A card feeding apparatus realizes random and selective feeding of cards of different types or kinds. This apparatus includes a card supplying device, a card holding and feeding device, and a controller. The card holding and feeding device includes a table set having tables on which cards from the card supplying device are held, a table set supporting structure (e.g., a frame), a table set moving device (e.g., a lifting mechanism), and a card conveying device that conveys cards held on the tables. In response to a card feeding signal, the table set supporting structure is temporarily stopped using the table set moving device such that a target table designated from the tables by the said signal is located at the card conveying position, and the card holding and feeding device is activated, thereby feeding a card on the target table by the card conveying device.

A multi-feed detection device is provided with: a base; an arm rotatably supported on the base; a magnet affixed to the arm; a Hall element which is affixed to the base, and which outputs an electric signal corresponding to the strength of the magnetic field; a differentiation circuit which outputs a voltage corresponding to the differential value of the output of the Hall element; and an integration circuit which outputs a voltage corresponding to the integral value of the output of the differentiation circuit. The arm applies a force against a conveyance path by way of a spring. One or more sheets of paper conveyed on the conveyance path raise the arm, separating the magnet from the Hall element. Accordingly, the output of the integration circuit varies, and the number of sheets of paper is detected on the basis of this variation.

A multi-feed detection device is provided with: a base; an arm rotatably supported on the base; a magnet affixed to the arm; a Hall element which is affixed to the base, and which outputs an electric signal corresponding to the strength of the magnetic field; a differentiation circuit which outputs a voltage corresponding to the differential value of the output of the Hall element; and an integration circuit which outputs a voltage corresponding to the integral value of the output of the differentiation circuit. The arm applies a force against a conveyance path by way of a spring. One or more sheets of paper conveyed on the conveyance path raise the arm, separating the magnet from the Hall element. Accordingly, the output of the integration circuit varies, and the number of sheets of paper is detected on the basis of this variation.

A device for separating sheet material has an actuator and a sheet material holder coupled thereto. The actuator is designed for moving the sheet material holder. The sheet material holder is designed for receiving an individual sheet material piece from a sheet material stack in which the sheet material pieces are arranged in a layered manner one above another along a vertical direction. The actuator is designed to set the sheet material holder into an oscillating rotational movement about a rotation axis that lies substantially parallel to the vertical direction, in order to receive the individual sheet material piece from the sheet material stack.

A device for separating sheet material has an actuator and a sheet material holder coupled thereto. The actuator is designed for moving the sheet material holder. The sheet material holder is designed for receiving an individual sheet material piece from a sheet material stack in which the sheet material pieces are arranged in a layered manner one above another along a vertical direction. The actuator is designed to set the sheet material holder into an oscillating rotational movement about a rotation axis that lies substantially parallel to the vertical direction, in order to receive the individual sheet material piece from the sheet material stack.

A sheet supplying device is provided. The sheet supplying device includes a separator to separate sheets one by one. The separator includes a separation pad, a spring, and a separation pressure adjuster. The separation pad contacts each of the sheets. The spring applies a separation pressure to the separation pad. The separation pressure adjuster adjusts the separation pressure to one of separation pressure values variable in multiple steps.

A sheet feeder device includes: a sheet feed tray configured to store a sheet stack formed with a plurality of paper sheets; an elastic member capable of expanding and contracting; a contact mechanism configured to bring the elastic member into contact with an edge of the sheet stack; an expansion mechanism configured to expand the elastic member in a direction of stacking of the paper sheets; and a control unit configured to cause the expansion mechanism to expand the elastic member while the elastic member is kept in contact with the edge of the sheet stack by the contact mechanism.

A sheet feeder device includes: a sheet feed tray configured to store a sheet stack formed with a plurality of paper sheets; an elastic member capable of expanding and contracting; a contact mechanism configured to bring the elastic member into contact with an edge of the sheet stack; an expansion mechanism configured to expand the elastic member in a direction of stacking of the paper sheets; and a control unit configured to cause the expansion mechanism to expand the elastic member while the elastic member is kept in contact with the edge of the sheet stack by the contact mechanism.

User labor relating to determining on an alignment condition is reduced and a stable conveying operation is realized by aligning a sheet bundle also when a sheet bundle is added. A sheet bundle composed of multiple sheet materials is placed on a loading platform. An encoder pulse unit detects the amount of the sheet bundle placed on the loading platform based on the opening amount of a pressure plate. A control unit determines on an alignment condition according to the amount of the sheet bundle. Rotating members align the sheet bundle in accordance with the alignment condition. When it is determined that another sheet bundle has been added to the loading platform, the control unit updates the alignment condition according to the total amount of the other sheet bundle and the sheet bundle remaining on the loading platform.

A system for punching at least one hole in at least one sheet-like material. In particular, a device and system that is uniquely configured and sized to be a table top unit for automatic punching of paper. The system has a sheet feeder, a sheet transport module and a punching die module that allows a punching die to be easily changed. The paper being punched by the punching die module is moved only a short distance from the sheet feeder and while the paper is still supported by the sheet feeder. The sheet feeder is located outside the system's housing to facilitate adjustment and troubleshooting. This advantageously allows for a smaller, compact unit that is effective and efficient.