Patent ID: 6874782
Filing Date: 2005-04-05
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
1. A sheet detection system comprising: a first sheet transport for transporting a sheet along a first sheet transport path; at least second and third sheet transports for selectively transporting a sheet transported along said first sheet transport path along second and third spaced and substantially parallel sheet transport paths which branch from said first sheet transport path; a radiation source for emitting a beam of radiation directed toward and which intersects with said second and third sheet transport paths in the region where said second and third paths branch from said first path; a radiation detector for detecting said radiation beam, the radiation detector being spaced from the radiation source such that the second and third transport paths are intermediate the radiation source and radiation detector; and a control for controlling said first, second and third sheet transports, said radiation source and said radiation detector, such that when a sheet which is transported along said first sheet transport path by said first sheet transport is caused to be transported along one of said second or third transport paths, interruption or lack of interruption of said radiation beam by each individual sheet is detected by said radiation detector to indicate whether each individual sheet has or has not been transported along said one path.