A method and apparatus are disclosed for loading at least one media item into a media item container. The apparatus includes at least one rotatable member comprising an outer surface including a plurality of apertures connected to at least one chamber where a negative pressure is selectively provided. The apparatus also includes a guide that guides each incoming item of media transported to the rotatable member. The rotatable member is rotatable when negative pressure is provided at the chamber region to locate a media item secured to the rotatable member by suction from the guide into the media item container.
1. Apparatus for loading at least one media item into a media item container, the apparatus comprising:
at least one rotatable member comprising an outer surface including a plurality of apertures connected to at least one vacuum chamber where a negative pressure is selectively provided;
a guide that guides each incoming item of media transported to the rotatable member;
wherein the rotatable member is rotatable when negative pressure is provided at the chamber region to locate a media item from the guide into the media item container; and
at least one pinch roller opposed to the outer surface and comprising at least one flexible flapper member, wherein the pinch roller is carried on a biased pivotable arm, and wherein a guide surface moves with the pivotable arm and is disposed to turn an incoming media item at a location proximate to where the media item is released from the rotatable member.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
each rotatable member comprises a central body including at least one through hole and a substantially cylindrical sleeve located around an outer surface of the central body and comprising a plurality of apertures in fluid communication with said through hole.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 , further comprising:
the sleeve is interchangeable, at least one characteristic of a sleeve being dependent upon a type of media item being located.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein each sleeve is made from an elastomeric material having a high co-efficient of friction.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
the rotatable member comprises a substantially cylindrical body comprising a plurality of through holes, a first end of each through hole providing a respective aperture in the outer surface of the cylindrical body.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
an item release guide member that locates a media item away from said outer surface when a media item is located in the media item container.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the item release guide member is interchangeable and has at least one characteristic dependent upon a type of media item being located.