Apparatuses and methods for staging and processing documents for sheet processing
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An extended dump window for staging sheet articles within a sheet processing machine, the extended dump window comprising:
- (a) a conveying path for conveying document sets from an upstream position to a downstream position by a plurality of pusher members traveling along the conveying path;
(b) the conveying path having a staging area for receiving a document set and(c) the pusher members including at least one pusher member configured to be extended into the conveying path and maintained in a fixed position throughout movement along the conveying path along which the plurality of pusher members travel, and at least one pusher member being movable from the conveying path at the staging area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatuses and methods are provided for staging and processing documents including sheet articles, particularly for processing of sheet articles for mail processing. Different sets of pusher members for advancing document sets along a conveying path are used within the sheet processing machine. The action of the different sets of pusher members within the staging station permits a larger window and location to feed document sets into the staging station to increase processing efficiency.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An extended dump window for staging sheet articles within a sheet processing machine, the extended dump window comprising:
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(a) a conveying path for conveying document sets from an upstream position to a downstream position by a plurality of pusher members traveling along the conveying path; (b) the conveying path having a staging area for receiving a document set and (c) the pusher members including at least one pusher member configured to be extended into the conveying path and maintained in a fixed position throughout movement along the conveying path along which the plurality of pusher members travel, and at least one pusher member being movable from the conveying path at the staging area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for extending a dump window, the method comprising:
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(a) conveying a plurality of pusher members along a conveying path; (b) moving at least one pusher member out of the conveying path at a staging area of the conveying path and maintaining a pusher member that follows the at least one pusher member that is moved out of the conveying path at the staging area in an extended fixed-position along the conveying path which the plurality of pusher members travel; and (c) dumping a first document set to a staging area of the conveying path as the at least one pusher member that is moved out of the conveying passes the staging area. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. An extended dump window for staging sheet articles within a sheet processing machine, the extended dump window comprising:
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(a) a conveying path with variable pitch pusher members for conveying document sets from an upstream position to a downstream position; (b) the conveying path having a staging area for receiving a document set; (c) a document feeder configured to feed a first document set to the conveying path at a feed location; (d) a stop location located along the conveying path downstream from the feed location; (e) the variable pitch pusher members including a plurality of first pusher members configured to extend into the conveying path and movable for advancing the first document set along the conveying path; (f) the variable pitch pusher members including a plurality of movable pusher members configured to be movable from the conveying path at the staging area and to extend into the conveying path downstream of the stop location and movable for advancing a second document set positioned downstream; and (g) a stop gate movably positioned along the conveying path downstream of the document feeder and extendable into the conveying path at the stop location to stop a first document set fed into the conveying path by the document feeder, and the stop gate being retractable from the conveying path to allow passage of a first document set fed into the conveying path by the document feeder.
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15. An extended dump window for staging sheet articles within a sheet processing machine, the extended dump window comprising:
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(a) a conveying path with variable pitch pusher members for conveying document sets from an upstream position to a downstream position; (b) the conveying path having a staging area for receiving a document set; (c) a document feeder configured to feed a first document set to the conveying path at a feed location; (d) a stop location located along the conveying path downstream from the feed location; (e) the variable pitch pusher members including a plurality of first pusher members configured to extend into the conveying path and movable for advancing the first document set along the conveying path; (f) the variable pitch pusher members including a plurality of movable pusher members configured to be movable from the conveying path at the staging area and to extend into the conveying path downstream of the stop location and movable for advancing a second document set positioned downstream; (g) at least one pusher member track having a first section and a second section positioned proximal to the conveying path, the first section of the pusher member track configured to extend the first pusher members into the conveying path upstream of the stop location of the first document set to advance the first document set, and the second section of the pusher member track configured to pivot the movable pusher members into the conveying path downstream of the stop location of the first document set; and (h) the first section of the pusher member track comprising a chamfered lead end.
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16. An extended dump window for staging sheet articles within a sheet processing machine, the extended dump window comprising:
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(a) a conveying path with pusher members for conveying document sets from an upstream position to a downstream position; (b) the conveying path having a staging area for receiving a document set; (c) a document feeder configured to feed a first document set to the conveying path at a feed location; (d) a stop location located alone the conveying path downstream from the feed location; (e) the pusher members including a plurality of first pusher members configured to extend into the conveying path and movable for advancing the first document set alone the conveying path; (f) the pusher members including a plurality of movable pusher members configured to be movable from the conveying path at the staging area and to extend into the conveying path downstream of the stop location and movable for advancing a second document set positioned downstream; (g) at least one pusher member track having a first section and a second section positioned proximal to the conveying path, the first section of the pusher member track configured to extend the first pusher members into the conveying path upstream of the stop location of the first document set to advance the first document set, and the second section of the pusher member track configured to pivot the movable pusher members into the conveying path downstream of the stop location of the first document set; and (h) the first section of the pusher member track comprising a ramp configured to raise the movable pusher members from a lowered position to an upright position. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. An extended dump window for staging sheet articles within a sheet processing machine, the extended dump window comprising:
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(a) a conveying path with variable pitch pusher members for conveying document sets from an upstream position to a downstream position; (b) the conveying path having a staging area for receiving a document set; (c) a document feeder configured to feed a first document set to the conveying path at a feed location; (d) a stop location located along the conveying path downstream from the feed location; (e) the variable pitch pusher members including a plurality of first pusher members configured to extend into the conveying path and movable for advancing the first document set along the conveying path; (f) the variable pitch pusher members including a plurality of movable pusher members configured to be movable from the conveying path at the staging area and to extend into the conveying path downstream of the stop location and movable for advancing a second document set positioned downstream; (g) a raceway conveyor that includes a chain to which the first and movable pusher members are movably attached; and (h) a wire guide positioned proximal to and partially around a sprocket which the chain engages, the wire guide configured to position the movable pusher members in a lowered position.
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19. An extended dump window for staging sheet articles within a sheet processing machine, the extended dump window comprising:
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(a) a conveying path with pusher members for conveying document sets from an upstream position to a downstream position; (b) the conveying path having a staging area for receiving a document set; (c) at least one pusher member being movable from the conveying path at the staging area; and (d) a stop gate movably positioned along the conveying path downstream of the document feeder and being extendable into the conveying path at the stop location to stop a first document set fed into the conveying path by the document feeder, and the stop gate being retractable from the conveying path to allow passage of a first document set fed into the conveying path by the document feeder.
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Specification