| 摘要 |
Apparatus and method for stacking a plurality of documents on one edge thereof. The apparatus comprises a motor-driven revolving hollow helix device into which fed documents are individually injected substantially transversely to the helix axis between consecutive helix turns. A single-revolution clutch device between the motor and the helix device provides indexed rotation (orientation) of the helix device for receiving and transporting injected documents. Operation of the clutch device is controlled by a photo-sensor that is located at the exit of the document feed section and that senses injection of each document into the helix device. Injected document feed motion is stopped by a stationary abutment stop. The revolving helix device transports injected documents by screw-action in direction of its axis and stacks the documents side-on-side as they are transported beyond the face of the helix device. Anti-rotation guards that are adjustable to different document sizes are disposed in the region of the helix device to prevent undesirable rotation of injected documents as a consequence of frictional engagement of documents with the revolving helix device. A belt of a driven belt/pulley arrangement of the document feed section is located in a region to assist the stacking operation by frictionally engaging and driving one edge of one or more of the last-stacked documents, and thusly assists document propulsion onto the stack. |
