# US 8,465,016 B2 · Media stack compression with paddle

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- Number: US 8,465,016 B2
- Document ID: US8465016B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/006,536
- Filed: 2011-01-14
- Published: 2012-07-19
- Granted: 2013-06-18
- Earliest claimed: 2011-01-14
- Assignees: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
- Applicants: Robert Lawrence Winburne; Kieran B Kelly; Keith Jariabka; Juan D Ramos
- Inventors: Robert Lawrence Winburne; Kieran B Kelly; Keith Jariabka; Juan D Ramos
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8465016B2

## CPC

- B65H 3/0684: {on moving support, e.g. pivoting, for bringing the roller or like rotary separator into contact with the pile}
- B65H 3/0661: {for separating inclined-stacked articles with separator rollers above the stack}
- B65H 3/565: {for reintroducing partially separated articles in the stack}
- B65H 2511/212: Rotary position
- B65H 2801/06: Office-type machines, e.g. photocopiers
- B65H: HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES

## Abstract

Embodiments provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for compressing media in a media stack. In various embodiments, a paddle moves between various positions. During the move, the paddle is configured to compress the media stack.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus, comprising:
a paddle configured to limit an amount of media in a media stack;
a first assembly coupled to the paddle, wherein the first assembly is configured to move the paddle between a first position and a second position, wherein the paddle compresses the media stack in the first position and is out of a media path of the media stack in the second position;
a pick mechanism operatively coupled to the first assembly, wherein the pick mechanism is configured to move media in the media stack into the media path; and
a pick arm lifter coupled to the first assembly,
wherein the pick arm lifter is configured to lift the pick mechanism from the media stack;
wherein the pick mechanism and the paddle compress the media stack on the same surface of the media stack.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first assembly comprises a cam including a plurality of dwell positions, at least one of the dwell positions corresponding to the second position.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first assembly further comprises a swing arm including a first plurality of gears and a second plurality of gears, the swing arm configured to drive the cam with the first plurality of gears in response to rotation of a feedshaft in a first direction and the second plurality of gears in response to rotation of the feedshaft in a second direction.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a second assembly coupled to the first assembly, wherein the second assembly includes a swing arm configured to actuate the pick mechanism to move the media in the media stack into the media path.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the swing arm of the second assembly is configured to actuate the pick mechanism during a transition of the paddle from the first position to the second position.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a printing module, wherein the printing module is configured to output print data via the media in the media stack.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first assembly is further configured to move the paddle from the second position to a load position, wherein the load position is disposed between the first position and the second position.

### Claim 8

A method, comprising:
limiting, by a paddle, an amount of media insertable into a media stack;
moving, by a first assembly, the paddle from a first position to a second position, wherein the paddle compresses the media stack in the first position and is out of the media path in the second position;
moving, by a pick mechanism, media in the media stack into a media path in response to movement of the paddle; and
lifting, by a pick arm lifter, the pick mechanism from the media stack in response to movement of the paddle;
wherein the pick arm lifter coupled to the first assembly,
wherein the pick arm lifter is configured to lift the pick mechanism from the media stack;
wherein the pick mechanism and the paddle compress the media stack on the same surface of the media stack.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, further comprising:
moving, by the first assembly, the paddle form the second position to the first position.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein moving the paddle from the first position to the second position comprises moving a cam through a plurality of dwell positions, the dwell positions providing a predetermined delay.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, further comprising:
moving, by the first assembly, the paddle from the second position to a load position, wherein the load position is disposed between the first position and the second position.