Patent GB-798086-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in sheet gathering apparatus
IPC: B65H39/055
Filed: 1954-10-19
Abstract: 798,086. Sheet-delivery apparatus; feeding sheets. PUGNO. M. Oct. 19, 1954 [Oct. 19, 1953], No. 30047/54. Class 100(1) Sheet gatherers; pile supports; sheet separators and forwarders. A machine for gathering book signatures or like sheets comprise at least one horizontal platform, facing a conveyer belt on which signatures can be disposed in successive stacks, means for removing the bottom signature from each stack, means adapted to seize each bottom signature transporting it above the conveyer belt and allowing it to fall thereon, means for driving the conveyer belt and means for signalling that the removal of a signature from the stack has not taken place properly. The sheets 3 are stacked in successive order on horizontal planes adjacent two conveyer belts 5, 6 and each stack is separated by adjustable partitions 4. To separate the lowermost sheet from each stack a reciprocating sucker 9 is provided attached to a pivoted lever 8 having a cam follower at its free end which co-operates with a cam 7 on a shaft 7a. Spring fingers extending along the front edges of the stacks and having a portion bearing on the underside of the stack may be provided to assist in the separation of the lowermost sheet. The separated bottom sheets are then gripped by pneumatically operated grippers adjustably mounted on bars 20, 21 which are carried by a mobile assembly 15. The assembly 15 is driven with a transverse reciprocatory movement by a chain 16 and driving members 17. The assembly is also guided by means of a pinion 18 and rack 19. The grippers are connected by levers 24 to two pneumatic cylinders 25, 26 by which they are controlled, admission of compressed air to the cylinders to operate the grippers at the correct time being determined by a valve cylinder 46 controlled by two sets adjustable bars one set 28, 29 being shown with which the cylinder 46 coacts. In operation, after the separators 9 have withdrawn the bottom sheet from each of the stacks, the assembly 15 is moved to the left as viewed in Fig. 2 so that the bars 28, 29 operate the cylinder 26 to release the gripper on the bar 21, and the cylinder 25 to close the grippers on the bar 20 to grip the separated bottom sheet associated with the stacks on the left side of the apparatus. The assembly 15 then moves to the right so that the second set of bars operates the cylinders 25, 26 to cause the grippers associated with the bar 20 to open and release the sheets on the conveyer 5, and the grippers on bar 21 to grip separated sheets from the right hand set of stacks for deposit on the conveyer 6. The conveyers 5, 6 deliver the sheets between rollers 35, 38 and 36, 38 respectively to slower moving conveyers 32, 33 so that they are caused to overlap and to deliver on to a receiver 34 in an ordered stack. The sheets are held on the conveyers 32, 33 by rollers 39. Faulty sheet feed detectors. Rollers 40, associated with each stack of sheets to be separated are moved on axially displaceable spindles 41 in such a manner that in the event of no sheet being fed or two sheets being fed a switch 42, operated to open an electric circuit only when a single sheet is fed, is closed to stop the machine, or operate a warning device.