An automated flat mail items handling device includes a rotating apparatus, which rotates the stack during operation from a starting orientation, in which the mail items lie flat, one on top of the other, to a processing orientation, in which the mail items are arranged substantially standing next to each other. The device also includes a holder, which retains the stack while the stack is being rotated, and a transport support, which supports the stack in the processing orientation and by way of which the stack can be moved in a conveying direction. In order to be able to process more mail items per unit of time in the device and by way of the method, the transport support is separate from the rotating apparatus.

An automated flat mail items handling device includes a rotating apparatus, which rotates the stack during operation from a starting orientation, in which the mail items lie flat, one on top of the other, to a processing orientation, in which the mail items are arranged substantially standing next to each other. The device also includes a holder, which retains the stack while the stack is being rotated, and a transport support, which supports the stack in the processing orientation and by way of which the stack can be moved in a conveying direction. In order to be able to process more mail items per unit of time in the device and by way of the method, the transport support is separate from the rotating apparatus.

A device for reducing rotation of an article during singulation of a stack of articles is disclosed. The device may include a torsion element, a rotatable member configured to rotate about an elongated axis of the torsion element between a first position and a second position, and a revolving member coupled to the rotatable member. An outer surface of the revolving member contacts a drive belt in the first position and an article in the second position. The torsion element exerts torque on the rotatable member when it moves from the first position towards the second position. The torque causes the outer surface of the revolving member to apply a frictional force to the article, thereby minimizing rotation of the article. Systems and methods of singulating articles are also disclosed.

A paper sheet processing device includes: an accommodating part that accommodates a paper sheet; and a sliding stage part that is provided within the accommodating part and supports the paper sheet accommodated within the accommodating part, the sliding stage part sliding with respect to the accommodating part to cause a portion of the sliding stage part to protrude to outside of the accommodating part, and the sliding stage part sliding with respect to the accommodating part to push the paper sheet to the outside of the accommodating part and cause a leading end of the paper sheet to protrude to the outside of the accommodating part.

A paper sheet processing device includes: an accommodating part that accommodates a paper sheet; and a sliding stage part that is provided within the accommodating part and supports the paper sheet accommodated within the accommodating part, the sliding stage part sliding with respect to the accommodating part to cause a portion of the sliding stage part to protrude to outside of the accommodating part, and the sliding stage part sliding with respect to the accommodating part to push the paper sheet to the outside of the accommodating part and cause a leading end of the paper sheet to protrude to the outside of the accommodating part.

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a paper loading base on which manual-feed paper is loaded, a manual-feed paper conveying unit, and a dustproof cover which covers the paper loading base being in the overhang state. The paper loading base has a lower end rotatably supported on one outer surface portion of the device main body, and is opened from an upper end thereof and disposed at a predetermined oblique angle or in a horizontal overhang state such that an overhang side becomes an upper side in an oblique direction. The manual-feed paper conveying unit is conveys the manual-feed paper on the paper loading base onto a paper conveyance path one by one. The dustproof cover includes a base which engages with the paper loading base, and an opening-and-closing cover which is rotatably connected to the base and is opened upwardly on the overhang side.

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a paper loading base on which manual-feed paper is loaded, a manual-feed paper conveying unit, and a dustproof cover which covers the paper loading base being in the overhang state. The paper loading base has a lower end rotatably supported on one outer surface portion of the device main body, and is opened from an upper end thereof and disposed at a predetermined oblique angle or in a horizontal overhang state such that an overhang side becomes an upper side in an oblique direction. The manual-feed paper conveying unit is conveys the manual-feed paper on the paper loading base onto a paper conveyance path one by one. The dustproof cover includes a base which engages with the paper loading base, and an opening-and-closing cover which is rotatably connected to the base and is opened upwardly on the overhang side.

A method for feeding notes of value (20) to a device for handling notes of value includes manually filing a cash cassette (10) with the notes of value (20), and rotating the cash cassette (10) so that the side that was arranged at the bottom during the filling of the cash cassette (10), is arranged at the top. The cash cassette (10) then is inserted into the device for handling notes of value in this rotated orientation.

A mail processing system utilizes a conveyor to shingle or de-shingle mailpieces as they move through the processing system and utilizes belts to move the mailpieces. A first shingling conveyor moves a first mailpiece to overlap with a second mailpiece to create shingled mailpieces. A second shingling conveyor moves a first mailpiece away from a second mailpiece to de-shingle them to create singulated mailpieces. A camera takes images of the mailpieces in the conveyor and image analysis software is used to determine dimensional aspects of the mailpieces that are used to control the belt speeds to move mailpieces with respect to each other. A mail processing system may include a mail processing station that scans addresses, applies postage and/or weighs the mailpieces. Mail may be de-shingled prior to being weighed and then re-shingled for subsequent processing, or mail may be shingled prior to passing through a scale if weighing is not necessary.

There is provided a sheet tray including: a first tray; a second tray supported by the first tray; and a third tray supported by the second tray. The second tray has a first engaging section engageable with the first tray at a second position; the third tray has a second engaging section contactable with the second tray, in a drawing direction from a first position toward the second position, at a fifth position between a third and a fourth position, and engageable with the second tray at the fourth position. The second engaging section is configured to be elastically deformable to be movable in a releasing direction in which the contact between the second engaging section and the second tray is released. The second and third trays are moved integrally in the drawing direction in a state that the second engaging section makes contact with the second tray.