Patent ID: 6711462
Filing Date: 2004-03-23
Classification: B42C,B65H

Abstract:
A method for collating items into at least one ordered group from at least two subgroups using a processor, modules for supplying items and a mechanism for transporting items to an output destination, said method comprising:(a) arranging the at least two subgroups such that items are in order within each of the at least two subgroups; (b) placing each of the at least two subgroups into corresponding modules for supplying the items; (c) controlling a module for a subgroup containing an item of a first ordered group to be supplied to supply the item at a given time to the mechanism for transporting; (d) repeating act (c) until all items of the first ordered group are collated; (e) checking the order of the items as they are transported to the output destination; and (f) performing error-correcting routines if an error is detected; wherein act (a) further comprises subdividing the at least one ordered group into the at least two subgroups such that the items in the at least two subgroup remain ordered relative to the order of the at least one ordered group; wherein each item bears indicia identifying the position of the item in the at least one ordered group; further comprising notifying the processor when an out of order item is detected; and wherein act (f) further comprises inserting a placeholder when a missing item is detected.