US4825248A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sheet handling apparatus
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1988-04-29
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Granted: 1989-04-25
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Expires: 2008-04-29
Abstract
Abstract A document feeder for a copying machine supplies a sheet to an exposure position by transporting the sheet through the exposure position and then returning the sheet to the exposure position. Detectors on either side of the exposure position measure the time required for the sheet transport, thus identifying the sheet size exactly.
Inventors
- 👤 Takeshi Honjo
- 👤 Naomi Takahata
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:49
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/60; G03G15/607; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/00172; G03G2215/00177; G03G2215/00181; G03G2215/00185
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
An original document handling apparatus comprising: feed means for feeding an original document to an exposure position, said feed means being adapted, in the feeding to said exposure position, to transport the original document beyond said exposure position and then returning the original document to said exposure position; first detection means for detecting the original document at the upstream side of said exposure position; second detection means for detecting the original document at the downstream side of said exposure position; and identification means for identifying the size of the original document based on the time from the detection of the original document by said first detection means to the detection of the original document by said second detection means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
An original document handling apparatus comprising: feed means for feeding an original document to an exposure position, said feed means being adapted, in the feeding to said exposure position, to transport the original document beyond said exposure position and then returning the original document to said exposure position; first detection means for detecting the original document at the upstream side of said exposure position; second detection means for detecting the original document at the downstream side of said exposure position; and identification means for identifying the size of the original document based on the time from the detection of the original document by said first detection means to the detection of the original document by said second detection means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
An original document handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first detection means is adapted to detect the rear end of the original document.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An original document handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second detection means is adapted to detect the front end of the original document.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
An original document handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said identification means is adapted to identify the size of the original document based on the time from the detection of the original document by said first detection means to the detection of the original document by said second detection means, and on the distance from said first detection means to said second detection means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
142 words
An original document handling apparatus comprising: stacker means for supporting original documents; transport means for transporting the original documents stacked on said stacker means one by one to an exposure position and discharging said original documents after exposure thereof, said transport means being adapted, in feeding to said exposure position, to transport the original document beyond said exposure position and then to return the original document to said exposure position; detection means for detecting the original document at the downstream side of said exposure position; and control means for controlling said transport means in such manner, in transporting the original document stacked on said stacker means to said exposure position, as to start the transport of the original document to said exposure position if an original document is not detected for a predetermined period at the downstream side of said exposure position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
142 words
An original document handling apparatus comprising: stacker means for supporting original documents; transport means for transporting the original documents stacked on said stacker means one by one to an exposure position and discharging said original documents after exposure thereof, said transport means being adapted, in feeding to said exposure position, to transport the original document beyond said exposure position and then to return the original document to said exposure position; detection means for detecting the original document at the downstream side of said exposure position; and control means for controlling said transport means in such manner, in transporting the original document stacked on said stacker means to said exposure position, as to start the transport of the original document to said exposure position if an original document is not detected for a predetermined period at the downstream side of said exposure position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
An original document handling apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said predetermined period corresponds to a time for handling a maximum size of the original document.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
An original document handling apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the transport of the original documents stacked on said stacker means is initiated, in case said detection means detects an original documents within said predetermined period, after said original document has been discharged.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
131 words
A sheet handling apparatus comprising: feed means for feeding a sheet to a predetermined position; first detection means for detecting the rear end of a sheet fed by said feed means; second detection means positioned at the downstream side of said first detection means and adapted to detect the front end of a sheet fed by said feed means; and identification means for identifying the size of the sheet according to the outputs of said first and second detection means, wherein said identification means is adapted to measure the period from the detection of the rear end of the sheet by said first detection means to the detection of the front end of the sheet by said second detection means and to identify the sheet size from the thus measured period.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
131 words
A sheet handling apparatus comprising: feed means for feeding a sheet to a predetermined position; first detection means for detecting the rear end of a sheet fed by said feed means; second detection means positioned at the downstream side of said first detection means and adapted to detect the front end of a sheet fed by said feed means; and identification means for identifying the size of the sheet according to the outputs of said first and second detection means, wherein said identification means is adapted to measure the period from the detection of the rear end of the sheet by said first detection means to the detection of the front end of the sheet by said second detection means and to identify the sheet size from the thus measured period.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A sheet handling apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said sheet is an original document, and said predetermined position is an exposure position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
A sheet handling apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said feed means is adapted, in feeding to said exposure position, to feed the original document beyond said exposure position and then to return said original document to said exposure position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A sheet handling apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said second detection means is positioned at the downstream side of said exposure 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) | 1992-04-24 | 1992-10-24 | 1993-04-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-04-24 | 1996-10-24 | 1997-04-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-04-24 | 2000-10-24 | 2001-04-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |