Patent ID: 8540227

Claim:
An apparatus for accumulating discrete paper or film objects traveling in a machine direction, comprising: a first accumulator element rotatable about a first axis of rotation; a second accumulator element disposed in confronting relationship with said first accumulator element, said first accumulator element having a first, generally flat surface and a first arcuate surface both rotatable about the first axis of rotation, said first accumulator element having a first angular position with said first flat surface defining a first gap relative to said second accumulator element for receiving the objects there between, and a second angular position with said first arcuate surface defining a second gap relative to the second accumulator element for moving the objects in the machine direction, said second gap being smaller than said first gap; a stop oriented transverse to said first axis of rotation and rotatable thereabout, said stop being configured to prevent movement of the objects in the machine direction when said first accumulator element is in said first angular position, and said first accumulator element being spaced from said second accumulator element when in both said first and second angular positions.