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:
Mar. 13, 2001
Filed:
May. 08, 1997
Akihito Andoh, Kawasaki, JP;
Shinji Asami, Saitama-ken, JP;
Kenji Yamada, Tokyo-to, JP;
Hiroki Okada, Yokohama, JP;
Masahiro Tamura, Yokohama, JP;
Masahiro Minato, Yokohama, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An automatic document feeder which is operable in each of a sort/stack mode, an inversion mode, and a staple mode. A tray is provided on which a document to be stapled is stacked. A positioning element and a driving roller are provided for directing the document to be stapled to the tray and for properly positioning the document on the tray. A movable stopper is formed on the tray for properly positioning the document at a stacking position, a stapling position, and a discharge position. The document can be stapled at either a single place or at multiple places. The document passes through a first document path in the sort/staple mode, and passes through a second document path in a staple mode. The document also passes through a portion of the second document path in the inversion mode.