Abstract: A sheet material feeding apparatus, provided with a simple-structure and low-cost multifeeding prevention mechanism, comprises a sheet stacker for stacking sheets, a feeding roller for feeding the stacked sheets, a separation roller, rotating according to the feeding roller, for separating the sheet, a separation roller holder for rotatably holding the separation roller and rotating to cause the separation roller to move to a position being in contact with the feeding roller and to a position being released from the feeding roller, and a urge unit for urge the sheet stacker to the feeding roller to cause the stacked sheets to come into contact with the feeding roller, wherein, after the separation roller came into contact with the feeding roller, it causes the stacked sheets to come into contact with the feeding roller.

Abstract: A roller apparatus for an automatic paper-feeding mechanism has two parallel swing rods. The two swing rods are biased upwards by an elastic component. An upper roller is rotatably disposed at an end between the two swing rods. A paper-in roller is rotatably disposed at another end between the two swing rods. A first gear is disposed on a shaft of the upper roller. A second gear is disposed on a shaft of the paper-in roller. A first idle wheel rotatably disposed on one of the two swing rods is engaged between the first gear and the second gear. A second idle wheel differentially matched with the first idle wheel is disposed on a shaft of the first idle wheel. The second idle wheel engages a central gear rotatably disposed on the shaft of the upper roller.

Abstract: A pick mechanism includes a hinged pick arm which moves between a retracted position and a varying, operating position. The pick arm is anchored about a pivot axis and hinged along its length. Rotation of a pick roller along the arm while in contact with a media sheet induces a moment on the pick arm causing the pick arm to pivot and hinge. A first stop limits the pivoting motion. A second stop limits the hinging motion, Such pivoting and hinging is desirable to create an effective normal force enabling reliable picking of thick media sheets. Such motions are limited to prevent the pick roller from translating too far from a media separation ramp. If the pick roller translates too far, undesirable media buckling may occur during the pick operation.

Abstract: A paper pickup mechanism for automatically picking up a paper is provided.

Abstract: A paper feed assembly is disclosed whereby a single driver is used to both engage a paper to be acted on, move or feed the paper to a pre-determined area, and then retract so that the paper may be acted on. The paper feed assembly according to the present invention comprises a motor, a cage, a gear train, and a roller arm. The paper feed assembly being design to permit the motor to rotate in a first and a second rotation and to engage or retract from the paper in response to the first or the second rotation.

Abstract: A method and system for unloading continuous forms media from an image forming device while utilizing full forms. The full form utilization feature of the present invention is applicable to printing onto sheets having multiple forms. During an automatic unload operation, the last printed form from a print run is unloaded and the first unused form is positioned to be the first printed form on a subsequent run. The full form utilization feature of the present invention reduces or minimizes the number of forms wasted during print runs.

Abstract: A document feeding apparatus includes a cam set fixed to a drive shaft and being driven selectively by the drive shaft. The drive shaft selectively rotates in a first direction and a second direction. The cam set includes a first cam, a second cam, and a first one-way clutch. The present invention further includes a one-way gear train fixed to the drive shaft and being driven selectively by the drive shaft; a paper-stopping plate connected with a paper-stopping arm; a pick-up roller fixed to and rotatable with a pick-up shaft; a strip roller fixed to and rotatable with a strip shaft; and a gear train transferring the power from the one-way drive gear set to the pick-up roller and the strip roller. The relative operational relationship between the pick-up arm and the paper-stopping arm is coordinated by the cam set.

Abstract: A pick mechanism includes a hinged pick arm which moves between a retracted position and a varying, operative position. The pick arm is anchored about a pivot axis and hinged along its length. Rotation of a pick roller along the arm while in contact with a media sheet induces a moment on the pick arm causing the pick arm to pivot and hinge. A first stop limits the pivoting motion. A second stop limits the hinging motion. Such pivoting and hinging is desirable to create an effective normal force enabling reliable picking of thick media sheets. Such motions are limited to prevent the pick roller from translating too far from a media separation ramp. If the pick roller translates too far, undesirable media buckling may occur during the pick operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking sheets has a conveyor for delivering a succession of the sheets in a longitudinal transport direction on a conveyor plane to an upstream side of a stacking station with longitudinal edges of the sheets extending parallel to the direction. A vertically displaceable platform in the station below the plane receives the sheets in a stack. A row of upper feed belts extending in the direction immediately above the conveyor and the stacking station has lower reaches engageable down against the sheets on the conveyor at the upstream side of the station. A feed-belt adjuster moves the upper feed belts transversely of the direction and sets the upper feed belts in any of a plurality of different transversely offset positions.

Abstract: A printing mechanism comprises a printhead that defines a printzone, and a tray adapted to support at least one sheet of print media. The tray is adapted to move through the printzone during printing by the printhead on the sheet.

Abstract: A document feeding apparatus includes a cam set fixed to a drive shaft and being driven selectively by the drive shaft. The drive shaft selectively rotates in a first direction and a second direction. The cam set includes a first cam, a second cam, and a first one-way clutch. The present invention further includes a one-way gear train fixed to the drive shaft and being driven selectively by the drive shaft; a paper-stopping plate connected with a paper-stopping arm; a pick-up roller fixed to and rotatable with a pick-up shaft; a strip roller fixed to and rotatable with a strip shaft; and a gear train transferring the power from the one-way drive gear set to the pick-up roller and the strip roller. The relative operational relationship between the pick-up arm and the paper-stopping arm is coordinated by the cam set.

Abstract: A stopper member regulates the leading edges of sheets stacked on a sheet supply tray. In a first position of the stopper member, the sheets on a sheet supply tray are prevented from advancing into a paper feed path, and in a second position, the sheets drawn out by a draw-out device pass. The stopper member can be moved to a third position between the first and second positions. The displacement to the third position from the first position is associated with the lowering of the draw-out device for drawing out the sheets from the sheet supply tray, and the displacement from the third position to the second position is accomplished by the leading edge of a sheet drawn out by the draw-out device. This structure prevents damage to the original stacked on the sheet supply tray, and attains a simple structure and a low cost apparatus.

Abstract: A pick-up mechanism and a method for performing a pick-up cycle in a reproduction machine. The pick-up mechanism comprises a pick-up control pinion which is firmly coupled to a control cam, and a drive gearing including a first rocker driving gear and a second rocker driving gear. The first and second rocker driving gears are mounted to a rocker device to be alternately engaged into and disengaged from, respectively, the pick-up control pinion. Upon starting the pick-up operation, the second rocker driving gear is drivingly engaged into a toothed section of the pick-up control pinion, and, in the course of the pick-up operation, the first rocker driving gear is drivingly engaged into the toothed section of the pick-up control pinion.

Abstract: A paper feeding system has a housing, a paper tray, a paper path positioned before a front end of the paper tray, a paper engaging mechanism installed above the paper tray, a paper separating mechanism, and a driving device. The paper engaging mechanism comprises an engaging arm and an engaging roller. The engaging arm comprises a first fixing shaft rotatably installed on the housing, and a second end installed with the engaging roller. When the engaging arm swings down to the paper tray, the engaging roller pushes at least a sheet of paper from the paper tray to the paper path. The paper separating mechanism comprises a separating roller and a friction pad installed respectively above and below the paper path. When two sheets of paper pass between a gap between the friction pad and the separating roller, the separating roller will move only the top sheet forward. The driving device is used to drive the engaging arm, the engaging roller, and the separating roller.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus to be used in an automatic sheet feeder having a motor rotatable in a first direction and a second direction is disclosed.

Abstract: A paper feeding roller is provided in the vicinity of a first widthwise end of a transporting path extending to a recording apparatus. A hopper, for stacking a plurality of sheets of paper, includes an aligning face, on which leading ends of the stacked sheets are abutted to be aligned with each other. The aligning face is narrowed from a first side end thereof to a second side end thereof. Here, the first side end is in the vicinity of the first widthwise end of the transporting path, and the second side end is in the vicinity of a second widthwise end of the transporting path. The hopper includes a guide face provided on the first side end of the aligning face so as to extend parallel with the transporting path.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device for printers and other machines comprises a movable support (17) whereon a stack of sheets may be arranged and resiliently urged against selection wheels (19). A retracting mechanism (50) is arranged so as to push back during one phase of a selection cycle the movable support (7) by a predetermined distance which is substantially constant and independent of the thickness of the stack of sheets. The retracting mechanism (50) for this purpose comprises a connecting rod (58) displaced by a cam wheel (66) following a backward and forward movement. The connecting rod (58) bears a pawl (57) cooperating with a ratchet wheel (56) suitable for driving a lever (51) integral with the movable support (17). Additionally an actuating mechanism permits the partial opening of the guiding channel (28) when the sheet arrives in a printing zone (35).

Abstract: The feeding mechanism for feeding media from an initial site to a predetermined site comprises a base, a scrubber, a deskewer, two feeders, a lifting device having two cam portions, a driving element and a releasing device. The deskewer is moved between a first position and a second position and sets the media located at the initial site. The two feeders are used for transmitting the media located at the initial site toward the predetermined site. The cam portions are used as a lifter to move the deskewer from the first position to the second position. The driving element disposed between the lifting device and the releasing device generates forces to actuate the cam portions to move the deskewer. The releasing device is used as an overload protection clutch connected between the lifting device and the driving element, having a first plate separately contacting the driving element.

Abstract: Image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording plate, the apparatus comprising a plate store (1) for storing a stack (12) of recording plates separated by interleaved sheets; a drum image scanner (6) on which recording plates are located for recordal of an image; and a frictional feed apparatus (2) for withdrawing recording plates from the store (1) and feeding them singly to the drum image scanner (6).

Abstract: A pickup device for use in an image forming apparatus has a cassette detachably mounted in a body of the image forming apparatus, and a pickup roller for picking up paper piled on the cassette and feeding it to an image forming engine portion by being moved upward and downward in association with loading/unloading of the cassette. Accordingly, overall size of the image forming apparatus is reduced, while improvement in performance and life span is guaranteed due to minimization of mechanical trouble, obtained by preventing possible collision between the pickup roller and the cassette being loaded, or preventing interference between the pickup roller and the paper. Also, information about paper exhaustion and paper remaining in the cassette is provided in real time.

Abstract: A stopper member regulates the leading edges of sheets stacked on a sheet supply tray. In a first position of the stopper member, the sheets on a sheet supply tray are prevented from advancing into a paper feed path, and in a second position, the sheets drawn out by a draw-out device pass. The stopper member can be moved to a third position between the first and second positions. The displacement to the third position from the first position is associated with the lowering of the draw-out device for drawing out the sheets from the sheet supply tray, and the displacement from the third position to the second position is accomplished by the leading edge of a sheet drawn out by the draw-out device. This structure prevents damage to the original stacked on the sheet supply tray, and attains a simple structure and a low cost apparatus.

Abstract: In a paper feeder, after a set of the documents has been fed, a lifting member transmits the rotation of a separation roller shaft to a frame member, as the separation roller shaft is rotated opposite to the direction to feed documents, by a predetermined amount. Accordingly, the frame member is turned upwardly, so as to lift a pick-up roller away from a paper feed slope where the documents are to be stacked. With this structure, another set of the documents can be readily set with the leading edges thereof placed under the pick-up roller after the first set of the documents has been fed. Further, when the documents are fed, a force such that the pick-up roller is lifted up away from the paper feed slope is not externally applied to the frame member leaving the pick-up roller in contact with the documents. Consequently, the documents can be stably fed out.

Abstract: An article feeder includes a feeder bin for holding and advancing a stack of articles. A stripper belt mechanism engages the first article contained in the stack and singularly draws the article from the stack. The stripper belt mechanism includes a source of vacuum for drawing vacuum onto the first article. A biasing mechanism biases the stripper belt mechanism against the stack of articles and applies back pressure thereto. The biasing mechanism is adjustable for varying the back pressure against the stack of articles to accommodate articles of varying thickness. A method for operating an article feeder is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pick mechanism including a pick roller, a pick arm supporting the pick roller and an actuation system adapted to move the pick arm from an idle position to a pick position and impart additional normal force to the pick roller. The magnitude of the additional normal force, which is greatest when the tray is full, decreases as the size of the stack in the tray decreases.

Abstract: A pick mechanism includes a hinged pick arm which moves between a retracted position and a varying, operative position. The pick arm is anchored about a pivot axis and hinged along its length. Rotation of a pick roller along the arm while in contact with a media sheet induces a moment on the pick arm causing the pick arm to pivot and hinge. A first stop limits the pivoting motion. A second stop limits the hinging motion. Such pivoting and hinging is desirable to create an effective normal force enabling reliable picking of thick media sheets. Such motions are limited to prevent the pick roller from translating too far from a media separation ramp. If the pick roller translates too far, undesirable media buckling may occur during the pick operation.

Abstract: A sheet supplying apparatus has a sheet support for supporting sheets, and a sheet supply roller for feeding out the sheets supported by the sheet support. An abutment member is pivotally supported to be rocked between a regulating position to regulate a tip end of the sheets supported by the sheet support and a non-regulating position to allow supply of the sheets by the sheet supply roller. An operation unit shifts the abutment member from the regulating position to the non-regulating position when the sheets are supplied by the sheet supply roller and shifts the abutment member from the non-regulating position to the regulating position after the sheets are supplied.

Abstract: An auxiliary roller is disposed in the proximity of sides of feed rollers and in the proximity upward from a separation pad. At the print time, the auxiliary roller is slightly projected toward the side of print sheet from roller faces of the feed rollers. The auxiliary roller is displaced as paper is displaced in a stack direction of the paper, and can be freely rotated. A hopper is moved up, paper is pressed against the feed rollers, and the separation pad abuts the feed rollers. Then, the feed rollers and a transport roller are rotated forward for feeding the paper to the transport roller. Further, the paper is sent from the transport roller at a distance equal to or greater than the length along the feeding path between the position of the front end of paper placed in a paper feed tray and the abutment center point of the separation pad and the feed rollers. Subsequently, the feed rollers and the transport roller stop, the hopper is moved down, and the separation pad is brought away from the feed rollers.

Abstract: A media guiding apparatus and related method for reliably directing a media sheet from a media tray to a transport nip are provided. In one embodiment the media guiding apparatus includes at least one guide member that extends from a first guide surface adjacent to the transport nip to the sheet separator in the media tray. The guide member cooperates with a second guide surface to create a substantially uninterrupted media path between the sheet separator and the transport nip. The guide member is also extendible as the sheet separator moves relative to the first and second guide surfaces within the media tray. In another embodiment, the media guiding apparatus comprises a fan that creates a positive air pressure that urges the sheet against a guide surface as the sheet advances toward the transport nip.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivery of sheet media to a printer includes a chassis, a drive motor, a media tray with elevatable pressure plate, a plurality of pick rollers situated opposite movable pinch rollers that come into contact with the pick rollers to form a roller assembly therebetween when in an extended position. A movable separator forms a throat between one of the pick rollers and the leading edge of the separator when it is in an extended position. A common transmission is used to simultaneously position the pinch rollers, separator, and the pressure plate. The apparatus also includes a media retarder for preventing multiple sheets of media from advancing through the apparatus at the same time. The method includes delaying the rotation of the pick rollers until a stack of media has been raised to press against the pick rollers, and the pinch rollers and separator are in an extended position.

Abstract: A sheet-material feeding device individually separating and sequentially feeding a bundle of sheets of a sheet material mounted on a sheet-material mount. The device includes a detector for detecting the presence of the sheet material on the sheet-material mount, and a pressing member for pressing the sheet material on the sheet-material mount when the presence of the sheet material has been detected by the detetector. A sheet-mounting angle of the sheet-material mount can be changed so that an upstream portion of the bundle of sheets is lower than a portion where the sheets are separated.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to prevent a sheet of continuous-form paper from slackening when it is fed back in a printer capable of feeding both sheets of continuous-form paper and cut-form paper.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing wrap-back of print media into a supply during a pick cycle provides a closed egress path regardless of orientation of a pick mechanism to the paper supply. In an exemplary embodiment, a biased, flexible member is mounted between a fixed position and a moving pick device such that the flexible member follows the pick device as the stack of print media depletes.

Abstract: A paper supplying apparatus in a printer and method for supplying paper loaded in a cassette to a printing unit in a printer main body, the apparatus including a pickup roller pivotally installed on the printer main body so as to be closely in contact with the paper, for picking up the paper while rotating in contact with the paper, mechanism for pivoting and rotating the pickup roller installed on the printer main body, and a rotation delay mechanism for delaying the initial rotation of the pickup roller for a predetermined time. Similarly, the paper supplying method includes the steps of pivotally installing a pickup roller on the printer main body so as to be closely in contact with the paper, for picking up the paper while rotating in contact with the paper, pivoting and rotating the pickup roller installed on the printer main body, and delaying the initial rotation of the pickup roller for a predetermined time.

Abstract: A drive power transmission mechanism situated between a drive motor and a pick-up roller for transmitting a drive power to the pick-up roller from the drive motor to rotate the pick-up roller under a normal condition. The rotating pick-up roller picks up a sheet at a time from a stack of sheets piled up on a paper feed tray. The transmission mechanism includes a torque limiter that interrupts drive power transmission to the pick-up roller from the drive motor when the pick-up roller contacts an empty paper tray. The drive power transmission mechanism also includes a clutch for preventing drive power transmission from the pick-up roller to the drive motor. The drive power transmission from the pick-up roller to the drive motor occurs, for example, when both the pick-up roller and a feed roller contact the same sheet and the pick-up roller rotates faster than a predetermined speed.

Abstract: A paper feed apparatus which is capable of avoiding an erroneous transfer of recording sheets includes a plurality of selectable paper handling mechanisms and a controller. The paper handling mechanisms include a base plate storing recording sheets, an elevator moving the base plate, a first detector detecting whether an uppermost-positioned paper sheet of the recording sheets is positioned at a predetermined paper feed position, a feed roller rotating in a paper feed direction, a separation roller in contact with the feed roller with a reverse driving force, a pick-up roller transferring an uppermost-positioned sheet to a nip portion between the feed and separation rollers, a pushing member pushing the separation roller to contact the feed roller, and a release member releasing the separation roller from contact with the feed roller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for switching a pickup roller of an inkjet printer to eliminate an unnecessary load due to maintenance of a contact state between the pickup roller and a knockup plate. The device maintains the contact state between the pickup roller and the knockup plate during a paper feed operation by mounting a rotatable cam device on the paper feeder part. The cam separates the pickup roller from the knockup plate according to the rotational direction of the line feed motor 24 as the driving system of the paper feeder part. After the feed operation has ended, the cam separates the pickup roller from the knockup plate and, as a result, an unnecessary load after the paper feed has ended is eliminated. A uniform quality for the line feed can be gained by feeding the paper without an excessive load at the beginning, and accordingly loss of printing quality (white line, etc.) is prevented.

Abstract: A belt (28) is moved into contact with a sheet (70) to be fed from the stack (18) under the control of a solenoid (48), which when energized causes pivoting of a crank mechanism (42) and an pulley (26) which supports the belt (28). The belt (28) frictionally engages the sheet (70) as to separate it from the stack (18) and move it into engagement with feed rollers (56) of a transport mechanism. The belt (28) is then retracted from the sheet (70) which is moved away from the stack (18) by the feed rollers (56). After a predetermined time period, the belt (28) is moved into contact with the next sheet of the stack (18) to be fed and the process is repeated until the desired number of sheets have been fed from the stack (18). The belt (28) is driven so that it rotates continuously during the pick operation and is brought to rest on retraction of the belt (28) after the final sheet has been picked from the stack (18).

Abstract: A sheet feeding mechanism including a pick apparatus for selectively moving a sheet of media from a stack. A kicker is disclosed in several embodiments and serves to retain media on the stack. In a first embodiment, a cam is coupled to the pick apparatus for deflecting the kicker from the first position at which it retains media on the stack to a second position at which paper is allowed to move through the mechanism. In a particular implementation of the first illustrative embodiment, the mechanism includes a frame and a shaft mounted on the frame for rotational movement relative thereto. The pick apparatus includes a pick tire mounted on the shaft and adapted to rotate therewith. The kicker is mounted on the frame for retaining media on the stack in a first position. The cam is adapted to deflect the kicker during a first portion of a rotational cycle and to release the kicker when the cam is in a second rotational position.

Abstract: A stack sheet supplying apparatus has a sheet stacking unit, a supply roller for supplying a sheet by contacting with an uppermost sheet in a sheet stack resting on the sheet stacking unit, a lift/lower device for controlling lifting and lower of the supply roller, a drive for driving the lift/lower device, a detector for detecting the fact that the supply roller reaches a supply position after the supply roller is lowered, and a control for turning OFF the drive on the basis of a detected result of the detector.

Abstract: The sheet feeding device comprises a frame with a fixed receptacle for the sheets and pick-up rollers mounted on a first shaft which is pivotingly fitted on the frame by means of a rocking support device. A second shaft is linked to a motor and bears, by means of two pivotingly mounted support members, the first shaft and the rollers. Two pinions integral with the shafts and an intermediate pinion provided with a braking member allow the rollersto be brought into rotation starting from the shaft. Accordingly, the latter commands rotation of the entire support device and presses the rollers against the uppermost sheet with a surface force which increases when the resistance to movement of the uppermost sheet increases. Extremely reliable paper feeding operation is achieved as a result, with a simple construction method and at low cost.

Abstract: A sheet feeding mechanism including a pick apparatus for selectively moving a sheet of media from a stack. The invention is a counter rotating roll design that uses staggered and nested rolls to achieve separation. The invention includes a separator roll mounted on a first shaft between first and second `D` shaped pick tires mounted on a second shaft. A kicker is mounted on the first shaft along with the separation roll. The kicker flexes as it engages the stack when the shaft is rotated and, after it has rotated around, pushes media remaining on the separation roll back onto the stack.

Abstract: A plate feed apparatus has a cylindrical pick-up head having a predetermined number of pick-up units. The pick-up head rotates with a first shaft at a first rotational speed. A feed mechanism places the uppermost plate in a stack of plates a nominal distance from the periphery of the pick-up head when a plate is removed from the stack. A vacuum is selectively drawn through each pick-up unit to pull the outermost plate into contact with the pick-up unit. A second shaft has a cylindrical bore which rotatably journals the first shaft and is offset from the centerline of the second shaft. The second shaft is rotated counter to the first shaft at a speed which is a multiple of the speed of the first shaft equal to the number of pick-up units. This causes the speed of the pick-up unit to be slower and its distance from the uppermost plate in the stack less each time a pick-up unit picks up a plate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for feeding a recordable paper in an ink jet printer. The device according to the present invention is designed such that a recordable paper stacking plate is upward shifted by a reciprocal movement of a carriage to be positioned at a paper feeding position at an initial printing so that a recordable paper is in close contact with a feed roller. Thus, the recordable paper is picked up by a rotation of the feed roller and moved to a base frame. As a result, it is possible to save a time for feeding the recordable paper and printing data on the recordable paper. Further, there is advantage in that a time for picking up the recordable paper can be reduced by using a CR motor having a large torque.

Abstract: A sheet material feeding device includes: a press plate which is provided at a bottom portion of a cassette and on which sheet materials are loaded and which is swingable upward and downward; a feed roll which is positioned above the press plate and which feeds an uppermost sheet material of the sheet materials by rotating while contacting the uppermost sheet material; a limiting member provided above the press plate and limiting a stacked height of the sheet materials; a spring urging the press plate upward so that the uppermost sheet material abuts the limiting member; and a presser mechanism which swings the press plate downward against urging force of the spring when the uppermost sheet material is fed to a predetermined position by the feed roll. Accordingly, when the uppermost sheet material is fed to the predetermined position by the feed roll, the press plate is swung downward, and there is no frictional resistance between the limiting member and the uppermost sheet material.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus capable of separating and feeding sheets each having a flap like an envelope. In the sheet feeding apparatus, when stacked sheets are delivered by a pickup roller supported liftably, and separated one by one by a feed roller for rotating in a sheet feed direction and a retard roller for rotating in an opposite direction to the sheet feeding direction, the pickup roller is moved up and down a plurality of times until a flap of the delivered sheet passes between the feed roller and the retard roller, which makes it possible to prevent buckling of the sheet.

Abstract: A media feed apparatus for a printer, with a motorized media pick mechanism and a media support plate movable toward and away from the pick element, so that a stack of media on the plate may be brought into contact with the pick mechanism. A lifter assembly is continuously movable between a first position and a second position, and has a cam surface supportably contacting the media support plate. A first cam surface portion contacts the support plate when the lifter assembly is in the first position, and a second cam surface portion contacts the support plate when the lifter assembly is in the second position. The support plate may have a protrusion over which the cam surface slides, and the cam may pivoted to provide a selectable lever arm, depending on the point of contact.

Abstract: A drive power transmission system located between a paper feed roller and a motor for transmitting a drive power to the paper feed roller from the motor only when a load acting on the paper feed roller in a direction opposite a rotating direction of the paper feed roller is smaller than a certain amount. The drive power transmission system is incorporated in an image processing device such as a facsimile machine. The paper feed roller and other rollers such as separation roller and retard roller cooperate to feed a sheet of paper from a stack of paper on a paper tray one sheet at a time. Eventually all the sheets are picked up from the paper tray and the paper feed roller directly contacts the paper tray. In this case, an excessively large shock or load acts on the paper feed roller and various associated parts which are provided to drive the paper feed roller such as a gear train mechanism.

Abstract: An automatic bag-dispenser which includes a supply of bags (30) arranged flat in a stack (3), and two rotary devices (1, 2) which have parallel axes, are located adjacent each other and are covered with a non-slip material. The rotary devices (1, 2) rotate in counter-rotation at linear speeds which differ at their periphery. At least one of the rotary devices (1, 2) can come into contact with one of the two end bags (30) in the stack (3) in the region of the bottom (32) of the bag (30) such that it can be driven between the rotary devices (1, 2). At least one of the rotary devices (1, 2) has a central part which is not rotated and opposite which devices (4) for gripping the center part of the bag (30) are active.

Abstract: A sheet supply apparatus has a separation member which is elastically flexible to change an angle thereof when the separation member is urged by a sheet fed out by a sheet supply unit, thereby separating the sheet which rides over the separation member from the other sheets, and a load releasing device for removing a load from the separation member to permit the separation member to return to its original state after the sheet is separated by the separation member and a guide for guiding the sheet separated by the separation member in the state where the separated sheet is not contacted with the separation member.

Abstract: When a pick-up roller is lowered to contact with a sheet, a control means stops a tray drive motor to prohibit a lifting movement of a sheet stacking tray to thereby minimize bounding of the pick-up roller when the pick-up roller abuts against the sheet and preventing delay in sheet supply and occurrence of sheet jam.