Abstract: This invention relates to the sheet transporting apparatus having a sheet storage device capable of storing sheets and provided in the middle of a sheet transport path; and a carriage unit with a sheet discharge mechanism for transporting a sheet to the sheet storage device and capable of reciprocating motion substantially above said sheet storage device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a printer with a sheet feeding apparatus having a printer body incorporating a printing mechanism for printing onto continuous forms. A cutter is provided close to a continuous forms discharging port on the printer case. Following the cutter downstream, there is provided a sheet feeding belt that rotates at a rate higher than the feed rate of the continuous forms. Along the belt, there are provided a sheet traversing section, a sheet direction changing section, a sheet pushing section and a sheet stacker, in that order from upstream to downstream. The sheet traversing section seizes and feeds horizontally each sheet cut by the cutter. The sheet direction changing section perpendicularly changes the feed direction of each cut sheet. The sheet pushing section pushes each sheet onto the sheet stacker where an orderly stack of sheets is formed.

Abstract: A paper discharge apparatus for a recording system includes a plurality of vertically movable bins, arranged vertically stepwise, for receiving a recorded sheet discharged from a recording system main body, a lifting mechanism, a shifting unit, and a selection shift selecting unit, and a shift operation control unit. The lifting mechanism moves the bins upward/downward stepwise in synchronism with a sheet discharging operation in a sort mode. The shifting unit transversely shifts a discharging direction of a recorded sheet from a normal discharging direction. The selection shift selecting unit selects a shift mode or a non-shift mode as a discharge mode.

Abstract: A paper refeeding device incorporated in a copier for stacking one-sided paper sheets each carrying an image on one side thereof on an intermediate tray and then refeeding the paper sheets from the tray for forming an image on the other side thereof. In a two-sided copy mode operation, the device reduces the copying time while eliminating paper jam, missfeed and other troubles. The device stacks one-sided paper sheets stably on the intermediate tray and refeeds them without any skew. In addition, the device is simple in construction and implements automatic timing control.

Abstract: A mechanism for preventing the skew of a cut paper sheet, for use in a duplex printing machine or a paper reversing mechanism having a switchback mechanism for switching the cut sheet backward from its trailing end by reverse rollers and so on immediately after the cut sheet subjected to the printing at a printing portion is once discharged onto a reverse plate by paper discharge rollers and so on, the mechanism comprising: a plurality of paper guides formed on a surface of the reverse plate of the switchback mechanism so as to limit the lateral movement of the cut sheets of several kinds in the direction of the width thereof, the paper guides being arranged in a manner to correspond respectively to the widths of the cut sheets of several kinds to be discharged onto the reverse plate, the distance between each two paper guides for guiding a respective one of the cut sheets being slightly greater than the width of the corresponding cut sheet, and the paper guide for guiding the wider cut sheet being higher tha

Abstract: A rotary device performing the task of changing the direction of advancement of a plastics card or metal plate, suitable for being inserted in a punching machine, constituted by a bearing structure, a linear conveyor for the plastics card or metal plate and a drive motor, in which the bearing structure comprises a lower, fixed framework, inside which the drive motor is housed, above which a upper, rotary framework is rotatably supported, on which the linear conveyor is positioned. A first positive transmission connects the drive motor with the upper, rotary framework of the structure, causing the upper, rotary framework to rotate by a predetermined angualr rotation, and a second positive transmission connects the drive motor with the linear conveyor which conveys the plastics card or metal plate. Between the two positive transmissions and the drive motor two free-wheel mechanisms are interposed, which cause the two positive transmissions to be selectively actuated.

Abstract: A device for selectively turning documents includes first and second drive rollers aligned along an axis which is transverse to a process direction along which documents are fed, and first and second follower rollers cooperatively peripherally aligned with the first and second drive rollers, respectively. One of the drive rollers is operated at a substantially constant peripheral velocity by a first drive which is a constant velocity motor while the other drive roller is operated at a variable peripheral velocity by a variable speed drive so that the document is turned. Thus, only a single variable speed drive, such as, for example a stepper motor or servo system, is required. The variable speed drive is driven through a variable velocity profile to control the amount of rotation of the document. Preferably the document is turned approximately 90.degree..

Abstract: A transporting device for articles to be transported and a sorter with the same. The transporting device includes transporting rollers arranged in a transportation passage so as to contact the articles to be transported for transportation in a forward direction. The transporting rollers are supported for rotation about an axis which is swingable in a substantially horizontal plane. The axis of each transporting roller is selectively changed by a direction changing mechanism between one direction to transport the articles to be transported in the forward direction and another direction to obliquely transport the articles to be transported toward a side wall. The side wall is provided along the forward direction at an article reception position in the transportation passage.

Abstract: A base plate conveyor for supplying a base plate storage section at one end of a base plate conveyance passage to the conveyance surface of the passage or receiving the base plate from the passage to the storage section. The conveyor is characterized by including the base plate storage section in which a plurality of base plates can be piled so that the base plates are leant against the inside of the section and the conveyed surface of the base plates have a predetermined angle to the conveyance surface of the conveyance passage; and a base plate mover provided at the casing of the conveyor so as to automatically move the base plate from the storage section to the conveyance passage or from the conveyance passage to the storage section. The base plate mover includes a vertically swung arm member, which is swung vertically and translated so as to move the base plate between the base plate storage section and the base plate conveyance passage.

Abstract: A printing apparatus for printing a paper sheet on a platen by a thermal head with a three color image includes a feeding device and a paper ejecting device. The paper feeding device includes feeding rollers, a feeding tray, and a feeding lever. After printing, the printed paper sheet is ejected forwardly in the printing apparatus by the ejecting device to a stepped discharge plate so as to facilitating removal of the printed paper sheet therefrom.

Abstract: A paper rotation table 15 for use in transporting sheets of paper between paper handling devices while performing a rotation upon each sheet through a predetermined arc so as to present to a receiving paper handling device a leading edge different than the leading edge which emerged from a delivering paper handling device. The paper rotation table 15 has sheet support surface 10, a paper drive 20, a pivot 30, and a registration edge 40. The paper drive 20 further has a drive belt 21, a plurality of primary drive balls 25, and a plurality of secondary drive balls 26, an entry drive ball 23, and a spin drive ball 37. Paper drive 20 may be at an angle "a" to registration edge 40.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus provided with a sensor for detecting a sheet transport problem. When a sheet transport problem occurs before a sheet reaches an image forming section, the sheet is returned to a sheet feeding section, and when a transport problem occurs at or after the image forming section, the sheet is forwarded to a sheet receiving section. When the problem sheet is either returned to the feeding section or forwarded to the receiving section, the apparatus is set to an operational condition. When the problem sheet can be neither returned to the feeding section nor forwarded to the receiving section, further operation of the apparatus is inhibited.

Abstract: In a printer, a unit for turning over a sheet comprises: a conveying roll provided downstream of a printer head; a top roll and a bottom roll which are rotatably coupled to the front end and the rear end of a swingable link, respectively; and at least one elastic endless belt reeved around the top roll and bottom roll, the swingable link being swingable about the axis of the top roll with the top roll into contact with the conveying roll through the endless belt, and a control mechanism for operating the link so that it is swung down for a first half of a period of time for which a sheet passes through the conveying roll and the top roll, and swung up for the second half.

Abstract: To hold and transport folded printed products, a belt (18), for example a steel ribbon, has separating and holding elements (19), for example flat metal plates or sheets secured thereto. The transport belt (18) with the separating elements thereon is guided about a curved guide surface (20), for example a roller, whereupon the separating elements will spread or fan out from the underlying transport belt. In this spread or fanned out position, they can accept one sheet element (11) of a spread apart folded product (1), the separating element (19) gripping that sheet element (11) between itself and the transport belt. The folded products can then be transported, in scale-like or imbricated or shingled form, to a storage position, for example by rolling up the steel ribbon (18).

Abstract: A teller machine for drive up applications is disclosed. The machine has a safe with an access slot. The machine also has a user panel which has an opening that lies transverse to the slot. A document carrier is described which rotates documents around two different axes as it carries them between the slot and the opening to allow passage of the documents through both.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing the direction of conveying paper in which paper is stopped by the operation of driving roller pairs in conjunction with idle roller pairs. The respective driving and idle roller pairs are urged against one another by the operation of a solenoid or the like. In order to move the paper, a clutch is engaged to rotatably operate the driving pairs.

Abstract: The direction of conveyance of paper sheet is changed through an angle of 90.degree. between processing and/or handling stations. Troublefree operation is ensured and an adjustment in adaptation to different paper sizes is permitted by the provision of a guide ruler 18 which is provided with pressure-applying balls 8 which cooperate with inclined driven conveyor rollers 15. The guide ruler 18 is fixed to a receiving deck 16 and comprises a continuous guiding flange 21 which depends below the level of the apices of the rollers 15. The position of the discharge end of a feeding conveyor 14 is adjustable toward and away from the guide ruler 18 .

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting and transferring sheets comprises storing means for storing a stack of sheets, first transferring means for transferring a sheet located at an end of the stack of the sheets from the storing means in a first direction, and second transferring means for transferring the next sheet located at the end of the stack of the sheets from the storing means in a second direction. The first and second directions are different from each other. The apparatus for sorting and transferring the sheets is applied; for example, to an automatic original transferring apparatus and a temporary storing tray of a copying machine.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a copy sheet skew adjustment device. The copy sheet adjustment device is a pivotable baffle positioned between transfer and copy sheet registration stations of the printer and hinged at one end. At the other end, the baffle is connected to a screw and a nut such that when the nut is rotated it pivots the baffle further either into or out of the path of the copy sheets. This shortens or lengthens the distance the copy sheets have to travel to the transfer station and in doing so skews the copy sheets to the proper alignment.

Abstract: A sheet storing apparatus comprising a tray for receiving sheets ejected from a copying machine, a first shift unit for reciprocating the tray in the direction perpendicular to the ejection of sheets, an aligning member for aligning the sheets on the tray, which is in contact with the surface of the top of the sheets on the tray and a second shift unit for shiting the aligning member in the same direction as that of the shifting of the tray. The sheets are divided by the shifting of the tray every time a set of sheets finishes to be transported onto the tray, and the aligning member is shifted synchronized with the shifting of the tray.

Abstract: An automatic loading mechanism for use in the manufacture of thin, metallic circuit board panels. The invention includes a lower drum unit which accepts the metallic panels from a conveyor system. The lower drum unit is rotatably mounted within a frame assembly, and includes a plurality of clamps which can automatically receive several metallic panels of varying size. The lower unit includes automatic clamp control means, and has the capability of rotating the panels from a horizontal to a vertical position or vice-versa. The lower drum unit guidingly feeds the metallic panels, through a spline assembly, to an upper unit. The uppper unit includes a plurality of clamps, in diametrically placed pairs, which delicately handle only the peripheral edge of the metallic panels while feeding them automatically into a rack assembly.

Abstract: A device is disposed in the path of paper leaving a printing unit or processor such as an office copier, facsimile or non-impact printer and has an arcuate concave guide and a feed roll which causes the paper to pass between the guide and the feed roll to decurl the paper. The space between the guide and the roller is greater than the thickness of the paper and the paper is bent in the direction opposite to its curl as it passes through the arched space, while the beam strength of the paper and the change in direction of the paper maintain adequate drive friction on the paper. The feed roll is mounted for movement laterally of the direction of paper travel to cause it to be laterally displaced or offset.

Abstract: A sheets handling device for use in association with image-forming apparatus, the device handling the sheets bearing an image fed from the image-forming apparatus such as copying apparatus and printers so as to discharge them face up or face down as desired, and also to feed them back to the image-forming apparatus for double-face or composite reproduction of image.

Abstract: A device capable of rotating sheets 90.degree. relative to an input orientation, utilizes a set of continuously driven rolls all turning with different surface velocities.

Abstract: A sheet handling apparatus includes first and second endless belts (38, 40) which are of resiliently stretchable material and parts of which are in cooperative relationship with respect to each other, a sheet (68) being fed through the apparatus while gripped between the cooperating parts of the belt drives (38, 40). One of the belt drives (40) passes around a pulley (60) associated with selectively operable actuating members (42, 46, 50, 52, 54). Operation of the actuating members (42, 46, 50, 52, 54) moves the associated pulley (60) so as to bring out a deformation of the cooperating parts of the belt drives (38, 40) and thereby change the length of the feed path for the sheet (68) through the apparatus. By operating the actuating members (42, 46, 50, 52, 54), the time at which the sheet (68) arrives at a certain location, such as a stacking wheel 75, may be adjusted.

Abstract: A separation arrangement removes printed products from an arriving imbricated stream of printed products and supplies such to a buffer branch arrangement. The non-removed printed products arrive at a feeder installation from an infeed device where there is first formed an imbricated buffer stack of printed products. The removed printed products are wound for temporary storage at the buffer branch arrangement in an imbricated or shingled formation with a buffer winding band upon a winding core or mandrel to form a buffer package. Upon interruption of the arriving imbricated stream of printed products these printed products stored in the buffer package are unwound and delivered to the infeed device, so that the supply of the imbricated stream of printed products is not interrupted. Since the buffer package possesses an appreciable storage capacity it is also possible to span longer interruptions of the infed imbricated stream of printed products without having to shutdown the feeder installation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hybrid copying system including a document feeder for a copier with a document bypass loop for copying documents in desired non-linear page sequences for improved copying efficiency, particularly for duplex copying. As shown, documents from a stacked set of document sheets may be fed to the copying station of the copier and then selectively returned directly back to the opposite side of the copying station for copying interleaved between the feeding of other documents fed from the stack, by a document return loop bypass path bypassing the stack and having a path length greater than the dimension of a document sheet. A duplex document which has been copied on one side may be moving in this return loop bypass path while another fed from the stack is being copied, and also be inverted by an integral inverter therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a stack of flat objects such as letters on a support is disclosed. A conveyor moves flat objects to the support. A stacking apparatus moves the flat objects onto the support into abutment against a jogging wall of the support. The conveyor and stacking apparatus are supported on a table which is movable relative to the support and stack. The stacking apparatus extends between the conveyor and jogging wall and includes an end having an axis about which the stacking apparatus is pivoted so as to be displaceable towards and away from the end of the stack.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading automatically fed documents and manually fed documents into a document transport. The loader apparatus includes a plurality of document driver devices situated along a track and capable of automatically accommodating documents of various thicknesses and sizes, the driver devices being actuable for downwardly driving received documents for registering their bottom edges along a horizontally extending registration surface, as well as for controllably gating the documents, and for forwardly driving the upstanding documents along the track and into a document processing transport. A preloader transport is provided for applying documents to the loader issuing from automatic feeder apparatus. The loader's track configuration includes an undercut registration surface for supporting the document's bottom edge in such manner as to decrease the likelihood of document distortion during the loading process.

Abstract: An angled conveyor for document packages comprises a transition conveyor belt, having an angled direction of motion relative to the direction of feed of document packages to the transition conveyor belt, and an output conveyor belt in line with and having a direction of motion that is substantially the same as the motion of the transition conveyor belt. Conveyor belts are of the endless type having their upper surfaces disposed substantially in the same horizontal plane. The transition conveyor belt is disposed laterally adjacently to the downstream end of a feed conveyor. A post extends from the apparatus frame structure vertically upward through a gap between the upstream end of the output conveyor belt and the downstream end of the transition conveyor belt in a transversally adjustable position. The post protrudes above the upper horizontal belt surfaces by a distance that is at least equal to the thickness of document packages conveyed.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing a flat article form a stream of articles moving along a straight path. The apparatus includes: a substantially curved, horizontal ramp movable vertically between a lower, home position and an upper position for engaging a removing the flat article form the stream and a swingable arm situated above the ramp. The arm has at its remote end a constantly turning roller and an arc, such that the constantly turning roller is always situated above the horizontal ramp. The path further included is a device for moving the ramp form the lower position to the upper position to engage the constantly turning roller to thereby drive the roller toward the flat article whereby the flat article is gripped by the constantly turning roller and removed form the stream of flat articles.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a recording apparatus for printing on opposite surfaces of recording medium which comprises: printing means for printing one surface of recording medium in a printing position; a looped conveyor passage for conveying again the recording medium having the printed one surface to the printing position so that another surface may be printed; and turning means disposed in the conveyor passage for turning the opposite surfaces of the once-printed recording medium upside down in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction thereof with the tops and bottoms being in an identical arrangement.

Abstract: A compact printer has a sheet feeder positioned at its front wall and electrophotographic components arranged along a sheet moving path for receiving a sheet from the sheet feeder and for exposing, developing, then transferring a toner image onto the sheet. At its rear side, the printer has an image fixing unit and a discharge portion for discharging the sheet to a side output tray or onto the top wall of the printer. The discharge portion is provided with a detachably hinged, sheet turning apparatus when it is desired to discharge sheets onto the top wall, or with a detachably hinged cover with a rear opening to discharge sheets onto a rear side output tray.

Abstract: A feed mechanism for a photocopy or similar machine directs the media, particularly wide-format media, into a receiving tray along a path which is substantially parallel to, but in the opposite direction of, the original media path. This allows for the removal of media from the front of the photocopy machine. With the drive mechanism in a first configuration, the leading edge of the media is fed directly into the receiving tray. Responsive to a position of the leading edge of the media, the drive mechanism changes to a second configuration so that the subsequent portion of the media is allowed to form a loop and to be delivered to a second receiving area.

Abstract: A device which can feed originals from a holder via a feed path to an exposure window using a cooperating pair of rollers and a conveyor device, the direction of movement of which can be reversed to allow returning of the originals via a discharge path to the holder. The pair of rollers is provided with a drive mechanism and a coupling belt which, during conveyance of an original to the exposure window, convey the original to and on the window in cooperation with the conveyor device and which stop the pair of rollers or reverse the direction of movement of the rollers during the conveyance of an original from the exposure window to the discharge path in order to inhibit feeding of the new original on one hand, and to position the new original on the other hand. There is a fixed time relation between the times at which the states of the movement of the pair of rollers and the conveyor device change.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a primary passage extending from a feeding unit which stores sheets up to a discharge tray which receives sheets with images formed thereon through an image forming unit which forms images on the sheet, and a secondary passage for returning each sheet which has been image-formed within the image forming unit to an upstream end of the primary passage from a downstream end thereof to form another image on the already image-formed side of the sheet or on the opposite side thereof. The secondary passage is formed so that in the event of jam or sheet therein, a portion of the secondary passage is exposed to the exterior by means of a guide plate capable of being opened and closed.

Abstract: A copy sheet rotator in which a sheet is moved by two separately driven crowned rolls that form nips with cooperating idler rolls. For sheet turning, one roll is stopped with the sheet in the nip while the other roll continues to drive and rotate the sheet. A separate scuffer roller registers the rotated sheet after it has been released from the rolls without scuffing damage. The position, angle and velocity of the scuffer allows the sheet to remain in tension during rotation and therefore prevents buckling without the need for nip release systems.

Abstract: A system for distributing flexible sheet material by class into separate containers includes a large endless belt and a number of individual distribution roller assemblies each of which includes a smaller endless belt which opposes the larger endless belt at successive locations. The sheet material is transported vertically between the larger endless belt and the smaller endless belts of the individual roller assemblies. Distribution of the sheet material into one of the containers results when the roller assembly associated with that container is repositioned mechanically so that the smaller endless belt and the opposing portion of the larger endless belt are positioned horizontally at the entrance to the container.

Abstract: A paper control gate directs a sheet from any one to any other of a plurality of three or more stations angularly disposed about a single rotatable shaft mounting one or more vanes. The vanes are in general curved and deflect a sheet through an appreciable angle. Where there is little or no sheet deflection between stations, a pair of parallel vanes may provide a passageway. The vanes may be flared at each end to accommodate reversible sheet paths. Large shaft rotations are employed. The stations are equally spaced from the shaft and each is provided with a frictional sheet drive roller.

Abstract: In an image recording apparatus, a developing sheet is fed by a feeder substantially horizontally along a predetermined transport path. A pair of pressurizing and developing rollers are arranged in a plane substantially parallel to the developing sheet fed by the feeder. A guide arrangement is arranged in the predetermined transport path for changing a course of the developing sheet fed by the feeder and for guiding the developing sheet to a nip defined between the pair of pressurizing and developing rollers. A pressure-sensitive recording medium having carried thereon a latent image and the developing sheet are caused to pass through the nip, with the pressure-sensitive recording medium and the developing sheet superposed upon each other. The pressurizing and developing rollers cooperate with each other to apply pressure to the pressure-sensitive recording medium and the developing sheet to develop the latent image on the pressure-sensitive recording medium, onto the developing sheet.

Abstract: Sheet transporting apparatus including a pair of rollers (13, 14) forming a sheet transporting nip (12), and adapted, when in an initial position (FIG. 1a), to engage the leading edge (17) of a sheet (11) delivered thereto, and subsequently to produce an orbital motion of the rollers one about the other so as to progressively change the direction of motion of the sheet while the sheet is advancing through the nip (FIGS. 1b-1d).

Abstract: A high speed envelope feeder is provided with a pair of pinch rolls for extracting an envelope from a stack of closed envelopes in a magazine. The flap of a closed envelope is opened by raising a cam surface under the flap to position the flap between a fixed pinch roll and a movable pinch roll. The movable pinch roll is articulated to grasp the flap between the pinch rolls. The flap is pulled to extract the envelope from the magazine and is subsequently pushed by the pinch rolls into the transport device.

Abstract: An in-line passive "pinwheel" copy sheet rotator in a rotating disc configuration for use in a copier, intermediate module or the like rotates copy sheets 90 or 180 degrees as desired. The disc has four quadrants and is used in combination with and positioned in-line with a sheet transport such as a ball-on-belt registration mechanism and an edge guide for registering the sheets once they have been rotated. Copy sheets come into contact with fins on the disc due to their movement by the ball-on-roll transport and are rotated along with the disc. A deflector is positioned over a portion of the disc in order to enhance the guiding of copy sheets into the disc by reducing the inertia of the disc after each copy is rotated and indexes each quadrant through the application of drag on the fins.

Abstract: A sheet handling apparatus for accumulating currency notes into a stack includes a rotatable cylinder (14), an endless belt (22) driven together with the cylinder (14) and arranged to be in cooperative relationship with the cylinder (14) over a major part of the periphery thereof, and feeding mechanism (98, 84) for feeding currency into an entry throat (174) between the cylinder (14) and the belt (22), whereby a single or multiple note fed into the entry throat (174) is held between the belt (22) and the cylinder (14) and is carried around the axis of the cylinder (14). The operation of the feeding means (98, 84) is synchronized with the rotation of the cylinder (14) so that each successive single or multiple note fed into the entry throat (174) is brought into a superposed relationship with the note or notes already held between the belt (22) and the cylinder (14) so as to form a stack of sheets (24) between the belt ( 22) and the cylinder (14).

Abstract: Apparatus and method of feeding sheets to a sheet gatherer, comprising moving the sheets along a horizontal path and then arcuately downwardly to lay the sheets in the gatherer hopper. The sides of the sheets are supported by members which have irregular surfaces disposed in vertical upstanding planes for engaging the opposite sides edges of the upstanding sheets and thereby support the sheets while advancing them toward the hopper. The sheets are continuously moved from a loading position and in the horizontal direction and then through a downwardly extending arc and into the hopper.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder, for example for a copier, in which the feed timing of a document is variably determined as a function of the size of an immediately preceding document, thus enabling stable feed and discharge of documents different in size.

Abstract: A machine for receiving a handle strip from a dispenser, rotating the strip to align it with a predetermined location on a moving carton blank, and applying the strip to the blank. A vacuum head for gripping the strips is carried by an arm mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis extending transversely of the moving blanks. The vacuum head is rotated through rotation of a pinion, which itself is rotated by a reciprocating rack. A cam follower mounted in a stationary cam causes the rack to reciprocate, thereby postively moving the rack in both directions.

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 belt and pulley conveyor device for flat objects comprises a substantially linear input conveyor and a substantially linear output conveyor orthogonal to the input conveyor. The input of the output conveyor is substantially contiguous with the output of the input conveyor. A chute is adapted to link the input and output conveyors. It has an object input/output and is adapted to pivot between an idle position in which it extends the output of the input conveyor and a transfer position in which it extends the input of the output conveyor. A control device is adapted to move the chute between the idle and transfer positions.

Abstract: A device for supplying/discharging PS plates in an inclined-type step and repeat machine having a rearwardly inclined exposing table which includes a supplying holder disposed on a side of the exposing table for supplying the PS plate thereto, the holder having a surface thereof rearwardly inclined at the same angle with respect to the horizontal as that of a surface of the exposing table, a pair of endless chains respectivley disposed along both side edges of the holder and adapted to move up and down longitudinally of the holder in synchronism with each other, metal support supported by the chains at both ends thereof, support bars also supported by the chains at respective both ends thereof via metal pieces the chains being driven to move up while carrying the PS plate which is being held by the metal support and support bars, and a guide provided on the top of the supplying holder and bent backwardly for guiding upward the plate being discharged.