Abstract: The sorting apparatus detects time intervals between copy papers, detects exchange of a first manuscript to a second manuscript, thereby to memorize a sorting number, and sorts the copy papers with regard to the second and subsequent manuscripts on the basis of said sorting number.

Abstract: A sheet ejector for transporting sheets discharged from a sheet handling apparatus such as electronic copying machine or facsimile machine to a sheet tray is disclosed. The sheet discharged from the sheet handling apparatus is pinched by a movable member which is moved to the sheet tray to transport the sheet therewith and to eject the sheet to the sheet tray.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting a continuously fed web into sheets and for vertically stacking such sheets. The apparatus receives the web between a pair of cutting knives, one of which is periodically rotatable by a motor periodically connected thereto by a pulse fed electrical clutch, and the resulting sheets are conveyed to a vertical stacker by a plurality of laterally spaced conveyor belts driven by the motor. The stacker has a pair of sheet receiving uprights adjustable toward and away from each other and which are mounted on an adjustable stop for engaging the leading edges of the sheets. The stop and the uprights are adjustable in angle with respect to the vertical. A roller below the stack has either crown portions beneath the belt or non-circular portions between pairs of belts to urge the sheets into the stack. Stripping fingers are between pairs of belts for removing the sheets from the belts. To prevent throwing of the sheets, a hold-down roller engages the web adjacent to where it is cut.

Abstract: The specification discloses an operation stand provided to a sheet-fed press.This operation stand has stopper means set up at the end portions of a table surface of the operation stand and adapted to restrict the positions of the longitudinal and lateral edges of paper, a suction means adapted to apply vacuum to said paper through numerous suction holes provided in the table, so as to bring the paper into close contact with and fix the same to the table surface, a detecting means adapted to scan the paper with a detector with reference to guide shafts extending under the table surface in the longitudinal and lateral directions of the paper and detect the positions of the longitudinal and lateral edges of the paper, an arithmetic means for calculating the size of the paper on the basis of the information on the positions of the edges thereof from the detecting means, and a display means for digitally displaying the size of the paper calculated by the arithmetic means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for combining a plurality of serially supplied sheets into a set, depending on markings carried by the sheets and read by a reader, and discharging a set to a further handling station, such as an inserting machine. The leading edge of the first sheet of a set, and successively the remaining part of the sheet, is deflected out of its plane of transport, preferably downwardly and through about 180.degree., into a new plane of transport, in which the sheet is arrested in a flat condition. Each subsequent sheet of a set is similarly deflected and displaced into a position overlying the preceding sheet, and after thus completing the set, it is discharged. At choice, a set can be discharged with the leading edges being the edges that were the trailing edges during the supply of the sheets, or with one of the feed side edges of the sheets in leading position.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an indicium in a stream of moving signatures, consisting of a signature displaced laterally from the stream and corresponding to a predetermined count of signatures, comprises an idler roller mechanism connected with a rotatable idler roller shaft and a series of vacuum heads located adjacent to and downstream of the idler roller mechanism. The vacuum heads are mounted to a vacuum head shaft laterally movable with respect to the signatures. A detector such as a laser detector coupled with a counter is used to actuate the system. When a predetermined count is reached as determined by the detector and counter, the idler roller shaft is caused to rotate to lower the idler roller and the signature corresponding to the count contacts the tops of each vacuum head. Simultaneously, a partial vacuum is formed in the recessed vacuum chamber of each head binding the targeted signature to the heads.

Abstract: A sheet handling apparatus to perform predetermined processes for a recorded sheet comprises: a processor to process a sheet which is output from a sheet output unit; a sensor to detect a carrier speed of the sheet; and a controller to perform predetermined processes on the basis of the sheet carrier speed detected by the sensor and sheet carrier speed data transmitted from the sheet output unit. The processor has a carrier to carry the sheet output from the sheet output unit and then stores the sheet carried by the carrier into storage units. The controller compares the sheet carrier speed detected by the sensor with the sheet carrier sheed data transmitted from the sheet output unit and outputs a warning signal to display the result of the comparison when the former speed is deviated from the latter speed by a value above a predetermined value.

Abstract: An automatic original conveying apparatus in which originals loaded on an original stacking unit are conveyed to a predetermined position one by one. Abnormal stacking of the original on the original stacking unit is detected, and continuation of operation is prohibited in response to the detection of such abnormal stacking of the originals.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for withdrawing a selected number of consecutive copies of newspapers, for instance, from a series of said products travelling horizontally and arranged in overlapping formation (4), a gripper (10) in the form of a mechanical clamp is caused to engage with the desired number of copies by the front edge of the clamp being kept in contact with the formation along a selected distance, the clamp being driven with a speed difference in relation to the formation such that a selected number of copies enter the clamp along the selected distance. At the end of the distance the clamp is closed and its speed thereafter accelerated in relation to the formation, to a speed considerably higher than that of the formation, its direction deviating only marginally from the direction of movement of the formation. Only a few consecutive copies are withdrawn from the formation so that no gaps occur in the formation.

Abstract: An envelope handling system for removing envelopes from an upper level conveyor, placing them in stacks on a lower level bucket conveyor, removing the stacks from the bucket conveyor and side-loading them into cartons, sealing the cartons, conveying the cartons to a packing area, and forming the cartons into a horizontal column for placement into shipping containers. The system includes a spider feeder for removing the envelopes from an upper level conveyor and discharging them downwardly in a vertical direction, pivoting bottom fingers for receiving envelopes from the feeder and collecting them into a stack, hold back fingers for intercepting envelopes in a second stack above the bottom fingers, and transfer fingers for compressing a stack collected on the bottom fingers and urging the bottom fingers downwardly to place the stack onto the conveyor.

Abstract: A shingle handling and squaring device (18) is disposed between a sheet shingler (5) and stacker (9) and mounted above a stack infeed conveyor (19). The device includes a pair of side carriages (23,24), each of which carries a pair of freely rotatable longitudinally in-line tamping rollers or wheels (29-32), the peripheries of which are adapted to engage an edge of the traveling sheet material (6). The wheels are mounted for rotation about generally vertical but slightly inclined axes (48) and have tapered peripheries (51) so that the wheels nevertheless present truly vertical faces to the sheet material. The wheels are counterbalanced (56). In addition, when the stacker infeed nip roll (17) is raised by the entry of shingled sheets, a device (57-60) is provided to release the nip roll from the sheets to prevent binding.

Abstract: A device for stacking sheet material in the form of individual stacks comprises a fixed stop, a vertically movable stop, a support surface, a sensor and a guide member, to which two pushers are fastened, which are activated by lifting cylinders. The sheet material to be stacked is conveyed by conveying rollers and falls down freely between one of the stops and a stop face where the individual stacks are formed. The guide member can be raised and lowered about a pivot by means of a lifting cylinder which engages a pivot point provided at the underside of the guide member. Stacking is performed in individual stacks, whereby two super-imposed individual stacks each are mutually offset in the direction of transport Z by a distance of displacement x.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for stacking a plurality of documents on one edge thereof. The apparatus comprises a motor-driven revolving hollow helix device into which fed documents are individually injected substantially transversely to the helix axis between consecutive helix turns. A single-revolution clutch device between the motor and the helix device provides indexed rotation (orientation) of the helix device for receiving and transporting injected documents. Operation of the clutch device is controlled by a photo-sensor that is located at the exit of the document feed section and that senses injection of each document into the helix device. Injected document feed motion is stopped by a stationary abutment stop. The revolving helix device transports injected documents by screw-action in direction of its axis and stacks the documents side-on-side as they are transported beyond the face of the helix device.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking veneer sheets includes a table on which to stack veneer sheets, a pair of first and second conveyors disposed on opposite sides of the table, and a veneer carrier located above the table and movable between the conveyors. The veneer carrier comprises a right veneer holding mechanism and a left veneer holding mechanism. Each holding mechanism has a veneer holder. The right veneer holder grasps a front end portion of a veneer sheet conveyed by the first conveyor, and the veneer carrier is moved to the left to carry the sheet to a drop position from which to drop the sheet. While the sheet is thus carried, it is supported at its opposed side portions by a pair of spaced apart support bars located along the direction in which the sheet is carried. Thus, the sheet is allowed to curve downwardly at its substantial rear half while it is carried.

Abstract: A slip sheet removal apparatus for removing a dunnage sheet disposed beneath a paperboard blank stack conveyed by a conveyor assembly, the slip sheet removal apparatus comprising a dunnage sheet removal assembly having a stationary subassembly with roller driven drive belts and a retractable subassembly with guide belts thereon. Fluid actuators selectively raise and lower the retractable subassembly to engage a leading edge of the dunnage sheet as it advances on the conveyor assembly to pull the dunnage sheet underneath the conveyor assembly for storage and later removal. Also, a pivot conveyor assembly receives the paperboard stack from the conveyor assembly to alter the direction of travel thereof if required.

Abstract: A method for sorting paperboard blanks into groups of identical length blanks. When an order chanber is effected, the succeeding blanks formed in accordance with the new order are accumulated upon the preceding blanks in an orderly manner by intermittently driving a first conveyor so that the reduction ratio or speed differential becomes relatively small when a blank formed in accordance with the new order arrives at the first conveyor. In an alternate method, the succeeding blanks are positively disposed upon the preceding blanks fed to a first conveyor having a vacuum suction area defined therein by moving each preceding blank a desired distance, so that the vacuum suction area may be exposed behing the preceding blanks.

Abstract: Sheet feeding apparatus such as a cash dispenser comprises a first transport system having feed rollers (5), separation rollers (6), and a contra-rotating roller (7); a second transport system comprising a pair of belts (11, 12); and a diverter (25) positioned between the two transport systems. The diverter is movable between a first position in which sheets may be conveyed from the first transport system to the second transport system and a second position in which sheets may be conveyed upon reverse movement of the second transport system past the diverter (25) and away from the first transport system. The diverter is biassed towards its second position and is movable towards its first position in response to engagement of the diverter by a sheet fed towards the diverter by the first transport system.The first transport system withdraws sheets from a store (1) having a lid (34) which provides a dump into which rejected sheets are fed upon reverse movement of the second transport system.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for feeding one or more fabric sections whose precise length is variable. The fabric sections are transferred to a delivery position, in which they are precisely centered, enabling uniform end margins to be realized notwithstanding length variability in the workpiece. As a workpiece is advanced on the shutter, its leading and trailing edges are sensed optically. A precise length determination is made by accumulating increments of lengths with a digital encoder. The leading edge of the workpiece is sensed at a delivery station, and the accumulated increment count is decremented at twice the rate of incrementation. When the accumulated count is reduced to zero, the workpiece is exactly centered in relation to a known position, and is engaged and held in that position while the shutter plate completes its transfer motion.

Abstract: A conveyor system for reducing the speed of double-piece cut banks being fed to a stacker is provided. Cut-blanks are fed in pairs with the spacing between the blanks of the pair being small and the spacing between the pairs of objects being large along a first conveyor towards a detecting device which detects the leading edge of the blanks. A delivery member consisting of two sandwiching rollers is variably driven in accordance with signals given by the detecting device so as to deliver from the first conveyor the first blank of each pair at a first higher speed and the second blank of each pair at a second lower speed. Blanks are thereby delivered to a second slower conveyor which may be as low as V1=2l/LV2 wherein V2 is the speed of the first conveyor, l is the length of each blank, and L is the distance between the leading edge of a first pair of blanks to the leading edge of a second pair.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a transporting speed of a second transporting mechanism which is connected to a first transporting mechanism equipped with a speed sensor for detecting transporting speed of the second mechanism and a position sensor for detecting a position of a sheet being transported by the first and second transporting mechanisms. The second transporting mechanism is controlled by a first control for maintaining a predetermined speed basing on the information of the speed sensor when a sheet is not in both the first and second mechanisms which is detected by the position sensor, and when a sheet is in both the first and second sensor, receives the second control based on the control of memory contents in the first control.

Abstract: A recorded sheet is turned from a face-up condition to a face-down condition by horizontal transport belts, a first guide member, vertical transport belts, and a second guide member. The recorded sheet is guided to a discharge device, and discharged to a tray by the discharge device. During a sorting action, the discharge device is transferred by a transfer device to the tray to which a sheet is to be discharged. In response to this transfer, a hold member is extended or shortened in a vertical direction and holds a sheet being transported between the hold member and the vertical transport belts in such a manner as to avoid interference with its transport, so that the sheet can be prevented from falling by gravity.

Abstract: A circulating-bill pressing-down apparatus used for a bill receiving and dispensing machine having a circulating-bill pressing-down means for pressing down accumulated bills from the top thereof to provide to a roller sufficient frictional force for feeding out the bills. According to the present invention, the bill pressing-down plate is projected only when the amount of the accumulated bills becomes less than a predetermined level. This makes it possible to reduce the vertical displacement of the bill pressing-down plate as compared with the bill pressing-down member of the prior art in which it always presses down the accumulated bills and therefore it also makes it possible to reduce the size of the mechanism for vertically driving the bill pressing-down plate as well as the overall size of the bill receiving and dispensing machine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system or apparatus intended for temporary storage of flat articles. Drive means (22A, 33) enable the articles coming from a first track (15) to be carried to a storage pocket (35). A pressure roller (51B) that is normally in contact with a removal roller (45B) is momentarily spaced apart from its position in order to enable an article stored in the pocket to be put in contact with the removal roller, so that later it is engaged in a second track (53). The pressure roller prevents an article that arrives in the pocket later from coming into contact with the removal roller, as long as the article constrained between these two rollers has not been ejected from the pocket.

Abstract: A sheet stacking device and an image forming apparatus provided with the sheet stacking device. The sheet stacking device has a sheet sorting function, and in addition, sheet re-feeding function so as to make it possible to produce a duplex copy or superimposed copy. It is further possible to use the sorter portion as a sheet feeding facility.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing sheets conveyed successively on a conveyor from being stacked up at the end of the conveyor in a disordered state in alignment is improved so as to assure stable operation without deforming edge portions of the handled sheets. The improvements reside in that the apparatus comprises a pair of guide members disposed on a sheet passageway above an inlet of a sheet stack-up section respectively so as to be swingable in the direction of traveling of the sheets and adjustable in positions in the lateral directions, a drive for independently adjusting the positions of the guide members in the lateral directions, sensors for detecting opposite side edge portions of a sheet moving on a transporting conveyor, and a control responsive to results of detection by the sensors for actuating the drive to adjust the positions of the respective guide members in the lateral directions.

Abstract: A media receiving unit is provided. The unit comprises a media receiver for receiving media (sheets of paper) discharged from a media processing apparatus such as a printer; a rotary member; at least a pair of flexible sheets for holding the medium and provided on the periphery of the rotary member; and a stopper for separating the medium from the flexible sheets. The flexible sheets hold a front end of the medium therebetween, are bent when in contact with the medium according to the rotation of the rotary member, and, when a rear end of the medium is released from the media processing apparatus, flip the rear end of the medium with an elastic restoring force thereof while holding the front end of the medium to reverse the medium and place the medium in the media receiver. Thus, the media are properly reversed and received in the media receiver.

Abstract: A system for the stacking and storing of workpieces particularly from a sewing machine comprises a movable carrier with two receiving compartments for the workpieces to be stacked, two storage channels spaced from each other by the width of a receiving compartment, and two push units. The carrier is so controlled by a pneumatic cylinder that one of the receiving compartments stands in stack forming position below a work transfer device and the other is aligned with one of the storage channels.

Abstract: A recording apparatus records an image impression of an original on a sheet. The recording apparatus comprises a flip lever arranged to oppose a distal end of a first convey path for conveying the sheet recorded by a recording mechanism. The flip lever is movable between the first position where the sheet conveyed along the first convey path is guided in a second convey path and a second position where the sheet is guided in a third convey path. A temporary stacking tray is arranged to oppose a distal end of the second convey path and temporarily stacks the sheet guided by the flip lever from the first convey path to the second convey path while the first surface of the sheet faces upward. In front of the temporary stacking tray, an inverting mechanism is provided for conveying the sheet temporarily stacked on the temporary stacking tray to the third convey path through a fourth convey path without passing through the flip lever while the second surface opposing the first surface faces upward.

Abstract: A handling apparatus for guiding paper money or other strip-like media into a storage area or cashbox includes a drive mechanism for driving the central longitudinal area of a strip-like element to follow a first curved path, and an opposing guide for simultaneously urging the outer longitudinal areas of the bill in directions transverse to the first path so that they follow curved paths which are different to the first path. This tends to pull or stretch the element simultaneously both along its central axis and transverse to that axis, which will tend to remove any previous deformation applied to the element prior to stacking. A guide surface guides the bill from the drive mechanism into the storage area, and is preferably movable when a bill is detected projecting out of the storage area to urge the bill into the storage area and to compress the stack of bills.

Abstract: Sheet material 10 is advanced from a reel 11, cut by cutter 14 and then each segment is moved parallel to its cut edges through sewing machines 22, 23 so as to sew the hems of the work product. The finished product is advanced rapidly in its direction of movement to transfer roll 85, one end 18 of the work product is pulled over a conveyor while the trailing end is urged against the high speed transfer roll 85 which rapidly pulls the trailing portion 19 of the work product out of the way of the next oncoming work product and directs the trailing portion of the work product downwardly to the near side of the conveyor. Each bundle 28 of work products is advanced out of the way so as to make room for accumulating a subsequent bundle on the conveyor.

Abstract: An automatic stacking machine is disclosed. The machine is designed to stack pieces of cloth, prior to the use of the cloth in the construction of garments. A conveyor, having a plurality of bands, transports the cloth pieces to a horizontally reciprocal carriage that reciprocates from a position under the conveyor. Located below the reciprocal carriage, when it is in its extended position, is an elevator table upon which the cloth pieces are deposited and stacked. A plurality of wheels, mounted above the retractable carriage, in its extended position, turn in the direction of outward movement of the carriage. When the carriage changes direction and begins to retract, the wheels, which only move in one direction, pull the fabric off the retractable carriage and the cloth drops neatly down on the table below.

Abstract: An automatic original sheet feeding apparatus for carrying original sheets mounted on an original sheet mounting table to a predetermined work position and then through an ejection roller to an original sheet receiver, successively, is disclosed, in which the ejection roller is braked while ejecting the original sheet to thereby eject said original sheet onto a region in the vicinity of the ejection roller without substantial inertia.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder for an electrophotographic copying machine including an automatic document feed device for automatically transporting a plurality of copy documents from a document supply tray to a document discharge tray, at least one pair of document discharge rollers for discharging the plurality of copy documents, a document sensor member for sensing the passage of at least one of the copy documents, the sensing member being disposed just before the pair of document discharge rollers, and a speed reduction device for causing the document discharge rollers to rotate slowly in response to the condition whereby the sensing member detects the rear edge of one of the copy documents under transport.

Abstract: A collecting stacker for collecting all documents of a user is provided in the printing mechanism preceding the output stacker, whereby a retention mechanism is provided at the output of the collecting stacker, this retention mechanism opening after the arrival of the last document with respect to the individual user and initiating further transport of all documents contained in the collecting stacker into the output stacker in common. Documents left in the output stacker are subsequently transported to a user inaccessible deposit stacker.

Abstract: In the case of an apparatus for forming a stack of sheets comprising a brake means placed at (in terms of sheet motion) the leading edge of the stack and downstream from a sheet transport means, the brake means having at least one brake roller driven at a lower peripheral speed than the speed of transport of the sheets and a timed sheet nip member adapted to engage a sheet and move it towards the brake roller, one aim of the invention is to ensure reliable retardation and straightening of the sheets without damage to them.

Abstract: A sheet handling machine or stacker, designed to stack sheets in such manner as to avoid tumbling or other movement resulting in possible scratching or other surface marring. Our invention is especially applicable to sheets having a relatively soft surface such as plastic-coated sheet metal, highly polished stainless steel or the like, synthetic plastic such as "vinyl," paper-covered stainless steel, etc. Our invention contemplates a machine comprising a receiver having a lateral opening designed to receive a portion of a sheet. In operation, the receiver is moved through a predetermined trajectory. In its first position the receiver seats a portion of a sheet as from a conveyor, aligns it with a stack of similar sheets and then discharges it from a position above a stack of such sheets, allowing it to drop by gravity onto the stack through a free air cushion between sheet and stack, whereby the sheet is prevented from tumbling or otherwise falling haphazardly.

Abstract: A sorting apparatus of a shiftable bin type for use in a copying apparatus or the like, which is arranged to be capable of readily and positively removing sorted copy paper sheets from respective bins.

Abstract: A sheet material accumulating device includes a sheet transporting section which is arranged to receiver sheets from a sheet feeding station at a feeding speed and to transport the received sheets to a slanted guide plate of an accumulating section, where the sheet transporting section releases the sheets to thereby accumulate the sheets on the guide plate. The transport speed and direction of the transporting section is controlled so that the sheet reaches the guide plate at a desired position and speed and is released from the transporting section by moving the sheet transporting section away from the guide plate, toward the sheet feeding station.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking sheet-like articles such as envelopes side by side, i.e., horizontally, in the upright state is disclosed. An article urging lever is disposed in the neighborhood of an article supply path, along which an article to be stacked proceeds toward a stacking position, such that it is rockable between an advanced position, in which the lever is found on and blocks the article supply path, and a retreated position, in which the lever is out of the path. In the advanced position, the lever serves to prevent the stacked articles from blocking the progress of a new article along the supply path into the stacking position and also to engage the rear end portion of an article supplied into the article supply path from one side of the article and thus urges the article's rear end portion crosswise with respect to the longitudinal direction of the path, thereby permitting the next article supplied to the article supply path to freely proceed along the path.

Abstract: An arrangement for transporting a sheet-like data carrier with reversing its direction of movement and at the same time maintaining its original orientation has first and second transporting paths and a reversing path, a turnable lever located between the first and second transporting paths and having a length and a mounting point selected so that one of the supporting rollers arranged on the lever can be brought to abutment against one transporting roller of the second transporting path and simultaneously the other supporting roller of the lever comes to a position below the first transporting path, a sensing element arranged at the reversing path and operative for sensing a front edge of the data carrier, and a controlling element operative to control the movement of transporting rollers of the reversing path and the turnable lever in response to the sensing by the sensing means, so that reversing of transporting direction of the transporting rollers of the reversing path and turning of the turnable lever t

Abstract: A scanning mechanism is provided for scanning individual output bins for receiving documents from a paper printer. The mechanism determines each bin's availability for receiving documents, the degree of fullness and whether or not a lock box is positioned in the bin for receiving designated documents.

Abstract: A recirculating document handler having a document restack transport. The transport includes a series of spaced vacuum assisted drive belts for transporting successive documents to a position above a document stacking tray. A sensor is used to note the passage of a document lead edge past an input to the restack transport. After a delay which allows the document to be driven to the position above the stacking tray the document is separated from the drive belts by a knockdown bail and a reduction in the vacuum attraction between the document and the drive belts. The bail comprises a series of rods supported in locations between the drive belts which pivot into contact with the document and drive it into the stacking tray. The rods contact the document near its trailing edge to force the trail edge to the stacking tray.

Abstract: A veneer sheet and an adhesive coated sheet are placed on a piling table. Two vertically arranged conveyors each independently conveys one veneer sheet and stops at predetermined position, pressing member presses two sheets simultaneously vertically downwards onto the piling table where the sheets are placed.

Abstract: Printing products from a printing machine are successively moved one above the other against a stop to form a stack. A leading product in contact with the stop is biased adjacent to its fold by a perpendicular force compressing the fold. A trailing product is moved on the free end face of the leading product and the perpendicular compressing force is substantially relieved upon approach of the trailing product fold to the stop. The trailing product is biased by a perpendicular force in such a manner that the trailing product is pressed adjacent its fold against the leading product. The movement of the trailing product is not hindered by the perpendicular forces and is synchronized with the build up and relief of the perpendicular forces.

Abstract: A sheet stacking device includes a plurality of endless belts spaced from one another and rotating at a predetermined speed toward a sheet shipping container mounted at a loading position. A sheet held against the belt by vacuum pulled between the belts moves along a movement path into a wall of the container. The belts continue to rotate to align the sheet relative to the container; afterward plungers move the sheet downward away from the belts onto the backwall of the container to stack same.

Abstract: Demountable, modular, apparatus permitting item/documents, such for example as checks, to be stacked at high speed on opposite sides of a linear main-line item feed-through pathway. Indicators are included for indicating in which direction, forward, right or left of the main-line pathway an item diverting gate is directed and item position sensing devices are located within and adjacent to the diverting gates. Each demountable module, if more than one is employed, is provided with right and left columnators including concentric roller members disposed between a resilient drive roller. Idler rollers are demountably, replaceably secured adjacent respective drive rollers by resilient flat spring members for ease and efficiency of replacement, repair and/or removal. Each diverting gate includes an LED and phototransistor combination for sensing the passage therethrough of an item.

Abstract: A method of controlling the entry of flat, flexible material into the compartments of the rapidly rotating spiral compartment stacker is provided whereby the synchronism of the material conveyed to the appropriate compartment in the stacker is checked and the introduction of the front edge of the material is corrected in the case of deviations from a given desired value dependent on said deviation. This method ensures that the material is introduced into the spiral compartment stacker without disruption and without its being damaged.

Abstract: A small piece stacker and counter for use in association with laundry ironing machines comprising a conveyor belt means having space defined between two belts with passage therethrough of the piece, blow down means for the blowing down of the piece through the spaced apart conveyor belts, and catch means for the catching of the piece at a central portion thereof.

Abstract: A sheet sorter device comprises a feeder for introducing sheets to be sorted, a conveyor for conveying the sheets from the feeder to a sheet receiving portion, a plurality of bin trays for receiving therein the sheets upwardly inclined in the direction of movement of the sheets when received, a guide for supporting and guiding the bin trays, and a bin tray displacing device capable of selectively effecting the displacement of at least one of the bin trays to a sheet receiving position by widening the entrance thereof and the holding at a predetermined position of a bin tray to be subsequently displaced.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating a sheet of paper to which a developed toner image has been transferred from a moving photoconductive surface by directing a high velocity flow of air against an edge of a leading portion of the sheet on the surface to separate said portion, and exerting pneumatic pressure on the separated sheet portion to separate the remainder of the paper from the photoconductive surface. The high velocity air stream is pulsed to coincide with the arrival of the paper edge at a predetermined point in the separating apparatus.