Patent GB-754407-A (GB)
Title: Method and device of feeding piles of sheets or blanks in underlapped fashion to the feeder table of a paper working machine
IPC: B65H33/08
Filed: 1954-09-20
Abstract: 754,407. Feeding sheets. RAWE, M. Sept. 20, 1954, No. 27199/54. Class 100 (1). [Also in Group XXX] Apparatus for feeding piles of sheets in under-lapping formation to the feeder table of a paper working machine comprises a reciprocable conveyer means for the support and conveyance of a new pile of sheets to be added to those already on the feeder table, lifting members pivotally secured to the forward end of the conveyer means facing the feeder table and adapted to engage and lift the rear end of the last pile on the feeder table to allow the new pile to be inserted thereunder, the lifting members then being lowered so that the new pile is gripped by the weight of the overlying pile and pulled off the conveyer means as it returns to the initial position. The feeder table comprises a number of conveyer bands 3 passing over rollers 2, one set of rollers being driven at a constant speed. The reciprocable conveyer 10 is slidably mounted on longitudinal guides and consists of a number of belts 7 passing over freely rotatable rollers 6. The arrangement is such that as the conveyer 10 moves towards the feeder table the belts 7 pass into the spaces between the bands 3. The frames supporting the rollers 6 have forwardly projecting extensions to which are pivoted at 9 the lifting members 11. The lifting members may carry a sheet metal guide 13 at the forward end and a series of rollers 12 for engaging the rear edge of the last pile 4a on the table. The rollers may be replaced by further sheet metal guides. A downwardly projecting arm 14 from the lifting members carries a roller 15 co-operating with a ramp member 16 to raise the lifting members into the operative position in which it is normally supported by a catch member 18 co-operating with another downwardly extending arm 17. The catch member 18 is carried on a sliding rod 19 and spring loaded to the operative position. The projecting end of the rod 19 is adapted to engage a stop 20 at the end of the movement of the conveyer thereby causing the catch member to release arm 17 and allow the lifting members to fall into horizontal position. In operation the new pile of sheets 4b is placed on the conveyer 10 in contact with a rear stop 5, the conveyer being in the rearward position (Fig. 1) and the lifting members raised by the ramp 16. The conveyer is then moved bodily forward so that the lefting members engages and lifts the end pile 4a as shown in Fig. 3. The rod 19 then engages the stop 20 which causes the lifting members to fall into the position shown in Fig. 4 so that the pile 4a rests on the new pile 4b and retains it when the conveyer returns to the initial position. The stop 20 and the ramp 16 are adjustable in position along the path of movement of the conveyer. In another form the lifting member has a pivoted spring loaded operating arm 14 and no supporting arm 17, the ramp being arranged to lift the lifting member as it engages the end pile 4a. In this case the operating arm swings idly against its spring during the return movement so that there is no raising of the lifting member. Power driven means are provided for moving the reciprocating conveyer 10 comprising a pair of gears on a cross-shaft engaging racks on the conveyer. A friction wheel on the end of the cross-shaft is engaged by a driven friction wheel, the engagement being controlled by a handle or automatically from the movements of the paper working machine. Movement in the return direction may be by spring or, where the apparatus is arranged at an angle to the horizontal, by gravity.