Abstract: Some embodiments include a fabric separator comprising a body, a drum, a gas intake, a sensor, and a clamp. In some embodiments, the drum has an outer surface, is coupled with the body, and has a drum rotatable about an axis. The gas intake may flow gas in a rotational direction of the drum such that a low pressure zone is created on at least a portion of the outer surface of the drum. The sensor may be coupled with the body. The clamp may be in communication with the sensor and coupled with the body. The clamp having an engaged mode where the clamp is pressed against a portion of the drum and a disengaged where the clamp is not pressed against a portion of the drum, the clamp transitions from the engaged mode to the disengaged mode based on a signal from the sensor.

Abstract: A feeder includes: a mount board that moves vertically while allowing sheet-shaped media to be stacked thereon; a transport device that allows an uppermost one of the sheet-shaped media stacked on the mount board to be sucked by a suction portion to transport the uppermost sheet-shaped medium to a transporter and to feed the uppermost sheet-shaped medium to a destination; left and right edge air blowers that blow air to left and right edge portions, when viewed from an upstream side in a transportation direction, of upper ones of the sheet-shaped media stacked; and left and right detectors that are disposed on left and right sides of the suction portion at the same position in the transportation direction, and that individually detect downward or upward bend amounts of left and right edge portions of the uppermost sheet-shaped medium.

Abstract: An automatic bag loading system includes a transfer arm configured to grab a bag and transfer the bag from a conveyor a bag gripper, which then rotates the bag to a filling station. The system further includes a detection device to detect a location of a leading edge of the bag between the conveyor and the bag gripper.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a loading section on which sheets are loaded, a delivery section that sequentially delivers the sheets from a top of a stack of the sheets having a side surface loaded on the loading section, a blowing section that has a blowing opening, which opens opposite the side surface of the stack of sheets loaded on the loading section, and that blows air toward the side surface of the stack of sheets through the blowing opening, an inclination section that causes the stack of sheets loaded on the loading section to be inclined in accordance with the quantity of the sheets loaded on the loading section, and a setting section that sets a position of the blowing opening of the blowing section in accordance with an amount of inclination of the stack of sheets that are inclined by the inclination section.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus capable of reliably feeding a sheet even when a gap is formed between the sheet and a regulating portion, and an image forming apparatus are provided. A tail end regulating plate 13 regulates a movement of a sheet supported by a tray supporting the sheet so as to be lifted or lowered, and when a gap is formed between the tail end regulating plate 13 and the sheet supported by the tray, tail end regulating projections 18H and 18I which are provided so as to protrude to the gap regulate the movement of the sheet toward the tail end regulating plate 13.

Abstract: Means (17, 22, 23, 24, 25) is provided for intermittently lifting a stack (13) of paper so that the topmost sheet is captured by the suction of a traction device (15) and carried forward by the endless belt of the latter to the input end (21) of a laminating machine. Before the trailing end of the captured sheet has left the traction device (15) the lifting means again lifts the stack (13) so that the next sheet is captured in an overlapping relation to the first.

Abstract: A medium feed device includes a suction member that sucks a medium on a stack member, a surrounding member supported movably in directions toward and away from the stack member together with the medium by suction, a stack-member moving mechanism, a suction-member moving mechanism, a transport member that transports the medium, a detected part associated with the surrounding member, a detecting part that is supported at the suction-member body and detects the detected part, a detector that detects a medium surface position based on a detection result of the detected part detected by the detecting part if the surrounding member moves toward the suction-member body from a state in which the medium contacts the surrounding member. The stack-member moving mechanism moves the stack member based on the medium surface position.

Abstract: In a sheet feeding cassette which lifts up and lifts down a bottom plate each time when a paper is fed, a recording material sensor detects that no recording materials exist when the bottom plate rises over a predetermined position. Accordingly, by measuring a period of time when it is detected that no recording materials exist during a sheet feeding operation, a stacking amount of the recording materials in a sheet feeding cassette can be detected.

Abstract: A recording-material-feeding device includes a stacking portion that holds a stack of recording materials, a lifting member that moves the stacking portion up and down between a feeding position at which a recording material is fed and a refilling position at which refill recording materials are supplied, a suction member that draws one or more recording materials by suction with a negative pressure, a negative-pressure-generating member that generates the negative pressure, and a stopping member that stops an edge of the stack of recording materials on the stacking portion and includes a sealing member that maintains the level of the negative pressure. The sealing member moves up and down between a retracted position at which refill recording materials are supplied and a sealing position at which the level of the negative pressure is maintained, the sealing member moving with the up-and-down movement of the stacking portion.

Abstract: A recording-material-feeding device includes a stacking portion that holds a stack of recording materials, a lifting member that moves the stacking portion up and down between a feeding position at which a recording material is fed and a refilling position at which refill recording materials are supplied, a suction member that draws one or more recording materials by suction with a negative pressure, a negative-pressure-generating member that generates the negative pressure, and a stopping member that stops an edge of the stack of recording materials on the stacking portion and includes a sealing member that maintains the level of the negative pressure. The sealing member moves up and down between a retracted position at which refill recording materials are supplied and a sealing position at which the level of the negative pressure is maintained, the sealing member moving with the up-and-down movement of the stacking portion.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus and a sheet take-out apparatus that prevents a sheet conveyed by a take-out portion from hanging-down and falling, when the take-out portion is stopped due to an emergency. If a take-out emergency process state occurs during the take-out of sheets, the sheet take-out apparatus stops upward movement of a backup plate, moves down feed stoppers, and presses a sheet bundle from above to prevent the sheet on the uppermost surface from being taken out. The sheet take-out apparatus also keeps a rotor air valve on and takes out the sheet caught in a sheet take-in port. When residual sheets on the backup plate are later detected, the sheet take-out apparatus moves down the position of the backup plate, turns off air valves for the rotor, fixed absorbing unit, and handling, and loads a hanging-down sheet on the backup plate, to prevent the sheet from scattering.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a sheet storing unit in which sheets are stacked; a lifting unit that lifts and lowers the sheets; an air blowing unit that blows air to an end faces of the stacked sheets; a feeding roller that is pressed against an upper surface of an uppermost sheet of the sheets and feeds the uppermost sheet by rotating; and a supplying roller that supplies the uppermost sheet, wherein the lifting unit is driven so that height of the uppermost sheet, which is fed by the feeding roller while air is blown by the air blowing unit, is set to be lower than height of the uppermost sheet, which is fed by the feeding roller while air is not blown by the air blowing unit.

Abstract: A sheet feeding unit includes a side warm-air mechanism that blows air toward a side surface of a sheet stack S from a warm-air outlet. The sheet feeding unit controls the lift mechanism so as to perform a sheet separating operation every time a predetermined number of sheets P are fed during a continuous sheet feeding operation.

Abstract: A sheet supply apparatus is provided which controls vertical movement of a sheet support tray so that a position of an upper surface of stacked sheets on the support tray is adjusted to a height located below a separation air outlet, wherein adsorption is possible at the height and so that a fall region, in which a pressure difference with respect to a separation region is generated, is formed below the separation region in which the separation air blasted from the separation air outlet is blasted along the sheet adsorbed on the adsorbent surface.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes an air separating unit includes a floating air blowing unit and a separating air blowing unit that blow air to leading edges of a bundle of sheets in a paper feeding direction to float and separate upper sheets, and a side air blowing unit that blows air to both side edges of the sheet bundle to separate each of the sheets in the bundle, an air suctioning unit that suctions the air to suction a top sheet thus separated, a sheet feeding unit that feeds the sheet thus suctioned and retained, and a control unit that controls to blow floating air, to blow separating air, to blow side air, and to suction the air all at different operational timings.

Abstract: In paper feeder apparatus, the combination comprising first means including a support for a paper stack and transfer elements for successively transferring paper sheets from the top of the stack upwardly and laterally to a delivered position, and optical control means to determine the level of an upper paper or papers in the stack to control the vertical positioning of papers on the stack, to enable said upwardly and laterally sheet delivering as the stack height diminishes, and a controller for cyclically controlling said transfer elements to integrate cyclic upward and lateral movement of successive sheets transferring from the stack.

Abstract: A sheet feeding unit includes a side warm-air mechanism that blows air toward a side surface of a sheet stack S from a warm-air outlet. The sheet feeding unit controls the lift mechanism so as to perform a sheet separating operation every time a predetermined number of sheets P are fed during a continuous sheet feeding operation.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus and a sheet take-out apparatus that prevents a sheet conveyed by a take-out portion from hanging-down and falling, when the take-out portion is stopped due to an emergency. If a take-out emergency process state occurs during the take-out of sheets, the sheet take-out apparatus stops upward movement of a backup plate, moves down feed stoppers, and presses a sheet bundle from above to prevent the sheet on the uppermost surface from being taken out. The sheet take-out apparatus also keeps a rotor air valve on and takes out the sheet caught in a sheet take-in port. When residual sheets on the backup plate are later detected, the sheet take-out apparatus moves down the position of the backup plate, turns off air valves for the rotor, fixed absorbing unit, and handling, and loads a hanging-down sheet on the backup plate, to prevent the sheet from scattering.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a sheet accommodating portion for accommodating a sheet stack. A sheet carrying plate carries the sheet stack and has an upstream end supported in the sheet accommodating portion for rotation. A pickup roller contacts an upper face of the sheet stack and dispatches an uppermost sheet. An elevator displaces the sheet carrying plate between a feeding position where the upper face of the sheet stack contacts the pickup roller and a separating position where the upper face of the sheet stack is separated from the pickup roller. A first warm air mechanism blows warm air toward a side of the sheet stack in the sheet accommodating portion, the side being parallel to the sheet feeding direction. A controller controls the elevator so that the sheet carrying plate is displaced between the feeding position and the separating position during a warm air blowing operation.

Abstract: A method for use in a sheet feeder having a sheet stacking unit with a bottom plate to support a sheet bundle in which air is blown against a side edge of the sheet bundle near the topmost sheets of the bundle, thereby lifting these sheets from the bundle, and separating the uppermost sheet from the bundle, and conveying this sheet away from the bundle, wherein the lifting of the sheets when the bundle is nearly depleted is assisted by forcing an element situated underneath the bundle to push against the bundle solely when air is blown against the side edge of the bundle. A sheet feeder suitable for applying the present method and an imaging apparatus for incorporating the sheet feeder is also provided.

Abstract: A platen structure to facilitate the transport of stacked sheet material conveyed along a transport deck of a sheet feeing apparatus. The platen structure comprises first and second segments connected by means of a compliant coupling. The first segment of the platen is operative to engage a face of the stacked sheet material and apply a stabilizing normal force thereon. The second segment of the platen is operative to engage and travel synchronously with a moving surface of the transport deck. Furthermore, the first and second segments are connected by means of a compliant coupling which is operative to facilitate the relative angular displacement of the first and second segments about at least one axis while maintaining the relative linear displacement therebetween about at least one of the other axes. The platen structure ensures reliable sheet material run-out by compensating for a reduction in sheet material weight as the final or last sheets of the stack are singulated/separated.

Abstract: A sheet feeder assembly for acquiring and conveying a sheet comprises a plenum connectable to a vacuum source and having an opening facing the sheet to be conveyed, and a slide plate covering the opening. The slide plate has an acquisition surface facing the sheet to be conveyed and defining apertures in communication with the plenum. A drive mechanism is connected to the slide plate and supported within the plenum, and is operable to translate the slide plate relative to the plenum to convey the acquired sheet while maintaining the vacuum through the apertures. The drive mechanism includes a motor and eccentrically driven link connected to a carriage supporting the slide plate. The motor is coupled to a cam element that drives a flapper valve disposed between the plenum and a vacuum duct. The cam element also drives a height sensing arm supported to contact the top of the stack.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for lifting, separating and transporting a top panel from a stack of panels through the application sequential suction forces. The apparatus and method uses a vacuum conveying system wherein a sequence of suction forces is exerted from one or more suction apertures. A lift bed located beneath the vacuum conveying system, supports a stack of panels, and can be vertically elevated, causing a top panel from the stack of panels to move within sufficient distance of the vacuum conveying system to allow the sequence of suction forces to lift and separate the top panel. Once the top panel is engaged with the conveyor, the conveyor transports the top panel to a designated location.

Abstract: An automatic dispensing machine of substantially flat goods is provided which detects the over-dispensing of goods while accommodating for varying thickness of the substantially flat goods. The automatic dispensing machine includes a table which supports goods such as cards, a suctioning device which pulls the cards, a transporting device which transports the cards after they are pulled by the suctioning device, a position-control device which controls the distance between the uppermost card and the suctioning device. The position-control device is configured to increase the distance between the uppermost card and the suctioning device based on a dispensing signal. The distance between the uppermost card and the suctioning device is then decreased until a predetermined distance is reached.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hologram-recording dry plate fabrication process and system that can be used to fabricate a transmission or reflection hologram-recording dry plate particularly best suited for applications where high precision and high cleanliness are required. The hologram-recording dry plate comprises a substrate feeding means for feeding a substrate, a film feeding means for feeding a sheet-cut form of film having a separator, a separator releasing means for releasing the separator from the thus fed film, and a lamination means for laminating the film from which the separator is released on one surface of the thus fed substrate from the side of the film from which the separator is released.

Abstract: An automatic paper ejecting and stacking machine for use with vertically-loaded desktop hole-punching equipment is disclosed. The ejector and stacker work together to remove vertically-fed paper stacks from a hole punch and align said stacks in a horizontal stacking bin adjacent the punch machine and preferably facing the operator. After the sheets are punched, a sheet transfer mechanism moves the vertically-oriented media stack in a horizontal direction from the punch machine/ejection assembly to the reception assembly. The sheet transfer mechanism may comprise a plurality of transfer paddles arranged on an drive belt wherein a motor rotates the belt to draw a paddle through the paper-receiving channel of the ejection assembly to push the media stack out of the channel. In one version, the media stack is flipped forward to rest in a forward-facing tray, while in another embodiment, the media stack is pushed rearward to rest in a rear-facing tray.

Abstract: The device comprises a lifting mechanism (1), a sheet-inserting means, means for detecting the front top level of the stack (32) connected to a computer acting on an electric motor (11) of the stack-lifting mechanism (1), and means for raising the stack (4). The detector (32) of the front level of the stack (4) comprises means for measuring the extent of variations in the level of the stack. The computer is also connected to a source of information (17) relating to the supply frequency in real time and to the nominal thickness of the sheets. The computer output is connected to a frequency-varying means for controlling the electric motor (11), the computer being designed so that the value of the signal appearing at its output is characteristic of the difference between the measured level of the stack (4) and the calculated level.

Abstract: A system and method for providing the ability to more effectively control a paper stack in a reproduction apparatus. The level control behavior of the paper stack is characterized, and accordingly, additional lift commands are signaled when the behavior indicates that such increments are necessary. The behavior is characterized by sampling data during a sampling period including switch initiated increments. Upon characterization, additional increments are initiated by a source other than the switch initiated increments to more effectively control the paper stack.

Abstract: A paper feeder comprises a paper-stacking mechanism having a paper-stacking plate on which the papers are to be stacked, and a width-limiting member for limiting the position of the papers stacked on said paper-stacking plate in the direction of width of the papers; a suction/feed mechanism disposed above the paper-stacking mechanism to feed by suction the uppermost paper stacked on the paper-stacking plate; and an air-blowing mechanism disposed on the front side of the paper-stacking means in the direction in which the papers are conveyed and including an air duct extending in a direction at right angles with the direction in which the paper is conveyed, said air duct having plural nozzles for jetting out the air against an upper portion at the front end of the papers stacked on said paper-stacking means, and a fan connected to an end of said air duct.

Abstract: Sheets of paper, photos, transparencies and the like can be fed to a work station (scanner, printer, photocopies, etc.) from a staircased stack of said sheets by use of an air knife and wind tunnel system.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding sheet-like articles, such as newspapers, periodicals, and inserts therefor, from a vertical stack of the articles. The stack is supported on a fixed rest 3, and a sucker arrangement 24 and a pushing away unit 38 are mounted on a load bearing structure 44 which is supported so as to float with the height of the stack. The sucker arrangement 24 includes a pair of suction heads 25 which are mounted for movement between a lowered extended position and a raised retracted position, and the suction heads have suction openings 25a which are permanently connected to a source of negative pressure. In operation, the suction heads 25 engage the uppermost one of the articles in the stack, which closes the suction openings 25a and causes the suction heads and uppermost article to be lifted. The pushing away unit 38 then engages and laterally moves the article away from the suction heads.

Abstract: This invention involves an apparatus which is able to payout surly and speedily sheet bodies one by one, while minimizing the overall dimensions of the apparatus and with a simplified structure. This present invention is an apparatus for paying out a sheet body which comprises at least a suction device which has an opening to absorb a sheet body, and a sending out device to send out the sheet body which is absorbed on this suction device, resisting to the absorption.

Abstract: A sheet feeder feeds sheets separated from a stack to a feed head which is translatable toward take away nip rolls. The sheets are separated from the stack by fluffers and acquired by an acquisition surface of the feed head which is in communication with a vacuum pressure. An air knife is used, in conjunction with a corrugation surface, to separate any secondarily acquired sheets from the acquisition surface. The time for acquiring the sheet is determined from the opening of a vacuum valve in communication with the feed head to the acquiring of the sheet by the acquisition surface. A controller adjusts the position of a supporting tray that supports the stack to maintain the sheet acquisition time as short as possible.

Abstract: A sheet feeder feeds sheets separated from a stack to a feed head which is translatable toward take away nip rolls. The sheets are separated from the stack by fluffers and acquired by an acquisition surface of the feed head which is in communication with a vacuum pressure. An air knife is used, in conjunction with a corrugation surface, to separate any secondarily acquired sheets from the acquisition surface. The time for acquiring the sheet is determined from the opening of a vacuum valve in communication with the feed head to the acquiring of the sheet by the acquisition surface. The time for acquiring the sheets is dependent on the sheet characteristics.

Abstract: A feeder apparatus arranged on a side of a main body of an image forming apparatus is provided with a top door and a vertical door. The top door is provided in an opening defined above a sheet stacker, and the vertical door is provided in an opening defined on a side of the sheet stacker to enable an operator to replenish sheets inside the feeder apparatus. Switches are provided to detect as to whether the top door or the vertical door is opened. The feeder apparatus is constructed in such a manner that upward movement of the sheet stacker is suspended when the top door is detected to be opened and that upward and downward movement of the sheet stacker is suspended when the vertical door is detected to be opened.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to device for feeding sheets seriatim from a stack. The sheet feed device includes a variable vacuum source being selectively actuable to acquire and release a top sheet from a stack; a feedhead, attached to the vacuum source to acquire the top sheet of the stack; a device to determine a plurality of predetermined properties of the sheets and to generate signals indicative thereof; and a controller to receive the generated signals and generate a signal to selectively control the vacuum source.