Patent US4663873A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4663873A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Page flipper for book copying
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1985-12-20
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Granted: 1987-05-12
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Expires: 2005-12-20
Abstract
Abstract An arrangement for turning the pages of a booklet within a copier. A air knife fluffer, the pages and a wheel is translated against the page to be turned and creates a buckle in the previously separated page. The vacuum wheel is then lifted bringing the page with it and rotated to flip the page. Afterwards, translation of the vacuum wheel without rotation continues in order to flatten the now flipped sheet. The vacuum is then returned to its home position.
Inventors
- 👤 Troy Shinbrot
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 13:02
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/32; G03B27/52; G03B27/62; G03B27/6207; G03B27/625
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for flipping pages in a book for copying, comprising the steps of; (a) fluffing the pages to be turned; (b) contacting and capturing a fluffed page with a vacuum roll; (c) translating the vacuum roll in order to form a buckle in the captured page; (d) lifting the vacuum roll; (e) rotating the vacuum roll while it is being lifted until the captured page passes the vacuum roll; (f) then descending the vacuum roll while continuing to translate the same until the page is flattened; and (g) returning the vacuum roll to its original position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for flipping pages in a book for copying, comprising the steps of; (a) fluffing the pages to be turned; (b) contacting and capturing a fluffed page with a vacuum roll; (c) translating the vacuum roll in order to form a buckle in the captured page; (d) lifting the vacuum roll; (e) rotating the vacuum roll while it is being lifted until the captured page passes the vacuum roll; (f) then descending the vacuum roll while continuing to translate the same until the page is flattened; and (g) returning the vacuum roll to its original position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, including the step of securing the page before and while it is being translated by the vacuum wheel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, including the step of delaying the lifting of the vacuum roll until a substantial buckle has been formed in the page.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said securing of the page is accomplished by the use of finger means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said finger means are moveable between page hold down and non-hold down positions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 5, including the step of controlling said finger means in a horizontal plane with reversible motors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 6, including the step of controlling said finger means in a vertical plane with solenoids.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, including the step of lifting the book into contact with a platen for copying.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said finger means are adapted to prevent the turning of more than one page at a time.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
172 words
A method for flipping pages in an open book for copying, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a platform for supporting the book; (b) providing a predetermined space between the platform and a platen; (c) fluffing the pages of the book in order to separate the pages; (d) contacting and capturing a page in the book with a stalled vacuum wheel; (e) moving the vacuum wheel toward the center of the book in order to form a buckle in the captured page; (f) lifting the vacuum wheel after a buckle has been created in the captured page; (g) rotating the vacuum wheel while it is being lifted until the captured page passes the vacuum wheel; (h) then descending the vacuum wheel while moving it away from the center of the book in order to flatten the now turned page; (i) returning the vacuum wheel to its starting position; and (j) lifting the platform until the pages of the open book come into contact with the underside of the platen for copying purposes.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
172 words
A method for flipping pages in an open book for copying, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a platform for supporting the book; (b) providing a predetermined space between the platform and a platen; (c) fluffing the pages of the book in order to separate the pages; (d) contacting and capturing a page in the book with a stalled vacuum wheel; (e) moving the vacuum wheel toward the center of the book in order to form a buckle in the captured page; (f) lifting the vacuum wheel after a buckle has been created in the captured page; (g) rotating the vacuum wheel while it is being lifted until the captured page passes the vacuum wheel; (h) then descending the vacuum wheel while moving it away from the center of the book in order to flatten the now turned page; (i) returning the vacuum wheel to its starting position; and (j) lifting the platform until the pages of the open book come into contact with the underside of the platen for copying purposes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 10, including the step of providing hold down means for securing the pages in the open book while a page is being turned and while the platform is being lifted.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said hold down means comprises retractable fingers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 12, wherein said retractable fingers are controlled by at least one reversible motor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
139 words
A copier including a device for turning pages of an open book for copying, comprising; platen means; platform means for supporting the open book in a first position within said copier removed from said platen means, hold down means adapted for positioning on top of the exposed pages of the open book to secure the pages against movement; vacuum wheel means adapted to be positioned on top of at least the page of the book to be turned and to capture that page once a negative pressure is applied thereto, said vacuum wheel means being adapted for movement initially in a substantially horizontal plane, then in a substantially vertical plane, then back into said substantially horizontal plane; and elevator means adapted to lift said platform means until the pages of the open book contact the underside of said platen.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
139 words
A copier including a device for turning pages of an open book for copying, comprising; platen means; platform means for supporting the open book in a first position within said copier removed from said platen means, hold down means adapted for positioning on top of the exposed pages of the open book to secure the pages against movement; vacuum wheel means adapted to be positioned on top of at least the page of the book to be turned and to capture that page once a negative pressure is applied thereto, said vacuum wheel means being adapted for movement initially in a substantially horizontal plane, then in a substantially vertical plane, then back into said substantially horizontal plane; and elevator means adapted to lift said platform means until the pages of the open book contact the underside of said platen.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The copier of claim 14, wherein said vacuum wheel means includes a vacuum wheel that is rotatable and a vacuum plenum that is always pointing down.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The copier of claim 15, wherein the rotation of said vacuum wheel is controlled by a drag brake.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The copier of claim 14, wherein movement of said vacuum wheel in said horizontal plane creates a buckle in the captured page.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The copier of claim 17, wherein movement of said vacuum wheel in said substantially vertical plane lifts the captured page.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The copier of claim 18, wherein said vacuum wheel is rotated as it is moved in said substantially vertical plane in order to drive the captured page past said vacuum wheel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
42 words
The copier of claim 19, wherein movement of said vacuum wheel in said substantially horizontal plane after movement in said substantially vertical plane has taken place causes the now flipped page to be flattened against the opposite side of the open book.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The copier of claim 20, wherein rotation of said vacuum wheel is inhibited by a drag brake.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The copier of claim 20, wherein movement of said vacuum wheel in said substantially horizontal plane returns said vacuum wheel to its original starting position.
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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) | 1990-05-11 | 1990-11-10 | 1991-05-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-05-11 | 1994-11-10 | 1995-05-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-05-11 | 1998-11-10 | 1999-05-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |