Patent ID: 8936242
Filing Date: 2015-01-20
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
1. A re-time sheet buffering system for use in connection with a finisher for a digital printing system and a plurality of media sheets arranged in sets, each set including sheets 1, 2, 3 through N, the re-time sheet buffer comprising: a sheet path, having a sheet path entrance to input the sheets at an input speed, a sheet path exit to output the sheets, and a path loop between the sheet path entrance and sheet path exit so as to provide space for buffering; a compiler area between the path loop and the sheet path exit; a compiler for compiling sheet sets at a compiler speed in the compiler area; a registration nip disposed on the sheet path for decelerating sheets 1 through N from the input speed to a registration speed, for registration, and for accelerating selected sheets; a first retime nip disposed on the sheet path downstream of the registration nip for holding sheets 1 and 2 of the set at a predetermined speed after registration, and for accelerating sheets 1 and 2 of the set; a second retime nip disposed on the sheet path downstream of the first retime nip and before the compiler area, for accelerating sheets 1 and 2 of the set to compiling speed; and a plurality of sensors arrayed on the sheet path for sensing the position and speed of the sheets; wherein sheets 1 and 2 of the set are held at the predetermined speed for a longer time than remaining sheets, so as to gain time for finishing.