Abstract: An exit path assembly for an imaging device according to one embodiment includes a first exit nip formed by a first roller and a second roller and a second exit nip formed by the second roller and a third roller. The rotational direction of the second roller is opposite the rotational direction of the first and third rollers. The exit path assembly further includes a common drive linkage for driving the rotation of the first, second and third rollers. The common drive linkage has a one-way clutch coupled to the third roller for limiting the drive of the third roller to one direction.

Abstract: An exit path assembly for an imaging device according to one embodiment includes a first exit nip formed by a first roller and a second roller and a second exit nip formed by the second roller and a third roller. The rotational direction of the second roller is opposite the rotational direction of the first and third rollers. The exit path assembly further includes a common drive linkage for driving the rotation of the first, second and third rollers. The common drive linkage has a one-way clutch coupled to the third roller for limiting the drive of the third roller to one direction.

Abstract: Control (P) of imaging device (1) senses the period of time sensor (17) senses media (5) at input feed roller (16a). When a too-long-over-sensor condition is sensed, drive of input feed roller (16a) is terminated by operation of clutch (C). A feed roller (19a) farther in the media path continue to operate. One sheet of media (5) is fed while a dual fed sheet is held in the nip of feed roller (16a) and idle roller (16b). Subsequently, feed roller (16a) is again driven to feed the dual fed sheet for normal imaging.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling a sheet feeder assembly for an imaging apparatus, the sheet feeder assembly including a motor coupled to a gear train for applying a rotational force to a sheet picker roller, a media supply tray for holding a media stack having a plurality of media sheets, and a buckler for buckling a top sheet of print media to separate the top sheet from the media stack, the method including the steps of driving the sheet picker roller at a initial velocity until a backlash of the gear train is eliminated and/or the top sheet has been buckled; and thereafter, accelerating the sheet picker roller from the initial velocity to a target velocity using selectable sheet picker roller velocity profiles.

Abstract: A dam has a slat disposed therein with protrusions along its sheet-engaging surface. If more than one sheet is fed from a stack to the dam, the sheets strike the slat surface and protrusions, causing the sheets to buckle and then separate from each other.

Abstract: A single pick feed mechanism is rotatable between two positions. In a first position, the single pick feed mechanism has its pick rolls rotate in one direction to pick the top sheet of a first source of media. In a second position, the single pick feed mechanism has its pick rolls rotate in the opposite direction to pick the bottom sheet of a second source of media. The first source may have sheets of a different width than the second source. The single pick feed mechanism is disposed between the sources of media.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a print media supply with a pair of opposite sides and a bottom for supporting a plurality of print media sheets. A paper feed assembly defines a media path through which the print media sheets travel. A sheet picker assembly includes a sheet picker positioned adjacent to one of the sides of the print media supply. The sheet picker is configured to move a picked sheet in a pick direction substantially parallel to the bottom from the print media supply into the print media path. A separator dam is positioned between the print media supply and the paper feed assembly. The separator dam includes a wall positioned at a transverse angle relative to the bottom. The separator dam includes at least one resistive strip or abutments on the wall. The resistive strip or abutment is positioned adjacent the side which is opposite the one side. The resistive strip or abutment has a resistance to paper movement which is greater than the first coefficient of friction.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus having an edge aligned system always maintains a nip between an intermittently driven pick roll and a friction or separator pad. When a top sheet of a stack is being advanced by the pick roll, a first spring exerts a first force on the friction or separator pad to enable advancement and separation of the top sheet. When the pick roll is stopped, a second spring exerts a second force substantially smaller than the first force on the friction or separator pad but sufficient to maintain the nip between the pick roll and the friction or separator pad to retard.

Abstract: A paper tray or fixed platform for loading paper includes an adjustable edge guide including a primary paper guide surface and a cantilever portion including an end surface, the end surface movable between retracted and extended positions, so that when the end surface is disposed in its extended position and the edge guide is moved to bring the end surface in contact with a supply of paper, the primary paper guide surface is sufficiently spaced away from the supply of paper to avoid paper pinching and excessive clearance conditions. The edge guide is molded as one piece with a living hinge, removed from the mold while warm, and a pin is inserted to prevent the cantilever portion from warping toward the guide surface during cooling.

Abstract: Height barriers (15a, 15b) on the bottom of the feed arm frame (5) are located a distance above the bottom of paper drawer (1) of a printer (13). the drawer is pulled out to load paper, and then pushed in. If the paper stack (25) is high enough to encounter the barriers, paper which encounters the barrier is pushed off the top of the stack as the drawer moves further. The pushed paper emerges in front of the printer and is removed by the operator. Back restraint (17) is integral to the elevated region (17b) followed by an inclined region (17a). Overloading of paper is prevented and the paper stack not uncompressed during subsequent paper feed.

Abstract: A dam has a plurality of substantially parallel ribs with recesses therebetween. At least one of the recesses has a pad therein with its sheet engaging surface being interior of the sheet engaging surfaces of the ribs. The rib surfaces, which are engaged first by the sheets being fed, have a lower coefficient of friction with the sheets than the sheet engaging surface of the pad. If more than one sheet is fed from a stack to the dam, the sheets will strike the rib surfaces first and then the pad surface if not separated from each other by the rib surfaces. Since the pad surface has a coefficient of friction substantially equal to the sheet to sheet friction, this step function in friction helps to separate the top sheet from the next adjacent sheet.