Patent ID: 6453647
Filing Date: 2002-09-24
Classification: B43M

Abstract:
An inserter system for inserting folded sheets into an envelope, the inserter system comprising:at least one sheet feeding station for feeding individual sheets; an accumulation station in communication with the at least one sheet feeding station including a curved paper path having a first end and a second end wherein individual sheets are fed into the first end of the curved paper path from the at least one sheet feeding station and are accumulated within the curved paper path; and a folding station in communication with the accumulation station for receiving an accumulation of sheets from the second end of the curved paper path and folding the accumulation of sheets, wherein the accumulation station further includes a pivotable collating gate movable between a first position providing a first paper path between the at least one sheet feeding station and the first end of the curved paper path and a second position providing a second paper path between the second end of the curved paper path and the folding station; wherein the accumulation station further includes a pivotable accumulating gate mounted in proximity to the second end of the curved paper path that is movable between a first position providing a closed end at the second end of the curved paper path for accumulating sheets in the curved paper path and a second position providing an open end at the second end of the curved paper path; wherein the accumulation station further includes a pair of drive rollers having a drive nip positioned in the curved paper path in proximity to the first end of the curved paper path for conveying sheets in the curved paper path toward the second end of the curved paper path; and wherein the accumulation station further includes first and second radial drive rollers mounted in proximity to the second end of the curved paper path wherein the first radial drive roller is movable between a first position forming a drive nip with the second radial drive roller in the curved paper path and a second position in which the radial drive roller is moved away from the second radial drive roller.