EP0166565A1 - Blattförderer - Google Patents

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Publication number
EP0166565A1
EP0166565A1 EP85304339A EP85304339A EP0166565A1 EP 0166565 A1 EP0166565 A1 EP 0166565A1 EP 85304339 A EP85304339 A EP 85304339A EP 85304339 A EP85304339 A EP 85304339A EP 0166565 A1 EP0166565 A1 EP 0166565A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
stack
sheets
sheet
feeding
balls
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP85304339A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0166565B1 (de
Inventor
Thomas Peter Redding
Laurence Spencer Barker
H. William Gray
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Xerox Corp
Original Assignee
Xerox Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US06/624,439 external-priority patent/US4640602A/en
Priority claimed from US06/624,555 external-priority patent/US4597571A/en
Application filed by Xerox Corp filed Critical Xerox Corp
Publication of EP0166565A1 publication Critical patent/EP0166565A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0166565B1 publication Critical patent/EP0166565B1/de
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H1/00—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated
    • B65H1/02—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated adapted to support articles on edge
    • B65H1/025—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated adapted to support articles on edge with controlled positively-acting mechanical devices for advancing the pile to present the articles to the separating device
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H1/00—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated
    • B65H1/02—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated adapted to support articles on edge
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H3/00—Separating articles from piles
    • B65H3/02—Separating articles from piles using friction forces between articles and separator
    • B65H3/04—Endless-belt separators
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/65—Apparatus which relate to the handling of copy material
    • G03G15/6502—Supplying of sheet copy material; Cassettes therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2801/00—Application field
    • B65H2801/03—Image reproduction devices
    • B65H2801/21—Industrial-size printers, e.g. rotary printing press

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to an electrophotographic printing machine and more particularly concerns an apparatus for advancing suqcessive flexible sheets from a stack thereof.
  • a photoconductive member In the process of electrophotographic printing, a photoconductive member is charged to a substantially uniform potential so as to sensitize the surface thereof. The charged portion of the photoconductive member is exposed to a light image of an original document being reproduced. Exposure of the charged photoconductive member selectively dissipates the charge thereon in the irradiated areas. This records an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductive member corresponding to the informational areas contained within the original document. After the electrostatic latent image is recorded on the photoconductive member, the latent image is developed by bringing a developer material into contact therewith. Generally, the developer material comprises toner particles adhering triboelectrically to carrier granules.
  • the toner particles are attracted from the carrier granules to the latent image forming a toner powder image on the photoconductive member.
  • the toner powder image is then transferred from the photoconductive member to a copy sheet.
  • the toner particles are heated to affix the powder image permanently to the copy sheet.
  • the copy sheets are stacked on a horizontal tray.
  • the tray moves in a vertical direction.
  • An elevator system is employed to advance the tray automatically in an upward vertical direction so as to position successive uppermost sheets in contact with the sheet feeder.
  • the printing machine is automatically de-energized, and the elevator moves the tray downwardly to an inoperative position for loading a new stack of copy sheets therein.
  • a system of this type is fairly complex and limits the printing machine configurations. It is desirable to simplify the copy sheet stacking and feeding system and to eliminate the elevator system associated therewith.
  • Various approaches have been devised for sheet feeding. The following disclosures appear to be relevant:
  • the present invention provides a sheet stacker which overcomes disadvantages of known stackers, and which is as claimed in the appended claims.
  • the electrophotographic printing machine employs a belt 10 having a photoconductive surface 12 deposited on a conductive substrate 14.
  • photoconductive surface 12 is made from a selenium alloy with photoconductive substrate 14 being made from an aluminum alloy.
  • Belt 10 moves in the direction of arrow 16 to advance successive portions of photoconductive surface 12 sequentially through the various processing stations disposed about the path of movement thereof.
  • Belt 10 is entrained about a stripping roller 18, tensioning roller 20 and drive roller 22.
  • Stripping roller 18 is mounted rotatably so as to rotate with the movement of belt 10.
  • Tensioning roller 20 is resiliently urged against belt 10 to maintain belt 10 under the desired tension.
  • Drive roller 22 is rotated by motor 24 coupled thereto by suitable means such as a drive belt. As roller 22 rotates, it advances belt 10 in the direction of arrow 16.
  • a corona generating device indicated generally by the reference numeral 26 charges photoconductive surface 12 to a relatively high, substantially uniform potential.
  • the charged portion of photoconductive surface 12 is advanced through imaging station B.
  • an original document 28 is positioned face down on platen 30.
  • Lamps 32 illuminate original document 28 disposed upon platen 30.
  • Light rays reflected from the original document are transmitted through lens 34.
  • Lens 34 focuses the light image of the original document onto the charged portion of the photoconductive surface of belt 10 to dissipate the charge thereon selectively. This records an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductive surface which corresponds to the informational areas contained within the original document.
  • belt 10 advances the electrostatic latent image recorded on the photoconductive surface to development station C.
  • a pair of magnetic brush rollers indicated generally by the reference numerals 36 and 38, advance developer material into contact with the electrostatic latent image.
  • the latent image attracts toner particles from the carrier granules of the developer material to form a toner powder image on the photoconductive surface of belt 10.
  • Transfer station D a copy sheet is advanced into contact with the powder image.
  • Transfer station D includes corona-generating device 40 which sprays ions onto the backside of the copy sheet. This attracts the toner powder image from photoconductive surface 12 of belt 10 to the sheet.
  • Sheet feeding and stacking apparatus 44 advances successive copy sheets to transfer station D.
  • Sheet feeding and stacking apparatus 44 includes a housing 46 supporting stack of sheets 48 in a substantially vertical orientation. Upright 50 engages one side of the stack of sheets 48 and moves the stack of sheets toward sheet feeder 52. In this way, successive outermost sheets from one side of stack 48 are continuously in a feeding relationship with sheet feeder 52 so as to be advanced thereby to transfer station D. After transfer of the toner powder image to the copy sheet, the copy sheet is advanced by conveyor 42 to fusing station E.
  • the detailed structure of sheet feeding and stacking apparatus 44 will be described hereinafter with reference to Figures 2 through 7, inclusive.
  • Fusing station E includes a fuser assembly, indicated generally by the reference numeral 54, which permanently affixes the tranferred powder image to the copy sheet.
  • fuser assembly 54 includes a heated fuser roller 56 and a back-up roller 58. The sheet passes between fuser roller 56 and back-up roller 58 with the powder image contacting fuser roller 56. In this manner, the powder image is permanently affixed to the copy sheet.
  • the copy sheets are advanced by conveyor 60 to catch tray 62 for subsequent removal from the printing machine by the operator.
  • Cleaning station F includes a rotatably mounted fibrous brush 64 in contact with photoconductive surface 12 of belt 10. The particles are cleaned from photoconductive surface 12 and belt 10 by the rotation of brush 64 in contact therewith. Subsequent to cleaning, a discharge lamp (not shown) floods photoconductive surface 12 with light to dissipate any residual electrostatic charge remaining thereon prior to the charging thereof for the next successive imaging cycle.
  • sheet feeder 52 of sheet feeding and stacking apparatus 44 includes a pair of belts 66 having a multiplicity of substantially equally spaced apertures or holes 68 therein.
  • Belts 66 are entrained over spaced support rollers 70 and 72.
  • Roller 70 is coupled to clutch drive 74 which rotates roller 70 so as to advance belts 66.
  • Vacuum plenum 76 is disposed adjacent the underside of belts 66.
  • Blower 78 is coupled to plenum 76 via duct 80.
  • a solenoid-actuated valve 82 is positioned in duct 80. When valve 82 is open, air is exhausted by blower 78 from plenum 76. In this way, a copy sheet on one side of stack 48 closely adjacent to belt 66 is attracted thereto.
  • stack 48 having air flow directed toward the side edges thereof as indicated by arrows 84.
  • An air knife (not shown) receives the air being exhausted from blower 78 and directs this flow of air toward the side edges of stack 48, as indicated by arrows 84. This facilitates the separation of the outermost copy sheet adjacent sheet feeder 52. In this way, the outermost copy sheet is attracted to belts 66 more readily and does not remain adhering to the remainder of the sheets of stack 48.
  • Stack 48 is moved continuously toward sheet feeder 52. The foregoing is shown more clearly in Figure 4.
  • stack supports 86 are substantially L-shaped with one leg 86(a) thereof engaging the bottom edge of stack 48 and the other leg 86(b) engaging the outermost sheets of stack 48 remote from sheet feeder 52.
  • Stack supports 86 move toward sheet feeder 52 as indicated by arrow 88 so as to position an outermost sheet of stack 48 continuously adjacent sheet feeder 52.
  • Stack supports 86 are mounted on a plate 87, which in turn, is mounted on slides 89.
  • the slide mechanism minimizes friction and enables the stack supports to move, under the influence of gravity, toward the sheet feeder.
  • a drive mechanism e.g. a belt drive or a rack and pinion system, may be utilized in lieu of gravity to move the stack supports toward the sheet feeder.
  • legs 86(b) are mounted on conveyor 90 and extend in a substantially perpendicular direction thereto, i.e. substantially perpendicular to the planar surface of conveyor 90. Legs 86 (b) engage the outermost sheet of stack 48 opposed to sheet feeder 52. As conveyor 90 moves in the direction of arrow 88, legs 86(b) move in conjunction therewith. In this way legs 86(b) move stack 48 toward sheet feeder 52.
  • FIG. 6 depicts another embodiment of the stack support.
  • stack support member 100 includes a generally planar member having two endless, curvilinear grooves 104 and 106 therein. Grooves 104 and 106 are race tracks. A plurality of balls 108 is positioned in grooves 104 and 106, balls 108 providing a rolling support for the stack.
  • balls 108 move in the direction of arrow 110 in portions 104(a) and 106(a) of grooves 104 and 106.
  • the balls return to their initial position in portion 104(a) and 106(a) by travelling in the direction of arrow 112, through portions 104(b) and 106(b) of grooves 104 and 106, respectively. In this way, the balls in grooves 104 and 106 move in a continuously recirculating path.
  • FIG. 7 there is shown a fragmentary, sectional elevational view depicting the detailed structure of groove 104.
  • Groove 104 is identical to groove 106.
  • portion 104(a) of groove 104 is of a depth less than portion 104(b) thereof.
  • the exterior circumferential surface thereof extends above surface 114(a) of planar member 114.
  • Strip 116 is positioned on balls 108. In this way, strip 116 supports the side edge of the stack as balls 108 move in portion 104(a) of groove 104.
  • the return path i.e.
  • balls 108 after balls 108 move from portion 104(a) to portion 104(b), balls 108 have the exterior circumferential surface thereof below surface 114(a) of planar member 114. Cover 118 covers portion 104(b). Thus, when balls 108 are in the portion 104(b), they are merely returning to their initial position in portion 104(a). Inasmuch as there is a multiplicity of balls in portions 104(a) and 104(b) of groove 104, the balls are continually moving in a recirculating path. When balls 108 are in portion 104(a) they support strip 116 above surface 114(a) of planar member 114 and support the side edge of the stack rollably relative thereto. However, when balls 108 are in the return portion, i.e. portion 104(b) of groove 104, they are beneath surface 114(a) and no longer provide support for the side edge of the stack. In this way, flexible strips 116 move with the stack with only rolling friction impeding motion.
  • Housing 46 As shown in Figure 8, includes slots 92 for receiving stack supports 86. Opening 94 is positioned to receive belts 66 of sheet feeder 52. Thus, the bottom edge of stack 48 rests on surface 96 of housing 46 with stack supports 86 moving therealong through slots 92. Housing 46 is substantially an open-ended box to enable successive stacks of copy sheets to be loaded therein. In loading and unloading copy sheets from housing 46, housing 46 pivots about rods 98. Thus, housing 46 is mounted pivotably about rods 98 in the frame of sheet feeding and stacking apparatus 44.
  • housing 46 in the operative position, and in the inoperative position for receiving a new stack of copy sheets.
  • stack support 86 reaches a predetermined position
  • a signal is generated indicating that the copy sheets in copy housing 46 are depleted.
  • Housing 46 is then pivoted about rods 98 so that a new stacks of sheets 48 may be loaded in the open end thereof.
  • housing 46 pivots about rods 98 away from stack support 86. In this manner, an additional supply of copy sheets may be readily placed within housing 46.
  • housing 46 pivots about rods 98 in a counterclockwise direction so as to position stacks 48 in a substantially vertical direction.
  • housing 46 returns to the operative position wherein stack support 86 is in engagement with the side of stack 48 remote from sheet feeder 52.
  • sheet feeder 52 advances seriatim successive outermost sheets from stack 48 in a direction substantially opposed to the gravitational force exerted on the advancing sheet.
  • each successive sheet advances in a substantially-vertical upward direction opposed to the direction of the gravitational force.
  • the foregoing arrangement has total mechanical movement as opposed to electrical impulses.
  • this system reduces the size and complexity of the sheet feeding and stacking system by eliminating any elevator systems while providing a simpler sheet path.
  • the sheet feeding and stacking apparatus of the present invention supports a stack of sheets in a substantially vertical orientation. Successive outermost sheets are advanced in an upward direction against gravity.
  • the housing is pivoted to an inoperative position to facilitate the loading of a new stack of sheets therein. Thereafter, the housing is pivoted to its operative position wherein the stack of sheets is positioned vertically.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Sheets, Magazines, And Separation Thereof (AREA)
EP85304339A 1984-06-25 1985-06-17 Blattförderer Expired EP0166565B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US06/624,439 US4640602A (en) 1984-06-25 1984-06-25 Sheet feeder-stacker
US06/624,555 US4597571A (en) 1984-06-25 1984-06-25 Sheet feeder stack support
US624555 1984-06-25
US624439 1984-06-25

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0166565A1 true EP0166565A1 (de) 1986-01-02
EP0166565B1 EP0166565B1 (de) 1989-07-19

Family

ID=27089689

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP85304339A Expired EP0166565B1 (de) 1984-06-25 1985-06-17 Blattförderer

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0166565B1 (de)
DE (1) DE3571708D1 (de)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1262906B (de) * 1965-04-30 1968-03-07 Siemens Ag Einrichtung zum dosierten Abziehen von gestapelten flachen Gegenstaenden
US3528739A (en) * 1967-05-20 1970-09-15 Minolta Camera Kk Copying machine
US3827687A (en) * 1971-04-21 1974-08-06 Minolta Camera Kk Device for supporting sensitive paper cassette for electrophotography copier
US3877809A (en) * 1972-03-09 1975-04-15 Ricoh Kk Device for indicating the size of copy sheets and the coverage of copying
US3947018A (en) * 1974-12-19 1976-03-30 Xerox Corporation Universal feeder-stacker

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5986526A (ja) * 1982-11-10 1984-05-18 Japan Tobacco Inc 板紙供給装置

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1262906B (de) * 1965-04-30 1968-03-07 Siemens Ag Einrichtung zum dosierten Abziehen von gestapelten flachen Gegenstaenden
US3528739A (en) * 1967-05-20 1970-09-15 Minolta Camera Kk Copying machine
US3827687A (en) * 1971-04-21 1974-08-06 Minolta Camera Kk Device for supporting sensitive paper cassette for electrophotography copier
US3877809A (en) * 1972-03-09 1975-04-15 Ricoh Kk Device for indicating the size of copy sheets and the coverage of copying
US3947018A (en) * 1974-12-19 1976-03-30 Xerox Corporation Universal feeder-stacker

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE3571708D1 (en) 1989-08-24
EP0166565B1 (de) 1989-07-19

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