(under subclass 109) Device provided with means in addition to the turning surface or element, which means includes a source of vacuum or subatmospheric pressure that facilitates the operation of the sheet-removing means.
(1) Note. The suction means must be a stationary suction member that does not by itself remove a sheet from the stack. Rather, it is separate from the rotating separator and pulls the sheet into a position that will ensure the engagement of the sheet by the separator. For a suction member that reciprocates to separate a sheet from a pack, see subclass 102, and for a suction member that assists a reciprocating bottom-feed member, see subclass 132.
