Method and apparatus for diverting signatures in a folder

A method for transporting signatures, comprising:

• moving signatures along a common transport path;
• rotating a pair of eccentric guide rollers, about respective axes, the pair of guide rollers positioned opposite one another to receive signatures therebetween from the common transport path;
• and
• moving a diverter positioned downstream of the guide rollers between a first position to divert signatures received from the guide rollers to a first downstream transport path and a second position to divert signatures received from the guide rollers to a second downstream transport path.

An apparatus for transporting signatures, comprising:

• a moving transport surface for transporting signatures, the moving transport surface including a plurality of first transport tapes and a plurality of second transport tapes transporting signatures therebetween;
• a pair of eccentric guide rollers, rotatable about respective axes, the pair of guide rollers positioned opposite one another to receive signatures therebetween from the moving transport surface, each of the eccentric guide rollers including a plurality of lobes, each of the plurality of lobes including a first outer circumferential surface having an eccentric protrusion and a second outer circumferential surface recessed relative to the first outer circumferential surface, the first outer circumferential surface of each eccentric protrusion being tapered from a first height at a first end thereof to a second height at a second end thereof, each of the lobes being separated from an adjacent one of the lobes by a space, the plurality of first transport tapes passing through the spaces in one of the eccentric guide rollers, the pair of eccentric guide rollers positioned such that, as the guide rollers rotate, the first outer circumferential surface of one guide roller faces the second outer circumferential surface of the other guide roller, the plurality of second transport tapes passing through spaces in the other eccentric guide roller;
• a plurality of third transport tapes and a plurality of fourth transport tapes, the plurality of first transport tapes and the plurality of third transport tapes forming a first downstream moving transport surface, the plurality of second transport tapes and the plurality of fourth transport tapes forming a second downstream moving transport surface;
• and
• a diverter positioned downstream of the guide rollers and upstream of the third and fourth transport tapes, the diverter movable between a first position to divert signatures received from the guide rollers to the first downstream moving transport surface and a second position to divert signatures received from the guide rollers to the second downstream moving transport surface.