Patent ID: 8240653
Filing Date: 2012-08-14
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for forming completed packs containing a desired number of folded sheets formed in a stacking region below a pair of folding rolls along a sheet path extending through a nip between the pair of folding rolls by a continuously flowing sheet stream of folded sheets issuing downstream from the pair of folding rolls along the sheet path and having adjacent panels forming successive folds opening alternately in opposite directions substantially transversely to the sheet path, the apparatus comprising: a count finger arrangement having a first and a second count finger, a build and transport arrangement having two or more build fingers, and at least one strip finger; the first and second count fingers being operatively configured and connected to the pack build and transport arrangement for periodic pivotable motion about respective first and second count finger axes into successive oppositely opening folds to form a completed pack downstream from the count fingers; the count fingers also being operatively configured and connected to the pack build and transport arrangement for movement of the count finger axes in a downstream direction while continuing to partly build the next pack on upstream surfaces of the count fingers as a pack build and transport arrangement moves the completed pack out of the stacking region; the count fingers further being operatively configured and connected to the pack build and transport arrangement for retracting the count fingers by moving them substantially linearly oppositely from one another outward from the sheet path to transfer the partly completed next pack to the pack build and transport arrangement after the pack build and transport has transported the previously completed pack out of the stacking region; the two or more build fingers of the build and transport arrangement being alternately positionable in the stacking region and configured for receiving partly completed packs from the count fingers, for receiving additional folded sheets from the sheet stream to complete the next pack after the count fingers are retracted, and for transporting completed packs out of the stacking region; the at least one strip finger being configured and operatively connected to the count and build fingers such that the at least one stripping finger is insertable at least partly across an upstream surface of the last panel while the count fingers are supporting the next pack, prior to transporting the completed pack out of the stacking region; the at least one strip finger also being configured and operatively connected to the build fingers in such a manner that the strip finger moves longitudinally along the sheet path with the build finger supporting the completed pack, to thereby facilitate pulling the completed pack away from the count fingers; the at least one strip finger being further configured and operatively connected such that the strip finger retracts in a transverse direction from the build finger supporting the completed pack prior to the build finger supporting the completed pack transporting the completed pack out of the stacking region; and a controller operably connected to the two or more build fingers, the controller configured to operatively control the two or more build fingers for alternately positioning in the stacking region and for receiving partly completed packs from the count fingers, for receiving additional folded sheets from the sheet stream to complete the next pack after the count fingers are retracted, and for transporting completed packs out of the stacking region.