Abstract: An apparatus and method for feeding single sheets of laminated thermographic print media are disclosed. The apparatus includes a traveling vacuum roller reciprocatable between pickup and discharge positions under suitable control so as to engage an end of the sheet near the pickup end and roll the sheet thereabout to a selected first angular position and then releasing the sheet end at such position. The vacuum roller continues to engage the sheet and applies a vacuum to engage the other end of the sheet so as to carry it to a second angular position and then releasing the sheet by releasing the vacuum as the roller approaches the discharge position. A wrapping roller engages the vacuum roller for directing the end of the rolled sheet towards the discharge after releasing it. A lift mechanism near the discharge position lifts the vacuum roller as it approaches the discharge.

Abstract: In terms of their operational reliability, apparatuses for discharging from a magazine of flat-laid packaging container blanks of the type used for manufacturing packaging containers for liquid contents are greatly dependent upon the quality of the packaging container blanks themselves. In the event of variations in friction or abutment pressure between the packaging container blanks, there is a risk that more than one blank is discharged at a time, or alternatively that no blank is discharged at all. In order to ensure a dependable function with repeated discharge of one blank at a time and at a predetermined rate, the apparatus according to the present invention includes a pivotal lever provided with at least one suction cup. The lever displaces one packaging container blank at a time from the discharge end of a magazine past a segmented wheel which grasps the discharged blank between a rubber cladding and a counter wheel for further advancement to a conveyor.

Abstract: Sheets such as photographic films are fed, one by one, from a stack of sheets on a sheet support to a sheet delivery mechanism. Suction cups for attracting an uppermost sheet of the stack are moved toward the stack, and activated to attract the uppermost sheet. The suction cups are then moved to remove the uppermost sheet from the stack while the suction cups are being inclined a predetermined angle from a direction perpendicularly to the uppermost sheet toward opposite to a direction in which the sheet is fed. The removed uppermost sheet is then transferred to the sheet delivery mechanism in the direction in which the sheet is fed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for feeding sheets, one by one, to an automatic photographic processor or the like. The sheet feeding device generally includes a suction pad for taking out an uppermost sheet of stacked sheets stored in a sheet placement unit, a delivery mechanism for delivering the uppermost sheet to a sheet discharge port, a shutter mechanism used to open and close the sheet discharge port, a sheet insertion slot for directly introducing an extra sheet other than said stacked sheets to the sheet discharge port, a cover capable of opening and closing the sheet insertion slot, a magazine capable of accommodating a roll of sheet therein and capable of being disposed in the sheet insertion slot, a swingable plate having one end coupled to a drive source and the other end brought into engagement with the shutter mechanism so as to open and close the shutter mechanism, and a sensor for detecting angular positions of the swingable plate.

Abstract: A feeder system for a mail sorter includes a feed conveyor which receives a plurality of items of mail. A singulation station removes the items in a singulated manner from the discharge end of the feed conveyor and transfers each item to a delivery station. The delivery station includes a plurality of vertically mounted belts which are movable in the transverse direction for delivering the items to the mail sorter.

Abstract: Two sheets (10,14) are removed simultaneously from the sheet stack (1). While one sheet (10) is already in the transfer position, from which it is introduced into the conveyor line by two feed rolls (7,8), a first suction element (20) seizes the next sheet (14) from the stack (1). This sheet is moved along the curve a into the now vacated transfer position. A second suction element (30), which is no longer needed to hold the first sheet (10) there, moves to the stack (1) to seize the next sheet (15) and bring it to the transfer position, while the first suction element moves back to the stack. In this way, destacking can proceed at a faster rate than hitherto.

Abstract: An unstacking apparatus including a first suction nozzle (7) and a second suction nozzle (8) that are disposed on one side of an alignment plate (3), a perforated endless belt (6) continuously advancing past the suction nozzles and the free face of the first item in a stack of items, a passage forming an outlet between the alignment plate and the belt, at least one sensor (17, 18, 19) disposed on the other side of the alignment plate, and a microcomputer (10) for actuating one of the nozzles in an unstacking cycle. A microcomputer is organized so as to detect that a first item in the stack is backwardly misaligned by monitoring the operation of one of the suction nozzles during the unstacking cycle, and so as to trigger a realignment cycle in response to such detection, during which realignment cycle the nozzles are actuated alternately.

Abstract: By means of a lever mechanism a suction head periodically connectable to a vacuum source is moved along a closed orbit between a pick-up point and a delivery point. At the pick-up point the suction head grips the respectively uppermost product in a stack and brings it to the delivery point, at which the product is released. The drive shaft of the lever mechanism is driven by a drive device at a varying speed in such a manner that the suction head is moved along its movement path at a speed which is minimal in the region of the pick-up point during the carrying along of a product immediately after it has been gripped, and then increases. Faultless gripping of the printing products is thereby achieved and the next printing product is prevented from being carried off with it by the action of suction.The drive device may be an intermediate or superimposition transmission unit which is driven at constant speed of rotation on by a drive motor and which for example is in the form of a rotating slider crank.

Abstract: A feeder in a paper sheet processing machine has a plurality of lifting suckers for lifting a paper sheet from a stack of paper sheets. After the sheet is lifted into a raised position it is entrained by a transport device and transported to a paper sheet processing unit. A force potential acts permanently on the lifting sucker downwardly in a direction towards the stack. The lifting sucker is lifted against the force potential in a cyclically controlled manner in a lifting and lowering stroke. A retaining collar is formed on the lifting sucker beneath which a retaining support engages so as to delay a return of the lifting sucker to its lower position and to stop the sucker in the lower position. The retaining support is mounted shiftably parallel to the stroke direction of the lifting sucker. Controlled pneumatics communicate with the retaining structure, so as to shift the same as a function of the stroke position of the lifting sucker.

Abstract: A sheet placer for use in conjunction with a packaging machine to minimize space along the machine for moving sheets from a supply in a magazine to receptacles moved by the machine. The placer has vertically oriented magazines and suction cup assemblies which move on a vertical path of travel between sheet pick up positions and sheet releasing positions. The assemblies are carried by a block mounted on a vertical track and operated by an air motor. A cam and follower mechanism moves a slide horizontally to cause a rack and pinion arrangement to reverse by the orientation of the vacuum cup assemblies during each up or down movement of the assemblies by the air motor.

Abstract: An automatic loader loads multiple sizes of unexposed printing plates into an exposure unit without using cassettes. The cardboard shipping container is used as a cassette by removing the front wall. Plates are lifted and loaded by a vacuum system. Paper used to separate plates in shipping container is removed by two sets of motorized rollers. The top rollers slide the paper off the plate while the bottom rollers completely remove the separating paper from the shipping box in order to avoid jamming and allow the shipping box to be re-closed. Shipping container is used with the active side of the plates facing down in order to protect plates from accidental exposure.

Abstract: A device for feeding sheets from a sheet tray which minimizes mis-feeds and multi-feeds. The device includes a device detecting sheet properties such as sheet basis weight and sheet size, a device selecting appropriate air parameters, such as air plenum pressure, plenum flow, and air knife pressure based on the sheet properties detected, and a device adjusting air parameters based on the appropriate air parameters selected.

Abstract: A device for feeding blanks to a user machine, whereby the end blank of a stack of blanks housed inside a feedbox is detached from the adjacent blanks in the stack by a separating roller, which feeds the blank, transversely in relation to the axis of the stack, to a withdrawal station where it is engaged by the periphery of a rotary suction member for withdrawing and feeding the blank to a user station.

Abstract: A paper feed apparatus for a sheet-fed press includes a paper stack unit, a suction port member, a cam mechanism, and a paper feed roller and a paper feed roll. The paper stack unit stacks paper sheets on a paper stack plate thereof. The suction port member draws the leading end portion of the paper sheet stacked on the paper stack unit. The cam mechanism moves the suction port member vertically between a suction position and an upper position and back and forth between the suction position and a retreat position. The paper feed roller and the paper feed roll are disposed within the forward path of the suction port member, and draw the paper sheet conveyed by the suction port member and feed the paper sheet onto a feeder board.

Abstract: A mailing machine includes a mail transport device for vertically moving individual pieces of mail from a mail bundle to an apparatus for weighing such pieces of mail and to then move same to a further station where each piece of mail is positioned horizontally by a plurality of rotating members while a bar code is printed thereon, if desired. After such positioning, the piece of mail is transported in one of two directions dependent upon previously selected criteria pertinent to the piece of mail. One direction moves the mail piece to a bulk mailing apparatus disposed adjacent the mailing machine while moving the mail piece in the other direction delivers it to an apparatus coupled to the mailing machine for sorting and storing each piece of mail, again dependent upon information pertinent to the particular piece of mail.

Abstract: A photosensitive lithographic printing plate supplying apparatus includes a first suction device, which sucks an upper surface of an uppermost photosensitive lithographic printing plate of photosensitive lithographic printing plates stacked such that respective photosensitive surfaces thereof face downward and which raises the uppermost photosensitive lithographic printing plate, a second suction device, which sucks the upper surface of the raised uppermost photosensitive lithographic printing plate so as to support the photosensitive lithographic printing plate at one end thereof, and a rotating device which rotates the photosensitive lithographic printing plate supported on one end by the second suction device so that a photosensitive surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate faces upward. Accordingly, the photosensitive lithographic printing plates are supplied to an exposure device without the photosensitive surfaces thereof being contacted.

Abstract: The device is arranged in the form of a complete assembly group on two plates (1,2) screwed together by spacer bolts (18). Guide slots (1a,1b,2a,2b) of similar arrangement and design serve for positively guiding a reciprocable carriage (9,10). The carriage (9,10) comprises a guide member (9) with guide rollers (12,13,33,34) which are supported on ball bearings, bars (3,4) being hinged to the guide member which at their other ends are hinged to drivers (5,6). The drivers (5) are secured to toothed belts (7,8) guided and driven by gear wheels (16,30) mounted on the plates. A carrier (10) is mounted on the guide member (9) so as to be shiftable, liftable and tiltable and supports a pivotally mounted suction plate (11,22). The guide slots are arranged in a position inclined towards the cassette (27) to be unloaded while the toothed belts (7,8) are arranged in an angular position opening in this direction.

Abstract: The collating device sucks up the topmost sheet of the paper stack on the paper table by the suction head and feeds forward the sheet one after another. The paper table is being given an upward force by a spring. This paper table moves up to the position where the topmost sheet of the paper stack on the paper table contacts with a stopper. This stopper moves up during the period when the suction head feeds forward the topmost sheet. At this time, an electromagnetic brake is set at the on-state and fixes the position of the paper table. The suction head, stopper, electromagnetic brake and the like rotate at the predetermined timing based on the rotation of cams. Thus, according to this invention it is possible not only to save the cost of the device but also to operate the device at high speed.

Abstract: A tractor nozzle device for fast running sheet feeders is distinguished in that rubber-metal bushings (66, 72) are provided for the bearings between the support bridge and the rocker as bearings for the mutual absorption of the back-and-forth movements (44) as well as the additional deflection movements (106).

Abstract: Photographic light-sensitive mediums such as sheets are fed one by one by a suction pad in a sheet-feed control device. The suction pad is displaced downward at a low speed in a position near a stack of sheets so as to approach an uppermost one of the sheets, thereby attracting the uppermost sheet to the suction pad, and the uppermost sheet is flexed by a sheet presser while it is being separated away from the other sheets. Then, a judgement is made as to whether the suction pad attracts either a single sheet or a plurality of sheets, by detecting the magnitude of the flexion of the sheet or sheets attracted. Then, the suction pad is displaced again toward the position where the uppermost sheet is to be attracted, when it is detected that the suction pad has attracted the plurality of sheets. At this time, the suction pad is placed in a given stop position, thereby releasing the plurality of sheets from the suction pad.

Abstract: An existing sheet material feeder has a feed tray which holds sheet material in an on-edge orientation in which side surfaces of the sheet material are generally vertical. An apparatus is provided to convert the sheet material feeder to one having a feed tray which holds sheet material in a lying-down orientation in which side surfaces of the sheet material are generally horizontal. The apparatus for converting the on-edge sheet material feeder to the lying-down sheet material feeders includes a frame having a pair of parallel side sections. A single sheet material feed drum is disposed between and is connected with the side sections. The side sections are connected with side sections of the existing collator conveyor sheet material feeder.

Abstract: Sheets such as photographic films are fed one by one by suction cups in an image recording system. A resilient sheet separator is brought into abutment against an uppermost one of stacked sheets, and then the suction cups are moved toward the uppermost sheet. Before the suction cups reach the uppermost sheet, they are activated to attract the uppermost sheet under suction. The sheet separator pushes the uppermost sheet in one direction and the suction cups draw the uppermost sheet in the opposite direction, so that the attracted uppermost sheet is greatly flexed fully out of contact with the next sheet of the sheet stack. Thereafter, the suction cups and the sheet separator are displaced away from the sheet stack, separating the uppermost sheet from the sheet stack. A detecting arrangement detects whether the suction cup attracts a single sheet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for feeding sheets, one by one, to an automatic photographic processor or the like. The sheet feeding device generally includes a suction pad for taking out an uppermost sheet of stacked sheets stored in a sheet placement unit, a delivery mechanism for delivering the uppermost sheet to a sheet discharge port, a shutter mechanism used to open and close the sheet discharge port, a sheet insertion slot for directly introducing an extra sheet other than said stacked sheets to the sheet discharge port, a cover capable of opening and closing the sheet insertion slot, a magazine capable of accommodating a roll of sheet therein and capable of being disposed in the sheet insertion slot, a swingable plate having one end coupled to a drive source and the other end brought into engagement with the shutter mechanism so as to open and close the shutter mechanism, and a sensor for detecting angular positions of the swingable plate.

Abstract: An air flow path switching device for a printing apparatus includes a sheet hopper which holds a plurality of sheets, a sheet switchback device for inverting the sheets so that both sides of the sheets can be printed on, sheet pickup devices associated, respectively, with the sheet hopper and the sheet switchback device for picking up sheets, and a blower device for supplying pressurized suction and discharge air to the sheet pickup devices. An air flow resistance existing in the sheet switchback device, when the sheet pickup device associated with the sheet hopper is connected to the blower, and an air flow resistance existing in the sheet switchback device, when the sheet pickup device associated with the sheet hopper is disconnected from the blower, are substantially equivalent.

Abstract: To enhance the separation of sheet materials from a destacker, an air provider mechanism is attached to a frame of the carriage to bias against the being lifted sheet so as to maintain the air steam provided by an air ejector of the system directed to a location substantially immediately beneath the bottom surface of the being lifted sheet. Accordingly, as the sheet is being picked up, the air ejected from the air ejector system is directed to the gap between the being lifted sheet and its underlying sheets to enhance the separation of the being lifted sheet and the underlying sheets.

Abstract: Reflective type radiation sensor mounted on one side of the path of sheet film moving from one apparatus to another apparatus cooperates with a reflector mounted on the opposite side of the film path, preferably on a shaft of roller transport for moving the film sheet, to detect film sheet position, the radiation travel being other than at right angles to the film path.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus capable of feeding corrugated cardboard sheet without the need for feed rolls which comprises a support for sheet having a feed end and a delivery end. The support further includes feed elements comprising at least one feed element driven at a variable speed and at least one feed element driven at a constant speed. The variable speed feed element transfers the sheet from the feed end to the constant speed feed element. The constant speed feed element transfers the sheet from the variable speed feed element to the delivery end. The variable speed feed element is driven by a variable speed generating mechanism which generates a motion cycle including a constant speed output segment which is equal to the constant speed of the constant speed feed element. The sheet feeding apparatus provides a smooth continuous, controlled transfer of the sheet from the feed end to the delivery end of the apparatus.

Abstract: A paper feed device and method for separating sheets of paper one by one from the bottom of a stack of paper loaded on a paper loading tray and for feeding the separated paper sheets consecutively. The feed device includes a rotatable hollow cylinder having a peripheral surface positioned below and close to the front end of the paper loading tray in the direction of paper sheet feed, and having an opening for drawing a paper sheet against the peripheral surface by vacuum suction. The vacuum suction is variable to set the suction pressure at the low level at the start of a paper sheet feed operation by the cylinder means, and if, after the predetermined time interval, the passage of the paper sheet is not detected, the vacuum suction pressure is increased to a higher level and maintained at the higher level to feed successive paper sheets. A paper sheet front end sensor, a conveyor, and a timer for setting a predetermined time interval after the start of a paper sheet operation, are also provided.

Abstract: An applicator system and method for automatically applying and securing an adhesive backed (or gummed) label onto a corner surface of a typically three-dimensional, right-angle polygonal object such that the body of the label is applied and adhered to one surface (usually one major surface) of the object and one flap (or usually two) continuous with the body of the label is applied and adhered to a side of the object adjacent the one surface. The applicator system includes an applicator head to receive the adhesive backed label, mechanically secured to an applicator arm which serves to move the applicator head relative to the object.

Abstract: A sheet carrier apparatus of the present invention includes a first and a second rotary roller member, at least one of them having a rotary driving force. The second rotary roller member is constructed so as to be able to rotate around the first rotary roller member while it is being driven by the first rotary roller member. In order to control these rollers, the sheet carrier apparatus includes a control device for selectively setting the direction in which a sheet is moved from among a plurality of directions by controlling the rotary driving of the rotary roller members while carrying a sheet and by controlling the degree of angular displacement causing the second rotary roller member to rotate around the first rotary roller member while a sheet is grasped between them.

Abstract: A conventional pocket for delivering signatures in a bindery line is modified by providing a lift plate which is hinged to the leading edge of the pocket's signature support tray. A suitable actuator under control of the system's computer is made to raise and lower that lift plate, depending upon the number of machine cycles which will be executed before that particular pocket will be called upon to deliver a signature to the magazine being assembled. If more than a predetermined number of machine cycles will take place before a signature must be delivered, the actuator lifts the lift plate and, in doing so, elevates the leading edge of the signature stack to the point where the lowermost signature is positioned out of contact with the hopper's separator disc. This prevents unwanted abrasion and marring of signatures.

Abstract: A paper feeding device which extracts from a cassette accommodating a stack of sheets such sheets one at a time and feeds them to the next step, namely an image forming part, comprises an attracting member capable of being moved between an attracting position at which the attracting member attracts a sheet from within the cassette and a feeding position which lies above the attracting position, a pressing roller capable of being moved between a position of retraction and the feeding position, and a rotary roller capable of cooperating with the pressing roller in nipping the sheet at the feeding position. The pressing roller moves to the feeding position after the elapse of a prescribed time following the completion of the motion of the sheet by the attracting member to the feeding position. The rotary roller is rotatably set in place at the feeding position.

Abstract: In a light-tight photoplotter, a system handles sheets of photosensitive media from an initial supply location through the photoplotter and advances them to final a location. The system includes a loading device interposed between the supply location and a workpiece support surface on which surface a work operation is conducted on the involved media sheet. It further includes an off-loading device positioned at the opposite end of the workpiece support surface and the collecting location. The loading device includes a locating mechanism which allows the involved media to be precisely oriented on the workpiece support surface in registry with two orthogonally oriented coordinated axis. The system further permits loading and unloading of covered cassettes in daylight without exposing the media supply to light which might otherwise be cast onto it. The system further provides for the safety locking of stacked media within the photoplotter to prevent inadvertent removal.

Abstract: A loading apparatus for selectively taking out a sheet film from among sheet films accommodated in a plurality of magazines and loading the sheet film into a cassette. The sheet taken out from the magazine is adapted to be held in a holding device in a curved state. In a holding section, the sheet film is received from a lower end thereof and is taken out from an upper end thereof so as to be loaded into the cassette. Hence, even if there are a multiplicity of magazines, the film can be fetched speedily and loaded into the cassette, and the apparatus can be made compact. The magazine is drawn out from the apparatus body in a cantilevered manner so as to load the films, thereby facilitating the loading operation.

Abstract: For the production of packs from (thin) cardboard, blanks (10) are prefabricated and stored as a blank stack (16) in a blank magazine (17) for processing. An extraction member (20) serves for extracting the individual blanks from the underside of the blank magazine (17) and transports the blanks into a discharge-conveyor plane (21). The extraction member (20) is transportable over a small acute angle as a result of a pivoting movement, in order to move the blanks from the blank stack (16) into the discharge-conveyor plane (21). Furthermore, the extraction member (20) is so designed that, immediately after the discharge-conveyor plane (21) is reached, it can be conveyed into an initial position as a result of sideways movements of holding members (23,24) without being disturbed by the blank (10). In the discharge-conveyor plane (21), the blank (10) is fed to drawer rollers (51, 52 etc) by a pushing-off member (pushing fingers 57,58).

Abstract: A sleeve loader having a table for positioning trays container either a stack of folded or unfolded sleeves at a processing position, a device for lifting up an upper ply of a garment in the stack of sleeves, a device for picking up the upper ply of the sleeves in the stack, a device for assuring the correct orientation of the sleeve for sewing, a device for alignment of the sleeves in a correct position for sewing, and a device for rejecting sleeves having an undesirable characteristic or orientation.

Abstract: When stacking up recording papers on a tray and conveying one by one from the top or bottom, they are conveyed by attracting in vacuum to a conveying belt. An example of conveying from the bottom is illustrated. When one recording paper is conveyed, its rear end comes into the attraction region of the conveying belt, and the second recording paper is attracted into the region out of the first recording paper in the attraction region, which results in duplicate feed. Therefore, the size of the attraction region is variable depending on the size of the recording paper so that the attraction region of the conveying belt may not come out from the rear end of the recording paper until the first recording paper is conveyed and its front end is held by the rear rollers of the conveying belt or the like.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of feeding sheets. The sheets such as photographic photosensitive films are fed one by one by a suction pad in an image recording apparatus. The suction pad is displaced at a higher speed toward a stack of sheets, and then the speed of the suction pad is reduced to cause the suction pad to approach the stacked sheets ata lower speed. It is thereafter detected whether or not an uppermost one of the stacked sheets is attracted by the suction pad. Further, the suction pad is stopped from being moved toward the stacked sheets immediately upon detecting that the suction pad has attracted the uppermost sheet, and is also displaced away from the stacked sheets until the suction pad reaches a desired position.

Abstract: An apparatus transports sheets of material and breaks the adhesion between first and second sheets when sheets are fed from a stack one at a time. The apparatus includes a gripper which is mounted on a gripper arm and grips the first sheet. The arm repeatedly and cyclically moves the leading edge of the first sheet to be fed while the first sheet is held by the gripper. The arm moves the leading edge of the first sheet both horizontally and vertically. The vertical cyclical motion causes air pockets to travel between the first and second sheets and the horizontal cyclical motion translates the first sheet relative to the second sheet to break the adhesion.

Abstract: A label transfer assembly providing for in-mold labeling of blow molded articles in blow molding machinery. A label carrier is utilized which includes means for individually receiving labels from a label storage magazine. Once loaded with labels, the label carrier is moved to a position adjacent a placement assembly. The labels are removed from the carrier by the placement assembly which includes arms that transfer the labels to positions in mold cavities in the machinery. During molding, the labels will become fused to the surfaces of the blow molded articles.

Abstract: Apparatus for shifting X-ray films in a magazine wherein films having different sizes form a stack and which as a straight or corner-shaped internal stop for properly oriented films. The apparatus has a frame which is reciprocable toward and away from the magazine and carries two or more pivotable links each of which supports one or more driven wheels movable into frictional engagement at least with the outermost film of the stack to shift the engaged film toward and against the stop. Properly oriented films are withdrawn from the magazine by one or more suction cups which share the movements of the links relative to the magazine. The wheels are rotated by a common prime mover.

Abstract: A sheet feed mechanism feeds stimulable phosphor sheets, one by one, from a magazine to an image reading unit in an image reading apparatus. The sheet feed mechanism includes a suction mechanism having a plurality of suction cups for attracting a stimulable phosphor sheet in the magazine. The suction mechanism is movable toward and away from the magazine which stores a stack of stimulable phosphor sheets. A grip roller pair grips and guides a stimulable phosphor sheet, which has been taken out of the magazine by the suction cups, in a predetermined direction. One of the suction cups is supported on an angle which is angularly movable in response to engagement of the stimulable phosphor sheet attracted by the suction cups with the grip roller pair. Another angle, when engaged by the grip roller pair, guides a stimulable phosphor sheet, which has undesirably taken out of the magazine, back into the magazine.

Abstract: A sheet feed control system for use in an image recording apparatus, for example, includes a suction cup for attracting a sheet-like member such as a photographic film under suction, a crank mechanism for moving the suction cup with respect to the sheet-like member, and a swinging mechanism for swinging the suction cup with the sheet-like member attracted thereto to impart swinging action to the sheet-like member. The crank mechanism is drived by a pulse motor in response to a control signal applied thereto, and the swinging mechanism is drived by a pulse motor in response to a control signal applied thereto. Information, such as rotational speeds and angular displacements, with regard to the pulse motors is stored in a memory, and desired information corresponding to certain physical properties of the sheet-like member, can be selected from the memory by the operator.

Abstract: A feeder for flexible sheet material includes a gripping assembly (30) provided with a hollow gripper shaft (54) and a vacuum operated gripper (52). The shaft (54) is movable through an arcuate path of travel between engagement and sheet-releasing positions. The vacuum pressure to the gripper (52) is controlled to cause the marginal portion of the lowermost sheet to be gripped by the gripper when the shaft is in the engagement position and to discontinue the vacuum to the gripper at the sheet-releasing position. A valve assembly (64) is disposed between a vacuum line and the hollow shaft (54) and is mounted for rotation on the gripping assembly (30). The valve is rotatable between open and closed positions in response to movement of the shaft through the arcuate path of travel between the engagement and sheet-releasing positions.

Abstract: A currency note picking apparatus includes pick mechanisms for picking notes from stacks of notes held in associated currency cassettes. Each pick mechanism includes pivotally mounted pick arms connectable via an electrically operated valve to a diaphragm pump which generates, continuously, a reduced pressure. During a relevant pivotal movement, the pick arms of a selected pick mechanism pick part of an end note out of the associated cassette by applying a suction force to this note. A timing disc rotates in synchronism with the pivotal movement of the pick arms, and an associated optical sensor generates timing signals which are indicative of the position of the pick arms relative to the cassette. The timing signals control the operation of the respective valve so as to enable the pump to communicate with the pick arms during the relevant pivotal movement thereof.

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 vacuum aperture in a rotatable cam bears on an insert in an insert magazine when the cam is at rest. The vacuum port sucks the insert up against the face of the cam and away from the inserts in the magazine. When the cam is rotated and accelerated to belt speed the insert is stripped out of the magazine and follows the cam as a cam follower into the nip of the transport belts where the insert is transported to a package. Stripping the insert as a cam follower allows very high feed speeds to be attained. A single electric motor drives the transport belts and through a single cycle electric clutch the same motor accelerates and rotates the cam. A controller connected to a pulse generator, an electric clutch, a package detector and an insert detector control the device. When a package is detected, the cam is rotated and the insert is stripped from the magazine into the transport belts; a detector located between the transport belts determines if an insert has been stripped from the magazine into the belts.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing a sheet from a container such as a sheet film from a cassette, by a suction device mounted for movement rectilinearly at an angle to the plane of the sheet.

Abstract: A loading apparatus for selectively taking out a sheet film from among sheet films accommodated in a plurality of magazines and loading the sheet film into a cassette. The sheet taken out from the magazine is adapted to be held in a holding device in a curved state. In a holding section, the sheet film is received from a lower end thereof and is taken out from an upper end thereof so as to be located into the cassette. Hence, even if there are a multiplicity of magazines, the film can be fetched speedily and loaded into the cassette, and the apparatus can be made compact. The magazine is drawn out from the apparatus body in a cantilevered manner so as to load the films, thereby facilitating the loading operation.

Abstract: In the case of a sheet feeder comprising a suction head which is arranged over a rising table for a stack of sheets and bears at least one sucker able to be connected with a source of vacuum and with air synchronously in steps with the operation of the equipment, a cam predetermined such steps and, following the suction head, a sheet conveyor, it is possible to achieve a more precise operation and more gentle handling of the products by providing an air supply duct and a vacuum duct, which are associated with the at least one sucker provided, and alternately switched on and off by a switching valve arranged near the sucker. For its part, the valve is operated by a control valve, actuated by the cam.