Patent ID: 9334138
Filing Date: 2016-05-10
CPC Classification: B65H

Claim Text:
1. A method for automatically collating and buffering sets of cards in a multi-bin collation system, comprising: providing a series of bins for receiving individual sets of cards; providing each of said bins with fixed front and rear walls; providing a part of a pusher buffer system as a floor of each of said series of bins; providing a feed system for feeding cards over each of said series of bins; providing a diverter for each of said series of bins for deflecting said sets of cards into separate of said of said series of bins; filling a first grouping of said series of bins with said sets of cards; using said pusher buffer system to move said first grouping of cards into a buffering zone while simultaneously filling a second grouping of said sets of cards into said series of bins; using said pusher buffer system to move said second grouping of cards into the buffering zone; providing a conveyor for transporting said sets of cards downstream from said series of bins; providing a plurality of separate groupings of sets of cards in said buffer zone before moving any of said grouping of sets of cards onto said conveyor; and simultaneously moving said first and second groupings of sets of cards onto said conveyor while sets of cards are being simultaneously diverted into said series of bins.