Delivery apparatus and method

Claim 2

For stacking a continuous series of forms of predetermined length, improved delivery apparatus comprising: a conveyor for transporting said forms along a horizontal path in an upstanding loosely assembled lengthwise progression, a platform at the end of said conveyor, means for raising and lowering said platform, means for directing said forms from the horizontal path along said conveyor to a vertical path toward said platform, and means including a pair of retractable ledges mounted above said platform, for segregating a group of forms at the end of said series from the other forms in said series by catching an outwardly extending dividing tray inserted in said forms and moving together therewith and thereby restraining the advance of said other forms onto said platform.

Claim 3

Apparatus according to claim 1 said platform having a length at least about twice said predetermined length for accommodating said group of forms in a vertical stack at a forward portion thereof while the platform ascends for reception of a new group of forms at a rearward portion thereof.

Claim 4

inserting a tray into said horizontally progressing forms for transporting together therewith,

Claim 5

inserting a tray into said horizontally progressing forms for transporting together therewith,

Claim 6

transporting said series of forms and said first tray to the end of said table and downwardly therefrom,

Claim 7

transporting said series of forms and said first tray to the end of said table and downwardly therefrom,

Claim 8

guiding said forms and said tray around the end of said table for downwardly directed movement therefrom,

Claim 9

guiding said forms and said tray around the end of said table for downwardly directed movement therefrom,

Claim 10

Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means for retracting said ledges at a predetermined point during the ascent of said platform.

Claim 11

stopping the downward descent of said first tray whereby the forms behind said tray begin stacking thereon,

Claim 12

stopping the downward descent of said first tray whereby the forms behind said tray begin stacking thereon,

Claim 13

stopping the downward movement of said tray at a predetermined stopping point, so that the forms therebehind are restrained by said tray and collect vertically thereupon,

Claim 14

stopping the downward movement of said tray at a predetermined stopping point, so that the forms therebehind are restrained by said tray and collect vertically thereupon,

Claim 15

inserting a second tray into said series of forms behind said first tray,

Claim 16

inserting a second tray into said series of forms behind said first tray,

Claim 17

Apparatus according to claim 3 said ledges each having a cam surface and said retracting means comprising a pair of rollers mounted on said platform and positioned for engaging said cam surfaces to cause said retraction.

Claim 18

separating the forms ahead of said second tray from the forms therebehind,

Claim 19

separating the forms ahead of said second tray from the forms therebehind,

Claim 20

segregating the group of forms ahead of said tray from the forms therebehind by lowering said group of forms downwardly away from said stopping point,

Claim 21

segregating the group of forms ahead of said tray from the forms therebehind by lowering said group of forms downwardly away from said stopping point,

Claim 22

Apparatus according to claim 4 further comprising a pair of springs to maintain said ledges in a normally extended tray-receiving position.

Claim 23

collecting the group of forms so segregated into a vertical stack,

Claim 24

collecting the group of forms so segregated into a vertical stack,

Claim 25

resuming the lowering of said first tray,

Claim 26

resuming the lowering of said first tray,

Claim 27

Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means for moving said conveyor horizontally and means for moving said platform downwardly at a slower speed than said conveyor.

Claim 28

Apparatus according to claim 6 further comprising means for moving said platform upwardly at a speed greater than said downward movement speed.

Claim 29

transporting said second tray together with said series of forms to the end of said table and downwardly therefrom,

Claim 30

transporting said second tray together with said series of forms to the end of said table and downwardly therefrom,

Claim 31

transferring said stack to a location clear of said table,

Claim 32

transferring said stack to a location clear of said table,

Claim 33

removing said tray from supporting relationship with the forms therebehind,

Claim 34

removing said tray from supporting relationship with the forms therebehind,

Claim 35

stopping the downward descent of said second tray whereby the forms between said second tray and said first tray define a stack on said first tray,

Claim 36

stopping the downward descent of said second tray whereby the forms between said second tray and said first tray define a stack on said first tray,

Claim 37

Apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising a lower limit switch for automatically stopping downward movement of said platform and an upper limit switch for automatically stopping upward movement of said platform.

Claim 38

Apparatus according to claim 8 further comprising timing means for initiating downward movement of said platform at a predetermined time after the stopping of said upward movement.

Claim 39

removing said stack of forms from said first tray,

Claim 40

removing said stack of forms from said first tray,

Claim 41

reinserting said tray into said progression of forms for renewed horizontal transport therewith, and

Claim 42

reinserting said tray into said progression of forms for renewed horizontal transport therewith, and

Claim 43

repeating aforesaid process.

Claim 44

repeating aforesaid process.

Claim 45

reinserting said first tray in said series of forms behind said second tray, and

Claim 46

reinserting said first tray in said series of forms behind said second tray, and

Claim 47

Apparatus according to claim 9 further comprising a manually actuated switch for initiating upward movement of said platform.

Claim 48

repeating aforesaid steps.

Claim 49

repeating aforesaid steps.

Claim 50

Apparatus according to claim 6 said means for moving said conveyor and said means for moving said platform being connected for driving by a common mechanical drive.

Claim 51

Apparatus according to claim 1 said means for directing said forms from said conveyor to said platform comprising a guide roll and a cooperatively arranged end panel.

Claim 52

Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising attachment means for releasably attaching said delivery apparatus to a production press for said forms.

Claim 53

Apparatus according to claim 13 further comprising means for adjusting the vertical position of said conveyor.

Claim 54

In apparatus for producing a continuous series of forms of predetermined length and zig-zag folding said forms at their connections, improved delivery apparatus comprising: a conveyor for transporting folded forms from said apparatus, a platform for stacking of the forms at the end of said conveyor, means for lOwering said platform from an initial raised position and for subsequently raising said platform, means for directing said forms from said conveyor to said platform, means including a divider tray for segregating a first group of forms at the end of said series from a second following group of forms in said series, means for restraining the advance of said tray and the second group of forms while the first group of forms collects in a stack on said platform and is manipulated to make room for the second group of forms, and means for releasing said restraining means upon upward return of said platform.

Claim 55

In apparatus for producing a continuous series of forms of predetermined length and zig-zag folding said forms at their connections, improved delivery apparatus comprising: a conveyor for transporting folded forms from said apparatus, a platform for stacking of the forms at the end of said conveyor, means for lOwering said platform from an initial raised position and for subsequently raising said platform, means for directing said forms from said conveyor to said platform, means including a divider tray for segregating a first group of forms at the end of said series from a second following group of forms in said series, means for restraining the advance of said tray and the second group of forms while the first group of forms collects in a stack on said platform and is manipulated to make room for the second group of forms, and means for releasing said restraining means upon upward return of said platform.

Claim 56

Apparatus according to claim 15 further comprising a second divider tray for segregating said second group of forms from the forms therebehind.

Claim 57

In apparatus for continuously producing a relatively loosely-comprised stream of flexible forms to produce individual multiple-count stacks improved stack delivery apparatus comprising: a generally horizontal delivery table, means for advancing the stream of forms along said table with one side of the stream contacting the table and slightly lagging the upper, opposite side whereby to cause a forward tipping of the forms in the advancing stream, a generally horizontal platform at the end of said table, means for raising and lowering said platform between an upper level slightly below the level of the table to a lower level substantially below the upper level, means for moving said platform downward from its upper limit to its lower limit at a speed slower than the speed of advance of said forms along said table and moving said platform upward from its lower limit to its upper limit at a speed faster than the speed of said downward movement, means defining a radius at the end of said table whereby movement of said forms to the end of said table causes redirection of the forms from a horizontally moving stream to a downwardly moving stack supported by said platform, portable means temporarily insertable into said stream at a point between individual stacks, horizontal support means for horizontally supporting said portable means at a level above the upper limit of the platform in position to temporarily restrain the end of the advancing stream at said level when the platform has received a full stack, whereby the stack may be removed from its position on the lowered platform and the platform may be rapidly raised to its upper level for receipt of the stream for forming the next stack thereupon, and means for operating said horizontal support means to discontinue restraint of the advancing stream.

Claim 58

In apparatus for continuously producing a relatively loosely-comprised stream of flexible forms to produce individual multiple-count stacks improved stack delivery apparatus comprising: a generally horizontal delivery table, means for advancing the stream of forms along said table with one side of the stream contacting the table and slightly lagging the upper, opposite side whereby to cause a forward tipping of the forms in the advancing stream, a generally horizontal platform at the end of said table, means for raising and lowering said platform between an upper level slightly below the level of the table to a lower level substantially below the upper level, means for moving said platform downward from its upper limit to its lower limit at a speed slower than the speed of advance of said forms along said table and moving said platform upward from its lower limit to its upper limit at a speed faster than the speed of said downward movement, means defining a radius at the end of said table whereby movement of said forms to the end of said table causes redirection of the forms from a horizontally moving stream to a downwardly moving stack supported by said platform, portable means temporarily insertable into said stream at a point between individual stacks, horizontal support means for horizontally supporting said portable means at a level above the upper limit of the platform in position to temporarily restrain the end of the advancing stream at said level when the platform has received a full stack, whereby the stack may be removed from its position on the lowered platform and the platform may be rapidly raised to its upper level for receipt of the stream for forming the next stack thereupon, and means for operating said horizontal support means to discontinue restraint of the advancing stream.

Claim 59

Method of unloading a continuously generated series of zig-zag folded forms from a delivery table comprising the steps of:

Claim 60

Method of unloading a continuously generated series of zig-zag folded forms from a delivery table comprising the steps of:

Claim 61

Method according to claim 18 further comprising the step of separating said stack into at least 2 stacks each of height equal to the height of the original stack.