Dynamic graduated media collation system

A collating system for collating retail edge markers exiting a source, comprising:

• a support member for receiving said retail edge markers from said source and forming a series of sets;
• a graduated lift mechanism configured to lift each of said series of sets of retail edge markers to different heights above said support member such that said series of sets of retail edge markers are separated by a predetermined height;
• a pusher configured for movement orthogonally to said support member in order to collect and collate said series of sets of retail edge markers into a collated stack, and
• wherein said pusher has integrated shelves that correspond to each graduation of said graduated lift mechanism.

A method for collating media strips exiting a source, comprising:

• providing a receiver configured to receive said media strips from said source and position them thereon in a series of individual bundles;
• providing lift guides and lifting each of said series of individual bundles of media strips to a height above said receiver;
• providing a pusher with integrated shelves and configured for movement orthogonally to said individual bundles of media strips;
• using said pusher to move said individual bundles of media strips off said lift guides to said height above said receiver;
• removing said pusher from beneath said individual bundles of media strips and dropping said individual bundles of media strips;
• and
• providing a collection station adapted to receive said media strips from said pusher after said pusher has been removed from beneath said individual bundles of media strips.