US5708345A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Compact sheet cutter for a document reproduction machine
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1996-04-15
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Granted: 1998-01-13
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Expires: 2016-04-15
Abstract
Abstract A compact sheet feeding and cutting apparatus is disclosed which is particularly suitable for retrofitting to an existing document reproduction machine. The sheet feeding and cutting components are located within a common housing which can be mechanically attached to an existing machine. In one embodiment, no electrical connections are required between the reproduction machine and the feeding and cutting apparatus. A sheet cutting length is entered into local memory and controls the operation of a dc stepper motor in a sheet cutting mode and a sheet feeding mode. The motor is reversed and operates in a sheet feeding mode to drive feed rollers causing the sheet to unroll from a supply roll. The motor is operatively connected to the drive feed rollers and to the sheet cutter through separate, one-way clutches. The sheet is fed from the roll at a faster speed than the speed of sheet travel within the reproduction machine as it advances to a transfer station. This speed mismatch periodically creates a buckle in the moving sheet which contacts a switch causing it to open and close. The switch thus controls an on/off operation of the motor changing it from a sheet feeding mode into a sheet cutting mode.
Inventors
- 👤 William E. Kramer
- 👤 Michael J. Tracy
- 👤 John L. Webb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:45
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/65; G03G15/6517; G03G15/6523; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/00362; G03G2215/00789; G03G2215/00814; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/202; Y10T83/2092; Y10T83/2094
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
329 words
A document reproduction machine of the type having a moving photoreceptive surface; a charging station for placing a charge on the photoreceptive surface; an exposure station for forming an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptive surface; a developing station for developing the electrostatic latent image with toner particles; a transfer station for transferring the developed image to a copy sheet; and a fusing station for fusing the developed image onto a sheet media, wherein the fusing station includes an input system for advancing sheet media at a first rate, said document reproduction machine further including a sheet cutter, comprised of: a bi-directional drive motor; a motor driven feed roller for advancing sheet media toward the input system; a roller clutch for selectively engaging said feed roller to said drive motor; a buckle sensor for sensing a minimum size buckle in the sheet media; a motor driven sheet cutter disposed between said feed roller and said input system, said sheet cutter for cutting the sheet media when said sheet cutter is driven by a motor; a sheet cutter clutch for selectively engaging said sheet cutter to said drive motor; and a sheet media length circuit for generating a cut signal when a predetermined length of sheet media has advanced from said feed roller; wherein said sheet cutter clutch engages said sheet cutter to said drive motor upon the occurrence of a cut signal; wherein said roller clutch engages said feed roller to said drive motor when said buckle sensor does not sense a minimum size buckle; wherein said sheet media advances toward the input system at a second rate which is greater than said first rate when said feed roller is driven by said drive motor, whereby an expanding buckle is formed in the sheet media; wherein said hi-directional drive motor rotates in a first direction when said sheet cutter clutch is engaged; and wherein said bi-directional drive motor rotates in a second direction when said roller clutch is engaged.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
329 words
A document reproduction machine of the type having a moving photoreceptive surface; a charging station for placing a charge on the photoreceptive surface; an exposure station for forming an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptive surface; a developing station for developing the electrostatic latent image with toner particles; a transfer station for transferring the developed image to a copy sheet; and a fusing station for fusing the developed image onto a sheet media, wherein the fusing station includes an input system for advancing sheet media at a first rate, said document reproduction machine further including a sheet cutter, comprised of: a bi-directional drive motor; a motor driven feed roller for advancing sheet media toward the input system; a roller clutch for selectively engaging said feed roller to said drive motor; a buckle sensor for sensing a minimum size buckle in the sheet media; a motor driven sheet cutter disposed between said feed roller and said input system, said sheet cutter for cutting the sheet media when said sheet cutter is driven by a motor; a sheet cutter clutch for selectively engaging said sheet cutter to said drive motor; and a sheet media length circuit for generating a cut signal when a predetermined length of sheet media has advanced from said feed roller; wherein said sheet cutter clutch engages said sheet cutter to said drive motor upon the occurrence of a cut signal; wherein said roller clutch engages said feed roller to said drive motor when said buckle sensor does not sense a minimum size buckle; wherein said sheet media advances toward the input system at a second rate which is greater than said first rate when said feed roller is driven by said drive motor, whereby an expanding buckle is formed in the sheet media; wherein said hi-directional drive motor rotates in a first direction when said sheet cutter clutch is engaged; and wherein said bi-directional drive motor rotates in a second direction when said roller clutch is engaged.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The document reproduction machine according to claim 1, wherein said bi-directional drive motor stops advancing the sheet media after the buckle expands to a predetermined size.
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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) | 2001-01-12 | 2001-07-14 | 2002-01-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-01-12 | 2005-07-14 | 2006-01-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-01-12 | 2009-07-14 | 2010-01-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |