Abstract: In a sheet stacking system with top sheet input registration assistance by a scuffer, or the like, and a cooperative floating buckle suppression baffle or ski over the stack, disclosed is a flotation and mounting system for automatically maintaining a baffle evenly spaced closely above the top of said stack, and automatically moved up as incoming sheets are added to the top of said stack, to allow incoming sheets to be easily fed thereunder with low friction. Preferably this spacing is maintained by the scuffer position. This floating baffle can also provide an integral sheet stopping lip extending downwardly from the top of the stack along one edge thereof to provide stack edge registration and to prevent registration edge climbing of incoming sheets.

Abstract: In a sheet stacking system with top sheet input registration assistance by a scuffer, or the like, and a cooperative floating buckle suppression baffle or ski over the stack, this floating baffle can provide plural mode functions by providing an integral sheet stopping lip extending downwardly from the top of the stack along one edge thereof to provide stack edge registration and to prevent registration edge climbing of incoming sheets. Also disclosed is a spring or other flotation and mounting system for automatically maintaining a baffle spaced within a few millimeters above the top of said stack, and automatically moved up as incoming sheets are added to the top of said stack, to allow incoming sheets to be easily fed thereunder with low friction. Preferably the spacing is maintained by the scuffer position.

Abstract: A finishing apparatus adapted to receive and fasten collated sets of copy sheets is provided. The finishing apparatus includes a stacking tray in which successive sets of fastened copy sheets can be stacked. The copy sheets are compiled on a movable compiling member, a portion of which is positioned selectively over the stacking tray. A paper path is used to transport the copy sheets to both the stacking tray and the movable compiling member so as to position one portion of each copy sheet in the stacking tray with the remaining portion of each copy sheet being located in the movable compiling member. A fastener, such as a stapler is positioned adjacent to the movable compiling member.

Abstract: A device for selectively turning documents includes first and second drive rollers aligned along an axis which is transverse to a process direction along which documents are fed, and first and second follower rollers cooperatively peripherally aligned with the first and second drive rollers, respectively. One of the drive rollers is operated at a substantially constant peripheral velocity by a first drive which is a constant velocity motor while the other drive roller is operated at a variable peripheral velocity by a variable speed drive so that the document is turned. Thus, only a single variable speed drive, such as, for example a stepper motor or servo system, is required. The variable speed drive is driven through a variable velocity profile to control the amount of rotation of the document. Preferably the document is turned approximately 90.degree..

Abstract: A sheet folding apparatus is disclosed which includes an inlet for receiving a sheet material from outside of the sheet folding apparatus, an outlet for discharging the sheet material to outside of the sheet folding apparatus, and a folding mechanism within the apparatus for placing one or more folds in the sheet material.

Abstract: In a multi-bin sorter for collating sheets of paper or the like from a fixed sheet output into sets in the bins, with a system for sorter bin loading in which the bins are opened relative to one another adjacent the fixed sheet output, the bins are respectively intermediately pivotally mounted in an array to a common mounting system (with a fixed spacing at their pivotal mounting positions) for common linear vertical movement as an integral unit with a simple drive system, yet individually pivoted open for loading by a fixed pivotal control guide system, preferably a generally linear cam track with a transition for engaging individually integral extensions of said bins to pivot them about their intermediate pivotal mounting into the sorter bin loading position relative to the next adjacent bin, when the bin array is commonly vertically moved by the drive system.

Abstract: A device capable of rotating sheets 90.degree. relative to an input orientation, utilizes a set of continuously driven rolls all turning with different surface velocities.

Abstract: In a sorter for sorting sheets fed from a sequential source of sheets, with a closely vertically spaced array of sorter bins, and apparatus to vertically move the array of sorter bins relative to the source of sheets for sequentially loading individual sheets into individual sorter bins, the improvement including partially horizontally displacing one individual sorter bin at a time from the superposed array, in coordination with the vertical movement, towards the source of sheets to provide an enlarged bin entry opening without requiring any change in the vertical spacing between the bins, and subsequently horizontally moving a bin so displaced back into vertically superposed alignment with the other bins of the array. Also disclosed is stapling sheets sorted into the bins, wherein the same system for partially horizontally displacing the sorter bins also functions to move one displaced bin at a time into the stapler for stapling the sheets sorted in that bin without removal therefrom.

Abstract: A low noise paddle wheel system includes a paddle wheel and a fork shaped deflector that forces blades on the paddle wheel to approach the impact surface of a tray over which the paddle wheel is mounted tangentially in order to reduce or diminish noise created by the blades striking either copy sheets in the tray or the copy sheet support surface of the tray.

Abstract: A sheet recirculating, folding and gluing system folds documents, holds them at a wait station and then inserts them into another sheet which is folded and glued "on-line" to form an envelope.

Abstract: A copy sheet rotator in which a sheet is moved by two separately driven crowned rolls that form nips with cooperating idler rolls. For sheet turning, one roll is stopped with the sheet in the nip while the other roll continues to drive and rotate the sheet. A separate scuffer roller registers the rotated sheet after it has been released from the rolls without scuffing damage. The position, angle and velocity of the scuffer allows the sheet to remain in tension during rotation and therefore prevents buckling without the need for nip release systems.