Method and device for stacking materials in sheet form with aligned lateral edges

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for stacking printed materials in sheet form, for example printed sheets, with the lateral edges of the sheets aligned. According to various aspects of the invention, methods and devices for stacking printed sheets on a stacking element are provided comprising a transport path to the stacking element comprising a first transport element and a second transport element, wherein the position of the second transport element is changeable along the transport path, at least the second transport element remaining stationary during the transport of sheets.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for stacking printed sheets on a stacking element, comprising: 
 a transport path to the stacking element comprising a first transport element and a second transport element, wherein the position of the second transport element is changeable along the transport path, at least the second transport element remaining stationary during transport of sheets.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , comprising a control that automatically controls the position of the second transport element as a function of a length of the sheets.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first transport element is a stationary, continuous transport belt.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a position of the stacking element is changeable essentially vertically.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , comprising a control that controls a position of the stacking element such that an upper surface of the stack essentially remains at the same height during stacking.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising opposing jogging devices moveable in a direction transverse to the transport path, wherein the opposing jogging devices cooperate for lateral alignment of the sheets on the stacking element.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , comprising rear joggers below the transport path moveable in a direction of sheet transport to jog a rear of the stack.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the transport sends the sheets to a stop disposed at one end of the stacking element.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the stop is mounted to pivot downward, thus releasing a lateral transport path for a stack of sheets.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , comprising vertical rear joggers below the transport path moveable in a direction of sheet transport to jog a rear of the stack.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 8 , comprising a driven aligning paddle disposed above the stacking element.  
     
     
         12 . A device for stacking printed sheets on a stacking element, comprising: 
 a stop disposed at one end of the stacking element;    a transport path to the stacking element comprising a first transport element and a second transport element, wherein the position of the second transport element is changeable along the transport path, at least the second transport element remaining stationary during transport of sheets, wherein the transport sends the sheets to the stop;    rear joggers below the transport path moveable in a direction of sheet transport to jog a rear of the stack; and    opposing jogging devices moveable in a direction transverse to the transport path, wherein the opposing jogging devices cooperate for the lateral alignment of sheets on the stacking element.    
     
     
         13 . A method for stacking printed sheets on a stacking element, comprising: 
 delivering the sheets to the stacking element via a transport path comprising a first transport element and a second transport element opposite the first transport element; and,    changing a position of the second transport element along the transport path, at least the second transport element remaining stationary during transport of sheets.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising automatically controlling the position of the second transport element as a function of a length of the sheets.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising controlling a position of the stacking element such that an upper surface of the stack essentially remains at the same height during the stacking.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising laterally aligning the stack with opposing jogging devices moveable in a direction transverse to the transport path.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising jogging a rear of the stack with rear joggers below the transport path moveable in a direction of sheet transport.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , the transport path sending the sheets to a stop at one end of the stacking element.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the stop is mounted to a pivot, and comprising pivoting the stop downward thus releasing a lateral transport path for a stack of sheets.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  13 , comprising an aligning paddle disposed above the stacking support, and comprising maintaining control of each sheet with the transport path until sheet contact with the aligning paddle has already been made.