Patent ID: 6076821
Filing Date: 2000-06-20
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
A sheet feeding apparatus for feeding each sheet from a stack of sheets including:picking means for picking a sheet from a stack of sheets for movement along a predetermined feed path;advancing means for advancing each picked sheet along the predetermined feed path;measuring means for measuring a feed period from when a pick signal is issued to said picking means until a picked sheet reaches a predetermined position along the predetermined feed path;first determining means for initially determining whether the magnitude of the measured feed time is greater than a predetermined maximum feed time for feeding a sheet from the stack of sheets to the predetermined position;first causing means for causing the pick signal to be sent to said picking means at the same time as defined by the prior picked sheet feed time if said first determining means determines that the feed time is greater than the predetermined maximum feed time;second determining means for determining whether the magnitude of the measured feed time is less than an expected feed time for feeding a sheet from the stack of sheets to the predetermined position if the measured feed time is not greater than the predetermined maximum feed time;second causing means for causing the pick signal to be earlier to said picking means than for the prior picked sheet if said second determining means determines that the measured feed time is not less than the expected feed time;and third causing means for causing the pick signal to be issued later to said picking means than for the prior picked sheet if said second determining means determines that the feed time is less than the expected feed time.