US3871539A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Panel counting, collecting and gating method
Assignee: Westvaco Corp
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Filing: 1973-07-23
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Granted: 1975-03-18
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Expires: 1993-07-23
Abstract
Abstract A continuously conveyed series of uniformly dimensioned panels of thin sheet material are counted and stacked from the bottom against an abutment edge of a stationary but rotatable cam plate. When a predetermined number of panels is collected in the stack, the cam plate is rotated to lift the stack into a rotating roll nip for conveyance to a second roll nip. Removal of the stack from the proximity of the collecting cam plate is completed by the second roll nip after the collecting cam has resumed a stationary, collecting position.
Inventors
- 👤 Willem A Nikkel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:06
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H31/00; B65H31/30; B65H31/3027; B65H29/00; B65H29/001; B65H29/16; B65H29/18; B65H2301/00; B65H2301/40; B65H2301/42; B65H2301/421; B65H2301/4212; B65H2301/42122; B65H2406/00; B65H2406/10; B65H2406/12; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S414/00; Y10S414/10; Y10S414/115
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
A method of assembling panels of thin sheet material into face-to-face stacks comprising a discrete number of said panels, said method comprising the steps of: a. delivering panels of thin sheet material in a substantially continuous series sequence to a collecting station; b. counting said panels delivered to said station; c. accumulating said panels at said station in a face-to-face stack by addition of panels to one face side of said stack; d. aligning the leading edges of said stacked panels against an abutment element; e. moving a leading edge portion of said stack upon the accumulation of a predetermined number of said panels in the direction of and substantially perpendicular to the other face side of said stack and into nip engagement between first and second rolls disposed for rotation about axes on opposite face sides of said stack; f. simultaneous with said leading edge moving step, rotatively withdrawing said abutment element about an axis coaxial of said first nip roll disposed on said one face side of said stack; g. advancing said stack within said station by a single revolution of said first nip roll; h. returning said abutment element to said panel edge aligning position simultaneously with the completion of said first nip roll single revolution; and, i. removing said advancing stack from the proximity of said collecting station.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
222 words
A method of assembling panels of thin sheet material into face-to-face stacks comprising a discrete number of said panels, said method comprising the steps of: a. delivering panels of thin sheet material in a substantially continuous series sequence to a collecting station; b. counting said panels delivered to said station; c. accumulating said panels at said station in a face-to-face stack by addition of panels to one face side of said stack; d. aligning the leading edges of said stacked panels against an abutment element; e. moving a leading edge portion of said stack upon the accumulation of a predetermined number of said panels in the direction of and substantially perpendicular to the other face side of said stack and into nip engagement between first and second rolls disposed for rotation about axes on opposite face sides of said stack; f. simultaneous with said leading edge moving step, rotatively withdrawing said abutment element about an axis coaxial of said first nip roll disposed on said one face side of said stack; g. advancing said stack within said station by a single revolution of said first nip roll; h. returning said abutment element to said panel edge aligning position simultaneously with the completion of said first nip roll single revolution; and, i. removing said advancing stack from the proximity of said collecting station.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said edge abutment element is returned to said edge aligning position before the removal of said stack from between said nip roll axes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the moving of said leading edge portion of said stack is initiated by delivery of said predetermined number of panels past a fixed reference point along the locus of said series sequence.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-17 | 1978-09-16 | 1979-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-17 | 1982-09-16 | 1983-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-17 | 1986-09-16 | 1987-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |