US4693594A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Platen transport and vacuum plenum for book copying
Assignee: Xerox Corp
•
Filing: 1985-12-20
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Granted: 1987-09-15
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Expires: 2005-12-20
Abstract
Abstract An arrangement for transporting a book facedown onto an and off of a copier includes a platen transport and a belt transport positioned on opposite sides of a vacuum plenum that is used to peel the bottommost page from a book to turn the same as the book is moved back and forth between the transport platen and belt member. As the book moves the vacuum plenum a by predetermined amount, it contacts a roller and is supported on the roller as it is transported onto and off of the platen by the platen transport. The roller reduces the friction between the pages of the book and the platen.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald M. Garavuso
- 👤 Troy Shinbrat
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 01:25
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/32; G03B27/52; G03B27/62; G03B27/6207; G03B27/625
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
236 words
A method for copying pages from a facedown book, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a platen surface for copying pages from the facedown book and a support member in the same plane as said platen surface for supporting the facedown book during forward and backward transport; (b) providing belt means entrained around said support member for driving the book toward and away from said platen surface; (c) providing a vacuum plenum positioned between and in the same plane as said platen surface and said support member, said vacuum plenum being adapted to peel a page from a first half of the facedown book as the book is transported past the vacuum plenum by said belt means; (d) positioning a page flipping assist means immediately adjacent said vacuum plenum for contacting the page peeled from the book by said vacuum plenum and flattening the page against a second half of the facedown book; (e) providing roller means adjacent to and downstream of said page flipping assist means for engaging the lead edge of the bottommost page of the first half of the book after the lead edge has passed the roller means by a sufficient distance, said roller means being adapted to reduce friction between the pages of the book and said platen surface; and (f) providing a transport means for receiving the book from said belt means and transporting the book into position for copying.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
236 words
A method for copying pages from a facedown book, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a platen surface for copying pages from the facedown book and a support member in the same plane as said platen surface for supporting the facedown book during forward and backward transport; (b) providing belt means entrained around said support member for driving the book toward and away from said platen surface; (c) providing a vacuum plenum positioned between and in the same plane as said platen surface and said support member, said vacuum plenum being adapted to peel a page from a first half of the facedown book as the book is transported past the vacuum plenum by said belt means; (d) positioning a page flipping assist means immediately adjacent said vacuum plenum for contacting the page peeled from the book by said vacuum plenum and flattening the page against a second half of the facedown book; (e) providing roller means adjacent to and downstream of said page flipping assist means for engaging the lead edge of the bottommost page of the first half of the book after the lead edge has passed the roller means by a sufficient distance, said roller means being adapted to reduce friction between the pages of the book and said platen surface; and (f) providing a transport means for receiving the book from said belt means and transporting the book into position for copying.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the book is moved at a predetermined speed and said roller means moves at a speed equal to or slightly larger than said predetermined speed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said page flipping assist means is a roller.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said transport means is adapted to transport the book off said platen surface toward said belt means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said transport means includes belt means and moveably biased rollers that urge said belt means against the book during transport.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said moveably biased rollers are adapted for movement in a vertical plane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said roller means is supported within a V-shaped channel of a housing member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1, including the step of providing said vacuum plenum with a hinged page engaging member having vacuum ports in a surface thereof and adapted to rotate between open and closed positions depending on whether a page is attached thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 8, including the step of providing said page engaging member of said vacuum plenum with a torsion spring that is adapted to continuously bias said page engaging member toward said closed position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the vacuum within said vacuum plenum overcomes the bias of said torsion spring and draws said page engaging member down when said ports in said surface of said page engaging member are obstructed by a page in the book.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
222 words
A method for copying pages from a facedown book, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a platen surface for copying pages from the facedown book and a belt support means in the same plane as said platen surface for supporting the facedown book and driving the book forward and backward; (b) providing a vacuum plenum positioned between and in the same plane as said platen surface and said belt support means, said vacuum plenum being adapted to peel a page from a first half of the facedown book as the book is transported past the vacuum plenum by said belt support means; (c) positioning a page flipping assist means immediately adjacent said vacuum plenum for contacting the page peeled from the book by said vacuum plenum and flattening the page against a second half of the facedown book; (d) providing roller means adjacent to and downstream of said page flipping assist means for engaging the lead edge of the bottommost page of the first half of the book after the lead edge has passed the roller means by a sufficient distance, said roller means being adapted to reduce friction between the pages of the book and said platen surface; and (e) providing a transport means for receving the book from said support belt means and transporting the book into position for copying.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
222 words
A method for copying pages from a facedown book, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a platen surface for copying pages from the facedown book and a belt support means in the same plane as said platen surface for supporting the facedown book and driving the book forward and backward; (b) providing a vacuum plenum positioned between and in the same plane as said platen surface and said belt support means, said vacuum plenum being adapted to peel a page from a first half of the facedown book as the book is transported past the vacuum plenum by said belt support means; (c) positioning a page flipping assist means immediately adjacent said vacuum plenum for contacting the page peeled from the book by said vacuum plenum and flattening the page against a second half of the facedown book; (d) providing roller means adjacent to and downstream of said page flipping assist means for engaging the lead edge of the bottommost page of the first half of the book after the lead edge has passed the roller means by a sufficient distance, said roller means being adapted to reduce friction between the pages of the book and said platen surface; and (e) providing a transport means for receving the book from said support belt means and transporting the book into position for copying.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 11, including the step of moving said roller means at the same speed as the book.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 11, including the step of moving said roller means at a slightly greater speed than the book movement speed.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
234 words
A method for copying pages from a facedown book, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a platen surface for copying pages from the facedown book and a support member in the same plane as said platen surface for supporting the facedown book during forward and backward transport. (b) providing means for driving the book toward and away from said platen surface; (c) providing a vacuum plenum positioned between and in the same plane as said platen surface and said support member, said vacuum plenum being adapted to peel a page from a first half of the facedown book as the book is transported past the vacuum plenum by said belt means for driving the book; (d) positioning a page flipping assist means immediately adjacent said vacuum plenum for contacting the page peeled from the book by said vacuum plenum and flattening the page against a second half of the facedown book; (e) providing roller means adjacent to and downstream of said page flipping assist means for engaging the lead edge of the bottommost page of the first half of the book after the lead edge has passed the roller means by a sufficient distance, said roller means being adapted to reduce friction between the pages of the book and said platen surface; and (f) providing a transport means for receiving the book from said belt means and transporting the book into position for copying.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
234 words
A method for copying pages from a facedown book, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a platen surface for copying pages from the facedown book and a support member in the same plane as said platen surface for supporting the facedown book during forward and backward transport. (b) providing means for driving the book toward and away from said platen surface; (c) providing a vacuum plenum positioned between and in the same plane as said platen surface and said support member, said vacuum plenum being adapted to peel a page from a first half of the facedown book as the book is transported past the vacuum plenum by said belt means for driving the book; (d) positioning a page flipping assist means immediately adjacent said vacuum plenum for contacting the page peeled from the book by said vacuum plenum and flattening the page against a second half of the facedown book; (e) providing roller means adjacent to and downstream of said page flipping assist means for engaging the lead edge of the bottommost page of the first half of the book after the lead edge has passed the roller means by a sufficient distance, said roller means being adapted to reduce friction between the pages of the book and said platen surface; and (f) providing a transport means for receiving the book from said belt means and transporting the book into position for copying.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
226 words
A copier adapted for copying pages from a facedown book, comprising: (a) a platen surface for copying pages from the facedown book and a support member in the same plane as said platen surface for supporting the facedown book during forward and backward transport; (b) belt means entrained around said support member for driving the book toward and away from said platen surface; (c) a vacuum plenum positioned between and in the same plane as said platen surface and said support member, said vacuum plenum being adapted to peel a page from a first half of the facedown book as the book is transported past the vacuum plenum by said belt means; (d) page flipping assist means immediately adjacent said vacuum plenum for contacting the page peeled from the book by said vacuum plenum and flattening the page against a second half of the facedown book; (e) roller means adjacent to and downstream of said page flipping assist means for engaging the lead edge of the bottommost page of the first half of the book after the lead edge has passed the roller means by a sufficient distance, said roller means being adapted to reduce friction between the pages of the book and said platen surface; and (f) transport means for receiving the book froms aid belt means and tranporting the book into position for copying.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
226 words
A copier adapted for copying pages from a facedown book, comprising: (a) a platen surface for copying pages from the facedown book and a support member in the same plane as said platen surface for supporting the facedown book during forward and backward transport; (b) belt means entrained around said support member for driving the book toward and away from said platen surface; (c) a vacuum plenum positioned between and in the same plane as said platen surface and said support member, said vacuum plenum being adapted to peel a page from a first half of the facedown book as the book is transported past the vacuum plenum by said belt means; (d) page flipping assist means immediately adjacent said vacuum plenum for contacting the page peeled from the book by said vacuum plenum and flattening the page against a second half of the facedown book; (e) roller means adjacent to and downstream of said page flipping assist means for engaging the lead edge of the bottommost page of the first half of the book after the lead edge has passed the roller means by a sufficient distance, said roller means being adapted to reduce friction between the pages of the book and said platen surface; and (f) transport means for receiving the book froms aid belt means and tranporting the book into position for copying.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The copier of claim 15, wherein the book is moved at a predetermined speed and said roller means moves at a speed equal to or slightly larger than said predetermined speed.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The copier of claim 16, wherein said page flipping assist means is a roller.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
214 words
A copier adapted for copying pages from a facedown book, comprising: (a) an exposure platen surface for copying pages from the facedown book and a belt support means in the same plane as said exposure platen surface for supporting the facedown book during forward and backward transport; (b) a vacuum plenum positioned between and in the same plane as said platen surface and said belt support means, said vacuum plenum being adapted to peel a page from a first half of the facedown book as the book is transported past the vacuum plenum by said belt support means; (c) page flipping assist means immediately adjacent said vacuum plenum for contacting the page peeled from the book by said vacuum plenum and flattening the page against a second half of the facedown book; (d) roller means adjacent to and downstream of said page flipping assist means for engaging the lead edge of the bottommost page of the first half of the book after the lead edge has passed the roller means by a sufficient distance, said roller means being adapted to reduce friction between the pages of the book and said platen surface; and (e) a tranport means for receiving the book from said belt support means and transporting the book into position for copying.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
214 words
A copier adapted for copying pages from a facedown book, comprising: (a) an exposure platen surface for copying pages from the facedown book and a belt support means in the same plane as said exposure platen surface for supporting the facedown book during forward and backward transport; (b) a vacuum plenum positioned between and in the same plane as said platen surface and said belt support means, said vacuum plenum being adapted to peel a page from a first half of the facedown book as the book is transported past the vacuum plenum by said belt support means; (c) page flipping assist means immediately adjacent said vacuum plenum for contacting the page peeled from the book by said vacuum plenum and flattening the page against a second half of the facedown book; (d) roller means adjacent to and downstream of said page flipping assist means for engaging the lead edge of the bottommost page of the first half of the book after the lead edge has passed the roller means by a sufficient distance, said roller means being adapted to reduce friction between the pages of the book and said platen surface; and (e) a tranport means for receiving the book from said belt support means and transporting the book into position for copying.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The copier of claim 18, wherein said page flipping assist means is a roller.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
53 words
The copier of claim 19, wherein said vacuum plenum includes a moveable portion having vacuum ports therein and adapted such as the page is peeled from the first half of the book the obstruction of said vacuum ports causes said moveable portion of said vacuum plenum to be drawn into an open position.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
55 words
The copier of claim 20, wherein continued peeling of the page from the first half of the book removes the page from the surface of said moveable portion of said vacuum plenum, thereby decreasing the vacuum power of said vacuum ports and allowing said moveable portion of said vacuum plenum to assume a closed position.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
125 words
A bottom sheet feeder adapted to separate sheets individually from a moving stack, comprising: moveable means for supporting a stack of sheets for movement between a first position and a second position; vacuum plenum means positioned for applying a vacuum to the bottommost sheet in the stack, said vacuum plenum having a hinged surface thereof with vacuum port therein and biased into a closed position by a torsion spring such that as the stack is moved past said vacuum plenum the obstruction of sid vacuum ports by a sheet draws said hinged usrface down into an open position against the bias of said torsion spring and complete movement of the sheet stack past said vacuum plenum allows said torsion spring to close said hinged member.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
125 words
A bottom sheet feeder adapted to separate sheets individually from a moving stack, comprising: moveable means for supporting a stack of sheets for movement between a first position and a second position; vacuum plenum means positioned for applying a vacuum to the bottommost sheet in the stack, said vacuum plenum having a hinged surface thereof with vacuum port therein and biased into a closed position by a torsion spring such that as the stack is moved past said vacuum plenum the obstruction of sid vacuum ports by a sheet draws said hinged usrface down into an open position against the bias of said torsion spring and complete movement of the sheet stack past said vacuum plenum allows said torsion spring to close said hinged member.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said roller means rotates and changes location after engagement with said lead edge of the bottommost page of the first half of the book,
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said transport means is rollers.
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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) | 1990-09-14 | 1991-03-16 | 1991-09-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-09-14 | 1995-03-16 | 1995-09-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-09-14 | 1999-03-16 | 1999-09-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |