Paper handling apparatus for a copier

Claim 1

A paper handling system for a copier for automatically entraining a topmost sheet of recording paper from a recording paper stack onto the circumference of a vacuum drum for imaging or printing thereon while so entrained, the paper handling system comprising: a vacuum drum substantially in the shape of a right circular cylinder having a notch along a line running the length of the outer surface of said vacuum drum for indexing a leading edge of said topmost sheet of recording paper to be loaded onto said vacuum drum, said notch having an array of openings therein for communicating vacuum inside said vacuum drum to the outer surface of said vacuum drum; vacuum pump means for creating a vacuum in said vacuum drum; a paper tray for holding said stack of sheets of recording paper therein, with said topmost sheet of said stack having an edge which is located below said vacuum drum but which is offset horizontally from a vertical plane passing through the center line of said vacuum drum when said topmost sheet is in said paper tray; and fluffer means located opposite said paper tray for blowing air laterally against said leading edge of said topmost sheet to float said leading edge of said topmost sheet to close proximity of said vacuum drum where it can be directly captured in said notch and entrained on the circumference of said vacuum drum.

Claim 3

An apparatus for automatically loading a sheet of paper onto a vacuum drum comprising: means for holding a stack of said sheets, a leading edge of said sheet being situated below said vacuum drum and offset horizontally from a vertical plane through the center of said vacuum drum; and means located opposite said holding means for blowing air laterally against said leading edge to float said leading edge to close proximity of said vacuum drum for capture by said vacuum drum, said blowing means including means for directing air in one of at least two directions, a first direction being laterally against said leading edge and a second direction being away from said leading edge, and means integral with said directing means for pushing on said stack to align said stack when said directing means directs air in said first direction.

Claim 4

An apparatus for automatically loading a sheet of paper onto a vacuum drum comprising: means for holding a stack of said sheets, a leading edge of said sheet being situated below said vacuum drum and offset horizontally from a vertical plane through the center of said vacuum drum; and means located opposite said holding means for blowing air laterally against said leading edge to float said leading edge to close proximity of said vacuum drum for capture by said vacuum drum, said blowing means including means for directing air in one of at least two directions, a first direction being laterally against said leading edge and a second direction being away from said leading edge, and means integral with said directing means for pushing on said stack to align said stack when said directing means directs air in said first direction.