Transferring a stack from a cartridge

An apparatus for transferring a stack of flat articles supported on one edge thereof in a cartridge enclosure having a door at a front thereof supporting the stack of articles when in a closed position, said cartridge positioned in a docking station as a part of an article processing system, comprising:

• a first stack support as a part of the article processing system and actuated thereby to support the front of the stack of flat articles in the cartridge;
• an actuator as a part of the article processing system for opening the door of said cartridge following support of the front of the stack of flat articles in the cartridge;
• a moveable transfer holder as a part of the article processing system for supporting the front of the stack of flat articles during transfer of the flat articles from said cartridge;
• an actuator as a part of the article processing system for positioning said moveable transfer holder at the front of the stack of flat articles;
• an actuator as a part of the article processing system for removing from a stack holding position the first stack support from the front of the stack of flat articles;
• and
• means for actuating the moveable transfer holder and for engaging a back of the stack of articles for transferring the stack of flat articles from said cartridge when in the docking station into the article processing system.

An apparatus for transferring a stack of articles supported on one surface thereof in a cartridge enclosure having a door with a cam follower, said cartridge positioned in a docking station as a part of an article processing system, comprising:

• a first stack support as a part of the article processing system and actuated thereby for supporting a front of the stack of articles in the cartridge when in the docking station;
• a cam as a part of the article processing system and contacting the cam follower for opening the door of said cartridge during insertion of said cartridge into the docking station, and for closing said door during removal of said cartridge from the docking station;
• a moveable transfer holder as a part of the article processing system and actuated thereby for supporting the front of the stack of articles during transfer thereof from said cartridge;
• said first stack support actuated for movement from a position supporting the stack of articles in the cartridge in response to positioning the moveable transfer holder at the front of the stack of articles;
• a moveable pusher mounted to the cartridge and positioned behind the stack of articles in the cartridge;
• and
• a rear finger carriage as a part of the article processing system and actuated thereby for longitudinally moving said moveable pusher to transfer the stack of articles from said cartridge through the open door.