Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for guiding sheets to a sheet processing machines, provision is made to reduce the adhesion forces between sheets following one another by the trailing edge of the respective first sheet of a sheet stream being lifted. The sheet is lifted using a blowing/suction nozzle or a suction nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved insert machine for inserting flat material into an open pocket and, more particularly, to a straight line insert machine employed for printed matter such as newspapers. The machine includes an all-electronic control system for controlling machine functions. The control system includes at least one central control computer running under software control and a plurality of network controllers, all coupled together via a controller area network (CAN) bus. Electronic control messages for controlling machine elements are sent among the computers and controllers using a novel message protocol to enable both broadcast messages and individual messages to be employed.

Abstract: A film handling system is described, including: a supply container for supporting a plurality of sheets of film; a film receiver; and a transport mechanism for retrieving a sheet of film from the supply container and transporting the sheet of film to the receiving mechanism, said transport mechanism comprising a vacuum head for adhering the sheet of film to the vacuum head; wherein the film receiver comprises a feed mechanism for conveying the sheet of film received by the film receiver, said feed mechanism including a sprocket for mating with at least one of a plurality of sprocket holes in the sheet of film transported by the transport mechanism.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image bearing member which bears a toner image; a transfer unit which transfers the toner image on the image bearing member to a transfer portion when applied with transfer voltage; a recording material feeding unit which includes a stacking portion where recording materials are stacked and an air blowing device for blowing air to the recording material stacked in the stacking portion, and feeds the recording material to the transfer portion; and a transfer bias control portion which controls the transfer bias according to at least one of air received time per one sheet by the air blowing unit, air pressure and air temperature is provided.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for feeding sheets to a processing machine, in particular a printing press, provision is made for the sheet to be accelerated to processing speed by use of at least two acceleration stations arranged one after the other. One of the acceleration stations is arranged such that the acceleration station can be displaced in order to align the sheet.

Abstract: A timed feeder for feeding corrugated boards to nip rolls of a box finishing machine. A feed member is raised to the feed path to engage and drive a board to the nip rolls and then lowered away from the feed path until the next cycle. An indexing drive mechanism, driven by a computer-controlled servo motor, activates the feed member and has a feed phase when it drives the board to the nip rolls, and a dwell phase when the feed member is away from the feed path and the output shaft of the indexing mechanism is at zero velocity. During the feed phase, the output shaft of the indexing mechanism accelerates the feed member and the board beyond the nip roll velocity and then decelerates them to the nip roll velocity at the point where the board enters the nip rolls.

Abstract: A feeding device for feeding each of accumulated mail items P onto a conveyance path includes a pickup belt which runs along a pickup position, and a negative-pressure chamber opposing the pickup position with the pickup belt interposed therebetween. When each mail item is picked up from the pickup position and reaches a nip between conveyance belts, air is introduced into the negative-pressure chamber to eliminate negative pressure therein.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus and sheet feeding device capable of feeding sheets without skewing or multi-feeding of sheets using a small number of side air blowing drive sources. The sheet feeding device has a plurality of side discharge nozzles comprising side discharge outlets for blowing air onto the respective side edge surfaces of a paper stack, and two sirocco fans which are communicatively connected in series as a side air blowing drive source, and are communicatively connected, via a side discharge drive source chamber and a side discharge relay tube (duct), to the plurality of side discharge nozzles. The respective side discharge nozzles capable of moving in linkage with side fences, and an immovable fixed side discharge nozzle are disposed at different distances from the leading edge of the loaded and set paper stack with respect to a sheet feeding direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for separating an image recordable material from a stack of slip-sheets and printing plates. A slip-sheet separates each of the image recordable materials from one another in the media stack and is moved to expose the portion of the image recordable material. The image recordable material and the slip-sheet are gripped and the image recordable material is separated from the stack while being contacted by the slip-sheet.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus provided with a fan for blowing air against sheets stacked on a sheet tray, a position detecting sensor for detecting the position of the sheets floated up by the fan, and a tray lifting and lowering mechanism for lifting and lowering the sheet tray. The tray lifting and lowering mechanism is controlled on the basis of a result of detection by the position detecting sensor.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus and an image forming apparatus which can certainly feed sheets without being influenced by an aging change of fan characteristics are provided. An air is blown to sheets stacked on a tray by an air blowing mechanism having a plurality of fans which are independently rotated, thereby loosening the sheets. Prior to starting the feeding of the sheet, rotational speeds of the fans of the air blowing mechanism are controlled so as to be set to target rotational speeds which have been preset every plural fans so that a wind pressure which can loosen the sheets in the driving state of all fans is obtained.

Abstract: A device is provided for feeding sheets of a sheet stack pressing against front edge stops to a printing cylinder using transport suction devices, which engage a particular uppermost sheet in the area of the sheet rear edge and bring it in a conveyance direction, sheet transport means and sheet acceleration means downstream therefrom being provided between the front edge stops and the printing cylinder. The object of the invention is to provide a device for feeding sheets which occupies little installation space, maybe implemented using simple means, and does not disadvantageously influence the productivity of the machine which processes sheets. The object is achieved according to the invention in that the sheet acceleration means (43) are directly downstream from the front edge stops (7).

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for transferring sheet-like objects from a stack, said apparatus including separate lifting elements gripping by suction to the upper surface of the sheet-like object to be transferred, positioned in a row extending over the stack of the sheet-like objects, and transfer elements for transferring the lifted sheet-like object. The suction effect of the lifting elements is controlled by means of a control device including a light source making a substantially line-shaped illumination pattern. The illumination of the light source is focused at an inclined angle to the surface of the sheet stack, substantially parallel to the lifting element row. A camera means for observing the illumination pattern forwards information about the uniformity of the uppermost layer of the stack.

Abstract: A sheet feed device includes an air flow generating part that generates an air flow for floating a sheet; a feed member that feeds a sheet by rotating, while applying a load to the top one of sheets stacked; and a transport condition sensing unit that is positioned not to obstruct an air flow generated by the air flow generating part and senses a transport condition of a sheet fed by the feed member.

Abstract: To provide a sheet take-out apparatus for preventing double feed of sheets and controlling gaps to a desired value, a sheet processing apparatus, and a sheet take-out method. A take-out apparatus includes a supply structure for supplying postal matter to a take-out position, a take-out structure for taking out the postal matter from the take-out position, and a conveying structure for receiving and conveying the postal matter taken out on a conveying path. When a leading edge of the postal matter is held by the conveying structure, an absorbing operation of a vacuum pump is stopped and a moving speed of a take-out belt is reduced. Furthermore, when the postal matter is detected by a sensor, the take-out belt is stopped.

Abstract: To provide a sheet processing apparatus and a sheet take-out apparatus, when a take-out portion is stopped, for conveying a sheet hanging down in the take-out portion, thereby preventing the hanging-down sheet from falling. If a take-out emergency process state occurs during take-out of sheets, the sheet take-out apparatus stops upward movement of a backup plate, moves down feed stoppers, presses a sheet bundle from above, and prevents the sheet on the uppermost surface from being taken out. At this time, the sheet take-out apparatus keeps a rotor air valve on and takes out the sheet caught in a sheet take-in port.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for transporting a sheaf of notes from a storage location to a dispensing outlet. The system comprises a conveyor apparatus, a carrier within which the sheaf is transported through the conveyor apparatus, and an extractor for removing the sheaf from the carrier. The carrier comprises a resiliently biased gripper for gripping the sheaf with a first gripping force. The extractor comprises an extraction gripping device configured to grip the sheaf with a second gripping force, which is greater than the first gripping force.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes: a sheet feeding tray adapted to stack a sheet bundle including a plurality of sheets thereon; a blowing section which blows air against a leading edge of the sheet bundle in a sheet conveyance direction from a front side of the sheet conveyance direction; a sticking and conveying section which sticks an uppermost sheet stacked on the sheet feeding tray by air sucking, and feeds the uppermost sheet to a conveyance roller; a sucking duct provided inside the sticking and conveying section, which is divided into a plurality of ducts in the sheet conveyance direction; and an intercepting member which intercepts at least one of the plurality of divided ducts.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus which feeds each of sheets lifted by blowing air, wherein the amount of movement of a tray from the detection of the tray which stacks a plurality of sheets by a lower position detecting sensor to the detection of the uppermost position of the sheets on the tray by a sheet surface detecting sensor is m, wherein the amount of movement of the tray until the sheet on the tray is positioned within a predetermined range when the sheet on the tray is outside from between the lifting lower limit sensor and the lifting upper limit sensor (the predetermined range) is q, wherein the amount of the sheets stacked on the tray is calculated from the amount of movement m+q of the tray and is then displayed on a remaining amount displaying portion.

Abstract: In a rotary feeder for conveying enclosures, in particular into conveying compartments of an enclosure-collating path, during operation, shocks within the gear mechanism of the drive unit of the feeder drum on account of gear mechanism play are avoided and the level of noise during operation is reduced in that a cam-actuated pair of claws (10, 11) is provided in each case at two diametrically opposite locations of the feeder drum (2) of the rotary feeder, and the cam (16) for actuating the pairs of claws is configured in sections (O) with an increasing in the radial spacing of its profile in accordance with a claw-opening movement counter to the prestressing force of prestressing means (19, 20) and, in sections (C) with a decrease in the radial spacing of its profile in accordance with a claw-closing movement under the prestressing force of the prestressing means, such that a braking moment on account of the claw opening counter to the prestressing force of the prestressing means, this braking moment being tr

Abstract: An apparatus for separating printing plates which are separated from one another in a stack, preferably individually by intermediate layers, has a lifting device for raising a printing plate or an intermediate layer from the stack. The apparatus further has a separating device for the intermediate layers, in particular as a constituent part of a loading device of a unit for setting images on printing plates. The separating device is configured as a rocker which can be pivoted onto the lifting device and can be pivoted away from the lifting device and contains suction elements and one drivable transport roller. An adhering intermediate layer is pulled off from the printing plate with the suction elements, and the intermediate layer is transported away with the transport roller.

Abstract: An apparatus that is useful for acquiring and conveying a sheet includes a plenum having an opening for coupling a vacuum source to the plenum, a slide plate having a stop member positioned proximate a drop box opening in the slide plate, and a drop box adapted to slide within the drop box opening until a portion of the drop box engages the stop member so that the drop box is slidably installed in the slide plate. The apparatus may be used in an electrostatographic printing machine to improve top sheet acquisition.

Abstract: An improved segment wheel assembly for an article packaging machine is provided for picking individual carton blanks from a magazine and delivering the carton blanks to a conveyor to be carried to a packaging station of the machine. The segment wheel assembly has a pair of generally cylindrical segment wheels spaced apart from each other in end-to-end relationship. An unobstructed space is defined between the spaced segment wheels and each segment wheel has a generally rectangular cutout with the cutouts being aligned. A pick arm assembly including suction cups is disposed within the unobstructed space. A drive train rotates the segment wheels in unison and, simultaneously, oscillates the suction cup back and forth within the unobstructed space. The suction cup repeatedly grabs single carton blanks from the magazine and pulls them toward the rotating segment wheels, whose cutouts engage each carton blank and urges it toward and into the conveyor.

Abstract: A sheet supply device includes a sheet storing section on which sheets are stacked and are stored; a sheet feed unit controlled by a controller that feeds the sheets stored in the sheet storing section to a next process; and an air blower controlled by the controller that blows air to the sheets stored in the sheet storing section, the air blower has an air nozzle and a mechanism that can adjust a height of the air nozzle in an up-down direction, and the mechanism increases or decreases the air flow rate of the air being blown to the sheets, wherein a force provided by the air blower to push up the sheets is exerted on the sheets, such that a less force is exerted when the sheets are being fed compared to when the sheets are not being fed.

Abstract: A method of separating a sheet of print media from a stack (28) of sheets, the sheets being porous, includes blowing fluid on to a top surface of a topmost sheet (28.1) of the print media on the stack (28) so that the fluid passes through at least the topmost sheet (28.1) of the stack (28) and capturing at least a part of the topmost sheet for conveyance to a printing station (13) of a printer (10).

Abstract: A method for producing bound books, magazines or brochures by gathering printed sheets into non-bound book blocks along a conveying section that is supplied by at least one sheet feeder includes separating the lowest printed sheet from a stack of printed sheets by lifting one edge region of the lowest printed sheet from the bottom of the printed sheet stack, withdrawing the separated lowest printed sheet with the aid of a conveying element from the remaining sheet stack by gripping the separated edge region with the conveying element, and subsequently withdrawing the separated lowest printed sheet in a direction parallel to the longitudinal extension of the edge region of the remaining sheet stack. The apparatus includes a separating device that lifts up the printed sheet at the stack front and a conveying element that pulls the printed sheet from the stack where both are arranged jointly on a removal unit.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device blows air on a sheet stack supported on a tray, raises several sheets, attracts an uppermost sheet to an attraction conveying belt, and conveys the attracted sheet. The sheet feeding device includes a next-sheet detection mechanism for detecting the height of a second sheet subsequent to the uppermost sheet.

Abstract: An automatic flat-article dispensing apparatus which can dispense a relatively large and heavy flat articles without damaging the articles and without increasing the size of the apparatus and significantly increasing the energy consumption. The apparatus for dispensing a flat article, has a table which supports stacked flat articles and suction ports disposed over the table and facing the flat articles. A suction device provides suctions to hold the top flat article of the stacked flat articles by sucking air through the suction ports. A conveyance device conveys the flat article sucked via the suction port in a lateral direction with respect to the direction of the stack. The suction ports are a first suction port and a second suction port which are disposed in the lateral direction.

Abstract: A sheet separating and feeding system for separating a top sheet from a stack of sheets for sheet feeding, wherein a vacuum feed head has a two dimensional array of multiple vacuum tubes for vacuum engaging the top sheet, and a control system whereby at least a portion of the multiple vacuum tubes are variably positionally controlled relative to the top sheet to engage the top sheet at different levels in a different plane than the external surfaces of the other vacuum tubes so as to provide a variable three dimensional sheet corrugation inducing surface with the multiple vacuum tubes that is variable for different sheet properties.

Abstract: A device for feeding a processing section with printed products includes a magazine and a feeding mechanism that includes a gripping mechanism and a conveying mechanism for removing the printed products from the magazine and feeding them to the processing section. The gripping mechanism and the conveying mechanism are driven so that the gripping mechanism can be accelerated in an angular region for a catch-up operation while the speed of the conveying mechanism remains constant.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a sheet feeding unit configured to suction a stored sheet with a negative pressure to feed the suctioned sheet, a suction duct connected to the sheet feeding unit, a suction fan configured to generate a negative pressure in the suction duct, a shutter disposed in the suction duct and configured to allow and shut off communication between the sheet feeding unit and the suction fan, and a communicating mechanism configured to cause a space in the suction duct between the shutter and the sheet feeding unit to communicate with an outside of the suction duct. The communicating mechanism is configured to cause the space in the suction duct to communicate with the outside of the suction duct according to the shutter shutting off communication between the sheet feeding unit and the suction fan.

Abstract: An air blowing portion blows air to the end of sheets supported by a lifting and lowering tray. The sheets blown up by the air from the air blowing portion are sucked and conveyed by a sucking and conveying portion. The sheets are preliminarily blown up above the suckable rang. Then, the sheets are lowered to the suckable range before a sucking and conveying operation is started. In the above operation, the tray is lifted, and thereafter the tray is lowered until the sheets reach the suckable range while repeating a step operation of performing a lowering operation and a stop operation based on detection of the upper surface of the sheets by a sheet detecting mechanism.

Abstract: A sheet-feeding device and an image-forming apparatus incorporating the same. The sheet-feeding device includes a device body, a sheet storage unit that is detachably mounted in the device body, a tray for mounting sheets, the tray being provided at the sheet storage unit and being movable up and down, an air blower for blowing air laterally to the sheets mounted on the tray and floating the sheets, and a sucking and conveying unit for sucking and conveying the sheets floated by the air blower. The sheet storage unit is provided with a sheet regulation member so as to regulate rear ends of the sheets mounted on the tray. An upper end of the sheet regulation member is retractable downward.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet feeding device includes a sheet tray 2 to place sheets thereon, a nozzle 9 which blows air onto the sheets supported by the sheet tray 2, a conveyance belt 10 to adsorb and convey a sheet floated by blowing air by the nozzle 9, a pulling roller pair 16 which is arranged on a downstream side of the conveyance belt in a sheet conveyance direction and conveys the sheet conveyed by the conveyance belt 10, and a conveyance guide 17 which guides the sheet conveyed from the conveyance belt 10 to the pulling roller pair 16. The conveyance guide 17 has slope portions 17a, 17b which are sloped from an upstream side in the sheet conveyance direction to the downstream side to extend from a central portion in a sheet width direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction to both the end portions.

Abstract: A sheet feeder assembly for acquiring and conveying a sheet comprises a plenum connectable to a vacuum source and having an opening facing the sheet to be conveyed, and a slide plate covering the opening. The slide plate has an acquisition surface facing the sheet to be conveyed and defining apertures in communication with the plenum. A drive mechanism is connected to the slide plate and supported within the plenum, and is operable to translate the slide plate relative to the plenum to convey the acquired sheet while maintaining the vacuum through the apertures. The drive mechanism includes a motor and eccentrically driven link connected to a carriage supporting the slide plate. The motor is coupled to a cam element that drives a flapper valve disposed between the plenum and a vacuum duct. The cam element also drives a height sensing arm supported to contact the top of the stack.

Abstract: A document forming apparatus, comprising a substrate feeder for storing and dispensing substrates to a printing engine, a controller for controlling the operation of the document forming apparatus, wherein the controller includes at least one database for storing information for the operation of the substrate feeder, and a user interface for controlling the operation of the document forming apparatus. The user interface includes a stock library view, a stock settings dialog screen having an expert feeder controls section with a manual mode operator and an auto mode operator, and a control panel screen for manual mode operation. The control panel screen includes means for adjusting a plurality of feeder parameters, indicators for manual and auto modes, and a save settings operator.

Abstract: In a sheet supplying device for feeding a sheet from a sheet stack configured by stacking plural sets of sheets collated by page order, each of which corresponds to one volume, for each set of sheets, in a state where the sheets are superimposed on one another so as to be sequentially offset from one another in a fore-to-aft direction, the sheet supplying device comprises: first transport means 2 for sucking a sheet in an uppermost position of a sheet stack P placed on a sheet table 1 so as to move the sheet rearward; second transport means 3 for sucking the sheet moved rearward by the first transport means 2 so as to transport the sheet forward; and a control unit 9 controlling suction operations of the first and second transport means 2, 3.

Abstract: Dispensing more than one card or card like good is prevented to prevent issuing a duplicate with an automatic dispensing machine of card or card like good having a table which supports the piled up card or card like good. A sucking device is located over the table and pulls the card or card like good. A transporting device transports the card or card like good which is pulled by the sucking device. A moving device drives to change the distance between the table and the sucking device. A duplicate detecting device is located at a card transporting passageway which is located downstream the transporting device. A vibrator imparts a vibration to the card or card like good on the table. A separating device acts when the duplicate detecting device detects the duplicate of the goods. The separating device and the transporting device reverses, and the goods of card like is returned on the table. Afterwards the sucking device is stopped, then the vibrator is vibrated.

Abstract: In a sheet sucking/removing device, suction cups are controlled to a state of a first negative pressure which is a minimum pressure needed to suck and remove only one uppermost printing plate, and sucking/removing is carried out. Thereafter, the suction cups are controlled to a state of a second negative pressure which is needed for conveying and supplying the printing plate, and conveying/supplying of the printing plate is carried out.

Abstract: The apparatus for transmitting a workpiece along a press line includes a support frame; a support frame driving unit; a plurality of air pipes; an air flow forming unit; a plurality of rollers; and a roller driving unit. The plurality of suction cups are provided at a perimeter of each of the rollers A plurality of air exhaust passages extends from an inner surface of each suction cup to a respective air passage are formed in each of the rollers, such that air within a closed space formed between the suction cup and the workpiece is exhausted to the air passage by a difference between a pressure within the closed space and a pressure in the air passage.

Abstract: In the plate supplying apparatus of the present invention, various vibrations are provided to a plate secured via suction during a separating operation by causing pad rods 403 to repeat a slight ascent and a pause, and thereafter causing the pad rods 403 to make an abrupt descent, thereby reliably peeling off a slip sheet adhering to the back face of the plate. Further, vibration in the rod-up/down direction is provided to the plate during the separating operation, and the plate is not pushed hard. Thus, it is possible to prevent the plate from being damaged. A raising and lowering motor 52 is driven to lower the cassette 9. A separating operation for peeling off a slip sheet S adhering to the back face of the plate P is performed, and thereafter the plate P secured via suction is turned over and transferred.

Abstract: An image recording material separating/removing device which, by using a single lift-out mechanism section, can lift image recording materials out from plural cassettes along simple loci of movement, and in which a space for providing and withdrawing the cassettes is kept as small as possible. In a cassette housing section, a plurality of cassettes are disposed one above another. Each cassette is offset in a horizontal direction. An amount of offset is set on the basis of a locus of movement of a printing plate at a time when the printing plate is sucked and held by suction cups and lifted up in a vertical direction. At least while the suction cups are moving in the vertical direction, the printing plate is not interfered with by cassettes thereabove, and an emulsion surface of the printing plate is not scratched. Space required for placement of the cassette housing section can be reduced. Moreover, because movement of the suction cups can be simplified, a control system can be simplified.

Abstract: A banknote store can remove banknotes individually from a stack by light air pressure extending over a substantial area of the banknote, the banknote then being transportable without needing to move the source of the reduced pressure. Banknotes are added individually by using reduced pressure to hold them against a transport belt before they are deposited on the stack.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for lifting, separating and transporting a top panel from a stack of panels through the application sequential suction forces. The apparatus and method uses a vacuum conveying system wherein a sequence of suction forces is exerted from one or more suction apertures. A lift bed located beneath the vacuum conveying system, supports a stack of panels, and can be vertically elevated, causing a top panel from the stack of panels to move within sufficient distance of the vacuum conveying system to allow the sequence of suction forces to lift and separate the top panel. Once the top panel is engaged with the conveyor, the conveyor transports the top panel to a designated location.

Abstract: An automatic dispensing machine of substantially flat goods is provided which detects the over-dispensing of goods while accommodating for varying thickness of the substantially flat goods. The automatic dispensing machine includes a table which supports goods such as cards, a suctioning device which pulls the cards, a transporting device which transports the cards after they are pulled by the suctioning device, a position-control device which controls the distance between the uppermost card and the suctioning device. The position-control device is configured to increase the distance between the uppermost card and the suctioning device based on a dispensing signal. The distance between the uppermost card and the suctioning device is then decreased until a predetermined distance is reached.

Abstract: In the plate supplying apparatus of the present invention, various vibrations are provided to a plate secured via suction during a separating operation by causing pad rods 403 to repeat a slight ascent and a pause, and thereafter causing the pad rods 403 to make an abrupt descent, thereby reliably peeling off a slip sheet adhering to the back face of the plate. Further, vibration in the rod-up/down direction is provided to the plate during the separating operation, and the plate is not pushed hard. Thus, it is possible to prevent the plate from being damaged. A raising and lowering motor 52 is driven to lower the cassette 9. A separating operation for peeling off a slip sheet S adhering to the back face of the plate P is performed, and thereafter the plate P secured via suction is turned over and transferred.

Abstract: A conveyor system for transporting a printing plate in a platemaking system includes: a carriage riding on a track and one or more low friction substantially horizontal planar support surfaces provided as a high wear laminate, positioned above the carriage and the track, for supporting the printing plate on the non-emulsion side without the use of rollers, belts, bearings or air cushioning. The carriage includes one or more engagement mechanisms for engaging a bottom, non-emulsion side of the printing plate, and the track includes an air cylinder. The engagement mechanisms can be, for example, suctions cups which engage the plate by a vacuum, suction cups which engage the plate by pressure and adhesion, other adhesive devices, or a mechanical gripper for gripping the plate. The track or linear actuating system is preferably an air cylinder. Alternatively the linear actuating system could include a belt and pulleys, a chain and gears, or a threaded lead screw.

Abstract: A conveying device for a printing plate precursor which takes the printing plate precursor and an interleaf sheet out from a cassette, and which, along a conveying path to an exposure section, takes-off only the interleaf sheet. When a leading end of the interleaf sheet passes by an interleaf sheet peeling roller disposed on the conveying path, the interleaf sheet peeling roller rotates in a direction opposite to a direction of conveying to the exposure section, and contacts the interleaf sheet, and slack is formed in the interleaf sheet between the interleaf sheet peeling roller and a conveying roller. A slack portion is nipped between two belts and fed to a forked-off path, and the interleaf sheet is removed from the conveying path. It is possible to feed only the printing plate precursor out to the exposure section while continuing to convey the printing plate precursor.

Abstract: In a removing/conveying portion of a printing plate removing/supplying device, when one cassette among a plurality of cassettes is empty, the empty cassette is placed on a raising/lowering stand and moved to a loading space. Due to a spur gear being rotated clockwise by a motor, a sliding cover, with which the spur gear is engaging, is moved toward a removing portion such that an opening of a cassette stocker portion is opened. In this way, it is possible to refill and load printing plates from a top side of the cassette stocker portion into the empty cassette positioned at the loading space.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for separation and application of thin objects of a non-porous material or of a material of low porosity on a surface. The invention also relates to a package for the thin objects. With the aid of a pick up and lay down head on an application means a vacuum is applied on a part, preferably the middle, of the uppermost object in a stack of thin objects being in a recess of a package. The recess of the package for receiving the objects is at least areawise somewhat smaller than the exterior dimensions of the objects. With the aid of vacuum in the pick up and lay down head the uppermost object is lifted out of the package. The underlying objects in the stack remain in the package by the friction and scrape effects towards the interior walls of the package. Then the pick up and lay down head of the application means is lowered down so that the object is brought into contact with the surface.