| 摘要 |
The present invention relates to a document storage device which allows for temporary and secure storage of a number of documents upon their exit from a document processor. The device (10) is comprised of a document stack system (12), a retrieval system (14), and a control unit (16) for tracking the position of each document in the stack. As documents are deposited into the document stack, an identifier is attached to each document's position in the memory of the control unit (16). After deposit of a first document, a first pair of separator sheets (6a, 6b) are deposited above the document. A second document can then be deposited above the first pair of separator sheets. Thereafter, a second pair of separator sheets are deposited above the second document. One sheet from each pair acts as the top or bottom cover for the document (5) against which it is in contact. This deposit process can be continue for additional documents. When a target document is to be retrieved, its identifier is entered into the control unit (16) by the document' s intended recipient. The retrieval system (14) is positioned adjacent to the target document in the stack. Grippers (40, 42) extend into the stack above and below the separator sheets on either side of the document and grasp the separator sheets and the document therebetween. The retrieval subsystem (14) then places the document into an output bin (4).
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