Scanner having a slot assembly for multiple-sized sheets

Abstract

The invention relates to a slot assembly for a scanner for feeding multiple-sized sheets. The scanner has an input tray for holding a plurality of sheets, a feed path which receives sheets fed from the input tray, and a sheet feeder located in the teed path for feeding sheets. The slot assembly has a first slot for accepting sheets having a first size, the first slot being complementarily sized with respect to the first-sized sheets such that the first-sized sheets are fed by the sheet feeder substantially without being skewed. The slot assembly also has a second slot for accepting sheets having a second size, the second slot being complementarily sized with respect to the second-size sheets such that the second-size sheets are fed by the sheet feeder substantially without being skewed.

1 . A slot assembly for a scanner for feeding multiple-sized sheets, the scanner having an input tray for a plurality of sheets, a feed path which receives sheets fed from the input tray, and a sheet feeder located in the feed path for feeding sheets, the slot assembly comprising:
 a first slot for accepting sheets having a first size, the first slot being complementarily sized with respect to the first-sized sheets such that the first-sized sheets are fed by the sheet feeder substantially without being skewed; and   a second slot for accepting sheets having a second size, the second slot being complementarily sized with respect to the second-size sheets such that the second-size sheets are fed by the sheet feeder substantially without being skewed.   
     
     
         2 . A slot assembly in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the first and second slots comprise edge guides for guiding the sheets therein. 
     
     
         3 . A slot assembly in accordance with  claim 3  wherein the first slot comprises a top wall connecting the guide edges. 
     
     
         4 . A slot assembly in accordance with  claim 4  wherein the second slot is located on the top wall of the first slot, the top wall of the first slot defining an input tray for the second slot. 
     
     
         5 . A slot assembly in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising:
 a third slot for accepting sheets having a third size, the third slot being complementarily sized with respect to the third-size sheets such that the third-size sheets are fed by the sheet feeder substantially without being skewed.   
     
     
         6 . A slot assembly in accordance with  claim 5  wherein the first, second and third slots comprise edge guides for guiding the sheets therein. 
     
     
         7 . A slot assembly in accordance with  claim 6  wherein the first and second slots comprise a top wall connecting the guide edges. 
     
     
         8 . A slot assembly in accordance with  claim 7  wherein the second slot is located on the top wall of the first slot, the top wall of the first slot defining an input tray of the second slot and wherein the third slot is located on the top wall of the second slot, the top wall of the second slot defining an input tray for the third slot. 
     
     
         9 . A slot assembly in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the first size is larger than the second size. 
     
     
         10 . A slot assembly in accordance with  claim 5  wherein the first size is larger than the second size. 
     
     
         11 . A slot assembly in accordance with  claim 10  wherein the second size is larger than the third size. 
     
     
         12 . A scanner for feeding multiple-sized sheets comprising:
 an input tray for a plurality of sheets;   a feed path which receives sheets fed from the input tray;   a sheet feeder located in the feed path for feeding sheets; and   a slot assembly comprising:   a first slot for accepting sheets having a first size, the first slot being complementarily sized with respect to the first-sized sheets such that the first-sized sheets are fed by the sheet feeder substantially without being skewed; and   a second slot for accepting sheets having a second size, the second slot being complementarily sized with respect to the second-size sheets such that the second-size sheets are fed by the sheet feeder substantially without being skewed.   
     
     
         13 . A slot assembly in accordance with  claim 12  wherein the first and second slots comprise edge guides for guiding the sheets therein and wherein the first slot comprises a top wall connecting the guide edges, the second slot being located on the top wall of the first slot, the top wall of the first slot defining an input tray for the second slot. 
     
     
         14 . A slot assembly in accordance with  claim 13  further comprising:
 a third slot for accepting sheets having a third size, the third slot being complementarily sized with respect to the third-size sheets such that the third-size sheets are fed by the sheet feeder substantially without being skewed, the third slot comprising edge guides for guiding the sheets therein, the second slot comprising a top wall connecting the guide edges, the second slot being located on the top wall of the first slot, the top wall of the first slot defining an input tray of the second slot, and the third slot being located on the top wall of the second slot, the top wall of the second slot defining an input tray for the third slot.   
     
     
         15 . A slot assembly in accordance with  claim 14  wherein the first size is larger than the second size and the second size is larger than the third size.