Sheet handling mechanism

Claim 1

The combination of an electrostatographic reproduction machine having means defining a photoconductive surface, means for charging the photoconductive surface, means for exposing the photoconductive surface to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface, means for developing the latent image, and means for transferring the developed image to a transfer sheet, with an improved stripping mechanism, the stripping mechanism comprising means for separating the leading edge of the transfer sheet from the photoconductive surface, a guide disposed adjacent to the separating means for guiding the transfer sheet, means for maintaining the guide at a reference voltage sufficient to set up an electrostatic attraction between the transfer sheet and guide after the leading edge of the transfer sheet has been separated from the photoconductive surface, means for forming a plurality of air gaps between the transfer sheet and the guide during movement of the transfer sheet over the guide, means separated from and extending along and beneath the guide for supporting the transfer sheet in the event the electrostatic attraction is insufficient to attract the transfer sheet to the guide, and means for preventing the transfer sheet from being electrostatically attracted to the supporting means during movement between the guide and the supporting means.