Patent ID: 6663101
Filing Date: 2003-12-16
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
A sheet feeder for feeding a sheet from a printer to a downstream processor, said feeder serving to receive the sheet from the printer in a first direction and comprising first feed means for feeding the sheet to the downstream processor in a second direction, and alignment means for aligning the sheet in the second direction, wherein the sheet is rectangular with a longer edge and shorter edge, and the sheet is received from the printer longer-edge-first in the first direction, and is fed from the feeder to the downstream processor shorter-edge-first in the second direction, the second direction being substantially perpendicular to the first direction and wherein the alignment means includes a guide surface extending in the second direction and the sheet feeder further includes second feed means for feeding the sheet from the printer longer-edge-first to a position in which the leading longer edge of the sheet abuts the guide surface for subsequent feeding by the first feed means and wherein the first feed means comprises a belt which receives and supports the sheet received from the second feed means wherein the belt is intermittently driven, and said feeder further comprising a sensor for sensing the presence of a belt in said position in which its leading longer edge abuts the guide surface, said sensor initiating drive of the belt to feed the sheet in said second direction and further comprising sensor means for stopping the belt in a condition to receive a further said sheet from the printer upon delivery of the previous sheet to the downstream processor and wherein the belt includes flights for engaging trailing edges of the sheets and wherein the sensor means is responsive to the position of the belt and the flights thereon relative to the second feed means.