Abstract: A medium stacking sheet is installed on a rotation shaft of a medium separating and stacking apparatus for stacking or dispensing a medium. The medium stacking sheet includes a body fixed to the rotation shaft and having a plurality of rotation holes which are spaced apart from each other in a rotation direction of the rotation shaft, and a plurality of vanes each including a vane pin rotatably installed in a corresponding rotation hole and a vane piece coupled to the vane pin to stack the medium.

Abstract: A media processing device includes: a hopper for supporting a stack of media units (e.g. cards), the hopper including (i) a gate wall configured to abut leading edges of the media units and (ii) an outlet defined at an end of the gate wall; a pick roller at the outlet for engaging an outer one of the media units in the stack and dispensing the outer media unit from the hopper to a media processing path; the gate wall including a flexible gate at the outlet, the flexible gate configured to deflect toward the media processing path responsive to the outer media unit being driven into the flexible gate by the pick roller, wherein the outer media unit deflects when passing by the flexible gate, permitting the outer media unit to be dispensed from the hopper.

Abstract: A method of scribing abrasion aesthetics, patterns, images, serial numbers, ply markings and/or other information, such as sizing or care information, on fabric such as denim, before or during the fabric cutting process is provided. The method comprises loading the panel abrasion software, pattern marker software, and fabric scribing software; placing the fabric on a flat surface under at least one laser; laser scribing ply numbers, serial labels, fabric markers, and panel abrasions on the fabric; cutting the fabric into fabric lengths; spreading the pre-abraded and pre-marked fabric lengths on top of each other to create multiple plies in precise alignment; cutting shaped panels along the lines of the pattern marker with a conventional knife, laser, or other appropriate cutting tool; and stacking the abraded, labeled and shaped panels robotically or manually for sewing.

Abstract: A media processing device includes: a hopper supporting media units (e.g. cards), and a biasing assembly biasing the cards toward a hopper outlet; an input roller for accepting a single card at a hopper slot inlet; a pick roller at the outlet for dispensing a card from the hopper to a media processing path; a motor having an output shaft; a primary drivetrain segment connecting the output shaft with the pick roller; an auxiliary output selector connected to the primary drivetrain segment and switchable between first and second output configurations; first and second auxiliary drivetrain segments connecting the output selector, respectively, with the input roller and a release member for disengaging the biasing assembly; and a selector input movable to switch the output selector between the first output configuration, coupling the primary and first auxiliary drivetrain segments, and the second output configuration, coupling the primary and second auxiliary drivetrain segments.

Abstract: Disclosed is a preprinting system of secured information connected to a game host device. The preprinting system includes a controller, a printer, a plurality of printer detectors, a housing, a plurality of housing detectors. The controller is configured to communicate with the game host device, and to receive a game information signal and a status checking request signal. The printer is electronically connected to the controller, which is configured to print a game draw of the game program on printable medium, and the printed printable medium is partially revealed to the player while the game result draw thereon is unknown to the player. By preprint game draw of the game program, the possibility of adulteration from the game system is eliminated, the preprinting system also provides reliability, and the verification mechanism provides information security of digital chance games to the players. An preprinting method of secured information is also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical disk retrieval device separates and retrieves a plurality of loaded optical disks one by one in order from top. The device includes: a base that loads the plurality of optical disks; A pulling-up unit for pulling up the top optical disk of the plurality of loaded optical disks; a separation member that can cause a force to act on an inner wall of an inner hole of a plate-like member having the inner hole; and A separation member elevating unit for moving the separation member in a vertical direction. The pulling-up unit lifts the top optical disk upward, and the separation member elevating unit passes the separation member through an inner circumferential hole of the top optical disk lifted by the pulling-up unit from an upper side to a lower side. The separation member causes the force to act on the inner wall of the inner hole of the plate-like member adhering directly beneath the top optical disk to thereby separate the plate-like member.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes an image formation processing managing unit and a control unit. The image formation processing managing unit manages first image formation processing to form an image on a face of plane-shaped recording medium based on received information. The control unit controls conveyance of the plane-shaped recording medium between the image formation apparatus and the other image formation apparatus which performs second image formation processing to form an image on the other face of the plane-shaped recording medium, a second term needed to stop the second image formation processing since receiving an instruction to stop the second image formation processing on an image forming operation being longer than a first term needed to stop the first image formation processing since receiving an instruction to stop the first image formation processing on the image forming operation.

Abstract: Methods and systems output printed items based on a job of instructions from a printing device; cut the printed items into cut items and output the cut items to a first location based on the job of instructions using a patterning device; and pick the cut items from the first location and place the cut items on a first conveyor based on the job of instructions using a robotic arm. The first conveyor is adjacent the first location. Further, methods and systems transport the cut items to a receiving conveyor based on the job of instructions using the first conveyor. The receiving conveyor is adjacent the first conveyor. Also, methods and systems move the receiving conveyor to position the receiving conveyor to receive specific ones of the cut items in corresponding locations based on the job of instructions.

Abstract: An image recording device includes a tray configured to hold a first recording medium, an insertion guide configured to move between a guide position for guiding a second recording medium into a common path and a non-guide position, a conveyor configured to convey the tray along the common path in a first direction and to convey the second recording medium along the common path in a second direction opposite to the first direction, a recording unit configured to record an image selectively on the first recording medium and the second recording medium, a stopper disposed along the common path, and a moving unit configured to move the stopper between a retracted position and a protruding position in response to movement of the insertion guide between the non-guide position and the guide position. The stopper in the protruding position protrudes into the common path to stop the tray.

Abstract: A sheet-form paper for separating portions produced by a portion control machine and dispensing from a paper feed system, each sheet of the sheet-form paper including a recess formed in at a side edge for receiving a male guide, and a slit extending inwardly from an edge of the recess for engaging a knife edge of the male guide. The slit extends from an innermost edge of the recess substantially perpendicular to the side edges of the sheet.

Abstract: An image recording device includes a first roller, a plurality of second rollers, a tray, and a recording portion. The tray includes a pair of thick-walled sections, a thin-walled section, and an accommodation portion. The pair of thick-walled sections extends in a lengthwise direction and protrudes from the first surface. The thin-walled section is positioned between the pair of thick-walled sections. The thin-walled section is thinner than the pair of thick-walled sections in a thickness direction of the tray. The accommodation portion is formed by a recess in the thickness direction in the thin-walled section. When the first roller and the plurality of second rollers nip the tray therebetween, the first surface of the tray does not contact any of the first roller or the plurality of second rollers, except at the pair of thick-walled sections of the tray.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet conveying apparatus and an image forming apparatus which can obtain high operability and productivity when a tabbed sheet is conveyed. In the representative configuration thereof, a trailing edge regulation plate is abutted on tab portions of some of tabbed sheets stacked and supported on a tray to regulate the position of the tabbed sheet. Tab portion regulation portions of a tabbed sheet regulation unit provided at the upper end of the trailing edge regulation plate are abutted on the tab portion of the tabbed sheet formed in the position where the tab portion is not abutted on the regulation portion and regulate the position of the tabbed sheet. The tab portion regulation portions of the tabbed sheet regulation unit can be moved. The tab portion regulation portions are moved with the lifting of the tray when being abutted on the lifting tray.

Abstract: A transport apparatus for flat materials to be printed is used in a printing apparatus having a printing module. The transport apparatus is disposed in the printing apparatus in a stationary manner relative to a pressing apparatus which presses an item of mail onto the transport belt that acts on a part of a surface of the item of mail with a predefined adhesion friction in the transport region. That part of the surface of the item of mail is not printed but lies close to a region which is to be printed. Two deflection rollers and a supporting plate are provided for the transport belt, in order to form the transport region. The printing module protrudes at least partially into an intermediate space between the two deflection rollers. The printing module has at least one ink cartridge with an inkjet print head which is situated outside the transport region.

Abstract: An apparatus supporting mechanism comprises: a fixing member 111 fixed to the bottom of the apparatus; a connecting member 115 disposed in the fixing member 111 in such a manner as to freely project and be housed; a supporting member 112 disposed in the connecting member 115 and freely displaced between a first position, at which the supporting member is grounded or located proximate with respect to the installation plane of the apparatus, a second position, at which the supporting member is separate from the installation plane of the apparatus; and a displacing mechanism which displaces the supporting member 112 to the first position when the connecting member 115 projects while displaces the supporting member 112 to the second position when the connecting member 115 is housed.

Abstract: A transfer device for mail items with a transfer unit which has an ejection point for transferring individualized mail items to an item carrier is provided. Further, the transfer device includes a transport device for transporting the mail items to the ejection point in a direction of transport. The transport device includes two belts for holding the mail items on both sides and for transporting the mail items and further has means for adapting a space between the belts to the thickness of a mail item. The means for adapting is a belt tilt means which is pivotal about an axis of rotation, the pivotal movement pivoting one of the belts and therefore a distance between the belts is variable.

Abstract: A taped bag feeder having a housing with a bag guide positioned thereon, a drive mechanism, a first reel and second reel for supplying an assembly of imbricated taped bags to a packaging operation. The assembly of imbricated taped bags having a pair of tape strands connected to the first and second reels which are rotated by the drive mechanism thereby advancing the assembly. The first and second reels being disposed on a face of the bag feeder parallel to and spaced from a longitudinal axis defined by an upstream end and downstream end of the bag guide.

Abstract: An information writing apparatus includes: a transport unit that transports a sheet having a wireless IC element; and a transmitting and receiving unit that transmits and receives signals to/from the wireless IC element in a sheet transported by the transport unit, the transport unit including a first belt made of nonmetal and a second belt made of nonmetal placed facing and contacting the first belt, the sheet being transported, caught between the first belt and the second belt.

Abstract: A printing system for printing images onto copy sheets and tab stock includes a media registration transport for transporting a media sheet along a path. The printing system further includes a sensing system having a plurality of sensors positioned in line and orthogonal to the feed direction of the sheet path for detecting a leading edge of the media sheet. A control system provides for detecting signals at the times when each of the plurality of sensors are occluded and a control algorithm compares every one of the sensor signals with each other of the sensor signals. The system then identifies at least one pair of sensor signals having inconsistent readings with the other of sensor signals and, determines the presence of a tab on the leading edge based on the inconsistent sensor signal readings and calculates sheet skew based on the other sensor signals.

Abstract: In a mailpiece feed device comprising a mailpiece-receiving deck for receiving a stack of mailpieces for printing, selector means for extracting the mailpieces for printing one-by-one from said stack, and superposed conveyor rollers including movable upper rollers for conveying downstream the mailpieces extracted one-by-one in this way, there are further provided movable optical read means that are placed downstream from said selector means and that move synchronously with said movable upper conveyor rollers for conveying the mailpieces, so that, in cooperation with processor means, said optical read means scan and recognize automatically the data printed on said mailpieces.

Abstract: A medium delivery device comprising a medium insertion section into which a sheet-shaped medium to be delivered is inserted in a stacked state, first and second medium guide surfaces that are opposed to each other to guide the sheet-shaped medium to the medium delivery port, a feed roller that is disposed at a side of the first medium guide surface and delivers the sheet-shaped medium inserted into the medium insertion section, to the medium delivery port, a first pressing member that presses the sheet-shaped medium inserted into the medium insertion section against the feed roller, a second pressing member that presses the sheet-shaped medium inserted into the medium insertion section against the first medium guide surface at a position deviating from the feed roller, and a driving mechanism that drives the first pressing member in directions in which the first pressing member moves close to and away from the feed roller.

Abstract: A device for aligning flat objects includes a supporting device, two boundary elements, a drive for the backwards and forwards movement of the boundary elements and a motor. The supporting device has two flat aligning surfaces for aligning the objects, wherein the aligning surfaces lie in two planes that abut each other at a straight edge. Both aligning surfaces slope steeply towards the edge. The motor sets both aligning surfaces in vibration. Both boundary elements can be swiveled into an engaging position. In this engaging position, the at least two boundary elements hold the stack of the objects when the stack is located on the supporting surfaces and between the boundary elements. The drive is connected to the boundary elements in such a way that it moves the boundary elements backwards and forwards parallel to the edge when the boundary elements are in the engaging position.

Abstract: There is provided a sheet handling machine (1) comprising: a drive source (300); a first driven shaft (336, 384) arranged to receive drive from said drive source at least when said drive source drives in a first direction of rotation; a feed roller shaft (339, 390); a feed roller (102, 202) mounted on said feed roller shaft for feeding sheets (S) when said feed roller shaft is driven; and rotatably supported drive transmission means (500, 526, 600, 612) for selectively engaging drive transmission from said first driven shaft to said feed roller shaft in dependence upon the rotational position of said drive transmission means. A mailpiece creation apparatus is also provided, illustrating one application of such a machine, as well as associated methods for sheet handling and mailpiece creation.

Abstract: A tab guide is provided for aligning tab stock in a paper tray of a printer having a trail edge guide including a substantially planar sheet-engaging face and a stack height finger extending from the sheet engaging face in a process direction for engaging a top surface of a top sheet on a stack adjacent the trailing edge of the sheet. The tab guide comprises a top flange, a trailing edge flange and a mount. The top flange has a top surface and a sheet-engaging surface. The trailing edge flange has a substantially planar trailing edge-engaging surface. The mount couples the top flange and the trailing edge flange.

Abstract: A stack of alternating sheets includes repeating diecuts offset among the sheets. The sheets may be made from a continuous web using a die to cut the repeating diecuts along the running axis of the web. Individual sheets are cut from the web and stacked with the diecuts offset from each other in turn. The stack of sheets may be loaded into a printer and fed individually therethrough, with the offset diecuts preventing interlocking therebetween.

Abstract: True zero-clearance cutting on a commercial scale is provided via a cutting area including a sacrifice material that is relatively softer than the cutter. One example is a cutting system which is capable of cutting a material such as, for example, tape or paper, into a fiber or powder. The cutting system includes a cutting blade, typically a rotary cutter, and a sacrificial plate or round bar contacting the cutting blade. The contacting portion has a zero clearance during the cutting operation. A metering mechanism is also provided which is capable of metering the material at a predetermined rate to the cutting blade. A mechanism is also provided for incrementally moving the sacrificial blade towards the cutting blade to ensure that the zero clearance is maintained between the cutting blade and the sacrificial plate, even when the sacrificial plate begins to wear down due to usage.

Abstract: Sheet take-out apparatus 2 includes sheet-feeding member 22 on which sheets P are placed, air spout unit 26 that spouts out air toward a side of the sheets depressed by depression unit 27, take-out unit 30 that takes out a sheet from the sheets P toward which air spouts out the air and depression unit 27 that depress the sheets against sheet-feeding member 22 on a rear edge side located behind a central portion of the sheets P with respect to a taking-out direction of take-out unit 30. Further, a method of taking-out sheets by means of sheet take-out apparatus 2 is disclosed. Sheet take-out apparatus 2 and a method of taking out sheets are capable of taking out one necessary sheet at a time regardless of surface conditions of the sheets.

Abstract: An automated banking machine includes a mechanism for accepting deposited items. Deposited items may be provided to the machine in envelopes which are first passed to a user from an envelope storage area (132) in the machine through a transport (124) and which are presented to the user through an opening (244). An envelope storage and dispensing device (134) is operative to assure that only a single envelope is delivered to the user. A user may thereafter include deposit items in the dispensed envelope. The deposited items are passed through the opening (244) and are deposited in a deposit-holding container (128). The deposited items may be marked with indicia corresponding to the transaction or properties of the deposited item where the envelope originally dispensed to the user for holding the deposited item.

Abstract: A packaged stack of dividers comprising a container including front and back covers, at least two dividers oriented in stacked relation to each other and positioned in the container between the front and back covers, and an alignment member coupled to the stacked dividers. In one embodiment, the alignment member is positioned through holes in the dividers.

Abstract: A sheet post-processing device is provided with a pushing device for pushing a predetermined position of a sheet stack in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction that the sheet stack is conveyed, and a pair of rotating bodies for performing a folding operation. In the folding operation, a position of the sheet stack pushed by the pushing device is moved away from a contact point between rotational centers of the rotating bodies.

Abstract: A sheet-guiding device in a sheet-processing machine, in particular a sheet-fed rotary printing press, includes gripper devices disposed on revolving components of the sheet-processing machine for guiding the sheets to be printed on an air cushion formed by blast air. A multiplicity of free jet nozzles, disposed radially outside a path of movement of the gripper devices, form the air cushion. The free jet nozzles serve for producing free air jets tangentially delimiting an optimized path of movement of the sheets. The optimized path of movement extends in the vicinity of the path of movement of the gripper devices.

Abstract: The delivered sheet stacking tray has a delivered sheet stacking surface, provided on an upside of an image forming section, which extends in a sheet-transporting direction so that a transporting-direction end of the delivered sheet stacking surface is opened toward a lateral outside of the image forming device body, wherein the delivered sheet stacking surface has a sheet removing concave which extends from (a) the transporting-direction end via (b) a stacking area of a maximum size sheet to (c) a stacking area of a minimum size sheet so that the sheet removing concave is positioned within an area ranging from the stacking area of the maximum size sheet to the stacking area of the minimum size sheet, and the sheet removing concave is formed substantially in parallel to a line linking (i) a corner portion of the stacking area of the maximum size sheet which corner portion is positioned on a downstream side in the transporting direction and on a front side of the image forming device to (ii) a corner portion o

Abstract: The invention is a magnet for facilitating separation of individual sheets from a stack of ferro-magnetic sheets; the invention is in the form of an elongate housing containing an elongate array of magnets which may be selectively positioned in relation to the housing so as to bring the array in proximity to the edge of the stack of ferro-magnetic sheets, thereby inducing a magnetic field in said sheets and causing the sheets to separate, thereby facilitating manipulation of the uppermost sheet from the stack.

Abstract: A delivery device (5) for cassettes and/or specimen slides for histological preparations in a printing system (11) is described. The cassettes and/or specimen slides are in each case arranged one above another in stack magazines (6), a control device (1) being provided for removal of a cassette and/or specimen slide from the stack magazines (6). The improvement comprises a drive shaft (12) having a motor (13) for at least two stack magazines (6), and the motor (13) is connected to the control device (1).

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, an apparatus and process are provided for transporting sheet-shaped print material. A first transport element and a first contact element are actuated to transport a sheet-shaped print material with alignment against an alignment stop. A second transport element and a second contact element are actuated to transport sheet-shaped print material past the alignment stop without alignment against the alignment stop.

Abstract: A device for laterally aligning sheets in sheet-processing machines includes a pulling device having a drivable transport roller and a dabber roller mounted on a pivotable lever. A spring system cooperates with the lever for adjusting a pressing force between the rollers. The spring system has a progressive spring characteristic.

Abstract: A card is provided for cleaning a document track of a document handling system, and methods for making and using the same. The card includes a planar body formed of a resilient material, such as a fibrous or polymeric material. The body includes a plurality of tabs, with each one of the tabs being pivotable relative to the body between an extended position and a collapsed position. In the extended position, the tab projects angularly from the body, while in the collapsed position, the tab is substantially co-planar with the body. The tabs are biased to the extended position, such as by creasing the material forming the body. The biased tabs extend across the document track, and sweep debris along the document track.

Abstract: A monitor for collecting data on consumer consumption of disposable sheet products is disclosed. The monitor comprises a working surface capable of supporting a stack of sheets thereon, a weight sensor, and a recorder. The stack of sheets comprises a plurality of sheets individually removable from the stack. The stack has a stack weight, and each sheet has a sheet weight. The weight sensor is in operative communication with the working surface for measuring the stack weight as the sheets are removed from the stack. The recorder is in communication with the weight sensor for receiving and recording the stack weight. Optionally, the monitor further comprises a consumer input device for receiving data generated by a consumer regarding usage and acceptability of the product being tested. The results of the stack weight measurements and the data generated by a user may be uploaded to a computer to create a data file.

Abstract: A planar article or sheet, such as a divider sheet for stacked products, and the method of supplying substantially planar articles from a supply magazine to an article transfer device, which then transfers the article to a desired location for further processing. The planar article itself can be a divider sheet for stacked beverage containers, folded paperboard cartons for carriers, or any other substantially planar article which is adapted to be consecutively arranged with other such articles in a group, and placed in a supply magazine for singular delivery to an article transfer device. The method of the present invention is specifically designed to insure that only one sheet at a time is removed from the group by the article transfer device. The sheets or articles themselves, are designed to cooperate with the supply magazine to facilitate singular delivery.

Abstract: A paperboard sheet has a longitudinal scoreline defining a narrow flap portion on one side thereof and a body potion on the other side. The sheet is packaged flat together with a set of tabbed dividers thereby protecting the dividers. With the sheet and dividers removed from the packaging, the flap portion is folded up ninety degrees on the scoreline to define a guide tray. The guide tray is inserted into a printer feed tray and the set of tabbed dividers is placed on the body portion with the tabs thereof abutting the upturned flap portion, and the feed tray guides adjusted. The flap guides the dividers as they are fed into the printer, preventing skewing thereof. Guide tray instructions are conveniently printed on the paperboard sheet. The guide tray can be used for guiding sheets, other than tabbed dividers, which have irregular longitudinal edges.

Abstract: A paperboard sheet has a longitudinal scoreline defining a narrow flap portion on one side thereof and a body portion on the other side. The sheet is packaged flat together with a set of tabbed dividers thereby protecting the dividers. With the sheet and dividers removed from the packaging, the flap portion is folded up ninety degrees on the scoreline to define a guide tray. The guide tray is inserted into a printer feed tray and the set of tabbed dividers is placed on the body portion with the tabs thereof abutting the upturned flap portion, and the feed tray guides adjusted. The flap guides the dividers as they are fed into the printer, preventing skewing thereof. Guide tray instructions are conveniently printed on the paperboard sheet. The guide tray can be used for guiding sheets, other than tabbed dividers, which have irregular longitudinal edges.

Abstract: A planar article or sheet, such as a divider sheet for stacked products, and the method of supplying substantially planar articles from a supply magazine to an article transfer device, which then transfers the article to a desired location for further processing. The planar article itself can be a divider sheet for stacked beverage containers, folded paperboard cartons for carriers, or any other substantially planar article which is adapted to be consecutively arranged with other such articles in a group, and placed in a supply magazine for singular delivery to an article transfer device. The method of the present invention is specifically designed to insure that only one sheet at a time is removed from the group by the article transfer device. The sheets or articles themselves, are designed to cooperate with the supply magazine to facilitate singular delivery.

Abstract: A receive magazine configured to be positioned in a generally upright, vertical orientation for passively collecting a plurality of flexible sheets of media. The top wall of the enclosure has a collection door in the top wall of a light-tight enclosure allows sheets of media to be passively received within the magazine. A contoured plate is hinged along a hinge line near the collection door on a non-stacked side of the enclosure. The plate is planar near the hinge line and is non-planar at an end of the plate opposite from the hinge line. A biasing mechanism is positioned near the collection door for resiliently biasing the plurality of flexible sheets of media laterally toward the non-stacking side of the enclosure biasing the plate away from the non-stacking side of the enclosure.

Abstract: A process cartridge mountable within an image forming apparatus, includes an image bearing member, process means acting on the image bearing member, a frame, and a first guide surface provided on the frame and adapted to guide a recording medium toward the image bearing member, and a second guide surface recessed more than the first guide surface and having width smaller than that of the first guide surface. With the above construction, it is possible to provide a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus within which such a process cartridge can be mounted, which can be made small-sized and light-weighted and which are easy to use.

Abstract: A stimulable phosphor sheet cassette has a light-tight casing which has an opening through which a stimulable phosphor sheet can be got in and out of the casing by moving the stimulable phosphor sheet in a direction parallel to the surface thereof and a light shielding member provided at the opening to prevent light from entering the casing but to permit the stimulable phosphor sheet to move through the opening. The casing is in such a size that it receives the stimulable phosphor sheet with one end portion of the stimulable phosphor sheet projecting outside the casing through the opening.

Abstract: A continuous-operation device for the treatment of a leather piece and similar materials, comprising a work station including a roller unit including a pair of rollers and through which the leather piece is moved, the work station including an inlet side and an outlet side, a traversing path upon which the leather piece is transversely moved, the traversing path extending from the inlet side and through the work station to the outlet side, a gripper for removal of the leather piece from one of the pair of rollers as the leather emerges from the work station outlet side, the gripper also for traversal movement of the leather piece after it emerges from the work station outlet side, a drive for driving the gripper, the gripper being operatively connected to the work station outlet side and movably mounted on the drive.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a flexible sheet workpiece is disclosed. The apparatus includes workstations arranged in at least two parallel series. Each workstation is adapted to carry out at least one operation on the workpiece, which can then be transferred to the next workstation in the series or, if desired, from a workstation in one series to a workstation in an adjacent series across an interchange area between the two series.

Abstract: A receive magazine for collecting and transporting sheets of exposed photographic media. The receive magazine includes an elongated, light-tight enclosure having front and back walls, top and bottom walls, and first and second end walls. Sheets of media are gravity fed into the magazine entrance through a collection door on the top wall of the enclosure. The collection door includes a media-receiving slot, a shutter and a spring for biasing the shutter to a normally closed, light-tight position over the slot. A lower downwardly sloping resilient member mounted to the front wall engages the sheets as they are inserted into the magazine and forces the sheets into a vertically stacked arrangement against the back wall of the enclosure, away from the entrance. A ramp surface on the back wall guides sheets being inserted over previously collected sheets. A compound curved surface on the back wall of the enclosure below the ramp surface arcs the sheets to minimize contact during insertion.

Abstract: A retard assembly for use in a friction retard separator and feeder comprising a support member for supporting a retard member and a sheet entrance guide at the incoming end of the retard assembly having a substantially vertical portion and a substantially horizontal portion overlying the incoming guide entrance portion of the retard member in advance of the retard portion of the retard member, said sheet guide being vertically compliant and movable in said support member to enable a reduction in the spring rate in the entrance guide portion of the retard member to a level substantially below the level in the retard portion.

Abstract: A system for taking up and discharging ironed cloth articles from ironing apparatus comprises a column mounted on a base and supporting an articulated rotary arm at one end of which there is mounted a ball member for engaging an ironed cloth article and removing it from an ironing apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for the seriatim separation and feeding of garment parts from a shingled stack of the parts to a predetermined destination. Comprising the apparatus is a movable hold down mechanism for engaging the trailing edge of the second part in the stack and a picker head for engaging the leading edge of the first part in the shingled stack and removing it from the stack. Mechanisms are provided for accurately determining the location of the trailing edge of the second part in the stack and moving the hold down mechanism into position to accurately engage the trailing edge of the second part in the stack. Following separation, the separated part is transferred to a second location at which the head is withdrawn from the transferred part.