Abstract: An airline ticket printer includes a magnetic reading and writing station that has a read/write head for recording information on, or reproducing information from, a magnetic stripe carried on the ticket. The ticket is driven past the read/write head by a drive mechanism that contacts the ticket at a substantial distance from the read/write head so that the magnetic stripe is free to flex independently of the portion of the ticket that is in contact with the drive mechanism. More satisfactory contact between the read/write head and the magnetic stripe is thereby achieved.The ticket printer also has a second reading/writing station in series with the first station along a ticket feed path, so that errors in reading or writing by the first station may be detected and/or corrected at the second station.A ticket feed path is constructed using feed modules that are mounted on pins extending from a vertical mounting plate.

Abstract: A belt displacement operation is periodically carried by the pick mechanism 11 of a sheet feeding apparatus, when the number of sheets fed has reaches a predetermined value. The motor 34 is driven in reverse for a predetermined time, so as to cause rotation of the belt 28 in the opposite direction to that during feeding. Since the pick pulley 26 is supported on the shaft 38 by means of a one-way clutch 40 so that it does not rotate during the reverse rotation of the belt 28, displacement of the belt 28 occurs relative to the pick pulley 26, so that in subsequent pick operations, a different portion of the belt 28 engages the stack 18 so as to pick a sheet, than had displacement of the belt 28 not occurred. This reduces the risk of localized portions of the belt 28 becoming more worn than others, due to more frequent engagement with the stack 18.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically sorting and feeding flat articles. The method stacks flat articles into cartridges in output compartments of a sorting machine, robotically transfers filled cartridges from the output compartments of a sorting machine to a buffer shelf; and from the buffer shelf to a docking station of a cartridge unloader and automatic feeder to the input of the sorting machine, and for transferring empty cartridges from the docking station to either the buffer or the output compartments of the sorter.

Abstract: A pack (12) of thermal-sensitive sheets, which comprises a stack of sheets (77) bearing each a thermal-sensitive layer on one sheet side, a protective foil (79) in contact with the thermal-sensitive layer of the outermost sheet of the stack, and a rupturable strap (78) encircling the stack of sheets and the protective foil, and attached to such foil by means of a rupturable seal (83).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring a stack of flat articles from a cartridge. The method and apparatus are adapted for use in connection with a method and apparatus for automatically stacking mail into cartridges in output compartments of a sorting machine, robotically transferring filled cartridges from the output compartments to a buffer shelf; and from the buffer shelf to a docking station of a cartridge unloader and automatic feeder to the input of the sorting machine, and for transferring empty cartridges from the docking station to either the buffer or the output compartments of the sorter, is provided.

Abstract: A device for intermediate stacking of letters (SE) with a stacking roller (SR), stacking carriage (SW), underlying belt (UB) and a separation device. The stacking roller (SR) is mounted on the stacking carriage (SW) and a pressure gauge is provided in the vicinity of the stacking roller to measure the pressure of the stack against the pressure gauge. A device is provided for detecting possible slants in the letter stack (ST); that where such a slant is detected, the stacking carriage (SW) and/or underlying belt (UB) are made to move until the slant is eliminated; that the stacking carriage (SW) should be displaced along the underlying belt (UB) until the letter stack (ST) exerts a certain pressure on the pressure gauge provided that the detecting device does not report the presence of a slant.

Abstract: In an arrangement for separation of items bearing printed matter, in particular letters deposited on edge behind one another in a letter stack, supplied laterally from the letter stack to a separation apparatus and then to a subsequent apparatus such as a postage meter machine, a pre-separation stage is provided before the separation apparatus. The letters are arranged between a spring-mounted pressure clip and a drive roller, as well as a guide plate. The pre-separation stage loosens the letter stack and permits a simple, reliable letter-by-letter separation of the letters from the letter stack. The pre-separation stage includes at least one drive roller having an outer contour with at least one projection extending over the length of the roller parallel to its axis of rotation. The curve of the jacket of the drive roller protrudes through the opening of the guide plate far enough so that at least one projection protrudes from the opening.

Abstract: A cassette (20) for a currency handling system includes a door (28) that can be opened to expose the entire front surface of the cassette. An end door (30) is operable to be opened to allow currency that is disposed within the interior of the cassette (20) to be urged outward. The cassette (20) has a locking mechanism disposed in an end (72), which locking mechanism prevents the door from opening until the cassette (20) is disposed in a docking station. Once in the docking station, a paddle (56) is urged downward into the cassette (20) to urge the notes outward therefrom. These notes are moved into a buffer region (58) and then the cassette (20) can be removed to allow another cassette (20) to be disposed therein. This allows a continuous feeding operation. The cassette (20) can then be disposed in a second collection docking station to collect the output of the sorter (41). In this docking station, a paddle (68) is reciprocated downward into the cassette (20) with the collected notes.

Abstract: A printer comprising a housing, an opening in the housing sized to receive a stack of items of printable media therethrough, an abutment inside the housing, below the opening, supporting the stack of paper, and a door pivotally supported by the housing relative to the opening and movable between a closed position, and an open position.

Abstract: A sheet feed assembly for feeding sheets from a stack comprises a vacuum feed device which is movable to feed a sheet from the stack in the feed direction while the sheet is held on the feed device under vacuum. A sheet holding device is spaced from the vacuum feed device adjacent the stack in use for selectively preventing sheets from being fed from the stack. A control device coupled to the vacuum feed device and to the sheet holding device selectively supplies a vacuum to the vacuum feed device to cause the device to feed a sheet and, at substantially the same time, to deactivate the sheet holding device so as to allow a single sheet to be fed by the vacuum feed device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hold-back device for use with a magazine of an article-handling apparatus. The hold-back device includes a frame defining a feed gap through which articles from the magazine are fed. A plurality of threaded members are threadingly mounted in threaded openings defined by the frame. The threaded members have distal ends adapted to extend into the feed gap to hold back the articles held by the magazine. By threading the threaded members in or out of the frame, the distal ends of the threaded members can be set to desired positions in the feed gap.

Abstract: A mail sorting device wherein an inclined supporting surface cooperates with a guide device presenting a number of push surfaces spaced along the supporting surface and movable from a back stop towards a front stop adjacent to the upper end edge of the supporting surface. The supporting surface supports a number of flat rectangular mail items grouped into stacks interposed between adjacent push surfaces; and the sorting device presents a grip-and-carry device facing the end edge of the supporting surface, and in turn presenting a gripping head movable to and from the supporting surface to withdraw one mail item at a time from the stack and feed it to a conveyor device. The guide device provides for feeding the push surfaces back from the front stop to the back stop.

Abstract: A media separation system is provided for separating individual sheets from a stack of media. The media separation system has a pressure plate positioned at an angle to support the stack of sheets along an incline. The pressure plate has an upper and lower end, with a relieved area formed in the lower end of the pressure plate. The media separation system also has a pick roller disposed in juxtaposition to the relieved area of the pressure plate to engage and separate a top sheet from the stack of sheets. The pick roller has a width that is more narrow than that of the relieved area in the pressure plate. A spring-like mechanism is provided to urge the pressure plate toward the pick roller to cause the pick roller and the pressure plate to work cooperatively to depress the sheets of media beneath the pick roller into the relieved area of the pressure plate. This causes formation of a primary depression in the stack of sheets.

Abstract: A transport unit having a shaft for receiving a stack of letters includes a stationary helical slide forming a bottom of the shaft and having an approximately vertical axis. The helical slide has an upper and a lower end each defining a transfer point for selectively feeding in and feeding out the stack of letters. A conveying device is provided operatively acting with the shaft for displacing the stack of letters on the helical slide.

Abstract: The cart includes a cart body tiltable relative to a base mounted on casters. A locking device for maintaining the cart body in selected tilted position relative to the base includes an actuator having a cam surface and a pin biased into a locking position by a spring having a cam follower surface. By displacing the actuator, the cam displaces the pin from an opening in a locking plate carried by the cart body to enable tilting movement of the cart body relative to the base. By displacing the actuator in the opposite direction, the bias of the spring moves the pin into an opening in the locking plate, locking the cart body in a selected angular position relative to the base.

Abstract: In a method for the automated processing of bulk mail, envelopes are transferred to a receiving apparatus in bulk fashion (from incoming mail trays or the like) for the extraction of documents contained by the envelopes, and the extracted documents are delivered to a remittance processing device, preferably both automatically and without the need for human intervention. Subsequent processing of the extracted documents within the remittance processing device then proceeds in usual fashion, completing the acquisition of information which is necessary to ready such documents for deposit into the banking system. Also disclosed are various presorting functions so that only envelopes containing documents of a specified type will be fully processed, other sorting functions such as the identification of specific types of documents (invoices or checks) for separate processing, and the use of a single extraction device to deliver extracted documents to either one, or a series of remittance processing devices.

Abstract: A high speed sheet feeder comprises a support for supporting a stack of sheets. The sheets are driven by a backing plate assembly along the support toward a singulator. The backing plate is driven by a drive member such as a drive chain positioned along the support. The drive chain moves the backing plate in predetermined increments. The singulator is mounted on a bracket that moves in response to pressure exerted by the leading face of the stack thereupon. The increments in which the backing plate moves are varied based upon the degree of movement of the singulator bracket in response to pressure exerted thereupon by the stack. Minimum pressure causes a maximum increment of movement while maximum pressure causes a minimum increment or virtually no movement in the backing plate assembly. The singulator comprises an elastomeric wheel pivotally mounted on a support bracket having concentric a sleeve that is mechanically interconnected with the drive mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for presenting documents to a remittance processing device includes an arm for receiving a plurality of the documents for presentation to the remittance processing device and a conveyor for drawing the received documents along the arm and to a delivery point adjacent to the remittance processing device, for serial presentation at the remittance processing device for remittance processing of the received documents. The apparatus can also operate to stack received documents, to separate paired documents, and to justify documents to a reference surface, for eventual presentation to the arm and its conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for collating documents on edge. The apparatus includes: a document transport for conveying documents on edge along a path; at least two hoppers located adjacent the document path for supporting a plurality of documents on edge; a device for continuously conveying the documents through the document transport; and a device for intermittently feeding the documents from the hoppers to the document transport.

Abstract: A machine for processing mail comprises a mechanical jogging device between an unstacking head (3) and a conveyor path (1) for conveying a stack (2) of postal items. The jogging device comprises inclined rollers (8) rotated so that a postal item of the stack, on arriving vertically over the rollers, is capable of dropping edge-on, under the action of gravity, onto the rollers and of being driven towards a jogging margin (7) while simultaneously being moved towards the unstacking head by the effect of the rollers rotating so that its free face comes substantially into contact against the unstacking head.

Abstract: A device for unpiling sheets one at a time from a pile of sheets placed perpendicular to a supporting surface, includes a pressure arm engaging a first face of the pile. A single friction drive roller has an axis perpendicular to the supporting surface, arranged at a predetermined distance from the supporting surface. The second face of the pile is engaged with the roller along a first edge. A low-friction abutment is arranged in the vicinity of the roller, separated from the supporting surface by the roller and has a surface parallel to the roller axis and offset relative to the roller. A pad is disposed substantially perpendicular to the supporting surface and is movable towards the abutment along a second edge located downstream of the first edge.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved automated dispensing apparatus for flat paper object, such as ATM (Automated Teller Machines) or CD (Cash Dispensers), which can enhance the working efficiency and the service for customers. According to this apparatus, inner cassette 5 can be drawn out together with intermediate portion pushing member 12 leaving outer cassette 4 at a fixed position in the dispenser main body. While intermediate portion pushing member 12 is filled with supplementary sheet papers, the sheet papers 8 still remaining in outer cassette 4 are kept to be pushed by end portion pushing members 11a, 11b. Thereafter, when inner cassette 5 is returned into outer cassette 4, both the end portion pushing members 11a, 11b and the intermediate portion pushing member 12 are returned to the initial state for dispensing a new pile of sheet papers 8 including the supplementary ones. During that supplementation, the sheet paper dispensing operation by this apparatus can be continued without any interruption.

Abstract: A high speed sheet feeder comprises a support for supporting a stack of sheets. The sheets are driven by a backing plate assembly along the support toward a singulator. The backing plate is driven by a drive member such as a drive chain positioned along the support. The drive chain moves the backing plate in predetermined increments. The singulator is mounted on a bracket that moves in response to pressure exerted by the leading face of the stack thereupon. The increments in which the backing plate moves are varied based upon the degree of movement of the singulator bracket in response to pressure exerted thereupon by the stack. Minimum pressure causes a maximum increment of movement while maximum pressure causes a minimum increment or virtually no movement in the backing plate assembly.

Abstract: A multi-ream paper sheet feeder for use with high speed copiers, printing machines and the like "host machines" has a sturdy frame supporting an upwardly sloping ramp overlying a motor driven feed screw. A pusher plate drives a feed block of as many as thirty reams of edgewise stacked paper sheets up the ramp to a singulating feed assembly. A feed screw drive nut carriage engages and drives the pusher plate up ramp, then disengages, retracts under the ramp and travels to a new start position at the ramp's lower end. Sensors and limit switches govern forward and reverse feed screw motor operation; another sensor governs the operation of the singulating feed assembly, delivering shingled sheets on demand to the feeder's infeed tray. The entire sheet feeder is track-mounted, latched in feed position, disengageable for retraction away from the host machine when desired.

Abstract: A mechanism for advancing flat-laid package blanks disposed in a magazine includes a shaft extending through the mechanism at right angles to the magazine and journalled by way of a free-wheel hub so that it may rotate in only one direction. The shaft is urged against at least one endless elastic belt which passes around two or more wheels. The belt presses against the flat-laid package blanks. The free-wheel hub is surrounded by a lever that is connected to a drive unit. When the lever is pivoted in one direction by the drive unit, the movement is transferred via the shaft to the belt and the package blanks are fed forwardly in the magazine. When the lever is pivoted in the other direction, the free-wheel hub locks and no movement is transmitted to the belt which might otherwise counteract the forward advancement of the package blanks in the magazine.

Abstract: A document processing system includes a feed magazine for supporting a stack of flat documents in generally upstanding on-edge relation and advancing the documents along a feed path with the documents disposed generally transverse to the feed path, a feeder assembly including feeder belts defining at least one belt run for engaging the leading document in the stack and feeding the leading document in a direction generally transverse to the feed path, and a document sensing and control apparatus for sensing the pressure exerted by documents against the sensing control apparatus and the document feed magazine, and controlling the speed of the advance of documents on the feed magazine as a function of the pressure. The greater the pressure exerted by the documents, the slower the feed magazine will advance documents to the feeder.

Abstract: A method of processing sheets, comprising: providing portable sheet supporting structure including electronic structure for storing data; stacking a plurality of sheets in the sheet supporting structure in an order for feeding each sheet from the sheet supporting structure; and storing data relating to each sheet in the data storing structure in said order for feeding the sheets.

Abstract: A hopper loader for transporting sheets in an edge-standing arrangement and having a pivotal module for loading the sheets therein. The pivotal module is then pivoted downwardly to a horizontal position to align with another module which receives the sheets and continues to move the sheets to their destination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for receiving, storing and dispensing a plurality of sheets of film in a plurality of sizes, particularly for use in automatic daylight film handling systems.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding documents from a stack of documents, in single file, into a document track, with the apparatus employing an endless belt. The endless belt is mounted on a drive roller and an idler roller to provide a linear portion of the belt which is parallel to the first document to be fed from the stack. The apparatus also includes a retard mechanism which includes a first portion to engage the documents in the stack and also includes a second portion which is parallel to the linear portion of the endless belt and is biased towards the linear portion by a tension spring. The endless belt is made of a material which is designed to wear instead of "glazing" which provides for a positive feed. The endless belt and the retard member are designed to be replaced by an operator of the terminal in which the apparatus is located so as to avoid a service call by a maintenance person.

Abstract: A multi-ream paper sheet feeder for use with high speed copiers, printing machines and the like "host machines" has a sturdy frame supporting an upwardly sloping ramp overlying a motor driven feed screw. A pusher plate drives a feed block of as many as thirty reams of edgewise stacked paper sheets up the ramp to a singulating feed assembly. A feed screw drive nut carriage engages and drives the pusher plate up ramp, then disengages, retracts under the ramp and travels to a new start position at the ramp's lower end. Sensors and limit switches govern forward and reverse feed screw motor operation; another sensor governs the operation of the singulating feed assembly, delivering shingled sheets on demand to the feeder's infeed tray. The entire sheet feeder is track-mounted, latched in feed position, disengageable for retraction away from the host machine when desired.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding sheets such as labels or covers includes a holder having a groove-shaped cross section opening upwardly. The holder is formed with a take-out port at one end, and holds the covers stacked horizontally with their surfaces facing horizontally. A pressing body connected to a rodless cylinder presses the stacked covers with a constant force towards the take-out port. A suction machine having a sucking disk at one end confronting a cover exposed from the take-out port attracts the exposed cover one-by-one. A stepping motor coupled to the suction machine turns the suction machine downwardly to 90.degree. so that the cover attracted to the sucking disk abuts against a top aperture of a container which is carried on a conveyor. When the suction machine releases the attraction of the cover, the cover is left on the top aperture of the container to cover the top aperture.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding and separating seriatim a sheet of paper from a stack of sheets.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding sheets having folded edges comprising: a support for supporting a stack of upright sheets respectively on an edge thereof; a sliding wall engaged by a toothed belt for feeding the sheets in a path of travel; an endless belt having an upper run disposed for engagement of the edges of the sheets for feeding the sheets in a direction extending transverse to the path of travel; and a front wall resiliently biased against each sheet fed from the stack for exerting a force in a direction opposite to the path of travel.

Abstract: A sheet container is detachably attached to a sheet dispenser mechanism. A stack of sheets stored in the sheet container are taken out by take-out rollers and introduced into nip sections defined between feed rollers and frictional separation rollers which are opposed to and pressedly contacted with the feed rollers, and the stack of sheets are separated from one another to be delivered. The take-out rollers and the feed rollers are provided in the sheet dispenser mechanism, while the frictional separation rollers are provided in the sheet container. The sheet container includes a front plate which determines the position of the front part of the stack of sheets therewithin, and a lower end portion of the front plate is formed with projections which protrude toward the stack of sheets. The projections restrict the position of the lower end portion of the front part of the stack of sheets in the nip sections between the feed rollers and the frictional separation rollers.

Abstract: Portable apparatus for supporting a stack of sheets, the apparatus comprising: an elongate tray including a base wall and opposed longitudinally extending side walls, the side walls extending upwardly from the base wall and defining therewith opposed end openings through which sheets may be successively fed; at least one sheet-stack supporting wall slidably connected to one of the side walls of the tray for movement between the end openings, the supporting wall including a rectangularly-shaped portion thereof dimensioned to extend transversely of the tray between the side walls; memory structure connected to the tray for storing data relating to respective sheets fed thereto and structure for removably interfacing the apparatus with at least one external structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus comprising image forming means for forming an image on a sheet, sheet stacking means for successively stacking sheets on which the image is formed by the image forming means, with shifting by a predetermined amount in a sheet feeding direction one from the other, feeding means for feeding the sheet one by one from a sheet stack obtained by stacking the sheets with shifting by the predetermined amount one from the other, conveying means for conveying the sheet stack formed by the sheet stacking means in normal and reverse directions between the sheet stacking means and the feeding means, and control means for controlling the conveying means in such a manner that the conveying means returns said sheet stack from the feeding means to the sheet stacking means to stack the sheets on which the image is formed by the image forming means after they have been fed by the feeding means, for obtaining a new sheet stack.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding and separating seriatim a sheet of paper from a stack of sheets.

Abstract: A sheet storing apparatus wherein sheets ejected from a copying machine one after another are stacked in order, and the sheets are supplied to the copying machine again. The apparatus comprises a sheet storing unit wherein sheets are stored, a transporter for transporting sheets to the storing unit, a regulator for preventing sheets supported by a sheet support surface of the storing unit from moving back toward the entrance thereof, a pressure member for pressing each sheet transported to the unit against the support surface and a refeeder for feeding out the stored sheets one by one. Each time a sheet is transported to the unit, the pressure member presses the sheet, whereby the end of the sheet passes through the regulator to be put between the support surface and the regulator. Also, in feeding sheets out of the unit, the pressure member presses the sheet stack against the refeeder.

Abstract: A document imprinting device for imprinting on documents such as checks comprises a frame, a document feeding mechanism mounted on the frame for sequentially feeding documents, a conveying mechanism for conveying a document from the document feeding mechanism along a document conveyance path, an imprinting mechanism for imprinting the documents conveyed along the document conveyance path, and a sensing mechanism positioned along the document conveyance path for sensing the position of the documents and for triggering the imprinting mechanism such that the document is imprinted at a desired location on the document.

Abstract: The magazine has slats for advancing flat articles to an unstacking head. The magazine comprises a first zone into which articles are loaded and along which they are advanced by removable slats, which slats are individually mounted in the first zone, being held and guided therein and also being driven therealong. The magazine also includes a second zone for stocking slats that are not in use, with the second zone being formed adjacent to the unstacking terminal portion of the first zone and being equipped for removing the slats form the first zone, and for transferring the removed slats into a stock of slats. The invention is applicable to separating postal items one by one.

Abstract: A low cost, paper feeder for large copy sheets includes a media chamber mounted to support copy sheets in a substantially vertical plane. A two-position, T-shaped feeder mechanism including a pair of one-way clutch controlled feed rolls is slidably mounted on a rail for contacting the media. A foot pedal is connected to the feeder mechanism such that when movement of the foot pedal is initiated, the feeder mechanism is moved in a first direction to a position contacting the copy sheets and with continued movement of the foot pedal, a top sheet of the copy sheets is moved by the feeder mechanism out of the tray in a second direction a predetermined amount to a copier wait station, and with return of the foot pedal to its initial position, the feed mechanism is caused to retract from the surface copy sheets in a third direction to its initial position.

Abstract: A signature feeder/conveyor for converting tightly packed signatures into a succession of discrete signatures stacked on edge while moving the signatures while on edge to an end station for delivery thereto upon demand. The feeder/conveyor involves successive stages of walking the signatures on edge in steps to compact the stream of signatures, then loosen the stream, and then substantially sliding the loosened signatures on edge without walking for delivery to the end station. A sensor detects the pressure of loosened signatures approaching the end station for controlling the successive stages of walking the signatures.

Abstract: Apparatus for collecting tickets cut from ticket stock, and for stacking these tickets in a horizontal array. Tickets are collected and oriented to stacking position by a vacuum transport belt assembly and uniformly aligned by a horizontal stacker. The transport assembly is mounted on a housing which includes a vacuum drum to maintain ticket engagement with the transport belts, as the belts traverse a path having a horizontal to vertical orientation about the top and front of the housing. The stacker is mounted perpendicular to the front base of the housing and incorporates a stacking belt extending the length of, and parallel to the base of the housing. The stacking belt is incremented in the stacking direction, in synchronization with a cutter. Stacker infeed disks are mounted on the transport terminus roller in a unitary arrangement which both releases tickets from the transport and feeds tickets to the stacker, to improve processing efficiency.

Abstract: A conveying system comprising an upfeed conveyor for conveying individual stock items upwardly to a press or the like and a generally horizontal infeed conveyor for conveying endwise a stack of items positioned on edge thereon to the upfeed conveyor which has several sections all of which are activated to move the item delivered thereto upwardly and wherein the lower sections are periodically stopped and the uppermost section is freely adapted to move to facilitate withdrawal of the item in transit from the upfeed conveyor, the infeed conveyor being vertically adjustable and tiltable with respect to the upfeed conveyor for handling different sized stock items, and wherein conveyors are so juxtaposed that the item in transit on the upfeed conveyor shields the upper portion of the next item from engaging movable section until the item in transit is completely withdrawn from the upfeed conveyor and wherein a retard is provided with an items gauge shield to insure single item feeding.

Abstract: A conveying system comprising two conveyors interconnected for adjustment relative to each other and an arrangement of rollers some of which convey and during a set period others serve as drag against the stock items carried thereon to obtain single item feeding.

Abstract: Labeling machine of the stack fed type in which the labels are precut and arranged vertically in a horizontal stack. Pressure is applied to the rear of the stack to move the stack forwardly as the labels are dispensed to a label transfer mechanism such as a vacuum drum. Air is blown into the stack from the bottom at the forward end of the stack to separate the foremost label, which is picked up from the stack by a rotating vacuum wheel.

Abstract: A paper let-out apparatus is provided which includes a paper accommodating section for holding paper, such as bills, on a bottom plate such that the paper is inclined slightly from vertically standing state. The apparatus includes a fixed receivng plate and a pushing member for urging accommodated paper toward the receiving plate. The receiving plate is formed with a window, and a let-out roller is provided outside the paper accommodating section so that the roller faces the window. A friction member is provided to the let-out roller at a portion of the periphery thereof such that the friction member projects outwardly radially beyond the periphery thereof. As the let-out roller is driven to rotate, the friction member enters the paper accommodating section through the window to be in contact with the endmost or first paper sheet thereby letting out the same due to frictional force.

Abstract: A printer for printing data on an original slip and on a copy slip in which both are dropped into a guide chute. Feed and pinch rollers having a higher degree of friction that the friction between the slips tend to drive both slips along the chute and past an ink jet printer. However, a brake initially prevents rotation of the pinch roller and thus retains one of the slips while the other slip is advanced past the printer, at which time the brake is released to enable the feed roller to advance the remaining slip past the printer.

Abstract: Apparatus for collecting tickets cut from ticket stock, and for stacking these tickets in a horizontal array. Tickets are collected and oriented to stacking position by a vacuum transport belt assembly, and uniformly aligned by a horizontal stacker. The transport assembly is mounted on a housing which includes a vacuum drum to maintain ticket engagement with the transport belts, as the belts traverse a path having a horizontal to vertical orientation about the top and front of the housing. The stacker is mounted perpendicular to the front base of the housing and incorporates a stacking surface of rollers extending the length of, and parallel to the base of a side plate. The rollers are driven in a direction which, advantageously, positions tickets which may be of varying length against the side plate. Stacker infeed disks are mounted on the transport terminus roller in a unitary arrangement which both releases tickets from the transport and feeds tickets to the stacker, to improve processing efficiency.