Abstract: An apparatus for recording an image on a sheet comprises a linear array of light sources and an optical element for transmitting light emitted from the light sources. The optical element comprises a light-transmissive member, having an entry surface for disposal near the light sources. The entry surface defines at least one set of prisms. The optical element can further define a DCPC (dielectric compound parabolic concentrator) in cross-section. Collection optics, such as a SELFOC® lens, receives light reflected from the sheet. Each prism of the optical element defines an angle whereby light exiting the optical element is outside the acceptance angle of the collection optics.

Abstract: A retard sheet feeder-separator for separating and sequentially feeding sheets with a frictional sheet feeding roller, driven via a drive train by an intermittently connected rotational drive system, feeding an individual sheet past an engaging frictional retard roller, forming a sheet retard nip therewith for holding back the other sheets, to a downstream sheet feeding nip. A flywheel having a rotational moment of inertia substantially greater than that of the drive train and the sheet feeding roller is connected to the outer end of the drive train to reduce kickback of the retarded sheets in the retard nip, especially where the retard roller is rotatable forward with a high torque drag but has kickback upon release of a fed sheet from the retard nip.

Abstract: In a moving documents imaging system in which documents are separated and sequentially fed from a stack thereof to an imaging platen surface by a separator-feeder system comprising an elastomeric document feeding roller and a frictionally engaging retard member producing elastomeric wear particles optically contaminating the imaging platen surface, an electrostatically attractive shield member is closely spaced from and closely partially surrounding the elastomeric document feeding roller surface to attract and retain these elastomeric wear particles to the interior surface of the shield member so that these particles are not transported by documents to the imaging surface and may be removed by removal of the shield or the entire separator-feeder system. The same shield member may extend to be additionally closely spaced around an elastomeric nudger wheel upstream of the sheet feeding roller. The system may further include a simple triboelectric charging member engaging the document feeding roller surface.

Abstract: A scanning system that accurately positions a moving carriage assembly in two directions relative to a platen. Such a scanning system includes a frame that has a registration member that extends in the Y direction, and a platen whose plane is normal to the Z direction and which is attached to the frame. The platen receives a substrate in a predetermined position relative to the registration member. The scanning system further includes a base that has a first and second tilted surfaces that extend in the Y direction, and a moving carriage assembly that is disposed between the platen and the base. The moving carriage assembly includes a housing, at least one button connected to the housing, and first and second biased pivot arms with first and second rollers that ride on the first and second tilted surfaces. The biased pivot arms push the housing against the tilted surfaces such that the button contacts the platen and the registration member.

Abstract: A sheet decurler such as may be used to decurl liquid or solid toned printed or copied sheets. The decurler has an extended multidirectional nip having first and second decurling members for removing multiple curl conditions from a sheet.

Abstract: In a document handler for sequentially feeding document sheets over an imaging platen to be imaged with a constant velocity driven roller overlying the imaging platen, a document feeding control system which predicts when the constant velocity driven sheet feeding roller will be driven against the platen with no document sheet therebetween, an automatic lifting system which automatically lifts the feeding roller away from the platen in response to the document feeding control system predicting that no document sheet will be between the feeding roller and the platen and a forward roller driving signal being applied or when a reverse driving signal is being applied. The constant velocity feeding roller has at least four sections of two different diameters; an inner pair of common diameter feed roller surfaces and an outer pair of slightly smaller diameter surfaces on opposite sides providing document hold down and document edge detection image background.

Abstract: A document handling system for sequentially feeding document sheets to be imaged with a controlled minimized interdocument gap therebetween even though the sheet separator-feeder sequentially feeds the documents from the stack in the input tray with initial interdocument gap variations to a second transport path portion feeding the document sheets through the imaging station at a constant velocity. A first servo drive feeds the documents in a first path portion including the separator-feeder, and a second servo drive feeds the documents in a second path portion providing the constant velocity. A sheet edge sensor in the first path portion signals the passage of the lead or trail edge of document sheets.

Abstract: Low lateral force rolls used in supporting a photoreceptor belt to minimize lateral belt motion on a multi-pass color copier. Single piece, widely spaced mounting through shafts are used in connection with side support structure of the module drawer to reduce inboard and outboard misalignment. An integral tensions slide/side plate guidance control system is employed to reduce misalignment of the tension roller. Use of these features aid in minimizing undesirable belt movement.

Abstract: A method of deskewing and side registering a sheet is disclosed. The method includes the step of driving a sheet non-differentially in a process direction with a sheet driver, the sheet having an unknown magnitude of side-to-side misregistration and an unknown initial angle of skew. The method further includes the steps of measuring the initial angle of skew with an initial skew sensing mechanism and driving the sheet differentially with the sheet driver to compensate for the magnitude of side-to-side misregistration and thereby induce a registration angle of skew. Moreover, the method includes the steps of measuring the registration angle of skew with a registration skew sensing mechanism and summing the initial angle of skew and the registration angle of skew so as to determine an absolute angle of skew.

Abstract: In a sheet feeder wherein sheets are fed from the bottom of a stack of the sheets in a stack support there is disclosed an automatic integral plural mode sheet stack sensor which, in a first mode, controls a variable pneumatic feeding means in response to sensing the height of the stack of sheets, and which, in a second mode, provides a signal indicative of the feeding from the stack support of all of the sheets in the stack.

Abstract: In a document handling system for feeding a computer forms web across the copying platen of a copier, the improvement in laterally registering the computer forms web transversely of the feeding direction of the web over the platen without utilizing the sprocket holes of the computer forms web with apparatus compatible with individual document feeding and registration comprising a lateral undercut platen registration edge channel extending in the feeding direction of the computer forms web over the platen, and a slightly angled frictional roller over the platen frictionally laterally urging the computer forms web laterallly against the lateral registration edge and frictional feeding plural driven roller nip pairs adjacent the downstream edge of the platen for applying a rotational skewing force to the computer forms web urging it against the lateral registration edge in cooperation with the computer form feeding frictional roller, and by at least one roller nip pair adjacent the lateral platen registration ed

Abstract: A document handler employing a vacuum belt feeder having an air knife to aid in sheet separation. The quantity of air discharged from the air knife is varied in accordance with the number of documents placed in the document handler as determined by counting the documents fed through the document handler during the initial feed cycle.

Abstract: A sheet inverter which accommodates the reversal of motion of sheets of different sizes within a curved fixed length inversion chute having a variable buckle control provided by highly flexible and low force spring members chordally intersecting the inverter chute which provide assistance in positively feeding the sheet back out of the chute, after it has been positively buckled therein against the chute end, but allows the undisturbed formation of buckles of various dimensions within the chute depending on the size of the sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus in which an article is illuminated by a light source moving thereacross. Vibration of the light source is minimized during the movement thereof.

Abstract: In a continuous form document feeder for a copier, for incrementally feeding a computer form or the like web document from a fan-folded stack thereof to the imaging station of a copier with a web feeder, the improvement in the supply hopper in which the fan-fold web stack is stacked and from which the web is unfolded and fed out to be copied with said web feeder, wherein said supply hopper has a generally horizontal main stack supporting floor for supporting the principal portion of the stack of fan-fold web, a downstream stack edge retaining low wall extending upwardly not substantially above the maximum height of the stack of web to be fed from the supply hopper and adjacent the end of the supply hopper from which the web is to be fed out to be copied, this low wall being adapted to retain one end of the stack of fan-fold web in the supply hopper but to provide low friction and low angle feeding of the web from the stack thereover, and a raised stack floor portion adjacent the end of the supply hopper oppos