US3881718A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Unstacking and shingling of sheet material articles
Assignee: AB Dick Co
•
Filing: 1973-03-19
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Granted: 1975-05-06
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Expires: 1993-03-19
Abstract
Abstract An improved method and apparatus are provided for removing a densely shingled series of folded sheet material articles from a storage tray and moving the sheet material articles into a loosely shingled overlapping stream. The series of sheet material articles is transferred to a multiple of spaced-apart conveyor belts in a first conveyor assembly by moving the tray downwardly through a space between the conveyor belts. As the tray moves downwardly, the lowermost edge portions of the sheet material articles are supportingly engaged by longitudinally extending upper runs of the conveyor belts. The forwardmost article in the series of sheet material articles is held in an on-edge orientation by a plurality of sprocket wheels. As the conveyor belts advance the series of sheet material articles, the sprocket wheels are rotated to sequentially release or separate the sheet material articles. The released sheet material articles are moved to a second conveyor assembly by a transfer conveyor. The transfer conveyor is retractable from a position in which it extends between the conveyor belts of the first conveyor assembly to enable the tray to move through the space between the conveyor belts. To provide for the disposition of the sheet material articles on the second conveyor assembly in an overlapping stream, the transfer conveyor is driven at a higher speed than the first conveyor asembly and the second conveyor assembly is driven at a higher speed than the transfer conveyor.
Inventors
- 👤 Victoriano Fernandez-Rana
- 👤 Carlton V Hageman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 23:52
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H29/00; B65H29/66
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
247 words
An apparatus for receiving an on-edge series of folded sheet material articles from a support tray and for moving the sheet material articles into an overlapping stream, said apparatus comprising first conveyor means for receiving the series of sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation from the tray and for moving the series of sheet material articles forwardly with first end portions of the sheet material articles uppermost, said first conveyor means including first surface means for engaging second end portions of the sheet material articles disposed opposite from the first end portions of the sheet material articles and for supporting the sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation with side surfaces of the articles disposed in abutting engagement, means for engaging a forwardmost article in the series of sheet material articles at a location intermediate its end portions to hold the series of sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation and for sequentially separating a forwardmost sheet material article from the series, and second conveyor means for receiving each of the released sheet material articles in turn from said first conveyor means and for transporting the sheet material articles in an overlapped stream with the first end portions of adjacent sheet material articles spaced apart and the first end portions of the sheet material articles leading their respective second end portions, said second conveyor means including second surface means for engaging the side surfaces of the sheet material articles and supporting them in an overlapped relationship.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
247 words
An apparatus for receiving an on-edge series of folded sheet material articles from a support tray and for moving the sheet material articles into an overlapping stream, said apparatus comprising first conveyor means for receiving the series of sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation from the tray and for moving the series of sheet material articles forwardly with first end portions of the sheet material articles uppermost, said first conveyor means including first surface means for engaging second end portions of the sheet material articles disposed opposite from the first end portions of the sheet material articles and for supporting the sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation with side surfaces of the articles disposed in abutting engagement, means for engaging a forwardmost article in the series of sheet material articles at a location intermediate its end portions to hold the series of sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation and for sequentially separating a forwardmost sheet material article from the series, and second conveyor means for receiving each of the released sheet material articles in turn from said first conveyor means and for transporting the sheet material articles in an overlapped stream with the first end portions of adjacent sheet material articles spaced apart and the first end portions of the sheet material articles leading their respective second end portions, said second conveyor means including second surface means for engaging the side surfaces of the sheet material articles and supporting them in an overlapped relationship.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further including drive means for moving said first surface means forwardly at a first speed and for moving said second surface means forwardly at a second speed which is greater than said first speed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for engaging and sequentially separating the sheet material articles includes a movable member which engages the forwardmost article in the series of sheet material articles and means for moving said movable member at a speed which varies as a function of variations in the speed of movement of said first surface means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
104 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first conveyor means includes first and second spaced apart conveyor belts, said first and second conveyor belts having longitudinally extending upper runs which form at least a portion of said first surFace means and are spaced apart by a distance which is greater than the width of a longitudinally extending support portion of a tray and is less than the length of the open end portion of a sheet material article to enable the sheet material articles to extend between and be supported by the upper runs of said first and second conveyor belts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 4 further including transport means for moving a tray with a series of sheet material articles disposed thereon downwardly along a path extending between the upper runs of said first and second conveyor belts to move the series of sheet material articles into engagement with said first and second conveyor belts and to remove the series of sheet material articles from the tray.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 further including third conveyor means for engaging the second end portion of at least one of the sheet material articles to at least partially support the one sheet material article as it moves from said first conveyor means to said second conveyor means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
263 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for engaging and sequentially separating the sheet material articles includes a first wheel member disposed adjacent to one side of said first conveyor means, said first wheel member including first peripheral surface means for engaging one side edge portion of the forwardmost article in the series of sheet material articles at a location between the folded and open end portions of the forwardmost article, first support means for supporting said first wheel member for rotation about a first axis extending transversely to said first surface means, a second wheel member disposed adjacent to another side of said first conveyor means, said second wheel member including second peripheral surface means for engaging another side edge portion of the forwardmost article in the series of sheet material articles at a location between the folded and open end portions of the forwardmost article, second support means for supporting said second wheel member for rotation about a second axis extending transcersely to said first surface means, said first and second peripheral surface means being spaced apart by a distance which is less than the longitudinal extents of the folded and open end portions of a sheet material article to enable said first and second wheel members to hold the forwardmost article in the series of sheet material aeticles in an on-edge orientation, and drive means for rotating said first and second wheel members to move the forwardmost article in the series of sheet material articles through the space between said first and second peripheral surfaces means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
291 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said means for engaging and sequentially separating the sheet material articles further includes a third wheel member disposed adjacent to said one side of said conveyor means at a location above said first wheel member, said third wheel member including third peripheral surface means for engaging the one side edge portion of the forwardmost article in the series of sheet material articles at a location between said first wheel member and the folded end portion of the forwardmost article, third support means for supporting said third wheel member for rotation about a third axis extending tranversely to said first surface means, a fourth wheel member disposed adjacent to the other side of said first conveyor means at a location above said second wheel member, said fourth wheel member including fourth peripheral surface means for engaging the other side edge portion of the forwardmost article in the series of sheet material articles at a location between said second wheel member and the folded end portion of the forwardmost article, fourth support means for supporting said fourth wheel member for rotation about a fourth axis extending transversely to said first surface means, said third and fourth peripheral surface means being spaced apart by a distance which iS less than the longitudinal extents of the folded and open end portions of a sheet material article to enable said third and fourth wheel members to hold the forwardmost article in the series of sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation, said drive means being operable to rotate said third and fourth wheel members to move the forwardmost article in the series of sheet material articles through the space between said third and fourth peripheral surface means.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
490 words
An apparatus for receiving an on-edge series of folded sheet material articles from a support tray and for moving the sheet material articles into an overlapping stream, said apparatus comprising first conveyor means for receiving the series of sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation from the tray and for moving the series of sheet material articles forwardly with first end portions of the sheet material articles uppermost, said first conveyor means including first surface means for engaging second end portions of the sheet material articles disposed opposite from the first end portions of the sheet material articles and for supporting the sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation with side surfaces of the articles disposed in abutting engagements, said first conveyor means including first and second spaced apart conveyor belts, said first and second conveyor belts having longitudinally extending upper runs which form at least a portion of said first surface means and are spaced apart by a distance which is greater than the width of a longitudinally extending support portion of a tray and is less than the length of the open end portion of a sheet material article to enable the sheet material articles to extend between and be supported by the upper runs of said first and second conveyor belts, transport means for moving a tray with a series of sheet material articles disposed thereon downwardly along a path extending between the upper runs of said first and second conveyor belts to move the series of sheet material articles into engagement with said first and second conveyor belts and to remove the series of sheet material articles from the tray, means for engaging a forwardmost article in the series of sheet material articles at a location intermediate its end portions to hold the series of sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation and for sequentially releasing the sheet material articles, second conveyor means for receiving each of the released sheet material articles in turn from said first conveyor means and for transporting the sheet material articles in an overlapped stream with the first end portions of adjacent sheet material articles spaced apart, said second conveyor means including second surface means for engaging the side surfaces of the sheet material articles and supporting them in an overlapped relationship, third conveyor means for engaging the second end portion of at least one of the sheet material articles to at least partially support the one sheet material article as it moves from said first conveyor means to said second conveyor means, and means for moving said third conveyor means between an extended condition in which said third conveyor means extends between said first and second conveyor belts and a retracted condition in which third conveyor means is spaced from the area between said first and second conveyor belts to enable a tray to be moved through the area between said first and second conveyor belts by said transport means.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
490 words
An apparatus for receiving an on-edge series of folded sheet material articles from a support tray and for moving the sheet material articles into an overlapping stream, said apparatus comprising first conveyor means for receiving the series of sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation from the tray and for moving the series of sheet material articles forwardly with first end portions of the sheet material articles uppermost, said first conveyor means including first surface means for engaging second end portions of the sheet material articles disposed opposite from the first end portions of the sheet material articles and for supporting the sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation with side surfaces of the articles disposed in abutting engagements, said first conveyor means including first and second spaced apart conveyor belts, said first and second conveyor belts having longitudinally extending upper runs which form at least a portion of said first surface means and are spaced apart by a distance which is greater than the width of a longitudinally extending support portion of a tray and is less than the length of the open end portion of a sheet material article to enable the sheet material articles to extend between and be supported by the upper runs of said first and second conveyor belts, transport means for moving a tray with a series of sheet material articles disposed thereon downwardly along a path extending between the upper runs of said first and second conveyor belts to move the series of sheet material articles into engagement with said first and second conveyor belts and to remove the series of sheet material articles from the tray, means for engaging a forwardmost article in the series of sheet material articles at a location intermediate its end portions to hold the series of sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation and for sequentially releasing the sheet material articles, second conveyor means for receiving each of the released sheet material articles in turn from said first conveyor means and for transporting the sheet material articles in an overlapped stream with the first end portions of adjacent sheet material articles spaced apart, said second conveyor means including second surface means for engaging the side surfaces of the sheet material articles and supporting them in an overlapped relationship, third conveyor means for engaging the second end portion of at least one of the sheet material articles to at least partially support the one sheet material article as it moves from said first conveyor means to said second conveyor means, and means for moving said third conveyor means between an extended condition in which said third conveyor means extends between said first and second conveyor belts and a retracted condition in which third conveyor means is spaced from the area between said first and second conveyor belts to enable a tray to be moved through the area between said first and second conveyor belts by said transport means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
91 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 further including drive means for driving said first and second conveyor belts at a first speed, for driving said third conveyor means at a second speed which is greater than said first speed, and for driving said second conveyor means at a third speed which is greater than said second speed to thereby enable the spacing between the first end portions of the sheet material articles to be increased as they move forwardly from said first conveyor means to said second conveyor meanS.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
110 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said means for engaging and sequentially relasing the sheet material articles includes a first rotatable member disposed adjacent to said first conveyor belt and a second rotatable member disposed adjacent to said second conveyor belt, said drive means being connected with said first and second rotatable members and including means for rotating said members at a peripheral speed which is substantially the same as said first speed to enable a sheet material article to pass between said rotatable members at a rate which is equal to the rate at which the sheet material articles are advanced by said first conveyor means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
116 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said means for engaging and sequentially releasing the sheet material articles further includes a third rotatable member disposed adjacent to said first conveyor belt with its axis of rotation forwardly of the axis of rotation of said first rotatable member and a fourth rotatable member disposed adjacent to said second conveyor belt with its axis of rotation ahead of the axis of rotation of said second rotatable member to hold the series of sheet material articles in a forwardly sloping orientation, said drive means including means for driving said third and fourth rotatable members at essentially the same peripheral speed as said first and second rotatable members.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
238 words
A method of handling sheet material articles, said method comprising the steps of providing a support tray on which there is disposed a series of folded sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation with first end portions of the sheet material articles uppermost, transferring the series of sheet material articles from the tray to a first conveyor means with the sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation, said step of transferring the series of sheet material articles to the first conveyor means including the steps of moving the second end portions of the sheet material articles disposed opposite from the first end portions of the sheet material articles into engagement with said first conveyor means and supporting the sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation with the side surfaces of the articles in abutting engagement, holding the forwardmost article in the series of sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation by engaging the forwardmost article at a location intermediate its end portions, sequentially separating a forwardmost article from the series of sheet material articles by engaging the forwardmost article at a location intermediate its end portions, transferring the separated sheet material articles to a second conveyor means with the first end portions of the sheet material articles leading their respective second end portions with the sheet material articles in an overlapping relationship, and transporting the separated sheet material articles in an overlapping stream with the second conveyor means.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
238 words
A method of handling sheet material articles, said method comprising the steps of providing a support tray on which there is disposed a series of folded sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation with first end portions of the sheet material articles uppermost, transferring the series of sheet material articles from the tray to a first conveyor means with the sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation, said step of transferring the series of sheet material articles to the first conveyor means including the steps of moving the second end portions of the sheet material articles disposed opposite from the first end portions of the sheet material articles into engagement with said first conveyor means and supporting the sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation with the side surfaces of the articles in abutting engagement, holding the forwardmost article in the series of sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation by engaging the forwardmost article at a location intermediate its end portions, sequentially separating a forwardmost article from the series of sheet material articles by engaging the forwardmost article at a location intermediate its end portions, transferring the separated sheet material articles to a second conveyor means with the first end portions of the sheet material articles leading their respective second end portions with the sheet material articles in an overlapping relationship, and transporting the separated sheet material articles in an overlapping stream with the second conveyor means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
79 words
A method as set forth in claim 13 wherein said step of transferring the sheet material articles from the tray to the first conveyor means includes the step of moving the tray downwardly along a path extending between first and second conveyor belts of said first conveyor means and moving the second end portions of the articles in the series of sheet material articles into engagement with said first and second conveyor belts during downward movement of the tray.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as set forth in claim 14 wherein said step of transferring the separated sheet material articles to the second conveyor means includes the step of engaging the second end portions of the sheet material articles with a third conveyor means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
82 words
A method as set forth in claim 15 further including the steps of operating said first conveyor means to move the series of sheet material articles forwardly at a first speed, operating said third conveyor means to move the released sheet material articles forwardly at a second speed which is greater than the first speed, and oPerating said second conveyor means to move the overlapping stream of sheet material articles forwardly at a third speed which is greater than said second speed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
135 words
A method as set forth in claim 13 wherein said step of holding the forwardmost article in the series of sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation includes the steps of engaging one side edge portion of the forwardmost article in the series of sheet material articles with a first movable member at a location between the end portions of the forwardmost article and engaging another side edge portion of the forwardmost article in the series of sheet material articles with a second movable member at a location between the end portions of the forwardmost article in the series of sheet material articles, said step of sequentially releasing the articles from the series of sheet material articles including the step of moving said first and second members relative to the series of sheet material articles.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
240 words
An apparatus for receiving an on-edge series of folded sheet material articles and for moving the sheet material articles into an overlapping stream, said apparatus comprising first conveyor means for receiving the series of sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation and for moving the series of sheet material articles forwardly with first end portions of the sheet material articles uppermost, said first conveyor means including first surface means for engaging second end portions of the sheet material articles disposed opposite from the first end portions of the sheet material articles and for supporting the sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation with side surfaces of the articles disposed in abutting engagement, means for engaging a forwardmost article in the series of sheet material articles at a location intermediate its end portions to hold the series of sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation and for sequentially separating a forwardmost sheet material article from the series, and second conveyor means for receiving each of the separated sheet material articles in turn from said first conveyor means and for transporting the sheet material articles in an overlapped stream with the first end portions of adjacent sheet material articles spaced apart and with first end portions of the sheet material articles leading their respective second end portions, said second conveyor means including second surface means for engaging the side surfaces of the sheet material articles and supporting them in an overlapped relationship.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
240 words
An apparatus for receiving an on-edge series of folded sheet material articles and for moving the sheet material articles into an overlapping stream, said apparatus comprising first conveyor means for receiving the series of sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation and for moving the series of sheet material articles forwardly with first end portions of the sheet material articles uppermost, said first conveyor means including first surface means for engaging second end portions of the sheet material articles disposed opposite from the first end portions of the sheet material articles and for supporting the sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation with side surfaces of the articles disposed in abutting engagement, means for engaging a forwardmost article in the series of sheet material articles at a location intermediate its end portions to hold the series of sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation and for sequentially separating a forwardmost sheet material article from the series, and second conveyor means for receiving each of the separated sheet material articles in turn from said first conveyor means and for transporting the sheet material articles in an overlapped stream with the first end portions of adjacent sheet material articles spaced apart and with first end portions of the sheet material articles leading their respective second end portions, said second conveyor means including second surface means for engaging the side surfaces of the sheet material articles and supporting them in an overlapped relationship.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
180 words
Apparatus comprising a substantially vertically moveable tray, means for supporting a series of sheet material articles on said tray in an on-edge angular orientation, first conveyor means for receiving the series of sheet material articles in an on-edge angular orientation from the tray upon relative lowering movement of the tray relative to said first conveyor means, said first conveyor means including first surface means for engaging end portions of the sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation with side surfaces of the articles disposed in abutting engagement, means associated with said first conveyor means for maintaining the angular on-edge orientation of the articles relative to the first conveyor means substantially the same as the angular on-edge orientation at which they were received by the first conveyor means, means for receiving the articles from said first conveyor means and for transporting the sheet material articles in an overlapped stream with end portions of adjacent sheet material articles spaced apart and including second surface means for engaging the side surfaces of the sheet material articles and supporting them in an overlapped relationship.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
180 words
Apparatus comprising a substantially vertically moveable tray, means for supporting a series of sheet material articles on said tray in an on-edge angular orientation, first conveyor means for receiving the series of sheet material articles in an on-edge angular orientation from the tray upon relative lowering movement of the tray relative to said first conveyor means, said first conveyor means including first surface means for engaging end portions of the sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation with side surfaces of the articles disposed in abutting engagement, means associated with said first conveyor means for maintaining the angular on-edge orientation of the articles relative to the first conveyor means substantially the same as the angular on-edge orientation at which they were received by the first conveyor means, means for receiving the articles from said first conveyor means and for transporting the sheet material articles in an overlapped stream with end portions of adjacent sheet material articles spaced apart and including second surface means for engaging the side surfaces of the sheet material articles and supporting them in an overlapped relationship.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 19 wherein said means for maintaining the angular on-edge orientation of the articles received by said first conveyor means comprises first and second rotatable members adopted to engage a forwardmost article of said series of sheet materiaL articles at a location intermediate its end portions.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
188 words
A method of handling sheet material articles, said method comprising the steps of providing a support tray on which there is disposed a series of folded sheet material articles in an on-edge angular orientation with first end portions of the sheet material articles uppermost, transferring the series of sheet material articles from the tray to a first conveyor means with the sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation, said step of transferring the series of sheet material articles to the first conveyor means including the steps of substantially vertically lowering the second end portions of the sheet material articles disposed opposite from the first end portions of the sheet material articles into engagement with said first conveyor means while supported on the tray, engaging the second end portions with the first conveyor means while continuing lowering movement of the tray to thereby deposit the articles on edge on the first conveyor means, maintaining said articles at substantially said on-edge angular orientation as said articles are transported by said conveyor means, receiving said articles from said conveyor means and thereafter transporting the sheet material articles in an overlapped stream.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
188 words
A method of handling sheet material articles, said method comprising the steps of providing a support tray on which there is disposed a series of folded sheet material articles in an on-edge angular orientation with first end portions of the sheet material articles uppermost, transferring the series of sheet material articles from the tray to a first conveyor means with the sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation, said step of transferring the series of sheet material articles to the first conveyor means including the steps of substantially vertically lowering the second end portions of the sheet material articles disposed opposite from the first end portions of the sheet material articles into engagement with said first conveyor means while supported on the tray, engaging the second end portions with the first conveyor means while continuing lowering movement of the tray to thereby deposit the articles on edge on the first conveyor means, maintaining said articles at substantially said on-edge angular orientation as said articles are transported by said conveyor means, receiving said articles from said conveyor means and thereafter transporting the sheet material articles in an overlapped stream.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method as set forth by claim 21 wherein the step of maintaining said articles at substantially said on-edge angular orientation as the articles are transported by the first conveyor means includes the step of engaging a forwardmost article of said series with one or more rotatable members at a location intermediate the end portions of the article.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
516 words
An apparatus for receiving an on-edge series of folded sheet material articles from a support tray and for moving the sheet material articles into an overlapping stream, said apparatus comprising first conveyor means for receiving the series of sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation from the tray and for moving the series of sheet material articles forwardly with first end portions of the sheet material articles uppermost, said first conveyor means including first surface means for engaging second end portions of the sheet material articles disposed opposite from the first end portions of the sheet material articles and for supporting the sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation with side surfaces of the articles disposed in abutting engagement, said first conveyor means including first and second spaced apart conveyor belts, said first and second conveyor belts having longitudinally extending upper runs which form at least a portion of said first surface means and are spaced apart by a distance which is greater than the width of a longitudinally extending support portion of a tray and is less than the length of the open end portion of a sheet material article to enable the sheet material articles to extend between and be supported by the upper runs of said first and second conveyor belts, transport means for moving a tray with a series of sheet material articles disposed thereon downwardly along a path extending between the upper runs of said first and second conveyor belts to move the series of sheet material articles into engagement with said first and second conveyor belts and to remove the series of sheet material articles from the tray, means for engaging a forwardmost article in the series of sheet material articles at a location intermediate its end portions to hold the series of sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation and for sequentially releasing the sheet material articles, second conveyor means for receiving each of the released sheet material articles in turn from said first conveyor means and for transporting the sheet material articles in an overlapped stream with the first end portions of adjacent sheet material articles spaced apart, third conveyor means for engaging the second end portion of at least one of the sheet material articles to at least partially support the one sheet material article as it moves froM said first conveyor means to said second conveyor means, said second conveyor means including second surface means for engaging the side surfaces of the sheet material articles and suporting them in an overlapped relationship, said second conveyor means including a third conveyor belt disposed in alignment with said first conveyor belt and a fourth conveyor belt disposed in alignment with said second conveyor belt, and said third conveyor means including a fifth conveyor belt having a longitudinally extending upper run which extends from the space between said first and second conveyor belts through the space between said third and fourth conveyor belts to support a sheet material article as it moves forwardly from said first and second conveyor belts into engagement with said third and fourth conveyor belts.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
516 words
An apparatus for receiving an on-edge series of folded sheet material articles from a support tray and for moving the sheet material articles into an overlapping stream, said apparatus comprising first conveyor means for receiving the series of sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation from the tray and for moving the series of sheet material articles forwardly with first end portions of the sheet material articles uppermost, said first conveyor means including first surface means for engaging second end portions of the sheet material articles disposed opposite from the first end portions of the sheet material articles and for supporting the sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation with side surfaces of the articles disposed in abutting engagement, said first conveyor means including first and second spaced apart conveyor belts, said first and second conveyor belts having longitudinally extending upper runs which form at least a portion of said first surface means and are spaced apart by a distance which is greater than the width of a longitudinally extending support portion of a tray and is less than the length of the open end portion of a sheet material article to enable the sheet material articles to extend between and be supported by the upper runs of said first and second conveyor belts, transport means for moving a tray with a series of sheet material articles disposed thereon downwardly along a path extending between the upper runs of said first and second conveyor belts to move the series of sheet material articles into engagement with said first and second conveyor belts and to remove the series of sheet material articles from the tray, means for engaging a forwardmost article in the series of sheet material articles at a location intermediate its end portions to hold the series of sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation and for sequentially releasing the sheet material articles, second conveyor means for receiving each of the released sheet material articles in turn from said first conveyor means and for transporting the sheet material articles in an overlapped stream with the first end portions of adjacent sheet material articles spaced apart, third conveyor means for engaging the second end portion of at least one of the sheet material articles to at least partially support the one sheet material article as it moves froM said first conveyor means to said second conveyor means, said second conveyor means including second surface means for engaging the side surfaces of the sheet material articles and suporting them in an overlapped relationship, said second conveyor means including a third conveyor belt disposed in alignment with said first conveyor belt and a fourth conveyor belt disposed in alignment with said second conveyor belt, and said third conveyor means including a fifth conveyor belt having a longitudinally extending upper run which extends from the space between said first and second conveyor belts through the space between said third and fourth conveyor belts to support a sheet material article as it moves forwardly from said first and second conveyor belts into engagement with said third and fourth conveyor belts.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
326 words
A method of handling sheet material articles, said method comprising the steps of providing a support tray on which there is disposed a series of folded sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation with first end portions of the sheet material articles uppermost, transferring the series of sheet material articles from the tray to a first conveyor means with the sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation, said step of transferring the series of sheet material articles to the first conveyor means including the steps of moving the tray downwardly along a path extending between first and second conveyor belts of said first conveyor means and moving the second end portions of the articles in the series of sheet material articles into engagement with said first and second conveyor belts during downward movement of the tray, moving a second conveyor means from an extended condition in which said second conveyor means is extended into the space between the first and second conveyor belts to a retracted condition in which said second conveyor means is disposed to one side of the space between the first and second conveyor belts prior to performing said step of moving the tray downwardly along a path extending between the first and second conveyor belts, supporting the sheet material articles on said first conveyor means in an on-edge orientation with the side surfaces of the articles in abutting engagement, holding the forwardmost article in the series of sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation by engaging the forwardmost article at a location intermediate its end portions, sequentially releasing the articles from the series of sheet material articles, transferring the released sheet material articles to a third conveyor means with the sheet material articles in an overlapping relationship including the steps of engaging the second end portions of the sheet material articles with the second conveyor means and transporting the released sheet material articles in an overlapping stream with the third conveyor means.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
326 words
A method of handling sheet material articles, said method comprising the steps of providing a support tray on which there is disposed a series of folded sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation with first end portions of the sheet material articles uppermost, transferring the series of sheet material articles from the tray to a first conveyor means with the sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation, said step of transferring the series of sheet material articles to the first conveyor means including the steps of moving the tray downwardly along a path extending between first and second conveyor belts of said first conveyor means and moving the second end portions of the articles in the series of sheet material articles into engagement with said first and second conveyor belts during downward movement of the tray, moving a second conveyor means from an extended condition in which said second conveyor means is extended into the space between the first and second conveyor belts to a retracted condition in which said second conveyor means is disposed to one side of the space between the first and second conveyor belts prior to performing said step of moving the tray downwardly along a path extending between the first and second conveyor belts, supporting the sheet material articles on said first conveyor means in an on-edge orientation with the side surfaces of the articles in abutting engagement, holding the forwardmost article in the series of sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation by engaging the forwardmost article at a location intermediate its end portions, sequentially releasing the articles from the series of sheet material articles, transferring the released sheet material articles to a third conveyor means with the sheet material articles in an overlapping relationship including the steps of engaging the second end portions of the sheet material articles with the second conveyor means and transporting the released sheet material articles in an overlapping stream with the third conveyor means.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
532 words
An apparatus for receiving an on-edge series of folded sheet material articles from a support tray and for moving the sheet material articles into an overlapping stream, said apparatus comprising first conveyor means for receiving the series of sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation from the tray and for moving the series of sheet material articles forwardly with first end portions of the sheet material articles uppermost, said first conveyor means including first surface means for engaging second end portions of the sheet material articles disposed opposite from the first end portions of the sheet material articles and for supporting the sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation with side surfaces of the articles disposed in abutting engagement, means for engaging a forwardmost article in the series of sheet material articles at a location intermediate its end portions to hold the series of sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation and for sequentially releasing the sheet material articles, said means for engaging and sequentially releasing the sheet material articles including a first wheel member disposEd adjacent to one side of said first conveyor means, said first wheel member including first peripheral surface means for engaging one side edge portion of the forwardmost article in the series of sheet material articles at a location between the folded and open end portions of the forwardmost article, first support means for supporting said first wheel member for rotation about a first axis extending transversely to said first surface means, a second wheel member disposed adjacent to another side of said first conveyor means, said second wheel member including second peripheral surface means for engaging another side edge portion of the forwardmost article in the series of sheet material articles at a location between the folded and open end portions of the forwardmost article, second support means for supporting said second wheel member for rotation about a second axis extending transversely to said first surface means, said first and second peripheral surface means being spaced apart by a distance which is less than the longitudinal extents of the folded and open-end portions of a sheet material article to enable said first and second wheel members to hold the forwardmost article in the series of sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation, said first and second peripheral surface means each including a plurality of protrusions which are spaced apart by a distance which is at least as great as the thickness of one of the sheet material articles to facilitate the sequential releasing of the sheet material articles, drive means for rotating said first and second wheel members to move the forwardmost article in the series of sheet material articles through the space between said first and second peripheral surface means, and second conveyor means for receiving each of the released sheet material articles in turn from said first conveyor means and for transporting the sheet end portions of adjacent sheet material articles spaced apart and the first end portions of the sheet material articles leading their respecting second end portions, said second conveyor means including second surface means for engaging the side surfaces of the sheet material articles and supporting them in an overlapped relationship.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
532 words
An apparatus for receiving an on-edge series of folded sheet material articles from a support tray and for moving the sheet material articles into an overlapping stream, said apparatus comprising first conveyor means for receiving the series of sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation from the tray and for moving the series of sheet material articles forwardly with first end portions of the sheet material articles uppermost, said first conveyor means including first surface means for engaging second end portions of the sheet material articles disposed opposite from the first end portions of the sheet material articles and for supporting the sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation with side surfaces of the articles disposed in abutting engagement, means for engaging a forwardmost article in the series of sheet material articles at a location intermediate its end portions to hold the series of sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation and for sequentially releasing the sheet material articles, said means for engaging and sequentially releasing the sheet material articles including a first wheel member disposEd adjacent to one side of said first conveyor means, said first wheel member including first peripheral surface means for engaging one side edge portion of the forwardmost article in the series of sheet material articles at a location between the folded and open end portions of the forwardmost article, first support means for supporting said first wheel member for rotation about a first axis extending transversely to said first surface means, a second wheel member disposed adjacent to another side of said first conveyor means, said second wheel member including second peripheral surface means for engaging another side edge portion of the forwardmost article in the series of sheet material articles at a location between the folded and open end portions of the forwardmost article, second support means for supporting said second wheel member for rotation about a second axis extending transversely to said first surface means, said first and second peripheral surface means being spaced apart by a distance which is less than the longitudinal extents of the folded and open-end portions of a sheet material article to enable said first and second wheel members to hold the forwardmost article in the series of sheet material articles in an on-edge orientation, said first and second peripheral surface means each including a plurality of protrusions which are spaced apart by a distance which is at least as great as the thickness of one of the sheet material articles to facilitate the sequential releasing of the sheet material articles, drive means for rotating said first and second wheel members to move the forwardmost article in the series of sheet material articles through the space between said first and second peripheral surface means, and second conveyor means for receiving each of the released sheet material articles in turn from said first conveyor means and for transporting the sheet end portions of adjacent sheet material articles spaced apart and the first end portions of the sheet material articles leading their respecting second end portions, said second conveyor means including second surface means for engaging the side surfaces of the sheet material articles and supporting them in an overlapped relationship.
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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) | 1978-05-05 | 1978-11-04 | 1979-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-05 | 1982-11-04 | 1983-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-05 | 1986-11-04 | 1987-05-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |