DOCUMENT FEEDER USING GAS FLOW FOR DOCUMENT SEPARATION AND METHODS OF USING AND MANUFACTURING

摘要

A document feeder includes a feed belt, a vacuum system, a drive system, and a separator arrangement. The feed belt defines multiple openings through the feed belt and the vacuum system provides a vacuum through the openings of the feed belt to draw a top document into contact with the feed belt. The separator arrangement provides a gas flow directed toward at least a first edge region of the top document to separate at least the first edge region of the top document from one or more documents immediately below the top document. Preferably, the separator arrangement utilizes the Coanda effect to separate the top document. The drive system rotates the feed belt.