Patent ID: 7011304
Filing Date: 2006-03-14
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
1. A collator for assembling a packet from one or more sheets, comprising: a) a sheet collating tray having an entrance and an exit, wherein said sheet collating tray is adjustable to accommodate variable width and length sheets; b) an invertible and sheet-length adjustable sheet-hold-down assembly having a first shorter-sheet orientation and an inverted second longer-sheet orientation releasably incorporated into said sheet collating tray for accommodating variable length sheets in both said first shorter-sheet and said second longer-sheet orientations; c) sheet stop means within said sheet collating tray and proximate said collating tray exit for stopping and aligning a leading edge of each sheet entering said sheet collating tray, thereby producing an aligned sheet packet; d) sheet kicker means proximate said collator tray entrance for initiating output of said aligned sheet packet from said sheet collating tray; e) packet transfer means for delivering from said collating tray each said aligned sheet packet to downstream processing equipment; and f) computer-facilitated means for optimizing operational timing of the collator and for monitoring sheet progress through the collator, including entry into said sheet collating tray, presence of one or more sheets within said sheet collating tray, and said aligned sheet packet departure from said sheet collating tray.