Forms separating conveyance

Abstract

Business forms having machine readable elements, such as zipcodes, are separated into discrete groups by laterally shifting one end of a carriage onto which the forms travel from forms handling equipment. The carriage has a first end which is oscillated in a generally horizontal plane by an eccentric and arm driven by a stepper motor in response to sensing of the zipcodes by an optical scanner. A second end of the carriage is mounted for only limited oscillatory movement. A number of endless conveyor tapes are associated with the carriage, extending around a first grooved roller mounted at the first end of the carriage, and around a driven second grooved roller mounted on a frame distinct from the carriage adjacent the second end of the carriage. The tapes are circular in cross-section and disposed at an angle of between about 2.degree.-5.degree. with respect to the direction of movement of the forms in the maximum shift position, and discharge the forms onto a conveyor belt downstream of the second end of the carriage. Lateral shifting of the first end of the carriage, about one inch either side of center, takes place each time the sensor detects a zipcode change in response to the zipcode change, controlling the stepper motor and the motor driving the conveyor tapes through a CPU.