper units each having a damper blade with a motor to pivot the blade, a power source for powering the motor and pivoting the blade, a receiver and electronic circuitry that operates the motor in response to signals received by the receiver with a portable remote controller having inputs controls and a transmitter that transmits signals to the receiver for operation of the damper unit and a flow volume measuring device for measuring the volume of air flowing in the terminal, the airflow being adjusted by signals from the transmitter of the remote controller in response to measurements from the flow volume measuring device.

Abstract: A fuel injector is described. The fuel injector includes an inlet, outlet, seat, closure member, and a metering orifice disc. The metering orifice disc is disposed between the seat and the outlet. The metering orifice disc includes an outer wall having a surface that defines first and second outer chords generally about the longitudinal axis A-A. The first outer chord intersects the second chord and has a length different than the length of the second outer chord. The metering orifice disc includes an inner wall having a surface that defines first and second inner chords. The first and second inner chords extend generally transverse to the longitudinal axis A-A. The first inner chord intersects the second inner chord. The first inner chord has a length different than the length of the second inner chord. Methods of atomization and targeting are also described.

Abstract: Spraying apparatus (1) is provided that has two horizontally disposed upright spray arm assemblies (33) that each carry sprayers (43). Each spray arm assembly (33) has a sprayer (43) in an upper part (35) and a sprayer (43) in a lower part (37). The upper part (35) is able to move relative to the lower part (37) so the axis of spraying from the upper part (35) will be downwardly directed towards an upper part of crop to be sprayed. The spray arm assemblies (33) are mounted on respective arms (25) for moving laterally inwardly or outwardly relative to a longitudinal direction of a row of crop to accommodate for different width crops and/or different crop row widths.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a rotary atomizer and an air bearing protection system for the rotary atomizer. The structure of the system is simplified to reduce the manufacturing cost. An air bearing is used to enable high-speed rotation along with savings in the maintenance and repair cost. Compressed air can be temporarily supplied at emergency such as interruption of the compressed air. Thus the stability and durability of the entire system are improved, such as prevention of air bearing failure.

Abstract: A tubular member is arranged radially inward of a coil to cover outer peripheral parts of a movable core and of a stationary core. The stationary core has a tapered portion in an opposing portion, which is opposed to the movable core. The stationary core also has a large diameter portion on a counter movable core side of the tapered portion. An outer diameter of the tapered portion is increased from an opposing end surface side part toward the large diameter portion. The outer diameter of the opposing end surface of the opposing portion, which is opposed to the movable core, is generally the same as an outer diameter of the movable core. An outer diameter of the large diameter portion of the stationary-core is larger than the outer diameter of the movable core.

Abstract: A sprayer for attachment to the spout of a faucet. The sprayer comprises a coupling, a spray head through which fluid may be directed for expulsion and a neck portion. The coupling releasably secures the sprayer to the spout of a faucet. The neck portion connects the coupling to the spray head and includes a passageway permitting the flow of fluid from the spout of the faucet to the spray head. The neck portion is flexibly resilient and permits the spray head to be displaced from a rest position where it is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the sprayer to a deflected position where it is deflected from its rest position. The resiliency of the neck portion causes the spray head to be normally biased toward its rest position. The neck portion further includes a deflection limiter preventing the spray head from being deflected more than a pre-determined amount from the longitudinal axis of the sprayer.

Abstract: A water sprayer for a faucet includes a housing, a guide member, a valve seat, a nozzle unit, a press button and a valve shaft. Thus, the first nozzle and the second nozzle of the nozzle unit provides two different water output manners so that the water flow is injected outward from the nozzle unit in two different manners according to a user's requirement, thereby facilitating the user operating the water sprayer. In addition, the water flow can be injected outward from the nozzle unit in a stronger or weaker manner and with a larger or smaller area, thereby enhancing the working efficiency and saving the water resource.

Abstract: The present application discloses a shredder with a switch lock that locks the on/off switch in its on/off position.

Abstract: A jaw crusher where the tension rod includes an electronically-controlled hydraulic pre-load and an automatically releasable pre-load whenever adjustments to the size of the material output are made, together with a remote visual indicator of the setting of the size of the material output.

Abstract: A method for the production of highly-active rubber powder from old tires and scrap vulcanised rubber articles based on various rubbers by 2-stage thermo-mechanical treatment in an extruder. This involves (a) fine pulverisation and (b) sharp reduction of the volume stress. An apparatus for the production of highly-active rubber powder includes a cylindrical housing with feed and discharge connections, a compression zone and pulverisation zone(s), each with a compression screw with grooves decreasing in depth in the machine direction and a rotating coaxial activator with grooves on its outer working surface, the housing, screw and activator being provided with cooling elements.

Abstract: A drag mechanism for a spinning reel for providing frictional resistance to the rotation of the spool of a spinning reel. The spinning reel includes a body having a rotor assembly coupled to the main body for rotating about a central axis. A crank handle is connected to the body for rotating the rotor assembly and oscillating a spindle passing through the rotor assembly. A spool assembly is disposed upon the spindle and defined by engageable structural features on the interior surface of a drag stack chamber to couple with spool washers having correspondingly matable engagement features. A drag knob assembly is connected to the spool assembly opposite the rotor assembly for controlling axial friction forces within the drag stack chamber and counter-rotation friction of the spool relative to the spindle. At least one spool washer is fixedly attached to the spool to provide a drag system for spinning reels that is more effective and with greater control.

Abstract: A driving mechanism, which drives a pull-out assembly up to an interior of a reel hub of a take-up reel, has a shaft which is inserted in a through hole bored in a grabber with a clearance. A shutter fixes the pull-out assembly in a receiving portion at a predetermined position on receiving the pull-out assembly in the receiving portion. A positioning member positions the shaft with a center of the shaft substantially coincided with a central axis of the take-up reel and with the clearance held between the shaft and an inner wall of the through hole when the pull-out assembly is received in the receiving portion.

Abstract: A data storage tape cartridge used in a tape transport apparatus that incorporates air bearing technology is provided. The tape cartridge includes a housing for storing the data storage tape and a compressible filter. The filter is located proximate to an opening, or air inlet, that is in communication with the housing interior. The housing may also have a second opening, or air outlet, in communication with the housing interior such that the filter is interposed between the inlet and the outlet. Further, the housing may include a storage region to retain the filter in the compressed state. The filter and the storage region may have congruent geometries. A method of supplying filtered air to a tape transport apparatus is also provided. The method contemplates drawing ambient air through the filter and passing it directly through the outlet opening for use by the tape transport apparatus.

Abstract: Variable tension is applied to a cord as it is drawn from a spool. More tension is applied to the cord as more cord is drawn preventing impulse stress. Cord used to attach user interface device for receiving input and presenting information.

Abstract: A reel assembly is provided that rotatably couples a hub to a support, such that the hub is generally, vertically positioned. A frame is coupled with the support so that the frame may rotate about a generally vertical axis, independently of the hub and the support. A level-wind system is coupled with the frame so that the level-wind may reciprocally, vertically move a flexible line as the hub is rotated. A cover assembly may be provided to substantially enclose the hub while permitting the hub to freely rotate within the cover. A distal end of the support may be coupled with a nearly limitless number of different bases for portable and permanently mounted uses.

Abstract: By designing a belt-driven unwind to have two distinct belt tension areas, the belt pressure against the unwinding roll can be decreased. The belt-driven unwind can have a higher belt tension section for proper belt tracking and to prevent slippage at the drive roller, and the belt driven unwind can have a lower belt tension section for the portion of the belt in contact with the unwinding roll. In this manner, the belt-driven unwind can be used with soft, bulky tissue rolls without damaging the rolls like a conventional belt-driven unwind.

Abstract: A method controls the response rate and profile of a variable parameter. The method determines an error value for a first variable parameter as the difference between a first parameter set point and a first parameter analog value. An output, controlled by a first variable-process-parameter control loop, adjusts according to the determined error value to adjust the parameter analog value and thereby reduce the error value at a response rate. The first variable-process-parameter control loop has a gain. The gain of the first variable-process-parameter control loop determines the response rate and the response profile. The analog value of a second variable parameter determines the gain. Adjusting the response rate of the control loop may provide a means of adjusting an error correction response profile of the first variable parameter.

Abstract: A vertical take-off and landing aircraft has an airframe body that defines a loop-shaped path of travel for a plurality of movably-mounted wings that are transversely disposed relative to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft. The airframe body has two side frames that are transversely spaced apart in parallel relation to one another and interconnected by a pair of fixed wings that do not follow the path of travel of the movably-mounted wings. A passenger compartment is positioned between the two side frames and within the loop traveled by the movably mounted wings.

Abstract: Dual flow auxiliary power unit (APU) inlets and associated systems and methods are disclosed. An inlet in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes an entrance aperture and a divider positioned in the inlet and located to separate a first portion of the inlet from a second portion of the inlet. The first portion can be configured to couple to an engine air intake of an APU, and the second portion can be configured to direct air away from the air intake. The divider can be positioned to direct air having a first total pressure level and a first distortion level to the first portion of the inlet, and direct air having a second total pressure level and second distortion level to the second portion of the inlet. The first total pressure level can be approximately the same as or higher than the second total pressure level, or the second distortion level can be approximately the same as or higher than the first distortion level, or both.

Abstract: An aircraft landing assist apparatus is designed to be retrofit to existing aircraft having internal constructions that have been modified to support the apparatus. The apparatus is designed so that on rough landings of the aircraft on a ship deck, the apparatus will collapse in a controlled manner to avoid any damage to ammunition and/or fuel storage areas of the aircraft.

Abstract: A system and method for integrating air and ground transportation of passengers and cargo. The system comprises a plurality of universal passenger containers. The system further comprises a plurality of universal cargo containers. An airplane is provided with a hollow fuselage adapted to be loaded with a plurality of passenger and/or cargo containers. A flatbed trailer can be provided to carry a passenger or a cargo container. A tractor vehicle can be provided to transport flatbed trailers between airplanes, locations within the airport, and points of origin and destination outside the airport complex. A system can be provided to load and unload passenger and cargo containers into and out of airplanes at the airport. A system is provided comprised of an airport complex including take-off and landing runways, taxiways, airplane staging areas, apparatus for detection of weapons in passenger and cargo containers, and air terminals with arrival and departure gates and baggage handling conveyors.

Abstract: Aircraft 5 with a detachable passenger escape cabin 1 comprising detachable piloting systems, namely the center pedestal 3b, the control stick 1k, the pedals 1r as well as the upright sliding bars 1v, 1v?, and 1t, 1t? between cabin 1 and opening 3 of aircraft 5 for an easy and rapid disengagement of cabin 1 from fuselage 4.

Abstract: A reversible aerospace plane includes an air intake at a first end of the aerospace plane, at least one heat exchanger disposed in the aerospace plane, an engine at a second end of the aerospace plane, wherein the aerospace plane is configured to accelerate in a first direction and configured to glide and land in a second direction, wherein the second direction is substantially in a reverse direction from the first direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the transferring of liquid from a container comprises a base, a height adjustable stem extending upwardly from the base to a stem upper end portion, a carrying frame defining a carrying space therewithin, the carrying space sized and shaped to hold a liquid container, such as a standard 25 L gas container. The carrying frame is pivotally mounted to the stem upper end portion, pivotal about a pivot axis from an upright position to a tilted dispensing position. In the tilted position, the container is positioned such that the contents of the container may be dispensed. The base may comprise a plurality of equidistantly spaced arms, extending perpendicularly from the stem and remotely from a central portion of the base with at least one said arm including a vertically oriented screw hole extending therethrough, adapted to accept a screw member for securing the base to a supporting surface below the base.

Abstract: A tool holder includes a base body having a through hole and a tubular clamp rotatable between first and second positions. The tubular clamp has a plurality of axially extending split parts which extend through the through hole and which define a clamping hole to clamp a cutter. The split parts are resilient to move inward or outward. A plurality of push elements are formed on the base body to push the split parts inward when the tubular clamp is in the first position. The split parts are released when moving from the push elements in the second position of the tubular clamp.

Abstract: In an apparatus support device with a suction retaining structure for supporting minicomputers, navigation devices or mobile telephones, comprising a suction foot, a hollow column connected with one end to the suction foot and enclosing an operating mechanism for the suction foot and a joint structure disposed at the other end of the hollow column and supporting an apparatus holder, the hollow column consists of two complementary semi-shells which, with their bottom ends, extend around the suction foot and are provided at their opposite ends with joint structures which are releasably clamped between the semi-shells.

Abstract: A Specialized Outlet Box Mounting Bracket is disclosed. The bracket provides a convenient mounting platform for a 3½ inch deep outlet box within a conventional stud wall. The bracket eliminates the requirement for special, labor-intensive installation methods by installing easily between a pair of structural studs at standard spacing. The bracket further provides two installation options—one for a single-sheet drywall wall construction, and an additional one for a double-sheet drywall wall construction. The bracket's outlet box reservoirs are configured to provide rigid backing support for the deep outlet boxes with the bracket being stamped out of a single piece of flat metal stock, and therefore being extremely material-efficient.

Abstract: An improved pony bottle bracket that is light weight, compact, simple to use, and facilitates a quick and easy set-up is disclosed. A push button latch enables a diver to quickly disconnect the pony bottle from the main bottle. The pony tank bracket and base unit bracket are mounted by use of a belt and adjustable band straps. The locking mechanism is self-contained, thereby eliminating or minimizing the use of separate components (e.g., no clevis, hitch, cotter or quick release pins) which may be lost. The bracket also eliminates or reduces the use of any items which may entangle the diver or entangle other objects in the diver's surroundings (e.g., no string, cord, chain or lanyards). The bracket is bidirectional (e.g., reversible) such that the top bracket mount may be rotated between about 0 and 180 degrees.

Abstract: An adjustable lift support apparatus includes a base, a sleeve attached onto the base, at least one meshing device, a shaft, and a support attached at the shaft. At least one groove is formed on an inner surface of the sleeve along a first axial direction. Each meshing device corresponds to one of the at least one groove and includes a flexible protrusion. The shaft is inserted into the sleeve. At least one rack is provided on an outer surface of the shaft along a second axial direction, such that the flexible protrusion of the meshing device is meshed between two neighboring teeth of the at least one rack. The support is lifted or lowered by an external force to make each of the at least one rack move with respect to the flexible protrusion of the corresponding meshing device, so as to adjust the height of the support.

Abstract: A holder in combination with a screwdriver provided with a through bore in the handle thereof for attachment by the holder. The holder has a support member provided with an aperture in an upper portion thereof. A pair of support arms depend in spaced-apart relationship from a lower portion of the support member. A detachable lock pin is detachably secured across the pair of support arms and extends through the through bore for support engagement with the screwdriver.

Abstract: A solenoid valve includes a poppet formed by a valve body and a supporting plate, the supporting plate having a front surface which the valve body is firmly fixed and a rear surface contacting a tip surface of a plunger. The solenoid valve further includes a cap having: a cylindrical portion which is fitted to an outer circumference of the plunger; an inward projecting portion which projects inwardly from the cylindrical portion so as to abut an outer circumferential portion of the front surface of the supporting plate; and an outward projecting portion which projects outwardly from the cylindrical portion so as to be engaged with a spring member. The poppet is press-inserted into the cap such that the inward projecting portion of the cap and the outer circumferential portion of the front surface of the supporting plate abut each other, and the cap is press-inserted into a tip portion of the plunger such that the poppet is attached on the tip surface of the plunger.

Abstract: The receiver winch mount is a support for electric or hydraulic winches used on vehicles. The mount secures over the hitch assembly and positions the winch above the vehicle's bumper, so that the winch is not exposed to damage due to the vehicle maneuvering into stationary objects. The mount has a flat mounting plate, onto which the winch may be secured. The mount has two posts extending up from the mounting plate, to which a fairlead may be secured. A stub shaft is permanently secured to the bottom of the mounting plate, with structural reinforcing frame members extending from the stub shaft and also permanently secured to the bottom of the mounting plate. The stub shaft is secured to the hitch receiver using a mounting pin.

Abstract: An end surface gear-type overload protection device for manually operated hoists that utilizes a disc-shaped spring to control tension such that when the gears are in a leftward rotation and engagement, operation continues normally. However, during rightward rotation and the disabling thereof is instructed due to the clutch-type ratchet overload protection device, when in the “overload prevention” operations mode, if the set load of the disc-shaped spring is exceeded, the clutch-type gear wheel after sensing such allows the operating lever to spin in neutral and thereby discontinue operation. Additionally, it is possible to simply adjust the operating configuration to the “non-overload prevention” operations mode to conduct operation under overload conditions.

Abstract: A fence brace assembly, and method for assembling a fence brace assembly comprising at least one post, at least one member, at least one joint connection comprising an opening in a stabilizing surface, at least one tab-slot in a securing surface, wherein the member has at least one tab, the member passes through the opening in the stabilizing surface, and the tabs engage the tab slots in the tab-slots in the securing surface. Also a kit for assembling a fence brace assembly having component parts capable of being assembled in the field and adapted for use with a plurality of fence posts.

Abstract: A fragrance disperser (10) in one form includes a single fan (101) that passes air over a wicked single or double fragrance (102). A second form has the fan (11) reversible to provide two different airstreams (29a, 29b; 60a, 60b) that evaporate respective different fragrances one after the other. Where two fragrances are provided, the evaporation may be by respective electrical heaters. A fragrance source may be formed by two sheets (31, 40; 47, 48) joined together to form two chambers each receiving a respective wick (37a, 37b; 56a, 56b) and having respective exposed wick portions. The source may incorporate a source of electrical power (45). An alternative source (81a, 81b) has a reservoir (82a, 82b) for fragrance and a wick (87a, 87b) located in an air passage (83a, 83b) forming part of the source so that an air flow is guided through the passage past the wick to evaporate fragrance.

Abstract: A water curtain is provided which includes a drape assembly having a drape hood, material drape, float overflow shut-off, collection return, a drainage line solenoid which preferably is electric, a drainage line, a filter, drape solenoid which preferably is electric, a drape feed line, a pump, a pump power line, an on/off switch to a power source which preferably is a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) power line for obvious safety concerns, a feed line, and a shutoff valve. The water supply may be electrically controlled by solenoid valves and has a float overflow shutoff control in some embodiments.

Abstract: A carburetor choke valve electronic control system includes: a transmission device coupled to a choke valve for opening and closing an intake path of a carburetor; an electric motor for driving the choke valve to be opened and closed via the transmission device; and an electronic control unit for controlling operation of the electric motor. The system further includes: a casing mounted on one side of the carburetor, and housing the transmission device and the electric motor; an operating lever disposed outside the casing; and a choke valve forced closure mechanism that allows the transmission device to be operated in a direction that closes the choke valve by operation of the operating lever.

Abstract: The equipment of high-gravity multi-rotors zigzag rotating beds according to the present invention comprises a casing, a gas inlet and a liquid outlet being provided at the bottom of the casing, a gas outlet and a liquid inlet being provided at the top of the casing, a rotating shaft being provided at the center of the casing and going through the top and the bottom of the casing, a plurality of rotors being installed in series on the rotating shaft and being arranged in layers from top to bottom, and a middle feed inlet being provided on the side of the casing and being communicated with zigzag channels. The rotor comprises a mobile disk fixed on the rotating shaft and an immobile disk fixed on the casing, A series of concentric mobile and immobile circular baffle-sheets are fitted on the mobile disk and the immobile disk respectively.

Abstract: The self-pumping hydropneumatic spring strut with an internal level control includes a cylinder having a high-pressure chamber and a low-pressure chamber, both chambers being at least partially filled with oil, the high-pressure chamber further comprising a gas cushion acting as a spring element. The spring strut also has an axially movable hollow piston rod arranged within the cylinder and carrying a working piston separating two working spaces arranged in the cylinder, one of the working spaces being connected to the high-pressure chamber, and a piston pump, which is driven by movements of the spring element, thus conveying oil from the low-pressure chamber to the working space connected to the high-pressure chamber. The piston pump includes a flow connection, which connects the high-pressure chamber to the low-pressure chamber.

Abstract: A fluid-filled type vibration-damping device having a movable rubber plate housed within a partition member partitioning a pressure-receiving chamber and an equilibrium chamber from each other. The movable rubber plate is moved owing to the pressure difference between the two chambers. The movable rubber plate comprises the movable rubber plate formed of a generally disk shaped rubber elastic body having formed thereon in alternating fashion concave grooves and convex ribs each extending in a circumferential direction about a same center axis, the convex ribs have tapered cross section gradually narrowing in width towards an distal end thereof, and the concave grooves and convex ribs are disposed at the same locations in a diametrical direction on either face of the movable rubber plate so that the thickness of the movable rubber plate is varied in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: A damping method for a hybrid vehicle in which a power unit consisting of an engine and a motor is supported in a vehicle body frame via an active vibration isolation support system includes: a step of firstly damping vibration of the power unit by the active vibration isolation support system; and a subsequent step of controlling operation of the motor to damp vibration that has not been eliminated by the active vibration isolation support system. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the damping effect from being degraded by interference between the damping control by the active vibration isolation support system and the damping control by the motor, and to reduce the total power consumption by preferentially operating the active vibration isolation support system which has low power consumption, and secondarily operating the motor which has high power consumption.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet processor apparatus comprising: a sheet stack portion on which a sheet is stacked; a sheet conveyance path for conveying a sheet stacked on the sheet stack portion; a sheet conveyor for conveying to the sheet conveyance path the sheet stacked on the sheet stack portion; and a sheet folding device for folding a sheet in the sheet-set conveyance path. The sheet folding device is provided in the sheet conveyance path, and at least a portion of the sheet conveyance path at which the sheet folding device is positioned is formed into a curved shape.

Abstract: Above a processing tray, a standby tray for making sheets of paper P stand by is installed. The sheets of paper P on the standby tray are dropped, fed, and moved to the processing tray, thus the conveying path from the standby tray to the processing tray is shortened. Furthermore, a Z-folding mechanism is arranged above the standby tray, and the sheets of paper P folded in a Z shape are dropped, and are mixed and stapled on the standby tray or processing tray, and even when performing a plurality of post processes for sheets, miniaturization of a sheet post-process system is retained.

Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) includes at least one of sheet dispensing mechanisms (34, 36, 38, 40, 210). Each sheet dispensing mechanism includes a picking member (72, 212). The picking member rotates, and with each rotation generally causes an end note to be picked from a stack (42, 264) of sheets. The picking member (212) includes an arcuate projecting portion (258) that reduces the risk of damage to the leading edge areas of sheets due to opposed picking and stripping forces.

Abstract: A method of feeding sheets includes the step of conveying the sheets between a feed roller and a separation member. The separation member is pressed against and into contact with the feed roller with a pressure applied between the feed roller and the separation member. The method also includes the steps of separating and conveying the sheets conveyed between the feed roller and the separation member one by one, and providing a cyclic change in the pressure between the feed roller and the separation member.

Abstract: A stacking apparatus for stacking a plurality of flat articles on edge is provided that receives articles in an article receiver that includes a stop wall to receive the front edge of each article and stop horizontal motion of the article and a rotatable segmented roller for receiving the bottom edge of each article. The segmented roller is rotatable about a central axis of the cylinder and includes a planar surface, the planar surface receiving the bottom edge of each flat article when the planar surface is in a horizontal position. The segmented roller is rotatable from a stopped position wherein the planar surface is in the horizontal position to form a gap to receive the bottom edge of one article at a time to a rotating configuration wherein the cylindrical outer surface of the segmented roller drives the one article against a stacking conveyor bed.