U.S. patent application number 11/274794 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-17 for accumulation system for processing media items of various sizes and types.
This patent application is currently assigned to Pitney Bowes Incorporated. Invention is credited to Michael M. Chen, James A. Fairweather, Joseph JR. Gelb, Thomas M. Lyga, James A. Salomon, Ming Xiao.
Application Number | 20070108691 11/274794 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37726918 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070108691 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lyga; Thomas M. ; et
al. |
May 17, 2007 |
Accumulation system for processing media items of various sizes and
types
Abstract
An accumulator system and method for collating a plurality of
media items wherein the media items enter in seriatim at an media
item entry point and become at least partially overlapped with each
other at a media item exit point. A media item transport path
connects the media item entry point and the media item exit point.
A moveable member is mounted along the media item transport path
between the entry point and the exit point. The moveable member
forms part of a pocket into which media items are moved to create a
collation of media items. The moveable member is moveable to change
the size of the pocket. A protective member may be mounted to the
moveable member and positioned to protect the trailing edge of
media items in the pocket from the leading edge of media items to
thereafter be moved into the pocket. The media item may be aligned
in the collation position when moving the protective member to a
media item trailing edge protective position. The transport means
for media items can be controlled to partially move a media item
along an exit path beyond the collation position. Media items of
different lengths can be formed as part of the collation at the
collation position with the trailing edge of the media items
aligned.
Inventors: |
Lyga; Thomas M.; (Southbury,
CT) ; Xiao; Ming; (Woodbridge, CT) ; Gelb;
Joseph JR.; (Milford, CT) ; Chen; Michael M.;
(Trumbull, CT) ; Fairweather; James A.; (Milford,
CT) ; Salomon; James A.; (Cheshire, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PITNEY BOWES INC.;35 WATERVIEW DRIVE
P.O. BOX 3000
MSC 26-22
SHELTON
CT
06484-8000
US
|
Assignee: |
Pitney Bowes Incorporated
Stamford
CT
|
Family ID: |
37726918 |
Appl. No.: |
11/274794 |
Filed: |
November 15, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
271/3.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 2511/10 20130101;
B65H 31/20 20130101; B65H 31/3027 20130101; B65H 31/3081 20130101;
B65H 2301/42266 20130101; B65H 2301/42262 20130101; B65H 39/10
20130101; B65H 2301/4213 20130101; B65H 2511/10 20130101; B65H
2220/01 20130101; B65H 2220/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
271/003.02 |
International
Class: |
B65H 5/22 20060101
B65H005/22 |
Claims
1.) An accumulator system for collating a plurality of media items
wherein the media items enter in seriatim at an media item entry
point and become at least partially overlapped with each other at a
media item exit point, comprising: a media item transport path
connecting said media item entry point and said media item exit
point; a moveable member mounted along said media item transport
path between said entry point and said exit point, said moveable
member forming part of a pocket into which media items are moved to
create a collation of media items; and, said moveable member
moveable to change the size of said pocket.
2.) An accumulator system for collating a plurality of media items
as defined in claim 1 wherein said moveable member is movable to
push media items in said pocket into said media item exit
point.
3.) An accumulator system for collating a plurality of media items
as defined in claim 1 further comprising a protective shield
mounted to said moveable member and positionable to protect the
trail edge of media items in said pocket from the lead edge of
media items to thereafter be moved into said pocket.
4.) An accumulator system for collating a plurality of media items
as defined in claim 3 further comprising means connected to said
protective shield for urging said shield to rise above the top
surface of said moveable member adjacent said trail edge of media
items in said pocket.
5.) An accumulator system for collating a plurality of media items
as defined in claim 4 wherein said means for urging is a
spring.
6.) An accumulator system for collating a plurality of media items
wherein the media items enter in seriatim at an media item entry
point and become at least partially overlapped with each other at a
media item exit point, comprising: a media item transport belt
connecting said media item entry point and said media item exit
point; a moveable shuttle mounted for reciprocating movement below
said media item transport belt and between said entry point and
said exit point, said moveable shuttle forming part of a pocket
into which media items are moved to create a collation of media
items; and, a member mounted to said shuttle providing a guide
surface for each media item being moved and a protective shield for
the trail edge of each media item after being moved into said
pocket.
7.) An accumulator system for collating a plurality of media items
as defined in claim 6 wherein said moveable shuttle is moveable to
change the size of said pocket such that media items of various
sizes can be collated.
8.) An accumulator system for collating a plurality of media items
as defined in claim 6 wherein said shuttle is controllable to be
stopped from movement at a position for non-collation transport of
media items though said collation exit path.
9.) An accumulator system for collating a plurality of media items
as defined in claim 6 further comprising idler rollers mounted on
said shuttle and positioned to cooperate with said media item
transport belt for transport of media items toward said pocket.
10.) An accumulator system for collating a plurality of media items
as defined in claim 9 further comprising idler rollers mounted in a
fixed location and positioned to cooperate with said media item
transport belt for transport of media items toward said pocket.
11.) An accumulator system for collating a plurality of media items
as defined in claim 6 further comprising means connected to said
member for urging said member to move above the trail edge of media
items in said pocket.
12.) An accumulator system for collating a plurality of media items
as defined in claim 11 wherein said means connected to said member
is a spring connected to urge said member to move in a direction
such that said member will function as a protective shield for the
trail edge of media items in said pocket.
13.) A method of creating a collation of media items, comprising
the steps of: moving a media item over a protective member and into
a position for collation with other media items; moving said
protective member to a position where said protective member is not
in engagement with said media item; and, moving said protective
member to a position where the trail edge of said media item is
protected from interference with other media items to be moved into
said collation position.
14.) A method of creating a collation of media items as defined in
claim 13 further comprising the step of aligning said media item in
said collation position when moving said protective member to said
media item trail edge protective position.
15.) A method of creating a collation of media items as defined in
claim 14 wherein said step of aligning includes urging said media
item against a media item stop.
16.) A method of creating a collation of media items as defined in
claim 15 wherein said media item stop is at an exit point for media
items in said collation.
17.) A method of creating a collation of media items as defined in
claim 13 comprising the further step of selectively controlling a
transport means to partially move said media item along a collation
exit path such that said media item and other media items of
different lengths from said media item can be formed as part of
said collation at said collation position.
18.) A method of creating a collation of media items as defined in
claim 17 comprising the further step of positioning said media item
and other media items of different lengths from said media item
with the trail edge of said media item and said other media items
aligned.
19.) A method of creating a collation of media items as defined in
claim 13 comprising the further steps of repeating each of said
steps for each of said other media items to be moved into said
collation position.
20.) A method of creating a collation of media items as defined in
claim 16 comprising the further steps of repeating each of said
steps for each of said other media items to be moved into said
collation.
21.) A method of creating a collation of media items as defined in
claim 13 wherein said protective member is mounted on a moveable
member controlled for reciprocating movement.
22.) A method of creating a collation of media items as defined in
claim 13 wherein said position for collation is a pocket where each
media item in said collation is positioned as said collation is
being formed.
23.) A method of creating a collation of media items as defined in
claim 13 wherein said position for collation is a pocket where each
media item in said collation is positioned as said collation is
being formed and comprising the further the steps of controlling a
movable member to form said pocket and moving said moveable member
to urge a completed collation of media items through a collation
exit point and along a collation exit path.
24.) A method of creating a collation of media items as defined in
claim 13 wherein said position for collation is a pocket where each
media item in said collation is positioned as said collation is
being formed and comprising the further the step of controlling a
movable member to form said pocket of a size to accommodate the
length of media items to be formed into said collation.
25.) A method of creating a collation of media items, comprising
the steps of: moving a first media item of a first length into a
position for collation with a second shorter length media items by
partially moving said first media item along a collation exit path;
and, moving said second shorter length media item into said
collation position such that the trailing edge of said first media
item and said second media item are aligned.
26.) A method of creating a collation of media items as defined in
claim 25 wherein moving said second shorter length media item
includes partially moving said second media item along said
collation exit path.
27.) A method of creating a collation of media items as defined in
claim 26 comprising the further step of moving a third media item
of shorter length than said second media item into but not beyond
said collation position such that the trailing edge of said first
media item, said second media item and said third media are
aligned.
28.) A method of creating a collation of media items as defined in
claim 25 wherein moving said second shorter length media item
includes moving said second shorter length media item into but not
beyond said collation position.
29.) A method of creating a collation of media items as defined in
claim 25 comprising the further step of ordering the processing of
media items to be moved into said collation position by moving the
longest length media item into the collation position followed by
shorter length media items.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to media handling equipment,
such as folder, insertion and other systems and, more particularly,
to an accumulation system for processing media items of different
sizes and types.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Various systems require the accumulation of media for
further processing. Accumulator systems have been developed to
assemble packets, often referred to as collations, for further
processing. Prior accumulator systems have included fixed pitch
pusher chain or belt arrangements, friction belts with a customer
adjustable end stop arrangements and various other arrangements.
Packets or collations of media items may be utilized in insertion
systems, book binding systems and other systems.
[0003] Where the accumulator system is employed with insertion
equipment, the accumulator system should, desirably, be capable of
reliability handling a large variety of media that are to be
processed. The media may be sheets to be folded, pre-folded and
unfolded inserts, return enclosure envelopes, and the enclosure
envelope into which the media item are to be inserted to build a
mail piece. These media items may be of different sizes,
thicknesses and types, such as glossy pamphlets, advertising
brochures or very thin media. It has been particularly difficult to
accumulate media of this variety whether for insertion into an
envelope, other enclosure or other application. Often, when
accumulating variable media items within the same collation, the
collation or variation in fold types and sizes must be limited in
order to prevent inter-leaving of materials as they enter the
accumulator, as well as slippage and skewing of the completed
collation as it exits the accumulator for insertion into an
envelope, other enclosure or for a different application.
Accordingly, prior accumulators have been
[0004] An accumulator system for collating a plurality of media
items, wherein the media items enter in seriatim at a media item
entry point and become at least partially overlapped with each
other at a media item exit point, embodying the present invention
includes a media item transport path connecting the media item
entry point and the media item exit point. A moveable member is
mounted along the media item transport path between the entry point
and the exit point. The moveable member forms part of a pocket into
which media items are moved to create a collation of media items.
The moveable member is adjustable to change the size of the
pocket.
[0005] In accordance with a feature of the present invention a
protective shield is mounted to the moveable member and positioned
to protect the trail edge of media items in the pocket from the
lead edge of media items to thereafter be moved into the
pocket.
[0006] An accumulator system for collating a plurality of media
items, wherein the media items enter in seriatim at a media item
entry point and become at least partially overlapped with each
other at a media item exit point, also embodying the present
invention includes a media items transport belt connecting the
media item entry point and the media item exit point. A moveable
shuttle is mounted for reciprocating movement below the media item
transport belt and between the entry point and the exit point. The
moveable shuttle forms part of a pocket into which media items are
moved to form a collation of media items. A member is mounted to
the shuttle providing a guide surface for media items moved into
the pocket and a protective shield for the trail edge of media
items.
[0007] A method of forming a collation of media items embodying the
present invention includes the steps of moving a media item over a
protective member and into a position for collation with other
media items. Moving the protective member to a position where the
protective member is not in engagement with the media item. And,
moving the protective member to a position where the trail edge of
the media item is protected from interference with other media
items to be moved into the collation position.
[0008] A feature of the present invention includes the further step
of aligning the media item in the collation position when moving
the protective member to the media item trail edge protective
position.
[0009] A method of creating a collation of media items also
embodying the present invention includes moving a first media item
of a first length into a position for collation with a second
shorter length media item by partially moving the first media item
along a collation exit path. And, moving the second shorter length
media item into the collation position such that the trailing edge
of the first media item and the second media item are aligned.
[0010] In accordance with aspects of the present invention
additional shorter media items a first media item may be moved into
and beyond the collation position or into but not beyond the
collation position, depending on the length of the additional
shorter length media items.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Reference is now made to the various figures wherein like
reference numerals designate similar items in the various view and
in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a folder inserter system
employing an accumulation mechanism embodying the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an enlarged top view of the post-fold accumulator
mechanism shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the shuttle mechanism,
including various drive elements, home sensors and the finger
elements;
[0014] FIGS. 3-5 are diagrammatic views of the post-fold
accumulator components with the shuttle mechanism in various
positions forming different lengths of accumulation pockets;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the post-fold accumulator
components with the shuttle position for linear paper transport and
showing a media item being transported through the system;
[0016] FIGS. 7-21 are diagrammatic views of the post-fold
accumulator with the components in various positions helpful to a
full understanding of the operation of the mechanism; and,
[0017] FIGS. 22 and 23 are diagrammatic representations of the
post-fold accumulator showing partial ingestion of larger items by
the insertion station to allow the accumulator to accommodate
greater variation in length of media to be processed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0018] Reference is now made to the various figures and more
particularly to FIG. 1. A folder inserter system 2 includes a
vertical tower feed station 4 and having an envelope transport path
depicted by line 6 with arrowheads. The inserter 2 includes a
pre-fold accumulator station 8, a folder station 10, a post-fold
accumulator station 12, an insertion station 14 and an exit area
16. Exit area 16 includes exits 15 and 17, respectively, for
letters and flats. A reject area is provided at 19. Details of the
paper path feed arrangement are described in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/084233 filed Mar. 18, 2005 for PAPER
HANDLING SYSTEM FEED PATH ARRANGEMENT (Pitney Bowes Docket No.
F-953).
[0019] The post-fold accumulator station 14 employs an accumulator
mechanism 18, illustrated in FIGS. 2-23. The accumulator mechanism
18 includes a shuttle 20 having four spring-loaded fingers 22, 24,
26 and 28. The shuttle 20, which is a moveable member, also
supports idler rollers 30, 32, 34 and 36, which cooperate with a
post-fold accumulator belts 38a, 38b, and 38c for the transport of
various media items. The shuttle 20 is moved or adjusted in its
position by belts 40 and 42 connected via pulley shaft 46 which is
driven by a servo motor 48 via pulleys 47 and 49 and belt 51. The
shuttle 20 can be moved to reciprocate along in a linear path to
vary the size of the accumulation pocket 50. The accumulator pocket
50 is the space between the front wall 52 of the shuttle and nip
54. Nip 54 is at the insertion station 14 and is formed by belt 56
and idler roller 58. The pocket can be of any form, size shape or
orientation that will accommodate the media items to be processed
in creating the collation.
[0020] The fingers 22, 24, 26 and 28 provide a protective shield
for the rear edge of the mail pieces in the pocket 50 by ensuring
that the next media item fed into the pocket 50, the collation
position, does not crash into the trail edge of media already in
pocket 50. Other protective type shield structures may be employed.
The protective shield can be a continuous member rather than
fingers, segment pieces and other structures that provide the
protective function by preventing the next media item fed into the
pocket from crashing into the trail edge of media already in pocket
50.
[0021] The post-fold accumulator mechanism 18 includes fixed idler
rollers 60 and 62, which cooperate with the post-fold accumulator
drive belt 38. No matter what the position of the shuttle in making
a changing pocket size, a sufficient number of idler rollers always
engage the post-fold accumulator transport belt 38 to securely and
properly feed and transport media items of various sizes. This is
because the fixed idler rollers 60 and 62 in conjunction with the
idler rollers 30, 32, 34 and 36 mounted on shuttle 20 all engage
associated transport belts. Media is fed into the post-fold
accumulator mechanism 18 at the nip 64 formed by drive rollers 43
and 45 and the idler roller 66, which operates in conjunction with
drive roller 45, and an idler roller, not shown, which operates in
conjunction with drive roller 43. This arrangement ensures that the
media items will be positively moved into engagement with belts
38a, 38b, and 38c, and the associated idler rollers for transport
within the accumulator mechanism 18. The entry of media items into
the post-old accumulator station 12 can be from either of two media
paths, path 68 (where a media item is shown) or path 69.
[0022] The insertion station 14 includes the belt 56 and idler
roller 58, which drive media items and/or collations past the
throat opening of finger 70 and into an envelope 72. The envelope
flap 72a is captured between a drive roller 74 and an idler roller
76. The insertion mechanism is described in the above-identified
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/084,233 (Pitney Bowes Docket
No. F-953).
[0023] Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which shows the post-fold
accumulator components of FIG. 3 with the shuttle 20 position with
a minimum pocket 50 size (50a). FIG. 5 shows the shuttle 20
position with a maximum pocket 50 size (50b). A home sensor 78
detects the position of the shuttle 20. The home sensor 78 flags
when the shuttle is at the home position. As illustrated in FIGS. 4
and 5, because the shuttle moves under servo control of the motor
48, the pocket 50 size can automatically be adjusted for all sizes
of media items programmed into the system. FIG. 4 shows a small
pocket 50 size (50a) due to the position of shuttle 20, for
example, where 80 millimeters (mm) inserts may be accumulated. FIG.
5 shows a large pocket 50 size (50b) due to the position of shuttle
20 where, for example, 165 inserts may be accumulated. Common size
media items normally employed in various countries can be
programmed for automatic servo control of motor 48. This may
include media that can vary, approximately 80-165 mm in length.
However, the particular size of the pocket 50 and the particular
media items that can be accommodated are a matter of design choice.
Because of the shuttle operation, depending on the machine design,
media of various lengths can be accommodated by creating larger or
smaller pockets.
[0024] Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which shows the shuttle 20
is in an intermediate position. The shuttle 20 is positioned in an
optimum location for a particular length media item to have linear
transport of such media items through the system and into the
insertion system 14. With the shuttle so positioned, the post-fold
accumulator acts as a linear transport path, such as for the
insertion of unfolded sheets into flats-type envelopes.
[0025] Reference is now made to FIGS. 7-21, which show the
operation of the post fold accumulator mechanism in the normal mode
of operation. As shown in FIG. 7, media items may enter the
post-fold accumulator station 12 upstream from nip 64 either as
folded sheets or as unfolded inserts. The media item 80 is moved
through the post-fold accumulator mechanism 18 by belts 38a, 38b,
and 38c, and associated idler rollers and onto the shuttle 20. As
the media item 80 travels into the post-fold accumulator, the
shuttle fingers 22, 24, 26 and 28, are deflected downward, as is
shown with finger 22. The media item 80 travels over the fingers
and into the post-fold accumulator pocket 50, as is shown in FIG.
10. The shuttle 20 thereafter retracts toward the left, as is shown
in FIG. 11. When the shuttle 20 is fully retracted, as is shown in
FIG. 12, the fingers (including finger 22) release from the trail
edge of the media item 80. The media items are driven fully into
the pocket by the forward motion of the belts 38a, 38b, and 38c. As
is shown in FIG. 13, the fingers, including finger 22, rise up
under action of the springs associated with each finger 22, 24, 26
and 28. Only spring 22a associated with finger 22 is shown;
however, fingers 24, 26 and 28 also each have a similar spring
arrangement. Spring 22a, for clarity in the various other figures,
is illustrated only in FIG. 3.
[0026] The fingers 22, 24, 26 and 28 rise up and overlap the trail
edge of the media item 80. As is shown in FIG. 14, the shuttle 20
moves to the right and the shuttle wall 58 pushes the media item 80
leading edge against nip 54 at the insertion station 14. The media
80 is thus registered against the nip 54 and positioned for further
processing by the insertion station 14 when the entire collation is
ready to be processed. As is shown in FIG. 15, another media item
82 enters the post-fold accumulator mechanism 18 via path 69 and
the fingers of the shuttle 20 shield the trail edge of the first
media item 80. This prevents the leading edge of the second media
item 82 from crashing into the trail edge of the first media item
80. This is shown in FIG. 16. As is shown in FIG. 17, the shuttle
20 retracts, allowing the second media item 82 to enter the pocket
and the fingers 22, 24, 26 and 28 to return above the trail edge of
the two media items 80 and 82, which are both now in the pocket 50.
The shuttle 20 returns to the right, registering the second media
item 82 against the nip 54 of the insertion station 14 by the
pushing action of the front wall 52 and urging action of the belts
38. Thus, with the shuttle returned to the right registering
position, as shown in FIG. 18, both media items 80 and 82 are
registered against the nip 54 of the insertion station 14. The
procedure repeats multiple times until an entire collation 83 is
accumulated in the pocket 50 and registered against the insertion
nip 54, as shown in FIG. 19.
[0027] After the accumulation is complete, the insertion belt 56 is
tuned on and the shuttle continues to move to the right, as shown
in FIG. 20, assisting the collation 83 further into nip 54 and thus
into the insertion station 14, as shown in FIG. 20. The insertion
belt 56 drives the collation into the open envelope 72, as shown in
FIG. 21, and the post fold accumulator 12 is now ready to
accumulate the next collation or to function as the media item
transport that was described in connection with FIG. 6.
[0028] Reference is now made to FIGS. 22 and 23. In order to
accommodate a larger variation in the size of media items, the
insertion station 14 can be controlled to partially ingest the such
that the resulting media item lengths will all be equalized. This
results in the trailing edge of the longer media items line up with
the trailing edges of shorter media items that are part of the same
collation. Additionally, this technique can also be employed where
one or more larger media items in a collation will not fit into the
pocket 50 because of the length of such media items. Whether for
the purpose of aligning trailing edges and/or because of not
fitting into the pocket, in such operation, the largest media items
are fed first into the pocket 50 and thereafter moved, ingested,
into the insertion station 12. This involves moving a media item,
such as media item 90, partially out of the pocket 50, the
collation position, along the collation exit path. For example, a
plurality of media items, longest media items followed by shorter
media items, could be moved along the collation exit path beyond
the pocket 50. Each of the plurality of media items would be
positioned such that the trailing edge of the item in the pocket 50
is located where the tailing edge of the media item will align with
any other media items in of the plurality of media items and also
with the trailing edge of any other media items in the collation
that will fit within the pocket.
[0029] In this arrangement different shorter length media items
moved into the pocket 50 after the longer length media items. When
all the media items are brought into and/or partially ingested
beyond the pocket 50, the location of the trailing edges of all of
the media items in the collation are located such that they can be
protected by the fingers 22, 24, 26 and 28. It should be recognized
that the fingers 22, 24, 26 and 28 are of a length to accommodate
certain variation in the length of various media items to be part
of the collation without employing partial movement of media items
out of the pocket and into the collation exit transport path. For
example, the fingers 22, 24, 26 and 28, may be designed to
accommodate a variation of media item length of up to 12 mm.
[0030] Because the shuttle 20 moves under servo control of the
motor 48, the pocket 50 size can be automatically adjusted for all
common size media and also oversize materials by employing the
partial ingestion process. The initial movement or ingestion of the
largest media is such that subsequent movement or ingestion of the
shorter but still too large media items will have the media items
properly situated so that the fingers 22, 24, 26 and 28 will engage
and protect the trailing edge of these media items. As is shown in
FIG. 22, in order to build collations of shorter media items on top
of longer ones, the longer media items 90, once accumulated, are
partially driven into the insertion nip 54, thereby allowing for
the creation of a smaller pocket 50 size correctly sized for the
shorter media items such as media item 92. As is shown in FIG. 23,
the shorter media items are then accumulated on top of the longer
media items in a manner similar to that described in connection
with FIGS. 7-21. Such an arrangement is ideal for an application,
such as a collation that consists of half-folded sheets with a No.
9 return envelope. These media can have variations in up to several
inches in length and still be formed into a collation by the
accumulator mechanism 18.
[0031] The term media and media items are intended to be a broad
term encompassing various items that may be accumulated by an
accumulator mechanism. The terms are intended include items such as
different types of mail pieces such as letter mail, postcards and
flats. The USPS considers mail pieces to be flats when the mail
piece exceeds at least one of the dimensional regulations of
letter-sized mail (e.g. over 11.5 inches long, over 6 inches tall,
or over 1/4 inch thick) but does not exceed 15 inches by 11.5 by
3/4 inch thick. Flats include such mail as pamphlets, annual
reports and the like. Other examples of media items include sheets
of paper, checks, compact discs, DVD discs, books, packages of
greeting cards, and any other items that can be accumulated by an
accumulator mechanism. The term belt is also intended to be a broad
term encompassing segmented belt drive systems and single and
plural belt drive systems as well as other type drive systems that
function similar to a belt drive system.
[0032] It should be recognized that many modifications can be made
to the present system. Many different drive arrangements can be
employed for moving media items into, within and out of the post
fold accumulator station. Any suitable design can be used such as
those involving belts, rollers, pushers, lead screws, rack and
pinions. Additionally, although the accumulator mechanism 18 is
illustrated as a post-fold accumulator station in an inserter
system, the accumulator mechanism may be employed in other systems
and applications where media items are to be accumulated. Moreover,
the pocket, the shuttle, and the guide and protective member can be
of any suitable design that provides the various functions of these
components. For example, the fingers could be constructed as
flexible spring steel or mylar fingers or spring loaded plastic
fingers. The shuttle could be various arrangements of sheet metal
or plastic parts driven into the desired adjustment by a lead screw
or belt or other drive mechanism.
* * * * *