Patent ID: 6659455
Filing Date: 2003-12-09
Classification: B42C,B65H,G03G

Abstract:
A sheet alignment and stacking apparatus comprising:a sheet input positioned to receive along an original discharge path, having an original discharge path centerline, a stack of sheets comprising at least one sheet discharged from an image processing machine; a receiving tray positioned in the discharge path to receive a plurality of stacks of at least one sheet; a first adjustment mechanism positioned adjacent the original discharge path comprising at least one adjustment board; an first adjustment board displacement mechanism adapted to displace the at least one adjustment board of the first adjustment mechanism in a first direction transverse to the original discharge path into one of a plurality of possible positions relative to the original discharge path centerline, each of the plurality of possible positions defining a respective adjusted discharge path having a respective adjusted discharge path centerline displaced in the first direction by a respective distance from the original discharge path centerline; a sheet transport mechanism positioned to transport the at least one sheet to the receiving tray along the respective adjusted discharge path; a second adjustment mechanism positioned adjacent the discharge path comprising at least one adjustment board; a second adjustment board displacement mechanism adapted to displace the at least one adjustment board of the second adjustment mechanism in a second direction traverse the discharge path, opposite the first direction, into one of a plurality of possible positions displaced toward the original discharge path centerline by a respective distance to selectively laterally position the respective stack on the receiving tray.