Abstract: A system and method for feeding paper into an image forming device which allows sheets of paper to be manually fed without becoming jammed. The paper feeding cassette uses one or more corner separators which hold down the corner(s) of the paper in the cassette while a feed roller rotates. The rotation of the feed roller in combination with the corner separators causes one sheet of paper to be removed from the paper cassette. During a manual feed operation in which a user manually feeds a single sheet of paper, a guide plate deflects the manually fed sheet of paper above the corner separators, thus preventing the sheet of paper from becoming jammed under the corner separators.

Abstract: A currency handling apparatus wherein an input bin is provided for accepting a stack of bills from which bottom bills are to be successively fed in single file in a given feed direction along a bill transport path. The apparatus is provided with a feed arrangement comprising a bill supporting surface for supporting a stack of bills and a stripping wheel. The stripping wheel projects through the bill supporting surface so as to contact the stack of bills. The stripping wheel has a circumference and a high-friction surface and/or a raised surface along only a portion of its circumference such that during rotation of said stripping wheel said high-friction portion and/or raised portion intermittently engages the lowermost bill of the stack of bills. The stripping wheel is always stopped with the high-friction portion and/or the raised portion of its circumference below the bill supporting surface.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device can perform registration of a sheet with high precision even if the sheet is fed at high speed. The device includes a pair of active registration rollers, disposed at a side upstream from a reading unit in the sheet feeding direction, for correcting skew of the sheet, skew-amount detection sensors, disposed at a side downstream from the pair of active registration rollers in the sheet feeding direction, respective pairs of feeding rollers, disposed at a side upstream from the pairs of active registration rollers in the sheet feeding direction, and sheet detection sensors, disposed at a side upstream from the pairs of feeding rollers in the sheet feeding direction. Each of the pairs of feeding rollers includes a roller having a semispherical cross section at the driving side.

Abstract: An image forming machine, such as a printer or copier, that includes a photoconductive drum for holding a toner image and a sheet pick/feed mechanism that uses an increasing radius feed roller to vary the speed of the paper in the pick/feed and image areas. The feed roller has a substantially circumferential perimeter defined by a radius that extends out from the central rotational axis of the feed roller. The radius of the feed roller increases in magnitude between a first point on the perimeter and a second point on the perimeter. A frictionally adherent surface on the circumferential perimeter of the feed roller engages the top sheet in a stack of sheet media and moves the top sheet through the pick freed area downstream immediately adjacent to the feed roller and into the image area further downstream immediately adjacent to the photoconductive drum. The top sheet is engaged by the frictionally adherent surface at the first point on the perimeter of the feed roller.

Abstract: A dual drive document deskew and sheet feeder. Paper sheets of various sizes and thicknesses are joggled and aligned into a stack relative to one side and a top of the documents, for example, and the stack is placed in a hinged hopper which is pivoted to be raised relative to left and right special picker rollers. Left and right drive rollers located downstream in a feeding direction from the picker rollers are independently driven by left and right drive stepper motors. Sensors which interact with the leading edge of a document are used to sense whether the document is skewed relative to the feeding direction. A controller receives the outputs from the sensors, and the outputs are used to dynamically deskew the document so that it can be fed into a document receiving apparatus in a deskewed or aligned orientation. The special picker rollers subject the top document being fed to alternating high and low friction forces which minimizes double feeds.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device for feeding a sheet stacked on a sheet cassette to an image forming portion of an image recording apparatus. The sheet feeding device includes a sheet supplying roller unit and a sheet feed roller positioned downstream thereof. The sheet supplying roller unit includes an intermediate small diameter portion and integral large diameter portions positioned to interpose the small diameter portion therebetween. Each large diameter portion has a contacting area in contact with the sheet, whereas the intermediate small diameter portion is spaced away from the sheet. A sheet edge detection arm is swingably provided and contactable with the sheet fed by the contacting area. The sheet edge detection arm is movable into a space defined between the small diameter portion and a confronting separation pad. If sheet is fed by the sheet supplying roller unit, the sheet edge detection arm is urged by the sheet and a posture of the arm is changed.

Abstract: An improved paper separator roller is described where, instead of a symmetrical, cylindrical paper-feed roller, an asymmetrical feed roller (or stripper roller) is used to separate a bottommost sheet from a stack of sheets. Eccentric portions of the feed roller are located at both ends of the roller, and the middle portion of the roller is cylindrical. In one embodiment, the eccentric end portions are formed by cutting ends of a cylindrical roller and then placing a shim between the center shaft and each end portion. Paper-feed springs oppose the eccentric portions of the feed roller, while a centrally located separator pad opposes the cylindrical middle portion of the feed roller. The extended radius at the apogee of the eccentric portions allows the eccentric portions to effectively reach out and grab the bottommost sheet even if the stack of sheets were only initially lightly contacting the roller.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet supplying apparatus having a sheet stacking device for stacking and supporting sheets, a sheet supply roller having different radial dimensions along a periphery thereof to feed out the sheets from the sheet stacking device, and a separation unit having a feed rotary member rotated in a sheet feeding direction and a reverse rotary member rotated in a direction opposite to the sheet feeding direction to separate the sheets fed out by the sheet supply roller one by one.

Abstract: A method for forming a stripper roller is described where, instead of a symmetrical, cylindrical paper-feed roller, an asymmetrical feed roller (or stripper roller) is used to separate a bottommost sheet from a stack of sheets. Eccentric portions of the feed roller are located at both ends of the roller, and the middle portion of the roller is cylindrical. In one embodiment, the eccentric end portions are formed by cutting ends of a cylindrical roller and then placing a shim between the center shaft and each end portion. Paper-feed springs oppose the eccentric portions of the feed roller, while a centrally located separator pad opposes the cylindrical middle portion of the feed roller. The extended radius at the apogee of the eccentric portions allows the eccentric portions to effectively reach out and grab the bottommost sheet even if the stack of sheets were only initially lightly contacting the roller.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device avoiding diagonal feeding of a sheet for use in an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a sheet cassette and a sheet supply roller unit positioned deviatedly with respect to a widthwise center of the cassette. The deviated position of the sheet supply roller provides rotational force to the sheet for causing diagonal feeding thereof. The sheet feeding device includes a plurality of feed rollers arrayed side by side in the widthwise direction of the sheet. One feed roller positioned close to the sheet supply roller unit provides the sheet feeding force greater than that of the remaining sheet feed roller positioned far away from the sheet supply roller for providing a linear relationship between a resultant sheet feeding force and a resultant resistive force in a direction parallel with the sheet feeding direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for conveying, accommodating and paying out bank notes, includes shaft-mounted guide rollers for feeding bank notes from a stacking space to a pay-out tray, shaft-mounted vane wheels with eccentric ends mounted between adjacent guide rollers, a spring-biased shutter at an inlet/outlet of the pay-out tray, a lid covering a stacking space and including a finger application notch, the lid being opened and closed by one touch operation when a spring is brought to a dead point, a conveying path communicating with a bank note insertion opening and including a pair of bank note guide bars having a substantially S-shaped sectional profile, large and small monetary amount stacking spaces provided above and below the guide bars, respectively, such that bank notes are fed to either stacking space with forward or reverse rotation of the guide bars, a stationary roller provided with an adjacent ratchet wheel, and step rotated by an operating member with an end pawl thereof engaged with a ratchet wheel tooth to d

Abstract: The feed device includes a platform (9) adapted to receive at least one mail item (4; 4A, 4B) laid flat on it and a plurality of rollers (10) each having a flat (10B). Said rollers are mounted to rotate under the platform to occupy alternately a first position in which they remain below the platform and a second position in which they project above the platform. A weight sensor (30) is mounted under the platform to carry it, said sensor being responsive to vertical displacement of the platform to deliver a signal (C) indicative of the load applied to it when the rollers are all substantially in said first position.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic sheet feeding apparatus comprising sheet supporting means for supporting a plurality of sheets, sheet supply means for feeding out the sheets supported by the sheet supporting means, separation means for separating the sheets one by one by abutting the sheet against the separation means and by riding one of the sheets over the separation means, and flexion permitting means for causing the sheet supply means not to apply the load to the flexion of the sheet produced when the sheet is riding over the separation means.

Abstract: A sheet supplying apparatus comprises a sheet supporting plate for supporting sheets, a separation claw for regulating one end of a leading edge of the sheets supported by the sheet supporting plate, sheet supply rollers for feeding out the sheets supported by the sheet supporting plate, a regulator for regulating leading ends of the sheets supported by the sheet supporting plate, and a guide for guiding side edges of the sheets on which the separation rollers act. One sheet supply roller is positioned between the separation claw and the regulator in a direction perpendicular to a sheet feeding direction.

Abstract: A device for pre-picking a top sheet of media from a stack is disclosed. A biased friction pad is mounted on a D-shaped pick roller mechanism to engage the top sheet with a lighter force than that which follows when a similar friction pad on the D-shaped pick roller mechanism engages the sheet. Multiple sheet pick problems inherent with use of only a D-shaped pick roller mechanism are alleviated.

Abstract: A paper feeding device for taking out paper sheets contained in a paper containing section one at a time by a paper feeding roller to feed the paper sheets. When a paper jam occurs in the position of the paper feeding roller, the rotation in one direction of the paper feeding roller is continued, so that the paper feeding roller is returned to its home position. At the time when the paper feeding roller is returned to its home position, the rotation of the paper feeding roller is stopped, to prepare for paper jam processing. A nip portion which nips the paper sheet and a non-nip portion spaced apart from the paper sheet are located on an outer peripheral surface of the paper feeding roller. In the home position, the nip portion is not opposed to the paper sheet and the non-nip portion is opposed to the paper sheet. That is, when a paper jam occurs, the paper feeding roller is stopped in a state where it is not pressed against the paper sheet in the paper containing section.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder is formed of a sheet mounting portion for receiving a sheet thereon, a rotating member located at the sheet mounting portion, and a pressure device situated at a side opposite to the rotating member. The rotating member rotatably contacts the sheet on the sheet mounting portion and transfers the sheet from the sheet mounting portion. The sheet is supplied onto the sheet mounting portion from an upstream side of a sheet transfer direction so that the sheet is located between the rotating member and the pressure device and is urged onto the rotating member by the pressure device. The feeder further includes a guide member partly covering the rotating member at the upstream side of the sheet transfer direction. The guide member guides the sheet on the sheet mounting portion from the upstream side to a downstream side thereof.

Abstract: A paper supplying device includes a pair of opposite upper and lower paper supplying rollers, each having a hemicylindrical portion defining an increased frictional circumferential surface having a frictional force greater than the remaining surface of the respective roller. A pair of feed rollers are arranged on a downstream side of the paper supplying rollers at a distance shorter than a circumferential length of the increased frictional circumferential surface of the paper supplying rollers. A rotation change over device drives the paper supplying rollers in changeable rotational directions between a regular rotational direction and a reverse rotational direction. A pair of upper and lower assist rollers are arranged with a bundle of manuscript sheets placed on a paper supplying tray therebetween. The assist rollers are rotated in the same direction synchronously with the paper supplying rollers.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for intermittently feeding sheets one by one into printing equipment. The apparatus comprises a sheet pickup roller fixed to a rotatable drive shaft, a pair of cylindrical rollers rotatably and coaxially coupled to the drive shaft and disposed at both sides of the sheet pickup roller, and a pad biased by a spring to be pressed against the sheet pickup roller and the cylindrical rollers. The sheet pickup roller has a cross section comprising an arc portion and a chord portion to substantially form a semicylindrical configuration. Also included in the apparatus is a projection provided at the chord portion of the sheet pickup roller. The projection is arranged to come into contact with the sheet over a range from a contact point between the sheet pickup roller and the pad to one end portion of the arc portion which acts as a leading portion at which the sheet pickup roller initially comes into contact with the sheet when rotating in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A ticket dispenser including a frame including a pair of side panels and a front panel having a slot, a driven roller fitted between the side panels, a driving roller disposed under the driven roller, a ticket rail extending slantwise between the driven roller and the driving roller, a worm gear fixedly connected with an end of the driving roller, a worm rod engaged with the worm gear, and a motor drivingly connected with the worm rod, whereby the dispenser is durable in use and easy to maintain.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet supplying apparatus with a sheet support for supporting a sheet and shiftable between a supply position and a waiting position, a supply roller for feeding out the sheet from the sheet support means at the supply position, a biasing device for biasing the sheet support means from the waiting position toward the supply position, a shifting device for shifting the sheet supporting means from the supply position to the waiting position in adherence with a biasing force of the biasing device means, and a regulating apparatus for regulating the shifting of the sheet support means with a force weaker than the biasing device force of the biasing device, when the sheet support means shifted to the waiting position by the shifting device is shifted from the waiting position to the supply position by the biasing device.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding individual sheets from the bottom of a sheet stack. The sheet stack is placed in the paper tray with the lead edge abutting the sheet feeding apparatus. The face of the stack rests against the main fang. As a nudger forwards the sheets from the bottom of the stack to a position under the main fang, further sheet separation occurs as the lead edges of the sheets strike a corrugated fang located between the main fang and the retard roll. The corrugated portion of the fang causes the sheets to be shingled out permitting a single sheet to pass under the retard roll and to be advanced by the feed roll.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in handling sheet material articles includes a feed drum which is rotatable to sequentially pull sheet material articles from a hopper. A separator assembly includes a rotatable separator disk in which a plurality of gaps are formed. A plurality of suction applicator heads are rotatable with the separator disk relative to the hopper. Each of the suction applicator heads is aligned with a gap in the separator disk. During rotation of the separator disk and suction applicator heads together relative to the hopper, the suction applicator heads are operable to sequentially apply suction to lower side surfaces of lowermost sheet material article in the hopper. The feed drum pulls one sheet material article from the hopper while a next succeeding sheet material article in the hopper is engaged by a suction applicator head.

Abstract: A rotatable pick engager for use with a printer for precisely timing the engagement of a paper stack with a pick roller during the picking of a sheet from the stack, greatly reducing top of sheet variability, skewing and multiple picks.

Abstract: A bypass sheet feeding device including a sheet separation device composed of a semicircular sheet drive roller and a multi-feed prevention roller which is coupled to a torque limiter, is provided on a sheet bypass feeding unit. When an uppermost sheet of sheets stacked on a bypass sheet feed tray is fed by a feed roller, the circumferential surface of the drive roller comes into press contact with the multi-feed prevention roller, thereby the uppermost sheet only is separated and conveyed and at least a sheet below the uppermost sheet is prevented from being fed. After separation and conveyance of the uppermost sheet is completed, the drive roller is stopped at a position where the circumferential surface is located upward, which results in releasing press contact with the multi-feed prevention roller.

Abstract: An improved sheet feeder mechanism includes a D-shaped roller that is mounted on a shaft and is positioned transversely to a direction of sheet feed. A D-roller gear is mounted on the shaft and has both a non-recessed geared region and a recessed non-geared region that extends partially about a circumference of the D-roller gear. A shaft extension extends from and is attached to the shaft, and a spring engages the shaft extension to cause the shaft and the D-roller gear to rotate to a position that enables a gear drive to engage the non-recessed geared region of the D-roller gear. A spiral cam assembly is mounted for rotation with the gear drive and includes a spiral cam that is positioned between and resiliently bears upon inner and outer annuli of the cam assembly.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for a cleated wheel assembly for aligning and securing a cleat to the outer circumference of a wheel which provides a cleat having attachment apertures which are secured by dowel pins within spaced receptacles, defined within the outer wheel rim, with mated plugs securing the cleat within the spaced receptacles. The assembly comprises a cleated wheel and a second wheel, the two wheels rotating in opposite direction, in order for the cleated wheel to separate a single article from a stack of articles, the second wheel preventing the next sequential article from leaving the stack.

Abstract: An image fixing device includes a fixing roller, a bearing for rotatably supporting the fixing roller, and a backup member to form a nip between them. The bearing extends to reach within a maximum recording material passage area of the fixing roller.

Abstract: There is disclosed a device for feeding a number of stacked documents accurately one by one into a machine such as a copy machine or facsimile including a table for loading the stacked documents, a pick-up roll for picking up the lowermost document of the stacked documents, and a pick-up rubber for cooperating with the pick-up roll so as to only convey the lowermost document into the machine. The free end portion of the pick-up rubber is pressed against a portion of the surface of the pick-up roll by a compression spring via a pressure plate. There are at least one pair of protrusions each positioned on one end portion of the circumferential surface of the pick-up roll and symmetrically facing each other along a line parallel with the axis of the pick-up roll.

Abstract: A composite friction feed roll includes one material which feeds fresh paper well and another material which reliably feeds paper which has passed through fusing and has oil on its imaged surface. Such a roll will feed deplex and fresh paper or inserts equally reliably. Suitable material combinations would be silicone rubber which handles fused copies with ease, but has limited life feeding fresh or virgin paper because it collects fibers from fresh paper, and isoprene which is long lived handling fresh paper, but is rapidly contaminated by fuser oil. In the steady state condition, silicone regions will be primarily active in feeding duplexed paper while the isoprene oil contaminated, while in the plain paper feeding case, isoprene regions will be primarily responsible for feeding while the silicone becomes paper debris contaminated.

Abstract: A sheet feed device for use in a sheet counter arranged to separate stacked sheets one by one and to count the number of sheets. The sheet feed device has a feed roller having on its circumference a roller surface including a friction surface and a non-friction surface and a feed shaft, and at least one sheet separating member having a separation surface disposed so as to face the roller surface. Stacked sheets are separated one by one by the cooperation of the feed roller and the sheet separating member. The roller surface of the feed roller is formed so as to have a concave circular-arc sectional shape, and the separation surface of the sheet separating member is formed so as to have a convex circular-arc sectional shape. A gap is formed uniformly between the circular-arc surfaces formed in the roller surface and the separation surface, and the sheet separating member is disposed so that the uniform gap has a certain length along the circumferential direction of the feed roller.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus in which a stack of sheets is supported and stored in a biased base tray. Successive uppermost sheets contained within the biased base tray are caused to move into engagement with a segmented feed roller. A cone shaped roller in combination with edge guides provide cross-track, in-track and skew alignment for the uppermost sheet after is it separated and advanced from the stack by the segmented feed roller. A biased retard pad prevents multiple sheet feeds from the stack.

Abstract: A sheet film magazine for a film changer has a conveyor for conveying individual film sheets from a film stack to an exposure or receptacle portion of the film changer. The conveyor comprises at least one conveyor wheel which is attached to a shaft that is parallel to the plane of the film sheets and which is driven with a drive mechanism in the conveying direction of the film sheets. The conveyor also has a spacing mechanism for spacing between a film sheet and the conveyor wheel such that the conveyor wheel, when conveying a film sheet from the sheet film magazine to the exposure or receptacle portion, presses against the surface of the film sheet, and is removed from this surface after the end of the film conveying. In order to enable a high film conveying frequency with a conveyor of this type in a simple way, following the end of a film conveying, the conveyor wheel is separated from the surface of the film sheet with the assistance of a separating mechanism.

Abstract: A sheet feeder with single sheet bypass sheet feeding capability has a sheet support platform for supporting a stack of sheets, at least one sheet feed roll fixedly mounted on a rotatable shaft and having a segmented feed portion for contacting and feeding the top sheet in a stack of sheets and defining therewith a sheet feeding path, sheet registration rolls downstream of the feed roll, at least one sheet bypass registration finger upstream of the registration rolls and downstream of and freely mounted about the feed roll shaft in the sheet feeding path, a sheet bypass guide rotatably mounted about the sheet registration rolls, the bypass guide having an angled sheet entrance throat to center a sheet and guide the leading edge into said bypass registration finger, the feed roll being rotatable through an opening in the bypass guide from a nonfeeding, standby position where the segmented portion is on the side of the shaft opposite the sheet support platform and a sheet feeding position where the segmented po

Abstract: Disclosed is a paper feeder for sequentially feeding laminated cutform paper to a record/write portion or the like. Proper sagging of the cutform paper is produced on this side of a paper feeding roller during rotations of the paper feeding roller in an anti-feeding direction, thus adjusting the direction thereof. Subsequently, with rotations of the paper feeding roller in a paper feeding direction, a feed roller is temporarily rotated. The paper feeding roller is caused to exactly pull in the cutform paper without exerting abrupt fluctuations in load on the paper feeding roller and the cutform paper.

Abstract: This carrier apparatus employs an ultrasonic actuator comprising a piezoelectric actuator made of a piezoelectric element which extends and contracts in the radial direction of a cylindrical vibrator in the inner space of the cylindrical vibrator as a power source. This ultrasonic actuator elastically deforms the cross section of the peripheral wall of the cylindrical vibrator into an elliptical shape by the extension and contraction of the piezoelectric actuator, and transmits a driving force in a tangential direction to an article pressed on a predetermined position on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body by utilizing the circumferential and radial transformations (or displacements) generated on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical vibrator upon elastic deformation of the elliptical shape.

Abstract: A printer 20 for imprinting data on a variety of multi-dimensional media 62 has media based registration and can accomplish free edge printing for printing data adjacent edges. The printer 20 includes a transport mechanism 52 for accurately transporting and positioning the media 62 before a print head 102. Further, the printer 20 includes a carriage mounted sensor 144 for media edge detection, registration and media size determination. A media presentation mechanism 96 ensures that the media 62 is appropriately presented and maintained at the optimal distance from and orientation with respect to the print head 102.

Abstract: A sheet feeder having a stationary sheet feed rollers fixed on and rotatable integrally with a rotary shaft, each having a sheet contact portion for contact with the uppermost one of a plurality of sheets and a relief portion spaced from the uppermost sheet. Freely rotatable feed rollers are fitted on the rotary shaft and each free roller has contact portion for contact with the uppermost sheet and a relief portion spaced from the uppermost paper. Urging members for urging engagement members on the stationary sheet feed rollers into engagement with engagement recesses on the free sheet feed rollers in normal state are disposed on the shaft. A pair of transportation rollers are disposed upstream in the sheet transportation direction beyond the stationary and free sheet feed rollers. Upon the rotation of the stationary sheet feed rollers, the stationary and free sheet feed rollers feed the uppermost one of the plurality of sheets.

Abstract: A hydrid nudger roll for use in a friction retard feeder includes alternating elastomeric and studded rolls positioned on a support shaft. The outer surface of the elastomeric rolls extends beyond the tips of the studded rolls, but when the elastomeric rolls are deformed against a stack of sheets due to normal force, the tips of the studded rolls extends beyond the outer surface of the elastomeric rolls.

Abstract: An apparatus for the feeding of individual carton blanks from a stack of blanks held in a retaining magazine to an adjacent takeaway belt of a conveyor. A bi-directional roller of two or more wheels is provided whereby a cleat attached to the rim of one wheel is used to bias a package blank to an adjacent carton blank conveyor. A second wheel of the roller rotates in the opposite direction of the first wheel which engages and supports the remaining blanks.

Abstract: A sheet media feed mechanism including a sheet media tray, the sheet media tray having a lower tray for holding a stack of automatic-feed cut sheet media and an upper tray for holding individual sheets of manual-feed sheet media. The lower tray has a pair of corner-pick separators for separating the top sheet of sheet media from the stack. The upper tray has a frame positioned over a rear portion of the lower tray leaving a front portion of the lower tray exposed, and pair of flexible sidekicks extending out over the exposed portion and having a sheet media separator at the front tips of the sidekicks. A pair of D-rollers mounted on a shaft pick the top sheet of sheet media from the lower tray when no sheet media is present at the upper tray, the D-rollers also adapted to pick the top sheet of sheet media from the upper tray when at least one sheet of sheet media is present thereat. The picked sheet media is then fed to a feed path.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a document feeder of an inserting machine. The feeder comprises a frame, a feed deck coupled to the frame, a separator wheel assembly for separating and feeding individual documents. The separator assembly includes a separator wheel disposed above the feed deck and a drive for the separator wheel. The separator wheel assembly can be adjusted to a position relative to the feed deck commensurate with the material being fed. The improvement comprises the separator wheel assembly being biased against a cam. The cam is located above the separator wheel assembly, wherein the separator wheel assembly is in a first position for singulating and feeding sheets when the cam is in a normal position, and wherein the separator wheel assembly raises to a second position when the cam is rotated to an eccentric position, whereby the singulating and feeding of individual documents is prevented when the separator wheel assembly is in the second position.

Abstract: A can lid feeder, for use with a can seamer, has a separator for can lids which projects into a drop hole provided in a cylindrical body at the bottom of a hopper and which separates dropped and stacked can lids one by one from the bottom of the stack. A rotary shaft of the separator extends in a gear box which is supported in the feeder in a freely swingable manner. The gear box is swingable so that the separator can move in the radial direction with respect to the cylindrical body having the drop hole. After a side surface of the swinging gear box has been brought into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body, the gear box is fixed in position by a clamp lever.

Abstract: A cash dispenser unit includes note transport means (74, 78, 86) driven by an electric motor and including first (74) and second (78) sets of rolls which are arranged to grip therebetween a note (18'), partly withdrawn from a currency cassette (14) by associated pick arms (36), for the purpose of removing the note (18') from the cassette (14). The first (74) and second (78) sets of rolls are respectively mounted on first (76) and second (80) shafts, the first shaft (76) being mounted so that one end thereof is movable away from the second shaft (80). For the purpose of protecting the transport means (74, 78, 86) from damage in the event of the occurrence of a gulp feed of notes, said one end of the first shaft (76) is operatively associated with a microswitch, whereby movement of said one end away from the second shaft (80) by more than a predetermined amount operates the microswitch so as to deenergize the motor.

Abstract: A sheet feed arrangement is provided in an image forming apparatus such as a printer or the like and is comprised of a sheet cassette for accommodating a plurality of sheet materials, a lifting mechanism disposed below the sheet cassette for lifting end portions of the sheet materials only when the sheet materials are fed from the sheet cassette, a level detector disposed above the sheet cassette for detecting that an upper end surface of a topmost sheet material has been lifted up to a predetermined level, and a control system for stopping an upward movement of the sheet materials when the level detector detects that the upper end surface of the topmost sheet material has reached the predetermined level and for subsequently lowering the end portions of the sheet materials by a predetermined vertical length.

Abstract: A recycling automatic document feeder for a copier which feeds a stack of documents loaded on a document table one by one to a predetermined exposing position, returning the document to the top of the stack after imagewise exposure, and refeeding such documents one by one to the exposing position. A discharge section is movable on and along the table in an intended direction of document feed. The document feeder is capable of returning documents of various sides easily to the top of the document stack which is located at a document feed position on the table.

Abstract: A sheet feed arrangement is provided in an image forming apparatus such as a printer or the like and is comprised of a sheet cassette for accommodating a plurality of sheet materials, a feed roller assembly disposed above the sheet cassette for feeding the sheet materials sheet by sheet by contacting with an upper surface of a topmost sheet of the sheet materials accommodated in the sheet cassette, and a tiltable guide plate disposed downstream from the feed roller assembly in a direction of feed of the sheet materials for guiding the sheet materials. The guide member can tilt together with the feed roller assembly so that an end portion of the guide member may be introduced in or removed from an inner end portion of the sheet cassette. The sheet feed arrangement is further comprised of a sheet lifting mechanism disposed below the sheet cassette for listing end portions of the sheet materials when the sheet materials are fed from the sheet cassette.

Abstract: A paper cassette support and associated paper feed for reproduction apparatus are assembled as a module. The paper cassette support is made of a resinous material which includes carbon fibers to minimize the deposit of electrostatic charge and self-lubricating material for providing bearings which are molded unitarily with the side panels. The side panels, when assembled, define a cassette support section and a paper transport section, the cassette support section having shelves and cassette retaining springs molded therein. Paper transport slots are molded into step portions of the side panels, as are bearings and spring retainers for shafts and spindles supporting pairs of rollers. An associated feed drive includes output shafts for rotating D-rollers that frictionally advance paper one sheet at a time from paper stacks in cassettes received in the paper cassette support section.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder includes original stacker having plural stages spaced from each other, each of which is capable of accommodating sheet originals; a support for supporting the plural stages for movement substantially along the stages; a feeder for feeding sheet originals from a selected one of the stages of the original stacker; conveyer for conveying the sheet originals from the feeder to a predetermined position; reversing device for returning the sheet originals having been placed at the predetermined position to the same selected stage; and a driver for driving the original stacker so as to bring the plural stages selectively toward the feeder.

Abstract: A document imprinting device for imprinting on documents such as checks comprises a frame, a document feeding mechanism mounted on the frame for sequentially feeding documents, a conveying mechanism for conveying a document from the document feeding mechanism along a document conveyance path, an imprinting mechanism for imprinting the documents conveyed along the document conveyance path, and a sensing mechanism positioned along the document conveyance path for sensing the position of the documents and for triggering the imprinting mechanism such that the document is imprinted at a desired location on the document.