GB2220759A

GB2220759A - Document reproduction machine having a book support

Info

Publication number: GB2220759A
Application number: GB8816947A
Authority: GB
Inventors: De Vlasakker Wilhelmus Alb Van
Original assignee: Xerox Corp
Current assignee: Xerox Corp
Priority date: 1988-07-15
Filing date: 1988-07-15
Publication date: 1990-01-17
Anticipated expiration: 2008-07-15
Also published as: GB2220759B; JPH0273244A; GB8816947D0

Abstract

A document reproduction machine includes a generally horizontal platen 12 for supporting documents to be copied, and an adjacent support ledge 26 is inclined downwardly from one edge of the platen for supporting the portion 30 of a bound book 10 which is not being copied when the other portion 28 of the book is on the platen. An upstanding ridge member 32 extends along at least part of said one edge of the platen to engage the centre fold of the book. <IMAGE>

Description

Document Reproduction Machine having Book Copyina Capability This invention relates to a document reproduction machine such as a xerographic copier or printer and, more particularly, to such a machine particularly suited for copying multi-page originals such as bound books.

In prior art reproduction machines, the copying of multi-page originals such as bound books presents a problem in that it is difficult to adequately copy the information adjacent the binding area. The operation is typically accomplished by pressing the page or pages to be copied against the surface of a platen. U.S. Patents 4 659 207; 4 688 930; 4 716 439 and 4 711 554 disclose various scanning arrangements which attempt to scan either one page or the other as the book is pressed against the platen surface. However, as shown, for example, in Figure 1 of the 4 716 839 patent, portions of the pages adjacent the binding area remain a short distance above the platen surface. Consequently, the information contained in these portions are out of focus on the photosensitive recording medium (and hence on the output sheet).Attempts to press the binding area closer to the platen can result in breaking the binding of the book.

One solution known in the art to the above edge copying problem is to utilize, adjacent one edge of the platen, an angled ledge or support surface sloping generally downward away from the platen edge, whereby the bound part of a book is held to the corner position of the platen so that the entire surface of one page may be placed in intimate contact with the surface of the platen. Examples of such a system are disclosed in U.S. Patents 3 775 008 and 4 008 950, and in the Xerox Corporation 3100 and 3100 LDC copiers. Such an arrangement has a number of advantages, since the book does not have to be fully opened, thereby minimising damage to the spine of the book, and the more intimate contact of the page with the platen enables improved copying of the entire page.However, it is still difficult to locate the book accurately and without skew on the platen, and the present invention seeks to overcome this difficulty.

According to the present invention, there is provided a document reproduction machine including a generally horizontal platen for supporting documents to be copied, an adjacent support ledge inclined downwardly from one edge of the platen for supporting the portion of a bound book which is not being copied when the other portion of the book is on the platen, and an upstanding ridge member extending along at least part of said one edge to engage the centre fold of the book.

A document reproduction machine in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a diagrammatic side view of the platen and scanning optical system of a xerographic copying machine.

The drawing shows a full-rate, half-rate document scanning system of the kind employed in many commercial copiers. A document 10, which is shown as a bound book, is placed on the surface of the platen 12. The scanning system includes an illumination lamp 14 and a scan mirror 16 which are adapted to move as a unit from ieft to right beneath the platen at the full-rate (scanning) speed. A corner mirror asembly 18 is adapted to move from left to right at half the scan speed to maintain a constant system conjugate. The image is projected through lens 20 and mirror 22, onto the surface of a photoreceptor drum 24. Changes in magnification are accomplished by moving lens 20 towards and away from drum 24 (for reduction or enlargement respectively) and by repositioning the mirror locations to maintain total conjugate.

Adjacent the left-hand edge of the platen 12, as viewed in the drawing, is a support ledge 26 which slopes downwardly away from the platen. As can be seen, the support ledge 26 enables the open book to be accommodated with one portion 28 on the platen and the remainder 30 on the support ledge The book does not have to be opened up 1800 (as would be the case with a horizontal platen and support ledge), thereby enabling more intimate contact of the book page being copied with the platen 12, and reducing the chances of damage to the binding of the book.

In accordance with the invention, an upstanding ridge member 32 is provided which extends along at least part of the edge of the platen adjacent the support ledge 26. This ridge member engages in the centre fold of the book and accurately aligns the book on the platen.

In the case where the copying machine is to be used only for copying books or single documents which can be placed manually on the platen, the ridge member 32 can be formed as an integral part of, or be permanently secured to, the sloping support ledge 26. The ridge member can extend the whole length of the intersection between the platen edge and the upper edge of the support ledge 26, or may comprise two or more shorter lengths spaced apart from one another. If the copying machine is to be used with any kind of automatic document handler, the ridge member 32 may be made retractable for withdrawal below the level of the top surface of the platen.Retractable registration edges or guides for the edges of books or documents are known, for example, from US Patents 4 334 674, 4 214 832, 4 281 919 and 4 344 703, as well as from Xerox Disclosure Journal Vol. 6, No. 5, September/October 1981 pp 239-240.

The ridge member is preferably relatively thin, or blade like, so that it will penetrate suitably into the centre fold of a book, but should not be sufficiently thin or sharp that it would damage the book. Any suitable rigid or semi-rigid material may be used, or a rigid material covered by a layer of a softer material. The ridge member may protrude above the top surface of the platen by any suitable amount, preferably in the range of 1 to 10 mm.

The surface of the ridge member facing the platen may be painted white, or be diffusely reflective, so as to enhance the illumination of the book page adjacent its centre fold.

The ridge member may alternatively be formed of transparent material, and may be of suitable cross-sectional shape to enhance the illumination of the book in the region of the centre foid.

Claims

Claims:

1. Document reproduction machine including a generally horizontal platen for supporting documents to be copied, an adjacent support ledge inclined downwardly from one edge of the platen for supporting the portion of a bound book which is not being copied when the other portion of the book is on the platen, and an upstanding ridge member extending along at least part of said one edge to engage the centre fold of the book.

2. The machine of claim 1 wherein the ridge member extends along the entire length of said edge of the platen

3. The machine of claim 1 wherein a plurality of ridge members are 'spaced apart along said edge of the platen.

4. The machine of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the ridge member extends between 1 and 10 mm above the surface of the platen.

5. The machine of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the ridge member is retractably mounted for withdrawal below the level of the top surface of the platen.

6. The machine of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the side of the ridge member facing the platen is white or diffusely reflective.

7. The machine of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the ridge member is of transparent material.