Document transport and separating device

Abstract

A document transport and separating device which utilizes opposing intermittent motion imparting devices having tips, the end of which are caused to move in an elliptical manner to feed, separate and align documents such as sheets of paper. One end of the tips of the devices are caused to move in an elliptical manner through a combination of application of an intermittent force parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tips of the device at its other end coupled with a rotational movement about a mounting spring which converts the longitudinal force into the elliptical motion. The longitudinal force is applied by pulsing a solenoid or electro magnet. The tips of the opposing devices are flattened at their point of intermediate contact to prevent multiple sheet feeding and greater surface contact and the coefficients of friction of the flattened tip surfaces are greater than the coefficients of friction between each of the sheets such that sheet feeding occurs. However, the coefficient of friction of the upper or feeding tip is greater than that of the lower or restraining tip to provide the dual function of both separating and transporting a sheet. Alignment of the tips such that the elliptical rotation of their ends is at an angle to the path of the paper allows alignment of a sheet of paper against a transport rail for both proper separating, transporting and alignment of a sheet.