Automatic sheet dispensing apparatus

An automatic sheet dispensing apparatus, comprising:

• means for feeding sheets singly to form a stack, and a dispensing module for conveying the stack to a selected one of two presentation platforms, the dispensing module comprising an elongated base plate (1) defining the presentation platforms and inclined to the horizontal, an upwardly extending support plate (2) along a lower lateral edge of the base plate in a plane at right angles to the base plate, a movable pusher plate (9) disposed adjacent to and at right angles to the base plate and to the support plate and mounted (at 10) to traverse in the direction of the length of the base plate, and means (14 to 18) to drive the pusher plate between two positions intermediate the ends of the base plate, the feeding means being arranged (at 5) to deliver a stack of sheets (4) onto a receiving platform (21) of the base plate lying between the two presentation platforms with the sheets lying in superimposition parallel to the base plate, the dispensing apparatus characterized in that the base plate (1) has fixed end sections terminating in the presentation platforms and a downwardly pivotable middle section which constitutes the receiving platform (21) of the base plate to allow a faulty stack of sheets thereon to be dumped, and in that there is at least one straight continuous longitudinal channel (22) extending along all three platforms of the base plate and at least one projection (23) on a lower edge of the pusher plate which mates with and runs in said channel to reduce the risk of dispensed sheets sliding under the pusher plate as it traverses the base plate.