Document processing assembly
An improved document feeder flag assembly is disclosed. The improved document feeder flag assembly allows single handed, on the fly loading of a document sorter. A method for loading a document sorting machine with a single hand, while the method of operating the machine is also disclosed. The document feeder flag assembly includes a baseplate and a pivot post attached to the baseplate. Further, the assembly includes a flag arm having a first side and a second side, the first side of the flag arm is attached to the pivot post. There is also a feeder flag having a first side and a second side, the first side of the feeder flag being attached to a second side of the flag arm. The document feeder flag assembly also includes a resistance device attached between the feeder flag and the flag arm.
1. A document processing machine allowing an operator to load documents into a document hopper with one hand while the document processing machine is in operation, wherein the system comprises:
means for allowing documents to be loaded into a hopper with one hand including a first arm having a first end portion movably connected to a base plate via a first post and a second arm including a first end portion connected to the base plate via a second post; and
means for pushing documents in the hopper against a feeder mechanism including a feeder flag hingedly connecting the second end portion of the first arm with the second end portion of the second arm, wherein at least a portion of the feeder flag and at least a portion of the first arm abut against at least a portion of the second arm when the hopper is in a full document condition.
2. The document processing machine of claim 1 , wherein the allowing means-includes a document feeder flag assembly of which the first arm is part.
3. The document processing machine of claim 1 , wherein the allowing means defines a wedgeshaped area formed at least in part by the first arm.
4. The document processing machine of claim 1 , wherein the end portion of the first arm at least partially rotates about the first post.
5. The document processing machine of claim 1 , wherein the first arm changes its orientation relative to the second arm based on an amount of documents placed in the hopper.
6. The document processing machine of claim 1 , wherein the second arm is located on the same side of the baseplate as the first arm.
7. The document processing machine of claim 1 , wherein an axis of the first arm and an axis of the second arm are parallel when the hopper is in a full document condition.
8. The document processing machine of claim 1 , wherein an edge of the second arm remains in an orientation that is substantially parallel to a surface of a document when a document is loaded into the hopper.
9. The document processing machine of claim 1 , wherein the pushing means further includes a biasing member disposed against a second end portion of the first arm to urge the first arm towards the documents.
10. The document processing machine of claim 1 , wherein an axis of the first member and an axis of hopper are substantially parallel when the hopper is in a full document condition.
11. The document processing machine of claim 1 , wherein an axis of the first member and an axis of the hopper intersect when the document feeder flag assembly is in an empty document condition.
12. A document processing machine allowing an operator to load documents into a document hopper with one hand while the document processing machine is in operation, wherein the system comprises:
a first arm having an end portion movably connected to a base plate via a first post;
an assembly comprising a feeder flag and a second arm, wherein the second arm includes a first end portion connected to the base plate via a second post and the feeder flag hingedly connecting a second end portion of the first arm with a second end portion of the second arm, wherein at least a portion of the assembly and at least a portion of the first arm substantially abut one another when the hopper is in a full document condition.