Disclosed are a method and a device (1) for handling individual intermediate layers (5). The method involves removing from each of at least two separate stacks of intermediate layers (7) an individual intermediate layer (5) arranged topmost on the particular stack of intermediate layers (7). The removed individual intermediate layers (5) are moved into a detection range of a sensor system (13) of its own and the particular own sensor system (13) identifying, preferably by means of optical detection, an outer edge (6) of the particular intermediate layer (5). Subsequently, the removed individual intermediate layers (5) move toward a particular target location (Z1, Z2), the particular, preferably optical detection thereby being taken into account, such that the intermediate layers (5) reach their particular target location (Z1, Z2) in a predetermined position.

A recording-material-transporting device includes a suction unit that suctions a recording material included in a recording-material stack from above, the suction unit including a movable member that moves upward when pushed from below by the recording material moving upward with the suction, the suction unit being movable in an intersecting direction intersecting a vertical direction and moving the suctioned recording material in the intersecting direction, at least a part of the movable member serving as an outside advancing part that advances to an outside of a perimeter of the recording-material stack with the movement of the suction unit in the intersecting direction; and a restricting part that restricts a downward movement of the outside advancing part when the outside advancing part is free of support by the recording material from below.

A recording-material-transporting device includes a suction unit that suctions a recording material included in a recording-material stack from above, the suction unit including a movable member that moves upward when pushed from below by the recording material moving upward with the suction, the suction unit being movable in an intersecting direction intersecting a vertical direction and moving the suctioned recording material in the intersecting direction, at least a part of the movable member serving as an outside advancing part that advances to an outside of a perimeter of the recording-material stack with the movement of the suction unit in the intersecting direction; and a restricting part that restricts a downward movement of the outside advancing part when the outside advancing part is free of support by the recording material from below.

A medium conveyance device includes a first separator that separates a first medium from a plurality of mediums, a processor that processes the first medium and sends the processed first medium as a second medium, a second separator that when a non-separation mode is set, conveys the second medium to a next processor, and when a separation mode is set, conveys a third medium, which is separated from the second medium, to the next processor, and a controller that switches between the non-separation mode and the separation mode based on information obtained as a result of processing the first medium.

A medium conveyance device includes a first separator that separates a first medium from a plurality of mediums, a processor that processes the first medium and sends the processed first medium as a second medium, a second separator that when a non-separation mode is set, conveys the second medium to a next processor, and when a separation mode is set, conveys a third medium, which is separated from the second medium, to the next processor, and a controller that switches between the non-separation mode and the separation mode based on information obtained as a result of processing the first medium.

A cardboard packer is provided, comprising a blank magazine, a blank feeder, and a blank picker for transporting a single blank from the magazine to the feeder. The blank picker comprises an upper picking unit configured to attach to an upper portion of the blank, and a bottom picking unit configured to attach to a bottom portion of the blank.

A sheet conveying device includes a sheet stacker, an air blower, a guide, and a holder. The sheet stacker stacks sheets. The air blower blows air to the sheets on the sheet stacker. The guide is disposed facing an uppermost sheet of the sheets on the sheet stacker. The holder holds the guide and has a groove along which the guide is inserted. The groove has a plurality of direction switching portions at each of which the guide changes a direction of movement when the groove receives the guide.

A sheet conveying device includes a sheet stacker, an air blower, a guide, and a holder. The sheet stacker stacks sheets. The air blower blows air to the sheets on the sheet stacker. The guide is disposed facing an uppermost sheet of the sheets on the sheet stacker. The holder holds the guide and has a groove along which the guide is inserted. The groove has a plurality of direction switching portions at each of which the guide changes a direction of movement when the groove receives the guide.

A method and apparatus for preparing edges of reels of web material, where a reel is held with its axis horizontal; a manipulator applies a first adhesive element on an outer surface of the reel; a gripping member picks up the first adhesive element and forms a loop; and a cutting device transversely cuts the web material at the loop. A section of web material with a length equal to or greater than a circumference of the reel is unwound from the reel; a second adhesive element is applied on an outer surface or on an inner surface of the web material; and a scrap portion of the web material is cut and discarded by a suction device.

A sheet feeding apparatus includes a sheet supporting unit, a sheet feed unit, an air separation unit configured to separate the uppermost sheet by blowing the air onto a side surface of the sheet bundle supported by the sheet supporting unit, a velocity detection unit configured to detect actual velocity of a sheet fed by the sheet feed unit, a drive load detection unit configured to detect an actual drive load for feeding the sheet by the sheet feed unit, and a controller configured to control the sheet feed unit and the air separation unit. In a case where the sheet is fed by the sheet feed unit, the controller is configured to control an operation of the air separation unit depending on the actual velocity of the sheet detected by the velocity detection unit and the actual drive load detected by the drive load detection unit.