WO2014035335A1

WO2014035335A1 - Apparatus for feeding a single sheet to an output device

Info

Publication number: WO2014035335A1
Application number: PCT/SG2012/000308
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eng Kuan Eikky Lim; Madan Pushpakath; Kok Khoon TAN; Boon Kheng LIM; Sha ZHENG; Xin Hua JIN; Yeow Seng VOON
Original assignee: Venture Corporation Limited
Priority date: 2012-08-31
Filing date: 2012-08-31
Publication date: 2014-03-06

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus for feeding a single sheet to an output. The output may be either a separate device or integrated with the apparatus. Preferably, the single sheet is either a printed media sheet or a currency note. The single sheet may originate from either a printer or a currency note repository.

Description

APPARATUS FOR FEEDING A SINGLE SHEET TO AN OUTPUT DEVICE

FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for feeding a single sheet to an output device, the sheet being made from either paper or plastic.

BACKGROUND There are currently issues with regard to mechanisms used for feeding a single sheet of either paper or plastic (currency notes or transparencies) to an output device such as a sorter. Substantial modifications to the aforementioned mechanisms are required before such mechanisms are usable for similar devices, such as, for example, different models of printers and different models of automated teller machines. This may be due to differences in physical configurations, differences in output settings like sheet ejection speed, and so forth.

An existing system used with printers employs an output roller driven mechanism which directly ejects a sheet to a sorter. Such a mechanism typically needs to be customized with regard to the distance between the output roller to the sorter to ensure the sheet is appropriately fed into the sorter for different printer models as a sheet may be ejected at varying speeds due to variations in print speed for different printers. Furthermore, printers which utilize pressure plate activated pick mechanisms also require the output roller driven mechanism to be customized to ensure that only a single sheet is picked at each instance.

In large scale industrial applications, where automation is employed by dispenser/applicator systems for diverting sheets to a mail box system, there is usually a set of printer output rollers and diverter feeding rollers which rotate at a same speed. Slippage typically occurs whenever the sheets pass through the systems. Any slight variations in speed between the rollers due to slippage would detrimentally cause dent marks and/or smearing of ink on the sheets (which include printed content). Furthermore, the slippage causes multiple sheets to be fed to the mail box system which is undesirable.

In mechanical kicker systems employed by such feeders, the kicker used to dispense the sheets dents the trailing edge of the sheets during feeding, and this is undesirable. Moreover, a buffer loop adapted in between the printer output rollers and diverter feeding rollers to synchronize the variation in speed also induces a stress on the sheet which adversely affects the quality and accuracy of content printed on the sheets.

It is evident that the aforementioned issues should be resolved in order to provide improved feeding mechanisms which do not damage the sheets being fed by the mechanisms.

SUMMARY

There is provided an apparatus for feeding a single sheet to an output. The output may be either a separate device or integrated with the apparatus. The separate device is preferably a secondary sorting device such as, for example, sorters for bulk amounts of sheets, envelope fillers for bulk amounts of sheets and the like. Preferably, the single sheet is either a printed media sheet or a currency note. The single sheet may originate from either a printer or a currency note repository.

The apparatus includes a driving gear including a stopper; a rocker arm including a main gear, a primary gear and a secondary gear set, the primary gear and the secondary gear set being configured for engagement with the driving gear; a detent including a catch, the detent being configured to engage the stopper in the catch, and a driving roller mounted on an axle, the driving roller being configured to be coupled to the driving gear. It is preferable that the driving gear also includes an incomplete set of teeth, the incomplete set of teeth being to dis-engage the driving gear from the primary gear.

The apparatus should include a motor to drive the main gear, and a sensor to detect a presence of the single sheet at the apparatus.

The driving roller is preferably coated with a layer of fluorinated ethylene propylene, the coating being carried out using either a shrink tube process or a wrapping process. The rocker arm may also include a plurality of coil springs.

It is preferable that a first end of the detent is subject to a biasing force. The single sheet may be fed to the secondary sorting device in a manner whereby a trailing edge of the single sheet remains parallel to the axle. There is also provided a method for feeding a single sheet to an output using the aforementioned apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES In order that the present invention may be fully understood and readily put into practical effect, there shall now be described by way of non-limitative example only preferred embodiments of the present invention, the description being with reference to the accompanying illustrative figures. Figure 1 shows a configuration of components of a first embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows interworking of components of the first embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention at a first stage of operations.

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention at a second stage of operations.

Figure 4 shows interworking of components of the first embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention at a start of a third stage of operations. Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention during a third stage of operations.

Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of how the first embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention is employed during use.

Figure 7 shows a perspective view (with exposed components) of a second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 8 shows a view from position X in Figure 7.

Figure 9 shows an exploded view of a rocker arm used in all embodiments of the apparatus of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to an apparatus for feeding a single sheet output to a secondary sorting device. The invention is able to feed the single sheet in a desired manner without any damage to the single sheet.

Referring to Figure 1 , there is shown a configuration of components for a first embodiment of an apparatus 20 for feeding single sheets to a secondary sorting device. In this instance, each single sheet is a printed media sheet. In the first embodiment, the apparatus 20 is used in a physical location in between a printer 16 and the secondary sorting device 18 as shown schematically in Figure 6. The secondary sorting device 18 includes, for example, sorters for bulk amounts of printed media sheets, envelope fillers for bulk amounts of printed media sheets, and so forth.

The apparatus 20 includes a motor 22, a rocker arm 24, a detent 26, a driving gear 28, a driving roller 30 and a pinch roller 31. The driving gear 28 includes a portion with no teeth 27. A first end 32 of the detent 26 is subject to a biasing force 34. The biasing force 34 can be applied using an extension spring. In addition, the detent 26 also includes a catch 46 for a stopper 48 of the driving gear 28. Referring to Figure 9, the rocker arm 24 includes a main gear 40, a primary gear 42 and a secondary gear set 44. A first coil spring 45 is mounted with the primary gear 42, while a second coil spring 47 is mounted with a distal secondary gear 44(b). The coil springs 45, 47 enables the rocker arm 24 to carry out a desired "rocking" movement such that the primary gear 42 and the secondary gear set 44 are able to engage the driving gear 28 in accordance with a desired manner.

Furthermore, the driving roller 30 has a substantially D-shaped cross-sectional profile. It should be noted that the driving roller 30 need not have the substantially D-shaped cross-sectional profile as long as the printed media sheet is able to be moved towards the pinch roller 31 when the driving roller 30 is moving the printed media sheet towards the secondary media consolidation device 18. A surface of both the driving roller 30 and the pinch roller 31 can be coated using a shrink tube process with a layer 33 of fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) which is smooth and able to avoid dent marks on the printed media sheet and to also repel ink which avoids smudging of printed content on the media sheet. The layer 33 of FEP can also be wrapped around the driving roller 30.

It should be appreciated that Figure 1 shows a plurality of other gears which are primarily for transmitting a driving force of the motor 22. In order to aid in explaining the apparatus 20, they are labeled a first gear 50, a second gear 52, a third gear 54, and a fourth gear 56. Further explanations for all of the aforementioned components will be provided in subsequent paragraphs when describing the apparatus 20.

At a first stage of operations (standby) for the apparatus 20 as shown in Figure 2, the motor 22 is operating in an anti-clockwise direction. In turn, the first gear 50 is rotating in a clockwise direction, the second gear 52 is rotating in an anticlockwise direction, the main gear 40 rotates in a clockwise direction which causes the rocker arm 24 to move in a clockwise direction such that the primary gear 42 engages with the driving gear 28. It should be noted that at the first stage of operations, the driving gear 28 is stationary because the stopper 48 of the driving gear 28 is located within the catch 46 of the detent 26 and the primary gear 42 is at a location where the driving gear 28 has no teeth 27. Thus, the third gear 54 and the fourth gear 56 are stationary and correspondingly, the roller 30 remains stationary. When the catch 46 of the detent 26 engages with the stopper 48 of the driving gear 28, it generates a "holding torque" for the driving roller 30 to prevent un-intended rotation of the driving roller 30. It should be appreciated that the stopper 48 is positioned in the catch 46 such that the toothless portion 27 of the driving gear 28 is centered for the primary gear 42 such that the primary gear 42 is unable to engage the driving gear 28.

Referring to Figure 3, there is shown a second stage of operations for the apparatus 20. The first stage is when a printed media sheet 100 is output from a printer output arrangement 80 and subsequently the printed media sheet 100 rests on a platform 82 of the apparatus 20. A flat surface 29 of the roller 30 is either flush with or marginally below the platform 82 at the first stage as shown in Figure 3. At least one sensor 84 detects a presence of the printed media sheet 100 resting on the platform 82, and instructs the roller 30 to rotate in a clockwise direction. Alternatively, there is a communication channel 17 between the printer 16 and the apparatus 20 via a communication port such as a D-sub9 port. When such a communication channel is present, the printer 16 can instruct the apparatus 20 to rotate the roller 30 in a clockwise direction once the printed media sheet 00 is output from the printer output arrangement 80.

When the apparatus 20 receives instructions to rotate the roller 30 in a clockwise direction, that is the start of a third stage of operations for the apparatus 20 as shown in Figure 4. It should be noted that Figure 4 follows on from Figure 2. The motor 22 is instructed to rotate in a clockwise direction. In turn, the first gear 50 is rotating in an anti-clockwise direction, the second gear

52 is rotating in a clockwise direction, the main gear 40 rotates in an anti- clockwise direction which causes the rocker arm 24 to move in an anticlockwise direction such that the secondary gear set 44 engages with the driving gear 28. It should be noted that the movement of the rocker arm 24 when the secondary gear set 44 engages with the driving gear 28 correspondingly causes movement of the detent 26 such that the catch 46 of the detent 26 disengages from the stopper 48 of the driving gear 28. The secondary gear set 44 then rotates the driving gear 28 in a clockwise direction, causing the third gear 54 to rotate in an anti-clockwise direction and the fourth gear 56 to rotate in a clockwise direction. Given that the roller 30 shares an axle 70 with the fourth gear 56, the roller 30 also rotates in a clockwise direction.

Referring to Figure 5, there is shown the third stage of operations and how the clockwise rotation direction of the roller 30 is able to move the printed media sheet 100 towards the secondary media consolidation device 18. It should be noted as the roller 30 rotates in the clockwise direction, the printed media sheet 100 is moved towards the pinch roller 31 such that the printed media sheet 100 is able to be gripped by both the roller 30 and the pinch roller 31 and fed to the secondary media consolidation device 18 in a manner whereby the trailing edge 102 of the printed media sheet 100 remains parallel to the axle 70 during movement. It should be noted that there can be either a plurality of roller 30 on the axle 70 or a single extended roller 30.

Subsequently, the apparatus 20 reverts to the first stage of operations as shown in Figure 2 when the main gear 40 rotates in the clockwise direction until a single revolution of the roller 30 is completed and the flat surface 29 of the roller 30 is either flush with or marginally below the platform 82. Then the motor 22 is configured to reverse the direction of rotation to an anti-clockwise direction. In turn, the first gear 50 is rotating in a clockwise direction, the second gear 52 is rotating in an anti-clockwise direction, the main gear 40 rotates in a clockwise direction which causes the rocker arm 24 to move in a clockwise direction such that the primary gear 42 engages with the driving gear 28, whereby the driving gear 28 is stationary because the stopper 48 of the driving gear 28 is located within the catch 46 of the detent 26 and the primary gear 42 is at a location where the driving gear 28 has no teeth 27. Thus, the third gear 54 and the fourth gear 56 are stationary and correspondingly, the roller 30 remains stationary.

It should be appreciated that in the first embodiment, the apparatus 20 is able to enable sheets of printed media 100 to be dispensed to the secondary media consolidation device 18 independently, without any damage to the printed media sheets 100 and content printed on the printed media sheets 100.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8, there is shown a configuration of components for a second embodiment of an apparatus 200 for feeding single sheets to a secondary sorting device. In this instance, each single sheet is a currency note. In the second embodiment, the apparatus 200 is incorporated within an automated teller machine (ATM).

The apparatus 200 is substantially similar to the apparatus 20. The apparatus 200 includes a motor (not shown), a rocker arm 240, a detent 260, a driving gear 280, a driving roller 300 and a pinch roller 310. The driving gear 280 also includes a portion with no teeth. A distal end 320 of the detent 260 is also subject to a biasing force 340. In addition, the detent 260 also includes a catch for a stopper of the driving gear 280. The driving gear 280 is directly coupled to the driving roller 300. The rocker arm 240 includes a main gear 400, a primary gear 420 and a secondary gear set 440. The rocker arm 240 should be identical to that shown in Figure 9. The driving roller 300 has an elliptical cross-sectional profile and is eccentrically offset. It should be noted that the driving roller 300 need not have the elliptical cross-sectional profile as long as the currency note is able to be moved towards the pinch roller 310 when the driving roller 300 is moving the currency note towards a collection tray 180. It should be appreciated that Figures 7 and 8 show a transmission gear 450 which is for transmitting a driving force of the motor.

At a first stage of operations (standby) for the apparatus 200 as shown in Figure 8, the transmission gear 450 is rotating in a clockwise direction, the main gear 400 then rotates in an anti-clockwise direction which causes the rocker arm 240 to move in an anti-clockwise direction such that the primary gear 420 engages with the driving gear 280. It should be noted that at the first stage of operations, the driving gear 280 is stationary because the stopper of the driving gear 280 is located within the catch of the detent 260 and the primary gear 420 is at a location where the driving gear 280 has no teeth. Thus, the driving roller 300 remains stationary. The first stage is when a currency sheet 500 is resting at a consolidation compartment 550. When the catch of the detent 260 engages with the stopper of the driving gear 280, it generates a "holding torque" for the driving roller 300 to prevent un-intended rotation of the driving roller 300.

During a second stage of operations for the apparatus 200, at least one sensor detects a presence of the currency sheet 100 resting at the consolidation compartment 550, and instructs the driving roller 300 to rotate in an anti- clockwise direction. When the apparatus 200 receives instructions to rotate the driving roller 300 in an anti-clockwise direction, that is the start of a third stage of operations for the apparatus 200. The motor is instructed to rotate in a manner whereby the transmission gear 450 is rotating in an anti-clockwise direction, the main gear 400 rotates in a clockwise direction which causes the rocker arm 240 to move in a clockwise direction such that the secondary gear set 440 engages with the driving gear 280. It should be noted that the movement of the rocker arm 240 when the lower gear set 440 engages with the driving gear 280 correspondingly causes movement of the detent 26 such that the catch of the detent 260 disengages from the stopper of the driving gear 280. The secondary gear set 440 then rotates the driving gear 280 in an anticlockwise direction, causing the driving roller 300 to also rotate in an anticlockwise direction. It should be noted as the driving roller 300 rotates in the anti-clockwise direction, the currency note 500 is moved towards the pinch roller 310 such that the currency note 500 is able to be gripped by both the driving roller 300 and the pinch roller 310 and fed to the collection tray 180.

Subsequently, the apparatus 200 reverts to the first stage of operations as shown in Figure 8 when the driving roller 300 completes nearly a single revolution. Then the motor is configured to reverse the direction such that the transmission gear 450 rotates in a clockwise direction. In turn, the main gear 40 rotates in an anti-clockwise direction which causes the rocker arm 240 to move in an anti-clockwise direction such that the primary gear 420 engages with the driving gear 280, whereby the driving gear 280 is stationary because the stopper of the driving gear 280 is located within the catch of the detent 260 and the primary gear 420 is at a location where the driving gear 280 has no teeth. Thus, the driving roller 300 remains stationary.

It should be appreciated that in the second embodiment, the apparatus 200 is able to enable sheets of currency notes 500 to be dispensed to the collection tray 180 independently, without any damage to the currency notes 500.

Whilst there has been described in the foregoing description preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the technology concerned that many variations or modifications in details of design or construction may be made without departing from the present invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus for feeding a single sheet to an output, the apparatus including:

a driving gear including a stopper;

a rocker arm including a main gear, a primary gear and a secondary gear set, the primary gear and the secondary gear set being configured for engagement with the driving gear;

a detent including a catch, the detent being configured to engage the stopper in the catch, and

a driving roller mounted on an axle, the driving roller being configured to be coupled to the driving gear,

wherein the driving gear also includes an incomplete set of teeth, the incomplete set of teeth being to dis-engage the driving gear from the primary gear.

2. The apparatus of claim 1. further including a motor to drive the main gear.

3. The apparatus of either claim 1 or 2, further including a sensor to detect a presence of the single sheet at the apparatus.

4. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the driving roller is coated with a layer of fluorinated ethylene propylene, the coating being carried out using either a shrink tube process or a wrapping process.

5. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a first end of the detent is subject to a biasing force.

6. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the output is either a separate device or integrated with the apparatus.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the separate device is a secondary sorting device selected from a group comprising: sorters for bulk amounts of sheets, and envelope fillers for bulk amounts of sheets.

8. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the single sheet is either a printed media sheet or a currency note.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the single sheet is fed to the secondary sorting device in a manner whereby a trailing edge of the single sheet remains parallel to the axle.

10. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the single sheet originates from either a printer or a currency note repository.

11. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the rocker arm further includes a plurality of coil springs.

12. A method for feeding a single sheet to an output using the apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11.