US4463940A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for continuous stacking of signatures using opposed floating conveyors
Assignee: Stacker Machine Co Inc
•
Filing: 1982-10-18
•
Granted: 1984-08-07
•
Expires: 2002-10-18
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method for continuous collecting, compressing and stacking folded multiple sheet signatures from a press fly end, wherein horizontally conveyed, overlapped signatures are stream-transferred from in-feed to vertical stacking position, the apparatus being characterized by a crusher station and a floating compressor station the latter of which has opposed tensioned conveyor belts which are retained in a face to face uniformly flat, negative angular relationship by multiple series-mounted rollers. The rollers are in compression contact with uppermost floating conveyor belts whereby compression is obtained through the signatures indirectly to tensioned lower conveyor belts, the signatures being thus continuously moved in a stream from a precise, endwise overlapping relationship, to a vertical endwise stacked relationship within a stacking receiver. To enhance the transfer function, a signature kicking apparatus engages each signature as it emanates from the floating conveyors, thereby forcing the signatures vertically upward against a stripper bar in the receiver.
Inventors
- 👤 Russell V. Mock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 09:34
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H29/00; B65H29/12; B65H29/14; B65H31/00; B65H31/04; B65H31/06; B65H2301/00; B65H2301/40; B65H2301/42; B65H2301/421; B65H2301/4214; B65H2301/42142; B65H2701/00; B65H2701/10; B65H2701/19; B65H2701/1932
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A signature stacker adapted to the production of stacks of one or more incoming streams of lapped signatures comprising: A. a stacker frame having input and output ends; B. a signature crusher station which is mounted adjacent the input end; C. a compression conveyor station which is mounted on stream with the crusher station, said compression conveyor station including opposed floating conveyors, at least one conveyor being compressed in contiguous opposition to the other; said conveyors defining by means of plural rollers a support path for one conveyor to effect an arcuate upward transition from the signature crusher station; D. a signature receiver station, located on stream of the compression conveyor at the output end of the stacker, said receiver guiding successive signatures into stacking registry with one another; E. means activating the crusher and conveyor stations.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A signature stacker adapted to the production of stacks of one or more incoming streams of lapped signatures comprising: A. a stacker frame having input and output ends; B. a signature crusher station which is mounted adjacent the input end; C. a compression conveyor station which is mounted on stream with the crusher station, said compression conveyor station including opposed floating conveyors, at least one conveyor being compressed in contiguous opposition to the other; said conveyors defining by means of plural rollers a support path for one conveyor to effect an arcuate upward transition from the signature crusher station; D. a signature receiver station, located on stream of the compression conveyor at the output end of the stacker, said receiver guiding successive signatures into stacking registry with one another; E. means activating the crusher and conveyor stations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The stacker of claim 1 wherein a signature kicker is disposed in extension of the compression conveyor, intermediate the conveyor and receiver, said kicker having connection with the activating means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the signature crusher station comprises opposed rollers at least one of which is retained in spaced moveable compression relation to the other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the signature crusher station comprises rollers at least one of which is retained in spaced moveable relation to the other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
154 words
A signature stacker adapted to the production of stacks of one or more incoming streams of lapped signatures comprising: A. a stacker frame having input and output ends; B. a signatue in-feed conveyor-jogger station disposed at the input end of the frame; C. a signature crusher station which is mounted on stream with the in-feed conveyor station; D. a compression conveyor station which is mounted on stream with the crusher station, said compression conveyor station including opposed floating conveyors, at least one conveyor being compressed in contiguous opposition to the other, said conveyors defining by means of plural rollers a support path for one conveyor to effect an arcuate upward transition from the signature crusher station; E. a signature receiver station, located on stream of the compression conveyor at the output end of the stacker, said receiver guiding successive signatures into stacking registry with one another; F. means activating the crusher and conveyor stations.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
154 words
A signature stacker adapted to the production of stacks of one or more incoming streams of lapped signatures comprising: A. a stacker frame having input and output ends; B. a signatue in-feed conveyor-jogger station disposed at the input end of the frame; C. a signature crusher station which is mounted on stream with the in-feed conveyor station; D. a compression conveyor station which is mounted on stream with the crusher station, said compression conveyor station including opposed floating conveyors, at least one conveyor being compressed in contiguous opposition to the other, said conveyors defining by means of plural rollers a support path for one conveyor to effect an arcuate upward transition from the signature crusher station; E. a signature receiver station, located on stream of the compression conveyor at the output end of the stacker, said receiver guiding successive signatures into stacking registry with one another; F. means activating the crusher and conveyor stations.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The stacker of claim 5 wherein the in-feed conveyor station includes a signature jogger.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The stacker of claim 5 wherein a signature kicker is disposed in extension of the compression conveyor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The stacker of claim 6 wherein a signature kicker is disposed in extension of the compression conveyor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The stacker of claim 7 wherein a signature kicker is disposed in extension of the compression conveyor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The stacker of claim 8 wherein a signature kicker is disposed in extension of the compression conveyor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DD53680A
Cited
DD25798A
Cited
US2933314A
Cited
US3501139A
Cited
US4221373A
Cited
GB2007195A
Cited
US4361318A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-08-07 | 1988-02-06 | 1988-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-08-07 | 1992-02-06 | 1992-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-08-07 | 1996-02-06 | 1996-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |