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Paper sheet feeding apparatus

  • US 4,991,831 A
  • Filed: 08/14/1989
  • Issued: 02/12/1991
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/14/1989
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for serially feeding sheets in a forward direction from the bottom of a generally vertical stack of such sheets comprising:

  • means for supporting the generally vertical stack of sheets and so that the stack defines a forward side composed of aligned forward edges of the sheets, and a bottom, said supporting means including endless belt means and means rotatably mounting said endless belt means so as to have an upper run positioned to extend across the bottom of said stack;

    drive means for rotating said endless belt so that said upper run moves in the forward direction; and

    means including a stationary gate forming member positioned above said upper run of said belt means and adjacent the forward side of said stack and so as to define a nip which forms a gap between said gate forming member and said upper run, for permitting the lowermost sheet of the stack to pass forwardly from the stack through said nip, said gate forming member including first surface means facing toward said forward side of said stack so as to engage the forward edges of the sheets in the stack, and second surface means at said nip and having a coefficient of friction which is higher than that of said first surface means, and such that the lowermost sheet is free to pass through said nip without significant frictional resistance while the sheet immediately above the lowermost sheet is retarded in moving through said gap by its frictional engagement with said second surface means.

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