Sheet feed apparatus

Abstract

A sheet feed apparatus includes a first surface configured to extend along a first face of a stack of print media, a media driving surface configured to contact a second opposite face of the print media and a second surface configured to extend along an edge of the stack of print media.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] Many electronic devices, such as printers, copiers and scanners, feed sheets of media from a stack of media. In an attempt to feed one sheet of media at a time, many devices include a rubber separator pad that applies friction to the edge of the stack. This separator pad may damage the edge of the media, may involve low manufacturing and assembly tolerances and may increase the number of parts, complexity and cost of the sheet feeding mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view schematically illustrating an electronic device including a media feed apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0003] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of the media feed apparatus of FIG. 1 according to one exemplary embodiment.

[0004] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the media feed apparatus of FIG. 2 taken along line 3-3 according to one exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0005] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an electronic device 10 which includes a sheet feed apparatus 12 according to one exemplary embodiment. In the example shown, electronic device 10 comprises a printer configured to print or otherwise form images upon sheets 14 that are arranged as a stack 16 and individually fed by feed apparatus 12. The medium may be formed from a variety of one or more different materials such as cellulose-based materials, polymers or combinations thereof. The sheet may also have various sizes and shapes. Examples of sheets include photo media, card stock, paper, transparencies, magnetic panels and the like.

[0006] Sheet feed apparatus 12 feeds individual sheets 14 of media from a stack 16 to device 10. Sheet feed apparatus 12 generally includes floor 20, backrest 22 and sheet pick device 24. Floor 20 comprises a member supported below backrest 22 and is configured to provide a surface 26 against which edges 28 of sheets 14 rest. In the particular example shown, floor 20 further provides a transition surface 30 angled with respect to surface 26 such that movement of edge 28 of a sheet 14 along surfaces 26 and 30 results in the sheet of media being reoriented. Surface 26 is substantially smooth and has a low coefficient of friction such that edges 28 of sheets 14 are less likely to be damaged when being picked by pick device 24. At the same time, however, due to the geometry of the components of sheet feed apparatus 12, individual sheets 14 may be reliably separated and picked from stack 16 by pick device 24.

[0007] Backrest 22 comprises one or more members configured to support stack 16 upon floor 20 in an inclined orientation. In particular, backrest 22 is configured to bear against and support a rear face 32 or rearward most sheet 14 of stack 16. Backrest 22 includes one or more surfaces 36 which contact face 32 and generally extend in a common linear plane 38. Plane 38 intersects plane 40 in which surface 26 extends. Planes 38 and 40 are angularly spaced such that pick device 24 may pick and separate individual sheets 14 from stack 16. In the example shown, planes 38 and 40 are angularly spaced by at least 108 degrees and no less than 116 degrees.

[0008] As further shown by FIG. 1, backrest 22 is pivotally supported for rotation about axis 42 between and extended, sheet loading in use position shown and an out of use retracted or collapsed position in which backrest 22 is pivoted towards pick device 24. In one embodiment, backrest 22 serves as a door by covering openings of device 10, including openings between pick device 24 and floor 20, when backrest 22 is in the closed or retracted position. In other embodiments, backrest 22 may be fixed relative to the remainder of device 10 so as to stationarily and permanently extend in the in-use position shown in FIG. 1.

[0009] Pick device 24 comprises a device configured to engage a front face 44 of a frontward-most sheet 14 of stack 16 so as to urge stack 16 against backrest 22. Pick device 24 is also configured to move or drive the frontward-most sheet 14 in a direction generally parallel to plane 38 such that edge 28 of a frontward-most sheet 14 moves along surfaces 26 and 30 into device 10. In the particular example shown, pick device 24 includes a rotatably driven cylinder 46, sometimes referred to as a pick tire, which provides a media driving surface 48 which contacts face 44. In particular, face 44 and the frontward-most sheet 14 of stack 16 generally extend in a plane 50 that is substantially parallel to plane 38. Media driving surface 48 contacts face 44 at a location within plane 50 that is spaced from an intersection of plane 50 and plane 40 by a distance such that media driving surface 48 may apply a force to face 44 so as to pick and separate the frontward-most sheet 14 of stack 16 from the remaining sheets 14 of stack 16. In the particular example shown, media driving surface 48 contacts face 44 at a location spaced from the intersection of plane 50 and plane 40 by a distance less than or equal to 31 millimeters. For accommodating relatively flexible print media such as 8.5 inch by 11 inch multi-purpose office paper having a weight of approximately 75 g/m.sup.2, wherein 500 sheets weighs approximately 20 pounds, media driving surface 48 is spaced from the intersection of planes 40 and 50, within plane 50, and generally perpendicular to edge 28 by a distance of less than or equal to 25 millimeters. To accommodate both relatively flexible print media and relatively stiffer media such as photo paper, postcards and the like, media driving surface 48 is located so as to contact face 44 at a location spaced from the intersection of planes 40 and 50 by a distance less than or equal to 30 millimeters.

[0010] Although media driving surface 48 is illustrated as being provided by a cylindrical drive member or roller 46, media driving surface 48 may alternatively be provided by other members and mechanisms. For example, media drive surface 48 may be provided by multiple rollers which are coaxial or axially spaced from one another. In still other embodiments, media driving surface 48 may be provided by belts or other endless members which rotate about multiple axes and which contact face 44 of the frontward-most sheet 14 of stack 16.

[0011] As further shown by FIG. 1, pick device 24 additionally includes support 54. Support 54 comprises an elongate member, such as an arm, configured to pivotally support media driving member 46 for rotation about axis 56. In one embodiment, support 54 is resiliently biased, such as by a coil spring or leaf spring so as to urge media driving member 46 towards backrest 22. Because media driving surface 46 is pivotally supported about axis 56, pick device 24 accommodates different stacks 16 having different overall thicknesses (due to differing numbers of sheets or sheets 14 are different sheet thicknesses). In other embodiments, media driving member 46 may be movably supported relative to backrest 22 and surfaces 36 by other mechanisms or may be stationary with respect to backrest 22.

[0012] Overall, sheet feed apparatus 12 enables individual sheets 14 to be separated or picked from a stack 16 with reduced damage to edges 28 of such sheets 14. The geometry of sheet feed apparatus 12 reduces or eliminates the need for an additional rubber separator pad. As a result, some embodiments of sheet feed apparatus 12 may employ fewer parts, and may be less expensive to manufacture and/or easier to assemble.

[0013] In the particular example shown in FIG. 1, sheet feed apparatus 12 is illustrated as being incorporated as part of an electronic device 10 comprising a printer. In addition to sheet feed apparatus 12, electronic device 10 includes housing 60, media transport 62, image-forming device 64, actuator 66 and controller 68. Housing 60 includes one or more structures, such as panels, which are configured to substantially enclose and support the remaining components of device 10. Housing 60 forms an opening between backrest 22, pick device 24 and floor member 20 through which sheets 14 of the media are input. Housing 60 further forms a media path 70 along which sheets 14 of the media travel relative to image-forming apparatus 64 and out discharge opening 72. In the particular example shown, backrest 22 functions as a cover for housing 60.

[0014] Media transport 62 comprises a mechanism configured to engage and drive sheets 14 of media along media path 70 relative to image-forming device 64 and out discharge opening 72. Media transport 62 receives an individual sheet 14 picked by pick device 24 and drives the individual sheet 14 as shown in phantom in FIG. 1. Although media transport 62 is schematically illustrated as a pair of opposite rollers, wherein at least one of the rollers is rotatably driven, media transport 62 may comprise multiple rollers coaxial with one another or axially spaced from one another. Media transport 62 may also alternatively comprise one or more endless members or belts driven about a plurality of axes and configured to engage and drive individual sheets 14 along media path 70.

[0015] Image-forming device 64 comprises a device configured to form an image, such as text, a photograph and the like, upon at least one face of an individual sheet 14. In the particular example shown, image-forming device 64 may include one or more printheads configured to deposit ink upon a sheet 14. The one or more printheads may be stationarily supported, such as in a page-wide array printhead or may be movably supported by a carriage (not shown). In still other embodiments, other image-forming devices may be employed such as electro-photographic printing devices which utilize one or more electrically charged surfaces to apply dry or liquid toner to a surface of a sheet 14 of media or such as dye sublimination printers and the like.

[0016] Actuator 66, schematically shown, comprises a device configured to drive pick member 46, media transport 62 and a carriage (not shown) of image-forming device 64. In one embodiment, actuator 66 comprises one or more electrically powered motors operably coupled to media drive member 46, media transport 62 and image-forming device 64 via power trains 76, 78 and 80, respectively. Power trains 76, 78 and 80 may include one or more gears, pulleys, belts, chains, sprockets and the like by which mechanical power may be transmitted from actuator 66. In other embodiments, actuator 66 may utilize other electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic actuators for providing mechanical power to drive member 46, transport 62 or device 64.

[0017] Controller 68 comprises a processing unit configured to generate control signals for directing actuator 66 and image-forming device 64. For purposes of this disclosure, the term "processing unit" shall mean a conventionally known or future developed processing unit that executes sequences of instructions contained in a memory. Execution of the sequences of instructions causes the processing unit to perform steps such as generating control signals. The instructions may be loaded in a random access memory (RAM) for execution by the processing unit from a read only memory (ROM), a mass storage device, or some other persistent storage. In other embodiments, hard wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement the functions described. Controller 68 is not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software, nor to any particular source for the instructions executed by the processing unit.

[0018] In operation, controller 68 generates control signals that direct actuator 66 to drive media driving member 46 so as to pick an individual sheet 14 from stack 16. Media driving member 46 is rotatably driven until edge 28 of the frontward-most sheet 14 is engaged by media transport 62. Controller 68 further generates control signals directing actuator 66 to drive media transport 62 so as to move the picked sheet 14 of media relative to image-forming device 64. Controller 68 generates control signals directing image-forming device 64 to print or otherwise form an image upon face 44 of sheet 14. Thereafter, the printed-upon sheet 14 is discharged through discharge opening 72.

[0019] Although sheet feed apparatus 12 has been illustrated as being utilized as part of an electronic device 10 comprising a printer, sheet feed apparatus 12 may also be utilized in other electronic devices configured to manipulate or alter a sheet of media. For example, sheet feed apparatus 12 may also be used to feed individual sheets of media which may already have an image, wherein the electronic device is configured to scan or read the image upon the sheet of media. In other applications, sheet feed apparatus 12 may be utilized in an electronic device which is configured to cut, fold or otherwise alter the characteristics of the sheet 14 of media. In some embodiments, sheet feed apparatus 12 may be provided as part of a module which is releasably connected to an electronic device.

[0020] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate media feed apparatus 112, a particular example of media feed apparatus 12 shown and described with respect to FIG. 1. Media feed apparatus 112 includes floor member 120, backrest 122 and media pick device 124. Floor member 120 projects from backrest 122 and includes surfaces 126 and 130. Surface 126 is similar to surface 26 of apparatus 12. Surface 126 is generally smooth and flat. In the example shown, surface 126 has a static coefficient of friction less than or equal to 0.25 and no less than 0.15 with respect to edge 28 of a sheet 14 of media, wherein the sheet of media comprises a 4 inch by 6 inch sheet of photo media having a thickness or caliber of 11.3 mil per ISO 534 test method and having a weight of 286 grams per meter squared per ISO 536 test method. One example of such a sheet of media 14 is a commercially available Q5486A-HP Premium Plus Photo and Proofing Gloss photo media. Surface 126 has a roughness (Ra) value of between 0.2 and 0.4 micrometers. Surface 126 extends within a plane 140 and is configured to bear against lower edges 28 of sheets 14 of stack 16 of media.

[0021] In the particular example shown, surface 126 is provided by a plurality of individual landings 160a, 160b, 160c, 160d and 160e. Landings 160a-160e are transversely spaced from one another to reduce the amount of material used for floor member 120 and to reduce the amount of energy used to drive media pick device 124 to move a sheet 14 along surface 126. At the same time, landings 160a-160e are appropriately located with respect to one another to enable floor member 120 to accommodate differently dimensioned media and to minimize or prevent potential damage to edges 28 of sheets 14 of media by distributing force of the sheet along the surface of each landing 160a-160e. In the particular example shown, each landing 160a-160e has a minimum transverse width of at least 5 mm to minimize or prevent damage to edges 28 of sheets 14 of media. In the particular example shown, landing 160a has a width of 9.4 mm, landing 160b has a width of 15.4 mm, landing 160c has a width of 5.9 mm, landing 160d has a width of 9.4 mm and landing 160e has a width of 9.4 mm. Landings 160a-160e are spaced from one another so as to span across and engage a large portion of each edge 28 of each sheet 14 and to support those portions of sheets 14 most susceptible to curling. In the particular example shown, landing 160a is spaced from a media edge datum provided by sidewall 190 by approximately 3.3 mm. Adjacent edges of landings 160a and 160b are spaced from one another by 30.5 mm, adjacent edges of landings 160b and 160c are spaced apart from one another by 7.6 mm, adjacent edges of landings 160c and 160d are spaced apart from one another by 7.6 mm, and adjacent edges of landings 160d and 160e are spaced apart from one another by 15.6 mm. As a result, surface 126 provided by landings 160a-160e is arranged such that surface 126 contacts opposite portions of edges 28 and sheets 14 regardless of whether sheet 14 has an overall width of 8.5 inches by 11 inches, four inches by 6.0 inches or other media types such as A6 media. Landing 160c, which is transversely spaced from media edge datum 190 by approximately 56.8 mm is configured to support edge 28 of sheets 14 of the 4 by 6 or by A6 media at a location which has been found to be most susceptible to curling in low humidity (20% humidity) environments. In other embodiments, floor member 120 may alternatively include a greater or fewer number of such landings. In other embodiments, in lieu of including multiple spaced-apart landings, floor member 120 may include a single continuous transverse floor surface that abuts edge 28 of one or more sheets 14.

[0022] Surface 130 extend from surfaces 126 generally at an angle distinct from that of surface 126. Surface 130 is similar to surface 30 shown and described with respect to FIG. 1. Surface 130 serves as transition surfaces against which sheet 14 of the media is moved by pick device 124 and transitioned to another orientation prior to being printed upon or otherwise manipulated. Although surface 130 is illustrated as being provided by extensions of landings 160a-160e, surface 130 may alternatively be provided by a greater or fewer number of individual spaced apart landings or may be provided by a continuous surface in the X-axis direction.

[0023] As further shown by FIG. 2, floor member 120 additionally includes media stopper fingers 164 and media position sensor 166. Media stopper fingers 164 comprise projections that extend between surfaces 126 and 130. Media stopper fingers 164 move between a raised position (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) in which fingers 164 project above the adjacent portions of surfaces 126 and 130 and a retracted withdrawn position in which fingers 164 are below adjacent portions of surfaces 126 and 130. Media stopper fingers 164 are operably coupled to drive train 176 of pick device 124. When media pick device 124 is in an inactive state, media stopper fingers 164 are in the raised extended position. Media stopper fingers 164 are configured to engage edge 28 of a frontward-most sheet 14 of the media should the frontward-most sheet 14 of the media be pushed or inserted by an operator too far into apparatus 112 and along surface 126. As a result, media stopper fingers 164 prevent incorrect loading of media. During a pick operation, media stopper fingers 164 are moved to a retracted position in response to gear train 176 driving pick device 124, allowing pick sheet 14 of media to be moved into the associated electronic device.

[0024] Media position sensor 166 comprises a sensor configured to detect the presence or absence of a sheet 14 of the media. This information is transmitted to a processor or controller for generating control signals directing the operation of pick device 124. In the particular example shown, sensor 166 comprises one or more flags projecting above surface 130 and configured to be tripped by movement of edge 28 of a sheet 14 of media.

[0025] Backrest 122 is similar to backrest 22 in that backrest 122 is configured to support a stack 16 of sheets 14 in an inclined orientation. In particular, backrest 122 is configured to support stack 16 along a plane 150 that intersects plane 140 and that is angularly spaced from plane 140 so as to enable pick device 124 to pick and separate an individual frontward-most sheet 14 from stack 16. Plane 150 is angularly spaced from plane 140 along which surface 26 extends by an angle A.sub.1. In the particular example shown, angle A.sub.1 is between 108 degrees and 116 degrees. In the particular example shown, plane 140 is angularly spaced from the horizontal by approximately 10 degrees while backrest 122 supports sheets 14 along plane 150 which is angularly spaced from the vertical by angle A.sub.2, approximately 12 degrees. Because plane 150 is angularly spaced from the vertical by at least 8 degrees, pick device 124 more easily drives a sheet 14 from stack 16 and the chance of the sheet 14 buckling backwards is reduced. Because plane 150 is angularly spaced from the vertical by 12 degrees, backrest 122 forms an opening configured to receive a stack 16 having a thickness of approximately 6.5 mm, equivalent to approximately 20 sheets of media, according to some embodiments. In other embodiments, plane 140 in which surface 126 extends and plane 150 in which sheets 14 are supported may have other positions with respect to the horizontal and vertical.

[0026] As shown by FIG. 2, backrest 122 includes cover or door 170, extension 172, main media guide 174 and adjustable media guides 182, 184. Door 170 generally comprises a panel by which the remaining components of apparatus 112 are supported. Door 170 pivots about axis 185 and provides a substantially imperforate member for covering or closing off any openings of the electronic device utilizing apparatus 112.

[0027] Extension 172 comprises a structure movably supported relative to door 170 and configured to be extended and retained at one of a plurality of different lengths. Extension 172 enables feed apparatus 112 to accommodate sheets 14 having varying heights above surface 126.

[0028] Main media guide 174 comprises one or more structures coupled to door 170 and configured to provide one or more surfaces 136 against which face 32 of a rearward-most sheet 14 bear. Surfaces 136 generally extend in a common plane 138 substantially parallel to plane 50 along with sheets 14 are supported. In the particular example shown, surface 136 of guide 174 includes a compressible portion 186 extending generally opposite pick device 124. Portion 186 is compressible and has a relatively high coefficient of friction. Portion 186 cooperates with pick device 124 to facilitate picking of individual sheets 14 of the media when the total number of sheets 14 of stack 16 are reduced in number. In one embodiment, portion 186 is formed from a cork material.

[0029] Adjustable guides 182 and 184 assist in the input of media and the alignment of media with respect to floor 126. Adjustable guide 182 is pivotally supported for rotation about axis 188 extending generally perpendicular to plane 138. Adjustable guide 182 comprises a structure configured to engage the side edges of stack 16. In the example shown, adjustable guide 182 is resiliently biased by a resilient member such as one or more springs towards an opposite stationary datum or sidewall 190 of main guide 174 to urge stack 16 against sidewall 190.

[0030] Adjustable guide 184 comprises a projection extending from surface 136 and configured to also engage a side edge of stack 16 of sheets 14. Adjustable guide 184 comprises a structure that is slidable along a transverse axis 192. In the particular example shown, adjustable guides 184 are configured to be manually slide towards or away from sidewall 190. Although media feed apparatus 112 is illustrated as including extension 172 and adjustable guides 182,184, media feed apparatus 112 may alternatively omit such extensions and guides.

[0031] Pick device 124 is similar to pick device 24 shown and described with respect to FIG. 1 in that pick device 124 is configured to urge stack 16 against surface 136 and is configured to drive a forward-most sheet 14 along plane 150 to pick and separate the sheet 14 for further handling or manipulation by an electronic device. Pick device 124 includes pick roller 146, support 154 and mounting 194. Pick roller 146 (also known as a pick tire) is rotatably driven about axis 196 via torque received from an actuator (not shown) and transmitted through drive line 176. Drive roller 146 is a generally cylindrical member having an outer surface 148 having a relatively high coefficient of friction. For example, in one embodiment, drive surface 148 may be formed from rubber. As shown by FIG. 3, drive surface 148 contacts face 44 of a frontward-most sheet 14 of stack 16 at a location opposite to surface 136 in plane 138 which is spaced from an intersection of plane 138 and plane 140 by a distance D.sub.1. Distance D.sub.1 is less than or equal to 31 millimeters in some embodiments. In one embodiment, distance D.sub.1 is less than or equal to 30 millimeters so as to accommodate both relatively flexible media such as multi-purpose office paper having a weight of approximately 75 g/m.sup.2 in which 500 sheets weighs approximately 200 pounds and a relatively stiff media such as photo media generally having a sheet thickness of approximately 0.15 millimeters to approximately 0.3 millimeters. In another embodiment, distance D.sub.1 is less than or equal to 25 millimeters for most suitably accommodating flexible media such as multi-purpose office paper.

[0032] Mounting 194 and support 154 support pick roller 146 opposite backrest 122. Mounting 194 is coupled to backrest 122 and pivotally supports support 154 for pivotal movement about axis 198. Support 154 comprises an arm which extends from axis 198 to axis 196. Support 154 and pick roller 146 pivot towards and away from face 44 of frontward-most sheet 14 depending upon the overall thickness of stack 16. In one embodiment, support 154 is resiliently biased towards face 44 by a spring or other resilient member (not shown). In the particular example shown, axis 198 about which support 154 pivots is perpendicularly spaced from plane 138, established by surface 136, by a distance of between 12 millimeters and 20 millimeters. In the example shown, axis 198 is perpendicularly spaced from plane 138 by a distance D.sub.2 of about 18.6 millimeters. As a result, media feed apparatus 112 may accommodate a stack 16 of a substantial number of sheets 14 of the media.

[0033] As further shown by FIG. 3, support 154 has a length such that axes 196 and 198 are spaced from one another by a distance D.sub.3 having a minimum value such that pick roller 146 may be pivoted about axis 198 without substantially altering distance D.sub.1. In the particular example shown, the distances D.sub.2 and D.sub.3 are chosen such that the ratio of D.sub.2/D.sub.3 is between 0.28 and 0.7 to reliably pick an individual sheet 14 without using an excessive amount of energy and while conserving space. The minimum ratio of 0.7 accommodates a few sheets 14 while the upper ratio 0.28 accommodates a full stack 16 of approximately 20 sheets 14. In the particular example shown, the ratio of D.sub.2 to D.sub.3 is approximately 0.58 millimeters. In the particular example shown, distance D.sub.3 is at least 30 millimeters. In the example shown, distance D.sub.3 has a nominal value of 32.3 millimeters.

[0034] Like media feed apparatus 12, media feed apparatus 112 enables individual sheets 14 to be separated and picked from stack 16 while minimizing potential damage to edges 28 of sheets 14 of media. At the same time, media feed apparatus 112 enables a relatively low friction floor surface 126 to be utilized without a high friction separator pad. As a result, media feed apparatus 112 may employ fewer parts, may be less expensive to manufacture and may be more easily assembled.

[0035] Although the present invention has been described with reference to example embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the various dimensions, ratios, and other quantitative information is provided by way of example and is not limiting. In some embodiments, not all of the dimensions and ratios described will be present. For example, although different example embodiments may have been described as including one or more features providing one or more benefits, it is contemplated that the described features may be interchanged with one another or alternatively be combined with one another in the described example embodiments or in other alternative embodiments. Because the technology of the present invention is relatively complex, not all changes in the technology are foreseeable. The present invention described with reference to the example embodiments and set forth in the following claims is manifestly intended to be as broad as possible. For example, unless specifically otherwise noted, the claims reciting a single particular element also encompass a plurality of such particular elements.

Claims

1. A sheet feed apparatus comprising: a first surface configured to extend along a first face of a stack of media; a media driving surface configured to contact a second opposite face of the stack of media; and a second surface configured to extend along an edge of the stack of media, wherein the first surface and the second surface are angularly spaced at an angle in the range of 108 degrees to 116 degrees.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first surface and the second surface extend in planes that intersect along an intersection and wherein the media driving surface is configured to contact the second face of the stack of media at a location spaced a distance less than or equal to 31 millimeters from the intersection.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first surface and the second surface extend in planes that intersect along an intersection wherein the media driving surface is configured to contact the second face of the media at a location less than or equal to 30 millimeters away from the intersection.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first surface and the second surface extend in planes that intersect along an intersection and wherein the media driving surface is configured to contact the second face of the media at a location less than or equal to 25 millimeters from the intersection.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a cylinder providing the media driving surface.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the cylinder rotates about a first axis and wherein the apparatus further comprises a support pivotally supporting the cylinder about a second axis.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first axis is spaced from the second axis by at least 30 millimeters.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the support is configured such that the second axis is spaced from the second face of the stack of media in a direction perpendicular to the second face by at least 12 millimeters.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first surface extends in a plane and wherein the second axis is perpendicularly spaced from the plane by at least 12 millimeters.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first surface extends in a plane and wherein a line intersecting the first axis and the second axis is angularly spaced from the plane by at least 12 degrees.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second surface is smooth.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second surface has a static coefficient of friction of less than 0.25 with respect to a six inch edge of a 4 inch by 6 inch sheet of the stack of media, wherein the sheet has a thickness of 11.3 mils and a weight of 286 grams/m.sup.2.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first surface includes a compressible portion opposite the media driving surface.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the media driving surface rotates about a first axis and is pivotally supported about a second axis spaced from the first axis by a distance D.sub.1, wherein the second axis is perpendicularly spaced from the first inclined surface by a distance D.sub.2 and wherein the ratio D.sub.1/D.sub.2 is at least 0.28.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the ratio D.sub.1/D.sub.2 is at least 0.7.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second surface includes a plurality of transversely spaced landings.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein each landing has a minimum transverse width of 5 millimeters.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 including a media sheet datum along the second surface, wherein one of the landings has a first edge based from the datum by a distance less than or equal to 56.8 millimeters and has a second opposite edge spaced from the media datum by a distance no less than 66.2 millimeters.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first inclined surface is declined with respect to a vertical by no less than 8 degrees.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first inclined surface is angularly spaced from the vertical by an angle of less than or equal to 16 degrees.

21. A media feed apparatus comprising: a first surface configured to extend along a face of print media; a second surface configured to extend along an edge of the media wherein the first surface and the second surface extend in planes that intersect along an intersection; and a media driving surface configured to contact a second opposite face of the media at a location less than or equal to 31 millimeters from the intersection.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the media driving surface is configured to contact the second face of the media at a location less than or equal to 30 millimeters from the intersection.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the media driving surface is configured to contact the second face of the media at a location less than or equal to 25 millimeters from the intersection.

24. The apparatus of claim 21 including a cylinder providing the media driving surface.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the cylinder rotates about a first axis and wherein the apparatus includes a support pivotally supporting the cylinder about a second axis.

26. A sheet feed apparatus comprising: a media driving surface; and means for engaging edges of sheets of media with a surface having a static coefficient of friction of less than 0.25 with respect to a six inch edge of a 4 inch by 6 inch sheet of the stack of media, wherein the sheet has a thickness of 11.3 mils and a weight of 286 grams/m.sup.2 while enabling the media driving surface to pick an individual sheet from the sheets.

27. A method comprising: positioning a face of a stack of media sheets against a first surface and an edge of the stack against a second surface angularly spaced from the first surface between 108 degrees and 106 degrees; and moving a sheet of the stack away from the stack.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein moving includes moving the sheet in a direction parallel to the stack.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the first surface and the second surface extend in planes that intersect along an intersection and wherein moving the sheet includes contacting the sheet at a location less than or equal to 31 millimeters from the intersection.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein the first surface and the second surface extend in planes that intersect along an intersection and wherein moving includes contacting the sheet at a location less than or equal to 30 millimeters from the intersection.

31. The method of claim 27, wherein the first surface and the second surface extend in planes that intersect along an intersection and wherein the step of moving includes contacting the sheet at a location less than or equal to 25 millimeters from the intersection.

32. The method of claim 27, wherein the second surface has a static coefficient of friction of less than about 0.25 with respect to a six inch edge of a 4 inch by 6 inch sheet of the stack of media, wherein the sheet has a thickness of 11.3 mils and a weight of 286 grams/m.sup.2.

33. The method of claim 27, wherein moving includes rotating a cylinder in contact with the sheet.

34. The method of claim 27, wherein positioning the stack includes pivoting a media driving surface away from the first surface.

35. The method of claim 27 including printing upon the sheet of media.