Abstract: A plural function sheet interconnect module for serially connecting plural multiple bins printed sheets job separating units, such as mailbox modules, with the output of a printer for feeding printed sheets jobs into selected bins. The printer also has a alternate variably occurring output of purge sheets designated for purging, which purge sheets are variably intermixed with the printed sheets jobs. The interconnect module has a sheet bypass transport for feeding the sheets on from one mailbox unit on to another. The interconnect module also has an integral purge tray for collecting the purge sheets and providing for their removal. The interconnect module further has a selectable shared sheet gating system for gating the printed sheets jobs into the sheet bypass transport and gating the purge sheets into the integral purge tray. The integral purge tray underlies the sheet bypass transport and is pivotably openable for the removal of purge sheets therefrom.

Abstract: In a shared users mailboxing system adapted to receive and stack plural print jobs of plural sheets for plural different recipients in plural mailbox bins, having a preset maximum desired sheet stacking level, with a sheet distribution system controlled by a control system for automatically variably stacking print jobs into different mailbox bins electronically assignable to different recipients, a dual mode bin stacking level indicator system for indicating to the control system when the height of the stack in a bin has reached a preset level. The control system provides a selection between the exclusive assignment of only one recipient to mailbox bins and the shared assignment of plural recipients to mailbox bins.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking, registering and attaching one or multiple sets of electrophotographic printing machine output. The copy sheets are discharged from the machine and fall into an inclined compiling tray and are longitudinally registered by flexible, endless belts contacting the top surface of each sheet. The belts are restrained from deforming and walking along the top of the stack by an idler member allowing greater stack capacity in the tray. Each sheet is then laterally shifted by a tamping mechanism to laterally register the sheet. Once a complete set of sheets has been discharged and fully registered the sheets of the stack are then attached by a stapler or some other sheet fastening or binding device and the stock is discharged from the compiling tray.

Abstract: In an output sheet handling system for a reproduction apparatus, for selective stacking of the output sheets into at least one stacking tray, with a sheet ejection system for gripping and ejection of the output of the printed sheets into a stacking tray sequentially as individual output sheets or as a compiled stack of sheets, the sheet ejection system includes an automatic variable normal force system automatically providing a substantially higher gripping normal force for ejection of a compiled stack of sheets than for ejection of individual output sheets. The ejection system preferably increases the gripping normal force for the set ejection in proportion to the thickness of the compiled stack being ejected, and feeds individual delicate sheets through a nip with an automatically substantially lower normal force.

Abstract: A system for stacking, registering and fastening printed sheets fed from a reproduction apparatus onto a compiler or other stacking tray, with a plural component vertically extending but laterally movable sheet stacking edge registration system adjacent at least one edge of the stacking tray and a set stapling system movable parallel to the edge registration position to fasten the stack of sheets edge registered in the tray in plural different fastening positions; the edge registration system being movable to provide continuous stapling access therethrough by the set fastening system. The edge registration system is automatically movable in coordination with the stapling system to stay out of its path yet maintain registration of the stack of sheets in the tray at the same edge registration position.

Abstract: A stapling apparatus for an office machine includes a housing having a fixed position output providing a sequential source of sheets. An output tray is mounted on the housing adjacent the output for supporting the sheets. A compiler shelf is located on the housing adjacent the output tray. A compiling mechanism is mounted on the housing. A stapler is movably mounted on the housing and is longitudinally reciprocable in relation to the shelf and the compiling mechanism. The stapler and the compiler mechanism are so located in relationship to each other that the stapler has a strictly linear motion along an edge of the sheets.

Abstract: A paper transport system includes an apparatus for controlling movement of the sheets along the predetermined course to provide sheet buffering. The apparatus includes first and second friction surfaces mounted for movement in orbital paths on opposite sides of the predetermined course in opposed relationship to define a nip through which the paper sheets pass. A selectively operable drive is provided for independently controlling the movement of the first and second friction surfaces, and the first friction surface has a coefficient of friction with the paper sheets which is greater than the coefficient of friction of the second surface with the paper sheets which is in turn greater than the coefficient of friction between the paper sheets.

Abstract: In a sheet output module for the collection and stacking of printed media sheets from the output of a reproduction apparatus, with multiple separate sheet collection bins in a vertical array, a sheet input for receiving the sheets, and a sheet transport path for transporting the sheets to a selected bin; the sheet input is at a central vertical level intermediately of the module and the vertical bin array, the vertical bin array is divided into first and second portions with a central vertical space therebetween, the sheet transport path has a common shared central path from the input to a branching position where it arcuately branches in opposite directions, with a first branch path extending upwardly to feed sheets to the first portion of the bins and a second branch path extending downwardly to feed sheets to the second portion of the bins.

Abstract: A reciprocating document handler for transporting documents comprising a belt transport supported for transporting sheets in a first and a second, opposite direction. The device further includes apparatus for allowing documents moving in the first and second directions, respectively, at an exchange area on the belt to slide over one another substantially freely. The device includes a pressure member to urge the belt into engaging with transported documents and a mechanism for reducing the bearing of a pressure member proximate the exchange area to promote the substantially free sliding engagement of the documents transported in opposite directions.

Abstract: In a copier or printer producing a sequential stream of sheets with limited time therebetween, and with compiling and finishing of those output sheets on-line while subsequent sheets are being printed, a non-slip sheet feeder normally feeding copy sheets downstream to the compiler is selectably intermittently temporarily stopped holding the lead edge area of the first copy sheet for the next set to be finished so that continued feeding of the trail end of the same sheet by a relatively closely spaced upstream feeder buckles that sheet into a buckle chamber assisted by a buckle inducing arcuate baffle extending from the other side of the sheet path. The next printed sheet is fed normally while the buckled first sheet is positively held out of its way. When the second sheet reaches the downstream feeder, it restarts to positively feed both sheets downstream to the compiler, together, but overlapped by a preset amount for registration stacking.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking, registering and attaching one or multiple sets of electrophotographic printing machine output. The copy sheets are discharged from the machine and fall into an inclined compiling tray and are longitudinally registered by flexible, endless belts contacting the top surface of each sheet. Each sheet is then laterally shifted by a tamping mechanism which has upwardly flared baffle to corrugate the sheet as it is shifted to increase the sheet beam strength and facilitate easier and more complete registration. The discharge nip assembly which includes the flexible belts is vertically adjustable either based on discharged sheet count or in response to feedback from a stack height sensor so as to maintain optimum contact by the endless registration belt and allow for high capacity compiling. The compiling tray can also be adjustable.

Abstract: A bottom vacuum corrugated feeder (BVCF) includes a tray for supporting a stack of documents. The tray is angled downhill relative to the feeding direction of the documents such that the leading edge of the stack is urged to a common stop member. The tray also includes a single side guide for aligning one side edge of the stack. A stack height sensor sends a signal corresponding to stack height to a controller which in turn controls voltage to be applied to a DC motor controlled blower based on a predetermined ratio of air flow pressure to stack pressure. The structure enables intermixed size document feeding in a BVCF.