Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a judging unit for judging as to whether paper jamming occurs in the medium feeding unit at a time that the paper jamming occurs in the medium conveyance route and a controller for controlling the medium positioned on an upstream side of the medium feeding unit to be conveyed into the medium feeding unit when judging that no paper jamming occurs in the medium feeding unit, to allow the feeding unit detaching from the apparatus body without tearing or breaking the jammed paper.

Abstract: An ADU transport roller driving device, an image forming apparatus and an ADU transport roller driving method, in which a phenomenon of a warp does not occur on a succeeding sheet, are provided. There are included one drive motor that drives plural transport rollers to transport sheets in an ADU, a first one-way clutch that transmits only rotation force of the drive motor in a forward direction to an entrance side transport roller disposed at an ADU entrance side in a sheet transport direction among the plural transport rollers, a second one-way clutch that transmits only rotation force of the drive motor in a reverse direction of an opposite direction to the forward direction to an exit side transport roller disposed at an ADU exit side in the sheet transport direction among the plural transport rollers, and an electromagnetic clutch capable of transmitting only the rotation force of the drive motor in the forward direction to the exit side transport roller.

Abstract: The invention relates to a registration system for sheet fed processing machines that reduces or eliminates the need to calibrate the register and/or timing dials of such a machine. The system uses known measurements and the elapsed time between electrically generated pulses to determine the relative position of processing cylinders in the machine relative the timing of a feed mechanism. The relative positions are displayed in real-time and can be adjusted by an operator. The machine need not be ‘in time’ to properly register the machine.

Abstract: A system for controlling friction forces acting on a mailpiece in a mailpiece insertion module.

Abstract: An image forming system that has an apparatus that receives recording media from an apparatus upstream from it, executes image formation processing, and conveys the recording media to an apparatus positioned downstream from it. The apparatus controls whether to continue conveyance of recording media, change their discharger, and accept recording media in accordance with condition of its own or the downstream apparatus regardless of the configuration of the entire system.

Abstract: An improved sheet accumulator for stacking serially fed sheets transported on a paper path includes a guide deck. Above the guide deck, a plurality of parallel belts are positioned to provide a driving force for sheets on the deck. Within the accumulator, a ramp apparatus is positioned across the paper path whereby sheets driven by the belts on an upstream portion of the accumulator deck are driven over the ramp apparatus and deposited in an accumulating region of the accumulator deck on a downstream side of the ramp apparatus. Sheets are stopped by an accumulator stop mechanism located at a downstream end of the accumulating region that prevents movement of sheets by the belts while sheets for an accumulation are being collected. When an accumulation is completed, the accumulator stop mechanism allows sheets to be transported from the accumulating region.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for rotating sheets (a sheet rotator) receiving cut sheets from a source and providing them to a utilization device. The rotator continually engages sheets with at least one drive or rotation component throughout the transport and rotation process. The rotator includes a transport mechanism having a plurality of nip roller pairs along the length of a feed table. The nip rollers (nips) can be selectively engaged with, and disengaged from, the driven rollers using discrete actuators. This allows for feed velocity differentials when entering and exiting the rotator feed table, and also for clearance during sheet rotation. A rotator disk assembly is centered on the table between, and comprises a driven rotator disk and an overriding, freely rotating pressure disk. When sheets enter or pass through the rotator section, the pressure disk is raised to provide a clearance for sheets to pass.

Abstract: A presser member which abuts on a sheet which passes through a sheet conveyance path, and rotates toward a sheet conveyance direction while being pressed by the sheet is provided rotatably in the sheet conveyance path where the sheet conveyed to a sheet stack portion passes, and a move portion to which this presser member is retracted from the sheet conveyance path is provided. When drawing out a jammed sheet from the sheet conveyance path in a direction reverse in a sheet conveyance direction, a jam recovery door is opened, the move portion is operated in connection with this opening motion, and the presser member is retracted from the sheet conveyance path.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a convenient printing system applicable not only to the office environment but also to the POD environment. To accomplish this, a printing system capable of supplying a print medium to a printing apparatus from a plurality of feeding apparatuses each having a feeding unit for feeding a print medium, a multi feed detection unit for detecting occurrence of multi feed of overlapping print media, and a multi feed discharge unit for discharging multi-fed print media includes a multi feed discharge destination setting unit for, when the multi feed detection unit detects occurrence of multi feed, setting which of multi feed discharge units is to accept multi-fed print media, and a control unit for controlling the feeding apparatus to discharge the multi-fed print media to the multi feed discharge unit set by the multi feed discharge destination setting unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bi-directionally transporting sheet stock in a marking engine by disposing idler rolls on opposite sides of a drive roll for forming forward and reverse nips and feeding sheets from opposite directions into the nips.

Abstract: A paper-stopped linkage mechanism, located at the upper cover of the office machine, includes a paper feeder mechanism, a paper stopper mechanism and a linkage. The paper feeder mechanism is movably located at the upper cover and has at least one paper-feeding roller. The paper stopper mechanism is movably located at the upper cover. The linkage is swingingly pivoted with the upper cover. The linkage has a first linking portion and a second linking portion. The first linking portion and the second linking portion are respectively connected with the paper feeder mechanism and the paper stopper mechanism. The paper feeder mechanism and the paper stopper mechanism are linked by the linkage and move in the opposite directions. Both the paper feeder mechanism and the paper stopper mechanism are located at the upper cover and are linked by the linkage so that the paper stopper mechanism can be driven immediately.

Abstract: A document processing system includes a document track composed of a pair of opposing rigid track walls. The documents are moved along the document track in a series to allow operations to be performed on the documents. An apparatus for detecting a document with an attachment includes a strike plate formed by a separate section of a wall of the document track. A magnet is arranged to attract material toward the strike plate. An accelerometer is mounted to the strike plate. The accelerometer detects an impact of an attachment to the strike plate when a document with an attachment passes the strike plate.

Abstract: A sheet material feeder includes a sheet material web, a vacuum box applying a tension force to a portion of the sheet material web extending into the vacuum box by applying a first vacuum force on the sheet material web, a first drive feeding the sheet material web into the vacuum box, a second drive pulling the sheet material web out of the vacuum box, and a system for applying a braking force to the sheet material web proximate to the vacuum box only during a decelerating movement of the sheet material web at the second drive.

Abstract: A paper delivering device to deliver printing paper, including: a lower frame; an upper frame rotatably coupling with the lower frame by a hinge part and rotating between a driving position in which the upper frame is disposed to parallel with respect to the lower frame with putting a delivery pathway of the printing paper between there and an opened position where the upper frame is spaced from the driving position; an upper delivery roller disposed on a lateral surface facing to the lower frame in the upper frame; a plate, interposed between the lower frame and the upper frame, to be detachable from the lower frame in a surface direction of the printing paper; and a lower delivery roller disposed on a lateral surface facing the upper frame of the plate and delivering the printing paper by oppositely rotating with the upper delivery roller when the plate is disposed at the lower frame.

Abstract: An improved document feeder flag assembly is disclosed. The improved document feeder flag assembly allows single handed, on the fly loading of a document sorter. A method for loading a document sorting machine with a single hand, while the method of operating the machine is also disclosed. The document feeder flag assembly includes a baseplate and a pivot post attached to the baseplate. Further, the assembly includes a flag arm having a first side and a second side, the first side of the flag arm is attached to the pivot post. There is also a feeder flag having a first side and a second side, the first side of the feeder flag being attached to a second side of the flag arm. The document feeder flag assembly also includes a resistance device attached between the feeder flag and the flag arm.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a recording head, a transport belt, a pressure device, a sheet detection device, an ejection/transport device, and a control device. The control device controls generating a first stop timing of the sheet transportation by the transport belt, at which first stop timing the transfer belt stops transporting the sheet, and that controls a predetermined delay time after which a second stop timing is generated, at which second stop timing the ejection/transport device stops transporting the sheet, and that shortens the delay time after the sheet detection device detects a trailing edge of the sheet.

Abstract: A paper-feeding system includes a paper tray for positioning a print medium, a pickup roller installed in front of the paper tray for picking up the print medium, a pickup arm connected to the pickup roller including a first retainer, a first elastic component connected to the pickup arm for providing an elastic force to the pickup arm so that the pickup roller can press the print medium, and a swing arm fixed to a shaft at one end. The swing arm includes a second retainer installed at the other end for fixing the first retainer.

Abstract: The paper carrying apparatus includes a first paper carrying mechanism (first carrying mechanism), a second paper carrying mechanism (second carrying mechanism) provided on the downstream of the first carrying mechanism in a carrying direction, an electric motor that drives the first carrying mechanism, a stepping motor that drives the second carrying mechanism, and an acceleration sensor that is a vibration detecting mechanism detecting vibration generated in the rotation shaft of the stepping motor. When the first carrying mechanism and the second carrying mechanism concurrently carry the same paper sheet, the electric motor is controlled in driving velocity based on information of vibration detected by the acceleration sensor at the timing of the rear end of the carried paper sheet passing the first paper carrying mechanism.

Abstract: A paper sorting apparatus includes a scanning unit configured to scan an image printed on a paper, a printing ratio determining unit configured to determine a printing ratio as a ratio of an area of the printed image as scanned by the scanning unit to a whole area on the paper with the printed image thereon, a classification determining unit configured to determine a recycling classification of the paper based upon the printing ratio determined by the printing ratio determining unit, and a sorting assist unit configured to assist sorting of the paper in accordance with the recycling classification of the paper determined by the classification determining unit.

Abstract: A paper sheet storage device comprises paper sheet transporting units 401 to 406 having a transport path 450 for paper sheets and for transporting the paper sheets; a paper sheet feeder 250 for feeding a paper sheet onto the transport path; sensors 301 to 303, disposed on the transport path, for detecting passage of a paper sheet; a transport speed acquiring unit for acquiring the transport speed of a paper sheet based on detection by the sensors; and a controller 210 for controlling the paper sheet transport unit and the paper sheet feeder. In the event that the acquired transport speed of a paper sheet is slower than a prescribed speed, the controller causes the paper sheet feeder to halt the feeding of paper sheets, and operates in reverse a portion of the paper sheet transport unit that is situated closer to the paper sheet feeder than the slow moving paper sheet.

Abstract: A device and method for assisting a user to clear a media jam in a printing device that announces pages, picks media responsively to the announced pages and images the picked media using a media transport path, that: detects a media jam at a given location along the media transport path; halts printing device components upstream from the given location in the media path while continuing to image picked media downstream from the given location in the media transport path; and, prompts the user to clear the detected media jam from the given location after all downstream media has been imaged.

Abstract: A method of processing documents by receiving at least a batch of documents and a separator card in an input receptacle of a document processing device. The separator card includes a conductive material disposed on one side, and a barcode indicative of the source of the batch of documents. The documents and separator card are transported via a transport mechanism past an evaluation unit and a field-effect sensor, respectively. The document processing device evaluates each document, determines whether the document meets or fails predetermined criteria, and detects the presence of the conductive material when a separator card is transported past the sensor. The source identification information from each separator card is entered into a memory of the document processing device after all the documents from the corresponding batch of documents have met the predetermined criteria. Feeder operation is paused between each batch long enough to verify that the previous batch closed successfully.

Abstract: A sheet feeder for supplying a conveying device with folded signatures from a stack of folded signatures, the sheet feeder including a gripper drum. The gripper drum includes at least one gripper to individually remove respective signatures and a stopping device. The stopping device including a stop element to stop and align the signatures with the fold of the signatures in a forward direction. The sheet feeder includes an opening device to open the individual signatures, to deposit the signatures on the conveying device, and to reverse the forward direction of the signatures. The sheet feeder includes a delay element moving in the same direction as the gripper drum and at a conveying speed less than the gripper drum speed. A press-on device to press the signatures released by the gripper against the delay element and to slow down the individual signatures prior to the signatures hitting the stop element.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for effecting recording by a recording head on a recording material which is fed by a plurality of pairs of feeding rollers, the recording apparatus, includes a first feeding roller for feeding the recording material with a first feeding force; a second feeding roller for feeding the recording material with a second feeding force which is smaller than the first feeding force; control means for stopping the first feeding roller with a sheet material nipped to cause rubbing between the second feeding roller and the sheet material to effect cleaning to a peripheral surface of the second feeding roller.

Abstract: A sheet abnormality detection apparatus includes a plurality of abutting members which move upon coming into contact with at least one of sheets conveyed to overlap while being shifted from each other in a convey direction and an object attached to a sheet. The plurality of abutting members are disposed side by side in a direction perpendicular to a sheet convey direction. The apparatus also includes an abnormality detection unit which detects a sheet abnormality on the basis of a relative positional shift among the plurality of abutting members. A sheet abnormality detection method is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a bill processing apparatus 1 as a medium processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention, a swinging member 510, which prevents the bills P from being inserted at the same time, is deformable due to contact with the bill P. As a result, even when a first end 510a contacts the bill P by a swinging operation accompanying with the contact between a second end 510b of the swinging member 510 and the bill P, the first end 510a itself is deformed to alleviate the shock to the bill P. Therefore, the bill P is not damaged. Accordingly, in order to prevent the damage of the bill P, it is not necessary to set a distance between the first end 510a and the second end 510b larger than a length of the bill P in a delivery direction. Further, the distance between the first end 510a and the second end 510b is shortened to make the swinging member 510 and thus the entire apparatus 1 small.

Abstract: Mail processing methods and techniques for sorting and commingling mail from various mail sources including the tracking of the mail pieces through the processing. Such tracking entails uniquely identifying each mail piece, received in batches from the mail sources, and recording the unique identification of each mail piece. The received mail is sorted and commingled in a first pass, to form first collections, and each first collection is loaded into a uniquely identified mail container. For each respective mail piece, the tracking entails recording an association of the unique identification of one of the mail containers into which it is likely the respective mail piece is sorted on the first pass. After processing is complete, postal and client reports can be adjusted based on actual final pass counts.

Abstract: The application is directed to methods for moving a media sheet through the media path of an image forming device. In one embodiment, the media sheet may be moved by a pick mechanism having a pick roll from an input tray. The pick roll in the input tray may maintain contact with the media sheet and drive the sheet at a first elevated speed as it moves towards the nip. The pick roll may then slow as it brings the leading edge into contact with the nip. This slower speed may reduce the amount of nip shock or compression that may cause reengagement of the pick mechanism and an unintentional double sheet feed. Moving the media sheet at the fast speed a majority of the distance along the media path between the input tray and nip may increase media throughput.

Abstract: A device and method for assisting a user to clear a media jam in a printing device that announces pages, picks media responsively to the announced pages and images the picked media using a media transport path, that: detects a media jam at a given location along the media transport path; halts printing device components upstream from the given location in the media path while continuing to image picked media downstream from the given location in the media transport path; and, prompts the user to clear the detected media jam from the given location after all downstream media has been imaged.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a sheet feeding tray, a lock mechanism that locks the sheet feeding tray, a sheet feeding unit that feeds sheets from the sheet feeding tray one by one, an opening and closing unit that opens and closes a conveyance path, a sheet detecting sensor that detects presence of a sheet at a position at which the opening and closing unit is arranged, and a state detecting unit that detects a state of the opening and closing unit. When the sheet detecting sensor detects that a sheet is stuck during conveyance of the sheet, the lock mechanism locks the sheet feeding tray not to be drawn out, and unlock the sheet feeding tray after the opening and closing unit opens the conveyance path.

Abstract: A recording method, for example, which allows a recording medium to be carried with high carrying precision is to be achieved. A recording method includes a step of changing a carry command value, when carrying a recording medium, according to a state of bending of the recording medium that is carried, a step of carrying the recording medium based on the carry command value that has been changed, and a step of recording on the recording medium that has been carried.

Abstract: Increased manual access spaces are provided even within a more compact printer for the movement or removal of printer components such as paper path baffles to be moved for the removal of jammed sheets and/or other hand or tool insertions by printer users and/or repair personnel. This is provided by automatically reducing the normal operating space occupied or required by at least one operative printer component during a machine shutdown in or near such desired manual access areas. In particular, by replacing at least part of at least one of the present rigid space-consuming air ducts or manifolds in a printer with a collapsible portion adjacent to at least one paper path jam clearance area or other desired manual access area which at least partially collapses upon printer shutdowns removing power from the blower for that air duct to substantially increase unobstructed manual access.

Abstract: High accuracy is achieved in paper feed control without increasing the size of an encoder, which would result in an increase in cost. The velocity of a paper feeding mechanism is calculated from an edge signal that is generated by the encoder in response to the motion of the paper feeding mechanism. Based on the calculated velocity, a calculation is performed as to the time needed to reach a stop position since a detection of an encoder signal edge immediately before the stop position. Based on the calculated time, a control signal for stopping the paper feeding mechanism is generated.

Abstract: A method for rotating a printer paper-feed roller wherein the roller is driven by a DC (direct current) motor. A feedback-control signal is applied to the motor until the roller reaches a desired rotational position. The feedback-control signal is a function of an error signal, and the error signal represents the difference between the actual rotational position and the desired rotational position of the roller. When the roller reaches the desired rotational position, the applied feedback-control signal is removed from the motor, and a direct-control biasing signal is applied to the motor to reduce or prevent rollback of the roller when the feedback-control signal is removed from the motor. In one example, the signals are PWM (pulse-width-modulated) signals.

Abstract: A sheet feeder apparatus and method with throughput control. By varying the speed at which sheets are fed from a supply, the sheet feeder apparatus and method assures that the throughput capacity of a downstream operation is never exceeded. Speed is varied based upon the length of the sheets being fed. Furthermore, the sheet feeder apparatus can have worn components replaced quickly and by operators of minimal skill level.

Abstract: A detector (10) for detecting an object (42) in a media item (40), such as a check or banknote is described. The detector (10) comprises first electrically conducting means (14), such as a roller, disposed on one side of a media path (32); second electrically conducting means (16), such as another roller, disposed on an opposing side of the media path (32); insulating means (30a,b) for electrically insulating the first and second conducting means (14,16); and impedance measuring means (38) for measuring the impedance between the first and second electrically conducting means (14,16). By measuring the impedance between the conducting means (14,16) it is possible to determine if an electrically conducting object (42) is being carried by a media item (40).

Abstract: An imaging apparatus has a primary media tray, a priority media feed tray, and a media feed mechanism configured to extract media from the priority feed tray and the primary media feed tray. The imaging apparatus further includes a priority media release device configured to selectively block media in the priority feed tray from being released to the media feed mechanism, and admit media in the priority feed tray to the priority media feed mechanism. In one configuration the priority media release device has a priority media release member selectively moveable from a first position to block media in the priority feed tray from the media feed mechanism, to a second position to admit media in the priority feed tray to the media feed mechanism.

Abstract: High accuracy is achieved in paper feed control without increasing the size of an encoder, which would result in an increase in cost. The velocity of a paper feeding mechanism is calculated from an edge signal that is generated by the encoder in response to the motion of the paper feeding mechanism. Based on the calculated velocity, a calculation is performed as to the time needed to reach a stop position since a detection of an encoder signal edge immediately before the stop position. Based on the calculated time, a control signal for stopping the paper feeding mechanism is generated.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a sheet processing unit which can control the timing in conveying successively fed sheets to a sheet ejecting mechanism in accordance with operating conditions. The sheet processing unit comprises a sheet overlapping mechanism which overlaps successively fed sheets together, a conveying mechanism which conveys the sheets from the sheet overlapping mechanism, an ejecting mechanism which ejects the sheets conveyed by the conveying mechanism, and a control unit which electrically controls operations of the sheet overlapping mechanism, the conveying mechanism, and the ejecting mechanism. The control unit changes the number of sheets to be overlapped together at the sheet overlapping mechanism in accordance with information on the conditions for operation of the sheet processing unit inputted from an input unit.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sheet feeding apparatus and method. In particular this invention comprises a sheet feeding apparatus having a first conveyance member, a second conveyance member, and a sheet bending member. The first conveyance member conveys a sheet from a source of sheets at the first speed. The second conveyance member is positioned near the first conveyance member, and conveys the sheets away from the first conveyance member at a second speed that is less than the first speed of the first conveyance member. The sheet bending member is positioned to engage the sheet as the sheet moves from the first conveyance member to the second conveyance member. The sheet bending member engages the sheet to produce a gap between the tail end of the sheet and the second conveyance member. The lead edge of the next adjacent sheet from the first conveyance member is then fed into the gap.

Abstract: A sheet feeder capable of immediately detecting a paper jam includes a housing, a motor attached to the housing, a driving roller, a driven roller, a rotation speed detector and a control circuit. The motor drives the driving roller to rotate, and the driving roller drives the driven roller to rotate. The driven roller cooperates with the driving roller to feed a sheet therethrough. The rotation speed detector detects the rotation speed of the driven roller and outputs a rotation speed signal. The control circuit receives the rotation speed signal to judge whether or not a paper jam occurs according to the rotation speed signal.

Abstract: An image forming machine driving apparatus includes a first one direction power transfer part transferring or cutting off a dynamic power of a driving motor to or from a feeding part according to rotation directions of the driving motor, and a feeding part power-engaging removal device cutting off a jammed paper-removing force not to be transferred to the driving motor when the jammed paper-removing force is applied to the feeding part in a power transfer direction of the first one direction power transfer part, thereby preventing the jammed paper from being torn off or damaged when the paper jammed in the feeding part is removed during supplying or feeding the paper.

Abstract: A sheet processing system including a cyclable buffering member and a method for controlling such system. When a time-consuming finishing treatment is to be performed on a sheet or a set of sheets, in order to gain the time required to make the execution of the time-consuming finishing treatment, the sheet processing system is controlled such that sheets arriving at the endless surface of a buffering member, during the execution of the finishing treatment, are temporarily assembled in superimposed relationship on the continuously cycling buffering member.

Abstract: A machine for sheet-fed rotary printing or sheet coating has a sheet gripper system, an upstream feed system, and an upstream feeder. A surface refinement station for the sheet is disposed downstream of the feeder and upstream of a transfer of the sheet to the sheet gripper system.

Abstract: A device for feeding a processing section with printed products includes a magazine and a feeding mechanism that includes a gripping mechanism and a conveying mechanism for removing the printed products from the magazine and feeding them to the processing section. The gripping mechanism and the conveying mechanism are driven so that the gripping mechanism can be accelerated in an angular region for a catch-up operation while the speed of the conveying mechanism remains constant.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an image former for forming an image on a sheet at a predetermined image-forming speed; a plurality of feeders; a carrier for carrying the sheet fed from either of the feeders to the image former; and a controller for controlling the carrier to suspend the sheet fed from either of the feeders at a first position upstream of the image former. The controller determines whether a subsequent sheet is suspended at a second position upstream of the first position and/or controls a speed at which the carrier carries the sheet, based on a feeder that feeds the sheet among the plurality of feeders and/or on the image-forming speed of the image former.

Abstract: In a device for loading a feeder rack (5) in further-processing machines such as gather-stitcher machines or gathering machines (6) for folded sheets (1), sheets, booklets or similar printed products, which has a first conveyor arrangement (15) extending in planar manner for the purpose of feeding printed products (1) standing on their edges in the form of a horizontal stack (2), a second, initially upwardly sloping conveyor arrangement (16) for drawing the printed products (1) off the stack (2) in an overlapping formation and for transferring the overlapping stream (3) to the feeder rack (5), infinitely variable drives (20, 24) associated with the two conveyor arrangements (15, 16), and a light barrier (31) arranged in the feeder rack (5), a control means (23) is provided by means of which the drives (20, 24) can be controlled in dependence on the degree of coverage (BG) of the light barrier (31), as a result of which the fill level of the feeder rack (5) remains at an at least substantially constant height

Abstract: An independent motor/reductor drives a conveyance device that feeds a converting press. The converting press includes a number of stations including a feeding station, a converting station, a waste stripping station and a delivery station. The conveyance device services the stations and includes two endless gripper bar chains to convey sheet material through the converting press. A transverse drive shaft drives the conveyance device under the control of the independent motor/reductor. The independent motor/reductor provides motion trajectories for the conveyance device that are independent of, but synchronized with, the serviced stations. The arrangement improves throughput, reduces machine wear and results in a simplified design.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus is provided, which is capable of achieving high quality processing and maintaining high productivity without giving rise to problems such as sheet jam or damage of sheets even when various sheets having different attributes are conveyed. A buffer roller 505 is inhibited from carrying out a sheet staying operation in accordance with the type of sheets conveyed from an upstream side of the apparatus, to be conveyed to a downstream side of the apparatus via the buffer roller 505.

Abstract: In a device for loading further-processing machines with printed products, in particular a feeder rack (5) in gather-stitcher machines or gathering machines (6) for folded sheets (1), sheets, booklets or the like, which has a first conveyor arrangement (15) extending in planar manner for the purpose of feeding printed products (1) standing on their edges in the form of a horizontal stack (2), a second, initially upwardly sloping conveyor arrangement (16) for drawing the printed products (1) off the stack (2) in an overlapping formation and for transferring the overlapping stream (3) to the feeder rack (5), and infinitely variable drives (20, 24) associated with the two conveyor arrangements (15, 16), a control means (23) is provided which controls the two drives (20, 24) at a speed ratio to one another which is dependent on the thickness (D) of the printed products (1) to be processed.