US4050816A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Document handling system
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1976-06-30
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Granted: 1977-09-27
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Expires: 1996-06-30
Abstract
Abstract An automatic document handling system for copying documents in a pre-collated recirculation manner with minimal document handling to provide pre-collated output copy sets. The documents may be loaded manually in a cassette unit removed from a xerographic copier. The cassette unit comprises two document retaining webs commonly wound on two scrolls. The documents are retained on a first web at all times. The second web separates from the first web only in the optical imaging area so as to allow unobstructed exposure of the documents. The second web separates by forming a loop around the scrolls from separating rollers at opposite sides of the imaging area, and winds up on one scroll as it is unwound from the other scroll. Positive document retention is provided by the second web even though the first web is outside wound.
Inventors
- 👤 Denis J. Stemmle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:52
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/32; G03B27/52; G03B27/62; G03B27/6207; G03B27/625; G03B27/6264; B; B65; B65H; B65H2220/00; B65H2220/09; B65H2301/00; B65H2301/40; B65H2301/41; B65H2301/419; B65H2301/4191; B65H2301/41912
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
262 words
In an automatic document handling system of a copying apparatus for making pre-collated copy sheet sets by repeated collated imaging of a set of original document sheets, the improvement comprising: an elongated windable document holding first web; means for forming a spaced pair of wound scrolls of said first web for winding up a set of otherwise unattached documents on said first web therein and retaining said documents between turns of said first web on both said web scrolls; said first web having a minor intermediate unwound segment extending between said web scrolls for transporting exposed documents between said web scrolls and onto which documents are insertable and removable; means for recirculatingly winding and unwinding said first web between one said web scroll and the other said web scroll to recirculating expose individual documents on said intermediate segment of said first web between said web scrolls in a pre-collated order; a second web commonly wound with said first web on at least one of said scrolls for retaining documents thereon wound between said first and second webs; optical imaging means for imaging documents on said intermediate segment of only said first web between said web scrolls for copying said documents; and separating means for separating said second web from said first web and guiding it away from said intermediate segment after said first and second webs have unwound from said scroll and before said first web passes through said intermediate segment so that said second web is not interposed between said optical imaging means and said intermediate segment of said first web.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
262 words
In an automatic document handling system of a copying apparatus for making pre-collated copy sheet sets by repeated collated imaging of a set of original document sheets, the improvement comprising: an elongated windable document holding first web; means for forming a spaced pair of wound scrolls of said first web for winding up a set of otherwise unattached documents on said first web therein and retaining said documents between turns of said first web on both said web scrolls; said first web having a minor intermediate unwound segment extending between said web scrolls for transporting exposed documents between said web scrolls and onto which documents are insertable and removable; means for recirculatingly winding and unwinding said first web between one said web scroll and the other said web scroll to recirculating expose individual documents on said intermediate segment of said first web between said web scrolls in a pre-collated order; a second web commonly wound with said first web on at least one of said scrolls for retaining documents thereon wound between said first and second webs; optical imaging means for imaging documents on said intermediate segment of only said first web between said web scrolls for copying said documents; and separating means for separating said second web from said first web and guiding it away from said intermediate segment after said first and second webs have unwound from said scroll and before said first web passes through said intermediate segment so that said second web is not interposed between said optical imaging means and said intermediate segment of said first web.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The document handling system of claim 1, wherein said first and second web and said scrolls thereof comprise integral cassette means removable from and insertable in said copying apparatus and said optical imaging means thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The document handling system of claim 1, wherein said intermediate segment normally extends generally planarly between said scrolls for said copying of documents thereon, and further including means for arcuately deforming said intermediate segment of said first web from said planar configuration to provide for automatic stripping of documents from said first web at said intermediate segment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The document handling system of claim 1, wherein said scrolls are oppositely wound with said documents outside wound therein with the same direction of curvature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
102 words
The document handling system of claim 1, wherein said first web has a document transporting side and an opposite side and wherein said document transporting side is facing and adjacent to said optical imaging means, and wherein said intermediate segment of said first web defines a document retaining nip with each of said scrolls where said first web winds onto said scrolls, and wherein both of said scrolls are on said opposite side of said intermediate segment of said web and facing one another and wherein said intermediate segment normally extends generally planarly between said scrolls for said copying of documents thereon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
95 words
The document handling system of claim 1, wherein said second web is commonly wound on both said scrolls with said first web, and said separating means comprises web guide means for guiding said second web from one scroll at one side of said intermediate segment around said scrolls to the other scroll at the opposite side of said intermediate segment, without passing through the optical path to said intermediate segment from said optical imaging means, said web guide means causing said second web to wind on one scroll as it unwinds from the other scroll.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The document handling system of claim 6, wherein said web guide means maintains said first and second webs in overlying engagement up to said intermediate segment and then deflects said second web by more than 90° away from said first web at each side of said intermediate segment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The document handling system of claim 1, wherein said second web defines an endless loop around both said scrolls from opposite sides of said intermediate segment of said first web.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The document handling system of claim 6, further including means for manually advancing said first and second webs for manual loading of documents therebetween.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The document handling system of claim 1, wherein said separating means comprises a pneumatically porous roller around which said second web is deformed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-09-26 | 1981-03-28 | 1981-09-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-09-26 | 1985-03-28 | 1985-09-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-09-26 | 1989-03-28 | 1989-09-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |