Patent ID: 6062556
Filing Date: 2000-05-16
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
An apparatus for merging sheet streams conveyed in side-by-side streams in a conveying direction into a single stream, comprising:(a) an infeed conveyor for conveying at least a first sheet stream and a second sheet stream side-by-side in a conveying direction; and(b) a merger for merging said side-by-side first and second sheet streams such that said first and second sheet streams are conveyed in a single stream, said merger comprising:(i) means for separating said side-by-side first and second conveyed sheet streams; and(ii) means for separately conveying said first and second separated sheet streams to a merge location for merger of said first and second sheet streams into a single stream, wherein said first sheet stream includes a plurality of gaps defined between each adjacent sheet in said first sheet stream and said separately conveying means increases each gap in said first sheet stream, increases the speed of said sheets in said first sheet stream, and increases the speed of said sheets in said second sheet stream.