Patent US4593897A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4593897A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Bottom stacking with air knife levitation and articulating seals
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1984-09-27
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Granted: 1986-06-10
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Expires: 2004-09-27
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for inserting sheets under the bottom of a stack of sheets including a positive air pressure source that provides an air cushion between the bottom sheet in the stack of sheets and the stack tray. The air pressure source has articulated seal means attached thereto that are adapted to increase the efficient use of the air pressure source. Drive belts feed sheets under the stack of sheets in cooperation with a vacuum source that deflects sheets against the belts until they reach a point in their forward movement of coming under the influence of the positive air pressure source and are thereby floated up to the bottom of the stack of sheets.
Inventors
- 👤 Morton Silverberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 17:57
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H29/00; B65H29/24; B65H29/245; B65H29/246; B65H2301/00; B65H2301/40; B65H2301/42; B65H2301/421; B65H2301/4212; B65H2301/42122; B65H2406/00; B65H2406/10; B65H2406/13
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
A bottom sheet stacking apparatus, comprising: a sheet tray adapted to receive a stack of sheets, said tray including a feed belt means for forwarding sheets into said tray and rear and side wall means that form an air tight seal around the stack of sheets, said rear wall serving as a registration edge for incoming sheets into the tray; air knife means located adjacent the front of said tray, said air knife means being adapted to float all sheets located within said tray; deflectable articulating seal means forming a front wall of said tray and adapted to positively seal the area of the sheet stack adjacent said air knife when said air knife is actuated; and vacuum port means located adjacent said feed belt means a minimal distance before the front edge of the sheet stack, said vacuum port means being adapted to pull sheets against said feed belt means as they are forwarded by said feed belt means toward said rear wall of said tray until their trail edges pass said vacuum port means, thereafter the sheets are forced up against the floating stack of sheets by said air knife means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
A bottom sheet stacking apparatus, comprising: a sheet tray adapted to receive a stack of sheets, said tray including a feed belt means for forwarding sheets into said tray and rear and side wall means that form an air tight seal around the stack of sheets, said rear wall serving as a registration edge for incoming sheets into the tray; air knife means located adjacent the front of said tray, said air knife means being adapted to float all sheets located within said tray; deflectable articulating seal means forming a front wall of said tray and adapted to positively seal the area of the sheet stack adjacent said air knife when said air knife is actuated; and vacuum port means located adjacent said feed belt means a minimal distance before the front edge of the sheet stack, said vacuum port means being adapted to pull sheets against said feed belt means as they are forwarded by said feed belt means toward said rear wall of said tray until their trail edges pass said vacuum port means, thereafter the sheets are forced up against the floating stack of sheets by said air knife means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 1, including additional deflectable articulating seal means attached to a surface of said air knife means and positioned adjacent said feed belt means in order to minimize the escape of air between said feed belt means and said air knife means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said additional deflectable articulating seal is substantially self-energized.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said deflectable articulating seal means comprises multiple, individual members which are adapted when energized to contact a surface of the stack of sheets.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said feed belt means comprises a plurality of individual belts and said vacuum means draws air between the belts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the vacuum flow within said vacuum port means is preferably less than the flotation flow of said air knife means so as to not upset levitation of the stack of sheets.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said deflectable articulating seal means is an integral part of said air knife means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
88 words
A bottom sheet stacking apparatus, comprising: an inclined sheet tray adapted to receive a stack of sheets, feed belt means for forwarding sheets into said tray, said feed belt means having a bi-sloped portion that includes an area inclined away from said tray and air knife means positioned in contacting relation with the stack when energized and adapted to supply air pressure to the diverging point of said bi-sloped portion of said feed belt means in order to lift the trail edge of sheets up against the stack.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
88 words
A bottom sheet stacking apparatus, comprising: an inclined sheet tray adapted to receive a stack of sheets, feed belt means for forwarding sheets into said tray, said feed belt means having a bi-sloped portion that includes an area inclined away from said tray and air knife means positioned in contacting relation with the stack when energized and adapted to supply air pressure to the diverging point of said bi-sloped portion of said feed belt means in order to lift the trail edge of sheets up against the stack.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein a significant portion of the flow of said air knife means is caused to flow up the front of the stack of sheets in order to increase the levitation of sheets to the bottom of the stack of sheets.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said air knife means includes a portion thereof enclosed by an expansible perforated seal means that serves to register sheets in the stack, seal the front of the stack and assist in levitating each incoming sheet up against the bottom of the stack.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said seal means prevents sheets slipping from beneath the stack once the air knife means and feed belt means are deactuated.
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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) | 1989-06-09 | 1989-12-09 | 1990-06-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-06-09 | 1993-12-09 | 1994-06-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-06-09 | 1997-12-09 | 1998-06-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |