Abstract: A tissue dispenser, a method, system, and a sensor unit for detecting level of a consumable tissue product (201, 301) in a tissue dispenser (103, 106) located in a washroom. This includes provided a sensor unit utilizing two sensor elements (420, 430) each arranged to measure light reflected from a reflection field located on the tissue product, reflected directly from the tissue product, or measure the absence of the tissue product. Data from the sensor elements are wirelessly transmitted to a server (901) for further handling, such as for instance notification to a janitor in charge of service of the washroom.

Abstract: A system for separating a workpiece from workpieces is provided. The system includes a stocker on which a plurality of workpieces are stored in a stacked state, a holding unit including at least one pair of inverted V-shaped pads that sandwich and clamp both ends of one of the workpieces, and a moving unit that moves at least one of the holding unit and the stocker so as to relatively move the stocker downward with respect to the holding unit, which is in a state where the one of the workpieces is clamped by the at least one pair of pads, and to separate the one of the workpieces from other workpieces.

Abstract: An electrodynamic apparatus for separating electrically conductive, non-ferrous, blanks includes a linear induction machine (LIM) stator, a polyphase power source, and a controller. Stator slots are wound with polyphase AC windings. The power source outputs a polyphase voltage or current. The controller supplies the windings with the voltage or current via the power source to induce an electric current in an uppermost blank and produce a traveling wave magnetic field. The electric current and magnetic field generate a force on the uppermost blank sufficient for separating the uppermost blank from an adjacent blank in the stack. A method for separating the blanks includes positioning the stack with respect to the apparatus and supplying the windings with AC voltage or current via the power source to generate the traveling wave magnetic field and induce the electric current, and ultimately generate the force on the uppermost blank.

Abstract: A storage module (1) comprises a storage zone (3) for storing flat articles (2) by accumulation in a stack and on edge, a main conveyor (9) that extends transversely to the storage zone, a stacking function for transferring an article from the main conveyor to the storage zone and for stacking it at the back of the stack of articles in the storage zone, and an unstacking function for extracting an article from the stack of articles and for transferring it to the main conveyor. The unstacking function comprises an unstacking plate (7) having a perforated belt and controlled suction and disposed between the main conveyor and the storage zone, said unstacking plate having a first segment parallel to the stack of articles and a second segment that is adjacent to the first segment and that extends slantwise relative to the first segment, said controlled suction being disposed in the slantwise second segment of the unstacking plate.

Abstract: A medium separating and stacking device is provided. In one embodiment, a medium separating and stacking device comprises a frame, a first shaft rotatably coupled to the frame, a second shaft rotatably coupled to the frame and spaced apart from the first shaft, and a rotation prevention part allowing the second shaft to stop at a set position by using a magnetic force.

Abstract: A multifunction peripheral includes: a moving device configured to move up a lift plate; a changing device configured to mechanically change a resistance value of a variable resistor depending upon a position of the lift plate; a mechanical switch; a connecting device configured to apply a predetermined DC voltage to the variable resistor when an upper end of one or more paper sheets placed on the lift plate or an upper end of the lift plate has reached a predetermined uppermost position in the paper feed cassette; a calculating device configured to calculate a remaining amount of paper sheets placed on the lift plate as a function of a DC voltage value output from the variable resistor; and a stopping device configured to stop upward movement of the lift plate using the DC voltage value output from the variable resistor.

Abstract: A multifunction peripheral includes: a moving device configured to move up a lift plate; a changing device configured to mechanically change a resistance value of a variable resistor depending upon a position of the lift plate; a mechanical switch; a connecting device configured to apply a predetermined DC voltage to the variable resistor when an upper end of one or more paper sheets placed on the lift plate or an upper end of the lift plate has reached a predetermined uppermost position in the paper feed cassette; a calculating device configured to calculate a remaining amount of paper sheets placed on the lift plate as a function of a DC voltage value output from the variable resistor; and a stopping device configured to stop upward movement of the lift plate using the DC voltage value output from the variable resistor.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device for a document feeding apparatus includes: a sheet containing section; a lift plate for lifting sheets stacked in the sheet containing section between a sheet feeding position and a sheet loading position; a sheet feeding section for separating and feeding the sheets in the sheet feeding position one after another; and a lifting mechanism for lifting up and down the lift plate, the lifting mechanism including: a biasing member for biasing the lift plate toward the sheet feeding section; a cam, having an outer peripheral surface with a cam curve, coupled with a driving force source and being rotated thereby; and an operating lever so provided independently of and between the lift plate and the cam as to abut the outer peripheral surface of the cam and to simultaneously press the lift plate against a biasing force of the biasing member, thereby to change a posture of the lift plate between the sheet feeding position and the sheet loading position.

Abstract: A remaining amount detector measures beforehand a distance H where there is one sheet. A motor displaces a lifting plate to a paper-feeding position upon storing paper in the feeding unit. The remaining amount detector measures a distance y1 to the lower face of a paper stack. Thereafter, upon transport of paper from the stack, a control unit causes the remaining amount detector to measure a distance y2 for every predetermined number n of fed sheets. A remaining sheet calculation unit calculates a displacement y1?y2=?y to the bottom of the paper stack S, and calculates the thickness of one sheet on the basis of the displacement ?y and the number n of fed sheets (t=?y/n). The remaining sheet calculation unit divides the thickness (H?y2) of the paper stack by the thickness t of one paper sheet, and calculates the number of remaining sheets m as (m=((H?y2)/t)+1).

Abstract: A medium feeding device includes a medium placing member, a feeding mechanism for feeding the medium, and a lifting unit for moving the medium placing member toward the feeding mechanism. A first switching unit connects a transmission of a driving force from a driving source to the lifting unit based on a shifting of the feeding mechanism. A second switching unit connects the transmission based on control by a control unit. The control unit causes the second switching unit to transmit the driving force to the lifting unit to move the medium placing member upward based on detection by a medium detecting unit. When the medium placing member moves upward to a predetermined position, the first switching unit disconnects the transmission, holding the medium placing member at the predetermined position. The control unit causes the second switching unit to disconnect the transmission so that the medium placing member moves downward.

Abstract: A sheet feed device comprises: a retaining section retaining a sheet; a drive section raising the retaining section; a conveyance section conveying a sheet on the raised retaining section; a sheet detection section detecting an end of the conveyed sheet; and a control section. At the time that a sheet feed instruction is received, when a sheet is detected by the sheet detection section, the control section causes the conveyance section to feed the sheet further. When a sheet is not detected, the control section causes the drive section to raise the retaining section and then causes the conveyance section to start conveyance of a sheet.

Abstract: Occurrence of improper sheet-feeding of sheets is reduced. A sheet stacking section is lifted by an amount that is larger when a sheet-feed retry is performed than when an ordinary lifting operation is performed.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pick up device for paper sheets includes an input unit configured to support a plurality of paper sheets in a stacked manner, a supply mechanism configured to move the placed paper sheets in a stacking direction and supply each paper sheet to an pick up position, a pick up mechanism configured to pick up the paper sheet at the pick up position from the input unit one by one, and a control unit configured to determine a supply speed or a feed amount of the paper sheets by the supply mechanism in accordance with thickness information per unit time of the picked up paper sheets obtained from a thickness detector, and configured to determine whether the supply mechanism is to be operated or stopped based on density information of the paper sheets obtained from a paper sheet sensor.

Abstract: A remaining sheet volume detecting apparatus includes a loading unit that loads a sheet; a moving unit that moves the loading unit to a feed position of the loaded sheet; a feeding unit that feeds the sheet from the loading unit; a sheet thickness detecting unit that detects a thickness of the sheet; a load thickness detecting unit that detects that thickness of the loaded sheet within the loading unit, gradually decreasing; and a remaining sheet volume calculating unit that calculates a remaining volume within the loading unit based on the certain load thickness detected by the load thickness detecting unit and the sheet thickness detected by the sheet thickness detecting unit, each time a sheet is fed by the feeding unit after the load thickness detecting unit detects that the thickness of the loaded sheet within the loading unit has reached the certain load thickness.

Abstract: A remaining amount detector measures beforehand a distance H where there is one sheet. A motor displaces a lifting plate to a paper-feeding position upon storing paper in the feeding unit. The remaining amount detector measures a distance y1 to the lower face of a paper stack. Thereafter, upon transport of paper from the stack, a control unit causes the remaining amount detector to measure a distance y2 for every predetermined number n of fed sheets. A remaining sheet calculation unit calculates a displacement y1?y2=?y to the bottom of the paper stack S, and calculates the thickness of one sheet on the basis of the displacement ?y and the number n of fed sheets (t=?y/n). The remaining sheet calculation unit divides the thickness (H?y2) of the paper stack by the thickness t of one paper sheet, and calculates the number of remaining sheets m as (m=((H?y2)/t)+1).

Abstract: A sheet feeding method includes supporting a media stack on an elevator, initiating operation of a pick roll in conjunction with a top most sheet, sensing whether or not the pick roll is operating in conjunction with the top most sheet, and moving the elevator, in response to the pick roll not operating in conjunction with the top most sheet, to overcome occurrence of a media handling failure mode between the pick roll and the top most sheet. The elevator is lowered, in response to the pick roll rotating but the top most sheet not arriving at a sheet arrival sensor, to increase a normal force imposed on the top most sheet to overcome the occurrence of a ‘fails to feed’ failure mode. The elevator is raised, in response to the pick roll not rotating, to decrease the normal force imposed on the top most sheet to overcome the occurrence of a ‘pick roll stall’ failure mode.

Abstract: In an image scanning apparatus, documents on a document tray are transferred one by one, and an upper surface height of the documents is lowered to turn off a height detection sensor. Different kinds of control modes are performed according to a document scanning mode. In an image-quality-priority scanning mode, a transfer unit suspends transfer of the document, the document tray is elevated until the upper surface height reaches a target height that is higher by a predetermined distance after the height detection sensor is turned on, and the transfer unit resumes the transfer of the document. In a speed-priority scanning mode, while the transfer of the document is continued by the transfer unit, the document tray is elevated until the document tray reaches the target height.

Abstract: A method for measuring dimensions of a stack of medium in a media input location of an imaging system, includes emitting light along a direction that is at a predetermined angle with respect to the normal of the planar surface of the media input location. An array of photosensors are disposed along an array direction that lies in a plane defined by the direction of the light and the normal of the planar surface. The photosensors receive a spatially-varying pattern of light reflected from a surface that is substantially parallel to the planar surface of the media input location to provide corresponding electronic signal data from the photosensor array for subsequent transmission to a printing system controller. The varying electronic signal data is used to provide a measurement of the one or more dimensions corresponding to the stack of medium.

Abstract: In paper feeder apparatus, the combination comprising first means including a support for a paper stack and transfer elements for successively transferring paper sheets from the top of the stack upwardly and laterally to a delivered position, and optical control means to determine the level of an upper paper or papers in the stack to control the vertical positioning of papers on the stack, to enable said upwardly and laterally sheet delivering as the stack height diminishes, and a controller for cyclically controlling said transfer elements to integrate cyclic upward and lateral movement of successive sheets transferring from the stack.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device has a sheet accommodating portion for accommodating a sheet stack, a sheet carrying plate for carrying the sheet stack and a pickup roller that dispatches the uppermost sheet of the stack. An elevator displaces the sheet carrying plate between a sheet feeding position where an upper face of the sheet stack contacts the pickup roller and a separating position where the upper face of the sheet stack is separated from the pickup roller. A first warm air mechanism blows warm air toward a side face of the sheet stack. A controller causes the first warm air mechanism to blow warm air to the side face of the sheet stack and causes the elevator to displace the sheet carrying plate between the sheet feeding position and the separating position.

Abstract: A sheet separating and feeding unit incorporable in an image forming apparatus includes an image forming device, a sheet container, a sheet feeding unit including an endless, dielectric belt and an electric potential pattern forming unit, a belt supporting mechanism including a first supporting roller and a second supporting roller, and a moving unit. The first supporting roller rotates to rotatably move the second supporting roller between a sheet attracting position and a sheet feeding position so that the flat portion of the dielectric belt moves between the sheet contact position and the sheet pick-up position.

Abstract: A method for dynamically lifting an elevator includes picking a sheet from a stack to feed to a media process where the stack is on a platform that can be lifted by an elevator, performing the media process, sensing a top of the stack to detect presence or absence of the stack at a media home position, sensing the top of the stack to detect presence or absence of the stack on the platform, sensing the platform to detect its presence or absence at a maximum elevator level, and indexing the stack at least once by lifting the platform through a given distance, during the media process and not during picking a sheet, unless presence of the top of the stack at the media home position is sensed or absence of media sheets on the elevator platform is sensed or presence of the elevator platform at the maximum elevator level is sensed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a sheet bundle boundary detecting unit which detects a boundary of sheet bundles added to a sheet storage case, and a control unit which controls a feeding condition of sheet feeding unit based on a detection result of the sheet bundle boundary detecting unit. With this, overlapping-feeding and misfeeding at the boundary between the sheet bundles are reliably prevented.

Abstract: A transporting device moves sheet-like objects. The transporting device has an elevator plate mounted to be liftable and lowerable on a loading surface to load an object to be moved; a drive part to lift and to lower the elevator plate via gears; and a controller to execute a preparatory operation to operate the drive part in a direction only by a drive amount corresponding to the gear backlash during the time after the drive part has completed an elevator plate drive operation in one direction until the start of an elevator plate drive operation in another direction.

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: In an image scanning apparatus, when documents on a document tray are sequentially transferred, different control steps are performed according to a scanning speed when an upper surface height of the documents is lowered thereby turning off a height detection sensor. In a first control mode, which is not a high speed scanning, the document tray is elevated little by little during an inter-transfer time between each time one document is transferred until the upper surface height reaches a target height that is higher by a predetermined distance since the height detection sensor is turned on. In a second control mode, in which high speed scanning is performed, the document tray is elevated little by little during the inter-transfer time each time the one document is transferred until the upper surface height reaches a height that is higher by a predetermined distance than a height at a time when the height detection sensor is turned off.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus provided with a tray which goes up and down with sheet stack being supported, a pickup roller which feeds the sheet on the tray a first detecting sensor which detects a object placed on the tray other than the sheets to be fed by the pickup roller, as the tray goes up.

Abstract: In an image scanning apparatus, when documents on a document tray are sequentially transferred, different control steps are performed according to a scanning speed when an upper surface height of the documents is lowered thereby turning off a height detection sensor. In a low scanning speed, the document tray is elevated one time until the upper surface height becomes a target height which is higher by a predetermined distance since a height detection sensor is turned on at an inter-transfer time between completion of document transfer and start of a subsequent document transfer. In an intermediate scanning speed, the document tray is elevated little by little in each transfer of one document at the inter-transfer time until the upper surface height reaches the target height. In a fast scanning speed, the transfer of the document is tentatively interrupted, the document tray is elevated one time until the upper surface height reaches the target height, and the transfer of the document is resumed.

Abstract: An image generating apparatus capable of effectively suppressing double paper feeding and reducing the number of components is obtained. This image generating apparatus comprises a paper feed roller feeding papers, a push-up member pressing the papers against the paper feed roller and a control portion controlling driving of the paper feed roller and the push-up member. The control portion carries the papers in a paper feed direction by rotating the paper feed roller, thereafter carries the papers oppositely to the paper feed direction by a prescribed distance while lifting the push-up member, and thereafter lowers the push-up member.

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: 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 media pickup apparatus includes a push plate for pushing media stored in a cassette body towards a discharge port of the cassette body. A driving source provides power to the push plate so as to allow the push plate to push the media towards the discharge port of the cassette body. A pickup roller is rotatably coupled to one side of a roller bracket and biased towards the push plate by means of an elastic member in such a manner that the pickup roller elastically makes contact with the media pushed by the push plate, in order to discharge the media from a media cassette by separating the media sheet by sheet. A sensor detects a position of the pickup roller so as to provide data for operating the driving source. The media make contact with the pickup roller with a substantially constant contact force so that media are reliably discharged from the media cassette sheet by sheet.

Abstract: To reduce the number of components and further to provide a downsized sheet feeder, a shaft is arranged to a lower side of a sheet receiver stacking sheets, and gears are respectively attached to each opposite end of the shaft to mesh with rack portions. The gears move, upon gear's rotating, up and down along the rack portions. Another gear in mesh with the gear is further formed to transmit a torque from a driving source to the gear.

Abstract: Systems and methods for feeding media into a printing system in which a movable media guide is used to register media on a tray with a potentiometer and an opto-interrupt sensor are mounted in a fixed position relative to the tray with the slidable potentiometer member being moved by translation of the media guide. An obstruction structure is coupled to move relative to the opto-interrupt sensor when the media guide is translated and provides one or more fins to selectively block or open the optical signal path of the opto-interrupt sensor, with the sensed media width being determined according to the output signals of the opto-interrupt sensor and the potentiometer.

Abstract: It is determined whether or not a jammed document is necessarily returned to a document tray when a jam of the document is caused within a carrier path and, then, the elevation operation of the document tray is controlled on the basis of its result of the determination. Since the jammed sheet of which reading has not been completed should be returned to the document tray, the document tray is moved down. Since the jammed sheet of which reading has been completed should not be returned to the document tray, the document tray is maintained at a position as it is. When the apparatus stops due to the carrying jam, a time required for processing the document is shortened.

Abstract: A system and method for providing the ability to more effectively control a paper stack in a reproduction apparatus. The level control behavior of the paper stack is characterized, and accordingly, additional lift commands are signaled when the behavior indicates that such increments are necessary. The behavior is characterized by sampling data during a sampling period including switch initiated increments. Upon characterization, additional increments are initiated by a source other than the switch initiated increments to more effectively control the paper stack.

Abstract: A device for controlling delivery of sheets from a stack includes a lift for a stack of sheets. A sheet inserter removes sheets from the top of the stack to move them. A detector detects the front top level of the stack and measures the extent of variations in the level of the stack. A computer receives a measurement from the detector and acts on a first electric motor for the lift to raise the stack. A source of information connected to the computer relates to the supply frequency in real time and to the nominal thickness of the sheets. The computer output is connecting to a sheet supply frequency varying device for controlling the first motor to the lift. The computer is programmed so that the signal at its output is characteristic of the difference between the measured level of the stack and the calculated level thereof. An auxiliary supply device may support and raise the stack, based on the computer program, independently of the lift.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a stack monitoring system for an imaging apparatus for monitoring media reserves.

Abstract: A system for detecting overlapped flat objects in a sequence of flat objects have at least one of their edges exposed for viewing as they pass along a feed path. The system includes a sensor for generating a signal in response to detecting a flat object in the feed path and a camera responsive to the signal for capturing a digital image of the exposed edges of the detected flat object in the feed path. A vision system is coupled to the camera for receiving the digital image. The vision system analyzes at least a portion of the image to determine a pixel density variation along a direction perpendicular to the edges and uses the pixel density variation to output an indication of the number of edges in the image.

Abstract: A paper-feeding apparatus, which is not restricted by positions of sensors for detecting paper. Paper guides are provided which reliably reduces skew of the paper and enables precise printing by use of an uncomplicated structure. By providing the actuator with paper guide retracting fins, when the paper guide is moved in order to regulate the position of the paper, due to the slide between the paper guide retracting fins and the paper guide, the actuator is retracted out of the working area of the paper guide. With this structure, the actuator does not prevent the paper guide from being moved.

Abstract: The invention concerns a stack height determination mechanism (25) for a stack (1) consisting of flat material (2) with at least one sensor (3) to determine stack height and a stack height control mechanism. Exact determination of the stack height, especially in order to exactly position the stack for the next delivery of material (2), is achieved in that a flat element (4) to determine the height of the stack (1) is brought into a bearing position (5) on the stack and that this bearing position (5) is determined by at least one sensor (3).

Abstract: A feeder apparatus arranged on a side of a main body of an image forming apparatus is provided with a top door and a vertical door. The top door is provided in an opening defined above a sheet stacker, and the vertical door is provided in an opening defined on a side of the sheet stacker to enable an operator to replenish sheets inside the feeder apparatus. Switches are provided to detect as to whether the top door or the vertical door is opened. The feeder apparatus is constructed in such a manner that upward movement of the sheet stacker is suspended when the top door is detected to be opened and that upward and downward movement of the sheet stacker is suspended when the vertical door is detected to be opened.

Abstract: A variable acceleration TAR. The properties and dimensions of the sheets in a stack are entered by a user or determined automatically. Since it is known from either customer provided input or automatic sensing what sheet length and resulting pitch size are feeding from any tray, the acceleration profile for the TAR is customized according to how much time is available to bring the sheet to transport speed in a given pitch zone. For longer sheet length with higher mass, there is also more acceleration time available and can reduce the required acceleration to a value that the motor and drive nip friction can handle thereby keeping motor size down and making more efficient use of the available torque of the motor with no added cost.

Abstract: The device comprises a lifting mechanism (1), a sheet-inserting means, means for detecting the front top level of the stack (32) connected to a computer acting on an electric motor (11) of the stack-lifting mechanism (1), and means for raising the stack (4). The detector (32) of the front level of the stack (4) comprises means for measuring the extent of variations in the level of the stack. The computer is also connected to a source of information (17) relating to the supply frequency in real time and to the nominal thickness of the sheets. The computer output is connected to a frequency-varying means for controlling the electric motor (11), the computer being designed so that the value of the signal appearing at its output is characteristic of the difference between the measured level of the stack (4) and the calculated level.

Abstract: A method for controlling an intermediate stacking device for flat shipments, in particular in letter sorting facilities, comprising a stacking device (SR) on a movable stacking cart (SW), a bottom transporting belt (UB) on which the shipments are positioned crosswise to the belt movement direction, and a separating device with a withdrawal means (AR), as well as a shipment sensor (FH2), which detects the shipments at the separating device. In order to correct without problems a slanted position of the shipment stack at the separating device, the normal operational control of the intermediate stacking device becomes invalid if a predetermined time interval during which no shipments are detected at the withdrawal means (AR) is exceeded, the supply of shipments to the intermediate stacking device is interrupted, the bottom transporting belt (UB) is stopped, and the stacking cart (SW) is put into motion in the direction of the separating device.

Abstract: A document feeder comprises a tray for containing a stack of documents to be fed along a document feed path. A picker mechanism picks a document from the stack and moves the picked document along the document feed path. A controllable motivator disposed in the tray is provided for, when controlled, applying a variable force against the stack to move the stack against the picker mechanism to allow the picker mechanism to pick a document from the stack and move the picked document along the document feed path. The picker mechanism includes a pre-picker roller having an outer circumferential surface which engages a document in the stack to initially pick the engaged document and move the picked document into the document feed path. First and second interruptive sensors cooperate to sense position of the picking mechanism relative to the stack.

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: Sheet feeding apparatus includes a sheet feed device which operates to feed sheets towards or away from a sheet store. The sheet feed device has at least one resilient portion which flexes against its resilience relative to the remainder of the sheet feed device in response to contact with a sheet in the sheet store. A monitoring system is used to monitor the degree of flexure of the resilient portion to determine how full the sheet store is.

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

Abstract: Apparatus for the separate supply of film bags to a filling machine, with a belt conveyor receiving the film bags as an oblique, fanned out stack. A drive acts on the belt conveyor. A separating wheel is positioned adjacent to the delivery section of the belt conveyor and rests on the top film bag brought in by the belt conveyor. A lever vertically supports the separating wheel and a drive moves the separating wheel. A sensor determines the height of the separating wheel above the belt conveyor. Such sensor controls the drive for the belt conveyor (12). A linear unit supplies a bag to the filling machine.