Light-tight conveying of sheets

Sheets M are separated from a curved pile by suckers 70,72,74 mounted on a flexible sheet-like member 37. The member 37 is first lowered towards the pile by actuator 40, whereupon the sucker-carrying parts are moved outwardly by actuators 42. Reverse operation of the actuators separates the top sheet, which (retaining its curved formation) can then be moved on track 35 from supply cassette 31 to a photoplotter (not shown) and then back to a position within housing 4 to a collecting cassette (not shown). Both the cassettes have light-tight tambour lids operated by drives engaged within light-tight housing 4. The housing has doors for insertion and withdrawal of the cassettes and for connection to the photoplotter.