# US 10,870,546 B2 · System and apparatus for print media manufacturing buffering and sorting, and corresponding method thereof > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,870,546 B2 - Document ID: US10870546B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/511,983 - Filed: 2019-07-15 - Published: 2019-11-07 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2017-09-11 - Assignees: Lightning Source LLC - Applicants: Lightning Source LLC - Inventors: Peter Kubiak; Josef Martin Strasser - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10870546B2 ## CPC - B65G 61/00: Use of pick-up or transfer devices or of manipulators for stacking or de-stacking articles not otherwise provided for - B07C 3/00: Sorting according to destination {(collating the pages of a book B42C1/00)} - B07C 3/18: Devices or arrangements for indicating destination, e.g. by code marks {(applying data to information carriers G06K1/12)} - B41J 11/58: Supply holders for sheets or fan-folded webs, e.g. shelves, tables, scrolls, pile holders - B42C 19/02: starting with single sheets - B65G 1/0407: {using stacker cranes (constructional features of stacker cranes B66F9/06)} - B65H 5/006: {Feeding stacks of articles to machines} - B65H 29/003: {by grippers (B65H29/02 takes precedence)} - B65H 29/02: by mechanical grippers engaging the leading edge only of the articles - B65H 31/24: multiple or compartmented, e.d. for alternate, programmed, or selective filling - B65H 31/3045: {on the outermost articles of the pile for clamping the pile} - B65H 39/02: Associating,collating or gathering articles from several sources - B65H 2701/182: Piled package - B65H 2801/48: Bookbinding - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) - B07C: POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING (specially adapted for a specific purpose covered by another class, see the relevant place, e.g. A43D33/06, B23Q7/12) - B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS - B42C: BOOKBINDING (cutting or perforating machines, devices or tools B26; folding sheets or webs B31F; ornamenting books B44) - B65H: HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES ## Abstract Apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided for print media buffering and sorting. An apparatus for performing at least one of buffering and sorting during an operation includes a storage section, an input section configured to receive at the storage section at least a portion of a printed element, a gripper associated with the input section, the gripper configured to selectively transport the at least a portion of the printed element from the input section to the storage section and to selectively transport the at least a portion of the printed element from the storage section, and an output section configured to selectively transfer the at least a portion of the printed element from the storage section. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for providing a print media assembly or delivery operation for one or more documents via a multiple process workflow, the system comprising: a first process device configured to convey at least a portion of a printed element; a first transportation mechanism configured to receive the at least a portion of the printed element and to transport the at least a portion of the printed element; an apparatus including: a storage section; an input section configured to receive at the storage section the at least a portion of the printed element from the first transportation mechanism; a gripper associated with the input section, the gripper configured to selectively transport the at least a portion of the printed element from the input section to the storage section and to selectively transport the at least a portion of the printed element from the storage section; and an output section configured to selectively transfer the at least a portion of the printed element from the storage section; a second transportation mechanism configured to receive the at least a portion of the printed element from the output section and to transport the at least a portion of the printed element; and a second process device having a second operation configuration, the second process device configured to perform at least one operation on the at least a portion of the printed element. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first process device is configured to perform at least one of a printing operation, a sorting operation, a collating operation, a jogging operation, a book covering operation, or a page combining operation. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the second process device is configured to perform at least one of a printing operation, a sorting operation, a collating operation, a jogging operation, a book covering operation, or a page combining operation. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the storage section of the apparatus comprises at least one segment having a plurality of ridges and valleys, the segment configured to store thereupon the at least a portion of the printed element. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the input section comprises a visual indicia detector configured to identify at least one property associated with the at least a portion of the printed element. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a second gripper, the second gripper associated with at least one of the input section and the output section, the second gripper configured to perform at least one of: (i) selectively transporting the at least a portion of the printed element from the input section to the storage section, (ii) selectively transporting the at least a portion of the printed element from the storage section, and (iii) selectively transporting the at least a portion of the printed element to the output section. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the gripper and the second gripper are configured to cooperatively operate to perform at least one of buffering and sorting. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the gripper is configured to perform operations associated with the at least a portion of the printed element relating to the input section, and wherein the second gripper is configured to perform operations associated with the at least a portion of the printed element in relation to the output section. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further includes a processor configured to control at least one operation of the apparatus. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the processor is configured to cause the gripper to selectively transport a media portion received at the input section to the storage section upon receipt of the media portion, and to selectively cause the gripper to transport the media portion to the output section based at least in part upon a control signal received at the processor. ### Claim 11 A system for performing at least one of buffering or sorting a printed element during a print media assembly or delivery operation, the system comprising: a first process device configured to convey at least a portion of a printed element; a first transportation mechanism configured to receive the at least a portion of the printed element and to transport the at least a portion of the printed element; an apparatus, including: a storage section including at least one segment having a plurality of ridges and valleys, the at least one segment configured to store the at least a portion of the printed element, and a gripper configured to selectively transport the at least portion of the printed element to the storage section and to selectively transport the at least portion of the printed element from the storage section; and an output section configured to selectively output the at least portion of the printed element; a second transportation mechanism configured to receive the at least a portion of the printed element from the output section and to transport the at least a portion of the printed element; and a second process device having a second operation configuration, the second process device configured to perform at least one operation in association with the at least a portion of the printed element. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the first process device is configured to perform at least one of a printing operation, a sorting operation, a collating operation, a jogging operation, a book covering operation, or a page combining operation. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the second process device is configured to perform at least one of a printing operation, a sorting operation, a collating operation, a jogging operation, a book covering operation, or a page combining operation. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the storage section further comprises: a first storage portion and a second storage portion, each of the first storage portion and the second storage portion having a respective plurality of ridges and a respective plurality of valleys formed therein, the plurality of ridges and the plurality of valleys configured to form at least one cavity, wherein the plurality of raised ridges of the first storage portion and the second storage portion, and the plurality of valleys of the first storage portion and the second storage portion are configured such that at least a portion of the at least one gripper is received in the at least one cavity. ### Claim 15 A system for performing at least one of buffering or sorting a printed element during a print media assembly or delivery operation, the system comprising: a first process device configured to convey at least a portion of a printed element; a first transportation mechanism configured to receive the at least a portion of the printed element and to transport the at least a portion of the printed element; a storage section including: at least one gripper; a first storage portion and a second storage portion configured to store the at least a portion of the printed element, each of the first storage portion and the second storage portion having a plurality of ridges and a plurality of valleys formed therein, the plurality of ridges and the plurality of valleys configured to form at least one cavity, wherein the plurality of ridges of the first storage portion and the second storage portion, and the plurality of valleys of the first storage portion and the second storage portion are configured such that at least a portion of the at least one gripper is received in the at least one cavity; and an output section configured to selectively output the at least portion of the printed element; a second transportation mechanism configured to receive the at least a portion of the printed element from the output section and to transport the at least a portion of the printed element; and a second process device having a second operation configuration, the second process device configured to perform at least one operation in association with the at least a portion of the printed element. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the first process device is configured to perform at least one of a printing operation, a sorting operation, a collating operation, a jogging operation, a book covering operation, or a page combining operation. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the second process device is configured to perform at least one of a printing operation, a sorting operation, a collating operation, a jogging operation, a book covering operation, or a page combining operation.