Recirculating automatic document feeder

US5014972A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• RICOH COMPANY, LTD. · JP

Inventors

• Carl P. Anderson · Rue de l'Église, US
• Edward E. Mayer · Los Angeles, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 24, 1989
• Grant date: May 14, 1991
• Expiry date: Feb 24, 2009

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65H1/14
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

In an electrophotographic copying apparatus, the document stack to be fed is curved when it rests on a fixed curved stack-holding tray. The document stack is lifted by a pair of lifting blades having the curvature of the stack which move horizontally relative to the ends of the stack to move in and out beneath the sides of the stack, and thereafter move vertically to lift the entire stack out of the path of the returning copy. A vacuum belt arrangement is provided for moving successive documents from the top of the stack into the electrophotographic copying machine. The document loops through the machine and returns at a lower level, aligned with an opening beneath the bottom of the stack. Moving belts running beneath the stack carry the returning document into alignment under the stack. Once the document is returned, the lifting blades move vertically downward and laterally outward, resting the remainder of the document stack on the returned document, making it a part of the stack; when the lifting blades again perform their cyclic motion, they again move under the bottom edges of the stack and lift the stack, including the returned document. The blades are carried on vertical sid…