The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 22, 2000
Filed:
Sep. 30, 1998
John P Miller, Shelton, CT (US);
Chiping Sye, Stamford, CT (US);
William B Riley, Alexandra, VA (US);
Pitney Bowes Inc., Stamford, CT (US);
Abstract
A buckle accumulator including an input feed system, an output feed system located downstream in a path of travel from the input feed system, a receiving space located adjacent the path of travel between the input feed system and the output feed system, and a deflector. The input feed system feeds a plurality of sheets one at a time in a path of travel into the buckle accumulator. Each of the plurality of sheets has a leading edge and a trailing edge. The output feed system feeds a stack of sheets out of the buckle accumulator. Generally, the lead edge for each of the plurality of sheets is substantially unrestrained between the input feed system and the output feed system. The receiving space accepts the plurality of sheets one at a time to create the stack. The deflector is mounted in proximity to the receiving space for selectively actuating between a first position out of contact with a first sheet previously accumulated in the receiving space and a second position in contact with the first sheet. The first sheet having a first configuration when the deflector is in the first position and a second configuration when the deflector is in the second position. The deflector is in the second position when the lead edge of a second sheet is between the input feed system and the output feed system so that a portion of the first sheet in the second configuration forms a guide to assist the lead edge of the second sheet in following the path of travel and entering the output feed system.