Forward and reverse media accumulation system

摘要

A system and method for accumulation of media invention includes a series of upper and lower transport belts for feeding media seriatim along a path of travel. An accumulator pocket is positioned between the upper and lower drive belts along the path of travel. An upper and a lower accumulator ramp is positioned adjacent the accumulator pocket are moveable between a first position and a second position. The first accumulator ramp position is such that the lower ramp is positioned to engage media moved seriatim along the path of travel to guide the media to form a forward accumulation of media in the accumulator pocket. The upper accumulator ramp second position is such that the upper accumulator ramp is positioned to engage media moved seriatim along the path of travel to guide the media to form a reverse accumulation of media in the accumulator pocket. One or more rollers can be mounted to cooperate with the lower accumulator ramp and one or more rollers can be mounted to cooperate with the upper accumulator ramp to reduce forces which would tend to cause previously assembled media collations to shear apart during transport into the accumulator pocket. The upper and lower accumulator ramps may also be positioned to enable transport of media through the system without the accumulation of media in the accumulation pocket.