Equipment for transferring sheets with change of direction

An equipment for transferring sheets with change of direction for sheets entering along a first direction comprises output rollers to move the sheets along a second direction, right-angled with respect to the first direction, and members of engagement and movement, actuatable for engaging and moving the sheets entering along the first direction along the second direction up to the engagement with the output rollers. The members of engagement and movement provide a condition of reception in which define a space of reception for the entering sheets and a condition of engagement and movement in which engage the entered sheets and move the sheets for the engagement with the output rollers. The members of engagement and movement return to the condition of reception upon the engagement of the entered sheet with the output rollers for enabling a following sheet—to enter and to be moved along the first direction jointly with the movement of the previous entered sheet along the second direction.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from Italian Patent Application No. to 2007-000280, filed on Apr. 20, 2007, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to equipment for transferring sheets with change of direction. More specifically, the invention relates to equipment for transferring sheets with change of direction according to the introductory portions of the main claims.

BACKGROUND

Equipment for transferring sheets with change of direction, in particular right angle transfer equipment, are used in systems for the automatic processing and delivering of documents. Typically, the documents previously printed on sheets in vertical and in movement in the sense of a long edge should be moved in the sense of the short edge, without change of orientation for following processing of folding and insertion into envelope.

It is known equipment for transfer sheets with change of direction, of the type above mentioned, comprising a box like structure with a mechanism of input, a mechanism of output for moving the sheets along a second direction and electromagnets actuatable for putting the entered sheets in engagement with the mechanism of output. The mechanism of input includes a series of rollers which move the sheets along a first direction up to a stop surface, with loss of engagement. The mechanism of output includes motorized rollers projecting from a surface of support of the entering sheet and upper pinch rollers connected with the electromagnets. When the leading edge of the entering sheet arrives at the stop surface, it is sensed by a photocell which enables the electromagnets to urge the pinch rollers downwardly to put the entered sheet against the motorized rollers for the transfer along the second direction.

An equipment of this known type requires the complete emerging of the entered sheet along the second direction before the entering of a following sheet. Therefore this known equipment is inherently slow, of limited flexibility and is unsuitable to be used in the current high velocity systems for the automatic processing of document.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides equipment for transferring sheets with change of direction of high reliability, which results in fast, flexible and of relatively limited cost.

This object is obtained by the equipment for transferring sheets with change of direction for sheets entering along a first direction, comprising output rollers for moving the sheets along a second direction, right-angled with respect to the first direction. The equipment further comprises members of engagement and movement actuatable for engaging and moving the sheets entering along the first direction along the second direction up to the engagement with the output rollers. The members of engagement and movement provide a condition of reception in which define a space of reception for the entering sheets and a condition of engagement and movement in which engage the entered sheets and move the sheets for the engagement with the output rollers, and in which the members of engagement and movement return to the condition of reception upon the engagement of the entered sheet with the output rollers for enabling a following sheet to enter and to be moved along the first direction jointly with the movement of the previous entered sheet along the second direction.

According to another characteristic, the equipment for transferring sheets entering along a first direction comprises output rollers for moving the sheets along a second direction right angled with respect to the first direction an actuating motor and a pair or more pairs of cyclically actuatable opposite wheels to engage and move along the second direction, up to the engagement with the output rollers, the sheets entering along the first direction. At least a wheel has one or more sectors provided for engagement with the other wheel and one or more depressed sectors, and in which the sector is faced, or one of the depressed sectors is faced to the other wheel of the pair in a reference position to define a condition of receipt for the entering sheets, while the sector provided for engagement or each sector provided for engagement is designed to engage and move the sheets in the condition of engagement and movement. The actuating motor is provided to actuate at least a wheel from the reference position to positions of engagement and movement and return to the reference position, and each sheet entering along the first direction is moved up to the engagement with the output rollers by the one or more sectors provided for engagement, while a following sheet is allowed to enter and to be moved along a first direction up to the space defined by the depressed sectors for a new transferring of the sheets, jointly with the movement along the second direction of a sheet engaged by the output rollers.

Further according to another characteristic, the equipment for transferring sheets entering along a first direction comprises an input section, of reception of sheets entering along a first direction, output rollers for moving the sheets along a second direction, right angled with respect to the first direction and control and actuation means to put in engagement with the output rollers the sheets entered along the first direction. In particular, the equipment comprises: “O” rings of movement and contrast, lengthened along the first direction and having a lower branch tangent to a reference surface for engaging the entering sheets and moving the entering sheets along the reference surface; and members of engagement and movement of the said control and actuation means. The members of engagement and movement are operative in proximity of an edge of the sheets arranged on the reference surface, for moving the sheets up to the engagement with the output rollers.

According to another characteristic, the equipment for transferring sheets entering along a first direction comprises output members adjacent to a section of output for moving the sheets along a second direction, right angled with respect to the first direction. The equipment further comprises: a moving device for longitudinally moving the longitudinally entering sheets on a reference surface; members of engagement and movement for putting the longitudinally entered sheets in engagement with the output members along the reference surface; and transversal guide elements for guiding, along the second direction, transversely entering sheets entering transversely from an input section of the equipment, opposite to the section of output, adjacently and underneath the reference surface and up to the output members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to theFIGS. 1 and 2, equipment for transferring sheets with change of direction is represented with21. The equipment21comprises a front section22, a back section23with a back wall25and lateral sections24land24rwith sides of support25land25r.

The front section22is of input for the equipment21and is designed for receiving sheets, represented with26, in movement along a first direction27. The sheets26are sequentially receivable with short separation between the edge of output of an entering sheet and the input edge of a following one. The lateral section24lis of output for the equipment21and in which, through the lateral section24l, the entered sheets26emerge along a second direction28, right angled with respect to the first direction27.

For the movement along the second direction28, the equipment21includes output members and control and actuation means31. The output members comprise, for instance, opposite output rollers29for engaging the entered sheets26and moving the sheets along the second direction28, while the control and actuation means31puts the entered sheets26in engagement with the output rollers29.

The first direction27is parallel to a longitudinal axis32of the equipment. Such axis32is associated with the axis, conventionally longitudinal and of larger dimension, of the sheets26, while the second direction28is associated to the transversal axis of smaller dimension of the sheets.

According to the invention, the control and actuation means31include members of engagement and movement33and34, an actuating motor36, a sheet sensor35, a position sensor37and an electronic processing unit38. The members of engagement and movement33and34are cyclically actuatable in the rotation, on control of the processing unit38for causing the entering sheets26, which are moving along the first direction27to be temporarily engaged and moved, along the second direction28, up to the engagement with the output rollers29.

The sheet sensor35is arranged upstream of the members of engagement and movement33and34. In turn, the members of engagement and movement33and34provide a condition of reception for receiving the sheets and a condition of engagement and movement in which engage the sheets and move the sheets for the engagement with the output rollers29. The members33and34operate on areas of the sheets adjacent to the input edge and, immediately thereafter, return to the condition of engagement for allowing the superimposition of the sheet while the underlying sheet is transferring along the second direction. The output rollers29are arranged out of the trajectory of the sheets in movement along the first direction and are kept in continuous rotation by an output motor39for a quick transfer of the engaged sheets along the second direction.

The members of engagement and movement33and34, respectively, include a pair of opposite wheels42land42hand a pair of opposite wheels43land43h, and in which the wheels42l,42hand43land43hrotate around axes parallel to the longitudinal axis32. The wheels42land43lare conveniently shaped so as to define each one at least one sector, specifically two engagement sectors44-a,44-b(FIGS. 5aand5b), for engaging the other wheel42hand43hand at least one depressed sector, specifically two depressed sectors46-aand46-b.

The engagement sectors44-aand44-bare arranged at 180° the one from the other and are designed for engaging the sheets26and pinching the sheets against the wheel42hand43hin the condition of engagement and movement. The depressed sectors46-aand46-bare also arranged at 180° the one from the other and face the other wheels42hand43hin respective angular reference positions “0”. In the reference positions, the depressed sections are spaced apart a gap “G” with respect to the wheel42hand43hand the shaped wheels42land43ldefine a condition of receipt for the entering sheets26. The opposite wheels42l,42hand43l,43hare actuatable in the rotation from the reference positions “0” to angular positions of engagement and movement and return to the reference positions. The engagement sectors are sized so that, with the rotation, the sheet26is engaged and moved up to the engagement with the output rollers29. After the engagement of the sheets, the wheels42l,42hand43l,43hcontinue the rotation for a cycle of 180° with arrest at the reference positions “0” for receiving and transferring a following sheets

According to the invention, the equipment21includes a longitudinal moving device47for moving, by adherence, the entering sheets26along the first direction27on a reference surface48. In the condition of engagement and movement, the control and actuation means31engage and move the sheets26in the second direction on the reference surface48, with respect to the moving device47, up to the engagement with the output members.

In a first embodiment of theFIGS. 1 and 2, the equipment21includes, between the sides25land25r, a stop plate51for the input edges52of the received sheets, lower “O” rings of moving and support53l,53cl,53crand53rand upper “O” rings of movement and contrast54l,54-cand54r. The “O” rings are lengthened along the first direction27and define the reference surface48for the entering sheets26. Ramp and step elements56l,56cand56rare associated to the lower “O” rings of moving and support53l,53cl,53crand53rand to the upper “O” rings of movement and contrast54l,54-cand54rto overlap, without jamming, following sheets26on a sheet or on overlapped sheets of the reference surface48.

Each ramp and step element56l,56cand56rincludes a ramp surface57and a step58. The ramp57has a seat designed to receive the lower branch of the corresponding upper “O” rings of movement and contrast, while the sheet26or the overlapped sheets26are received and transferred, in plane, between the steps58of the ramp and step elements and the stop plate51according to a known technique.

The sheet sensor35is close to one of the steps58and recognizes the passage of the edge of output of the sheet received on the reference surface48. The pairs of opposite wheels43land43hare operative in proximity of the input edges52of the received sheets26lying on the reference surface48for moving the sheets up to the engagement with the output rollers29.

The opposite wheels42l,42hand43l,43hproject of few from the stop plate51for the engagement with the input edges52of the received sheets26and in proximity of the plate51. The wheels42l,42hand the wheels43land43hoperate on two different areas adjacent at the edges of input52, in conditions of synchronism. It ensures the transversal shifting of the sheets with constant orientation and without oscillations.

The opposite wheels42l,42hand43l,43hinclude each one a substantially frusto-conical tapered surface63for the received sheet26. Each wheel43l,43his provided of a peripheral band64in a material of high adherence for a sure pinching with the sheets26in the condition of engagement.

The wheels42land42hof the member of engagement and movement33are mounted at the ends of two support shafts61land61h, while the wheels43land43hof the member of engagement and movement34are mounted at the ends of two support shafts62land62h. The shafts61l,61hand62l,62hare mounted with the end projecting from the stop plate51. The actuating motor36is of brushless D.C. type, with a position encoder66connected in the rotation with the support shafts61land62lof the shaped wheels42land43land through a transmission belt67. In turn, the shafts61land62lare connected in synchronism with the support shafts61hand62hof the other wheels42hand43hthrough a chain of gears68.

In the use, the processing unity38responds to a signal from the sheet sensor35to activate in intermittent way the actuating motor36. The processing unity drives the motor36with a law of motion, which is optimized for a limited impact at the moment of the contact of the engagement sectors44a,44bwith the sheet or with the sheets and against the other wheel42h,43h, for a high velocity when the sheet or the sheets are pinched between the opposite wheels and a quick return to the condition of receipt of the equipment.

The synchronous motorization between the lower wheels and the upper wheels assures pinching without slide both for the moving of single sheets and for the moving of overlapped sheets.

The position sensor37is designed to recognize the passage of an index69keyed on the shaft of support61lof the shaped wheel42land to supply a zero signal “R”. On initialization of the equipment21, the processing unit38responds to the signal “R” to identify one of the reference angular positions “0” of the shaped wheels42land43land the condition of receipt for the entering sheets26.

The longitudinal moving device47is defined by the lower “O” rings of moving and support53l,53-cand53rand the upper “O” rings of movement and contrast54l,54-cl,54-crand54r.

The “O” rings of moving and support53l,53-cand53rare tensioned and moved by respective front lower pulleys71fkeyed on a shaft72fand back lower pulleys71rrotatable on a shaft72r, while the “O” rings of movement and contrast54l,54cl,54crand54rare tensioned and moved by front upper pulleys73fkeyed on a shaft74fand back upper pulleys73rrotatable on a shaft74r. The shafts72fand74fare supported in rotatable way between the sides25land25r. In turn, the stop plate51is arranged in front of the pulleys71rand73rand provides notches for the passage of the above described upper and lower “O” rings.

An input motor76rotates the lower pulleys71fand the upper pulleys73f, in synchronous way, through a transmission belt77and a pulley78keyed on the shaft72fand through gears79between the shafts72fand74f. The received sheets26are arranged on the reference surface48and moved on this surface between the upper branches of the “O” rings of moving and support53l,53-cand53rand the lower branches of the “O” rings of movement and contrast54l,54cl,54crand54r.

The input motor76is of brushless D.C. type and is controlled by a position encoder81(FIG. 6) keyed on the shaft72f. The processing unit38responds to the signals from the encoder81for regulating the moving speed of the sheets26on the basis of the requests of the equipment furnishing the entering sheets26.

The longitudinal moving device47works on the opposite faces of a single sheet and, in the case of overlapped sheets, on the lower face of the underlying sheet and on the upper face of the upper sheet. It ensures the transfer of sheets overlapped in unitary ways and at high velocity. Thus, the equipment21can be arranged, advantageously, downstream of a so-called “double cutter” having possibility of cutting both of single sheets and of overlapped sheets. By means of the upper “O” rings, the device47provides to entering a sheet26on a sheet or sheets lying on the upper branch of the lower “O” rings.

The opposite output rollers29include a pair of rollers82land82ha little upstream from the members33and34and a pair of rollers83land83hof a little downstream from the ramp and step elements, keyed on a lower shaft84land on an upper shaft84h. The shafts84land84hare supported in the rotation at the outside of the side25f, parallel to the axis32and so that the nipping area of the rollers82land82hand of the rollers83land83hresults on the reference surface48.

The output motor39is connected in the rotation with the lower shaft84lthrough belt and pulley, while the upper shaft84his in synchronism with the shaft84lthrough gears86. Also the output motor39is of brushless D.C. type, controlled by a position encoder87keyed on the shaft84l. The signals from the encoder87are used by the processing unit38to regulate the moving speed of the sheets26emerging along the second direction on the basis of the requests of the receiving equipments and the dimensions of the sheets.

The electronic processing unit38(FIG. 6) comprises an interface unit91, a microprocessor92and a drive and interface unit93. The interface unit91is connected to the system to which the equipment21is connected, while the microprocessor92works on the basis of information received by the system and in relation with the operative specifications of the sheets to be processed.

The processing unit38drives in continuous way the output motor39and the input motor76on the basis of information of velocity and control of the signals from the encoders87and81. Moreover, the unit38drives the actuating motor36in response to signals from the sheet sensor35, according to a cycle of engagement, movement and release of the shaped wheels with respect to the sheets26. This cycle provides a period of movement with steps of acceleration and brake and a period of arrest associated to the movement of the sheet along the second direction, with control by the position encoder66and return to the reference positions “0.”

The structure of the equipment21allows the transferring of single sheets and overlapped sheets and with liberty on the number of the overlapped sheets and the transferring of bundles of sheets, by adjusting the distance between the wheels42land42hand the wheels43land43h.

In the operation for the transferring of sheets, the equipment21is in a condition of reception in which the input motor76is energized for the actuation of the “O” rings53l,53cl,53crand53rand of the “O” rings54l,54-cand54r. At the same time, the output motor39is energized for a continuous rotation of the output rollers29. In turn, the shaped wheels42land43l(FIG. 5a) are in the reference positions, spaced apart of the gap “G” from the opposite wheels43land43h.

A sheet26entering in the input section22is nipped between the upper branches of the “O” rings53l,53cl,53crand53rand the lower branches of the “O” rings54l,54-cand54r. The “O” rings move the sheet along the first direction32, with lifting of the input edge on the ramp and step elements56l,56cand56r, following lending on the reference surface48(FIG. 2a) and moving on the surface48. Upon the passage of the edge of output in front of the sheet sensor35, the processing unit38(FIG. 6) activates the actuating motor36for a cyclical rotation of 180 degrees of the wheels42l,42hand43l,43h. It occurs jointly with the input edge52entering the gaps “G” between the wheels42land42hand the wheels43land43h.

The stop plate51holds back the sheet26, against the sliding action of the “O”, while the sectors 44° and44bof the shaped wheels42land43lengage, in tandem, two areas of the sheet adjacent to the input edge52. The entered sheet26is moved in the second direction28, carrying the lateral edge up to the engagement with the output rollers29. The rollers29now drag the sheet in the second direction28, while the shaped wheels42land43lreturn to the condition of receipt.

During the movement of the entered sheet26in the second direction, the equipment21can receive and moving longitudinally a following sheet26. The input edge52of the following entering sheet will be lifted by the ramp and step elements56l,56cand56r, and subsequently depressed with partial superimposition on the sheet26lying on the reference surface48and emerging from the equipment. While the preceding sheet completely disengages the upper and lower “O” rings, the following sheet enters the gaps “G”, for a new energization of the actuating motor36, on the passage of the edge of output of the sheet in front of the sheet sensor35, and another cycle of transferring.

The above described transferring of sheets also applies to the receiving of two overlapped sheets, as in the case in which the equipment21is arranged downstream of a double cutter.

The equipment21can also operate for forming a bundle of sheets in the space defined between the steps58of the ramp and step elements and the stop plate51, with the edges52received in the gaps “G”. In this case, the processing unit38will drive the actuating motor36after the reception of a number of signals from the sheet sensor35corresponding to the number of sheets which will form the bundle. The whole bundle will be moved by the wheels42land42hand the wheels43land43hup to the output rollers29for the following transferring in the second direction.

The equipment21can optionally provide output rollers94(FIGS. 4 and 5) arranged adjacent to the side25rand having sense of rotation opposed to the one of the rollers29to transfer the sheets26from the section24rof the equipment along the second direction but in an opposite sense96. In this way, for a given sense of rotation of the wheels42l,43l, the sheets will be transferred with emersion from the lateral section24l, while the sheets will be transferred with emersion from the section24rfor a sense of rotation opposed of the wheels42l,43h.

With reference to theFIGS. 7,8and9, is represented with121a variant of equipment for transferring sheets with change of direction, similar to the equipment21ofFIG. 1, including a fixed lower frame122land a mobile upper frame122h, and in which the upper frame122his provided for being positioned between an operative position and a position of service. In detail, the lower frame122lincludes the back wall25and the sides25land25r. The mobile frame122hhas two sides123land123rlined up with the sides25land25rand is fulcrumed on the frame122lthrough pivots124land124rand lugs126land126radjacent to the back section23. In the operative position (FIG. 8), the frame122his horizontal, with the lower edges of the sides1231and123rin contact with the upper edges of the sides25land25r, while the section22corresponds to the front portion of the frames122land122h. In the position of service (FIG. 9), the frame122his inclined upwardly with respect to the frame122land allows the access to the frame122land the lower components.

The equipment121presents a reference surface127defined in the upper frame122hand a stop surface128defined in the lower frame122l, for the sheets26entering along the first direction27. In the operative position of the frame122h, the reference surface127is horizontal, arranged between the front section22and the back section23, while the stop surface128is adjacent to the section23. The lateral section24ris of output for the equipment121and, through this lateral section, the sheets26emerge along a second direction129, right angled with respect to the first direction27and according to the transversal axis of the sheets26.

The equipment121comprises functional components equal to the functional components of the equipment21, including the opposite output rollers29, the members of engagement and movement33and34and the relative sensors and different functional components, including a longitudinal moving device131, edge lifting elements132and an electronic processing unit133.

The longitudinal moving device131is actuated by an input motor76for moving the entering sheets26along the first direction27on the reference surface127. The edge lifting elements132are arranged at the input and are associated to the moving device131for overlapping, without jamming, following entering sheets on the sheet of the reference surface127or on sheets overlapped of the surface127. The output rollers29are kept in continuous rotation by the output motor39to engage the sheets26and move the sheets along the second direction129.

The moving device131includes, arranged in vertical, input pulleys137l,137cl,137crand137r, front pulleys,138l,138cand138r, back pulleys139l,139cand139rand “O” rings or belts of movement and contrast, in detail “O” rings141l,141cand141r, between the front and back pulleys.

The input pulleys,137l,137cl,137crand137rare keyed on a shaft137of the frame122land, in the operative condition of the frame122h, these pulleys are below and in condition of tangency with respect to the reference surface127. The front pulleys,138l,138cand138rare keyed on a shaft138of the frame122hand are arranged above and tangent with respect to the reference surface127. The back pulleys139l,139cand139rare coaxial with the pivots124land124rof fulcrum for the frame122hand are supported in rotatable way by lugs of the frame122ladjacent to the back section23. The pulleys139l,139cand139rare arranged above and in condition of tangency with respect to the surface127.

The input pulleys137l,137cl,137crand137rare connected in the rotation with the input motor76through the shaft137and through pulleys and a toothed belt. In the operative condition of the frame122h, the motor76also actuates the front pulleys,138l,138cand138rthrough the shaft137and a pair of gears including a gear140lkeyed on the shaft137and a gear140hkeyed on the shaft138. With reference to theFIG. 7, the pulley138lis arranged at the right of the pulley137l, the pulley138is in central position between the pulleys137cland137crand the pulley138ris at the left of the pulley137r. In the condition of service of the frame122h(FIG. 9), the gear140his disengaged from the gear140l.

The “O” rings of movement and contrast141l,141cand141r(FIGS. 7,8and8a) are longitudinally lengthened, engaged between the front pulleys,138l,138cand138rand the back pulleys139l,139cand139r. The lower branches of the “O” rings141l,141cand141rare adjacent to the reference surface127and, in the use, are designated for cooperating with the sheets26of the reference surface127for longitudinally moving the sheets along the surface127.

The edge lifting elements132include lower contrast pulleys142l,142cand142r, mounted on the frame122l, and which are designed to cooperate with the “O” rings141l,141cand141r. Each pulley142l,142cand142ris provided of a notch with small sides143. In the operative condition of the frame122h, the notches of the pulley142l,142cand142rare coupled with the lower branches of the “O” rings141l,141cand141r, while the small sides143project of few from the surface127.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the equipment121includes transversal guide elements144for transversely entering sheets146from the lateral sections24l. The section24lrepresents a transversal input, opposite to the sector24r, of output, along the second direction129, for the transfer without change of direction up to the output members29. Specifically, the guide elements144can guide sheets146of large transversal dimensions, also through the space of reception between the wheels42l,42hand43l,43h, up to the output rollers29, for moving these sheets along the second direction129.

In particular, the transversal guide elements144include an upper laminar guide147and a lower laminar guide148. The guide147is mounted on the bottom of the mobile frame122h, adjacent to the lower branches of the “O” rings, and defines the reference surface127, while the guide148is mounted on an upper portion of the frame122parallel, in the use, with the guide147. Thus, the guides147and148form, in the operative conditions, a passage for the sheets146underneath the reference surface127. The laminar guides147and148include, where necessary, suitable openings to freely lodge the contrast pulleys142l,142cand142rand the shaped wheels42l,42hand43l,43h.

According to the invention, the equipment121can be associated or can integrate a transversal insertion device for entering the sheets146through the transversal guide elements144.

In alternative and without mechanical changes, the equipment121can longitudinally introduce the sheets26and move the sheets along the second direction129with right angled change of direction, or receive and transversally transfer the sheets146without change of direction. In the condition of service of the frame122h, the operator can access the lower laminar guide148for the removal of possible jammed sheets.

An equipment for transferring sheets161according to the invention is shown inFIG. 10. The equipment161is similar to the equipment121and integrates a transversal insertion device, represented with162. With respect to the equipment121, the equipment161has differences regarding some component of the transversal guide elements, herein represented with163. The device162includes a support plate164, transport belts166with upper branches slideable on the plate164and a transversal input motor167controlled by the electronic unit133for the feeding of the belts166.

The insertion device162presents a section external to the equipment161and an internal section. In the external section, the plate164and the belts166transversally project from the lateral section24land are designed for receiving sheets168to be transferred without change of direction. In the internal section, the plate164and the belts166form the lower portion of the transversal guide elements163. The upper portion of the elements163is formed by an upper laminar guide169equal to the guide147ofFIG. 8. Thus, in the operative conditions, the plate164and the belts166define the passage for the sheets168underneath the upper laminar guide169between the section of output24rand the input section24l.

The insertion device162includes a counter plate170, coupable with the external section of the support plate164. In detail, the counter plate170supports small balls157, of known type, lodged in respective cylindrical seats above the belts153and spring urged against the belts166to improve the transport of the sheets146. Internally to the equipment161, the belts166allow the device162to transfer, without change of direction, sheets168having transversal dimensions less of the distance between the sides24land24rof the frame122land, particularly, A5 sheets in the sense of the long edge.

On control of the electronic processing unit133and without mechanical interventions, the equipment161can longitudinally introduce the sheets26and move the sheets along the second direction129with change of direction, or receive and transversally transfer the sheets168without change of direction. Possible jams can be removed, by accessing the plate164and the belts166in the condition of service of the frame122h.

For transversally transfer sheets171of small dimensions, the equipment161can use a lengthened counter plate (not shown) which extends along the external section and the internal section of the device162. The small balls157rare also arranged along the internal section of the equipment for improving the transport of the sheets146along the whole extension of the plate164and of the belts166. The lengthened counter plate is coupable with the support plate164and with the belts166in the condition of service of the frame122h, while the equipment161is operative exclusively for the transfer of the sheets171without change of direction.

An equipment for transferring sheets176, similar to the equipment121or161is shown inFIG. 11. The equipment176includes the longitudinal moving device131with “O” rings and the pulleys of lifting, the output rollers29adjacent to the section24rand the transversal guide elements144. On the contrary, the equipment176has a different arrangement for the members of engagement and movement, herein represented with177and178.

The members177and178are similar to the members33and34and comprise the pair of opposite wheels42land42hand the pair of opposite wheels43land43hactuatable between the condition of reception and the condition of engagement and movement for the sheets26. The members of engagement and movement177and178are arranged parallel to the output rollers29between the “O” rings and the output rollers and operate on areas of the sheets26adjacent to a lateral edge179. The guide elements144have lateral openings for the members177and178and guide the sheets146through the space of reception between the wheels42l,42hand43l,43h, up to the output rollers29, for the moving of the sheets along the second direction.

In the operative conditions for the transferring of the sheets26, the equipments121,161,176is in a condition of reception and in which the motor76is energized for the actuation of the “Or” ring141l,141cand141r. The output motor36is also energized and holds in continuous rotation the output rollers29. In turn, the shaped wheels42land43lare in the reference position

A sheet26entering the input section22is nipped and moved by the pulleys137l,137cand137rand the pulleys138l,138cand138rand subsequently moved by the lower branches of the “O” rings along the surface127. Then, through the small sides143, the “O” rings lift the input edge of the entering sheet26and allow the sheet to fall on the surface127to overlap, without jamming, following entering sheets on a sheet or on preceding sheets, arranged on the surface127. Subsequently, the “O” rings move the sheet on the surface127, up to the stop against the surface128. Upon the passage of the edge of output in front of the sheet sensor, the processing unity energizes the actuating motor for the cyclical rotation of 180 degrees of the wheels42l,42hand43l,43h.

It occurs jointly with the input of the input edge52of the sheet26in the space of reference between the wheels42land42hand the wheels43land43h. In the equipments121,161, the shaped wheels42land43lengage in tandem two areas of the sheet adjacent to the input edge52. During the shifting of the sheet26in the second direction, the equipment can receive a following sheet26. The input edge52of the incoming sheet is lifted for the combined action of the “O” rings141l,141cand141rand the contrast pulleys142l,142cand142r. Thereafter, the input edge52is depressed with partial superimposition on the sheet26lying on the reference surface127and in output. While the preceding sheet has completely abandoned the engagement with the “O” rings, the following sheet is inserted in the spaces of reception for a new activation of the actuating motor, upon the passage of the edge of output of the sheet in front of the sheet sensor, for another cycle of transferring.

In the equipment176, the wheels42land43lengage areas of the lateral edge179adjacent to the section124r. The sheet26is moved in the second direction up to the engagement of the lateral edge179with the output rollers29for the transport in the direction129and while the wheels42land43lreturn in the condition of receipt. Also in the equipment176is possible to receive a sheet26during the shifting of the sheet26in the second direction, up to the time in which the preceding sheet has not completely abandoned the engagement with the wheels42land42hand the wheels43land43h.

The transferring of sheets above described it is also applied to the case in which instead of a single sheet two overlapped sheets are received, as in the case in which the equipment121,151,176is arranged downstream of a double cutter.

Naturally, the principle of the invention remaining the same, the embodiments and the details of construction of the equipment for transferring sheets with change of direction can be widely varied with respect to what has been described and illustrated, by way of non-limitative example, without by this departing from the ambit of the present invention.