Automated media transport device and method of using the same

US6042101A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Gerber Systems Corporation · US

Inventors

• Alan W. Menard · Bolton, US
• Timothy MacDonald · North Grafton, US
• John Davies · Birmingham, GB
• Mark C. Schwartz · Windsor, US
• David P. Squires · Lebanon, US
• Bruce L. Davidson · Town of East Hartford, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 3, 1997
• Grant date: Mar 28, 2000
• Expiry date: Jun 3, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65H3/56
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An automated media transport apparatus and method includes a load module for loading media plates from a flat cassette through one end of an internal drum of an imaging module. Sensors detect the presence of interleaved paper sheets from the media plates being loaded, and paper assemblies remove any interleaved paper sheets. An unload module unloads imaged media plates from the other end of the drum, and position the unloaded plates onto a multi-directional conveyor of the unload module. The conveyor is capable of moving the imaged media plate in one of several directions to other devices for further processing of the media plates.