Continuous form feeder for a reproducing machine and process

A multipurpose document feeder for a reproducing machine including means for viewing a document and for forming an image thereof on a desired copy substrate, said document feeder comprising:

• document feeding means selectively operable in a first mode wherein one or more individual documents sheets are serially fed to said viewing means or in a second mode wherein said document comprises a continuous web which is incrementally advanced over said viewing means, said continuous web being divided into a plurality of web sections and said web including spaced apart holes extending longitudinally along at least one edge thereof;
• continuous web supporting means arranged adjacent said document feeding means for supporting a fan folded stack of said web;
• means for supporting said web supporting means for movement selectively between a first start position, corresponding to said first mode, wherein it does not interfere with operation of said feeding means in said first mode of operation and a second operative position, corresponding to said second mode, wherein it is operative to support said web for feeding by said feeding means to said viewing means in said second mode of operation;
• and
• control means responsive to the movement of said web supporting means between its respective first and second positions for automatically conditioning said feeding means to operate in its corresponding first or second mode of operation;
• said feeding means further including:
• a pin wheel arranged for rotation, said pin wheel having a plurality of pins extending radially outwardly therefrom, the spacing of said pins being selected so that said pins can meet with said holes of said web;
• means for supporting said pin wheel selectively in a first stored position wherein it will not intercept a web or a sheet at said feeding means or in a second operative position wherein at least one of said pins mates with at least one of said web holes so that movement of said web causes a corresponding movement of said pin wheel;
• and
• means for positioning said pin wheel in its first position responsive to said web supporting means being moved to its first position and for positioning said pin wheel in its second position responsive to said web supporting means being moved to its second position.

A multipurpose copier comprising:

• means for viewing a document and for forming an image thereof on a desired copy substrate, means for selectively collecting said imaged substrates, said output collecting means comprising:
• an output tray for receiving said imaged substrates from said viewing and image forming means, and a collator for collecting said image substrates received from said viewing and image forming means, and means for selectively collecting said image substrates in said output tray or in said collator respectively, said copier further comprising document feeding means for feeding documents to said viewing means and control means for controlling the operation of said respective viewing and imaging means, said output collecting means and said document feeding means;
• said control means operating said document feeding means selectively in a first mode wherein one or more individual document sheets are serially fed to said viewing means or in a second mode wherein said document comprises a continuous web which is incrementally advanced over said viewing means;
• said copier means further comprising:
• continuous web supporting means arranged adjacent said document feeding means for supporting a fan-folded stack of said web;
• means for supporting said web supporting means for movement selectively between a first stored position, corresponding to said first mode, wherein it does not interfere with operation of said feeding means in said first mode of operation, and a second operative position, corresponding to said second mode, wherein it is operative to support said web for feeding by said feeding means to said viewing means in said second mode of operation;
• and
• said control means being responsive to the movement of said web supporting means between its respective first and second positions for automatically conditioning said feeding means to operate in its corresponding first or second mode of operation.

A multi-purpose copier comprising:

• means for viewing a document and for forming an image thereof on a desired copy substrate,
• output collecting means comprising:
• an output tray for receiving said image substrates from said viewing and image forming means,
• a collator for collecting said image substrates received from said viewing and image forming means,
• means for selectively collecting said imaged substrates in said output tray or in said collator, respectively,
• document feeding means for feeding documents to said viewing means and control means for controlling the operation of said respective viewing and imaging means, said output collecting means and said document feeding means;
• said control means operating said document feeding means selectively in a first mode wherein one or more individual document sheets are serially fed to said viewing means or in a second mode wherein said document comprises a continuous web which is incrementally advanced over said viewing means, said continuous web being divided into a plurality of web sections and said web including spaced apart holes extending longitudinally along at least one edge thereof;
• said copier means further comprising:
• continuous web supporting means arranged adjacent said document feeding means for supporting a fan folded stack of said web;
• means for supporting said web supporting means for movement selectively between a first start position, corresponding to said first mode, wherein it does not interfere with operation of said feeding means in said first mode of operation, and a second operative position, corresponding to said second mode, wherein it is operative to support said web for feeding by said feeding means to said viewing means in said second mode of operation;
• and
• said control means being responsive to the movement of said web supporting means between its respective first and second positions for automatically conditioning said feeding means to operate in its corresponding first or second mode of operation;
• said feeding means further including:
• a pin wheel arranged for rotation, said pin wheel having a plurality of pins extending radially outwardly therefrom, the spacing of said pins being selected so that said pins can mate with said holes of said web;
• means for supporting said pin wheel selectively in a first stored position wherein it will not intercept a web or a sheet at said feeding means or in a second operative position wherein at least one of said pins mates with at least one of said web holes so that movement of said web causes a corresponding movement of said pin wheel;
• and
• means for positioning said pin wheel in its first position responsive to said web supporting means being moved to its first position for positioning said pin wheel in its second position responsive to said web supporting means being moved to its second position.

A process for operating a multipurpose copier comprising:

• viewing a document for forming an image thereof on a desired copy substrate;
• selectively collecting said image substrates in an upper tray or a collator, respectively;
• feeding documents to said viewing means;
• and
• controlling said respective steps of viewing and imaging, collecting and document feeding comprising:
• selectively controlling said document feeding in a first mode wherein one or more individual document sheets are serially fed to be viewed in a second mode wherein said document comprises a continuous web which is incrementally advanced to be viewed;
• providing a continuous web supporting means for supporting a fan-folded stack of said web for feeding to be viewed;
• supporting said web supporting means for movement selectively between a first stored position corresponding to said first mode and a second operative position corresponding to said second mode;
• and
• responsive to the movement of said web supporting means between its respective first and second positions automatically conditioning said copier to feed said document to be viewed in a corresponding first or second mode of operation.