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:
Apr. 16, 2002
Filed:
Apr. 18, 2000
Robert W. Jewell, Boise, ID (US);
Hewlett-Packard Company, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
A media separator reduces the likelihood that multiple units of print media moved from an media tray will move through an imaging device. The media separator includes a separation member that is positioned by a position adjustment mechanism using output from a piezo electric sensor. A leading edge of the unit of print media moved from the media tray contacts the separation member. The angle between a plane of the unit of print media and a perpendicular to a tangent at a location the unit of print media contacts the surface of the separation member forms a contact angle. When multiple units of the print media are moved into the media path, a frictional force is exerted by the top unit of the print media upon the unit of print media below the top unit of print media. When the leading edge of the unit of print media below the top unit of print media contacts the separating member, a frictional force is exerted upon this unit of the print media by the separating member. If the contact angle of the unit of print media below the top unit of print media is less than a lock angle, the frictional exerted by the separating member upon this unit of the print media will overcome the frictional force exerted by the top unit of print media thereby stopping movement this unit of print media. The media separation member is positioned by the position adjustment mechanism and shaped so that in a multiple feed situation, the top unit of the print media moved from the media tray contacts the separating member at a contact angle greater than the lock angle while any units of the print media below the top unit of print media contact the separating member at a contact angle less than the lock angle, thereby prevent multiple units of the print media from moving over the separating member.