Job separation by a skewed trough in the paper path

Claim 2

Apparatus for offsetting sheets laterally with respect to their path of travel in a predetermined direction comprising: (a) feeding means for feeding sheets in a predetermined direction and with predetermined orientation to said direction, first in one plane along a first section of said path and then along a second section of said path, the first and second section of said path being disposed in the same plane, said sheets being in said predetermined orientation, but offset, when resident in said second section of said path; (b) trough shaped guide means connecting said two sections and extending out of said plane in skewed relation to said predetermined direction, said guide means comprising a plurality of serially disposed and individual skewed turns, each individual turn of which is formed about an axis skewed relative to said predetermined direction, and each such axis being parallel with each other such axis and being containable within a plane parallel to a sheet while it is in the first section of said path; and (c) control means for directing sheets from the first section of said path, through said guide means and onto the second section of said path as they are being fed in said predetermined direction along the first and second sections of said path.

Claim 3

The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: (a) the guide means is U-shaped in cross-section, with the bottom of the U-shaped being enlarged and the top constricted.

Claim 4

Apparatus for offsetting sheets laterally with respect to their path of travel in a predetermined direction comprising: (a) feeding means for feeding sheets in a predetermined direction and with predetermined orientation to said direction, first in one plane along a first section of said path and then along a second section of said path, said sheets being in said predetermined orientation, but offset, when resident in said second section of said path; (b) guide means, U-shaped in cross-section and comprising a pair of closely spaced overlying surfaces between which sheets are guided, connecting said two sections and extending out of said plane in skewed relation to said predetermined direction, said guide means comprising a plurality of serially disposed and individual skewed turns, each individual turn of which is formed about an axis skewed relative to said predetermined direction, and each such axis being parallel with each other such axis and being containable within a plane parallel to a sheet while it is in the first section of said path; and (c) control means for directing sheets from the first section of said path, through said guide means, and onto the second section of said path as they are being fed in said predetermined direction along the first and second sections of said path.

Claim 5

Apparatus for offsetting sheets laterally with respect to their path of travel in a predetermined direction comprising: (a) feeding means for feeding sheets in a predetermined direction and with predetermined orientation to said direction, first in one plane along a first section of said path and then along a second section of said path, said sheets being in said predetermined orientation, but offset, when resident in said second section of said path; (b) guide means, U-shaped in cross-section and comprising a pair of closely spaced overlying surfaces between which sheets are guided, connecting said two sections and extending out of said plane in skewed relation to said predetermined direction, said guide means comprising a plurality of serially disposed and individual skewed turns, each individual turn of which is formed about an axis skewed relative to said predetermined direction, and each such axis being parallel with each other such axis and being containable within a plane parallel to a sheet while it is in the first section of said path; and (c) control means for directing sheets from the first section of said path, through said guide means, and onto the second section of said path as they are being fed in said predetermined direction along the first and second sections of said path.

Claim 6

Apparatus for offsetting sheets laterally with respect to their path of travel in a predetermined direction comprising: (a) feeding means for feeding sheets in a predetermined direction and with predetermined orientation to said direction, first in one plane along a first section of said path and then along a second section of said path, said sheets being in said predetermined orientation, but offset, when resident in said second section of said path; the feeding means including a support surface extending along the first and second sections of said path and over which said sheets are fed, and first and second drive roller means located respectively at the first and second sections of said path for drivingly feeding said sheets in said predetermined direction along said support surface; (b) guide means, including a guide surface disposed in a plane parallel to said one plane, connecting said two sections and extending out of said plane in skewed relation to said predetermined direction, said guide means comprising a plurality of serially disposed individual skewed turns, each individual turn of which is formed about an axis skewed relative to said predetermined direction, and each such axis being parallel with each other such axis and being containable within a plane parallel to a sheet while it is in the first section of said path; (c) control means for directing sheets from the first section of said path, through said guide means and onto the second section of said path as they are being fed in said predetermined direction along the first and second sections of said path; and (d) third drive roller means located along said guide surface for drivingly feeding said sheets parallel to said predetermined direction; the distance between said first and second drive roller means, as measured along the path of travel of said sheets through said guide means, being less than the dimension of said sheets as measured along its path of travel.

Claim 7

Apparatus for offsetting sheets laterally with respect to their path of travel in a predetermined direction comprising: (a) feeding means for feeding sheets in a predetermined direction and with predetermined orientation to said direction, first in one plane along a first section of said path and then along a second section of said path, said sheets being in said predetermined orientation, but offset, when resident in said second section of said path; the feeding means including a support surface extending along the first and second sections of said path and over which said sheets are fed, and first and second drive roller means located respectively at the first and second sections of said path for drivingly feeding said sheets in said predetermined direction along said support surface; (b) guide means, including a guide surface disposed in a plane parallel to said one plane, connecting said two sections and extending out of said plane in skewed relation to said predetermined direction, said guide means comprising a plurality of serially disposed individual skewed turns, each individual turn of which is formed about an axis skewed relative to said predetermined direction, and each such axis being parallel with each other such axis and being containable within a plane parallel to a sheet while it is in the first section of said path; (c) control means for directing sheets from the first section of said path, through said guide means and onto the second section of said path as they are being fed in said predetermined direction along the first and second sections of said path; and (d) third drive roller means located along said guide surface for drivingly feeding said sheets parallel to said predetermined direction; the distance between said first and second drive roller means, as measured along the path of travel of said sheets through said guide means, being less than the dimension of said sheets as measured along its path of travel.

Claim 8

Apparatus for offsetting sheets laterally with respect to their path of travel in a predetermined direction comprising: (a) feeding means for feeding sheets in a predetermined direction and with predetermined orientation to said direction, first in one plane along a first section of said path and then along a second section of said path, said sheets being in said predetermined orientation, but offset, when resident in said second section of said path; the feeding means including a support surface extending along the first and second sections of said path and over which said sheets are fed, and first and second drive roller means located respectively at the first and second sections of said path for drivingly feeding said sheets in said predetermined direction along said support surface; (b) trough shaped guide means having a flat bottom surface disposed in a plane parallel to said one plane, connecting said two sections and extending out of said plane in skewed relation to said predetermined direction, said guide means comprising a plurality of serially disposed individual skewed turns, each individual turn of which is formed about an axis skewed relative to said predetermined direction, and each such axis being parallel with each other such axis and being containable within a plane parallel to a sheet while it is in the first section of said path; (c) control means for directing sheets from the first section of said path, through said guide means, and onto the second section of said path as they are being fed in said predetermined direction along the first and second sections of said path; and (d) third drive roller means located along the bottom surface of said guide means for drivingly feeding said sheets in said predetermined direction.

Claim 9

Apparatus for offsetting sheets laterally with respect to their path of travel in a predetermined direction comprising: (a) feeding means for feeding sheets in a predetermined direction and with predetermined orientation to said direction, first in one plane along a first section of said path and then along a second section of said path, said sheets being in said predetermined orientation, but offset, when resident in said second section of said path; the feeding means including a support surface extending along the first and second sections of said path and over which said sheets are fed, and first and second drive roller means located respectively at the first and second sections of said path for drivingly feeding said sheets in said predetermined direction along said support surface; (b) trough shaped guide means having a flat bottom surface disposed in a plane parallel to said one plane, connecting said two sections and extending out of said plane in skewed relation to said predetermined direction, said guide means comprising a plurality of serially disposed individual skewed turns, each individual turn of which is formed about an axis skewed relative to said predetermined direction, and each such axis being parallel with each other such axis and being containable within a plane parallel to a sheet while it is in the first section of said path; (c) control means for directing sheets from the first section of said path, through said guide means, and onto the second section of said path as they are being fed in said predetermined direction along the first and second sections of said path; and (d) third drive roller means located along the bottom surface of said guide means for drivingly feeding said sheets in said predetermined direction.

Claim 10

The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein: the shortest distance between any of said first, second and third drive roller means, as measured along the path of travel of said sheets, is less than the dimension of a sheet as measured along said path.

Claim 11

The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein: (a) said control means includes: (1) a diverter disposed in the path of movement of said sheets along said first section thereof, and (2) means for selectively actuating said diverter to selectively direct sheets from said first section either directly to said second section or to said guide means; and (b) said apparatus further comprising: (1) stacking means located along said predetermined direction and beyond said second drive roller means for collecting said sheets in a single stack with the sheets directed through said guide means offset laterally relative to the sheets fed directly to the second section of the feeding means.

Claim 12

Apparatus for offsetting sheets laterally with respect to their path of travel in a predetermined direction comprising: (a) feeding means for feeding sheets in a predetermined direction and with predetermined orientation to said direction, first in one plane along a first section of said path and then along a second section of said path, said sheets being in said predetermined orientation, but offset, when resident in said second section of said path; (b) guide means connecting said two sections and extending out of said plane in skewed relation to said predetermined direction, said guide means forming a loop between said first and second sections for directing sheets passing therethrough in a single rotative direction, said guide means comprising a plurality of serially disposed individual skewed turns, each individual turn of which is formed about an axis skewed relative to said predetermined direction, and each such axis being parallel with each other such axis and being containable within a plane parallel to a sheet while it is in the first section of said path; and (c) control means for directing sheets from the first section of said path, through said guide means, and onto the second section of said path as they are being fed in said predetermined direction along the first and second sections of said path.

Claim 13

Apparatus for offsetting sheets laterally with respect to their path of travel in a predetermined direction comprising: (a) feeding means for feeding sheets in a predetermined direction and with predetermined orientation to said direction, first in one plane along a first section of said path and then along a second section of said path, said sheets being in said predetermined orientation, but offset, when resident in said second section of said path; (b) guide means connecting said two sections and extending out of said plane in skewed relation to said predetermined direction, said guide means forming a loop between said first and second sections for directing sheets passing therethrough in a single rotative direction, said guide means comprising a plurality of serially disposed individual skewed turns, each individual turn of which is formed about an axis skewed relative to said predetermined direction, and each such axis being parallel with each other such axis and being containable within a plane parallel to a sheet while it is in the first section of said path; and (c) control means for directing sheets from the first section of said path, through said guide means, and onto the second section of said path as they are being fed in said predetermined direction along the first and second sections of said path.

Claim 14

The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein: the guide means includes guide surfaces for supporting said sheets against centrifugal forces as they are fed in said single rotative direction through said guide means.

Claim 15

The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein: (a) the feeding means includes first and second support surfaces spaced from each other along said predetermined direction and extending, respectively, along said first and second sections of said path for supporting sheets fed in said predetermined direction; and (b) said guide means includes: (1) a first guide for directing sheets away from said first support surface, said first guide being curved about an axis skewed relative to said predetermined direction, (2) a second guide spaced from and having an entrance aligned with the first guide for receiving sheets from said first guide, said second guide having a looped curve cross-sectional configuration formed about an axis skewed relative to said predetermined direction with an exit disposed on one side of said entrance for directing sheets thereacross, and (3) a third guide spaced from and having an entrance aligned with the exit of said second guide on the opposite side of said entrance for receiving sheets from said second guide, said third guide being curved about an axis skewed relative to said predetermined direction and having an exit adjacent the second support surface of said feeding means for directing sheets onto said second support surface.

Claim 16

The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein: (a) said control means includes: (1) a diverter disposed in the path of movement of said sheets along said first section thereof, and (2) means for selectively actuating said diverter to selectively direct sheets from said first section either directly to said second section or to said guide means; (b) said feeding means includes first and second driver roller means located respectively along said first and second support surfaces for drivingly feeding said sheets in said predetermined direction along said surfaces; and (c) said apparatus further comprising: (1) stacking means located along said predetermined direction and beyond said second drive roller means for collecting said sheets in a single stack with the sheets directed through said guide means offset laterally relative to the sheets fed directly to the second section of the feeding means.

Claim 17

The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein: (a) the second guide of said guide means is a single sheet supporting surface facing radially inwardly of its curved configuration for supporting said sheets against centrifugal forces as they are fed in said single rotative direction through said guide means.

Claim 18

The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein: (a) the entrances of said second and third guides are flared outwardly away from the path of the sheets into said entrances.

Claim 19

Apparatus for offsetting sheets laterally with respect to their path of travel in a predetermined direction comprising: (a) feeding means for feeding sheets in a predetermined direction and with predetermined orientation to said direction, first in one plane along a first section of said path and then along a second section of said path, said sheets being in said predetermined orientation, but offset, when resident in said second section of said path; the feeding means including first and second support surfaces spaced from each other along said predetermined direction and extending, respectively, along said first and second sections of said path for supporting sheets fed in said predetermined direction; (b) guide means connecting said two sections and extending out of said plane in skewed relation to said predetermined direction, said guide means including: (1) sheet guide structure having an entrance end and an exit end and being curved intermediate said ends about an axis extending transversely of said ends, (2) means mounting said guide structure between the first and second support surfaces of said feeding means with the axis extending transversely of said predetermined direction, and (3) means for rotating said guide structure about an axis extending perpendicular to said one plane for adjusting the skewed relation of said guide means relative to said predetermined direction; and (c) control means for directing sheets from the first section of said path, through said guide means and onto the second section of said path as they are being fed in said predetermined direction along the first and second sections of said path.

Claim 20

Apparatus for offsetting sheets laterally with respect to their path of travel in a predetermined direction comprising: (a) feeding means for feeding sheets in a predetermined direction and with predetermined orientation to said direction, first in one plane along a first section of said path and then along a second section of said path, said sheets being in said predetermined orientation, but offset, when resident in said second section of said path; the feeding means including first and second support surfaces spaced from each other along said predetermined direction and extending, respectively, along said first and second sections of said path for supporting sheets fed in said predetermined direction; (b) guide means connecting said two sections and extending out of said plane in skewed relation to said predetermined direction, said guide means including: (1) sheet guide structure having an entrance end and an exit end and being curved intermediate said ends about an axis extending transversely of said ends, (2) means mounting said guide structure between the first and second support surfaces of said feeding means with the axis extending transversely of said predetermined direction, and (3) means for rotating said guide structure about an axis extending perpendicular to said one plane for adjusting the skewed relation of said guide means relative to said predetermined direction; and (c) control means for directing sheets from the first section of said path, through said guide means and onto the second section of said path as they are being fed in said predetermined direction along the first and second sections of said path.

Claim 21

The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein: (a) said guide structure includes: (1) a first wall member having an entrance end and an exit end and curved intermediate its ends, and (2) a second wall member closely overlying said first wall member for receiving sheets therebetween.

Claim 22

The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein: (a) said control means includes: (1) means for selectively rotating said guide structure between a first position skewed at an angle to one side of said predetermined direction and a second position skewed to the other side of said predetermined direction to selectively offset sheets to the one or the other side of said predetermined direction while travelling through equal distances along said predetermined direction.

Claim 23

The apparatus according to claim 16 further comprising: (a) stacking means for collecting said sheets in a single stack with the sheets selectively offset laterally relative to each other.

Claim 26

The method defined in claim 18 including the step of imparting a drive force to said sheets while resident in said trough, said drive force being directed along the spiral path described by a point on a sheet as the sheet loops through said loop-shaped path.

Claim 29

A method defined in claim 20 including the step of maintaining a drive force on the sheets while resident in said loop-shaped path, said drive force being in the direction of the spiral path described by a point on the sheets as the sheets traverse said loop-shaped path for a plurality of loops therethrough.

Claim 30

Apparatus for offsetting sheets laterally with respect to their initial path of travel in a predetermined direction comprising: (a) feeding means for feeding sheets in a predetermined direction along said path; (b) a loop-shaped trough disposed along said feeding means and defining an axis which is in skewed relation to said predetermined direction, the circumferential length of said trough in the direction of sheet feed being such that leading and trailing sheet portions do not overlap; and (c) means for maintaining sheets within said trough for multiple passes of the sheets around the loop defined thereby, and for thereafter diverting sheets to a further path to thereby offset the sheets along said axis, the amount of offset being a function of said multiple passes.

Claim 31

Apparatus for offsetting sheets laterally with respect to their initial path of travel in a predetermined direction comprising: (a) feeding means for feeding sheets in a predetermined direction along said path; (b) a loop-shaped trough disposed along said feeding means and defining an axis which is in skewed relation to said predetermined direction, the circumferential length of said trough in the direction of sheet feed being such that leading and trailing sheet portions do not overlap; and (c) means for maintaining sheets within said trough for multiple passes of the sheets around the loop defined thereby, and for thereafter diverting sheets to a further path to thereby offset the sheets along said axis, the amount of offset being a function of said multiple passes.

Claim 32

The apparatus defined in claim 22, including sheet drive means disposed in said trough and constructed and arranged to impart a drive force to the sheets, the drive force being along the spiral path described by a point on a sheet as the sheet passes through said trough for said multiple passes.

Claim 35

The method according to claim 24 comprising the steps of: (a) collecting all of said sheets in a single stack after they are fed to the second section of said first path with the sheets which were directed through said second curved path being offset laterally relative to the sheets fed directly to said second section.

Claim 36

Apparatus for selectively offsetting sheets laterally with respect to their path of travel in a predetermined direction comprising: (a) feeding means for feeding sheets in a predetermined direction and with predetermined orientation to said direction, first in one plane along a first section of said path and then along a second section of said path; (b) guide means connecting said two sections and extending out of said plane in skewed relation to said predetermined direction; (c) a diverter disposed in the path of movement of said sheets along said first section thereof; (d) means including said diverter for directing sheets from the first section of said path, through said guide means and onto the second section of said path as they are being fed in said predetermined direction along the first and second sections of said path, such sheets being in said predetermined orientation, but offset, when resident in said second section of said path; and (e) means for selectively controlling said diverter to selectively direct sheets from said first section either directly to said second section or to said guide means.

Claim 37

Apparatus for selectively offsetting sheets laterally with respect to their path of travel in a predetermined direction comprising: (a) feeding means for feeding sheets in a predetermined direction and with predetermined orientation to said direction, first in one plane along a first section of said path and then along a second section of said path; (b) guide means connecting said two sections and extending out of said plane in skewed relation to said predetermined direction; (c) a diverter disposed in the path of movement of said sheets along said first section thereof; (d) means including said diverter for directing sheets from the first section of said path, through said guide means and onto the second section of said path as they are being fed in said predetermined direction along the first and second sections of said path, such sheets being in said predetermined orientation, but offset, when resident in said second section of said path; and (e) means for selectively controlling said diverter to selectively direct sheets from said first section either directly to said second section or to said guide means.

Claim 38

The apparatus according to claim 26 further comprising: (a) stacking means for collecting said sheets in a single stack with the sheets directed through said guide means offset laterally relative to the sheets fed directly to the second section of the feeding means.