NON-MARKING ACCUMULATOR AND RELATED METHODS

摘要

A material accumulating apparatus accumulates inputted sheets into a stack registered on all sides, wherein the sheets are controlled with minimum contact by components of the apparatus to minimize or eliminate smudging or marking of the sheets. The apparatus can be selectively adjusted to effect over-accumulation or under-accumulation, and can be adjusted to accommodate different sheet sizes. The apparatus comprises a frame assembly, an input section, a carriage assembly, and a front stop mechanism. The frame assembly comprises first and second lateral support plates. The input section is disposed at an upstream region of the frame assembly and defines a material flow path running between the first and second lateral support plates. The carriage assembly comprises a front stop support plate extending between the first and second lateral support plates, a first carriage member movably connecting the front stop support plate to the first lateral support plate, and a second carriage member movably connecting the front stop support plate to the second lateral support plate. The front stop mechanism is disposed downstream from the input section and is mounted to the front stop support plate. Translation of the front stop support plate along a general direction of the material flow path varies a distance between the front stop mechanism and the input section.