Item transportation
AssigneeNCR Corporation
InventorRobert Suttie
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for locating at least one item of media at a desired location. The apparatus includes a first and further transport element for transporting an item of media along a transport path having a pre-determined plane of transport. The apparatus also includes at least one abutment surface that locates respective first and second lateral edge regions of the item or a central region of the item to a side of the plane of transport to provide an arcuate cross-section in at least a region of the item.
Claims19
Apparatus for locating at least one item of media at a desired location, comprising:
- first and second transport elements for transporting an item of media along a transport path having a pre-determined plane of transport;
- and
- at least one abutment surface that locates respective first and second lateral edge regions of the item or a central region of the item to a side of the plane of transport to provide an arcuate cross-section in a region of the item;
- the first and second lateral edge regions are located in a first direction with respect to the plane of transport and the central region is located in the plane of transport, or the central region is located in a first direction with respect to the plane of transport and the first and second lateral edge regions are located in the plane of transport, or the first and second lateral edge regions are located in a first direction with respect to the plane of transport and the central region is located in an opposite second direction with respect to the plane of transport.
Apparatus for locating at least one item of media at a desired location, comprising:
- first and second transport elements for transporting an item of media along a transport path having a pre-determined plane of transport;
- and
- at least one abutment surface that locates respective first and second lateral edge regions of the item or a central region of the item to a side of the plane of transport to provide an arcuate cross-section in a region of the item;
- the at least one abutment surface comprises a first and second abutment surface, each abutment surface comprising a region of a contact surface of a respective profile forming member;
- each profile forming member comprises a roller arranged to rotate about a respective longitudinal axis and being rotatably mounted at a position adjacent to a respective one of the first and second lateral edge regions.
A method for locating at least one item of media at a desired location, the method comprising the steps of:
- transporting an item of media along a transport path having a pre-determined plane of transport;
- and
- as the item is transported, locating first and second lateral edge regions of the item or a central region of the item to a side of the plane of transport to provide an arcuate cross-section in a region of the item, wherein the first and second lateral edge regions are located in a first direction with respect to the plane of transport and the central region is located in the plane of transport, or the central region is located in a first direction with respect to the plane of transport and the first and second lateral edge regions are located in the plane of transport, or the first and second lateral edge regions are located in a first direction with respect to the plane of transport and the central region is located in an opposite second direction with respect to the plane of transport.
A method of locating an item of media at a desired location, the method comprising the steps of:
- stiffening the item of media by generating an arcuate cross-section in the item as the item is being transported along a transport path which is defined between first and second transport elements;
- moving a leading edge of the stiffened item into engagement with at least one guide member to lift up the at least one guide member after the leading edge of the stiffened item emerges from the transport path as the stiffened item is being transported along the transport path;
- continuing to lift up the at least one guide member as the item continues to be transported along the transport path until a trailing edge of the item emerges from the transport path;
- and
- dropping the at least one guide member onto the item to move the item to the desired location when the trailing edge of the item emerges from the transport path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.