The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 14, 1995
Filed:
Sep. 23, 1993
Richard G Weller, Webster, NY (US);
Xerox Corporation, Stamford, CT (US);
Abstract
An apparatus which separates and advances successive individual sheets from a stack of sheets. The stack of sheets is supported on a tray which moves in upwardly direction to position the uppermost sheet in engagement with an endless belt. The endless belt moves in a recirculating path to advance successive sheets from the stack. A retard roller engages the endless belt to define a nip for separating any overlapped sheets. Interposed between the retard roller and the tray is a stationary guide member. As the sheet advances toward the nip from the stack, it engages the guide member and is guided toward the nip. A thin, flexible member has one end secured to the guide member. The other end of the flexible member is free and extends into the nip. The flexible member is interposed between the belt and the retard roller with the sheet passing between the belt and the flexible member into the nip. In this way, the thin, flexible member guides the sheet into the nip, and, simultaneously, shields the sheet from the retard roll reducing friction on the sheet as it advances into the nip.