WO2003051753A1 - Systeme de transport pour une distribution de feuilles entre des equipements de traitement de feuilles ou de piles de feuilles - Google Patents

Systeme de transport pour une distribution de feuilles entre des equipements de traitement de feuilles ou de piles de feuilles Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2003051753A1
WO2003051753A1 PCT/US2002/039834 US0239834W WO03051753A1 WO 2003051753 A1 WO2003051753 A1 WO 2003051753A1 US 0239834 W US0239834 W US 0239834W WO 03051753 A1 WO03051753 A1 WO 03051753A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
sheets
stack
sheet
modular
station
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2002/039834
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Samuel Amdahl
Peter Hotkowski
James Russo
Frank Todaro
Robert Mcclellan
Original Assignee
General Binding Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by General Binding Corporation filed Critical General Binding Corporation
Priority to GB0414504A priority Critical patent/GB2398559B/en
Priority to DE2002197545 priority patent/DE10297545T5/de
Priority to AU2002357186A priority patent/AU2002357186A1/en
Priority to US10/498,612 priority patent/US20050042072A1/en
Publication of WO2003051753A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003051753A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H31/00—Pile receivers
    • B65H31/30—Arrangements for removing completed piles
    • B65H31/3054—Arrangements for removing completed piles by moving the surface supporting the lowermost article of the pile, e.g. by using belts or rollers
    • B65H31/3063—Arrangements for removing completed piles by moving the surface supporting the lowermost article of the pile, e.g. by using belts or rollers by special supports like carriages, containers, trays, compartments, plates or bars, e.g. moved in a closed loop
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H1/00—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated
    • B65H1/30—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated with means for replenishing the pile during continuous separation of articles therefrom
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
    • B65H2301/40—Type of handling process
    • B65H2301/42—Piling, depiling, handling piles
    • B65H2301/422—Handling piles, sets or stacks of articles
    • B65H2301/4225—Handling piles, sets or stacks of articles in or on special supports
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
    • B65H2301/40—Type of handling process
    • B65H2301/42—Piling, depiling, handling piles
    • B65H2301/422—Handling piles, sets or stacks of articles
    • B65H2301/4225—Handling piles, sets or stacks of articles in or on special supports
    • B65H2301/42252—Vehicles, e.g. carriage, truck
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
    • B65H2301/40—Type of handling process
    • B65H2301/42—Piling, depiling, handling piles
    • B65H2301/422—Handling piles, sets or stacks of articles
    • B65H2301/4226—Delivering, advancing piles
    • B65H2301/42264—Delivering, advancing piles by moving the surface supporting the lowermost article of the pile, e.g. conveyor, carriage
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2404/00—Parts for transporting or guiding the handled material
    • B65H2404/20—Belts
    • B65H2404/26—Particular arrangement of belt, or belts
    • B65H2404/264—Arrangement of side-by-side belts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2405/00—Parts for holding the handled material
    • B65H2405/10—Cassettes, holders, bins, decks, trays, supports or magazines for sheets stacked substantially horizontally
    • B65H2405/15—Large capacity supports arrangements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2405/00—Parts for holding the handled material
    • B65H2405/30—Other features of supports for sheets
    • B65H2405/31—Supports for sheets fully removable from the handling machine, e.g. cassette
    • B65H2405/312—Trolley, cart, i.e. support movable on the floor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2551/00—Means for control to be used by operator; User interfaces
    • B65H2551/10—Command input means
    • B65H2551/18—Graphical interactive displays; Mouses; Touchscreens
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2801/00—Application field
    • B65H2801/03—Image reproduction devices

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a document processing system utilizing a transport system for passing sheet stacks between processing modules to provide optionally modular post-printer document processing.
  • In-line refers to two pieces of processing equipment having their sheet paths joined together such that individual sheets are passed from one system to the other sequentially and processed as such. While there are many examples of such "in-line” processing, one such prominent example is designed following the Xerox DFA (Digital Finishing Architecture) Standard.
  • the DFA protocol spells out mechanical and software specifications for attaching finishing machinery to DFA compatible Xerox sheet printers. Many vendors make secondary equipment to create systems using this standard, including Standard Finishing, C.P. Bourg, Duplo, and others.
  • In-line systems are advantageous in that they require minimal operator interaction, and therefore, have lower overhead and least opportunity for operator error.
  • the entire system is locked in a one-to-one speed relationship, however, limiting the performance of the entire system to that of the slowest component.
  • a major disadvantage of the "in-line” system is the lack of a buffer to allow for continued processing by some portions of the system if other portions of the system temporarily cease operations.
  • Another disadvantage is reduced versatility from two types of processing modules that are complexly coupled, inhibiting their separate use for other functions.
  • Off-line refers to sheets being transferred in some non-automatic fashion, usually in stacks of sheets. Examples include simple carts to and from which sheet stacks are manually transferred by an operator. "Off-line” systems have the advantage of being able to match a slower module to a faster device, optimizing overall performance. It is commonly accepted that a ratio of 2: 1 or greater may be matched with such in-line processing. Additionally, the components of such "off-line” processing are not tightly coupled, allowing for more versatile use of each module. "Off-line” processing, however, necessarily requires greater operator interaction than "in-line” processing, increasing labor costs as well as the opportunity for operator error in the form of both mechanical damaged sheet stacks or movement of the stacks out of sequence, when sequence is important.
  • Near-line refers to a special case of "off-line” processing where the carts are more elaborate and custommated to automatically receive and discharge sheet stacks.
  • the stacks may be electronically tracked to ensure sequence of processing, as disclosed in U.S. Patent 6,192,295 Bl to Gunther.
  • GTI Near- line
  • the GTI cart system stacks are laid on a cart and the cart is manually rolled to a feeder.
  • the GTI cart is designed to custom mate to the GTI stacker and GTI feeder. Although operator error is less than the opportunity with true "off-line” the chance is not eliminated.
  • the GTI cart has a clamping system that secures the stacks from movement, however, the system requires considerable operator effort to operate.
  • a document handling system which utilizes one or more of an elevator transfer station, modular transfer station, transportation cart, storage station, and/or modular processing station to provide in-line document processing in a modular environment while allowing the use of one or more modular processing stations in an off-line manner without disconnection of the module from other modules that form part of the sheet handling system.
  • Each of the transfer station, cart, and storage station includes a plurality of elongated support surfaces or fingers to create a sheet support surface, slotted platform or deck such that the alternating fingers and slots of the transfer station or cart storage station receive the alternating slots and fingers of the cart to transfer stacks of sheets supported on the upper surface to and from the cart and transfer station or storage station.
  • Stacks of sheets may likewise be transported between adjacent processing modules by similarly intermeshed transfer stations or intermediate belts, rollers, or the like.
  • the transfer station includes a platform comprising a series of driven surfaces in the form of, for example, driven rollers or flat rotary belts, which are spaced to engage with a number of different structures.
  • the transfer station may be a separate station or the transfer station components may be incorporated into a modular processing station.
  • this application will refer to belts. It will be appreciated, however, that alternate designs, such as those utilizing a plurality of inline driven rollers, are likewise form appropriate driven plurality of elongated support surfaces, and are to be considered to fall within the purview of the term "belt" as utilized herein.
  • the spaced belts can intermesh with the slotted surface of a stacker, feeder, or other elevator mechanism such that the stack processing module can deposit or remove sheet stacks from the transfer station. Additionally, the spaced belts of the transfer station platform may intermesh with the slotted deck of the cart, such that the sheet stacks can be moved from one transfer station to another using the cart, without connecting the two transfer stations physically. Finally, the spaced flat belts of the transfer station platform can intermesh with the spaced flat belts of another transfer station or an intermediate station. Under these circumstances, the belts of the second transfer station are spaced at one-half pitch off that of its mate.
  • transfer stations can be connected to form a conveyor between processing modules to transfer sheets or stacks of sheets, eliminating the need for manual intervention to move sheets or sheet stacks between processing modules during processing.
  • the transfer station may be provided with an elevator mechanism that moves a stack of sheets supported thereon in a vertical elevation to provide the stack for further transfer or for further processing operation. It is further envisioned that preexisting processing stations may be retrofit with such transfer or elevator transfer stations to allow their integration into the document handling system.
  • the moveable cart would likewise have a slotted deck that could intermesh between the individual belts of the transfer station to form a joint sheet support surface.
  • the cart may be manually, electrically, hydraulically, or otherwise powered, and includes a mechanism whereby the cart deck can be raised or lowered by cam, lever, electrical power, hydraulics or other mechanism such that the cart may deposit a stack of sheets on the transfer station platform or raise a stack of sheets from the transfer station platform to remove the stack from the transfer station.
  • the cart includes a quick clamp release system to secure the sheet stack for transport.
  • the cart is preferably symmetrical such that a stack may be picked up or deposited from either side of the cart to readily provide phasing of the edges of the stack.
  • the transfer station or elevator transfer station, as well as the processing modules themselves may provide for alternate movement of the support surfaces into or out of the sheet handling system to facilitate access by the cart.
  • the support surface or deck may move in a substantially perpendicular direction from the system to allow intermediate access to a stack of sheets. In this way, the cart may readily be utilized to access and remove a stack from the deck. The deck may then be retracted back into the system.
  • the storage station includes a slotted stationary platform where the slots are spaced to receive and intermesh with the slotted deck of the cart.
  • the cart may be used to deposit the sheet stack on the storage station when the stack is not transferred directly to the elevator transfer station.
  • the storage station may include upright stacking guides which may be adjustable or permanently spaced or installed. The stacking guide may also be removable for storage and to provide a tidy appearance.
  • the cart may be used to place a sheet stack on the storage station and the cart then lowered, leaving the stack on the storage station.
  • an empty cart may be intermeshed with the slotted platform of the storage station and the cart slotted deck raised to lift the sheet stack from the storage station for removal to an elevator transfer station.
  • the storage station and elevator transfer station may alternately include movable platforms for raising or lowering a sheet stack onto the cart having a stationary deck, or some combination of such arrangements.
  • the aforementioned document transport system facilitates an improved and novel document processing system.
  • a modular transfer station mates with both processing module elevators and other transfer stations to allow a new version of "in-line" processing in which sheet stacks or individual sheets are passed automatically between processing modules with a relatively large buffer.
  • the buffer allows large and numerous stacks to be placed between the modules allowing for considerable pauses in one module without a concurrent pause in the other modules in the inline process, and allows considerable mismatches in processing speeds between machines without forcing human intervention or modification of the modules to synchronize their processing speeds. Further, this movement between modules during in-line processing can take place without intervention by an operator and the incumbent risk of error.
  • the cart that mates with the transfer station can be docked in one of two directions with the transfer station, allowing the operator to choose to reverse the processing orientation of the stack desired.
  • the cart also includes a quick clamping system which allows the stack to be quickly secured without extended operator involvement.
  • the same transfer station can be utilized for both a buffered version of in-line processing, and with the cart, off-line and near-line processing that requires little operator involvement.
  • one or more modules that form the modular in-line processing system may be used in an off-line manner as well without disconnecting the relevant module(s) from the in-line system, or can be utilized as free standing, independent processing modules.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plurality of elevator transfer stations incorporated into processing modules construed in accordance with teachings of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cart preparing to dock with an elevator transfer station constructed in accordance with teachings of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 A is a schematic side view of the cart and elevator transfer station of FIG. 2 wherein the cart is docked with the elevator transfer station.
  • FIG. 2B is a front view of the cart and elevator transfer station of FIG. 2a.
  • FIG. 3 A is a schematic of cart docking arrangement in accordance with teachings of the invention.
  • FIG. 3B is an enlarged fragmentary view of the wheels and rollers of the cart of FIG. 3 A engaging surfaces of the elevator transfer station of FIG. 3 a.
  • FIG. 3C is a schematic view of an alternate embodiment of a cart docking arrangement.
  • FIG. 3D is a schematic of a second alternate embodiment of a cart docking arrangement.
  • FIGS. 4A-F are bottom perspective or plan views of various wheel configurations for the movable cart.
  • FIG. 5 A is a perspective view of a cart incorporating a cross bar operation mechanism.
  • FIG. 5B is an enlarged fragmentary front view of the handle and cross bar of FIG. 5A.
  • FIGS. 5C-I are fragmentary perspective views of various handle operation mechanisms, including buttons, levers, and cam locks.
  • FIGS. 6A-C are cross-sectional views of embodiments of locking arm uprights.
  • FIGS. 7A-D are fragmentary perspective views of various locking bar operation mechanisms, including buttons and levers.
  • FIG. 8 A is a fragmentary perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a locking arm arrangement.
  • FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the locking arm of FIG. 8 A.
  • FIG. 9A is a fragmentary perspective view of a second alternate embodiment of a locking arm arrangement.
  • FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the locking arm of FIG. 9 A.
  • FIG. 10A is a fragmentary perspective view of a third alternate embodiment of a locking arm arrangement.
  • FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of the locking arm of FIG. 10A.
  • FIG. 11 A is a fragmentary perspective view of a fourth alternate embodiment of a locking arm arrangement.
  • FIG. 1 IB is a cross-sectional view of the locking arm of FIG. 11A.
  • FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of a storage station constructed in accordance with teachings of the invention.
  • FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of the storage station of FIG. 12.
  • FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the storage station of FIGS. 12 and 13, and a cart prepared for docking.
  • FIGS. 15A-C are views of an alternate embodiment of a storage station.
  • FIGS. 16A-C are views of a second alternate embodiment of a storage station.
  • FIGS. 17A-C are views of a third alternate embodiment of a storage station.
  • FIGS. 18A-C are views of a fourth alternate embodiment of a storage station.
  • FIGS. 19A-C are views of a fifth alternate embodiment of a storage station.
  • FIGS. 20A-C are views of a sixth alternate embodiment of a storage station.
  • FIGS. 21 A-B are views of a seventh alternate embodiment of a storage station.
  • FIGS. 22A-D are views of an eighth alternate embodiment of a storage station.
  • FIGS. 23 A-D are views of a ninth alternate embodiment of a storage station.
  • FIG. 24 is a view of a tenth alternate embodiment of a storage station.
  • FIGS. 25A-B are views of an eleventh alternate embodiment of a storage station.
  • FIGS. 26A-B are view of an alternate embodiment of a platform and deck finger design.
  • FIGS. 27A-C are views of a second alternate embodiment of a platform and deck finger design.
  • FIGS. 28 A-B are views of a third alternate embodiment of a platform and deck finger design.
  • FIG. 29 is a perspective view of an in-line document processing system constructed in accordance with teachings of the invention.
  • FIG. 30 is a schematic system diagram showing document transport and operations executed with the in-line document processing system according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 31 is a flow chart detailing a process for managing document positioning in an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 32 is an operational diagram of an exemplary user interface and related functions in an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 representative sheet or sheet stack processing module 30.
  • the sheet or sheet stack processing module 30 shown is intended to be representative of any of the various types of modules, including finishing machines such as binders, inserters, envelope stuffers, sealers, punches, or any number of types of processing devices.
  • the sheet or sheet stack processing module 30 includes one or more transfer stations 32 for receiving either single sheets or stacks of sheets to be passed onto the processing module 30.
  • the sheet or sheet stack processing module 30 may include a single transfer station 32 or a plurality of transfer stations 32 such as are illustrated in FIG. 1.
  • the transfer station 32 includes a sheet support surface or platform 34 around which a belt 36 rotates to pass the sheets onto the sheet or sheet stack processing module 30.
  • the platform 34 of the transfer station 32 may extend directly from the processing module 30 or the document processing system, as illustrated in FIG. 1, or the platform 34 may be moveable, by electronic, mechanical, or other mechanism, in an essentially horizontal manner from the processing module 30 for access to a stack of sheets disposed on the platform 34.
  • the platform 34 is slotted, having a plurality of alternating platform fingers 38 and platform slots 40, and the belt 36 includes a plurality of individual belts spaced to rotate longitudinally along the outer surface of the platform fingers 38.
  • the platform fingers 38 are spaced such that they can intermesh with a slotted surface of sheet or sheet stack processing module 30 such as a stacker, feeder, elevator, or the like. In this way, the stack processing modules so equipped can deposit or renew the sheet stacks from the transfer station 32 for further processing.
  • the fingers 38 of the platform 34 are spaced such that they may intermesh with the platform fingers and slots 38, 40 of another transfer station 32. In this way, a plurality of transfer stations may be connected to form a conveyor between processing modules, eliminating the need for manual intervention to move sheet stacks.
  • a moveable transportation cart 42 that includes a slotted deck 44.
  • the cart 42 may operate electrically, hydraulically, manually, or by any other appropriate method.
  • the slotted deck 44 of the cart 42 includes spaced deck fingers 46 having open deck slots 48 disposed therebetween.
  • the deck fingers 46 and slots 48 as well as the platform fingers 38 and slots 40 are spaced such that they may intermesh, as shown in FIGS. 2 through 2B, the deck fingers 46 being disposed in the platform slots 40 and the platform fingers 38 being disposed in the deck slots 48.
  • sheet stacks disposed on the upper sheet support surface of the slotted deck 44 may be passed to the platform 34 of the transfer station 32, or the cart 42 may be utilized to sheet stacks disposed on the platform 34 of the transfer station 32.
  • the cart 42 may be utilized to provide or retrieve stacks of sheets at one or the other end of a system of a plurality of coupled processing modules, or it may be utilized to remove stacks of sheets at intermittent positions from individual processing modules within the system.
  • the slotted deck 44 is vertically moveable relative to the other.
  • the slotted deck 44 is vertically moveable relative to the platform 34.
  • the deck and platform fingers 46, 38 may be intermeshed and the slotted deck 44 either advance upward relative to the platform 34 to remove the sheet stack from the platform 34 or downward relative to the platform 34 to place a sheet stack on the platform 34. It will be appreciated, that this same function could be performed by movement of the platform 34 itself up or down vertically relative to the slotted deck 44.
  • the slotted deck 44 when the slotted deck 44 is moved upward or downward vertically relative to the platform 34 and the cart body 50 itself.
  • the entire cart body 50 and the slotted deck 44 may be moved vertically upward or downward relative to both the platform 34 and the ground. This vertical movement may be accomplished by way of a cam arrangement, a lever, a gearing arrangement, electrical power, hydraulics, or other method to deposit or remove a stack from the belt system by any appropriate mechanism.
  • FIGS. 3A through 3D A number of cart docking arrangements may be provided to facilitate movement of the cart into position and to facilitate the intermeshing of the deck fingers 46 and the platform fingers 38. A few such possibilities are illustrated in FIGS. 3A through 3D. It will be appreciated that these are only schematic renditions, and that the platform 34 of the transfer station 32 and the deck 44 of the moveable cart 42 will both include slotted surfaces designed to intermesh with one another.
  • the cart includes one or more wheels, rollers, casters, or the like 52 which extend from the cart 42 to contact the ground.
  • the cart 42 may include sets of wheels disposed at various distances from the ground.
  • the cart includes a large pair of wheels 52 on either side as well as two pairs of smaller casters 54.
  • the transfer station 32 includes a pair of ramps 56 such that the wheels 52 are disposable on either side of the ramp 56.
  • the ramp 56 further includes a central raised guide 58 and the cart 42 includes rollers 60 which are mounted horizontally and disposed to contact either side of the central raised guide 58 as the cart 42 continues up the ramp 56.
  • the cart 42 includes a pair of outwardly opening C-shaped channels 62 disposed along either side
  • the transfer station 32 includes elongated rigid rectangular sections 64 along either side of the slotted platform 34.
  • the rigid rectangular sections 64 preferably include a chamfered section disposed to the center and guide the cart 42 forward toward the platform 34.
  • the rectangular sections may include one or more rollers 68 disposed along one or more of the surfaces which engage the C-shaped channels 62 as the cart 42 is moved forward into the transfer station 32.
  • the transfer station 32 includes a ramp arrangement 70 which includes a central channel 72 for receiving an alignment peg 74 extending downward from the moveable cart 42.
  • the central channel 72 tapers from a relatively open section 76 distal the transfer station to a confined section 78 proximal the transfer station. In this way, as the cart 42 moves inward to the transfer station 32, the alignment peg 74 engages the open section 76 of the central channel 72 and is guided into the confined section 78.
  • the ramp 70 includes a pair of rollers 77 disposed along either side of the central channel 72 as the ramp angles upward, and the upper surface of the ramp 70 includes a plurality of ball transfers 79 which allow the cart to move into axis relative to the transfer station 32.
  • the cart may have any number of potential configurations of wheels, rollers, casters, or the like.
  • FIGS. 4 A through F various potential wheel configurations are illustrated in FIGS. 4 A through F.
  • FIG. 4 A is a configuration with a pair of large, straight wheels on either side of the platform and four casters disposed at four corners of the cart.
  • FIG. 4 A is a configuration with a pair of large, straight wheels on either side of the platform and four casters disposed at four corners of the cart.
  • FIG. 4B includes four casters disposed at the four comers of the cart with two inboard straight wheels and horizontal wheels disposed along one edge.
  • FIG. 4C includes a pair of straight wheels disposed outboard the cart and a pair of casters disposed at the front and rear of the cart.
  • FIG. 4D includes four casters disposed at the four comers of the cart.
  • FIG. 4E includes a pair of straight wheels disposed outboard the cart along one edge and a pair of casters disposed at the opposite two comers of the cart.
  • FIG. 4F shows a pair of straight wheels disposed outboard the cart along one edge with a single caster disposed along the opposite front edge.
  • the cart 42 is preferably symmetrical so that it may be docked at the transfer station 32 in either direction.
  • the wheel and docking arrangements illustrated in FIGS. 3 A-D and 4 A-D are bidirectional in that the cart 42 could be docked with a transfer station 32 from either direction.
  • the wheel and caster arrangements shown in FIGS. 4E and 4F are mono-directional in that they would likely be docked only in one direction with the transfer station 32.
  • cart 42 includes a handle 80 pivotably mounted to the cart body 50.
  • the handle 80 is preferably of an inverted U-shape and may be locked in a vertical position or unlocked and swiveled to either side so that the cart 42 may be moved from either side. Unlocking of the handle would likewise release the brake on the wheels 52 to allow the cart to move forward or backward.
  • the handle release mechanism may be in the form of cross bar 83 as shown in FIGS. 5 A and B, buttons 84, 86 centered along the top or bottom of the handle 80 as shown in FIGS. 5C and D, or a button 88 disposed along the side of the handle as shown in FIG. 5E.
  • the handle release may be in the form of a lever 87, 89 centered or disposed along the side of the handle as shown in FIGS. 5F and G, or dual levers 91 as shown in FIG. 5H.
  • the handle release may be in the form of a swivel cam lock 93, as shown in FIG. 51. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that these handle release arrangements are provided by way of an example only and are not meant to restrict the invention in any way.
  • the handle 80 may be formed by any appropriate means, and may include multiple components fabricated by different methods. For example, it may include extruded, cast, or molded portions and may be fabricated from plastic or metal, such as aluminum, for example, or any other appropriate material.
  • the handle 80 is preferably pivotably coupled to the cart body 50 at a relatively low location. In this way, the application of a moving force by the operator creates a minimal moment, providing a stable arrangement with minimal opportunity for the cart 42 to be overturned.
  • the cart 42 is provided with a locking arm arrangement 100.
  • the locking arm arrangement 100 can include a simple pair of uprights 102 disposed along either side of the deck 44 to which a selectively lockable sheet or sheet stack clamp or locking arm 104 is slidably mounted. In this way, once a sheet stack is placed on the slotted deck 44, the operator may unlock the locking arm 104 and slide it downward along the uprights 102 to contact the upper surface of the stack and to secure them into position on the cart 42 before movement.
  • the uprights 102 have any appropriate structure, such as the simple bars illustrated in FIG.
  • FIGS. 6A-6C further includes elongated channels 106 which may be utilized to store slidably enclosed guide rods 108. Guide rods allow stacking directly on a cart.
  • the uprights 102, as well as the locking arm 104, may be fabricated of any appropriate material, such as plastic, steel, or aluminum.
  • the locking arm arrangement 100 may include any number of locking arrangements.
  • the locking arm 104 includes a centrally elongated opening 110 which may be utilized as a handle for moving the locking arm 104 upward and downward along the uprights 102.
  • the locking mechanism for the locking arm 104 may include arrangements such as a depressible button 112, 114 disposed along either the upper or lower surface of the handle portion 110 as illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, or a depressible lever 116, 118 similarly disposed along either the upper or lower surface of the handle 110, as shown in FIGS. 7C and 7D. It will be appreciated, however, that alternate locking bar operation mechanisms may be provided.
  • the locking arm 104 may be constructed of any appropriate materials and by any appropriate method.
  • the locking arm 104 may include a formed metal cross bar 120 with separate plastic or metal inserts 122 inserted through either side of the cross bar 120 in order to form the handle 110.
  • the sides are illustrated with a top and centered button 112 release of the lock to allow the locking arm 104 to slide up and downward on the uprights 102.
  • the cross bar 120 may alternately be extruded from plastic, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. As with the embodiment in FIGS.
  • plastic or metal inserts 122 are received in openings through either side of the cross bar 120 to form the handle 110.
  • the cross bar 120 may be extruded with an ergonomic design which allows the user to grip the cross bar 120 for movement of the locking arm 104. Such a design is illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 10A and 10B.
  • the cross bar 120 may be formed in two or more parts which are then bolted or riveted together, as shown in FIGS. 11 A and 1 IB.
  • Such cross bar components may be either extruded or cast, for example. It will be appreciated, however, that alternate design arrangements of the cross bar fall within the spirit and scope of this application.
  • Storage station 130 includes legs 132, which in the preferred embodiment are of an L-shape, including a vertical portion 134 and a horizontal portion 136. Feet 138 are preferably provided below the horizontal portion 136 of the legs 132. Spine body 140 extends between the upper ends of the vertical portion 134 of the legs 132. In order to receive and intermesh with the slotted deck 44 of the movable cart 42, a slotted platform 142 extends from the spine body 140 of the storage station 130.
  • the fingers 144 and slots 146 of the slotted platform 142 are spaced such that the slots 146 receive the deck fingers 46 to dispose the platform fingers 38 adjacent the storage station fingers 144 in alternating positions. In this way, the operator can transfer sheet stacks between the deck fingers 46 and the storage station fingers 144.
  • a second spine body 140a and slotted platform 142a maybe positioned adjacent the storage station 130.
  • the adjacent storage station 130a utilizes one of the legs 132 of storage station 130 and an additional leg 132a. It will thus be appreciated that a continuous line of storage stations may be disposed adjacent one another in order to maximize storage space.
  • a back stop stacking guide arrangement 148 may be provided such as is shown in FIGS. 12-13.
  • the storage station 130 and related components may be of any appropriate design and material, and constructed according to any appropriate method.
  • those storage stations designs are illustrated in FIGS. 15A-25B.
  • Legs for example, may be extruded as shown in FIGS. 15A-C, stamped and formed as shown in FIGS. 16A-C or FIGS. 17A-C, formed of bent tubing, as shown in FIGS. 18A-C, FIGS. 19A-C, and FIGS. 20A-C, and may include side panels as shown in FIGS. 21 A-B.
  • the stacking guide may be a relatively permanent structure as shown in FIGS. 16A-C, a flip-up surface as shown in FIGS.
  • the stacking guide may include adjustable components such as are shown in FIGS. 23A-B, FIGS. 24A-B, FIGS. 15A-C and FIGS. 16A-C.
  • the slotted platform 142 may include chamfered or non-chamfered guiding arms 152 along either side of the fingers 144 as shown in FIG. 12, FIGS. 15A-C, and FIGS. 23A-D, or the platform 142 may lack such guide arms altogether, as shown in FIGS. 22 A-D.
  • the spine body 140 can include a hinged cover 154, such as is shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B.
  • the stacking guides 148 can be stored beneath the cover 154.
  • the cover 154 itself can be extruded, molded, or stamped and formed.
  • the platform fingers 144 may be of an appropriate design and formed by any appropriate method.
  • the platform fingers 144 may be stainless rods, as shown in FIG. 23 A. Alternately, they may be cast as shown in FIGS. 16A-C, or extruded, as shown in FIGS. 15A-B or FIGS. 26A-B.
  • the extrusion may be a simple rectangular design with optional end caps as shown in FIGS. 27A-C, or a vertically extruded design with an optional cap as shown in FIGS. 28 A-B.
  • FIG. 29 shows a perspective top side view of an in-line document processing system 2901 according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the system 2901 comprises a plurality of processing modules, such as modules for binding, inserting, envelope stuffing, sealing, punching, or any number of types of processing as described above.
  • the illustrated example includes a tab cutter 2903, punch 2905, binder 2907, cover closer 2909, and book/face stacker 2931.
  • the system 2901 also includes an offset stacker 2935 and cover feeder(s) 2937 to facilitate the stacking of the materials for processing and to provide document covers where needed for processing. Consistent with the above description, the cart 2933 is shown interfacing with the system 2901 at the book/face stacker 2931.
  • a buffer/transport system 2939 is shown disposed between a printer 2941 , or other document source, and the rest of the system 2901. While not otherwise illustrated, such one or more buffer transport systems 2939 may be provided at other positions in the system 2901, that is, between other processing modules, in order to provide or enhance similar buffering between processes.
  • the operation of the in-line system 2901, including the buffer/transport system 2939 will be described hereinafter, with the understanding that the processing modules 2903-2931 shown are exemplary and may be wholly or partially supplemented or replaced by other types of processing modules within the scope of the invention.
  • a print job or other process at document source 2941 produces one or more documents for processing.
  • a document will generally comprise a plurality of sheets, but may in unusual cases have only a single sheet.
  • the document source 2901 may interface to a document supplementation device such as tab cutter 2903.
  • the tab cutter 2901 provides and inserts index tabs or other dividers into documents produced by document source 2901, either during or after document production.
  • a plurality of such documents is then flush or offset stacked to provide a single stack or succession of stacks, each including a plurality of documents.
  • the sheet stacks formed by this process preferably including tabs where appropriate, are conveyed to the first process module 2905, illustrated as a punch 2905, via the buffer transport segment 2939.
  • the buffer transport segment 2939 is usable either to convey documents to the first process module 2903 for processing, or to divert incoming documents to a temporary storage space, or buffer.
  • the primary reason for sometimes buffering the document stream in this manner is to facilitate in-line processing between modules with different processing or production rates.
  • the printer 2941 may produce documents at a faster rate than the punch 2903 can process such documents.
  • the buffer would absorb the difference in capacity. In this manner, for example, if the printer 2941 produced documents twice as fast as the punch 2905 could process them, the buffer would absorb approximately half the documents produced while documents continued to be produced.
  • the buffer may be gradually emptied as the rest of the processing system 2901 continues to run. It will be understood that the maximum time during which such a mismatch can be alleviated by buffering is tied both to the degree of mismatch and the document capacity of the buffer system. It is also within the invention to provide a number of buffers, such as a primary buffer and one or more overflow buffers for excessive or unexpected mismatches or surges in document production. Note that the buffer between a slower supplying module and a faster consuming module will generally not be used, except to facilitate intervening offline processing. That is, the rate mismatch must be buffered only when the faster module precedes the slower.
  • buffer/transport unit 2939 Although only a single buffer/transport unit 2939 is visible in the illustrated example, such a transport and buffer system will preferably be provided at the junction of any two processing modules, unless the modules incorporate a mechanism for transport to the next module, and, in the case of rate mismatch, for buffering excess incoming documents.
  • the documents are output to a user accessible location such as to a cart 2933 as described above or otherwise.
  • the finished documents will have been punched, bound (with closed cover), and stacked.
  • one or more modules in the document processing system 2901 are preferably usable in an offline manner without disconnection from the system 2901.
  • Such off-line use could occur during in-line processing by buffering in-line documents during the offline processing.
  • the punch module 2905 may also be used in an off-line mode by a user, via an access on the side of the module 2905.
  • an offline stack of documents may be fed to the input belt by a cart or other appropriate method.
  • the user may initiate an offline use of the punch 2905 via a user interface thereon.
  • the punch 2905 preferably completes work on the current document being processed and then begins to buffer all incoming documents for a brief period while the user completes an offline use, such as by inserting a document or documents to be punched and then retrieving the punched materials.
  • the punch 2905 preferably begins again to process documents in an inline fashion, either from a buffer or directly from the preceding module.
  • all or a lesser number of the processing modules may be utilized in an in-line processing job.
  • the individual lifts, sets, or stacks may proceed through the module along the standard processing line with the relevant function (e.g. the punch) disengaged.
  • a bypass path may be provided through the module.
  • Figure 30 is an operational diagram showing the functional elements of an inline processing system, as described above architecturally, and the operational relationships between those functional elements.
  • This interface is preferably in the form of a graphical user interface that presents the user with a mechanism for becoming apprised of available values, settings, parameters, etc., and for selecting or setting such constraints accordingly.
  • a user may be presented with an interface for selecting which parameter to modify, one of which is a sheet size.
  • the user may be presented with an array listing available sheet sizings, at which point the user will select a desired size and complete the process.
  • Other preferably modifiable constraints include a preferred edge for binding, whether or not a cover will be provided, the type of binding, if any, desired, and so forth.
  • the common elements tying major processing functions together are one or more transfer stations 3003.
  • Documents to be processed are supplied initially via a transfer station or otherwise, generally in a stacked form, from one or more stackers 3005, 3007 and associated interface(s) 3011 where necessary.
  • the stacked documents are supplied, preferably via a conveyor input as described more extensively above, to a feeder to be provided to the subsequent processing modules.
  • the documents enter a first processing module such as a punch module 3015 for punching a series of holes through an edge of each document to facilitate later binding.
  • the punch module 3015 is shown as receiving one or more die sets 3017, which are used to define the precise manner in which the holes are made in the edge of each document. Further note that the punch module 3015 may also receive cover material from a cover feeder 3019 when desired. These covers are preferably associated with each document prior to actual punching so that the holes punched in the cover match to the holes punched in the associated document.
  • the punched document stacks including punched covers where appropriate, are fed to an accumulator and/or other interface 3021 to a binding module 3023.
  • the interface 3021 between the punch module 3015 and binding module 3023 maybe either a custom interface such as when the modules are designed to cooperate, or alternatively by way of a transfer station.
  • the binding module 3023 applies a binding to the punched documents received from the punch module 3015.
  • bindings may be comb bindings, wire spiral bindings, polymeric nail-type bindings, or any other type of binding usable to secure punched pages together via cooperating holes.
  • the binding module 3023 optionally receives and uses one or more crimp sets 3025 to define the manner in which a crimped binding is applied.
  • the bound documents are optionally fed to a cover closer 3027 via a custom interface or transfer station.
  • the finished documents are passed in a stacked manner to a transfer station, preferably via a book stacker 3029.
  • the finished documents may also be provided to a shingle conveyor 3031 from the cover closer 3027.
  • the punched documents may be passed to a stacker 3035 for retrieval from the processing system.
  • a user may manually retrieve or place documents as indicated by "manual in/out" component 3033.
  • the user may optionally use a cart 3037, such as described above in detail with respect to FIGS. 1-29, to effect the manual placement or removal of documents.
  • FIG. 31 A flow chart of the actions and motor run sequences for entry and exit of document stacks from a processing system such as described above is shown in FIG. 31.
  • a lift door is opened at step 3101 allowing access to a lift mechanism.
  • the lift door may be manually actuated but is preferably motor-driven either automatically or in response to a user action.
  • an input belt motor is run to place the stack in position for lifting. Note that as discussed above, there may also be lateral movement, automated or otherwise, of the lift surface or other document-supporting surface to facilitate manual loading and unloading of sheets and/or sheet stacks to and from the processing system.
  • step 3105 the position of the stack is checked to ascertain whether the stack is appropriately placed for lifting to begin. If it is determined at step 3105 that the stack is not yet properly positioned, then the process reverts to step 3103 to continue running the input belt motor. Otherwise, at step 3107, the input belt motor is stopped, and the lift door is closed.
  • a run command is issued to commence processing of the stack.
  • the run command may be either automatically issued when the stack is properly positioned after step 3107, or may be manually issued by a user such as through making a selection from a graphical user interface.
  • a lift motor is run at high speed to lift the stack into position for further processing. Subsequently, the vertical position of the stack is checked at step 3113. If the stack is not yet at full height, the process reverts to step 3111, running the lift motor at high speed. Otherwise, at step 3115, the lift motor is slowed to low speed, the main motor is run to process the documents, and the stacker motor is mn at low speed to output the processed documents.
  • step 3117 the document processing is periodically monitored for the occurrence of a sheet jam. If no sheet jam is found to have occurred, the process checks the status of the stack at step 3119 to determine whether the last needed lift has been performed. If it has not, then the process returns to step 3115 and the steps that logically follow. Otherwise, if the last lift has been performed, or if a sheet jam was detected at step 3117, the process moves to step 3121, causing the lift motor to reverse and return the remainder of the stack to the bottom position, causing the main motor to be stopped, and causing the stacker motor to run at high speed, clearing any free papers from the processing apparatus.
  • step 3123 the status of the lift is checked, and if the stack is not yet at the bottom position, then the process returns to steps 3121. Otherwise, the process moves to step 3125, whereat the stacker motor is stopped and an access door to the stacker is opened. Once the stacker access door is opened, an output belt motor is run at step 3127 to bring the stack into a position from which a user can access the stack or from which the stack can be moved into a position that is user accessible. As discussed above, there may also be lateral movement of the lift surface, or other document-supporting surface, to facilitate loading and unloading of the stack.
  • the status of the stack is checked at step 3129 to determine whether the stack has exited the process, such as by checking whether any part of the stack has not yet passed the stacker door. If the stack has not yet exited, the process returns to step 3127 where the output belt motor continues to run. Otherwise, at step 3131, the stack motor raises a stack platform on which the stack was most recently sitting back to a top position, ready for processing of another stack.
  • FIG. 32 The logical organization of an exemplary user interface usable to implement an embodiment of the invention is shown schematically in FIG. 32.
  • the primary user interface shown is a visual keypad/touch screen 3201.
  • the keypad/touch screen 3201 allows user entries through a touch-sensitive screen and/or through a standard push button keyboard interface.
  • a screen portion of the keypad/touch screen 3201 presents information visually to the user.
  • a user is preferably presented with a main screen 3203 showing links to various other screens including a set-up screen 3205, a diagnostic screen 3207, and a menu screen 3209. The user may navigate to any of the screens 3205, 3207, 3209 by selecting an appropriate icon or button at the keypad/touch screen 3201.
  • Adjustments that may be made preferably include adjustments for sheet width, length, tab adjust, throughput speed, lift size, book size, and/or final die set adjust as shown in adjustments section 3211.
  • the user may set the process so that the necessary die set may be automatically determined and/or adjusted.
  • the interface to the process also includes a non-user interface 3215 for automatically receiving information from sensors, barcodes, and/or other sources and for causing one or more automatic actions in response thereto.
  • the sensors and other information sources illustrated include the following: a sensor that detects a top sheet in a stack, a cart tag that may be automatically recognized, information received over a USB port, a bar code that can be read to determine a desired process etc., information received from a laptop or other computer, information received from a printer, information received by download such as over the Internet, a remote information source, etc. Note that any of the above can supply document content or processing instructions.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Sheets, Magazines, And Separation Thereof (AREA)
  • Pile Receivers (AREA)
  • Collation Of Sheets And Webs (AREA)
  • Specific Conveyance Elements (AREA)
  • Folding Of Thin Sheet-Like Materials, Special Discharging Devices, And Others (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne d'une part un système de manipulation de feuilles ou de piles de feuilles, permettant de réaliser au moins une opération sur des feuilles successives ou des piles de feuilles, et d'autre part une interface associée. Ledit système de manipulation de documents comprend au moins deux modules sélectionnés dans un groupe constitué d'une station de transfert par élévateur, d'une station de transfert modulaire, d'une station de stockage, d'un chariot de transport et d'une station de traitement modulaire. Lorsqu'au moins deux stations de traitement modulaire sont couplées pour former ledit système de manipulation de documents, ledit système peut être utilisé pour effectuer une série d'opérations sur des feuilles successives ou des piles de feuilles. En variante, lesdites stations de traitement individuelles ou un groupe desdites stations de traitement peuvent être utilisées pour effectuer seulement certaines fonctions sur lesdites feuilles. Lesdits modules comprennent chacun une pluralité de surfaces de support parallèles, espacées, allongées qui forment une surface de support de feuilles. Lesdites surfaces de support parallèles, espacées, allongées des deux modules sont dimensionnées et disposées de sorte qu'elles s'engrènent pour permettre un transfert de piles de feuilles entre les modules, lorsqu'un ensemble de surfaces de support parallèles est déplacé vers le haut ou vers le bas par rapport à l'autre.
PCT/US2002/039834 2001-12-13 2002-12-13 Systeme de transport pour une distribution de feuilles entre des equipements de traitement de feuilles ou de piles de feuilles WO2003051753A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0414504A GB2398559B (en) 2001-12-13 2002-12-13 Transportation system for sheet delivery between sheet or sheet stack processing equipment
DE2002197545 DE10297545T5 (de) 2001-12-13 2002-12-13 Transportsystem für Blattübergabe zwischen Blatt- oder Blattstapel verarbeitender Ausrüstung
AU2002357186A AU2002357186A1 (en) 2001-12-13 2002-12-13 Transportation system for sheet delivery between sheet or sheet stack processing equipment
US10/498,612 US20050042072A1 (en) 2002-12-13 2002-12-13 Transportation system for sheet delivery between sheet or sheet stack processing equipment

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US34117301P 2001-12-13 2001-12-13
US60/341,173 2001-12-13
US37386902P 2002-04-19 2002-04-19
US60/373,869 2002-04-19
US37435802P 2002-04-22 2002-04-22
US60/374,358 2002-04-22

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WO2003051753A1 true WO2003051753A1 (fr) 2003-06-26

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AU (1) AU2002357186A1 (fr)
DE (1) DE10297545T5 (fr)
GB (1) GB2398559B (fr)
WO (1) WO2003051753A1 (fr)

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DE102005038993A1 (de) * 2005-08-16 2007-03-15 Eastman Kodak Company Vorrichtung zur Ablage von Bögen
US9650610B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2017-05-16 Viacyte, Inc. In vitro differentiation of pluripotent stem cells to pancreatic endoderm cells (PEC) and endocrine cells

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US4406650A (en) * 1980-04-10 1983-09-27 Jos. Hunkeler Ag Fabrik Fur Graphische Maschinen Apparatus for forming individual stacks from an endless web
US5101979A (en) * 1988-07-08 1992-04-07 Hitachi, Ltd. Paper sheet depositing and dispensing apparatus, abnormality recovery process of the paper sheet depositing and dispensing apparatus, and automatic cashier
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EP0865918A1 (fr) * 1992-11-23 1998-09-23 C.G. Bretting Manufacturing Co., Inc. Système de transfert pour repliage de panneaux multiples
US5820539A (en) * 1995-10-12 1998-10-13 Solipat Ag Device and method for continuous plaiting of web-shaped material

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4349189A (en) * 1978-02-07 1982-09-14 Malmohus Invest Ab Module for picking, transportation and depositing of sheeted or folded material
US4406650A (en) * 1980-04-10 1983-09-27 Jos. Hunkeler Ag Fabrik Fur Graphische Maschinen Apparatus for forming individual stacks from an endless web
US5101979A (en) * 1988-07-08 1992-04-07 Hitachi, Ltd. Paper sheet depositing and dispensing apparatus, abnormality recovery process of the paper sheet depositing and dispensing apparatus, and automatic cashier
US5279536A (en) * 1992-10-09 1994-01-18 Abreu Michael L Handling apparatus for a continuous web of Z-fold computer paper
EP0865918A1 (fr) * 1992-11-23 1998-09-23 C.G. Bretting Manufacturing Co., Inc. Système de transfert pour repliage de panneaux multiples
US5820539A (en) * 1995-10-12 1998-10-13 Solipat Ag Device and method for continuous plaiting of web-shaped material
EP0801019A2 (fr) * 1996-04-12 1997-10-15 Cmd Corporation Procédé et appareil pour empiler et accumuler des sachets

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DE102005038993A1 (de) * 2005-08-16 2007-03-15 Eastman Kodak Company Vorrichtung zur Ablage von Bögen
DE102005038993B4 (de) * 2005-08-16 2008-08-28 Eastman Kodak Company Vorrichtung zur Ablage von Bögen
US9650610B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2017-05-16 Viacyte, Inc. In vitro differentiation of pluripotent stem cells to pancreatic endoderm cells (PEC) and endocrine cells
US10376545B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2019-08-13 Viacyte, Inc. Methods for producing hormone secreting cells in a subject
US11446335B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2022-09-20 Viacyte, Inc. Cryopreserved endocrine cells that express chromogranin A

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2398559B (en) 2005-12-21
GB0414504D0 (en) 2004-07-28
DE10297545T5 (de) 2005-01-13
AU2002357186A1 (en) 2003-06-30
GB2398559A (en) 2004-08-25

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