Method of multiple copy sets distribution with temporarily taped set

Abstract

A simple and low cost system for temporarily but securely holding together stacked document sheets in discrete 'packaged' sets, for reproduction job collection and distribution without permanent binding or sheet damage. It is particularly suited for automatic application to collated copy sheet output of a copier, shared printer or facsimile machine. Each job or selected output stack of printed sheets may be temporarily bound by small adhesive tape segments, much smaller than the sheets, so as to maintain the sheet set integrity under distribution and other handling, yet allow removal of the tape whenever desired to unbind the stacked sheets without any damage to the sheets, unlike stapling or other such permanent binding. It has been found that by wrapping one small tape segment around each of two opposing edges of a job stack of multiple sheets, with adhesion of at least part of each tape segment only to small opposing edge areas of the top and bottom sheets of the stack, that a whole job stack can be integrally held together for convenient set separation, handling and distribution, yet separated at any time, unmarked and undamaged, by easily peeling or tearing off the tape segments. Encoding tape segments with set identifying indicia, and/or tape removal assistance, and cover sheets, may be compatibly provided.