Automatic sheet-feeder

Claim 2

An automatic feeder, capable of handling a plurality of sheet sizes, comprising (a) a sheet tray, adapted to receive a stack of sheets thereon having a top and a bottom, said sheet tray comprising a stationary tray having a sheet receiving surface, and at least one movable tray upstream of said stationary tray, (b) a sheet feed means adapted to feed single sheets from the bottom of said stack to a conveyor, (c) said conveyor adapted to move said single sheets to a predetermined position, and (d) means for returning said sheets to the top of said stack, wherein dimensions of said stationary tray and said movable tray are predetermined in accordance with said sizes and said movable tray is adapted to move out of vertical alignment with said stationary tray whereby edges of said sheets are aligned.

Claim 3

The feeder of claim 1 wherein said movable tray is adapted to move upward with relation to said stationary tray.

Claim 4

The feeder of claim 2 wherein, when said movable tray moves upward, said movable tray projects from said surface of said stationary tray and, when said movable tray moves downward, said movable tray moves into substantial alignment with said surface.

Claim 5

The feeder of claim 1 wherein said movable tray moves upward or downward in accordance with said size.

Claim 6

The feeder of claim 1 wherein, when said movable tray moves out of vertical alignment with said surface, a stop for said single sheets is formed.

Claim 7

The feeder of claim 5 wherein, while said movable tray is out of vertical alignment, the edges of said sheets returned to and superposed on the top of said stack are aligned against a wall of said movable tray.

Claim 8

The feeder of claim 5 wherein, when said movable tray is out of vertical alignment, the edges of said sheets returned to and superposed on the top of said stack are aligned against a wall of said stationary tray.

Claim 9

The feeder of claim 1 wherein there are at least two movable trays, each capable of moving together with or independently of the other.

Claim 10

The feeder of claim 1 comprising a stop means on one side of said sheet tray, stop feed means for shifting said stack of sheets to said stop means, means for separating said single sheets from the bottom of said stack through the lower end of said stop means, an intermediate sheet feed means on said movable tray, said intermediate sheet feed means adapted to shift said returned sheets to the top of said stack by interlocking operation with said movable tray based on said size.

Claim 11

The feeder of claim 1 wherein said movable tray is tiltable.

Claim 12

An automatic feeder, capable of handling a plurality of sheet sizes, comprising (a) a sheet tray, adapted to receive a stack of sheets thereon, having a top and a bottom, said sheet tray comprising a stationary tray having a sheet receiving surface, and at least one movable tray upstream of said stationary tray; (b) a sheet feed means adapted to feed single sheets from the bottom of said stack to a conveyor; (c) said conveyor adapted to move said single sheets to a predetermined position; (d) means for returning said sheets to the top of said stack; and (e) an intermediate sheet feed means, on said movable tray, adapted to move said single sheets from the bottom of said stack when said movable tray is substantially in vertical alignment with said stationary tray, and adapted to move said single sheets to the top of said stack when said movable tray is out of vertical alignment with said stationary tray, said movable tray adapted to move out of vertical alignment with said stationary tray whereby edges of said sheets are aligned.

Claim 13

An automatic feeder, capable of handling a plurality of sheet sizes, comprising (a) a sheet tray, adapted to receive a stack of sheets thereon, having a top and a bottom, said sheet tray comprising a stationary tray having a sheet receiving surface, and at least one movable tray upstream of said stationary tray; (b) a sheet feed means adapted to feed single sheets from the bottom of said stack to a conveyor; (c) said conveyor adapted to move said single sheets to a predetermined position; (d) means for returning said sheets to the top of said stack; and (e) an intermediate sheet feed means, on said movable tray, adapted to move said single sheets from the bottom of said stack when said movable tray is substantially in vertical alignment with said stationary tray, and adapted to move said single sheets to the top of said stack when said movable tray is out of vertical alignment with said stationary tray, said movable tray adapted to move out of vertical alignment with said stationary tray whereby edges of said sheets are aligned.

Claim 14

The feeder of claim 11 wherein said movable tray is adapted to move upward with relation to said stationary tray.

Claim 15

The feeder of claim 11 wherein said intermediate sheet-feed means is adapted to change a sheet feeding mode interlockingly with movement of said movable tray whereby, when said movable tray is in the plane of said sheet receiving surface, said intermediate sheet-feed means feeds said sheet from the bottom of said stack of sheets and when said movable tray is out of alignment with said surface, said intermediate sheet-feed means feeds said sheet to the top of said stack of sheets.

Claim 16

The feeder of claim 13 wherein said intermediate sheet-feed means comprises a feed roller and a driven roller in pressing contact with said feed roller.

Claim 17

The feeder of claim 13 wherein said intermediate sheet-feed means comprises a feed belt and a driven roller in pressing contact with said belt.

Claim 18

The feeder of claim 11 wherein when said movable tray moves out of vertical alignment with said surface, a stop for said single sheets is formed.

Claim 19

The feeder of claim 11 wherein, when said movable tray moves upward, said movable tray projects from said surface of said stationary tray and, when said movable tray moves downward, said movable tray moves into substantial alignment with said surface.

Claim 20

The feeder of claim 11 wherein, while said movable tray is out of vertical alignment, the edges of said sheets returned to and superposed on the top of said stack are aligned against a wall of said movable tray.

Claim 21

The feeder of claim 11 wherein there are at least two movable trays, each capable of moving together with or independently of the other.

Claim 22

The feeder of claim 11 wherein said intermediate sheet-feed member can be operated interlockingly with said sheet-feed means and transfer said sheet to said predetermined position.

Claim 23

The feeder of claim 11 wherein said intermediate sheet-feed means is provided at one side of said movable tray and is located at a boundary between said stationary tray and said movable tray.