US3807724A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stacker for continuous form sheets
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1972-09-05
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Granted: 1974-04-30
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Expires: 1992-09-05
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for folding and stacking continuous form sheet in which the sheets are driven into the stacker at a predetermined speed and a continuous chain member is mounted extending into the path of the continuous form sheets. The chain member is driven at a speed greater than the predetermined speed and the combined action of the chain member and a curved guide member positioned adjacent the input path forces the continuous form sheets to fanfold into the stacking compartment.
Inventors
- 👤 W Bartz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 14:25
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H45/00; B65H45/02; B65H45/06; B65H45/10; B65H45/101; B65H45/1015; B65H2701/00; B65H2701/10; B65H2701/11; B65H2701/112; B65H2701/1123; B65H2701/11231
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
A mechanism to fanfold transversely perforated elongated sheets of material comprising: a stacking compartment comprising a stacking platform and first and second upstanding guide means; means for feeding the material into said stacking compartment along a path at an angle to said stacking platform toward said first guide means at a predetermined speed; continuous chain means having a certain mass and friction characteristic so that said chain means frictionally engages said material and means to mount the chain means for movement around a continuous path having an arcuate portion extending into the path of said material; means for driving said chain meanS so that said arcuate portion is driven toward said first guide means at a speed exceeding said predetermined speed, and a curved guide member positioned adjacent to said chain means and having a surface which guides said material, said surface being convex in the direction of said material and extending from said chain means toward said second guide means whereby said material is forced to fanfold into said stacking compartment by the combined action of said chain means and said curved guide member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
A mechanism to fanfold transversely perforated elongated sheets of material comprising: a stacking compartment comprising a stacking platform and first and second upstanding guide means; means for feeding the material into said stacking compartment along a path at an angle to said stacking platform toward said first guide means at a predetermined speed; continuous chain means having a certain mass and friction characteristic so that said chain means frictionally engages said material and means to mount the chain means for movement around a continuous path having an arcuate portion extending into the path of said material; means for driving said chain meanS so that said arcuate portion is driven toward said first guide means at a speed exceeding said predetermined speed, and a curved guide member positioned adjacent to said chain means and having a surface which guides said material, said surface being convex in the direction of said material and extending from said chain means toward said second guide means whereby said material is forced to fanfold into said stacking compartment by the combined action of said chain means and said curved guide member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the distance between said first and second upstanding guide members is adjustable to a plurality of predetermined distances so that a plurality of lengths of sheets can be folded and stacked.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 additionally comprising means movable with said first guide member to adjust the arcuate path of said chain means as said distance between said guide members is adjusted.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 additionally comprising a continuous flexible belt member having flexible fingers extending into said stacking compartment adjacent said second guide member; and means to drive said belt member in a continuous path so that said flexible fingers tend to compact the trailing edges of folded sheets stacked in said stacking compartment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the distance between said first and second upstanding guide members is adjustable to a plurality of predetermined distances so that a plurality of lengths of sheets can be folded and stacked.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 additionally comprising means movable with said first guide member to adjust the arcuate path of said chain means as said distance between said guide members is adjusted.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 additionally comprising means for sensing the height of the stack of sheets on said stacking platform; and drive means for adjusting the height of said stack and means in response to a signal from said height sensing means to energize said drive means to maintain the stack at a predetermined height.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the distance between said first and second upstanding guide members is adjustable to a plurality of predetermined distances so that a plurality of lengths of sheets can be folded and stacked.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus according to claim 8 additionally comprising means movable with said first guide member to adjust the arcuate path of said chain means as said distance between said guide members is adjusted.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus according to claim 9 additionally comprising a continuous flexible belt member having flexible fingers extending into said stacking compartment adjacent said second guide member, and means to drive said belt member in a continuous path so that said flexible fingers tend to compact the trailing edges of folded sheets stacked in said stacking compartment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus according to claim 7 additionally comprising a continuous flexible belt member having flexible fingers extending into said stacking compartment adjacent said second guide member, and means to drive said belt member in a continuous path so that said flexible fingers tend to compact the trailing edges of folded sheets stacked in said stacking compartment.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-04-29 | 1977-10-29 | 1978-04-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-29 | 1981-10-29 | 1982-04-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-29 | 1985-10-29 | 1986-04-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |