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 feeding unit includes a paper feeding tray, a lifter, a feeding roller, a guide plate, and a handling portion. The lifter can displace paper in the paper feeding tray in a +B direction. The guide plate guides a downstream end of the paper lifted by the lifter in a +A direction toward the feeding roller. The handling portion handles the paper toward the feeding roller. The guide plate forms a frontage through which the paper can pass between the guide plate and an outer peripheral surface of the feeding roller, and is provided so that a size of the frontage can be adjusted. The handling portion is provided integrally with the guide plate.

A feeding unit includes a paper feeding tray, a lifter, a feeding roller, a guide plate, and a handling portion. The lifter can displace paper in the paper feeding tray in a +B direction. The guide plate guides a downstream end of the paper lifted by the lifter in a +A direction toward the feeding roller. The handling portion handles the paper toward the feeding roller. The guide plate forms a frontage through which the paper can pass between the guide plate and an outer peripheral surface of the feeding roller, and is provided so that a size of the frontage can be adjusted. The handling portion is provided integrally with the guide plate.

A paper feeding device includes a pickup roller mechanism disposed at an entrance of a paper feeding path, and a separation mechanism disposed to a rear end of the pickup roller mechanism. The pickup roller mechanism includes a first pickup unit positioned at the entrance of the paper feeding path, a second pickup unit mounted to a rear end of the first pickup unit, and a third pickup unit disposed to a rear end of the second pickup unit. The second pickup unit includes a first driving gear. The third pickup unit includes a second driving gear, and a transmission belt looped around an outer periphery of the first driving gear and an outer periphery of the second driving gear.

A medium transport device includes a feeding unit that can be disposed at a contact position and a retracted position, a first restriction member that rotates between a restriction position and a release position, and a transport guide positioned on a side opposite to the feeding unit with a transport path interposed therebetween. When the first restriction member is positioned at the restriction position, the first restriction member maintains a state in which the feeding unit is positioned at the retracted position by the tip end contacting the feeding unit. When the first restriction member is positioned at the restriction position, the tip end thereof is positioned closer to the mounting portion side than the position of the rotation axis of the first restriction member in the transport direction.

A medium transport device includes a feeding unit that can be disposed at a contact position and a retracted position, a first restriction member that rotates between a restriction position and a release position, and a transport guide positioned on a side opposite to the feeding unit with a transport path interposed therebetween. When the first restriction member is positioned at the restriction position, the first restriction member maintains a state in which the feeding unit is positioned at the retracted position by the tip end contacting the feeding unit. When the first restriction member is positioned at the restriction position, the tip end thereof is positioned closer to the mounting portion side than the position of the rotation axis of the first restriction member in the transport direction.

A method for franking mail items fed to a franking machine. The mail items are drawn from the underside of a stack for separation or are fed individually on a conveying section upstream of the franking machine to a printing unit for franking, after franking, are discharged in the opposite direction from the printing unit. The mail items are fed via a diverter section to the conveying section, after franking, are conveyed via the diverter section which is switched over to change the conveying direction into a depositing apparatus below the diverter section. The mail items are guided in the opening region of the franking machine into the printing position and are returned out of the printing position. The printing position of a mail item fed to the printing unit is determined by a print head movement-controlled from a readiness position pursuant to the format length of the mail item.

A medium conveying device includes a body in which a conveying path is formed, a separator configured to supply a first medium that is arranged on one side among a plurality of media to the conveying path, a conveyor configured to convey the first medium that is being conveyed and that is arranged on the conveying path along the conveying path, and a rib that protrudes from the one side to a conveying path part between the separator and the conveyor in the conveying path.

A sheet feeding apparatus includes a regulator to regulate a position of leading edges of first and second sheets supported on a sheet support. A drive transmission drives a return for returning the second sheet toward the sheet support and the regulator by a driving force, wherein the return includes a first cam follower, a first pivot shaft, and a claw supported pivotably around the first pivot shaft. The drive transmission includes a first cam to drive the return by engaging with the first cam follower and rotating, and the regulator includes a second pivot shaft that is parallel to the first pivot shaft. The regulating member includes the regulating surface and is arranged such that at least a portion of the regulating member is overlapped with the claw in an axial direction of the second pivot shaft.

A sheet feeding apparatus includes a regulator to regulate a position of leading edges of first and second sheets supported on a sheet support. A drive transmission drives a return for returning the second sheet toward the sheet support and the regulator by a driving force, wherein the return includes a first cam follower, a first pivot shaft, and a claw supported pivotably around the first pivot shaft. The drive transmission includes a first cam to drive the return by engaging with the first cam follower and rotating, and the regulator includes a second pivot shaft that is parallel to the first pivot shaft. The regulating member includes the regulating surface and is arranged such that at least a portion of the regulating member is overlapped with the claw in an axial direction of the second pivot shaft.