Patent ID: 7588237
Filing Date: 2009-09-15
Classification: B43M,B65H

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for collecting sheets into sets, comprising: a conveyor track; a main supply station comprising a sheet holder for storing a stack of sheets, a separation system for separating sheets piece by piece from the sheet holder, and a sheet supply track for conveying separated sheets to the conveyor track; and at least two insert supply stations, each comprising a sheet holder for storing a stack of sheets, a separation system for separating sheets piece by piece from the sheet holder, and a sheet supply track for conveying separated sheets to the conveyor track; wherein a first one of said insert supply stations is arranged for supplying sheets to a first position on the conveyor track downstream of the main supply station and wherein a second one of said insert supply stations is arranged for supplying sheets to a second position on the conveyor track downstream of said first position on the conveyor track; wherein the sheet supply tracks of said insert supply stations each comprise a stacking position arranged for stacking sheets received piece by piece along the supply track into a stacked set and for feeding the stacked set; wherein at least the sheet supply track of said second insert supply station comprises a waiting position, which is arranged for receiving a stacked set coming from the stacking position, holding the received stacked set in readiness while a next set is being stacked in the stacking position and adding the received stacked set to a main document in the conveyor track while the next stacked set is being held in the stacking position; wherein the sheet supply tracks of said insert supply stations are each arranged for adding to a sheet or to a set of sheets coming from the main supply station at least one stacked set; and further comprising a control arranged for, in response to a lack of a complete, feedable stacked set in the stacking position of said second insert supply station, causing a stacked set to be added from said first insert supply station to a main document.