Abstract: In an on-line printed sheets output handling system for the sequential output by a reproduction system, in which the printed sheets are registered in neatly superposed sets which are optionally fastened together by a finishing system, which is laterally repositionable to provide variable set finishing; a lateral registration system for said printed sheets output is repositionable with said finishing system, and has a sheet registration member engaging and laterally registering the printed sheets to selectable variable lateral sheet registration positions by the finisher lateral movement repositioning system rather than a separate lateral repositioning system, with a registration disengagement system for moving the sheet registration member out of registration engagement with the sheets after a set of sheets has been laterally compiled and before the finishing system is laterally repositioned.

Abstract: A system and method for manually removably locking a paper handling module to a reproduction apparatus with greatly reduced manual force, wherein the reproduction apparatus and the paper handling module have respective sheet feed openings which are operatively aligned for sheet feeding therebetween when the module is so locked to the reproduction apparatus in a locking position, and wherein the paper handling module has a weight which is undesirable for manual lifting into the locking position. The module is supported on an integral module transporting system to be freely movable in any horizontal direction into an initial docking position closely adjacent to the reproduction apparatus.

Abstract: A transition module adapted to accept copy sheet input from an input feeder short edge first and feed the copy sheets long edge first to the main paper path of a processing apparatus. The transition module includes a belt-on-belt transport to move copy sheets into the transition module from, for example, the output of a third party feeder. The sheets are fed to the belt-on-belt transport and driven against a registration edge. The belts are continuously running and provide enough drive force to move the sheets to the registration edge, but not enough to overdrive the sheets or cause buckling. Once each sheet is registered, double `D` rolls are activated for one revolution to pull the sheet from the belts and feed it to an exit nip located downstream from the `D` rolls.

Abstract: A sheet inverting and stacking system in which a rotatable sheet stacking unit receives the lead edge area of an incoming sheet and then rotates and releases that lead edge area of the sheet at a lead edge registration position for stacking the sheet inverted in a set of stacked sheets at least partially on a stacking tray in a stacking area; with a movable sheet registration system providing plural sheet lead edge registration positions; a sheet set fastening system (stapler) for fastening the stacked sets; a first registration position for set fastening in which the sheet stacking area extends into the sheet set fastening system and a second registration position in which the sheet stacking is in front of the sheet fastening system, to provide two different initial sheet leading edge stacking positions and one final stacking position.

Abstract: Roller pairs, including drive rolls and idler rolls, are used to advance a sheet in a printing machine. The idler roller includes a shaft and a sleeve. A bearing, mounted on the shaft, rotatably supports the sleeve. The inner race of the bearing is press fit onto the shaft. The outer race of the bearing is secured to the sleeve to rotate in unison therewith.

Abstract: A copy sheet transport is provided for integration between a copier and an indexing sorter arranged for collating the copier output into copy sets or booklets. The transport is associated with a control system for controlling the acceleration or deceleration of indexing movement of the sorter in accordance with the positional relationship of copy sheets in the transport. Sensors and a timing arrangement are devised for determining the positional relationship, and to impart correctional signals to the drive for the sorter.

Abstract: An apparatus in which a sheet is registered during the movement thereof. The sheet is moved along a path in a forward direction of movement and a lateral direction of movement substantially normal thereto. The lateral movement of the sheet causes the side edge of the sheet to engage a registration edge so as to be aligned thereat. The magnitude of the moving force applied on the sheet is proportional to the thickness of the sheet. In this way, the moving force varies as a function of the thickness of the sheet with the sheet slipping laterally when engaging the registration edge to prevent buckling thereof.

Abstract: A constant velocity transport (CVT) is disclosed for use with a marking apparatus such as an ink jet printing system. The transport utilizes vacuum hold-down plenums to convey sheets to and away from the printing zone of the marking apparatus and a sheet-attracting vacuum arrangement, between the two plenums for drawing the sheet to a guide surface as the sheet moves through the printing zone. The sheet-attracting action is effective just at the point marking is effective upon the sheet thereby insuring the precise location of the sheet for printing.

Abstract: A collation/finishing system is disclosed for use with a very high speed, fully automated reproduction machine having a document handling apparatus, copy sheet processor, and a finishing station. In this arrangement, a sorter bin array is arranged to receive copy sheets on one side and to collate the copy sheets into copy sets corresponding to a multiple page document. A set transport is arranged on the other side of the bin array for unloading the completed copy sets. The bin array is indexed in either direction to either receive copy sheets or to permit unloading.

Abstract: A collation system is disclosed for use with a very high speed, fully automated reproduction system having a document handling apparatus, copy sheet processor, and a finishing station. In this arrangement, a sorter bin array is arranged to collate the copy sheets into copy sets corresponding to a multiple page document, the array being held stationary for the collection of some of the copy sheets and is moved past a sheet-receiving station for receiving at least one of the copy sheets.

Abstract: Sheet alignment apparatus which registers a stack of sheets accurately and rapidly in a tray. A vibrating tamper member is moved into and out of contact with a stack of sheets urging the stack against a stop member momentarily before being withdrawn from the stack to effect alignment of the edges of the stack.

Abstract: Air forced through holes in a horizontally disposed platform is used to support a disoriented stack of rectangular sheets on a thin layer of air. The platform supports L-shaped manifolds disposed to be located about a supported stack of sheets. Each of the manifolds includes a chamber coupled to a fluid source and nozzle arrays communicating with the chambers to provide jets of air directed so as to impinge the edges of a stack of sheets pneumatically supported by the platform. The nozzles of each array are pyramidically disposed to provide an inverse relationship between jets impinging on a sheet of a stack and its distance above the platform. The jets provide air lubrication between adjacent sheets of the stack. Two of the manifolds are translatable and may be moved against the stack to tamp and align the air lubricated sheets thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus in which a sheet is registered during the movement thereof. The sheet is moved along a path in a forward direction of movement and a lateral direction of movement substantially normal thereto. The lateral movement of the sheet causes the side edge of the sheet to engage a registration edge so as to be aligned thereat. The magnitude of the moving force applied on the sheet is proportional to the thickness of the sheet. In this way, the moving force varies as a function of the thickness of the sheet with the sheet slipping laterally when engaging the registration edge to prevent buckling thereof.