FR2877331A1 - Double sided sheet handling device e.g. double sided scanner, has switching unit extending between ends of loop path, and including flexible wall that is conducting metallic sheet portion, where ground is connected to fitted edge of wall - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a loop path with one end (7) tangent to another end (5), where the ends emerge in an ejecting channel (6) towards which a sheet (F) directs after scanning. A switching unit extends between the ends, and includes a flexible wall (8) that is an electrically conducting metallic sheet portion. The wall has an edge fitted in an apex of a wedge (9) extending between the ends. A ground (13) is connected to the fitted edge.

Description

2877331 1

  The invention relates to a sheet processing device with front and back protection with integrated protection against electrical breakdowns.

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Sheet processing devices, for example of the scanner type, printers, are known, which comprise a sheet-reversing member which makes it possible to process the sheets in front and back. For this purpose, these devices define for the sheets an internal path comprising a loop path having two convergent ends which open into an ejection channel, a switching member with a movable element being disposed between the ends.

  It is known that in these devices, the leaves are charged with static electricity during their passage in the internal path. To avoid breakdown after a build-up of static electricity, the known devices generally comprise a brush which extends to come into contact with the sheets passing in the circulation path and which is connected to an electric mass to discharge the sheets of electricity. accumulated static electricity.

  OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The subject of the invention is a simplified device for processing sheets equipped with a means of protection against electrical breakdowns.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

  For the purpose of achieving this goal, there is provided a device for processing sheets in front / back with a switching member whose movable member is electrically conductive and is connected to an electrical ground of the device.

  Thus, at each passage through the switching member, the sheets are brought into contact with the conductive mobile element, which makes it possible to discharge 2877331 2 the static electricity accumulated by the sheets towards the ground connected to the movable element , and thus to avoid possible electrical breakdowns.

  The movable member of the switching member thus performs the dual function of switching and electric discharge, eliminating the need for a specific body protection against static electricity. The processing device is thereby simplified.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

  The invention will be better understood in the light of the description which follows with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the internal path of the sheets in a front / back sheet processing device according to FIG. 'invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged view of Figure 1 at the switch member.

  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

  With reference to FIG. 1, the device of the invention, here a duplex scanner, comprises a tray 1 receiving the sheets to be scanned. From the tray 1 extends a routing channel 2 which opens tangentially in a loop path 3. The sheets are fed by drive rollers from the tray 1 to the loop path 3 via the routing channel 2. Then the leaves circulate in the loop path 3 in the direction indicated by the arrows to pass in front of the scanner 4 itself.

  In the figure, there is a sheet F whose front edge has just reached the scanner 4.

  The loop path 3 has a first end 5 which opens into an ejection channel 6 to which the sheet F goes after scanning.

  In order to allow scanning of the other side of the sheet F, the loop path 3 comprises a second end 7 tangent to the first end 5 and which also opens into the ejection channel 6. Between 5.7 ends extends a switch member more particularly visible in Figure 2.

  The switching member comprises a flexible wall 8 having an edge embedded in the apex of a wedge 9 extending between the first end 5 and the second end 7. At rest, the flexible wall 8 has a free edge in bearing against a wall 10 of the ejection channel 6 which extends in continuity with one of the walls of the first end 5.

  In a manner known per se, the free edge of the flexible wall 8 comprises crenellations (not visible here) which extend at rest in the recesses 11 of the wall 10 so that the outer face 12 of the flexible wall 8 s extends tangentially to the. wall 10.

  As illustrated here, during its passage from the first end 5 to the ejection channel 6, the sheet F raises the flexible wall 8.

  According to the invention, the flexible wall 8 is here an electrically conductive sheet metal portion. The flexible wall 8 is connected to an electrical ground 13 connected to the recessed edge of the flexible wall 8 so that, during the contact between the sheet F and the flexible wall 8, the static electricity accumulated by the sheet F is discharged via the flexible wall 8 to the electrical ground 13.

  After scanning its first face, the sheet F is entirely transferred into the ejection channel 6 until the flexible wall 8 is released, which then bears against the wall 10.

  If the second face of the sheet F is to be scanned, the sheet F is then returned in the opposite direction. The flexible wall 8 plays with the wedge 9 a switching role to orient the sheet F towards the second end 7 of the loop path 3.

  The sheet F is then engaged in the loop path 3 and passes in front of the scanner 4 (presenting the scanner with its second face), then again pushes the flexible wall 8 to pass into the ejection channel 6.

  The contact of the flexible wall 8 with the sheet F makes it possible once again to discharge the static electricity accumulated by the sheet F during its second course in the loop path 3.

  To return the sheet F in its original direction, it is redoing the loop path 3, this time without scanning. Again, sheet F pushes flexible wall 8 to pass into the ejection channel and is thus discharged from accumulated static electricity.

  The invention is not limited to what has just been described, but on the contrary encompasses any variant falling within the scope defined by the claims.

  Although there is illustrated here a switching member with a flexible metal wall, the flexible wall may be made of any other electrically conductive material, such as plastic filled with carbon powder.

  Although we have illustrated the switching member with a movable member in the form of a deformable flexible wall, the movable member may take any other form, such as a rigid hinged flap.

  It is of course obvious that the invention does not apply only to scanners, but to any type of front-sided sheet processing device, such as printers, copiers, etc.

Claims (3)

  1. A sheet processing device in front / back which defines for the sheets an internal path including a path. loop (3) having two convergent ends (5, 7) which open into an ejection channel (6), a switching element (8, 9) with a movable element (8) being arranged between the two ends (5). , 7), characterized in that the movable element (8) is electrically conductive and is connected to an electrical ground (13).   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable element comprises a flexible flexible wall (8) conductive adapted to bend under the action of the sheets during their passage from one of the ends (5) to the ejection channel (6).   3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable element (8) comprises a portion of conductive metal sheet.