Abstract: Portable apparatus for supporting a stack of sheets, the apparatus comprising: an elongate tray including a base wall and opposed longitudinally extending side walls, the side walls extending upwardly from the base wall and defining therewith opposed end openings through which sheets may be successively fed; at least one sheet-stack supporting wall slidably connected to one of the side walls of the tray for movement between the end openings, the supporting wall including a rectangularly-shaped portion thereof dimensioned to extend transversely of the tray between the side walls; memory structure connected to the tray for storing data relating to respective sheets fed thereto and structure for removably interfacing the apparatus with at least one external structure.

Abstract: Sheet feeding apparatus for a buffer tray of a xerographic reproduction machine comprises a belt for conveying sheets to the tray, input and output rolls which co-operate with the belt at the input and the output respectively of the apparatus, and an intermediate roll which can co-operate with the belt at a point intermediate its length. The output roll is mounted on an end guide of the buffer tray and, as a result, moves lengthwise of the belt when the end guide is moved to enable the tray to receive sheets of different lengths. If the output roll is moved from one side of the intermediate roll, remote from the input roll, to the other, it causes the intermediate roll to move to an inoperative position (in which it does not co-operate with the belt) and operates a latch to hold the intermediate roll in that position. The reverse movement of the output roll releases the latch and allows the intermediate roll to return to the position in which it co-operates with the belt.

Abstract: A wicket post mounting in a bag stacking machine includes a base unit bolted to a conveyor plate. The base unit includes an upstanding wall with a plurality of machined, vertical post receptacles or openings. Each receptacle is identical to receive and physically support one post in precise accurate relation to a longitudinal location on the station plate of a second post. The spacing of the receptacles and posts is selected to receive bags with spaced holes. A releasable latch pin is secured to each receptacle. The pin projects into an appropriate opening in the post and locks the post in the receptacle. The base unit may include a pair of post mounting bases each having an offset edge wall abutting the station plate to accurately locate the base. Bolts pass through the mounting base into threaded holes in the station. Each base has two spaced receptacles, providing for post spacing of 4, 5 and 6 inches.

Abstract: Apparatus for stacking sheets comprises a collecting bin with a front stationary abutment and a rear limiting element adjustable to various sheet size ranges. A first deflecting roller, adjustable in the entrance direction of the sheets and mounted on a rear limiting element, provides support for a transport belt transporting the sheets. The rear limiting element is mounted on a support which is movable in the entrance direction by means of two parallel threaded spindles rotatable by a stepping motor. A second deflecting roller which is associated with the outer side of the transport belt facing the sheet stack is arranged on the support, whereas the first deflecting roller is located on the inner side of the transport belt. Adjacent to the second deflecting roller, a stationary deflecting roller is arranged such that the transport belt is guided along an S-shaped path.

Abstract: A low cost, paper feeder for large copy sheets includes a media chamber mounted to support copy sheets in a substantially vertical plane. A two-position, T-shaped feeder mechanism including a pair of one-way clutch controlled feed rolls is slidably mounted on a rail for contacting the media. A foot pedal is connected to the feeder mechanism such that when movement of the foot pedal is initiated, the feeder mechanism is moved in a first direction to a position contacting the copy sheets and with continued movement of the foot pedal, a top sheet of the copy sheets is moved by the feeder mechanism out of the tray in a second direction a predetermined amount to a copier wait station, and with return of the foot pedal to its initial position, the feed mechanism is caused to retract from the surface copy sheets in a third direction to its initial position.

Abstract: A supply magazine (1) for stacked sheets (5) comprises on its bottom surface a slideway (13, 14) adapted for cooperation with a limiting member (11, 12) allowing a continuous size adjustment. The slideway (13, 14) is moreover provided at selected points with abutments (37); and a limiting member (11, 12) which has complementary counterabutments can be arrested by positive engagement with the abutments respectively against shifting movement on the slideway (13, 14) in positions corresponding to given sheet sizes.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a receiving unit for receiving a sheet on which a first image is formed. The receiving unit includes an inlet for receiving the sheet, a tray member for supporting the received sheet, an outlet through which the received sheet is re-fed, and an aligning device. The aligning device includes a pair of standing members positioned on the tray member in spaced relationship with each other a predetermined distance. The standing members extend upward to a level which is higher than the inlet. And at least one of the pair of standing members has a widened portion for guiding the sheet passing through the sheet inlet. The sheet is guided by the widened portion and aligned on the tray member by the pair of standing members and the sheet is re-fed out of the tray member to form a second image.

Abstract: Sheet stacking apparatus for a buffer tray of a reprographic machine comprises a belt feeder including, at the input end of the feeder, a baffle which imparts a curved configuration to sheets in a direction transverse to the direction of travel. The output end of the feeder is defined by an output roll which cooperates with the belt of the feeder and is movable with the adjustable end guide of the buffer tray so that, as the length of the tray is increased, the length of the sheet path through the feeder is decreased and vice versa. The curved sheet configuration is maintained as sheets are conveyed through the feeder by the belt and is then further maintained by a second baffle as sheets are fed out, by the output roll, over the buffer tray.

Abstract: A paper handling device for an image forming apparatus accurately positions paper sheets having been driven out of the apparatus with their center being in register with a reference at a predetermined position for executing stapling or similar processing. The device shifts the discharged paper sheets to a one-side reference position while truing them up at a center reference position. Therefore, the paper sheets are located at the one-side reference position with accuracy and thereby stapled or otherwise processed accurately. The device simplifies the movement of an instrument for implementing such processing. A stack of discharged sheets, whether they are so processed or not, can be readily taken out from the device with no regard to the paper size. A pair of paper guide members urge paper sheets in such a manner as to enhance further accurate positioning of the latter.

Abstract: For a copier with a document handler ejecting original documents after copying into a document collection tray system, a plural mode document collecting system is provided for collecting and restacking different forms of documents, including both conventional sheet documents and computer form web being re-fanfolded, with a single tray movable between two different operative tray mounting positions in a substantially vertical track, with respective retentions at a first tray position adjacent the document output of the document handler for collecting conventional sheet documents, and a second tray position substantially below the first tray position for re-fanfolding computer form web. Also disclosed are stationary fanfold restacking assist members operative in the second tray position mounted intermediately of the first and second tray mounting positions and mutually adapted with the tray to allow the tray to be moved past.

Abstract: A sheet collection mechanism includes three tray portions defining a slanted receiving surface. The surface extends from a lower stop against which sheets are stacked upward to a position below an egress for sheets and is long enough to stack long sheets without interference between the leading edge of an egressing sheet and the stack. To stack shorter sheets the downstream edges of two upper tray portions are selectively raiseable to cause the leading edge of a sheet to engage the stack downstream of the stacks' trailing edge. An auxiliary drive roller is positioned to cooperate with the downstream part of one of the upper trays when raised to assist in driving short sheets to the stop.

Abstract: A stacking apparatus for a reproduction machine which can accommodate media sheets as greatly different sizes. An intermittent driving device is used so as to alterantely buckle and relax the sheet media thereby urging the sheet into various recesses which are formed in the apparatus so as to engage sheet media of various sizes.

Abstract: A device for centering plastic webs automatically fed thereon one by one so as to feed it to a pair of cramp chains to be correctly gripped thereby at the opposite side edges. This comprises a bed consisting of a central frame and longitidinal as well as transverse arms respectively extended in opposite directions from the central frame for supporting the web of varied size. A plurality of pairs of centering members, each having an upwardly projected pin, are oppositely arranged and adapted to move toward and apart with each other so as to abut on the longitudinal and transverse side edges of web on the table with said pin for centering. It is preferable and sufficient to move said centering members by means of a belt and pulleys for treating a light web.

Abstract: A reproduction machine having a duplex tray for processing duplex copies and copy sheet inverter, each with an adjustable back stop for adjusting the duplex tray and inverter size in accordance with the copy size being processed. To enable automatic operation, a control which includes sensors disposed in the path of the copy sheets is provided for measuring the size of the first copy sheet as the copy sheet is being processed and adjusting the duplex tray and inverter back stops in accordance with the size copy sheet determined.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking large copy sheets beneath a tabletop model whiteprint, blueprint or similar copying machine. A support structure spaces the copying machine above a subjacent support surface as a tabletop, floor or the like. A receptacle structure is disposed below and forwardly of the exit port of the machine for arresting the leading edges of the copy sheets as the sheets are discharged seriatim from the copying machine and for causing the sheets to bow rearwardly onto a stack in the stacking space beneath the machine. The apparatus can be provided in kit form for application to existing copying machines.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a document feeding device which operates in such manner that documents loaded are carried forward in order of the lowermost one and upward and each document, after having been scanned, is discharged with its scanned surface up onto the uppermost one of the loaded documents, and therefore, it can be employed not only as an automatic document feeder, but also as a recirculating document handler which enables arrangement of copies in paging order.

Abstract: A recirculating document feeder adapted to transport each document sheet from a stack of such sheets to an exposure position through a circulation path. After printing, the sheets are returned to a sheet support portion with the front ends thereof brought to a specified position irrespective of the size of the sheets so as to be re-feedable properly. For this purpose, a sheet rear end guide for delivering the sheet to the support portion from a rear portion thereof is made movable longitudinally of the feeder to an adjusted position. A return guide is provided under the support portion toward its rear end for returning the sheet to the support portion through one of sheet delivery openings formed in the bottom plate of the support portion.

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

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet stacking device capable of being easily adjusted to accomodate sheets of different format sizes. The device presents an automatically lowerable lift table, and in the zone of the upper stack end a face-side sheet feed, a plurality of endless, driven sheet guide bands extending over the stack, and several longitudinally running lateral boundary plates. Even despite liberal adjustment of the format width, faultless guidance of the fed-in sheets may be achieved by the provision of a large number of sheet guide bands at normally equal intervals over the entire possible stack width. At least individual ones of the boundary plates are liftable out over two sets of sheet feed bands, and movable laterally independently of the bands. Bands standing in the way of boundary plates being driven laterally to their end position, are also drivable through a limited lateral interval.

Abstract: The deposit drawer includes a first slide which is guided carriage-like in a longitudinal channel open at one side which is provided in the deposit drawer by a second slide guided carriage-like in a longitudinal channel of the first slide and having a detent angle put in place thereon; and by a fashioning of both slides in such fashion that the upper surfaces of the deposit drawer, first slide, and second slide merge flush into one another.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sheet stacking device on paper cross-cutting machines, consisting of a sheet supply and stacker device. A stacking device of this type comprises elements which retard the paper sheets supplied from a supply speed to zero and thus guide the sheets so that after being laid down they form a stack having a straight edge. The auxiliary elements required for the direct formation of the stack form the sheet stop board (8) and lateral guide plates (12, 13). In the case of a change of format, which generally necessitates a displacement of the sheet stop board (8) in the direction in which the sheets are supplied and of the lateral guide plates (12, 13) at right angles to the direction in which the sheets are supplied, in the case of an automatic format adjustment for the sheet stacking device, an exchange of the format-dependent lateral guide plates (12, 13) is no longer required.

Abstract: Disclosed is an accumulator for paper sheets which are conveyed by conveyor belts to a receiving area comprised of parallel support members having spaces therebetween. The conveyor belts are mounted on rollers, at least one set of which is mounted on a first track-mounted movable carriage, and at least one other set of which is mounted on a second track-mounted movable carriage. The two carriages are linked so that motion of said first carriage to adjust the length of the receiving areas causes motion of said second carriage in a direction opposite to the motion of said first carriage to thereby maintain the conveyor belts under constant tension. The support members may be constituted of either plastic or metallic strips or rods. At least one set of rollers also has bristle means to aid in the conveyance of the paper sheets.

Abstract: A sheets aligner is provided with a frame body having vertical surfaces perpendicular to each other, a vertically movable table supported within the frame body, and a plurality of front lays extending along the respective vertical surfaces, thereby to stack on a pallet sheets fed to a sheet feed device for a sheet-fed printing press while aligning the sheet edges by vibration. The sheet aligner is provided with an opening formed in one of the vertical surfaces which is positioned in a direction to the sheet feed direction, the opening being adapted for permitting the pallet to be protruded from the frame body, a pallet stopper for stopping the pallet extruding from inside toward outside of the frame body, and a stop for closing a gap between each lower end of the front lays and the upper surface of the pallet. Thus, this arrangement permits a pallet e.g. for a maximum sized sheet to be used commonly to various sheet sizes.

Abstract: An automatic material loading, positioning and unloading system is disclosed in connection with a machine tool turret punch. The device includes a loader which receives a stack of sheets to be fed to the punch machine. The loader includes means for lifting the sheets one at a time from a storage area, means for transporting the sheets to a loading area of the punch worktable and means for unloading the sheets at the worktable area. The punch machine includes automatically controlled workpiece grippers which receive the sheets from the loader, properly position them with respect to the machine tool, move them in a predesired sequence through the machine and transport them to an unload area of the worktable. The unload area of the worktable is effective to discharge the punched sheets from the machine to an unload stacker. The unload stacker receives and stacks completed sheets.

Abstract: An automatic material loading, positioning and unloading system is disclosed in connection with a machine tool turret punch. The device includes a loader which receives a stack of sheets to be fed to the punch machine. The loader includes means for lifting the sheets one at a time from a storage area, means for transporting the sheets to a loading area of the punch worktable and means for unloading the sheets at the worktable area. The punch machine includes automatically controlled workpiece grippers which receive the sheets from the loader, properly position them with respect to the machine tool, move them in a predesired sequence through the machine and transport them to an unload area of the worktable. The unload area of the worktable is effective to discharge the punched sheets from the machine to an unload stacker. The unload stacker receives and stacks completed sheets.

Abstract: In a system of plurally recirculating a set of document sheets for precollated copying wherein the document sheets are repeatedly individually fed seriatim from the bottom of an overlying stack thereof for copying with registration and returned to the top of the stack for restacking in a tray having a support surface, a rear guide and two edge guides, an improvement is disclosed that includes a straight ramp attached to one of the edge guides so that document sheets returned to the support surface will lie flat against the edge guide and thereby provide a positive registration position along the junction between the ramp and the rear guide thereby reducing the possibility of mis-registration due to bending of the document sheets during feeding and recirculation.

Abstract: A stack support tray 41 for use with a sheet feeder such as used in a document handler is described. It has a first fixed registration guide 52 and a second movable registration guide 53 which is movable towards and away from the first guide. The movable guide 53 comprises first and second resiliently interconnected parts 71, 72. The part 72 frictionally slides in a track 75 and the second part 71 is adjustable against the stack. By this arrangement the part 71 retracts to a limited extent when it is released after being pushed against the stack due to its resilient interconnection with the part 72, the position of which is controlled by its frictional engagement with the slide track 75.

Abstract: A tray adapted to support a stack of sheet material thereon. The tray is adjustable to accommodate stacks of sheet material of different widths and lengths. The rear registration and the side registration surfaces are moved in unison with one another so as to engage the rear and side edges of the stack of sheet material respectively.

Abstract: An original supply apparatus for use in a copying machine of such a type that an original supplied automatically on a contact glass is located on the basis of one side edge of the contact glass, wherein a carrier roller provided on the upper surface of the contact glass is designed to be movable at a right angle with the travelling direction and this carrier roller is designed, by the action of the interlocking mechanism, to move in the same direction as that of a side guide member in cooperation with the movement of said side guide member provided, to an original tray, movably at a right angle with the travelling direction.

Abstract: An automatic feeder for a photographic copying machine includes a housing and a plate for supporting a stack of originals which are consecutively conveyed towards a transparent exposure plate positioned on the copying machine. The feeder is provided with adjustable tappet rollers mounted against the exposure plate to receive a front edge of an original moved along the exposure plate, without damaging the front edge. The plate for supporting the stack of originals includes adjustable stops for adjusting the plate to differing formats of the originals being processed. An adjusting lever connected to the adjustable stops for adjusting the latter is operatively connected to an adjustment device for adjusting the position of tappet rollers along the exposure plate. Pivotable transport rollers are provided to hold the original against the exposure plate. The housing of the feeder is pivotable relative to the housing of the copying machine between an open and closed position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a paper feeding mechanism primarily for printing presses, or the like machines, comprising a left and right interlocking grill, which supports the stack of paper which is fed to the press. The adjustable grill rests on a center base support and the press side support pieces. The grill is adjustable in a horizontal direction depending on the width of the paper, in conjunction with the left and right hand paper pile support guides. The paper feeding mechanism also comprises an adjusting rear paper pile feeding guide adapted to press against the rear of the paper pile, holding it against the front feeder plate of the press. As the paper pile rises an inverted V-shaped feed guide gradually opens allowing the paper to keep rising until all sheets are fed into the press.

Abstract: In a sheet handling apparatus in which flimsy sheets are stacked on top of a stack thereof, particularly in a recirculating automatic document handler for a copier, there is disclosed an improved mis-stacking detection system comprising an optical sensing system defining a sheet interruptable optical sensing path extending transversely above the sheet stack in a position to be interrupted by variously mis-stacked non-planar sheets extending above the stack, which the optical sensing system is connected to a time delay system and a sheet mis-stacking indicator such that activation of the mis-stacking indicator is prevented for brief interruptions of the optical sensing path corresponding to normal sheet stacking, but is activated by an interruption of the optical sensing path which continues for a preset time period indicative of the presence of a mis-stacked sheet.

Abstract: In a sheet stacking apparatus, especially a recirculating document handler for recirculating document sheets for precollation copying at a copier platen to and from a stack in a document tray without obstructing access to the document tray, with restacking edge guides repositionable to accommodate stacking different sheet sizes and a restacking feeder for restacking the document sheets in the tray within the restacking edge guides by feeding each document in over the top of the stack from one edge and releasing the document to restack, there is provided automatically varying corrugation restacking apparatus enabling controlled restacking for recirculative copying of large flimsy documents such as Japanese B4 size sheets compatibly with normal document sizes having sheet corrugating members repositioned by movement of a repositionable restacking edge guide into a position to restack such large sheets and automatically providing in coordination therewith additional sheet corrugation in response to the flimsines

Abstract: An improved sheet jogging apparatus allows for easier access and quicker maintenance by placing the primary components of the apparatus above the top panel of the bin unit of a collator/sorter. Quicker adjustment of the sheet jogging apparatus to accommodate different sizes and widths of paper is easily accomplished with a sliding shaft-slot-and-set screw means. Placing the components of the jogger on top of the panel alleviates problems of assembly where the limited space between the shelves of the bin unit and the top panel make work difficult and alleviates the problem of maintenance where the shelves must be removed for access to the components of the standard sheet jogging apparatus. A source of reciprocal motion mounted on top of the panel is connected to jogging bars which extend downwardly from the panel beside the shelves and which are capable of movement responsive to the source of reciprocal motion to jog the side edges of stacks of sheets on the shelves into alignment.

Abstract: A delivery mechanism for a sheet fed printing press in which a rear edge guide in the form of a traverse member guides the rear edges of the downwardly settling sheets into a condition of register. A brake assembly is provided for engaging the trailing edges of the sheets to decelerate them, the assembly being horizontally adjustable to accommodate sheets of different length and the traverse member being coupled by linkage to the brake assembly for simultaneous adjustment therewith. An intermediate stacking mechanism is provided having a horizontal frame and an intermediate pile receiver which is shiftable between a receiving position and an out-of-the-way position for temporarily accumulating sheets during a pile change. Detent assemblies at the ends of the traverse member lock the traverse member to the frame following horizontal adjustment.

Abstract: An electrostatic copying apparatus in which the paper is fed from a cassette. The cassette has a casing for a stack of sheet-like copying papers of at least two different sizes, said casing being a box-like housing having an open top, a closure plate mounted detachably on the top surface of the housing and having at least one display window, and at least two restricting members mounted in spaced-apart relation in the longitudinal direction of the cassette casing so that they can pivot about the axial line of the cassette casing extending in the transverse direction of the cassette casing, each of the restricting members having a restricting portion for restricting the rear end of copying papers to be accommodated in the housing and a display portion having an indication of the size of copying papers, the display portion being positioned adjacent to the display window when the restricting portion is brought to its operative position beneath the closure plate.

Abstract: Apparatus for holding a stack of sheets for entry into a sheet feeder, wherein there is provided a tray for vertically supporting the stack, left and right guide elements moveable toward and away from the lateral edges of the stack for centering the stack in the tray, and a flexible band formed in a loop, the band being attached to the guide elements at two locations, such that the guide elements move inward and outward laterally in unison, and the band being supported beneath the tray, and wherein the band is bent (e.g., around a convex surface) during inward movement of the guide elements so that when the movement stops the band tends to move the guide elements outwardly as it assumes an equilibrium position, thereby preventing overtightening of the guide elements against the stack.

Abstract: A jogger device for jogging signatures or sheets during the formation of stacks in bookbinding machines, such as loaders, including an oscillating disk which is driven of reciprocating motion by a source of reciprocating motion and transmits said reciprocating motion to the supports of two side jogging vanes. Thus, the jogging device can have reduced transversal dimensions. The central vane of the device is carried by the element imparting the reciprocating motion to the oscillating disk.

Abstract: A paper sheets processing apparatus including a plurality of rod-like separators extending normally and horizontally into a paper sheets stacking chamber, said separators being rockable from their normal position to a position slanted upward by a certain angle as well as retractable in the longitudinal direction; and a plurality of beat members disposed at the upper portion of the stacking chamber so as to swing within a certain angle range and serving to forcedly beat down every paper sheet fed into the stacking chamber.

Abstract: Sheet-like articles, such as paper, entering one or more support trays are aligned in one or more vertical stacks by a pair of rotating drive devices positioned vertically and adjacent to opposite sides of the support trays. The rotating drive devices include a plurality of resilient flaps mounted to a support member. The flaps are configured to reach over a stack of sheets thereby contacting a sheet on its top surface as well as on its edge.

Abstract: A platform, for use in a sheet stacking device in which the platform descends as a stack being formed on it grows higher, is so constructed that its length can be varied according to the length of sheets to be stacked. The platform is made in two or more sections (10, 11, 12) each hinged (15, 17) to the next, and all sections are supported horizontally to receive long sheets, less than all the sections being horizontal and the remaining sections hanging vertically when shorter sheets are being stacked. Wheels (13, 16, 18) may be provided on the platform so that it may easily be moved out of the stacking device when loaded, all the sections being restored to a horizontal position for such movement.

Abstract: There is disclosed an envelope processing machine in the form of an improved envelope cutter apparatus adapted to sever one edge of envelopes in one by one relationship. The apparatus includes a supply hopper for retaining the envelopes to be processed, cutting means for severing one edge of the envelopes, means for removing envelopes in one by one relationship from the supply hopper and for transmitting the removed envelopes to the cutting means, and means for orienting the envelopes in respect to the cutting means. The orienting means includes a plurality of angularly disposed feed belts operable upon the envelope and an abutment member against which an envelope is engaged in its movement to the cutting means.

Abstract: Cut lengths or segments of photographic strip material, particularly photographic film, are stacked as they are discharged from a photographic film cutter. The device for stacking the cut lengths includes a tray, an arm, a base, and a guide. The base is connected to the film cutter, and supports the film tray with the first end of the tray positioned closely to the discharge end of the film cutter. The arm is positioned in generally overlying position with respect to the tray and is pivotally connected to the tray at the second end of the tray furthest from the discharge end of the film cutter. The arm preferably has a "W" shaped cross section which provides two lines of contact with the cut lengths of film which are deposited between the tray and the arm. The guide provides a guiding surface parallel to the path of the cut lengths along their front edges. The guide may take a plurality of positions to accommodate films of different widths.

Abstract: Cut lengths or segments of photographic strip material, particularly photographic film, are stacked as they are discharged from a photographic film cutter. The device for stacking the cut lengths includes a tray, an arm, a base, and a guide. The base is connected to the film cutter, and supports the film tray with the first end of the tray positioned closely to the discharge end of the film cutter. The arm is positioned in generally overlying position with respect to the tray and is pivotally connected to the tray at the second end of the tray furthest from the discharge end of the film cutter. The arm preferably has a "W" shaped cross section which provides two lines of contact with the cut lengths of film which are deposited between the tray and the arm. The guide provides a guiding surface parallel to the path of the cut lengths along their front edges. The guide may take a plurality of positions to accommodate films of different widths.

Abstract: A print receiving tray is provided for receiving and stacking in register prints of various predetermined lengths issuing from a copying machine. The tray comprises a fixed support secured to the copying machine and a movable support pivotally mounted on the fixed support. The movable support is positionable among a first, an intermediate and an extended position for conditioning the tray for receiving prints of uniform predetermined lengths at each of the positions differing from the uniform predetermined length of the prints at each of the other positions. Releasable retaining means is provided for holding the movable support in the extended position and for releasing the movable support for movement to either the intermediate or the first position. The movable support also includes register means for aligning a lead end of each print received by the receiving tray.

Abstract: An assembly for automatically feeding workpieces to and from a numerically controlled turret punch. A loader magazine having an adjustable volume for receiving a stack of workpieces is disposed on one side of a turret punch, and an unloader magazine having a similar adjustable volume for receiving a stack of workpieces is disposed on the opposite side of the turret punch. An ejector associated with a loader magazine ejects the top workpiece from the loader magazine to horizontally feed it into operative association with clamps of the turret punch. The turret punch clamps are moveable with respect to the punching tools, and the punching tools are moveable and operated to effect punching of the workpiece until it has a desired finished configuration.

Abstract: A machine for piling metal sheets in dual piling areas in which are positioned pile accumulating mechanisms having sheet end stop and side edge guide mechanisms, which machine includes an infeed conveyor positioned to normally deliver sheets fed thereto into the first pile accumulating mechanism and an overhead magnetic conveyor overlying the discharge end of the infeed conveyor which may be activated to lift selected sheets from the infeed conveyor and deliver them onto an associated conveyor which serves to feed sheets to a second pile accumulating mechanism and which is supported in cantilevered arrangement on the supporting frame of the second pile accumulating mechanism and extends rearwardly thereof and above the first pile accumulating mechanism.

Abstract: A divider assembly for dividing adjacent stacks of sheets during stacking in a stacker mechanism including a tray, mechanism for moving the tray from a sheet receiving position to a sheet discharging position, and a pusher for discharging sheets from the tray in its sheet discharging position. The divider itself is positionable on the tray to separte sheets into separate adjacent stacks, and includes a relatively thin central core, with a plurality of flexible feet secured to the core and having free ends extending below the lower edge of the core. The divider also includes a hinge interconnecting the pair of flexible feet so that the feet with the hinge may be collapsed inwardly when the divider is withdrawn from between the adjacent stacks, thereby permitting easy withdrawal of the divider from between the stacks.

Abstract: A frame member extends from the last printing unit of a printing machine to a table upon which the freshly printed sheets are piled. A plurality of spaced endless chains are reeved about idler sprockets positioned adjacent the printing unit at one end and about driven sprockets at the other end where the printed sheets are stacked in a pile. Transversely extending gripper bars are secured to the chains and pass with the chains along a continuous path from the printing unit to the pile over a sheet guide assembly. The upper end portion of the sheet guide assembly is supported by bearing assemblies which also support a plurality of suction wheels that are positioned between the upper end of the sheet guide assembly and the pile. Actuating devices advance the bearing assemblies toward and away from the pile to thereby position the sheet guide assembly and the suction wheels for depositing a sheet of a selected size onto the pile.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving documents which tend to kite and/or curl upon being fed thereinto. The apparatus is made up of an elevatable platform which reduces curling problems upon low velocity feeding, and document elevatable wings which trap the leading edge of each document and overcome any curling and kiting problems during high velocity feeding.