High throughput sheet accumulator
US7451979B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 22, 2006 |
| Grant date | Nov 18, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 19, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65H2801/66
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An improved sheet accumulator for stacking serially fed sheets transported on a paper path. The accumulator includes a guide deck. Above the guide deck, a plurality of parallel belts are positioned to provide a driving force for sheets on the deck. Within the accumulator, a ramp apparatus is positioned across the paper path whereby sheets driven by the belts on an upstream portion of the accumulator deck are driven over the ramp apparatus and deposited in an accumulating region of the accumulator deck on a downstream side of the ramp apparatus. Preferably, snap-down belts are provided between ramp structures snap transported sheets quickly into place on the stack and to hold them there. Sheets are stopped by an accumulator stop mechanism located at a downstream end of the accumulating region that prevents movement of sheets by the belts while sheets for an accumulation are being collected. When an accumulation is completed, the accumulator stop mechanism allows sheets to be transported from the accumulating region. Preferably the guide deck and ramp are adjustable for different sized sheets.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.