Patent ID: 6065886
Filing Date: 2000-05-23
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
An image forming apparatus, comprising:print media supply having a pair of opposite sides and a bottom for supporting a plurality of print media sheets;a paper feed assembly defining a media path through which the print media sheets travel;a sheet picker assembly including a sheet picker positioned adjacent to one of said sides of said print media supply, said picker being configured to move a picked sheet in a pick direction substantially parallel to said bottom from said print media supply into the print media path; anda separator dam positioned between said print media supply and said paper feed assembly, said separator dam including a wall positioned at a transverse angle relative to said bottom, said wall having a first coefficient of friction, said separator dam further including at least one paper retarding member on said wall, said paper retarding member being positioned adjacent said side which is opposite said one side, said sheet picker assembly arranged opposite where said wall has said first coefficient of friction and including structure to space said sheet picker from said at least one paper retard member a distance to buckle a picked sheet, said sheet picker assembly buckling said picked sheet in a reverse direction at said paper retard member.