A storage module (1) comprises a storage zone (3) for storing flat articles (2) by accumulation in a stack and on edge, a main conveyor (9) that extends transversely to the storage zone, a stacking function for transferring an article from the main conveyor to the storage zone and for stacking it at the back of the stack of articles in the storage zone, and an unstacking function for extracting an article from the stack of articles and for transferring it to the main conveyor. The unstacking function comprises an unstacking plate (7) having a perforated belt and controlled suction and disposed between the main conveyor and the storage zone, said unstacking plate having a first segment parallel to the stack of articles and a second segment that is adjacent to the first segment and that extends slantwise relative to the first segment, said controlled suction being disposed in the slantwise second segment of the unstacking plate.

Systems, devices and methods for receiving an item in a receptacle are disclosed. Features are disclosed for receiving and guiding an item in a receiving space of a receptacle so as to attenuate or remove the impact force of the item on the receptacle. Some embodiments of the disclosure include a bumper having an impact surface which absorbs most or all of the impact force of the item and thereby mitigates or removes the imposition of cyclic impact loads on the receptacle from repeated receipt of items. The bumper may be structurally and/or functionally de-coupled or otherwise physically separated from the receptacle such that an advantageous division of labor is created between absorbing the impact and receiving the item. This disclosure may be useful, for example, in modern industrial operations where a high volume of items are received daily, such as in mail sorting and handling operations.

A sheet processing apparatus capable of properly stacking sheets by detecting abnormality of a sheet stacking state during a sheet stacking operation to thereby prevent stack overflow. In the sheet processing apparatus, a conveyed sheet is stacked on a stacking tray. A sheet presence sensor detects a sheet on a sheet stacking surface of the stacking tray. A sheet height reduction sensor detects sheets within a predetermined distance downward from the uppermost surface of sheets stacked on the stacking tray. When the sheet presence sensor detects no sheet, and the sheet height reduction sensor detects a sheet during an operation for discharging a plurality of sheets onto the stacking tray, it is determined that an abnormal stacking state has occurred, and conveyance of a sheet is stopped.

A sheet stacking apparatus includes a stacking tray, a lowering unit, a conveyance unit, a first action unit and a second action unit, and a permitting portion. The stacking tray stacks sheets. The lowering unit lowers the stacking tray as the sheets are stacked. The conveyance unit conveys a sheet toward the stacking tray. The first action unit and the second action unit act on both edge ends in a width direction of a sheet bundle stacked on the stacking tray to align the sheet bundle. The permitting portion permits a next sheet to be temporarily received above the stacking tray when the first action unit and the second action unit are aligning the sheet bundle.

A sheet stacking apparatus includes a stacking tray, a lowering unit, a conveyance unit, a first action unit and a second action unit, and a permitting portion. The stacking tray stacks sheets. The lowering unit lowers the stacking tray as the sheets are stacked. The conveyance unit conveys a sheet toward the stacking tray. The first action unit and the second action unit act on both edge ends in a width direction of a sheet bundle stacked on the stacking tray to align the sheet bundle. The permitting portion permits a next sheet to be temporarily received above the stacking tray when the first action unit and the second action unit are aligning the sheet bundle.

An apparatus for stacking monocells for producing electrical energy storage devices, each consisting of electrode films, and at least one separator interposed between them. The apparatus includes a transport member which receives a stack of monocells and a collection device provided with a support member movable along a functional axis between a collection position, in which it is within the overall dimensions of one of the monocells, and a rest position, in which it is outside the overall dimensions of that monocell, and a movement member selectively movable, independently of the support member, along a stacking axis between a support position, in which it cooperates with the support member, and at least one release position, in which it positions the monocells, in cooperation with the transport member.

An apparatus for stacking monocells for producing electrical energy storage devices, each consisting of electrode films, and at least one separator interposed between them. The apparatus includes a transport member which receives a stack of monocells and a collection device provided with a support member movable along a functional axis between a collection position, in which it is within the overall dimensions of one of the monocells, and a rest position, in which it is outside the overall dimensions of that monocell, and a movement member selectively movable, independently of the support member, along a stacking axis between a support position, in which it cooperates with the support member, and at least one release position, in which it positions the monocells, in cooperation with the transport member.

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion, a sheet discharging portion, and a sheet stacking portion. The stacking portion includes a first member including an inclined surface inclined upward toward a downstream side of a sheet discharging direction, and a second member including a stacking surface which projects upward from the inclined surface and on which the discharged sheet is stacked. The second member is rotatable relative to the first member about a supporting point provided upstream of the stacking surface with respect to the sheet discharging direction. The second member is rotatable about the supporting point in a direction in which the stacking surface moves downward in accordance with an increase in number of sheets stacked on the stacking surface.

A method for forming sheet stacks in a dispensing region of a sheet processing apparatus, involves: a) stacking sheets by a stacker wheel onto a sheet stack located on a lifting platform, b) introducing a deposition platform into the dispensing region, c) stacking further sheets by the stacker wheel onto the deposition platform arranged underneath the stacker wheel, d) introducing a gripping device into the dispensing region to take up, by the gripping device, the sheet stack formed on the lifting platform, e) removing the sheet stack formed on the lifting platform from the dispensing region, and, after the removal of the sheet stack, f) raising the lifting platform up to the deposition platform, and g) transferring the further sheet stack formed on the deposition platform onto the lifting platform and moving the deposition platform away out of the dispensing region.

A method for forming sheet stacks in a dispensing region of a sheet processing apparatus, involves: a) stacking sheets by a stacker wheel onto a sheet stack located on a lifting platform, b) introducing a deposition platform into the dispensing region, c) stacking further sheets by the stacker wheel onto the deposition platform arranged underneath the stacker wheel, d) introducing a gripping device into the dispensing region to take up, by the gripping device, the sheet stack formed on the lifting platform, e) removing the sheet stack formed on the lifting platform from the dispensing region, and, after the removal of the sheet stack, f) raising the lifting platform up to the deposition platform, and g) transferring the further sheet stack formed on the deposition platform onto the lifting platform and moving the deposition platform away out of the dispensing region.