US3834290A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for counting and stacking sheet material
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-04-26
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Granted: 1974-09-10
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Expires: 1993-04-26
Abstract
Abstract Sheets of material, such as cardboard container blanks, are conveyed to a stacking station sequentially where they are stacked vertically from underneath, the sheets being counted by counter mechanism as they are delivered to the stacking station. When a desired number of sheets have been stacked, the counter activates mechanism to extend a finger under the stack. Continued stacking of sheets under the finger elevates the latter along with the overlying sheets to a position at which the finger effects activation of ejector mechanism which removes the counted stack from above the finger to an outfeed conveyor. The finger then is retracted and lowered to initial position for subsequent extension. When the desired number of sheets have been assembled into a second stack, the counter activates mechanism to extend a second finger under the stack. Continued stacking of sheets under the second finger elevates the latter to a position at which it effects activation of the ejector mechanism to remove the counted second stack from above the second finger. Additional fingers may be provided to continue the foregoing sequence, after which the cycling reverts to the first finger. Alternatively, a single finger may be provided for use with all stacks, if the rate of stacking accommodates it.
Inventors
- 👤 V Nelson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:24
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H31/00; B65H31/30; B65H31/3081; B65H31/3054; B65H33/00; B65H33/02; B65H2301/00; B65H2301/40; B65H2301/42; B65H2301/421; B65H2301/4212; B65H2301/42122; B65H2301/422; B65H2301/4226; B65H2301/42266; B65H2301/4228; B65H2701/00; B65H2701/10; B65H2701/17; B65H2701/176; B65H2701/1766; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S414/00; Y10S414/10; Y10S414/114; Y10S414/115; Y10S414/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
271 words
Apparatus for counting and stacking sheet material, comprising: a. a sheet stacking station for stacking sheet material vertically therein, b. sheet delivery means for deliverying sheets of matErial sequentially to the stacking station for stacking sheets vertically from underneath, c. sheet counting means for counting the sheets of material delivered to stacking station, d. finger means mounted adjacent the stacking station for vertical movement between predetermined lower and upper positions of elevation and for horizontal movement between a retracted position away from sheet material on the stacking station and an extended position underlying an edge of sheet material on the stacking station, e. finger drive means engaging the finger means for moving the latter between said retracted and extended positions, the finger means including an elongated rod extending slidably through an apertured support connected to the finger drive means, f. finger drive control means operable by the sheet counting means to activate the drive means to move the finger means to said extended position when a predetermined number of sheets have been stacked on the stacking station, g. ejector means mounted adjacent the stacking station for movement between a retracted position away from sheet material on the stacking station and an extended position in which it engages and moves a precounted stack of sheets of material away from the underlying extended finger means, h. ejector drive means engaging the ejector means for moving the latter between said retracted and extended positions, and i. ejector drive control means operable by the finger means when the latter has reached said predetermined upper position of vertical movement to effect extension of said ejector means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
271 words
Apparatus for counting and stacking sheet material, comprising: a. a sheet stacking station for stacking sheet material vertically therein, b. sheet delivery means for deliverying sheets of matErial sequentially to the stacking station for stacking sheets vertically from underneath, c. sheet counting means for counting the sheets of material delivered to stacking station, d. finger means mounted adjacent the stacking station for vertical movement between predetermined lower and upper positions of elevation and for horizontal movement between a retracted position away from sheet material on the stacking station and an extended position underlying an edge of sheet material on the stacking station, e. finger drive means engaging the finger means for moving the latter between said retracted and extended positions, the finger means including an elongated rod extending slidably through an apertured support connected to the finger drive means, f. finger drive control means operable by the sheet counting means to activate the drive means to move the finger means to said extended position when a predetermined number of sheets have been stacked on the stacking station, g. ejector means mounted adjacent the stacking station for movement between a retracted position away from sheet material on the stacking station and an extended position in which it engages and moves a precounted stack of sheets of material away from the underlying extended finger means, h. ejector drive means engaging the ejector means for moving the latter between said retracted and extended positions, and i. ejector drive control means operable by the finger means when the latter has reached said predetermined upper position of vertical movement to effect extension of said ejector means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apertured support is mounted pivotally on a support frame for movement of the finger means between said retracted and extended positions, and the finger drive means is mounted on the support frame and connected to said apertured support.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
266 words
Apparatus for counting and stacking sheet material, comprising: a. a sheet stacking station for stacking sheet material vertically therein, b. sheet delivery means for delivering sheets of material sequentially to the stacking station for stacking sheets vertically from underneath, c. sheet counting means for counting the sheets of material delivered to stacking station, d. finger means mounted adjacent the stacking station for vertical movement between predetermined lower and upper positions of elevation and for horizontal movement between a retracted position away from sheet material on the stacking station and an extended position underlying an edge of sheet material on the stacking station, the finger means including a plurality of finger units, e. finger drive means including a drive unit engaging each finger unit for moving the latter between retracted and extended positions, f. finger drive control means operable by the sheet counting means to activate each finger drive unit sequentially to move each finger unit to said extended position when a predetermined number of sheets have been stacked on the stacking station, g. ejector means mounted adjacent the stacking station for movement between a retracted position away from sheet material on the stacking station and an extended position in which it engages and moves a pre-counted stack of sheets of material away from the underlying extended finger unit, h. ejector drive means engaging the ejector means for moving the latter between said retracted and extended position, and i. ejector drive control means operable by each finger unit when the latter has reached said predetermined upper position of vertical movement to effect extension of said ejector means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
266 words
Apparatus for counting and stacking sheet material, comprising: a. a sheet stacking station for stacking sheet material vertically therein, b. sheet delivery means for delivering sheets of material sequentially to the stacking station for stacking sheets vertically from underneath, c. sheet counting means for counting the sheets of material delivered to stacking station, d. finger means mounted adjacent the stacking station for vertical movement between predetermined lower and upper positions of elevation and for horizontal movement between a retracted position away from sheet material on the stacking station and an extended position underlying an edge of sheet material on the stacking station, the finger means including a plurality of finger units, e. finger drive means including a drive unit engaging each finger unit for moving the latter between retracted and extended positions, f. finger drive control means operable by the sheet counting means to activate each finger drive unit sequentially to move each finger unit to said extended position when a predetermined number of sheets have been stacked on the stacking station, g. ejector means mounted adjacent the stacking station for movement between a retracted position away from sheet material on the stacking station and an extended position in which it engages and moves a pre-counted stack of sheets of material away from the underlying extended finger unit, h. ejector drive means engaging the ejector means for moving the latter between said retracted and extended position, and i. ejector drive control means operable by each finger unit when the latter has reached said predetermined upper position of vertical movement to effect extension of said ejector means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 3 including electric actuator means for each finger drive unit, the finger drive control means including switch means in the electric circuit of each finger drive actuator means operable sequentially by the sheet counting means to effect extension of each finger unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 4 including second switcH means in the electric circuit of each finger drive actuator means operable by the associated finger unit at said predetermined upper position of vertical movement to effect retraction of said finger unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 3 including electric actuator means for the ejector drive means, the ejector drive control means including switch means in the electric circuit of the electric drive actuator means operable by each finger unit to effect extension of the ejector means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
280 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein: a. the sheet supporting plane of the sheet delivery means is below the sheet supporting plane of the sheet stacking station and the latter is arranged to support a sheet of material with an end portion of the latter projecting beyond the stacking station, and each finger unit is positioned for extension under said projecting end portion of sheet material, b. the sheet stacking station includes abutment means for engagement by the leading end of sheet material delivered to the stacking station, the abutment means being adjustable toward and away from the delivery means for accommodating the stacking of sheet material of different lengths, c. the sheet stacking station also includes bumper means adjacent the infeed end thereof movable toward and away from the abutment means for engaging the trailing end of sheet material delivered to the stacking station for aligning said trailing end with the leading end thereof, d. electric actuator means is provided for each finger drive unit, e. the finger drive control means includes switch means in the electric circuit of each finger drive actuator means operable sequentially by the sheet counting means to effect extension of the associated finger unit, f. second switch means is included in the electric circuit of each finger drive actuator means operable by the associated finger unit at said predetermined upper position of vertical movement to effect retraction of said finger unit, g. electric actuator means is provided for the ejector drive means, and h. the ejector drive control means includes switch means in the electric circuit of the ejector drive actuator means operable by each finger unit to effect extension of the ejector means.
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) | 1977-09-09 | 1978-03-11 | 1978-09-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-09 | 1982-03-11 | 1982-09-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-09 | 1986-03-11 | 1986-09-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |