Automatic paper feeder for paper hole punch

US6641346B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Performance Design, LLC · US

Inventor

• Frank Bagrosky · Marlboro, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 5, 2001
• Grant date: Nov 4, 2003
• Expiry date: Jun 26, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65H2404/722
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Embodiments are shown and described of an automatic feeder for handling and inserting media, such as paper, into a hole punch machine or other media processing apparatus. The preferred feeder may accomplish a sequence of steps and preferably includes the apparatus, programming, and methods to accomplish the steps, which preferably handle the paper or other media substantially vertically. A generally vertical pile of paper is advanced forward perpendicularly to the plane of the paper sheets, and then a front portion of the pile is picked by a stabber pushing up in-between the sheets. The picked stack of papers is moved vertically downward into a punching die assembly, and then is ejected laterally to a tray. The picking assembly is designed for a high degree of accuracy. The invented feeder system preferably includes features that allow loading and unloading of the feeder without shutting down the feeder or shutting down the hole punch. This transforms a manual-feed hole punch into a substantially-automatic-feed hole punch, which is beneficial for copy and print shops and other corporations and business with binding and printing needs.