USRE33847E — Document feeding, handling and counting apparatus

Claim 1

Independent Claim 150 words

Apparatus for separating sheets regardless of their quality or stiffness, comprising: input and output paths along which the said sheets are moved; a curved guideway for guiding sheets leaving the input path to guide said sheets to enter the output path; first rotatable means engaging each sheet and cooperating with said curved guideway for moving sheets at a first velocity along said curved guideway toward said output path; and having second means including second rotatable means coaxial with said first rotatable means for engaging the leading edge of each sheet for abruptly imparting an acceleration force upon each sheet independent of said first means for accelerating the sheets to a higher velocity, said force being exerted just before the leading edges of the sheets leave said curved guideway and the influence of said first means and approach the output path to provide a gap between adjacent ends of successive sheets.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 150 words

Apparatus for separating sheets regardless of their quality or stiffness, comprising: input and output paths along which the said sheets are moved; a curved guideway for guiding sheets leaving the input path to guide said sheets to enter the output path; first rotatable means engaging each sheet and cooperating with said curved guideway for moving sheets at a first velocity along said curved guideway toward said output path; and having second means including second rotatable means coaxial with said first rotatable means for engaging the leading edge of each sheet for abruptly imparting an acceleration force upon each sheet independent of said first means for accelerating the sheets to a higher velocity, said force being exerted just before the leading edges of the sheets leave said curved guideway and the influence of said first means and approach the output path to provide a gap between adjacent ends of successive sheets.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 20 words

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first means comprises roller means mounted to rotate about a first imaginary axis.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 57 words

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising stripper means cooperating with said first means for preventing multiple fed sheets passing between said stripper means and said first means from moving between said first means and said guideway and to assure advancement of only single sheets into the region formed between said curved guideway and said first means.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 19 words

The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said first means comprises roller means mounted to rotate about a first axis.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 54 words

The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the periphery of said roller means is provided with a periphery comprised of a first portion having a low coefficient of sliding friction and a second portion having a high coefficient of sliding friction cooperating with said stripper means for staggering the delivery of sheets to said guideway.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 63 words

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said second rotating means comprises idler means mounted to rotate about said first axis; moving acceleration means rollingly engaging said idler means forming a nip at the point of rolling engagement; said first means and said curved guideway cooperating to guide sheets to enter said nip and be accelerated thereby as the sheets enter the output path.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 24 words

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein at least one of said idler means and said acceleration means is formed of a resilient compressible material.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 16 words

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said acceleration means is formed of a resilient compressible material.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 16 words

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said acceleration means is formed of a resilient compressible material.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 38 words

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the coefficient of friction of the periphery of at least one of the idler means and acceleration means is selected to provide a suitable pulling force on sheets engaging the idler means.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 31 words

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the coefficient of friction of the periphery of the acceleration means is selected to provide a suitable pulling force on sheets engaging the acceleration means.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 24 words

The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said idler means comprises an idler roller freewheelingly mounted on said axis and rotated by said acceleration means.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 24 words

The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said acceleration means comprises an acceleration roller rollingly engaging said idler roller when no sheets pass said nip.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 51 words

The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising an infeed stacker for supporting a stack of sheets to be separated; the base of said infeed stacker being substantially coplanar with said first path; eccentric feeder means for advancing the bottom sheet in said stack along said input path towards said curved guideway.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 13 words

The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said feeder means comprises a feeder roller.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 17 words

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said feeder roller is eccentrically mounted about an axis of rotation.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 36 words

The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said infeed stacker includes a support plate having an opening, said feeder roller at least partially extending through said opening during a portion of the rotation of said feeder roller.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 58 words

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising rotating sheet receiving means including a wheel having a plurality of curved resilient blades arranged at spaced intervals about said wheel, adjacent blades cooperating to form curved pockets for receiving sheets delivered to said output path by said second means; output stacker means including means for stripping sheets from said pockets.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 58 words

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising stacker means for stacking sheets delivered to said output path said stacker means comprising a movable stacker plate for supporting sheets in a substantially upright position, the free end of said stacker plate extending upwardly from said plate, whereby sheets delivered to said stacker means are maintained in said upright position.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 58 words

The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising mounting means for slidably mounting said stacker plate; bias means for urging said stacker plate in a first direction to be retracted into said mounting means, the free end of said stacker plate being movable outwardly and away from said mounting means as the number of sheets in the stack increases.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 25 words

The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising means for sensing the gaps between adjacent sheets for counting said sheets as they pass said second means.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 36 words

The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising roller means having a resiliently mounted roller surface urged against said idler means for advancing sheets moving between said roller means and said idler means toward said curved guideway.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 84 words

The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said first means comprises a pair of drive rollers arranged upon a common axis; said second rotating means comprising an idler roller positioned between said drive rollers and arranged to rotate on said common axis independently of said drive rollers; an acceleration roller engaging said idler roller; said curved guideway comprising plate means arranged adjacent to the peripheries of said drive rollers for guiding sheets about the drive rollers for delivery towards a location for collecting the sheets.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 113 words

Apparatus for handling sheets comprising: a plurality of rollers mounted for simultaneous rotation upon a common axis; stripper means cooperating with at least a first one of said rollers and forming a first nip for preventing the passage of more than a single sheet through said first nip; acceleration means cooperating with a second one of said rollers and forming a second nip displaced from said first nip; curved guide means for guiding sheets passing said first nip along a curved path towards said second nip whereby sheets are abruptly accelerated upon entering said second nip to form a finite gap between the adjacent edges of neighboring sheets ejected from said second nip.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 113 words

Apparatus for handling sheets comprising: a plurality of rollers mounted for simultaneous rotation upon a common axis; stripper means cooperating with at least a first one of said rollers and forming a first nip for preventing the passage of more than a single sheet through said first nip; acceleration means cooperating with a second one of said rollers and forming a second nip displaced from said first nip; curved guide means for guiding sheets passing said first nip along a curved path towards said second nip whereby sheets are abruptly accelerated upon entering said second nip to form a finite gap between the adjacent edges of neighboring sheets ejected from said second nip.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 20 words

The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the rollers mounted to rotate about a common axis rotate independently of one another.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 36 words

The apparatus of claim 24 wherein a shaft is provided along said common axis and one of said rollers is fixed to said shaft while the other of said rollers is free-wheelingly mounted upon said shaft.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 44 words

The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the roller cooperating with said stripper means is provided with an annular periphery having a first peripheral portion with a coefficient of sliding friction which is greater than the coefficient of sliding friction of the remaining peripheral portion.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 24 words

The apparatus of claim 24 wherein pivotally mounted support arm means is provided for supporting both said stripper means and said curved guide means.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 31 words

The apparatus of claim 28 further comprising means on said support arm means for adjustably supporting said stripper means for selectively positioning said stripper means relative to the roller cooperating therewith.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 48 words

The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said support arm means is swingably mounted for movement between an operative position wherein said stripper means is in its cooperating relationship with its associated roller and .[.in operative.]. .Iadd.an inoperative .Iaddend.position wherein said stripper means is displaced from its associated roller.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 35 words

The apparatus of claim 30 further comprising resilient locking means for releasably retaining said support arm means in the operative position and providing a biasing force resiliently urging said stripper means toward its associated roller.

Claim 34

Independent Claim 38 words

The apparatus of claim .[.30.]. .Iadd.31 .Iaddend.wherein said resilient locking means comprises a resilient spring pivotally mounted to a stationary pivot at one end thereof and having a clip-like structure for snappingly locking with said support arm means.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 23 words

The apparatus of claim 28 further comprising adjustment means for adjusting the support arm means in the operative position relative to said rollers.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 79 words

The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said adjustment means comprises a stationary member positioned a displaced distance from said rollers and axially adjustable means mounted upon said support arm means and having a tip projecting therefrom sand engageable with said stationary .[.means.]. .Iadd.number .Iaddend.for adjusting the position of the support arm means relative to said stationary .[.means.]. .Iadd.number .Iaddend.through movement of said axially adjustable means to thereby adjust the position of said stripper means relative to its associated roller.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 50 words

The apparatus of claim 24 further comprising a dancer assembly mounted above said common axis and having one end thereof slidably engaging the periphery of the roller cooperating with said stripper means and exerting a light force thereagainst to facilitate the feeding of light, fluffy sheets into said first nip.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 60 words

The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said dancer assembly comprises roller means freewheelingly mounted upon the first end of an arm, the opposite end of which is pivotally mounted above said common axis whereby said roller means rollingly engage one of the rollers mounted upon said common axis to facilitate the feeding of light, fluffy sheets into said first nip.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 74 words

The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said dancer assembly comprises a leaf spring having a free end portion engaging the surface of one of said roller means mounted upon said common axis and having the opposite end thereof mounted to a stationary pivot, said spring .[.means.]. exerting a light spring force upon the roller means it engages and being easily moveable away from said roller means in the presence of stiffer and/or thicker sheets.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 68 words

The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the roller means cooperating with said stripper means is provided having an annular periphery with a recess extending therearound; said stripper means having a width slightly less than the width of said recess and projecting at least slightly into said recess to cause sheets fed into said first nip formed thereby to assume a curved configuration which facilitates feeding and handling thereof.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 44 words

The apparatus of claim 38 wherein the coefficient of sliding friction of the stripper means is less than the coefficient of sliding friction of at least a portion of the surface of the roller cooperating with said stripper means to form said first nip.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 29 words

The apparatus of claim 24 further comprising means for sensing the presence of gaps between documents located downstream of said second nip to facilitate the counting of said documents.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 45 words

The apparatus of claim 24 further comprising a dancer assembly swingably mounted above said common axis and having one end thereof extending downwardly toward the periphery of the roller cooperating with said stripper means to facilitate the smooth feeding of sheets through said first nip.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 28 words

The apparatus of claim 41 wherein said dancer assembly comprises a pair of members each extending toward an associated one of said rollers cooperating with said stripper means.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 122 words

Apparatus for separating sheets comprising input and output paths along which sheets are moved; a guideway having a curved portion for guiding each sheet leaving the input path to enter the output path; first rotatable means cooperating with said guideway for moving sheets at a predetermined speed along said guideway toward said output path; second means including second rotatable means coaxial with said first rotatable means for abruptly accelerating the sheets to a higher velocity and engaging the leading edge of a sheet and accelerating the engaged sheet when the trailing edge of the sheet leaves the the influence of said first means as the sheet approaches the output path to provide a gap between adjacent sheets moving in said output path.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 122 words

Apparatus for separating sheets comprising input and output paths along which sheets are moved; a guideway having a curved portion for guiding each sheet leaving the input path to enter the output path; first rotatable means cooperating with said guideway for moving sheets at a predetermined speed along said guideway toward said output path; second means including second rotatable means coaxial with said first rotatable means for abruptly accelerating the sheets to a higher velocity and engaging the leading edge of a sheet and accelerating the engaged sheet when the trailing edge of the sheet leaves the the influence of said first means as the sheet approaches the output path to provide a gap between adjacent sheets moving in said output path.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 54 words

The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising means for swingably mounting at least a portion of said guideway to move said guideway from a first position towards a second position away from the first and second means to facilitate inspection and repair; and means for releasably locking said mounting means in said first position.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 19 words

The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising resilient latch means for releasably latching said guideway in the operative position.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 26 words

The apparatus of claim 43, wherein said guideway cooperates with both said first and second means for guiding moving sheets between the input and output paths.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 36 words

The apparatus of claim 43, wherein at least one of said first and second means cooperates with said guideway for providing positive drive to a sheet as it moves between the input and output paths. .Iadd.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 121 words

Apparatus for handling sheets comprising: a plurality of rollers mounted for simultaneous rotation about a substantially common axis; stripper means cooperating with at least one of said rollers and forming a first nip for preventing the passage of more than a single sheet through said first nip; cooperating roller means rollingly engaging another one of said plurality of rollers for forming a second nip displaced from said first nip; curved guide means for guiding sheets passing said first nip along a curved path towards said second nip whereby sheets entering said second nip are advanced to an outfeed location for collection; said plurality of rollers mounted to rotate about said substantially common axis being rotatable independently of one another. .Iaddend. .Iadd.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 121 words

Apparatus for handling sheets comprising: a plurality of rollers mounted for simultaneous rotation about a substantially common axis; stripper means cooperating with at least one of said rollers and forming a first nip for preventing the passage of more than a single sheet through said first nip; cooperating roller means rollingly engaging another one of said plurality of rollers for forming a second nip displaced from said first nip; curved guide means for guiding sheets passing said first nip along a curved path towards said second nip whereby sheets entering said second nip are advanced to an outfeed location for collection; said plurality of rollers mounted to rotate about said substantially common axis being rotatable independently of one another. .Iaddend. .Iadd.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 59 words

The apparatus of claim 48 wherein at least a portion of the periphery of said one of said plurality of rollers is substantially aligned with the periphery of said cooperating roller means to position said second nip along said curved guide path to assure that sheets delivered to said second nip are advanced toward said outfeed path. .Iaddend. .Iadd.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 47 words

The apparatus of claim 48 wherein the periphery of said one of said rollers cooperating with said stripper means is provided with a first peripheral portion having a coefficient of sliding friction which is greater than the coefficient of sliding friction of the remaining peripheral position. .Iaddend.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1995-03-17	1995-09-16	1996-03-17	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1999-03-17	1999-09-16	2000-03-17	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2003-03-17	2003-09-16	2004-03-17	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Document feeding, handling and counting apparatus

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