Abstract: A document handler employing a vacuum belt feeder having an air knife to aid in sheet separation. The quantity of air discharged from the air knife is varied in accordance with the number of documents placed in the document handler as determined by counting the documents fed through the document handler during the initial feed cycle and actuating a valve having four flow settings: Off, Low, Medium, and High.

Abstract: A microfiche feeder 10 conveys isolated sheets of microfiche from a stack 30 to a collator 12, sorter, or other processing apparatus. The stack of microfiche is placed in a receiver. A drive wheel 34 contacts the lowest sheet of the stack 30 to increment the sheet forward by suction as the wheel revolves. Spaced separator rolls 44 and 46 adjacent the drive wheel 34 ensure that a single sheet of microfiche is incremented forward to drive rolls 52 and 54, which convey the sheet to other processing apparatus.

Abstract: An automatic document handler adapted to receive a stack of documents to be copied, feed the documents seriatim to the platen of a reproduction machine and return the documents to the stack. The combination of a vacuum-belt document corrugator/feed assembly and dual air knives is provided to assure positive feeding of each document to the platen without misfeeds or multifeeds.

Abstract: A portable feeder table for converting existing pile fed paper folding machines and the like to continuous fed machines, in which the table is portable, and includes a motor housing having height adjustment provisions, the table has a horizontal portion with a plurality of endless driven feed belts, a detector member for detecting the presence or absence of sheets of paper and connected to control the speed and advance of the feed belts, paper hold-down rollers carried on the folding machine, and a longitudinal guide plate carried on and transversely movable across the table.

Abstract: Automatic terminal machines for banking transactions utilize a document dispenser for delivering bank notes to a customer. The document dispenser moves the bank notes from a storage bin by means of a picker mechanism that moves along a path profile established by the configuration of a pair of cam tracks and associated cam followers. The picker mechanism includes vacuum cups for lifting the first document from a stack in the storage bin for delivery into a document transport. Connected to the vacuum cups is a vacuum/pressure supply that includes a multiple chamber cylinder that provides both vacuum and pressure synchronized with operation of the picker mechanism. The piston is pivotally mounted to enable swivel action when driving the interconnected pistons in respective chambers. When provided, the document dispenser includes a cassette having a loading door and an unloading door, each separately equipped with a locking device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sheet handling device comprising an unprocessed sheet material storage box, a processed sheet material storage box located therebelow, and a suction device which may be telescopically moved between the sheet material storage boxes and a work table onto and from which the sheet material is to be fed and taken out by means of suction cups provided on the lower surface of the suction device. To keep the state of the sheet material in transit under control, a plurality of nozzles are provided along the suction cups for blowing air along the sheet material. Since the two sheet material storage boxes are arranged one over the other and there is no rail extending over the work table, very little floor space is taken up and the work performed on the work table is not hindered by the sheet handling device.

Abstract: A laminating machine consists of a feeding mechanism for continuously supplying sheets along a path towards a laminating roll which also receives a continuous supply of laminating film. The laminating film is fed from a continuous supply and a dewrinkling mechanism is disposed along the path to remove any wrinkles prior to being received into the laminating rolls. The laminating machine also incorporates a decurling mechanism downstream of the laminating rolls for removing any tendency of the laminated material to curl between opposite ends. The sheet feeding mechanism also incorporates novel means for delivering the sheets and accurately controlling the flow of the sheets during the laminating process.

Abstract: In a sheet feeder wherein sheets are fed from the bottom of a stack of the sheets in a stack support there is disclosed an automatic integral plural mode sheet stack sensor which, in a first mode, controls a variable pneumatic feeding means in response to sensing the height of the stack of sheets, and which, in a second mode, provides a signal indicative of the feeding from the stack support of all of the sheets in the stack.

Abstract: A machine for feeding cards one by one from a vertical stack including a platform for supporting the trailing edge of the stack and a stripper type support for the leading edge corner portion of the stack in the form of a needle having a downwardly angled tip portion extending inwardly under the corner of the stack so that the leading edge of the bottom card rests against the tip portion of the needle. A suction cup is mounted for vertical movement between an upper position in which the cup is in engagement with the bottom card of the stack adjacent the needle and a downwardly retracted position which is below the tip portion of the needle so that the leading edge of the bottom card flicks past the tip of the needle as the card is drawn downwardly.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for feeding sheets from the top or bottom of a stack of sheets which includes a sheet stack supporting tray, a vacuum plenum and feed belt sheet separating and feeding assembly with at least one feed belt having a vacuum plenum disposed within the run of the belt, the vacuum plenum and the belt assembly being positioned adjacent a sheet to be fed such that a rear portion of the plenum and belt assembly lies opposite a portion of a stack of sheets to be fed and is adjacent and substantially parallel to the plane of the sheet to be fed and a front portion of the plenum and belt assembly which lies opposite the front portion of a stack of sheets to be fed and in a plane angled away from the plane of the sheet to be fed.

Abstract: A paper feeder including a sucker frame, a separation suction device mounted on the sucker frame and substantially vertically movable for picking up stacked sheets one at a time, and a transport suction device mounted on the sucker frame and substantially horizontally movable for transferring the picked-up sheet from the separation suction device.

Abstract: A machine for feeding cards one by one from the bottom of a vertical stack into a receiving nip, the trailing edge portion of the stack being supported on a platform and the leading edge of the stack having a stripper type support in the form of a projection which extends under the corner of the stack, the platform being foreshortened to provide a window adjacent the projection. A suction cup supported on a sucker block faces upwardly into the window. The sucker block is mounted on a block carrier which is reciprocated in forward and retract directions. A cam surface and cam follower are interposed between the sucker block and the carrier and a striker is blockingly arranged in the path of retracting movement of the sucker block so that when the carrier is retracted the sucker block engages the striker causing the sucker block to be cammed upwardly completing an L-shaped path in which the suction cup suckingly engages the underside of the bottom card.

Abstract: A mechanism for transporting and positioning printing plates in a processing unit comprising a plate holder for storing printing plates which are to be transported to an exposure table, said plate holder being pivotable between a horizontal position and a vertical position and abutting a pair of roller guides when it is in its vertical position, a horizontally displaceable suction means for grasping the foremost printing plate of a supply of plates in the plate holder by its uncoated reverse side, and for transporting the printing plate to a position above a gripping device, and opposed positioning means arranged above this gripping device, at least one of these positioning means being displaceable toward the other to position and maintain a printing plate in a predetermined desired position.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus with a sheet support tray, a rear vacuum plenum chamber adapted to acquire the rear portion of a sheet, a front vacuum plenum chamber positioned over the front of the sheet and adapted to acquire the front portion of a sheet, sheet transport means associated with the front vacuum plenum to transport a sheet acquired in a forward direction and an air knife positioned at the rear of the stack of sheets to inject air between the trailing edge of the top sheet in a stack and the remainder of the stack. In a specific embodiment the trail edge of a sheet in a stack is separated by the air knife, acquired by the rear vacuum plenum then acquired by the front vacuum plenum and transported in a forward direction. As the trailing edge clears the rear vacuum, the rear vacuum which together with the air knife is continuously activated, acquires the next sheet in the stack.

Abstract: A paper feeder comprises a frame, a separation suction device mounted on the frame and substantially vertically movable for picking up stacked sheets one at a time, a transport suction device mounted on the frame and substantially horizontally movable for transferring the picked-up sheet from the separation suction device, and an adjustment device for adjusting the separation suction device tiltably back and fourth and laterally.

Abstract: Automatic terminal machines for banking transactions utilize a document dispenser for delivering bank notes to a customer. The document dispenser moves the bank notes from a storage bin by means of a picker mechanism that moves along a path profile established by the configuration of a pair of cam tracks and associated cam followers. The picker mechanism includes vacuum cups for lifting the first document from a stack in the storage bin for delivery into a document transport. Connected to the vacuum cups is a vacuum/pressure supply that includes a multiple chamber cylinder that provides both vacuum and pressure synchronized with operation of the picker mechanism. The piston is pivotally mounted to enable swivel action when driving the interconnected pistons in respective chambers. When provided, the document dispenser includes a cassette having a loading door and an unloading door, each separately equipped with a locking device.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding sheets from a stack of sheets on sheet stack supporting tray which includes means to feed a sheet from and an air injection means disposed adjacent the front of the tray to inject air between the sheet to be separated and the remainder of the stack, the air injection means injecting a planar stream of air which has portions at its ends which converge toward the center of the planar air stream thereby providing both convergence in the planar air stream and expansion in a direction perpendicular to that of the air stream resulting in improved sheet separation. In a preferred embodiment the air injection means includes an array of nozzles, the end nozzles of which are inclined toward the center of the air stream so that the air will converge over the center of the sheet stacking tray. The array of nozzles is directed at an angle down to a stack of sheets in a sheet stacking tray which has a bottom sheet feeder associated with it.

Abstract: An electrophotographic copying apparatus includes a photosensitive surface capable of retaining an electrostatic latent image for at least two cycles of the surface so a first copy of an original can be made upon scanning the original and the latent image can be recycled to produce a second copy of the same original during the return of the scanning mechanism. The apparatus includes an improved mechanism for driving the scanning mechanism, as well as improved developing and transfer stations.

Abstract: A bottom sheet feeding apparatus including a sheet separator and feeder and a sheet stacking tray which has a planar base portion defining a base plane, the front of the base portion having an opening within which said bottom sheet separator is positioned, the tray further including two sloping planar side wings, one at each side of said opening in the base portion. The sloping planar side wings are angled upward from the base plane and are angled outward from front to rear of the tray and intersect the base plane such that the intersection at the rear of the tray is in the approximate location of the rear corners of a rectangle the size of a sheet to be fed and the intersection of the planar wings and the base plane at the front of the tray is approximately midway between the front corners of a sheet to be fed and the centerline of a sheet to be fed. In a preferred embodiment the sheet separator feeder comprises a plurality of vacuum belts having a vacuum plenum disposed within the run of the belts.

Abstract: An apparatus in which sheets are separated and fed, in seriatim, from a stack with a flow of pressurized fluid being directed between the stack and support thereof. The pressurized fluid produces a gap between the stack and support which is detected. The pressure of the fluid is controlled in response to the detected gap.

Abstract: A stack of sheets, in particular hinged-lid blanks B for cigarette packets, are disposed in a vertical stack S from the top of which successive sheets are lifted by a suction member and removed by mechanical means, e.g. by a pair of conveyors 21 provided with pushers 23.The suction member may be a gang of sleeves 14 to which suction is continuously supplied, so that when a sheet B is engaged by the sleeves they are lifted automatically by suction in readiness for the pushers 23 to remove the raised sheet B, after which the sleeves again drop by gravity. The stack S may be inched around a J-shaped stack, or lifted by a pair of divergent conveyors 30 to which replenishing groups of blanks G are fed from underneath.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for feeding and transferring the top sheet from a stack of sheets. The apparatus includes a frame; a first member mounted on said frame for controlled movement in a vertical direction from a predetermined substantially horizontal first position; and a stationary second member mounted on the frame at a predetermined elevation above the first member when at the first position. The first member subtends and supports a stack of sheets. The second member is provided with an opening which is in vertical alignment with the supported stack of sheets. Opposed first perimetric segments of the opening are provided with upwardly convergent surfaces which frictionally engage corresponding peripheral portions of the top and adjacent sheets of the stack, when the first member has moved the stack upwardly a predetermined amount. The frictional engagement causes the top sheet to be upwardly distorted within the opening.

Abstract: An automatic vacuum document feeder particularly adapted for feeding sheet-like documents in seriatim from a stack onto a utilization device, such as the document platen of a convenience copier. The documents are disposed in a tray. A vacuum lifter descends and lifts the topmost document along a vertical path to a position above the stack and beyond the bottom surface of a vacuum transport. The vacuum transport is disposed in a plane perpendicular to the vertical path of the vacuum lifter. The vacuum transport strips the document from the vacuum lifter and transports the document to the utilization device. The entire system is configured so that there is no relative motion occurring between the document being transported and the transport hardware. A document restraint device, including air jets and stripper fingers, coact with the stack to eliminate double feed.

Abstract: In a system of plurally recirculating a set of document sheets for precollated copying wherein the document sheets are repeatedly individually fed seriatim from the bottom of an overlying stack thereof for copying with registration and returned to the top of the stack for restacking, the improvement comprising individually acquiring, and individually urging laterally into contact with an elongated lateral registration edge, with a movable vacuum member each document sheet when it is the bottom sheet of the stack of document sheets, releasing the bottom sheet, and feeding the bottom sheet out from said stack transverse said lateral registration edge by separate sheet feeding apparatus only after it has been so laterally registered and released. Preferably this individual lateral registration of the bottom sheet in the stack is assisted by simultaneously blowing air at said stack from one edge thereof to aid the movement between the bottom sheet and the overlying sheets in said stack.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for transporting printing plates, having one coated and one uncoated surface, stacked in a holder to an exposure and developing station and for positioning them, comprising a holder for holding a plurality of printing plates stacked in alternating relationship with a plurality of separating sheets and a device for selectively positioning the holder substantially perpendicularly to the direction of transport of the printing plates so that the uncoated surface of each printing plate faces toward the direction of transport. A suction device engages the uncoated side of the first printing plate from the stack in the holder, and a device, movable horizontally in the direction of transport, is provided for transporting the suction device between a first position adjacent to the holder and a second position displaced from the first position in the direction of transport, to withdraw the engaged printing plate from the stack.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding a single sheet from the bottom of a stack of sheets to a station for performing subsequent operations on the sheet. The apparatus is comprised of a magazine to receive a stack of sheets having a bottom support and upstanding walls, the bottom support having an opening therein through which the lower most sheet can be removed. A suction nozzle is provided below the magazine opening and a vacuum surface is provided below the suction nozzle. A first pivot arm is attached to the suction nozzle and a second pivot arm is attached to the vacuum surface. A sheet receiving and feeding apparatus below the magazine receives and feeds the sheet to the station which performs the subsequent operation on the sheet. The pivot arm is pivoted to (i) raise the suction nozzle to engage the surface of the lower most sheet, and subsequently (ii) lower the suction nozzle to engage the bottom surface of the sheet with the vacuum surface.

Abstract: An apparatus which moves documents in a recirculating path from a stack to an imaging station. Successive uppermost document are fed from the stack to the imaging station. After imaging, the documents are returned to the bottom of the stack.

Abstract: Vertically displaceable green sheet support fixtures are borne by respective horizontally movable carriages traveling on common rails between respective dual loading stations and a common unloading station, through separate intermediate screening stations, with the carriages movable in opposite directions and out of phase stationwise. The carriages have fixedly coupled thereto, horizontally movable trailers which bear trays of stacked green sheets for selective transfer of the uppermost green sheet to a loading head at the loading station while the carriage borne fixture itself is at a screening station for paste screening of a prior transferred green sheet. Masks employed in screen printing at the screening station are removed from the screening station console and placed in a cleaning chamber for solvent removal of residual screening paste and are air dried prior to return to the screening station console.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for singling of sheets of a paper stack in a magazine disposed over a suction box having suction openings in a concave surface thereof transversely positioned relative to conveyance direction of a perforated endless conveyance band disposed between the stack and the suction box. A vacuum is applied to the suction box so that the lowest sheet of the stack is sucked down onto the conveyance band and conforms to the concave surface of the suction box. The lowest sheet is transported on the conveyance band, and the vacuum is switched off just before the suction openings are uncovered, at which time a blast of air is introduced into the suction box so that the next sheet of the stack is not sucked onto the conveyance band until the last sheet is removed from between the stack and the suction box. Preferably, air is injected between the lowest sheet and the next sheet from in front to prevent a vacuum formation therebetween. A second magazine system supplies the sheets of paper to the stack.

Abstract: A pneumatic tool for use on a robotic arm for applying adhesive tape around bundles of wire, cables and the like. Three hollow tubes are disposed in line abreast and extend from a body which includes a chamber with an inlet port to which pneumatic pressure or suction can be applied and two oppositely acting ball valves of which one is in communication with the central tube and the other is in communication with the interior of the outer tubes, which are hollow but which have a respective lateral aperture on the side facing the central tube. On the application of suction, the central tube can hold a length of adhesive tape and the tool can be advanced into contact with the bundle of wires around which the tape is to be applied. On the application of pneumatic pressure, the central tube releases the tape and the pressure applied to the interior of the outer tubes advances them forwardly, against the force of a return spring.

Abstract: In a seal removal station positioned along a bottle conveyor line upstream of a filling operation, oversized adhesive seals covering the mouths of plastic bottles are lifted off each bottle and transferred to a collector bin. Vacuum pressure generated in a plenum chamber formed in a stator member is transmitted to the non-adhesive upper surface of each seal through a perforated rotor surface rotating beneath the stator. Air jet means directing fluid pressure upward against overlapping marginal portions of each seal and guide surfaces to flatten out curled portions of the seal are utilized to assure seal lift off by virtue of fluid pressure differentials. A removed seal is kept adhered to the moving rotor surface by the maintenance of vacuum pressure above the seal. Adjacent to the collector bin, a further plenum having pressure air therein communicates through the rotor perforations with the adhered seal to propel the seal into the bin.

Abstract: A document handler employing a vacuum belt feeder having an air knife to aid in sheet separation. The quantity of air discharged from the air knife is varied in accordance with the number of documents placed in the document handler as determined by counting the documents fed through the document handler during the initial feed cycle.

Abstract: A feeder device for transferring a stack of paper sheets, such as bank notes, from a stack feeder device to a sheet receiving device includes an air conducting plate mounted between the stack feeder device and the receiving device. The plate has a plurality of bores extending therethrough at spaced intervals. Fluid pressure means are connected to the bores for discharging a stream of pressurized fluid along a feed path in the direction of the sheet receiving device and producing a low pressure along a surface of the plate adjacent the feed path. The bores are oriented to diverge toward opposite sides of the feed path.

Abstract: An automatic document handler adapted to receive a stack of documents to be copied for feeding the documents seriatum to the platen of a copy machine and returning the copied documents to the stack. The combination of a vacuum-belt document corrugator/feed assembly and an air knife is provided to assure positive feeding of each document to the platen without misfeeds or multifeeds.

Abstract: An automatic document handler adapted to receive a stack of documents to be copied for feeding the documents seriatim to the platen of a copy machine and returning the copied documents to the stack. An air floation stack tray is provided to support the document stack, striations formed in the tray encourage laminar air flow thereover for improved air floation of the stack.

Abstract: A bottom sheet feeder employing a vacuum feed assembly in conjunction with an air knife for separating and feeding sheets from a sheet stack. A self regulating blower input and output bleed valve assembly utilized in conjunction with a single blower regulates air flow through the blower to the air knife irrespective of the degree of air flow through the vacuum feed assembly caused by blockage thereof by the acquired sheets.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a laminate has a rack having upper and lower vertically displaceable platforms adapted to support respective stacks of upper and lower foils and set up so that the uppermost foils of the respective stacks are always positioned at respective upper and lower levels. A central conveyor has an upstream stretch extending horizontally between the upper and lower platforms from a position upstream of these platforms to a position spaced downstream therefrom, so that it can displace a board in a transport direction between these platforms to an assembly location downstream of the platforms.

Abstract: An automatic document handler adapted to receive a stack of documents to be copied for feeding the documents seriatim to the platen of a copy machine and returning the copied documents to the stack. A combination vacuum-document separator in conjunction with an air knife and a document tray having a "U" shaped pocket therein is provided to assure positive feeding of each document to the platen without misfeeds or multifeeds.

Abstract: An automatic document handler adapted to receive a stack of documents to be copied for feeding the documents seriatim to the platen of a copy machine and returning the copied documents to the stack. A combination vacuum-belt document separator in conjunction with a multiple orifice air knife and a document tray having a "U" shaped pocket is provided to assure positive feeding of documents without misfeeds or multifeeds.

Abstract: An automatic document handler adapted to receive a stack of documents to be copied for feeding the documents seriatim to the platen of a copy machine and returning the copied documents to the stack. A combination vacuum-document separator in conjunction with a precisely located air knife in relation to the vacuum belts and a document tray having a "U" shaped pocket therein is provided to assure positive feeding of each document to the platen without misfeeds or multifeeds.

Abstract: An automatic document handler employing a bottom vacuum sheet separator in conjunction with an air knife, a single blower with a cyclically operated air valve being utilized to provide sub-atmospheric air for the separator and pressurized air for the air knife to provide enhanced feeder performance and automatically compensate for variable paper weights.

Abstract: Suction feet are arranged to pick up and feed a sheet from a stack and a blower is arranged to blow air against the edges of the sheets on the stack to separate the top sheet from the rest. A cam assembly driven through a novel one-rotation clutch moves a piston in a cylinder which is connected to both the feet and blower so that the piston is moved in one direction to supply pressurized air to the blower and subsequently in the opposite direction to apply suction to the suction feet. A cylindrical presser member is carried by each suction foot which extends past the suction foot to bend the top sheet during pickup and further aid in separating the top sheet from the lower sheets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for taking up and displacing knitted or woven articles which are disposed in a pile, both when folded and not folded. The device is a combination of a first needle type gripping means with a vacuum gripping means and a supplying means. The needle type gripping means raises an edge of an article in the pile and, during a relative movement occurring between the vacuum gripping means and the supplying means, the latter progressively conveys this article towards the vacuum gripping means until said article adheres thereto as a result of a vacuum effect.

Abstract: A paper supply device for a machine such as an electric typewriter or word processor, the device comprising a self-supporting housing for location behind said machine and separate therefrom. The device includes a pair of driven rotatable rollers for frictionally engaging and advancing an item of stationery so that the leading edge thereof extends forwardly and out of the housing, said rollers being rotated during part of each cycle of operations of said device and being stationery and out of frictional engagement with said item of stationery during a subsequent part of each cycle of operations, thereby removing frictional drag on said item of stationery when it is engaged by and drawn into said machine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus permitting accurate and repeatable steps of location and alignment of flimsy sheets during their transfer. A preferred embodiment comprises a sheet handler and method for aligning unfired ceramic green sheets used in multi-layer ceramic semiconductor packages. The thin flexible sheets are square or rectangular in shape and are provided with holes accurately punched in each corner thereof for alignment purposes. The sheets are moved by a vacuum input transfer head into orientation with a porous registration surface of an alignment fixture. The sheet is then trapped between opposed pressure zones emanating from the input transfer head and through the porous registration surface, respectively. With the sheet stabilized between the pressure zones four bullet-nosed alignment pins are raised from the registration surface into contact with the holes in the corners of the green sheet, thereby accurately aligning the sheet with respect to the alignment fixture.

Abstract: Currency dispensing apparatus is disclosed in which vertically stacked bills located in a removable container positioned in the dispenser are fed one-by-one from the top of the stack through an opening in the container ceiling by a proximately located overlying rotary suction head. The head advances the bills to the nip of a pair of superimposed bill transport belts overlying the stack from which point they are then transported by the belts back over the top of the stack to a diverter whereat the bills are either diverted to an underlying reject bin located adjacent the stack or to a delivery chute for manual removal by a customer. A multiple, or overlapped, bill sensor is located along the bill transport path between the suction pickup head and the diverter which, in cooperation with suitable control circuitry responsive to the sensor, controls the diverter for diverting multiple, or overlapped, bills into the underlying reject bin while allowing single bills to be transported to the customer delivery chute.

Abstract: Elements are supplied to a work station with the elements being arranged in a row. The elements are releasably retained at the work station. The articles to which the elements are to be transferred are moved through the work station with the row of elements at the work station extending in the same direction as the direction of article movement. Each of the elements is transferred to an associated article as the articles are moved through the work station. The elements are sequentially transferred with the most downstream element always being the next element to be transferred.

Abstract: A device for holding down sheets which are stacked on a support has a vertical cylinder mounted above the support and provided with a piston and a piston rod extending from the piston through and to the outside of the cylinder where it carries a sheet-engaging member which exerts pressure on sheets resting on the support. A pair of conduits communicates with the cylinder chambers above and below the piston and a valve is provided which can either connect both conduits with a channel supplying compressed air or which can connect the conduit for the lower chamber with a suction channel. The positive or negative pressure in the respective conduits can be regulated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for winding or rewinding a film wherein a pressurized jet of air is directed onto a surface of an unsupported portion of the film being wound or rewound. The air jet is elongated transversely of the length of said film. Simultaneously with the application of the air jet to the film the air impinging on the surface of the film is collected by suction.

Abstract: Elements are supplied to a work station with the elements being arranged in a row. The elements are releasably retained at the work station. The articles to which the elements are to be transferred are moved through the work station with the row of elements at the work station extending in the same direction as the direction of article movement. Each of the elements is transferred to an associated article as the articles are moved through the work station. The elements are sequentially transferred with the most downstream element always being the next element to be transferred.