US3544101A

US3544101A - Reproduction apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3544101A
Application number: US721142*A
Authority: US
Inventors: James A Kolibas
Original assignee: Multigraphics Inc
Current assignee: AB Dick Co
Priority date: 1965-09-17
Filing date: 1968-02-02
Publication date: 1970-12-01
Anticipated expiration: 1987-12-01

Description

United States Patent inventor James A. Kolibas Cleveland, Ohio Appl. No. 721,142

Filed Feb. 2, 1968 Division of Ser. N0. 488,015, Sept. 17, 1965, abandoned Patented Dec. 1, 1970 Assignee Addressograph-Multigraph Corporation Cleveland, Ohio a corporation of Delaware REPRODUCTION APPARATUS 10 Claims, 12 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 271/64 Int. Cl B65h 29/64 [50] Field ofSearch 271/16,19,

56, 57,60, 63,64; 95/75(M), 75(A), 77.5, 77.5(A)

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,718,958 9/1955 Steen 271/65UX 3,017,179 1/1962 Stuckens 271/64 Primary Examiner-Richard A. Schacher AttarneyRussell L. Root ABSTRACT: A sheet separator is provided for separating a unit set composed of an original and a copy sheet which are in contact with one another. The sheets are then separated into different paths.

Patented Dec. 1, 1970 3,544,101

Sheet 2 of 5 fi v'igm 17 i ,2 JAMES A.Kol laAs WKM ATTORNE )1 Patented De.1,1970 3,544,101

Sheet 3 of 5 AT TORNE X Patented Dc. 1,, 1970

Sheet

4 or 5 ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 1, 1970 Sheet bf 5 INVENTOR. JAMEs A. KoL/aAs W0? Bit- ATTORNEY.

REPRODUCTION APPARATUS The application is a division of US. Pat. application Ser.- No. 488,015 filed Sept. 17, 1965, now abandoned.

The present invention relates to reproduction apparatus and, more particularly, to a compact electrophotographic copying machine designed for use in areas of limited space or small business offices.

In recent years the use of copying machines in general has increased greatly, and especially the use of electrophotographic copying machines because of the many advantages of such a process in the way of producing dry copies having sharp, dense images. While there are several different types of electrophotographic copying machines presently available, they are basically the same with only a few minor differences in the processes.

One method of reproduction entails the use of a drum having thereon a photoconductive surface of selenium or the like which receives a blanket electrostatic charge during each machine cycle. Subsequently, the drum surface is exposed to an original document under a light source, resulting in a differentiation of the photoconductive surface into charged and uncharged areas to obtain latent electrostatic mirror script images, corresponding to the images on the original document, on the drum surface. This latent image is then dusted or sprinkled with a developer powder to form a visible image on the drum surface and the powder image is then transferred under pressure to a copy sheet. After the transfer of the image from the drum, the copy sheet is exposed to heat or a suitable solvent vapor to permanently fix the image on the sheet.

Still another electrophotographic process dispenses with the expensive photoconductive coated drum and, in its place, utilizes copy sheets coated with a photoconductive material, normally including zinc oxide. In such a process, the original is usually exposed to the copy sheet via an optical projection system and the sheet is then developed and fixed to produce a finished copy.

As is well known to those skilled in the art, the developer powder in either of the foregoing processes may be replaced with a liquid toner or developer solution. Such a toner comprises an electrically insulating liquid having pigment particles dispersed therein. The particles are of a polarity opposite to that of the latent electrostatic charge on the drum (or the copy sheet) and, therefore, adhere to the selectively charged areas to form a visible image.

In addition to the above, present day electrophotographic copiers also incorporate other variations, although the basic processes remain unchanged. For example, the photoconductive drum may be replaced with a flat plate having the same electrical charge retaining properties. Also, the copy sheets may be replaced with a copy web which can be severed into desired sheet lengths after being imaged.

However, while such electrophotographic apparatus has met with fairly good success, it is still limited in its usage primarily because of its high cost and relatively large size. Consequently, such units are not readily adaptable for use in small business offices and other like applications. An additional drawback of some present equipment is that the process is slow and time consuming.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved copying machine which is compact, easy to operate, low in cost, relatively simple in construction, produces copies speedily and is adaptable for use in small business offices and similar applications.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel separator device which is positive in operation and effective to separate the original document from the copy sheet at the proper time in a copying cycle.

A feature of the present invention is to provide an improved contact printing electrophotographic copier for reproducing copies from original documents, wherein the copy sheet is exposed through the original document to produce high quality copies in which the sharpness and density of the images are comparable to images reproduced on much larger and substantially more expensive copying equipment.

The above objects and features may be attained in accordance with the practice of the present-invention by providing a contact-type copying machinein which an original document to be reproducedand a copy sheet are simultaneously fed into the machine as-a unit set. Thereafter-, the entire copying process is completely automatic as the sheets are transported through the charging,,exposing, separating, developing and drying stations. Means is also provided,.under. control of the sheets passing through the. machine, for operating the charging device only duringthe-time the sheets are present at the charging station. Additionally, aseparator device, is provided which acts on eachunit set and effectively separates the originaldocument from the copy sheet. Subsequently, the sheets are-each'delivered to separate receiving stations in an imagefaceup position andwithin easy reach of the operator.

Other and further objects, features and advantagesof the present. invention will beapparent fromthe following description. and claims and are illustrated in, the accompanying drawings which, by way of illustration, show the preferred embodiment of the present invention and the principles thereof and what is now considered to be the. best mode contemplated for applying'these principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may .be made as desired by those skilled in the art without: departing from the present invention and the purview of the'appended claims.

In thedrawings:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section of a machine according to the inventiontaken on line 1- 1 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 2 is a plan view partially broken away. of the copying machine ofFlG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the drive mechanism of the apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 4 is adetail section on line 4-41of FIG. 1

FIG. 5 is adetail'section through the exposure station;

FIG. 6 is a detail section'on line 6-6 or FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the electrical diagram of the electrical system of the machine;

FIG. 8 is a greatly enlargedfragmentary section showing the relationship of a copy sheet and an original document'to be fed through the machine; and

FIGS. 9-12 are detail sections illustrating various positions of a separator device for separating the original from the copy sheet.

With. reference to FIGSLI and 2 of the drawings, the copying machine of the present, invention comprises a. pair of side plates 10' and 12-rigidly secured to a bottom. section 14. A drive motor 16 is affixed to the inside of sidewall 10 and is provided with an outer shaft 18 and an inner shaft 20 which ex.- tend outwardly through the side; plate 12. The motor inthis instance incorporatesa gear mechanism effective to rotate the shafts l8 and'20 in opposite directions and at different speeds. However, the; use of such a motor is merely a. matter of preference and other suitable drive arrangements could also be utilized.

As shown in: FIGS. 2- and 3, a belt 22 connects apulley 20 on inner shaft 20- with a pulley 24' on an upper developer roller 24 to provide a continuous counterclockwise drive to roller- 24 aslong as the motor is in operation. The speed of shaft 20 and, of course, of roller 24 which is driven thereby, is considerably greater than that of shaft 18 and the other rollers in the machine that are driven by shaft 18, fora reason-which will be explainedhereinafter.

The roller system of themachine comprises. a pair of squeegee rollers 26, 26a, a pair'of feed:

rollers

28, 28a, a pair of

belt transport rollers

30, 30a, a pair of charging

rollers

32, 32a, a pair of feed rollers 34, 340, a pair of discharge rollers 36, 360, a pair of

ejection rollers

38, 38a, and. a pair of delivery rollers 40, 40a. Shaft 18 and the

rollers

26, 28, 30a, 32, 34, 36, 38 and 40 are each provided with a sprocket as shown in FIG. 3,. the sprockets being designated by the numeral assigned to the associatedelement plus ZOO-,anda chain 25 connects these sprockets to impart a drive from the shaft 18 to the rollers. This drive arrangement also includes a pair of idler sprockets 21 and 23 to obtain the required directional rotation of the various rollers in the system, the sprocket 23 being shown coaxial with but free from any driving connection with roller 30.

The charging unit of the present invention is indicated generally at 42 in FIG. 1 and is best shown in FIG. 4. The unit comprises an electrically conductive metal roller 32a rotatably mounted in a pair of nonconductive bushings 44 and 46 provided in the side plates and 12 respectively, and a relatively nonconductive rubber covered roller 32, having a metal core 48 therein, also rotatably mounted in a pair of nonconductive bushings 50 and 52 provided in the side plates. Roller 32 is driven by the chain 25 and roller 32a is frictionally driven by roller 32. The bushings 44 and 50 are each provided with a spring-loaded ball and adjusting screw device indicated generally at 54 which afford an electrical connection to the rollers, and the bushings, of course, being of nonconductive material are effective to insulate the rollers from the machine. The rollers are electrically charged by a power supply unit PU (FIG. 7) comprising a high energy transformer which, through slip connecting devices 54, applies a potential of 6000 volts positive to ground at roller 32a and a potential of 6000 volts negative to ground at roller 32.

The exposure unit of the machine is indicated generally at 56 in FIG. 1 and is shown in detail in FIG. 5. The unit comprises the

rollers

30, 30a suitably journaled in the machine side plates and having an endless rubber transport belt 58 positioned therearound. Roller 30a is driven by the chain 25 and roller 30 is driven from roller 30a by the belt 58. A glass tube 60 is mounted above the

rollers

30, 30a and is forced against one reach of the belt 58 so that the latter is tensioned around the glass tube and the rollers. Within the tube 60 is fluorescent lamp 62 which is mounted between the side plates and within a pair of opaque sleeves 64 and 66. Sleeve 64 is provided with an opening or slot 65 and is rigidly secured to the lamp. Sleeve 66 is also provided with a slot 67 but is adapted to be rotated on the sleeve 64. A control knob 66 (FIG. 2) is provided at one side of the machine to permit manual rotation of the sleeve 66. With reference to FIG. 5, it will be observed that rotation of sleeve 66 is effective to position slot 67 in relation to slot 65 and thereby increase or decrease the amount of light exposure from the lamp 62. It will be appreciated, this exposure adjustment provides for exposing original documents of varying weights, i.e., in those instances where the original is of heavy stock, the sleeve 66 is rotated to permit the original to be exposed for a longer duration; and in those cases where a lightweight original is being exposed, the sleeve is adjusted to decrease the duration of light exposure.

A roller 68 is journaled in suitable bushings 69 slidably associated with the side plates so that the roller is in rolling engagement with the tube 60.

These bushings 69, one of which is shown in FIG. 5, are each provided with a spring 70 which affords a slight downward pressure of the roller 68 against the glass tube 60 to maintain the proper degree of pressure between the tube and the rubber belt 58.

The sheet separator device of the machine is indicated generally at 72 in FIG. 1 and is shown in detail in FIGS. 9-l2. The separator unit comprises a pair of pivoted

arms

74 and 76 which are effective to lift or strip an original document D from a copy sheet C, thereby permitting the original to be guided and fed out of the machine and the copy to be delivered to a developing station.

The sheets D and C are fed through the machine as a unit set in the position shown in FIG. 8, i.e., with the material to be copied D image facedown against the back or unsensitiied surface of the copy sheet C, and with the lead edge ofthe original slightly ahead of the lead edge'of the copy sheet. If the sheet D is shorter than or the same length as sheet C, the operator may produce this condition by slightly shugging the sheet D forwardly with respect to sheet C, or the copy sheets C may all be cut slightly shorter than the ordinary letter-size sheet and both sheets are then jogged at their trailing edges to produce a suitable document sheet extension at the leading edge.

The separator device 72 in its unactuated position is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 9. Each of the

separator arms

74 and 76 is pivotally mounted on individual fixed rods and 77 respectively, and are formed to extend over the top of roller 28a and downwardly to a position slightly beyond the nip of the

feed rollers

28, 28a. Further, arm 76 is provided with an inwardly formed ear or shoulder 78 which extends through an opening in arm 74, and arm 74 is provided at its bottom edge with an outwardly formed lip 80. Arm 76, therefore, may also be termed a finger" because of its position and function.

As the copy sheet C and original D advance to the separator device 72, the lead edge of the original abuts arm 74 causing it and arm 76 to be pivoted in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 9-12. This pivotal movement of the arms causes the ear 78 to travel upwardly and thereby engage the underside of the leading edge of the original D. Further travel of the sheets continues to pivot the

arms

74 and 76 to one side and past a deflector guide plate 82, and ear 78 continues to be engaged with the original D to progressively separate it from the copy C, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. until such time as the lip 80 on arm 74 engages the bottom edge of arm 76. At this point, continued movement of the sheets causes lip 80 to have a camming action on the lower end of arm 76 to impart further pivotal movement thereto, thereby retracting the ear 78 from engagement with the original D and permitting it to drop towards the curved guide plate 82 as shown in full lines in FIG. 12 The

arms

74 and 76 then drop back towards normal position until the lip 80 rests lightly on the upper surface of sheet D and remains there while the sheet is passing beneath it as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 12. From this position the original is guided to the

discharge rollers

36, 36a and out of the machine, and the copy is fed in a straight path to the developer station indicated generally at 84 in FIGS. 1 and 6. When the trailing edge of sheet D clears the lip 80, the

arms

74, 76 drop back to the initial position.

The developer unit comprises a pair of

metal developer rollers

24, 24a, a pair of squeegee rollers 26, 26a and a tank 86 containing a liquid developer. Tank 86 is provided with a partition 88 adjacent each end wall to permit mounting roller 24a within the tank, partially submerged in the developer solution, with no danger of the liquid developer leaking therefrom. Roller 24a is rotatably mounted in a pair of

bushings

90 and 92 vertically slidable in slots in the partitions 88, and it is continually urged upwardly by springs 94 and 96 positioned between the bottom of the tank 86 and the

bushings

90 and 92 respectively. Additionally, roller 24a is provided with a pair of

knurled disks

98 and 100 to afford a driving engagement with the upper roller 24 as will be explained below. Because of the electrical properties of the usual electrostatic developer solution, roller 24a is preferably electrically grounded.

Roller 24 is rotatably mounted in

side plates

10 and 12 and, as previously explained, its pulley 24' is driven by a belt 22 directly from the motor shaft 20. Roller 24 is smaller in diameter than roller 24a, and is provided adjacent each of its ends with a rubber wheel 102, 104 in driving engagement with the

disks

98 and 100 respectively of roller 24a. It will be observed in FIG. 6, the diameter of the wheels 102, 104 and the roller the lower side of the copy sheet and the roller 24a. As long as the copy sheetis being transported between the developer rollers, the liquid wedge is uniformly applied to the copy sheet to produce a visible image having high resolution and no background of toning.

Squeegee rollers 26, 260 are preferably made of rubber and metal respectively, and function to remove excess developer solution from the copy sheet. Roller 26a is mounted relative to the partitions 88 and spring loaded upwardly in a manner similar to that shown for roller 24a, and roller 26 is rotatably mounted in side plates and 12 in the same manner as the roller'24. However, roller 26a is not submerged in the liquid developer. Rollers 26 and 264 are in pressure engagement with each other, although they are not continuously rotated as are the

rollers

24, 24a. Rather, rollers 26, 26a are only operative when a copy sheet is being processed. In this regard, roller 26 is driven via its sprocket 226 by the chain 25, and roller 26a is frictionally driven by roller 26.

Tank 86 is preferably mounted in the machine by a positioning and support means (not shown in the drawings) provided on each of the

side plates

10 and 12 and having a readily releasable connection with the tank to provide for quick and easy removal and replacement of the tank for cleaning purposes, replenishing the developer solution and the like.

The copy sheet drying station is indicated generally at 108 in FIG. 1 and comprises a tangential blower unit and heater coil of conventional construction and shown schematically at 110 in the drawings, and a guide plate 112 which guides the copy through the drier station and to the delivery rollers 40, 40a. Guide plate 112 is preferably provided with perforations 114 (see also FIG. 2) to permit escape of the air produced by the heater-blower thereby preventing the sheet from fluttering and adhering to the guide plate as it passes between the blower and the guide plate. This arrangement has been found to be extremely effective in completely drying the copy of liquid developer prior to its exit from the machine.

From the delivery rollers 40, 40a which grasp the sheet as it leaves the drying station, the copy sheet is fed between a pair of guides 116 and 118 to a pair of

ejection rollers

38, 38a, and from there to a receiving shelf 120 which also serves as a machine cover for the top of the unit.

Referring to FIG. 7, a description will now be given of the electrical circuitry of the copying machine of this invention.

A machine starting switch M85 is connected to a main L1, and across the mains L1 and L2 are connected a machine pilot light MPL by a conductor 132, a machine drive motor MDM by a conductor 134, a blower motor BM by a conductor 136, a heater H by a conductor 138, (the heater and blower motor constituting portions of the drying station 110), a ballast B and the fluorescent exposure tube 62 by a conductor 140. A power unit PU is connected between the mains L1 and L2 by a conductor 142, and a normally open charging starting switch S1 (seen also in FIG. 1) is also connected by conductor 142 at a position intermediate the power unit PU and main L1. The latter detects and is closed by a copy sheet C and original D being fed towards the charging station 42. Tapping off of conductor 142 between power unit PU and switch S1 is a branch conductor 144 which contains a normally open charging termination switch S2 (seen also in FIG. 1), in parallel with switch S1, effective to hold the charging rollers energized after the trailing ends of sheets C and D have passed beyond switch S1 which thereupon opens, and to deenergize the charging unit 42 upon passage of the trailing ends of the sheets C and D beyond the switch S2.

Briefly, the operation of the machine is in accordance with the following description.

The copying machine is turned on by closing switch MSS, thus lighting the pilot light MPL, starting the drive motor MDM to commence travel of the drive chain 25 and the sprockets and rollers driven thereby, energizing the blower motor BM and heater H, and lighting the exposure lamp 62.

A copy sheet C is removed from a supply of the same, preferably held in a tray ST positioned at the bottom of the machine between the

side plates

10 and 12 and is placed with its unsensitized surface up and in contact with the downwardly facing image on the original D to be reproduced, and with the lead edge of the original slightly ahead of the copy sheet as shown in FIG. 8. These sheets then, as a unit set, are fed into the copier with the original at the top of the set. The sheets are fedinto the machinethrough an entrance slot E which is formed by the machine covers comprising

sections

150 and 152. As the sheets are pushed forwardly they close switch S1,

thus energizing the power unit PU which supplies current to the charging unit 42, and enter the nip of the feed rollers 34,

The feed rollers advance the unit set between the charging

rollers

32, 32a which apply an electrostatic charge to the sheets, particularly the lower surface of sheet C, as they continue to be transported through the machine and towards the exposure station 56. At the exposure station the sheets pass between the tube 60 and the belt 58, and the lamp 62 exposes the photoconductive layer on the copy sheet through the original document. This exposure discharges those areas of the copy sheet that match the background areas of the original, thus providing the sensitized surface of the copy with an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image on the original document.

As the unit set leaves the exposure station it travels between a pair of guide elements 154 and 156, and into the nip of the

feed rollers

28, 28a. However, just prior to reaching the rollers, the unit set closes the switch S2 which, as mentioned above, is wired in parallel with switch S1. The closing of switch S2, of course, maintains the circuit to the charging unit closed so that the copy sheet will continue to be charged after the trailing end of the unit set is fed beyond switch S] which thereupon opens.

The sheets emerging from between the

rollers

28, 28a abut the separator device 72 in its position shown in FIGS. 1 and 9. Continued movement of the sheets pivots the separator unit upwardly with the car 78 on the arm 76 engaged with the underside of the extended lead edge of the original document. When the separator unit reaches the position shown in full lines in FIG. 12, ear 78 is retracted from engagement with the original, thereby permitting the original to drop onto the curved guide plate 82, the

arms

74 and 76 towards normal position until the lip 80 rests on the upper surface of sheet D as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 12 and the copy sheet to be moved in a straight path towards the developer station 84.

Further advancement of the sheets delivers the original D to the

discharge rollers

36, 36a which eject it onto a receiving platform RS forming part of the machine cover 152. Meanwhile, the copy sheet C is conveyed between the

developer rollers

24, 24a with its charged surface facing downwardly and in contact with the liquid developer wedge formed by the developer rollers to form a visible image of the latent image on the copy sheet. Next, the copy sheet enters the nip of the squeegee rollers 26, 26a which are effective to remove excess developer from the copy sheet, and from there it is directed through the drying station 108. As the leading edge of sheet C moves beyond the drying station, the trailing end of the unit set has progressed beyond the switch 52, thereby opening this switch and deenergizing the charging rollers.

As the copy sheet travels through the drying station 108, any traces of moisture from the liquid developer on the copy are evaporated by the heater-blower 110. Subsequently, the copy sheet is grasped by the delivery rollers 40, 40a and is fed between the guide plates 116 and 118 to the

ejector rollers

38, 38a which deliver the finished copy to the receiving shelf 120 in an image faceup position.

The foregoing describes one complete machine cycle of operation. However, it should be mentioned that in those instances where more than a single original document is to be reproduced, it is possible to continuously feed copy sheet and original document unit sets into the machine, one after the other, immediately upon the passage of the trailing end of the preceeding unit set between the feed rollers 34, 340. It will be appreciated that this feature permits continuous operation of the copying machine, thus greatly increasing the speed at which reproductions of original documents can be produced.

From the foregoing, it will be recognized that this invention provides a simple-to-operate and efficient apparatus for producing electrophotographic contact copies from original documents. It also provides a novel separator device for separating the original from the copy sheet after exposure and prior to the ejection of the original and the development of the copy. Further, the invention provides a low cost, compact copying machine extremely well suited for use in areas of limited space or small business offices.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, it is to be understood that these are capable of variation and modification. Accordingly, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such variations and modifications as may fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

lclaim:

l. A sheet separator device for separating a unit set advancing through a path and composed of an original and a copy sheet positioned in contact with each other with a lead edge of one sheet in advance of a lead edge of the other comprising:

a pair of arms mounted adjacent said path to normally lie thereacross and pivotally movable when engaged by the unit set as the latter is advanced through the path;

one arm of said pair having an ear thereon for engaging the lead edge of the foremost sheet and effective to lift the foremost sheet from the unit set as the arms are swung by the unit set motion;

said arms having interengaging portions causing relative motion as the arms are swung such that the lead edge of the foremost sheet is stripped from the car by the other arm at a predetermined point in their swing; and

a diverting guide for the foremost sheet for catching the same and guiding it into a separate path from the other sheet when released from said ear.

2. A sheet deflector device for causing a sheet advancing in one path to be deflected into another path unnatural to its disposition in said one path, comprising:

means laterally of said sheet path supporting said finger for swinging movement through a curved path intersecting said sheet path, said finger hanging from said means to provide gravity means biasing said finger to resist swinging movement out of said sheet path;

said finger having a catch shoulder for momentarily engaging a sheet projected against said finger on the inner radius side of said shoulder;

a deflector disposed on one side of said sheet path projected between said sheet path and said curved path of said finger; and

means operating as a function of finger swing for releasing a sheet abutted against said finger.

3. In a sheet-handling mechanism:

the combination comprising means for propelling first and second sheets with the leading edge of said first sheet slightly in advance of said second sheet;

a stationary deflector disposed on one side of the path of said sheets;

a separating finger extending into the path of said sheets at a point there along between said propelling means and said deflector and out of said path;

said finger being movable by said first sheet;

means biasing said finger into the path of said first sheet;

means on the tip portion of said finger for temporarily retaining said first sheet thereon to curl said first sheet away from said second sheet and past said deflector whereby said sheets pass on opposite sides of said deflector; and

said first sheet being movable past said finger after being curled past said deflector.

4. The combination of claim 3 in which said means on the tip portion of said finger comprises an enlargement on the tip of said finger for temporarily retaining said first sheet so that said finger carries said first sheet past said deflector before said first sheet slides past said enlargement on said finger.

5. The combination of claim 3 1n which said means on said tip portion of said finger comprises a hook portion on the tip of said finger for temporarily retaining said first sheet to carry said first sheet past said deflector before said first sheet slides off said hook portion of said finger.

6. The combination of claim 3 in which said means on the tip portion of said finger comprises a shoulder for catching the leading edge of the first sheet.

7. In a sheet-handling mechanism:

the combination comprising means for propelling first and second sheets alonga predetermined path and with the leading edge of said first sheet slightly in advance of said second sheet;

a deflector disposed on one side of said path;

a separating member extending into the path of said sheets from the side thereof adjacent said first sheet and at a point between said propelling means and said deflector;

means supporting said separating member for movement by said first sheet with a longitudinal component along said path and a lateral component out of said path;

means biasing said separating member into said path;

said deflector being separate from said separating member;

means on the tip portion of said separating member for temporarily retaining said first sheet thereon to curl said first sheet away from said second sheet and past said deflector whereby said sheets pass on opposite sides of said deflector; and 1 said first sheet being releasable from said separating member whereby said first and second sheets move past said separating member on the same side thereof.

8. The combination of claim 7 in which said means on the tip portion of said separating member comprises a shoulder for temporarily retaining said first sheet.

9. The combination of claim 7 in which said means on the tip portion of said separating member comprises a hook for temporarily retaining said first sheet.

10. The combination of claim 7 in which said separating member is in the form ofa flexible blade.