US 2003/0197321 A1 · Method and apparatus for forming groups of sheets from a plurality of sheets

Abstract

In a method for forming groups of sheets from a plurality of sheets, initially two sheets are provided, respectively. The sheets are transferred into a common sheet track. If the sheets provided belong to the same group of sheets, these sheets are transferred into a collating station. Otherwise, one of the sheets is transferred into the collating station and the other one of the sheets is retained at a stop location.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims24

Dependent claims

Method for forming groups of sheets from a plurality of sheets, comprising the following steps:

(a) providing at least two sheets, respectively;
(b) if the sheets provided in step (a) belong to the same group of sheets
transferring these sheets into a common sheet track and into a collating station;
and
(c) otherwise
transferring the sheet of a previous group of the sheets into a common sheet track and moving it in the direction of a stop location,
at an offset in timing as against the sheet of the previous group, transferring the other sheet of a subsequent group of the sheets into a common sheet track and moving it in the direction of the stop location,
as soon as the sheet of the previous has reached the stop location, moving it into the collating station;
and
retaining the other sheet in the stop location,
the offset in timing being such that shortly after the sheet of the previous group has been output into the collating station, the sheet of the subsequent group is inserted into the stop location.

8 more elements

Apparatus for forming groups of sheets from a plurality of sheets, comprising:

a sheet-feeding means, wherein two sheets are arranged, for providing the sheets;
a sheet-transferring means for transferring the sheets into a common sheet track;
a stop location means receiving one or several sheets from the sheet-transferring means;
a collating station collating sheets of a group of sheets;
and
a control means which
if the sheets provided by the sheet-feeding means belong to the same group of sheets
effects the transferral of these sheets into a common sheet track and into a collating station, and
otherwise
the transferral of the sheet of a previous group of the sheets into a common sheet track and the moving of same in the direction of a stop location,
at an offset in timing as against the sheet of the previous group, the transferral of the other sheet of a subsequent group of the sheets into a common sheet track and the moving of same in the direction of the stop location,
as soon as the sheet of the previous group has reached the stop location, the moving of same into the collating station;
retaining the other sheet in the stop location,
the offset in timing being such that shortly after the sheet of the previous group has been output into the collating station, the sheet of the subsequent group is inserted into the stop location.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description9,777 words

Summary4,223 words

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for forming groups of sheets from a plurality of sheets, in particular to a method and an apparatus for forming groups of sheets from a plurality of sheets of paper, which collate the individual groups of sheets using a paper merging device.

#2. Description of the Prior Art

Brief description of the drawings12 figures

#In the following, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIGS. 1A to F show a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the inventive device and of the inventive method;

#FIG. 2 shows a first flow chart showing the output times of the individual components of the device of FIG. 1A in accordance with a first configuration of this device;

Detailed description5,266 words

#In the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, similar components and elements, or components and elements which operate in the same manner, are given the same reference numerals.

#Initially, a first embodiment of the inventive method and of the inventive device shall be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

#In FIG. 1A, reference numeral 100 represents a first embodiment of the inventive device 100. The device 100 includes a sheet-feeding means 102, a sheet-transferring means (merger) 104, a stop location means 106 and a collating station 108. In the embodiment represented, collating station 108 is followed by a folding mechanism 110. It is evident that in addition to or instead of the folding mechanism, further/other paper-handling units may follow collating station 108, depending on which type of paper processing is desired. In addition, a control means 112 is provided which is connected with each of the components of device 100. In device 100, sheets, e.g. sheets of paper, which are to be processed move in a paper and/or sheet conveying direction P.

Facts

Application

10/126,866Filed 19 Apr 2002

Published

23 Oct 2003

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

B65H 33/12
Forming counted batches in delivery pile or stream of articles: by creating gaps in the stream
B65H 39/06
Associating,collating or gathering articles from several sources: from delivery streams
B65H 2301/44514
Forming a stream or streams of separated articles: separating superposed articles
B65H 2301/4454
Stream of articles separated from each other: merging two or more streams

Description9,777 words

Summary4,223 words

#1. Field of the Invention

#2. Description of the Prior Art

Brief description of the drawings12 figures

#In the following, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIGS. 1A to F show a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the inventive device and of the inventive method;

#FIG. 2 shows a first flow chart showing the output times of the individual components of the device of FIG. 1A in accordance with a first configuration of this device;

Detailed description5,266 words

#Initially, a first embodiment of the inventive method and of the inventive device shall be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

Method and apparatus for forming groups of sheets from a plurality of sheets

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for forming groups of sheets from a plurality of sheets

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims24

Description9,777 words

Drawings

Classification8 codes

Life of this patent

Description9,777 words