Sheet material conveying apparatus with individually-adjustable pockets

A sheet material conveying apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of pockets, each pocket including a setting device for adjusting a height of the pocket when the pocket is stationary so as to define a set height;
• a sheet feed section for delivering sheet material into the pockets;
• a release station for releasing the sheet material from the pockets, and a reset station for automatically resetting the pockets to the set height;
• wherein the setting device includes a reset gear and a height indicator fastened to the reset gear.

A sheet material pocket comprising:

• a first wall;
• a second wall spaced apart from the first wall so as to define a sheet material receiving area;
• at least one finger movable with respect to the first wall for defining a pocket bottom, the at least one finger releasable so that the pocket bottom opens;
• a knob gear for moving the at least one finger;
• and
• a lock ring selectively engageable with the knob gear.

A method for setting a height of a plurality of pockets comprising the steps of:

• individually setting the height of each of the plurality of pockets using a setting device on each of the plurality of pockets so as to define a common set height;
• locking the setting device on each of the plurality of pockets through a single point ratchet;
• and
• moving the pockets in an endless loop.