The present invention provides, in various embodiments, a batch feeder and a method for stocking and gravity conveying of piece goods made of flat material. A feeder pit comprises an upper opening for inputting the piece goods in batches, a lower opening for extraction of the piece goods, and at least two lateral pit delimitations, which are located opposite to one another, for guiding of the piece goods. As carrying structures for supporting the piece goods on one side, that are arranged on top of each other as floors and that protrude into the feeder pit, are formed on at least one of the pit delimitations, the piece goods can be retained alternatingly on the carrying structures in an easy way and advance respectively for each floor.

The present invention provides, in various embodiments, a batch feeder and a method for stocking and gravity conveying of piece goods made of flat material. A feeder pit comprises an upper opening for inputting the piece goods in batches, a lower opening for extraction of the piece goods, and at least two lateral pit delimitations, which are located opposite to one another, for guiding of the piece goods. As carrying structures for supporting the piece goods on one side, that are arranged on top of each other as floors and that protrude into the feeder pit, are formed on at least one of the pit delimitations, the piece goods can be retained alternatingly on the carrying structures in an easy way and advance respectively for each floor.

A sheet conveyor includes a separation roller, a retard roller forming a nip with the separation roller, and a load application device configured to apply a load to the retard roller. The load application device includes a motor, a first drive train, a second torque limiter isolated from the first drive train, and a controller. The first drive train includes a plurality of gears for transmitting a driving force from the motor to the retard roller, a first torque limiter, and a clutch disposed between the motor and the first torque limiter. The second torque limiter is configured to communicate with the retard roller. The controller is configured to, during conveyance of a sheet, control the clutch to allow transmission of the driving force from the motor for a predetermined time period and to interrupt transmission of the driving force from the motor after expiration of the predetermined time period.

A sheet conveyor includes a separation roller, a retard roller forming a nip with the separation roller, and a load application device configured to apply a load to the retard roller. The load application device includes a motor, a first drive train, a second torque limiter isolated from the first drive train, and a controller. The first drive train includes a plurality of gears for transmitting a driving force from the motor to the retard roller, a first torque limiter, and a clutch disposed between the motor and the first torque limiter. The second torque limiter is configured to communicate with the retard roller. The controller is configured to, during conveyance of a sheet, control the clutch to allow transmission of the driving force from the motor for a predetermined time period and to interrupt transmission of the driving force from the motor after expiration of the predetermined time period.

A sheet feeder includes: a wheel for issuing a lowermost sheet out to a sheet processing unit; a grate for spacing the sheet apart from the wheel at a raised position and bringing the sheet into contact with the wheel at a lowered position; and a drive device for driving the grate up and down. The drive device includes: a link mechanism for movably supporting the grate; a spring for urging the grate to the lowered position; a grate raising/lowering cam for periodically driving the grate up/down; and a skip feed cam that is driven by a control device, separately from a drive system of the grate raising/lowering cam, and that, at a timing where reached is a phase at which the grate raising/lowering cam does not put the grate in the raised position, retains the grate at the raised position in order to skip feeding of the sheet.

A sheet feeder includes: a wheel for issuing a lowermost sheet out to a sheet processing unit; a grate for spacing the sheet apart from the wheel at a raised position and bringing the sheet into contact with the wheel at a lowered position; and a drive device for driving the grate up and down. The drive device includes: a link mechanism for movably supporting the grate; a spring for urging the grate to the lowered position; a grate raising/lowering cam for periodically driving the grate up/down; and a skip feed cam that is driven by a control device, separately from a drive system of the grate raising/lowering cam, and that, at a timing where reached is a phase at which the grate raising/lowering cam does not put the grate in the raised position, retains the grate at the raised position in order to skip feeding of the sheet.

A sheet feeding device includes: a feeding unit that is provided to be movable in a forward-backward direction to move forward or backward relative to a sheet placing unit on which a sheet is placed, and feeds the sheet; a moving unit that moves the feeding unit in the forward-backward direction; a contact unit that is provided to be movable, with which the sheet placed on the sheet placing unit is brought into contact; a limitation unit that limits movement of the contact unit; and a releasing unit that, when the moving unit moves the feeding unit in a direction away from the sheet placing unit, with the movement of the feeding unit, releases limitation on the movement of the contact unit by the limitation unit.

A sheet feeding device includes: a feeding unit that is provided to be movable in a forward-backward direction to move forward or backward relative to a sheet placing unit on which a sheet is placed, and feeds the sheet; a moving unit that moves the feeding unit in the forward-backward direction; a contact unit that is provided to be movable, with which the sheet placed on the sheet placing unit is brought into contact; a limitation unit that limits movement of the contact unit; and a releasing unit that, when the moving unit moves the feeding unit in a direction away from the sheet placing unit, with the movement of the feeding unit, releases limitation on the movement of the contact unit by the limitation unit.

A medium feeder includes: a path blocking member configured to rotate to switch between a blocking state that blocks a feed path for a medium fed out from a tray at a position of the guide member, and an open state that opens the feed path; and a switching unit that performs switching of the path blocking member, wherein the switching unit includes a rack configured to be displaced in a feeding direction in which a medium is fed from the tray to thereby perform switching of the path blocking member, and a pinion gear that drives the rack.

A medium feeder includes: a path blocking member configured to rotate to switch between a blocking state that blocks a feed path for a medium fed out from a tray at a position of the guide member, and an open state that opens the feed path; and a switching unit that performs switching of the path blocking member, wherein the switching unit includes a rack configured to be displaced in a feeding direction in which a medium is fed from the tray to thereby perform switching of the path blocking member, and a pinion gear that drives the rack.