The German OEM manufacturer, which supplies the paper transport technology for HP Indigo's B2 presses, has been granted US Patent 8,960,666 B2 for "an innovative method to create shingled streams of media utilising the BDT Tornado Technology".

BDT's Tornado technology is made up of modular units consisting of an impeller, to create an area of low pressure that lifts the substrate, and a pair of transport belts (either side of the impeller) that propel the substrate forward when it touches the belts.

Each module operates as an independent unit that is fully controllable via software.

BDT launched the Tornado technology at Drupa 2012 as a replacement for conventional paper handling kit such as compressors, suction cups and vacuum pumps.

The manufacturer said that its method for creating shingled streams of media eliminated the need for a vacuum generator, which together with the corresponding control valves and supply lines constitutes a significant cost factor in the overall system.

BDT added that its Tornado technology was also more flexible in that it allowed different lengths of overlap to be created and adjusted on the fly, simply by varying the velocities of the conveyor belts, with no need for mechanical intervention or adjustment.

This enables "media stacks with very clean edges to be collected within variable sheeter systems without the need to mechanically adjust end stops or guides", according to the company.

Ralf Hipp, BDT Print Media Handling business unit manager, said: "This patent is an indication of the significant investment BDT Media Automation is making in the print and packaging market, and yet another example of the technical innovation and capability BDT brings to our customers and to our partners."

The company added that its technology made it possible to create overlapping streams of packaging materials including very lightweight media, cardboard and flexible bags.