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:
Feb. 09, 1999
Filed:
Sep. 25, 1996
Hiroshi Kida, Yamatokoriyama, JP;
Norio Hontani, Hiroshima, JP;
Masanori Kato, Hiroshima, JP;
Masanori Takeda, Fukuyama, JP;
Kiyohide Ochi, Hiroshima, JP;
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka, JP;
Abstract
First and second switchback convey paths are arranged to be symmetrical about the convey path between an inlet and a discharge path. First and second detection sensors are arranged on the first and second switchback convey paths, respectively, to detect sheets conveyed therein. A switching gate is rotatably placed between the respective convey paths. The switching gate is constituted by a first reverse guide path for causing the inlet to communicate with the first switchback convey path and also causing the discharge path to communicate with the first switchback convey path, and a second reverse guide path for causing the discharge path to communicate with the second switchback convey path and also causing the inlet to communicate with the second switchback convey path. The switching gate is switched in a state wherein the trailing end of a conveyed sheet is detected by the first detection sensor on the first switchback convey path, but no sheet is detected by the second detection sensor on the second switchback convey path. With this operation, switching control can be accurately performed without leaving the trailing end of a sheet in any of the guide paths of the switching gate.