Paper guide for high speed document reproduction

Abstract

This invention discloses a method and apparatus for properly placing copy sheets from a high speed copy machine into an exit tray. The invention utilizes a variable speed motor to control the rollers which reside at the end of the paper path. One or more paper guides mounted to the drive rollers, enable the motor to operate over a wide range of speeds, yet still work efficiently. The motor accelerates to its highest speed as the copy sheet enters the nip between the drive and idler rollers, and is decelerated to its slowest speed as the trailing edge of the copy sheet exits the nip. The trailing edge of the copy sheet then moves off of the roller and onto the paper guide. The speed of the motor can then be increased without having to wait for the copy sheet to move into the output area. This substantially reduces the period of time required to reproduce copies.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for transporting copy sheets from a paper path to an exit tray, comprising: a) a variable speed drive roller arrangement defining a nip through which copy sheets may pass, said drive roller arrangement located between an end of the paper path and the exit tray, said drive roller arrangement advancing sheets from the paper path to the exit tray;   b) a transport system to move a copy sheet along the paper path, and advance the copy sheet from the paper path to said nip at a high rate of speed, and to expel the copy sheet from said nip at a low rate of speed; and   c) a paper guide arranged with respect to said drive roller arrangement, such that a trailing edge of the copy sheet passed through said nip moves away from said drive roller arrangement and onto said paper guide as the copy sheet exits said nip.   
     
     
       2. An apparatus for transporting copy sheets as recited in claim 1 wherein said paper guide causes a trailing edge of the copy sheet to have a motion independent of a motion of said drive roller arrangement. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus for transporting copy sheets as claimed in claim 1 wherein said high rate of speed is more than five times greater than said low rate of speed. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus for transporting copy sheets as claimed in claim 1 wherein said high rate of speed is approximately equal to 1430 millimeters per second. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus for transporting copy sheets as claimed in claim 1 wherein said low rate of speed is approximately equal to 226 millimeters per second. 
     
     
       6. A method for transporting copy sheets from a paper path to an exit tray, comprising: a) moving the copy sheet along the paper path;   b) advancing, at a high rate of speed, a leading edge of the copy sheet to a nip formed at a drive roller arrangement, said drive roller arrangement having at least one roller;   c) advancing the copy sheet through said nip with said drive roller arrangement;   d) expelling, at a low rate of speed, said copy sheet trailing edge from said roller to a paper guide; and   e) guiding the copy sheet along said paper guide with a motion independent from said drive roller arrangement to said exit tray.   
     
     
       7. A method of transporting copy sheets as claimed in claim 6 wherein said high rate of speed is more than five times greater than said low rate of speed. 
     
     
       8. A method of transporting copy sheets as claimed in claim 6 wherein said high rate of speed is approximately equal to 1430 millimeters per second. 
     
     
       9. A method of transporting copy sheets as claimed in claim 6 wherein said low rate of speed is approximately equal to 226 millimeters per second. 
     
     
       10. An apparatus for transporting copy sheets traveling at high rates of speed from a paper path to an exit tray, comprising: a) means for moving a copy sheet along the paper path;   b) means for transporting the copy sheet from the paper path to the exit tray;   c) means for advancing a leading edge of the copy sheet from the paper path to said transporting means;   d) means for controlling a motion of said copy sheet by varying its speed as the copy sheet moves through said transporting means; and   e) means for guiding the copy sheet toward the exit tray.   
     
     
       11. An apparatus for transporting copy sheets as claimed in claim 10 wherein said copy sheet speed varies between approximately 1430 millimeters per second and approximately 226 millimeters per second.