System and method for feeding and transporting documents including document trailing edge detection by sensing an air flow disruption while the document is still being fed from the document stack
AssigneeUnisys Corporation
InventorsJohan P. Bakker, Jeremy J. Curcuri
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for feeding and transporting documents are provided. The method includes directing airflow to a fixed location upstream of a feeder at a stack of documents such that a document trailing edge passing the fixed location causes a disruption in the airflow. The method further comprises sensing the airflow disruption to indicate detection of the document trailing edge at the fixed location. Various techniques may be utilized for sensing the airflow disruption including detecting air pressure variations, accelerations, and/or deflections that result from the disruption and airflow.
Claims17
A system for feeding and transporting documents, each document having a leading edge and a trailing edge, the system comprising:
- a feeder stage including a feeder and a separator wherein the feeder acts with the separator to feed documents singly, in order, from a stack of documents;
- a transport stage downstream of the feeder stage for receiving the fed documents;
- a pressurized air source;
- an air flow guide directed toward a fixed location upstream of the feeder at the stack of documents, the air flow guide defining a hollow cavity for accommodating air flow, having an air inlet connected to the pressurized air source, and having an air outlet directed toward the stack of documents such that a document trailing edge passing the fixed location causes a disruption in the air flow through the hollow cavity;
- and
- a sensor producing a signal indicative of the air flow disruption to indicate detection of the document trailing edge at the fixed location wherein the sensor is located to sense the air flow disruption through the hollow cavity while the document is still being fed from the document stack.
In a system for feeding and transporting documents, each document having a leading edge and a trailing edge, the system including a feeder stage including a feeder and a separator wherein the feeder acts with the separator to feed documents singly, in order, from a stack of documents, and a transport stage downstream of the feeder stage for receiving the fed documents, the method comprising:
- directing air flow toward a fixed location upstream of the feeder at the stack of documents such that a document trailing edge passing the fixed location causes a disruption in the air flow;
- and
- sensing the air flow disruption to indicate detection of the document trailing edge at the fixed location wherein the sensing location is located to sense the air flow disruption while the document is still being fed from the document stack.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.