Abstract A layboy assembly moves paper sheets and underlaps the sheets by guiding the sheets between opposing conveyors along a course, charging the edges of the paper sheets with an electrostatic charge as the sheets are moved first rapidly, then more slowly through a series of conveyors. An upper conveyor attracts the charged edges of the sheets as the sheets are slowed down. The charged edges are raised before and during slowdown to reduce the distance between moving sheets. The opposing conveyors diverge at the slowdown zone to leave a gap, thus permitting sheet under lapping when a static eliminator neutralizes the charges on the paper sheets releasing the raised edges of the sheets downstream of the charging elements.
A layboy assembly for processing paper sheets having a first conveyor system for moving the paper sheets through a layboy course at relatively high speed, comprising opposing end-less conveyors including an upper part and a lower part; a second relatively slower conveyor system with an entrance positioned downstream withIn the course of said first conveyor system to intersect same, said second system comprising an upper tape means and an opposing lower tape means which intersect the course of said first conveyor system, electrostatic charging means positioned upstream of at least part of said second conveyor system to charge a trailing portion of the paper sheets being processed in said layboy whereby the charged portions of the sheets are attracted to the upper tape means of said second conveyor system and the sheets are under lapped adjacent the intersection of the two conveyor systems, a slowdown roller located downstream of said upper tape means to level said paper sheets, said slowdown roller being located at least one paper length downstream of said intersection.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
A layboy assembly for processing paper sheets having a first conveyor system for moving the paper sheets through a layboy course at relatively high speed, comprising opposing end-less conveyors including an upper part and a lower part; a second relatively slower conveyor system with an entrance positioned downstream withIn the course of said first conveyor system to intersect same, said second system comprising an upper tape means and an opposing lower tape means which intersect the course of said first conveyor system, electrostatic charging means positioned upstream of at least part of said second conveyor system to charge a trailing portion of the paper sheets being processed in said layboy whereby the charged portions of the sheets are attracted to the upper tape means of said second conveyor system and the sheets are under lapped adjacent the intersection of the two conveyor systems, a slowdown roller located downstream of said upper tape means to level said paper sheets, said slowdown roller being located at least one paper length downstream of said intersection.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein the upper tape means of said second system is located upstream of the lower tape means and the electrostatic charge means is positioned upstream of said upper tape means and below said first conveyor system whereby only the trailing ends of the sheets being processed are attracted upwardly to said upper tape means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The assembly of claim 2 wherein the upper part of said first conveyor system terminates intermediate the ends of said upper tape means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The assembly of claim 2 wherein the upper part of said first conveyor system has tapes which extend upwardly to intersect said upper tape means of said second conveyor system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The assembly of claim 4 wherein said lower tape means extends beyond said first conveyor system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The assembly of claim 2 wherein static elimination means is positioned above said upper tape means to neutralize the charges on the moving paper sheets being underlapped.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said second conveyor system is moved at a lineal speed up to about 40 percent slower than that of said first conveyor system.