Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling bill jams within a currency processing device is provided. The device includes a transport mechanism adapted to transport bills along a transport path, one at a time, from the input receptacle past an evaluation unit into a plurality of output receptacles. At least one of the output receptacles includes a holding area and a storage area. A plurality of bill passage sensors are sequentially disposed along the transport path that are adapted to detect the passage of a bill as each bill is transported past each sensor. An encoder is adapted to produce an encoder count for each incremental movement of the transport mechanism. A controller counts the total number of bills transported into each of the holding areas and the total number of bills moved from a holding area to a corresponding storage area after a predetermined number of bills have been transported into the holding area.

Abstract: An arrangement for mounting an ingestion assembly within a singulating apparatus operative to singulate and convey sheet material along a feed path. The mounting arrangement includes a radial bearing pivotally mounting the ingestion assembly to a stationary support structure of the singulating apparatus. The radial bearing is operative to pivot the singulating assembly from an operating position to an idle position about a pivot axis which is substantially orthogonal to the feed path of the sheet material. The mounting arrangement also includes an over-center mechanism disposed in combination with the radial bearing for biasing the ingestion assembly about the pivot axis such that the ingestion assembly is forcibly held in each of the operating and idle positions. Optimum space utilization and ease of use is provided by the radial bearing which cantilever mounts the ingestion assembly to the singulating apparatus.

Abstract: A sheet pick-up device includes a sheet pick-up arm, a driving shaft and a collar. The sheet pick-up arm has a sleeve at the outside surface thereof. The driving shaft is penetrated through the sheet pick-up arm and the sleeve. The collar is sheathed around the driving shaft and includes at least one flexible vane in contact with the inner surface of the sleeve. The height of the flexible vane relative to the outer surface of the collar is greater than the radial distance between the outer surface of the collar and the inner surface of the sleeve.

Abstract: Representative embodiments provide for a security lock apparatus configured to securely couple a sheet handling device in cooperative relationship with an imaging device in response to a first predefined user action, the security lock apparatus further configured to de-couple the sheet handling device from the imaging device in response to a second predefined user action, wherein the security lock apparatus is further configured to be inoperable by unauthorized personnel. The present invention provides a method including supporting a security lock apparatus with an imaging device, performing an authorized predefined locking action coupled to the security lock apparatus, and securely coupling the sheet handling device in cooperative relationship with the imaging device using the lock apparatus in response to the performing the authorized locking action.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing envelopes. A support plates and a pressure sensing lever support a stack of envelopes in a generally upright orientation. The pressure sensing lever pivots in accordance with pressure exerted by the stack of envelopes. A feeding apparatus is operatively coupled to a sensor such that pivotal movement of the pressure sensing lever is detected by the sensor and the feeding apparatus changes the pressure exerted against the stack of envelopes.

Abstract: An inkjet image forming apparatus including a printing media storage unit configured to store printing media, a pickup unit configured to pick up a printing medium stored in the printing media storage unit, and a cover made of a conductive material and adapted to come into contact with the printing medium picked up by the pickup unit. An effective removal of static charge from the printing medium is possible by having the printing medium picked up by the pickup unit come into contact with the cover.

Abstract: Provided is a feed device including: a loading unit in which a plurality of sheet members is loaded in a stacked state; a delivery member which performs a feed operation in a state in which a contact surface thereof is in contact with an uppermost sheet member of the sheet members loaded on the loading unit and delivers the sheet member in a feed direction using friction force with the uppermost sheet member as the feeding force; a gate member which is configured to move in a direction to and from the contact surface of the delivery member and has an inclined surface with which a front end of the sheet member delivered by the delivery member collides with; and a gate energizing member which energizes the gate member in a direction approaching to the contact surface of the delivery member.

Abstract: Method of feeding flattened cardboard cartons in a carton opening machine in a bottle, container, or article packaging plant, and a device therefor. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Abstract: A compact, desktop document processor for use on a counter-top is provided. A low-profile document feeding machine includes a feeder, a hopper, at least one processing device, and an output pocket. The apparatus further includes a reversible motor including a shaft, a first one-way clutch, a second one-way clutch, a nudger device, and a jogging device. The nudger device is drivingly connected to the motor through the first one-way clutch such that driving the motor in a forward direction drives the nudger device to urge a document from a document stack in the hopper into the feeder. The jogging device is drivingly connected to the motor through the second one-way clutch such that driving the motor in a reverse direction drives the jogging device to align the documents in the document stack prior to feeding.

Abstract: A method for dynamically lifting an elevator includes picking a sheet from a stack to feed to a media process where the stack is on a platform that can be lifted by an elevator, performing the media process, sensing a top of the stack to detect presence or absence of the stack at a media home position, sensing the top of the stack to detect presence or absence of the stack on the platform, sensing the platform to detect its presence or absence at a maximum elevator level, and indexing the stack at least once by lifting the platform through a given distance, during the media process and not during picking a sheet, unless presence of the top of the stack at the media home position is sensed or absence of media sheets on the elevator platform is sensed or presence of the elevator platform at the maximum elevator level is sensed.

Abstract: Automatic machine (26) for the deposit and withdrawal of cash, assisted by operator, comprising an input port (33) for a bundle of banknotes (36), a separating device (37) for the bundle of banknotes, a validation device (38) for banknotes separated from the bundle, an output port (39) and an input/output opening (41) for a recycling store (52). The machine (26) has a structure of compact dimensions for use in a banking workstation and comprises a third transaction port (43), for instance a reject/unfit port, and a moving mechanism actuatable for transporting the banknotes from the input port (33), and through the validation device (38), to the output port (39), or to the reject/un-fit port (43), and/or to the input/output opening as function of dispensing of the banknotes.

Abstract: A method for feeding media items seriatim along a path of travel includes initiating a feed of a first media item along the path of travel and detecting the presence of the first media item along the path of travel. The time value is determined between initiating the feeding of the first media item and detecting the presence of the first media item. The initiating of feed of a second media item along the path of travel is controlled based on the determined time value between initiating the feeding of the first media item and detecting the presence of the first media item.

Abstract: A holding mechanism which holds a rear end restricting plate at the restricting position in accordance with the sheet size is configured with a first rack tooth row and a second rack tooth row. The first rack tooth row and the second rack tooth row are arranged at the bottom surface of a cassette body to be the same height along the sheet restricting direction and a first tooth row and a second tooth row are arranged at a restricting member to be the same height along the sheet restricting direction.

Abstract: A system for transporting an object between stations, for example, from a magazine to a conveyor is provided having a rotary apparatus having two arms, wherein a first arm rocks back and forth between two positions and a second arm rotates about an axis on the first arm. The second arm can be fixedly connected to a holder having one or more suction heads for grasping the object. Preferably, the holder is arranged parallel to the object and moved in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the object as the object is removed from the magazine. Additionally, the holder is preferably displaced above the conveyor and positioned to be parallel to the conveyor, after which the holder is moved toward the conveyor in a path that is perpendicular to the plane of the conveyor. Therefore, the lateral force, shearing force, and friction exerted on the object during removal from the magazine and deposition onto the conveyor can be minimized.

Abstract: A sheet feed device has a tray with holding surface for holding sheets, a feed unit for feeding sheets from the tray, and a separation plate. The separation plate has an inclined surface and two or more separation portions that separate a sheet from the sheets held in the tray. At least one of the separation portions projects a first distance from the inclined surface. The separation plate also has a projection positioned on the inclined surface that projects a second distance from the inclined surface. The second distance is greater than the first distance. A first of the separation portions is positioned upstream of the particular projection in the sheet feed direction, and a second of the separation portions positioned downstream of the particular projection in the sheet feed direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning sheets in a processing machine includes translationally movable stops or front lays which can be driven through the use of a coupler mechanism or individually actuable electric motors.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes: a liftable stacking member; on which a sheet is stacked; a feeding member which feeds the sheet in abutment against the uppermost one of the sheets placed on the stacking member,the feeding member moving from a separation position to an abutment position; a driving portion which lifts the stacking member; and a control portion configured to controls the driving portion so as to lift the stacking member when a plurality of signals, which the control portion receives from a sensor due to the feeding member moving from the separation position to the abutment position repeatedly, indicate that the uppermost one of the sheets placed on the stacking member is located below a predetermined position.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes sheet accommodating means for accommodating a sheet, the sheet accommodating means being detachably mountable to the apparatus; feeding means for feeding the sheet from the sheet accommodating means; press-contact means for press-contacting the sheet in the sheet accommodating means to the feeding means; a guiding member for guiding the sheet accommodating means such that sheet accommodated in the sheet accommodating means is not contacted to the feeding means when the sheet accommodating means is mounted to the apparatus; moving means for moving the guiding member to bring the sheet into contact to the feeding means after the sheet accommodating means is mounted to the apparatus.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus includes a sheet feeding tray, a sheet discharge tray, an image recording portion including an ink jet recording head and a platen, a first roller portion, disposed between the sheet feeding tray and the image recording portion, and a second roller portion, disposed at a position across the image recording portion from the first roller portion, for feeding the recording material, and a guide, positioned between the sheet feeding roller and the first roller portion, for separating the recording material fed from the sheet feeding tray and that to be fed to the sheet discharge tray. After the recording material fed from the sheet feeding tray passes between the ink jet recording head and the platen and is nipped by the second roller portion, recording is carried out when the recording material is fed in an opposite direction between the ink jet recording head and the platen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing paper stack level calibration in a reproduction apparatus. According to various aspects of the invention, methods are provided for continuous feeding with a transition from one supply to another, and leaving a controlled number of sheets in the prior supply.

Abstract: A sheet-convey device, including: a holder on which a first sheet having a first width and a second sheet having a second width larger than the first width are placeable at a predetermined setting position; a convey member which conveys a sheet placed on the holder in a predetermined direction perpendicular to a widthwise direction of the sheet; a recognizer which recognizes a width of the sheet; wherein the recognizer includes first and second sensors for sensing whether a part of the sheet is present at respective first and second positions of the holder; wherein the first position is located inside of the first width in the widthwise direction with the first sheet placed on the holder, while the second position is located outside of the first width with the first sheet placed on the sheet holder and inside of the second width with the second sheet placed on the holder; and wherein the second position is located upstream of the first position in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: To provide a sheet processing apparatus and a sheet take-out apparatus, when a take-out portion is stopped, for conveying a sheet hanging down in the take-out portion, thereby preventing the hanging-down sheet from falling. If a take-out emergency process state occurs during take-out of sheets, the sheet take-out apparatus stops upward movement of a backup plate, moves down feed stoppers, presses a sheet bundle from above, and prevents the sheet on the uppermost surface from being taken out. At this time, the sheet take-out apparatus keeps a rotor air valve on and takes out the sheet caught in a sheet take-in port.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device to feed a sheet in a sheet feeding path is provided. The sheet feeding device includes a plurality of feeding rollers to feed a sheet in the sheet feeding path, and a dust remover unit to remove dust adhered onto a surface of the sheet. The dust remover unit includes a dust absorber roller to absorb dust from a surface of the sheet, a dust remover member arranged to be in contact with a surface of the dust absorber roller to remove the dust from the surface of the dust absorber roller, a conveyer member, arranged to be opposed to the dust remover member, to convey the dust removed by the dust remover member, and a cutter member, arranged in an intervening position between the dust remover roller and the conveyer member, to cut the dust removed by the dust remover member into smaller pieces.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for monitoring the singling of sheet material, in particular of bank notes. The invention starts out from monitoring the singling of sheet material, in particular of bank notes, by means of a singler having a drive and a control device for a monitoring and controlling of the singler, wherein a monitoring of place, time, orientation and state of the singled sheet material is effected immediately after the singling.

Abstract: A medium supply device includes a receiving portion including a support plate to form a bottom surface of the receiving portion, a support portion being formed on the support plate to support a central portion of a bottom surface of paper medium, and a guide being formed on the support plate to limit both sides of paper medium around the support portion; a separating portion being provided in front of the receiving portion to pick up and discharge the paper medium; and a pressurizing portion including a block to move forward and backward with respect to the receiving portion and a plate of which a location is adjustable upwardly and downwardly along the block, wherein the guide is formed in parallel with a transferring direction of the paper medium and includes a plurality of protrusions.

Abstract: A paper-pickup clutch of an automatic paper-feeding device includes a clamping member and a clamping-force adjusting member and can be applied to image processors such as printers, copiers or scanners. The automatic paper-feeding device includes a shaft and a paper-pickup mechanism transmitted to picking up paper by the shaft. The paper-pickup clutch provides a bi-directional clutch function by moving the clamping member toward or away from the paper-pickup mechanism with the clamping-force adjusting member in order to adjust the clamping force of the clamping member working on the paper-pickup mechanism to a certain level. With the certain level of clamping force, the paper-pickup mechanism sustains against paper to be fed and self-rotates with the rotation of the shaft in a first direction for feeding paper and rotates with the shaft in a second direction for releasing paper without further changing the state of the paper-pickup clutch.

Abstract: A sheet feed device includes a sheet storage portion, a pick-up unit, a sheet-feed separation unit, and an air blower. The sheet storage portion stores a stack of sheets. The pick-up unit picks up the sheets stored in the sheet storage portion. The sheet-feed separation unit separates and feeds one by one the sheets picked up by the pick-up unit. The air blower blows air against a lateral side face of the stack of sheets stored in the sheet storage portion. The pick-up unit picks up the sheets while the air blower blows air and before the sheet-feed separation unit starts to operate.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus includes a sheet feeding tray, a sheet discharge tray, an image recording portion including an ink jet recording head and a platen, a sheet feeding roller, a first roller portion, disposed between the sheet feeding tray and the image recording portion, and a second roller portion, disposed at a position across the image recording portion from the first roller portion. After the recording material fed from the sheet feeding tray is passed between the ink jet recording head and the platen and is nipped by the first roller portion, recording is carried out when the recording material is fed in an opposite direction between the ink jet recording head and the platen.

Abstract: A sheet thickness measuring device includes: an illumination unit that outputs a light that is illuminated into a stack of sheets from a first area defined on one of faces including a top face, a bottom face, and side faces of the stack of sheets; a detection unit that detects a light amount distribution of light entered into the stack of sheets and propagated to a second area through the stack of sheets, the second area defined on one of the side faces of the stack of sheets; and a calculation unit that calculates a thickness of a sheet in the stack of sheets based on the light amount distribution detected by the detection unit.

Abstract: A sheet supply device includes a first separation unit for applying a transportation load to a medium supplied from a stored state with a sheet supply member to separate the medium, and a second separation unit disposed on a downstream side of the first separation unit for separating the medium passing through the first separation unit. The first separation unit is disposed outside an extension area of the second separation unit in a medium transportation direction.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a middle plate, a lifter mechanism, and a sheet-feed roller. The sheet-feed roller can move to a first position retracted from the sheet, a second position lower than the first position for feeding the sheet, and a third position lower than the second position. The sheet feeding apparatus has a position control mode in which when a sheet is fed, the sheet-feed roller is moved from the first position to the third position and stopped there, the middle plate is moved toward the sheet-feed roller by the lifter mechanism, the sheet stacked on the middle plate is brought into abutment against the sheet-feed roller, the middle plate is moved until a position detection sensor outputs the detection signal that the sheet-feed roller is in the second position, and a height of the sheet is controlled.

Abstract: A paper feed device including a paper feed unit configured to feed sheets; a separation unit configured to separate and feed the sheets fed from the paper feed unit automatically one by one; a sheet guide member provided between the paper feed unit and the separation unit, the sheet guide member provided on a downstream side relative to a sheet feed direction rotatably supported at one edge thereof; and a guide driving member configured to change a sheet guide position of the sheet guide member depending on a sheet type.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus and method for measuring the weight of articles fed along a processing path. The weighing apparatus includes multiple segments, i.e., a primary scale segment adapted to weigh articles of a first configuration, and at least one secondary scale segment adapted to cooperate with the primary segment to weigh articles of a second configuration. The articles of the second configuration are larger than those of the first configuration in at least one dimension or direction. Inasmuch as the articles are fed along a processing path, a conveyor or transport means is provided to feed the articles to the scale segments. The conveyor may be controlled to momentarily pause the articles over each scale segment to obtain an accurate weight measurement. The weight measurement apparatus is particularly well-suited for use in mailing machines to calculate the value of postage indicia.

Abstract: A sheet separation member having a separation pick includes a substrate made of hard material, which is swingable around a support shaft connected to a stable member, and a wrapping member made of resin softer than the substrate for wrapping the substrate. A leading end of the substrate is integrally molded with the wrapping member using inert molding, and a leading end of the wrapping member protrudes from the leading end of the substrate by not more than 5 mm.

Abstract: A tabbed sheet table is detachably attached to a lifting and lowering tray when a tabbed sheet is fed. A tabbed sheet regulating member is provided in a side surface on an upstream side in a sheet feeding direction of the tabbed sheet table while being movable in a vertical direction. The tabbed sheet regulating member includes an abutting portion and a contacting portion. The abutting portion is vertically extended, and the abutting portion abuts on a tab of the tabbed sheet. The contacting portion is extended along the tabbed sheet table, and the contacting portion is contacted on the top-most tabbed sheet placed on the tabbed sheet table. In lifting a tray, a length in a vertical direction of the tabbed sheet is set such that a state in which the regulating member is contacted on the tabbed sheet is maintained irrespective of the lifting of the tray.

Abstract: A device (10) for extracting and feeding sheets from two trays, comprising a first tray (20) to contain a first ream (21a) of sheets (21), a second tray (30) to contain a second ream (31a) of sheets (31), and a feeding member (50, 53, 53a, 53b) for extracting and feeding one sheet (21, 31) at a time from said first ream (21a) or from said second ream (31a), wherein the two trays (20, 30) are positioned one on top of the other on the same side of the feeding member (50), and the second tray (30), in an intermediate position between the first tray (20) and the feeding member (50), comprises a fixed wall (32, 32a, 32b), to support the second ream (31a), which is configured in order to define an opening or cooperation zone (41) between the first tray (20) and the feeding member (50), so that, when the second ream is not present in the second tray (30) the feeding member (50, 53, 53a) and the first ream (21a) are intended to cooperate in contact with each other, through said cooperation zone (41) in order to extra

Abstract: A sheet loader for loading a folded sheet bundle provided from a sheet bundle provider with a folded edge of the folded sheet bundle in the lead, including: a folded edge support configured to support the folded edge of the folded sheet bundle provided from the sheet bundle provider, the folded edge support movable back and forth in a direction declined from a side near the sheet bundle provider, and an undersurface support configured to support an undersurface of the folded sheet bundle so that the folded edge is lower than a trailing edge of the folded sheet bundle.

Abstract: A sheet picking system for picking a sheet of media includes a power source having a driveshaft. A first housing arm containing a drive gear is drivably coupled to the driveshaft. The drive gear defines a first pivot axis for the first housing arm, wherein the drive gear is driven by the driveshaft to rotate about the first pivot axis. A second housing arm contains an intermediate gear, a transmission device, and a pick roller. The transmission device is configured to rotatably couple the intermediate gear to the pick roller. The intermediate gear is positioned to be meshed with the drive gear. The intermediate gear defines a second pivot axis for the second housing arm. A link mechanism pivotably couples the first housing arm at the first pivot axis to the second housing arm at the second pivot axis.

Abstract: A document feeder includes a tray for holding one or more document sheets and a first flag disposed adjacent to the tray so as to engage a document sheet in the tray. A second flag is disposed adjacent to the tray to engage the document sheet so that the first and second flags produce balanced amounts of friction on the document sheet.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus includes: a sheet conveyance path designed so as to include nonlinear portions; a first conveyance roller pair which is provided at predetermined positions of the sheet conveyance path and which has a conveyance width capable of nipping and conveying a sheet having the minimum size sheet passing width among sheets to be passed through the sheet conveying apparatus; a guide plate which is placed in a downstream side or an upstream side of the first conveyance roller pair in a sheet conveyance direction and has a curved guide surface; and a plurality of guide ribs which are extended on the guide surface in the sheet conveyance direction and are provided in a sheet passing width direction of the sheet in a region corresponding to the conveyance width of the first conveyance roller pair.

Abstract: A control box is provided for a printer to enable additional information processing, such as transmission of a job and transmission of notifications. The control box is fixed to a plate member that is sandwiched between the printer and a pedestal, so that it can be secured to the printer without drastically altering the printer itself. As another method, wheels are provided for the plate member on which is mounted the control box. The control box is normally placed beside the main body of the printer, and when it can be moved as needed, a door or a tray provided on the side of the main body can be used. An operating panel that is used to enter an instruction for the control box is fixed to one end of a flexible strut that is secured at the other end. With this arrangement, pressure applied by a user can be dispersed.

Abstract: In an apparatus for separating flat articles of a stack, operating elements of one side of a transport path are fastened on a sliding plate which, in the individual-separation state, is moved away from the transport path and back again and is driven in a controlled manner. In the event of a fault warning from a sensor set-up for determining fault states during the individual-separation process, transport elements moving the articles along the transport path are stopped, and the sliding plate is moved into an individual-separation position for opening the transport path and, after a short time, for re-closing the transport path. After closing of the transport path, the transport elements resume their transport operation.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device, including: a first tray on which sheets to be fed are stacked; a second tray which is disposed above the first tray to provide a two-tier structure and on which the sheets after having fed from the first tray are stacked; a sheet-feed path extending from the first tray to the second tray; a sheet-feed mechanism which is operable to separate one of the sheets stacked on the first tray, to feed the one of the sheets into the sheet-feed path, and to discharge the one of the sheets to the second tray such that the one of the sheets slides under another of the sheets that has been discharged immediately before the one of the sheets; and at least one sheet guide which is configured to warp the sheets discharged to the second tray, in a direction perpendicular to a sheet-feed direction in which the sheets are fed.

Abstract: A document feeder includes a casing, a sheet pick-up module, a stopper and a swing lever. The casing includes a sheet feeding channel therein. The sheet pick-up module is pivotally mounted above the sheet feeding channel, and movable between a sheet feeding position and a standby position. The stopper is disposed under the sheet feeding channel. The swing lever includes a first end part is pressed down by the sheet pick-up module and a second end part is pressed down by the stopper. When the sheet pick-up module is switched from the sheet feeding position to the standby position, the sheet pick-up module depresses the first end part of the swing lever, so that the stopper is raised by the second end part of the swing lever to be protruded to the sheet feeding channel.

Abstract: Downstream of a paper conveying member arranged in a paper conveyance path of an image forming apparatus, a pair of separating claws separating paper from the paper conveying member are so arranged as to be spaced apart from each other in the paper width direction. Of guide ribs guiding the separated paper to a downstream side of the paper conveyance path, the guide ribs adjacent to the pair of the separating claws have larger amounts of projection toward a paper conveyance plane at upstream ends in a paper conveyance direction than the guide rib located between these guide ribs.

Abstract: A system controlled responsive to data bearing records includes a card reader that is operative to read data from user cards including identifying data, and authorizes operation of an automated banking machine responsive to the identifying data. The automated banking machine includes a housing including a generally L-shaped chest portion and an upper housing portion. The banking machine includes a fascia which extends on the outside of a wall and includes a user interface. Responsive to inputs of a user through the user interface the machine is operative to accept a stack of sheets which are evaluated through operation of a sheet validator device and which enables acceptable sheets to be stored within the chest portion. Unacceptable sheets may be routed to a storage area. Provisions may be made for reducing the risk of attack on the machine by criminals and to facilitate servicing by authorized personnel.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that effectively reduces sheet collision and increases productivity includes a storage unit to store sheets of a recording medium, a feeder to feed the sheets one by one from the storage unit, a conveyance device to convey the sheets along a conveyance path, a plurality of sensors to detect the sheets, a registration device to perform registration to the sheets, and a controller to control the feeder, the conveyance device, and the registration device. When a first sheet is stopped at or before it reaches the registration device, the feeder feeds a second sheet to the conveyance path, while the controller checks an interval between the first and second sheets. The controller stops the second sheet when the interval is shorter than a given interval and conveys the second sheet to the registration device without stopping when the interval is not shorter than the given interval.

Abstract: A label feeder unit associated with a machine for packing tobacco products holds a stack of labels placed in a channel presenting an infeed end, and an outfeed end from which the labels are released to a take-up station, then picked up singly and transferred to a further unit of the machine. The outfeed end of the channel incorporates a transfer mechanism comprising a pair of contrarotating rollers placed on either side of the channel at a distance less than the width of the stack in such a way as to intercept the labels and transfer them to the take-up station, which is movable relative to the outfeed end of the channel under the pressure transmitted to the station by the labels taken up between the rollers. The transfer mechanism forms part of a feedback control loop by which the pressure registering through the labels at the take-up station is kept within prescribed limits.

Abstract: A sheet feeding unit and an image forming apparatus having the same. The image forming apparatus includes a body and the sheet feeding unit to supply sheets into the body. The sheet feeding unit includes a sheet feeding cassette coupled to the body, a sheet lifting plate positioned in the sheet feeding cassette to stack sheets thereon, a pick-up device to feed the sheets piece by piece from the sheet feeding plate, and an adjustment unit to vary a sheet feeding force by which the sheets are fed from the sheet lifting plate. Accordingly, the sheets can be smoothly fed into the body without skewing through adjustment of a sheet feeding force of the pick-up device.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus including: a regulating member movable so as to regulate a position of a sheet in a sheet regulated position corresponding to the sheet to be contained in a cassette main body; a holding mechanism for holding the regulating member; and an operating portion disposed at the regulating member for releasing the regulating member from being held by the holding mechanism, wherein when the regulating member is moved in one direction or the other direction opposite to the one direction for regulating the sheet, the operating portion is press-operated in the direction intended to move so that the regulating member is released from being held by the holding mechanism.