Abstract: According to one embodiment, a paper-sheet stacking apparatus includes a holding unit, a pushing mechanism, a backup, and a variable-force spring mechanism. The holding unit has a stacking base for holding a plurality of paper sheets in standing position and is configured to stack the paper sheets, one laid on another in a direction of a plane. The pushing mechanism is configured to push paper sheets transported, into the holding unit. The backup opposed to the pushing mechanism, is able to move in the direction the paper sheets are stacked and is configured to hold any paper sheet stacked between the backup and the pushing mechanism and to move away from the pushing mechanism as paper sheets are stacked one after another.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for improving stack integrity for image receiving media substrates in a compiler tray in an image forming device by supplementing the structure of the compiler tray with a pair of auger components configured with a bottom surface that, in conjunction with a stepped support structure in the compiler tray, applies a mechanical leveling force to reduce or otherwise eliminate detrimental effects associated with substrate curl or uneven set build-up in the compiler tray. The vertical compiler components provide an accommodation for localized thickness build-up in compiled image receiving media substrates by one or more processing or post-processing steps. The auger components provide a mechanical pressing force that is intended to level a top surface of the compiled substrates with the configuration of the compiler tray providing the relief area necessary for the accommodation.

Abstract: A system and method are provided improving stack integrity for a set of image receiving media substrates at an output of a compiler in an image forming device by supplementing a compiler shelf with a pair of augers having a unique planar lead-in for a top surface of the augers. The vertical compiler components reduce a “stepped” configuration of conventional compiler systems to keep a bottom sheet substantially “flat” thereby reducing a tendency for the bottom sheet to disadvantageously shift during in-set alignment processing. The large flat surface at the top of the augers effectively extends the plane of the lead edge shelf. A larger contact area with the sheets/sets of image receiving media substrates, along with the flatter shape of the sets, results in a more stable stack with a lesser tendency of individual sheets to migrate away from a registration edge.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking flat articles on-edge has a helical drive assembly with spaced-apart helical screws. The helical screws receive and hold the articles on-edge therebetween, and eject the articles towards a stack holding unit. The stack holding unit is configured to hold a stack of articles on-edge separately from the helical screws. The apparatus includes a conveyor that supports the lower edges of the articles during their transport to the stack holding unit. The stack holding unit has an article entry opening with a height that is smaller than a height of the articles to be stacked during operation, and the height of the article entry opening is preferably adjustable.

Abstract: An equipment (43) for storing in an orderly way banknotes (52) and/or papers and the like, for instance banknotes (52) for an automatic machine (39), provided for the formation of a stack (53). The equipment (43) comprises two spiral elements (81; 82) defining coils with respective axes (83; 84) directed in the sense of the stacking and terminal sections (86) adjacent to a stacking surface (77) at an end of the stack. The spiral elements (81; 82) are rotatable around the axes (83; 84) and are arranged for laterally receiving between the coils a leading portion of the entering banknote (52), moving the banknote (52), through the coils and in consequence of the rotation, on the stacking surface (77), and disengaging the banknote from the coils adjacent to the terminal section (86).

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for conveying a stack of flat objects, in particular a stack of mail items, in a conveyance direction. The conveyor device comprises a base face, a side wall, which is perpendicular to the base face, a base face conveyor facility let into the base face and a side wall conveyor facility let into the side wall. The side wall is divided into two partial side walls. The rear partial side wall—viewed in the conveyance direction—is offset outward in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction in relation to the front partial side wall. The side wall conveyor facility is let into the rear partial side wall. The base face conveyor facility is embodied to exert a force on the objects, which moves the objects toward the side wall conveyor facility.

Abstract: An equipment (43) for storing in an orderly way banknotes (52) and/or papers and the like, for instance banknotes (52) for an automatic machine (39), provided for the formation of a stack (53). The equipment (43) comprises two spiral elements (81; 82) defining coils with respective axes (83; 84) directed in the sense of the stacking and terminal sections (86) adjacent to a stacking surface (77) at an end of the stack. The spiral elements (81; 82) are rotatable around the axes (83; 84) and are arranged for laterally receiving between the coils a leading portion of the entering banknote (52), moving the banknote (52), through the coils and in consequence of the rotation, on the stacking surface (77), and disengaging the banknote from the coils adjacent to the terminal section (86).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for stacking articles. The articles may comprise mail pieces. The apparatus comprises a base having a top surface. The top surface defines a rake element having extending fingers defining open spaces therebetween. A receiving unit is mounted proximate to the rake. The unit may be made to rotate. The unit further comprises a plurality of coils. The coils may be helical, concentric and vertically displaced so as to define a vertical open space therebetween. When rotating, the coils may be made to move in the direction of a support positioned atop the top surface. The support may further comprise a spring bias to urge the support against a stack of articles. A supporting wall is also provided as well as a supply element which directs incoming articles into the vertical opening. The movement of the coils transports the articles to a stack which is support on one side by the support, on another by the supporting wall and on yet another by the top surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stacking device for flat postal items standing on edge. The stacking device comprises guide means for guiding the postal items supplied to it to a stacking position on a stacking base against a support wall on which the postal items are slowed down. Of course the present invention may apply to other types of articles as well. The stacking device is further provided with a stacker plate that can be displaced in the direction of stacking along a linear guide. The stacker plate cooperates with a spring element to produce a pressure force that is approximately constant across the zone of displacement and that is directed against the forming stack. The movable part of a damper element is fastened on the movable part of the spring element, said damper element being only active when a displacement directed away from the stacking position is exerted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for stacking articles. The articles may comprise mail pieces. The apparatus comprises a base having a top surface. The top surface defines a rake element having extending fingers defining open spaces therebetween. A receiving unit is mounted proximate to the rake. The unit may be made to rotate. The unit further comprises a plurality of coils. The coils may be helical, concentric and vertically displaced so as to define a vertical open space therebetween. When rotating, the coils may be made to move in the direction of a support positioned atop the top surface. The support may further comprise a spring bias to urge the support against a stack of articles. A supporting wall is also provided as well as a supply element which directs incoming articles into the vertical opening. The movement of the coils transports the articles to a stack which is support on one side by the support, on another by the supporting wall and on yet another by the top surface.

Abstract: A method and unit for forming stacks of articles, whereby the articles are conveyed on a conveying surface and in a first traveling direction to a pickup station, and are lifted successively in a second traveling direction, crosswise to the first direction, off the conveying surface at the pickup station and transferred on to a further surface, higher than the conveying surface, to form, on the higher surface, a stack presenting at least two superimposed, mutually contacting articles; the articles being conveyed and the stacks of articles being formed continuously and substantially seamlessly.

Abstract: The apparatus of this invention is a buffering device for the transport of documents that comprises four variable pitch screws that have a tapered outside diameter and a tapered root diameter at the input portion of the screw. A upstream screw and a downstream screw are on the left hand side of the buffering device and a upstream screw and a downstream screw are on the right hand side of the buffering device. The upstream screw has its largest outside diameter on the top of the screw and its smallest outside diameter on the bottom of the screw. The downstream screw has its largest outside diameter on the bottom of the screw and its smallest outside diameter on the top of the screw. The screws on the left hand side of the buffering device have a left handed screw thread and the screws on the right side of the buffering device have a right handed screw thread, or visa versa.

Abstract: A sorting compartment arrangement for flat items includes a conveying section for conveying the flat items successively in a vertical position. Switches are disposed along the conveying section. A plurality of individual stacking compartments are arranged one behind the other along the conveying section and associated with a respective one of the switches. The items are supplied by the switches to the individual stacking compartments. Each stacking compartment includes a stack wall up to which the items are transported, a stack roller and a guide plate for transporting and guiding, respectively, the items from the switch into the stacking compartment up to the stack wall to form a stack of items in the stacking compartment, and a mechanism for pressing the stack of items together until shortly before an arrival of a next item to be stacked.

Abstract: A small-size-sheet stacking unit is attached on a printed sheet tray of a printing machine so as to receive printed sheets of small size, and is detached from the printing machine after such sheets are printed. The sheet stacking unit comprises a guide plate, a plurality of carriers for supporting side edges of a printed sheet and moving the printed sheet upward, a position sensor for detecting whether or not the printed sheet is at a position where the sheet is ready to be carried by the carriers, a driver for actuating the carriers, and a sheet receptacle for receiving the printed sheets.

Abstract: An improvement in a stacking system having an urge roller, an input guide, a spring loaded backup paddle, a substantially horizontal surface and a substantially vertical registration wall. The improvement comprising a rib wrapped around the surface of the urge roller in a helical pattern. Thus, as the urge roller rotates and feeds an article toward the vertical registration wall, the helical rib forces the bottom edge of the article into contact with the horizontal surface. As a result, a properly aligned and tight stack of articles is formed.

Abstract: An apparatus for buffering transport of inked, distorted documents is comprised of an upper deck oriented at an acute angle. The apparatus has a plurality of opposite, parallel, threaded screw conveyers orthogonal to the upper deck. The screw conveyers are positioned in close proximity to provide a support surface for an inked document fed into the buffer apparatus. The individual threads of the screw conveyers are adapted to simultaneously support, advance, and lower the individual sheets incident to rotation of the respective screw conveyers thereby depositing the inked, distorted documents successively onto lower threads. A lower deck is provided for receiving inked documents.

Abstract: An inkjet printer is operative to horizontally discharge successive printed paper sheets printed side up into a specially designed sheet receiving and stacking section of the printer. A spaced plurality of vertically oriented helical drive members disposed in the receiving and stacking section are continuously rotated during the printing operation and are arranged in laterally opposed pairs that receive opposite side edge portions of the discharged printed sheets. Rotation of the helical drive members upwardly moves each successively received sheet, keeping the sheets in a vertically spaced, parallel relationship that permits the ink on each sheet to dry before the sheets upwardly exit and are supported on the top ends of the drive members in a printed sheet stack in which the first printed sheet is on top of the stack and the last printed sheet is on the bottom of the stack.

Abstract: A device for collating sheets, in which the sheets are offered at an input of the device, which comprises conveyor member which convey the sheets in a circuit arranged between the input and an output of the device, the conveyor member comprising at least a first pair of helical ramps with a predetermined winding direction and each comprising a free end. The ramps are arranged on rotating member which rotate them about their helix axis in the opposite direction to the winding direction. The device also comprises guide and placement member, the rotation of the ramps having the effect of conveying the sheet positioned, by the guide and placement member, on a predetermined portion of each of the two ramps, along a portion at least of the circuit and toward the free end of the ramps, a first of the two ramps of the pair having an opposite winding direction in relation to the second.

Abstract: In a paper sheet conveying and arranging apparatus, a low-friction paper sheet guide member (18) is located in a parallel relationship to a paper sheet advancing direction, and a rotating spiral contact (19) having an axis inclined with respect to a horizontal plane toward an upstream side from the line perpendicular to the paper sheet advancing direction and passing on the upstream side of the paper sheet guide member (18), is rotated with a distal end (19a) frictionally contacting the surface of the paper sheet guide member (18) so as to move the paper sheet downwardly away from the one end of a conveyer. The paper sheet is thereby turned from a horizontal posture to a vertical posture by a minimal turning operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for buffering transport of freshly inked documents is comprised of an upper deck oriented at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane. The apparatus has a plurality of opposite, parallel, threaded screw conveyers orthogonal to the upper deck. Inked documents travel upon the threads of the screw conveyers. A lower deck is provided for receiving inked documents. An eject pin mechanism causes the inked documents to be delivered from the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for stacking a plurality of flat articles on edge, comprising a discharge magazine for sequentially receiving and stacking the flat articles in a stack, the discharge magazine including moveable discharge support belts adapted to support the stack of articles on edge and a moveable compression plate to maintain the articles on edge. A drive element is provided for controllably moving the discharge support belts. A stacker section adjacent the discharge magazine transports articles sequentially into the stack, the stacker section comprising stacker belts extending around a plurality of rollers.The last of the articles in the stack abuts against the stacker belts adjacent one of the rollers to apply a compressive force developed by the stack of flat articles and the compression plate to the one roller. The one roller is movably mounted to the apparatus for movement responsive to increases and decreases in the compressive force.

Abstract: A dual auger stacking device for use with a document sorting and conveying apparatus defining a document path and including a plurality of gates for diverting documents from the path into a preselected document receiving station of a plurality of such stations. Each station has a support structure for supporting planar surfaces of documents diverted by the gates and directing the documents into the receiving station. The stacking device includes a base plate upon which lower edges of sorted documents are conveyed upon being diverted by the gates, and an auger assembly operationally disposed relative to the base plate for pulling trailing edges of documents away from the support structure, for loosening documents stacked at the support structure for which the trailing edges have been pulled away, and for displacing the loosened documents into the document receiving station in a direction normal to the document path.

Abstract: A power stacker for collecting delivered articles such as envelopes from a mailing machine is comprised of a support housing having a deck fixably mounted along the housing. A registration wall is fixably mounted to the housing and extending generally perpendicular relative to the deck. A stack wall is slidably mounted to the housing at one end of the deck and has a reclined surface extended generally upwardly from the deck, the stack wall being slidably mounted to the housing such that the stack wall can be horizontally displaced relative to the deck. Support rods are provided for providing article support between the deck and displaced stack wall as well as between the registration and displaced stack wall. Threaded hubs are provided for causing the delivered articles to be collected against the stack wall and assume a generally parallel stacked orientation generally parallel to the reclined surface. A power stack wheel assembly is supported in a cantilevered fashion from the registration wall.

Abstract: A secondary pivotal drive stacker roller assembly for a document sorting and conveying apparatus adapted for sorting documents of various lengths, preferably from a primary document path to at least one secondary document path leading to a document stacking station, the roller assembly including a roller oriented for rotation about a vertical axis and for engaging shorter length documents advanced along the secondary document path, a pivot arm for reciprocally pivoting the roller into and out of engagement with documents advanced along the secondary document path, and a control system for controlling the pivot arm to selectively position the roller for engaging the shorter length documents, and to disengage the roller from the secondary document path when longer length documents are to be sorted.

Abstract: A conveyor system for conveying generally flat documents on-edge includes a primary conveyor belt defining a primary conveyor path, and at least one secondary conveyor belt defining a diverter station and having a first reach disposed in juxtaposed relation to a reach of the primary conveyor belt and a second reach inclined to the primary conveyor belt so as to establish an open span along the primary conveyor belt immediately downstream from the juxtaposed belt reaches. A document diverter mechanism includes pairs of guide arms selectively movable between first positions operative to guide a document along the open span of the primary conveyor belt after exiting the juxtaposed belt reaches, and second positions operative to divert a document from the primary conveyor path and guide the diverted document along the inclined reach of the secondary conveyor belt to a stacking station. A kicker arm assembly is operative to orient diverted documents at the stacker station for sweeping into a container.

Abstract: Apparatus for stacking a plurality of documents on one edge thereof in vertically disposed position which comprises a movable stacker carriage adapted for movement between a forward and a rear position. An upper stacking screw worm rotatable about a horizontal axis is rigidly attached to the movable stacker carriage and functions to move documents laterally away from the carriage and into stacked relationship. At least one lower stacking screw worm and preferably two lower stacking screw worms rotatable about horizontal axes are rigidly attached to the movable stacker carriage and function to move documents laterally away from the carriage and into stacked relationship. The upper and lower stacking screw worms are rotatable. The stacking apparatus is adapted for use with a device for delivering single documents thereto and the stacking apparatus can be used with a movable transport element such as a conveyor for transporting stacked documents.

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: The invention provides an improved auger conveyor in the magazine section of a document feeder apparatus which is capable of feeding large amounts of documents to a document sorting machine in a rapid and efficient manner. The auger conveyor includes: three horizontal augers which rotate in a clockwise direction; spiral grooves formed on the horizontal augers and divided in half by the existence of two separate pitches; joggers on the surfaces of the wider pitched portions of the two inner horizontal augers which facilitate reception of documents within the grooves; a raised auger which rotates in a counterclockwise direction; and a spiral groove configured in the direction opposite to the grooves on the horizontal augers and which also is divided in half by the existence of two separate pitches; and a document feed or pickoff apparatus for individually separating the lead document from the document supply.

Abstract: A sheet convey device includes a plurality of feed rollers for conveying a sheet in a standing state, and guide plates for guiding the sheet to be conveyed. The device has helical rings, wound on two ends of the feed rollers in different winding directions, for guiding the sheet toward the central portions of the feed rollers.

Abstract: A device for use in conjunction with a compartmented distribution line for flat articles, such as letters, which arrive in succession over a conveying path. The device comprises a succession of stacking compartments arranged one behind the other to which the flat articles are supplied by switches separately associated with the individual compartments. On the conveying path, closely before each individual stacking compartment, there is provided a rubber elastic roller-type attachment which faces the upper edge of each flat article against a guide sheet disposed opposite the attachment.

Abstract: In a high speed mail sorting machine, a mechanism for feeding envelopes one at a time to a pickoff device such as a vacuum belt system. The envelopes are loaded onto a floor panel which inclines from side to side. A chain conveyor moves the envelope supply along the floor panel with each envelope having its lower edge traveling on the floor and one side edge travelling along an inclined side panel. The envelopes are successively discharged from the inclined floor onto a conveyor belt which is driven transversely to the floor and at a greater speed than the chain conveyor. The speed difference causes the envelopes to spread out as they travel downstream. The conveyor belt loads the envelopes onto a driven roller having a spiral groove which feeds the individual envelopes flatly against the vacuum belts of the envelope pickoff device.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring sheet materials comprises a plurality of externally threaded rods having threads spaced at equal pitches and grooves therebetween. The threaded rods extend parallel to each other and are mounted in a one-sided box-shaped housing for rotation about their axes. The threaded rods are drivable for synchronous rotation in the same lead direction to transfer the sheet materials inserted edgewise in the grooves of the threaded rods in the lead direction in synchronism with rotation of the threaded rods.

Abstract: A device for transporting individual sheets to or from a magazine housing containing the sheets in a stack, particularly useful in x-ray installations, includes a threaded rotary screw member disposed within the magazine containing the stack of sheets for raising and lowering the sheet stack within the magazine and individually handling the uppermost sheet in the stack for transport to or from the magazine. A sheet transport is also provided comprising drive rollers disposed in a lateral plane overlying the sheet stack and running rollers connected to an upper end of the rotary screw member for movement in a lateral plane directly beneath the drive rollers, such that the running rollers may be disposed between the bottom circumferential portions of the drive rollers to form a sheet transport nip between the corresponding rollers.

Abstract: A stacker for rigid and semi-rigid sheet or pad-like products forming individual stacks thereof of specific count and with the edges of the product in each stack aligned. The stacker comprises at least one pair of multi-thread screws, being mirror images of each other, rotating continuously at the same speed but in opposite directions. Products are continuously fed between the screws of the at least one pair, each product being supported by a set of corresponding threads of both screws. All corresponding sets of threads are so loaded and each product is shifted downwardly by its respective thread set while simultaneously being urged forwardly against a stop to align the front and rear edges thereof. The initial portion of the shaft of each multi-thread screw tapers downwardly and outwardly to align the side edges of the products.

Abstract: A tray loading apparatus includes an inclined support having a displaceable front part so that the front wall of a tray can be brought into abutment with the front end of a stack carried by the support and to be loaded in the tray after a backing plate supporting the stack front end has been removed. The stacking apparatus includes a conveyor able to apply the front portion of each envelope conveyed in a direction making an angle with the above backing plate against this backing plate and a belt arrangement operating on the front portion of each envelope to cant the rear part of the envelope into engagement with a deflector after the front portion has been applied against the backing plate.

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: The device comprises a container defining an inlet opening, an input area in alignment with the inlet opening and a stacking area adjoining the input area. A feeding mechanism, such as two pairs of worm conveyors, a pair of frictional rollers, a conveyor belt, a vane shaft and the like, is arranged in the input area near the inlet opening to transfer a print at an accelerated speed from the inlet area into the stacking area.

Abstract: A high speed mail sorting machine which includes an improved screw conveyor in the magazine section and an improved pick off device for separating the individual envelopes from one another. The screw conveyor includes four driven rollers having spiral grooves for receiving the lower edges of the envelopes to convey them along the rollers. A pair of raised rollers with spiral grooves maintain the envelopes in a vertical orientation as they are conveyed along the lower rollers. The pick off device includes a conveyor belt and a relatively strong vacuum box which draws the leading envelope against the belt. An opposing vacuum box of lesser intensity draws any stuck envelopes away from the leading envelope to assure separation. The opposing vacuum box has a beveled surface which effects a staggered shingle arrangement of any extra envelopes adhering to the leading envelope.

Abstract: An improved bundle former for corrugated paperboard boxes in which the timing of the lift mechanisms and the squaring plates is completely independent of the timing of the flexo-folder-gluer. Also, the stacking belt drive roll is mounted near the pull roll so its top periphery is below the path of box travel. This permits the folded box to contact the stacking belt tangentially, thereby easing the box's entry into the stacking station and providing an assist in squaring the box in the stack. The improved bundle former also includes simpler and more easily maintained elements.

Abstract: Document stacking device for tags or other documents, which device may comprise counter-rotating helical stacker members, is provided with a gripper mounted thereon for removing the documents from the stacker members. The hopper in which the stacking device stacks the documents is provided with laterally adjustable side walls to accommodate documents of different widths.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for separating portions of flat material cut-out from a web or sheet. First and second grippers respectively, which engage with first and second cut portions of flat material, are provided to travel along and define paths of motion for the first and second cut portions of flat material, which paths diverge from a point of separation. A feed conveyor is connected in front of the grippers and is synchronized with their drive.

Abstract: A document packing system for closely packing sorted documents into a pocket of a document sorting system having many pockets includes an auger. The auger is a hollow cylinder with multiple, discontinuous, raised helicies to initially engage documents sorted into the pocket. A stationary apparatus in the auger rotates the auger. Integral with the auger is a feature which aligns the sorted documents in the pocket while other portions of the auger secondarily engage and pack the sorted documents into the pocket. The sorted documents are supported in the pocket by a device which resiliently responds to the packing of documents into the pocket.

Abstract: An auger jogger assembly for a high speed item sorter pocket receptacle wherein a fixed shaft carries the armature of an electric drive eddy current motor. The fixed nonmagnetic reluctance member of which is a thin cylindrical metallic sleeve-like member press fitted into the cylindrical opening of a rotatable cylinder which carries about its periphery two volute or helical augers of differing diameters and spacings. The drive shaft and armature of the motor are fixed against rotation while the cylindrical reluctance member is secured within and rotatable with the rotatable cylinder. Energization of the motor armature causes the external cylinder to rotate effective to move item/documents into the pocket receptacle while vibrating the document sufficiently so as to reduce receptacle floor friction and force the items into a closely stacked bunch or pack.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for receiving a continuous stream of forms at high speed and automatically stacking the forms into discrete batches of accurate count. The forms are first shingled into a uniform and accurate shingle by spiral screws, kickers, rollers, and hold down tapes which positively and forcefully drive the forms uniformly and accurately onto a conveyor. The forms are then stacked and collected on a vertically reciprocable tray until the desired count is reached, at which time finger hooks intercept and engage the shingle to stop the leading edges of the forms destined for the next batch. A conveyor diverting roller separates the leading edges of the forms for this purpose. Those forms downstream from the finger hooks are then quickly swept onto the elevator tray which deposits them on a discharge conveyor for delivery from the apparatus.

Abstract: A document feeding apparatus is provided which includes a hopper for holding a stack of documents edgewise, feed means for serially removing documents from the hopper, and a follower or pressure flag for biasing the stack towards the feed means. Augers are disposed within the hopper adjacent the feed means for advancing the stack thereto, and for aligning or jogging the documents in an intermediate area thereof. The diameter and pitch of the threads of the augers increase from leading ends thereof towards their center sections, and decrease from the center sections towards the trailing ends thereof. The narrow-pitched threads at the leading ends of the augers serve to divide the document stack into packs. The widening pitch of the augers allows the documents to spread apart in the center sections, thereby reducing interdocumental pressure and friction and allowing the documents to be jogged and properly aligned relative to the base and a front edge guide of the hopper.