A medium support device includes: a first support section that transits between a first position and a second position relative to a main body; a second support section that transits between a retracted position and a protruding position relative to the first support section; and a locking mechanism configured to set a lock the second support section. When the first support section is in the first position and the second support section is retracted into the first support section, the retracted state is formed. When the first support section is in the second position and the second support section protrudes from the first support, the extended state is formed. The locking mechanism locks the second support section retracted into the first support section when the first support section is in the first position and releases the lock when the first support section is in the second position.

A medium support device includes: a first support section that transits between a first position and a second position relative to a main body; a second support section that transits between a retracted position and a protruding position relative to the first support section; and a locking mechanism configured to set a lock the second support section. When the first support section is in the first position and the second support section is retracted into the first support section, the retracted state is formed. When the first support section is in the second position and the second support section protrudes from the first support, the extended state is formed. The locking mechanism locks the second support section retracted into the first support section when the first support section is in the first position and releases the lock when the first support section is in the second position.

A card transport unit transports a card ejected one-by-one from a card housing section to a card processing section, and includes: a carriage that is moved in a carriage transport path provided between the card housing section and the card processing section; a contactless card reader that includes a contactless communication antenna making contactless communication with the card; and a support member that holds the contactless communication antenna at a position opposing the carriage transport path. The carriage includes a card transport mechanism that transports the card in a card transport direction intersecting a movement direction of the carriage, and the card transport mechanism includes a motor. The motor is arranged on an opposite side of the card, which is transported by the card transport mechanism, from the contactless communication antenna.

A transport device for a sheet-format substrate has at least one first substrate feed device and has at least one second substrate feed device. The at least one second substrate feed device comprises at least one forward stop and at least one singulating device. At least one substrate guiding device is arranged between the at least one first substrate feed device and the at least one second substrate feed device. The at least one substrate guiding device has at least one directing element. The at least one directing element is mounted such that it is movable or is moved in two different directions independently of one another.

A device for feeding sheet products into a thick sheet feeding machine including an insertion gantry, a feed carriage sliding on rails. The device includes an insertion head configured as a gantry. The insertion head includes a crosspiece and support legs positioned on the rails and a system of suction cups located in the crosspiece through a forward movement mechanism allowing the system to move. The device includes an insertion module moving vertically on guides of the insertion gantry, a base for placing the sheets, and an alignment control device for aligning the sheets with respect to the insertion module. The sheets are suctioned by the suction cups, which are moved by the forward movement mechanism in the direction of the insertion gantry.

A dispenser (200) includes a supply structure (202) and a biasing structure (206). The supply structure holds mailers (204). A mailer from the mailers includes a first wall and a second wall. The first and second walls are closed at a first side of the mailer, closed at a second side of the mailer, and closed at a closed end of the mailer. The first and second walls are not closed at an open end of the mailer. The mailer is arranged to be dispensed from the supply structure (202). The biasing structure (206) is arranged to engage the mailer as the mailer is dispensed from the supply structure (202). The biasing structure (206) has narrowing surfaces configured to contact the sides of the mailer as the mailer is dispensed. The narrowing surfaces of the biasing structure (206) are arranged to narrow the open end of the mailer thereby causing the open end to be biased open.

A dispenser (200) includes a supply structure (202) and a biasing structure (206). The supply structure holds mailers (204). A mailer from the mailers includes a first wall and a second wall. The first and second walls are closed at a first side of the mailer, closed at a second side of the mailer, and closed at a closed end of the mailer. The first and second walls are not closed at an open end of the mailer. The mailer is arranged to be dispensed from the supply structure (202). The biasing structure (206) is arranged to engage the mailer as the mailer is dispensed from the supply structure (202). The biasing structure (206) has narrowing surfaces configured to contact the sides of the mailer as the mailer is dispensed. The narrowing surfaces of the biasing structure (206) are arranged to narrow the open end of the mailer thereby causing the open end to be biased open.

A transport device includes: a medium support unit having a placement surface where a sheet-like medium is placed; a transport unit supplied with the medium placed at the placement surface and transporting the medium in a transport direction along a sheet surface of the medium; an ultrasonic transmitting unit provided at a part of the medium support unit and transmitting an ultrasonic wave; an ultrasonic receiving unit provided at another part of the medium support unit, and receiving the ultrasonic wave and outputting a received signal; and a floating detection unit determining whether a floating of the medium from the placement surface is present or not, based on the received signal.

A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a control unit (120) that controls driving of a belt drive mechanism (4). The control unit (120) performs control such that the sheet is conveyed from the sheet accumulation area if (a) it is determined that the number of sheets currently accumulated in the sheet accumulation area is two or greater, while the sheet is not conveyed from the sheet accumulation area if (b) it is determined that the number of sheets currently accumulated in the sheet accumulation area is one.

Apparatus (101) for supporting a workpiece (201), comprising a frame structure (102) for holding a workpiece (201), a base element (103) for supporting the frame structure (102), and a tool support element (110) for holding a tool. The frame structure (102) comprises lower and upper frame elements (107, 108) between which a workpiece (201) is receivable, and the upper frame element (108) is movable with respect to the lower frame element (107) in a Z-axis direction (106), for clamping a workpiece (102) therebetween. The tool support element (110) is movable with respect to the upper frame element (108) in an X-axis direction (104). The frame structure (102) is movable with respect to the base element (103), and with respect to a workpiece held between the lower and upper frame elements (107, 108), in a Y-axis direction (105). A CNC machine comprising the apparatus (101).