US 6,783,225 B2 · Vacuum feeder for imaging device

Abstract

Media is transported to an imaging region using a vacuum feeder. A vacuum head is positioned onto the media and a vacuum is applied to the vacuum head to hold the media against the vacuum head. The vacuum head is then relocated to the imaging region carrying with it the media. In one embodiment, the vacuum head holds the media slightly above the surface of the imaging region. After the media is imaged, the vacuum head moves the media to an output region. In the output region the vacuum is removed from the vacuum head allowing the media to detach from the vacuum head and remain in the output region. In another embodiment, the vacuum is removed from the vacuum head allowing the media to detach from the vacuum head and remain in the imaging region. A second vacuum head is positioned in the imaging region onto the media and a vacuum is applied to the second vacuum head to hold the media against the second vacuum head. The second vacuum head is then relocated to the output region carrying with it the media. The second vacuum head moves the media to an output region. In the output region the vacuum is removed from the second vacuum head allowing the media to detach from the second vacuum head and remain in the output region.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method for transporting media to an imaging region, the method comprising:

(a) positioning an input vacuum head onto the media;
(b) applying a vacuum to the input vacuum head;
(c) conveying the input vacuum head to the imaging region;
(d) removing the vacuum from the input vacuum head;
(e) positioning an output vacuum head onto the media;
(f) applying a vacuum to the output vacuum head;
(g) conveying the output vacuum head to an output region;
and,
(h) removing the vacuum from the output vacuum head.

6 more elements

A feeder system for transporting media from an input region to an imaging region then to an output region, the system comprising:

(a) a beam;
(b) input and output vacuum heads;
(c) input and output support arms, the input and output support arms interconnecting the input and output vacuum heads, respectively, to the beam;
(d) first and second rocker arms, each rocker arm having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of each rocker arm pivotally fixed in location relative to the imaging region, the distal end of each rocker arm pivotally attached to the beam, wherein the beam and the first and second rocker arms are linearly arranged so that the beam is moveable in a two-dimensional arcing motion, pivoting on the first and second rocker arms;
and
(e) at least one vacuum system for selectively providing vacuum to the input and output vacuum heads.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Vacuum feeder for imaging device

Life of this patent

Vacuum feeder for imaging device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18