Sawtooth jog for multi-copy/multi-set output

Abstract

A method of positioning copy or subsets for the easy insertion of tabs thereinto that includes creating a shingled boundary between subsets, with the top sheets of all subsets in the same position, but with the rest of each subset progressively offset so that the last page of the upper subset is significantly offset from the top sheet of the next subset in sawtooth fashion. As a result, the subsets can then be separated from one side more easily and tabs or other pages can be manually inserted with minimal difficulty.

1 . A method for facilitating easy insertion of dividers between imaged sheet subsets of a sheet stack, comprising:
 a) providing a stack of imaged sheet subsets of a single print job; and   b) creating a shingled boundary between each sheet of a subset of said imaged sheets such that the top sheets of all subsets are in the same position and the remaining sheets in each subset progressively offset so that a last page of an upper subset is offset from a top page of a next subset.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said shingled boundary between each subset of imaged sheets includes a protruding edge that is reinforced by a graduated edge of each sheet beneath it so that said protruding edge can not be easily wrinkled with handling. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , including positioning said protruding edge of each subset of imaged sheets on the same side of the sheet stack. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , including grasping said protruding edge of a subset of the sheet stack and lifting said protruding edge and placing a divider sheet between said protruding edge and a top sheet of the next subset of imaged sheets. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , including providing said shingled boundary between each subset of imaged sheets in a sawtooth configuration. 
     
     
         6 . A method for enabling sawtooth offset for multiple set stacks, comprising:
 a) providing at least one stack of sheet sets; and   b) creating a shingled boundary between each set of sheets such that the top sheets of all sets are in the same position and the remaining sheets in each set are progressively offset, and wherein said progressive offset is continuous in order to add strength to each subset so that no individual sheet is left flapping.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said shingled boundary between each set of sheets includes a protruding edge. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , including positioning said protruding edge of each set of sheets on the same side of the sheet stack. 
     
     
         9 . An improved method for removing individual subsets of sheets from a stack of sheet subsets, comprising:
 a) providing a stack of sheet subsets for a single predetermined job; and   b) creating a shingled boundary between each subset of sheets such that the top sheets of all subsets are in the same position and the remaining sheets in each subset progressively offset so that a bottom page of an upper subset is offset from a top page of a next subset.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said shingled boundary between each subset of imaged sheets includes a protruding edge. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , including positioning said protruding edge of each subset of sheets on the same side of the sheet stack. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 3 , including grasping said protruding edge of a subset of the sheet stack and lifting said protruding edge in order to remove the subset from the sheet stack. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 2 , including lifting said protruding edge of a sheet subset and inserting a divider between said protruding edge and a top sheet of next sheet subset. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , including inserting said divider underneath said protruding edge of said sheet subset and the top sheet in the next subset of sheets. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 3 , including lifting said protruding edge of a sheet subset with a divider and inserting said divider between said protruding edge the sheet subset and the top sheet in the next sheet subset. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 3 , including lifting said protruding edge of a sheet subset with a divider. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , including inserting said divider between said protruding edge of the sheet subset and the top sheet in the next sheet subset. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 9 , including lifting said protruding edge of a sheet subset and removing said sheet subset from the sheet stack.