Embodiments of a system and method for shingulating, singulating, and synchronizing articles in an article feeder system are disclosed. The article feeder system may include a shingulating device configured to receive a stack of articles and to produce a positively lapped stack of articles, a plurality of picking devices configured to pick one or more articles from the positively lapped stack of articles and to produce one or more singulated articles, and one or more synchronization devices configured to deliver the one or more singulated articles to one or more sorter windows.

A document feeder includes: a first conveyer that picks up sheets from a sheet bundle sheet by sheet, where rear edge of a preceding sheet overlaps front edge of a succeeding sheet; a second conveyer that conveys each sheet picked up by the first conveyer; a front edge sensor that is disposed on a conveyance path from the first conveyer to the second conveyer, and senses whether the sheet falls within a sensing range; and a shift unit that shifts, while the first and second conveyers convey the sheet, positional relation between the sheet and the front edge sensor by increasing distance therebetween in a direction crossing a sheet conveyance direction, such that the sheet falls outside the sensing range. When the preceding sheet falls outside the sensing range, the first conveyer picks up the succeeding sheet such that the front edge of the succeeding sheet enters the sensing range.

A feeding apparatus includes a feeding member to feed a recording material stacked on a stacking portion, a first conveyance member, a separation member to form a nip portion with the first conveyance member and separate a plurality of recording materials at the nip portion, a second conveyance member, a detection unit, and a control unit. The control unit controls to feed a stacked first recording material and, after a first recording material rear end passes through the feeding member, the control unit controls to feed a stacked second recording material while partially overlapped with the first recording material and thereby the first recording material rear end passes through the nip portion after a second recording material leading end passes through the nip portion. The control unit controls so that the second recording material is stopped before the second recording material leading end reaches the second conveyance member.

A device for overlapping sheets includes at least one blower box and a supply table. Multiple sheets are guided into a region of the blower box consecutively, in the same transport direction, and are arranged at a distance from one another on the supply table. A blower nozzle is arranged in the blower box, on the side thereof facing the supply table. A blowing direction of the blower nozzle is oriented and parallel to the supply table and against the transport direction of the sheets. The supply table is arranged below the blower box and multiple blower nozzles are arranged in the blower box, one after the other, in the transport direction of the sheets, on the side thereof facing the supply table. A respective blowing direction of the blower nozzles is oriented in parallel to the supply table, and against the transport direction of the sheets.

A device for overlapping sheets includes at least one blower box and a supply table. Multiple sheets are guided into a region of the blower box consecutively, in the same transport direction, and are arranged at a distance from one another on the supply table. A blower nozzle is arranged in the blower box, on the side thereof facing the supply table. A blowing direction of the blower nozzle is oriented and parallel to the supply table and against the transport direction of the sheets. The supply table is arranged below the blower box and multiple blower nozzles are arranged in the blower box, one after the other, in the transport direction of the sheets, on the side thereof facing the supply table. A respective blowing direction of the blower nozzles is oriented in parallel to the supply table, and against the transport direction of the sheets.

A system of mitigating force in a mechanical system, the system comprising a frame member, a first rail connected to the frame member, a second rail connected to the frame member and extending along the frame member in parallel to the first rail, an assembly movably engaging the first and second rails, and a first bracket located between the first and second rails, with at least one first bracket attachment secured to the frame member, the first bracket sharing an upper edge with a lower edge of the first rail, such that a downward force applied on the first rail is distributed to the first bracket and the frame member via the at least one first bracket attachment.

A system of mitigating force in a mechanical system, the system comprising a frame member, a first rail connected to the frame member, a second rail connected to the frame member and extending along the frame member in parallel to the first rail, an assembly movably engaging the first and second rails, and a first bracket located between the first and second rails, with at least one first bracket attachment secured to the frame member, the first bracket sharing an upper edge with a lower edge of the first rail, such that a downward force applied on the first rail is distributed to the first bracket and the frame member via the at least one first bracket attachment.

A recording apparatus which is capable of suppressing or avoiding a concern on a defect such as a paper jam, deterioration of recording quality, or the like at the time of performing an overlapping transportation is provided.

A recording apparatus which is capable of suppressing or avoiding a concern on a defect such as a paper jam, deterioration of recording quality, or the like at the time of performing an overlapping transportation is provided.

The present disclosure provides embodiments of a lapper assembly for use to overlap successive sheets of wood veneer or other materials along a conveyor. The lapper assembly may include a stop member configured to be rotatably mounted to a roller such that the stop member is pivotable around the rotational axis of the roller independently of the rotational angle of the roller. The lapper assembly may further include a lever arm coupled to one end of the stop member. An actuator may be pivotably coupled to the lever arm and the conveyor frame, and operated to pivot the stop member between a workpiece engaging position, in which the stop member extends into the path of workpiece flow, and a workpiece disengaging position below the path. Optionally, the lapper assembly roller and other rollers upstream/downstream may be operatively connected to a drive. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed herein.