Multiple stack roll-wave sheet separator apparatus

摘要

A roll-wave sheet separator is provided for simultaneously separating sheets from two stacks in opposite sheet feed directions. The separator comprises a sheet support for supporting a first and a second stack of sheets and a sheet separator mounted adjacent to the stacks comprising a rotatable shaft having a first coaxial helical peripheral thread formed along a portion of the shaft near the first stack and a second coaxial helical peripheral thread formed along another portion of the shaft near the second stack and having a direction opposite to that of the first thread. First and second followers which are rotatable about the axis of the shaft, respectively follow said first and second threads. A motor is provided for rotating the shaft in the selected one of two directions whereby the first follower is driven into engagement with the uppermost sheet in the first stack when the shaft is rotating in one of said two directions and the second follower is driven into engagement with the uppermost sheet in the second stack when the shaft is rotating in the opposite direction.