Pitney Bowes Inc.

Karen P Synnett

Kenneth W Lowell

Karel J Janatka

Thomas M Helit

A system for in-line feeding from two cut sheet feeders comprises a first feeder for feeding cut sheets seriatim along a lower paper path originating at the first feeder, and first transport structure adjacent the first feeder for transporting sheets fed from the first feeder along the lower paper path. There is a second feeder mounted above the first transport structure for feeding cut sheets seriatim along an upper paper path originating at the second feeder. Structure is provided for merging the upper and the lower paper paths into a main paper path whereby sheets fed from the first and second feeders are merged into the main paper path for further processing. Wherein the first and second feeders each include structure for reading control information printed on the sheets fed from the respective feeder. The control information is used to control the first and second feeders, the first transport structure and the merging structure. The first transport structure includes at least one staging area for stopping the advancement of sheets fed from the first feeder when the second feeder is feeding. The merging structure includes upper and lower transport sections.

System and method for in-line feeding from two cut sheet feeders

An apparatus for changing the direction of travel of sheets of paper being conveyed seriatim along a paper path without changing the orientation of the sheets with respect to a first direction of travel, comprises a deck having an upstream end for receiving a sheet being conveyed along a paper path in a first direction. There are a plurality of first roller pairs operatively coupled to the deck and disposed in a second direction for seizing a first leading edge of the sheet and conveying the sheet in the second direction along the deck. The second direction forms an acute angle of at most 45.degree. with the first direction. There are guide stucture operatively coupled to the first roller pairs for preventing portions of the sheet from raising off the deck when the portions are not controlled by the first roller pairs. A plurality of second roller pairs are operatively coupled to the deck and disposed in a third direction for seizing a second leading edge of the sheet and conveying the sheet in the third direction along the deck. The third direction forms a right angle with the first direction. The first and second roller pairs include lower driven rollers and upper biased rollers. The guide stucture includes a plurality of spring stucture for preventing portions of the sheet from lifting off the deck when being conveyed at high speed. The present invention is suitable for conveying sheets landscape to portrait or portrait to landscape.

Apparatus for conveying sheets from landscape to portrait arrangement

An apparatus for conveying sheets of paper along a paper path comprises an outer frame having an inlet end for connection to an upstream conveying device and an outlet end for connection to a downstream conveying device. The outer frame has a hollow interior and an opening in each of the inlet and outlet ends for conveying sheets through. There is a drawer frame slidably mounted to the outer frame. The drawer frame is slidable through an open side of the outer frame between a closed position within the outer frame to an open position outside the outer frame. There is structure mounted in the drawer frame for conveying along a paper path sheets of paper received from the upstream conveying device to the downstream conveying device. The conveying structure includes structure for driving the conveying structure. The drawer frame also has an opening at at each end for conveying sheets through, wherein the conveying structure is operational when the drawer frame is in the closed position and the paper path within the drawer frame is accessible when the drawer frame is in the open position. The conveying structure also includes at least one staging area for stopping the advancement of sheets being conveyed along the paper path.

Growing community of inventors

Seymour, CT, United States of America

Karen P Synnett