Speed control for sheet handling apparatus

Abstract

A sheet handling apparatus is disclosed having a first sheet feeding means for advancing a sheet along a sheet path, a second sheet feeding means for feeding the sheet along a continuation of the sheet path, driving means for driving the first sheet feeding means independently of the second sheet feeding means and for common drive of the first and second sheet feeding means, and a drive controller arranged to control said driving means to enable a sheet to be driven along the sheet path from the first sheet feeding means to the second sheet feeding means whilst the second sheet feeding means remains undriven and to enable continued feeding of the sheet by both sheet feeding means.

1 . A sheet handling apparatus comprising: 
 a first sheet feeding means for advancing a sheet along a sheet path;    a second sheet feeding means for feeding the sheet along a continuation of the sheet path; for driving the first sheet feeding means independently of the second sheet feeding means and for common drive of the first and second sheet feeding means; and    a drive controller arranged to control said driving means to enable a sheet to be driven along the sheet path from the first sheet feeding means to the second sheet feeding means whilst the second sheet feeding means remains undriven and to enable continued feeding of the sheet by both sheet feeding means.    
   
   
       2 . The sheet handling apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein for said common drive, the feeding speed of the first feeding means is set at a specific ratio with respect to the feeding speed of the second feeding means  
   
   
       3 . The sheet handling apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein for said common drive the feeding speed of the first feeding means is matched with the feeding speed of the second feeding means.  
   
   
       4 . The sheet handling apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the second sheet feeding means is stationary when undriven.  
   
   
       5 . The sheet handling apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the second sheet feeding means is stationary when undriven.  
   
   
       6 . The sheet handling apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first sheet feeding means comprises a feed roller.  
   
   
       7 . The sheet handling apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the second sheet feeding means comprises one or both of a feed roller and a traction belt.  
   
   
       8 . The sheet handling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the driving means comprises: 
 a first motor coupled to the first feeding means;    a second motor coupled to the second feeding means; and    a coupling arrangement for selectively coupling the second motor to the first feeding means.    
   
   
       9 . The sheet handling apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the coupling arrangement is a series of gears, having appropriate ratios to set the relative feeding speeds of the first and second feeding means.  
   
   
       10 . The sheet handling apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the coupling arrangement comprises: 
 a feeding gear connected to moving parts of the first feeding means;    a receiving gear connected to moving parts of the second driving means; and    a belt or chain passing around both gears and constraining the feeding gear to rotate in synchronism with the receiving gear.    
   
   
       11 . The sheet handling device according to  claim 8  wherein the coupling arrangement comprises a selectively operable clutch.  
   
   
       12 . The sheet handling device according to  claim 9  wherein the coupling arrangement comprises a selectively operable clutch.  
   
   
       13 . The sheet handling device according to  claim 8  wherein the coupling arrangement comprises a selectively operable clutch.  
   
   
       14 . The sheet handling device according to  claim 13  wherein said clutch is a one-way clutch.  
   
   
       15 . The sheet handling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the second sheet feeding means forms part of an accumulation apparatus for accumulating a plurality of sheets fed to the accumulation apparatus by the first sheet feeding means.  
   
   
       16 . A method of feeding sheets in which a sheet is fed by first feeding means to a second feeding means whilst the second driving means remains undriven and the sheet is further advanced by both the first and second feeding means set at a specific ratio therebetween.  
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 16 , in which the first and second feeding means are driven by respective drive shafts which are coupled together by means of a selectively operable coupling arrangement.  
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 16 , in which the speeds of the first and second feeding means are matched.  
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 17  in which the speeds of the first and second feeding means are matched.