US3687548A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sheet conveyor for automatic copying machines
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 1969-09-23
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Granted: 1972-08-29
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Expires: 1989-09-23
Abstract
Abstract A sheet conveyor device for automatic copying machine where a suction tank has rollers positioned therearound for endless belts to be driven thereon, and suction holes are located in said tank between the belts. A guide sheet extends around most of the suction tank and is closely spaced thereto so that a sheet of paper can be passed between said guide sheet and the belts and held against the belts by the suction.
Inventors
- 👤 Kobayashi Yugoro
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 01:30
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H5/00; B65H5/02; B65H5/021; B65H5/026; B41; B41L; B41L21/00; B41L21/02; B41L21/10; B65H29/00; B65H29/24; B65H29/241; B65H29/242; B65H5/22; B65H5/222; B65H5/224; B65H2301/00; B65H2301/30; B65H2301/31; B65H2301/312; B65H2301/3122; B65H2406/00; B65H2406/30; B65H2406/32; B65H2406/323; B65H2801/00; B65H2801/03; B65H2801/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
241 words
A sheet conveyor device for passing a sheet of paper through an automatic copying machine comprising a suction tank mounted within the machine and having an end area including a feed portion and an exit portion for said paper; a plurality of rollers spaced around the periphery of said suction tank and extending outside of the periphery of said suction tank; a plurality of endless belts having a predetermined total transverse dimension and mounted to be driven on said rollers, said belts located on said rollers to provide a predetermined spacing area between adjacent belts; individual groups of suction holes formed in said suction tank, each individual group located solely in one of said predetermined spacing areas respectively; a guide sheet of a flexible nature located in the machine, said guide sheet having vertically spaced and aligned inlet and outlet end portions adjacent said end area of said suction tank, said guide sheet having a configuration to be disposed outwardly of and adjacent to said endless belts; said guide sheet projecting inwardly into the machine from said end area and extending around said plurality of endless belts from said feed portion to said exit portion; and said guide sheet having a transverse dimension greater than said predetermined total transverse dimension of said plurality of endless belts whereby the paper passing through the machine between said guide sheet and said belts is held against said belts by suction acting through said holes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
241 words
A sheet conveyor device for passing a sheet of paper through an automatic copying machine comprising a suction tank mounted within the machine and having an end area including a feed portion and an exit portion for said paper; a plurality of rollers spaced around the periphery of said suction tank and extending outside of the periphery of said suction tank; a plurality of endless belts having a predetermined total transverse dimension and mounted to be driven on said rollers, said belts located on said rollers to provide a predetermined spacing area between adjacent belts; individual groups of suction holes formed in said suction tank, each individual group located solely in one of said predetermined spacing areas respectively; a guide sheet of a flexible nature located in the machine, said guide sheet having vertically spaced and aligned inlet and outlet end portions adjacent said end area of said suction tank, said guide sheet having a configuration to be disposed outwardly of and adjacent to said endless belts; said guide sheet projecting inwardly into the machine from said end area and extending around said plurality of endless belts from said feed portion to said exit portion; and said guide sheet having a transverse dimension greater than said predetermined total transverse dimension of said plurality of endless belts whereby the paper passing through the machine between said guide sheet and said belts is held against said belts by suction acting through said holes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A sheet conveyor device according to claim 1 in which said inlet end portion of said guide sheet is secured in the machine and located vertically above said outlet end portion, and said outlet end portion is positioned to move freely with respect to said machine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A sheet conveyor according to claim 2 in which an element is located within the machine to provide a support for said freely movable outlet end portion of said guide sheet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A sheet conveyor according to claim 1 in which said transverse dimension of said guide sheet is such that its outer transverse edge extends further outwardly than an outermost located belt in said plurality of endless belts.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-29 | 1976-02-28 | 1976-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-29 | 1980-02-28 | 1980-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-29 | 1984-02-28 | 1984-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |