US H1,805 H · Paper guide for high speed document reproduction

Abstract

This invention discloses a method and apparatus for properly placing copy sheets from a high speed copy machine into an exit tray. The invention utilizes a variable speed motor to control the rollers which reside at the end of the paper path. One or more paper guides mounted to the drive rollers, enable the motor to operate over a wide range of speeds, yet still work efficiently. The motor accelerates to its highest speed as the copy sheet enters the nip between the drive and idler rollers, and is decelerated to its slowest speed as the trailing edge of the copy sheet exits the nip. The trailing edge of the copy sheet then moves off of the roller and onto the paper guide. The speed of the motor can then be increased without having to wait for the copy sheet to move into the output area. This substantially reduces the period of time required to reproduce copies.

Claims11

Dependent claims

An apparatus for transporting copy sheets from a paper path to an exit tray, comprising:

a) a variable speed drive roller arrangement defining a nip through which copy sheets may pass, said drive roller arrangement located between an end of the paper path and the exit tray, said drive roller arrangement advancing sheets from the paper path to the exit tray;
b) a transport system to move a copy sheet along the paper path, and advance the copy sheet from the paper path to said nip at a high rate of speed, and to expel the copy sheet from said nip at a low rate of speed;
and
c) a paper guide arranged with respect to said drive roller arrangement, such that a trailing edge of the copy sheet passed through said nip moves away from said drive roller arrangement and onto said paper guide as the copy sheet exits said nip.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Paper guide for high speed document reproduction

Life of this patent

Paper guide for high speed document reproduction

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11