Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a reading unit and a medium feeding apparatus. The medium feeding apparatus includes: a medium placement portion on which a medium before being fed is placed; a feed roller that feeds the medium placed on the medium placement portion; and at least one pressing portion that presses the medium placed on the medium placement portion onto the medium placement portion at a position upstream of the feed roller in a medium feeding direction. Since the pressing portion presses the medium placed on the medium placement portion, friction occurs between sheets of the medium, thereby preventing or reducing a skew.

Abstract: A document feeder includes a document placement member that has a placement surface, a sucker that has a suction surface on which a part of a document placed on the placement surface is sucked and sucks air from a space formed between the document placement member and the suction surface, a blower that blows air into the space, and a paper feeder that conveys the document in a conveyance direction along the placement surface, wherein the suction surface is inclined relative to the placement surface such that the space is narrower toward the upstream side in the conveyance direction.

Abstract: A lid pick and place system having a primary magazine assembly and a pick and place assembly. The primary magazine assembly includes a base plate and at least one guide rod extending therefrom to define an elongated lid chamber with at least one lid bore. Rotation of the at least one guide rod within the at least one guide rod bore directs at least a portion of a lower offset flange beyond a lid bore perimeter and into a path of the elongated lid chamber. The pick and place assembly includes a connecting rod with a suction cup. A linear movement assembly is structurally configured to move the connecting rod linearly closer and further from the lower surface of the base plate. A rotative movement assembly structurally configured to rotate the connecting rod relative to the lower surface of the base plate.

Abstract: An embossing system designed to mark metal marker plates. The embossing system includes a feeder system that presents a marker plate, a drive sub assembly secured to the feeder system, and a gripper system that grips the marker plate from the feeder system. The feeder system has a fixed side wall secured to a base plate and a moveable side wall positioned a distance from the fixed side wall. Marker plate guides are secured to the side walls for providing support to a stack of marker plates positioned in the feeder system. Adjustable feed gates are secured to the sidewalls to accommodate adjustments for maker plate thickness variations.

Abstract: A paper feeding device 100 includes a support hook 5 that supports a lower edge of a front side of a bundle of stacked paper sheets X, and a paper trailing edge storing part 32 provided between a lower end of the abutting surface 31 and the paper feeding table 11, and the paper feeding device retracts the lowermost layer paper sheet of the loaded paper sheets so as to store its trailing edge in the paper trailing edge storing part 32 and then advance it.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a card-feeding device and a badge and card printer. The card-feeding device comprises: a base on which cards are stacked, a card outlet being provided at one end of the base; a rotary card-feeding mechanism which is located below the bottommost card and provided with a rotary swing arm and a push rod provided on the rotary swing arm, the push rod pushing the bottommost card towards the card outlet as the swing arm rotates; and a roller card-feeding mechanism which is installed between the rotary card-feeding mechanism and the card outlet and provided with a roller with an outer edge protruding from the top surface of the base, the bottommost card being transported to the card outlet when the roller rotates.

Abstract: Printing apparatus is provided for printing information on a vertical stack of horizontal vertically-spaced planar objects arranged in a housing, including a separating arrangement for removing the lowermost object from the stack, and a printing device for printing information on the removed object. The stack is supported by a plurality of support arrangements each including a support member mounted for reciprocatory horizontal displacement by an electromagnetic drive device between positions that are adjacent and remote from the stack, respectively. Each support member is guided during this displacement by a guide arrangement including at least one guide lever having a first end pivotally connected with the housing, and a second end connected with a guide follower roller that is in engagement with a guide cam surface carried by the support member. The generation of noise is avoided as a consequence of the accurate guidance of the components.

Abstract: A vending machine system for stackable goods such as vehicle air fresheners includes a hopper and a reciprocating arm. The hopper is configured to hold a stack of the stackable goods. The hopper has an aperture formed in a base of the hopper for dispensing the stackable goods from the hopper. The reciprocating arm is disposed adjacent the aperture. The reciprocating arm is linearly movable between a retracted position and an extended position. One of the stackable goods is received by the reciprocating arm when the reciprocating arm is in the retracted position, and is pushed from the stack of stackable goods by the reciprocating arm when the reciprocating arm is in the extended position.

Abstract: The present application relates to techniques and equipment to manufacture mailpieces containing inserts. The equipment can be an inserter or an envelope wrapper that collects documents and inserts on a collating track before the material is inserted into an envelope by inserting equipment or wrapped with paper or film to make an envelope by wrapping equipment. More specifically, the present application relates to a rotary insert feeder that feeds inserts to a collating track on inserting or wrapping type equipment.

Abstract: A sheet separator machine for cartons for packaging from a warehouse, typically a well warehouse, in which the cartons are stacked. More particularly, a machine for separating sheets of cartons. The machine includes a frame on which a handling station of the cartons, a warehouse for at least one stack of cartons, and a gripping station of the cartons, are mounted, in an operatively contiguous position. The gripping station includes a pair of counter-rotating motorized rolls for withdrawing a carton from the stack of cartons.

Abstract: A method and device to supply a processing section adjoining the device with print products withdrawn from a stack of print products in a feeder. The device including a magazine to contain the stack of print products and a separating device to separate a lowest print product from the stack along an edge region of the lowest print product formed by a sheet edge or a last fold. The device further includes a rear holder that is displaceable in coordination with the separating device to support the stack remaining during a cycle of withdrawing the lowest print product from the stack. A withdrawing device withdraws the lowest print product from an underside of the stack and includes a gripper to grip a front end of the lowest print product in the withdrawing direction while operating with timing of the separating device and the rear holder in the cycle.

Abstract: The present application relates to techniques and equipment to manufacture mailpieces containing inserts. The equipment can be an inserter or an envelope wrapper that collects documents and inserts on a collating track before the material is inserted into an envelope by inserting equipment or wrapped with paper or film to make an envelope by wrapping equipment. More specifically, the present application relates to a rotary insert feeder that feeds inserts to a collating track on inserting or wrapping type equipment.

Abstract: A system for transporting an object between stations, for example, from a magazine to a conveyor is provided having a rotary apparatus having two arms, wherein a first arm rocks back and forth between two positions and a second arm rotates about an axis on the first arm. The second arm can be fixedly connected to a holder having one or more suction heads for grasping the object. Preferably, the holder is arranged parallel to the object and moved in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the object as the object is removed from the magazine. Additionally, the holder is preferably displaced above the conveyor and positioned to be parallel to the conveyor, after which the holder is moved toward the conveyor in a path that is perpendicular to the plane of the conveyor. Therefore, the lateral force, shearing force, and friction exerted on the object during removal from the magazine and deposition onto the conveyor can be minimized.

Abstract: A print assembly is disclosed. The print assembly includes a printhead for printing on a printing medium having encoded positional data thereon, a media feed assembly for feeding the medium past the printhead, a capper assembly movable between a capped position covering the printhead and an uncapped position exposing the printhead, and a print controller having a reader configured to operatively read the positional data to provide the print controller with a signal indicative of a position of the medium relative to the printhead. The controller is configured to derive a feed speed of the medium from the signal, and to correlate printing of the printhead with such feed speed.

Abstract: A sheet feeder for feeding a single sheet of sheet material is disclosed. The sheet feeder can utilize a specially designed cutout and a suction cup to feed difficult, thin, or flimsy material one sheet at the time. The cutout can be located on a shuttle table, endless belt, or carousel, for example, and can be used in conjunction with one or more suctions cups. The cutout can be angled with respect to the sheet so that the leading edge of the sheet is substantially supported. A slot in the cutout can enable the suction cup to pull down the corner of the sheet. The slot can then continue to slice, or peel, the sheet of the bottom of a stack of sheets. The ability to pull only the corner of the sheet down initially prevents stiction from a variety of sources and enables a single sheet to be pulled from the stack.

Abstract: A device for separating of individual, flat objects from the underside of a stack of this kind of objects (2) includes a roll bed conveyor consisting of a plurality of circulating rollers (9) and supporting the stack from beneath, wherein the rollers (9) are respectively rotatable around their longitudinal axis (10) and are moved along an orbit (11). Hereby the rollers (9) are coupled by a coupling (8) to at least one roller wheel (7) and, by means of this coupling, the longitudinal axes (10) of the rollers (9) are respectively pivotable in relation to the roller wheel (7). The rollers (9) are pivoted in a releasing region (13) of the orbit (11), through which an opening of the roll bed conveyor is created. Thus, the flat objects (2) can individually be conveyed from beneath the stack and transported away through the opening.

Abstract: A rotary transfer mechanism for transferring flat sleeve cartons (20) from a magazine (22) to a receiving station (23) on a conveyor (24), with opening of the cartons ready to receive end-loaded product, is characterized in that the path of suction cups (32) for holding the cartons during transfer is basically determined by a continuous stationary cam track (34) permanently engaged by a cam follower (37) on a gear segment (35) pivotally mounted on carrier means (29) rotatable by a drive shaft (26), the suction cups (32) being carried by a support shaft (30) rotatable on the carrier means and coaxial with a pinion (38) meshing with the gear segment. (35), and the support shaft being connected to a bracket (48) carrying a manifold (47) for the suction cups (32) by a crank arm (53), which is connected by a link arm (54) to a rocker arm (55) freely rotatable on the drive shaft (26).

Abstract: A pickoff system for removal of mail pieces one at a time from the end of a stack includes a pickoff belt mechanism, a sensor positioned to determine mail piece movement speed, and a measurement device determines belt movement speed during operation of the pickoff belt mechanism. A vacuum system includes a vacuum pump and a vacuum manifold positioned to apply suction to the mail piece in a direction that tends to hold the mail piece against the belt of the pickoff belt mechanism. A controller is configured to compare the belt movement speed and the mail piece movement speed during operation, and when mail piece movement speed is slower than belt movement speed, indicating slipping of the mail piece relative to the belt of the pickoff belt mechanism, the controller temporarily increases suction force applied to a mail piece being transported by the pickoff belt mechanism.

Abstract: A pickoff system for removal of mail pieces one at a time from the end of a stack includes a pickoff belt mechanism positioned to frictionally engage an outer surface of a mail piece at the end of the stack and transport it transversely to a thickness direction of the stack, which mechanism includes one or more belts mounted on rollers and driven by a drive motor. A sensor is positioned to determine mail piece movement speed as it is being transported by the pickoff belt mechanism, and a measurement device determines belt movement speed during operation of the pickoff belt mechanism. A system is provided for reducing or stopping slipping of the mail piece relative to the belt during transport by the belt pickoff mechanism. A controller is connected to the sensor and the belt movement speed measurement device.

Abstract: A vacuum friction feeder including at least one vacuum friction belt provided with a plurality of holes, a pair of rollers, a table top provided with at least one suction port, an exposure table having a substantially horizontal top surface and a separator. The at least one vacuum friction belt is adapted to rotate around the table top while supported by the rollers such that a suction pressure can be drawn through the plurality of holes provided in the at least one vacuum friction belt as the plurality of holes pass over the suction port. The exposure table is operatively associated with the table top and is adapted to be movable relative to the table top in a plane defined by the substantially horizontal top surface to adjust the portion of the bottommost product in the stack of products exposed to the at least one vacuum friction belt.

Abstract: For separating individual flat and bendable objects (2) from the underside of a stack of such objects (2), and for the onward transportation of the objects, the invention provides a stacking space (1), a carrier wheel (3) on which suction devices (4) and grippers (5) are mounted, and transportation means (16), wherein the carrier wheel (3) is disposed below the stacking space (1) in such a manner that the suction devices (4), rotating with the carrier wheel (3), can consecutively take hold of an edge region of the object (2) at the bottom of the stack and bend it downward into the jaws of the following gripper (5), and in such a manner that the object (2) is then transported onward by the gripper (5) and can be deposited on the transportation means (6).

Abstract: A take-out device includes a take-out mechanism which takes out postal matters supplied to a take-out position at one end of a deposit section one by one, a separating mechanism which separates second and subsequent postal matters that are carried along with a postal matter to be taken out from the take-out position, and an auxiliary mechanism which applies a negative pressure to the postal matter on the take-out position so as to feed it in both forward and opposite directions. The separating mechanism applies a negative pressure to the postal matter on the conveyance path via a plurality of adsorption holes of a separating roller so as to adsorb it, and applies a separating torque in an opposite direction to the take-out direction thereto.

Abstract: In a paper sheet transporting device, in an air duct portion of a suction duct, a suction confluence opening that collects air that is sucked and allows the air to pass through is disposed in a position included in a region where suction openings whose suction force is relatively the highest of plural suction openings exist and which position is away from the inner surface side of the suction surface portion, with the air duct portion being formed in a shape where the opening cross-sectional area of an air duct becomes relatively narrower away from the suction confluence opening in the rotating axial direction of a transport belt.

Abstract: A carton feeding system for feeding a series of cartons into selected flights of a carton conveyor is disclosed. The carton feeding system generally includes a rotary feeder having a series of carton feeding assemblies rotated thereabout. The carton engaging assemblies are attached to a gearing system or mechanism that controls the operating angle of the carton engaging assemblies as they engage or pick the cartons from a magazine or supply. Thereafter, the cartons are erected within the flights of a carton conveyor moving beneath the rotary feeder as the carton engaging elements are carried about their path of travel.

Abstract: A supply station for positioning enclosures on an enclosure-collating path of a mail-processing installation allows a simple conversion from operation for processing a stack of comparatively flexible, thin enclosures to operation for processing a stack of comparatively thick, essentially inflexible enclosures. The conversion is achieved using a magazine housing inside a supply station housing mounted so that it can be secured in two different pivot positions, whereby in one pivot position the lowermost enclosure of a stack of enclosures is bent using a vacuum arrangement in which the front end of the enclosure in the withdrawal direction can be gripped by a gripper, while in a second pivot position of the magazine housing, the front end in the withdrawal direction of a lowermost, comparatively thick and essentially inflexible enclosure is pushed by means of a pusher arrangement directly into the open claws of the gripper.

Abstract: A label feeder unit associated with a machine for packing tobacco products holds a stack of labels placed in a channel presenting an infeed end, and an outfeed end from which the labels are released to a take-up station, then picked up singly and transferred to a further unit of the machine. The outfeed end of the channel incorporates a transfer mechanism comprising a pair of contrarotating rollers placed on either side of the channel at a distance less than the width of the stack in such a way as to intercept the labels and transfer them to the take-up station, which is movable relative to the outfeed end of the channel under the pressure transmitted to the station by the labels taken up between the rollers. The transfer mechanism forms part of a feedback control loop by which the pressure registering through the labels at the take-up station is kept within prescribed limits.

Abstract: A timed feeder for feeding corrugated boards to nip rolls of a box finishing machine. A feed member is raised to the feed path to engage and drive a board to the nip rolls and then lowered away from the feed path until the next cycle. An indexing drive mechanism, driven by a computer-controlled servo motor, activates the feed member and has a feed phase when it drives the board to the nip rolls, and a dwell phase when the feed member is away from the feed path and the output shaft of the indexing mechanism is at zero velocity. During the feed phase, the output shaft of the indexing mechanism accelerates the feed member and the board beyond the nip roll velocity and then decelerates them to the nip roll velocity at the point where the board enters the nip rolls.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for conveying strips of corrugated cardboard, the device comprising a work table for conveying strips on the work table along a direction of conveyance, wherein the work table is supported on a floor and comprises at least one longitudinal groove for accommodating an element which is displaceable therein, and at least one slide which is disposed underneath the work table and is actuable for displacement in the direction of conveyance, which slide comprises an element which is actuable for upward extension through the at least one longitudinal groove for cooperation with the strip.

Abstract: This invention discloses an apparatus and method for separating and feeding flat products from a stack to a gripper drum. The invention employs a specially-positioned pivoting and articulating sucker bar, having several degrees of motion, operating in timed relationship with a reciprocating and articulating pusher blade, to reduce the travel distance of vacuum suckers, to reduce the diameter of the gripper drum, and to increase the speed at which products are separated from the stack and transferred to the gripper drum.

Abstract: A paper-folding apparatus includes a hopper for holding one or more sheets of paper or other similar foldable media, a discharge feed and stripper assembly, a shuttle associated with the hopper operable to transfer a sheet of paper from the hopper to the discharge feed and stripper assembly, a conveyor that receives one or more sheets of paper from the discharge feed and stripper assembly, and a folding roller assembly that receives the one or more sheets of paper from the conveyor, folds, and then ejects the folded paper(s) from the paper-folding apparatus. A driver assembly including a motor and an arrangement of clutches is provided and is operable to actuate the shuttle, discharge feed and stripper assembly, conveyor, and folding roller assembly. A control panel is also provided to permit a user to manage and otherwise operate the paper-folding apparatus in an efficient manner.

Abstract: A method and system for correcting the skew in mail-related items, which are caused to move by a driving mechanism in the mailing machine. The driving mechanism comprises at least two driving belts to drive the mail-related items by friction. A plurality of openings are provided on the driving belts so that air pressure can be applied to the mail-related items in order to change the friction between different driving belts and the mail-related items. The air pressure can be positive or negative and it can be applied on the left or right side, or on both sides but with different pressures.

Abstract: A sheet material feeder includes a sheet material holder for holding a pile of sheet material; a sucker bar device having at least one sucker for contacting the sheet material, the sucker bar device having a pivot axis, and an actuator for pivoting the sucker bar device about the pivot axis and having a first position and a second position. When the actuator is in the first position, the sucker pivoting about the pivot axis from a first angle where the sucker contacts the sheet material by a predetermined angle so that the sucker removes the sheet material from the pile; and when the actuator is in the second position, the sucker pivoting about the pivot axis from a second angle where the sucker does not contact the sheet material.

Abstract: The present invention provides exemplary mail processing systems and methods, including systems and methods for retrieving paper sheets, statements, inserts and/or cards, and inserting same into an envelope. In one embodiment, an apparatus (200) includes a paper feeding mechanism (210) to feed sheets of paper into a collection bin (220) that is adapted to receive in a stack the sheets of paper. The apparatus includes a retrieval mechanism (230) to remove a bottom one of said sheets of paper from the stack, and a deionizer (240) that reduces static electricity in the vicinity of the stack. In this manner, the deionizer helps facilitate removal by the retrieval mechanism of only one of the sheets of paper at a time, by reducing static electricity on the sheets.

Abstract: In a feeding apparatus for material sheets, package blanks (B) are stored stacked in layers in a hopper (2) that opens downward, for example. A plurality of stopper guides (20) are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the package blanks (B) at the outlet of the hopper (2). Restrainer lugs (24) are located continuous with the guide surfaces (22) of the stopper guides (20). The package blanks (B) are supported in layers on the stopper guides (20), and the lowest one is supported directly on the guide surfaces (22). Since guide surfaces are inclined in the direction of delivery of the package blanks (B), the lowest one of the package blanks (B) deflects to the maximum degree, and a gap is formed between the lowest package blank and the overlying package blank (B). Further, the package blank (B) can be delivered as it gets over the restrainer lugs (24) by elastic deformation.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding sheets of material, such as paper, sequentially from the bottom of a stack of sheets comprises a suction chamber, a perforated belt movable over the suction chamber, a sheet restraining gate above the downstream end of the suction chamber, and a roller to produce an upward corrugation in the bottom sheet only of the stack. The gap between the bottom of the gate and the belt is profiled to match the corrugation in the bottom sheet to enable the bottom sheet only to pass through. The profile preferably includes a shallow triangular recess in the bottom edge of the gate.

Abstract: An improved hopper and singulating/feed assembly for a utilization device, such as an inserter, that feeds sheet-like materials from a hopper feed stack that reduces the various geometrical and physical problems that lead to jams, misfeeds and failures to properly singulate the stack is provided. A hopper reduces the pressure on the bottom sheets of the stack by providing a parallel wedge structure at the stack base. This wedge structure also helps to drive bottom sheets successively forward toward a front face so as to further break frictional and adhesive contact between sheets at the bottom of the stack. Hopper side guides with integral angled shelves engage front side edges of the stack and allow easier singulation of respective bottom sheets. Likewise a fixed sucker block assembly, which seats a suction cup in a rotating base with a surrounding planar block face and an integral fulcrum edge improves the separation of the bottom sheet from the overlying stack.

Abstract: A feeder device for removing folded or unfolded signatures from a stack of signatures in an adjacent signature magazine and feeding a production line with the signatures. The device includes a conveying rotor having an approximately circular circumference and being rotatable in a conveying direction. The conveying rotor includes a recess at the approximately circular circumference for holding a front edge, in the conveying direction, of a printed product removed from the stack of signatures. A conveying belt partially rests against the circumference of the conveying rotor, and is drivable in the same direction as the conveying rotor, and together with the conveying rotor forms a conveying gap through which the signatures are conveyed to the processing line. At least one synchronously driven separating element includes a control device comprising a pivotal control shaft arranged parallel to the rotational axis of the conveying rotor.

Abstract: A booklet of sheets folded to create a curved spine is fixedly held by clamping jaws adjacent to the spine and a forming roller is passed one or more times along the length of the protruding spine with sufficient pressure to produce a flattening of the curvature of the spine. The deformation of the spine of the booklet means that the sheets lie flat after the treatment. A retractable stop plate defines the amount by which the spine protrudes beyond the jaws.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding sheets of material, such as paper, sequentially from the bottom of a stack of sheets comprises a suction chamber, a perforated belt movable over the suction chamber, a sheet restraining gate above the downstream end of the suction chamber, and a roller to produce an upward corrugation in the bottom sheet only of the stack. The gap between the bottom of the gate and the belt is profiled to match the corrugation in the bottom sheet to enable the bottom sheet only to pass through. The profile preferably includes a shallow triangular recess in the bottom edge of the gate.

Abstract: A conveyor belt for transporting articles having a plurality of apertures therein such that a vacuum applied to the apertures aids in forcing articles to stay on the conveyor belt while the articles are being translated. The conveyor is particularly useful for moving sheet articles such as a sheet feeder removing sheet articles from the bottom of a stack of sheet articles in a sheet feeder. The vacuum adds to the frictional force of the article on the conveyor belt and increases the productivity of the sheet feeder by reducing jams and increasing the frictional contact of the sheet article on the conveyor belt by removing chaff and other material form the conveyor belt.

Abstract: In a feeding apparatus for material sheets, package blanks (B) are stored stacked in layers in a hopper (2) that opens downward, for example. A plurality of stopper guides (20) are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the package blanks (B) at the outlet of the hopper (2). Restrainer lugs (24) are located continuous with the guide surfaces (22) of the stopper guides (20). The package blanks (B) are supported in layers on the stopper guides (20), and the lowest one is supported directly on the guide surfaces (22). Since guide surfaces are inclined in the direction of delivery of the package blanks (B), the lowest one of the package blanks (B) deflects to the maximum degree, and a gap is formed between the lowest package blank and the overlying package blank (B). Further, the package blank (B) can be delivered as it gets over the restrainer lugs (24) by elastic deformation.

Abstract: A machine is provided for the creasing, perforation or circular cutting of a material in the form of sheets such as paper, plastic and the like. The machine includes a bed, a horizontal loading plane (11) that is intended to accommodate at least one stack of starting sheets, a feeding plane (13) as a continuation of the loading plane, an advancing suction roller (14) to pick up and transfer every single sheet from the bottom of the stack on the loading plane to the feeding plane, and a processing unit (15) that is intended to accommodate one sheet at a time for a creasing, perforation or cutting operation. A female grooving tool, each consisting of annular elements that are assembled together, is provided for the creasing.

Abstract: A printing-machine cylinder includes a basic cylinder body and a covering element fitted to the basic cylinder body, one of the basic cylinder body and the covering element being formed with a multiplicity of recesses connectable to one of a suction-air source and a blast-air source and having, in the region of the recesses, through-channels extending from the recesses to the peripheral surface of the covering element and defining blasting/suction sections for acting upon the underside of a sheet conveyed on the peripheral surface of the cylinder; a printing machine Including the cylinder; and a method for producing the cylinder.

Abstract: An improved singulation mechanism is provided for flat articles having significant variations in size, thickness and weight, which mechanism utilizes at least two vacuum chambers positioned behind a moving perforated to feed the articles and selectively controls at least one of pressure and flow for at least one of the chambers to facilitate the feeding of heavier articles, while inhibiting bleed through doubles for lighter articles. A mechanism may be provided which provides a puff of air to at least one of the chambers at the end of the operation thereof to reduce the feeding of doubles and a bent fence may be suitably positioned to both facilitate feeding of shorter articles and to facilitate proper initial alignment of the articles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for feeding sheets one by one from a stack of sheets to a transportation device. The sheet-feeding device comprises a number of parallel, separately driven shafts which are equidistantly spaced from one another and are enclosed in a first and a second low-pressure chamber and carry a plurality of feeding wheels which protrude through associated openings in the feeding table, which forms the top side of the respective low pressure chambers. A sheet support is arranged above one of the shafts in the first low-pressure chamber, and at least one sensor is arranged at the second low-pressure chamber. The sensor detects the front edge of the fed sheet and sends signals to a control unit for correcting, if necessary, the position of the sheet by controlling the motors associated with the shafts. The invention also relates to a method for feeding sheets.

Abstract: An unloading and erecting apparatus has a frame fixed to a magazine holding a stack of flattened cartons, an outer horizontal guide on the frame, an outer horizontal slide horizontally displaceable on the outer horizontal guide and carrying a nonstraight outer vertical guide. A drive motor connected to the outer horizontal slide horizontally displaces same. A vertical guide on the frame carries a vertical slide and another drive motor connected to the vertical slide vertically displaces same. A shaft pivotal about a generally horizontal axis transverse to the forward direction on the vertical slide is fixed horizontally relative to the outer horizontal slide.

Abstract: An improved insert hopper for use in conjunction with the insert feeding device of a document handling apparatus such as a mail insertion machine. The insert hopper includes a support deck, a front registration member, and a backstop member. A bottom support plate for the insert hopper has an outer surface constructed of a low-friction material such as PTFE, chrome, or finished stainless steel. One or more wedge blocks are mounted on the support deck. Each wedge block has an insert support surface supporting a trailing edge of the lowermost insert of an insert stack loaded in the insert hopper. The insert hopper can optionally have a tilted orientation with respect to the vertical.

Abstract: A feeder device for removing folded or unfolded signatures from a stack of signatures in an adjacent signature magazine and feeding a production line with the signatures. The device includes a conveying rotor having an approximately circular circumference and being rotatable in a conveying direction. The conveying rotor includes a recess at the approximately circular circumference for holding a front edge, in the conveying direction, of a printed product removed from the stack of signatures. A conveying belt partially rests against the circumference of the conveying rotor, and is drivable in the same direction as the conveying rotor, and together with the conveying rotor forms a conveying gap through which the signatures are conveyed to the processing line. At least one synchronously driven separating element includes a control device comprising a pivotal control shaft arranged parallel to the rotational axis of the conveying rotor.

Abstract: A procedure for feeding products in sheet form to a conveyor (13) by means of at least one sheet feeder (11) with a pile (12) of products in sheet form (14) on a loading table (20) comprising the following phases: placing at least one sheet feeder (11) with a free edge (22) of its loading table (20) for the pile (12) of products in sheet form (14) inclined according to an angle (&agr;, 90-&agr;) in relation to a direction (A) parallel to a principal feed axis (23) coinciding with the axis of the conveyor (13), preparing a pile (12) of products in sheet form (14) to place on the loading table (20), placing the pile (12) of products in sheet form (14) with a flat surface of these, provided with ribbing (15), according to a direction inclined to an angle (&bgr;) in relation to a pick-up assembly (16, 18) of at least one sheet feeder (11) so that one corner or vertex (21) of the products (14) is placed projecting from the end edge (22) of the loading table 20.

Abstract: A sheet feeder for feeding sheets from a sheet stack, having a feed deck for supporting the sheet stack and a pair of spaced apart parallel guide rails on the feed deck for receiving the sheet stack between the guide rails. A sheet feeding assembly is mounted in proximity to a sheet feeding end of the feed deck and is operative to feed individual lowermost sheets from the sheet stack, the sheet feeding assembly including a continuously rotating feed drum having an inner and outer circumference and a plurality of suction openings and a vacuum assembly received in the inner circumference of the feed drum and having at least one rotating cylinder coupled to a vacuum source and movable between an actuated position for drawing air downward through the portion of the feed drum extending above the planar surface of the feed deck and a default position preventing the drawing of air through the feed drum when a vacuum is applied to the at least one rotating cylinder.