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.

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.