A paper feeding device of an embodiment includes a paper feed cassette, an alignment component, a fan, and a fan guiding duct component. A paper bundle in which a plurality of sheets of paper are stacked can be placed on the paper feed cassette. The alignment component can align the paper bundle placed on the paper feed cassette. The fan is connected to the alignment component. The fan can generate airflow. The fan guiding duct component is connected to the alignment component. The fan guiding duct component is positioned above the paper bundle placed on the paper feed cassette. The fan guiding duct component generates a negative pressure between the fan guiding duct component and an uppermost sheet of paper in the paper bundle due to the airflow from the fan.

A sheet stacking apparatus includes a stacking unit on which a sheet bundle is to be stacked, a lifting unit that can lift and lower the stacking unit, and an air blower unit that can apply air to a side face of the sheet bundle via an air blowing port. The stacking unit further includes a stacking face that comes into contact with and holds a lowermost sheet of the sheet bundle, and a support portion that supports a portion of the stacking face near an end portion thereof, and has a face that is not parallel to the stacking face. The support portion includes a ventilating portion that allows air blown out by the air blower unit from a portion of the air blowing port to pass through the ventilating portion, the portion of the air blowing port being below the stacking face.

A sheet stacking apparatus includes a stacking unit on which a sheet bundle is to be stacked, a lifting unit that can lift and lower the stacking unit, and an air blower unit that can apply air to a side face of the sheet bundle via an air blowing port. The stacking unit further includes a stacking face that comes into contact with and holds a lowermost sheet of the sheet bundle, and a support portion that supports a portion of the stacking face near an end portion thereof, and has a face that is not parallel to the stacking face. The support portion includes a ventilating portion that allows air blown out by the air blower unit from a portion of the air blowing port to pass through the ventilating portion, the portion of the air blowing port being below the stacking face.

A sheet feeding parameter management system includes: a plurality of air sheet feeding apparatuses each including an air sheet feeder that feeds a sheet and enabled to change a sheet feeding parameter; and a management apparatus connected to the plurality of air sheet feeding apparatuses, wherein each of the plurality of air sheet feeding apparatuses includes: a sheet type information acquisitor that acquires sheet type information; and a hardware processor that: adjusts the sheet feeding parameter; and transmits the sheet type information and the sheet feeding parameter to the management apparatus, and the management apparatus includes the hardware processor that: causes a storage to store an adjustment result associated with the sheet type information and the sheet feeding parameter; and sets, based on the adjustment result, for an air sheet feeding apparatus to be processed among the plurality of air sheet feeding apparatuses.

A sheet feeding parameter management system includes: a plurality of air sheet feeding apparatuses each including an air sheet feeder that feeds a sheet and enabled to change a sheet feeding parameter; and a management apparatus connected to the plurality of air sheet feeding apparatuses, wherein each of the plurality of air sheet feeding apparatuses includes: a sheet type information acquisitor that acquires sheet type information; and a hardware processor that: adjusts the sheet feeding parameter; and transmits the sheet type information and the sheet feeding parameter to the management apparatus, and the management apparatus includes the hardware processor that: causes a storage to store an adjustment result associated with the sheet type information and the sheet feeding parameter; and sets, based on the adjustment result, for an air sheet feeding apparatus to be processed among the plurality of air sheet feeding apparatuses.

A sheet feeding device includes a sheet stacking table, an air blower, a feeder, and an air sucker. The sheet stacking table stacks a bundle of sheets. The air blower blows air to the bundle of sheets to float an uppermost sheet from the bundle of sheets. The feeder feeds the uppermost sheet. The air sucker sucks air in such a direction that a sheet in vicinity of the uppermost sheet moves away from the feeder. The air sucker includes a suction nozzle to suck air, a suction fan to generate a negative pressure, a suction duct to communicate the suction nozzle with the suction fan, and an opening-and-closing mechanism to shut off and release ventilation in the suction duct.

A sheet feeding device includes a sheet stacking table, an air blower, a feeder, and an air sucker. The sheet stacking table stacks a bundle of sheets. The air blower blows air to the bundle of sheets to float an uppermost sheet from the bundle of sheets. The feeder feeds the uppermost sheet. The air sucker sucks air in such a direction that a sheet in vicinity of the uppermost sheet moves away from the feeder. The air sucker includes a suction nozzle to suck air, a suction fan to generate a negative pressure, a suction duct to communicate the suction nozzle with the suction fan, and an opening-and-closing mechanism to shut off and release ventilation in the suction duct.

A feeder includes a mount board that moves vertically while allowing sheet-shaped media to be stacked thereon; a transport device allows an uppermost one of the sheet-shaped media stacked on the mount board to be sucked by a suction portion to transport the uppermost medium to a transporter and to feed the uppermost medium to a destination; left and right edge air blowers blow air to transportation left and right edge portions of upper ones of the sheet-shaped media stacked; and a tip-end air blower blows air to below the uppermost medium sucked by the suction portion from a position downstream from a transportation leading end of the uppermost medium in a transport direction. When the uppermost medium is sucked by the suction portion, the feeder performs a first operation of spacing an upwardly bent transportation leading-end portion of a second uppermost medium apart downward from the sucked uppermost medium.

A feeder includes a mount board that moves vertically while allowing sheet-shaped media to be stacked thereon; a transport device allows an uppermost one of the sheet-shaped media stacked on the mount board to be sucked by a suction portion to transport the uppermost medium to a transporter and to feed the uppermost medium to a destination; left and right edge air blowers blow air to transportation left and right edge portions of upper ones of the sheet-shaped media stacked; and a tip-end air blower blows air to below the uppermost medium sucked by the suction portion from a position downstream from a transportation leading end of the uppermost medium in a transport direction. When the uppermost medium is sucked by the suction portion, the feeder performs a first operation of spacing an upwardly bent transportation leading-end portion of a second uppermost medium apart downward from the sucked uppermost medium.

A system and method for separating a layer from a layer assembly when the layer assembly includes a backing layer and a material layer. The system includes an automated machine having a controller and an end effector. A separating tool is attached to the end effector of the automated machine. The separating tool includes a displacing member, with an outer face, configured to establish a void between the backing layer and the material layer by displacing a portion of the backing layer. The separating layer also includes a securing member configured to establish a mechanical connection with a displaced portion of the backing layer.