Patent GB-394565-A (GB)
Title: Machine for drying sheets of material for example, printed paper sheets
IPC: B41F23/04
Filed: 1932-11-10
Abstract: 394,565. Sheet-delivery apparatus. BROWNE, A. E., 85, Brixton Road, and HONOR, C. W. H., 71, The Grove, Ealing, both in London. Nov. 10, 1932, No. 31812. [Classes 100 (i) and 100 (ii).] Set-off, preventing.-A machine for drying sheets of paper &c. comprises two vertical tiers of horizontal tables arranged the tables of each tier opposite spaces between the tables of the other tier and provided with means adapted successively to transfer sheets from any one table of the one tier to the next lower table of the other tier so that the sheets travel in a zig-zag path, whilst the tables, which are stationary with respect to their tiers, relatively reciprocate, the travel of the sheets in the zigzag path being brought about owing to the provision of sheet-transferring devices such as rows of oscillating figners, which are allocated to the tables and are so arranged that when the devices move relatively to the tables from one to the other end thereof, they engage sheets on the table and laterally sweep them off. The sheet is passed to the left of the stop 22 of the top table of the tier of tables 1 which are stationary, whence it is transferred to the top table of the tier of tables 2, its movement thereon being checked by a stop 25. The transfer is effected by mounting the tables 2 in a carriage which reciprocates on guide rollers 21 so that the tables 2 may be interposed between the tables 1 ; in this position, rows of fingers 23, 24, carried by the reciprocating and stationary members respectively, drop into positions such that their tips extend into spaces between the edges of a number of ribbons carried by the rods 5, 6 and 7, 8 and comprising the tables 1, 2 respectively. On the return movement of the carriage, the fingers 23 engage the edge of the sheet on the table 1 and carry the sheet off the table 1 on to the table 2 ; during the inward stroke the fingers 23, 24 are turned up so as not to engage the sheets and on the next outward movement, a second sheet delivered to the top table 1 is transferred to the top table 2 by the fingers 23, while the first sheet is transferred to the second table 1 from the top table 2 by the fingers 24. The process continues until the sheets reach the lowermost table 2 when they are pushed off on to the platform 3. The fingers 23, 24 are mounted on the rods 8, 5 and are operated by vertically movable racks 28, mounted on each side of the machine and coupled to the rods 8, 5 by links such as 32. Rollers 33 mounted on the racks co-operate with ramps such as 34 and tracks such as 38, those for the rack mounted on the fixed part of the machine and operating the fingers 24 being carried by the carriage, and those for the rack mounted on the movable carriage and operating the fingers 23 being carried by the fixed frame 15 of the machine. During the inward movement, the racks 28 are thus raised and rotate the rods 8, 5 and the fingers 23, 24, the rollers 33 riding along the tracks 38 until they reach the ends of the tracks whereupon they drop and cause the fingers 23, 24 to project into the spaces between the ribbons comprising the tables ; on the return movement the rollers 33 travel below the tracks, the ramps 34 being pivoted to move upwardly and permit the rollers to clear them. Pin-and-slot devices 41 maintain vertical the movements of the racks. The machine may be enclosed in a container filled with a drying atmosphere or combined with draught apparatus, and suitable electric drying devices may be located in the container or in the spaces between superposed table 1, 1 and 2, 2.