Abstract: The present invention is characterized in that the separating hook and hopper roller are adapted to be mounted on sheet guides of the hopper, one end of said sheet guide being adapted to be engaged in a groove of a pressure sleeve so as to make said pressure sleeve movable along said end. A movable shaft is adapted to pass through said pressure sleeve, and a spring is provided between said pressure sleeve and said sheet guide which biases the pressure sleeve to the hopper roller side, whereby at least the hopper roller, separating hook, pressure sleeve and spring at the print line end are made movable with the sheet guide being moved; thus by manually moving only one of the sheet guides, the sheet guides are made to meet right and left ends of the sheet, and the hopper roller is also made to select the correct position of the symmetrically central position of sheet width.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for separating and dispensing a single film sheet from a stack of the sheets.

Abstract: A feeding apparatus comprises a sheet cassette which stores and supports sheets P therein so that the sheets P can move between a feeding position and a non-feeding position, and is inserted into a housing of a copying machine, coil springs provided in the sheet cassette for biasing the sheets P from non-feeding position toward the feeding position, sheet feeding rollers provided in a fixed position and engaging a sheet P brought to the feeding position by the coil spring to feed the sheet P in the sheet cassette to the housing, engaging rollers at a fixed position in the housing, and levers defining cam surfaces which cooperate with the engaging rollers to move and thus isolate the sheets P from the sheet feeding rollers as the cassette is inserted into the housing, by engaging the cam section with the engaging roller.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing photographic sheets from a stack, comprising a dispensing mechanism with first and second sheet buckling members operative to make the upper sheet buckle and lift and then to release the leading edge of the buckled sheet to allow it to move under recovery forces of the sheet into a forward position beyond the end of the stack of sheets.

Abstract: A paper feeding device used for feeding stacked paper to an electrophotographic copying machine is provided with a lift for a stack of papers, which move the top sheet against a swingably supported feeding roller as the size of the stack decreases under use. Forwardly of the feeding roller in the direction of travel of the paper is a plate in frictional contact with the roller, the paper being thus fed forwardly to the copying machine through the nip between the roller and plate. This arrangement avoids the problem of a multifeed of the sheets. The feeding-out operation may be further improved by the provision of separating claws engaging the leading corners of the paper as it passes from the feeding roller. Raising of the lift is controlled by a detecting device actuated by position of the swingable support for the feeding roller.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus with a sheet feeding capability to supply sheets of documents and/or copy paper to a rotatable scanning drum. Rollers advance these sheets on a sheet-by-sheet basis along the transport path which includes a plurality of sensors. The drum is positioned so as to receive the sheets prior to scanning and subsequently repositioned after scanning so as to permit these sheets to be removed from the drum.

Abstract: In a printer having a sheet feeder associated therewith, means are provided for feeding only the top sheet in a stack of sheets to the printer platen. A feed roller is positioned in contact with the top sheet and is energized a plurality of times prior to the paper clearing two corner separators associated with the sheet feeder, the acceleration and stopping of the feed roller having a tendency to jerk the first sheet of paper out of the stack while leaving the subsequent sheets in the stack. Although several methods can be utilized to energize the feed roller, control signals for energizing the feed roller are preferably generated by the printer microprocessor.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device is provided with kick-out rollers of generally cylindrical shape having chordal flats. The kick-out rollers are operable to rotate in one direction to deliver a sheet from a sheet stack for forward transport to a printer or the like. The sheet may be reversely transported back to the sheet stack by means of intermediate rollers which direct the sheet between the sheet stack and the chordal flat of the kick-out roller.

Abstract: This specification discloses a device for feeding sheet-like image-bearing members (hereinafter simply referred to as sheets) cut into a predetermined size and used with copying machines, recording apparatuses, printing machines and the like. More particularly, it discloses improvements in a sheet feeding device having a feed roller for feeding one by one sheets piled on a paper feed bed or in a cassette or the like, said roller having a cross-section in which part of the circumference thereof is cut away so that, during the non-feeding, the uppermost surface of the piled sheets and said roller maintain a non-contact condition with the aid of said cut-away part. The sheet feeding device is characterized in that it has a member for depressing the piled sheets substantially to a predetermined position before said roller contacts the sheets, in order to always maintain constant the position whereat said feed roller first contacts the sheets.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing photographic sheets from a stack, comprising a dispensing mechanism including a bodily displaceable rotatably supported dispensing roller that is provided with uni-directional anti-rotation device, and a bodily stationary, driven roller for cooperation with the bodily displaceable roller.

Abstract: My invention comprises a large capacity combined magazine and sheet feeder for copying machines, in which the sheet being fed is brought to feeding level by a spring-powered mechanical servomechanism. The assembly is adapted to be substituted for a small capacity cassette on an existing copy machine and to employ the power and logic of the existing machine to feed sheets from the large capacity assembly in proper synchronzied relationship. This is accomplished by a power take-off from the copy machine with which the improved magazine is beng used, which power take-off can be installed without altering the original machine. The large capacity unit then feeds sheets to the copy machine as if the original small capacity cassette were being used. The magazine is adapted to handle sheets of various lengths on which copies are to be made.

Abstract: An automatic paper sheet feeding device for a copying machine has a cassette with a base plate made of magnetic material which is secured by a magnet to a bottom plate of the cassette against a biasing force of a spring. The device has a cam member which enters a slot in the cassette after the cassette has been inserted into the device. This raises the base plate upwardly which releases the base plate from the magnetic holding force allowing the base plate to rotatingly move upwardly and contact a feeding roll due to the force of the spring.

Abstract: A sheet feeder for feeding sheets from a stack thereof, which feeder automatically fans or separates the uppermost sheets within the stack to facilitate their feeding. The feeder includes a feed roll brake releasably coupled to a feed roll which brake rotates with the feed roll until a pre-determined force is applied on the brake by a spring that has been compressed by the normal feeding rotation of the feed roll, causing the feed roll to rotate in the opposite direction to the normal feed direction, thereby fanning the uppermost sheets.

Abstract: A copying apparatus provided with a cassette-type paper feeding mechanism. The paper feeding mechanism includes a cassette-receiving section disposed at an upstream end of a paper transfer passage defined within a housing and a copying paper cassette to be mounted to the cassette-receiving section through an opening formed in a side wall of the housing and is constructed such that when the paper cassette is inserted into the cassette-receiving section through the opening of the housing to set it at an inoperative position and further moved in a predetermined direction to set it at an operative position, a paper feeding member provided in the cassette-receiving section acts on a copying paper in the paper cassette to render it ready for feeding into the paper transfer passage. A pair of paper transfer rollers are provided at that position of the paper transfer passage which is in proximity to the cassette-receiving section, and at least one of these transfer rollers is mounted movably relative to the other.

Abstract: A device for the feeding of single sheets, for example letterheads, to a xerographic copier instead of the paper supply from a roll. The device is located on a slide-in unit (1) and comprises an exchangeable cassette (4) which holds the supply stack (7). The base of the cassette (6) is tiltable and spring loaded so that the top sheet rests against two friction rollers (10) located above the supply stack (7). The rotation of the friction rollers (10) results in a separation of the sheets of paper by the corner-separators (13). Thereafter, the sheet of paper enters between sets of transport rollers (18, 19), which are magnetically pressed together, and then the sheet is taken over by the feed advance members of the copying apparatus.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a pivotally disposed tray for supporting a stack of sheets thereon, a sheet feeding roller positionally fixed proximate the leading edge of the uppermost sheet of a stack on the tray, a biasing member for urging the tray in opposition to the fixed feeding roller so that the uppermost sheet of the stack is pressed into frictional contact with the roller, and a wedge-shaped supplemental displacement member of a relatively light specific gravity material disposed intermediate the tray and a sheet stack supported thereon to displace the tray with respect to the feeding roller by an amount greater than that displacement otherwise imparted to the tray by sheets stacked thereon so as to increase the frictional feeding force with which the uppermost sheet is pressed against the feeding roller by the biasing member and thereby facilitate feeding of sheets having properties that might otherwise interfere with normal feeding from the tray.

Abstract: A paper feeding cassette for receiving paper piles of different widths to be able to replace, comprises a stationary bottom plate on which is disposed the rear portion of the paper pile, a movable bottom plate vertically movable relative to the stationary bottom plate and having the front portion of the paper pile disposed thereon, springs for upwardly urging the movable bottom plate, a movable side plate regulating the other side edge of the paper pile, and separation pawl for enabling the uppermost paper alone of the paper pile to be fed. The movable bottom plate has a width not smaller than the width of the largest paper which can be housed in the cassette, and the side plate is movable along the movable bottom plate so as to allow the side edges of the paper pile of a width smaller than the width of the largest paper to be regulated.

Abstract: A large capacity sheet delivery apparatus mounted on a photocopier has an upwardly biased, horizontal stack plate and movable feed rollers, rotated by a drive in the photocopier, that continue to engage the top sheet of the stack as the feed position of the top sheet lowers due to removal of sheets from the stack. A sheet stripping mechanism engages the feed roller assembly and is movable with it. The horizontal plate has linear bearings mounted on its rear edge for sliding on a pair of vertical rods.

Abstract: A duplex copying machine having a simple and automatic method and apparatus for handling paper at a duplex feeding station in a duplex copier is disclosed. A container for holding a stack of paper is removably connected to the duplex copier at a paper feeding station. The stack of paper is aligned and partially confined within the container by vertically extending surfaces which align the edges of the paper sheets within the stack. Top portions connected to the vertical surfaces extend horizontally over a portion of the top sheet of the stack. The stack of paper rests on an intermediate support plate within a container which is biased against the top portions. Extension members connected to opposite sides of the intermediate support plate are disposed to move within slots in opposite sides of the container. A pair of solenoids are connected to contact members and fixed to the duplex copier. When the container is mounted on the duplex copier the contact members come in close proximity to the extension members.

Abstract: A sheet feeder for feeding a single sheet from a stack of sheets by using a rotating cylindrical feed roller having a truncatel portion spaced away from the stack and a full diameter portion able to contact the stack whenever it is lifted by a lifting arm, which is pivoting in a timed relationship to the feed roller. This device simplifies sheet timing and eliminates the need for a constant biasing of the stack against a feeding member.

Abstract: A paper feed mechanism employing interchangeable cassettes having liftable paper stack support plates and containing different size paper sheets includes a feed roll engaging the uppermost sheet of an operatively positioned cassette, a lifting member separably engaging the support plate and a spring system biasing the lifting member and adjustable under the control of an indexing member on the operative cassette to adjust the bias in accordance with the paper size so that the pressure of the feed roll in the uppermost sheet is constant and independent of paper size. The spring system may include a first spring which is operable with all sizes of paper sheet and a second spring which is enabled only when the cassette contains large sheets and biases the lifting member with the first spring.

Abstract: A paper cassette for storing two different lengths of paper sheets. The cassette comprises a rear panel, a pair of side panels extending forward from the rear panel, a front panel operatively connected to the pair of side panels, a bottom panel extending between the bottom of the side panels from the bottom of the rear panel about three quarters of the distance toward the bottom of the front panel, and a top panel extending between the top of the side panels from the top of the rear panel about three quarters of the distance toward the top of the front panel.

Abstract: Alternate facing plies in a single stack are separated by this apparatus into two separate piles. The apparatus of the invention includes a head for differentiating each top layer from the feed stack and a transporter for transporting the differentiated top layers alternately to a first location and to a second location. The differentiating head includes a movable, rotating element for curling back one or more of the edges of the top layer from the edges of the next underlying layer in the stack and thereafter lifting the layer with the curled edges away from the stack.

Abstract: A device for dispensing address labels from a stack contained within a receptacle wherein the receptacle comprises two complementary plastic wall sections joined together by an integral flexible hinge along one side of the receptacle with interlocking structure at the opposite side of the receptacle to hold the sections in closed position and the sections having aligned projections within the receptacle to provide an axle for a friction roller for dispensing the individual labels.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying sheets of paper to the printing platen of an office machine, for example a typewriter or bookkeeping machine. The paper is held in a stack within a removable cassette which can be placed in substantially vertical position into a cassette holder. The cassette is locked in the cassette holder by a slight rearward rotation which causes the engagement of a locking bar with suitable recesses in the cassette. When rotated into the operative position, a spring-loaded pressure plate urges the paper stack against a rotating separating roller which transports the top sheet from the stack in the direction of the printing platen of the office machine. The cassette also includes top sheet separating tabs which hold the corners of the top sheet for a limited time after the separating roller has begun the transport of the sheet, whereafter the top sheet snaps out of position.

Abstract: The outermost sheet of a stack of overlapping sheets in a magazine is partially separated from the neighboring sheet of the stack by the peripheral projection of a singularizing roller which is adjacent to the rear edge face of the outermost sheet. The projection engages and moves the rear edge face forwardly while the outermost sheet is biased against an abutment in the region of its front edge face. The bias upon the outermost sheet is relaxed or terminated when the rear portion of the outermost sheet is flexed away from the neighboring sheet so that the outermost sheet can be withdrawn from the magazine, either forwardly or rearwardly, by advancing rolls which are installed in close proximity of the singularizing roller, in the interior of the roller, or close to the front edge face of the outermost sheet of the stack.

Abstract: This apparatus removes individual sheets of paper or the like from a stack regardless of the thickness of each sheet. A sheet supply stack support is journaled in a housing in see-saw fashion. A first set of sheet separating rollers is arranged above the downstream end of the support as viewed in the direction of sheet movement. A spring urges the downstream end of the support upwardly and thus sheets on the support against a separating roller. A table is located substantially adjacent the downstream end of a sheet and for cooperation with a pair of sheet separating and transport rollers. Two sheet guides are arranged upstream and downstream, for example, of a platen. The supply stack is arranged upstream of the first sheet guide. The sheet receiving stack is arranged downstream of the platen and so that an upper sheet guide member forms part of a sheet receiving stack tray located substantially above the sheet supply stack.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to new methods and means for removing fabric plies one at a time from a stack, transporting the individual plies to a secondary location, precisely orienting and aligning the plies for a subsequent operation and, in some cases assembling one ply with another in preparation for a sewing operation. In one of its advantageous forms, the equipment specifically illustrated herein is especially useful for picking individual shirt cuff and liner plies from separate supply stacks, transporting them to a load station, and assembling the plies one on top of the other, in proper alignment and orientation for sewing. In a secondary mode, the equipment of the invention may be used to transport individual fabric plies, such as entire short sleeve shirt sections, to a sewing or other processing station.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to new methods and means for removing fabric plies one at a time from a stack, transporting the individual plies to a secondary location, precisely orienting and aligning the plies for a subsequent operation and, in some cases assembling one ply with another in preparation for a sewing operation. In one of its advantageous forms, the equipment specifically illustrated herein is especially useful for picking individual shirt cuff and liner plies from separate supply stacks, transporting them to a load station, and assembling the plies one on top of the other, in proper alignment and orientation for sewing. In a secondary mode, the equipment of the invention may be used to transport individual fabric plies, such as entire short sleeve shirt sections, to a sewing or other processing station.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for successively separating and feeding sheets from a stack of sheets is disclosed. A wave generator wheel, rotating in a plane generally parallel to the stack, and about a tiltable axis generally perpendicular to the stack, is tiltable in a first direction to contact the stack for shingling the stack, and in a second direction to contact the stack for restoring the stack to its unshingled state. Sheets in a stack are driven forward or rearward by simply tilting the rotating wheel. The wave generator wheel is used to first drive the stack's top sheet away from a feed nip, and to then drive the stack's top sheet into the feed nip.

Abstract: A device for separating a topmost workpiece from a stack of textile workpieces, comprises a table support which is guided for upward and downward movement and which is adapted to contain a stack of the workpieces and which is urged in an upward direction by weight means which are engaged with the table. In addition, a holding member is mounted for movement toward and away from the table and includes a lower end which is engageable on the top of the stack to hold the workpieces in position. A strip-off element, for example, a rotatable member having a plurality of radially extending bristles is engageable with the stack adjacent the holding member, and it is rotatable to direct at least the uppermost workpiece over the length of the holding member which is arranged in an inclined position over the stack. The holding member includes holding pins so that as the strip-off member moves upwardly over the holding member, it causes engagement of at least the uppermost workpiece with the pins.

Abstract: A tag feeding machine particularly adapted for separating thin paper tags, of the type applied to feed bags, one at a time from a stack. A tag engaging member mounted on a movable arm and having a friction contact surface thereon is movable through a predetermined path on a displacement stroke wherein it contacts the first tag in a stack and buckles its leading edge out from engagement by a leading edge retaining member on a tag holder. As the tag engaging member moves back through a return stroke to a rest position, it carries the separated tag's leading edge forwardly to a freely disposed pickup location. Tag pickup means in the form of a swingable delivery arm having a pickup device on one end grips the freed leading edge of a separated tag and delivers it to an application location.

Abstract: Alternate facing plies in a single stack are separated by this apparatus into two separate piles. The apparatus of the invention includes means for differentiating each top layer from the feed stack and means for transporting the differentiated top layers alternately to a first location and to a second location. The differentiating means includes movable, rotating elements for curling back one or more of the edges of the top layer from the edges of the next underlying layer in the stack and thereafter lifting the layer with the curled edges away from the stack.

Abstract: Mechanism for separating the uppermost pliant sheet of a stack of such sheets from the stack including a rotatable friction drive wheel effective on the longitudinal center line of the uppermost sheet for initially moving the sheet rearwardly, and a pair of downwardly tapered posts at the rear face of the stack and on opposite sides of the center line which cause the uppermost sheet to bow upwardly away from the stack particularly on its side edges for thereby effectively separating the sheet from the stack and allowing it to be driven subsequently in the forward direction to free it completely from the stack.

Abstract: A device for step-feeding panels, in particular support bases for printed circuits, to a machine, and in which said panels are arranged edgewise on a support plane, and are advanced step-by-step transversely along said support plane and towards one end thereof by a bearing plane moved along said support plane by a powered slide. At said one end of the support plane cyclically movable feeding means are arranged, which support engage the panels moved, at any step, past said one end of the support plane, and displace the same from a first position substantially parallel with the bearing plane to a second position, in which said panels project outwards from said one end of the support plane and operate a means for stopping said movable feeding means.

Abstract: A labeling machine of the kind wherein labels are removed one at a time from a stack of labels by a rotating picker provided with axially spaced annular picking surfaces disposed for rotation about an axis parallel to the endmost label in the stack at a distance therefrom such that the annular picking surfaces of the picker are tangent to the plane of the endmost label. The annular picking surfaces contain diametrically disposed slots which are connected to a vacuum as they are moved into engagement with the endmost label and thereafter at a predetermined place in the further rotation of the picker are disconnected to release the label characterized in that there is a needle fixed in each slot with its pointed end flush with the annular picking surface of the picker and with which the portion of the label crossing the slot is held engaged during the period the picker is taking hold of the label and releasing it.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus in which a stack of sheet material is moved from a non-feeding to a feeding position for advancing successive uppermost sheets therefrom along a substantially common path.

Abstract: To rotate sheet engaging means such as a roller disposed in engagement with an outermost sheet of a stack sheets in a receptacle, there is provided sheet feeding apparatus including first and second rotatable members, wherein the first member has inwardly and outwardly facing surface portions which respectively define oppositely facing paths of travel when the first member is rotated, and wherein the second member is disposed in the respective paths of travel. The surface portions of the first member are arranged relative to one another to permit one of them to rotate the first member in one direction and the other of them to rotate the first member in the opposite direction, when the first member is rotated in a given direction. Since the second member may be connected to a sheet engaging roller for rotating the roller in opposite directions, the sheet feeding apparatus is usable in buckle-loop sheet feeding systems.