Abstract: An apparatus for feeding porous sheets of media from a stack of such sheets includes a retaining structure that is configured to retain the stack in an aligned condition. A pick-up device is operatively arranged with respect to the retaining structure. The pick-up device includes a gas conduit that is in fluid communication with a gas supply and a nozzle arrangement that is in fluid communication with the gas conduit. The nozzle arrangement is shaped to define a pick-up surface. The pick-up device is displaceable along a feed path relative to the retaining structure. The pick-up device is positioned so that the nozzle arrangement is capable of directing a flow of gas onto a first sheet of the stack such that the gas passes partially through the first sheet and impinges on a second sheet, generating a cushion of air between the first and second sheets to separate the first and second sheets.

Abstract: The invention recites a gate that is selectively operable to pass a stream of printed products to one of a first path and a second path. The waste gate includes a frame and a first roller member supported by the frame for rotation about a first axis. The first axis is fixed with respect to the frame. A second roller member is supported by the frame for rotation about a second axis. The second roller is movable with respect to the first roller between a first position and a second position. A conveyor belt is supported by the first roller and the second roller such that when the second roller is in the first position, the stream of printed products pass along the first path and when the second roller is in the second position, the stream of printed products pass along the second path.

Abstract: A batch sheet feeder has an upstream first conveyor section arranged to convey sheets singly in a downstream direction to a downstream second conveyor section. The second conveyor section has an upper second conveying section and a lower second conveying section forming a gap therebetween. The gap is largest at an upstream end of the second conveyor section and diminishes in size toward a downstream end of the second conveyor section. A gate positioned proximate the downstream end of the second conveyor section selectively blocks sheets fed along the second conveyor section. In another embodiment, the sheet feeder has a sheet conveyor, sheet sensor, and visual attribute sensor. The visual attribute sensor has a field of view covering an area of the conveyor at a certain downstream location so as to sense an area of any sheet on the conveyor at this downstream location. The visual attribute sensor can compare a sensed area of a sheet at the downstream location with a stored visual attribute.

Abstract: In a device for conveying stacks of sheets of paper or the like, each stack is caused to advance along a pre-set path inside a pocket, which has a resting surface for supporting the stack and is provided with at least one pressure member designed to grip the stack on the resting surface during at least part of the displacement of the pocket along the path.

Abstract: For the horizontal positioning of serially supplied, flat objects (1) to be conveyed onward, the objects (1) are supplied suspended, one of their main surfaces (10) facing downstream and the other main surface (11) facing upstream. Prior to positioning, lower edge zones (13) of the objects (1) are selectively accelerated or retarded relative to the upper edge zones (12), so that the objects (1) are brought into a position inclined relative to the vertical. Thereafter, the upper edge zones (12) are released and the objects (1), under the influence of gravity, are positioned on an onward conveying device, selectively either the downstream or the upstream main surface (10 or 11) facing upwards. For retarding or accelerating the lower edge zones (13), for example, a conveyor belt or two conveyor belts adjoining one another are utilized. The speed (v.3) of the conveyor belts is adjustable to convert from accelerating operation to retarding operation.

Abstract: A bill handling machine includes a first unit having a depositing port for depositing bills; a second unit having a depositing cassette for holding deposited bills; and a bill transfer mechanism for transferring bills from the depositing port to a depositing cassette. At least one of the first and second units is installable and removable, and the bill transfer mechanism is provided with a first transfer mechanism provided in the installable and removable unit and a connecting transfer mechanism connected to the first transfer mechanism and enabled to control the connection with the transfer mechanism in the installable and removable unit in conjunction with the removal/installation of the unit.

Abstract: A batch sheet feeder has an upstream first conveyor section arranged to convey sheets singly in a downstream direction to a downstream second conveyor section. The second conveyor section has an upper second conveying section and a lower second conveying section forming a gap therebetween. The gap is largest at an upstream end of the second conveyor section and diminishes in size toward a downstream end of the second conveyor section. A gate positioned proximate the downstream end of the second conveyor section selectively blocks sheets fed along the second conveyor section. In another embodiment, the sheet feeder has a sheet conveyor, sheet sensor, and visual attribute sensor. The visual attribute sensor has a field of view covering an area of the conveyor at a certain downstream location so as to sense an area of any sheet on the conveyor at this downstream location. The visual attribute sensor can compare a sensed area of a sheet at the downstream location with a stored visual attribute.

Abstract: A sheet stacking device, comprised of a sheet support bed having a plurality of side-by-side rollers that are freely rotatable about an associated roller axis. A drive assembly moves the sheet support bed in a predetermined direction along a closed path. The path has a horizontal upper run and a horizontal lower run, and is dimensioned such that a space exists between the first end and the second end of the sheet support bed as the sheet support bed moves along the path.

Abstract: A sheet material conveying apparatus has at least one pocket running along a track, the pocket including a base section for receiving sheet material and an upper section including at least one upper gripper for holding an edge of the sheet material. The at least one upper gripper is movable between a gripping position and a non-gripping position, and the upper section is movable with respect to the base section to alter a distance of the at least one upper gripper with respect to the base section.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for stacking mailpieces received from a mail-processing machine in consecutive order. There is a receiving conveying section positioned at a greater height than the following stacking conveying section. A stacking ramp extends from the downstream portion of the stacking conveying section. The receiving conveying section has a single continuous belt extending along the receiving conveying section in a first direction and positioned centrally along a second direction of the conveying section. The continuous belts of the stacking conveying section are positioned substantially at equal intervals extending along the first direction of the stacking conveying section and have top surfaces which extend above the stacking conveying section and which contact the mailpieces received from the mail processing machine.

Abstract: The invention provides for an improved signature hopper loader for feeding signatures to a hopper on a binding line. The hopper loader includes two conveyor assemblies that work together to feed signatures to the hopper. The first conveyor assembly is connected to the second conveyor assembly such that there is an angle in the range of 110-120 degrees between the first and second conveyor assemblies. The first and second conveyor assemblies also include forming guides that serve to fan, or deblock, the signatures that are traveling along the first or second conveyor assembly. As the signatures travel over the forming guides, they are bent to give the signatures rigidity and to further facilitate deblocking. The hopper loader further includes an opposing belt that is held on top of at least a portion of one of the transporting belts. The opposing belt is hinged to the frame of the hopper loader and preferably swings down on top of the center belt in the second conveyor.

Abstract: Veneer sheet lay-up apparatus with rearward and forward tablets, about which rearward and forward conveyors are respectively entrained. A controller longitudinally reciprocates the tablets toward and away from one another, between open and closed configurations. A veneer sheet delivered to the rearward tablet is forwardly conveyed to the forward tablet, which forwardly conveys the sheet's forward portion. The controller detects the sheet's arrival at the desired lay-up position and thereupon simultaneously rearwardly retracts the rearward tablet and forwardly advances the forward tablet from beneath the sheet, creating a lay-up space into which the veneer sheet is gravity-displaced.

Abstract: A module for temporarily storing a succession of flat printed products includes a first carrier element train on a first transport element assigned to a first side wall of the module, and a second carrier element train on a second transport element assigned to a second side wall of the module. The second side wall is located opposite the first side wall. The transport elements are movable relative to the side walls and correlated with one another, for a form-locking, at least partial support of a printing product loaded into the module. Support for an underside of the loaded printing product is provided by an upper side of the first carrier element and by an upper side of the second carrier element.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a transport device for rerouting flat mail pieces (6) that are transported clamped between an endless lower band (1) and an endless upper band (2), wherein the upper band (2) is realized in a longitudinally elastic fashion and guided back in an outwardly directed loop. According to the invention, an inexpensive and space-saving rerouting with the least possible stress on the mail pieces is realized due to the fact that the driven lower band (1) is guided on a stationary, immovable guide element (3) with a sliding surface that has the shape of a curved segment, and the sliding surface of the curved segment has a lower coefficient of friction than the lower band (1) and the mail pieces (6). The lower band (1) has a low coefficient of friction on its side facing the guide element (3) and has a high coefficient of friction on its side facing the non-driven upper band (2) and the mail pieces (6).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stacking small sheets of glass or the like, wherein manual stacking is eliminated and robotic/machine cycle times are significantly reduced, and wherein such an apparatus enables the stacking of small sheets of glass/lites or the like in single and/or multiple rows and/or tiers.

Abstract: A media transport belt assembly has a continuous belt encompassing two rollers supported on a frame. A tension mechanism biases the rollers apart to generate tension in the belt. The end of one roller moves in response to increased belt tension to skew the first roller with respect to the second roller. The roller end may be pivotally attached to a frame for movement in an arc, or may be otherwise constrained to displace the roller from the plane of the belt.

Abstract: A conveyor or article transportation system for conveying or transporting, for example, pieces or units of mail, or similar flat articles, has a pair of guide fingers operatively extending downstream from a downstream end of the conveyor so as to project into a stacking chamber within which the pieces or units of mail, or flat articles, are to be stacked. The guide fingers effectively vertically support the downstream end portions of the pieces or units of mail, or articles, such that the downstream end portions of the mail or articles do not curl or curve downwardly, or sag, whereby the pieces of mail or articles are deposited within the stacking chamber in a substantially flat state so as to prevent rollover of the pieces of mail or articles which would otherwise become jammed within the stacking system and cause upstream jamming or interruptions within the conveying system.

Abstract: The sheets conveyance device, used in a converting press for paper or cardboard sheets comprising at least one feeding station, a converting station, a waste stripping station and a delivery station for converted sheets, comprises two endless gripper bar chains (5, 6) assembled for conveying the sheets from the feeding station to the delivery station, a transverse driving shaft (2) equipped with driving wheels (3, 3′) of the endless gripper bar chains (5, 6) and at least one device for sheets capture secured to the endless gripper bar chains (5, 6). The transverse driving shaft (2) is separately driven from the other press stations by at least one independent motor/reductor (1). The independent motor/reductor (1) is able to function by driving cycles including at least one motion phase and one deceleration and/or breaking phase controlled by a control device (CDE), each independent motor driving cycle duration being equivalent to a converting cycle duration of said converting station.

Abstract: A device for conveying printed products through a printing-related machine includes at least one endless conveyor belt running over deflecting rollers and having at least one printed product resting thereon during a conveying operation, and a rotating frictional element provided for driving the conveyor belt, the frictional element being in contact with the conveyor belt on a side thereof whereon the printed product is transported.

Abstract: A sheet stacking device, comprised of a sheet support bed having a plurality of side-by-side rollers that are freely rotatable about an associated roller axis. A drive assembly moves the sheet support bed in a predetermined direction along a closed path. The path has a horizontal upper run and a horizontal lower run, and is dimensioned such that a space exists between the first end and the second end of the sheet support bed as the sheet support bed moves along the path.

Abstract: Flat rectangular objects, such as printed products, arrive in an overlapping formation and have a specific first extent A1 and a variable second extent A2, A2′ running at right angles thereto. The objects 10 are conveyed in an overlapping stream S at a constant predetermined overlap distance B and with a first extent A1 running in the conveying direction F. As viewed in the conveying direction F, the edges running in the conveying direction F are mutually aligned on one side and are at the same location. A specific number of the objects 10 is in each case gripped by a single transport clamp 18 to transport them onward.

Abstract: A sheet discharging apparatus including a sheet discharging device which discharges a sheet on a sheet discharging tray. A sheet tip portion guide device holds thereupon a tip portion of the sheet discharged from the sheet discharging device, guides the sheet in a sheet discharging direction while holding the tip portion of the sheet thereupon, and releases the sheet by releasing the tip portion of the sheet held thereupon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet-feeding device for delivering printed sheets produced by a printing press, having a plurality of grippers which grasp the sheets and transport them from the printing press in the direction of a stacking device, characterized in that the sheet-feeding device is provided with at least one linear motor for transporting the grippers.

Abstract: A sheet transport system comprises a plurality of separately driven transport sections (1, 2; 4, 5, 6), each transport section being driven by a respective motor or motors (7-12). A control system (22-27, 50) controls operation of the motors (7-12). A monitoring system (37) monitors the performance of the motors, the control system being responsive to the monitoring system to maintain correct operation of the motors.

Abstract: A device for transporting sheetlike material is proposed wherein the material to be conveyed is always held between a conveyer belt (1) and a guide means (20) each lying against one of the opposite sides of the material (23). In order to maintain a reliable transport function even with fluctuating sheet thickness, it is provided that the run of the conveyer belt facing the material (23) is loaded elastically in the direction of the material (23) by pressure elements (14, 16).

Abstract: A discharged sheet stacking apparatus includes a sheet feed-in device for pinching and feeding a sheet onto a sheet stacking portion on which a plurality of sheets are stacked and for causing a tip end of the sheet to abut against a sheet stopper. The sheet feed in device is disposed at a position spaced apart from the sheet stopper by a distance smaller than a length of the sheet. The sheet feed-in device continues the feeding operation while pinching a tail end of the sheet even after the tip end of the sheet abuts against the sheet stopper so that, after a loop is formed in the tail end of the sheet, the sheet is discharged onto the sheet stacking portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for horizontal stacking of sheets or signatures received from a web press or the like includes conveyor sections operative to convey the sheets in shingled relation from a generally horizontal conveyor path to an inclined conveyor section that progressively rotates the sheets to inclined positions such that the sheets slide downward against an edge guide. The inclined sheets then pass upwardly through a loop conveyor section at an inclined angle to vertical. The upper edge of each success sheet engages a stop mechanism after which the sheets move horizontally into a generally V-shaped trough that engages and supports two downwardly facing edges of each sheet.

Abstract: A sheet stacking device comprised of a sheet support bed having a first end and a second end. The sheet support bed is comprised of a plurality of side-by-side rollers, each of the rollers being freely rotatable about an associated roller axis. A drive assembly moves the sheet support bed in a predetermined direction along a closed path, the path having a horizontal upper run and a horizontal lower run, and is dimensioned such that a space exists between the first end and the second end of the sheet support bed as the sheet support bed moves along the path. A roller control assembly for selectively and sequentially controlling rotation of select ones of the rollers at select intervals during a stacking operation.

Abstract: An improved signature stacker is disclosed which has a drive drum which operates to re-orient the signatures into a vertical stack. The drum has a curvature which is less than the maximum allowable curvature that the signatures can withstand and still recover an initial planar configuration elastically. Also disclosed is a direct drive arrangement having the drum being gear driven from a frequency controlled alternating current motor.

Abstract: A transported-object stacking apparatus includes first fluid discharge unit and second fluid discharge unit. The first fluid discharge unit is disposed on one side of a transported object and is adapted to discharge working fluid in order to press the transported object against transporting unit. The second fluid discharge unit is disposed downstream from the first fluid discharge unit with respect to the direction of transport of the transported object and on the other side of the transported object, and is adapted to discharge working fluid toward a rear half portion of the transported object in order to separate the transported object from the transporting unit. When working fluid is discharged from the first fluid discharge unit, an object transported by the transporting unit is pressed against the transporting unit.

Abstract: A conveyor plant for gathering and processing printed sheets includes a saddle-shaped collecting chain, a double chain with a gap between the individual chains of the double chain, a transfer area in which the collecting chain travels into the gap of the double chain, and carrier members for the printed sheets arranged successively on the collecting chain. The carrier members are mounted on the collecting chain in an upright position. The carrier members of the collecting chain are inclined forwardly at least in the travel direction.

Abstract: A paper processing device, in particular, a folder that includes an apparatus for replacing tapes that convey signatures and a method for replacing tapes of the paper processing device. The paper processing device has a frame or frames with opposing sides and a plurality of cylinders disposed between the opposing sides of the frames. Each one of the cylinders has an axis for rotation thereabout. The paper processing device includes a plurality of tapes and each one of the plurality of tapes is disposed to circulate around the plurality of cylinders. The paper processing device includes a holder for holding an end of the replacement tape that will be provided to replace one of the plurality of tapes, and an elongated conveying element disposed for circulation around the axis of the plurality of cylinders. The elongated conveying element is attached to the holder for guiding the replacement tape around the plurality of cylinders.

Abstract: The apparatus has a first conveyor 10 and a second conveyor 16 mounted immediately downstream thereof. Arranged above the first conveyor 10 is a position changing device 50, whose displacement elements 68 are intended to strike the trailing edge 22′ of fed objects 22 and to feed them to the second conveyor at the correct phase angle. Arranged at the end of the first conveyor 10 is a restraining device 34, whose restraining element 46 projects into the movement path of the leading edges 22′ of the objects 22 and in each case is briefly withdrawn from this restraining position into a release position outside the movement path of the leading edges 22′ when a displacement element 68 is moving an object 22 past it into the delivery nip 30. The restraining device 34 prevents too many objects arriving being fed to the second conveyor 16 out of synchronism.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus for conveying a rectangular sheet includes conveying device for conveying the sheet while contacting a bottom surface of the sheet on a conveyance surface and a pair of elastic members disposed on two sides of the conveying device, the elastic members guiding the sheet while contacting respective side edge of the sheet when the sheet is conveyed by the conveying device so that a center line of the sheet coincides with a center line for conveyance.

Abstract: A sheet registration and conveyance apparatus for registering leading and trailing edges of a compiled set of sheets. The apparatus includes a first movable belt; a first registration stop fixedly mounted on the first belt for registering the leading edge of the sheets; a second movable belt, located next to the first belt; a second registration stop fixedly mounted on the second belt for registering the trailing edge of the sheets; a drive mechanism for moving the second belt relative to the first belt so that the second registration stop registers the trailing edge of the sheets after the first registration stop contacts the leading edge of sheets; and a mechanism for providing movement of the first belt synchronous with movement of the second belt after both the first and the second registration stops have registered the set of sheets.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an overhead pusher finger guide system, preferably for use with a sheet handling apparatus. The guide system prevents the lower conveyor run from sagging or otherwise moving out of the proper feed plane. Accordingly, superior sheet handling is achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus for dropping paper sheets at a predetermined paper-stack position when the paper sheets are ejected from a facsimile device includes a conveyor belt which carries the paper sheets, a housing, containing the conveyer belt, which is detachably installed on the facsimile device where the paper sheets are ejected from the facsimile device such that the conveyor belt extends from a paper outlet of the facsimile device to the predetermined paper-stack position, and a driving motor, driving the conveyor belt to carry the paper sheets, which starts operating about a time when the facsimile device starts a paper-ejection operation thereof and stops operating about a time when the facsimile device stops the paper-ejection operation thereof.

Abstract: A document separating mechanism for an automatic document feeder for separating and feeding the bottommost document of documents laid on document bearing means. A separating roller mechanism has a plurality of rollers provided at spaced locations in an axial direction, and a separating belt mechanism is disposed opposite and above the separating roller mechanism. The separating belt mechanism is composed of a driving roller and a driven roller disposed in parallel at spaced locations, a wide separating belt looped over the driving roller and the driven roller and pressed against the separating roller, and a tension imparting mechanism for exerting tension on the separating belt.

Abstract: A method for transporting a sheet on a ferromagnetic transport belt which includes spacing a first switchable retaining device adjacent the ferromagnetic transport belt. The first switchable retaining device is used to position a magnetic retaining element, for example, a permanent magnet, on a sheet that is adjacent the transport belt. The magnet is released from the first switchable retaining device and is fixedly adhered to the transport belt. The sheet, which is caught between the magnet and the transport belt, is fixed to the transport belt and is transported to a second switchable retaining element that removes the magnet. The invention also encompasses a device including a first switchable retaining device that cooperates with the transport belt in the manner described.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, such as an electrophotography-basis copying machine or laser printer, ribs are provided on and along both side ends of the inner surface of an intermediate transfer belt. Rib guides are provided on both ends of a drive roll. The ribs are brought into contact with the rib guides, whereby the intermediate transfer belt is guided. The diameter of each rib guide is slightly larger than the diameter of the drive roll, to thereby form a gap between the drive roll and the intermediate transfer belt. In a region including the gap and its vicinity, a friction created between the drive roll and the intermediate transfer belt is reduced. Therefore, thrust of each rib against each rib guide, caused by the walk, is reduced.

Abstract: There is disclosed a sheet distribution device in which by using a junction conveying means for conveying sheets from a main sorter unit to a slave sorter unit also as a first conveying portion of the sheet distribution device when sheet distribution devices are interconnected, the manufacture cost of the sheet distribution device is reduced. The interconnectable sheet distribution device is provided with a first conveying portion 5A for receiving an image formed sheet 2 from an image forming device 1 to convey the sheet into a body and a second conveying portion 5B for receiving the sheet 2 from the first conveying portion 5A to convey the sheet to each of plural distribution bins 4. At the time of interconnection, a third conveying portion 5D (junction conveying means) for conveying the sheet 2 from a main sorter unit S1 to a slave sorter unit S2 is used also as the first conveying portion 5A.

Abstract: A belt supporting device includes a first support member for supporting a belt pulley, the member having a smaller width than that of the outer peripheral surface of the pulley, an endless belt wound on the pulley, a second support member for forming between the endless belt wound on the pulley and the second support member a space for extracting the endless belt in the axial direction of the pulley, and a positioning member located movably in and out of the space to maintain the space by entering the space and to thereby position the first and second support members.

Abstract: A resistance device for use in an exercising apparatus having a plurality of resistance elements, a force transmission device and a resistance adjusting device. Through the force transmission device, a user can apply an exercise force to the resistance elements which in general provide a resisting force derived from atmospheric pressure. For adjusting the total resistance, the user may operate the resistance adjusting device to determine which resistance element(s) is(are) enabled to adjust the level of resisting force.

Abstract: A banknote validator comprises a banknote transport path divided in multiple transport sub-systems. Each sub-system is easy to maintain because the axes of a sub-system are in reduced number, and easily removable for maintenance of the sub-system. The validator allows continuous frictional engagement of a banknote in the transport path, including between sub-systems.

Abstract: In a rotation transfer device, a paper feeding apparatus and an image forming apparatus, transfer projections are disposed on coupling members provided on the ends of a driving shaft and a driven shaft, so that the movement of one transfer projection in the peripheral direction can be constrained by the other transfer projection and a positioning member. Thus, rotation irregularity caused by reverse rotation torque applied by a function from the side of paper can be prevented.

Abstract: A replacement drive roll having an integral bearing for easy replacement and universal usage in a printing machine. The roll member has a bearing having a nonround outer race for retention in a frame member and a nonround inner race for engagement with a driveshaft on one end. The opposite end has a locking member for preventing axial movement along the shaft. The roll assembly has elastomer bands stretched around the outer circumference to form the drive surface of the roll. The roll unit is easily replaced and can be used in numerous locations thereby reducing parts inventory requirements.

Abstract: A pusher block assembly is provided for use in the aligner section of a printing press. The assembly includes a pusher which automatically tilts rearwardly and translates downwardly at the discharge end of the aligner section, thereby preventing damage to the trailing edges of the articles transferred to the printing section of the press. The pushers are also pivotable between upright and horizontal positions. This feature eliminates the need for removal of the pusher block assembly when relatively long articles are conveyed by the aligner section.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking mailpieces received from a mail processing machine includes a deck; a sloped wall extending from the deck; a plurality of continuous belts each extending along the deck in a first direction and positioned at substantially equal intervals along a second direction of the deck, each of the plurality of continuous belts having a top surface which extends above the deck and which contacts the mailpieces received from the mail processing machine; structure for driving the plurality of belts in the first direction to move the received mailpieces along the sloped wall in a shingled configuration; a registration wall disposed on the deck to define a landing area on the deck for the received mailpieces, the registration wall being mounted for slideable movement along the deck in the second direction to change a size of the landing area to accommodate the receiving of different sized mailpieces from the mail processing machine; and structure, connected to the registration wall and the plurality

Abstract: A variable cut sheet stacker has an internal stacking volume that is readily adjusted (in length, width and height) for a large variety of form sizes and thicknesses. First and second side members are spaced from each other horizontally and the positions between them can be adjusted, typically uniformly moved with respect to a central support. An inlet and support is provided in an inlet for the stacker, having a ramp, and an outlet end guide is adjustable with respect to the inlet end support. A top conveyor conveys cut sheets past the inlet support toward the outlet end guide in a first direction, and a bottom support is vertically spaced in an adjustable manner from the top conveyor for supporting cut sheets. The open interior volume defined by these elements is substantially a rectangular prism. The top conveyor includes a frame that is pivotable about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the first direction to move between a conveyance position and an adjustment-facilitating position.

Abstract: A conveyer belt includes a conveying face which is divided into at least two areas one of which has a larger coefficient of friction than the other. Alternatively, the conveying face includes an area in which a coefficient of friction thereof varies from a large value to a small value from one side to the other side along a direction transverse to the belt. A transfer device is provided for discharging sheet material on to the conveying face of the conveyer belt in the direction transverse to the belt. The conveyer belt is disposed in such a manner that the area of the conveying face on the side of the transfer device has a larger coefficient of friction than the area on the other side.