Document feeder
US6032946A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 19, 1997 |
| Grant date | Mar 7, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 19, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65H2701/1912
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A document feeder comprises a tray for containing a stack of documents to be fed along a document feed path. A picker mechanism picks a document from the stack and moves the picked document along the document feed path. A controllable motivator disposed in the tray is provided for, when controlled, applying a variable force against the stack to move the stack against the picker mechanism to allow the picker mechanism to pick a document from the stack and move the picked document along the document feed path. The picker mechanism includes a pre-picker roller having an outer circumferential surface which engages a document in the stack to initially pick the engaged document and move the picked document into the document feed path. First and second interruptive sensors cooperate to sense position of the picking mechanism relative to the stack. A controller responsive to output signals from the first and second sensors controls the motivator to apply a force against the stack such that the stack applies a relatively constant force against the outer circumferential surface of the pre-picker roller. Both sensors are uninterrupted when the stack applies an amount of force less than a desi…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.