Buffer with service loop and method
US6554216B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 2002 |
| Grant date | Apr 29, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 7, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65H2555/30
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Disclosed is a buffer disposed to receive cut sheets from a first workstation operating at a first slower speed, deskew the sheets and deliver them to a second workstation operating at a second faster speed. The buffer has a guide defining a path of travel extending from driven inlet rollers at a buffer inlet to driven exit rollers adjacent a buffer exit. The guide includes a trap that opens to accommodate a service loop formed of the cut sheet that is longer than the path of travel. The inlet rollers are driven at the first slower speed to move cut sheets into the buffer and up to the exit rollers and the exit rollers are selectively driven at the second faster speed to deliver cut sheets to the second workstation. The exit rollers are located at an elevation above the inlet rollers and this orientation together with the opening of the trap provides for a vertical separation between the trailing edge of a first cut sheet and the leading edge of a second cut sheet to insure there is non contact spacing between the sheets moving through the buffer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.