Sorting device for storing sheet-form recording media

A sorting device for storing sheet-form recording media comprising:

• a plurality of storage compartments in parallel array and each having an insertion side for receiving recording media;
• means comprising a transport unit having a pair of driven rollers for selectively seizing and discharging a recording medium;
• means for moving said transport unit between a discharging position adjacent the insertion side of a selected storage compartment, and a receiving position for receiving media comprising a motor, a positioning element extending along the insertion sides of said storage compartments, means comprising said motor for driving said positioning element, and means for attaching said transport unit to said positioning element;
• means including said motor for driving said rollers of said transport unit;
• means for changing the direction of said motor;
• means for driving said driven rollers when said motor is rotating in a first direction;
• and
• means for driving said positioning element when said motor is rotating in a second direction.

A sorting device for storing sheet-form recording media having edges comprising:

• a plurality of storage compartments each having an insertion side for receiving recording media;
• means comprising a transport unit having a pair of driven rollers for selectively seizing and discharging a recording medium;
• means for moving said transport unit between first and second selected positions comprising a motor, a positioning element extending along the insertion sides of said storage compartments, means comprising said motor for driving said positioning element, and means for attaching said transport unit to said positioning element, said first position being a discharging position adjacent the insertion side of a selected storage compartment, and said second position being at a receiving position for media;
• means for supporting said storage compartments inclined to the horizontal and in parallel array comprising a plurality of means for slidably receiving and supporting a said storage compartment thereon, for placement of a storage compartment independently of the placement and the position of each other storage compartment,
• said storage compartments each comprising:
• a bottom having a lower part,
• a supporting wall at the lower part thereof for supporting the edge of a stack of stored recording media, and
• means comprising a movable sheet stop for supporting media at a height above the top of said supporting wall in a raised position of said sheet stop.

A sorting device for storing sheet-form recording media comprising:

• a plurality of storage compartments in parallel array and each having an insertion side for receiving recording media;
• means comprising a transport unit having a pair of driven rollers for selectively seizing and discharging a recording medium;
• means for moving said transport unit between first and second selected positions comprising a motor, a positioning element extending along the insertion sides of said storage compartments, means comprising said motor for driving said positioning element, and means for attaching said transport unit to said positioning element, said first position being a discharging position adjacent the insertion side of a selected storage compartment, and said second position being at a receiving position for media;
• and
• said transport unit having at least one nose projecting towards said storage compartments,
• said storage compartments each having pivotally mounted means for holding down recording media in a storage compartment, and means for urging said holding down means against media in said storage compartment,
• means for lifting said holding down means off the media in each said storage compartment comprising at least one tab projecting from said storage compartment towards said transport unit, means mounting at least one of said nose of said transport unit and said tab of said storage compartment for relative movement from a position in which said tab of said holding down means is located laterally of the path of movement of said nose into an engagement position in which tab of said storage compartment projects into the path of movement of said nose, whereby when in said engagement position, said nose during the movement of said transport unit lifts said holding down means off the media in said storage compartment by engaging said tab of said holding down means.

A sorting device for storing sheet-form recording media comprising:

• a plurality of storage compartments in parallel array and each having an insertion side for receiving recording media;
• means comprising a transport unit having a pair of driven rollers for selectively seizing and discharging a recording medium;
• means for moving said transport unit between first and second selected positions comprising a motor, a positioning element extending along the insertion sides of said storage compartments, means comprising said motor for driving said positioning element, and means for attaching said transport unit to said positioning element, said first position being a discharging position adjacent the insertion side of a selected storage compartment, and said second position being a receiving position for media;
• and
• means for mounting said driven rollers of said transport unit for displacement transversely of their axes and for selective support of said driven rollers in said mounting means in a plurality of axially transverse positions.

A sorting device for storing sheet-form recording media comprising:

• a plurality of storage compartments in parallel array and each having an insertion side for receiving recording media;
• means comprising a transport unit having a pair of driven rollers for selectively seizing and discharging a recording medium;
• and
• means for moving said transport unit between first and second selected positions comprising a motor, an endless positioning belt, said endless positioning belt having a first run extending along the insertion sides of said storage compartments, and a second run spaced from said first run, means comprising said motor for driving said endless positioning belt in one direction only, and means for attaching said transport unit to said endless positioning belt;
• said first position being adjacent the insertion side of a selected storage compartment, and said second position being a receiving position on the second run of said endless belt.

A method of sorting and storing sheet-form recording media comprising:

• (a) providing a plurality of storage compartments with insertion sides in parallel array;
• (b) providing a transport unit and an endless belt for carrying said transport unit;
• (c) delivering media to the transport unit at a delivery position;
• (d) moving the transport unit to position the media held thereby at a selected storage compartment;
• (e) discharging the media held by the transport unit into the storage compartment;
• and
• (f) moving the transport unit repeatedly from the media delivery position to a selected storage compartment and thence to the delivery position without reversing the direction of movement of said endless belt and said transport unit from one moving step to the next moving step.

A sorting device for storing sheet-form recording media in either face up position or face down position comprising:

• a plurality of storage compartments in parallel array and each having an insertion side for receiving recording medium;
• means comprising a transport unit having a pair of driven rollers for selectively seizing and discharging a recording medium;
• an endless positioning belt having a first run and a second run;
• means for attaching said transport unit to said endless positioning belt;
• means for positioning said transport unit at a receiving position on said first run for seizing a recording medium delivered thereto;
• means for positioning said transport unit at a receiving position on said second run for seizing a recording medium delivered thereto;
• means for selectively delivering a recording medium to said transport unit when said transport unit is at said receiving position on said first run, and when said transport unit is at said receiving position on said second run;
• means for moving said transport unit from each of said receiving positions to a delivery position on a said run adjacent the insertion side of a selected storage compartment;
• and
• means for causing said driven rollers of said transport unit to discharge a recording medium held thereby into a selected storage compartment.

A sorting device for storing sheet-form recording media in either face up position or face down position comprising:

• a plurality of storage compartments in parallel array and each having an insertion side for receiving recording medium;
• means comprising a transport unit having a pair of driven rollers for selectively seizing and discharging a recording medium;
• means for positioning said transport unit at a first receiving position for seizing a recording medium delivered thereto;
• means for positioning said transport unit at a second receiving position for seizing a recording medium delivered thereto;
• means for selectively delivering a recording medium to said transport unit when said transport unit is at said first receiving position, and when said transport unit is at said second receiving position;
• means for moving said transport unit from each of said receiving positions to a delivery position adjacent the insertion side of a selected storage compartment comprising means for causing inversion of said transport unit only when it is moved from one said receiving position;
• and
• means for causing said driven rollers of said transport unit to discharge a recording medium held thereby into a selected storage compartment.