Abstract: A film transport apparatus (3) for sheet film is provided on the rear side of a cassette loading/unloading unit and a processing unit (2) positioned next to the latter. Film transport apparatus (3) comprises a transport table which can be moved back and forth on a horizontal plane and which transports a sheet film ejected through output opening (1b) of said loading/unloading unit into an input opening (2b) of processing unit (2). Transport table (8) is guided in vertical direction in such a manner (14) that its end (17, 20) facing input and output openings (1b; 2b), respectively, can be raised and lowered into the transport plane of said input and output openings (1b; 2b). A guideway (14) controlling the vertical movement of said transport table can be adjusted selectively into different positions of inclination and/or height in order to be able to adapt the transport plane of transport table (8) to vertical height differences between output opening (1b) and input opening (2b).

Abstract: A document sorter for a document dispenser comprises a feeding apparatus for feeding documents to a document feed path, a conveyance apparatus mounted along the document feed path for conveying documents along the document feed path, and a directing apparatus mounted across the document feed path at a 90.degree. angle to the feed path for selectively directing documents along the feed path or for selectively directing documents from the feed path into a selected bin of the document dispenser. The directing apparatus includes a plurality of rotatable selector rotors mounted across the document feed path at a 900.degree. angle to the document feed path, and a D.C. motor for driving each selector rotor in a clockwise direction or a counter-clockwise direction of rotation, as desired.

Abstract: Individual sheets are singled out in a delivery of a sheet-fed rotary printing press. The delivery has a chain delivery with gripper bars extending transversely to the sheet-transport direction. The gripper bars are disposed on revolvingly driven transport chains and carry spaced apart sheet grippers disposed side by side. The sheet grippers grip the leading edges of the sheets and slave them to a main sheet pile. The gripper release is subject to an adjustable control for delayed sheet release, so that selected sheets may be transported beyond the main sheet pile. Revolvingly drivable suction tapes suction-grip the sheets which are released by the grippers with the delay, and they transport those sheets in the transport direction across and beyond the main sheet pile and onto a single sheet depository. The sheet depository is movably disposed in or on the printing-press frame. The suction tapes have upper suction surfaces at a raised position which extend between the sheet grippers.

Abstract: A sorter includes a feed belt for feeding a sheet, which is transferred from a sheet processor, vertically, a belt drive mechanism for running the feed belt in said one direction, a plurality of sorting trays, onto which at least one sheet is received, and which are stationary and arranged vertically, a distributing unit for distributing the sheet fed upon the running of the feed belt to a predetermined sorting tray, a press roller mechanism for pressing the sheet to the feed belt so that the sheet is frictionally engaged with the feed belt, thereby feeding the sheet upon the running of the feed belt, and moving mechanism for moving the press roller mechanism along the feed belt vertically.

Abstract: Apparatus for turning an envelope. The apparatus includes: a pivotable feed deck for receiving an envelope; a device for stopping the envelope on the feed deck; a device for raising and lowering the downstream end of the feed deck; and a pivotable upper arm drive located above the feed deck. The drive is pivotable at its upstream end and includes a pair of feed rollers fixedly secured to the upstream end of the drive, a pair of exit rollers fixedly secured to the downstream end of the drive, and a pair of biased exit rollers secured to the drive adjacent and upstream of fixedly secured exit rollers.

Abstract: A buffered stacking apparatus selectively diverts horizontally disposed documents from a main conveying path, then stacks and transports the documents to replaceable receiving receptacles. The apparatus has a primary horizontal conveyor belt with a lower reach defining a horizontal primary conveying path and at least one secondary conveyor belt having an upper reach which, when the secondary conveyor belt is in a horizontal position, is disposed in a lower juxtaposed relation to the lower reach of the primary conveying belt. The buffered stacking system also selectively effects pivotal movement of the secondary conveyor belt from the horizontal position to a second inclined position wherein the reach of the secondary belt is inclined to the lower reach of the primary conveyor belt. Documents being transported along the primary conveying path are diverted along the inclined reach when the secondary conveying belt is inclined.

Abstract: A method is provided for temporarily storing a series of successive textile sheets having a length L in an overlapping relationship in a collecting apparatus, including the successive steps of conveying the textile sheets one after another to an inlet of a carrier mechanism, while preventing an uncontrolled relative movement with a neighboring sheet in an overlapping contact area, clamping each textile sheet between the carrier mechanism and cooperating clamping means and conveying the clamped textile sheets along a path to an outlet of the carrier mechanism in successive steps having an adjustable step length d, removing the textile sheets from the collection apparatus at the outlet without disturbing a position of a neighboring sheets and displacing the carrier mechanism by one of translation, rotation and translation combined with rotation around one of a vertical axis and at least one horizontal axis.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a method for reliably separating a selected sheet from a spaced array of sheets transported on a conveyor. The invention continuously maintains vacuum on the conveyors, and uses selectively activated jets directed at the underside of the sheets to divert them for separating. The invention positively controls the destination of discrete, flexible sheets, such as photographic film, by continuously engaging the sheets with another conveyor during separating, sorting, shuffling or the like, as they travel in an array along a conveyor. Positive control of the sheets permits reliable, high speed separating of lightweight, flexible sheets.

Abstract: A system and a method for sorting are provided for distributing articles, such as mail pieces or other flats, to predetermined destinations. At the destination, the particular article is raked by a raking assembly from a carrier for placement into a container. The container, when full, is gravity fed onto a discharge conveyor and automatically replaced with a new empty container. The carrier operates on two levels for delivery of articles to containers on two levels while maintaining the carriers in a horizontal position throughout the sorting process. A sloped front end of the carrier allows the articles to be transported at a rapid speed and in a continuous fashion.

Abstract: Device for conveying sheets from a printing press to a sheet pile includes revolving endless conveyor members looped about at least two rotating members having respective horizontal axes of rotation disposed parallel to one another, one of the rotating members being disposed at a location remote from the printing press, mechanical grippers carried by the endless conveyor members for gripping only respective leading edges of sheets, the endless conveyor members having respective upper sides moving along a conveying path in a given conveying direction for carrying thereon sheets conveyable away from the printing press, revolving endless guiding members disposed over part of the conveying path along and adjacent the upper side of the endless conveyor members and along a part of the endless conveyor members looped about the one of the rotating members disposed at the location of the endless conveyor members remote from the printing press, and pneumatic equipment disposed along the endless guiding members for exer

Abstract: The apparatus for transferring individual articles (M) in sheet form and placing them in stacks (P1, P2) of pre-determined numbers includes a conveyor (17, 23) which picks up the articles from a delivery system (11) by gripping them along their edges. Along said conveyor at least two reciprocating expellers (27, 29) disposed in series remove said articles from the conveyor and lay them down onto a stacker device (31, 35; 33, 37). Each expeller (27, 29) operates with continuous, reciprocating motion at all times. The expeller (27) which is closest to the delivery system (11) may selectively be moved, in the direction of its reciprocating motion, so as to take a position (27X, 27Y) in the trajectory of the manufactured articles fed by said conveyor means, and, alternately, a position (27X', 27Y'), in which it is not in the article-feeding trajectory.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a method for reliably separating a selected sheet from a spaced array of sheets transported on a conveyor. The invention continuously maintains vacuum on the conveyors, and uses selectively activated jets directed at the underside of the sheets to divert them for separating. The invention positively controls the destination of discrete, flexible sheets, such as photographic film, by continuously engaging the sheets with another conveyor during separating, sorting, shuffling or the like, as they travel in an array along a conveyor. Positive control of the sheets permits reliable, high speed separating of lightweight, flexible sheets.

Abstract: A universal interface for operatively connecting and feeding the sequential copy sheet output of various reproduction machines of widely varying ranges of sheet output level heights to various independent copy sheet processing units having widely varying sheet input level heights with a free-standing movable interface module of a fixed narrow width. A sheet feeding path extends from one side of the module to the other for transporting the copy sheets. This sheet feeding path is preferably bi-directional and reversible for feeding copy sheets therethrough from either side. It is repositionable by vertically repositioning over a large vertical height range integral sheet path ends opening at opposite sides of the interface module, a retention system retains the sheet path ends at a selected height position mating with a selected reproduction apparatus sheet output level and a selected copy sheet processing unit sheet input level.

Abstract: The instant invention provides an apparatus and method for reliably separating a selected sheet from a spaced array of sheets transported on a conveyor. The invention continuously maintains vacuum on the conveyors, and uses selectively activated jets directed at the underside of the sheets to divert them for separating. The invention positively controls the destination of discrete, flexible sheets, such as photographic film, by continuously engaging the sheets with another conveyor during separating, sorting, shuffling or the like, as they travel in an array along a conveyor. Positive control of the sheets permits reliable, high speed separating of lightweight, flexible sheets.

Abstract: In a sorting device for sorted storage of recording media, a transport unit (32) receives the recording media (12) and conveys them to a selected storage compartment (16). Transport unit (32) runs on an endless positioning belt (24). In transport unit (32), sheet (12) is seized and gripped by rollers (34, 36). A single motor (26) drives positioning belts (24) of transport unit (32) and a drive belt (42) for their rollers (34, 36).

Abstract: This invention relates to the sheet transporting apparatus having a sheet storage device capable of storing sheets and provided in the middle of a sheet transport path; and a carriage unit with a sheet discharge mechanism for transporting a sheet to the sheet storage device and capable of reciprocating motion substantially above said sheet storage device.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting sheets of paper discharged from an image forming apparatus includes a tray unit having a plurality of receiving trays for receiving the discharged sheets of paper. The trays are stacked in a predetermined direction at predetermined intervals. A movable unit is arranged to be movable in the predetermined direction along the tray unit. The sheets of paper discharged from the image forming apparatus are guided to the movable unit by a movable guide. The movable unit has a feeding unit for feeding the guided sheets into the tray unit. The feeding unit is movable between a feeding position adjacent to the tray unit and a remote position remote from the tray unit. By a shifting mechanism, the feeding unit is moved to the feeding position when the guided sheets are being fed, and is moved to the remote position when the movable member moves.

Abstract: A copying machine includes a copying unit, an automatic original feeding unit, and a sorting unit. The sorting unit includes discharging rollers and a tray unit. The tray unit is detachable to a main body and includes a plurality of trays which are detachably connected to the tray unit. The discharging rollers are located in the main body and moves upward and downward. The sorting unit further includes a tray detecting device which detects the position of a tray of the tray unit. Before the copying unit makes a copy, the detecting device detects the tray unit and each tray of the tray unit. When one of the trays is detected, a CPU memorizes the position of the tray and controls the discharging rollers to move upward or downward to the position facing the tray of the tray unit. A sheet from the copying unit is conveyed to the sorting unit. The sorting unit includes a pair of guide plates which define a guide path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing the uppermost article from a stack of alternating first and second articles. The apparatus includes a plurality of pins and a plurality of suction devices, the pins and suction devices being supported from the lower side of a support structure. The support structure, with the suction devices and pins, comprise a head or end effector for sequentially removing the alternating articles from the stack. Means are provided for moving the head from the stack to two respective locations for receiving the first and second articles in respective piles of the articles. The stack of alternating articles, and the respective piles of the articles after they are removed from the stack, are preferably held in an inclined cassette that aligns the articles and maintains the articles in alignment.

Abstract: A stacking device for forming stacks of articles of predetermined count, using a stacking wheel having a multiplicty of uniformly spaced peripheral slots. The slots are adapted to receive articles sequentially at a loading station and carry them to an unloading station having a plurality of stacking sites. The slots are divided into two or more sets, the slots in each set being equal to number to the predetermined count and adapted to deliver the articles therein to the unloading station with the leading edges of the articles at a predetermined radial offset from the axis of the stacking wheel. Each set of slots is associated with the stacking of articles at a specific stacking site and the slots of a set associated with one stacking site provide a different radial offset than those of a set associated with another stacking site. The stacking sites are arranged, in the downstream direction, in order of diminishing radial offset of their associated sets of slots.

Abstract: A sorter having a plurality of receptacles vertically disposed at given intervals includes a lift member for receiving a copied sheet. The lift member is vertically movable between a home position at which it can receive a sheet and positions corresponding to those of the receptacles. The lift member includes a pair of discharge rollers controlled so as to pinch a sheet being discharged to the sorter while the lift member is vertically moving between the home position and the level of one of the receptacles.

Abstract: A system for distributing flexible sheet material by class into separate containers includes a large endless belt and a number of individual distribution roller assemblies each of which includes a smaller endless belt which opposes the larger endless belt at successive locations. The sheet material is transported vertically between the larger endless belt and the smaller endless belts of the individual roller assemblies. Distribution of the sheet material into one of the containers results when the roller assembly associated with that container is repositioned mechanically so that the smaller endless belt and the opposing portion of the larger endless belt are positioned horizontally at the entrance to the container.

Abstract: A sorting machine has a plurality of trays arranged in a vertical array, a vertical transport belt for transporting a recorded sheet introduced through a feed opening, a discharge unit for discharging the sheet to one of the trays, and a guide member which guides the transported sheet to the discharge unit. The discharge unit is shifted to one of the trays. The recorded sheet transported by the transport belt is held between the transport belt and a spiral spring which is retractile in the transport direction, so that dropping of the sheet by gravity is prevented.

Abstract: A sorter in which the various paper trays of the sorter may be randomly accessed is disclosed. The sorter includes a plurality of paper-receiving trays which are stationarily arranged in vertically spaced-apart relationship to one another at the downstream end of the sorter, and an upstream paper transporting and guiding device for receiving paper sheets from an upstream machine and delivering the same to selected ones of the paper trays. The deflecting device is pivotable at its upstream end and has its downstream end arcuately movable between the various vertical positions of the paper trays. A suitable indexing mechanism is provided for indexing the paper transporting and guiding device to selected ones of the paper trays.

Abstract: A compact sorting machine inverts recorded sheets into a face-down attitude and discharges them into individual trays. When a recorded sheet is sent from a feed opening, this sheet is transported on a transport path located below entrances of a plurality of trays. Guide members disposed in the vicinity of each tray entrance are driven according to a control signal so that the recorded sheet is discharged into individual trays. At this time, a guide member having an arc-shape simultaneously inverts the recorded sheet into a face-down attitude.

Abstract: A paper sheet guide mechanism is provided for use in a sorter of the elevator type. Paper sheets are conveyed from an input through the paper sorter along a conveyor belt and are successively deflected by an elevator for distribution on corresponding paper shelves. A guide mechanism includes a plurality of moveable wires which on one end are attached to the elevator and extend parallel to each other along a common plane toward the top of the sorter. These moveable wires pass over a plurality of pulleys and are thereby directed down a common side of the housing, around other pulleys, and are attached to a bracket that is connected to the bottom of the elevator in an endless loop. A tension spring is interposed in each of these wire loops. The plane formed by the parallel moveable wires is adjacent to and slightly closer to the inner ends of the paper shelves than is the plane along which paper is transported through the sorter by the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A printed sheet removal assembly selectively disengages sheets from the grippers of a sheet transport by actuation of a pivotable switch lever that moves an axially slidable rotating switch shaft. A two step switch cylinder is carried by the switch shaft and has adjacent rolling surfaces. One of these rolling surfaces is cam shaped and causes a control roller to move a gripper opening segment into the path of a sheet gripper. The switch cylinder is spring loaded and returns to its switched off position once the switch lever has been released.

Abstract: In a production line for photographic copies the individual sheets leaving the copy portion of the production line are distributed over a plurality of output conveyors and transported in accordance to a predetermined distribution pattern through a subsequent wet treatment and drying station. For facilitating subsequent collection of copies by order, a separation mark in the form of a deviation from the predetermined distribution pattern is inserted between separate orders on said output conveyors. The separation marks may be detected after the wet treatment station by a light barrier sensing device or the like, and used for controlling automatic sorting devices to collect copies by order.

Abstract: By means of a conveyor device, which possesses grippers arranged behind one another in the product conveying direction, the printed products are infed in an imbricated formation to at least one but possibly two or more stacker units. These stacker units are successively arranged in the product conveying direction below the conveyor device. Above each stacker unit there is located a release device for the grippers. In each case at least one of the release devices is located in its switched-on condition for opening the grippers moving therepast. The printed products are drawn by the conveyor device over the stacker compartment of the stacker units. The products released above the intended stacker compartment, upon opening of the grippers, drop essentially in vertical direction downwardly and after a short free-fall path arrive in such stacker compartment.

Abstract: A device for withdrawing printed sheets from a delivery of a sheet-fed rotary printing machine for examination and sorting purposes, the delivery being a chain delivery with gripper rows attached to the chain and having grippers operable by cam control, withdrawal of the printed sheets being initiated by a delayed opening of the respective grippers, includes a first gripper-opening cam, means for releasing the first gripper-opening cam from a locked position thereof so that it is engageable with a rotating control cam for bringing the first gripper-opening cam into a position wherein opening of the grippers is effected and is prevented, a second gripper-opening cam for initiating a delayed opening of the grippers, the second gripper-opening cam being disposed downstream from the first gripper-opening cam in travel direction of the printed sheets, and means for feeding the printed sheets released from the grippers, when the grippers are opened, directly to a conveyance device for further transporting the print

Abstract: A sheet handling device for a printer, such as a silkscreen printed circuit card printer, includes a pick-up and hold device that translates between a register position on the printer and one or more stacks of cards. Adjustable limit switches on a transport track for the device determine the positions at which its movement is interrupted. Plural knobs on a controller for the device are each assigned to one of the operations of picking up or releasing a card, and is set to one of the positions of the limit switches. The controller senses the assigned operation and position setting of each knob in sequence, and carries out the card transport operations accordingly.

Abstract: For removing printed products out of their composite product formation or arrangement the grippers of a conveyor device which grippingly retain such printed products are opened by means of a release device. Viewed in the product conveying direction, the printed products are bent in a substantially saddle-shaped fashion forwardly of the release device, so that these folded or bent printed products are stiffened and, following the release thereof, they can drop downwardly along a substantially straight fall path into a stacking chute. For appropriately kinking or bending the printed products there is provided a saddle-shaped support member at which come to bear the printed products at the region of their trailing edges, such printed products being grippingly retained at their leading edges by the grippers approximately at the central region thereof.

Abstract: Two stop or impact members which are situated opposite one another with respect to grippers of a conveyor device are used for detaching or removing the printed products out of their product formation. In their effective position these stop members project into the conveying path of the printed products. The printed products released by the grippers impact against the stop members and under the action of their own weight drop downwards. Viewed in the conveying direction the printed products are folded or bent into a substantially saddle-like configuration forwardly of the stop members, resulting in stiffening of the thus folded printed products, and after they impact against the stop members they can fall downwardly along a straight path.

Abstract: Apparatus for the automatic discharge of wood panels from the workpiece support (A) of a machining line onto lifting and lowering supports (8, 9) so as to form stacks of superposed panels, comprising a tilting table (1) which can be tilted around a fulcrum axis (2) so as to bring its discharge edge (101) in close proximity with the upper supporting surface of the lifting and lowering support (8, 9). Transverse abutment means (10, 14) cooperate with the supporting surface of the tilting table in such a manner that, whenever the inclined tilting table is horizontally moved transversally to the abutment means, the panels lying thereon are discharged onto the underlying lifting and lowering support, since they are prevented by the abutment means from following the movement of the tilting table.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved transport mechanism for cyclically conveying an original past an optical scanning device in an electrophotographic copying machine of the type in which a gripping unit engages a leading edge of an original during the entire cycling time, which reduces distortion, maximizes utilization of the transport mechanism, and enables the use of lower illumination intensities by optically scanning the original as a planar surface and by providing a pair of transport rollers downstream of the optical scanning device to insure a fast cycling and delivery of the original.

Abstract: Overlapping sheet articles on a first suction conveyor are intermittently diverted in groups by a lowerable second suction conveyor having a direction-changing roller which can be intermittently applied to the first conveyor and moved along therewith at the same speed and then returned.

Abstract: A system for transporting panel members to a plurality of selected sorting locations includes two pair of laterally spaced, elevated, endless conveyor belts defining a path of travel coinciding with the sorting locations. The belts in each pair thereof are also laterally spaced to define a longitudinally extending slot therebetween. An air plenum disposed between opposite sides of each belt communicates with the slots and is coupled with an air pump to produce suction through the slot which releasably holds the panels against the belts as the latter carry the panels along the path of travel. Selectively actuatable, force transmitting mechanism disposed adjacent each of the sorting locations initially breaks the air seal between the leading edge of the panels and the belts, while deflection structure is provided to peel the panels away from the belts to permit gravity induced delivery thereof to the sorting locations.