Abstract: A sheet transport includes one or more drive nips and a mechanism for automatically disengaging the nips in response to a predetermined condition such as the sensing of a jammed or stalled sheet, the movement of a sheet delivery tray between a sheet feeding position and a retracted position or the opening of an access door to the sheet transport. In a preferred form, one element of each drive nip is moved from the other element on a pivoted mounting.

Abstract: A paper feeding device for feeding paper to a printer wherein the paper is advanced by a paper feed motor and a print head prints on the paper while the paper is supported by a platen. The feeding device includes a paper stacker for storing a stack of paper sheets, a feed roller which is disposed for contact with a top sheet of the paper stack for feeding the top sheet when the roller is rotated, a first paper path for directing the top sheet from the paper stacker to the printer, a second paper path for directing another sheet of paper to the printer without passing the feed roller, a transmission mechanism disposed between the feed roller and the paper feed motor for transmitting a rotary motion of the paper feed motor to the feed roller, and a cut-off mechanism disposed in the transmission mechanism which is manually operated to a cut-off position in which the feed roller is operatively disconnected from the paper feed motor.

Abstract: An improved banknote stacker is described which provides a high level of flexibility and a high degree of stacking efficiency with a reduced level of jams and crumpled banknotes. In one embodiment the improved banknote stacker includes upper and lower housings having molded fingers and slots for interconnection with a banknote validator, banknote transport apparatus including a self adjusting belt-pulley arrangement, a prestorage compartment, a banknote pusher having a home sensing arrangement which allows it to be controlled using a simple open-loop control, and a banknote magazine for storing stacked banknotes and providing ready access to the stacked banknotes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sheet loading device for causing sheets put out one after another from a sheet output apparatus such as a laser beam printer or a copying apparatus onto a sheet receiving member to be loaded in orderly, mutually superposed relationship without being deviated from one another.

Abstract: Sheet feeder having adaptive mechanism for assuring dependable automatic operation when the stack of sheets to be fed consists of sheets having varying thicknesses and weights. In a sheet feeder having pickers to move a document from the top of a stack of sheets supported by a moveable table to a feed-in position, the latter possibly including a vacuum belt for moving the document, sensors supply signals to indicate a sheet has been picked. After moving the pickers and table to initial positions, the controller moves the picker to a predetermined reference position. If a sheet is picked above or below the predetermined initial position, the position of the table is adjusted accordingly.

Abstract: In order to achieve a mechanical retraction of piles in a sheet feeding apparatus with a lifting table, the lifting table can be lowered to the level of the floor and serves to take up, one at a time, a pile supporting surface loaded with a pile of sheets. Each of the pile supporting surfaces is in the form of a mobile carriage and there is a carriage retracting mechanism with a tugging device which is located on the floor. The tugging device has a reversible driving device, bridges a distance of at least one length of a carriage, is situated outside the surface area of the lifting table, and has at least one dog able to engage and disengage by the lifting or respectively lowering motion of the lifting table, with a coupling element. The coupling element has edges of contact parallel to the lifting or respectively lowering direction of the lifting table, is fixed to the carriage, and projects over the surface area of the lifting table when the carriage is on the lifting table.

Abstract: A sheet feeder for rotary printing machines having a horizontally movable support for a sheet pile, stops for laterally adjusting the sheet pile and vertically disposed guide rails in a forward region of the sheet pile for engaging the leading edge of the sheets, includes a device for mounting the guide rails so that they are freely movable laterally, and automatically follow a movement of the sheet pile.

Abstract: To maintain a sufficient stock of blanks (10) in packaging machines, especially for hinge-lid packs to receive cigarettes, there is a magazine (11) with a plurality of magazine shafts (13, 14, 15), from which a stock of blanks (16) is extracted successively in the region of an extraction station (12). A residual stock (23) of blanks is constantly maintained in the extraction station (12), while the magazine (11) is displaced after a magazine shaft (13, 14, 15) has been emptied.

Abstract: A modular sheet feeding apparatus for connection to a copying machine is disclosed in which a series of tables are mounted as a group and individually positioned for sheet feeding into a copier main frame. The modular apparatus can either include its own feed rolls for each table or use one feed roll that is mounted within the main frame to be moved into and out of sheet feeding position.

Abstract: An apparatus in which successive flexible sheets are advanced from a stack. The stack of sheets are held in a substantially vertical orientation. Successive outermost sheets from one side of the stack are fed, in seriatim in a direction substantially opposed to the direction of the gravitational force exerted thereon. The stack of sheets is moved toward a sheet feeder so as to position successive outermost sheets of one side thereof in a feeding relationship therewith. In addition, the stack holder moves from an operative position, in which the sheets are in a sheet feeding relationship, to an inoperative position for loading a new stack therein.

Abstract: A sheet-feeding device for feeding individual sheets to the platen of an office machine is supported on top of the office machine by means of a contact section or sections engaging the shaft of the platen. The lower extremity of the contact section is laterally displaced from the plane of the sidewall of the sheet-feeding device to facilitate the adaptation of the sheet-feeding device to different widths of office machines.

Abstract: A bank note processing machine has at least one cassette in which feed rollers and a gate gap is provided to enable conveying of bank notes. When the cassette is placed outside the machine, the feed rollers are locked. When the cassette is loaded in the main body of the machine, the lock is released. The feed rollers provided in the cassette 2 are driven by one driving system while first and second bank note conveying system in the cassette and the main body are driven by the other driving system.

Abstract: A line printer including a paper feeder channel disposed in the housing for the acceptance and feed of a recording medium to be printed is provided with an auxiliary paper feeder positionable on the paper feeder channel, whereby the auxiliary paper feeder is pivotally secured to the printer via a pivot pin. The pivot pin attachment contains a height adjustment device which lowers the auxiliary paper feeder over the paper feeder channel in its pivoted-in condition such that the feeder is aligned with respect to the channel and is supported on the printer.

Abstract: A cassette for use with a cash dispensing machine having a picker assembly including first and second pickers, for example, for picking bills from the cassette when the cassette is placed into operative engagement with the cash dispensing machine. The cassette is used to receive a stack of bills having a front end and a rear end, with the cassette having a dispensing end which is positioned next to the picker assembly. The cassette utilizes first and second resilient pushers that are aligned with the first and second pickers to move the stack of bills towards the dispensing end. Each of the first and second resilient pushers includes a ball and socket joint which enable the pushers to conform to the rear end of the stack and thereby obviate a current "wedging" problem associated with cassettes.

Abstract: A paper feeding apparatus for a printing device, comprising a rotational shaft connected through a one way spring clutch to a forward and reverse rotatable driving motor supported by the printing device, feed rollers mounted on the rotational shaft so as to be in pressure contact with the uppermost surface of pieces of printing paper stacked on a holder table, and a coil spring wound around the rotational shaft and supported at one end thereof by a frame for preventing the rotation in the other direction of the rotational shaft induced by the reverse rotation of the driving motor. The holder table is supported by the frame pivotally through an adjusting means utilizing an eccentric shaft.

Abstract: A paper feeding system for a copying apparatus has an auxiliary paper feeding unit which feeds paper to a photocopying member over a longer path than that of a primary paper feeding unit. The paper feeding system is provided with a drawing-out roller for feeding paper from the auxiliary unit to a stand-by position which is provided with a pair of auxiliary paper feeding rollers, for feeding paper from the stand-by position into the copying apparatus, and a detector for detecting paper at the stand-by position. When no paper is detected at the stand-by position, a signal is provided to the drawing-out roller to feed another paper from the auxiliary unit to the stand-by position. The stand-by position is selected so that the length of the paper feeding path from the stand-by position to the photocopying member is about equal to the path from the primary paper feeding unit.

Abstract: A universal paper feed cassette wherein the position of a slidable guide plate for stopping the recording paper to be loaded is detected by a detecting device, so that the size of recording paper can be detected.

Abstract: In apparatus for dispensing documents of value for example banknotes, a cassette (10) preloaded with a stack of banknotes is movable along a predetermined path into the dispenser housing up to a feed position; the cassette includes a shutter (18) for closing a feed aperture (22) through which banknotes can be extracted for dispensing. The dispenser housing has a stop member (40) movable by a cam (30) on the cassette to cause a shutter-actuating member (42), coupled to the stop member, to enter a recess (26) in the shutter (18) whereby during further movement of the cassette up to the document feed position the shutter is moved from its closed position to its open position. The relative position of the cam on the cassette and the stop member is such that if because the shutter is already open the shutter-actuating member (42) is prevented from entering the recess, further movement of the cassette into the housing is blocked by the continued engagement of the stop member (40) and the cam (30).

Abstract: To permit attachment of a single-sheet feeding and separating unit to various types and variously dimensioned office machines of different manufacturers, the sheet-feeding and guiding unit (1) is releasably attached (11, 17; 23) to a connecting frame (2) which is made specifically adapted to match a specific type model or manufacture of office machine (3). The frame (2) has a positive engagement latch (FIG.

Abstract: This invention relates to sheet feeding apparatus including a cassette for holding a stack of sheets. It is known to provide in the cassette a lip or spring extending into the space in front of the stack, so that when a suction feeder acts on the front sheet to swing it through an arc and introduces it leading end into the nip of a pair of rollers, the leading end is momentarily retarded by the lip of spring. This has the effect of reducing the number of double feeds. In the present invention, the degree to which the lip or spring extends into the space in front of the stack of sheets is adjusted as the cassette is inserted into the apparatus by a control device which is set in accordance with the required rate of feed of the sheets.

Abstract: A sheet supply receptacle is disclosed which permits the operator to prepare many reams of sheets of paper for use in a very high speed copier/duplicator. The receptacle, when pre-loaded with reams of paper, is adapted to be applied to the sheet supply apparatus of the copier/duplicator, to deposit the reams on the sheet supply tray or elevator for the copier/duplicator in proper sheet feeding registration and alignment, and be removed from the sheet supply apparatus to be reloaded again for another loading operation.

Abstract: A sheet feeding cassette latching system for latching on to a main body of a copying apparatus and the like a sheet feeding cassette including a sheet support plate for supporting a stack of sheets thereon, and an upper cover capable of being brought to an open position by flipping upwardly a rearward end thereof even when the cassette is in a latched position. When the cassette is in the latched position, the sheet support plate is moved upwardly by a lifter to bring a sheet pickup roller into pressing engagement with the uppermost sheet of the stack of sheets on the sheet support plate to feed one sheet after another to a copying station. The sheet feeding cassette is inserted into and withdrawn from the main body in a tilting position in which a rearward end thereof is located in a higher level than when the cassette is in the latched position.

Abstract: A dispensing arrangement for dispensing advertising coupons in their folded state into containers having upstanding reinforcing ribs adjoined by respective depressions on those portions thereof onto which the coupons are to be dispensed includes a chute that bounds a downwardly sloping channel for accomodating a stack of the coupons in substantially vertical orientations, a pusher element which presses the stack against a transverse wall delimiting the channel at its dispensing end, a withdrawing roller which withdraws the foremost of the folded coupons in the stack, and a pair of advancing rollers which advance the withdrawn coupon and discharge the same into the depression of the respective container next to the upstanding reinforcing rib. The chute is advantageously a removable separate component of the arrangement, which is clipped on the body of the dispensing arrangement and whose walls can be moved relative to one another to adjust the width of the channel.

Abstract: A paper feeding device comprises a paper feeding member feeding out paper from a cassette on a stand, and a lifting member for lifting the paper loaded on a bottom plate of the cassette against the paper feeding member. The improvement includes a driving system having a first spring clutch and a locking member deterring the spring clutch which is operated by a paper feeding command, a lift-operating member coupled with the locking member and including a second spring clutch engaged with the driving system, and an energizing member connected between the lift-operating member and the lifting member for providing a lifting force to the lifting member only during operation of the lift-operating member during paper feeding.

Abstract: A sheet item reloader-feeder wherein a pivoted item receiving tray is arcuately-angularly movable from a load position in which the tray is empty to a feed position in which the tray is full. A coiled spring biases the item tray vertically to bring the top most sheet item into the nip of a feeding device. A cable connected to the tray is interconnected to an over-center spring biased cam and an external tray handle whereby movement of the handle causes the tray to automatically move against the tension of the biasing spring from the empty position to the loaded position bring the top most sheet item into the nip of the feeding device for automatic feeding. Two such reloader-feeder devices are stacked in vertical offset relation to one another permitting operator reloading during feeding without stopping the operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device for an electrophotographic copying machine and the like has a flapping up member which protrudes through the bottom of a sheet feeding cassette to bring the sheets thereon into contact with a sheet feeding roller. The flapping up member is moved by a driven lever which is in turn moved by a low-tension biasing member in the direction of flapping the bottom plate up upon receipt of a sheet feeding commencement signal. A restrain member energized by a high-tension biasing member is provided to restrain the flapping up member to the retreated position upon termination of the sheet feeding commencing signal whereby the sheet feeding cassette is not affected by any resistance at the time of insertion or removal of the cassette and the bottom plate of the cassette is automatically flapped up only while sheet feeding is being operated.

Abstract: A mechanism for transporting and positioning printing plates in a processing unit comprising a plate holder for storing printing plates which are to be transported to an exposure table, said plate holder being pivotable between a horizontal position and a vertical position and abutting a pair of roller guides when it is in its vertical position, a horizontally displaceable suction means for grasping the foremost printing plate of a supply of plates in the plate holder by its uncoated reverse side, and for transporting the printing plate to a position above a gripping device, and opposed positioning means arranged above this gripping device, at least one of these positioning means being displaceable toward the other to position and maintain a printing plate in a predetermined desired position.

Abstract: A loader for feeding signatures into a generally vertically extending pocket in which the signatures are supported on a folded edge and from which signatures are fed by a feed mechanism, such as through a signature inserter, to a saddle of a saddle gathering machine, wherein a generally horizontally oriented hopper is located between a first feeding mechanism from a supply station and a second feeding mechanism to the pocket, a quickly detachable coupling arrangement is provided for forming the pocket with the loader, and the second feeding mechanism includes an adjustably mounted vacuum manifold and perforated stripper belts for moving signatures in a shingled stream into said pocket.

Abstract: A document feeder for advancing original documents to the exposure platen of an electrophotographic copier which is capable of operating in either a semiautomatic or fully automatic mode. In the semiautomatic mode, an original to be copied is manually inserted face up into an inlet where it is engaged by the semiautomatic transport assembly inverted and advances to a proper position for copying. After exposure the document is again inverted and guided into a receiving tray overlying the platen. In the automatic mode of operation, a second tray normally maintained in an inoperative position is swung down to a position at which its feed end is adjacent the feeder inlet. Documents to be copied are placed face up as a stack in the second tray, and feed rollers carried by the tray are actuated to advance documents individually from the stack to the inlet.

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 synchronzied relationship. This is accomplished by a power take-off from the copy machine with which the improved magazine is beng 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 copying apparatus provided with a cassette-type paper feeding mechanism. The paper feeding mechanism includes a cassette-receiving section disposed at an upstream end of a paper transfer passage defined within a housing and a copying paper cassette to be mounted to the cassette-receiving section through an opening formed in a side wall of the housing and is constructed such that when the paper cassette is inserted into the cassette-receiving section through the opening of the housing to set it at an inoperative position and further moved in a predetermined direction to set it at an operative position, a paper feeding member provided in the cassette-receiving section acts on a copying paper in the paper cassette to render it ready for feeding into the paper transfer passage. A pair of paper transfer rollers are provided at that position of the paper transfer passage which is in proximity to the cassette-receiving section, and at least one of these transfer rollers is mounted movably relative to the other.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for transporting printing plates, having one coated and one uncoated surface, stacked in a holder to an exposure and developing station and for positioning them, comprising a holder for holding a plurality of printing plates stacked in alternating relationship with a plurality of separating sheets and a device for selectively positioning the holder substantially perpendicularly to the direction of transport of the printing plates so that the uncoated surface of each printing plate faces toward the direction of transport. A suction device engages the uncoated side of the first printing plate from the stack in the holder, and a device, movable horizontally in the direction of transport, is provided for transporting the suction device between a first position adjacent to the holder and a second position displaced from the first position in the direction of transport, to withdraw the engaged printing plate from the stack.

Abstract: A loader for signatures, loose sheets, gathered sheets and the like, in particular for collating, pamphletizing, stitching and similar bookbinding machines, which can be moved in an automated manner with respect to the bookbinding machine when switching from one size format of the signatures or the like to another. The loader comprises a frame carried in a displaceable fashion by a fixed base, preferably through rolling bearings. The displacement is accomplished by means of an electric motor associated with a threaded rod cooperating with a nut attached to the movable frame of the loader.

Abstract: A hinged-cover holder receives a film storing magazine. A cavity with an upward opening is positioned below the magazine holder. The cavity also has an exit opening with a light-tight closure mechanism. A planar slide is between the magazine and the cavity and when it is moved from between them it opens both the magazine and the cavity in a light-tight manner so that a stack of film sheets in the magazine falls into the cavity. Transport consists of a stacking arm which pushes the film stack against a separate knife and a downward pressing arm which pushes the film stack toward a powered roller beneath the cavity, which is spaced from the separator knife by about the thickness of a film sheet. Rotation of the roller moves the lower-most film sheet between the roller and the separator knife and through the light-tight exit closure.

Abstract: A device for the feeding of single sheets, for example letterheads, to a xerographic copier instead of the paper supply from a roll. The device is located on a slide-in unit (1) and comprises an exchangeable cassette (4) which holds the supply stack (7). The base of the cassette (6) is tiltable and spring loaded so that the top sheet rests against two friction rollers (10) located above the supply stack (7). The rotation of the friction rollers (10) results in a separation of the sheets of paper by the corner-separators (13). Thereafter, the sheet of paper enters between sets of transport rollers (18, 19), which are magnetically pressed together, and then the sheet is taken over by the feed advance members of the copying apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating and individually transporting flexible sheets from a stack to at least one processing unit wherein one stack edge is compressed and the topmost sheet is picked-up by pick-up heads at its edge situated at the compressed stack edge, the engaged edge is lifted from the stack, and the lifted edge is gripped by horizontally moving removal elements which remove the partially lifted sheet from under the pick-up heads and carry it away in a horizontal direction at least beyond the pick-up zone whereby the sheet is progressively turned and rolled off the stack and transported to a registering mechanism where the sheet is oriented in a predetermined position for feeding to the processing unit.

Abstract: A sheet feeder support assembly is disclosed which is utilized to hold a sheet feeder in a raised position from its normal resting position on the printer without the requirement of any actual modifications to either the sheet feeder or the printer.

Abstract: An original pay-off device comprising an original supplying tray a pay-off roller, and a drive control means for lowering the original supplying tray away from the pay-off roller when originals are loaded on the original supplying tray, and lifting the original supplying tray into contact with the pay-off roller when the originals are payed off. The supplying tray is provided such that the whole or a part of the original supplying tray can be vertically moved or oscillated with respect to a roller for use in paying off originals. The pay-off roller is positioned with its circumferential surface within the range of displacement of the original supplying tray and which is rotated always or when the originals loaded on the original supplying tray are payed off.

Abstract: A sheet feeder for feeding a single sheet from a stack of sheets by using a rotating cylindrical feed roller having a truncatel portion spaced away from the stack and a full diameter portion able to contact the stack whenever it is lifted by a lifting arm, which is pivoting in a timed relationship to the feed roller. This device simplifies sheet timing and eliminates the need for a constant biasing of the stack against a feeding member.

Abstract: A paper cassette for storing two different lengths of paper sheets. The cassette comprises a rear panel, a pair of side panels extending forward from the rear panel, a front panel operatively connected to the pair of side panels, a bottom panel extending between the bottom of the side panels from the bottom of the rear panel about three quarters of the distance toward the bottom of the front panel, and a top panel extending between the top of the side panels from the top of the rear panel about three quarters of the distance toward the top of the front panel.

Abstract: In a machine for counting the number of sheets by bringing a stack of sheets in turn into abutment against a plurality of rotating suction heads, which are adapted to attract the sheets and deflect them one after another away from the remaining stack of sheets, an apparatus for holding the stack of sheets and adjusting the pressing force under which the stack of sheets is brought into abutment against the suction heads. The apparatus has a rotatable holder and a rotatable support rod for holding therebetween the stack of sheets. Associated with the holder and the support rod are two springs which present different tensile forces in opposite directions with respect to the holder and the support rod so that the pressing force may be determined by the effect of the tensile force difference between the tensile forces of the two springs.

Abstract: A bank note holding method for a counting machine which counts bank notes or the like. These bank notes are placed upon a holder and are clamped with a keep rod. The bank notes thus placed and clamped are forced into abutment contact with a plurality of suction cylinders, which are made operable to make planetary movements, so that they may be sucked and separated one by one by the suction cylinders, thus accomplishing counting operation. For this purpose, the bank notes are arranged uniformly on the holder, and then the keep rod is moved toward the holder by depressing a push button so that the bank notes may be forced into contact with and held upon the holder. The push button is then released so that the holder may be moved to its counting position thereby to start the counting operation. After this operation, the holder and the keep rod are returned to their respective initial positions.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying sheets of paper to the printing platen of an office machine, for example a typewriter or bookkeeping machine. The paper is held in a stack within a removable cassette which can be placed in substantially vertical position into a cassette holder. The cassette is locked in the cassette holder by a slight rearward rotation which causes the engagement of a locking bar with suitable recesses in the cassette. When rotated into the operative position, a spring-loaded pressure plate urges the paper stack against a rotating separating roller which transports the top sheet from the stack in the direction of the printing platen of the office machine. The cassette also includes top sheet separating tabs which hold the corners of the top sheet for a limited time after the separating roller has begun the transport of the sheet, whereafter the top sheet snaps out of position.

Abstract: A paper sheet storage box adapted to be removably set in a paper sheet dispenser such as an automatic cash vending machine or a money changing machine. The paper sheet storage box includes a front cover hinged to its leading side and a pair of cam forming lands and a pair of rollers for opening the front cover, when the storage box is inserted into the dispenser for the purpose of being set therein, and for closing the front cover when the storage box is removed from the dispenser. The storage box further includes a retaining pawl and a retaining mechanism for retaining the front cover in a locked condition when the latter is closed. Further inclusive in the storage box is a retaining pin mounted on one side wall of the storage box and an auxiliary engagement member having elasticity.

Abstract: A portable cartridge and mounting apparatus includes, within the cartridge, a document separator, a stack follower, a double document restraint, and a three position lock and latch mechanism for selectively locking the cartridge cover and the issue slot. The mounting includes first and second drives for operating the separator and restraint mechanisms to issue individual documents through the issue slot. The mounting and cartridge are keyed to detect that a cartridge containing a predetermined denomination is properly mounted with the issue slot open to enable the drive mechanisms. A sensor is provided to detect a cash out condition to inhibit operation of the drives.

Abstract: In a copier, copy sheet handling apparatus is provided which includes a pair of feed rollers spaced apart from each other, and a copy sheet tray which extends substantially transversely through a plane which, in turn, extends midway between the feed rollers. Further, the copy sheet handling apparatus includes structure for swivelably supporting the tray in the aforesaid plane; and instrumentalities cooperative with the supporting structure for applying a resilient force to the tray substantially in the aforesaid plane to move the tray toward the feed rollers for disposition of a copy sheet into engagement with the feed rollers, whereby the force is substantially equally distributed between the feed rollers.

Abstract: A system for processing and finishing stained glass slides includes a staining rack for receiving stained slides and including a device for discharging the stained slides therefrom, a conveyor for receiving the discharged stained slides from the staining rack, and for transporting the stained slides in a direction away from the staining rack; and a slide finishing station cooperating with the conveyor. The slide finishing station includes a device for depositing glue onto the stained slide; the stained slide carries the glue, and a device is provided for applying a cover glass to the glue-carrying slide.

Abstract: A note counting device includes cam grooves provided on side plates thereof. A front lid is pivoted to a note storage box for opening or closing a front opening of the box and has projections adapted to engage the cam grooves upon attachment of the box to the note counting device. During movement of the note storage box along guide means of the note counting device, the front lid is first unlocked and the projections are then displaced by the cam grooves to swing the front lid about the pivot to an opened position.

Abstract: An electrophotographic copier having a cut sheet, two-bin, paper feed module which is selectively secured in copier-operative position, whereat it is operable to feed sheets to the copier's paper aligner and transfer station, or is removable to a copier-inoperative position whereat the module remains operative to feed sheets for the purpose of examination, analysis, and/or repair and maintenance of the paper feed module.

Abstract: A feeding device comprises a plurality of cassettes capable of supporting thereon copy mediums, a cassette cradle for holding the cassettes in an operatively associated relationship with one another, feed means for feeding the copy mediums, control means for controlling the feed means to intermittently feed the copy mediums, and means for selectively displacing the cassette cradle to at least two positions to selectively locate at least one of the cassettes at a position where it may be acted on by the feed means, whereby copy mediums may be fed from one of the cassettes.