Abstract: A paper feeding device of an image forming apparatus having a paper feeding roller for feeding, one by one, paper pieces stacked in a paper feeding tray. Disposed at the main body of the image forming apparatus are (i) a placing member on which the stacked paper pieces are placed such that the tips thereof are ready for feeding, (ii) a biasing member for upwardly biasing the placing member, (iii) a pair of pawl members for separating, one by one, the stacked paper pieces, and (iv) a pushing-down member for pushing down the placing member as necessary. Against the biasing member, the pushing-down member pushes down the placing member, thus forming a space for setting the paper pieces between the placing member and the pawl members. The stacked paper pieces are inserted into the space through a paper feeding opening. When the pushing-down operation of the pushing-down member is released, the biasing member causes the placing member to be pushed up.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet feeding apparatus including a sheet supporting device for supporting sheets, more than one rotary sheet supply device for feeding out the sheets from the sheet supporting device, a separating device for separating the sheets by regulating a front corner of a sheet to be fed out by the rotary sheet supply device, wherein the rotary sheet supply device closest to the separating device as a greater sheet feeding force than the other rotary sheet supply device.

Abstract: A single sheet supplier from a plurality of sheets inserted to reach a pair of inclined corner tabs past a resiliently restrained and under a roller. The roller is selectively rotated to force a paper sheet in contact therewith past the pair of inclined corner tabs which partially and temporarily block the progress of the sheet corners thereby causing them initially to buckle and then snap forward to separate the sheet engaged by the rollers from the remainder of the stack.

Abstract: A paper disjointing device employable for a paper feeding unit such as a paper feeding cassette or the like serves to individually disjoint papers from each other without an occurrence of malfunction that one corner of each paper is delivered ahead of the other corner of the same. To cope of a size of each paper to be delivered, papers received in the paper feeding unit are normally squeezed toward one side wall of the paper feeding unit by a movable side guide slidably mounted on a bottom plate of the paper feeding unit. The paper disjointing device includes a first snubber on the movable side and a second snubber on the stationary side. The first snubber is turnably mounted on the movable side guide so as to depress one corner of each paper, and has a comparatively light weight. The first snubber is normally turnably biased to generate a depressing force via a pawl member disposed at the foremost end thereof.

Abstract: A device is described for automatically dispensing single sheets and the like, especially to an office machine. The device has a magazine in which stacks of single sheets can be inserted in freely selectable quantities and with freely selectable storage volume. A separating device is movable and positionable under control over the entire length of magazine in front of the ends of stacks. Stacks are immovably arranged in the magazine. The separating device engages between stacks and can be activated between stacks in order to pull one sheet off the selected stack and feed it to the office machine by transport means.

Abstract: A dual bin paper feed tray is removably insertable into the standard height tray-receiving housing opening of an image reproduction machine such as a printer or copier. The tray has adjacent front and rear paper holding bin areas each configured to hold a stack of approximately 250 cut paper sheets, the overall tray thus being adapted to hold the entire contents of a standard one ream package of cut paper sheets. In operation, the loaded tray is inserted, front end first, into the housing opening and the machine's paper feed system operates to sequentially feed paper sheets from the front tray bin into the machine. When the machine's paper sensing system detects that the front bin has been emptied, a shift structure incorporating a motor-driven gear train and associated cam/follower apparatus is automatically operated to move the rear paper stack into the front tray bin for infeed to the machine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet feeding apparatus having a support on which sheets are supported in a sheet stack, at least one separating claw arranged adjacent a corner of a front end of the sheet stack supported on the support and having a pawl portion for pressing down an upper surface of the sheet stack and an abutment portion against which the front end of the sheet stack is abutted, a slit provided between the pawl portion and the abutment portion of the support for permitting the passage of only one sheet having a predetermined thickness, a guide for selectively positioning lateral edges of the sheet stack supported on the support between a first position where an uppermost sheet on the sheet stack can pass through the slit and a second position where the uppermost sheet is blocked by the separating claw, and a supply mechanism for feeding the sheet stacked on the support.

Abstract: An apparatus for manually sending a sheet of paper to the sheet handling machine (i.e., a feeding mechanism inside of a copying machine or printer) equipped with an automatic sheet-feeding cassette. The sheet sending apparatus is composed of an upper chute and a lower chute articulated by gears. When the apparatus is used, the chutes make a flat angle to smoothly pass a sheet to the feed roller and the lower chute press down the stacked sheets of the sheet cassette. When the apparatus is not used, the chutes rotate and the lower chute leaves the feed roller. A sheet guide is attached at the lower end of the lower chute to prevent the sheet sliding on the chutes from falling in the sheet cassette, and the parts of the sheet guide corresponding to the separator of the sheet cassette is removed to allow natural flipping action of the sheet when the sheet is drawn out of the sheet cassette.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device for automatically feeding sheet paper from a cassette or feeding one sheet of paper at a time as the sheets are inserted into an insertion guide. The paper is fed in the automatic feed mode by bringing the stacked paper and a rotating sheet feeding roller into contact with one another. When the manual feed mode is selected, the stacked paper and the rotating roller are separated. A sheet of paper placed in the insertion guide is fed to a contact point between the sheet feeding rollers, now rotating counter to the rotational direction during automatic sheet feeding, and an opposing pressure rollers.

Abstract: A cut sheet loading device in a cut sheet holding and containing device used in a recording apparatus such as a printer or a copying apparatus. The cut sheet holding and containing device has an intermediate plate supported for vertical movement for loading and holding cut sheets thereon, a separating pawl provided so as to bear against the leading end of the cut sheets loaded on the intermediate plate for separating the cut sheets one by one, and an openable-closable cover covering the cut sheets loaded on the intermediate plate. The cut sheets are loaded onto the intermediate plate with the rear side of the openable-closable cover being opened.

Abstract: A sheet feeder for feeding thin sheets is adapted to the feeding of thick sheets by a thick sheet feeding attachment having a pair of slits separated by a distance smaller than the distance between pawls used for separating thin sheets, thereby disabling the separating function of the pawls.

Abstract: In the paper feed mechanism disclosed herein, a pick roller is journaled in a swing member which is pivoted on a horizontal drive shaft extending across the paper path. The periphery of the pick roller frictionally engages the drive shaft and the swing mechanism depends from the drive shaft through a friction fit. When the drive shaft is rotated in the appropriate direction, the pick roller is swung, due to the frictional fit, against the front sheet of a paper pack and continued rotation of the shaft drives the pick roller into wedging engagement with the sheet, causing the sheet to advance and separate from the pack.

Abstract: A single sheet paper dispenser having a tray to hold a stack of paper and a drive assembly which operates as the top sheet of the stack is manually withdrawn to move another single sheet of paper into a feed position whereby it is partly projecting through the open dispensing side of the tray. The dispenser may be used in either a horizontal or a vertical position.

Abstract: A sheet feeding mechanism for feeding individual sheets of material, such as for example microfiche folders, is disclosed which includes a tray mounted in a frame and having a pivoted bottom wall. A pair of sheet retaining claws are pivotally mounted on the tray and positioned at the corners thereof at the front of the open front edge of the tray to normally block movement of the sheet in a stack supported on the bottom wall from moving forwardly out of the tray. The bottom wall is spring biased upwardly, and an advancing device is provided for advancing individual sheets from the top of the stack. The advancing device includes a rotating cam having a sector shape enlargement formed thereon for engaging the top sheet of the stack as the cam rotates. The enlargement urges the stack downwardly against the spring bias on the pivoted bottom wall while also urging the top sheet in the stack in the direction of the rotation of the cam.

Abstract: A paper feed apparatus includes, in a cassette, a separation plate mounted upright so that it is positioned close to a feed roller slightly forward thereof in the direction of paper feed, and an upper guide plate mounted so that it is positioned above a stack of papers being fed and at a level about even with the upper end of the separation plate when the forward end of the upper guide plate is pivotably moved downward. A guide plate, the position of which is adjustable according to the size of papers, partially guides the papers at one side thereof as seen in paper feed direction.

Abstract: There is disclosed an envelope hopper for attachment to a printer requiring envelopes. Spring members provided with adjustable throats for permitting passage of a single envelope are biased downward against the upward force of the supply stack for compensating for changes in relative position of the uppermost envelope and the throats during separation from the stack.

Abstract: A paper feeding device for a copier or the like enables reliable feeding of thicker paper products by providing at least one pivotable holding arm carrying a paper pressing member and a contacted adjacent elastic member. The feeding of the topmost paper effects deformation of the elastic member until a gap is formed sufficient to pass one sheet, following which the sheet is advanced. Further sheets are prevented from being passed together with the first sheet by the size of the gap and frictional resistance. The elastic member may be formed of an elastomer such as natural rubber and may include an upper hollow defining a contact surface of arcuate shape.

Abstract: Single sheet feeding from a stack is provided by placing the stack onto flat bars defining a stack bottom and being part of a pivotable frame. That frame includes holddown fingers engaging the top sheet at its front edges, and, two separating rollers are provided laterally offset and at a higher level; the rollers are reversibly driven to pull the top sheet out from under the fingers, and upon reversing the rollers slide that sheet towards a platen drum being selectively drivingly coupled to the separating rollers.

Abstract: A paper feed device includes a paper cassette with separating pawls which can be detachably mounted on the paper feed section of an apparatus body. The separating pawls are retractable out of a sheet-separating position in response to detachment of the cassette from the paper feed section, and positionable into a sheet-separating position in response to mounting of the cassette on the paper feed section.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sheet feeder for supplying single sheets of paper to a printer's paper feeding mechanism. The sheet feeder is pivotably mounted so that the paper supply is maintained in contact with a fixed position feed roller. The feed roller is actuated when a sheet of paper is to be fed into the printing mechanism. The sheet feeder's pivot point is chosen to provide constant feed pressure to the paper supply regardless of the size of the remaining paper supply.

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 printer with improved integral automated cut sheet feeding apparatus including a hopper (10) adapted to attach to bearing members on sheet picker roller (22), shaft (20), hopper (10) also including an upwardly biased sheet floor (58) being adapted to slidingly engage dual function corner restraint members (66) and to cooperate therewith to limit the stack size and reliably feed a single sheet properly oriented without requiring additional alignment means.

Abstract: A device for feeding, sheet by sheet, a plurality of stacked sheets of paper cut in a predetermined size into an image forming apparatus such as, for example, a reproduction apparatus, a printing machine, and so forth, which is constructed with a stacking table to receive thereon a plurality of sheets of paper cut in size, pawls for separating the stacked sheets cut in size and mounted on the stacking table, feeding device to feed the cut sheet stacked on the stacking table, and a warp regulating member provided on a fixed member to regulate warping of the cut sheet by contacting thereto when such warping is formed in the sheet between the feeding device and the separation pawls.

Abstract: A paper feed device for a copying machine has plate member for supporting a stack of sheets thereon, and separating pawls turnably supported for movement toward and away from the top sheet of the stack and for lightly pressing on each of the forward end corners of the stack when moved toward the stack to the limit of turning movement. The mounting structure for the separating pawls causes them to be displaced in a direction laterally away from the edge of the stack during the turning of the pawls away from the stack to a lifted position.

Abstract: A removable paper cassette for feeding different lengths of cut paper sheets seriatim to a machine operatively associated with the cassette. The cassette includes a chutelike base having a bottom panel, and a pair of sidewalls contiguous with the front wall and extending only along a portion of the bottom panel. The cassette further includes an upwardly biased paper elevating plate pivotably secured at its rearward section to the base, the plate having a pair of detents situated in the forward section thereof adjacent the sidewalls, and a cassette cover pivotably secured to the sidewalls of the base. The cover includes a pair of inwardly projecting camming fingers integral therewith, one on each side of the forward section thereof. The detents engage the fingers when the cover is raised to the open position whereby the cover is held in the open position and the elevating pate is maintained in a depressed position ready for paper loading.

Abstract: A stack of sheets (59) are placed on a movable bottom plate (53) of a cassette (52) and aligned with a leading edge and a side edge of the cassette (52). A corner separator (66) is provided at the corner of the leading and side edges. The bottom plate (53) is raised so that the top sheet (59) engages with a single feed roller (61) which is disposed adjacent to the corner separator (66). A skew preventing roller (68) engages with the top sheet (59) upstream of the feed roller (61)in a feed direction of the sheet (59). A manual lever (88) is provided to move the skew preventing roller (68) and an arm (56) for raising the bottom plate (53) clear of the cassette (52) for the purpose of detaching or inserting the cassette (52) in a frame (94). In a released position of the lever (88), a portion (122) of the lever ( 88) blocks insertion and detachment of the cassette (52) while the skew preventing roller (68) and raising arm (56) are in operative positions.

Abstract: An extra sheet feeder in a copying machine includes a positioning member associated with an extra sheet which is to be located in substantial alignment with the leading edge of normal copy sheets disposed in a stack within an associated container of the machine, in a path formed above the stack and along which an extra sheet is inserted. A simple operation of causing one side or the leading edge of the extra sheet to abut against the positioning member permits an extra sheet to be loaded in place and fed using the usual feed mechanism.

Abstract: A copy sheet retaining cassette having a cutout or gate substantially centrally defined in each side wall of the cassette is further provided with a reinforcing plate pivotally mounted at a forward portion of each side wall. As the cassette is inserted into the interior of a copying machine, each reinforcing plate is moved to a substantially horizontal position at which it bridges the gate defined in the respective side wall so as to reinforce the cassette structure. A cassette holding piece carried on each reinforcing member operatively engages a cooperating machine member to stabilize the loaded cassette within the machine interior, and further carries an elastic member for engagement with the topmost ones of the copy sheets stacked in the cassette to prevent skewed feeding of the topmost sheet therefrom.

Abstract: A large capacity sheet delivery apparatus mounted on a photocopier has an upwardly biased, horizontal stack plate and movable feed rollers, rotated by a drive in the photocopier, that continue to engage the top sheet of the stack as the feed position of the top sheet lowers due to removal of sheets from the stack. A sheet stripping mechanism engages the feed roller assembly and is movable with it. The horizontal plate has linear bearings mounted on its rear edge for sliding on a pair of vertical rods.

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: A sheet feeding method is disclosed that provides two feed strokes for each feed cycle. Each sheet may be fed during the first stroke. In the event, however, that the sheet fails to feed during this first stroke, the second stroke of the cycle will enable the sheet to be fed. The sheet feeding device comprises an over-head feed roller that is biased into contact with the top sheet of a stack of sheets. The feed roller has forward courses and a backward course of travel during each feed cycle.

Abstract: A photocopier tray cassette lift plate is lockable against the upward bias of its springs by a tab extending down to engage a lower latch member mounted to the tray base. The lower latch member is spring biased toward a position in which it may engage the tab, and is movable toward a disengaging position by a forwardly projecting surface that engages the photocopier frame upon insertion of the tray.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for separating sheets from a stack of sheets, comprising a base for supporting the stack of sheets; a bar extending transversely along one edge of the stack of sheets; two members attached to the bar at a distance from one another corresponding to the width of the sheets for holding down the corners of the sheets; and two guide elements mounted on the base on opposing sides of the stack of sheets for vertically displaceably receiving the bar and guiding the bar along a vertical path.

Abstract: A sheet holding cassette comprising a box-shaped main body open at its base and closed by a sheet receiving plate pivoted to the main body, means for releasably locking the sheet receiving plate, and means for resiliently locating the uppermost sheet of a stack of sheets charged into the main body at a given position irrespective of change of the number of the sheets.

Abstract: A tray with a ramp plate is insertable into a tray receiving assembly of a photocopier. The assembly includes an opening up through which a lift member is moveable for engaging the bottom of the ramp plate through an opening in the tray bottom when the tray is inserted. A locking bracket is pivotable to a position extending through the assembly opening to engage the bottom of the tray. A locking handle is linked to a shaft carrying the lift roller to hold the lift member in a disengaged position in which it keeps the locking bracket in a disengaged position. The base of the tray includes an elongate projection with a protruding upper surface about which the rear edge of the ramp plate is pivotable.

Abstract: A sheet feed apparatus for use with a copying machine comprising a sheet stacking member for stacking recording sheets thereon, and a pair of sheet feed rollers for feeding the recording sheets one by one, which are arranged coaxially on a driving shaft disposed above the sheet stacking member, and one sheet feed roller is located at an appropriate position and the other sheet feed roller is movable along the driving shaft. The sheet stacking member can take two positions, a sheet feed position and a sheet replenishment position, by sliding the sheet stacking member in and out of the body of the copying machine.

Abstract: In a paper feed device having a storage for storing thereon a pile of paper leaves and a device for feeding the paper leaves piled on the storage, there is provided separating apparatus for separating an uppermost one of the paper leaves to be fed by the feeding device from the other paper leaves and a blower disposed adjacent to the rear end of the piled paper leaves with respect to the direction of the feed thereof for blowing a flow of pressurized fluid in the direction of feed of the paper leaves. The blower is movable for retraction with respect to the rear end of the piled paper leaves.

Abstract: Disclosed is a magazine for holding a stack of sheet materials and being adjustable to accommodate stacks of different size sheet materials, comprising: a base plate; two sliding plates mounted longitudinally displaceably on the base plate; a bottom plate positioned laterally displaceably in spaced relationship above the sliding plates; a cam follower mounted on the side of the bottom plate facing the sliding plates; longitudinal confining means for the stack of sheet materials mounted on one opposing axial end of each of the siding plates; lateral confining means for the stack of sheet materials mounted on at least one lateral side of the bottom plate; and means, including a lever pivoted on the base plate and positioned in the space between the sliding plates and the bottom plate and a cam disk pivoted on the base for rotation with movement of the lever and positioned above the lever in said space so as to engage the camming surface of the cam disk with the cam follower for longitudinally displacing the sli

Abstract: An apparatus for the selective removal of an ultimate sheet of a flexible material from a stack thereof is comprised of a support member for the stack of sheets; a restraining member for applying a restraining force on the stack at one transverse edge thereof; and a pair of pivotal levers disposed adjacent opposing longitudinal edges of the stack, each lever being operatively connected to the restraining member and pivotally connected at first and second movable swivel points on a support member therefor, one swivel point allowing for longitudinal displacement of the lever and the other swivel point allowing for vertical displacement of the lever, in order that the restraining member is capable of being displaced in substantially constant vertical contact with the ultimate sheet in the stack during any subsequent dispensing operations.

Abstract: A sheet feed cassette includes a tray having a pair of corner claws which assume a raised position in the non-feed position of the tray and which move down from the raised position when the tray is placed in its feed position. A receptacle is provided for slidably supporting the sheet tray, and includes a guide member having formed therewith notches which are located opposite to the corner claws. The corner claws have projections which are guided by the guide member, thereby controlling the vertical movement of the corner claws in dependence upon the relative position between the projections and the guide member.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding sheets of paper or the like in succession from the top of a stack of sheets. A member extending over a corner portion of the stack controls a stack elevator mechanism, and co-operates with a vertically movable suction element which pulls a corner portion of the top sheet from beneath the member so as to feed one sheet at a time.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which feeds sheets from a stack one by one separated from each other, the sheets being of the type which are cut to size and placed in a stack on a sheet receptacle. The apparatus comprises: a feed roller for feeding each sheet from the top of the stack, which roller is raised in a direction away from the sheets as each feeding of a sheet from the stack is terminated; drive means for operating the feed roller and control means for the drive means; means for causing the feed roller to move up and down for each feeding operation; and a pair of corner separators disposed at the opposite corners of the front end of the sheet receptacle for vertical movement in following relationship with the vertical movement of the feed roller. The corner separators operate to bear against the corners of the front end of the sheets only during the sheet feeding operation.

Abstract: In a copier, there is provided copy sheet handling apparatus which includes an arrangement of the instrumentalities for aligning the end edges of a stack of copy sheets when the stack is being loaded and for then maintaining alignment of the end edges; and linkage for moving the respective aligning and alignment maintaining instrumentalities in a predetermined sequence to facilitate loading copy sheets in the copier.

Abstract: A sheet feeder for the single feed of sheets from a stack, comprising a first member which moves with a reciprocating motion across the top sheet of the stack, performing a forward stroke from a position of departure to a position of arrival in the direction of feed of the sheets and a return stroke to the position of departure, and a second member which depends pivotably from the first member so as to lean on the top sheet in a direction such that, during the return stroke the second member trails across the top sheet, whereas, in the forward stroke the second member wedges against the top sheet and, during a first part of the forward stroke, sticks to the top sheet and detaches it from the subadjacent sheet of the stack and in the remaining part of the forward stroke advances the top sheet in the direction of feed. The stack is supported in a sheet container having a support plate movable upwardly by a spring biased system of scissors levers.

Abstract: A paper feeder is disclosed comprising a corner separator located on a paper tray on which a plurality of sheets are disposed in a stack and are fed one by one by means of a feed roller. The paper feeder is also provided with a second paper separator which operates, in the event of failure of paper separation by the corner separator to which results in a plurality of sheets being simultaneously fed from the paper tray, to separate the plurality of sheets into single sheets, thus assuring that the sheets are reliably fed into a sheet processing apparatus one by one. The second separator comprises an endless, sheet conveying belt which is disposed above a sheet passageway which connects the paper tray and the sheet processing apparatus, the belt cooperating with a frictional member which is disposed below the sheet passageway in opposing relationship with the sheet conveying belt.

Abstract: Feed mechanism for delivering copy sheets in photocopy machines which comprises a frame, a hopper mounted on said frame and provided on its front edge portion with pin means against which is applied the pile of sheets being fed, mobile plate means for holding said sheets, said mobile means being articulated around a crosswise axis placed plumb to its center of gravity, a counterweight means on said mobile plate means located on the side opposite said pin means, and drive means for disengaging the sheets of paper one by one.

Abstract: In a feed cassette device which comprises a cassette corresponding in size to copy mediums to be contained therein, and a cassette table suited to receive the cassette thereon, the cassette has a positioning guide member and the cassette table has a cassette positioning portion and a member for urging the cassette toward the positioning portion. The feed cassette device also has means for locking the cassette in a predetermined position when it is loaded on the cassette table.

Abstract: A feed cassette for use with copying machines or the like comprises two separate inner plates for supporting thereon a stack of copy mediums. One of the two inner plates is pivotable and the other inner plate is pivotable and normally biased upwardly by spring means to raise the copy mediums at the leading end edge thereof. A side plate serves to position the copy mediums in accordance with the sizes thereof and is slidable with the other inner plate along a guide plate. A limit plate is provided for positioning the copy mediums in accordance with the sizes thereof and is slidable on the other inner plate along a guide plate.

Abstract: A sheet separation device is disclosed for use in a printing press to facilitate the removal of individual paper sheets from a stack to receive printing. The device is employed in cooperation with a supported stack of paper and a contiguous apparatus for lifting sheets from the stack, as for delivery to a printing station. The sheet separation device includes a bracket affixed to the paper supporting structure and defining an elongated spring chamber which extends parallel to the surface of paper in the stack. A torsion or coil spring is affixed to dwell in the spring chamber. A tab is affixed to the spring and incorporates a flat section which extends parallel to the sheets in the stack of paper. The spring-mounted tab permits the withdrawal of a single sheet from the stack, however, impedes the withdrawal of more than one sheet at a time.

Abstract: Improvements in a sheet feed device for a facsimile system for selectively supplying an original copy and a recording sheet to the rotating drum. A cassette adapted to be placed on a cassette table comprises two trays adapted to move relative to each other, one tray for supporting thereon a stack of original copies and the other tray for supporting thereon a stack of recording sheets. One of the two trays is selectively brought to a position in which it is disposed below a friction roller for picking up the uppermost sheet of the stack of original copies or recording sheets. Means is provided for lifting the two trays to bring the uppermost sheet into frictional engagement with the roller.