US 5,272,511 A · Sheet inserter and methods of inserting sheets into a continuous stream of sheets

Abstract

A sheet inserter inserts special insert sheets into a continuous stream of sheets by overlaying the insert sheets with a corresponding sheet in the continuous stream of sheets. The insert sheet overlaying the corresponding sheet in the continuous stream of sheets is then conveyed with the corresponding sheet to a final destination where the sheets can be compiled into a stack. The sheet inserter can be contained in a module which is removably attachable to a document finishing apparatus so as to insert the special insert sheets into the stream of sheets that are output from the document producing apparatus. When the document producing apparatus is associated with a finishing device such as a booklet maker, which compiles and stitches multiple copies of a booklet, the sheet inserter inserts one or more special insert sheets at the appropriate location(s) for each booklet as the sheets are entering the assembly station of the booklet maker. The special insert sheets can be cover sheets and/or center sheets for each booklet, and/or sheets to be inserted at other locations in each booklet.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A method of inserting insert sheets from an insert tray into a stream of sheets without disrupting a flow of the stream of sheets, comprising:

a) prefeeding an insert sheet from said insert tray to a prefeed station prior to insertion of the sheet into said stream of sheets, said insert sheet coming to a stop in said prefeed station prior to being inserted into the stream of sheets;
b) receiving a signal indicative of the desire to insert the insert sheet from said prefeed station into said sheet stream;
and
c) inserting the insert sheet from said prefeed station into said sheet stream based on said signal so that the insert sheet overlays one of the sheets in said sheet stream and is transported simultaneously with said one sheet in said sheet stream.

1 more element

A sheet inserter for removable attachment to an output of a document producing apparatus which outputs a continuous stream of sheets, said sheet inserter comprising:

an insert sheet tray;
an insert sheet path extending from said insert sheet tray to an insert sheet outlet of said sheet inserter, said insert sheet outlet being positionable adjacent to the output of the document producing apparatus so that insert sheets can be inserted into the continuous stream of sheets through said insert sheet path;
means for feeding insert sheets from said insert sheet tray to said insert sheet outlet and including:
means for individually withdrawing insert sheets from said insert sheet tray and moving the withdrawn insert sheet into said insert sheet path;
and
means for conveying said withdrawn insert sheets through said insert sheet path and out of said insert sheet outlet;
and
means for controlling said means for feeding to feed insert sheets into the continuous stream of sheets so that an inserted insert sheet is overlayed with a desired sheet in said continuous stream of sheets, said means for controlling causing said means for conveying to temporarily stop the withdrawn insert sheet in said insert sheet path until said means for controlling determines that the withdrawn insert sheet is to be inserted onto the desired sheet in said continuous stream of sheets.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Sheet inserter and methods of inserting sheets into a continuous stream of sheets

Life of this patent

Sheet inserter and methods of inserting sheets into a continuous stream of sheets

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22