Abstract: A card output clearance adjusting device for card stacking machines, in particular a clearance adjusting device adapted for telephone cards and the like, including a receiving body, a conveyance device, and a press plate. The receiving body has a main frame and a support seat. The components of the conveyance device are disposed between the main frame and the support seat. The adjusting device has a securing plate formed by directly bending an upper portion of the main frame at an angle of 90 degrees, and a movable adjusting plate at a lower portion thereof The movable adjusting plate has guide track plates at both sides thereof movably inserted into corresponding guide tracks at both sides of the support seat. The upper surface of the movable adjusting plate is provided with four guide posts fitted with stop springs respectively. An upper end portion of each guide post extends into a corresponding hollow guide hole of the securing seat.

Abstract: A sheet-feed device including: a hopper having a surface on which sheets are stacked; at least one sheet-feed roller for abutting a surface of an uppermost sheet of the sheets so that rotation of the at least one sheet-feed roller feeds the uppermost sheet in a sheet-feed direction; a wall portion formed at a front edge, with respect to the sheet-feed direction, of the hopper, the wall portion including: a slanting surface gradually slanting in the sheet-feed direction with increasing distance from the surface of the hopper; and an indentation portion formed at a position corresponding to position of the at least one sheet-feed roller and receded away from the slanting surface in the sheet-feed direction.

Abstract: A dam has a plurality of substantially parallel ribs extending from a base surface. At least one of the ribs is formed of a body of metal having a coating as its exterior surface, which has a low coefficient of friction over which sheets of a media move. The body has a longitudinal slot in its exterior surface. An insert, which has a high coefficient of friction with sheets of a media and is preferably polyurethane, is supported within the body. The insert is preloaded so that a projection extends a predetermined distance through the slot in the body for engagement with each advancing sheet. When the sheet is stiff, the projection is pushed interior of the body so that the low coefficient of friction surface, which has a much larger area for engaging the sheet than the insert, of the body is engaged by the advancing sheet.

Abstract: A document guiding device for an automatic document feeder for a folding and/or inserting machine, the feeder being of the type including a feeder body support plate extending over a sheet inlet chute, at least two loading trays capable of cooperating with said inlet chute in various modes of operation, at least one of the trays including a tilting base capped by a die, constituted by a lip covered in a rough coating and capable of occupying either a closed position for automatic insertion of documents, or an open position for manual insertion, the device including first deflector means disposed upstream from a document feed roller, cooperating selectively with the tilting base so as to orientate each inserted document directly towards the inlet chute to eliminate any points where the lower edge of the document might catch on the roller, or on the feeder body.

Abstract: A document feeder apparatus is provided for feeding documents along a document feed path. The document feeder apparatus comprises a picker mechanism for picking a number of documents from a stack of documents stored in a hopper and moving the picked documents along the document feed path. An advance mechanism includes an advance roller having a longitudinal central axis and being rotatable about its longitudinal axis. The advance roller has an outer circumferential surface which is engageable with one side of the picked document moving along the document feed path. A retard mechanism includes an endless retard belt having an outer major side surface which is engageable with the opposite side of the picked document moving along the document path. The outer major side surface of the endless retard belt and the outer circumferential surface of the advance roller cooperate to define at least a portion of the document feed path therebetween.

Abstract: A separating and feeding machine is disclosed for removing a succession of bound booklets or the like from a supply hopper adapted to hold a stack of the booklets for feeding them to a subsequent apparatus for further processing. The separating and feeding machine includes a reciprocating vacuum feed plate disposed in the bottom of the hopper for advancing the bottom booklet through a discharge opening to a take away feed mechanism, and includes first and second stage separating mechanism which initially maintains at least the bottom two booklets in the hopper in shingled relationship to expose a marginal portion thereof adjacent the bound edge so that a pressing member can maintain a normal force on the exposed marginal portion of the bottom booklet to prevent it from wrinkling and becoming jammed in the discharge opening while the vacuum feed plate is moving it toward the discharge opening.

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

Abstract: A sheet supplying apparatus has a sheet separator for separating and feeding sheets one by one. The separator is formed of a plurality of separation portions each including a sheet supply roller rotated in a sheet feeding direction and a sheet return roller rotated in a direction opposite to the sheet feeding direction, each disposed along a width-wise direction of the sheet. A sheet supplying force of a central separation portion disposed substantially at a center of the sheet in the width-wise direction is selected to be greater than that of the other separation portions.

Abstract: A sheet feeder includes: a rotatable sheet separation roll having an outer circumferential surface, a pressing member urged onto the outer circumferential surface of the sheet separation roll; and a flexible frictional member having a plate shape interposed between the sheet separation roll and the pressing member, the flexible frictional member being supported at one end portion upstream of the pressing member and the sheet separation roll in a sheet feed direction, wherein a surface of the pressing member confronting the sheet separation roll projects toward the sheet separation roll in a section thereof perpendicular to an axial line of the sheet separation roll.

Abstract: A coaxial separating and delivering device generally comprises a main shaft having a plurality of synthetic delivering rollers. A positioning pin is disposed vertically on the main shaft. A rotational separating roller is disposed at the middle portion of the shaft such that the outer diameter of the separating roller is smaller than the delivering roller. The separating roller is configured by a tube having a friction wheel disposed thereof. One end of the tube is provided with a curve cutout which receives a positioning pin disposed at the main shaft. The separating roller is rotational within a certain angular sectors, accordingly, the paper sheet can be separated simultaneously with delivering. Since the separating roller and delivering roller are disposed coaxially, a compact design is attained.

Abstract: A paper supplying device has a shelf for placing sheets of paper to be supplied and a suction rotor disposed above the shelf. The suction rotor has suction openings on outer peripheral surfaces and can suck up the paper from the shelf by sucking in air through the sucking openings. A belt is passed over a pulley around the suction rotor not only causes the suction rotor to rotate but also serves to guide the sucked paper forward tangentially with respect to the rotor, preventing the paper from becoming wound up around the rotor. The device may also include nozzles for blowing air toward front edge of the sucked paper, gate plates for blocking any overlapping sheet of paper which may be attached to the sucked paper, nozzles for blowing air to separate any overlapping sheet of paper which may be attached to the sucked paper, or a friction pad which has a coefficient of friction smaller than that of the belt and is adjustably disposed so as to be selectably either in contact or not in contact with the belt.

Abstract: A sheet feeder including a rotateable feed roller for feeding sheets in a path of travel and retarding apparatus operatively coupled with the feed roller for forming a nip therebetween; wherein the retarding apparatus rotates along with the feed roller when a single sheet is in the nip and the retarding apparatus does not rotate when a plurality of sheets are in the nip.

Abstract: Described is a single-sheet feeder comprising a sheet transporter and a movable carrier for individual sheets which defines a plane, a first flat reference stop which serves as a side edge guide for the sheets and extends substantially perpendicular to the carrier, and a second reference stop which serves as a leading edge guide for the sheets and extends substantially perpendicular to the carrier and the first reference stop.

Abstract: A feeding device transfers, one by one, sheets from a pile (12) to a processing device having a storage area for the pile of sheets, a drive roller (201) in contact with a sheet disposed at one end of the pile, a separating and prestressing device (203, 210) disposed opposite the roller, the separating and prestressing device including a friction device (203) generating, on the sheet, a friction opposite to the direction in which the sheet is driven. The separating and prestressing device (203, 210) also has a movable support (205) and a lever (211), the support (205) bearing the friction device, whilst the lever has at least one lateral prestressing arm (341), and an elastic unit (214) acting on the lever (211) in order to bias the surface towards the roller (201).

Abstract: A replacement roller cartridge for a cut sheet retard feeder. The cartridge assembly includes a feed roll, a nudger roll, and a retard roll aligned so that the axis of rotation are substantially in the same plane within an articulated frame. The frame is inserted into the feed head and pivoted into an active position. Upon insertion into the feed head, the retard roll is captured by a separate retard bracket so that when the feed head is pivoted into the active position the retard roll is withdrawn from the frame and forms a feed nip with the feed roll. The articulated frame is geared so that the frame folds back against itself to provide a very compact unit. A gear train is provided on both sides of the cartridge to drive the feed roll and the nudger roll. The cartridge assembly provides a low cost, easily replaceable unit that eliminates the need for a service technician to replace worn feed rolls.

Abstract: A clearing mechanism for use in stacked sheet media feeding systems of the type having a single sheet pick/feed mechanism for feeding a single sheet from the top of a sheet media stack. The clearing mechanism includes a "kick" lever positioned adjacent and somewhat below a sheet picking roller. At the beginning of the sheet feeding cycle, the lever is moved by a cam/follower from an obstructing position within the feed zone adjacent to the leading edge of the media stack to a non-obstructing position free of the feed zone for unobstructed feeding of the top sheet. After the leading edge of the top sheet has cleared the lever, the lever is urged by a spring force back toward the obstructing position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet supply apparatus with a sheet stacking plate for stacking and supporting sheets, a supply rotary member for feeding out the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking plate, and a preventing device biased toward the supply rotary member and adapted to prevent double-feed of sheets. The preventing device has a lower central portion and high end portion along an axial direction of the supply rotary member.

Abstract: A paper sheet feeding apparatus which includes a gate forming member positioned above the upper run of the sheet feeding belts and so as to define a nip therebetween. The gate forming member comprises a cylindrical roll having a plurality of annular grooves extending about the circumference thereof, and an elastomeric ring disposed in each of the grooves. The outer peripheral surface of the roll also includes a relief extending axially along the length thereof and positioned so as to oppose the nip, and the rings are sized so as to be exposed on the portion of the outer peripheral surface defined by the relief. In operation, the lowermost sheet is fed by the sheet feeding belts through the nip without engaging the exposed rings, and without significant frictional resistance, while the sheet immediately above the lowermost sheet engages the exposed rings and is retarded in its advance by its engagement with the rings.

Abstract: A feeder for sheets of material has belts for driving sheets through the feeder, and a gate above the belts to hold back the stack of sheets to be fed. The gate is elliptical in side elevational view and flat in front and rear elevational views. The major axis of the ellipse is disposed at an acute angle to the feed path, so sheets waiting to be fed engage the large-radius portion of the ellipse and are shingled just before reaching the position to be fed. The wide, flat surface has O-rings of rubber or the like to provide a high coefficient of friction for retarding the stack of sheets to be fed. A sensor detects a sheet that has been fed, and stops the feeder, so the feeder can be used as an on-demand feeder.

Abstract: The introduction device includes a supply tray (6) with a front wall (9), in which a pile of sheets (14) is biased towards driving rollers (17) by the action of a support plate (12) and a spring (16). The front wall (9) is provided with an extension (30) of which one portion forms a fixed sloping plane (31) provided with three openings (34). Three leaf springs (35) are fastened on one side of the supply tray and have at their other end a curved part (36)engaged into the openings (34). These springs (35) form with the sloping plane (31) a retaining member (40) of which the slope is variable depending on the rigidity of the sheets or envelopes to be introduced, the slope being small in the case of thin sheets and greater in the case of rigid sheets or envelopes, thus ensuring a sheet by sheet introduction which is reliable.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus having a sheet support for supporting a plurality of sheets, a separating roller rotated in a direction for feeding the sheets, a reversely rotatable roller rotatably supported by a rockably provided reversely rotatable roller holder and bearing against the separating roller, drive force transmitter for transmitting to the reversely rotatable roller a drive force for rotating the reversely rotatable roller in the direction opposite to the direction for feeding the sheets, and a torque limiter provided on the drive force transmitter for cutting off the transmission of a driving torque of a predetermined torque value or greater.

Abstract: A paper feed roller (5) is divided into a first roller (5a) and a second roller (5b); a slit (58) through which about 10 to 20 sheets of documents can pass is formed between the first roller and a gate plate (57) opposite to this; and the paper fed out therefrom is fed out to a space between the second roller (5b) and a separation pad (7) in contact with this.Also, there is adopted a construction in which the pressing force of a paper conveyance spring is transformed by a slide cam sliding in a direction parallel to the paper feed roller; and the paper width detection sensor is assembled by a fitting construction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet feeding apparatus comprising a supply means contacting one of the sheet in a sheet stack, for applying a feeding force to the sheet; a first limiting means abutting against a front end of the sheet stack in a sheet feeding direction, for limiting the movement of the sheet stack in the sheet feeding direction; a second limiting means contacting the sheet to which the feeding force is applied from the supply means, for limiting the movement of the sheet stack in a sheet thickness direction; and a clearance defined between the first and second limiting means, the clearance having a predetermined length in the sheet feeding direction.

Abstract: A device for separating a stack of sheets in an office machine such as a simile machine, comprising an extractor roller (18), a presser member (14) pressed resiliently in the direction of the roller, and a stop (5) limiting the maximum distance between the extractor roller and the presser member. The stop is mounted so as to slide inside a supporting part (1) in the direction of the presser member. A spring pushes the stop toward the presser member, and a locking collar (11, 12) limits its sliding distance. The presser member is mounted on the supporting part so as to provide an integral device, improving reliability and reducing assembly time.

Abstract: An addressing machine has separator blocks which cooperate with feed rollers to insure proper one-at-a-time feeding of media elements (e.g. envelopes) to a printer within the machine housing. The optimum feed gap between the separator blocks and rollers corresponds to the thickness of the particular envelopes being handled, and is quickly and positively adjusted using a pivoted lever having first and second locking cam surfaces spaced from each other by a release cam surface, the lever pivoted to a mounting block fixed to a front face of the housing which the separator blocks slide with respect to in guided movement. The cam surfaces act through a spring plate which has an opening frictionally receiving the mounting block, and having upwardly tapered ends and a bulge in the middle for engaging the cam surfaces.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus having a sheet support for supporting sheets, a rotatable sheet supply roller for feeding out the sheets supported by the sheet support, a first biasing mechanism for biasing the sheet support to generate pressure between the sheets and the rotatable sheet supply roller, a separating device for separating the sheets between the separating device and the rotatable sheet supply roller, a second biasing mechanism for biasing the separating device to generate pressure between the separating device and the rotatable sheet supply roller and a pressure releasing mechanism for releasing the pressures generated by the first and second biasing mechanisms after the sheets are separated by the separating device. The present invention further provides an image forming system with the above-mentioned sheet feeding apparatus and an image forming mechanism for forming an image on the sheet separated by the separating device.

Abstract: A low cost high speed counter and dispenser of tickets includes a feed roll and a hopper for feeding cards tangentially onto the feed roll. A pair of nip rolls rotating at a higher peripheral speed than the feed roll opens a gap between the trailing edge of one ticket and the leading edge of the next ticket that is detected by a photodetector cell providing an input for a digital counter. A D.C. motor drive is used which is dynamically braked when a desired count is reached. A collector bin includes a detector for determining if the bin is empty to automatically initiate a new dispensing cycle, if desired.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet feeding apparatus with a sheet support for supporting sheets, a supply roller for feeding out the sheets from the sheet support, and a separator for separating the sheets fed from the supply roller one by one, the separator including a fixed frictional separating pad, a rotary member mounted for movement in contact with and in separation from the frictional separating pad, and a bias mechanism for biasing the rotary member to it urge against the frictional separating pad. The sheets fed from the supply means are separated one by one by passing the sheet through a contact area between the rotary member and the frictional separating pad.

Abstract: A retard assembly for use in a friction retard separator feeder has a retard member, a support member for supporting the retard member, the retard assembly being mountingly engageable with a pivoting support frame for supporting the retard assembly at a first end of the pivot support frame and having a pivot point at its opposite end and substantially remote from the first end, the retard member support member having at least one mounting hub for mounting a locating pivot pin, which is engageable with the first end of the pivoting support frame, the retard member support member including at least one energy absorbing damping pad on the at least one mounting hub to absorb vibration of the retard pad between the retard member support member and the pivoting support frame when they are engaged, the energy absorbing damping pad being of a hardness sufficient to maintain an interference fit between the at least one mounting hub and the pivoting support frame to resist a permanent set.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device having a tray on which a plurality of sheets are stacked, includes a feeder for feeding the stacked sheets through contact therewith, a separator provided downstream in the feeding direction of the feeder for separating sheets one by one from the stack of sheets and at least a pair of conveyance rollers provided downstream of the separator for conveying the separated sheet. A detector detects the size of the stacked sheets. A pressing device presses the sheets, and a contact pressure between the feeder and the sheets is adjustable. A sheet edge detector provided downstream of the separator detects an edge of each of the separated sheet, and respective drivers drive the feeder, the pressing device and the conveyance rollers. A controller controls the driver. A table in which a plurality of variable and selectable pressure forces appliable by the pressing device are set according to a detected sheet size. The controller controls the driver according to a set value of the table.

Abstract: Improvements relate to a photocopying machine with an auxiliary sheet feeder including a sheet-separation unit which withdraws sheets disposed on a tray. The improvements enable better separation of the sheets and easier removal of jammed sheets. (FIG. 1).

Abstract: An automatic document feeder (ADF) with a solid bracket suitable for use with an office machine to separate a plurality of documents one by one, and to feed the separated document to the office machine. The solid bracket comprises a pair of side plates, a stationary belt supporter and a shaftless roller supporter extending between the side plates, and a pair of spring supporters connected to the side plates through individual bent connections. The ADF further includes a rotatable shaft supporting the belt and controlling the tensile force of the belt, and a document separating roller coming into close contact with the belt at a position opposed to a shaftless roller. The tension coil springs are connected between the rotatable shaft and the spring supporters to bias the rotatable shaft and to control the tensile force of the belt. The endless document separating belt is rotatably supported by both the stationary belt supporter and the rotatable shaft.

Abstract: It is intended to suppress the production of "creak" during paper feed. A support block having a friction rubber element mounted thereon to be rubbed by paper sheets is made of a resin compound having a specific gravity of 2.0 or more containing metal powder.

Abstract: A card vending machine comprising a cabinet having a plurality of card holding and dispensing modules individually removably positioned therein with each of the modules including a card holding portion and card dispensing portion. Each of the modules includes a gauge cam to enable the card dispensing portions of the modules to be adjusted to compensate for cards having various thicknesses.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus having a sheet supporting tray for supporting sheets, a sheet supply roller for feeding out the sheet supported by the sheet supporting tray thereon, a separating device having a plurality of separating surfaces of different coefficients of friction and adapted to separate the sheets one by one by cooperating with the sheet supply and roller by abutting against the sheet supply roller, a separating surface changing device for changing the separating surface to be abutted against the sheet supply tray, a detector for detecting a poor separating condition in which the sheets are not readily separated one by one by the separating tray, and a controller for controlling the separating surface changing device in accordance with the detected result of the detector to change the separating surface to be abutted against the sheet supply tray.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sheet feed apparatus which is particularly, although not exclusively, useful in a xerographic copying machine. The apparatus includes a roller assembly including first and second rollers, the first roller being arranged to engage the top sheet in a stack of sheets and advance the sheet to a nip defined between the second roller and a retard member. The roller assembly is attachable to a support such as a feedhead cover, by means of a snap-in connection whereby, when assembled to the support way, the second roller is operably coupled to a drive gear. In order to facilitate connections between a drive shaft through the second roller and the drive gear, the drive shaft is biassed towards the drive means by a compression spring, and is mounted for movement along the axis of the second roller against the bias of the compression spring.

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 feeding apparatus comprising a sheet supporting device for stacking and supporting sheets, a sheet supplying device for feeding out the sheets supported by the sheet supporting device, a separating device for separating the sheets fed by the sheet supplying device one by one, a back tension releasing device for not acting a back tension on the sheet separated by the separating device, and a double feed preventing device, which is insertable into and retractable from a sheet feeding path for the sheet separated by the separating device. When the back tension is released by the back tension releasing device, the double feed preventing device is inserted into the sheet feeding path, thereby preventing the double feed of the sheets.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for successively supplying, by one, sheets piled up within a sheet storing device up to an image formation apparatus along a predetermined sheet supplying direction. The sheet feeding apparatus is equipped with a sheet feeding roller driven to rotate about a roller rotating shaft to pick up the sheets from the sheet storing device and a separation device disposed at a downstream side of the sheet storing device and in opposed relation to the sheet feeding roller. The separation device is pressed by a spring toward the sheet feeding roller to be brought into contact therewith so that the sheets picked up from the sheet storing device are pressed against the sheet feeding roller so as to be frictionally separated from each other and fed by one in accordance with the rotation of the sheet feeding roller toward a downstream side.

Abstract: An adjustment device for adjusting a lever arm located inside a machine frame wherein the lever arm is pivotally mounted to the frame at a first location and is spring biased against a stop at a second location of the frame. The device comprises a resilient sleeve having a shank portion adapted to extend through an aperture in the frame to act as the stop, and a head portion of larger diameter then the diameter of the aperture in the frame. The shank portion has a threaded section and a non-threaded section, the non-threaded section having a length greater than the frame thickness at the aperture, wherein the lever arm pivots as a screw extending axially through the sleeve is turned in the threaded section.

Abstract: A sheet film magazine for a film changer comprises a housing and a cover that form a space for storing a stack of unseparated sheets of film that lie against a film plane. The magazine includes a conveyor which is provided for conveying individual sheets of film from the film stack through a film exit opening of the sheet film magazine into a receptacle part of said film changer. So that only one sheet of film is conveyed out of the magazine, the sheet film magazine is provided with a control arrangement adjoining the exit opening and the arrangement guarantees that only one sheet is removed at a time.

Abstract: Automatic paper feeder includes a feed roller, and a paper-separating member in contact with the feed roller. A push member serves to press the paper-separating member against the feed roller. A spring serves to exert a pressing force on the push member. A mechanism serves to adjust the pressing force of the spring which is exerted on the push member. The spring-force adjusting mechanism includes a swingable adjustment plate connected to the spring, a cam, and a movable adjustment member connected to the adjustment plate via the cam. The adjustment member has a knob. At least a part of the knob is exposed to be easily accessed. The pressing force of the spring which is exerted on the push member is varied in accordance with a position of the knob.

Abstract: The device for the introduction of sheets makes it possible to introduce a stack of sheets through an auxiliary input or by-pass in addition to or as an alternative to the normal cassettes for sheets, with which the machine is fitted. A roll (57) rotating on a shaft (58) separates sheets from a stack inserted into a tray (54). A lever (68) is movable from a rest position to a function position. When the lever is moved to the functional position it causes a unidirectional clutch (86) mounted on the shaft to reverse the direction of rotation of the roll thereby moving sheets back to the tray. The lever also moves a cam (76) such that when the lever moved to the functional position, the tray is moved away from the roll such that additional sheets can be inserted.

Abstract: A retard assembly for use in a friction retard separator and feeder comprising a support member for supporting a retard member and a sheet entrance guide at the incoming end of the retard assembly having a substantially vertical portion and a substantially horizontal portion overlying the incoming guide entrance portion of the retard member in advance of the retard portion of the retard member, said sheet guide being vertically compliant and movable in said support member to enable a reduction in the spring rate in the entrance guide portion of the retard member to a level substantially below the level in the retard portion.

Abstract: A Sheet Feeding System (10) having a reciprocating vacuum shuttle plate (52) includes a knife gate (112) and high-friction rollers 118 and 120 position between the knife gate and an additional conveyor formed by a driven feed roller 94 and an idler feed roller 96. The high-friction rollers form a singulator gap (188) with shoulders 184 of a vacuum-groove (186) on a sheet-engaging surface of the reciprocating shuttle plate. The sheet feeding system includes a transition tray (14) downstream of the additional conveyor for providing a transition to clamps of an endless chain (178). The transition tray comprises an endless conveyor belt (156) with a floating feed roller (160) biased thereagainst. The position of the floating feed roller can be adjusted so as to space it approximately a sheet length from a stationary clamp (176) on the endless chain.

Abstract: A deflector plate is mounted adjacent a document feeder mechanism having feeder belts operative to engage successive documents supported in upstanding on-edge relation on a feed magazine so as to feed the documents in singulated fashion to a processing station downstream from the feeder mechanism. The deflector plate is angularly adjustable relative to the feed path of the feed magazine and is operative to deflect the trailing ends of documents being fed to the feeder belts so as to prevent each successive document from engaging the feeder belts prior to substantial discharge of the prior document from the feeder mechanism.

Abstract: In a combination document feed system and intelligent document separation system, including a document removal assembly associated with the document feed system for removing documents one at a time from a stack of documents disposed in the document feed system and feeding each document into the document transport system: comprising a document removal assembly for providing a contact surface between the document removal assembly and a lead document in the stack of documents, the contact surface adapted to alternately contact the lead document and advance the lead document from the document feed system to the document separation system. A document advancing apparatus is adapted to advance a single document properly removed from the stack of documents, to halt the movement of one of two documents improperly removed from the stack of documents, and to reverse the direction of movement of additional documents improperly removed from the stack of documents.

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: This invention relates to a label box for a label stack in a labelling station. The label box has a front part, which is designed as a slide which can move forward and backward in relation to the other part. If a label is not to be extracted from the stack, this front part is moved back, compressing the label stack, so that the front end surface of the label stack is in an idle position, in which the pickup surface of the extractor element for the labels can no longer make contact against the end surface of the label stack as it rolls past.

Abstract: A sheet material separating device has a rotatable conveying member for conveying sheet materials in a predetermined direction, a separating member opposed to the rotatable conveying member and prohibiting passage of the sheet materials other than the sheet material which is in direct contact with the rotatable conveying member and conveyed thereby, and a support member for supporting the separating member so that the position of contact between the rotatable conveying member and the separating member is changeable in the direction of conveyance of the sheet materials.