Sheet counter and tab inserter

Claim 2

A portable apparatus for counting sheets of paper being individually stacked in a pile by a separate stacking device and placing a marking tab atop the pile whenever the number of sheets stacked atop the last marking tab placed is equal to a chosen number comprising: a portable casing; means for indicating by a first electrical signal each time a sheet of paper is stacked atop said pile; electrical counting means having means to choose said chosen number and electrically connected to said indicating means for counting the number of said first signals indicated by said indicating means and producing a second electrical signal when the count is equal to said chosen number; an electrical motor for advancing a strip of paper so that a portion of said strip is placed atop said pile; an electrical timer circuit mounted in said casing and connected to said counting means for causing said motor to operate during a given time interval determined by said timer circuit after said second signal is produced and having variable electrical means to alter said time interval of motor operation to alter the length of said marking tab; and means for cutting said strip after said portion is placed atop said strip so that a marking tab, at least a portion of which is covered by sheets of paper subsequently stacked on tab, remains.

Claim 3

Apparatus as in claim 1 including time delay circuit means for causing said cutting means to cut said strip after a given time has elapsed after a portion of said strip is advanced atop said pile and having means to change said given time.

Claim 4

Apparatus as in claim 2 including a brake associated with said motor, said brake being operated to stop said motor when said given time interval has elapsed.

Claim 5

Apparatus for counting sheets of paper being individually stacked in a pile and placing a marking tab atop the pile whenever the number of sheets stacked atop the last marking tab placed is equal to a chosen number comprising: switch means for producing a first electrical signal whenever a sheet is stacked atop said pile; pulse producing means connected to said switch means for producing an electrical pulse each time said switCh means produces said first electrical signal; counting means having means for choosing said chosen number and connected to said pulse producing means for counting the number of said pulses produced and producing a second electrical signal when the count is equal to said chosen number; a strip of paper; a pair of rollers having said strip of paper disposed between them so that the rotation of said rollers causes said strip of paper to advance so that a portion of said strip is atop said pile; an electrical motor for causing said rollers to rotate; a timer circuit connected to said counting means for causing said motor to operate, and thereby to cause said rollers to rotate, during a given time interval and having means to alter said time interval; a brake associated with said motor and connected to said timer circuit for causing said motor to stop at the end of said time interval; knife means for cutting said strip after said portion is atop said pile so that a marking tab remains, a portion of said tab being covered by subsequently stacked sheets; solenoid means for causing said knife means to cut said strip; and time delay circuit means for causing said solenoid means to cause said knife means to cut said strip after a given time has elapsed after said portion is advanced atop said pile and having means to change said given time.

Claim 6

Apparatus for counting sheets of paper being individually stacked in a pile and placing a marking tab atop the pile whenever the number of sheets stacked atop the last marking tab placed is equal to a chosen number comprising: switch means for producing a first electrical signal whenever a sheet is stacked atop said pile; pulse producing means connected to said switch means for producing an electrical pulse each time said switCh means produces said first electrical signal; counting means having means for choosing said chosen number and connected to said pulse producing means for counting the number of said pulses produced and producing a second electrical signal when the count is equal to said chosen number; a strip of paper; a pair of rollers having said strip of paper disposed between them so that the rotation of said rollers causes said strip of paper to advance so that a portion of said strip is atop said pile; an electrical motor for causing said rollers to rotate; a timer circuit connected to said counting means for causing said motor to operate, and thereby to cause said rollers to rotate, during a given time interval and having means to alter said time interval; a brake associated with said motor and connected to said timer circuit for causing said motor to stop at the end of said time interval; knife means for cutting said strip after said portion is atop said pile so that a marking tab remains, a portion of said tab being covered by subsequently stacked sheets; solenoid means for causing said knife means to cut said strip; and time delay circuit means for causing said solenoid means to cause said knife means to cut said strip after a given time has elapsed after said portion is advanced atop said pile and having means to change said given time.

Claim 7

Apparatus for counting sheets of paper being stacked in a pile and placing a marking tab atop the pile whenever the number of sheets stacked atop the last marking tab placed is equal to a chosen number comprising: switch means for producing a first electrical signal when a sheet is stacked atop said pile and pulse producing means connected to said switch means for producing a pulse having given characteristics each time said switch means produces said first electrical signal; counting means having means to choose said chosen number and electrically connected to said pulse producing means for counting the number of said first signals produced by said switch means and producing a second electrical signal when the count is equal to said chosen number; an electrical motor for advancing a strip of paper so that a portion of said strip is placed atop said pile; a timer circuit connected to said counting means for causing said motor to operate during a given time interval and having means to alter said time interval to alter the length of said marking tab; means for cutting said strip after said portion is placed atop said strip so that a marking tab, at least a portion of which is covered by sheets of paper subsequently stacked on said tab, remains; and time delay circuit means for causing said cutting means to cut said strip after a given time has elapsed after a portion of said strip is advanced atop said pile and having means to change said given time.

Claim 8

Apparatus for counting sheets of paper being stacked in a pile and placing a marking tab atop the pile whenever the number of sheets stacked atop the last marking tab placed is equal to a chosen number comprising: switch means for producing a first electrical signal when a sheet is stacked atop said pile and pulse producing means connected to said switch means for producing a pulse having given characteristics each time said switch means produces said first electrical signal; counting means having means to choose said chosen number and electrically connected to said pulse producing means for counting the number of said first signals produced by said switch means and producing a second electrical signal when the count is equal to said chosen number; an electrical motor for advancing a strip of paper so that a portion of said strip is placed atop said pile; a timer circuit connected to said counting means for causing said motor to operate during a given time interval and having means to alter said time interval to alter the length of said marking tab; means for cutting said strip after said portion is placed atop said strip so that a marking tab, at least a portion of which is covered by sheets of paper subsequently stacked on said tab, remains; and time delay circuit means for causing said cutting means to cut said strip after a given time has elapsed after a portion of said strip is advanced atop said pile and having means to change said given time.