Sheet conveying apparatus

A conveying apparatus for feeding sheets into a processing apparatus,

• comprising a plurality of nips within which sheets are gripped and driven along a conveying direction towards the processing apparatus, each nip being defined between a respective drive wheel and an opposing reaction surface, wherein
• the drive wheels are omni-wheels configured to apply a frictional force to advance the sheets in the conveying direction while permitting free movement of the sheets in a direction transverse to the conveying direction, the reaction surfaces permitting free movement of the sheets in the transverse direction, and
• an elongate guide is arranged on one side of the conveying apparatus, to extend generally parallel to the conveying direction, the conveying apparatus being configured to urge conveyed sheets in the transverse direction into contact with the guide,
• wherein a control system is provided to move the elongate guide generally in the transverse direction in dependence upon sensed fiducials on the conveyed sheets, to ensure correct alignment of the sheets in the transverse direction with respect to the processing apparatus, and
• wherein the conveying apparatus and the processing apparatus are generally aligned with one another, and at least one further nip is between a transversely oriented omni-wheel serving to drive conveyed sheet in the transverse direction and a reaction surface that permits free movement of the sheets in the conveying direction.