MXPA96005886A - Copying machine that has a removedorde appliance staples act - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a reproduction for producing copies of sheets of original documents of the sheets, the reproduction machine is characterized in that it comprises: (a) a structure or configuration of the machine, (b) supported means within the structure of the machine that includes an image-bearing element to form an organic pigment image of an original image of a sheet document; (c) means for transferring the image of organic pigment onto a sheet for copying; they include a platen or platen to retain and expose an original image of an original document of the sheet on the item carrying the image, and (e) a convenient staple remover station, integrated into a portion of the structure of the item. machine to effectively and safely remove stapled or bent staples that bind a set of sheet document from the stapled set of sheet documents, the The staple remover includes a staple remover, convenient or active, which has at least one movable staple removal element having means that contact the staples to couple and remove the staples fastened or bent from a staple. stapling assembly of the sheets, and separation means for separating the removed staples away from the staple extraction element, movib

Description

COPYING MACHINE THAT HAS AN ACTIVE STAPLE REMOVING DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to electrostatographic copying machines, and, in particular, to such a machine that includes a convenient staple remover station having a secure and active staple removing apparatus for removing and retaining the staples of a set of staples. of the sheets of the documents.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Copying or reproduction machines include but are not limited to electrostatic-tographic process machines. In general, however, the process of electrostatic reproduction or copying machines, such as light lenses or machines of the scanning type, includes uniformly charging an image cycle of a movable photoconductive element, or photoreceptor, to a substantially uniform potential, and download it in a similar way to images or expose it in a similar way to images in a light reflected from an original image that is copied or reproduced. The result is a REF: 23456 latent image formed electrostatically on the image cycle of the photoconductive element. For multiple original images, several such cycles are shaped into images in a similar way. The latent image thus formed on each cycle or configuration is revealed carrying a developer material loaded in contact therewith. The single-component and two-component developer materials are commonly used. A typical two-component developer material comprises magnetic carrier particles, also known as "beads or bead globules," which have charged, fusible, organic pigment particles that adhere triboelectrically thereto. A single component developer material typically comprises only charged organic pigment particles. In any case, the charged organic pigment particles fusible when brought into contact with each latent image, are attracted to such an image, thus forming an image of organic pigment on the photoconductive element. The organic pigment image is subsequently transferred at a transfer station to an image receiver or copying sheet. The sheet for copying is then passed through a fuser apparatus in which the organic pigment is heated and permanently fused to the sheet for copying forming a hard copy of the original image.

The original documents that are to be copied one by one in such a copying machine often come in the form of a stapled assembly, secured together at least at one point, by a staple. As is well known, the fastening or fastening staple has a crown portion and portions of legs that perform a perforation through the set of document sheets from a first side, and are then riveted or bent against the second or opposite side of the document. set of the sheets of the documents. An operator of the copying machine usually has to remove the staple or staples from the set of sheets of the documents before copying each of these sheets of documents, usually one by one. To remove such staples, usually manual clamp staplers of the type described are used, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,945. Typically, an area of the top panel of the copying machine, occasionally including a shallow recess or shallow depression, is used as a work surface to remove such staples using the manual staple remover. Ordinarily, there is a problem with loose and removed clamps when they are left careless in this area on the machine, even in the shallow surface recess. Such loose clamps can cause even greater problems if they fall within the operative area of the machine. As described in U.S. Pat. No. 4, 473,220 attempts to solve the above problems have included, for example, a passive fixed position finger having a sharp tip projecting onto a tray in a recess, as well as, projecting upwardly from the surrounding surface to remove the staples of the stapled sets. Such upward projection of the pointed tip of the finger is obviously not very safe. To remove a staple using the finger, an operator must manually place, and then push a stapled set of sheets over the tip of the finger so that the sharp tip contacts and leverages the staple horizontally from the assembly. The tip of the finger is toward its end to cause the staple, if properly engaged or engaged, to be released by leverage or removed from the stapled assembly. Unfortunately, however, this finger-shaped staple remover will tend to leave the staple removed still attached to the fingers, as is a common experience with manual staple removers of this kind. These fingers also use non-opposing horizontal shear forces to exert a lever force on the staple. The shearing forces are not known because they will tend to cause the staple to tear or tear the leaves, particularly since the force that is to be provided is by the thrust of an operator without a guide.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a convenient staple remover station is provided in a portion of a cycle or structure of a reproduction machine for safely and effectively removing staples from a stapled set of document sheets. The staple remover station includes a recess and a tray to automatically receive the staples removed from the stapled sets of the document sheets. Importantly, the staple remover station includes a movable, active staple remover apparatus that includes a movable, operable staple removal member having tips that engage or contact the staples to engage or engage with, and applying a normal force to a staple secured in a set of stationary sheets, by means of which the staples are pulled from the set of stationary sheets. The active staple removing apparatus further includes staple separator elements for automatically separating and removing staples removed from the staple removal element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the detailed description of the invention presented below, reference is made to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an external view of a copying machine including the active staple removing apparatus of the present invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the staple removing station (area 2 with a circle) of the copying machine of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic vertical front view of a staple collector and separator device of the staple removing apparatus of the present invention; Figure 4 is a schematic top view of the staple removing station of Figure 2 showing the staple removing apparatus of the present invention; Figure 5 is a schematic front view of the staple removing station of Figure 2 showing the staple removing apparatus of the present invention; Figure 6 is a schematic view of the staple removing station of Figure 2 showing the staple remover in position with the staples removed, closed; Figure 7 is a schematic view of the staple removing station of Figure 2 showing a removed staple, separated from the staple removal elements; and Figure 8 is a vertical schematic view of the internal process components and stations of the copying machine of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Although the present invention will be described in relation to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that it is not proposed to limit the invention to this embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Referring first to Figure 8, an exemplary electrostatic reproduction machine 8 in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. As shown, the machine 8 has conventional image forming processing stations associated therewith, including an AA charging station, an image display / BB station, a DC developing station, a station of DD transfer, an EE fusing station, and a FF cleaning station. Importantly, the machine 8 includes an active, convenient, staple remover station of the present invention, generally shown as SR, ^ (to be described in detail later). As shown, the machine 8 has a photoconductive band or belt 10 with a photoconductive layer 12 which is supported by a drive roller 14 and a tension roller 15. The drive roller 14 functions to drive the belt or belt in the indicated direction by the arrow 18. The drive roller 14 is driven by itself by a motor (not shown) by suitable means, such as a belt or belt drive. The operation of the machine 8 can be described briefly as follows. Initially, the band or photoconductor belt 10 is charged to the charging station AA by a device generating a bow in the crown 20. The loaded portion of the band or belt is then transported by the action of the driving roller 14 to the station or exposure / image formation BB where a latent image is formed on the band or strap 10 corresponding to the image on a document placed on a platen or display glass 24 through the imagery system 28 of the luminous lens of the 5 exposure / imaging station BB. It will also be understood that the image formation system of the luminous lens can be easily changed to an input / output scanning terminal or to an output scanning terminal driven by a data input signal to similarly image the band. or belt 10. As is also well known, the document on the scanning plate or crystal 24 can be placed there manually, or it could be fed there automatically by an automatic document handling device (not shown). The portion of the band or belt 10 carrying the latent image is then transported to the developing station CC where the latent image is revealed by the electrically charged organic pigment material from a roller 30 of the magnetic developer of the developing station CC. The developed image on the web or belt is then transported to the transfer station DD where the organic pigment image is transferred to a copying sheet fed from a cassette tray for the sheets, for example, the mounts 70, 72 of the tray for cassettes of the leaves. As shown, the sheets are fed, for example, by a copier handling system 31 which each includes a feeder roller 33. In the transfer station DD, a crown arc generating device 32 is provided for loading the sheet for copying to attract the organic pigment image loaded from the band or photoconductor belt 10 to the sheet for copying. The sheet for copying with the image transferred on it, is then directed to the fuser station EE. The melting apparatus in the station EE includes a hot melting roller 34 and the backup pressing roller 36. The hot melting roller 34 and the pressing roller 36 cooperate rotationally to fuse and fix the organic pigment image on the copying sheet. Then the copying sheet, as is well known, can be selectively transported to the finishing area, or to a double tray 40 along a selectable double path 42, for duplication. The portion of the web or belt 10 from which the developed image was transferred is then advanced to the cleaning station FF where the residual organic pigment and the charge on the web or belt are removed by a cleaning device such as a blade or blade 44, and a discharge lamp (not shown) for preparing the portion for a subsequent imaging cycle. When double imaging is not being done, or at the end of such double imaging, the sheets for copying once they finally leave the melter rollers 34, 36, are passed to "rollers 46 and 48 for the input to the finishing area From the input rollers 46, 48, the copying sheets are fed, for example, individually to an output tray 49, or to a tray sorting apparatus 50 wherein the sheets can be arranged in a set not stapled within the tray or within each tray 52 of the tray sorting apparatus 50. Referring now to Figure 1, the copying machine 8 is externally illustrated to show an exemplary location of the staple removal station SR, active, useful, of the present invention. Externally the copying machine 8 includes a structure or configuration generally shown as 80 that includes a panel 82 of the upper horizontal structure. The upper horizontal panel 82 includes a cover 84 of the platen or platen, and could instead include an automatic document handler (not shown), as well as an output tray 49. Copies of the original documents reproduced by the machine process 8 can be collected as previously described in a tray sorting apparatus 50 having individual trays 52. The structure or configuration 82 also includes a vertical front panel 86 having openings for the supply trays 90, 92 of the sheet for copying, for example, and forming a corner 88 with the upper horizontal panel 82. As illustrated, the active, useful, stapler removal station SR is preferably located at the corner 88. Referring in particular to the Figure 2, the active, convenient, staple remover SR station of Figure 1 is illustrated in enlarged detail. As shown, the staple removing station SR includes a recess 100 for containing the staple removing apparatus 102 of the present invention. In the upper horizontal panel 82, the station SR includes a slot Sl receiving the crown of the clip, and at least one slot S2 for tool, each of which opens towards the recess 100. Here, a pair of slots S2 , S3 for tool are preferably provided. The slots Sl for receiving the crown of the staple, preferably have a width "" that is slightly wider than the diameter of a wire for stapling sheets or papers, standard. The length of the slot Sl for receiving the clip is preferably equal to the standard length of the portion of the crown of a bent staple used to join a set of sheets. The slot Sl is cut in the plane of, and through the upper horizontal panel 82, such that an operator places a finger or thumb directly on the clamped or bent legs of a staple joining a set of sheets , without much effort it can guide the crown portion of the same staple (on the opposite side of the clamped or bent legs) in the grooves Sl. To assist the operator in initially aligning the crown of the staple with the slot Sl, the upper horizontal panel 82 includes a painted band or MI mark on either side of the slot Sl that is significantly wide enough for an operator to observe, and be centered in relation to the slot length Sl. The top panel also includes a line painted Ll on either side of the slot Sl representing an approximate alignment for the axis of the staple crown that is removed. According to the present invention therefore, and without taking into account the particular orientation of the staple fastened or bent at a corner or at an edge of a set of sheets, the operator can generally align both the length and the axis of the staple to be removed, with the MI mark and the Ll line around the slot Sl. With a thumb or tip of the finger on the clamped or bent legs of the staple on one side, the operator should easily perceive the staple crown on the opposite side that slides into a housing position within the slot Sl. The grooves S2, S3 for the tool run orthogonally with respect to the slot receiving groove of the crown, and are spaced apart along the length of the groove Sl. The upper surfaces of the grooves S2, S3 as well as those of the groove Sl, are flush with the surface of the upper horizontal panel 82. For safety reasons, the grooves S2, S3 are just wide enough to freely receive the points 110 which they make contact with the staple, of the staple removal apparatus 102 of the present invention. Within the recess 100, and directly below the crown receiving slot Sl, the staple removal apparatus 102 includes stapler bars 112 of the staples removed, a slide channel 114 for the staples removed, and a capture tray. 116 for staples removed. As shown, the tray 116 is located removably and re-installably within the recess 100 for access through the vertical front panel 86 of the machine 8. Referring now to Figures 3-4, the spacer elements 112 of the staples removed, by example, they are thin L-shaped bars that are fixed such as by means of screws, and in an inverted manner to the upper horizontal panel 82 of the structure of the machine. The spacer bars 112 are fixed in such a manner as between two tips 110 that contact the staples of each staple removal element 120, 122 of the staple removing apparatus 102 (top view of Figure 4). As further shown in Figure 4, the tips that contact the staples 110 of the staple extraction element 122 are at a wider spacing than that of the extraction element 120. This arrangement, as will be explained later, allows the narrow tips 110 of the extraction element 120 pivot in a manner superimposed between the tips 110 of the extraction element 122. As such, the spacer bar 112 on each side of the slot Sl is therefore preferably narrow enough to allow that the narrowest tips 110 of the extraction element 120 pass over each end thereof. The superimposed pivoting movement of the extraction elements 120, 122, coupled with a flare feature of their tips 110, is combined to move a staple removed downward and away from the slot Sl. As shown in Figure 3, the spacer bars 112 are mounted spaced apart to form a drop channel 124 therebetween, and directly below the slot Sl. A removed staple, which is moved away, as previously from slot Sl, is therefore moved within channel 124 between bars 112. Channel 124 is preferably wider than the diameter of a standard staple wire, to allow that a removed staple falls by gravity towards the sliding channel 114, from which it slides towards the tray 116. Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, the staple removing apparatus 102 of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. most complete way It is shown first in its inactive and normally open position (Figure 5), then in its closed position for the removal of the staples (Figure 6), and finally back to its open and inactive position, after removing a staple (Figure 6). Figure 7). As shown, the apparatus 102 preferably includes a pair of removable active movable clamps 120, 122, which are hinged together on a pivot 126 at their second ends, respectively. Each extraction element 120, 122 includes a pair of points 110 that contact the staple, sharpened, spaced apart (Figure 4) at its first ends. The extraction elements 120, 122 are pivotably movable about the pivot 126 in a closed and superposed position (Figure 6) centered on the channel for the fall of the staples 124. During such movement, the tips that contact the staple move. through slots S2, S3 for the tool on each side of slot Sl for the clip. The pivot 126 is located at a distance below the grooves Sl, S2, S3, such that given a radius of rotation of the tips 110, such tips will never project above the surface of the upper horizontal panel 82. As shown additionally, an active drive assembly 130 is provided to actively move the extraction elements 120, 122 to a position in engagement or in contact with the staple, then to a position of separation or removal of the staple (Figure 6) and finally back to its inactive and normally open position (Figure 7). The active drive assembly 130 includes a hinge sub-assembly 132 connected to the extraction members or jaws 120, 122 as shown, and to a driving connecting rod 134. The movement of the connecting rod 134 operates the extraction elements by moving them between their parts. Open and totally closed positions. The pulse power for the connecting rod 134 can, of course, be provided by a suitable device such as a mechanical actuator with a return spring (not shown), or a reversible motor and gear train assembly (which also does not is shown), or a mounting of a solenoid 136 and a return spring 138. Electric power is supplied to the solenoid by means of an actuator button 140. As further illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, an operator who wishes to remove a staple with the bent or bent legs of a stapled sheet assembly 142 will reverse the set of sheets on the SR station and attempt to align the axis of the staple crown portion between the Ll marks of the line, as well as , the length of the crown portion within the MI mark of the band (Figure 2). With the tip of a finger 144 on the clamped or bent legs of the staple on the upper side of the set of the sheets that are aligned, the operator will guide gently without much effort and will perceive that the portion of the staple crown will slide and Stay inside slot Sl. With the set of the stationary blades and the tip of the finger 144 still on the clamped or bent legs of the staple, operating the button 140 will move the extraction elements 120, 122 toward each other until the tips 110 of the same coupling or make contact with the crown of the staple on both sides thereof in slot Sl. The engagement of the staple ring on both sides as such, prevents the tearing action of the blade from the horizontal, cutting forces, from the points 110, because the forces in one direction by a set of points 110, are counteracted, or opposed by equal forces in the opposite direction. Advantageously, the net force of the tips 110 on the crown of the clip is therefore downward. As shown in Figures 5-7, each tip 110 is flared away from its sharp point, therefore the continuous motion of each tip (after it makes contact with the staple) towards and through the slot Sl will cause that the staple 150 (Figure 6) follows the flared surface of each point, and will therefore be pushed down and away from the set of the leaves 142. The separation bars 112 and the drop channel for the staples 124 are arranged or placed directly below the slot Sl, such that the staple 150 when pushed downwards by the tips 110, will be moved by the tips 110 directly towards the channel 124. Such forced downward movement of the crown portion of the staple will cause the secured or bent portions of the legs gradually flow open within and through the set of leaves in a more open position, and consequently eventually free of, the set of the leaves. ace. With the staple 150 lodged within the channel 124 and with its partially opened legs still in loose contact with the tips of the larger extraction element 122, a backward pivoting movement of the extraction elements 120, 122 provided by the return spring 138 , will cause the spacer bars 112 to retain the staple 150 within the channel 124, and consequently will remove it or remove it from the points 110 that move backward. The staple 150 after it is separated from the tips 110 as such, then it is released so that it falls by gravity through the channel 124 towards the inclined sliding channel 114 (Figure 7). In channel 114, the staple 150 then slides into the collection tray 116, which is removable and re-installable within the reel 100 through the vertical front panel 84. To summarize, the present invention provides an SR removal station of the staples, conveniently, in a portion of a structure or configuration 80 of a copying machine 8 to securely and effectively remove the staples 150 from a stapled set of document sheets 142. The staple remover station SR includes a recess 100 and a collection tray 116 for automatically receiving the staples 150 removed from the stapled sets of the document sheets. Importantly, the staple removal station SR includes a movable, active staple removing apparatus 102 that includes at least one active, movable, actionable staple removal element 120, 122 having spikes 110. for contacting the staples, for engaging or contacting, and applying a normal force to, a staple secured or bent in a set of stationary sheets, by means of which the staple 150 of the set of sheets is pulled and removed. placed stationary. The active staple removal apparatus 102 further includes staple separator elements 112 for automatically removing and removing the staples removed from the staple extraction element 120, 122. As can be seen, it has been provided in accordance with the present invention, a copying machine having a convenient staple remover station including an active staple remover that fully satisfies the objects and advantages described hereinbefore. Although this invention has been described in conjunction with a specific embodiment thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is proposed to cover all such alternatives, modifications and variations that are considered within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects to which it relates.

Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following

Claims (12)

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. A reproduction machine for producing copies of sheets of original documents of the sheets, the reproduction machine is characterized in that it comprises: (a) a structure or configuration of the machine; (b) means supported within the structure of the machine that include an element that carries the image, to form an organic pigment image of an original image of a sheet document; (c) means for transferring the organic pigment image onto a copy sheet; (d) means including a platen or platen for retaining and displaying an original image of an original document of the sheet on the item carrying the picture; and (e) a convenient or useful staple remover station, integrated into a portion of the machine structure to effectively and safely remove the clamped or bent staples joining a set of sheet document from the stapled set of documents of the sheet, the staple remover station includes a convenient, or useful, active staple remover that has at least one movable staple removal member having means that contact the staples to engage and remove the staples. staples fastened or bent from a stapled assembly of the sheets, and separating means for separating the removed staples away from the movable staple removal element.

2. The reproduction machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the separation means include a pair of thin spacer elements placed directly below a staple that is removed, the thin spacer means being spaced apart to form a fall channel to receive the staples removed by the staple removal element.

3. The reproduction machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the staple removal station, convenient or useful, includes a reception slot through an upper panel of the structure of the machine to receive and accommodate a crown of a staple being removed, and a pair of tool slots arranged or orthogonally distributed with respect to the receiving slot to allow free movement of the staple coupling means of the staple removal elements.

4. The reproduction machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the staple removal station, convenient or useful, having a pair of staple extraction elements, movable, includes first and second staple extraction elements arranged or positioned to move opposite each other to prevent tearing of the sheet, neutralizing the cutting forces of engagement or contact with the leaf, each other.

5. The reproduction machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the staple remover station, convenient or useful, includes an inclined sliding channel placed below the separation means, for receiving the removed staples separated from the extraction element of the staples. staples, and a staple collection tray or tray arranged or placed to receive the staples removed from the slide channel.

6. The reproduction machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the means for engaging or contacting the staple of the removable staple removal element includes a sharp or pointed tip having an external surface that widens away from the staple. of the sharp or pointed tip for deflecting a staple removed in spacing coupling within the fall channel when the movable staple removal element is moved rearwardly from a staple or contact position with the staples to an open position .

7. The reproduction machine according to claim 3, characterized in that it includes a set of marks on a surface of the upper panel around the receiving slot, to assist an operator in aligning a crown of a staple for locating and accommodating in the reception slot.

8. A staple removing apparatus for removing a staple joining a set of sheets from the set of sheets, the staple removing apparatus is characterized in that it comprises: (a) a movable staple removal member having a path of movement , a first end and a second end, the second end includes a sharp or pointed tip for coupling a crown portion of the staple joining the set of the leaves; (b) means connected to the extraction element for moving the sharpened or pointed tip reciprocally along the path of movement inwardly, and outwardly of a position of engagement or contact with the staple; and (c) a staple separation element mounted orthogonally relative to the movement path of the extraction element to intercept and separate the staples removed from the staple removal element, when the extraction element is being moved out of the staple. position of coupling or contact with the staple.

9. The staple removal apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that it has a pair of spacer elements including a first and a second spacer element positioned directly below a staple being removed, the first and second spacing elements. they are spaced apart to form a drop channel to receive the staples removed by the staple removal member.

10. The staple remover apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that it has a pair of movable staple removal elements, including a first and a second staple removal element, arranged to move opposite each other to to prevent tearing of the sheet by neutralizing the coupling or contact forces of the sheet produced between them.

H. The staple removing apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that it includes an inclined sliding channel positioned below the spacer elements to receive the removed staples separated from the staple extraction element, and a tray or tray for the collection. of the staples, arranged or placed to receive the staples removed from the slide channel.

12. The staple removal apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the sharp or pointed tip has an external surface that widens away from the sharp or pointed tip to deflect a staple removed from the second end of the extraction element of the staples. staples when the staple removal member is moved backward from the staple engagement position to an open position.