US3593624A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic stacking machine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-04-04
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Granted: 1971-07-20
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Expires: 1989-04-04
Abstract
Abstract A machine for stacking newspapers and the like articles in which the incoming articles are counted and a predetermined number diverted to a first and to a second conveyor for ejecting the articles in a stacking bucket from opposite sides thereof. The articles are conveyed more rapidly on one of the conveyors to be stacked in a predetermined manner in the bucket and to permit unloading of the stack without stopping the incoming articles on the conveyors.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert V Dufour
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 15:45
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H29/00; B65H29/66; B65B; B65B27/00; B65B27/08; B65H33/00; B65H33/12; B65H2301/00; B65H2301/30; B65H2301/33; B65H2301/332; B65H2301/3321; B65H2301/33212; B65H2301/3322; B65H2301/33224; B65H2301/40; B65H2301/42; B65H2301/421; B65H2301/4211; B65H2301/42112; B65H2404/00; B65H2404/20; B65H2404/26; B65H2404/261; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S414/00; Y10S414/10; Y10S414/114; Y10S414/115
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A machine for stacking newspapers and the like articles comprising a stacking bucket for receiving said articles, first and second conveying means each having an inlet and an outlet, said outlets each associated with a respective opposed side of said bucket, said first conveying means being driven at a conveying speed faster than said second conveying means to deliver said articles to said bucket in a predetermined manner and to provide for unloading of said bucket, and a diverter for diverting predetermined number of articles to said inlet of said first and second conveying means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
A machine for stacking newspapers and the like articles comprising a stacking bucket for receiving said articles, first and second conveying means each having an inlet and an outlet, said outlets each associated with a respective opposed side of said bucket, said first conveying means being driven at a conveying speed faster than said second conveying means to deliver said articles to said bucket in a predetermined manner and to provide for unloading of said bucket, and a diverter for diverting predetermined number of articles to said inlet of said first and second conveying means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and second conveying means each include a transporting conveyor portion and an ejecting conveyor portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
A machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein said transporting conveyor portions each comprise two endless conveyor belts each defining a path whereby said belts are oppositely positioned along a portion of said path to frictionally engage said articles therebetween to transport them to said ejecting conveyor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein the transporting conveyor portion of said first conveying means further includes inverting means for inverting said articles.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A machine as claimed in claim 3 wherein the tension in each said two endless conveyor belts is selectively adjustable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein said transporting conveyor portion of said first conveyor means is driven at a conveying speed at least twice the conveying speed of said transporting conveyor portion of said second conveyor means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
A machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein said ejecting conveyor portion comprises two endless conveyor belts oppositely positioned to frictionally engage and transport said articles therebetween to eject them at said outlet into said stacking bucket, said ejecting conveyors being driven at a constant conveying speed independent of a slightly higher than the conveying speed of said transporting conveyor portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A machine as claimed in claim 7 wherein the tension in one of said two endless conveyor belts is self-adjustable to accommodate various thicknesses of articles conveyed therebetween.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
A machine as claimed in claim 4 wherein said inverting means comprises two endless belts, each belt being held in tension between two pulleys and inverted 180*, each said pulleys being closely oppositely positioned and offset from their respective axis of rotation so that said belts are in contact with each other along a portion of its path to Thereby transport said articles therebetween.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
59 words
A machine as claimed in claim 9 wherein said two endless belts transport said articles from a receiving conveyor at the inlet of said first conveying means, said articles being inverted 180* about its axis of travel so that all of said articles in said bucket are stacked with the corresponding face on the same side of the stack.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A machine as claimed in claim 9 wherein the conveying speed of said two endless belts of said inverting means is at least twice the conveying speed of said transporting conveyor portion of said second conveying means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
A machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein said diverter comprises a diverter element positioned adjacent a receiving conveyor to divert the normal flow of articles to said first or second conveying means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
76 words
A machine as claimed in claim 12 wherein said diverter element is secured to a shaft at one end of which is fastened a cam which may be actuated to either a first or second position, said first position causing normal flow of said articles to said first conveying means, said second position causing said diverter element to interfere with the normal flow of articles and diverting it to said inlet of said second conveying means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
100 words
A machine as claimed in claim 13 wherein said cam is provided with a cavity in a portion of its outer periphery defining two pin engaging slots and a ridge therebetween to cause a pin associated with a solenoid linkage to engage therein upon actuation of an associated solenoid to displace said diverter element to said first or said second position, said first or second positions each being adjustable by means of two adjustable bumper members each cooperating with a respective side of the free end of a diverter positioning member secured at its other end to said diverter shaft.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
A machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein there is further provided a receiving conveyor section for receiving and counting said articles as they are received by the machine.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
79 words
A machine as claimed in claim 15 wherein said receiving conveyor section comprises an endless belt associated with a frame, said frame having adjustment means to adjust the height of its receiving end, a light and photocell assembly provided at said receiving end for counting each article, and a gate mechanism positioned along said endless belt and in close proximity to said diverter for delaying the conveyance of an article when said diverter is actuated to a predetermined position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
70 words
A machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein said stacking bucket comprises a base in the form of an endless belt trained about two idle rollers, said base being pivotally secured to a supporting bar on which said base is caused to tilt from a horizontal unloading position to a loading position to provide a low corner at the intersection of two article holding plates extending above said endless belt.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A machine as claimed in claim 17 wherein a jogging mechanism is connected to said stacking bucket for jogging same.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
55 words
A machine as claimed in claim 17 wherein there is further provided an unloading conveyor having a driven roller secured to one end thereof, said driven roller being in frictional engagement with said endless belt of said bucket when said bucket is displaced to its horizontal position to thereby effect unloading of the stacked articles.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of stacking a predetermined quantity of newspapers and the like articles in bundles comprising the steps of: i counting said articles prior to stacking, ii diverting a predetermined quantity of articles to a first conveying means associated with one side of a stacking bucket for discharging said articles therein, iii diverting a predetermined quantity of articles to a second conveying means associated with the opposite side to said one side of said stacking bucket for discharging articles therein, iv driving said first and second conveying means at a different speed from each other to provIde proper stacking of said articles, and v unloading said bucket when said predetermined amounts of articles are stacked without interrupting the incoming flow of articles to said bucket.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of stacking a predetermined quantity of newspapers and the like articles in bundles comprising the steps of: i counting said articles prior to stacking, ii diverting a predetermined quantity of articles to a first conveying means associated with one side of a stacking bucket for discharging said articles therein, iii diverting a predetermined quantity of articles to a second conveying means associated with the opposite side to said one side of said stacking bucket for discharging articles therein, iv driving said first and second conveying means at a different speed from each other to provIde proper stacking of said articles, and v unloading said bucket when said predetermined amounts of articles are stacked without interrupting the incoming flow of articles to said bucket.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 20 wherein there is further provided the step of inverting said articles in said first conveying means prior to discharging in said stacking bucket.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as claimed in claim 20 wherein there is further provided the step of ejecting said articles from said first and second conveying means at a constant conveying speed faster than said conveying means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2697388A
Cited
US3421758A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-19 | 1975-01-18 | 1975-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-19 | 1979-01-18 | 1979-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-19 | 1983-01-18 | 1983-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |