US3790158A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic document handler
Assignee: Xerox Corp
•
Filing: 1972-05-22
•
Granted: 1974-02-05
•
Expires: 1992-05-22
Abstract
Abstract An automatic document handler for supplying documents singly to the platen of a processing apparatus such as a copying machine. Following copying, each document is returned to the document supply where the used documents are kept separated from documents awaiting copying by means of a resettable bail bar. A photoreceptor is used in the return document portion of the document supply area, to determine that each returned document is properly arranged and the feed path is clear for the receipt of the next document. Should the return path become obstructed with a misoriented document, the photodetector operates to stop the document feed system. To position the documents properly for copying, the document handler includes a register against which the document trailing edge is abutted through reversal of the platen transport belt. To allow the document to be removed and the platen cleared for the next document, means are provided to remove the register and lower a document deflector into an intercept position, the deflector then serving to guide the document into a predetermined return path back to the document supply without interfering with movement of the next document forward. The platen transport comprises an endless belt conveyor supported for substantially single line contact with the platen surface at a point adjacent to and parallel with the register.
Inventors
- 👤 J Summers
- 👤 M Elwood
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:19
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/32; G03B27/52; G03B27/62; G03B27/6207; G03B27/625; G03B27/6264; B; B65; B65H; B65H43/00; B65H43/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
In a document transport system adapted for use with a copying apparatus, said transport system including a document tray for holding a plurality of document sheets, said tray having an upper wall, a lower wall, and a mouth through which documents enter said tray, means for withdrawing document sheets adjacent said lower wall, and means for returning document sheets to said tray through said mouth adjacent said upper wall following the copying cycle; the improvement comprising a detector for sensing the passage of document sheets fed by said returning means through said mouth to said tray, said detector normally being in an inactive condition; and control means including means adapted following completion of the copying cycle to temporarily activate said detector whereby to determine whether or not the preceding sheet is properly returned to said tray and that the tray mouth is clear for passage of the next returning sheet into said tray, said control means being adapted to prevent return of the succeeding documents when the tray mouth is not clear.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
In a document transport system adapted for use with a copying apparatus, said transport system including a document tray for holding a plurality of document sheets, said tray having an upper wall, a lower wall, and a mouth through which documents enter said tray, means for withdrawing document sheets adjacent said lower wall, and means for returning document sheets to said tray through said mouth adjacent said upper wall following the copying cycle; the improvement comprising a detector for sensing the passage of document sheets fed by said returning means through said mouth to said tray, said detector normally being in an inactive condition; and control means including means adapted following completion of the copying cycle to temporarily activate said detector whereby to determine whether or not the preceding sheet is properly returned to said tray and that the tray mouth is clear for passage of the next returning sheet into said tray, said control means being adapted to prevent return of the succeeding documents when the tray mouth is not clear.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
157 words
In a document transport system adapted for use with a copying apparatus, said transport system including a document tray for holding a plurality of document sheets, said tray having an upper wall, a lower wall, and a mouth through which documents enter said tray, means for withdrawing document sheets adjacent said lower wall, and means for returning document sheets to said tray through said mouth adjacent said upper wall following the copying cycle; the improvement comprising a detector for sensing the passage of document sheets fed by said returning means through said mouth to said tray, said detector normally being in an inactive condition; and control means including means adapted at start-up of said system to temporarily activate said detector and determine whether or not said tray mouth is clear of sheets preparatory to operation of said transport system, said control means being adapted to prevent start-up of said system when said tray mouth is not clear.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
157 words
In a document transport system adapted for use with a copying apparatus, said transport system including a document tray for holding a plurality of document sheets, said tray having an upper wall, a lower wall, and a mouth through which documents enter said tray, means for withdrawing document sheets adjacent said lower wall, and means for returning document sheets to said tray through said mouth adjacent said upper wall following the copying cycle; the improvement comprising a detector for sensing the passage of document sheets fed by said returning means through said mouth to said tray, said detector normally being in an inactive condition; and control means including means adapted at start-up of said system to temporarily activate said detector and determine whether or not said tray mouth is clear of sheets preparatory to operation of said transport system, said control means being adapted to prevent start-up of said system when said tray mouth is not clear.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
216 words
In a document transport system adapted for use with a copying apparatus, said transport system including a document tray for holding a plurality of document sheets, said tray having an upper wall, a lower wall, and a mouth through which documents enter said tray, means for withdrawing document sheets adjacent said lower wall, and means for returning document sheets to said tray through said mouth adjacent said upper wall following the copying cycle; the improvement comprising a detector for sensing the passage of document sheets fed by said returning means through said mouth to said tray, said detector being normally in an inactive condition; a separator in said tray adjacent said tray mouth adapted to be positioned under sheets returning to said tray whereby to prevent premature refeeding of returning sheets by said sheet withdrawing means, and means adapted when actuated to move said separator from below the sheets in said tray to a position above said sheets; and control means including means adapted on actuation of said separator moving means to temporarily activate said detector whereby to determine whether or not said tray mouth is clear so that said separator can be moved without interference, said control means being adapted to prevent actuation of said separator moving means when said tray mouth is not clear.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
216 words
In a document transport system adapted for use with a copying apparatus, said transport system including a document tray for holding a plurality of document sheets, said tray having an upper wall, a lower wall, and a mouth through which documents enter said tray, means for withdrawing document sheets adjacent said lower wall, and means for returning document sheets to said tray through said mouth adjacent said upper wall following the copying cycle; the improvement comprising a detector for sensing the passage of document sheets fed by said returning means through said mouth to said tray, said detector being normally in an inactive condition; a separator in said tray adjacent said tray mouth adapted to be positioned under sheets returning to said tray whereby to prevent premature refeeding of returning sheets by said sheet withdrawing means, and means adapted when actuated to move said separator from below the sheets in said tray to a position above said sheets; and control means including means adapted on actuation of said separator moving means to temporarily activate said detector whereby to determine whether or not said tray mouth is clear so that said separator can be moved without interference, said control means being adapted to prevent actuation of said separator moving means when said tray mouth is not clear.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
128 words
In an automatic document handling apparatus for supplying documents to a work statIon, said apparatus including a document supply station, the combination of: means for moving one document at a time from said supply station along a first path to said work station; means for returning the document from said work station back to said supply station, said returning means being adapted to return the document along a return path at least a portion of which is separated from said first path whereby to allow documents to be advanced and returned to and from said work station simultaneously; and means for checking said return path to determine if the preceding document has successfully passed therethrough before said document returning means starts the next document along said return path.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
128 words
In an automatic document handling apparatus for supplying documents to a work statIon, said apparatus including a document supply station, the combination of: means for moving one document at a time from said supply station along a first path to said work station; means for returning the document from said work station back to said supply station, said returning means being adapted to return the document along a return path at least a portion of which is separated from said first path whereby to allow documents to be advanced and returned to and from said work station simultaneously; and means for checking said return path to determine if the preceding document has successfully passed therethrough before said document returning means starts the next document along said return path.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-04 | 1977-08-06 | 1978-02-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-04 | 1981-08-06 | 1982-02-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-04 | 1985-08-06 | 1986-02-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |