Patent GB-190604195-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Apparatus for Folding or Stacking Flexible Sheets in Layers and Inserting Flat Plates or Sheets between the Folds.
Inventor: TEMPEST CHARLES
Filed: 1906-02-20
Granted: 1907-02-20
Abstract: 4195. Tempest, C., and Hardaker, J. T. Feb. 20. Feeding sheets.-Relates to a machine for folding or stacking woven fabrics or other flexible sheets in layers alternating with flat glossed sheets, for glossing purposes &c. A reciprocating rack 2 has mounted on it the carriage 3 bearing the rollers 26, which lay the material in folds on the centre table 7, and also two pairs of nippers 8, 9, adapted to seize the top sheet 4 from the pile on one of the side tables 5 and draw it on to the top layer 6 of fabric, where it is released just before the nippers get to the end of their travel. On the main frame are mounted a pair of shafts 15 carrying arms 16, between each set of which is a presser 17 normally held down by the spring 18, or by a counterweight. Each set of arms 16 also carries a shaft 19 having arms 20 carrying a presser 21. The shaft 17 carries a crank 22 connected by a link 23 to a lever 24. The rack 2 carries a pair of antifriction rollers 27 adapted to engage with the levers 24, and, through the links 23, to turn the shafts 19 and operate the pressers 21. When the reverse action occurs and the presser 21 is lifted by the spring 28, the roller 25 on the carriage 3 strikes the arm 16 of the presser 17 and raises it against the spring 18, the shaft 19 thus describing a circular path and the pressers 17,21, and arms 20 being lifted out. of the path of the carriage 3. A. finger 29 is arranged to take over the lever 24 when the presser 21 is forced into the down position, and retains the lever in this position after it has been freed from the roller 27. By this means, the pressers are given a longer dwell on the stack of plates and cloth. When the rack 2 moves in the opposite direction, the roller 27 leaves the lever 24, which is then kept in the lowest position by the finger 29 until the projection 30 engages a projection on the finger, causing it to disengage the lever 24 and allowing the presser 31 to rise from the table 7. The sheets are fed forward to the nippers by a reciprocating suction device comprising, at each end of the apparatus, cylinders 31 mounted in carriages 34 sliding in brackets 39, and each normally held up by a weak spring 33. Each cylinder has a piston 32, the spindle of which is held up by a stronger spring 36, and also a trip-valve engaged by a projection on the frame. An L-shaped lever, having a long arm 41 and a short arm 42 pivoted together at 40, is secured to a projection on the bracket, the long arm being connected to the bracket by means of the spring 43, and the end of the arm 42 bearing on the head 44 of the spindle 35 at given periods. The arm 41 is actuated by a roller 45 on the rack 2. Each carriage 34 is connected by a link 46 to a lever 47 pivoted at 48 and connected to the bracket 39 by a spring 49. The lever 47 is actuated by a roller 50 on the rack 2. The upper jaw 9 of each set of nippers is actuated by a rocking lever 10 mounted on the carriage by pins 11 guided in the grooves 12. At each end of the rocking lever are hinged fingers 56, connected to which are abutments 59, which, comiog against the stops 60, check the motion of the fingers in one direction. As the carriage 3 reciprocates and reaches a certain point, the rollers 57 travel up one inclined plane 52, opening one pair of nippers to receive the edge of a glazed sheet, and the other pair to release the sheet carried forward, until the end of the travel is reached, when the roller 57 drops over the inclined plane as shown in the right-hand side of Fig. 1, closing the nippers and gripping the sheet ready to carry it forward when the carriage traverses in the opposite direction. The fingers 56 then turn freely and pass the planes 52 without operating the nippers. Supposing the carriage to be about to move from right to left, Fig. 1, the nippers having just gripped a sheet from the right-hand table 5, then, as the carriage moves forward, the sheet is dragged off its pile, a fresh layer of cloth being at the same time laid on the table 7. In the meantime, the roller 25 has cleared the arm 16 of the presser 17, so that these are forced forward on to the centre pile by the spring 18. The roller 27 on the right-band side then engages the lever 24 and forces it downwards and the catch 29 snaps over the lever as before described. During these movements, the suction device on the right is returned to its normal position by the roller 50, permitting the lever 47 to swing controlled by the spring 49, when the head 44 of the spindle is under the end of the arm 42 and the roller 45 engages the arm 41 and forces the arm 42 of the L-lever on to the head 44 of the piston spindle, until the mouth of the cylinder is upon the top sheet. The L-lever then forces down the piston 32, the air escaping through the valve, as in the position shown on the left-hand side of the Figure. On the rack being reversed, the arm 42 releases the head 44, and the piston rises in the cylinder and sucks up the uppermost sheet. The cylinder then rises under the influence of the spring 33 and lifts the sheet. The roller 50 engaging with the lever 47 pulls the suction device and sheet towards the advancing nippers. On the carriage nearing the end of the stroke, the roller 57 on the finger 56 comes in contact with the inclined surface 52, raising-the rocking lever 10 and opening both pairs of nippers, releasing the sheet taken from the pile, and receiving in the jaws a sheet drawn from the other pile. Before the carriage reaches the end of the travel, the roller 57 drops over the end of the inclined plane and so closes the nippers. If desired, the suction feeding- device may be dispensed with, the sheets being fed by hand. The surfaces of the pressers may be covered with rubber or like materials.