Abstract: A media punching and collating system includes a multi-source sheet intake mechanism, an accumulator, a punching die assembly and a discharge mechanism. The sheet intake mechanism is configured to pick and feed at least two different types of finished sheet media to the accumulator, which is positioned to receive the sheets from the sheet intake mechanism. The accumulator includes a sheet accumulating mechanism configured to sequentially gather and align a selected number of the sheets into a sheet lift. The punching die assembly is positioned to receive the sheet lift as a unit from the accumulator, and configured to punch holes in an edge of the sheets of the lift, after which the discharge mechanism discharges the punched lift.

Abstract: An accumulator for an automatic sheet media punching and collating system includes a proximal end, having a shoulder, a distal end, and a moveable collating belt, disposed below the shoulder, extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The collating belt has an upwardly extending lower stop with an accumulating position opposite the shoulder, defining a drop region. The lower stop is configured to contact a lower edge of sheets of media sequentially received at the proximal end, whereby the sheets stop and accumulate in the drop region in a lift in a book order. The collating belt is selectively moveable to discharge the lift as a unit toward the distal end.

Abstract: An accumulator for an automatic sheet media punching and collating system includes a proximal end, having a shoulder, a distal end, and a moveable collating belt, disposed below the shoulder, extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The collating belt has an upwardly extending lower stop with an accumulating position opposite the shoulder, defining a drop region. The lower stop is configured to contact a lower edge of sheets of media sequentially received at the proximal end, whereby the sheets stop and accumulate in the drop region in a lift in a book order. The collating belt is selectively moveable to discharge the lift as a unit toward the distal end.