TRANSFER/FEED DEVICE FOR SHEET, AND CASSETTE AND TRANSFER/FEED METHOD OF SHEET FOR USE IN THE SAME

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shortly and efficiently transfer and feed sheets between cassettes, and prevent the sheets from falling and breaking during the transfer/feed. SOLUTION: A plurality of sheets 25 or dummy sheets 26 are stored and supported in a raised position in the cassettes 23A to 23C with openings 31 and 32 in the top and bottom and with a plurality of slits 35 in an upper portion of each side. Roller conveyors 49, 51 and 55 are advanced upward into the cassettes 23A to 23C from the bottom openings 32 to supportively lift the plurality of sheets 25 or dummy sheets 26 from a storage position P1 to a feed position P2 in the cassettes 23A to 23C. In the state, a loader 61 grips both upper ends of the plurality of sheets 25 or dummy sheets 26 to move them into and out of the cassettes 23A to 23C through the slits 35 of the cassettes 23A to 23C as supportively guiding them on the roller conveyors 49, 51 and 55. COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO