Patent · US Expired

Sheet feeding apparatus having an adaptive air fluffer

US6264188A · kind A · utility

39Cited by
2References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 12, 2000
Grant dateJul 24, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 12, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65H2515/20
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A sheet feeding apparatus for feeding a stack of sheets in a direction of movement to a process station. A sheet tray is provided for holding the stack of sheets; an air plenum is positioned above the stack of sheets. The air plenum picks up a sheet from the stack of sheets when a vacuum force is in the air plenum; a paper fluffer is provided for blowing air between individual sheets in the stack. The paper fluffer is able to adjust air flow between individual sheets. The paper fluffer includes a support structure and a plate pivotality mounted in the support structure, the plate having a venturi plate portion in contact the sheet and regulating plate portion, the regulating plate portion has an aperture defined therein which permits air to go through and has a cross-section area which limits air low as the sheet moves in contact with the air plenum while pivoting the plate.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.