Patent GB-1054061-A (GB)
IPC: B65H39/11
Abstract: 1,054,061. Collators. NORFIN Inc. May 14, 1964 [May 23, 1963], No. 20068/64. Heading B6H. A collator for gathering sheets into multiple copies of a book or the like comprises a distributer 10 and receiver 31, Fig. 2 (not shown). The receiver has a plurality of bins or shelves arranged in vertical columns and is movable relative to the distributer whereby each column of bins may be registered with the distributer in turn and at a predetermined distance behind the distributer. The distributer receives the sheets one at a time and feeds them through a horizontal path, then vertically upwards and finally downwards, directing one sheet into each bin in turn. The sheets are fed to the distributer in batches, so that the last sheet of the book is deposited in each of the lines first, and so on, until the complete book has been assembled in each of the bins. Carriers and guides.-The sheets are fed through the distributer by a pair of spaced endless bands 46 passing around idler pulleys 129a-129h, 112 and drive pulleys 45. The spacing between the pair of pulleys 129c is greater than that between the pulleys 129b whereby the bands diverge along their horizontal run. The relative spacing between pairs of pulleys 129c, 129d, 129e, and 112 is such that the two bands converge between pulleys 129c and 129d, and again between pulleys 129d and 129e, and diverge along their vertically upwards run between pulleys 129e and 112. The sheets pass from the horizontal to the vertical runs between stationary guides 130, 131 and are directed around the upper pulleys 112 by stationary plates 113 and a bar 117. The bands are backed by freely rotatable rollers 89, 90. The sheets are maintained in contact with the bands by freely rotatable balls 92 along the horizontal and vertically upward runs and by freely rotatable rods 66 along the vertically downward run. Associated with each rod is a pivoted switch 105 by means of which the sheets are deflected into the receiver. The switches are spring-urged to the position shown in Fig. 6, except for the lowest switch which is locked permanently in the raised position. Each switch has a step 108a and a rearward extension 108 whereby it is moved to its operative position (see Fig. 5) by a bar 61 carried by intermittently movable chains 60. The pulleys 129a-129h, 112 and 45, rollers 89 and 90, and balls 92 are carried by their associated side plates 30, 85, which are movable simultaneously toward or away from each other, to accommodate different widths of sheet. The first sheet of each batch of sheets is deflected by a switch 124 under the control of a solenoid 126, into a proofing tray 127, Fig. 6. Receivers.-The receiver 31, Figs. 21 and 23, comprises vertical supports 154a and 154b carrying spaced trays or bins 150. The latter have flanges 150c at their front ends which are held by V-shaped members 165 mounted on spaced pairs of pins 166 extending between supports 154a. The rear edges of the trays are screwed to the back supports 154b. The trays are provided with vertically aligned V-shaped slots, Fig. 18 (not shown), through which a back stop 168 passes. Said stop has magnetic blocks 170 at its upper and lower ends by means of which it is attached to L-shaped brackets 171. The latter are slidable along slots in the ceiling and floor of the receiver 31. The trays also have two parallel arcuate slots at each side through which vertical posts 136 pass. Each pair of posts carries spaced horizontal side plates 135. The lower ends of the posts are mounted on pivoted arms 137 so that the spacing of the side plates may be adjusted. Faulty feed detecting.-The rear edge of the distributer carries a photo-electric cell and light source at its upper and lower ends, respectively. Each time a sheet passes from the distributer to the receiver the light beam is interrupted. Immediately the beam is interrupted a time delay unit is operated. If the beam remains interrupted for longer than the preset time of said time delay unit, the collator is automatically shut down until the faulty sheet is removed. Electrical controls.-Initially, a counter is preset manually to the number of books or documents to be collated in any one column of the receiver. As each sheet passes along the horizontal run of the endless bands it actuates a switch to step the counter mechanism. On reaching the desired number, the bar 61 is advanced past any remaining switches 105 and the machine re-set to start a new cycle. A switch is provided whereby a second sheet may be delivered to any selected tray. Another switch makes it possible to advance the bar 61 step-by-step at will.