Patent ID: 6485012
Filing Date: 2002-11-26
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
A sheet feeding mechanism comprising a singulating assembly, means for accumulating sheets in a stack adjacent the singulating assembly, said singulating assembly comprising a retard roller, said retard roller having a first bearing surface at a lower position, means for feeding single sheets from the stack past and beneath the bearing surface of the retard roller, said retard roller being adjustable to move the said first bearing surface away from its lower position and replacing it with a second bearing surface at said lower position, a singulating roller mounted beneath the said bearing surface of said retard roller, said sheet feeding means move said sheets between said bearing surfaces and said singulating roller, said sheets being fed from the bottom of said stack, said sheet feeding means comprises at least one belt on which said sheets are stacked, said singulating assembly comprises a guard mounted and spaced in front of said retard roller, said sheets being adapted to be stacked against said guard and above said belt, means for moving said guide brake toward and away from said retard roller.