Abstract: A method and apparatus for feeding a currency note into a currency processing machine. This note feeder includes a transporter for transporting notes from a note stack onto a processing belt inside the currency processing machine. The note feeder also includes a mediating transporter that takes the note from the transporter and feeds the note onto the processing belt. The note feeder also includes sensors for determining when the note has left a first feeding area and entered a second feeding area and to determine whether multiple notes have entered the second feeder section. The note feed also includes and a sensor that determines when the note has entered onto the processing belt. Based on information received from the sensors, the transporter starts and stops thus providing uniform spacing between notes.

Abstract: In a feeding apparatus for material sheets, package blanks (B) are stored stacked in layers in a hopper (2) that opens downward, for example. A plurality of stopper guides (20) are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the package blanks (B) at the outlet of the hopper (2). Restrainer lugs (24) are located continuous with the guide surfaces (22) of the stopper guides (20). The package blanks (B) are supported in layers on the stopper guides (20), and the lowest one is supported directly on the guide surfaces (22). Since guide surfaces are inclined in the direction of delivery of the package blanks (B), the lowest one of the package blanks (B) deflects to the maximum degree, and a gap is formed between the lowest package blank and the overlying package blank (B). Further, the package blank (B) can be delivered as it gets over the restrainer lugs (24) by elastic deformation.

Abstract: A separator includes a housing, a feeder mounted in the housing for feeding documents along a feed path and a retard mechanism mounted in the housing along the feed path and opposite to the feeder. The retard mechanism includes a body and a pad attached to the body. The body is mounted at first and second pivot points such that the body and pad can rotate around the first and second pivot points.

Abstract: An improved singulation mechanism is provided for flat articles having significant variations in size, thickness and weight, which mechanism utilizes at least two vacuum chambers positioned behind a moving perforated to feed the articles and selectively controls at least one of pressure and flow for at least one of the chambers to facilitate the feeding of heavier articles, while inhibiting bleed through doubles for lighter articles. A mechanism may be provided which provides a puff of air to at least one of the chambers at the end of the operation thereof to reduce the feeding of doubles and a bent fence may be suitably positioned to both facilitate feeding of shorter articles and to facilitate proper initial alignment of the articles.

Abstract: A double separator assembly used for a mail sorting system. A conveyor system facilitates movement of mail items through the double separator assembly. A substantially nonrotatable component is positioned proximate to the conveyor system. A mail driving assembly positioned proximate to the conveyor system if provided downstream from the friction component and in functional relation thereto. The mail driving assembly further includes an idler roller and a force generating device to hold the mail item against the conveyor system. Further disclosed are a mail processing system including a double separator, a mail processing method, a mail sensing assembly and method.

Abstract: An automatic paper feeder with an integrated paper presser and stopper is disclosed. The integrated paper presser and stopper includes a fixing section, a paper pressing section downward extended from the fixing section at an inclined angle toward a paper-out end of the paper tray, a first bent section formed at a lower end of the paper pressing section to define a first gap, a paper stopping section downward extended from the first bent section at an inclined angle toward the paper-out end of the paper tray, and a second bent section formed at a lower end of the paper stopping section to define a second gap which is smaller than the first gap.

Abstract: A paper feeder is able to properly separate and convey the uppermost sheet of paper from sheets stacked beneath it in a paper bin while effectively preventing multiple paper sheet feeds and other paper feed problems. The paper feeder includes a paper separator for lifting upper sheets, and separating the uppermost sheet from the sheet immediately beneath it by blowing air against an upper-forward end of a stack of paper loaded in a paper bin, and a vacuum paper carrier for holding the uppermost sheet by suction and carrying it. The paper separator has lifting nozzles for lifting side ends of the upper sheets, by blowing air toward side portions, excluding a central portion, of the stack of paper loaded in the paper bin.

Abstract: A card hopper includes a control gate that reliably allows cards of varying thicknesses to be fed individually through an outlet opening without adjustment. The hopper is configured to hold a stack of plastic cards or similar, fairly rigid, substrates. The control gate is positioned at the outlet opening and includes a flexible blade that reduces a height of the outlet opening to less than a thickness of an end card of the stack, whereby the flexible blade flexes in response to the end card when driven through the outlet opening. Also disclosed is a card feeder assembly that includes the above-described hopper.

Abstract: The device and method prevents a robot from carrying two blanks stuck together i.e., a double blank, from being transported storage station to a workstation. Suction cups on the robot arm grip the blank. The robot transports the blank to a double blank separation station, which has suction cups facing the opposite side of the blank. If the blank is a double blank, the opposing force from the suction cups pulls the blanks apart. The robot carries the separated single blank to the workstation. Instead of returning to the storage station to obtain another blank, the robot returns to the double blank separation station to pick up the separated blank that remained there.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for feeding envelopes in an envelope insertion machine, wherein a rotatable pneumatic feeding head is used to pick up an envelope from an envelope stack by a negative air pressure. The pneumatic feeding head is also used to move the envelope to a pair of take away rollers so that the envelope picked up by the feeding head can be moved further away from the envelope stack. It is preferred that the feeding head includes an outer cylinder having a row of vacuum ports and an inner cylinder having a plurality of apertures for air passage operatively connected to a vacuum pump. The inner cylinder is independently rotatable relative to the outer cylinder so that the negative air pressure is provided to the vacuum ports when the apertures of the inner cylinder are aligned with the vacuum ports, and the negative air pressure is turned off from the vacuum parts when the apertures and the vacuum ports are out of alignment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for feeding a currency note into a currency processing machine. This note feeder includes a transporter for transporting notes from a note stack onto a processing belt inside the currency processing machine. The note feeder also includes a mediating transporter that takes the note from the transporter and feeds the note onto the processing belt. The note feeder also includes sensors for determining when the note has left a first feeding area and entered a second feeding area and a sensor that determines when the note has entered onto the processing belt. Based on information received from the sensors, the transporter starts and stops thus providing uniform spacing between notes.

Abstract: An apparatus for singling sheetlike data carriers is proposed wherein the stack (30) to be singled is located on a rest (5) which is movable relative to a feed device (4) in clocked fashion such that individual data carriers are moved in the direction of a singling gap whose width is variable by a retaining element (13) in synchronism with the clocked motion of the rest (5). This apparatus is able to attain a high throughput even with different sheet qualities while guaranteeing high functional safety.

Abstract: A pile restrictor includes a restrictor body and a restricting blade attached to the body, the restricting blade being adjustable angularly with respect to the body during an operating mode of a sheet feeder. The present invention also provides a pile feed device having a front guide and at least one pile restrictors, each of the pile restrictors connected to the front guide and including a body and a restricting blade attached to the body, the blade being adjustable angularly with respect to the body during the operating mode. Also disclosed is a method of restricting a sheet pile comprising the steps of placing a pile of sheets in a feeder so that the nose of the pile is restricted by a restrictor; and adjusting an angle of the restrictor furing operation of the feeder.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for thin flat articles, such as monetary currency bills, includes a plenum chamber having an aperture of a size smaller than the articles to be dispensed. A suction device is connected to the plenum chamber to provide sufficient negative pressure to adhere an article to the aperture. A contact member, such as an endless belt, is mounted for movement across the aperture to drive the article adhering to the aperture for release from the stack of articles. The stack of articles can be stored in a storage tray and biased towards the plenum chamber aperture. A series of spacer members can relieve part of the bias pressure. The released articles can be counted and stored in a storage chamber until a predetermined number of articles are accumulated. Subsequently, the passageway from the storage chamber to a dispenser tray can be opened and the articles ejected to the user.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for feeding a compilation of sheets in a direction of movement to a process station, comprising: a sheet tray for holding said compilation of sheets; an air plenum, positioned above said compilation of sheets, for picking up sheets into contact with said air plenum when a vacuum force is applied; drive means, attached to said air plenum, for translating said air plenum initially in a direction reverse from the direction of movement so that a trailing edge of said one of said compilation of sheets abuts against a portion of said sheet tray to generate a buckle area in said one of said compilation of sheets thereby allowing separation of one of said compilation of sheets from other sheets in said compilation of sheets, and said drive means translates said one of said compilation of sheets in said direction of movement.

Abstract: A method of operating a lifting sucker which takes sheets off a pile, the sheets being picked up and lifted by suction, which comprises determining at least one of the physical variables characterizing the method and comparing it with an associated desired value, and initiating countermeasures if there are any deviations from the desired value; and a lifting device operated by the method.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device for an image forming apparatus includes a plurality of separator pads each having a particular coefficient of friction with respect to sheets for separating the sheets one by one. An automatic switching mechanism automatically replaces the separator pads. The automatic switching mechanism includes a pad pressure switching section, a pad angle switching section, a ball screw with a worm wheel mounted thereon, a ball nut meshing with the ball screw, a worm meshing with the worm wheel for moving a movable member in the widthwise direction of the sheets via the ball screw, a pad motor for causing the worm to rotate, and a sensor responsive to the position of the movable member. The device automatically selects one of the separator pads and an angle thereof in order to set up optimal sheet feed conditions matching with environmental conditions including temperature and humidity.

Abstract: A sheet-processing machine operating in cycles, inter alia a shaping press, during which a cyclic excess air pressure is produced in a covered part of the machine, where the covered part has an opening (6) on the perimeter of which a diaphragm is fixed, the diaphragm being made of an elastic material which is substantially impermeable and resistant to the oil lubricating the machine (9).

Abstract: A paper feeder is able to properly separate and convey the uppermost sheet of paper from sheets stacked beneath it in a paper bin while effectively preventing multiple paper sheet feeds and other paper feed problems. The paper feeder includes a paper separator for lifting upper sheets, and separating the uppermost sheet from the sheet immediately beneath it by blowing air against an upper-forward end of a stack of paper loaded in a paper bin, and a vacuum paper carrier for holding the uppermost sheet by suction and carrying it. The paper separator has lifting nozzles for lifting side ends of the upper sheets, by blowing air toward side portions, excluding a central portion, of the stack of paper loaded in the paper bin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for resolving doubles on singulated flat articles being passed in a downstream direction to a takeaway mechanism by use of a doubles resolver mechanism ahead of the takeaway mechanism. The doubles resolver mechanism includes a doubles resolver head through which negative pressure may be applied to articles passing thereunder, and a mount for the head which positions the head against such articles with a substantially constant force regardless of the thickness of the article. Negative pressure is applied to the head except when the head is detected as having resolved a double, at which time such pressure is momentarily removed to permit the double to be cleared.

Abstract: A device for collecting and transferring cut products has an in-process storage device and a feeder feeding a stream of the cut products to the in-process storage device. The in-process storage device has a collecting tray in which the cut products fed by the feeder are collected. A transport device is provided for transporting the cut products away from the in-process storage device. A rotatably driven transfer drum is positioned underneath the collecting tray. The rotatably driven transfer drum has a gripping device that grips in a gripping position a preset number of the cut products collected in the collecting tray and moves the preset number of the cut products to the transport device by rotation of the rotatably driven transfer drum by a preset rotary angle.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for feeding a stack of sheets in a direction of movement to a process station. A sheet tray is provided for holding the stack of sheets; an air plenum is positioned above the stack of sheets. The air plenum picks up a sheet from the stack of sheets when a vacuum force is in the air plenum; a paper fluffer is provided for blowing air between individual sheets in the stack. The paper fluffer is able to adjust air flow between individual sheets. The paper fluffer includes a support structure and a plate pivotality mounted in the support structure, the plate having a venturi plate portion in contact the sheet and regulating plate portion, the regulating plate portion has an aperture defined therein which permits air to go through and has a cross-section area which limits air low as the sheet moves in contact with the air plenum while pivoting the plate.

Abstract: A taking part has a taking unit that comes in contact with the piled sheets to generate a taking force and to take the sheets one by one with the taking force. A movable lever is arranged in a side of the taking unit with respect to the piled sheets, and a driving unit gives a driving force in a linear or rotational direction to the movable lever. A force controller controls the driving force given to the movable lever by the driving unit. A detecting unit detects a position of the movable lever, and a sheet supplying unit supplies the piled sheets to the taking unit. A sheet supplying unit controller controls the sheets supplying unit on the basis of the position of the movable lever detected by the detecting unit. The sheets are pressed by the lever at a preparatory step, and then the sheets are lifted and pressed to the taking unit while canceling the driving force by the lever. The sheet and the taking unit are assured to become in good contact with each other to make the taking operation stable.

Abstract: A sheet feeder includes a support plate inclined backward and a feed roller for feeding one by one the sheets of paper stacked on the plate. A first support surface and a second support surface are formed at or near the bottom of the plate to support the front ends of the sheets. The second surface is lower in frictional resistance than the first surface. The second surface can be moved by an operating lever between a first position, where it is protruded from the first surface toward the sheets, and a second position, where it is retracted from the first surface away from the sheets. If the sheets are relatively rigid, their front ends are supported by the second surface in the first position, and they can therefore be fed smoothly.

Abstract: A stack of sheets or blanks are supported for individual high speed feeding from the bottom of the stack on a table positioned adjacent to a feed cylinder. An air blast from a pivotal nozzle deflects the leading edge of the bottom blank downwardly into engagement by suction force with the surface of the feed cylinder. Rotation of the feed cylinder separates the bottom blank from the stack. A plurality of rocker arms are then oscillated forwardly into the gap between the stack and the separated bottom blank. The rocker arms are independently, rotatably supported transverse to the leading edge of the stack. The position of the rocker arms is adjustable to support the stack as determined by the die cut configuration of the blanks. A fast cam actuates oscillation of centrally positioned rocker arms beneath the central portion of the stack leading edge with an accompanying blast of air between the bottom blank and the stack.

Abstract: A process for selecting a single stacked flat object from a stack of flat objects. The lowermost flat object is downwardly detached from the rest of the stack of flat objects by negative pressure on at least one of its edge areas) running parallel to the take-off direction. In at least one suction area, the flat object is held by negative pressure onto a conveyor that can move back and forth. The flat object is advanced underneath a scraper and then further conveyed. The device for carrying out this process has a hopper for the stack of flat objects, a scraper, at least one suction device to partially detach the lowermost flat object, a conveyor, and a take-off device.

Abstract: A sheet material supplying apparatus having a low-cost sucker adsorbing unit of a simple structure is provided for the carrying of sheet materials that are used under a high-humidity environment or that include humidity, to ensure a proper separation of each sheet material. Sheet materials accommodated in a tray are being sandwiched between a push-up panel and an engagement claw. At the time of taking out the sheet materials from the tray, the push-up panel is pressed down by a cam to cancel the state of sandwiching between the engagement claw and the push-up panel. Accordingly, only the top layer sheet material is taken out from the tray, with the rest of the lower layer sheet materials being dropped by their self-weight. Further, the sheet materials are carried by the sucker adsorbing unit.

Abstract: A sheet feeder for feeding sheets from a sheet stack, having a feed deck for supporting the sheet stack and a pair of spaced apart parallel guide rails on the feed deck for receiving the sheet stack between the guide rails. A sheet feeding assembly is mounted in proximity to a sheet feeding end of the feed deck and is operative to feed individual lowermost sheets from the sheet stack, the sheet feeding assembly including a continuously rotating feed drum having an inner and outer circumference and a plurality of suction openings and a vacuum assembly received in the inner circumference of the feed drum and having at least one rotating cylinder coupled to a vacuum source and movable between an actuated position for drawing air downward through the portion of the feed drum extending above the planar surface of the feed deck and a default position preventing the drawing of air through the feed drum when a vacuum is applied to the at least one rotating cylinder.

Abstract: A a sheet supplying apparatus includes a sheet holding member adapted to hold a plurality of sheets and having a regulating wall for regulating movement of the sheets in a sheet supplying direction, a sucker member for absorbing with a vacuum force an uppermost sheet among the sheets held by the sheet holding member, and a pressure reducer for reducing pressure in the sucker. In addition, a driver drives the sucker member to convey the sheet absorbed by the vacuum, a height detector detects a height position of the uppermost sheet, and a sheet urging member urges the sheets in a sheet stacking direction and moves the sheet toward the regulating wall. The sheet member urges means urging the uppermost sheet with predetermined pressure on the basis of the detected height position.

Abstract: A cut sheet feeder includes the combination of a top vacuum corrugation feeder mechanism followed by a top active retard feeder roll separation mechanism is noise efficient, highly reliable and provides for great latitude in feeding variations of paper.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying sheets has a sheet containing portion containing a number of sheets therein, a conveying mechanism for absorbing the uppermost one of the number of sheets in the sheet containing portion, and taking the absorbed sheet out of the sheet containing portion, and a protuberance absorbing portion provided in the sheet containing portion, the absorbing portion being adapted to absorb the partial protuberance of the number of sheets during at least the sheet absorbing by the conveying mechanism.

Abstract: A vertically oriented feeder for a packaging manufacturing system is provided. The feeder supports a stack of blanks in an upright position and in a confronting relationship with a vertical vacuum belt. The vacuum belt draws a front blank off of the stack and pulls it upward past a gate and between the vacuum belt and a friction belt. After the blank is pulled upward past the gate, a lifting device is activated to push the stack away from the vacuum belt and prevent additional blanks from being drawn upward by the vacuum belt until the lifting device is retracted or de-energized. The lifting device ensures that adequate spacing is provided between adjacent blanks and that the timing of the placement of the blanks on the succeeding flighted belt is sufficiently accurate so that downstream operations may be carried out by automated equipment.

Abstract: An apparatus for picking roll headers (2) separately one-by-one from a stack (1). The apparatus includes a picking device (3), which is adapted for picking always the uppermost header (2) from the stack (1). The invention is implemented by providing the apparatus with at least one clamp member (6) arranged to extend at least partially above the header stack (1) simultaneously being supported against the upper rim edge of the header stack (1), whereby the clamp member(s) (6) is/are able to keep the next header below stationary during the picking of the uppermost header.

Abstract: An automatic document handler having a sheet separator-feeder mechanism for separating a sheet from a stack of such sheets and for forward feeding the separated sheet without damage to an image on the sheet. The automatic document handler includes a stacking tray having a surface for supporting a stack of sheets; air knife means positioned opposite the stack of sheets for separating a sheet at an end of the stack of sheets, and a sheet separator-feeder mechanism including a bi-level support plate having vacuum ports. The sheet separator-feeder mechanism is mounted toward the downstream end of the stacking tray relative to a direction of forward sheet movement, and applies a negative air pressure through the vacuum ports in the support plate.

Abstract: A device for raising an edge of a topmost sheet from a pile of sheets comprises two cursors slidably coupled to a mobile head. On one end of each cursor two needles are fixed, which needles pierce into said edge. The device is especially useful in the manufacturing process of phenolic-melaminic decorative plastic laminates and preformable or postformable treated panels for raising sheets of paper which have been impregnated with resin and piled one on another.

Abstract: A vacuum corrugation feeder employs a vacuum feedhead working in conjunction with an air knife to feed sheets from the top or bottom of a stack. A retractable corrugator is included in the vacuum feedhead which prevents smearing of coated sheets due to relative motion between sheet surfaces and the corrugator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an air suction type paper feeding device that includes at least one rib 5 formed on a paper supply table, the rib slightly lifting papers P such that the bottommost paper is less likely to be retained by static electricity. The invention also relates to a jogging plate disposed at a rear end of the paper supply table which has an inclined portion which urges the uppermost papers on the paper supply table towards an air supply means. The jogging plate is further formed with an arcuate portion which diverts air from the air supply means downward against a rear end portion of the paper on the paper supply table. The present invention further relates to a paper feeding belt 3 having air permeability disposed above stacked papers on the paper supply table. A vacuum manifold is disposed between portions of the feeding belt 3 to provide vacuum to lift papers. The vacuum manifold is formed with a plurality of suction ports a, b, c.

Abstract: In order to prevent a situation that due to inherent variations in capability of a motor for a fan for blowing and sucking air, a motor for driving the suction transportation belt and the like, an external atmospheric pressure, and attaching of duct, the blowing force and the suction force upon the sheets become unstable, so that during suction attraction to the suction transportation belt, the sheets are not sucked parallel to the transportation direction but are sucked displaced, and therefore, a paper feeding error (jamming) results. An air blast nozzle for floating up the topmost sheet is disposed on the side to a sheet feeding cassette, and a suction transportation belt for suction attracting the topmost sheet is disposed above the sheet feeding cassette. A sheet pressing member is disposed above the sheet feeding cassette and a sheet rear end restricting plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating handling particularly tab stock in a sheet feeder, having a top feed vacuum corrugated feed head assembly for feeding sheets seriatim from a sheet supply stack. The facilitating apparatus includes a platform adapted to support a sheet supply stack of the tab stock type. A tab stock sheet supply stack is located on the platform in relation to the top feed vacuum corrugated feed head assembly. A force is applied to the tab stock sheet supply stack, such force having at least a component in a direction relative to such tab stock sheet supply stack to prevent individual tab stock sheets in such stack from prematurely moving out of control of the top feed vacuum corrugated feed head assembly.

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 sheet feeding apparatus with a sheet supporting unit for supporting sheets, a sheet absorb device for air-absorbing a lowermost sheet from among the sheets supported by the sheet supporting unit, a conveyer for conveying the sheet absorbed to the sheet absorb device, a regulator for regulating a downward movement of the sheets supported by the sheet supporting unit by abutting tip ends of such sheets against the regulator, a passage arranged between the conveyer and the regulator and adapted to guide the sheet conveyed by the conveyer, and a controller for driving the conveyer in a reverse direction after the sheet conveyed by the conveyer is fed out through the passage.

Abstract: An article placing assembly having a pushing mechanism constructed and arranged to engage and move articles from an article stack. The assembly has opposing pivoting gate members which cooperate to hold and release successive articles. Movable clamps further cooperate to hold the article stack as successive articles are sequentially moved from the article stack. A process is set forth for separating and removing successive articles from an article stack in a magazine.

Abstract: A sheet feed assembly for feeding sheets from a stack comprises a vacuum feed device which is movable to feed a sheet from the stack in the feed direction while the sheet is held on the feed device under vacuum. A sheet holding device is spaced from the vacuum feed device adjacent the stack in use for selectively preventing sheets from being fed from the stack. A control device coupled to the vacuum feed device and to the sheet holding device selectively supplies a vacuum to the vacuum feed device to cause the device to feed a sheet and, at substantially the same time, to deactivate the sheet holding device so as to allow a single sheet to be fed by the vacuum feed device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hold-back device for use with a magazine of an article-handling apparatus. The hold-back device includes a frame defining a feed gap through which articles from the magazine are fed. A plurality of threaded members are threadingly mounted in threaded openings defined by the frame. The threaded members have distal ends adapted to extend into the feed gap to hold back the articles held by the magazine. By threading the threaded members in or out of the frame, the distal ends of the threaded members can be set to desired positions in the feed gap.

Abstract: An apparatus for singling cards, such as check cards, identity cards and the like, which consists of a magazine for storing the cards in a stack, a removing device and a retaining device. The cards are disposed in the magazine rotated at a defined angle from one another, resulting in protruding surfaces between two successive cards. For singling, the uppermost card is lifted off in an axis perpendicular to the card surface by means of a removing device. The card following the uppermost card is held back in the magazine by means of a retaining device, the retaining device acting on the protruding surface of the following card.

Abstract: A paper feed system suitable for use with a portion control machine to provide paper sheets for separating portions, including a paper hopper mountable to a portion control machine and adapted to receive and temporarily retain a stack of paper sheets. The paper hopper has an open end having a front edge spaced opposite from a back edge and defining a ready position where a paper sheet lies in a first plane to be dispensed. The paper feed system further includes a paper support having a length to width ratio of 10 to 1 or greater. The paper support is mounted adjacent the open end of the paper hopper blocking the free exit of paper sheets therefrom, with the support extending from a central location on the back edge partially to a central location on the front edge. An upper surface of the support is substantially parallel with the first plane and is adjacent the first plane for retention of a paper sheet in the ready position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet supply apparatus with a sheet supporting unit for supporting sheets, a sheet absorb device for absorbing a sheet supported by the sheet supporting unit to separate the sheet from the other sheets, a conveyer for conveying the sheet absorbed by the sheet absorb means, and a sheet feature detecting device for detecting rigidity of the sheet absorbed by the sheet absorb device.

Abstract: A device for transporting material, in the form of discrete sheets, seriatim to a stack of discrete sheets, and subsequently seriatim away from such stack. The discrete sheet material transport device comprises a support for a stack of discrete sheets. The stack support includes a first stop for a first marginal edge of a discrete sheet, and opposed second and third stops for opposed marginal edges of a discrete sheet perpendicular to the first marginal edge of such discrete sheet. Discrete sheets are delivered seriatim to the vicinity of the stack support and are urged in a first direction into engagement with the first stop to form a stack of discrete sheets on the stack support. The discrete sheets are subsequently urged seriatim in a direction opposite the first direction to remove discrete sheets seriatim from the stack on the stack support. The second and third stops are located to accurately position the stack of discrete sheets on the stack support.

Abstract: A device whereby sheets can be discharged one by one from the bottom of a stack of sheets provided in a holder having a base support and side supports wherein in the transverse direction of sheet transport the base support surface has a downward bent shape so that the support surface has a deepened part on its supporting side such that in the proximity of the deepened part, beneath at least an edge zone of one side of a stack of sheets to be accommodated, the support surface is provided with at least one opening in which a vacuum can be created so that the bottom sheet is sucked against the support and air is blown against the side of the stack as considered with respect to the direction of sheet transport, in order to create an air layer at least between the bottom sheet and the stack thereabove, the airflow being ejected in the proximity of the deepened part of the support surface.

Abstract: Device for preventing removal of more sheets than a single sheet from the surface of a sheet pile includes fingers distributed on a front stop in vicinity of the surface of the sheet pile along a front side of the sheet pile for separating the sheets in a separating or singling process, at least one bearing member for carrying the fingers, and resilient supports for supporting the bearing member, the resilient supports being adjustable independently of one another with respect to the sheet pile.