Trimmer and stacker

Claim 2

In combination: inputs means for feeding material, cutting means adjacent to said input means for cutting said material, stacking means adjacent to said cutting means for stacking said material after it has been cut, said stacking means including a plurality of rollers disposed substantially orthogonally to the direction of material travel, drive means for rotatively driving said rollers around the axis thereof whereby material deposited on the rollers is driven thereby to transport means, said transport means moving said material away from said stacking means, coupling means coupling together said input means, said cutting means, said stacking means and said transport means to effect synchronism in the operation thereof, and means adjacent said rollers to maintain said material in frictional engagement with said rollers to insure driving of said material by said rollers.

Claim 3

The invention of claim 1 wherein said plurality of rollers comprises at least two sets of rollers, said drive means comprising chain means linked to sprockets on each of said rollers, said chain means and said sprockets being so arranged that said sets of rollers rotate in counterrotational directions.

Claim 4

The combination recited in claim 2 wherein said stacking means includes elevator means, said elevator means disposed between said sets of rollers whereby said sets of rollers feed material onto said elevator means; cam means, said cam means, connected to said elevator means to selectively cause said elevator means to assume raised or lowered ps positions; a said elevator means and said cam ma means being synchronized with said sets of rollers so that material is fed onto said elevator means when in said raised position; said transport means being operative to engage said material when said elevator means is in said lowered position.

Claim 5

The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said input means includes feed chain means for moving said material; ramp means adjacent said feed chain means for moving said material; ramp means adjacent said feed chain means so that said material is moved up said ramp means to be raised relative to the initial position at said input means; guide means affixed to said ramp means for controlling the position of said material as it is moved up said ramp means; a said cutting means comprising at least one pari pair of cooperating slitting discs for cutting said material into separate segments; said stacking means including conveyor means for conveying the separate segments of the cut material to a predetermined stacking station adjacent said transport means.

Claim 6

In a trimmer, including a trimming station for continuously trimming and separating individual signatures into multiple signature printing and having a central axis, combinAtion of: A. input means feeding the signatures into the trimmer; B. slitter knives receiving the sheets from the input means and slitting the signatures into at least two segments; C. a plurality of longitudinal aligned roller sets receiving the previously slit signatures and directing them transversely inwardly toward the said central axis: said rollers being disposed in planes parallel to the a said central machine axis; D. means to press the previously slit signatures into engagement with the said longitudinal aligned rollers; E. elevator means positioned upon the said central machine axis and reciprocating to an upper position and a lower position: said elevator means receiving the slit signatures from the longitudinal rollers when in the upper position; and said elevator means lowering the said signatures when moving to the lower position; and F. chain means receiving the said signatures from the elevator means when in the lower position: said chain means carrying the signatures to the trimming station.

Claim 7

In a trimmer, including a trimming station for continuously trimming and separating individual signatures into multiple signature printing and having a central axis, combinAtion of: A. input means feeding the signatures into the trimmer; B. slitter knives receiving the sheets from the input means and slitting the signatures into at least two segments; C. a plurality of longitudinal aligned roller sets receiving the previously slit signatures and directing them transversely inwardly toward the said central axis: said rollers being disposed in planes parallel to the a said central machine axis; D. means to press the previously slit signatures into engagement with the said longitudinal aligned rollers; E. elevator means positioned upon the said central machine axis and reciprocating to an upper position and a lower position: said elevator means receiving the slit signatures from the longitudinal rollers when in the upper position; and said elevator means lowering the said signatures when moving to the lower position; and F. chain means receiving the said signatures from the elevator means when in the lower position: said chain means carrying the signatures to the trimming station.

Claim 8

The invention of claim 5 wherein the said input means includes an indexing guide parallel with and spaced from the central axis and rollers angularly positioned with regard to the said central machine axis whereby the said angularly positioned rollers urge the signatures against the indexing guide for initial aligning purposes.

Claim 9

The invention of claim 5 wherein the longitudinally aligned rollers include a right set functioning to the right of the central machine axis and a left set functioning to the left of the central machine axis.

Claim 10

The invention of claim 7 wherein the said right and left sets of longitudinally aligned rollers position in respective horizontal planes, the plane of one set of rollers being above the plane of the other of said set of rollers whereby signatures may be readily stacked one on top of the other upon the elevator means.

Claim 11

The invention of claim 7 and drive means rotating the said right and left roller sets, said drive means simultaneously rotating one of said roller sets in a clockwise direction, and the other of said sets in a counterclockwise direction.

Claim 12

The invention of claim 5 wherein the means to press the signatures into engagement with the longitudinal rollers include a plurality of weighted balls.

Claim 13

The invention of claim 10 wherein the said weighted balls roll in place and re are positioned by a plurality of respective holes provided in a guide member.

Claim 14

The invention of claim 5 wherein the said elevator means deposit the stacked signatures upon a surface when reciprocating to the lower position, the said chain means recessing below the said surface.

Claim 15

The invention of claim 12 wherein the chain means are provided with upwardly projecting lugs, the lugs extending above the said surface to engage the stacked signatures for carrying to the trimming station.