Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for laminating sheet material having a width together with at least one laminate web material having an adhesive coating on one side thereof. The laminating machine has upper and lower laminating rolls for producing therebetween a continuous laminated web comprising the sheet material and the web material fed between the laminating rolls. A laminate web material supply supplies material to the laminating rolls. Die cutting apparatus separates the continuous laminated web from the laminating rolls into individual laminated sheets, and an output area stacks the individual laminated sheets after they are separated. Apparatus is provided for pressing substantially the entire width of a marginal portion of a piece of sheet material to be laminated to the adhesive coating on the laminate web material.

Abstract: In order to avoid disruption of a stack of signatures, particularly when a cyclically operable signature feeding apparatus is temporarily disabled, the utilization of a unique latch arrangement is contemplated. The feeding apparatus will generally include a driven rotary drum having a plurality of signature grippers disposed about the periphery thereof. The signature grippers are adapted to grip signatures seriatim upon receipt from a signature supply hopper. A suction assembly is driven by a cam for shifting signatures seriatim from the signature supply hopper to the rotary drum for gripping by the signature grippers. The suction assembly includes oscillating suction grippers together with a vacuum control valve. The signature feeding apparatus further includes a cam follower operatively associated with the suction assembly to control movement of the oscillating suction grippers and operation of the vacuum control valve.

Abstract: Label applier of an automatically operated label applying system is selectively controlled by a machine operator to rotate self-adhesive labels to any of a variety of different angular orientations in response to interception of a driving bevel gear at a predetermined position. A driven pinion gear which carries a vacuum wand with a vacuum gripper on an end thereof rotates the wand and label to any one of 90, 180 or 270 degrees, depending on which of three intercepting pins is activated under selective control of an operator. In the event no intercepting pin is activated, the drive gear rotates through the same angle as its supporting shaft and effectively avoids rotation of the driven gear and turning of the label. The label applier is remotely controlled by automatic means, thereby avoiding the necessity to make manual changes to the applier each time a new angular orientation becomes necessary.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet picking-up device having a suction member for picking up an edge of a first sheet from a stack of sheets. The suction member having a suction aperture and a driving device for rotating the suction aperture of the suction member in a direction in which the suction aperture is upwardly directed so as to pick up the edge of the first sheet. The driving device further displaces the suction member to a position near the center of the first sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for taking folded flat blanks out of a magazine and transferring them to a conveyor apparatus of a box-making machine is disposed between the vertically oriented magazine and the conveyor apparatus extending horizontally beneath it at some distance therefrom. The apparatus has three suction cups offset by 120.degree., on a star-shaped rotor which travel over a self-contained cycloid path (C) having four reversal points (F, G, H, I) and concave arcs between them. This cycloid path is generated by a revolving crank that rotatably supports the rotor with an eccentricity (E) and by a planetary gear associated with the crank, the sun gear of which is disposed coaxially with the axis of rotation of the crank, and the planet gear of which is firmly connected coaxially to the rotor; an intermediate gear is incorporated between the sun gear and the planet gear.

Abstract: An apparatus for taking flat erectable blanks out of a magazine and transferring them to a conveyor apparatus has a rotor, on the circumference of which suction cups are distributed, offset uniformly. The rotor is rotatably supported as a planet part in a rotating planet carrier and upon revolving is additionally rotated about its shaft by a planetary gear. In this process the suction cups travel over a self-contained cycloid path (C) having four reversal points (F, G, H, I) and intervening concave arcs. For acting upon the articles, for instance pressing on a foldable box or rotating it about a transverse axis, a cam disk is rotatable supported on the shaft of the rotor and is hindered from rotating with the rotor by being coupled to a rocker arm supported in stationary fashion. A lever guided by a roller in the cam race acts upon a pivotable pressing prong or upon the rotatably supported suction cup.

Abstract: A method and device for continuously feeding blanks for the formation of hard cigarette packs, whereby the blanks are withdrawn successively from the bottom opening of a feedbox and fed on to the outer periphery of a conveyor roller by means of mobile suction heads guided cyclically by crank mechanisms along a route having a portion substantially perpendicular to the bottom opening of the feedbox, and a further portion substantially tangent to the periphery of the conveyor roller and which further route portion is followed by the suction heads at a speed substantially equal to the surface speed of the conveyor roller itself.

Abstract: A device for gripping and decollating a bottom blank comprises a rotary shaft with a flat outer peripheral portion. Suction orifices in the shaft extend through the flat surface portion and communicate with suction cups carried by the shaft. Free outer edges of the suction cups contact the bottom blank, whereupon the application of suction causes the suction cups to contract. The suction orifices include enlarged outer portions for receiving the contracted suction cups such that the bottom blank is pulled flush against the flat surface portion of the shaft for a more effective application of suction forces.

Abstract: In order to increase considerably the output of a rotary feeder (6) for removing individual blanks (1) from a stack (2), the invention proposes that the speed of the rotary movement of rotary suckers (7) is slowed down while they are being pressed against the blank (5) that is to be removed. This retardation operation is brought about by a special gear unit that drives a rotor (12) to which the rotary suckers (7) are attached.

Abstract: A label transferring apparatus useable for in-mold label application. In a first embodiment, a transfer device is mounted on a pivotable radial arm and comprises two pairs of transfer heads mounted for rapid, reciprocal transverse movement. A stack of labels is supplied by corresponding two pairs of magazines located at a first radial position. The radial arm is positioned by a fluid actuated rack and pinion mechanism.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a labelling mechanism for a weigh/price labelling apparatus comprising a device (10) which supplies printed self-adhesive labels on a backing strip (11) around a stripper block (12) to feed labels onto a temporary holder (13) on which a label is held by vacuum ports in the holder. A label transfer device (16) comprises a carrier (17) mounted for rotary movement on an eccentric drive mechanism (18). Rotation of the drive mechanism moves the carrier (17) from a label receiving position adjacent the holder (13) to a label delivery position for delivering a label to an article. The carrier includes a pad (42) having ports (47) to which vacuum or air pressure can be supplied to hold a label to or discharge a label from the pad.

Abstract: A feeder for paperboard blanks includes a transport, vertical relationship changing structure to alternately provide active and passive positions for the transport, a suction device, and a transmission with input and output shafts operatively connected so that the output shaft undergoes controlled acceleration during an initial portion of each revolution of the input shaft, whereby the transport engages and grips a blank by static friction and moves accelerates that blank to nip rolls without slippage occurring and so that each blank enters the nip rolls in register whereupon the blank is disengaged from the transport.

Abstract: A label transfer arm having a central axis and comprising a socket body with a transfer nozzle rotatably mounted therein engages labels delivered to a label pickup station and transfers them to a label delivery station. An applicator head strips the labels from the transfer arm and moves them along a fixed path from the label delivery station to a package labeling station to apply the labels to packages. Transfer arm guiding rails are positioned on either side of the label transfer arm for engaging an eccentric collar attached to the transfer nozzle to thereby orient the transfer nozzle into a fixed angular orientation about the central axis of the transfer arm when the transfer arm is at the label delivery station. An operator-controllable selector ring is rotatably mounted to the socket body of the arm and is freely rotatable between selected locations defined by detents.

Abstract: A rotary transfer mechanism has carrier means (18) rotatable with a drive shaft (16) on a support member (15), at least one support shaft (19) rotatable on the carrier means (18), with a pinion (24) secured coaxially to the support shaft and engageable with an arcute rack (25) secured to the support member (15) when a cam follower (26) is not engaged with a cam track (27) secured to the support member, whereby at least one suction cup (21) attached to the support shaft (19) is caused to follow a path having a "node point" at the discharge opening (11) of a magazine (12), for extracting a flat sleeve carton (10), and whereby the suction cup (21) is caused to move past a receiving station (13) on a conveyor (14) in the same direction as the conveyor with the carton (10) generally parallel to the conveyor, for accurate placement and deposit of the carton on the conveyor.

Abstract: An in-mold label transfer apparatus. In a first embodiment transfer devices mounted on an extension device comprise a pair of label applicator heads which move transversely to receive labels and to deliver same to the mold surfaces. This transfer device comprises power actuated mechanical elements including rack and pinion, cam arm scissor and scissors arrangements. Another transfer device comprises a pair of side-by-side opposed piston and cylinder units. Other embodiments include transfer arms having label transfer heads at the ends thereof, the arms comprising rods movable from a first position placing the label applicator head at the mold and a second position completely outside of the mold, and whereat the label applicator heads are positionable relative to label magazines for receiving labels. A special label applicator head constructed resiliently to resiliently urge the label against the interior of a mold surface.

Abstract: An automated system for selectively providing a limp material segment, e.g., fabric, to a joining apparatus includes at least one picker actuation mechanism ("PAM") for manipulating and transporting the segment. The PAM has an end effector for picking up the segment and an independently operable clamp for holding the segment while the PAM itself is transported between work stations.

Abstract: A feeder for paperboard blanks includes a transport, vertical relationship changing structure to alternately provide action and passive positions for the transport, a suction device, and a transmission with input and output shafts operatively connected so that the output shaft undergoes controlled acceleration during an initial portion of each revolution of the input shaft and is stationary during a last portion of each revolution of the input shaft, whereby the transport engages and grips a blank by static friction and moves and accelerates that blank to nip rolls without slippage occurring and so that each blank enters the nip rolls in register whereupon the blank is disengaged from the transport.

Abstract: A label transfer arm having a central axis and comprising a socket body with a transfer nozzle rotatably mounted therein engages labels delivered to a label pickup station and transfers them to a label delivery station. An applicator head strips the labels from the transfer arm and moves them along a fixed path from the label delivery station to a package labeling station to apply the labels to packages. Transfer arm guiding rails are positioned on either side of the label transfer arm for engaging an eccentric collar attached to the transfer nozzle to thereby orient the transfer nozzle into a fixed angular orientation about the central axis of the transfer arm when the transfer arm is at the label delivery station. An operator-controllable selector ring is rotatably mounted to the socket body of the arm and is freely rotatable between selected locations defined by detents.

Abstract: A device for loading X-ray film cassettes comprises a housing having a compartment receiving a cassette, a plurality of boxes accommodating film dispensing magazines positioned one above another in the housing, a suction device and transport roller pairs for transporting a film sheet sucked by the suction device towards the cassette. The suction device which includes at least one sucker is displaceable between a dispensing magazine, which contains a film pack corresponding in size to that of the cassette, and the transport roller pairs so as to provide a transport path for the film sheets with very few direction changes.

Abstract: A device for separating slices of bread from sliced loaves of bread and for transferring the separated slices one by one to a conveyor for further processing. The device incorporates an inclined, intermittently driven infeed conveyor for conveying the slices of bread in generally upright positions and in surface-to-surface contact with one another to a separating and transfer position. The separating and transfer position incorporates a primary rotatable member which rotates about its horizontally extending central axis. The primary rotatable member carries a plurality, for example, four, of secondary rotatable members, each of which rotates about its longitudinal central axis, which is spaced outwardly from and extends generally parallel to, the longitudinal central axis of the primary rotatable member.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating and erecting foldable boxes has a supply magazine for foldable boxes, a removal device with revolving suction grippers, and an endless conveyor device provided with carriers and blower nozzles, which are disposed laterally of the conveyor apparatus with the blower nozzles arranged to inflate the conveyed foldable boxes. The suction grippers pull the foldable boxes out of the magazine seriatim in the direction in which the foldable boxes extend and transfer them to the conveyor apparatus such that they lie flat on an arc-like stretch. For guiding the chains of the conveyor device and for guiding the foldable boxes in the arc-like stretch, arc-like curved guide rails are disposed on the revolving path of the suction grippers following the magazine. The blower nozzles are associated with a straight stretch of the conveyor device.

Abstract: A label transferring apparatus useable for in-mold label application. In a first embodiment, a transfer device is mounted on a linear actuator having a piston rod extending out a first end and carrying the label transfer device and extending out the other end whereat it is supported on a track means. A stack of labels is supplied by corresponding two pairs of magazines located at a first radial position. In a second embodiment the linear actuator is mounted so as to be cantilevered back over the forward end of the piston and cylinder which comprises the linear actuator. In this embodiment the piston and cylinder may be shortened by excluding that portion of the piston rod extending out the other end of the cylinder.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus is arranged to feed sheets, such as bank statements, along a guideway (40) to an exit slot (16), the guideway (40) including a smooth guide surface (58) which has the configuration of part of a cylinder. Two elastomeric rolls (108) are rotatably mounted on a support (80) mounted on a drive shaft (64) whose axis lies along the center of curvature of said guide surface (58). During a sheet feeding operation, the support (80) is rotated from a position in which the rolls (108) are adjacent an entry throat (54) of the guideway (40) to a position in which the rolls (108) are adjacent the exit slot (16), the rolls (108) pressing a sheet (24') against said guide surface (58) and causing the sheet to be slidably moved along said guide surface. During this movement, gears (94, 100, 102, 104) carried by the support (80) bring about rotation of said rolls in such a direction as to increase the sheet feeding movement.

Abstract: A feeder for paperboard blanks includes a transport, vertical relationship changing structure to alternately provide active and passive positions for the transport a suction device, and a transmission with input and output shafts operatively connected so that the output shaft undergoes controlled acceleration during an initial portion of each revolution of the input shaft and is stationary during a last portion of each revolution of the input shaft, whereby the transport engages and grips a blank by static friction and moves and accelerates that blank to nip rolls without slippage occurring and so that each blank enters the nip rolls in register whereupon the blank is disengaged from the transport.

Abstract: A sheet feeder for corrugated paperboard sheets utilizing timed intermittently rotatable belts against which either the top or bottom sheet, depending on the configuration chosen, of a stack is brought into contact to feed such sheet in synchronism with adjacent processing machinery and utilizing continuously applied negative atmospheric pressure to hold such sheet against the belts without the need for valving or otherwise breaking the suction pressure.

Abstract: Transfer cylinder for conveying a sheet from one printing unit to another, comprising a cylindrical drum, a row of rubber suction pads for temporarily holding the sheet, the row of suction pads being disposed at an end of a sheet format length on the cylindrical surface of the drum, the rubber suction pads extending in axial direction of the drum, and paper supports disposed in vicinity of the rubber suction pads for respectively applying suction to and supporting the sheet.

Abstract: In stacking apparatus for flat articles such as flattened bags, radial arms mounted on each of two spaced hubs and having suction nozzles at their leading sides place the articles onto needles. The arms are rotatable about their longitudinal axes. They can be turned outwards through an acute angle by cam and cam follower means and are turned back after the articles have been placed on the needles.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing carton blanks, erecting and transferring cartons to a conveyor apparatus which includes a magazine for cartons and a rotor with a plurality of radially offstanding suction units. To attain a high output with an apparatus which is simple in structure, the rotor is disposed on a pivotable arm. On each pivoting movement of the rotor during one operating cycle, a carton blank is removed from the magazine while simultaneously formed carton is inserted into the conveyor apparatus at a transfer station. A counterpart suction device, which is associated with a station between the magazine and the transfer station, erects the cartons and breaks them on themselves.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding flat folded cartons from a stationary magazine to a continuously moving conveyor. The magazine has a choke at its discharge end formed from parallel guides which are spaced apart a distance less than the distance between the two folded edges of the cartons. A rotary carrier is located adjacent the magazine and the conveyor. A plurality of planetary members with attached suction cups are rotatably mounted on the carrier. A fixed cam cooperates with cam followers mounted on the planetary members to cause the planetary members to rotate on their own axes as the carrier rotates to pick up cartons from the magazine, open them and deposit them gently between transport lugs on the conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for collating folded signatures which are removed from a stack of signatures and placed in parallel side-by-side relationship on saddle members. The saddle members move in a direction transverse to the folds in the signature, and thus spacing of the saddle members is close together and the entire apparatus and process can be performed at a high speed, in that arrangement. A signature pickup device is employed for removing the signatures from the stack in a stream relationship and delivering them directly to a collector where a flap opener can be employed for positioning the signature flaps on opposite sides of the collector saddle members.

Abstract: In a rotary applicator, suction rollers planetating about a central shaft are provided with suckers which are arranged in a row, project beyond the enveloping cylinders of the rollers and are placed on sucker carriers having suction air bores. The carriers communicate with suction air conduits and are rotatably but axially undisplaceably placed by means of sleeve-like tube members on the suction air conduits, the latter consisting of supporting tubes. The walls of the tubes and tube members are provided with bores which are in registry in the operative position of the suckers and of which the bores of the tube members communicate with the suction air bore of the sucker carrier. The suckers are rotatable to a position in which they are swung back within the enveloping cylinder and the walls of the tube members cover the bores of the supporting tube.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding flat folded cartons from a stationary magazine to a continuously moving conveyor. The magazine has a choke at its discharge end formed from parallel guides which are spaced apart a distance less than the distance between the two folded edges of the cartons. A rotary carrier is located adjacent the magazine and the conveyor. A plurality of planetary members with attached suction cups are rotatably mounted on the carrier. A fixed cam cooperates with cam followers mounted on the planetary members to cause the planetary members to rotate on their own axes as the carrier rotates to pick up cartons from the magazine, open them and deposit them gently between transport lugs on the conveyor.

Abstract: A pick and placement machine particularly adapted to pick off and place deep drawn trays or the like. The machine includes rotating suction means which dips into a station and picks off a tray or places a tray, the suction means moving in a radial direction and in a substantially straight line at the station. Means are provided for effecting such motion of the suction means.

Abstract: A pick-up and transfer mechanism for labels or the like, preferably for transferring labels in a labeling machine from a label magazine to a greater cylinder. The mechanism has at least one pick-up element on a carrying element rotating around a vertical axis. In order to obtain the required way of movement of the pick-up element relative to the rotating carrying element, the pick-up element is rotatably mounted on an intermediate carrier which in turn is rotatably mounted on the carrying element, with the axis of rotation of the pick-up element on the intermediate carrier being eccentrically arranged to the axis of rotation of the intermediate carrier on the carrying element and with the axis of rotation of the intermediate carrier on the carrying element being eccentrically arranged to the axis of rotation of the carrying element.

Abstract: A sheet handling apparatus which may be used for loading currency notes 70 into, and removing currency notes from, a cassette 68 includes a vacuum-operated, rotating pick-up wheel assembly 16 having two pairs of pick-up wheels 18 and 22. The pick-up wheels can operate to carry notes one by one from a loading station 98 and load them into an open end of the cassette 68, or can operate to pick up notes one by one from the open end of the cassette and carry them to a release station 118. A solenoid-operated control means is provided for switching the apparatus from a loading mode of operation to a pick-up mode, and vice versa, the control means serving to control the application of vacuum to the pick-up wheels and the operation of associated elements such as note retaining pawls 74. The apparatus may be used in an automatic bank teller system.

Abstract: A sheet feeder for corrugated paperboard sheets utilizing timed intermittently rotatable belts against which either the top or bottom sheet, depending on the configuration chosen, of a stack is brought into contact to feed such sheet in synchronism with adjacent processing machinery and utilizing continuously applied negative atmospheric pressure to hold such sheet against the belts without the need for valving or otherwise breaking the suction pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying suction air to a rotary applicator comprises suction rollers planetating about a central shaft. Each suction roller carries suckers arranged in an axial row and the shafts of which are mounted in spaced discs secured on the central shaft. Two control valve discs connect the conduits leading to the suckers to a conduit leading to a suction air pump over a zone corresponding to an approximate angle of rotation of 90.degree. of the discs. The first control valve disc is formed directly by one of the discs mounting the suction roller shafts and the second control valve disc is secured in the frame and held in sealing sliding contact with the disc.

Abstract: An automatic money depositing and disbursing machine has functions of receiving bank notes from a transacting port and feeding the same through a discriminating section provided in a note circulating delivery passage and accommodating in the boxes normal notes judged by the discriminating section, and of disbursing the notes through the discriminating section from the transacting port. The machine is of such a construction that at least portions of the received notes are used as notes to be defrayed or disbursed. Provided between the note circulating delivery passage and the boxes are note transfer mechanism which comprises at least one upwardly retractable accumulating wheel for feeding notes into the boxes from the note circulating delivery passage and at least one pair of attracting drums for sucking notes from the boxes and feeding them to the note circulating delivery passage.

Abstract: In an apparatus for placing packets of tube sections in the stacking magazine of a rotary applicator, a pivotable arm is divided between the stacking magazine and conveyor belt for supplying the tube section packets. The arm carries a longitudinally displaceable supporting frame having rollers at its ends for an endless conveyor belt. The arm is pivotable between an upper packet-receiving station and a lower packet-discharging station and is provided with an abutment for retaining the packets on the supporting frame. A braking system engages the upper run of said belt between the abutment and the rear roller and releases same to receive the packets.

Abstract: Device for preventing double counting is provided, which is to be used in a paper sheet counting apparatus having a holder for moving between a paper sheet depositing position and a paper sheet counting position, a rotating cylinder provided with a plurality of suction heads for sucking and turning over paper sheets one by one for counting when the holder is moved to the paper sheet counting position, and a counting device for counting the number of paper sheets. The device according to the invention includes a start sensor for detecting paper sheets deposited into the holder, a paper sheet sensor for detecting the presence or absence of paper sheet at the paper sheet depositing position, and a control circuit for instructing the counting operation to start.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for simultaneously applying individual outserts to multiple containers of pharmaceuticals includes a conveyor (12) for advancing the containers along an input path and magazines (22) containing the outserts. The containers are stopped in groups by a gate assembly (18) opposite to a transfer assembly (20) including a rotatable pick up arm (72) mounted for reciprocation between a retracted position adjacent to the magazines (22) and an extended position adjacent to the container input path. Vacuum cups (76) are provided on the pick up arm (72) for engaging the outserts, and pinion and a drive pin arrangement (100, 102) is utilized to control rotation of the pick up arm to reorient the outserts only during an intermediate portion of travel between linear motion at the extended and retracted positions to facilitate proper engagement between the outserts and the vacuum cups.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a plurality of vacuum operated sheet moving organs mounted on a rotating counting disc which activates a counter each time a sheet is engaged by one of the sheet removing organs and moved from a first to a second position during the counting cycle, the counter actuating mechanism including a vacuum switch to inhibit the actuation of the counter if the vacuum to the sheet moving organs falls below a predetermined level due to the failure of the sheet moving organs to make proper contact with the sheets being counted, and a delay mechanism operative to prevent the vacuum switch from inhibiting actuation of the counter in the event of a momentary drop in the vacuum level upon improper initial contact of the sheet moving organs with the sheets but where proper contact is established before a predetermined position in the counting cycle is reached.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing a flexible layer from a substantially flat mold or other surface. A curvilinear removal head, including a vacuum manifold holding one end of the flexible layer, pivots to peel the flexible layer from the mold.

Abstract: A flexible sheet feeding mechanism with a hopper for receiving parallel sheets and a suction pickup which has a simultaneous linear and angular reciprocating motion. The pickup separates the outside sheet of the hopper stack by applying suction near one edge. The linear and angular motion of the suction device then peels that sheet off of and away from the stack, feeding it into a set of friction rollers. The plane formed by the outside flexible sheet intersects the plane generated by the path of linear reciprocal movement.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for counting flexible sheets comprising a support surface (15) for supporting a stack of sheets on edge including a rotary sheet removing assembly (5) mounted on an axis disposed at right angles to said support surface. The assembly includes a plurality of rotary suction organs (6) which are adapted to contact a side face of the free end of the stack and to deflect each sheet from its initial position and count it. The deflecting and counting is accomplished through the sequential application of vacuum to each of the organs during rotation of the assembly.To align the stack of sheets automatically on the sheet support surface it is set at acute angle to the vertical.A second support surface (16) is arranged at right angles to said first surface and at lower end of it, the second support surface being of arcuate configuration.The acute angle is between 20.degree. and 70.degree., and preferably 45.degree..

Abstract: An article-handling apparatus (10) for moving a single sheet or piece of material from a pile or tray thereof to a subsequent station is disclosed. The article-handling apparatus (10) is comprised of a drive shaft (16) and a plurality of support shafts (20) rotatably held by bearing mechanisms (2) on a hub (24) attached to the drive shaft (16). The support shafts (20) have axes substantially parallel to and spaced regularly from and about the drive shaft (16). The support shafts (20) have sprockets (26) attached to one end thereof for engagement with pins (18) fastened to support member (14) and regularly spaced along the circumference of a circle concentric to the drive shaft. Suction cup mechanisms (28) are adjustably clamped to the other end of support shafts (20).A vacuum pump is in fluid communication with suction cup mechanisms (28) through a valve body (32).

Abstract: A new and improved vacuum document feeder provides a vacuum cup support mechanism which follows a somewhat crescent-shaped coupler curve that eliminated the vacuum cup wear-producing disadvantages of the prior art and provides for increased feeding rates. A four-bar system moves a table over the somewhat crescent-shaped coupler curve, while at all times holding an edge of the table parallel to the documents. At least one vacuum cup is pivotally mounted on the table, to sweep over an angle which accommodates leaning documents. Cams on a drive pulley associated with the transport system coordinates the table movement with both the pivoting and vacuumizing of the cups.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for counting flexible sheets contained in a stack, such as a pile of banknotes.The apparatus is of the type which has a rotary sheet removing assembly including a number of suction organs to which vacuum is applied in sequence and which contact the side face of a free end of a stack of notes to deflect each note from its initial position and count it.Normally after the machine has stopped and is to be restarted the rotary assembly is moved backwards until one of the suction organs is in the appropriate place to move the next sheet. This presents problems when handling soft or warm sheets.The invention involves rotating the rotary sheet removing assembly slowly in a forward, i.e. running direction, prior to the commencement of the sheet counting operation until each organ is effectively positioned in line with the face of a stack.In the drawing (FIG.

Abstract: An apparatus for counting bendable sheets and discriminating different kinds thereof has a plurality of rotary suction heads for deflecting the sheets one at a time away from a stack of sheets held in a vertical direction on a holder and has a system for optically detecting the height of a sheet deflected away from the stack. Each of the suction heads has at its top a supporting member for engaging with the surface of a sheet which has been deflected away from the stack. The deflected sheet is engaged at its opposite surfaces with the supporting members of two adjacent suction heads, thus being supported in an upright state without bending downwardly.

Abstract: A cover is provided on a note counter so that the cover provides a covering on a counting zone which is located on the top portion of the note counter and in which the number of a bundle of notes packed in a holder is counted. The cover is made of a transparent material for inspection and comprises two covering members which are driven so as to move in opposite directions.