Bowe Bell + Howell Company

Ronald J Mich

Edward J Kapturowski

Neal J Middelberg

Gerard A Derome

Robert B Bennett

Dale R Curry

Sheet accumulator systems and methods are provided for forming a stack of under-accumulated sheets. The method can include advancing sheets in a predetermined sequence and under-accumulating a first portion of the advanced sheets in a first stack. The method can also include under-accumulating a second portion of the advanced sheets in a second stack and automatically stacking the first stack of sheets on the second stack of sheets to form a combined stack wherein the combined stack is in a predetermined sequence.

Sheet accumulator systems and methods

A collector apparatus and method capable of collecting material in two modes of operation, flats and letters. With a minor adjustment, the apparatus can be transformed from a two-stage device optimal for the letter mode of operation, to a one-stage device optimal for the flats mode of operation. The apparatus includes a first staging area, a second staging area generally disposed downstream from the first staging area, and a conveying device. The first staging area includes a first staging surface and a first stage transport assembly, and the second staging area includes a second staging surface and a second stage transport assembly. The conveying device is adjustable between the flats and letters modes. In the letters mode position, the conveying device provides a first material flow path running through the first and second staging areas. In the flats mode position, the conveying device provides a second material flow path into a third staging area, which is defined by one or more components of the first and/or second staging areas.

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Zebulon, NC, United States of America

Ronald J Mich