Abstract: Disclosed is a loading unit for use in loading a bundle of objects to be conveyed, the loading unit being installed on a lifting member of a feeding device. The loading unit includes a first movable base on which a downstream side in a conveying direction of a bundle of objects to be conveyed is loaded, the first movable base being rotatable; and a second movable base on which an upstream side in the conveying direction of the bundle of objects is loaded, the second movable base being rotatable and disposed on a more upstream side in the conveying direction than the first movable base.

Abstract: Examples include: a leveling system for a top feeder of a printer, where the top feeder includes a media positioning arrangement. The leveling system has a detector for detecting reflected light and generating a three-dimensional image comprising media positioning regions corresponding to the media positioning arrangement on a top sheet of a media stack installed into the top feeder. Also, the leveling system has an actuator configured to adjust heights of different points of the bottom of the media stack. Further, it has a controller for selecting, based on the three-dimensional image, adjustments to the heights for improving leveling of at least one of the media positioning regions; and controlling the actuator to implement the adjustments.

Abstract: A feeding device includes a loading portion, a lifting mechanism, a conveying unit, a sheet detector, a near-end detector, and process circuitry. The loading portion stacks a plurality of sheets. The lifting mechanism lifts the loading portion. The conveying unit conveys the sheets on the loading portion. The sheet detector detects presence or absence of the sheets on the loading portion at a specified height position. The sheet count detector detects a number of sheets conveyed by the conveying unit. The near-end detector detects a near-end state in which a stack height of the sheets on the loading portion is a specified value or less. The process circuitry controls the lifting mechanism based on a detection result of the sheet detector before the near-end state is detected, and controls the lifting mechanism based on a detection result of the sheet count detector after the near-end state is detected.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a stacking unit having an abutment portion, a feeding unit, a conveyance unit, a reading unit, a rotating shaft, and a drive unit. The abutment portion abuts a document end in a widthwise direction of a document stacked on the stacking unit. The conveyance unit conveys the stacked document fed by the feeding unit in a feeding direction perpendicularly intersecting the document widthwise direction. The reading unit reads an image of the document. The drive unit rotates the stacking unit, rotatably supported by the rotating shaft, around the rotating shaft. The rotating shaft is disposed at a position where at least a part of the rotating shaft exists between one end and other end in the document widthwise direction of a document having a maximum width conveyable by the conveyance unit in a state where the maximum width document abuts on the abutment portion.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device comprises a bottom plate, an auxiliary tray and a tilt table. The bottom plate is configured to move along a vertical axis. The auxiliary tray is disposed on the bottom plate. The tilt table includes a lower table disposed on the bottom plate, an upper table rotatably connected to the lower table at one end of the upper table by a pivot, and a resilient member disposed between the upper table and the lower table, the resilient member configured to press the upper table upward. The auxiliary tray and the upper table are configured to receive and hold sheets in a stack.

Abstract: There are provided a sheet feeding apparatus and an image forming system which can horizontally maintain a posture of a topmost envelope in stored envelopes, by a simple configuration. The sheet feeding apparatus includes: a stacking surface portion 321; a sheet feeding roller 313; a pressing surface portion 362; and a curve forming portion 363. A length of the stacking surface portion 321 in a width direction is shorter than a length of each of envelopes P in a width direction. The pressing surface portion 362 is pressed by the sheet feeding roller 313 via the envelopes P. The curve forming portion 363 is arranged outside the sheet feeding roller 313 in a width direction, projects more upward in a vertical direction than the pressing surface portion 362, and supports the plurality of stacked envelopes P with a predetermined size.

Abstract: A sheet stacking system is disclosed that has improved tolerance for sheets that are not flat. Successive sheets are aligned onto a stack by a plurality of registration belts. The heights of the pivoting registration belts are compared with one another to determine the unevenness of the top of the stack. This unevenness is represented by the difference between the heights of the highest and lowest registration belt ?stack-height and is monitored to quantify the planarity of the top of the stack. When the unevenness (?stack-height) exceeds a threshold, the system switches to a modified method to control the elevation of the stack. This method may include stopping the machine from stacking before the unevenness is too large for the registration belts to uniformly drive sheets. This invention prevents the stacker from attempting to stack when sheets are expected to skew thereby preventing jams and unusable stacks.

Abstract: A sheet feeder, which is included in an image forming apparatus and an image forming system, includes a sheet loader on which a sheet bundle is loaded, an air blower to blow air to the sheet bundle loaded on the sheet loader and float upper sheets of the sheet bundle, a loader elevation device to lift and lower the sheet loader, a reflective optical detector including a first reflective optical detector to detect the upper sheets floated by the air blower and a second reflective optical detector to detect multiple floating sheets located below the floating sheets detected by the first reflective optical detector, and a controller configured to control the loader elevation device to perform a lifting operation of the sheet loader based on a combination of an output value of the first reflective optical detector and an output value of the second reflective optical detector.

Abstract: A paper feed device and a paper feed method that, even in a case where the number of paper sheets remaining on a paper sheet stacking plate is low, allow paper sheet changing to be facilitated. There are included a paper sheet push-up member for pushing up from below a paper sheet batch on the paper sheet stacking plate and a push-up member driving device that, in a case where the number of paper sheets in the paper sheet batch on the paper sheet stacking plate is not higher than the prescribed number, makes at least a part of the paper sheet push-up member protrude upward beyond the upper surface of the paper sheet stacking plate. Thus, a lower surface of the paper sheet batch placed on the paper sheet stacking plate is pushed up from below, thereby creating a clearance.

Abstract: In a paper feeding cassette storing stacked sheets, a rotary lever adapted to rotate vertically about a rotation fulcrum is provided with a lift-up portion for lifting up the sheets as placed in contact with a bottom of the sheets stored in the paper feeding cassette. The lift-up portion is vertically turned by the rotary lever.

Abstract: A sheet stacking device includes a base member and a sheet stacking portion on which a sheet is stacked. The sheet stacking portion is supported by the base member swingably in a first direction orthogonal to a second direction, and swings and changes an inclination angle for holding the stacked sheet.

Abstract: A sheet stacking device includes a base member and a sheet stacking portion on which a sheet is stacked. The sheet stacking portion is supported by the base member swingably in a first direction orthogonal to a second direction, and swings and changes an inclination angle for holding the stacked sheet.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus and an image forming apparatus which can reliably feed even sheets having a non-uniform thickness to prevent excessive stacking. An auxiliary tray 1 is swingably provided on the upper surface of a tray 2 which is provided in a cassette body 3a to be lifted and lowered and stacks sheets thereon. When the sheets are stacked, a swing regulating portion 12 regulates the swing of the auxiliary tray 1 when the tray 2 is in a sheet stacking position and releases the regulation of the swing of the auxiliary tray 1 when the tray 2 is lifted.

Abstract: A sheet feeder includes a feed roller for feeding a sheet and a lifting plate for lifting the sheet to be fed to a feeding height of the feed roller. This sheet feeder further includes a wire for raising the lifting plate and a winding member formed with a winding configuration section for winding the wire. This winding configuration section is provided with a high-position winding section for a high-position side in a lifting height of the lifting plate and a low-position winding section for a low-position side. The high-position winding section is larger in winding radius than the low-position winding section. Accordingly, a sheet feeder having a simple structure capable of rapidly moving down the lifting plate and preventing impact of the lifting plate and an image forming apparatus incorporating the sheet feeder can be provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sheet feeding apparatus including a sheet feeding unit capable of feeding sheets stacked on a sheet stacking face of a sheet stack tray, wherein the sheet feeding unit includes a feeding roller configured to feed the sheets, a driving motor configured to rotate the feeding roller, a lifting member configured to move at least edges of the sheets in a direction of the feeding roller, a sheet-shaped member connected to a front end of the lifting member at the downstream side, and a counter member disposed opposite to the feeding roller to pinch the sheet-shaped member, wherein, when the feeding roller is rotated, the sheet-shaped member is moved to the downstream side to cause the lifting member to move, and when the sheets are brought into contact with the feeding roller, the contacted uppermost sheet is fed by the feeding roller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for lifting an elevator plate of a media tray in an image production device is disclosed. The method may include receiving a request to print a print job using stacked media from one of one or more media trays, initiating lifting of the leading edge of the elevator plate so that the stacked media may be received by the one or more feeder rollers, initiating printing of the requested print job from the one of one or more media trays, determining if the amount of stacked media in the one of the one or more media trays is less than a predetermined amount, wherein if it is determined that the amount of stacked media in the one of the one or more media trays is less than the predetermined amount, initiating lifting of both of the leading and trailing edge of the elevator plate so that the stacked media may be received by the one or more feeder rollers.

Abstract: When a sheet is fed, a feeding roller is rotated in the direction opposite to the direction in which the sheet is fed to draw out the uppermost sheet from a separation claw, and then the sheet is fed in such a manner that the feeding roller is rotated in the direction in which the sheet is fed to feed the drawn out sheet along the upper surface of a separation claw. When the sheet is fed, a curvature formation portion curves downward both ends in the width direction of the second and subsequent sheets to integrally lower pressing portions for pressing both ends in the width direction of the sheet along with the curved sheets and to separate the pressing portions from the uppermost sheet, thereby preventing the leading end of the uppermost sheet from catching the pressing portions.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a sheet storing portion storing sheets stacked on a stacking surface thereof; a feeding roller feeding each of the sheets by rotating while being in contact with a topmost one of the sheets; a support member having a support surface that supports downstream-side part, in a sheet feeding direction, of the sheets and, at the time of sheet feeding, being movable perpendicularly to the stacking surface while lifting the downstream-side part of the sheets with the topmost sheet kept in contact with the feeding roller; and a stopper member configured to come into contact with leading ends of some sheets to be fed by the feeding roller and to stop sheets other than the topmost sheet. The support surface of the support member slopes upward, with respect to the stacking surface, toward a downstream side in the sheet feeding direction.

Abstract: A sheet feeder includes: an attracting and separating device disposed above a leading end portion in a sheet-feeding direction of a sheet stack, attracting and holding an uppermost sheet of the sheet stack with electrostatic force and separating the uppermost sheet from the sheet stack, a sheet loading device carrying the sheet stack, and including a first bottom plate carrying a rear-side portion of the sheet stack and a second bottom plate separated from the first bottom plate and carrying the leading end portion of the sheet stack below the attracting and separating device; and a lifting device lifting and lowering the sheet loading device, and including a first lifting device lifting and lowering the first bottom plate and a second lifting device lifting and lowering the second bottom plate to move the leading end portion of the sheet stack toward and away from the attracting and separating device.

Abstract: This is a stacking tray especially useful in a paper marking system. When papers containing an ID or credit card attached are stacked, an uneven stack results where the card portion is thicker than the paper without the card. This presents a difficult situation for moving the stack onto a transport to a printer or other stations. To correct this uneven or thicker stack from hindering paper feed, two paper plate supports are provided, one a vertically movable plate and the other a fixed plate support. The ID card or credit card portion of the paper is always loaded onto the vertically movable plate thereby providing a substantially flat top stack for easy movement of the sheets from the stack.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system for a feeding a sheet in a document reproduction machine. A feedbox is contained within a document reproduction machine. Within the feedbox, an elevator moves at least one sheet to the upper portion of the feedbox, to a stack height finger, for feeding the sheet into a feed device. At least one sensor, located at the upper portion of the feedbox, detects the location of the sheet. The location information is sent from the sensor to a data processing device. The data processing device sends information to an actuating device. The actuating device may cause one or more plungers to move through apertures in the elevator. The plungers will result in a substantially flat sheet. The sheet is then fed into the feed device.

Abstract: To provide a paper feeding device that can stably feed a recording media of an angle bottomed envelope or the like with a non-uniform thickness in which defects such as feeding failure, oblique feeding, dog ears and paper jamming or the like are not generated, a paper feeding device of the present invention includes a bottom plate 41 that sends up a recording media stacked thereon to a paper feeding position, a feeding device 24 that feeds an uppermost piece of the recording media sent up to the paper feeding position in which an auxiliary member 50 with a curved surface is disposed at least within a width directional area occupied by the paper feeding device 24 and atop an upper surface of the bottom plate 41, a height from each point of the curved surface of the auxiliary member 50 to the bottom plate 41 is non-uniform.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining level media stack in a media tray used in an image production device is disclosed. The method may include receiving a stack of media sheets on top of a plurality of selectively-controllable inflatable bladders located in the media tray, and maintaining a level media stack by inflating or deflating one or more of the plurality of selectively-controllable inflatable bladders.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes an apparatus for feeding a stack of sheet stock in blocks. The apparatus includes a backstop, a block pusher plate, and at least one sensor for determining a height differential between the stack at generally near a lead edge of the stack and the stack at generally near a trail edge of the stack. The apparatus automatically adjusts for warp in the sheet stock. The present disclosure further includes a method comprising obtaining a first measurement at generally near a lead edge side of the stack, obtaining a second measurement at generally near a trail edge side of the stack, comparing the first and second measurements, and pushing the portion of sheet stock from the stack with a block pusher plate when the second measurement is within a predetermined tolerance of the first measurement.

Abstract: A feeder/delivery board (81) includes a generally planar platform (83) made of a flexible material, and a plurality of legs (84) attached to the platform and extending downwardly for supporting the board on a printing press table (80a). A jack mechanism (88) is mounted in at least one of the legs (84) for selectively raising an area of the platform (83) relative to a remainder of the platform. The jack mechanism (88) includes a rack (89), a pinion (90) engaging the rack and a key (91) or thumbwheel (71) for rotating said pinion. The board (81) can include one of the jack mechanisms (88) mounted in each of the legs (84).

Abstract: A sheet feeding device is provided. The sheet feeding device includes a sheet holder to hold a sheet in a position to be fed, a feed roller to pick up the sheet, a first lifter to move a closer portion of the sheet holder by one of a front end and a rear end thereof, a second lifter to move a further portion of the sheet holder by one of a front end and a rear end thereof, and a coordinating system to move the first lifter and the second lifter in cooperation with each other to move the overall sheet holder in a direction to be closer to the feed roller, wherein an amount of the sheet holder to be moved by the first lifter is greater according to a constant rate with respect to an amount of the sheet holder to be moved by the second lifter.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present exemplary embodiment, a printing system comprises a media feeder that receives and stores asymmetrically thick media from an outside source and outputs such media to the printing system via a feed mechanism. A conveyer system transports the asymmetrically thick media from the media feeder utilizing at least one linear belt wherein a sensor is employed to determine the presence of the asymmetrically thick piece of stock. A controller coupled to the conveyer determines the location and orientation of an image on a piece of the asymmetrically thick stock. An imaging system receives the asymmetrically thick media from the conveyer system and places an image on the media in the proper location and orientation based at least in part on information from the controller.

Abstract: A magazine pressure control is provided with pressure control wheels that are designed to regulate pressure on carton blanks being fed to a folder/gluer in a carton forming operation. These wheels are disposed around the periphery of the carton blank to urge the edges of the cartons forward and to straighten misaligned cartons. A separately controlled motor operates each half of the magazine pressure control. Each motor is controlled by a pressure sensor assembly and regulates the progression of the carton blanks through the magazine pressure control to equalize the pressure around the periphery of the carton blanks as they are presented to the pick face of the folder/gluer.

Abstract: A system and method of fully supporting, substantially planarly, a variable thickness stack of non-uniform thickness print media sheets on a single integral and substantially planer pivotal supporting tray which is automatically variably tilted in response to the height of the stack by being mounted on, and moved by, an existing elevator tray, the vertical movement of which automatically changes the pivotal tilt angle of the tray by a lever arm pivotal connection between the pivotal tray and a fixed position to maintain the top sheet of the stack substantially horizontal as the stack thickness changes while the elevator tray is simultaneously vertically moving the pivotal tray.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for controlling the slope angle of sheet stock in a feeder/loader for copying/printing where leading edge side of the stock is elevated by elevating one side of the support tray to position the top sheet for nudging into a nip. When the slope angle of the stock reaches a critical value, in one version, a separate elevating mechanism raises the opposite side of the support tray to prevent the slope angle from exceeding the critical value. In another version, the elevating mechanism for the opposite edge is connected to the elevating mechanism for the leading edge of the stack and raises the opposite edge when the sheet stock slope angle reaches a threshold value to prevent potential misfeed.

Abstract: A control method for a control apparatus includes obtaining an amount of a recording material applied on a first area of a sheet and an amount of a recording material applied on a second area of the sheet on the basis of image data recorded on the sheet stacked on a stacking unit; and performing control, in a case where a plurality of sheets are stacked on the stacking unit, so that a difference between a total amount of the recording material applied on the first area of the sheets and a total amount of the recording material applied on the second area of the sheets does not exceed a predetermined value on the basis of the obtained amount of the recording material. With this method, a limit of the number of stacked sheets is relieved while stability of the stacked sheets is maintained.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for supporting objects in a tray and moving different portions of the objects at different rates for inputting or outputting from an objects processor. These techniques may be applied to stacking objects that has a thickness at one end greater than the thickness at another end, for example, resulting in stacking height of the thicker end increasing faster than the stacking height of the other thinner end.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention an adjustable sheet feeder for use in an apparatus for feeding sheets from the top of a sheet supply stack is shown. The sheet supply stack has a center and marginal edges, each having a top. The adjustable sheet feeder comprises a sheet supply stack support, a sheet feed head assembly, a curl sensing device which senses the position of the stack edges relative to the position of the stack center top and provides feedback, an adjustment device, and a feed back display which displays the curl sensing device feedback. The adjustment device adjusts the position of the stack center top relative to the position of the stack marginal edges top based on the curl sensing device feedback.

Abstract: A pneumatic sheet feeder is selectively actuable to acquire a sheet from a stack and transport the sheet towards a take-away nip. The feeder includes a feedhead having an acquisition surface substantially aligned with the take-away nip. A sensing apparatus detects three separate distances between the stack and the acquisition surface at three separate locations over the stack. The stack is then tilted based upon the distances sensed by the sensors. In embodiments, the feedhead has two sensors, and moves so that the third distance can be measured by one of the sensors. In other embodiments, the feedhead includes three sensors for measuring each of the distances.

Abstract: A leveling device assists in support of stackable objects having a non-uniform thickness, such as DocuCards, in a stackable tray. The stackable tray includes a pivoting tray that can be pivoted from a full sheet stack position to an empty sheet stack position. A valley removal mechanism is provided on the pivoting tray to variably support an intermediate portion of the bottom of the stack to compensate for and remove a valley created intermediate ends of the stack due to an aggregate effect of stack media of non-uniform thickness. The valley removal mechanism preferably includes a support surface that contacts a bottom of the stack, a ramp defining a ramp profile, and a ramp follower that guides the support surface to a variable orientation that compensates for the valley as the stack height changes.

Abstract: In a sheet storing portion, a sheet tray which supports a sheet and a side regulating plate which moves depending on a sheet size to regulate a side end of the sheet are arranged. A notched portion to make it possible to move the side regulating plate is formed in the sheet tray, and a swingable auxiliary tray which constitutes the same plane as that of a sheet support surface of the sheet tray is arranged in the notched portion to prevent the sheet from being hanged down at the notched portion of the sheet tray. A hole into which the auxiliary tray can be inserted is formed in a side surface of the side regulating plate for the sheet. When the sheet tray moves upward to a predetermined position, the auxiliary tray is designed such that the auxiliary tray is brought into contact with a contact portion formed on an upper end of the hole and is swingably retreated downward, so that a sheet regulating surface of the side regulating plate can be assured.

Abstract: A system and method include a printer input, a feedhead assembly, first and second sensors and a controller. The printer input is configured to hold a stack of media. The first sensor is coupled to the feedhead assembly and configured to measure at a first location of the stack of media. The second sensor is coupled to the feedhead assembly and is configured to measure at a second location of the stack of media. The controller communicates with the feedhead assembly and the first and second sensors to calculate a curvature of the stack of media in the input feeder.

Abstract: A system and method of estimating the thickness of the individual sheets in a stack of sheets in a print media sheet input stacking tray before printing with an electronic sensing system for electronically detecting individual sheet edges in the stack thereof and a movement system providing a known traversal distance of the sheet edge sensing system relative to one side of the stack to produce multiple signals corresponding to multiple detected individual sheet edges, and dividing that multiplicity of signals into the known traversal movement to estimate the thickness of the individual print media sheets in the stack and provide a corresponding electrical output can be used for automatic control of sheet feeder, printer or finisher functions. A relatively simple contacting or non-contacting sensor may be used.

Abstract: A paper handling apparatus includes a tray for supporting a stack of cut paper sheets. The tray includes at least one hinged portion. A feed roller is disposed above the tray for selectively feeding sheets seriatim from the stack of cut paper sheets. The paper handling apparatus further includes a stack flexing mechanism for pivoting the hinged portion of the tray to flex the stack of paper without bringing the paper into contact with the feed roller. This conditioning of the paper stack may reduce misfeeds or multifeeds from the paper stack.

Abstract: A pneumatic sheet feeder is selectively actuable to acquire a sheet from a stack and transport the sheet towards a take-away nip. The feeder includes a feedhead having an acquisition surface substantially aligned with the take-away nip. A sensing apparatus detects three separate distances between the stack and the acquisition surface at three separate locations over the stack. The stack is then tilted based upon the distances sensed by the sensors. In embodiments, the feedhead has two sensors, and moves so that the third distance can be measured by one of the sensors. In other embodiments, the feedhead includes three sensors for measuring each of the distances.

Abstract: A paper feeding apparatus includes a first support member for supporting a central area of a lower surface of printing paper placed on a paper tray, second support members for supporting corner areas of the lower surface of the printing paper, sensors for detecting heights of an upper surface of the printing paper placed on the paper tray, motors rotatable based on signals from the sensors, and lift screws vertically movable by the motors. The second support members are connected to the lift screws to be vertically movable therewith, respectively.

Abstract: A device (1) for removing flat objects from a stack includes a magazine (2), in which flat objects are stacked on edge to be serialized, and a vertical destacking plate (6) disposed directly in front of the magazine (2) and against which the first object (O1) of the stack is pressed. The first object (O1) of the stack is ejected in a direction (E) perpendicular to the direction of advance (D) of the stack of flat objects in the magazine (2). The device (1) also includes means (14,15) for measuring the thickness of each flat object pressed against the destacking plate (6). This thickness measurement serves as a feedback control for the movement of the stack of flat objects in the magazine (2). The device (1) may be used in a postal sorting machine.

Abstract: A sheet media handling system suitable for use with a printer is disclosed. The sheet media handling system includes a first support and a second support adjacent the first support. In use, the first support supports first sheet media and second sheet media on the first sheet media. The second support supports a portion of second sheet media that is not supported by the underlying first sheet media. A biasing means biases the second support. The biasing means is collapsible under the portion of up to a predetermined number of sheets of the second sheet media. During a pick cycle when the first support is moved to present supported media thereon to an infeed zone of the printer, the portion topmost of the second sheet media is brought to within a predetermined tolerance of the infeed zone.

Abstract: A leveling device is useful for paper having at least two different thicknesses for a paper supply tray having a given depth, for a sheet feeder. This leveling device comprises a support upon which the paper having at least two different thicknesses rests, wherein the support height is self adjusting to compensate for the different thicknesses of the paper such that a top sheet of paper is in a position to feed properly into the sheet feeder.

Abstract: A high capacity document sheet processor combines significant speed and efficiency enhancing improvements in existing approaches to stack feeding particularly in the stack loading, feeding and singulating functions with novel operational arrangements adaptable to a universal paper handling and envelope inserting system.

Abstract: A paper feed device includes paper feed rollers to feed a sheet of paper. A paper loading device is loaded with at least a sheet of paper and lifts the loaded sheet of paper toward the paper feed rollers. A pressure differences decreasing device is mounted on the paper loading device and decreases differences of pressures among a plurality of positions where the paper feed rollers contact the sheet of paper.

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 supply system includes a sheet support table which is movable up and down and on which a stack of a plurality of sheets are supported, a sheet feed-out roller which feeds out the sheets on the sheet support table one by one from the uppermost one, and a table drive mechanism which moves the sheet support table up and down relative to the sheet feed-out roller. A level sensor detects the level of the uppermost sheet on the sheet support table, and a sheet feed-out level at which the uppermost sheet is kept during sheet supply operation of the system is set by use of an entry key. A controller actuates the table drive mechanism to move upward the sheet support table when the level of the uppermost sheet on the sheet support table as detected by the level sensor lowers by a predetermined value from the sheet feed-out level and stops the table drive mechanism when the level of the uppermost sheet on the sheet support table as detected by the level sensor reaches the sheet feed-out level.

Abstract: A device and method for providing a supply of single sheets wherein each single sheet has a varying thickness. The present invention includes a stack of single sheets that are supported on a lifting platform. The lifting platform includes a compensation device for leveling the stack by compensating for the varying thickness of each single sheet.

Abstract: An enhanced sheet feed adapter for dual web forms serves to close the gap between the leading edge of the forms and the exit ramp of the paper tray. The adapter includes a pair of hingedly interconnected plates having a spring interposed between them. A front one of the plates urges a stack of dual web forms toward the ramp to close such gap.