International Business Machines Corporation

Other

Ronald J Martin

Donovan M Janssen

William H Ashbee

Mark A Beran

John Paul Mantey

James A Valent

Donald F Colglazier

William S Seaward

Larry E Rittenhouse

Gerald P Patch

Electronic alignment of paper feeding components in a machine such as an electrophotographic copier machine is achieved by placing an original master containing vernier calibrations on the document glass and a target master containing vernier calibrations in the copy paper bin. Thereupon, the machine is operated to produce a copy of the original master onto the target master producing a double set of vernier calibrations on the target master, which, when compared, provides information relating to skew angle, side edge relationship and leading edge alignment of the image to the copy paper. The vernier calibrations provide data which are keyed into a microprocessor controlled copy feeding servo mechanism to correct copy paper position and remove misalignment. The operation is repeated for various combinations of paper feed paths with techniques of original document placement and for duplex operation so that the copy paper matches image position for all modes of copier operation. For printer mode of operation, the master vernier is printed to produce the needed image. In addition, sensors are located in the copy paper path to automatically correct for deviations in the copy sheet feeding unit, caused by wear, for example, over a period of time. Sensors are also located in the document feeder so that corrections in the position of the copy paper may be made on an individualized and dynamic basis to electronically correct for misalignment of individual originals on the document glass.

Electronic alignment for a paper processing machine

A servo-controlled recirculating automatic document feeder (RADF) includes a plurality of independently driven document transport devices. A picker mechanism separates documents in seriatim from a stack. An entry turnaround transport device buffers and delivers picked documents to a platen transport device for exposure. After exposure, the document is transported along a simplex or duplex path for duplex or simplex copying. The document is then buffered in an exit turnaround transport device and is subsequently returned to the stack. Each transport device is independently driven by a motor and a closed-loop servo. A common reference oscillator generates source signals for the servo-loops. A microcomputer operates on the source signals and generates reference signals for driving the transport devices.

Servo-controlled automatic document feeder

An anti-siphon fluid tank adaptor to prevent the insertion of a siphoning tube while nonetheless permitting rapid filling of the tank. The adaptor comprises an extension firmly secured to the tank and a tubular sleeve firmly welded to the extension and having an end portion within the tank covered with a conically-shaped member. The sleeve is provided with several holes about the circumference of the sleeve and one end of the extension is provided with means for receiving a cap for closing the entire adaptor.

Anti-siphon gas tank adaptor

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Loveland, CO, United States of America

Ronald J Martin