Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sprung dispensing tower that includes a vertical housing having an open top and an interior dimensioned to receive products in a vertical stacked relationship. The sprung dispensing tower includes a platform within the interior of the vertical housing, the platform having a horizontal component and platform sidewalls depending from the horizontal component in parallel with respective interior sidewalls of the vertical housing, the platform being vertically slideable within the interior of the vertical housing between an uppermost position and a lowermost position. The sprung dispensing tower includes a compressible spring associated with an underside of the platform and biasing the platform towards the uppermost position. The sprung dispensing tower includes a resiliently compressible slide guide affixed to at least a portion of the platform sidewalls and extending laterally towards the interior sidewalls of the vertical housing.

Abstract: Proposed is a transfer system for presses, having at least two fastening units arranged opposite one another, wherein each of the fastening units in each case has a first fastening region. The transfer system further has a press transfer unit, consisting of two movement arms arranged opposite one another, as well as a crossbar connected thereto for receiving and for transporting, i.e. including setting down, a workpiece. Each of the movement arms has a first drive unit connected to the first fastening region, a first lever arm, a second drive unit, and a second lever arm. The first lever arm is connected at a first end thereof or between the first and a second end to the first drive unit, and at the second end thereof to the second drive unit. The second lever arm is rotatably connected at a first end thereof to the second drive unit, and is movably connected with a second end thereof to the crossbar.

Abstract: Disclosed are a poker machine and a card collating device and method thereof. The card collating device includes a card collating base, a card collating channel outer side wall, and a center rotating disc The card collating base is directly or indirectly fixed on a base. The center rotating disc is arranged in the center of the card collating base. The center rotating disc is driven by a rotating disc electric motor to rotate. The card collating channel outer side wall is arranged outside the card collating base. An arc-shaped card collating channel for collating playing cards is formed between the center rotating disc and the card collating channel outer side wall. One end of the arc-shaped card collating channel is provided with a card discharging baffle. A card collating channel outlet is formed between the card discharging baffle and the bottom of the arc-shaped card collating channel.

Abstract: A sheet separation device separates a non-bonding portion of a two-ply sheet in which two sheets are overlapped and bonded together at a bonding portion of the two-ply sheet. The sheet separation device includes a separator, an abnormality detection device, and circuitry. The separator is configured to move to be inserted into a gap formed between the two sheets of the two-ply sheet. The abnormality detection device is configured to detect an abnormal state in which the gap larger than a predetermined size is not formed between the two sheets before the separator is inserted into the gap. The circuitry is configured to control movement of the separator based on a result detected by the abnormality detection device.

Abstract: In one example, a photo cassette for a mobile printer includes a support surface to support a stack of photo media sheets, a cover to at least partially cover the stack of photo media sheets, and a window formed in the cover to receive a pinch mechanism of the mobile printer through the window to provide a normal force to the stack of photo media sheets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating a stack of trays, each tray being comprised of a plurality of spaced apart containers arranged in rows and columns and interconnected by webs located at their upper, open ends, the containers of each tray in the stack being nested within the containers of an adjacent tray, the space between the tops of adjacent containers in a row or column and the space between adjacent webs forming linear pathways through the stack. The apparatus includes a magazine for holding a stack of the trays. The magazine includes a plurality of first and second support fingers located at the first and second ends of the stack. First and second support linear actuators cause the support fingers to be extended to a stack support location during a non-separation mode of operation, and cause the support fingers to retract to a non-stack support location during the separation mode of operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a printing apparatus and a printing method, in which a very thick and rigid printing medium such as board paper can be conveyed with stable conveyance accuracy, and in which a high-quality image can be printed thereon. In order to achieve this, paper on a front tray is conveyed onto a rear tray approximately along a plane containing a position on a platen, and then the paper is conveyed onto the front tray through the position on the platen. When the paper passes through the position on the platen, an image is printed on the paper.

Abstract: A device for positioning a plate element (7a, 7b, 7c) in an infeed station (2) of a machine for treating the element (1), fitted with a conveyor (8, 9), gripping the element (7a, 7b, 7c) which is found in a predetermined intermediate position, and carrying the element (7a, 7b, 7c) in a rated running into successive processing stations (3, 4, 6). The device includes a holding device (18) for temporarily holding the element (7a, 7b, 7c), the holding device moving longitudinally alternatively (A) from an upstream position to a downstream position, and vice-versa, to pick up the element (7a, 7b, 7c) in a rear position and bring it to the intermediate position, and to return empty. A motor (23) moves the holding device (18) longitudinally, from the upstream position to the downstream position, and vice-versa, as a function of the rated running. A detector (27) detects a rear longitudinal position in which the element (7a, 7b, 7c) is found, and emits a position signal.

Abstract: A device for generating a controllable reciprocal movement of a moveable mechanical element between a first stop point and a second stop point. At least one drive element is moved continuously with reciprocal movement between two turning points. A coupling device with a controllable coupling serves for the selective coupling of the mechanical element to the drive element. The coupling device further features a freewheel and is arranged such that in the active state of the coupling the mechanical element is coupled to the at least one drive element during a first half-cycle of the movement of the drive element and is moved from the first stop point to the second stop point, and during a second half-cycle of the movement of the drive element is substantially uninfluenced by the drive element due to the action of the freewheel.

Abstract: A paper feeding mechanism includes a frame, a pickup assembly, at least one stopper element and one resisting element. The pickup assembly mounted in the frame includes a pickup bracket, a separation element and a pickup element. The stopper element is pivotably mounted between the pickup element and the separation element, and includes a blocking portion and a stopper portion. The resisting element is pivotably mounted between the stopper element and the separation element, and includes a resisting portion and a raising portion. The pickup element wiggles upward or downward under a drive of a gear to make the resisting element wiggle upward or downward with the resisting portion resisting against the stopper portion or being away from the stopper portion to make the blocking portion block papers entering the paper feeding mechanism, or loose the blocking portion freely to let the papers enter the paper feeding mechanism.

Abstract: In a sheet feeder apparatus, a feeder mechanism for picking up sheets from a stack of sheets of a material includes a support bar, at least one pickup head, and an adjuster. The support bar includes cylindrical ends and an intermediate portion between the cylindrical ends. The cylindrical ends are configured to pivotally couple to control arms of the sheet feeder apparatus. The pickup heads are coupled to the intermediate portion of the support bar and an adjuster is coupled to the support bar at one of the cylindrical ends. The adjuster includes a bracket coupled to the intermediate portion of the support bar, a pivot arm selectively pivotable about the cylindrical end of the support bar, and an adjustment mechanism coupled between the bracket and the pivot arm. The adjustment mechanism pivots the support bar relative to the pivot arm to thereby tilt the pickup heads.

Abstract: A sheet delivery device (80) includes a sheet presser member (61), which is positioned in the vicinity of a sheet delivery port (53) on a downstream side in a sheet delivery direction, for pressing a trailing end of a sheet to be delivered from the sheet delivery port (53). The sheet presser member (61) includes a side surface portion (61a), which is positioned to face a leading end of the sheet to be delivered from the sheet delivery port (53) and a bottom surface portion (61b) which is projected from a lower end of the side surface portion (61a) toward the downstream side in the sheet delivery direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that operates a stripper finger. The apparatus can include a media path configured to transport a media sheet. The apparatus can include a rotational member configured to contact the media sheet. The apparatus can include a stripper finger having a length along a longitudinal axis. The stripper finger can include tip at an end of the length. The stripper finger can be configured to selectively engage and disengage contact between the tip and the rotational member to selectively strip the media sheet from the rotational member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device to separate blanks form each other in a stack by that at least one separating unit is brought into contact with one or more of the edges of the blank stack. The separating unit comprises a separating arm having a narrow teeth provided blade, which moves first horizontally until a tooth grasps the uppermost blank, whereupon the arm having the narrow teeth provided blade controllably moves upwards and lifts one blank edge. An air knife, which acts towards the side of the blank stack in a direct connection to the point of application of the teeth provided blade, can give one or several air thrusts when the blade is starting its controlled movement upwards and is urging like an wedge in under a slit under the uppermost blank of the blank stack, an eventual existing vacuum between the blanks being disappeared at the same time as the uppermost blank of the blank stack receives a lifting force by the air cushion, created.

Abstract: A media pick system includes a pick-up rack, a pick-up roller, a separate roller, a swing gear arm, a swing gear lever, and a part of action. While the separate roller and the swing gear arm are driven to rotate, the swing gear lever would be driven to rotate. Therefore, while the torque generated on the pick-up rack by the part of action so that the pick-up rack could be lifted up or pushed down to pick up the media.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder includes a top cover having a fixing structure and first attracting element, a sheet pick-up module and a second attracting element. The fixing structure and the first attracting element are disposed on an inner surface of the top cover. The sheet pick-up module includes a sheet pick-up arm. The sheet pick-up arm is rotated to either a standby position or a sheet feeding position. The second attracting element is disposed on the sheet pick-up arm. When the sheet pick-up arm is rotated to the sheet feeding position, the sheet pick-up module feeds the sheet into an internal portion of the automatic document feeder. When the sheet pick-up arm is rotated to the standby position, the first attracting element and the second attracting element are attracted by each other so that the sheet pick-up arm is fixed on the standby position.

Abstract: A sheet bundle printer includes a platen roller facing a sheet bundle having peelably adhered multiple sheets of sheet and pulling up an uppermost sheet thereof, a print head feeding the sheet and performing printing thereon while peeling it off with the platen roller, a platen moving device reciprocally moving the platen roller between a pull up position and a print position, and a control device controlling the platen roller, the platen moving device and the print head, and executing a print processing operation including operations of pull up, platen upward movement, print and feed, and platen downward movement. The control device sets a state where the platen roller is located at a predetermined intermediate position in a path from the pull up position to a non-contact position immediately before the print position, to an operation start position of the print processing operation and executes the operation from that position.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming stacks (2) of panels (3) from a vertical pile (4) of panels (3) to be fed to a user station comprises: a crossbar (5) that moves above the pile (4) of panels (3) and mounts selector means (6; 7, 8) designed to separate a certain number of panels (3) from the top of the pile (4); first gripper means (9; 10) and second gripper means (11; 12, 16) for clamping the panels (3); the selector means (6; 7, 8) include a first wedge-shaped selection element (8) that can be inserted between the panels (3) in the pile (4) to create a gap; the apparatus (1) also comprises second selector means (16) mounted on the crossbar (5) and mobile in a feed direction (40) and relative to the crossbar (5), lengthways along the crossbar (5) itself in a first horizontal direction (13), in such a way that they can be inserted into the pile (4) next to the first wedge-shaped element (8) at the gap so as to completely separate the pile (4) at a point away from the first wedge-shaped element (8) by sliding in the fi

Abstract: A sheet separating mechanism and a method of separating sheets that includes a retard surface carrier that causes a retard surface to apply an alternately higher and lower friction force against the edge of an underlying sheet. The alternation of the higher and lower friction force can be coupled to a vacuum sheet feeder. The retard surface can be translated to present a next portion of the retard surface to the edge of the next underlying sheet with the translation coupled to the vacuum sheet feeder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device to separate blanks form each other in a stack by that at least one separating unit is brought into contact with one or more of the edges of the blank stack. The separating unit comprises a separating arm having a narrow teeth provided blade, which moves first horizontally until a tooth grasps the uppermost blank, whereupon the arm having the narrow teeth provided blade controllably moves upwards and lifts one blank edge. An air knife, which acts towards the side of the blank stack in a direct connection to the point of application of the teeth provided blade, can give one or several air thrusts when the blade is starting its controlled movement upwards and is urging like an wedge in under a slit under the uppermost blank of the blank stack, an eventual existing vacuum between the blanks being disappeared at the same time as the uppermost blank of the blank stack receives a lifting force by the air cushion, created.

Abstract: For the separation of the sheets of a record carrier from a pile (10) in order to feed them to an office machine or a printer, a rolling action device (14) sits on the uppermost sheet (12) of the pile (10). By means of the rolling action device (14), the uppermost sheet (12) is loosened from the following next sheet (20) and is pushed against a stop in the feeding direction. The stop is positioned at an impingement angle of at least 90 degrees in relation to the plane, in which the uppermost sheet (12) is being pushed against the stop. Then the stop is moved upwards so that it could pick upwards the front edge of the uppermost sheet (12). The stop can be built, for instance, of at least one upwards-running belt (22).

Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a tray having a bottom surface. The tray holds at least one sheet therein, and has a recess formed in the bottom surface. A rotating member moves between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the rotating member contacts a sheet held in the tray, and in the second position, the rotating member is separated from the tray. The rotating member selectively rotates to convey a sheet held in the tray in a when the rotating member is in the first position. An operative portion moves in and out of the recess in the bottom surface of the tray, and movement of the operative portion corresponds to a movement of the rotating member into the second position.

Abstract: A device (10) for extracting and feeding sheets from two trays, comprising a first tray (20) to contain a first ream (21a) of sheets (21), a second tray (30) to contain a second ream (31a) of sheets (31), and a feeding member (50, 53, 53a, 53b) for extracting and feeding one sheet (21, 31) at a time from said first ream (21a) or from said second ream (31a), wherein the two trays (20, 30) are positioned one on top of the other on the same side of the feeding member (50), and the second tray (30), in an intermediate position between the first tray (20) and the feeding member (50), comprises a fixed wall (32, 32a, 32b), to support the second ream (31a), which is configured in order to define an opening or cooperation zone (41) between the first tray (20) and the feeding member (50), so that, when the second ream is not present in the second tray (30) the feeding member (50, 53, 53a) and the first ream (21a) are intended to cooperate in contact with each other, through said cooperation zone (41) in order to extra

Abstract: Sheets (12, 14) of a print medium kept in a stack (10) are individually fed into an office machine. The edge of the uppermost sheet (12) is raised off the corresponding edge of the following second sheet (14). At least one band (32) is then inserted into the gap formed in this way, which separates the uppermost sheet (12) from the following sheet (14), reducing thereby the friction between the uppermost sheet (12) and the following sheet (14) when the uppermost sheet (12) is pulled off, and minimizing thereby any electrostatic charge of the sheets (12, 14) caused by such friction. The band (32) can be retracted into a band housing (36).

Abstract: Sheets (12, 14) of a medium stored in a stack (10) are separated and fed into an office machine. The edge of the top sheet (12) is lifted off the corresponding edge of the following second sheet (14). At least one separator (26) is inserted into the gap (32) resulting from the lifting of the top-sheet (12) and the top sheet (12) is lifted by the separator from the following sheet (14). This causes a reduction of the friction between the top sheet (12) and the following sheet (14) during separation of the top sheet (12), so that the electrical charge of the sheets (12, 14) generated by this friction is minimized.

Abstract: A media cartridge is provided comprising a housing which incorporates a storage area in which media is stored, a receiving section configured to receive a body of a printer, an outlet arranged with respect to the storage area and receiving section so as to guide media from the storage area to the printer and a feed mechanism operable by a user to transfer media from the storage area to the printer via the outlet.

Abstract: A body section of an image-forming apparatus accommodates a sheet cassette such that the sheet cassette can be drawn out along a first direction. The sheet cassette has a sheet-position-limiting member. When the sheet cassette is empty of image-recording media, the sheet-position-limiting member is moved in the first direction to a predetermined initial position. When the sheet cassette is drawn out in the first direction, the sheet-position-limiting member moves in a second direction in relation to the sheet cassette. The body section and the sheet cassette are configured such that the sheet-position-limiting member is positioned according to the amount of drawing of the sheet cassette.

Abstract: A media cartridge for a printer has a connector for connecting to the printer and a media storage volume in which sheets of media are stored. A manually operated slider ejects one sheet at a time through an outlet to an input slot of the printer. The printer then draws the sheet past a printhead.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for destacking a stack of flat sheet-like articles, comprising a bearing surface for supporting the stack at a fixed elevation, and a separating arrangement for repeatedly separating the uppermost article from the stack and transferring it laterally onto a removal conveyor. The separating arrangement is mounted for vertical movement so as to float downwardly as the height of the stack decreases, and the separating arrangement can be lifted upwardly at the conclusion of the destacking operation so that a further stack can be fed onto the bearing surface along a lateral feed plane which includes the bearing surface.

Abstract: A sheet-fed printing machine having a feed system for feeding sheets from a sheet feeder to the sheet-fed printing machine, and an imaging device for setting an image on a printing plate disposed on the plate cylinder are provided. The feed system includes at least one oscillatingly moving pregripper and a drive device for the feed system, the pregripper being uncoupled from the drive device.

Abstract: A method for dismantling a stack (1) of flat objects (2, 3) piece by piece, in which the top object (2) of the stack (1) is moved in its plane, gripped at its freed edge and removed from the stack (1). The top object (2) is moved against a stop (5), at least in the region of one of its corners (2b), by a movable separating element (6, 6′) and, as a result of further movement, is bent in such a way that it escapes from the stop (5) and is moved out of the stack (1). The invention further relates to an apparatus for dismantling a stack (1) of flat objects (2, 3) piece by piece.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for removing a slip sheet from the top of a stack of printing plates. The apparatus includes a wing for covering an end section of the slip sheet, an air manifold coupled to an end of the wing, the air manifold including a plurality of orifices for directing streams of air along an underside of the wing to lift the end portion of the slip sheet off of the printing plate and toward the underside of the wing, a plurality of idler rollers rotatably mounted about the air manifold, and a clamping bar mounted to the wing for selectively pinching the lifted end section of the slip sheet against the underside of the wing, thereby capturing the slip sheet.

Abstract: A paper feeder for use in an image forming apparatus is disclosed. The paper feeder applies vibration to paper sheets being paid out together to thereby reduce an adhering force acting between them. The paper feeder therefore reduces the simultaneous feed of two or more papers to a noticeable degree. An image forming apparatus including the paper feeder is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating flat products from a pile of flat products, the apparatus including a support and at least one separator for separating a product from a pile of products. The separator is movable with respect to the support and includes a curved surface for contacting an edge of the pile so that a contact point between the separator and the edge of the pile can remain fixed despite adjustments to the penetration depth of the separator.

Abstract: A card guide for holding a stack of cards to be separated, and a card picker for separating a single card from a stack of cards at a first location and moving the separated card to a second location, where each card has substantially the same thickness and substantially the same periphery. The card guide is includes a frame having a periphery sufficiently larger than the card periphery to permit the cards to readily enter the frame while remaining substantially aligned. The card guide has an open front face and an open rear face. The card guide frame includes a bottom member having a card support area with a rear edge and includes a side member having a notch extending substantially the full height of the open rear face and extending from the card support area rear edge toward the front face by a distance at least as great as the thickness of the cards. The bottom member has at least one air hole through it.

Abstract: A signature feeder for delivering stacked signatures to a conveyer or gatherer includes a variable speed separator disk for separating signatures from the stacked signatures. The separator disk mechanically couples with a servomotor. The separator disk has a blade with a leading edge and a trailing edge. The servomotor accelerates the separator disk through the stacked signatures to separate signatures from the stacked signatures. After a signature separates from the stacked signatures, the servomotor slows the separator disk.

Abstract: A printing machine is described that includes a rotary plate for decollating top sheet from a stack of sheets by turning the top sheet so as to expose a second sheet. The machine also has a clamping finger that tilts into position to hold the second sheet once the top sheet has been turned. The top sheet is then turned back to the original position, aligned with the feed direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging article goods fed in a stack comprises a feeding table for introducing the goods with the individual articles in an upright position in the form of a continuous stack, the table defining a feeding path for the stack, an aftertreatment unit for receiving the goods from the table and a grouping device provided on the table and including a pusher for moving a batch of a predetermined size aside form the rest of the continuous stack to the aftertreatment unit. The grouping device is arranged in a frame movable in a vertical direction to an upper position above the table to leave the table free for manual handling. The apparatus further comprises releasable locking members for securing the movable frame in the upper position.

Abstract: A plate feeding system for grasping and moving a plate from a stack of plates. The system includes an arm mechanism having a plate grasping member for grasping the plate and a plate interposing member for interposing between the plate and an adjacent plate. Also disclosed is a method of feeding a plate from a stack of plates. The method includes grasping the plate, using a plate grasping member of an arm mechanism, interposing a member between the plate and an adjacent plate, and transporting the plate.

Abstract: Folded sheet units, such as newspapers and magazines are successively removed from a stack of such sheet units by inserting at least one sheet engaging member such as a pin in the fold between adjacent sheet layers of the sheet unit to be removed. The pin is subsequently moved transversely towards the fold so as to withdraw the sheet unit from the stack to a display position. This principle of withdrawing newspapers form a stack is used in a vending machine for newspapers or magazines.

Abstract: A system for feeding and slitting short length, long width sheets and particularly suitable for solid fiberboard materials, includes a dual acting rake-type sheet feeder, a sheet decurling apparatus, and a multi-head slitter, all of which are interconnected to maintain positive sheet control through the entire system with resultant highly accurate short width slit sheet portions.

Abstract: A method for assembling windshield assemblies for vehicles includes a conveyor for delivering at least two plys of glass to an assembly station, a first robot for lifting one of the two plys from the conveyor, a second robot for gripping and removing at least one adhesive sheet from a stack of adhesive sheets and placing the removed adhesive sheet adjacent the other one of the two plys, whereby the first robot places the one of the two plys adjacent the removed adhesive sheet to assemble the windshield assembly. The step of removing a top adhesive sheet from the stack of adhesive sheets includes moving a knife along an edge of the top adhesive sheet to separate the edge of the top sheet from the next lower sheet in the stack. Alternatively, a blade is moved along a longitudinal length of the top sheet to separate it from the next lower sheet in the stack.

Abstract: A sheet feed device for image forming equipment and capable of feeding sheets one by one from a stack by separating them. The device has a flat plate including a dielectric portion which is capable of making surface-to-surface content with the top of the stack, a means for moving the plate in a reciprocating motion, a means for moving the plate into and out of contact with the stack, and a means for applying a voltage to the plate to cause it to exert an electrostatic adhering force.

Abstract: A device for the cyclic rearrangement of a pile of sheets with a housing having a viewing window, from which housing a slider member can be withdrawn and reinserted, and with elements for removing a sheet from an inserted pile and transferring the same to the other end of the pile on each movement cycle of the slider member. When the slider member is inserted the pile is pressed against the viewing window by a pressing arrangement which comprises rails supported on leaf springs. The rails having integrally moulded function elements, such as anchoring projections, sheet stop members, blocking projections, spacer ribs and guide prongs.

Abstract: A passbook transporting or conveying mechanism has front gripping rollers for gripping the passbook in unprinted areas thereof and for moving the passbook to a printing station. The front gripping rollers are caused to be moved along guide rods in a rearward direction by driving wires or cables connected to roller supports. The passbook is received by rear gripping rollers which are caused to be moved along guide rods in a further rearward direction by driving wires or cables connected to roller supports to a predetermined position for reading a magnetic stripe on the back cover of the passbook. The magnetic stripe on the passbook is read out and the passbook is moved forward to position the passbook at the printing station for the printing operations on the desired print line or lines. After the printing operations, the passbook is again moved rearward to record the printed information in the magnetic stripe.

Abstract: An apparatus for the fault-free receiving and issue of sheets has guide rollers which are arranged on a carriage and which engage into belts to alter the geometry of the belts when the carriage is displaced on a rail over a stack by means of a drive. In the receiving or issue operation the sheet to be stacked or a top sheet to be issued rolls, without sliding, around one of the outer guide rollers, on the stack. Disposed between the outer guide rollers on a roller shaft are rotatable suction rollers whose suction cap sucks up the top sheet by means of reduced pressure at the beginnning of an issue cycle. A control arrangement is adapted to trigger off apparatus receiving and issue cycles and establishes predetermined positions of the carriage on the rail.

Abstract: Two vertically displaceable slides (5, 9) carry in horizontally movable fashion a tabletop (1) and, respectively, a gripper with an upper gripper jaw (6) and a gripper base (7). The gripper base (7) contains a horizontally displaceable blade (12) and supporting elements (24, 25) which are horizontally displaceable and also vertically movable with respect to the blade (12). A Stack of sheets is set up in front of the tabletop (1). The slides (5, 9) are lowered until the upper gripper jaw (6) rests on the sheet stack. The blade (12), previously retracted into the gripper base (7), is then made to pierce the stack of sheets at an exactly settable distance below the upper gripper jaw (6). The slides (5, 9) are slightly elevated in order to form a gap in the sheet stack with the blade (12). The supporting elements (24, 25) are pushed into the gap below the blade (12), and are then urged upwardly past the level of the blade (12) so that they alone bear the weight of the sheets resting thereon.

Abstract: An improved sheet feeding device of this invention includes a variable pressure applying unit for changing a contact pressure between a sheet and vibration members.

Abstract: A simple, low cost, hand operated paper feeder includes a media chamber mounted at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane that allows media to exit the chamber through a membrane. A two-position, T-shaped actuator including a pair of non-rotating rolls is slidably mounted on a rail for contacting the media. A rod is connected to the actuator such that when movement of the rod is initiated in a first direction, the actuator is moved to a position contacting the media and with continued movement of the rod, a top sheet of the media is moved a predetermined amount through the membrane, and with return of the rod in a second direction to its initial position, the actuator is caused to retract from the media surface to its initial position.

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