Compiled set transfer device

An apparatus for electing compiled sets of sheets to an operator or a finishing device, comprising:

• an operator controllable mode selector;
• a base member adapted to receive and support sheet sets;
• means, responsive to said mode selector, for transporting the compiled sets of sheets, said transporting means being mounted on said base member so that said transporting means supports a sheet set after the set is received at said base member, said transporting means being movable relative to said base member in a direction transverse to a sheet path, said. transporting means, in a first mode, moving each set of sheets individually as each set is received on said transport means so that a lead edge of the compiled set of sheets is delivered to substantially a same location each time a set is transported, with the set of sheets being transported to the finishing device, and, in a second mode, said transporting means remaining stationary with respect to said base member so that a plurality of sheet sets of a job are compiled on said base member for removal by an operator, said transporting means comprising a transfer member adapted to support the compiled sets of sheets, means for translating said sheet set support transfer member from a sheet receiving position to a sheet unloading position for delivery to the finishing device and means for maintaining integrity of the sheet set, said translating means comprises a base, a pneumatic cylinder attached at a first end to said base, a movable piston attached to said sheet support transfer member, operatively associated with said cylinder so that actuation of the cylinder causes the sheet support transfer member to be moved from the receiving position to the unloading position;
• and
• means for monitoring said transporting means so that the finishing device operational speed is not impaired.

An apparatus for ejecting compiled sets of sheets to an operator or a finishing device, comprising:

• an operator controllable mode selector;
• a base member adapted to receive and support sheet sets;.
• means, responsive to said mode selector, for transporting the compiled sets of sheets, said transporting means being mounted on said base member so that said transporting means supports a sheet set after the set is received at said base member, said transporting means being movable relative to said base member in a direction transverse to a sheet path, said transporting means, in a first mode, moving each set of sheets individually as each set is received on said transport means so that a lead edge of the compiled set of sheets is delivered to substantially a same location each time a set is transported, with the let of sheets being transported to the finishing device, and, in a second mode, said transporting means remaining stationary with respect to said base member so that a plurality of sheet sets of a job are compiled on said base member for removal by an operator, said transporting means comprising a transfer member adapted to support the compiled, sets of sheets, means for translating said sheet set support transfer member from a sheet receiving position to a sheet unloading position for delivery to the finishing device and means for maintaining integrity of the sheet set, said maintaining means comprises a bracket, a pneumatic cylinder including a main body and a movable piston located within said main body, said main body being attached to said bracket and a sheet contacting member attached to said piston of said pneumatic cylinder, said sheet contacting member moving in a vertical direction and applying a normal force to the set of sheets;
• and
• means for monitoring Said transporting means so that the finishing device operational speed is not impaired.

An electrophotographic printing machine having a finishing device including an apparatus for ejecting individual compiled sets of sheets to an off line finishing device having further finishing capabilities, comprising:

• an operator controllable mode selector;
• a base member adapted to receive and support sheet sets, said base member being vertically movable from a first position to a second position;
• and
• means, responsive to said mode selector, for transporting the compiled sets of sheets, said transporting means being mounted on said base member so that said transporting means supports a sheet set after the set is received at said base member, said transporting means being movable relative to said base member in a direction transverse to a sheet path, said transporting means, in a first mode, moving each set of sheets individually as each set is received on said transport means when said base member is located at the first position so that a lead edge of the compiled set of sheets is delivered to substantially a same location each time a set is transported, the set of sheets being transported from a location internal to the printing machine to the finishing device, said transporting means being adapted to operate in the first mode at a speed substantially equal to the printing machine process speed for delivery to the off line finishing device, and, in a second mode, said transporting means remaining stationary with respect to said base member so that a plurality of sheet sets of a job are compiled on said base member for removal by an operator when said base member is located at the second position.

An electraphotographic printing machine having a finishing device including an apparatus for ejecting individual compiled sets of sheets to an off line finishing device having further finishing capabilities, comprising:

• an operator controllable mode selector;
• a base member adapted to receive and support sheet sets;
• means, responsive to said mode selector, for transporting the compiled sets of sheets, said transporting means being mounted on said base member so that said transporting means supports a sheet set after the set is received at said base member, said transporting means being movable relative to said base member in a direction transverse to a sheet path, said transporting means, in a first mode, moving each set of sheets individually as each set is received on said transport means so that a lead edge of the compiled set of sheets is delivered to substantially a same location each time a set is transported, with the set of sheets being transported to the finishing device, and, in a second mode, said transporting means remaining stationary with respect to said base member so that a plurality of sheet sets of a job are compiled on said base member for removal by an operator, said transporting means comprising a transfer member adapted to support the compiled sets of sheets, means for translating said sheet set support transfer member from a sheet receiving position to a sheet :unloading position for delivery to the finishing device and means for maintaining integrity of the sheet set, said translating means comprises a base, a pneumatic cylinder attached at a first end to said base, a movable piston attached to said sheet support transfer member, operatively associated with said cylinder so that actuation of the cylinder causes the sheet support transfer member to be moved from the receiving position to the unloading position;
• and
• means for monitoring said transporting means so that the finishing device operational speed is not impaired.

An electrophotographic printing machine having a finishing device including an apparatus for ejecting individual compiled sets of sheets to an off line finishing device having further finishing capabilities, comprising:

• an operator controllable mode selector;
• a base member adapted to receive and support sheet sets;
• means, responsive to said mode selector, for transporting the compiled sets of sheets, said transporting means being mounted on said base member so that said transporting means supports a sheet set after the set is received at said base member, said transporting means being movable relative to said base member in a direction transverse to a sheet path, said transporting means, in a first mode, moving each set of sheets individually as each set is received on said transport means so that a lead edge of the compiled set of sheets is delivered to substantially a same location each time a set is transported, With the set of sheets being transported to the finishing device, and, in a second mode, said transporting means remaining stationary with respect to said base member so that a plurality of sheet sets of a job are compiled on said base member for removal by an operator, said transporting means comprising a transfer member adapted to support the compiled sets of sheets, means for translating said sheet set support transfer member from a sheet receiving position to a sheet, unloading position for delivery to the finishing device and means for maintaining integrity of the sheet set, said maintaining means comprises a bracket a pneumatic cylinder including a main body and a movable piston located within said main body, said main body being attached to said bracket and a sheet contacting member attached to said piston of said pneumatic cylinder, said sheet contacting member moving in a vertical direction and applying a normal force to the set of sheets;
• and
• means for monitoring said transporting means so that the finishing device operational speed is not impaired.