US3713645A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sheet separating apparatus
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1971-04-26
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Granted: 1973-01-30
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Expires: 1991-04-26
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus to separate individual sheets from the top of the stack as they are fed forwardly. A pair of sheet separator members positioned at the stack corners resist the movement of the sheets to force only the topmost sheets to buckle thereover and be fed therepast. In the case of relatively stiff sheets or those which have a higher beam strength, the sheet separator members are caused to deflect outwardly thereby enabling the stiffer sheets to buckle slightly to overcome the resistence of the movable sheet separator members enabling separation of the topmost sheet from the stack without tearing or otherwise damaging it.
Inventors
- 👤 P Ferrari
- 👤 C Farnsworth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 09:02
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H3/00; B65H3/46; B65H3/56; B65H3/02; B65H3/06; B65H3/54
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
In a sheet-feeding apparatus for feeding the topmost sheet from the stack one at a time comprising a tray for supporting a stack of sheets to be fed, feed means operative to advance the topmost sheet of the stack forwardly, separator means positioned adjacent the front corners of the topmost sheet operative to enable buckling therepast of the sheet being advanced, said separator means including first, second and third portions, said first portion overlying a corner area of the topmost sheet, said second portion having spaced apart elements having elongated openings formed therein, a support member extending substantially parallel to the front edge of the topmost sheet received in said openings, said third portion extending from said first portion contacting said support member and being sufficiently resilient to enable said first portion to deflect and then pivot on an axis parallel to the associated corner of the stack of sheets upon a sheet above a predetermined rigidity being advanced.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
In a sheet-feeding apparatus for feeding the topmost sheet from the stack one at a time comprising a tray for supporting a stack of sheets to be fed, feed means operative to advance the topmost sheet of the stack forwardly, separator means positioned adjacent the front corners of the topmost sheet operative to enable buckling therepast of the sheet being advanced, said separator means including first, second and third portions, said first portion overlying a corner area of the topmost sheet, said second portion having spaced apart elements having elongated openings formed therein, a support member extending substantially parallel to the front edge of the topmost sheet received in said openings, said third portion extending from said first portion contacting said support member and being sufficiently resilient to enable said first portion to deflect and then pivot on an axis parallel to the associated corner of the stack of sheets upon a sheet above a predetermined rigidity being advanced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
159 words
In a sheet-feeding apparatus for feeding the topmost sheet from the stack one at a time comprising a tray for supporting a stack of sheets to be fed, feed means operative to advance the topmost sheet of the stack forwardly, separator means positioned adjacent the front corners of the topmost sheet operative to enable buckling therepast of the sheet being advanced, said separator means including first, second and third portions, said first portion overlying a corner area of the topmost sheet, said second portion having spaced apart elements having elongated openings formed therein, a support member extending substantially parallel to the front edge of the topmost sheet received in said openings, said third portion extending from said first portion contacting said support member and being sufficiently resilient to enable said first portion to deflect and then pivot on an axis parallel to the associated corner of the stack of sheets upon a sheet above a predetermined rigidity being advanced.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
159 words
In a sheet-feeding apparatus for feeding the topmost sheet from the stack one at a time comprising a tray for supporting a stack of sheets to be fed, feed means operative to advance the topmost sheet of the stack forwardly, separator means positioned adjacent the front corners of the topmost sheet operative to enable buckling therepast of the sheet being advanced, said separator means including first, second and third portions, said first portion overlying a corner area of the topmost sheet, said second portion having spaced apart elements having elongated openings formed therein, a support member extending substantially parallel to the front edge of the topmost sheet received in said openings, said third portion extending from said first portion contacting said support member and being sufficiently resilient to enable said first portion to deflect and then pivot on an axis parallel to the associated corner of the stack of sheets upon a sheet above a predetermined rigidity being advanced.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said third portion is arranged to one side of the centerline of said first portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first portion is shaped in the form of a wavelike curve contacting the topmost sheet diagonally to the corner thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-30 | 1976-07-31 | 1977-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-30 | 1980-07-31 | 1981-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-30 | 1984-07-31 | 1985-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |