The present disclosure is generally related to an apparatus having cutter elements for destroying articles such as paper sheets and a mechanism for separating at least a sheet from a stack in a tray. The separation mechanism can be activated by rotation of the cutter elements. In one embodiment, the separation mechanism is provided in the form of a helical mechanism configured for insertion into the stack and to receive separated sheets from the stack in between its space(s) as it is rotated. The separated sheets can fall via gravity into the shredder mechanism. Optionally, a paper feed mechanism can feed separated paper to the cutter elements. The tray can include an edge to assist in directing separated paper towards the cutter elements. One or more staple picking support mechanisms can also be provided to assist in separating sheets from a stapled set of pages.

The present disclosure is generally related to an apparatus having cutter elements for destroying articles such as paper sheets and a mechanism for separating at least a sheet from a stack in a tray. The separation mechanism can be activated by rotation of the cutter elements. In one embodiment, the separation mechanism is provided in the form of a helical mechanism configured for insertion into the stack and to receive separated sheets from the stack in between its space(s) as it is rotated. The separated sheets can fall via gravity into the shredder mechanism. Optionally, a paper feed mechanism can feed separated paper to the cutter elements. The tray can include an edge to assist in directing separated paper towards the cutter elements. One or more staple picking support mechanisms can also be provided to assist in separating sheets from a stapled set of pages.

An example disclosed output hopper includes a cavity to receive media units from an output of a media processing device, the cavity to cause the media units to form a stack in a first direction; a first door pivotably movable between a closed position and an open position, the first door to retain the media units in the cavity when in the closed position, wherein the first door is configured to pivot on a first axis substantially parallel to the first direction; wherein: the first door includes a first cutout at a first top edge of the first door; and the first cutout allow the media units to spill over the first and second top edges when a capacity of the cavity is exceeded.

An example disclosed output hopper includes a cavity to receive media units from an output of a media processing device, the cavity to cause the media units to form a stack in a first direction; a first door pivotably movable between a closed position and an open position, the first door to retain the media units in the cavity when in the closed position, wherein the first door is configured to pivot on a first axis substantially parallel to the first direction; wherein: the first door includes a first cutout at a first top edge of the first door; and the first cutout allow the media units to spill over the first and second top edges when a capacity of the cavity is exceeded.

A media processing device includes: a hopper supporting media units (e.g. cards), and a biasing assembly biasing the cards toward a hopper outlet; an input roller for accepting a single card at a hopper slot inlet; a pick roller at the outlet for dispensing a card from the hopper to a media processing path; a motor having an output shaft; a primary drivetrain segment connecting the output shaft with the pick roller; an auxiliary output selector connected to the primary drivetrain segment and switchable between first and second output configurations; first and second auxiliary drivetrain segments connecting the output selector, respectively, with the input roller and a release member for disengaging the biasing assembly; and a selector input movable to switch the output selector between the first output configuration, coupling the primary and first auxiliary drivetrain segments, and the second output configuration, coupling the primary and second auxiliary drivetrain segments.

A media processing device includes: a hopper supporting media units (e.g. cards), and a biasing assembly biasing the cards toward a hopper outlet; an input roller for accepting a single card at a hopper slot inlet; a pick roller at the outlet for dispensing a card from the hopper to a media processing path; a motor having an output shaft; a primary drivetrain segment connecting the output shaft with the pick roller; an auxiliary output selector connected to the primary drivetrain segment and switchable between first and second output configurations; first and second auxiliary drivetrain segments connecting the output selector, respectively, with the input roller and a release member for disengaging the biasing assembly; and a selector input movable to switch the output selector between the first output configuration, coupling the primary and first auxiliary drivetrain segments, and the second output configuration, coupling the primary and second auxiliary drivetrain segments.

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.

An image reading apparatus includes a supply tray which support sheets and includes a movable plate configured to move in correspondence to reduction in a number of the sheets supported on the supply tray, a discharge tray which is located below the supply tray and supports discharged sheets, a conveyance guide which guides a sheet conveyed from the supply tray toward the discharge tray, a reading sensor which reads an image on the sheet conveyed along the conveyance guide, and a discharge unit having a discharge opening for discharging the sheet to the discharge tray and moves from a third position to a fourth position in correspondence to reduction in the number of the sheets supported on the supply tray. A first timing for which the movable plate is to move and a second timing for which the discharge unit is to move are different.

A packaging machine hopper is provided for holding a stack of packaging articles with each article in a generally horizontal orientation. The hopper comprises a support for holding at least part of the stack at an angle to vertical.