Handling stapled documents for post-processing operations using magnetic forces
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Company
InventorsIsrael Cruz, Marco A. Guerrero, Roberto Obregon
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Folding of stapled documents is accomplished by using magnetic force to manipulate the document. The magnetic force is applied to the staples in the document and results in movement of the document when the magnetic force is applied. Since the magnetic force is applied at the staples, paper handling operations, such as folding are accomplished with the document aligned in accordance with a staple line. Magnetic force can further be used to transport documents to desired locations, such as individual output bins.
Claims15
Method for manipulating stapled stacks of sheet material comprising:
- a. identifying an alignment of a stack with respect to staples in said stack;
- b. using magnetic force to align the stack by attracting the staples;
- c. establishing, as said alignment, a fold line with respect to the staples;
- d. using said magnetic force to withdraw the stacks at the fold line;
- and
- e. continuing said withdraw toward a creasing mechanism, the creasing mechanism capable of applying a folding force on the stack.
Method for manipulating stapled stacks of sheet material comprising:
- a. identifying an alignment of a stack with respect to staples in said stack;
- b. using magnetic force to align the stack by attracting the staples;
- c. establishing, as said alignment, a fold line with respect to the staples;
- d. using said magnetic force to withdraw the stacks at the fold line;
- and
- e. continuing said withdraw through a pair of nip rollers, thereby forming a crease in said stack in alignment with the staples.
Apparatus for manipulating sheet material, the apparatus comprising:
- a. a mechanism capable of receiving plural sheets of the sheet material, and applying at least one ferromagnetic fastener for binding the stack, the plural sheets defining a stack;
- b. a magnet for providing an alignment to the stack by attracting the fastener and manipulating the stack by said attraction of the fastener, and using that alignment;
- and
- c. a mechanism for performing a paper handling operation on the stack as aligned by the magnet, said mechanism providing a paper folding function.
Post processing apparatus for manipulating sheet material discharged from an electrophotographic imaging machine, the apparatus comprising:
- a. a mechanism capable of receiving plural sheets of the sheet material, and applying at least one ferromagnetic fastener for binding the stack, the plural sheets defining a stack;
- b. a magnet for providing an alignment to the stack by attracting the fastener and manipulating the stack by said attraction of the fastener, and using that alignment;
- and
- c. a mechanism for performing a folding operation on the stack as aligned by the magnet by use of a pair of nip rollers, by using the magnet to withdraw the stack between the pair of nip rollers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.