WO2013084025A1 - Multi-format document feeder for a scanner or printer - Google Patents

Multi-format document feeder for a scanner or printer Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2013084025A1
WO2013084025A1 PCT/IB2011/055482 IB2011055482W WO2013084025A1 WO 2013084025 A1 WO2013084025 A1 WO 2013084025A1 IB 2011055482 W IB2011055482 W IB 2011055482W WO 2013084025 A1 WO2013084025 A1 WO 2013084025A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
document
feeding tray
document feeder
scanner
seat
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2011/055482
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Filippo MARANGONI
Original Assignee
Musa S.R.L.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Musa S.R.L. filed Critical Musa S.R.L.
Priority to PCT/IB2011/055482 priority Critical patent/WO2013084025A1/en
Publication of WO2013084025A1 publication Critical patent/WO2013084025A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/00567—Handling of original or reproduction media, e.g. cutting, separating, stacking
    • H04N1/0062—Removing sheets from a stack or inputting media
    • H04N1/00623—Selectively inputting media from one of a plurality of input sources, e.g. input trays
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H3/00—Separating articles from piles
    • B65H3/02—Separating articles from piles using friction forces between articles and separator
    • B65H3/06—Rollers or like rotary separators
    • B65H3/0661—Rollers or like rotary separators for separating inclined-stacked articles with separator rollers above the stack
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/00567—Handling of original or reproduction media, e.g. cutting, separating, stacking
    • H04N1/0057—Conveying sheets before or after scanning
    • H04N1/00588—Conveying sheets before or after scanning to the scanning position
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
    • B65H2301/10—Selective handling processes
    • B65H2301/13—Relative to size or orientation of the material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
    • B65H2301/10—Selective handling processes
    • B65H2301/14—Selective handling processes of batches of material of different characteristics
    • B65H2301/142—Selective handling processes of batches of material of different characteristics of different thickness
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2405/00—Parts for holding the handled material
    • B65H2405/30—Other features of supports for sheets
    • B65H2405/33—Compartmented support
    • B65H2405/332—Superposed compartments
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
    • B65H2511/10—Size; Dimensions
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
    • B65H2511/20—Location in space
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
    • B65H2701/10—Handled articles or webs
    • B65H2701/19—Specific article or web
    • B65H2701/1914—Cards, e.g. telephone, credit and identity cards
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2801/00—Application field
    • B65H2801/03—Image reproduction devices
    • B65H2801/06—Office-type machines, e.g. photocopiers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof
    • H04N2201/0077—Types of the still picture apparatus
    • H04N2201/0081—Image reader
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof
    • H04N2201/0077—Types of the still picture apparatus
    • H04N2201/0082—Image hardcopy reproducer

Definitions

  • Multi-format document feeder for a scanner or printer
  • the present invention relates to a document feeder for a scanner or printer. More in particular, the invention concerns a document feeder which supports multiple formats and a considerable thickness.
  • Scanners and printers employ automatic document feeders to feed multiple sheets of paper from a stack one sheet at a time into a position for scanning, printing, copying and the like: this saves time with respect to hand feeding each sheet.
  • the format of the sheets is A4 (21 x 29,7 cm) and the thickness of a sheet is comprised between 100 ⁇ and 200 ⁇ .
  • Japanese patent application having publication number JP 2007- 251479 discloses (see Figures 1 and 3) a scanner having a main feeding tray 3 and a detachably auxiliary feeding tray 6, wherein the auxiliary feeding tray 6 is suitable to hold a business card.
  • This solution has the disadvantage that the auxiliary feeding tray 6 is suitable to hold only one format (business card) different from the format loaded into the main feeding tray 3.
  • PCT patent application having publication number WO 2006-009347-A1 discloses (see Figures 2 and 3) a scanner having a paper feeding part 104 for feeding normal-sized papers and having a support unit 106 for feeding an identification card.
  • This solution has again the disadvantage that the support unit 106 is suitable to hold only one format (identification card) different from the format holded into the paper feeding part 104.
  • the known automatic document feeders are not suitable for holding a plurality of documents of different format and thickness.
  • the present invention relates to a document feeder for a scanner or a printer as defined in claim 1 and in the preferred embodiments described in the dependent claims 2 to 17.
  • the document feeder according to the invention has the following advantages: - it is suitable for holding three documents of at least two different formats (i.e. different sizes);
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a scanner as defined in claim
  • a further object of the invention is to provide a printer as defined in claim
  • Figures 1 A-1 D schematically show a perspective view of a document feeder according to a first embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 2A shows a cross-section view along the plane a of Figure 1 A.
  • Figure 2B shows more in detail a part of the cross-section view of Figure
  • Figures 3A and 3B show more in detail a perspective view of a seat for holding a second document.
  • Figures 4A-4E schematically show a perspective view of a document feeder according to a second embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 5 schematically shows a front view of a document feeder according to the second embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 6A and 6B show more in detail a perspective view of a feeding tray for holding a third document, according to the second embodiment of the invention.
  • Figures 7A and 7B show cross-section views along the lines B-B and A-A of Figure 5 respectively.
  • FIGS 1A, 1 B, 1 C and 1 D show a perspective view of a document feeder 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention.
  • the document feeder 1 is connected to a scanner or to a printer (not shown in the drawings) with fastening means, for example with screws across the holes H1 , H2 and with anchors H3, H4, H5.
  • the document feeder 1 includes a first feeding tray 2 configured for holding one sheet 25 having a type format such as A4 (21 x 29,7 cm) or legal (21 ,6 x 35,6 cm).
  • the first feeding tray 2 is configured for holding a plurality of sheets 25 having the same type format and thus the first feeding tray 2 is configured for feeding automatically one sheet at a time into a position for scanning, printing or copying.
  • the first feeding tray 2 includes a first surface 5 for placing one or more sheets 25, wherein the shape of the first surface 5 is substantially planar and substantially rectangular and wherein the first surface 5 has a maximum extension W1 (see Figure 1 A) which is substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction of the sheet 25 towards the scanner or printer.
  • the first feeding tray 2 further includes, at two opposite sides of the first surface 5, two guides 13, 14 which have the function to guide the sheet 25 when it is pulled by the rollers towards the scanner for the scanning or towards the printer for printing or copying.
  • the closed dotted line 2 of Figure 1 A includes part of the first feeding tray 2, while another part of the first feeding tray 2 is not visible in Figure 1A, but it's visible in the cross-section view of Figure 2A, as explained more in detail afterwards.
  • the document feeder 1 further includes a second feeding tray 3 including a second surface for holding a first document 22 having a type format which can be equal or different from the type format of the sheet 25; in particular, the first document 22 is an identification card or a passport.
  • the second surface of the second feeding tray 3 overlaps (at least partially) the portion of the first surface 5 of the first feeding tray 2 which is not visible in Figure 1 A, but said overlapping portion of the first surface 5 is visible in the cross-section view of Figure 2A.
  • the closed dashed line 3 of Figure 1 A includes the elements forming the second feeding tray 3.
  • the second feeding tray 3 includes the second surface for placing the first document 22, wherein the second surface has a maximum extension W2 (see Figure 1 A) which is substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction of the first document 22 towards the scanner or printer.
  • the second surface includes a first portion 32 and a second portion 33 (see the dotted lines in Figure 1 B) both having a shape which is substantially rectangular and includes a substantially planar third portion 34 (see again the dotted lines in Figure 1 B) having a shape which is substantially rectangular and connecting (at least partially) the first portion 32 to the second portion 33, as shown schematically in Figure 1 B.
  • the first portion 32 includes a first sub-portion 50 (see Figure 3A and Figure 2A) which has a substantially planar surface and which is substantially rectangular and includes a second sub-portion 51 (see Figure 3A and Figure 2A) which has a curved surface and which is substantially rectangular, wherein the bottom side of the first sub-portion 50 is connected (see the line 40 in Figure 1 B and 3A) to the top side of the second sub-portion 51 .
  • a first sub-portion 50 see Figure 3A and Figure 2A
  • second sub-portion 51 see Figure 3A and Figure 2A
  • the second portion 33 includes a third sub-portion 52 (see Figure 3A) which has a substantially planar surface and which is substantially rectangular and includes a fourth sub-portion 53 (see Figure 3A) which has a curved surface and which is substantially rectangular, wherein the bottom side of the third sub-portion 52 is connected (see line 41 in Figure 1 B and 3A) to the top side of the fourth sub-portion 53.
  • the curved shape of the surfaces of the second sub-portion 51 and of the fourth sub-portion 53 are such to improve the loading of the first document 22 towards the rollers which pull the first document 22 towards the scanner for scanning or towards the printer for printing or copying, because the curved shape allow a gradual bending of the first document 22, thus avoiding to damage the first document 22, expecially when it is composed of a material having low elastic properties.
  • the second surface of the second feeding tray 3 overlaps (at least partially) the portion of the first surface 5 of the first feeding tray 2 which is not visible in Figure 1 A, but said overlapping portion of the first surface 5 is visible in the cross-section view of Figure 2A.
  • the second feeding tray 3 further includes, at two opposite sides of the second surface, two guides 16, 17 which have the function to guide the first document 22 when it is pulled by the rollers towards the scanner for scanning or towards the printer for printing or copying.
  • the second feeding tray 3 includes a seat 4 comprising a substantially planar third surface 31 (see the closed dotted line of Figure 3A) for holding a second document 21 .
  • the closed dashed and dotted line of Figure 1A includes the elements forming the seat 4. It is worth noting that the seat 4 is arranged into the second feeding tray 3, that is the seat 4 is integrated (at least partially) into the second feeding tray 3 and it is not a tray different from the second feeding tray 3: this arrangement allows to obtain a document feeder 1 which is compact (i.e., which has limited sizes) and cheap.
  • the seat 4 has a maximum extension W3 (see Figure 3A) which is substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction of the second document 21 towards the scanner or printer and which is smaller than the maximum extension W1 of the first feeding tray 2 and is smaller than the maximum extension W2 of the second feeding tray 3: as a consequence, the second document 21 has a size different from the size of the sheet 25 and different from the size of the first document 22. Therefore the presence at the same time of the first feeding tray 2, of the second feeding tray 3 and of the seat 4 allow to load into the document feeder 1 three documents (25, 22, 21 ) (see Figures 1 C and 1 D), thus increasing the efficiency of the scanner (or printer), because more documents can be scanned (or printed or copied) in a defined time unit.
  • W3 see Figure 3A
  • the values of the maximum extensions W3, W2, W1 allow to load into the document feeder 1 three documents (25, 22, 21 ) having at least two different type formats (i.e. different sizes).
  • the scanner connected to the document feeder 1 is such to perform, at different time instants, the scan of the sheet 25 received from the first feeding tray 2, the scan of the first document 22 received from the second feeding tray 3 and the scan of the second document 21 received from the seat 4. Similar considerations are applicable to a printer connected to the document feeder 1 for performing, at different time instants, the print or copy of the sheet 25, of the first document 22 and of the second document 21 .
  • the first feeding tray 2, the second feeding tray 3 and the seat 4 can be a single piece or can be different pieces which are connected each other.
  • Figure 3A shows more in detail the seat 4 not holding the second document 21
  • Figure 3B shows more in detail the seat 4 holding the second document 21
  • the seat 4 includes the substantially planar third surface 31 for placing the second document 21 .
  • FIG 1 B it shows the document feeder 1 having the plurality of sheets 25 loaded into the first feeding tray 2.
  • FIG 1 C it shows the document feeder 1 having at the same time the plurality of sheets 25 and the second document 21 loaded into the first feeding tray 2 and into the seat 4 respectively.
  • FIG 1 D shows the document feeder 1 having at the same time the plurality of sheets 25 and the first document 22 loaded into the first feeding tray 2 and into the second feeding tray 3 respectively.
  • the document feeder 1 further includes a loading path (see in Figure 2A the dashed line indicating P1 which is a point of the loading path) for receiving the second document 21 from the seat 4 and for guiding towards the scanner or printer the received second document 21 having a maximum thickness greater than the maximum thickness of the sheet 25, so that the document feeder 1 allows to manage a second document 21 which has a considerable thickness.
  • the second document 21 has elastic properties which are lower than the elastic properties of the sheet 25, so that the document feeder 1 allows to manage a second document 21 which has low elastic properties, meaning that the bending capability of the second document 21 is reduced.
  • the second document 21 has a maximum thickness greater than the maximum thickness of the first document 22; alternatively, the second document 21 has elastic properties which are lower than the elastic properties of the first document 22.
  • the seat 4 is a recess within the second feeding tray 3, wherein the recess is obtained by means of a substantially planar surface 35 (see the closed dotted line in Figure 3A) which is inclined with respect to the substantially planar surface of the third portion 34 along a line 46, wherein the recess has (see Figure 3A) a maximum width W3, a maximum depth D and a maximum height H.
  • the recess is defined (see Figure 3A) between:
  • the third portion 34 of the second feeding tray 3 connects the first sub-portion 50 (of the first portion 32 of the second surface of the second feeding tray 3) to the third sub-portion 52 (of the second portion 33 of the second surface of the second feeding tray 3).
  • the recess includes two leaf springs 60, 61 (see Figure 3A) for pushing the second document 21 (when it's placed above the third surface 31 ) towards the rollers 65 (see Figure 2B) of the scanner or printer, such that the rollers 65 can catch the second document 21 and pull it towards the scanner for scanning or towards the printer for printing or copying.
  • the movement of the leaf springs 60, 61 is mechanically limited by stopping means (not shown in the drawings), in order to avoid the break or the damage of the leaf 60 or 61 .
  • the maximum depth D and the inclined surface 35 define at least part of the loading path for guiding the second document 21 towards the rollers 65 of the printer or scanner (see Figure 2B), wherein the rollers 65 are such to pull the second document 21 towards the scanner for scanning or towards the printer for printing or copying, and wherein the values of the maximum depth D and of the inclination are such to reduce the bending (or are such to provide a gradual bending) of the second document 21 when it moves along the loading path: this allows to scan (or print or copy) a second document 21 - such as a credit card - which is composed of a material which has a not negligible thickness (or which has low elastic properties), because the reduced bending of the surface of the second document 21 prevents the damage of the second document 21 .
  • the maximum width W3 of the recess is slightly greater than the width of the second document 21 loaded into the recess: this allows to guide the second document 21 when it is pulled by the rollers for scanning, printing or copying.
  • the first document 22 and the second document 21 are loaded alternatively into the second feeding tray 3 and into the seat 4 respectively.
  • the sheet 25 and the second document 21 can be loaded at the same time into the first feeding tray 2 and into the seat 4 respectively; alternatively, the sheet 25 and the first document 22 can be loaded at the same time into the first feeding tray 2 and into the second feeding tray 3 respectively.
  • the document feeder 1 includes a common loading path (see in Figure 2A the dashed line indicating P3 which is a point of the common loading path) for guiding towards the scanner or printer, alternatively, the first document 22 received from the second feeding tray 3 or the second document 21 received from the seat 4.
  • a common loading path see in Figure 2A the dashed line indicating P3 which is a point of the common loading path
  • the common loading path (see in Figure 2A the dashed line indicating P3 which is a point of the common loading path) is further adapted to guide towards the scanner or printer, alternatively, the sheet 25 received from the first feeding tray 2 or for guiding the first document 22 received from the second feeding tray 3 or for guiding the second document 21 received from the seat 4, so that the rollers 65 of the scanner or printer connected to the document feeder 1 are such to pull from said common loading path the sheet 25 or the first document 22 or the second document 21 for scanning, printing or copying.
  • the second document 21 has a pulling priority greater than the pulling priority of the sheet 25, meaning that when activating the scanner or printer connected to the document feeder 1 , first the second document 21 is scanned or printed (see time t 5 in the operation of the first embodiment described afterwards) and then the sheet 25 is scanned or printed; similarly, when the sheet 25 and the first document 22 are loaded at the same time into the first feeding tray 2 and into the second feeding tray 3 respectively, the first document 22 has a pulling priority greater than the pulling priority of the sheet 25, meaning that when activating the scanner or printer connected to the document feeder 1 , first the first document 22 is scanned or printed (see time t 8 in the operation described afterwards) and then the sheet 25 is scanned or printed.
  • Figure 2A shows a cross-section view along the plane a of Figure 1 A, wherein the plane a is crossing the first feeding tray 2, the third portion 34 of the second surface of the second feeding tray 3 and the surface 35 of the recess at about half of its width W3.
  • Figure 2A it's possible to see: - the first surface 5 of the first feeding tray 2;
  • Figure 2B it shows more in detail the part of Figure 2A enclosed by the dotted circle A.
  • Figure 2B also shows the second document 21 (for example, a credit card) and the roller 65 of the scanner (or printer), wherein the roller 65 has the function to catch the second document 21 and to pull it towards the scanner for scanning or towards the printer for printing or copying.
  • the second document 21 for example, a credit card
  • the roller 65 of the scanner or printer
  • the roller 65 has the function to catch the second document 21 and to pull it towards the scanner for scanning or towards the printer for printing or copying.
  • FIG. 2B further shows a pulling system including an electric motor 60, a gearing transmission system 61 , 62, 63 and a roller 64.
  • the electric motor 60 is driven by the scanner or printer connected to the document feeder 1 and the electric motor 60 is rotatably connected integral with a first gear 61 .
  • the gearing transmission system 61 , 62, 63 has the function to reduce the speed of the motion transmitted from the electric motor 60 to the roller 64.
  • the transmission system includes the first gear 61 , a second gear 62 engaged with the first gear 61 and a third gear 63 engaged (directly or by means of a further gear) with the second gear 62.
  • the roller 64 is rotatably connected integral with the third gear 63 and it has the function to catch one sheet 25 and to pull it over a loading path (see in Figure 7A the dashed line indicating P2 which a point of the loading path) towards the scanner for scanning or towards the printer for printing or copying.
  • the first gear 61 , the second gear 62 and the third gear 63 are toothed wheels (i.e., cogwheeks), as shown schematically in Figure 2B.
  • Figure 2B further shows that the path of the second document 21 , when it moves from the position wherein it's placed above the surface 31 of the recess to the positions of the loading path wherein the second document 21 is pulled by the roller 65, allows a gradual bending of the second document 21 , thus avoiding to damage the second document 21 , expecially when it is composed of a material having a considerable thickness or having low elastic properties.
  • the document feeder 1 is connected to a scanner, that the plurality of paper sheets 25 are A4 papers, that the second document 21 is a credit card and that the first document 22 is an identification card.
  • the document feeder 1 allows to perform the scan of the first credit card 21 also if the plurality of paper sheets 25 are loaded into the first feeding tray 2.
  • the document feeder 1 allows to perform the scan of the first document 22 also if the plurality of paper sheets 25 are loaded into the first feeding tray 2.
  • FIG 4A it shows a perspective view of a document feeder 101 according to the second embodiment of the invention, wherein the same or similar blocks are indicated with the same reference numbers of the first embodiment.
  • the document feeder 101 is connected to a scanner or to a printer (not shown in the drawings), for example with screws and anchors.
  • the document feeder 101 further includes a third feeding tray 10 arranged between the first feeding tray 2 and the second feeding tray 3 (see the closed dotted line of Figure 4A), wherein the third feeding tray includes a fourth surface 55 (see the closed dashed line in Figure 6A) for holding at least one third document 23 (see Figure 4C) having a type format different from the type format of the sheet 25, of the first document 22 and of the second document 21 .
  • the third document 23 is a bank check.
  • the third feeding tray 10 is adapted to hold a plurality of third documents 23 having the same type format and the loading path is suitable for receiving automatically one third document 23 at a time and for guiding it towards the scanner or printer.
  • the third feeding tray 10 includes the fourth surface 55 wherein the at least one third document 23 is placed, wherein the shape of the fourth surface 55 is substantially planar and substantially rectangular and wherein the fourth surface 55 has a maximum extension W4 (see Figure 6A) which is substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction of the third document 23 towards the scanner or printer.
  • the fourth surface 55 overlaps a portion of the first surface 5 of the first feeding tray 2 and does not overlap the second surface of the second feeding tray 3.
  • the third feeding tray 10 is removable and is snap-fitted to a side portion of the second feeding tray 3.
  • the third feeding tray 10 includes at one side of the fourth surface 55 a fixed guide 12 which has one end snap-fitted to the top side of the second surface of the second feeding tray 3; moreover, the fourth surface 55 of the third feeding tray 10 has one side 15 which is snap-fitted to the guide 13 of the first feeding tray 2 (see Figure 6A).
  • the maximum extension W4 of the third feeding tray 10 is smaller than the maximum extension W1 of the first feeding tray 2. Moreover, the maximum extension W4 can be smaller, equal or greater than the maximum extension W2 of the second surface of the second feeding tray 3; in particular, Figures 4A, 5 and 6A show that the maximum extension W4 is substantially equal to the width of the surface of the first portion 32 of the second surface of the second feeding tray 3.
  • the third feeding tray 10 includes one movable guide 1 1 at one side of the fourth surface 55; the guide 1 1 has the function to guide the third document 23 when it is pulled by the rollers for the scanning, printing or copying and the movable feature allows to change the maximum extension W4 of the third feeding tray 10, so that the maximum extension W4 can be adjusted according to the width of the at least one third document 23 to be loaded into the third feeding tray 10.
  • FIG. 4B it shows the document feeder 101 having the plurality of sheets 25 loaded into the first feeding tray 2.
  • FIG 4C it shows the document feeder 101 having a plurality of third documents 23 loaded into the third feeding tray 10.
  • FIG 4D it shows the document feeder 101 having at the same time the plurality of sheets 25 and the plurality of third documents 23 loaded into the first feeding tray 2 and into the third feeding tray 10 respectively.
  • FIG 4E it shows the document feeder 101 having at the same time the plurality of sheets 25, the second document 21 and the plurality of third documents 23 loaded into the first feeding tray 2, into the seat 4 and into the third feeding tray 10 respectively.
  • the sheet 25 has a pulling priority greater than the third document 23 (see time period between t 3 ' and t 5 ' in the operation of the second embodiment described afterwards), meaning that when the plurality of sheets 25 and the plurality of third documents 23 are loaded at the same time and the user activates the scanner (or printer) connected to the document feeder 1 , first all the sheets 25 are scanned (or printed) and then the third document 23 is scanned.
  • the second document 21 and the plurality of third documents 23 are loaded at the same time into the first feeding tray 2, into the seat 4 and into the third feeding tray 10 respectively, the second document 21 has a pulling priority greater than the sheet 25 and the sheet 25 has a pulling priority greater than the third document 23, meaning that when the plurality of sheets 25, the second document 21 and the plurality of third documents 23 are loaded at the same time and the user activates the scanner or printer connected to the document feeder 101 , first the second document 21 is scanned or printed (see time ti' in the operation described afterwards), then all the sheets 25 are scanned or printed (see time period between t 3 ' and t 5 ' in the operation described afterwards) and finally the third document 23 is scanned or printed.
  • FIGS 4C-4E show a plurality of third documents 23 loaded into the third feeding tray 10 so that each one of the third documents 23 can be automatically loaded for the scanning, but it's also possible to load only one document 23 into the third feeding tray 10.
  • FIG 6A it shows more in detail the third feeding tray 10, wherein it's possible to see:
  • FIG. 6B it shows more in detail the third feeding tray 10 having a plurality of third documents 23 loaded therein.
  • FIG 7A it shows a cross-section view along the line B-B of Figure 5, wherein the line B-B is crossing the first feeding tray 2 and the third feeding tray 10 and the line B-B is crossing the first portion 32 of the second surface of the second feeding tray 3 wherein the recess is not present (thus line B-B is not crossing the recess).
  • the sheet 25 and the third document 23 have a common loading path (see the dashed line indicating P2 which a point of the common loading path) for receiving, alternatively, one sheet 25 from the first feeding tray 2 or one third document 23 from third feeding tray 10.
  • the roller 64 is such to catch, alternatively, one sheet 25 or one third document 23 and it is such to pull the catched document over the common loading path towards the scanner for scanning or towards the printer for printing or copying.
  • Figure 7A further shows the angles ⁇ , ⁇ , ⁇ , ⁇ formed between some elements of the document feeder 101 .
  • ⁇ 30°
  • ⁇ 34°
  • ⁇ 134°
  • ⁇ 129°.
  • FIG 7B it shows a cross-section view along the line A-A of Figure 5, wherein the line A-A is crossing the first feeding tray 2, the third portion 34 of the second surface of the second feeding tray 3 and the surface 35 of the recess at about half of its width W3, while the line A-A is not crossing the third feeding tray 10.
  • the document feeder 1 is connected to a scanner, that the plurality of paper sheets 25 are A4 papers, that the second document 21 is a credit card, that the first document 22 is an identification card and that the plurality of third documents 23 are bank checks.
  • the document feeder 101 allows to perform the scan of the first credit card 21 also if the plurality of paper sheets 25 and the plurality of bank checks 23 are loaded at the same time into the first feeding tray 2 and into the third feeding tray 10 respectively.
  • the document feeder 101 allows to perform the scan of one paper sheet 25 also if the plurality of bank checks 23 are loaded into the third feeding tray 10.
  • t 8 ' (subsequent to t 7 ') and t 9 ' (subsequent to t 8 ') the user activates the scan several times and all the bank checks 23 are pulled one at a time by the rollers of the scanner and are scanned.
  • the document feeder includes:
  • the first feeding tray 2 configured for holding one or more sheets 25 having a type format such as A4;
  • the first document 22 can be a paper sheet of A4 format, an identification card or a passport;
  • the third feeding tray 10 arranged between the first feeding tray 2 and the second feeding tray, wherein the third feeding tray 10 includes a surface 55 for holding one or more third document 23, such as a bank check.
  • the presence at the same time of the first feeding tray 2, of the second feeding tray and of the third feeding tray 10 allow to load at the same time into the document feeder 1 three documents (25, 22, 23) of at least two different formats (i.e. different sizes), thus increasing the efficiency of the scanner (or printer), because more documents of different formats can be scanned (or printed or copied) in a defined time unit.
  • the method includes the step of providing said scanner or printer including a document feeder 1 comprising a first feeding tray 2 for holding a sheet 25, comprising a second feeding tray 3 for holding a first document 22 and comprising a seat 4, included into the second feeding tray, for holding a second document 21 , wherein the maximum extension W3 of the seat 4 is smaller than the maximum extension W1 of the first feeding tray 2 and is smaller than the maximum extension W2 of the second feeding tray 3.
  • the method further includes the steps of loading a sheet 25 into the first feeding tray 2, loading into the seat 4 a second document 21 having a maximum thickness greater than the maximum thickness of the sheet, activating the scan or print and scanning or printing the second document 21 .
  • the feeding method further includes the steps of loading the first document 22 into the second feeding tray 3, activating the scan or print and scanning or printing the first document 22.
  • It is a further object of the present invention also a method for feeding documents to a scanner or printer.
  • the method includes the step of providing said scanner or printer including a document feeder 101 comprising a first feeding tray 2 for holding a sheet 25, comprising a second feeding tray 3 for holding a first document 22, comprising a third feeding tray 10 for holding a third document 23 and comprising a seat 4, included into the second feeding tray, for holding a second document 21 , wherein the maximum extension W3 of the seat 4 is smaller than the maximum extension W1 of the first feeding tray 2 and is smaller than the maximum extension W2 of the second feeding tray 3 and wherein the maximum extension W4 of the third feeding tray is smaller than the maximum extension W1 of the first feeding tray 2.
  • the method further includes the steps of loading a sheet 25 into the first feeding tray 2, loading a third document 23 into the third feeding tray 10 and loading into the seat 4 a second document 21 having a maximum thickness greater than the maximum thickness of the sheet 25.
  • the method further includes the steps of activating the scan or print and scanning or printing the second document 21 .
  • the feeding method further includes the steps of activating the scan or print and scanning or printing the sheet 25.
  • the feeding method further includes the steps of activating the scan or print and scanning or printing the third document 23.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Sheets, Magazines, And Separation Thereof (AREA)
  • Facsimiles In General (AREA)

Abstract

A document feeder (1 ) for feeding documents to a scanner or printer is described. The document feeder (1 ) comprises a first feeding tray (2) for holding a sheet (25) and a second feeding tray (3) for holding a first document (22). The second feeding tray further includes a seat (4) for holding a second document (21 ). The maximum extension (W3) of the seat is smaller than the maximum extension (W1 ) of the first feeding tray (2) and is smaller than the maximum extension (W2) of the second feeding tray (3). The document feeder includes a loading path (P1 ) for receiving the second document from the seat and for guiding towards the scanner or printer the second document having a maximum thickness greater than the maximum thickness of the sheet.

Description

Multi-format document feeder for a scanner or printer
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a document feeder for a scanner or printer. More in particular, the invention concerns a document feeder which supports multiple formats and a considerable thickness.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Scanners and printers employ automatic document feeders to feed multiple sheets of paper from a stack one sheet at a time into a position for scanning, printing, copying and the like: this saves time with respect to hand feeding each sheet. Tipically the format of the sheets is A4 (21 x 29,7 cm) and the thickness of a sheet is comprised between 100 μιτι and 200 μιτι.
Japanese patent application having publication number JP 2007- 251479 discloses (see Figures 1 and 3) a scanner having a main feeding tray 3 and a detachably auxiliary feeding tray 6, wherein the auxiliary feeding tray 6 is suitable to hold a business card. This solution has the disadvantage that the auxiliary feeding tray 6 is suitable to hold only one format (business card) different from the format loaded into the main feeding tray 3.
PCT patent application having publication number WO 2006-009347-A1 discloses (see Figures 2 and 3) a scanner having a paper feeding part 104 for feeding normal-sized papers and having a support unit 106 for feeding an identification card. This solution has again the disadvantage that the support unit 106 is suitable to hold only one format (identification card) different from the format holded into the paper feeding part 104.
Therefore the known automatic document feeders are not suitable for holding a plurality of documents of different format and thickness.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a document feeder for a scanner or a printer as defined in claim 1 and in the preferred embodiments described in the dependent claims 2 to 17.
The document feeder according to the invention has the following advantages: - it is suitable for holding three documents of at least two different formats (i.e. different sizes);
- it is suitable for holding at least one document having a considerable thickness, such as a credit card;
- it is compact;
- it is cheap.
Another object of the invention is to provide a scanner as defined in claim
18.
A further object of the invention is to provide a printer as defined in claim
19.
It is a further object of the invention a method for feeding documents to a scanner or printer as defined in claims 20 and 21 .
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figures 1 A-1 D schematically show a perspective view of a document feeder according to a first embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2A shows a cross-section view along the plane a of Figure 1 A.
Figure 2B shows more in detail a part of the cross-section view of Figure
2A.
Figures 3A and 3B show more in detail a perspective view of a seat for holding a second document.
Figures 4A-4E schematically show a perspective view of a document feeder according to a second embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 schematically shows a front view of a document feeder according to the second embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6A and 6B show more in detail a perspective view of a feeding tray for holding a third document, according to the second embodiment of the invention.
Figures 7A and 7B show cross-section views along the lines B-B and A-A of Figure 5 respectively.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Referring to Figures 1A, 1 B, 1 C and 1 D, they show a perspective view of a document feeder 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention. The document feeder 1 is connected to a scanner or to a printer (not shown in the drawings) with fastening means, for example with screws across the holes H1 , H2 and with anchors H3, H4, H5.
The document feeder 1 includes a first feeding tray 2 configured for holding one sheet 25 having a type format such as A4 (21 x 29,7 cm) or legal (21 ,6 x 35,6 cm). Preferably, the first feeding tray 2 is configured for holding a plurality of sheets 25 having the same type format and thus the first feeding tray 2 is configured for feeding automatically one sheet at a time into a position for scanning, printing or copying.
The first feeding tray 2 includes a first surface 5 for placing one or more sheets 25, wherein the shape of the first surface 5 is substantially planar and substantially rectangular and wherein the first surface 5 has a maximum extension W1 (see Figure 1 A) which is substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction of the sheet 25 towards the scanner or printer. The first feeding tray 2 further includes, at two opposite sides of the first surface 5, two guides 13, 14 which have the function to guide the sheet 25 when it is pulled by the rollers towards the scanner for the scanning or towards the printer for printing or copying. The closed dotted line 2 of Figure 1 A includes part of the first feeding tray 2, while another part of the first feeding tray 2 is not visible in Figure 1A, but it's visible in the cross-section view of Figure 2A, as explained more in detail afterwards.
The document feeder 1 further includes a second feeding tray 3 including a second surface for holding a first document 22 having a type format which can be equal or different from the type format of the sheet 25; in particular, the first document 22 is an identification card or a passport. The second surface of the second feeding tray 3 overlaps (at least partially) the portion of the first surface 5 of the first feeding tray 2 which is not visible in Figure 1 A, but said overlapping portion of the first surface 5 is visible in the cross-section view of Figure 2A.
The closed dashed line 3 of Figure 1 A includes the elements forming the second feeding tray 3. In particular, the second feeding tray 3 includes the second surface for placing the first document 22, wherein the second surface has a maximum extension W2 (see Figure 1 A) which is substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction of the first document 22 towards the scanner or printer. The second surface includes a first portion 32 and a second portion 33 (see the dotted lines in Figure 1 B) both having a shape which is substantially rectangular and includes a substantially planar third portion 34 (see again the dotted lines in Figure 1 B) having a shape which is substantially rectangular and connecting (at least partially) the first portion 32 to the second portion 33, as shown schematically in Figure 1 B.
Preferably, the first portion 32 includes a first sub-portion 50 (see Figure 3A and Figure 2A) which has a substantially planar surface and which is substantially rectangular and includes a second sub-portion 51 (see Figure 3A and Figure 2A) which has a curved surface and which is substantially rectangular, wherein the bottom side of the first sub-portion 50 is connected (see the line 40 in Figure 1 B and 3A) to the top side of the second sub-portion 51 . Similarly, the second portion 33 includes a third sub-portion 52 (see Figure 3A) which has a substantially planar surface and which is substantially rectangular and includes a fourth sub-portion 53 (see Figure 3A) which has a curved surface and which is substantially rectangular, wherein the bottom side of the third sub-portion 52 is connected (see line 41 in Figure 1 B and 3A) to the top side of the fourth sub-portion 53. The curved shape of the surfaces of the second sub-portion 51 and of the fourth sub-portion 53 are such to improve the loading of the first document 22 towards the rollers which pull the first document 22 towards the scanner for scanning or towards the printer for printing or copying, because the curved shape allow a gradual bending of the first document 22, thus avoiding to damage the first document 22, expecially when it is composed of a material having low elastic properties.
The second surface of the second feeding tray 3 overlaps (at least partially) the portion of the first surface 5 of the first feeding tray 2 which is not visible in Figure 1 A, but said overlapping portion of the first surface 5 is visible in the cross-section view of Figure 2A.
The second feeding tray 3 further includes, at two opposite sides of the second surface, two guides 16, 17 which have the function to guide the first document 22 when it is pulled by the rollers towards the scanner for scanning or towards the printer for printing or copying.
The second feeding tray 3 includes a seat 4 comprising a substantially planar third surface 31 (see the closed dotted line of Figure 3A) for holding a second document 21 . The closed dashed and dotted line of Figure 1A includes the elements forming the seat 4. It is worth noting that the seat 4 is arranged into the second feeding tray 3, that is the seat 4 is integrated (at least partially) into the second feeding tray 3 and it is not a tray different from the second feeding tray 3: this arrangement allows to obtain a document feeder 1 which is compact (i.e., which has limited sizes) and cheap.
The seat 4 has a maximum extension W3 (see Figure 3A) which is substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction of the second document 21 towards the scanner or printer and which is smaller than the maximum extension W1 of the first feeding tray 2 and is smaller than the maximum extension W2 of the second feeding tray 3: as a consequence, the second document 21 has a size different from the size of the sheet 25 and different from the size of the first document 22. Therefore the presence at the same time of the first feeding tray 2, of the second feeding tray 3 and of the seat 4 allow to load into the document feeder 1 three documents (25, 22, 21 ) (see Figures 1 C and 1 D), thus increasing the efficiency of the scanner (or printer), because more documents can be scanned (or printed or copied) in a defined time unit.
Moreover, the values of the maximum extensions W3, W2, W1 (i.e. W3 smaller than W2 and W1 ) allow to load into the document feeder 1 three documents (25, 22, 21 ) having at least two different type formats (i.e. different sizes).
According to a first example, the plurality of sheets 25 are rectangular papers of A4 format (width= 21 cm, height= 29,7 cm), the first document 22 is also a paper of A4 format and the second document 21 is a credit card having a size of width= 85,6 mm, height= 53,98 mm. In this first example, the values of the maximum extensions W1 , W2 are slightly greater than the width of the A4 papers (for example, W1 = W2= 21 ,6 cm) and the value of the maximum extension W3 is slightly greater than the width of the credit card (for example, W3= 86 mm). Therefore W3 is smaller than W1 and is smaller than W2.
According to a second example, the plurality of sheets 25 are rectangular papers of A4 format (width= 21 cm, height= 29,7 cm), the first document 22 is an identity card having a size of height=15 cm, width= 1 1 cm and the second document 21 is a credit card having a size of width= 85,6 mm, height= 53,98 mm. In this second example, the value of the maximum extension W1 is slightly greater than the width of the A4 papers (for example, W1 = 21 ,6 cm), the value of the maximum extension W2 is greater than the width of the second document (for example, W2= 21 ,6 cm) and the value of the maximum extension W3 is slightly greater than the width of the credit card (for example, W3= 86 mm). Therefore W3 is smaller than W1 and is smaller than W2.
The scanner connected to the document feeder 1 is such to perform, at different time instants, the scan of the sheet 25 received from the first feeding tray 2, the scan of the first document 22 received from the second feeding tray 3 and the scan of the second document 21 received from the seat 4. Similar considerations are applicable to a printer connected to the document feeder 1 for performing, at different time instants, the print or copy of the sheet 25, of the first document 22 and of the second document 21 .
The first feeding tray 2, the second feeding tray 3 and the seat 4 can be a single piece or can be different pieces which are connected each other. The single piece (or the different pieces) can be obtained from a material such as plastic (for example, PC-ABS= Polycarbonate- Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene, which has good mechanical properties), by means of a molding process.
Figure 3A shows more in detail the seat 4 not holding the second document 21 , while Figure 3B shows more in detail the seat 4 holding the second document 21 . In particular, the seat 4 includes the substantially planar third surface 31 for placing the second document 21 .
Referring to Figure 1 B, it shows the document feeder 1 having the plurality of sheets 25 loaded into the first feeding tray 2.
Referring to Figure 1 C, it shows the document feeder 1 having at the same time the plurality of sheets 25 and the second document 21 loaded into the first feeding tray 2 and into the seat 4 respectively.
Referring to Figure 1 D, it shows the document feeder 1 having at the same time the plurality of sheets 25 and the first document 22 loaded into the first feeding tray 2 and into the second feeding tray 3 respectively.
The document feeder 1 further includes a loading path (see in Figure 2A the dashed line indicating P1 which is a point of the loading path) for receiving the second document 21 from the seat 4 and for guiding towards the scanner or printer the received second document 21 having a maximum thickness greater than the maximum thickness of the sheet 25, so that the document feeder 1 allows to manage a second document 21 which has a considerable thickness. Alternatively, the second document 21 has elastic properties which are lower than the elastic properties of the sheet 25, so that the document feeder 1 allows to manage a second document 21 which has low elastic properties, meaning that the bending capability of the second document 21 is reduced.
Preferably, the second document 21 has a maximum thickness greater than the maximum thickness of the first document 22; alternatively, the second document 21 has elastic properties which are lower than the elastic properties of the first document 22.
According to the first example previously described, the plurality of sheets 25 are rectangular papers of A4 format (width= 21 cm, height= 29,7 cm, thickness of about 150 μιτι) and thickness comprised between 100 μιτι and 200 μιτι (or a grammage comprised between 40 and 160 g/m2), the first document 22 is also a paper of A4 format and thickness comprised between 100 μιτι and 200 μιτι (or a grammage comprised between 40 and 160 g/m2) and the second document 21 is a credit card having a size of 85,6 mm x 53,98 mm and a thickness equal to 0,76 mm. Therefore the maximum thickness of the credit card 21 is greater than the maximum thickness of the A4 paper sheet 25 and is greater than the maximum thickness of the A4 paper sheet 22.
According to the second example previously described, the plurality of sheets 25 are rectangular papers of A4 format (width= 21 cm, height= 29,7 cm, thickness of about 150 μιτι) and thickness comprised between 100 μιτι and 200 μιτι (or a grammage comprised between 40 and 160 g/m2), the first document 22 is an identity card having a size of height=15 cm, width= 1 1 cm and thickness of about 1 mm and the second document 21 is a credit card having a size of 85,6 mm x 53,98 mm and a thickness equal to 0,76 mm. Therefore the maximum thickness of the credit card 21 is greater than the maximum thickness of the A4 paper sheet 25 and is greater than the maximum thickness of the identity card 22.
Advantageously, the seat 4 is a recess within the second feeding tray 3, wherein the recess is obtained by means of a substantially planar surface 35 (see the closed dotted line in Figure 3A) which is inclined with respect to the substantially planar surface of the third portion 34 along a line 46, wherein the recess has (see Figure 3A) a maximum width W3, a maximum depth D and a maximum height H. Specifically, the recess is defined (see Figure 3A) between:
- the substantially rectangular surface 35 defined between the line 46, the heigth H on the left, the heigth H on the right and the top side of the third surface 31 ;
- the portion of the third surface 31 defined by the width W3 and by the depth D;
- a left wedge-shaped part of the second feeding tray 3 defined between the depth D, the heigth H and the curved surface of the second sub-portion 51 ;
- a right wedge-shaped part of the second feeding tray 3 defined between the depth D, the heigth H and the curved surface of the fourth sub-portion 53.
Preferably, the third portion 34 of the second feeding tray 3 connects the first sub-portion 50 (of the first portion 32 of the second surface of the second feeding tray 3) to the third sub-portion 52 (of the second portion 33 of the second surface of the second feeding tray 3).
Preferably, the recess includes two leaf springs 60, 61 (see Figure 3A) for pushing the second document 21 (when it's placed above the third surface 31 ) towards the rollers 65 (see Figure 2B) of the scanner or printer, such that the rollers 65 can catch the second document 21 and pull it towards the scanner for scanning or towards the printer for printing or copying.
Preferably, the movement of the leaf springs 60, 61 is mechanically limited by stopping means (not shown in the drawings), in order to avoid the break or the damage of the leaf 60 or 61 .
The maximum depth D and the inclined surface 35 define at least part of the loading path for guiding the second document 21 towards the rollers 65 of the printer or scanner (see Figure 2B), wherein the rollers 65 are such to pull the second document 21 towards the scanner for scanning or towards the printer for printing or copying, and wherein the values of the maximum depth D and of the inclination are such to reduce the bending (or are such to provide a gradual bending) of the second document 21 when it moves along the loading path: this allows to scan (or print or copy) a second document 21 - such as a credit card - which is composed of a material which has a not negligible thickness (or which has low elastic properties), because the reduced bending of the surface of the second document 21 prevents the damage of the second document 21 . Preferably, the maximum width W3 of the recess is slightly greater than the width of the second document 21 loaded into the recess: this allows to guide the second document 21 when it is pulled by the rollers for scanning, printing or copying.
Preferably, the first document 22 and the second document 21 are loaded alternatively into the second feeding tray 3 and into the seat 4 respectively. In other words, when the first document 22 is holded into the second feeding tray 3, the second document 21 is not holded into the seat 4, and when the second document 21 is holded into the seat 4, the first document 22 is not holded into the second feeding tray 3. Therefore the sheet 25 and the second document 21 can be loaded at the same time into the first feeding tray 2 and into the seat 4 respectively; alternatively, the sheet 25 and the first document 22 can be loaded at the same time into the first feeding tray 2 and into the second feeding tray 3 respectively. In this case, the document feeder 1 includes a common loading path (see in Figure 2A the dashed line indicating P3 which is a point of the common loading path) for guiding towards the scanner or printer, alternatively, the first document 22 received from the second feeding tray 3 or the second document 21 received from the seat 4. Preferably, the common loading path (see in Figure 2A the dashed line indicating P3 which is a point of the common loading path) is further adapted to guide towards the scanner or printer, alternatively, the sheet 25 received from the first feeding tray 2 or for guiding the first document 22 received from the second feeding tray 3 or for guiding the second document 21 received from the seat 4, so that the rollers 65 of the scanner or printer connected to the document feeder 1 are such to pull from said common loading path the sheet 25 or the first document 22 or the second document 21 for scanning, printing or copying.
Preferably, when the sheet 25 and the second document 21 are loaded at the same time into the first feeding tray 2 and into the seat 4 respectively, the second document 21 has a pulling priority greater than the pulling priority of the sheet 25, meaning that when activating the scanner or printer connected to the document feeder 1 , first the second document 21 is scanned or printed (see time t5 in the operation of the first embodiment described afterwards) and then the sheet 25 is scanned or printed; similarly, when the sheet 25 and the first document 22 are loaded at the same time into the first feeding tray 2 and into the second feeding tray 3 respectively, the first document 22 has a pulling priority greater than the pulling priority of the sheet 25, meaning that when activating the scanner or printer connected to the document feeder 1 , first the first document 22 is scanned or printed (see time t8 in the operation described afterwards) and then the sheet 25 is scanned or printed.
Referring to Figure 2A, it shows a cross-section view along the plane a of Figure 1 A, wherein the plane a is crossing the first feeding tray 2, the third portion 34 of the second surface of the second feeding tray 3 and the surface 35 of the recess at about half of its width W3. In Figure 2A it's possible to see: - the first surface 5 of the first feeding tray 2;
the guide 13 of the first feeding tray 2;
the guide 16 of the second feeding tray 3;
the substantially planar surface of the first sub-portion 50 of the first portion 32 of the second surface of the second feeding tray 3;
- the curved surface of the second sub-portion 51 of the first portion 32 of the second surface of the second feeding tray 3;
the height H and the depth D of the recess;
the third surface 31 of the recess.
It is also possible to see that the second surface (see 50) of the second feeding tray 3 overlaps partially the portion of the first surface 5 which is not visible in Figure 1 A, because said portion is behind the second feeding tray 3.
In Figure 2A it's also possible to see that the sheet 25, the first document 22 and the second document 21 have a common loading path (see the dashed line indicating point P3) for pulling, alternatively, the sheet 25 or the first document 22 or the second document 21 towards the scanner for scanning or towards the printer for printing or copying.
Referring to Figure 2B, it shows more in detail the part of Figure 2A enclosed by the dotted circle A. Figure 2B also shows the second document 21 (for example, a credit card) and the roller 65 of the scanner (or printer), wherein the roller 65 has the function to catch the second document 21 and to pull it towards the scanner for scanning or towards the printer for printing or copying.
The roller 65 is such to pull also the first document 22 when it is placed above the surface 50 and the second document 21 is not placed in the seat 4. Figure 2B further shows a pulling system including an electric motor 60, a gearing transmission system 61 , 62, 63 and a roller 64. The electric motor 60 is driven by the scanner or printer connected to the document feeder 1 and the electric motor 60 is rotatably connected integral with a first gear 61 . The gearing transmission system 61 , 62, 63 has the function to reduce the speed of the motion transmitted from the electric motor 60 to the roller 64. More specifically, the transmission system includes the first gear 61 , a second gear 62 engaged with the first gear 61 and a third gear 63 engaged (directly or by means of a further gear) with the second gear 62. The roller 64 is rotatably connected integral with the third gear 63 and it has the function to catch one sheet 25 and to pull it over a loading path (see in Figure 7A the dashed line indicating P2 which a point of the loading path) towards the scanner for scanning or towards the printer for printing or copying. Preferably, the first gear 61 , the second gear 62 and the third gear 63 are toothed wheels (i.e., cogwheeks), as shown schematically in Figure 2B.
Figure 2B further shows that the path of the second document 21 , when it moves from the position wherein it's placed above the surface 31 of the recess to the positions of the loading path wherein the second document 21 is pulled by the roller 65, allows a gradual bending of the second document 21 , thus avoiding to damage the second document 21 , expecially when it is composed of a material having a considerable thickness or having low elastic properties.
It will be described hereinafter the operation of the document feeder 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention.
It is supposed that the document feeder 1 is connected to a scanner, that the plurality of paper sheets 25 are A4 papers, that the second document 21 is a credit card and that the first document 22 is an identification card.
At time t0 the document feeder 1 is in the configuration of Figure 1 A.
At time ti (subsequent to t0) the user loads a plurality of sheets 25 into the first feeding tray 2, as shown in Figure 1 B.
At time t2 (subsequent to ti) the user activates the scan and one paper sheet 25 is pulled by the rollers of the scanner and moves from the position wherein it's placed in the first feeding tray 2 to the position in the scanner wherein the optical acquisition of the paper sheet 25 is performed. At time t3 (subsequent to t2) the document feeder 1 is back in the configuration of Figure 1 B.
At time t (subsequent to t3) the user further loads a first credit card 21 into the seat 4, as shown in Figure 1 C.
At time t5 (subsequent to t ) the user activates the scan and the first credit card 21 is pulled by the rollers 65 of the scanner and moves from the position wherein it's placed above the surface 31 to the position in the scanner wherein the optical acquisition of the first credit card 21 is performed. Therefore the document feeder 1 allows to perform the scan of the first credit card 21 also if the plurality of paper sheets 25 are loaded into the first feeding tray 2.
At time t6 (subsequent to t5) the document feeder 1 is back in the configuration of Figure 1 B.
At time t7 (subsequent to t6) the user loads the first document 22 into the second feeding tray 3, as shown in Figure 1 D.
At time t8 (subsequent to t7) the user activates the scan and the first document 22 is pulled by the rollers of the scanner and moves from the position wherein it's placed in the second feeding tray 3 to the position in the scanner wherein the optical acquisition of the first document 22 is performed. Therefore the document feeder 1 allows to perform the scan of the first document 22 also if the plurality of paper sheets 25 are loaded into the first feeding tray 2.
At time t9 (subsequent to t8) the document feeder 1 is back in the configuration of Figure 1 B.
Referring to Figure 4A, it shows a perspective view of a document feeder 101 according to the second embodiment of the invention, wherein the same or similar blocks are indicated with the same reference numbers of the first embodiment. The document feeder 101 is connected to a scanner or to a printer (not shown in the drawings), for example with screws and anchors.
The document feeder 101 further includes a third feeding tray 10 arranged between the first feeding tray 2 and the second feeding tray 3 (see the closed dotted line of Figure 4A), wherein the third feeding tray includes a fourth surface 55 (see the closed dashed line in Figure 6A) for holding at least one third document 23 (see Figure 4C) having a type format different from the type format of the sheet 25, of the first document 22 and of the second document 21 . In particular, the third document 23 is a bank check. Preferably, the third feeding tray 10 is adapted to hold a plurality of third documents 23 having the same type format and the loading path is suitable for receiving automatically one third document 23 at a time and for guiding it towards the scanner or printer.
The third feeding tray 10 includes the fourth surface 55 wherein the at least one third document 23 is placed, wherein the shape of the fourth surface 55 is substantially planar and substantially rectangular and wherein the fourth surface 55 has a maximum extension W4 (see Figure 6A) which is substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction of the third document 23 towards the scanner or printer. The fourth surface 55 overlaps a portion of the first surface 5 of the first feeding tray 2 and does not overlap the second surface of the second feeding tray 3.
Advantageously, the third feeding tray 10 is removable and is snap-fitted to a side portion of the second feeding tray 3. For example, the third feeding tray 10 includes at one side of the fourth surface 55 a fixed guide 12 which has one end snap-fitted to the top side of the second surface of the second feeding tray 3; moreover, the fourth surface 55 of the third feeding tray 10 has one side 15 which is snap-fitted to the guide 13 of the first feeding tray 2 (see Figure 6A).
The maximum extension W4 of the third feeding tray 10 is smaller than the maximum extension W1 of the first feeding tray 2. Moreover, the maximum extension W4 can be smaller, equal or greater than the maximum extension W2 of the second surface of the second feeding tray 3; in particular, Figures 4A, 5 and 6A show that the maximum extension W4 is substantially equal to the width of the surface of the first portion 32 of the second surface of the second feeding tray 3.
Preferably, the third feeding tray 10 includes one movable guide 1 1 at one side of the fourth surface 55; the guide 1 1 has the function to guide the third document 23 when it is pulled by the rollers for the scanning, printing or copying and the movable feature allows to change the maximum extension W4 of the third feeding tray 10, so that the maximum extension W4 can be adjusted according to the width of the at least one third document 23 to be loaded into the third feeding tray 10.
Referring to Figure 4B, it shows the document feeder 101 having the plurality of sheets 25 loaded into the first feeding tray 2. Referring to Figure 4C, it shows the document feeder 101 having a plurality of third documents 23 loaded into the third feeding tray 10.
Referring to Figure 4D, it shows the document feeder 101 having at the same time the plurality of sheets 25 and the plurality of third documents 23 loaded into the first feeding tray 2 and into the third feeding tray 10 respectively.
Referring to Figure 4E, it shows the document feeder 101 having at the same time the plurality of sheets 25, the second document 21 and the plurality of third documents 23 loaded into the first feeding tray 2, into the seat 4 and into the third feeding tray 10 respectively.
Preferably, when the plurality of sheets 25 and the plurality of third document 23 are loaded at the same time into the first feeding tray 2 and into the third feeding tray 10 respectively, the sheet 25 has a pulling priority greater than the third document 23 (see time period between t3' and t5' in the operation of the second embodiment described afterwards), meaning that when the plurality of sheets 25 and the plurality of third documents 23 are loaded at the same time and the user activates the scanner (or printer) connected to the document feeder 1 , first all the sheets 25 are scanned (or printed) and then the third document 23 is scanned.
Preferably, when the plurality of sheets 25, the second document 21 and the plurality of third documents 23 are loaded at the same time into the first feeding tray 2, into the seat 4 and into the third feeding tray 10 respectively, the second document 21 has a pulling priority greater than the sheet 25 and the sheet 25 has a pulling priority greater than the third document 23, meaning that when the plurality of sheets 25, the second document 21 and the plurality of third documents 23 are loaded at the same time and the user activates the scanner or printer connected to the document feeder 101 , first the second document 21 is scanned or printed (see time ti' in the operation described afterwards), then all the sheets 25 are scanned or printed (see time period between t3' and t5' in the operation described afterwards) and finally the third document 23 is scanned or printed.
For the sake of simplicity Figures 4C-4E show a plurality of third documents 23 loaded into the third feeding tray 10 so that each one of the third documents 23 can be automatically loaded for the scanning, but it's also possible to load only one document 23 into the third feeding tray 10. Referring to Figure 6A, it shows more in detail the third feeding tray 10, wherein it's possible to see:
- the guide 13 of the first feeding tray 2;
- the guide 16 of the second feeding tray 3;
- the fourth surface 55 of the third feeding tray 10;
- the side 15 of the fourth surface 55 of the third feeding tray 10;
- the maximum extension W4 of the fourth surface 55 of the third feeding tray 10;
- the fixed guide 12 of the third feeding tray 10;
- the movable guide 1 1 of the third feeding tray 10.
Referring to Figure 6B, it shows more in detail the third feeding tray 10 having a plurality of third documents 23 loaded therein.
Referring to Figure 7A, it shows a cross-section view along the line B-B of Figure 5, wherein the line B-B is crossing the first feeding tray 2 and the third feeding tray 10 and the line B-B is crossing the first portion 32 of the second surface of the second feeding tray 3 wherein the recess is not present (thus line B-B is not crossing the recess).
It is possible to see:
the first surface 5 of the first feeding tray 2;
- the guide 16 of the second feeding tray 3;
the substantially planar surface of the first sub-portion 50 of the first portion 32 of the second surface of the second feeding tray 3;
the curved surface of the second sub-portion 51 of the first portion 32 of the second surface of the second feeding tray 3;
- the guide 13 of the first feeding tray 2;
the fourth surface 55 of the third feeding tray 10.
It is also possible to see that the fourth surface 55 of the third feeding tray 10 overlaps a portion of the first surface 5 of the first feeding tray 2.
In Figure 7A it's also possible to see that the sheet 25 and the third document 23 have a common loading path (see the dashed line indicating P2 which a point of the common loading path) for receiving, alternatively, one sheet 25 from the first feeding tray 2 or one third document 23 from third feeding tray 10. In this case the roller 64 is such to catch, alternatively, one sheet 25 or one third document 23 and it is such to pull the catched document over the common loading path towards the scanner for scanning or towards the printer for printing or copying.
Figure 7A further shows the angles β, θ, δ, ω formed between some elements of the document feeder 101 . In particular, β= 30°, θ= 34°, δ = 134°, ω= 129°.
Referring to Figure 7B, it shows a cross-section view along the line A-A of Figure 5, wherein the line A-A is crossing the first feeding tray 2, the third portion 34 of the second surface of the second feeding tray 3 and the surface 35 of the recess at about half of its width W3, while the line A-A is not crossing the third feeding tray 10.
It is possible to see:
the first surface 5 of the first feeding tray 2;
the guide 13 of the first feeding tray 2;
the guide 16 of the second feeding tray 3;
- the substantially planar surface of the first sub-portion 50 of the first portion 32 of the second surface of the second feeding tray 3;
the curved surface of the second sub-portion 51 of the first portion 32 of the second surface of the second feeding tray 3;
the height H and the depth D of the recess;
- the guide 12 of the third feeding tray 10.
It will be described hereinafter the operation of the document feeder 1 01 according to the second embodiment of the invention.
It is supposed that the document feeder 1 is connected to a scanner, that the plurality of paper sheets 25 are A4 papers, that the second document 21 is a credit card, that the first document 22 is an identification card and that the plurality of third documents 23 are bank checks.
At time to' the user loads a plurality of sheets 25 into the first feeding tray 2, a plurality of bank checks 23 into the third feeding tray 10 and a credit card 21 into the seat 4, as shown in Figure 4E.
At time ti' (subsequent to to') the user activates the scan and the credit card 21 is pulled by the rollers of the scanner and moves from the position wherein it's placed above the surface 31 to the position in the scanner wherein the optical acquisition of the credit card 21 is performed. Therefore the document feeder 101 allows to perform the scan of the first credit card 21 also if the plurality of paper sheets 25 and the plurality of bank checks 23 are loaded at the same time into the first feeding tray 2 and into the third feeding tray 10 respectively.
At time t2' (subsequent to ti') the document feeder 1 is in the configuration of Figure 4D.
At time t3' (subsequent to t2') the user activates the scan and one paper sheet 25 is pulled by the rollers of the scanner and moves from the position wherein it's placed in the first feeding tray 2 to the position in the scanner wherein the optical acquisition of the paper sheet 25 is performed. Therefore the document feeder 101 allows to perform the scan of one paper sheet 25 also if the plurality of bank checks 23 are loaded into the third feeding tray 10.
In a time period comprised between t4' (subsequent to t3') and t5' (subsequent to t ') the user activates the scan several times and all the paper sheets 25 are pulled one at a time by the rollers of the scanner and are scanned.
At time t6' (subsequent to t5') the document feeder 101 is in the configuration of Figure 4C.
At time t7' (subsequent to t6') the user activates the scan and one bank check 23 is pulled by the rollers of the scanner and moves from the position wherein it's placed above the fourth surface 55 of the third feeding tray 10 to the position in the scanner wherein the optical acquisition of the bank check 23 is performed.
In a time period comprised between t8' (subsequent to t7') and t9' (subsequent to t8') the user activates the scan several times and all the bank checks 23 are pulled one at a time by the rollers of the scanner and are scanned.
At time ti0' (subsequent to t9') the document feeder 101 is in the configuration of Figure 4A.
According to a third embodiment of the invention (not shown in the drawings), the document feeder includes:
- the first feeding tray 2 configured for holding one or more sheets 25 having a type format such as A4;
- a second feeding tray having a surface for holding the first document 22 having a type format which can be equal or different from the type format of the at least one sheet 25 (for example, the first document 22 can be a paper sheet of A4 format, an identification card or a passport);
- the third feeding tray 10 arranged between the first feeding tray 2 and the second feeding tray, wherein the third feeding tray 10 includes a surface 55 for holding one or more third document 23, such as a bank check.
The presence at the same time of the first feeding tray 2, of the second feeding tray and of the third feeding tray 10 allow to load at the same time into the document feeder 1 three documents (25, 22, 23) of at least two different formats (i.e. different sizes), thus increasing the efficiency of the scanner (or printer), because more documents of different formats can be scanned (or printed or copied) in a defined time unit.
It is an object of the present invention also a method for feeding documents to a scanner or printer. The method includes the step of providing said scanner or printer including a document feeder 1 comprising a first feeding tray 2 for holding a sheet 25, comprising a second feeding tray 3 for holding a first document 22 and comprising a seat 4, included into the second feeding tray, for holding a second document 21 , wherein the maximum extension W3 of the seat 4 is smaller than the maximum extension W1 of the first feeding tray 2 and is smaller than the maximum extension W2 of the second feeding tray 3. The method further includes the steps of loading a sheet 25 into the first feeding tray 2, loading into the seat 4 a second document 21 having a maximum thickness greater than the maximum thickness of the sheet, activating the scan or print and scanning or printing the second document 21 .
Preferably, the feeding method further includes the steps of loading the first document 22 into the second feeding tray 3, activating the scan or print and scanning or printing the first document 22.
It is a further object of the present invention also a method for feeding documents to a scanner or printer. The method includes the step of providing said scanner or printer including a document feeder 101 comprising a first feeding tray 2 for holding a sheet 25, comprising a second feeding tray 3 for holding a first document 22, comprising a third feeding tray 10 for holding a third document 23 and comprising a seat 4, included into the second feeding tray, for holding a second document 21 , wherein the maximum extension W3 of the seat 4 is smaller than the maximum extension W1 of the first feeding tray 2 and is smaller than the maximum extension W2 of the second feeding tray 3 and wherein the maximum extension W4 of the third feeding tray is smaller than the maximum extension W1 of the first feeding tray 2. The method further includes the steps of loading a sheet 25 into the first feeding tray 2, loading a third document 23 into the third feeding tray 10 and loading into the seat 4 a second document 21 having a maximum thickness greater than the maximum thickness of the sheet 25. The method further includes the steps of activating the scan or print and scanning or printing the second document 21 .
Preferably, the feeding method further includes the steps of activating the scan or print and scanning or printing the sheet 25.
Preferably, the feeding method further includes the steps of activating the scan or print and scanning or printing the third document 23.

Claims

Claims
1 . Document feeder (1 ) for feeding documents to a scanner or printer, the document feeder comprising:
- a first feeding tray (2) for holding a sheet (25);
- a second feeding tray (3) for holding a first document (22);
wherein the second feeding tray further includes a seat (4) for holding a second document (21 ),
wherein the maximum extension (W3) of the seat is smaller than the maximum extension (W1 ) of the first feeding tray (2) and is smaller than the maximum extension (W2) of the second feeding tray (3),
and wherein the document feeder includes a loading path (P1 ) for receiving the second document from the seat and for guiding towards the scanner or printer the second document having a maximum thickness greater than the maximum thickness of the sheet.
2. Document feeder according to claim 1 , wherein the seat includes a recess (31 , 35, H, D) within the second feeding tray (3), the recess including a surface (31 ) having a maximum depth (D) and a maximum extension (W3) smaller than the maximum extension (W1 ) of the first feeding tray (2) and smaller than the maximum extension (W2) of the second feeding tray (3), the recess further including a surface (35) which is inclined (46) with respect to a portion (34) of the surface of the second feeding tray,
wherein the maximum depth (D) and the inclined surface (35) define at least part of the loading path of the second document, and wherein the values of the maximum depth and of the inclination are such to reduce the bending of the second document when moving along the loading path (P1 ).
3. Document feeder according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the second feeding tray (3) and the seat (4) are further adapted to hold, alternatively, the first document (22) or the second document (21 ) respectively,
and wherein the document feeder includes a common loading path (P3) for guiding towards the scanner or printer, alternatively:
- the first document (22) received from the second feeding tray (3); or
the second document (21 ) received from the seat (4).
4. Document feeder according to claim 3, wherein the first feeding tray (2) and the seat (4) are adapted to hold, at the same time, the sheet (25) and the second document (21 ) respectively, or, alternatively,
wherein the first feeding tray (2) and the second feeding tray (3) are adapted to hold, at the same time, the sheet (25) and the first document (22) respectively, wherein the common loading path (P3) is further adapted to guide towards the scanner or printer, alternatively:
the sheet (25) received from the first feeding tray (2); or
the first document (22) received from the second feeding tray (3); or
- the second document (21 ) received from the seat (4).
5. Document feeder according to claims 3 or 4, wherein the pulling priority of the second document (21 ) and of the first document (22) are greater than the pulling priority of the sheet (25).
6. Document feeder according to at least one of the claims from 2 to 5, wherein the recess has the maximum extension (W3) which is slightly greater than the width of the second document.
7. Document feeder according to claim 6, wherein the recess includes at least one leaf spring (60, 61 ) for pushing the second document (21 ) towards the loading path (P1 ).
8. Document feeder according to at least one of the previous claims, wherein the second feeding tray (3) includes a surface overlapping at least partially a surface (5) of the first feeding tray (2).
9. Document feeder according to at least one of the previous claims, wherein the second document (21 ) is a credit card.
10. Document feeder according to at least one of the previous claims, wherein the loading path is suitable for receiving from the second feeding tray the first document (22), and for guiding towards the scanner or printer the first document having a maximum thickness smaller than the maximum thickness of the second document (21 ), wherein the first document is in particular an identification card or a passport.
1 1 . Document feeder (101 ) according to at least one of the previous claims, further including a third feeding tray (10) for holding at least one third document (23), in particular a bank check, the third feeding tray being arranged between the first feeding tray and the second feeding tray, wherein the maximum extension (W4) of the third feeding tray is smaller than the maximum extension (W1 ) of the first feeding tray (2).
12. Document feeder (101 ) according to claim 1 1 , wherein the third feeding tray is snap-fitted to a side portion of the second feeding tray.
13. Document feeder (101 ) according to claims 1 1 or 12, the document feeder including a common loading path (P2) for guiding, alternatively, one sheet (25) received from the first feeding tray (2) or one third document (23) received from the third feeding tray (10).
14. Document feeder according to claim 13, further including a roller (64) for catching the received document and for pulling it over the common loading path
(P2).
15. Document feeder according to at least one of the claims from 1 1 to 14, wherein the third feeding tray includes a guide (1 1 ) for changing the maximum extension (W4) of the third feeding tray.
16. Document feeder according to at least one of the previous claims, wherein the first feeding tray is adapted to hold a plurality of sheets (25) and wherein the loading path is suitable for receiving automatically one sheet at a time and for guiding it towards the scanner or printer.
17. Document feeder according to at least one of the claims from 1 1 to 16, wherein the third feeding tray (10) is adapted to hold a plurality of third documents (23) and wherein the loading path is suitable for receiving automatically one third document at a time and for guiding it towards the scanner or printer.
18. Scanner comprising:
- a document feeder according to at least one of the claims from 1 to 17; at least one roller (65) adapted to catch, alternatively, the first document (22) received from the second feeding tray or the second document (21 ) received from the seat and adapted to pull the catched document over the loading path .
19. Printer comprising:
a document feeder according to at least one of the claims from 1 to 17; at least one roller (65) adapted to catch, alternatively, the first document (22) received from the second feeding tray or the second document (21 ) received from the seat and adapted to pull the catched document over the loading path.
20. Method for feeding documents to a scanner or printer, the method including the steps of:
- providing the scanner or printer including a document feeder (1 ) comprising:
• a first feeding tray (2) for holding a sheet (25);
• a second feeding tray (3) for holding a first document (22);
• a seat (4), included into the second feeding tray, for holding a second document (21 ), wherein the maximum extension (W3) of the seat is smaller than the maximum extension (W1 ) of the first feeding tray (2) and is smaller than the maximum extension (W2) of the second feeding tray (3);
loading a sheet (25) into the first feeding tray (2);
- loading into the seat (4) a second document (21 ) having a maximum thickness greater than the maximum thickness of the sheet;
activating the scan or print;
scanning or printing the second document (21 ).
21 . Method according to claim 20, further including the steps of:
- loading the first document (22) into the second feeding tray (3);
activating the scan or print;
scanning or printing the first document (22).
PCT/IB2011/055482 2011-12-06 2011-12-06 Multi-format document feeder for a scanner or printer WO2013084025A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/IB2011/055482 WO2013084025A1 (en) 2011-12-06 2011-12-06 Multi-format document feeder for a scanner or printer

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/IB2011/055482 WO2013084025A1 (en) 2011-12-06 2011-12-06 Multi-format document feeder for a scanner or printer

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
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