Automatic document feeder hopper flag force control

Abstract

A document feeder includes a nudger located at a first side of a document stack. The nudger applies a nudger force to the first side of the document stack. An adjustable hopper positions the document stack next to the nudger. The adjustable hopper has a hopper floor that is an inclined plane supporting a flag. The flag adjustably rests against a side of the document stack opposite the nudger and applies a variable flag force to the document stack. The flag force changes according to the incline angle of the hopper floor. The flag has a weight, and as the incline of the hopper floor increases, the flag applies an increasing force caused by the weight to the document stack. The flag force is transmitted through the document stack. The document stack applies a force to the nudger and the nudger applies a reactionary force normal to the nudger. A feedback control is coupled between the nudger and adjustable hopper so that the nudger force can be changed by adjusting the incline of the hopper floor.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.