Patent GB-884063-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to the separating of copies from a continuous stream thereof
Inventor: WARNER ROLAND OSWALD
IPC: B65H33/12
Filed: 1959-02-04
Abstract: 884,063. Delivering sheets in counted batches. SUN PRINTERS Ltd., and STRACHAN & HENSHAW Ltd. Feb. 23, 1960 [Feb. 4, 1959], No. 4012/59 Class 100(1) Apparatus for separating copies, e.g. of periodicals or magazines, from a continuous overlapping stream thereof and forming them into counted batches comprises means for counting the copies as a stream thereof is carried from a printing machine by a conveyer and for indicating when a predetermined number of copies has been counted, and a spatule which is moved between two successive copies in the stream whenever the counting means gives such indication and which then guides the copy lying thereon on to a platform disposed above the conveyer, the copies in advance of the deflected copy being pushed together into a batch between pusher and stop devices and the spatula and platform being subsequently moved out of the path of the stream. As shown copies 18 are delivered in an overlapping stream on a conveyer 12 carried by pulleys 13 and consisting of several separate bands. The counted batches are discharged by a second conveyer 20. A spatula 29, Figs. 2, 3, is pivotally mounted on a shaft 30 near the side of the conveyer 12 and can be swung from its normal position, shown in chain lines in Fig. 3, to a position between two successive copies on the conveyer by means of toothed quadrants 31, 32, the quadrant 32 being mounted on a bellcrank lever 33 which is oscillated by a cam 28. The cam 28 is clutched to a continuously driven shaft 26 by a single revolution clutch 27 which is automatically engaged by a solenoid every time a given number of copies has been counted by a counting device 22 located above the stream of copies. When the spatula is inserted between two copies the rearward copy is deflected upwards on to a ramp 42 mounted on a carriage 39 which is slidable on a track 38, and although the spatula is then withdrawn the overlapping arrangement of the stream prevents any further copies from being carried along the conveyer 12, Fig. 2. A carriage 50 which is slidable on a track 49 carries fingers 56 which can project between the bands of the conveyer 12. When the flow of copies has been interrupted by the spatula the carriage 50 is moved to the position shown in Fig. 4 wherein the fingers 56, having engaged the trailing edge of the copy in front of the spatula, push a batch of copies into engagement with stop members 58 which project between separate bands of the conveyer 20. The members 58 are then moved downwards to allow the batch to be carried away by the conveyer 20. Meanwhile the carriage 39 has been moved to the Fig. 4 position so as to allow the copies whose advance has been obstructed thereby to move on towards the conveyer 20. The carriage 50 is moved back to the Fig. 1 position, the fingers 56 pivoting clockwise about their lower ends so as to pass under the oncoming batch. The cycle of operations then begins anew. The movements of the carriages 39 and 50 and the stop members 58 are effected by bell-crank levers 40, 51, 59 respectively which are oscillated by cams 63, 64, 65 mounted, together with a further cam 66 on a camshaft driven from a main drive shaft 15 which also drives the conveyers and the shaft 26. A roller 44 is mounted at the lower edge of the ramp 42 and is rotated through drive means 46, 47, 48 from the shaft 26 so as to assist in the movement of copies on to the ramp. The shaft 15 is driven continuously by a motor 14 while the camshaft is driven therefrom through gears 61, 62 only when a clutch 60 is engaged. The clutch 60 is actuated by an air operating device connected to an air valve 71 mounted on the machine frame adjacent to the track 38. The valve 71 is opeend so as to actuate the clutch 60 by one end of a lever 73 which carries at its other end a wheel 75; copies 18 mounting the ramp 42 urge the wheel 75 upwards so as to open the valve. Once open the valve 71 stays open until the cam 66 engages and opens a second valve 76 which closes the first valve and thereby disengages the clutch. The appropriate moment in the machine cycle for opening the valve 76 varies according to the speed at which the machine is being driven; the machine may have governor-controlled means which automatically varies the time of opening of the valve 76 in accordance with the speed of the shaft 15. The spatula may be mounted on the carriage 39 and the air valve 71 may be' electrically operated.