Stacking control for printer - has insert plate with air cushion to hold stack when magazine is changed

摘要

The stacking control for a printer stacks the sheets in a pile on a trolley (3) while a control plate (15) can be inserted to collect the sheets while the trolley is changed, without interrupting the print process. The insert plate has a grid with compressed air jets (23,24) at the end forming an air cushion under the next stack to allow it to slide onto the new trolley without creasing. The sheets are dropped onto the stack, or the trolley while vibrating plates (10) on three vertical sides inch the sheets into a neat stack. The plates are vibrated by electromagnets and require no moving parts. The stacker can handle all types of sheet, even delicate carbon backed sheets.