Abstract: A method of feeding sheets includes the step of conveying the sheets between a feed roller and a separation member. The separation member is pressed against and into contact with the feed roller with a pressure applied between the feed roller and the separation member. The method also includes the steps of separating and conveying the sheets conveyed between the feed roller and the separation member one by one, and providing a cyclic change in the pressure between the feed roller and the separation member.

Abstract: A sheet feeder is provided, which includes: a sheet feed member and a separating member which form a nip portion by pressing each other, the separating member rotates following the sheet feed member when a first recording sheet is inserted into the nip portion, and rotates reversely when a second recording sheet is inserted while being stacked under the first recording sheet; a sheet detection unit which detects the recording sheet inserted into the nip portion; a direction detection unit which detects a rotation direction of the separating member; and a separating force adjusting unit which gradually increases a reverse rotation torque of the separating member from a initial torque after the sheet detection unit detects the recording sheet, and stops the increase of the reverse rotation torque to maintain the reverse rotation torque when the direction detection unit detects reverse rotation of the separating member.

Abstract: An ATM (10) includes a housing (46) including a generally L-shaped chest portion (48) and an upper housing portion (54). The ATM includes a fascia (12) which extends on the outside of a wall (14) and includes a user interface (15). Responsive to inputs of a user through the user interface the machine is operative to accept a stack of sheets (84) which are evaluated through operation of a sheet validator device (88) and which enables acceptable sheets to be stored within the chest portion. Unacceptable sheets are routed to a storage area (100). Provisions are made for reducing the risk of attack on the ATM by criminals and to facilitate servicing by authorized personnel.

Abstract: An overlapped-sheet detection apparatus can detect whether sheets are overlapped and shift the same, if overlapped, for further processing. The overlapped-sheet detection apparatus is provided with conveying belts, forwarding and shifting rollers, motor and discriminator. Conveying belts hold and convey sheets on a conveying path. Forwarding roller is provided at the conveying path to forward sheets in a conveying direction and forward sheets in conveying direction. Shifting roller is provided opposite to forwarding roller to shift sheets back to a direction which is the reverse of conveying direction if the sheets are overlapped. Motor supplies shifting roller with driving torque to shift sheets back to the direction reversed to conveying direction. An encoder is built in motor to detect a rotation state of shifting roller. Discriminator judges from an output of the encoder whether sheets are overlapped.

Abstract: This sheet multifeed determination device is capable of accurately detecting a sheet multifeed state, and the sheet multifeed determination device includes: a separating member side sheet speed detecting part which detects a transport speed of a sheet surface on the separating member side of a sheet transported to a nip unit of a paper feed roll and a separating member pressure-contacting mutually; a multifeed sheet detecting part which detects presence of plural sheets in the course of being transported through the nip unit; and a multifeed state determination part which determines not to be in a multifeed state of sheets when the sheet speed detected by the separating member side sheet speed detecting part is V2?0 and determines to be in the multifeed state of sheets in the case of V2>0 in a condition where the multifeed sheet detecting part detects multifed sheets.

Abstract: A sheet separator includes an advancing roller driven to rotate to move a sheet forwards along a sheet path, and a reversing roller driven to rotate to move a sheet backwards along the path. The reversing roller and advancing roller are mounted adjacently and are relatively movable between a pinched position and a separated position. The reversing roller has a torque limiter for allowing the reversing roller to slip and counter-rotate with the advancing roller when friction applied by the advancing roller on the pinched reversing roller exceeds a preset value. Overriding roller mounted therein allows a sheet to pass over a roller when the rollers are separated and to remain idle when the rollers are pinched.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for separating and feeding a plurality of sheets stacked on a sheet stacking portion one by one includes feeding means for feeding the plurality of sheets stacked on the sheet stacking portion, separation means for separating the sheets one by one by contacting to the sheets, returning means for returning the sheets to the sheet stacking portion, and separation force switching means for switching between generation and release of a separation force of the separation means. During a feeding operation, the feeding operation is switchable between a separating mode in which the separation force for a sheet is generated by the separation means and a conveying mode in which the separation force is released.

Abstract: An automatic feeding device for feeding plural number of recording sheets stacked on a pressure plate by separating them one by one is provided with a sheet-feeding roller for carrying the recording sheets stacked on the pressure plate; a separation roller for separating the recording sheets one by one by abutting against the recording sheet carried by the sheet-feeding roller; and a fornt stage-regulator that confines the number of recording sheets advancing into the separation roller. At least one of the sheet-feeding shafts provided for both ends of the sheet-feeding roller is made movable along the bearing groove of elongated hole of the bearing, and least one of the sheet-feeding shafts is structured to move between plural positions during the execution of a series of feeding operations. With the structure thus arranged, it is made possible to enable the recording medium to be bitten stably into the nipping portion of the sheet-conveying roller and pinch roller in good condition.

Abstract: A sheet separator for an automatic document feeder of the invention is capable of separating an outmost sheet from a stack. The separator includes a separating roller driven by a driving device, a friction roller, a first shaft, and a force-applying mechanism for pushing the separating and friction rollers against each other. The friction roller has a first rotating state, in which the friction roller is driven by the separating roller, a stationary state when the separating roller feeds a first sheet, and a second rotating state, in which the friction roller is driven by a second sheet fed by the separating roller. The first shaft is inserted into the friction roller to provide a damping torque for stopping the rotation of the friction roller.

Abstract: A sheet material feeding apparatus includes a sheet stacking portion for stacking recording sheets; a feeding roller for feeding the recording sheets from the sheet stacking portion; separating means for separating the recording sheet fed out by the feeding roller; a holder for holding the separating means, the holder being rotatably supported on a main assembly of the apparatus; first urging means for urging the holder toward the feeding roller; a preliminary regulating member, rotatably supported on the holder, for regulating a gap relative to the feeding roller; second urging means for urging the preliminary regulating member toward the feeding roller; a first regulating member, supported by the holder, for regulating rotation of the preliminary regulating member relative to the holder; and a second regulating member, provided in the main assembly of apparatus, for regulating rotation of the preliminary regulating member relative to the main assembly of the apparatus.

Abstract: A sheet material conveying apparatus is provided with retard levers for supporting a retard roller shaft, which are rotative centering on the central axis of rotation so as to press the retard roller to a conveying roller. Retard pressing springs are hooked to the spring latches of the retard levers, and the hooks of a slider. When the limiter gear of a torque limiter rotates, the tightening force exerted by a stepped spring against an inner race is caused to change, thus changing the rotating-load torque of the retard roller. A motor enables the limiter gear to rotate, while moving the slider up and down. In this way, it is made possible to change the rotating load torque of the retard roller, while changing the pressurized contact force of the retard roller against the conveying roller. With the structure thus arranged, it is attempted to make the life of rollers longer, and to prevent the occurrence of double feeding of sheet material.

Abstract: A sheet take-out apparatus includes a pickup roller to send out sheets, a take-out roller to take out sheets sent out by the pickup roller, a separation roller pressure contacting the take-out roller to separate taken out sheets one by one by applying revolving torque in the direction reverse to the sheet take-out direction, a swing arm that is supporting the separation roller and swings according to change in the diameter of the separation roller, a detector to detect the position of the swing arm, and a controller to control revolving torque applied to the separation roller according to the detection result of the detector.

Abstract: The invention provides a roller having excellent flexibility and wear resistance. The invention also provides a sheet delivery unit equipped with this roller. The unit is prevented from being clogged up with sheets due to rigidities of the sheets. Also, simultaneous delivery of plural sheets is suppressed. The allowable range of rigidities of paper currencies and the allowable range of their widths can be extended. The roller has a central portion extending along an axis, an outer peripheral portion formed around the central portion and made of a resilient body, and plural helical ribs connecting together the central portion and the outer peripheral portion. Each rib consists of a resilient body. Each rib is so shaped as to thicken gradually from the central portion toward the outer peripheral portion.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus according to the present invention includes: a feed rotary member rotationally driven in a sheet feeding direction; a retard rotary member in contact with the feed rotary member under a predetermined pressure and rotationally driven in a direction opposite to the sheet feeding direction with a predetermined torque; and a pressure fluctuation restraining device for diminishing a change in a contact pressure of the retard rotary member for the feed rotary member generated at the time of drive transmission to the retard rotary member.

Abstract: The sheet paper conveying device comprises: paper supply rollers at least part of which rotate to convey the sheet paper in a prescribed direction; separation rollers that rotate in the direction reverse to the sheet paper conveying direction or rotates jointly with the paper supply roller; auxiliary rollers that clamp the sheet paper jointly with the paper supply rollers and freely rotate; a first pressurizing member to press the separation rollers against the paper supply roller side; and a second pressurizing member to press the auxiliary roller against the paper supply roller side.

Abstract: An image reader comprising a reading glass plate facing an optical scanning system and a platen roller provided opposite to the reading glass plate; both being grounded. It is combined with an automatic sheet feeder, which comprises a retardation roller containing torque limiters and corrugation rollers. An optimized combination of these rollers provides an ideal sheet transfer and avoids overlaid sheet transfer. Generation of paper dust and toner particles is minimized in the optimized sheet transfer. Furthermore, sticking of such dust and particles on the reading glass plate and the platen roller is prevented in an image reader of the present invention. Thus the image reader reads out high quality images without being affected by dispersed paper dust or toner particles, while overlaid transfer of mother document sheets is prevented in the sheet feeder.

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

Abstract: A banknote dispenser is constructed to include a housing adapted to hold banknotes in a stack for dispensing, a power module, a transferring wheel set driven by the power module to spread a stack of banknotes into a stepped stack of banknotes and then to dispense banknotes individually by a respective push block being rotated with a respective wheel of the transferring wheel set, an output wheel set adapted to transfer banknotes individually from the transferring wheel set to a banknote outlet, and a sensor adapted to control the operation of the power module subject to the presence of banknotes in the housing.

Abstract: A sheet material feeding device includes a sheet material stacking means for stacking sheet materials; a feeding roller for feeding the sheet material stacked on the sheet material stacking means; a separation roller, driven by the feeding roller, for separating a sheet material from the sheet materials; a separation roller holder for rotatably holding the separation roller, the separation roller holder is movable by rotation thereof between a position in which the separation roller is contacted to the feeding roller and a position in which the separation roller is away from the feeding roller; and returning means for returning a sheet material or sheet materials other than the sheet material separated out by the separation roller to the sheet material stacking means.

Abstract: A roller including: an outer peripheral portion coming into contact with a sheet; an inner peripheral portion; and a plurality of connection ribs for connecting the outer peripheral portion and the inner peripheral portion to each other, in which the outer peripheral portion and the inner peripheral portion have a cylindrical configuration and are arranged concentrically, and in which the connection ribs are inclined by a predetermined angle with respect to a straight line radially extending from an axis of the roller.

Abstract: There are disclosed a pressing force adjustable roller unit, a sheet member or transport system in an image processing apparatus provided with the roller unit, and a sheet member supply system in which multi-transport can securely be prevented. In a holder to which a roller is attached via a holding shaft to move the roller in a load direction from a peripheral surface, a torsion spring is connected in a direction in which the holding shaft is pressed downward, a windup degree of a winding portion of the torsion spring is adjusted by engagement of an engaging arm projecting from the winding portion with a first or second stopper disposed on a holder side, and a roller pressing force can therefore be adjusted. There are also provided a hopper for piling sheets, a supply roller for picking up and feeding out the sheet, and a multi-transport preventing roller pair of a separation roller and a retard roller so that the hopper can vertically move with respect to the supply roller.

Abstract: A feeder apparatus for feeding microfilm jackets to a printer, one at a time from a stack of jackets. The feeder apparatus comprises a tray-like housing, a weight assembly and a brake assembly. The weight assembly includes a pair of pivotally mounted weights which rest on the stack of jackets to create friction between the bottom jacket and a printer feed roller. The brake assembly is used to hold back all but the bottom jacket, as the bottom jacket is transported by the printer feed roller.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device of the present invention includes a feeding mechanism including a belt and a reverse roller, and circular collars or similar spacing members adjoining the belt for spacing the reverse roller and belt. When a single sheet is conveyed from a nip between the belt and the reverse roller to a preselected position downstream of the nip in the direction of sheet feed, the spacing member spaces the belt and reverse roller with the drive of only the belt or the drive of both of the belt and reverse roller being interrupted.

Abstract: A retard roller of non-ground surface type which is virtually free from adhesion of paper dust thereby to have an excellent friction coefficient sustain ability, and which is free from creaky noises at a relatively low sheet feeding speed; a retard roller of non-ground surface type having little variation in outer diameter; and a sheet feeder employing such a retard roller. The retard roller comprises a roller body and a shaft extending axially therethrough, the roller body having a textured roller surface comprising a multiplicity of island portions (10) and a sea portion (11) recessed from the island portions, the island portions and the sea portion each having a multiplicity of fine projections (12). The ratio S1/S2 of the total area S1 of the island portions to the area S2 of the sea portion preferably is 0.25 to 0.55. The fine projections preferably each have a height of 3 to 25 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A self-service terminal (10) comprising a dispenser (20) having a pick unit (44) for picking media items (64) is described. The dispenser (20) includes a drive wheel (72) for engaging with one surface of a media item and mounted on a drive wheel shaft (78), and a retard wheel (74) for engaging with an opposite surface of the media item and mounted on a retard wheel rotatable shaft (80) for rotating in the same direction as the first rotatable shaft. The drive and retard wheel shafts (78, 80) are coupled to a common drive component (98). The drive wheel (72) and the retard wheel (74) are resiliently biased together, and at least one of the shafts (78 or 80) is pivotally coupled to the common drive component (98) whereby the distance between the at least one shaft (78 or 80) and the drive component (98) remains constant as the at least one shaft (78 or 80) is displaced by a media item passing between the wheels (72, 74).

Abstract: Bills are loaded into a hopper, separated and moved one at a time passed authentication sensors and an optical scanner. The sensors include a UV scanner, a magnetic sensor, an infrared scanner and a metallic thread detector. A main transport belt cooperates with first and second sensor transport belts to move the bills through the scanning section and into the bill collection section. The bill collection section includes multiple collection bins, each associated with a gate which, when actuated, guides a bill into the bin. A plurality of bill tracking sensors are located along the transport path. Data signals from the authentication sensors and the optical scanner for each bill are digitized and alternately routed to two parallel data processors. The processor outputs and tracking sensor outputs are fed to a control circuit which operates the collection bin gates and regulates the transport mechanism speed.

Abstract: A document creating apparatus, comprising an image transfer system and a feeder. The feeder has a frame, housing and a roll for individually feeding sheets of material within the image transfer system. The housing is pivotally connected to the frame on a pivot axis. The roll is pivotally connected to the housing on a roll axis that is offset from the pivot axis. A spring is connected to the housing and the frame at an offset distance from the pivot axis. When the offset distance decreases, the force exerted by the spring increases. When the offset distance increases, the force exerted by the spring decreases. The force exerted by the spring between the first roll and the second roll as a result is maintained substantially constant.

Abstract: The invention is a sheet feeder including a skimmer and a separator. The separator is designed for advancing the engaged sheet while separating any adjacent sheets. In one embodiment, the separator has a driven infeed roller nipped with a drag or separator roller. The separator roller also includes a recoil mechanism. The drag normally slips and permits the separator roller to be driven forward by the infeed roller, which cocks the recoil mechanism, then allows the infeed roller to advance a sheet. The separator roller recoils backward when a multifeed of two or more sheets is engaged between the advancing and separator rollers. The sheet separator can have as its sheet-engaging member a roller sleeve. The roller sleeve can be axially slidable on the rotatable element for ready installation on and removal from the rotatable element.

Abstract: A paper feeder for use in an image forming apparatus is disclosed. The paper feeder applies vibration to paper sheets being paid out together to thereby reduce an adhering force acting between them. The paper feeder therefore reduces the simultaneous feed of two or more papers to a noticeable degree. An image forming apparatus including the paper feeder is also disclosed.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder (ADF) used in a facsimile machine, photocopier or the like. A sheet path from a sheet inlet to outlet is defined by lower, intermediate and upper frames of the ADF. The sheet path is generally shaped like “C” when viewed laterally. The intermediate frame has a pivotable member that can be opened and closed, and a guide member for guiding a sheet passing over a platen glass. An elastic member is provided for biasing the guide member on the platen surface from a turning portion of the C-shaped sheet path. Therefore, it is possible to maintain a clearance between the platen surface and guide member and prevent the sheet from flapping. A retard roller is removably supported by the pivotable member so that replacing and maintenance of the retard roller is simplified. Further, the pivotable member is a one-piece element and made from resin.

Abstract: Sheet feed apparatus including a scuff feed for reliably transporting sheets from different types of sheet stacks and different types of sheets within the stack. The apparatus comprises a sheet feed roller and a retard device in contact with the feed roller. A nudging device, contacting a paper stack, is used to feed single or multiple sheets into the nip between the feed roller and retard device. The feed roller, retard device, and nudging device all have a surface layer of 35-28092-N-GY-A, which gives them a much longer useful lifetime. A method for maximizing the efficent use of these rollers and of testing and using these rollers is also disclosed.

Abstract: An automatic paper feeder for an image-scanning device with a pressure-adjustable mechanism for adjusting the paper feeding roller of the automatic paper feeder is disclosed. A pressure from paper sheets stacked on a paper tray of the automatic paper feeder is detected by a paper tray pressure detecting mechanism and transferred to a roller pressure adjusting mechanism to change a pressure between the paper feeding roller and a paper separating plate and adjust a feeding angle of the movable paper tray.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a document feeder, document feed method, and image capture device. The document feeder includes a sheet separation mechanism that restricts the number of sheets to be fed by a pull-in portion. The sheet separation mechanism includes a first separation portion that contacts the sheet, and moves so as to feed the sheet, a second separation portion, located opposite to the first separation portion, which defines a part of a sheet feed path between the second and first separation portions, and moves so as to allow the sheet to be fed, and a brake portion that variably applies to the second separation portion a load allowing the second separation portion to move.

Abstract: In order to securely prevent or detect overlap feeding of sheet materials, there is provided a sheet material feeding mechanism which deforms the sheet materials on a feeding line so as to form a gap between the overlapping sheet materials which firmly cling to each other. For preventing the overlap feeding of the sheets, the drive relationship between a feeding roller and a pair of a parting roller and a retarding roller located on the downstream side from the feeding roller is optimized to form the gap between the sheet materials. Further, for detecting the overlap feeding of the sheets, bending correction ribs are provided on guide plates formed on the upper and lower sides of the feeding line of the sheet materials so as to deform the sheet materials fed in the overlapping condition, thereby the gap is formed between the overlapping sheets.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus has a sheet support, a feeding rotary member and a separating rotary member. The sheet support, the feeding rotary member, and the separating rotary member are so disposed that an angle formed on a side of the feeding rotary member by intersecting a tangential line of the feeding rotary member at a contacting position between the feeding rotary member and the sheet with a tangential line at the contact portion is an obtuse angle. A conveyance guide is disposed on a side of the separating rotary member with respect to the contact portion for guiding the sheet fed to the feeding rotary member to the contact portion, the conveyance guide having a projection guide for projecting the contact portion on an upstream side in the sheet conveyance direction of the contact portion more toward the side of the feeding rotary member than a guide surface of the contact portion.

Abstract: A sheet feeding mechanism including a singulating assembly and mechanism for accumulating sheets in a stack adjacent the singulating assembly. The singulating assembly comprises a retard roller and a guard adjacent thereto. The retard roller has a first bearing surface at a lower position. A mechanism is provided for feeding single sheets from the stack past the bearing surface of the retard roller and beneath it. The retard roller is adjustable to move the first bearing surface away from its lower position and replacing it with a second bearing surface at the lower position.

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

Abstract: A sheet feeding mechanism including a singulating assembly and mechanism for accumulating sheets in a stack adjacent the singulating assembly. The singulating assembly comprises a retard roller and a guard adjacent thereto. The retard roller has a first bearing surface at a lower position. A mechanism is provided for feeding single sheets from the stack past the bearing surface of the retard roller and beneath it. The retard roller is adjustable to move the first bearing surface away from its lower position and replacing it with a second bearing surface at the lower position.

Abstract: An Object of the present invention is to provide a sheet feeding apparatus that has sheet supporting device, sheet feeding device, separating device, separation force giving device for supplying a separation force to the separating device in a direction reverse to a sheet feeding direction, and separation force switching device for being switched between a connection state for supplying the separation force to the separating device by the separation force giving device and a cut-off state in which the separation force is not supplied to the separating device, wherein said separation force switching device is switched into the cut-off state at a time of a beginning of the feeding and is switched into the connection state when the sheet feeding device has fed the sheets for a predetermined distance from the beginning of the feeding, and a separation force supplied to said separating device in a state such that the separation force switching device is switched into the cut-off state is set to be smaller than a s

Abstract: A feeder/separator apparatus for separating and moving sheets from a stack of sheets is described. The feeder/separator includes an input area for positioning the stack of sheets; a first and second series of rollers for jointly feeding a sheet on the bottom of the stack into an area of the apparatus including a third and forth series of rollers and a first series of belts; a pre-separation brake adapted to act in a pivoting pattern only on the first series of belts to cause a first stage separation of the bottom sheet; a separation brake adapted to act in a linear pattern only on the fourth series of rollers to cause a second stage separation of the bottom sheet, the pre-separation and separation brakes permitting the bottom sheets to be separated from the stack; and a fifth series of rollers and a second series of belts both being adapted to feed the bottom sheets away from the feeder/separator apparatus in a sheet feed path.

Abstract: A document feeder with overlap protection that prevents the overlap of successive documents moving from a document stack and that utilizes a nudger. An independent motor selectively drives the nudger. Document edge detectors sense the location of documents at the nudger and at other locations fed from the document stack and send control signals to the independent motor so that a proper distance is maintained between successive documents. A document edge detector can be placed at various locations along the path of document travel.

Abstract: There are disclosed a pressing force adjustable roller unit, a sheet member or transport system in an image processing apparatus provided with the roller unit, and a sheet member supply system in which multi-transport can securely be prevented. In a holder to which a roller is attached via a holding shaft to move the roller in a load direction from a peripheral surface, a torsion spring is connected in a direction in which the holding shaft is pressed downward, a windup degree of a winding portion of the torsion spring is adjusted by engagement of an engaging arm projecting from the winding portion with a first or second stopper disposed on a holder side, and a roller pressing force can therefore be adjusted. There are also provided a hopper for piling sheets, a supply roller for picking up and feeding out the sheet, and a multi-transport preventing roller pair of a separation roller and a retard roller, so that the hopper can vertically move with respect to the supply roller.

Abstract: A retard module in a mail separator having a floating, middle idler to change the ingestion angle of the mail separator. The retard module further has a downstream idler, an upstream pulley driven by a motor, and an endless belt forming a loop around the idlers and the pulley to provide a retarding force against a feed module. The downstream portion of the retard belt and the belt of the feed module form a nip to ingest incoming mail. The floating idler and the downstream idler are mounted on a bracket which, in turn, is pivotally mounted on a frame of the retard module. Initially, the ingestion angle at the nip is acute and thereby reduces damage to the incoming mailpieces. But when a thick mailpiece enters the separator, it causes the floating idler to move away further from the feed module and thereby increases the ingestion angle. A large ingestion angle allows thicker mailpieces to pass through the nip without substantially increasing the nipping forces.

Abstract: When a driven piece is caused to move forward, a follower piece is allowed to follow the forward movement of the driven piece with the assistance of the biasing force of a biasing member. The follower piece induces the movement of a urging member toward a pickup roller. When the urging member collides against the pickup roller with leaves interposed therebetween, the forward movement of the follower piece is prevented, while the driven piece is still allowed to keep moving forward. The elastic force is stored in the biasing member in response to the forward movement of the driven piece. The urging member is allowed to urge the leaves against the pickup roller by an urging force based on the elastic force stored in the biasing member. When the driven piece is caused to move backward, the follower piece receives the driven piece at the reception surface. The follower piece is allowed to rigidly receive the driving force from the driven piece without any influence of the biasing member.

Abstract: A bill feed-out device adapted for dispensing bills from a bill storage box includes a bill stacking plate disposed in the bill storage box to support stacked bills on its upper surface, kick rollers provided below the bill stacking plate to be contactable with a bottommost bill of the bills stacked on the bill stacking plate for kicking the bottommost bill laterally, a feed-out roller, having multiple large-diameter portions and multiple small-diameter portions, for feeding further downstream bills kicked out by the kick rollers, separation rollers, each of which have multiple large-diameter portions and multiple small-diameter portions and whose multiple large-diameter portions can mesh into the multiple small-diameter portions of the feed-out roller for separating one by one bills present between itself and the feed-out roller, a stacked bill number detector for detecting the number of bills stacked on the bill stacking plate, a bite amount regulator responsive to the number of stacked bills detected by th

Abstract: A sheet feeder for advancing paper sheets one by one, has at least one traveling feeder belt whose one side is a feed plane and a stationary sheet restraining or retarding element that has a friction surface that faces towards and is spaced from the feed plane. The space between the friction surface and the feed plane forms a feed opening whose gap decreases in the feed direction. The feed belt runs on a belt support that is stationary, flat and rigid and extends along the greater part of the feed opening in the sheet transporting direction.

Abstract: Sheet feed apparatus for supplying sheets such as banknotes from a store (1) to a sheet transport system. The apparatus comprises a feed system (4) for withdrawing sheets from the store (1). A separator system (12) is provided to which sheets are fed by the feed system (1), the separator system being adapted to feed sheets singly to the sheet transport system (22, 23). A controller (29) controls operation of the feed and separator systems (1, 12) independently.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for optimizing a production output of a processing device for processing flat articles, the processing device including at least one processing arrangement for receiving and processing the flat articles and which has function parameters controllable through actuators. Actual values of the function parameters are detected. Deviations of the actual values of the function parameters from set values are thereafter evaluated according to an empirically determined algorithm. A correction value for at least one of the actuators is calculated based on results of the above evaluation, and the actuator is operated based on the correction value for controlling the function parameters.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus has a pair of feeding roller and separating roller an inter-shaft distance changing mechanism for the pair of rollers, and sheet detecting means, and a sheet fed is rammed against the surface on which the feeding roller and the separating roller overlap each other to thereby correct skew feeding, and the feeding roller and the separating roller are moved away from each other to thereby feed the sheet. When the passage of the fed sheet between the feeding roller and the separating roller is detected the feeding roller and the separating roller assume a state in which sheet feeding is impossible. By the above-described operation being performed for each sheet, the correction of skew feeding and the separation of a sheet are effected by the feeding roller and the separating roller.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device (2) for separating an outermost sheet (4) from a stack (6). The sheet feeding device (2) comprises a stack support means (8) positioned in a first portion (10) of a housing (12), and a feed module (14) detachably mounted to a second portion (16) of the housing (12) and adapted to be positioned in contact with the stack (6). The feed module (14) includes an urging means (18) mounted on the feed module (14) by an infeed shaft (20) and a feed means (22) mounted on the feed module (14) by a feed roller shaft (24). A separation means (26) is detachably and pivotally mounted to the second portion (16) of the housing (12) by a support means (28). The separation means (26) is positioned adjacent to the feed means (22) so as to define a nip therebetween. A drive means (32) for driving the feed module (14) is mounted to the second portion of the housing (12). A clutch means (90) attached to the drive means (32) transmits an intermittent drive force to the feed module (14).