Abstract: In a document transport apparatus for an image forming system, a pair of trays are provided above the glass platen of the image forming system. A feed tray is spaced above the platen glass and is used to feed documents to be copied one at a time to the glass platen. A discharge tray is spaced above the feed tray for receiving the documents from the glass platen as the documents are copied. The discharge tray is automatically moved to a retracted position, out of the way of the feed tray, when the discharge tray is absent any documents.

Abstract: A sheet feeder having a platform for supporting a stack of sheets, a feed head assembly for feeding sheets seriatim from the top of a sheet supply stack on the platform, a mechanism for moving the platform relative to the feed head assembly, and a device for controlling operation of the platform moving mechanism. The control device for the platform moving mechanism includes a sensor for detecting marginal edges of sheets in the sheet stack on the platform, and producing a signal indicative of sheet edge detection. Additionally, a sensor is provided for detecting the location of the topmost sheet on the sheet stack on the platform, and producing a signal indicative of such top sheet location detection. A signal is set representative of the top of the sheet stack being in proper operative relation to the feed head assembly, this set signal being based on the signal from the top location sensor for the particular location of the top of the stack when the marginal sheet edge detection signal is first produced.

Abstract: Paper is fed through the printing process of a printing machine by an apparatus which includes a paper-feeding mechanism that is driven by a motor, a paper setting mechanism for handling the sheets of paper being printed, and a paper sensor for detecting whether a sheet is being printed and providing selective control of the motor.

Abstract: A nudger including apparatus for applying a feed force to a lead mailpiece of the stack of mixed mail to feed the lead mailpiece of the stack along a mailpiece feed path, the applying apparatus being moveable between first and second positions; structure for biasing the applying apparatus against a face of the lead mailpiece thereby generating a stack force against a stack of mixed mail; and a stack advance mechanism for moving the stack of mixed mail so that the face of the lead mailpiece contacts the applying apparatus; wherein at times when the applying apparatus is in the first position the stack advance mechanism moves the stack of mixed mail in the direction of the applying apparatus causing the applying apparatus to move from the first position to the second position against the biasing structure such that the stack force increases causing a corresponding increase in the feed force; and further wherein at times when the applying apparatus is in the second position the stack advance mechanism stops movi

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: The invention relates to a sheet-extracting device with a cassette for receiving a stack of sheets, and to a method of controlling the pressing force of the stack of sheets against the extracting device. The latter has extracting rollers (16) which are arranged on a floating shaft (34). For its part, the floating shaft (34) is centrally connected in a rationally fixed manner to a drive shaft (18) passing through it. The drive shaft (18) is mounted, by one end (20), in a frame-mounted bearing (21) and, by its other end (62), in a displaceable bearing (64). Acting on the bearing (64) is a force sensor (70, 74, 76) which is intended for determining the pressing force of the stack of sheets (12) against the extracting rollers (16). The pressing force is controlled such that it always moves within a narrow middle range between a minimum and a maximum possible value.

Abstract: A paper feeding mechanism and method which reliably feeds individual sheets stacked on a base plate. When a full stack of sheets resides on the base plate, as the sheets are removed one-by-one from the top of the stack, the base plate pivots about an end of the base plate. After the base plate pivots to a predetermined level, a pin passing through an oblong hole in a side support connected to the base plate contacts an end of the oblong hole and changes the pivot position of the base plate to the position of the pin. Also, a separating claw is raised as the sheets are removed from the stack. As the sheets from the stack are removed, the base plate supporting the sheets is raised. The raising of the base plate causes the rotation of a cam member. As the cam member rotates, the changing cam surface which contacts a separating member connected to the separating claw causes the separating claw to be raised.

Abstract: In addition to a separating blade which can pivot in and out and move in the direction of transport at a speed set by the stack pressure of the mail separation device (1) and back again, the proposed system also has a system with two separating blades which can also move in a straight line in the direction of transport and back again and can pivot into and out of the letter conveyor line. In addition, a charging module for automatically loading the system with letters is also provided. Once the letters have been loaded into the two-blade system, the latter moves towards the single separating blade. The single blade then swings out, travels behind the two separating blades which likewise move at a speed set by the stack pressure of the mail separation device (1) and swings back in. The separating blades of the separating blade system then swing out, move into their final position to receive new letters and the single separating blade conveys the letters to the mail separation device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sheet-extracting device with a cassette for receiving a stack of sheets, and to a method of controlling the pressing force of the stack of sheets against the extracting device. The latter has extracting rollers (16) which are arranged on a floating shaft (34). For its part, the floating shaft (34) is centrally connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a drive shaft (18) passing through it. The drive shaft (18) is mounted, by one end (20), in a frame-mounted bearing (21) and, by its other end (62), in a displaceable bearing (64). Acting on the bearing (64) is a force sensor (70, 74, 76) which is intended for determining the pressing force of the stack of sheets (12) against the extracting rollers (16). The pressing force is controlled such that it always moves within a narrow middle range between a minimum and a maximum possible value.

Abstract: In an apparatus for feeding an original document, the time which is needed until the first original document is transported onto a transportation path after storing original documents is shortened. The original documents stacked on an original document supporting plate are successively supplied one by one in order from an uppermost original document. A discharged original document is steadily and easily inserted between the original document supporting plate and the original documents stacked on the original document supporting plate. When a hopper sensor detects that the original documents are stacked on the original document supporting plate, the original document supporting plate is moved upward until the upper surface of the uppermost one of the original documents contact a level sensor. At this stage, the original documents are supplied successively one by one from the uppermost original document by a paper feeding mechanism.

Abstract: Auxiliary device for assisting in singling or separating sheets in an upper region of a sheet pile provided for single-sheet transport in a sheet transport direction within a sheet processing machine, a respective top sheet of the sheet pile being removable therefrom at a given time by at least one singling or separating device including at least one sheet trailing edge blasting or blowing device for feeding the sheet to the sheet processing machine, includes at least one feeler rod disposed at a location transverse to the sheet transport direction for measuring the height of the sheet pile, and respective fanning or loosening blowers disposed laterally of the sheet pile upstream of the feeler rod, as viewed in the sheet transport direction.

Abstract: A stack height control assembly that is remote from the feedhead. A floating coupler and sensor flag arrangement is mounted so that it is engaged with a paper supply drawer as the drawer is moved into an operative position. The feedhead acts as the stack height sensor and through a mechanical engagement with the sensor, which is removed and remote from the supply drawer, signals as the stack is depleted and the elevator mechanism should raise the stack. This control scheme removes complex electrical connectors from the drawer assembly and allows a wide range of substrates to be fed from the paper supply drawer. By allowing the sensor/coupler arrangement to float so as to align with the drawer, the need for extremely tight manufacturing and assembly tolerances with respect to the drawer/sensor arrangement is also obviated.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device is provided with abreast sheet, stackers each having an elevating tray for stacking sheets, which can be held at an upper sheet send-out position when no sheet is stacked. The elevating tray which remains stationary at the send-out position when the stacker becomes empty of sheet serves as a sheet guide member for delivering the sheet discharged from the adjoining sheet stacker to an image processing device such as a copying machine through a sheet transfer path. Since the stackers other than the first stacker do not necessitate a sheet separator nor sheet transfer path, the device can be simplified without deteriorating the sheet feeding performance and manufactured at a low cost.

Abstract: A high speed sheet feeder for directing sheets to a host utilization device having a stack feed elevator platform accessed by a drawer provides a feed ramp for supporting a stack of sheets. Sheets in the stack are deshingled by a feeder singulator and driven, typically, downwardly to a feed tray extending remote from the singulator. The feed tray receives sheets in a space that enables formation of a second smaller stack of sheets. The tray further includes an opening adjacent the second stack that enables sheets to be slid from the top of the second stack. The tray is positioned and constructed so that it can enter and be removed from a port in the drawer of the utilization device. The feed tray's positioning relative to the port allows sheets in the second stack to be placed adjacent a utilization device singulator in the drawer so that sheets can be removed by the utilization device singulator for processing thereby.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device is provided with abreast sheet stackers each having an elevating tray for stacking sheets, which can be held at an upper sheet send-out position when no sheet is stacked. The elevating tray which remains stationary at the send-out position when the stacker becomes empty of sheet serves as a sheet guide member for delivering the sheet discharged from the adjoining sheet stacker to an image processing device such as a copying machine through a sheet transfer path. Since the stackers other than the first stacker do not necessitate a sheet separator nor sheet transfer path, the device can be simplified without deteriorating the sheet feeding performance and manufactured at a low cost.

Abstract: A cut sheet feeder for use with an image forming apparatus, comprising: a sheet feed mechanism for picking up stacked cut sheets one at a time from a single sheet feed position and for feeding each sheet to an image recording portion; a sheet feed unit which is vertically movable relative to the sheet feed mechanism, to which a cassette containing cut sheets may be attached in a detachable manner, and which has a cutout portion corresponding to the position of the sheet feed mechanism; a sheet feed table which is vertically movable within the sheet feed unit and which carries a large number of cut sheets; and a sheet feed controller for lifting, in a sheet feed mode based on the cassette, at least the sheet feed unit up to a position where the cut sheets in the cassette reach the sheet feed position; and for lifting, in a sheet feed mode based on the sheet feed table, the sheet feed unit to a position where the top of the unit comes above the sheet feed position with the cutout portion of the unit letting the

Abstract: Governor foot assembly for cyclically sensing the height of a feeder sheet pile of a sheet-fed printing press includes a governor foot mounted above the sheet pile so as to be variable in height and so as to be swingable out of the vicinity of the sheet pile and back into the vicinity thereof, a drive system for cyclically swinging the governor foot, after the height of the sheet pile has been sensed, out of a region above the sheet pile and, before the height of the sheet pile is sensed, again into the region above the sheet pile, and for cyclically lifting the governor foot after measuring the height of the sheet pile and again for lowering the governor foot before measuring the height of the sheet pile, respectively, a spring device having an adjustable spring tension, the spring device connecting the governor foot to the drive system, and a device provided on the governor foot for adjusting the spring tension of the spring device.

Abstract: A cut sheet feeder for use with an image forming apparatus, is formed of: a sheet feed mechanism for picking up stacked cut sheets one at a time from a single sheet feed position and for feeding each sheet to an image recording portion; a sheet feed unit which is vertically movable relative to the sheet feed mechanism and to which a cassette containing cut sheets may be attached in a detachable manner; a sheet feed table which is vertically movable within the sheet feed unit and which carries a large number of cut sheets; a plurality of detectors for detecting the positions of the sheet feed unit, the sheet feed table and the cut sheets relative to the sheet feed position; and a sheet overload detector. The overload is detected by the detectors with respect to the relative position between the sheet feed unit and the sheet feed table with reference to the sheet feed position.

Abstract: A feeler for cyclically sensing the pile height of a feed pile in a sheet-fed machine, in particular a printing machine, having a lever drive linkage with a sensing roller, which at least during paper travel is in constant touch contact by means of a spring with a cyclically drivable drive cam; having a four-bar guide linkage with two levers, disposed one above the other and each with one end pivotally supported on the frame, which levers are each pivotally supported by their other lever end, spaced apart from one another, on a coupler, wherein a feeler foot for sensing the pile height is secured to a downward-extending vertical extension of the coupler; having a carrier stop, which is secured to the drive linkage; having a stop face on the guide linkage, which face is embodied and disposed in a fashion corresponding to the carrier stop for cyclically establishing touch contact for raising the feeler foot; and having a spring, one spring support of which is secured in a manner fixed to the machine and whose o

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

Abstract: Provided is a vertical movement control device for a paper feed table device which allows a favorable paper feeding action to be carried out at an appropriate paper feed pressure for all kinds of paper without involving any failure to properly lift the paper feed table or any occurrence of seizure of the electric motor, and eliminates any unduly long waiting period even when the required lift of the paper feed table is relatively great due to addition of new paper or removal of paper jamming. An upper limit sensor 19 detects if the upper surface of the paper stack on the paper feed table 1 has reached a prescribed height by the upward movement of the paper feed table 1.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with a paper sheet feeder for selective feeding from a group of paper sheets in either a first or second cassette. In the paper sheet feeder, first and second registration rollers are provided in front of the first and second cassettes respectively, and a common registration roller is provided in front of a photosensitive drum. When the first group of paper sheets is selected, a first paper sheet is supplied to the first registration roller from the first cassette so that the paper sheet is registered by the first registration roller. The registered paper sheet is supplied to the common registration roller so that the paper sheet is also registered by the common registration roller. When the second group of paper sheets is selected, the second paper sheet is supplied to the second registration roller from the second cassette so that the paper sheet is registered by the second registration roller.

Abstract: A conveying mechanism for a press having sucker fingers which lift horizontally positioned items. The mechanism having two conveying sections for supporting imbricately arranged items, the first conveying section delivering to the second and the second section having components which rearrange the items into a vertical stack and lift it by wedging the items one under the other to a position where the fingers pick off the uppermost item of the stack.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the lifting of a stack of sheets to be printed in order to keep the currently uppermost sheet of the stack within a certain predetermined height range for reliable removal to a feed table. A motor is operated in either a discontinuous mode or in a continuous mode to lift the sheets, the mode of operation being chosen in dependence on the speed of the press and the thickness of the sheets when compared against an established curve. A sensor is utilized to determine the vertical position of the uppermost sheet in the stack. In the continuous mode the motor speed is adjusted in accordance with the height of the uppermost sheet in the stack, while in the discontinuous mode, the motor is energized and de-energized such that the height of the currently uppermost sheet in the stack is maintained within a predetermined height range.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with a paper sheet feeder for selective feeding from a group of paper sheets in either a first or second cassette. In the paper sheet feeder, first and second registration rollers are provided in front of the first and second cassettes respectively, and a common registration roller is provided in front of a photosensitive drum. When the first group of paper sheets is selected, a first paper sheet is supplied to the first registration roller from the first cassette so that the paper sheet is registered by the first registration roller. The registered paper sheet is supplied to the common registration roller so that the paper sheet is also registered by the common registration roller. When the second group of paper sheets is selected, the second paper sheet is supplied to the second registration roller from the second cassette so that the paper sheet is registered by the second registration roller.

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: Paper sheets, which are typified by bank notes, are maintained substantially upright between a freely movable pressure plate and a rotatively driven delivery/stacking roller opposing the pressure plate. Contact pressure which the delivery/stacking roller applies to the paper sheets is sensed by a pressure sensor. With the sensed contact pressure serving as an input, fuzzy inference is performed in accordance with predetermined rules, thereby to control the movement of the pressure plate in such a manner that the contact pressure will attain a proper value at all times.

Abstract: When a main body of an image forming apparatus is operated so that an image formation mode is set, a signal for determining which of several up-and-down type paper feeding devices is selected is applied from the main body of the image forming apparatus. In the selected paper feeding device, a selection signal detector determines that this selection signal is applied. If a paper detector determines that there are copy sheets whose number is at least a predetermined number, the paper deck is automatically raised by an up-and-down mechanism, even if the paper deck is in the lowered position. Even in the case where no up-and-down type paper feeding device is selected, if a timer measures time previously set, the paper deck may be automatically raised to a position where copy sheets can be fed. The up-and-down type paper feeding device according to the present invention has been constructed as described above and thus, an operator need not perform any operation so as to raise the paper deck from the lowered state.

Abstract: A paper feeding device for a collator is provided wherein a drive mechanism for moving suction heads between the upper surface of a stack on a paper supply shelf and feed rollers disposed at a paper feeding station in front of the paper supply shelf includes a four-bag linkage mechanism pivotally carried at a horizontally extending pivot. The four-bar linkage machanism comprises four elemental links pivotally connected tail-to-head in a closed loop, one pair of the adjacent links being pivotally carried at the pivot, one of the other pair of the adjacent elementary links supporting the suction heads. The two elemental links pivotally carried at the pivot are synchronously oscillated about the pivot to produce a composite movement at the elemental link supporting the suction head whereby the suction heads moves the upper surface and the feed rollers.

Abstract: A feeder for use in a sheet-feed printing machine, in which, while a pile board loaded with a paper sheet pile on a pallet is moved upward, paper sheets are fed to the printing unit through a side register lay, comprising a sensor movable along a threaded shaft according to the rotation of the threaded shaft to detect a side edge of the paper sheet pile, which is moved an amount equal to the distance in the cross or lateral direction between a position at which the paper sheet pile is to be positioned when a left-pulling side register lay is used and a position at which the paper sheet pile is to be positioned when a right-pulling side register lay is used, and further comprising a non-interrupting paper replenishing device to insert another paper sheet pile under the paper sheet pile, or detecting means to detect the remaining amount of paper sheets and the top surface of the paper sheet pile.

Abstract: An envelope processing system (20) includes an input transport section (22); a processing/transport section (24); and a discharge transport section (28). Envelopes are fed on-edge from the input transport section to the processing/transport section (24) by a feeder section (40) comprising a feeder (72) and a feed assist device (80). When a signal controller (190) monitoring the feeder (72) detects a significant delay between the feeding of envelopes, the feeder (72) is enabled to acquire greater contact with the next envelope by displacing the feed assist device (80) out of its normally biased co-planar position with a feed belt (130) of the feeder (72), resulting in a greater force vector on the next envelope in the direction toward a singulation region (73). A stacker section (38) comprising the discharge conveyance section (28) includes introductory conveying means (302), stacker conveying means (304), and a discharge magazine (300).

Abstract: A portable envelope feeder that is not dedicated to a specific offset printer but can be used with multiple offset printers is described. The portable feeding apparatus is clamped to the feed elevator in order to supply an envelope stack to the offset printer. The envelope feeder has the capability of tilting back to facilitate loading of the envelope stack. A sliding weight in one of the vertical members holds the envelopes in place and also counters the moment created when the sucker foot on the printing press grips the individual envelope and pulls the envelope into the offset press. A height control bar insures that the envelope stack is always at the correct position for the sucker foot to grip and envelope. By utilizing a different size plate where the envelope stack rests and making a slight adjustment on the base plate, the present invention can feed a plurality of envelope sizes.

Abstract: High speed sheet feeders receive blocks or bricks of paper sheets, cards or folders stacked edgewise on a downsloping supply ramp, and singulate these for edgewise feeding in rapid succession. The frontmost sheets ready for feeding are buckled and fanned at their upper edges, and their lower edges are arched forward to form a dimple or ridge-shaped pocket by an underlying central traction singulator. A pair of ganged or synchronized feed belts engage the frontmost sheet and propel it rapidly downward edgewise, and a slanting discharge belt receives and diverts the sheet at even higher speed between the discharge belt and a tractive pinch roller. A transfer assembly beneath the discharge belt may receive sheets from an adjacent feeder and interleave them upon command with sheets delivered by the discharge belt.

Abstract: A control system for the pressing force created on the draw-off roller system (24) in a single-feed mechanism for sheet material (16) is described. This pressing force has an optimum value when the time required for the respective draw-off operation is the minimum amount. For a corresponding regulation, a time measurement is performed with successive draw-off operations. The times thus determined are evaluated, and if they are found to be the same, the value of the pressing force reached following regulation of a drive that produces the pressing force is retained.

Abstract: An apparatus which determines the location of an edge of an advancing sheet and discriminates between a hole therein. After the leading edge of the sheet is detected and the sheet has moved a first predetermined distance, the absence or presence of the sheet is sensed for a second predetermined distance. If the sheet is not detected as it moves the second predetermined distance, the control logic indicates that the trailing edge has been detected. In the event the sheet is sensed, the control logic indicates that a hole has been detected and the process is repeated to locate the trailing edge.

Abstract: A reproduction machine with a paper path along which copy sheets are brought one by one into transfer relation with a photoreceptor to receive a developed image, the copy sheets being supplied from either a main or auxiliary paper tray which feeds sheets at a predetermined clock count in synchronization with the operation of the machine, a program permitting the current clock count of a selected tray to be determined and compared with a desired optimum clock count window stored in memory, with adjustment of the clock count made when the current clock count of the selected tray is outside the optimum clock count window to bring paper tray timing within the window, but prevented where the current clock count is outside preset maximum and minimum clock counts.

Abstract: A document feeding device having a hopper oriented at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane, the hopper having an upstream aperture and a downstream aperture and able to support a pack of documents to be fed therefrom, a device situated at the lower end of the hopper for feeding documents seriatim from the hopper, a first pulley whose outer surface extends slightly through the downstream aperture and a second pulley whose outer surface extends slightly through the upstream aperture, and a double sided timing belt mounted on the first and second pulleys and riding on the upper surface of the hopper.

Abstract: Sheets 12 are fed one at a time from a stack 11 by a freely mounted roller 13 magnetically coupled to a rotating drive roller 14. As the stack is depleted, an elevator 27 is operated to maintain the top sheet in contact with the roller 13.

Abstract: An improved paper feeder for use with a printing machine includes a suction head which moves up and down by suction force and moves forward and backward by action of a cam. The paper feeder further includes an arrangement for controlling the height of the paper table.

Abstract: An automatic continuous medium setting device includes a delivery means for feeding a continuous medium along a delivery passage, a medium treating means arranged on the delivery passage, a medium accumulating means arranged at the terminal end portion of the delivery passage and a setting means for temporarily setting the continuous medium in a temporary setting position in relation to the medium treating zone, arranged before the medium treating zone on the delivery passage. A medium feed quantity determining means determines the feed quantity of the continuous medium during the delivery when the continuous medium is fed from the temporary position to the accumulating zone. The medium feed quantity determining means being connected to said delivery means.

Abstract: A stack height control apparatus for sheet feeders in sheet processing machines. The apparatus comprises a 2:1 divider connected to stack height sensors, a comparison timing stage connected to the divider, a comparator stage connected to the sensors, to the divider and to the comparison timing stage, a forward-backward shift register connected to the comparator stage and at least two timing stages each connected to the shift register and to the comparator stage. The apparatus allows automatic feeding of sheets to machines such as employed for example as printing presses.

Abstract: My invention comprises a large capacity combined magazine and sheet feeder for copying machines, in which the sheet being fed is brought to feeding level by a spring-powered mechanical servomechanism. The assembly is adapted to be substituted for a small capacity cassette on an existing copy machine and to employ the power and logic of the existing machine to feed sheets from the large capacity assembly in proper synchronized relationship. This is accomplished by a power take-off from the copy machine with which the improved magazine is being used, which power take-off can be installed without altering the original machine. The large capacity unit then feeds sheets to the copy machine as if the original small capacity cassette were being used. The magazine is adapted to handle sheets of various lengths on which copies are to be made.

Abstract: A sheet feeder device for a printing machine, having a pneumatic feeder head including a regulating screw mounted therein and provided with a pressure spring which is arranged between a shoulder of the regulating screw and a rest which is attached to a two-arm lever. To the frame of the printing machine is fixed a spacer on which are adjustably arranged straightening elements provided with rigidly attached eccentrics. The eccentric is turnably mounted in a body, in which is also turnably arranged, a connecting screw which is provided with a centering ring and a catch which seats on a bar fixed to the side wall of the printing machine. The straightening element is provided with a stop, on which bears a lever which is attached to the eccentric. A guide piece is also fixed to the straightening element. The device according to the invention enables the feeding of letter envelopes without the need of a special auxiliary device to be mounted to the printing machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a circular stack sheet feeding device having a lower loading platform, which can be loaded with imbricated (arranged with regular overlapping edges) sheet stacks, having a transport and reversing mechanism, which transports the imbricated sheet stacks in a first transport direction to the underside of a reversing drum and with the aid of the reversing drum transports the sheets about the drum upwards in a second transport direction onto a removal platform, above which is guided an elastically yielding, taut conveyor belt which runs in the direction of delivery and runs between two rollers which are arranged on axes parallel to the reversing drum and are horizontally adjustable in the delivery direction of the delivery wheel. The underside of the roller lying closest to the reversing drum and the upper side of the other roller arranged in the area of the end of the removal platform opposite the diverting drum are adjusted to the same height.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for sequential feeding of a plurality of pallets, each carrying a stack of fabric sheet workpieces, to means for sequentially removing the individual sheets of sheet material. This apparatus includes vertically movable rack means for supporting the pallets, means for sensing the vertical position of the uppermost sheet of material on the uppermost pallet, motorized means for moving the pallets vertically upwardly to maintain the uppermost sheet at a predetermined position and means for removing an empty pallet after the sheet material is exhausted from that pallet.

Abstract: High speed sheet feeders receive blocks or bricks of paper sheets, cards or folders stacked edgewise on a downsloping supply ramp, and singulate these for edgewise feeding in rapid succession. The frontmost sheets ready for feeding are buckled and fanned at their upper edges, and their lower edges are arched forward to form a dimple or ridge-shaped pocket by an underlying central traction singulator. A pair of ganged or synchronized feed belts engage the frontmost sheet and propel it rapidly downward edgewise, and a slanting discharge belt receives and diverts the sheet at even higher speed between the discharge belt and a tractive pinch roller. A transfer assembly beneath the discharge belt may receive sheets from an adjacent feeder and interleave them upon command with sheets delivered by the discharge belt.