US20130082134A1

US20130082134A1 - Document Processing Apparatus Component, Document Processing Apparatus Assembly and Method for Operating the Same

Info

Publication number: US20130082134A1
Application number: US13/250,140
Authority: US
Inventors: Johan P. Bakker; Michael J. Moore; Bruce Young; Robert D. Klein; Sandra J. Korell
Original assignee: Burroughs Inc
Current assignee: Digital Check Corp
Priority date: 2011-09-30
Filing date: 2011-09-30
Publication date: 2013-04-04

Abstract

A component is disclosed. The component includes a base member having an upper surface and a lower surface and a substantially tubular member attached to and extending away from the upper surface of the base member. The substantially tubular member includes a body formed by an outer surface, an inner surface, an upper lip surface connecting the outer surface to the inner surface and a document landing surface. The body includes a thickness (T) extending between the outer surface and the inner surface. The document landing surface is connected to the inner surface. The inner surface and the document landing surface define a cavity extending through a portion of a length (L) of the body. An assembly is also disclosed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a document processing apparatus component, document processing apparatus assembly and a method for operating the same.

BACKGROUND

Document processing machines are known in the art. Although known document processing machines perform adequately for their intended use, improvements are nevertheless continuously being sought in order to advance the art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A-1G illustrate views of an exemplary document processing apparatus component.

FIG. 1H illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary document processing apparatus assembly including the component of FIGS. 1A-1G.

FIG. 1I illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary document processing apparatus assembly including the component of FIGS. 1A-1G.

FIGS. 2A-2G illustrate views of an exemplary document processing apparatus component.

FIG. 2H illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary document processing apparatus assembly including the component of FIGS. 2A-2G.

FIG. 2I illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary document processing apparatus assembly including the component of FIGS. 2A-2G.

FIGS. 3A-3G illustrate views of an exemplary document processing apparatus component.

FIG. 3H illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary document processing apparatus assembly including the component of FIGS. 3A-3G.

FIG. 3I illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary document processing apparatus assembly including the component of FIGS. 3A-3G.

FIGS. 4A-4G illustrate views of an exemplary document processing apparatus component.

FIG. 4H illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary document processing apparatus assembly including the component of FIGS. 4A-4G.

FIG. 4I illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary document processing apparatus assembly including the component of FIGS. 4A-4G.

FIG. 5 illustrates a document processing apparatus and a document to be processed by the document processing apparatus.

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate views of an exemplary document catch member connected to a document processing apparatus.

FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate views of an exemplary document catch member connected to a document processing apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The figures illustrate an exemplary implementation of a document processing apparatus component, document processing apparatus assembly and a method for operating the same. Based on the foregoing, it is to be generally understood that the nomenclature used herein is simply for convenience and the terms used to describe the invention should be given the broadest meaning by one of ordinary skill in the art.
FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary implementation of an apparatus 1 that processes at least one document, D. Accordingly, in an implementation, the apparatus 1 may be referred to as a “document processor.” In an implementation, the at least one document, D, may include, but is not limited to, at least one financial/payment document (e.g., at least one check, an elongated sheet of paper, such as, for example, register tape) or the like.
The processing of the at least one document, D, that is conducted by the document processor 1 may include the recording of and/or an analysis of one or more characteristics associated with one or more of a front surface, D_F, of the at least one document, D, and a rear surface, D_R, of the at least one document, D. In an implementation, the document processor 1 includes electronics (not shown) that may include, but is not limited to, one or more document processing application functions such as, for example: (1) imaging of one or more of the front and rear surfaces, D_F, D_R, of the at least one document, D, for recording an image of symbols and/or written indicia and/or printed indicia disposed upon one or more of the front and rear surfaces, D_F, D_R, of the at least one document, D, (2) converting the imaged symbols and/or written indicia and/or printed indicia upon one or more of the front and rear surfaces, D_F, D_R, of the document, D, into electronic form by way of, for example, optical character recognition (OCR) software, (3) magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) reading for magnetically identifying characters that are printed upon one or more of the front and rear surfaces, D_F, D_R, of the document, D, with magnetic ink (4) endorsing, (5) bar code reading, (6) biometric reading and the like.
In an implementation, the document processor 1 may include a communication interface that permits the document processor 1 to: receive commands from an operator and/or send processed document information to: a computer, C, database or the like. In an embodiment, the communication interface may permit wireless communication, W, or hardwired communication, H, to, for example, the computer, C, database or the like, by way of, for example, WiFi connection, an Ethernet connection, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection or the like.
In an implementation, the document processor 1 includes an outer protective shell 2. The outer protective shell 2 is supportably-connected to a baseplate (not shown) that supports the electronics and one or more mechanical components (not shown) that contribute to the processing of the at least one document, D, which may include the movement of the at least one document, D, along a document path such that the at least one document, D, may be transported through the document processor 1. The outer protective shell 2 and baseplate may include any desirable material such as, for example, plastic, metal or the like.
One or more of the outer protective shell 2 and the baseplate may cooperate to form a first pocket portion 3 and a second pocket portion 4. In an embodiment, the first pocket portion 3 may be referred to as an “input hopper” for receiving at least one un-processed document and in an embodiment, the second pocket portion 4 may be referred to as an “output bin” for receiving/storing at least one processed document.
The nomenclature associated with the “at least one un-processed document” and the “at least one processed document” may be dependent upon (1) the location of the at least one document, D, relative to the structure of the document processor 1 and (2) the un/successful performance of the one or more processing application functions applied to the at least one document, D, as the at least one document, D, is moved along the document path. For example, when the at least one document, D, is located/disposed within the input hopper 3, the at least one document, D, may be referred to as the “at least one un-processed document;” subsequently, when the at least one un-processed document is (1) drawn out of/moved from the input hopper 3, then (2) passed through the document processor 1 along the document path in order to attempt to perform the one or more document processing application functions and then (3) deposited into the output bin 4, the at least one un-processed document may then be referred to as the “at least one processed document.”
Referring to FIGS. 1A-1G, a component is shown generally at 10. Referring to FIG. 1H, the component 10 is attachable to the document processor 1. Referring to FIG. 1I a document processing apparatus assembly 75 includes the component 10 attached to the document processor 1.
Referring to FIGS. 1H-1I, a document, D, is shown being interfaced with at least the component 10. The document, D, may include, for example, register tape; register tape, D, may include a dimension ranging between approximately about 2-to-3 inches in width and 120-to-180 inches (i.e., 10-to-15 feet) in length. Although register tape, D, is shown in the Figures, register tape, D, is an exemplary implementation of a document to be processed by the document processor 1; accordingly, the invention may be practiced with any desirable document, D, having any dimension, and, therefore, is not limited to being practiced with register tape, D.
In some circumstances, register tape, D, may be fabricated from a relatively thin paper stock material (i.e., the thickness of the register tape, D, is minimized in order to maximize a length of the register tape, D, when stowed in rolled form thereby forming a “packaged diameter” when transported, for example, from a register tape manufacturer to an office supply store, end user or the like. In addition to a reduced thickness, register tape, D, is typically characterized to include a very low quality of paper stock material when compared to other known paper stock materials (i.e., register tape, D, may be defined to: be light in weight, have a low tensile strength, have a low rigidity, have no predominant grain direction, have an uncontrolled coefficient of friction and the like).
Because the register tape, D, may be utilized in conjunction with, for example, an adding machine, the adding machine may print, for example, indicia, I (see FIG. 5), upon the front surface, D_F, of register tape, D. The document processor 1 may process (e.g., scan/image/photograph the front surface, D_F, of the register tape, D) in order to capture (e.g., electronically save in the form of data) one or more features (e.g., the printed indicia, I) associated with the register tape, D. Accordingly, the document processor 1 may be utilized, as seen in FIG. 5, to process the register tape, D, in any desirable manner.
Because of one or more of the above-identified characteristics/quality of paper stock material associated with the register tape, D, in some circumstances, processing of the register tape, D, by the document processor 1 may be prone to failure. An exemplary failure incident may occur if, for example, the low rigidity of the register tape, D, results in the register tape, D, “crumbling upon itself” or being physically damaged by the document processor 1 (e.g., the register tape, D, may be undesirably torn proximate the input hopper 3 as the register tape, D, is advanced from the input hopper 3 and through the document processor 1 along the document path).
Accordingly, in order to overcome potential of a processing failure incident, as seen in FIG. 1I, the register tape, D, may be interfaced with the component 10 proximate the input hopper 3 at least prior to being interfaced with (or processed by) the document processor 1. Functionally, the component 10 may: (1) support the register tape, D, at least proximate the input hopper 3 before/during interfacing of the register tape, D, with the document processor 1, (2) align the register tape, D, with the input hopper 3 before/during interfacing of the register tape, D, with the document processor 1, and (3) contribute to a creation of a vertical stiffness of the register tape, D, at least proximate the input hopper 3 before/during interfacing of the register tape, D, with the document processor 1. Thus, the register tape, D, may be less prone to being physically misaligned, deformed or damaged before/during feeding of the register tape, D, through the document processor 1 along the document path; as a result, the component 10 may improve/maintain feeding reliability of the register tape, D, in order to improve/maintain, for example, processing (e.g., imaging/capturing of the indicia, I) of the register tape, D.
Referring to FIG. 1A, the component 10 is shown according to an embodiment. The component 10 may include a unitary, one-piece body that is formed from any desirable material (e.g., a synthetic resin, metal or the like). The component 10 may be formed, for example, in an injection molding procedure by injecting a plastic material into a mold tool (not shown).
The component 10 may include a base member 12 having an upper surface 12 a and a lower surface 12 b. A substantially tubular member 14 is attached to and extends away from the upper surface 12 a of the base member 12. An attachment member 16 is attached to and extends away from the upper surface 12 a of the base member 12. A rigidifying member 18 (see, e.g., FIG. 1G but also FIGS. 1C-1F) is attached to and extends away from the lower surface 12 b of the base member 12.
The attachment member 16 may include a body 16 a and one or more ribs 16 b. The body 16 a may include a substantially rectangular portion 16 a′ and a rounded portion 16 a″. The one or more ribs 16 b extend away from a side surface 16 c of the body 16 a. The one or more ribs 16 b may include an upper surface 16 b′ that is co-planar with an upper surface 16 d of the body 16 a.
The body 16 a and the one or more ribs 16 b may extend away from the upper surface 12 a of the base member 12. One or more fastener passages 16 e may be formed in the upper surface 16 d of the body 16 a in order to permit one or more fasteners, F (see FIG. 1H, to extend through the base member 12 from the lower surface 12 b, past a plane defined by the upper surface 12 a and beyond the upper surface 16 d of the body 16 a. The body 16 a and the one or more ribs 16 b may define a “male portion” that interfaces with a “female portion” (not shown) formed by an underside surface 5 (see FIGS. 1H, 5) of a base member portion 6 of the document processor 1 of the document processor 1; the base member portion 6 of the document processor 1 may form one or more of the input hopper 3 and the output bin 4; the fasteners, F, may extend through the one or more fastener passages 16 e for attaching the component 10 to base member portion 6 of the document processor 1 to form the assembly 75 (see, e.g., FIG. 1I).
Although one or more fasteners, F, may extend through one or more fastener passages 16 e for attaching the component 10 to the document processor 1 for forming the assembly 75, attachment means other than one or more of the fasteners, F, may be utilized. For example, the attachment means may include any suitable attachment species for joining the component 10 to the document processor 1 such as, for example: glue, tape, one or more rivets, bolts or the like. In another embodiment, the attachment means may include a mechanical connection such as a snap-in-place or slide-in-place arrangement extending from/formed in the component that interfaces with the base member portion 6 of the document processor 1 that may easily permit a user to selectively attach/remove the component 10 with the document processor 1 without using fasteners, F, glue, tape, one or more rivets, bolts or the like.
Referring to FIG. 1G, the rigidifying member 18 may include a body 18 a that extends away from lower surface 12 b of the base member 12. The body 18 a may include a plurality of perpendicularly-arranged ribs 18 b and one or more arcuate-shaped ribs 18 c. One or more of the ribs 18 b, 18 c may be arranged in an opposing relationship with and correspond to the dimension of the substantially rectangular portion 16 a′ and a rounded, head portion 16 a″ of the body 16 a of the attachment member 16 that are arranged upon the upper surface 12 a of the base member 12.
Referring to FIG. 1A, the substantially tubular member 14 may include a body 20 formed by an outer surface 14 a, an inner surface 14 b, an upper lip surface 14 c and a document landing surface 14 d (see FIG. 1B). The upper lip surface 14 c connects the outer surface 14 a to the inner surface 14 b. The upper lip surface 14 c may define a thickness, T, of the body 20.
The inner surface 14 b and the document landing surface 14 d may define a cavity 22 extending through a portion of a length, L (see FIGS. 1C-1F), of the body 20 (noting that the length, L, is a dimension that extends between approximately about the upper surface 12 a of the base member 12 and the upper lip surface 14 c). Functionally, the cavity 22 may stow the register tape, D, when the register tape, D, is interfaced with the component 10.
The cavity 22 may include a length, L_c(see FIG. 1C), that extends from approximately about the upper lip surface 14 c and terminate at the document landing surface 14 d; the document landing surface 14 d may be elevated away from the upper surface 12 a of the base member 12 (see FIG. 1C) at a height, H. Accordingly; as a result of the spaced-apart relationship of the document landing surface 14 d with respect to the upper surface 12 a of the base member 12 at the height, H, the document landing surface 14 d may be said to be in a non-co-planar relationship with the upper surface 12 a of the base member 12, and, the cavity 22 may not extend along the length, L, of the body 20 (i.e., the length, L, of the cavity 22 may be calculated by L_C=L−H).
When the component 10 is attached to the document processor 1, the upper surface 12 a of the base member 12 may be disposed substantially adjacent the underside surface 5 of a base member portion 6 of the document processor 1. Further, when the component 10 is attached to the document processor 1, the document landing surface 14 d may be substantially co-planar with an upper surface 7 (see FIGS. 1H, 1I and 5) of the base member portion 6 of the document processor 1. Accordingly, the height, H, may be approximately equal to a thickness of the base member portion 6 of the document processor 1.
Access to the cavity 22 is permitted by way of at least one passage 24 including an upper opening 24 a and a side slit 24 b. The upper opening 24 a is formed by the connection of the upper lip surface 14 c and the inner surface 14 b of the body 20. The register tape, D, may be inserted into the cavity 22 by way of the upper opening 24 a (see dashed line in FIG. 1H).
The side slit 24 b is formed in the thickness, T, of the body 20. As seen in FIG. 1C, formation of the side slit 24 b in the body 20 permits the document landing surface 14 d to be in direct communication with the outer surface 14 a; further, as seen in FIG. 1A, the outer surface 14 a is in direct communication with the upper surface 12 a of the base member 12. The register tape, D, may exit the cavity 22 by way of the side slit 24 b.
Referring to FIG. 1B, approximately about ninety-percent of the inner surface 14 b forms the cavity 22 to include a substantially circular dimension (with a remainder of approximately about ten-percent of the circular dimension not included due to the formation of/the location of the side slit 24 b); however, approximately about ten-percent of the inner surface 14 b of the body 20 diverges (from a closed-loop substantially circular dimension/orientation) in opposing directions in order to cause the body 20 to “open up” and form the side slit 24 b. Accordingly, as seen in FIG. 1B, the inner surface 14 b of the body 20 may be said to “arcuately flare” in a first direction to form a first arcuate portion 26 a and in a second direction (that flares in an opposite direction with respect to the first direction) to form a second arcuate portion 26 b; according to a frame of reference established by the view of FIG. 1B, the first arcuate portion 26 a may be said to flare in opposite directions, such as, for example, a “concave up” orientation whereas the second arcuate portion 26 b may be said to flare in a “concave down” orientation.
As seen in FIG. 1B, the first arcuate portion 26 a may flare in a manner that leads to a formation of a flange 28 that is connected to the body 20 by way of the first arcuate portion 26 a. The flange 28 includes a curved portion 28 a and a substantially linear portion 28 b that is connected to the curved portion 28 a. The curved portion 28 a is connected to and extends away from the first arcuate portion 26 a; the curved portion 28 a and the first arcuate portion 26 a may contribute to the formation of a rounded head portion 30. Referring to FIG. 1C, the flange 28 extends along a length, L_F, which may be less than the length, L, of the body 20. The length, L_F, of the flange 28 may extend between approximately about the upper lip surface 14 c and the document landing surface 14 d.
As seen in FIG. 1B, the second arcuate portion 26 b may flare in a manner that forms an elongated, tear-drop shaped stiffening rib 32 that is connected to the body 20. The elongated, tear-drop shaped stiffening rib 32 includes a curved portion 34 a, a substantially linear portion 34 b, the second arcuate portion 26 b and a portion of the body 20. The curved portion 34 a is connected to and extends away from the second arcuate portion 26 b. The linear portion 34 b is connected to the curved portion 34 a at a first end 34 b′ and is connected to and extends substantially tangentially from the outer surface 14 a of the substantially tubular member 14 at a second end 34 b″. The curved portion 34 a and the second arcuate portion 26 b may contribute to the formation of a rounded head portion 36. Referring to FIG. 1C, the elongated, tear-drop shaped stiffening rib 32 extends along the length, L, of the body 20 between the upper lip surface 14 c and the upper surface 12 a of the base member 12.
As seen in FIG. 1I but referring also to FIGS. 1A-1G, after attaching the component 10 to the document processor 1, a user (not shown) may deposit a length of register tape, D (which may be collapsed upon itself in rolled form), within the cavity 20 of the component 10 by way of the upper opening 24 a. Prior to, during or after the depositing step, a user may grasp an end portion, D_E(see FIG. 5) of a length of the register tape, D, and, guide/align the end portion of the length of register tape, D, through/within the side slit 24 b. The user may then manually guide the end portion of the length of register tape, D, to an orientation within the input hopper 3 and thereafter actuate the document processor 1 such that the document processor 1 begins to pull the register tape, D, through the document processor 1 along the document path. Once the document processor 1 begins to pull the register tape, D, in order to move the register tape, D, along the document path, the register tape, D, is unfurled from its stowed (e.g., rolled) orientation within the cavity 20 of the component 10.
As the register tape, D, is pulled through the document processor 1 along the document path, the register tape, D, may be pulled adjacent and be biased against at least the curved portion 28 a of the flange 28 as the register tape, D, is unfurled within the cavity 22 such that a vertical stiffness may be imparted to the register tape, D, about at least the curved portion 28 a of the flange 28. Further, the substantially linear portion 28 b may guide the register tape, D, into the input hopper 3 in a substantially linear direction. Yet even further, the cavity 20 may maintain an unprocessed portion of the length of the register tape, D, if arranged in a rolled orientation, in a substantially upright position.
Accordingly, the component 10 may controllably-maintain an upright orientation of the register tape, D, while also creating the potential of an imparted vertical stiffness to the register tape, D, as a result of the document processor 1 “pulling”/“tugging” the register tape at a first end while the second end is arranged within the cavity 22 in a upright orientation. Further, the component 10 may also substantially linearly-guide the register tape, D, to a feeding position within the input hopper 3 along the flange 28. Thus, the register tape, D, may be less prone to being physically misaligned, deformed or damaged before/during feeding of the register tape, D, through the document processor 1 along the document path; as a result, the component 10 may improve/maintain feeding reliability of the register tape, D, in order to improve/maintain, for example, processing (e.g., imaging/capturing of the indicia, I) of the register tape, D.
Referring to FIG. 2A, a component 100 is shown according to an embodiment. The component 100 may include a unitary, one-piece body that is formed from any desirable material (e.g., a synthetic resin, metal or the like). The component 100 may be formed, for example, in an injection molding procedure by injecting a plastic material into a mold tool (not shown).
The component 100 may include a base member 112 having an upper surface 112 a and a lower surface 112 b. A substantially tubular member 114 is attached to and extends away from the upper surface 112 a of the base member 112. An attachment member 116 is attached to and extends away from the upper surface 112 a of the base member 112. A rigidifying member 118 (see, e.g., FIG. 2G but also FIGS. 2C-2F) is attached to and extends away from the lower surface 112 b of the base member 112.
The attachment member 116 may include a body 116 a and one or more ribs 116 b. The body 116 a may include a substantially rectangular portion 116 a′ and a rounded portion 116 a″. The one or more ribs 116 b extend away from a side surface 116 c of the body 116 a. The one or more ribs 116 b may include an upper surface 116 b′ that is co-planar with an upper surface 116 d of the body 116 a.
The body 116 a and the one or more ribs 116 b may extend away from the upper surface 112 a of the base member 112. One or more fastener passages 116 e may be formed in the upper surface 116 d of the body 116 a in order to permit one or more fasteners, F (see FIG. 2H), to extend through the base member 112 from the lower surface 112 b, past a plane defined by the upper surface 112 a and beyond the upper surface 116 d of the body 116 a. The body 116 a and the one or more ribs 116 b may define a “male portion” that interfaces with a “female portion” (not shown) formed by an underside surface 5 of a base member portion 6 of the document processor 1 of the document processor 1; the base member portion 6 of the document processor 1 may form one or more of the input hopper 3 and the output bin 4; the fasteners may extend through the one or more fastener passages 116 e for attaching the component 100 to base member portion 6 of the document processor 1 to form an assembly 175 (see, e.g., FIG. 2I).
Although one or more fasteners, F, may extend through one or more fastener passages 116 e for attaching the component 100 to the document processor 1 for forming the assembly, attachment means other than one or more of the fasteners, F, may be utilized. For example, the attachment means may include any suitable attachment species for joining the component 100 to the document processor 1 such as, for example: glue, tape, one or more rivets, bolts or the like. In another embodiment, the attachment means may include a mechanical connection such as a snap-in-place or slide-in-place arrangement extending from/formed in the component that interfaces with the base member portion 6 of the document processor 1 that may easily permit a user to selectively attach/remove the component 100 with the document processor 1 without using fasteners, F, glue, tape, one or more rivets, bolts or the like.
Referring to FIG. 2G, the rigidifying member 118 may include a body 118 a that extends away from lower surface 112 b of the base member 112. The body 118 a may include a plurality of perpendicularly-arranged ribs 118 b and one or more arcuate-shaped ribs 118 c. One or more of the ribs 118 b, 118 c may be arranged in an opposing relationship with and correspond to the dimension of the substantially rectangular portion 116 a′ and a rounded, head portion 116 a″ of the body 116 a of the attachment member 116 that are arranged upon the upper surface 112 a of the base member 112.
Referring to FIG. 2A, the substantially tubular member 114 may include a body 120 formed by an outer surface 114 a, an inner surface 114 b, an upper lip surface 114 c and a document landing surface 114 d (see FIG. 2B). The upper lip surface 114 c connects the outer surface 114 a to the inner surface 114 b. The upper lip surface 114 c may define a thickness, T, of the body 120.
The document landing surface 114 d includes a first document landing surface portion 114 d′ and a second document landing surface portion 114 d″. The first document landing surface portion 114 d′ includes a circular surface area is substantially similar in dimension (i.e., the circular surface area) to the document landing surface portion 14 d of the component 10 described above. The second document landing surface portion 114 d″ forms a narrow, elongated surface.
The inner surface 114 b and the first document landing surface portion 114 d′ may define a cavity 122 extending through a portion of a length, L, of the body 120 (noting that the length, L, is a dimension that extends between approximately about the upper surface 112 a of the base member 112 and the upper lip surface 114 c). Functionally, the cavity 122 may stow the register tape, D, when the register tape, D, is interfaced with the component 100.
The cavity 122 may include a length, L_c, that extends from approximately about the upper lip surface 114 c and terminate at the first document landing surface portion 114 d′; the first document landing surface portion 114 d′ may be elevated away from the upper surface 112 a of the base member 112 (see FIG. 2C) at a height, H. Accordingly; as a result of the spaced-apart relationship of the first document landing surface portion 114 d′ with respect to the upper surface 112 a of the base member 112 at the height, H, the first document landing surface portion 114 d′ may be said to be in a non-co-planar relationship with the upper surface 112 a of the base member 112, and, the cavity 122 may not extend along the length, L, of the body 120 (i.e., the length, L, of the cavity 122 may be calculated by L_C=L−H).
When the component 100 is attached to the document processor 1, the upper surface 112 a of the base member 112 may be disposed substantially adjacent the underside surface 5 of a base member portion 6 of the document processor 1. Further, when the component 100 is attached to the document processor 1, the first document landing surface portion 114 d′ may be substantially co-planar with an upper surface 7 of the base member portion 6 of the document processor 1. Accordingly, the height, H, may be approximately equal to a thickness of the base member portion 6 of the document processor 1.
Access to the cavity 122 is permitted by way of at least one passage 124 including an upper opening 124 a and a side slit 124 b. The upper opening 124 a is formed by the connection of the upper lip surface 114 c and the inner surface 114 b of the body 120. The register tape, D, may be inserted into the cavity 122 by way of the upper opening 124 a.
Access to the cavity 122 may also be permitted by way of a side slit 124 b formed in this thickness, T, in the body 120. Formation of the side slit 124 b in the body 120 permits the first document landing surface portion 114 d′ to be in direct communication with the outer surface 114 a; as seen in FIGS. 2A and 2C, the outer surface 114 a is in direct communication with the upper surface 112 a of the base member 112. The register tape, D, may exit the cavity 122 by way of the side slit 124 b.
Referring to FIG. 2B, approximately about ninety-percent of the inner surface 114 b forms the cavity 120 to include a substantially circular dimension (with a remainder of approximately about ten-percent of the circular dimension at the location of the side slit 124 b); however, approximately about ten-percent of the inner surface 114 b of the body 120 diverges (from a closed-loop substantially circular dimension/orientation) in opposing directions in order to cause the body 120 to “open up” and form the side slit 124 b. Accordingly, as seen in FIG. 2B, the inner surface 114 b of the body 120 may be said to “arcuately flare” in a first direction to form a first arcuate portion 126 a and in a second direction (that flares in an opposite direction with respect to the first direction) to form a second arcuate portion 126 b; according to a frame of reference established by the view of FIG. 2B, the first arcuate portion 126 a may be said to flare in a “concave up” orientation whereas the second arcuate portion 126 b may be said to flare in a “concave down” orientation.
As seen in FIG. 2B, the first arcuate portion 126 a may flare in a manner that leads to a formation of a flange 128 that is connected to the body 120 by way of the first arcuate portion 126 a. The flange 128 includes a curved portion 128 a and a substantially linear portion 128 b that is connected to the curved portion 128 a. The curved portion 128 a is connected to and extends away from the first arcuate portion 126 a; the curved portion 128 a and the first arcuate portion 126 a may contribute to the formation of a rounded head portion 130. Referring to FIG. 2C, the flange 128 extends along a length, L_F, which may be less than the length, L, of the body 120. The length, L_F, of the flange 128 may extend between approximately about the upper lip surface 114 c and the first document landing surface portion 114 d′.
As seen in FIG. 2B, the second arcuate portion 126 b may flare in a manner that forms an elongated, tear-drop shaped stiffening rib 132 that is connected to the body 120. The elongated, tear-drop shaped stiffening rib 132 includes a curved portion 134 a, a substantially linear portion 134 b, the second arcuate portion 126 b and a portion of the body 120. The curved portion 134 a is connected to and extends away from the second arcuate portion 126 b. The linear portion 134 b is connected to the curved portion 134 a at a first end 134 b′ and is connected to and extends substantially tangentially from the outer surface 114 a of the substantially tubular member 114 at a second end 134 b″. The curved portion 134 a and the second arcuate portion 126 b may contribute to the formation of a rounded head portion 136. Referring to FIG. 2C, the elongated, tear-drop shaped stiffening rib 132 extends along the length, L, of the body 120 between the upper lip surface 114 c and the upper surface 112 a of the base member 112.
Referring to FIG. 2B, the narrow, elongated surface formed by the second document landing surface portion 114 d″ is enclosed by a first guide flange 138 and a second guide flange 140. The first guide flange 138 extends substantially perpendicularly from and is connected to the upper surface 112 a of the base member 112. The first guide flange 138 also extends tangentially from a portion of the outer surface 114 a of the substantially tubular member 114.
The second document landing surface portion 114 d″extends substantially perpendicularly from a sidewall surface 138′ of the first guide flange 138. The second document landing surface portion 114 d″ is substantially co-planar with the first document landing surface portion 114 d′.
The second guide flange 140 extends substantially perpendicularly from the second document landing surface portion 114 d″. The second guide flange 140 includes a sidewall surface 140′ that is opposingly-arranged with respect to, and, spaced-apart in a substantially parallel relationship with respect to the sidewall surface 138′ of the first guide flange 138. The inner sidewall surface 138′, 140′ of each of the first and second guide flanges 138, 140 and the second document landing surface portion 114 d″ form a narrow, elongated document channel 142 having an entrance opening 142 a at a first end 142′ and an exit opening 142 b at a second end 142″.
Referring to FIG. 2I, after attaching the component 100 to the document processor 1, a user (not shown) may interface the register tape, D (see D₁in FIG. 2B a first methodology and D₂in FIG. 2B a second methodology), with the component in one of two methodologies. In a first methodology, the user may deposit a length of register tape, D₁(which may be collapsed upon itself in rolled form), within the cavity 120 of the component 100 by way of the upper opening 124 a. Prior to, during or after the depositing step, a user may grasp an end portion of a length of the register tape, D₁, and, guide/align the end portion of the length of register tape, D₁, through/within the side slit 124 b. The user may then manually guide the end portion of the length of register tape, D₁, to an orientation within the input hopper 3 and thereafter actuate the document processor 1 such that the document processor 1 begins to pull the register tape, D₁, through the document processor 1 along the document path. Once the document processor 1 begins to pull the register tape, D₁, in order to move the register tape, D₁, along the document path, the register tape, D₁, is unfurled from its stowed (e.g., rolled) orientation within the cavity 120 of the component 100.
As the register tape, D₁, is pulled through the document processor 1 along the document path, the register tape, D₁, may be pulled adjacent and be biased against at least the curved portion 128 a of the flange 128 as the register tape, D₁, is unfurled within the cavity 122 such that a vertical stiffness may be imparted to the register tape, D₁, about at least the curved portion 128 a of the flange 128. Further, the substantially linear portion 128 a′ may guide the register tape, D₁, into the input hopper 3 in a substantially linear direction. Yet even further, the cavity 120 may maintain an unprocessed portion of the length of the register tape, D₁, if arranged in a rolled orientation, in a substantially upright position.
In a second methodology, the user may deposit a length of a leading end of register tape, D₂(which may be at least partially arranged in a non-collapsed upon, substantially linear/flat, non-rolled form), within the narrow, elongated document channel 142 formed by the inner sidewall surface 138′, 140′ of each of the first and second guide flanges 138, 140 and the second document landing surface portion 114 d″. Once arranged within the narrow, elongated document channel 142, the leading end of the register tape, D₂, may: (1) exit from the narrow, elongated document channel 142 at the exit opening 142 b at a second end 142″, then (2) wrap about a portion the outer surface 114 a of the substantially tubular member 114, the (3) wrap about the linear portion 134 b of the elongated, tear-drop shaped stiffening rib 132, then (4) wrap about the curved portion 134 a of the elongated, tear-drop shaped stiffening rib 132, the (5) extend past, but not within, the side slit 124 b and then (6) extend along the flange 128; accordingly in the second methodology, none of the register tape, D₂, is never disposed within the cavity 122, but, rather, is guided through the narrow, elongated document channel 142 and then wrapped/disposed exterior of the substantially tubular member 114 and the elongated, tear-drop shaped stiffening rib 132. Once the leading end of the register tape, D₂, is arranged along the flange 128, the user may then manually guide the leading end portion of the length of register tape, D₂, to an orientation within the input hopper 3 and thereafter actuate the document processor 1 such that the document processor 1 begins to pull the register tape, D₂, through the document processor 1 along the document path. Once the document processor 1 begins to pull the register tape, D₂, in order to move the register tape, D₂, along the document path from the above-described orientation that is wrapped/disposed exterior of the substantially tubular member 114 and not within the cavity 122.
As the register tape, D₂, is pulled through the document processor 1 along the document path, the register tape, D₂, may be pulled adjacent and be biased against one or more of the curved portion 134 a and the linear portion 134 b of the elongated, tear-drop shaped stiffening rib 132 as the register tape, D₂, is guided through the narrow, elongated document channel 142 such that a vertical stiffness may be imparted to the register tape, D₂, about at least a portion of the elongated, tear-drop shaped stiffening rib 132. Further, the substantially linear portion 128 a′ may guide the register tape, D₂, into the input hopper 3 in a substantially linear direction.
Accordingly, irrespective of the first or second depositing methodology, the component 100 may controllably-maintain an upright orientation of the register tape, D, while also creating the potential of an imparted vertical stiffness to the register tape, D, as a result of the document processor 1 “pulling”/“tugging” the register tape at a first end while the second end is arranged within the cavity 122/the narrow, elongated document channel 142 in a upright orientation. Further, the component 100 may also substantially linearly-guide the register tape, D, to a feeding position within the input hopper 3 along the flange 128. Thus, the register tape, D, may be less prone to being physically misaligned, deformed or damaged before/during feeding of the register tape, D, through the document processor 1 along the document path; as a result, the component 100 may improve/maintain feeding reliability of the register tape, D, in order to improve/maintain, for example, processing (e.g., imaging/capturing of the indicia, I) of the register tape, D.
Referring to FIG. 3A, a component 200 is shown according to an embodiment. The component 200 may include a unitary, one-piece body that is formed from any desirable material (e.g., a synthetic resin, metal or the like). The component 200 may be formed, for example, in an injection molding procedure by injecting a plastic material into a mold tool (not shown).
The component 200 may include a base member 212 having an upper surface 212 a and a lower surface 212 b. A substantially tubular member 214 is attached to and extends away from the upper surface 212 a of the base member 212. An attachment member 216 is attached to and extends away from the upper surface 212 a of the base member 212. A rigidifying member 218 (see, e.g., FIG. 3G but also FIGS. 3C-3F) is attached to and extends away from the lower surface 212 b of the base member 212.
The attachment member 216 may include a body 216 a and one or more ribs 216 b. The body 216 a may include a substantially rectangular portion 216 a′ and a rounded portion 216 a″. The one or more ribs 216 b extend away from a side surface 216 c of the body 216 a. The one or more ribs 216 b may include an upper surface 216 b′ that is co-planar with an upper surface 216 d of the body 216 a.
The body 216 a and the one or more ribs 216 b may extend away from the upper surface 212 a of the base member 212. One or more fastener passages 216 e may be formed in the upper surface 216 d of the body 216 a in order to permit one or more fasteners, F (see FIG. 3H), to extend through the base member 212 from the lower surface 212 b, past a plane defined by the upper surface 212 a and beyond the upper surface 216 d of the body 216 a. The body 216 a and the one or more ribs 216 b may define a “male portion” that interfaces with a “female portion” (not shown) formed by an underside surface 5 of a base member portion 6 of the document processor 1 (see, e.g., FIG. 3H) of the document processor 1; the base member portion 6 of the document processor 1 may form one or more of the input hopper 3 and the output bin 4; the fasteners may extend through the one or more fastener passages 216 e for attaching the component 200 to base member portion 6 of the document processor 1 to form an assembly 275 (see, e.g., FIG. 3I).
Although one or more fasteners, F, may extend through one or more fastener passages 216 e for attaching the component 200 to the document processor 1 for forming the assembly, attachment means other than one or more of the fasteners, F, may be utilized. For example, the attachment means may include any suitable attachment species for joining the component 200 to the document processor 1 such as, for example: glue, tape, one or more rivets, bolts or the like. In another embodiment, the attachment means may include a mechanical connection such as a snap-in-place or slide-in-place arrangement extending from/formed in the component that interfaces with the base member portion 6 of the document processor 1 that may easily permit a user to selectively attach/remove the component 200 with the document processor 1 without using fasteners, F, glue, tape, one or more rivets, bolts or the like.
Referring to FIG. 3G, the rigidifying member 218 may include a body 218 a that extends away from lower surface 212 b of the base member 212. The body 218 a may include a plurality of perpendicularly-arranged ribs 218 b and one or more arcuate-shaped ribs 218 c. One or more of the ribs 218 b, 218 c may be arranged in an opposing relationship with and correspond to the dimension of the substantially rectangular portion 216 a′ and a rounded, head portion 216 a″ of the body 216 a of the attachment member 216 that are arranged upon the upper surface 212 a of the base member 212.
Referring to FIG. 3A, the substantially tubular member 214 may include a body 220 formed by an outer surface 214 a, an inner surface 214 b, an upper lip surface 214 c and a document landing surface 214 d (see FIG. 3B). The upper lip surface 214 c connects the outer surface 214 a to the inner surface 214 b. The upper lip surface 214 c may define a thickness, T, of the body 220.
The document landing surface 214 d includes a first document landing surface portion 214 d′ and a second document landing surface portion 214 d″. The first document landing surface portion 214 d′ includes a circular surface area that is substantially similar in dimension (i.e., the circular surface area) to the document landing surface portion 14 d of the component 10 described above. The second document landing surface portion 214 d″ forms a narrow, elongated surface.
The inner surface 214 b and the first document landing surface portion 214 d′ may define a cavity 222 extending through a portion of a length, L, of the body 220 (noting that the length, L, is a dimension that extends between approximately about the upper surface 212 a of the base member 212 and the upper lip surface 214 c). Functionally, the cavity 222 may stow the register tape, D, when the register tape, D, is interfaced with the component 200.
The cavity 222 may include a length, L_c, that extends from approximately about the upper lip surface 214 c and terminate at the first document landing surface portion 214 d′; the first document landing surface portion 214 d′ may be elevated away from the upper surface 212 a of the base member 212 (see FIG. 3C) at a height, H. Accordingly; as a result of the spaced-apart relationship of the first document landing surface portion 214 d′ with respect to the upper surface 212 a of the base member 212 at the height, H, the first document landing surface portion 214 d′ may be said to be in a non-co-planar relationship with the upper surface 212 a of the base member 212, and, the cavity 222 may not extend along the length, L, of the body 220 (i.e., the length, L, of the cavity 222 may be calculated by L_C=L−H).
When the component 200 is attached to the document processor 1, the upper surface 212 a of the base member 212 may be disposed substantially adjacent the underside surface 5 of a base member portion 6 of the document processor 1. Further, when the component 200 is attached to the document processor 1, the first document landing surface portion 214 d′ may be substantially co-planar with an upper surface 7 of the base member portion 6 of the document processor 1. Accordingly, the height, H, may be approximately equal to a thickness of the base member portion 6 of the document processor 1.
Access to the cavity 222 is permitted by way of at least one passage 224 including an upper opening 224 a and a side slit 224 b. The upper opening 224 a is formed by the connection of the upper lip surface 214 c and the inner surface 214 b of the body 220. The register tape, D, may be inserted into the cavity 222 by way of the upper opening 224 a.
The side slit 224 b is formed in a thickness, T, of the body 220. Formation of the side slit 224 b in the body 220 permits the first document landing surface portion 214 d′ to be in direct communication with the outer surface 214 a; as seen in FIGS. 3A and 3C, the outer surface 214 a is in direct communication with the upper surface 212 a of the base member 212. The register tape, D, may exit the cavity 222 by way of the side slit 224 b.
Referring to FIG. 3B, approximately about ninety-percent of the inner surface 214 b forms the cavity 222 to include a substantially circular dimension (with a remainder of approximately about ten-percent of the circular dimension at the location of the side slit 224 b); however, approximately about ten-percent of the inner surface 214 b of the body 220 diverges (from a closed-loop substantially circular dimension/orientation) in opposing directions in order to cause the body 220 to “open up” and form the side slit 224 b. Accordingly, as seen in FIG. 3B, the inner surface 214 b of the body 220 may be said to “arcuately flare” in a first direction to form a first arcuate portion 226 a and in a second direction (that flares in an opposite direction with respect to the first direction) to form a second arcuate portion 226 b; according to a frame of reference established by the view of FIG. 3B, the first arcuate portion 226 a may be said to flare in a “concave up” orientation whereas the second arcuate portion 226 b may be said to flare in a “concave down” orientation.
As seen in FIG. 3B, the first arcuate portion 226 a may flare in a manner that leads to a formation of a flange 228 that is connected to the body 220 by way of the first arcuate portion 226 a. The flange 228 includes a curved portion 228 a and a substantially linear portion 228 b that is connected to the curved portion 228 a. The curved portion 228 a is connected to and extends away from the first arcuate portion 226 a; the curved portion 228 a and the first arcuate portion 226 a may contribute to the formation of a rounded head portion 230. Referring to FIG. 3C, the flange 228 extends along a length, L_F, which may be less than the length, L, of the body 220. The length, L_F, of the flange 228 may extend between approximately about the upper lip surface 214 c and the first document landing surface portion 214 d′.
As seen in FIG. 3B, the second arcuate portion 226 b may flare in a manner that forms an elongated, tear-drop shaped stiffening rib 232 that is connected to the body 220. The elongated, tear-drop shaped stiffening rib 232 includes a curved portion 234 a, a substantially linear portion 234 b, the second arcuate portion 226 b and a portion of the body 220. The curved portion 234 a is connected to and extends away from the second arcuate portion 226 b. The linear portion 234 b is connected to the curved portion 234 a at a first end 234 b′ and is connected to and extends substantially tangentially from the outer surface 214 a of the substantially tubular member 214 at a second end 234 b″. The curved portion 234 a and the second arcuate portion 226 b may contribute to the formation of a rounded head portion 236. Referring to FIG. 3C, the elongated, tear-drop shaped stiffening rib 232 extends along the length, L, of the body 220 between the upper lip surface 214 c and the upper surface 212 a of the base member 212.
Referring to FIG. 3B, the narrow, elongated surface formed by the second document landing surface portion 214 d″ is enclosed by a first guide flange 238 and a second guide flange 240. The first guide flange 238 extends substantially perpendicularly from and is connected to the upper surface 212 a of the base member 212. The first guide flange 238 also extends from a portion of the outer surface 214 a and the inner surface 214 b of the substantially tubular member 214.
The second document landing surface portion 214 d″extends substantially perpendicularly from a sidewall surface 238′ of the first guide flange 238. The second document landing surface portion 214 d″ is substantially co-planar with and connected directly to/is in direct communication with the first document landing surface portion 214 d′ (whereas, as seen in FIG. 2B, the second document landing surface portion 114 d″ of the component 100 is not connected to and is not in direct communication with the first document landing surface portion 114 d′).
The second guide flange 240 extends substantially perpendicularly from the second document landing surface portion 214 d″. The second guide flange 240 also extends tangentially from a portion of the outer surface 214 a and the inner surface 214 b of the substantially tubular member 214.
The second guide flange 240 includes a sidewall surface 240′ that is opposingly-arranged with respect to, and, spaced-apart in a substantially parallel relationship with respect to the sidewall surface 238′ of the first guide flange 238. The inner sidewall surface 238′, 240′ of each of the first and second guide flanges 238, 240 and the second document landing surface portion 214 d″ form a narrow, elongated document channel 242 having an entrance opening 242 a at a first end 242′ and an exit opening 242 b at a second end 242″. The first and second guide flanges 238, 240 both originate and extend away from about a rear edge 212 c of the base member 212 where the entrance opening 242 a is located.
As explained above, the second document landing surface portion 214 d″ is connected directly to/is in direct communication with the first document landing surface portion 214 d′; accordingly, the narrow, elongated document channel 242 is connected to/is in direct communication with the cavity 222. The narrow, elongated document channel 242 is connected to/is in direct communication with the cavity 222 at the exit opening 242 b at the second end 242″ of the narrow, elongated document channel 242; because of this configuration, the register tape, D, may: (1) laterally enter the cavity 222 at the exit opening 242 b, or, the register tape, D, may vertically enter the cavity 222 at the upper opening 224 a, and (2) laterally exit the cavity 222 at the side slit 224 b.
Referring to FIG. 3I, after attaching the component 200 to the document processor 1, a user (not shown) may interface the register tape, D (see D₁in FIG. 3B a first methodology and D₂in FIG. 3B a second methodology), with the component in one of two methodologies. In a first methodology, the user may deposit a length of register tape, D₁(which may be collapsed upon itself in rolled form), within the cavity 220 of the component 200 by way of the upper opening 224 a. Prior to, during or after the depositing step, a user may grasp an end portion of a length of the register tape, D₁, and, guide/align the end portion of the length of register tape, D, through/within the side slit 224 b. The user may then manually guide the end portion of the length of register tape, D₁, to an orientation within the input hopper 3 and thereafter actuate the document processor 1 such that the document processor 1 begins to pull the register tape, D₁, through the document processor 1 along the document path. Once the document processor 1 begins to pull the register tape, D₁, in order to move the register tape, D₁, along the document path, the register tape, D₁, is unfurled from its stowed (e.g., rolled) orientation within the cavity 220 of the component 200.
As the register tape, D₁, is pulled through the document processor 1 along the document path, the register tape, D₁, may be pulled adjacent and be biased against at least the curved portion 228 a of the flange 228 as the register tape, D₁, is unfurled within the cavity 222 such that a vertical stiffness may be imparted to the register tape, D₁, about at least the curved portion 228 a of the flange 228. Further, the substantially linear portion 228 a′ may guide the register tape, D₁, into the input hopper 3 in a substantially linear direction. Yet even further, the cavity 220 may maintain an unprocessed portion of the length of the register tape, D₁, if arranged in a rolled orientation, in a substantially upright position.
In a second methodology, the user may deposit a length of a leading end of register tape, D₂(which may be at least partially arranged in a non-collapsed upon, substantially linear/flat, non-rolled form), within the narrow, elongated document channel 242 formed by the inner sidewall surface 238′, 240′ of each of the first and second guide flanges 238, 240 and the second document landing surface portion 214 d″. Once arranged within the narrow, elongated document channel 242, the leading end of the register tape, D₂, may: (1) exit from the narrow, elongated document channel 242 at the exit opening 242 b at a second end 242″, then (2) enter the cavity 222, then (3) be disposed adjacent the inner surface 214 b of the substantially tubular member 214, then (4) exit the cavity 222 by way of the side slit 224 b (which may occur by the natural movement of the register tape, D₂, or, manually with user-intervention, then (5) extend out of and beyond the cavity 222 along the flange 228. Once the leading end of the register tape, D₂, is arranged along the flange 228, the user may then manually guide the leading end portion of the length of register tape, D₂, to an orientation within the input hopper 3 and thereafter actuate the document processor 1 such that the document processor 1 begins to pull the register tape, D₂, through the document processor 1 along the document path. Once the document processor 1 begins to pull the register tape, D₂, in order to move the register tape, D₂, along the document path from the above-described orientation from an orientation firstly within the narrow, elongated document channel 242 and then subsequently into and out of the cavity 222.
As the register tape, D₂, is pulled through the document processor 1 along the document path, the register tape, D₂, may be pulled adjacent and be biased against at least the curved portion 228 a of the flange 228 as the register tape, D₂, is unfurled within the cavity 222 such that a vertical stiffness may be imparted to the register tape, D₂, about at least the curved portion 228 a of the flange 228. Further, the substantially linear portion 228 a′ may guide the register tape, D₂, into the input hopper 3 in a substantially linear direction. Yet even further, the cavity 220 may maintain an unprocessed portion of the length of the register tape, D₂, if arranged in a rolled orientation, in a substantially upright position.
Accordingly, irrespective of the first or second depositing methodology, the component 200 may controllably-maintain an upright orientation of the register tape, D, while also creating the potential of an imparted vertical stiffness to the register tape, D, as a result of the document processor 1 “pulling”/“tugging” the register tape at a first end while the second end is arranged within the cavity 222/the narrow, elongated document channel 242 in a upright orientation. Further, the component 200 may also substantially linearly-guide the register tape, D, to a feeding position within the input hopper 3 along the flange 228. Thus, the register tape, D, may be less prone to being physically misaligned, deformed or damaged before/during feeding of the register tape, D, through the document processor 1 along the document path; as a result, the component 200 may improve/maintain feeding reliability of the register tape, D, in order to improve/maintain, for example, processing (e.g., imaging/capturing of the indicia, I) of the register tape, D.
Referring to FIG. 4A, a component 300 is shown according to an embodiment. The component 300 may include a unitary, one-piece body that is formed from any desirable material (e.g., a synthetic resin, metal or the like). The component 300 may be formed, for example, in an injection molding procedure by injecting a plastic material into a mold tool (not shown).
The component 300 may include a base member 312 having an upper surface 312 a and a lower surface 312 b. A substantially tubular member 314 is attached to and extends away from the upper surface 312 a of the base member 312. An attachment member 316 is attached to and extends away from the upper surface 312 a of the base member 312. A rigidifying member 318 (see, e.g., FIG. 4G but also FIGS. 4C-4F) is attached to and extends away from the lower surface 312 b of the base member 312.
The attachment member 316 may include a body 316 a and one or more ribs 316 b. The body 316 a may include a substantially rectangular portion 316 a′ and a rounded portion 316 a″. The one or more ribs 316 b extend away from a side surface 316 c of the body 316 a. The one or more ribs 316 b may include an upper surface 316 b′ that is co-planar with an upper surface 316 d of the body 316 a.
The body 316 a and the one or more ribs 316 b may extend away from the upper surface 312 a of the base member 312. One or more fastener passages 316 e may be formed in the upper surface 316 d of the body 316 a in order to permit one or more fasteners, F, to extend through the base member 312 from the lower surface 312 b, past a plane defined by the upper surface 312 a and beyond the upper surface 316 d of the body 316 a. The body 316 a and the one or more ribs 316 b may define a “male portion” that interfaces with a “female portion” (not shown) formed by an underside surface 5 of a base member portion 6 of the document processor 1 (see, e.g., FIG. 4H) of the document processor 1; the base member portion 6 of the document processor 1 may form one or more of the input hopper 3 and the output bin 4; the fasteners may extend through the one or more fastener passages 316 e for attaching the component 300 to base member portion 6 of the document processor 1 to form an assembly 375 (see, e.g., FIG. 4I).
Although one or more fasteners, F, may extend through one or more fastener passages 316 e for attaching the component 300 to the document processor 1 for forming the assembly, attachment means other than one or more of the fasteners, F, may be utilized. For example, the attachment means may include any suitable attachment species for joining the component 300 to the document processor 1 such as, for example: glue, tape, one or more rivets, bolts or the like. In another embodiment, the attachment means may include a mechanical connection such as a snap-in-place or slide-in-place arrangement extending from/formed in the component that interfaces with the base member portion 6 of the document processor 1 that may easily permit a user to selectively attach/remove the component 300 with the document processor 1 without using fasteners, F, glue, tape, one or more rivets, bolts or the like.
Referring to FIG. 4G, the rigidifying member 318 may include a body 318 a that extends away from lower surface 312 b of the base member 312. The body 318 a may include a plurality of perpendicularly-arranged ribs 318 b and one or more arcuate-shaped ribs 318 c. One or more of the ribs 318 b, 318 c may be arranged in an opposing relationship with and correspond to the dimension of the substantially rectangular portion 316 a′ and a rounded, head portion 316 a″ of the body 316 a of the attachment member 316 that are arranged upon the upper surface 312 a of the base member 312.
Referring to FIG. 4A, the substantially tubular member 314 may include a body 320 formed by an outer surface 314 a, an inner surface 314 b, an upper lip surface 314 c and a document landing surface 314 d (see FIG. 4B). The upper lip surface 314 c connects the outer surface 314 a to the inner surface 314 b. The upper lip surface 314 c may define a thickness, T, of the body 320.
The document landing surface 314 d includes a first document landing surface portion 314 d′ and a second document landing surface portion 314 d″. The first document landing surface portion 314 d′ includes a circular surface area is substantially similar in dimension (i.e., the circular surface area) to the document landing surface portion 14 d of the component 10 described above. The second document landing surface portion 314 d″ forms a narrow, elongated surface.
The inner surface 314 b and the first document landing surface portion 314 d′ may define a cavity 322 extending through a portion of a length, L, of the body 320 (noting that the length, L, is a dimension that extends between approximately about the upper surface 312 a of the base member 312 and the upper lip surface 314 c). Functionally, the cavity 322 may stow the register tape, D, when the register tape, D, is interfaced with the component 300.
The cavity 322 may include a length, L_C, that extends from approximately about the upper lip surface 314 c and terminate at the first document landing surface portion 314 d′; the first document landing surface portion 314 d′ may be elevated away from the upper surface 312 a of the base member 312 (see FIG. 4C) at a height, H. Accordingly; as a result of the spaced-apart relationship of the first document landing surface portion 314 d′ with respect to the upper surface 312 a of the base member 312 at the height, H, the first document landing surface portion 314 d′ may be said to be in a non-co-planar relationship with the upper surface 312 a of the base member 312, and, the cavity 322 may not extend along the length, L, of the body 320 (i.e., the length, L, of the cavity 322 may be calculated by L_C=L−H).
When the component 300 is attached to the document processor 1, the upper surface 312 a of the base member 312 may be disposed substantially adjacent the underside surface 5 of a base member portion 6 of the document processor 1. Further, when the component 300 is attached to the document processor 1, the first document landing surface portion 314 d′ may be substantially co-planar with an upper surface 7 of the base member portion 6 of the document processor 1. Accordingly, the height, H, may be approximately equal to a thickness of the base member portion 6 of the document processor 1.
Access to the cavity 322 is permitted by way of at least one passage 324 including an upper opening 324 a and a side slit 324 b. The upper opening 324 a is formed by the connection of the upper lip surface 314 c and the inner surface 314 b of the body 320. The register tape, D, may be inserted into the cavity 322 by way of the upper opening 324 a.
The side slit 324 b is formed in the thickness, T, of the body 320. Formation of the side slit 324 b in the body 320 permits the first document landing surface portion 314 d′ to be in direct communication with the outer surface 314 a; as seen in FIGS. 4A and 4C, the outer surface 314 a is in direct communication with the upper surface 312 a of the base member 312. The register tape, D, may exit the cavity 322 by way of the side slit 324 b.
Referring to FIG. 4B, approximately about ninety-percent of the inner surface 314 b forms the cavity 320 to include a substantially circular dimension (with a remainder of approximately about ten-percent of the circular dimension shown at the location of the side slit 324 b); however, approximately about ten-percent of the inner surface 314 b of the body 320 diverges (from a closed-loop substantially circular dimension/orientation) in opposing directions in order to cause the body 320 to “open up” and form the side slit 324 b. Accordingly, as seen in FIG. 4B, the inner surface 314 b of the body 320 may be said to “arcuately flare” in a first direction to form a first arcuate portion 326 a and in a second direction (that flares in an opposite direction with respect to the first direction) to form a second arcuate portion 326 b; according to a frame of reference established by the view of FIG. 4B, the first arcuate portion 326 a may be said to flare in a “concave up” orientation whereas the second arcuate portion 326 b may be said to flare in a “concave down” orientation.
As seen in FIG. 4B, the first arcuate portion 326 a may flare in a manner that leads to a formation of a flange 328 that is connected to the body 320 by way of the first arcuate portion 326 a. The flange 328 includes a curved portion 328 a and a substantially linear portion 328 b that is connected to the curved portion 328 a. The curved portion 328 a is connected to and extends away from the first arcuate portion 326 a; the curved portion 328 a and the first arcuate portion 326 a may contribute to the formation of a rounded head portion 330. Referring to FIG. 4C, the flange 328 extends along a length, L_F, which may be less than the length, L, of the body 320. The length, L_F, of the flange 328 may extend between approximately about the upper lip surface 314 c and the first document landing surface portion 314 d′.
As seen in FIG. 4B, the second arcuate portion 326 b may flare in a manner that forms an elongated, tear-drop shaped stiffening rib 332 that is connected to the body 320. The elongated, tear-drop shaped stiffening rib 332 includes a curved portion 334 a, a substantially linear portion 334 b, the second arcuate portion 326 b and a portion of the body 320. The curved portion 334 a is connected to and extends away from the second arcuate portion 326 b. The linear portion 334 b is connected to the curved portion 334 a at a first end 334 b′ and is connected to and extends substantially tangentially from the outer surface 314 a of the substantially tubular member 314 at a second end 334 b″. The curved portion 334 a and the second arcuate portion 326 b may contribute to the formation of a rounded head portion 336. Referring to FIG. 4C, the elongated, tear-drop shaped stiffening rib 332 extends along the length, L, of the body 320 between the upper lip surface 314 c and the upper surface 312 a of the base member 312.
Referring to FIG. 4B, the narrow, elongated surface formed by the second document landing surface portion 314 d″ is enclosed by a first guide flange 338 and a second guide flange 340. The first guide flange 338 extends substantially perpendicularly from and is connected to the upper surface 312 a of the base member 312. The first guide flange 338 also extends from a portion of the outer surface 314 a and the inner surface 314 b of the substantially tubular member 314.
The second document landing surface portion 314 d″extends substantially perpendicularly from a sidewall surface 338′ of the first guide flange 338. The second document landing surface portion 314 d″ is substantially co-planar with and connected directly to/is in direct communication with the first document landing surface portion 314 d′ (whereas, as seen in FIG. 2B, the second document landing surface portion 114 d″ of the component 100 is not connected to and is not in direct communication with the first document landing surface portion 114 d′).
The second guide flange 340 extends substantially perpendicularly from the second document landing surface portion 314 d″. The second guide flange 340 also extends tangentially from a portion of the outer surface 314 a and the inner surface 314 b of the substantially tubular member 314.
The second guide flange 340 includes a sidewall surface 340′ that is opposingly-arranged with respect to, and, spaced-apart in a substantially parallel relationship with respect to the sidewall surface 338′ of the first guide flange 338. The inner sidewall surface 338′, 340′ of each of the first and second guide flanges 338, 340 and the second document landing surface portion 314 d″ form a narrow, elongated document channel 342 having an entrance opening 342 a at a first end 342′ and an exit opening 342 b at a second end 342″.
The first and second guide flanges 338, 340 both originate and extend away from about a rear edge 312 c of the base member 312 where the entrance opening 342 a is located. However, the second guide flange 340 includes a tail portion 342 that extends away from the rear edge 312 c of the base member 312; accordingly, when the component 300 is attached to the document processor 1, a portion of a sidewall 8 of the document processor 1 and the tail portion 342 may define the entrance opening 342 a.
With continued reference to FIG. 4B, the component 300 includes a guide post 344 extending away from the first document landing surface portion 314 d′. The guide post 344 may be centrally location upon the first document landing surface portion 314 d′.
As explained above, the second document landing surface portion 314 d″ is connected directly to/is in direct communication with the first document landing surface portion 314 d′; accordingly, the narrow, elongated document channel 342 is connected to/is in direct communication with the cavity 322. The narrow, elongated document channel 342 is connected to/is in direct communication with the cavity 322 at the exit opening 342 b at the second end 342″ of the narrow, elongated document channel 342; because of this configuration, the register tape, D, may: (1) laterally enter the cavity 322 at the exit opening 342 b, or, the register tape, D, may vertically enter the cavity 322 at the upper opening 324 a, and (2) laterally exit the cavity 322 at the side slit 324 b.
Referring to FIG. 4I, after attaching the component 300 to the document processor 1, a user (not shown) may interface the register tape, D (see D₁in FIG. 4B a first methodology and D₂in FIG. 4B a second methodology), with the component in one of two methodologies. In a first methodology, the user may deposit a length of register tape, D₁(which may be collapsed upon itself in rolled form), within the cavity 320 of the component 300 by way of the upper opening 324 a. If arranged in rolled form, the guide post 344 may extend through a central/axial opening of the roll of register tape, D₁, such that the guide post 344 may contribute to maintaining an upright orientation of the roll of register tape, D₁. Prior to, during or after the depositing step, a user may grasp an end portion of a length of the register tape, D, and, guide/align the end portion of the length of register tape, D₁, through/within the side slit 324 b. The user may then manually guide the end portion of the length of register tape, D₁, to an orientation within the input hopper 3 and thereafter actuate the document processor 1 such that the document processor 1 begins to pull the register tape, D₁, through the document processor 1 along the document path. Once the document processor 1 begins to pull the register tape, D₁, in order to move the register tape, D₁, along the document path, the register tape, D₁, is unfurled from its stowed (e.g., rolled) orientation within the cavity 320 of the component 300.
As the register tape, D₁, is pulled through the document processor 1 along the document path, the register tape, D₁, may be pulled adjacent and be biased against at least the curved portion 328 a of the flange 328 as the register tape, D₁, is unfurled within the cavity 322 such that a vertical stiffness may be imparted to the register tape, D₁, about at least the curved portion 328 a of the flange 328. Further, the substantially linear portion 328 a′ may guide the register tape, D₁, into the input hopper 3 in a substantially linear direction. Yet even further, the cavity 320 may maintain an unprocessed portion of the length of the register tape, D₁, if arranged in a rolled orientation, in a substantially upright position.
In a second methodology, the user may deposit a length of a leading end of register tape, D₂(which may be at least partially arranged in a non-collapsed upon, substantially linear/flat, non-rolled form), within the narrow, elongated document channel 342 formed by the inner sidewall surface 338′, 340′ of each of the first and second guide flanges 338, 340 and the second document landing surface portion 314 d″. Once arranged within the narrow, elongated document channel 342, the leading end of the register tape, D₂, may: (1) exit from the narrow, elongated document channel 342 at the exit opening 342 b at a second end 342″, then (2) enter the cavity 322, then (3) be disposed adjacent one or both of the guide post 344 and the inner surface 314 b of the substantially tubular member 314, then (4) exit the cavity 322 by way of the side slit 324 b (which may occur by the natural movement of the register tape, D₂, or, manually with user-intervention, then (5) extend out of and beyond the cavity 322 along the flange 328. Once the leading end of the register tape, D₂, is arranged along the flange 328, the user may then manually guide the leading end portion of the length of register tape, D₂, to an orientation within the input hopper 3 and thereafter actuate the document processor 1 such that the document processor 1 begins to pull the register tape, D₂, through the document processor 1 along the document path. Once the document processor 1 begins to pull the register tape, D₂, in order to move the register tape, D₂, along the document path from the above-described orientation from an orientation firstly within the narrow, elongated document channel 342 and then subsequently into and out of the cavity 322.
As the register tape, D₂, is pulled through the document processor 1 along the document path, the register tape, D₂, may be pulled adjacent and be biased against at least the curved portion 328 a of the flange 328 as the register tape, D₂, is unfurled within the cavity 322 such that a vertical stiffness may be imparted to the register tape, D₂, about at least the curved portion 328 a of the flange 328. Further, the substantially linear portion 328 a′ may guide the register tape, D₂, into the input hopper 3 in a substantially linear direction. Yet even further, the cavity 320 may maintain an unprocessed portion of the length of the register tape, D₂, if arranged in a rolled orientation, in a substantially upright position.
Accordingly, irrespective of the first or second depositing methodology, the component 300 may controllably-maintain an upright orientation of the register tape, D, while also creating the potential of an imparted vertical stiffness to the register tape, D, as a result of the document processor 1 “pulling”/“tugging” the register tape at a first end while the second end is arranged within the cavity 322/the narrow, elongated document channel 342 in a upright orientation. Further, the component 300 may also substantially linearly-guide the register tape, D, to a feeding position within the input hopper 3 along the flange 328. Thus, the register tape, D, may be less prone to being physically misaligned, deformed or damaged before/during feeding of the register tape, D, through the document processor 1 along the document path; as a result, the component 300 may improve/maintain feeding reliability of the register tape, D, in order to improve/maintain, for example, processing (e.g., imaging/capturing of the indicia, I) of the register tape, D.
Referring to FIGS. 1B, 2B, 3B, 4B, attention is drawn to similarities/differences in how each of the components 10, 100, 200, 300 impart the vertical stiffness to the register tape, D. For example, each of the components 10, 100, 200, 300 include at least a first loading methodology (see: register tape, D₁) where the register tape, D₁, is loaded in substantially rolled formed and may be pulled adjacent/be biased against at least the curved portion 28 a, 128 a, 228 a, 328 a of the flange 28, 128, 228, 328; when pulled adjacent/biased against at least the curved portion 28 a, 128 a, 228 a, 328 a, it may be said that the register tape, D₁, is tangentially pulled adjacent at least one point of contact (i.e., the curved portion 28 a, 128 a, 228 a, 328 a) of the component 10, 100, 200, 300. However, regarding the second loading methodology (see: register tape, D₂) of FIGS. 2B, 3B, 4B, the register tape, D₂, may be tangentially pulled adjacent at least two points of contact (i.e., the portion the outer surface 114 a, the curved portion 134 a and the curved portion 128 a of FIG. 2B; the curved portion proximate the exit opening 242 b of the narrow, elongated document channel 242 and the curved portion 228 a of FIG. 3B; the curved portion proximate the exit opening 342 b of the narrow, elongated document channel 342, the guide post 344 and the curved portion 328 a of FIG. 4B) of the component 100, 200, 300. Accordingly, in an implementation, the vertical stiffness of the second loading methodology may be increased over that of the first loading methodology by providing additional tangential points of contact such that the register tape, D, may be tangentially biased adjacent additional points/surface area of the components 10, 100, 200, 300.
Referring to FIG. 5, the output bin 4 may include a first bay 4 a and a second bay 4 b that are formed by a plurality of sidewall members 9 including a first outer sidewall member 9 a, a second outer sidewall member 9 c and an intermediate sidewall member 9 b arranged between the first outer sidewall member 9 a and the second outer sidewall member 9 c. The plurality of sidewall members 9 may extend from the upper surface 7 of the base member portion 6 of the document processor 1.
One or more document catch members 1000 may be attached to the plurality of sidewall members 9. For example, a first document catch member 1000 a may be attached to the first outer sidewall member 9 a and the intermediate sidewall member 9 b, and, a second document catch member 1000 b may be attached to the second outer sidewall member 9 c and the intermediate sidewall member 9 b. The first document catch member 1000 a prevents documents, D, from being ejected from the document processor 1 at the first bay 4 a after the document processor 1 has processed the document, D, and, the second document catch member 1000 b prevents documents, D, from being ejected from the document processor 1 at the second bay 4 b after the document processor 1 has processed the document, D.
Each of the first and second document catch members 1000 a, 1000 b may include a substantially U- or C-shape configuration having a first leg 1002 a arranged in parallel with a second leg 1002 b and a bridge portion 1002 c connecting the first leg 1002 a to the second leg 1002 b. As shown in the illustrated embodiments, the first and second legs 1002 a, 1002 b are connected to the plurality of sidewall members 9.
In some implementations, the document processor 1 may be utilized to process documents, D, such as, for example, a check that has a relatively smaller dimension than that of another document, such as, for example, register tape. In an instance of the document processor 1 processing register tape, D, as described above, the register tape, D, may include a length-wise dimension that is greater than a length-wide dimension of each of the first bay 4 a and the second bay 4 b; accordingly, in an implementation, one or more of the first document catch member 1000 a and the second document catch member 1000 b may be moveably-disposed relative to the plurality of sidewall members 9 in order to permit documents, D, such as, for example, register tape to be at least partially ejectable from one or more of the first bay 4 a and the second bay 4 b.
Referring to FIGS. 6A-6C, one or more of the first document catch member 1000 a and the second document catch member 1000 b may be moveably-disposed relative to the plurality of sidewall members 9 in a “pull and pivot” relationship. In an embodiment, the second leg 1002 b may be longer than the first leg 1002 a; accordingly, a user may firstly pull one or more of the first and second document catch members according to the direction of the arrow, X (see FIG. 6A), such that the first leg 1002 a is removed from a passage 1004 (see FIGS. 6B, ̂c) formed in one of the plurality of sidewall members 9 while the second leg 1002 b is connected to one of the plurality of sidewall members 9. Subsequently, the user may rotate, according to the direction of the arrow, Y (see FIG. 6B), one or more of the first and second document catch members 1000 a, 1000 b about an axis, A-A, aligned with the second leg 1002 b that is still connected to one of the plurality of sidewall members 9. Referring to FIG. 6C, after rotation of one or more of the first and second document catch members 1000 a, 1000 b according to the direction of the arrow, Y, register tape, D, may be at least partially ejectable from one or more of the first bay 4 a and the second bay 4 b due to the lack of obstruction that would otherwise be provided by one or more of the first and second document catch members 1000 a, 1000 b.
Referring to FIGS. 7A-7B, one or more document catch members are shown generally at 1100 including a first document catch member 1100 a and a second document catch member 1100 b. One or more of the first document catch member 1100 a and the second document catch member 1100 b may be moveably-disposed relative to the plurality of sidewall members 9′ in a “pivot-only” relationship rather than a “pull and pivot” relationship as described above in FIGS. 6A-6C. In an embodiment, the first leg 1102 a may include a dimension that is shorter than, but approximately equal to about a dimension of the second leg 1102 b. Rather than arranging the first leg 1102 a in a passage formed in one of the plurality of sidewall members 9′, the first leg 1102 a may rest upon a ledge 1104 extending from a side surface 1106 one of the plurality of sidewall members 9′ of a document processor 1′; accordingly, rather than having a user firstly pull one or more of the first and second document catch members 1102 a, 1102 b according to the direction of an arrow, X (as seen in FIG. 6A), the user may, in one motion, rotate, according to the direction of the arrow, Y (see FIG. 7A), one or more of the first and second document catch members 1100 a, 1100 b about an axis, A-A, aligned with the second leg 1102 b that is still connected to one of the plurality of sidewall members 9′. Referring to FIG. 7B, after rotation of one or more of the first and second document catch members 1100 a, 1100 b according to the direction of the arrow, Y, register tape, D, may be at least partially ejectable from one or more of the first bay 4 a′ and the second bay 4 b′ due to the lack of obstruction that would otherwise be provided by one or more of the first and second document catch members 1100 a, 1100 b.
A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims. For example, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A component, comprising:

a base member having an upper surface and a lower surface;

a substantially tubular member attached to and extending away from the upper surface of the base member, wherein the substantially tubular member includes a body formed by an outer surface,

an inner surface,

an upper lip surface connecting the outer surface to the inner surface, wherein the body includes a thickness (T) extending between the outer surface and the inner surface, and

a document landing surface connected to the inner surface, wherein the inner surface and the document landing surface defines a cavity extending through a portion of a length (L) of the body.

2. The component according to claim 1, wherein the body includes at least one passage that provides access to the cavity, wherein the at least one passage includes

an upper opening formed by the connection of the upper lip surface and the inner surface, and

a side slit extending through the thickness (T) of the body.

3. The component according to claim 2, wherein approximately about ninety-percent of the inner surface of a cross-section of the body forms the cavity to include a circular dimension, wherein approximately about ten-percent of the inner surface of the cross-section of the body arcuately diverges in opposing directions from the circular dimension to form one or more of a first arcuate portion and a second arcuate portion to form at least a portion of the side slit extending through the thickness (T) of the body.

4. The component according to claim 3, further comprising:

a flange connected to the first arcuate portion of the body, wherein the flange includes a curved portion and a substantially linear portion that is connected to the curved portion, wherein the curved portion is connected to and extends away from the first arcuate portion to collectively form a rounded head portion.

5. The component according to claim 4, wherein the flange includes a flange length (L_F) that extends between approximately about the upper lip surface and the document landing surface.

6. The component according to claim 3, wherein the second arcuate portion may flares outwardly to form a curved portion, wherein the second arcuate portion extends along the length (L) of the body between the upper lip surface and the upper surface of the base member to form an elongated stiffening rib connected to the body.

7. The component according to claim 6, wherein the second arcuate portion flares outwardly beyond the curved portion to further include a substantially linear portion having a first end connected to the curved portion and a second end connected to the outer surface of the substantially tubular member.

8. The component according to claim 2, wherein the side slit permits direct communication of the document landing surface with the outer surface, wherein the outer surface is in direct communication with the upper surface of the base member.

9. The component according to claim 1, wherein the document landing surface is elevated away from the upper surface of the base member at a height (H) such that the document landing surface is not co-planar with the upper surface of the base member, wherein the cavity does not extend along the length (L) of the body.

10. The component according to claim 1, wherein the length (L) of the body extends between approximately about the upper surface of the base member and the upper lip surface.

11. The component according to claim 1, wherein the cavity defines a cavity length (L_C) extending between approximately about the upper lip surface and terminating at the document landing surface.

12. The component according to claim 1, wherein the document landing surface includes

a first document landing surface portion, and

a second document landing surface portion, wherein the first document landing surface portion includes a circular dimension, wherein the second document landing surface portion includes a narrow, elongated dimension.

13. The component according to claim 12, wherein the second document landing surface portion is enclosed by

a first guide flange, and

a second guide flange, wherein the second document landing surface portion, the first guide flange and the second guide flange collectively form a narrow, elongated document channel having an entrance opening at a first end and an exit opening at a second end.

14. The component according to claim 13, wherein the first guide flange extends substantially perpendicularly from and is connected to the upper surface of the base member, wherein the first guide flange also extends tangentially from a portion of the outer surface of the substantially tubular member, wherein the second document landing surface portion extends substantially perpendicularly from a sidewall surface of the first guide flange, wherein the second document landing surface portion is substantially co-planar with the first document landing surface portion, wherein the second guide flange extends substantially perpendicularly from the second document landing surface portion, wherein the second guide flange includes a sidewall surface that is opposingly-arranged with respect to, and, spaced-apart in a substantially parallel relationship with respect to the sidewall surface of the first guide flange.

15. The component according to claim 13, wherein the second document landing surface portion is substantially co-planar with and connected directly to and is in direct communication with the first document landing surface portion.

16. The component according to claim 13, wherein the first guide flange extends from a portion of the outer surface and the inner surface of the substantially tubular member, wherein the second guide flange extends substantially perpendicularly from the second document landing surface portion and also extends tangentially from a portion of the outer surface and the inner surface of the substantially tubular member.

17. The component according to claim 13, wherein the first and second guide flanges both originate and extend away from about a rear edge of the base member where the entrance opening is located.

18. The component according to claim 17, wherein the second guide flange includes a tail portion that extends away from the rear edge of the base member.

19. The component according to claim 1, further comprising:

a guide post extending away from the first document landing surface portion.

20. The component according to claim 1, further comprising:

an attachment member that extends away from the upper surface of the base member.

21. The component according to claim 1, further comprising:

a rigidifying member extending away from the lower surface of the base member.

22. An assembly, comprising:

a document processor;

the component of claim 1; and

means for attaching the component to the document processor.

23. The assembly according to claim 22, wherein the upper surface of the base member is disposed substantially adjacent an underside surface of a base member portion of the document processor, wherein the document landing surface is substantially co-planar with an upper surface of the base member portion of the document processor.

24. The assembly according to claim 22, further comprising:

at least one processed document-receiving bay formed by at least one sidewall of the document processor; and

at least one document catch member that is moveably-disposed relative to the at least one sidewall member of the document processor in at least a rotational relationship with respect to the at least one sidewall member.

25. The assembly according to claim 24, wherein a second leg of the at least one document catch member is shorter than a first leg of the at least one document catch member, wherein the at least one document catch member is movably-disposed in a pulling direction for removing the second leg from a passage formed in a second sidewall member of the at least one sidewall member prior to rotating the first leg that is rotationally-connected to a first sidewall member of the at least one sidewall member such that the at least one document catch member is moveably-disposed relative to the at least one sidewall member of the document processor in a pull relationship in addition to the rotational relationship with respect to the at least one sidewall member.

26. The assembly according to claim 24, further comprising:

a ledge extending from the at least one sidewall member of the document processor, wherein a second leg of the at least one document catch member is approximately equal to about, but shorter than a first leg of the at least one document catch member, wherein the second leg is selectively-disposable adjacent the ledge, wherein the first leg is rotationally-connected to a first sidewall member of the at least one sidewall member such that upon rotation of the at least one document catch member the second leg is selectively movable away from the ledge.