Collating machine stacking bin insert

Claim 2

In a collating apparatus having an array of bins, each bin including stack receiving means for receiving a stack of sheet material of a given length between first and second stack edges, said apparatus including first adjustment means coupled to the stack receiving means and including settable stack second edge receiving means located in each bin for settably placing the first edge of each said received stack in a reference plane by setting in unison the position of said received second edge, the first edge of a stack of a length different than the given length tending to be offset from said reference plane an amount proportional to the difference between the given and different lengths, the improvement therewith comprising: second adjustment means including means adapted to be releasably coupled to any selected one of said bins, said second adjustment means including means for receiving said second edge of said stack of different length for setting the position of the first edge of said stack of said different length on said reference plane regardless the setting of the first adjustment means in said selected one bin.

Claim 3

The improvement of claim 1 wherein said bins each include a fixed stacking plate and a first foot movable by said first adjustment means relative to the fixed plate, said second adjustment means for receiving said second edge including a second movable foot adapted to receive in abutting relation said second edge of the different length stack, said means adapted to be releasably coupled including means for releasably attaching said second movable foot to said fixed plate.

Claim 4

The improvement of claim 1 wherein said bins each include a fixed stacking plate, said means for setting including a detachable stacking plate, and a stack receiving foot slidably secured to the detachable plate for movement along said length to receive said second edge, and means attached to said detachable plate mating with an edge of said fixed plate for releasably juxtaposing said detachable plate over said fixed plate.

Claim 5

A sheet material stacking bin insert for a collating apparatus having means for collating a plurality of stacks of sheet material, said apparatus having a plurality of bins, each bin having a stacking wall and a first settable stacking foot for locating a reference edge of a stack of sheet material to be collated of a given length at a reference location spaced from the collating means of said apparatus, said apparatus including means for setting the first stacking foot of all said bins in unision for receiving a second edge of a stack spaced from the first edge of said given length and means for uniformly setting the position of said first foot a distance from said reference location corresponding to said given length, said insert for receiving a sheet material stack of a length different than said given length and for placing the reference edge of the stack with the different length at said reference location, said insert comprising: a plate member; means attached to the plate member for releasably securing the plate member juxtaposed with the stacking wall of a selected bin; and a second stacking foot secured to the plate member adapted for settably positioned the reference edge of the stack of sheet material of different length at said reference location.

Claim 6

A sheet material stacking bin insert for a collating apparatus having means for collating a plurality of stacks of sheet material, said apparatus having a plurality of bins, each bin having a stacking wall and a first settable stacking foot for locating a reference edge of a stack of sheet material to be collated of a given length at a reference location spaced from the collating means of said apparatus, said apparatus including means for setting the first stacking foot of all said bins in unision for receiving a second edge of a stack spaced from the first edge of said given length and means for uniformly setting the position of said first foot a distance from said reference location corresponding to said given length, said insert for receiving a sheet material stack of a length different than said given length and for placing the reference edge of the stack with the different length at said reference location, said insert comprising: a plate member; means attached to the plate member for releasably securing the plate member juxtaposed with the stacking wall of a selected bin; and a second stacking foot secured to the plate member adapted for settably positioned the reference edge of the stack of sheet material of different length at said reference location.

Claim 7

The insert of claim 4 wherein said plate member includes at least one slot and means for releasably securing said second foot to the plate member and mating with said slot for displacement along said slot.

Claim 8

The insert of claim 4 wherein said means for releasably securing the plate member includes means attached to the plate member at an edge thereof mating with an edge of said bin stacking wall.

Claim 9

In a collating apparatus having a plurality of bins each bin having the same reference plane and including a stacking wall having an edge, said bins each having a first stacking foot, said apparatus including means for setting said feet in unison in a first position relative to said reference plane, each foot being adapted to receive a first stack of sheet material having a given length which correpsonds to the spacing set between said foot position and the reference plane, each foot for placing one edge of the first stack in said reference plane by locating a second edge in said first position, a bin insert for receiving a second stack of sheet material having a length different than said first stack length and for placing an edge of the second stack in said reference plane comprising: a wall member; means attached to said wall member adapted to releasably juxtapose said wall member with a selected bin stacking wall; and a second settable foot attached to the wall member for setting the spacing between the second foot and said reference plane to correspond to the second stack and thereby place the different length stack edge in said reference plane.

Claim 10

In a collating apparatus having a plurality of bins each bin having the same reference plane and including a stacking wall having an edge, said bins each having a first stacking foot, said apparatus including means for setting said feet in unison in a first position relative to said reference plane, each foot being adapted to receive a first stack of sheet material having a given length which correpsonds to the spacing set between said foot position and the reference plane, each foot for placing one edge of the first stack in said reference plane by locating a second edge in said first position, a bin insert for receiving a second stack of sheet material having a length different than said first stack length and for placing an edge of the second stack in said reference plane comprising: a wall member; means attached to said wall member adapted to releasably juxtapose said wall member with a selected bin stacking wall; and a second settable foot attached to the wall member for setting the spacing between the second foot and said reference plane to correspond to the second stack and thereby place the different length stack edge in said reference plane.

Claim 11

The insert of claim 7 wherein said means adapted to releasably juxtapose said wall member include hook means adapted to slip over a selected stacking wall edge.

Claim 12

In a collating apparatus of the type including an array of bins arranged in a row in a given order, each bin for receiving a stack of sheet material, said bins each adapted to receive like dimensioned sheet material, said array of bins including means for placing one edge of a plurality of first stacks of sheet material of a given length in a first plane to locate a second edge in a reference plane, said apparatus further including sheet selecting means for simultaneously removing the top sheet of each said stack, conveying means for conveying said removed top sheets in the order of said array only when the second edge is at said reference plane, and stacking means for receiving said conveyed top sheets in said given order and for stacking said sheets in said received order, the improvement therewith comprising bin insert means including means for selectively releasably securing said insert means to at least one of said bins and adapted to receive and store a second stack of sheet material having a length different than said given length and including means adapted to position said second stack second edge at said reference plane regardless the position of its one edge relative to the first plane.

Claim 13

In a collating apparatus of the type including an array of bins arranged in a row in a given order, each bin for receiving a stack of sheet material, said bins each adapted to receive like dimensioned sheet material, said array of bins including means for placing one edge of a plurality of first stacks of sheet material of a given length in a first plane to locate a second edge in a reference plane, said apparatus further including sheet selecting means for simultaneously removing the top sheet of each said stack, conveying means for conveying said removed top sheets in the order of said array only when the second edge is at said reference plane, and stacking means for receiving said conveyed top sheets in said given order and for stacking said sheets in said received order, the improvement therewith comprising bin insert means including means for selectively releasably securing said insert means to at least one of said bins and adapted to receive and store a second stack of sheet material having a length different than said given length and including means adapted to position said second stack second edge at said reference plane regardless the position of its one edge relative to the first plane.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said bins each comprise a first plate fixed in place and a first settable foot, said apparatus including means for spacing the first foot of all said bins a first distance from said conveying means, said bin insert means comprising a second plate, means secured to the second plate for attaching the second plate to and juxtaposed over the first plate of said at least one bin, and a second foot adjustably secured to the second plate for setting the second foot spacing to said conveying means a second distance different than the first distance.