Scanning system with automatic paperclip attacher
AssigneeKYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
InventorGin Yoshidome
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multi-functional scanner for attaching paperclips to a sheaf of papers, which includes a paperclip dispensing system for holding and dispensing paperclips, a paperclip clamping assembly adjacent to the paperclip dispensing system for retrieving paperclips from the paperclip dispensing system, a conveyor belt located adjacent to the paperclip clamping assembly for feeding a sheaf of papers to the paperclip clamping assembly, a control circuit for controlling the paperclip dispensing system, the paperclip clamping assembly, and the conveyor belt, and where the paperclip clamping assembly is configured to attach a paperclip onto the sheaf of papers on the conveyor belt.
Claims18
A scanner comprising:
- a paperclip dispensing system for holding and dispensing paperclips;
- a paperclip clamping assembly adjacent to the paperclip dispensing system for retrieving paperclips from the paperclip dispensing system;
- a conveyor belt located adjacent to the paperclip clamping assembly for feeding a sheaf of papers to the paperclip clamping assembly;
- a push-up bar configured to apply an upwards force to the sheaf of papers and located adjacent to the conveyor belt;
- a push-down bar configured to apply downwards force to the sheaf of papers and located adjacent to the conveyor belt;
- and
- a control circuit for controlling the paperclip dispensing system, the paperclip clamping assembly, and the conveyor belt;
- wherein
- the paperclip clamping assembly is configured to attach a paperclip onto the sheaf of papers on the conveyor belt;
- and
- the push-up bar and the push-down bar are opposed to one another and operate to securely hold the sheaf of papers in place while the paperclip is being attached to the sheaf of papers.
A method of attaching a paperclip to a sheaf of papers for use in a scanner, comprising:
- retrieving the paperclip with a paperclip clamping assembly;
- advancing the paperclip clamping assembly toward the sheaf of papers;
- holding the sheaf of papers securely in place by using a push-down bar and a push-up bar, which are opposed to one another to apply a securing force to the sheaf of papers;
- opening the paperclip with the paperclip clamping assembly;
- and
- pushing the opened paperclip onto the sheaf of papers.
An apparatus for attaching a paperclip to a sheaf of papers, comprising:
- a paperclip dispensing system for holding and dispensing paperclips;
- a paperclip clamping assembly adjacent to the paperclip dispensing system for retrieving paperclips from the paperclip dispensing system;
- a conveyor belt located adjacent to the paperclip clamping assembly for feeding a sheaf of papers to the paperclip clamping assembly;
- a push-up bar configured to apply an upwards force to the sheaf of papers and located adjacent to the conveyor belt;
- a push-down bar configured to apply downwards force to the sheaf of papers and located adjacent to the conveyor belt;
- and
- a control circuit for controlling the paperclip dispensing system, the paperclip clamping assembly, and the conveyor belt;
- wherein
- the paperclip clamping assembly is configured to attach a paperclip onto the sheaf of papers on the conveyor belt;
- and
- the push-up bar and the push-down bar are opposed to one another and operate to securely hold the sheaf of papers in place while the paperclip is being attached to the sheaf of papers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.