Process and device for forming and transferring stacks of printed sheets

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a process and a device for forming stacks from printed documents or other sheets 9. The sheets 9 are either moved forward individually or are separated from a web 2 of printed sheets by tearing or cutting, and they are arranged in a stream one on top of another such that the next sheet 9 comes to lie offset under the preceding sheet 9. The stack 10 is formed by the sheets 9 arranged in a stream coming into contact with a stop 11. To lose little time during the transfer of a finished stack 10 of sheets, a gap 25 is formed between the last sheet 9 belonging to the stack 10 and the next sheet before the sheets 9 are arranged in a stream. As soon as the last sheet 9 has reached the stacking position, the stop 11 is removed from its stop position, so that the stack 10 is moved away from the belt conveyor 20. The stop 11 is then returned into its stop position, and the next stack 10 is formed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.