Abstract: A substrate finishing system includes a sheet input that feeds sheets to a compiler for compiling. The sheets may be stapled at the compiler. A trail edge support of the compiler is movable from a first position to a second position. The compiler is configured to drop a sheet or set of sheets to build compiled set stacks at the first and second positions on a stacking tray positioned beneath the compiler.

Abstract: A substrate finishing system includes a sheet input that feeds sheets to a compiler for compiling. The sheets may be stapled at the compiler. A trail edge support of the compiler is movable from a first position to a second position. The compiler is configured to drop a sheet or set of sheets to build compiled set stacks at the first and second positions on a stacking tray positioned beneath the compiler.

Abstract: A system for protecting media in an image-forming device. The system includes a heating element for heating the media, and a media path adjacent to the heating element. The media is transported in the image-forming device along the media path. The system also includes a barrier assembly having one or more non-flammable restraint threads and a spring-tensioned positioner. The restraint threads are mounted between the heating element and the media path, and the spring-tensioned positioner assembly maintains the restraint thread in a fixed position.

Abstract: As set forth herein, a finisher module within an automated print system is described. A compiler delivery system receives and organizes one or more sheets in a predetermined configuration for delivery. A compiling belt system receives the one or more sheets from the compiler deliver system, locates the one or more sheets and transports the sheets concurrent to one or more finishing processes. A side tamper system moves alongside the compiling belt system to side tamp and register sheets in the cross process direction. A stapler/stitcher assembly moves alongside the compiling belt system to perform at least one of a stapling and a stitching operation as the one or more sheets are transported.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that facilitate permitting a high-speed marking system or printer to run at maximum speed without being impeded by a relatively slow, low-speed finisher. A plurality of low-speed finishers are coupled to the high-speed marking system in a tandem, and optionally parallel-tandem, arrangement, where the number of finishers is equal to or greater than the ration of the maximum operating speed of the marking system to individual finisher maximum operating speed. In this manner, a low-cost solution is provided to overcome bottleneck problems associated with low-speed finishers.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) and method (1200) that disk stacks and compiles media sheets. The apparatus can include a media sheet transport (120) configured to transport media sheets and a stacker (130) configured to stack the media sheets (110). The apparatus can include a rotatable disk (140) coupled to the media transport, the rotatable disk configured to receive a leading edge (112) of a media sheet and configured to transport the media sheet to the stacker. The apparatus can include a compiler (150) configured to compile a set of a plurality of the media sheets and an ejector (160) configured to eject the set of a plurality of the media sheets from the compiler onto the stacker. One of the rotatable disk and at least a portion of the compiler can be movable (171) relative to each other to switch between the rotatable disk providing media sheets to the stacker and the rotatable disk providing media sheets to the compiler.

Abstract: As set forth herein, a finisher module within an automated print system is described. A compiler delivery system receives and organizes one or more sheets in a predetermined configuration for delivery. A compiling belt system receives the one or more sheets from the compiler deliver system, locates the one or more sheets and transports the sheets concurrent to one or more finishing processes. A side tamper system moves alongside the compiling belt system to side tamp and register sheets in the cross process direction. A stapler/stitcher assembly moves alongside the compiling belt system to perform at least one of a stapling and a stitching operation as the one or more sheets are transported.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) and method (1200) that disk stacks and compiles media sheets. The apparatus can include a media sheet transport (120) configured to transport media sheets and a stacker (130) configured to stack the media sheets (110). The apparatus can include a rotatable disk (140) coupled to the media transport, the rotatable disk configured to receive a leading edge (112) of a media sheet and configured to transport the media sheet to the stacker. The apparatus can include a compiler (150) configured to compile a set of a plurality of the media sheets and an ejector (160) configured to eject the set of a plurality of the media sheets from the compiler onto the stacker. One of the rotatable disk and at least a portion of the compiler can be movable (171) relative to each other to switch between the rotatable disk providing media sheets to the stacker and the rotatable disk providing media sheets to the compiler.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for high capacity stacking and stitching in an image production device is disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that facilitate permitting a high-speed marking system or printer to run at maximum speed without being impeded by a relatively slow, low-speed finisher. A plurality of low-speed finishers are coupled to the high-speed marking system in a tandem, and optionally parallel-tandem, arrangement, where the number of finishers is equal to or greater than the ration of the maximum operating speed of the marking system to individual finisher maximum operating speed. In this manner, a low-cost solution is provided to overcome bottleneck problems associated with low-speed finishers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for high capacity stacking and stitching in an image production device is disclosed.

Abstract: A rotational cable shortening system for shortening the effective length of a cable by bending a section of the cable. The shortening system comprises a rotatable bridged channel through which the cable is threaded. Upon rotation of the bridged channel, the cable is deflected and effectively shortened.

Abstract: A rotational cable shortening system for shortening the effective length of a cable by bending a section of the cable. The shortening system comprises a rotatable bridged channel through which the cable is threaded. Upon rotation of the bridged channel, the cable is deflected and effectively shortened.

Abstract: Substrates are received by a compiling mechanism and compiled into sets. Incoming sheets are tamped by a tamping system into position on the compiling platform to register the sheets. The compiler platform mechanism includes two narrow, low-friction panels that are driven in opposite directions. The compiled and registered sheets sets can be manipulated by a manipulation device, to be stapled, punched, stitched, etc. The compiled, manipulated and registered sheet sets can be dropped onto an output catch platform located below the compilation platform. The compiling platform includes two retractable panels that slide open to allow the compiled set to drop to the output catch platform below. Once the set is dropped, the compiling platform panels are driven back to their original position in order to receive another set. Alternatively, the compiled and registered sets can be ejected from the compiling platform to a subsequent, downstream device.

Abstract: A registration system including both a primary tamping device and a secondary scuffing device. The scuffing device includes a scuffer arm, an extending/retracting device, a drive subsystem, and an engagement control device. In various exemplary embodiments, the secondary scuffing device is retracted. The scuffing device can thus be used, when required, to register a substrate in the process direction and then retracted enabling the side tampers to cross process register the substrates. In various exemplary embodiments, substrates of varying sizes and types can be registered into common sets using the systems and methods of this invention.

Abstract: Substrates are received by a compiling mechanism and compiled into sets. Incoming sheets are tamped by a tamping system into position on the compiling platform to register the sheets. The compiler platform mechanism includes two narrow, low-friction panels that are driven in opposite directions. The compiled and registered sheets sets can be manipulated by a manipulation device, to be stapled, punched, stitched, etc. The compiled, manipulated and registered sheet sets can be dropped onto an output catch platform located below the compilation platform. The compiling platform includes two retractable panels that slide open to allow the compiled set to drop to the output catch platform below. Once the set is dropped, the compiling platform panels are driven back to their original position in order to receive another set. Alternatively, the compiled and registered sets can be ejected from the compiling platform to a subsequent, downstream device.

Abstract: A sheets sets compiling and stacking system for the output of a printer, in which the seriatim output of printed sheets may be accumulated and neatly stacked on a temporary sheets supporting system until the desired number of sheets for that set (e.g. all the pages of a collated document) is accumulated (compiled). The temporary sheets supporting system may then automatically open to drop each completed or compiled set of sheets, but with positive alternate side set clamping control against sheet scattering or skewing, dropping only one side of one set at a time, by a short distance, down onto a multiple sets stacking system, such as a self-lowering elevator stacking tray, so as to provide reduced set scattering or skewing of the sheets within the sets, and/or between sets.

Abstract: A finishing device having a sheet guiding and buffering mechanism located in the space between a sheet transporting assembly and a finishing platform. The mechanism has two parallel retractable arms having a slight curvature along their length. Sheets dispensed seriatim from the transport assembly onto the arms conform to the curvature of the arms. In a normal mode, the arms are retracted for each sheet delivered thereto and the individual sheets drop onto platform to form a set of stacked sheets. When the last sheet of a set is dropped, the mechanism changes to a buffering mode and the arms collect and hold the first few sheets of the next set. Once the previous set has been finished and ejected from the platform, the arms are retracted and the sheets collected are dropped, and the mechanism is changed to the normal cycle for the remainder of the subsequent set.

Abstract: A finishing device having a sheet guiding and buffering mechanism located in the space between a sheet transporting assembly and a finishing platform. The mechanism has two parallel retractable arms having a slight curvature along their length. Sheets dispensed seriatim from the transport assembly onto the arms conform to the curvature of the arms. In a normal mode, the arms are retracted for each sheet delivered thereto and the individual sheets drop onto platform to form a set of stacked sheets. When the last sheet of a set is dropped, the mechanism changes to a buffering mode and the arms collect and hold the first few sheets of the next set. Once the previous set has been finished and ejected from the platform, the arms are retracted and the sheets collected are dropped, and the mechanism is changed to the normal cycle for the remainder of the subsequent set.

Abstract: A rotational cable shortening system for shortening the effective length of a cable by bending a section of the cable. The shortening system comprises a rotatable bridged channel through which the cable is threaded. Upon rotation of the bridged channel, the cable is deflected and effectively shortened.