# US 7,464,923 B2 · Multi-sectioned paper handling tire > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,464,923 B2 - Document ID: US7464923B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/429,007 - Filed: 2006-05-05 - Published: 2007-11-08 - Granted: 2008-12-16 - Earliest claimed: 2006-05-05 - Assignees: Xerox Corporation - Inventors: Gary A. Faguy; John F. Lombardo; Salvatore J. Provvidenza - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7464923B2 ## CPC - B65H 3/5261: {Retainers of the roller type, e.g. rollers} - B65H 2220/09: indicating that several of an entity are present - B65H 2401/111: Elastomer - B65H 2404/1321: Segments juxtaposed along axis - B65H: HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES ## Abstract An improved device and method for providing increased latitude of paper handling tires includes at least three elastomeric materials mounted on a shaft and divided into three or more torus-shaped sections of varied width. Combinations of EPDM, Silicone and Isoprene are examples of materials that can be used to make the paper handling tires. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A reprographic device, comprising: a scanning member for scanning a document; an image processor for receives image data from said scanning member and processing it; a sheet feeder, said sheet feeder including a separation roll that feeds copy sheets to receive images thereon from said image processor, said separation roll including a composite of at least three elastomer materials with each of said at least three elastomer materials being positioned to contact the copy sheets during feeding; and at least one output tray for receiving the imaged copy sheets. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The reprographic device of claim 1, wherein said composite of at least three elastomer materials include Silicone, Isoprene and EPDM portions. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The reprographic device of claim 2, wherein said Silicone, Isoprene and EPDM portions are mounded on a shaft, and wherein said Silicone, Isoprene and EPDM portions comprise axially extending annular bands positioned on said shaft. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The reprographic device of claim 3, wherein said axially extending annular bands are varied in width. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The reprographic device of claim 1, including a retard roll positioned to form a nip with said separation roll to feed sheets, and wherein said retard roll includes a composite of at least three elastomer materials. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The reprographic device of claim 5, including a clutch operatively connected to said shaft of said retard roll and wherein said clutch is controlled by a controller. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The reprographic device of claim 6, wherein said sheet feeder includes takeaway rolls, and wherein torque on said retard roll is reduced once a sheet reaches said takeaway rolls. ### Claim 8 A sheet feeder system, comprising: a sheet support member for supporting a stack of sheets for feeding in a predetermined direction; and a shaft mounted separation roll that feeds sheets from the stack to receive images thereon from an image processor, and wherein said separation roll comprises a composite of at least three elastomer materials with each of said at least three elastomer materials being positioned to contact the sheets during feeding. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The sheet feeder system of claim 8, wherein said at least three elastomer feed roll materials includes sections of Silicone, Isoprene and EPDM. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The sheet feeder system of claim 9, including a retard roll that forms a nip between said separation roll and said retard roll, and wherein said retard roll comprises a composite of at least three elastomer materials. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The sheet feeder system of claim 9, wherein said sections of Silicone, Isoprene and EPDM are varied in width. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The sheet feeder system of claim 11, including a clutch operatively connected to said retard roll, and wherein said clutch is controlled by a controller. ### Claim 13 A method for improving the life and reliability of a paper handling tire, comprising: providing a shaft; providing at least three bands of elastomeric material; and mounting said at least three bands of elastomeric material on said shaft and adjacent to each other such that each of said three bands of elastomeric materials has a non-covered outer surface lengthwise of said shaft to form said paper handling tire. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, including providing said at least three bands of elastomeric material in the form of Silicone, Isoprene and EPDM. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein said elastomeric bands are annular in shape. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, including providing a shaft mounted retard roll tire positioned to form a nip with a sheet separation roll tire in order to feed separate sheets from a stack of sheets, and a clutch operatively connected to said shaft of said retard roll tire. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, including controlling said clutch with a controller. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, including providing takeaway rolls with each roll comprising a composite of at least three elastomer materials, and wherein torque on said retard roll is reduced once a sheet reaches said takeaway rolls.