Patent GB-1054201-A (GB)
IPC: B43M5/04
Abstract: 1,054,201. Feeding and folding sheets. Mc- CALL CORPORATION. Sept. 8, 1964, No. 36811/64. Headings B6B and B6H. [Also in Divisions B8 and F2] A machine for assembling and packing groups of individual thin flexible sheets, such as dressmaking pattern pieces, from separate bundles thereof comprises pick-up means for withdrawing a single sheet from each bundle, means to assemble single sheets into a group operating in conjunction with the withdrawing means, apparatus to fold each group to a predetermined size, and means for receiving the groups and envelopes singly in succession inserting each group into an envelope. General arrangement.-Bundles 50 of the pattern pieces are draped over saddlebars 52, the top sheets are withdrawn by vacuum pick-up members 55 (Fig. 3, not shown), one above each saddlebar, and transferred to pin bars 60 on a conveyer 300, 301 (Fig. 1) on which they are carried until all the pieces of a single pattern have been picked up on each bar. Each bundle so formed is folded longitudinally by ploughs 410, 415, 425, 430, 440, 450 to take up the form of Fig. 27 (not shown) and then folded transversely by blades on the ends of arms 532, 615 (Fig. 2, not shown). Instruction sheets 3 from a hopper 700 are added to the complete patterns, any faulty group being ejected by the mechanism responsive to a memory device operated by pick-up means which fail to grip a piece and the patterns and instruction sheets are inserted into envelopes fed from a hopper 785, the filled envelopes being discharged on a conveyer. Assembling mechanism.-The saddlebars 52 (Fig. 1) are mounted on a frame 160 movable on tracks 162, there being reference marks according to a colour code on the bars to facilitate the correct placing of the bundles 50. The bars are of double width so that a new arrangement of pattern sheet stacks may be placed on them whilst other stacks are beneath the pickup members. The pick-up members are driven alternately from shafts 127a, 127b (Fig. 7), the shafts having non-uniform rotation to produce slower motion during pick-up and with each member 180 degrees out of phase with those preceding and following it Each member comprises a vacuum tube 195 (Fig. 13) having hollow pick-up fingers 55 (Fig. 11, not shown) extending from it, which fingers can be colourcoded in the same fashion as the saddlebars. Each tube 195 is mounted on blocks 197 urged by springs 220 to move them radially outwards but restrained by a roller 212 on an arm 210 travelling on a fixed track 215. Part of the track is formed on arm 225 and when this is lowered tube 195 moves down and projects the fingers 55 against the stack. Return of the lever raises the fingers and sheet. Spring- loaded obturators 203 may be used to shut off fingers not in use by being raised from the position of Fig. 13 and rotated through 90 degrees. As the fingers pick up a sheet, they fold it as shown, Fig. 13, accelerate to reach the speed of the conveyer and transfer the sheet to the needles 325. Since the adjacent pick-up station has its fingers at their lowermost position at this instant the sheet may trail over it. If the fingers do not pick up a sheet the switch is closed thus activating a memory device to operate the reject mechanism 680 (Fig. 30) when the group reaches it. Assembling conveyer.-A pair of parallel chain conveyers 300 (Fig. 1) are supported by track bars 315, 316, 317 (Fig. 7) and carry bars 320 bearing the pins 325 between them at intervals corresponding to the distance apart of two in-phase pick-up devices. It is possible to programme the machine to have only selected pick-up stations in operation. When it is not desired to use a particular pick-up device the arm 225 (Fig. 13) is retained in its upper position. Longitudinal folding mechanism.-Each pattern group is seized by grippers on parallel but not coterminous chains 355, Fig. 21 (and 365, 375, Fig. 22, not shown), the outer grippers opening and being carried clear to permit folding as necessary. The gripper fingers 382 open as they come round the sprockets 357 and are pressed closed by cam rails 402, bars 400 stripping the sheets off the needles 325. Folding is carried out in successive stages by ploughs 410, 415, 425, 430, 440, 450, Fig. 1, the plough 430 and 415 being swung inwards during folding by pneumatic means (418), 432 to speed the process. Rollers (Fig. 25) consolidate each fold after it is formed. Transverse folding mechanism.-Each pattern group is carried along by belts 477, 485, Fig. 30, until its forward edge engages a stop 525 when a tuck folding blade 530 descends and forces it into the opening 522. The double portion passes between a belt 540 and a plate 555 until the leading edge engages a stop 577. A second blade 585 forces the group into the last folding nip defined by belts 588, 590. The group then passes to the reject mechanism where any incomplete set is ejected by the raising of a deflector 680 so that it passes beneath instead of above. Instruction sheet inserter, packaging apparatus. -A single instruction sheet is removed from a magazine 700 (Fig. 33, not shown.) by suction grippers (Fig. 35, not shown) and fed via rollers and a conveyer moving transverse to the length of the machine on to a conveyer 760 (Fig. 33) where the folded pattern is dropped on top of the instruction sheet. Feeding of an instruction sheet is initiated in response to a roller 635 (Fig. 30), being raised by each folded group to the correct height above the conveyer belt. The pattern and instruction sheet are carried between belts 675 and 760 to an outlet adjacent the bottom of an envelope hopper 785. The lowest envelope is held by its flap at 75a (Fig. 37) and opened by a stream of air from a nozzle 792. A roller on an arm 795 presses the pattern and sheet against the flap against the flap supporting member to align them with the envelope mouth and the thrust from the conveyer belts forces them into the envelope. A rocker arm 800 carrying suction tubes 802 draws the bottom envelope edge out of the hopper and it is gripped between bars 832, 834 (Fig. 38, not shown) on a scissors device 830 which pivots forward and then retracts drawing the folded envelope between rollers 847, 848 and thence on to a discharge conveyer 855 (Fig. 33). Envelope feed depends on the roller on the arm 795 being displaced by the incoming pattern and sheet. Automatic controls.-No pattern is assembled which does not include a complete collection of required sheets from all stations in operation. In the event of a pattern being rejected, provision is made to avoid the feeding of a guide sheet and an empty envelope. As indicated above, selected pick-up stations may be rendered inoperative as desired, the respective circuits to a series of stepping switches being interrupted so that the arms 225, Fig. 13, do not descend. Pins on a memory wheel (Figs. 40, 40a, not shown) are displaced by solenoids operated by vacuum responsive switches when a pick-up member fails to grip the sheet, the pins then operating means to bring into action the reject device 680 (Fig. 30) at the appropriate time. Switches may be actuated by three pins displaced in succession to stop the machine. Means may preset the machine to produce a desired number of packed patterns. Means are provided to ensure that in stopping and starting, operations are sequenced so that no incomplete group is packaged. An audible signal may indicate starting up. Circuits for the above controls are illustrated (Figs. 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e, not shown).