A station for picking up and delivering shaped sheets that define box-like bodies of different types includes a magazine for the sheets and at least one handling element for at least one sheet at a time. The magazine accommodates a plurality of mutually aligned and juxtaposed sheets and the at least one handling element includes an end bracket provided with at least one grip element and at least one assembly with arms which are articulated with respect to the bracket and are independently movable with respect to a fixed frame. The bracket can move between a first configuration of alignment with the end sheet accommodated in the magazine, in the condition where the at least one grip element is in contact with the end sheet, and a second configuration of alignment with a conveyance line of the sheets which corresponds to the delivery region.

A sheet feeding apparatus can perform appropriate separation corresponding to the type of sheet without an actuator which changes the separation action of a separation unit. For this purpose, a separation unit includes a first inclined part and a second inclined part, each having different inclination angles, and selects, in accordance with the type (stiffness, thickness, or the like) of sheet to be fed, either one of the first inclined part or the second inclined part as an inclined part used in separating sheets by lifting/lowering a tray, and separates sheets, so that appropriate separation can be performed in accordance with the type of sheet with a simple configuration.

A transfer mechanism includes a main rotating member, a first driving unit, a support mechanism, a holding unit, a second driving unit and control unit and transfers a sheet member from a pickup position to a delivery position. The support mechanism is connected to the main rotating member and the holding unit. The control unit controls the second driving unit in such a manner that, when the sheet member is placed in at least one of the pickup position and the delivery position, a position of the holding unit is not substantially changed in a state where the main rotating member rotates around the rotational axis in the first rotation direction.

A station for picking up and delivering shaped sheets that define box-like bodies of different types includes a magazine for the sheets and at least one handling element for at least one sheet at a time.

The magazine accommodates a plurality of mutually aligned and juxtaposed sheets and the at least one handling element includes an end bracket provided with at least one grip element and at least one assembly with arms which are articulated with respect to the bracket and are independently movable with respect to a fixed frame. The bracket can move between a first configuration of alignment with the end sheet accommodated in the magazine, in the condition where the at least one grip element is in contact with the end sheet, and a second configuration of alignment with a conveyance line of the sheets which corresponds to the delivery region.

According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes an accommodation unit and at least one driving roller. The accommodation unit accommodates a paper sheet therein. The at least one driving roller is disposed contactably with the paper sheet. A rotation direction of the at least one driving roller with respect to the paper sheet at a contact part between the paper sheet and the roller intersects a carrying direction of the paper sheet.

According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes an accommodation unit and at least one driving roller. The accommodation unit accommodates a paper sheet therein. The at least one driving roller is disposed contactably with the paper sheet. A rotation direction of the at least one driving roller with respect to the paper sheet at a contact part between the paper sheet and the roller intersects a carrying direction of the paper sheet.

Methods and apparatus for forming containers from container blanks are provided. An apparatus comprises a blank holding apparatus operable to releasably hold a plurality of carton blanks in a first configuration. The apparatus also has a rotary apparatus operable to rotate an engagement device along a rotational path from a first retrieval location where the engagement device is operable to engage with and retrieve a blank from the plurality of blanks held in the blank holding apparatus, to a second operational location. The apparatus also has a movement apparatus inter-connected to the rotary apparatus. The movement apparatus is operable to move the rotary apparatus and the engagement device with the engaged blank away from the blank holding apparatus, which may be translational movement away from the blank holding apparatus.

According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes an accommodation unit and at least one driving roller. The accommodation unit accommodates a paper sheet therein. The at least one driving roller is disposed contactably with the paper sheet. A rotation direction of the at least one driving roller with respect to the paper sheet at a contact part between the paper sheet and the roller intersects a carrying direction of the paper sheet.

According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes an accommodation unit and at least one driving roller. The accommodation unit accommodates a paper sheet therein. The at least one driving roller is disposed contactably with the paper sheet. A rotation direction of the at least one driving roller with respect to the paper sheet at a contact part between the paper sheet and the roller intersects a carrying direction of the paper sheet.

According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes an accommodation unit and at least one driving roller. The accommodation unit accommodates a paper sheet therein. The at least one driving roller is disposed contactably with the paper sheet. A rotation direction of the at least one driving roller with respect to the paper sheet at a contact part between the paper sheet and the roller intersects a carrying direction of the paper sheet.