Patent ID: 6945524
Filing Date: 2005-09-20
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
1. A card singularization gate for use in an identification card printer to singularize card feed operations performed by a card feeder, in which a lead card of a card stack is driven along a card path defined by a card feed plane in a forward direction toward a card transport mechanism, which delivers the lead card to a print mechanism, the card singularization gate comprising: a roller support positioned between the card feeder and the card transport mechanism, wherein an end of the roller support is movable in the forward direction; a guide roller supported by the end of the roller support for rotation about an axis that is substantially parallel to the card feed plane and transverse to the card path, the guide roller having a card engaging side adjacent the card feed plane where non-abrasive contact of a first surface of the lead card is made during card feed operations; and a card stop adjacent a side of the guide roller that is opposite the card engaging side, whereby the lead card is allowed passage to the card transport mechanism along the card engaging side of the guide roller and cards that are stacked upon the lead card during the card feed operation are blocked by the card stop.