In a case where feeding of a subsequent sheet by a feed roller is started after the trailing edge of a preceding sheet is detected by a post-registration sensor, a control unit of a sheet feeder controls the feed roller to rotate at a first feeding speed, and in a case where the leading edge of the subsequent sheet has passed through a nip position between the feed roller and a separation roller, the control unit controls the feed roller to rotate at a second feeding speed.

In a case where feeding of a subsequent sheet by a feed roller is started after the trailing edge of a preceding sheet is detected by a post-registration sensor, a control unit of a sheet feeder controls the feed roller to rotate at a first feeding speed, and in a case where the leading edge of the subsequent sheet has passed through a nip position between the feed roller and a separation roller, the control unit controls the feed roller to rotate at a second feeding speed.

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.

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.

An electrode stacking apparatus provided with a planar motor device (B) comprised of a flat plate-shaped stator (50) and a plurality of movers (40) able to move on a flat surface (51) of the stator in any direction along the flat surface (51) and able to rotate about a perpendicular axis of the flat surface (51) in a state magnetically floating from the flat surface (51). When stacking a new sheet-shaped electrode (1) held by an electrode conveyor device (A) arranged above the planar motor device (B) on a stacked electrode holder (60) of a mover (40), the mover (40) is made to move in synchronization with movement of the new sheet-shaped electrode (1) so that the new sheet-shaped electrode (1) continues to face the sheet-shaped electrode stacking position on the stacked electrode holder (60).

An electrode stacking apparatus provided with a planar motor device (B) comprised of a flat plate-shaped stator (50) and a plurality of movers (40) able to move on a flat surface (51) of the stator in any direction along the flat surface (51) and able to rotate about a perpendicular axis of the flat surface (51) in a state magnetically floating from the flat surface (51). When stacking a new sheet-shaped electrode (1) held by an electrode conveyor device (A) arranged above the planar motor device (B) on a stacked electrode holder (60) of a mover (40), the mover (40) is made to move in synchronization with movement of the new sheet-shaped electrode (1) so that the new sheet-shaped electrode (1) continues to face the sheet-shaped electrode stacking position on the stacked electrode holder (60).

A sheet conveyance apparatus comprises: a first conveyance roller configured to convey a sheet; a second conveyance roller, arranged downstream of the first conveyance roller in the conveyance direction in which the sheet is conveyed, configured to convey the sheet; a first conveyance path configured to guide the sheet from the first conveyance roller to the second conveyance roller; a second conveyance path, which is branched from the first conveyance path between the first conveyance roller and the second conveyance roller to guide the sheet, the second conveyance path having a bent portion; a third conveyance roller configured to convey the sheet guided by the second conveyance path; a first motor configured to drive the third conveyance roller; a second motor; a first transmission mechanism configured to transmit a driving force of the second motor to the second conveyance roller.

A sheet conveyance apparatus comprises: a first conveyance roller configured to convey a sheet; a second conveyance roller, arranged downstream of the first conveyance roller in the conveyance direction in which the sheet is conveyed, configured to convey the sheet; a first conveyance path configured to guide the sheet from the first conveyance roller to the second conveyance roller; a second conveyance path, which is branched from the first conveyance path between the first conveyance roller and the second conveyance roller to guide the sheet, the second conveyance path having a bent portion; a third conveyance roller configured to convey the sheet guided by the second conveyance path; a first motor configured to drive the third conveyance roller; a second motor; a first transmission mechanism configured to transmit a driving force of the second motor to the second conveyance roller.

A sheet processing apparatus includes a plurality of folding devices, a control unit that controls a job involving a folding process, and an input unit that accepts settings for the job from a user. The input unit accepts, from the user, specification of a priority preference out of a plurality of predetermined preferences related to the folding process. The control unit selects, out of the plurality of folding devices, a folding device that can perform the folding process with the settings for the job made by the user as a target folding device. If a plurality of target folding devices are present, then based on the priority preference, the control unit determines, out of the plurality of target folding devices, a folding device with which to perform the folding process.

A sheet processing apparatus includes a plurality of folding devices, a control unit that controls a job involving a folding process, and an input unit that accepts settings for the job from a user. The input unit accepts, from the user, specification of a priority preference out of a plurality of predetermined preferences related to the folding process. The control unit selects, out of the plurality of folding devices, a folding device that can perform the folding process with the settings for the job made by the user as a target folding device. If a plurality of target folding devices are present, then based on the priority preference, the control unit determines, out of the plurality of target folding devices, a folding device with which to perform the folding process.