CA1196882A - Stack forming method and apparatus - Google Patents
Stack forming method and apparatusInfo
- Publication number
- CA1196882A CA1196882A CA000411855A CA411855A CA1196882A CA 1196882 A CA1196882 A CA 1196882A CA 000411855 A CA000411855 A CA 000411855A CA 411855 A CA411855 A CA 411855A CA 1196882 A CA1196882 A CA 1196882A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- stack
- uniform
- engaging
- engaging members
- accordance
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H31/00—Pile receivers
- B65H31/34—Apparatus for squaring-up piled articles
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Attitude Control For Articles On Conveyors (AREA)
- Stacking Of Articles And Auxiliary Devices (AREA)
- Delivering By Means Of Belts And Rollers (AREA)
- Registering Or Overturning Sheets (AREA)
- Details Of Cutting Devices (AREA)
Abstract
Title of Application STACK FORMING METHOD AND APPARATUS
Abstract of the Disclosure A method and apparatus are disclosed for forming a substantially aligned and uniform stack of flat articles (for example, food products such as sliced sausage products) from a non-uniform stack. The first stack is positioned between at least a pair of stack engaging members which are movable in the same direction, but at different speeds, to converge gradually and engage the articles, thereby moving the articles into a substantially aligned and uniform stack.
Abstract of the Disclosure A method and apparatus are disclosed for forming a substantially aligned and uniform stack of flat articles (for example, food products such as sliced sausage products) from a non-uniform stack. The first stack is positioned between at least a pair of stack engaging members which are movable in the same direction, but at different speeds, to converge gradually and engage the articles, thereby moving the articles into a substantially aligned and uniform stack.
Description
SPE(IPICATION
The present invention relates, in general, to a method and apparatus for forming stacks of flat articles. More particu-larly, this inven~ion relates to a method and apparatus for forming a substantially aligned and uniform stack of flat articles.
Although suitable for use wîth various flat articles, the present invention is particularly suitable for use in forming a substantially aligned and uniform stack of sliced food products such as sliced sausage products (bologna, salami, summer sausage, e~c.). These flat articles can be of different shapes - such as round, square and rectangular.
For purposes of illustrating a specific embodiment, this invention will be described with reference to use with sliced sausage products.
In the production of sliced sausage products, a typical procedure is to cut the slices frGm a long sausage or loaf by a high speed rotary slicer which discha~ges the slices in non-uniform stacks of the desired quantity and weight. Before the stacks can be inserted into the snug-fitting cavities of preformed packages, the slices must be arranged into a substantial alignment; otherwise, overlapping or overhanging slices would impair insertion of the stacks into the packages. In addition, a uniform, vertically aligned stack, which typically is visible through a clear package, is more appealing and indicates to the consumer a greater attention to ( ) product quality.
Previously, arranging the slices into substantial vertical alignment has been accomplished by manual handling. Although this has resulted in a satisfactory finished product, ~he industry desires to automate such operations for the purposes of reducing cost, increasing production speed and improving product uniformity and quality control.
13L~
Accordingly, an object o~ the preserlt inventiorl is to pro~ le a method and apparatus or forming a substantially aligned and uniform stack of flat articles from a non-uniform stack.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such method and apparatus for use with sliced sausage products such as luncheon meat, salami, bologna and the like.
`, These and other objects will become apparent from the following detailed description of this invention.
In accordance with the present invention, the stack forming and aligning operation may be carried out by positioning the non-uniform stack between at least a pair of stack engaging members which are movable in the same direction but at different speeds to close in upon or converge against the opposite sides of the stack, moving the slices into vertical alignment as the stack moves downstream from the slicer. Preferably, the s~ack engaging members are moved intermittently with the repeated stopping and starting helping to move the slices into vertical alignment. Although the stack may be moved by the stack engaging members, the stack is preferably carried on an underlying conveyor which moves continuously in the same direction as the stack engaging members but at a greater speed to continuously urge the stack against the forwardmost of the stack engaging members. In addition, converging side rails may be provided along the path of movement of the stack to force any side overhanging articles into alignment.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, at the point where the stack engaging members have converged to the ( ~ desired stack width, the side rails are spaced apart a distance slightly less than the width of the stack ~o provide a lateral force against the stack. This lateral force, together with a simultaneous 30 downward containment applied to the stack by other apparatus, further aids in causing the articles to come into vertical alignment.
rl'llese an(l othcr aspects of the present invention are set torth in the following detailed descriptiorl of the preferred embodiment shown in the attached drawings, of which:
Figure 1 is a top plan view of apparatus embodying the present invention for forming substantially vertical and uniform stacks of sliced meat products.
Figure 2 is a side elevational view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a hori70ntal sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2.
Figure 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary top plan view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 2 and depicting the location at which the substantially vertical and uniform stack is formed.
Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Figure 4.
Figure Sa is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure S, depicting one of the underlying stack conveyors and ~he slo~ in the dead plate within which the conveyor moves.
Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of ~he movement of the stack engaging pins as they proceed from right to left on the conveyor apparatus of Pigure 1.
The present invention, in summary~ is generally embodied in conveyor apparatus 10 having an elongated support frame 12 which mounts a plurality of endless conveyor belts or bands 14 that are driven by motor means 16 for moving stacks 18 of sliced sausage, luncheon meat and the like. The stacks 18 are received onto the ( conveyor belts 14 at the right hand end of the apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2 in a non-uniform condition resulting from an upstream slicing and/or weighing operation ~not shown~.
In accordance with the present invention, the slices of stacks l8 are gently moved into substantial vertical alignment as the stacks move along the conveyor apparatus 10 by first and second, leading and followirlg, stack engaging members in the form of upstanding pins 20 and 22. These pins are movable from an upstream position (generally designated A in Figure l), where they are spaced apart sufficiently to receive a non-uniform stack, to a downstream position (generally designated B in Figure 1), where they have gradually converged by reason of the faster drive speed of the pins 22. The faster drive speed enables the pins 20 and 22 to engage the front and rear edges of the slices and move the slices into substantial vertical alignment to provide a uniform stack.
The pins 20 and 22 are preferably driven intermittently, each set of pins stopping adjacent to the position A for receiving a non-uniform stack of slices.
At relati~ely high production speeds, the vibration from this fast stopping and starting of the pins aids in forming the slice into a substantially uniform, vertically aligned stack. As a further aid in the formation of the slices into vertical alignment, a pair of converging side rails 24 are mounted on opposite sides of the conveyor belts 14 to engage side edges of the slices and gently move them into vertical alignment.
At the position B, where the pins 20 and 22 have come together or converged to the desired spacing for a uniform stack, the rails 24 preferably are spaced apart slightly less ~han the final preferred width of a uniform stack. This spacing causes a compression !~ of the stack (best seen in Figures 4 and 5) which, together with a downward containment force from roller 26 mounted above the stack, further contributes to the formation of a substantially vertically aligned stack.
3~
lurning n()w to a more detailetl description, the conveyol apparatus 10 as a whole is perhaps bes~ seen in Figures 1 and ~. T~e support frame 12 of the conveyor apparatus may be of any desired length sufficient to convey the stacks frorn the upline slicing and/or weighing equipment (not shown) to downstream apparatus or work stations for further packaging. Atop the con-veyor support frame is mounted a dead plate 30 which, for sanitary purposes associated with food handling, is preferably made of high density polyethylene or similar material which is easy to clean and also has a re~atively low coefEicient of friction~
The stacks of slices are moved from the right end of the conveyor apparatus 10 to the left by the endless conveyor belts 14 which (referring to Figure 2) extend between end rollers 32 and around idler roller 34 and drive rollers 26 and 38. For the purposes of this description, the term "non-uniform" refers to a stack in which the slices are not in sufficient vertical alignment for sub-sequent insertion into snug-fitting cavities or preformed packages.
However, for the present invention, the slices of a non-uniform stack must be at least in partial overlapping relationship with 20 respect to one another.
As best seen in Figures 5 and 5a, the conveyor belts 14 which carry the stacks 18 are preferably of generally circular cross-section and move in longitudinal slots 40 in the top surface of the dead plate 30. However, the conveyor belts 14 may also have a flat configuration. Although a variety of materials may be used, the conveyor belts 14 preferably are made of polyurethane.
f Referring back to Figure 2, the conveyor belts 14 are driven at a continuous selected speed (which is faster than that of either of the pins 20 or 22) by motor means 16, via gear box 42 and 30 drive chain 44. At the upstream end of the conveyor apparatus, an a(l(lition(ll p~lir of outside conve!yor belts l~' is provjded for incrcasing the wid-~h of the conveyor surFace in that area where the belts 14 receiYe the articles frum the slicing and/or weighing operation. These additional belts may or may not be necessary, depeTIding on the degree of overlap of the slices when received from the upstream operation.
f The slices of the non-uniform stacks 18 are mo~ed into substantial vertical alignment by pins 20 and 22 which move in the same direction as the conveyor belts but at different respective speeds to gradually move closer together or converge as they move along the conveyor apparatus.
Describing this arrangement now in more detail, and referring to Figures 3, 5 and 6, the leading pins 20 are equally spaced on a centrally located continuous chain 46 which extends between end sprockets 49 and 50 and is positioned below the dead plate 30. The pins 20 extend upwardly through a center slot 52 in the dead plate so as to engage the stack 18, and are spaced sufficiently far apart that a non-uniform stack may be received between adjacent pins.
The center chain 46 whîch carries the upright pins 20 is flanked by a pair of chains 54 which carry aligned following pins 22 in an equally spaced relationship. The chains 54 extend between upstream end sprockets 56 which are mounted on the same shaft 57 as upstream end sprocket 48 of the center chain 46, and downstream end sprockets 59 which are spaced beyond end sprocket S0 of the center chain. As with the center chain, the side chains 54 run beneath the dead plate 30, and the pins 22 extend upwardly through s~ots 60 in the dead plate.
As best seen in Figures 2, 3 and 6, the pins 22 of the chains 54 are aligned in a side-by-side relationship, and the pins 22 of each chain 54 are spaced apart a selected distance greater than thc distarlce between the pins Z0 of the cellter chain 46. This relative spacing, commonly referred to as the "pitch" of the pins, together with the higher drive speed for pins 22, creates the gradual converging of the pins ~0 and 22 between the spaced-apart receiving position A and the converged stack-formed position B.
The chains 46 and 54 are driven by the motor means 16 which is connected via drive belt 62 and clutch 64 to drive chain 66 (Figure 2). The drive chain 66 directly drives the downstream end sprocket 59 of the longer chains 54 and, via intermediate drive chain 68, indirectly turns the downstream sprocket 50 of the center chain 46. Accordingly, all three chains are driven (either directly or indirectly) by the motor 16, via clutch 64.
As noted briefly above in reference to Figures 1 and 3, the pins 22 on the outer chains 54 are positioned side-by-side in pairs, and each pair is spaced from adjacent pairs on the chains 54 by a distance which is greater than the space between adjacent pins 20 on the center chain 46. Or in other words, the pitch of the following pins 22 on the outer chains is greater than the pitch of leading pins 20 on the center chain. The outside chains 54 which carry the pins 22 are driven at a faster speed than the center chain, so that each side-by-side pair of pins 22 moves closer to or converges with the next downstream center pin 20 to form the non-uniform stacks into substantially uniform stacks having slices substantially aligned. The different speeds are achieved by employing different size drive sprockets for the conveyor chains.
In the preferred embodiment, the sprocXets 56 and 58 for the outside chains 54 are larger than the end sprockets 48 and 50 for center chain 46. The sprockets for both chains are rotated at the same RPM and, accordingly~ the outside chains move faster. The relative difference in speeds of the chains is such that the following outside pin~ 22 c,ln convcrge towarcl a lead-irlg center pin 20, reachinK
a posit:ion whe-re the dLstclnce between the outside pins and the center pin is the desired width or diameter of the aligned stack by the time the pins reach position B. The lengths of the chains 46 and 54 are chosen with respect to the spacing between the pins so that one pair of the pins 22 returns to the upstream sprockets 48 and 56 at the same time as one of the center pins 20 returns (See Figures l and 6). Then as the pins move along the top side of the conveyor apparatus from position A to position B, the outside pins 22 gradually progress toward the next most downstream center pin 20. This relative movement is illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 6 for one pair of following pins Z2 and leading pins 20.
The clutch 64 which controls movement of the chains 46 and 54 is associated with an electric eye or other detection means for detecting the presence of a stack 18 at the position shown in Figure 2. Upon detecting the presence of a stack, the electric eye energizes the clutch to drive the chains one incremental distance forward, until the next set of pins 20 and 22 are positioned above the upstream end sprockets 48 and 56. While the pins 20 and 22 are moving intermittently, the conveyor`belts 14 are continuously moving, urging the stacks against the center pins 20. Because the conveyor belts are ciruclar in shape and have only a small area of contact with the stack, they slide freely beneath the stacks ~hen further stack move~ent is prevented by abutment with the pin 20. The repeated starting and stopping of the intermittent motion at production speeds vibrates the slices of the stack, aiding in the formation of the slices into vertical alignment by the pins 20 and 22. The slices 18 are preferably cut from a frozen sausage or loaf, so that they slide against one another more easily than thawed slices.
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~ 5 a further aid in forming the stacks l8, side rails 24 are mounted on opposite sides of the conveyor support frarne 12 to help force any slices which are laterally out of line into vertical alingment. These side rails, as with the dead plate 30, are prefer-ably made of high density polyethylene for sanitary purposes as well as low friction. The side rails preferably extend along substantially the entire length of the conveyor and gradually converge to the location B, at which the pins 20 and 22 are at the selected desired spacing for a vertically aligned stack o slices. At that position, the inside end edges of the side rails 24 are spaced apart a distance slightly less than the normal width of a vertically aligned stack.
Thls results in a lateral compression of the stack with resultant bowing of the slices, as illustrated in Figure 5. This action has been found to help form the slices of the stack into a vertical, uniform arrangement. This compression and the immediate release from the compression as the stack moves past the end edges of the side rails are believed to result in a shuffling and slight lifting of the stack which overcomes frictional resistance between adjacent slices and aids in aligning one slice atop the other. Position B, where the pins 20 and 22 are spaced the selected inal width of the stack, and where the side rails are spaced apart slightly less than the final width of the stack, is located immediately upstream of the point where the leading pin 20 begins to move around the end sprocket 50.
In combination with the lateral compression by side rails 24, a downward containment force is applied to the stack at position B
by roller 26 which is mounted at the end of freely rotatably pivot arm 72 ~see Figure 2) so as to ride over the top of the stack 18 as the stack is being laterally compressed by the side rails. Although the weight of the roller is sufficient to aid in forming the uniform stack, the roller also could be spring biased or otherwise caused to exert downward force on the stack.
The operation of this stack forlning apparatus and method is perhaps best und~rstood by reference back to Figures 1 and 6.
The slices which make up each stack 18 are preferably frozen, haYing been cut by the slicer from a frozen loaf or sausage. The frozen condition not only permits more uniform slicing but, for the purposes of the present invention, permits the slices to slide relatively easily with respect to one another, making alignment of the slices easier~
When the apparatus 10 is in operation, there is a stack 18 (illustrated in dashed lines in Figure 1) position between each set of adjacent stack engaging pins 20 and 22 which are located along the conveyor surface. Before a new stack arrives, the pins 20 and 22 and in a sta~ic condition. At the upline or upstream end A, the pins 20 and 22 are generally aligned side-by-side awaiting the delivery of a new stack 18 from the slicing or weighing operation.
Along the conveyor, stacks which arrived earlier are spaced between adjacent sets of leading and following pins 20 and 22. The farther along the conveyor that the stack is located, the closer each aligned pair of following pins 22 is located to the respective downstream leading pin 20, as the pins 22 gradually converge ~o position B where they are spaced apart the desired width of the finished vertical stack.
As a new stack is moved by the conveyor belts 14 up to and against the mos~ upstream pin 22, which is positioned directly above sprocket 48, the stack trips the electric eye or other deteeting means 70, which energizes the clutch 64, causing the motor means 16 to drive the chains 46 and 54 one increment forward, until a new set -~ of pins 20 and 22 come around the upstream end sprockets. The clutch then disengages and the conveyor chains are static until another stack is moved into position from the slicer or weigher by the conveyor 30 belts 14. Although the conveyor belts 14 are continuously driven, the stacks cannot move beyond the center leading pins 20, and the conveyor belts 14 slide beneath the stack. The circular cross-sectional s}lape of the polyurethane belts 14 and the resulting low frictional contact between the belts and the stacks minimize any harm to the ~eat. As the stacks move from right to left, any sidewardly displaced slices w:ithin the stack engage the side rails 24 which force the slices into a vertically aligned position within the stack.
For the stack 18 which is loca~ed at the position B, when conveyor chains move an increment forward, the leading pin 20 which is positioned in front of the stack moves immediately around its end sprocket 50, releasing the stack for forward movement by the under-lying conveyor belts 14, which are continuously moving at a speed faster than either the pins 20 or 22. With the front pin 20 released, the conveyor belts 14 carry the formed vertical stack away from the rearward pins 22, so that when those pins move around their respective end sprockets 5B, they do not catch or tear the rear edges of the stack. Although the stack may be caused by this action to bump into the next most downstream pair of following pins 2Z, this is not sufficient to disrupt or disarrange the stack alignment.
In forming uniform stacks of bologna having a slice diameter of 4-l/4 inches, the pins 20 are spaced 9 inches apart, and the pins 22 are spaced 8 inches apart. The drive sprockets 56 and 58 for chains 54 which carry the pins 22 have 18 teeth as compared to 16 teeth ~or the drive sprockets 48 and 50 of the center chain 46.
Accordingly, the pins 22 move 9/8 or l.125 times faster than pins 20.
The length of the chains 46 and 54 is such to permit the pins 20 and 22 to converge to a~4-l/4 inch spacing at position B and to provide during the return cycle beneath the conveyor that the pins will regain the in-phase, in-line relationship at the upstream end of the chains.
To -further aid in the formation of an ali~ned stack, the side rails 24 converge ko a spacing of 4-1/8 inches at position B to cause a slight compression of the stack 1~, while a downward containment force is exerted by the weight of the polyethylene roller 26.
Although described in terms of a preferred embodiment, this invention can be embodied in various forms and, therefore, is to be construed and limited only the the scope of the appended claims.
The present invention relates, in general, to a method and apparatus for forming stacks of flat articles. More particu-larly, this inven~ion relates to a method and apparatus for forming a substantially aligned and uniform stack of flat articles.
Although suitable for use wîth various flat articles, the present invention is particularly suitable for use in forming a substantially aligned and uniform stack of sliced food products such as sliced sausage products (bologna, salami, summer sausage, e~c.). These flat articles can be of different shapes - such as round, square and rectangular.
For purposes of illustrating a specific embodiment, this invention will be described with reference to use with sliced sausage products.
In the production of sliced sausage products, a typical procedure is to cut the slices frGm a long sausage or loaf by a high speed rotary slicer which discha~ges the slices in non-uniform stacks of the desired quantity and weight. Before the stacks can be inserted into the snug-fitting cavities of preformed packages, the slices must be arranged into a substantial alignment; otherwise, overlapping or overhanging slices would impair insertion of the stacks into the packages. In addition, a uniform, vertically aligned stack, which typically is visible through a clear package, is more appealing and indicates to the consumer a greater attention to ( ) product quality.
Previously, arranging the slices into substantial vertical alignment has been accomplished by manual handling. Although this has resulted in a satisfactory finished product, ~he industry desires to automate such operations for the purposes of reducing cost, increasing production speed and improving product uniformity and quality control.
13L~
Accordingly, an object o~ the preserlt inventiorl is to pro~ le a method and apparatus or forming a substantially aligned and uniform stack of flat articles from a non-uniform stack.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such method and apparatus for use with sliced sausage products such as luncheon meat, salami, bologna and the like.
`, These and other objects will become apparent from the following detailed description of this invention.
In accordance with the present invention, the stack forming and aligning operation may be carried out by positioning the non-uniform stack between at least a pair of stack engaging members which are movable in the same direction but at different speeds to close in upon or converge against the opposite sides of the stack, moving the slices into vertical alignment as the stack moves downstream from the slicer. Preferably, the s~ack engaging members are moved intermittently with the repeated stopping and starting helping to move the slices into vertical alignment. Although the stack may be moved by the stack engaging members, the stack is preferably carried on an underlying conveyor which moves continuously in the same direction as the stack engaging members but at a greater speed to continuously urge the stack against the forwardmost of the stack engaging members. In addition, converging side rails may be provided along the path of movement of the stack to force any side overhanging articles into alignment.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, at the point where the stack engaging members have converged to the ( ~ desired stack width, the side rails are spaced apart a distance slightly less than the width of the stack ~o provide a lateral force against the stack. This lateral force, together with a simultaneous 30 downward containment applied to the stack by other apparatus, further aids in causing the articles to come into vertical alignment.
rl'llese an(l othcr aspects of the present invention are set torth in the following detailed descriptiorl of the preferred embodiment shown in the attached drawings, of which:
Figure 1 is a top plan view of apparatus embodying the present invention for forming substantially vertical and uniform stacks of sliced meat products.
Figure 2 is a side elevational view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a hori70ntal sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2.
Figure 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary top plan view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 2 and depicting the location at which the substantially vertical and uniform stack is formed.
Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Figure 4.
Figure Sa is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure S, depicting one of the underlying stack conveyors and ~he slo~ in the dead plate within which the conveyor moves.
Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of ~he movement of the stack engaging pins as they proceed from right to left on the conveyor apparatus of Pigure 1.
The present invention, in summary~ is generally embodied in conveyor apparatus 10 having an elongated support frame 12 which mounts a plurality of endless conveyor belts or bands 14 that are driven by motor means 16 for moving stacks 18 of sliced sausage, luncheon meat and the like. The stacks 18 are received onto the ( conveyor belts 14 at the right hand end of the apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2 in a non-uniform condition resulting from an upstream slicing and/or weighing operation ~not shown~.
In accordance with the present invention, the slices of stacks l8 are gently moved into substantial vertical alignment as the stacks move along the conveyor apparatus 10 by first and second, leading and followirlg, stack engaging members in the form of upstanding pins 20 and 22. These pins are movable from an upstream position (generally designated A in Figure l), where they are spaced apart sufficiently to receive a non-uniform stack, to a downstream position (generally designated B in Figure 1), where they have gradually converged by reason of the faster drive speed of the pins 22. The faster drive speed enables the pins 20 and 22 to engage the front and rear edges of the slices and move the slices into substantial vertical alignment to provide a uniform stack.
The pins 20 and 22 are preferably driven intermittently, each set of pins stopping adjacent to the position A for receiving a non-uniform stack of slices.
At relati~ely high production speeds, the vibration from this fast stopping and starting of the pins aids in forming the slice into a substantially uniform, vertically aligned stack. As a further aid in the formation of the slices into vertical alignment, a pair of converging side rails 24 are mounted on opposite sides of the conveyor belts 14 to engage side edges of the slices and gently move them into vertical alignment.
At the position B, where the pins 20 and 22 have come together or converged to the desired spacing for a uniform stack, the rails 24 preferably are spaced apart slightly less ~han the final preferred width of a uniform stack. This spacing causes a compression !~ of the stack (best seen in Figures 4 and 5) which, together with a downward containment force from roller 26 mounted above the stack, further contributes to the formation of a substantially vertically aligned stack.
3~
lurning n()w to a more detailetl description, the conveyol apparatus 10 as a whole is perhaps bes~ seen in Figures 1 and ~. T~e support frame 12 of the conveyor apparatus may be of any desired length sufficient to convey the stacks frorn the upline slicing and/or weighing equipment (not shown) to downstream apparatus or work stations for further packaging. Atop the con-veyor support frame is mounted a dead plate 30 which, for sanitary purposes associated with food handling, is preferably made of high density polyethylene or similar material which is easy to clean and also has a re~atively low coefEicient of friction~
The stacks of slices are moved from the right end of the conveyor apparatus 10 to the left by the endless conveyor belts 14 which (referring to Figure 2) extend between end rollers 32 and around idler roller 34 and drive rollers 26 and 38. For the purposes of this description, the term "non-uniform" refers to a stack in which the slices are not in sufficient vertical alignment for sub-sequent insertion into snug-fitting cavities or preformed packages.
However, for the present invention, the slices of a non-uniform stack must be at least in partial overlapping relationship with 20 respect to one another.
As best seen in Figures 5 and 5a, the conveyor belts 14 which carry the stacks 18 are preferably of generally circular cross-section and move in longitudinal slots 40 in the top surface of the dead plate 30. However, the conveyor belts 14 may also have a flat configuration. Although a variety of materials may be used, the conveyor belts 14 preferably are made of polyurethane.
f Referring back to Figure 2, the conveyor belts 14 are driven at a continuous selected speed (which is faster than that of either of the pins 20 or 22) by motor means 16, via gear box 42 and 30 drive chain 44. At the upstream end of the conveyor apparatus, an a(l(lition(ll p~lir of outside conve!yor belts l~' is provjded for incrcasing the wid-~h of the conveyor surFace in that area where the belts 14 receiYe the articles frum the slicing and/or weighing operation. These additional belts may or may not be necessary, depeTIding on the degree of overlap of the slices when received from the upstream operation.
f The slices of the non-uniform stacks 18 are mo~ed into substantial vertical alignment by pins 20 and 22 which move in the same direction as the conveyor belts but at different respective speeds to gradually move closer together or converge as they move along the conveyor apparatus.
Describing this arrangement now in more detail, and referring to Figures 3, 5 and 6, the leading pins 20 are equally spaced on a centrally located continuous chain 46 which extends between end sprockets 49 and 50 and is positioned below the dead plate 30. The pins 20 extend upwardly through a center slot 52 in the dead plate so as to engage the stack 18, and are spaced sufficiently far apart that a non-uniform stack may be received between adjacent pins.
The center chain 46 whîch carries the upright pins 20 is flanked by a pair of chains 54 which carry aligned following pins 22 in an equally spaced relationship. The chains 54 extend between upstream end sprockets 56 which are mounted on the same shaft 57 as upstream end sprocket 48 of the center chain 46, and downstream end sprockets 59 which are spaced beyond end sprocket S0 of the center chain. As with the center chain, the side chains 54 run beneath the dead plate 30, and the pins 22 extend upwardly through s~ots 60 in the dead plate.
As best seen in Figures 2, 3 and 6, the pins 22 of the chains 54 are aligned in a side-by-side relationship, and the pins 22 of each chain 54 are spaced apart a selected distance greater than thc distarlce between the pins Z0 of the cellter chain 46. This relative spacing, commonly referred to as the "pitch" of the pins, together with the higher drive speed for pins 22, creates the gradual converging of the pins ~0 and 22 between the spaced-apart receiving position A and the converged stack-formed position B.
The chains 46 and 54 are driven by the motor means 16 which is connected via drive belt 62 and clutch 64 to drive chain 66 (Figure 2). The drive chain 66 directly drives the downstream end sprocket 59 of the longer chains 54 and, via intermediate drive chain 68, indirectly turns the downstream sprocket 50 of the center chain 46. Accordingly, all three chains are driven (either directly or indirectly) by the motor 16, via clutch 64.
As noted briefly above in reference to Figures 1 and 3, the pins 22 on the outer chains 54 are positioned side-by-side in pairs, and each pair is spaced from adjacent pairs on the chains 54 by a distance which is greater than the space between adjacent pins 20 on the center chain 46. Or in other words, the pitch of the following pins 22 on the outer chains is greater than the pitch of leading pins 20 on the center chain. The outside chains 54 which carry the pins 22 are driven at a faster speed than the center chain, so that each side-by-side pair of pins 22 moves closer to or converges with the next downstream center pin 20 to form the non-uniform stacks into substantially uniform stacks having slices substantially aligned. The different speeds are achieved by employing different size drive sprockets for the conveyor chains.
In the preferred embodiment, the sprocXets 56 and 58 for the outside chains 54 are larger than the end sprockets 48 and 50 for center chain 46. The sprockets for both chains are rotated at the same RPM and, accordingly~ the outside chains move faster. The relative difference in speeds of the chains is such that the following outside pin~ 22 c,ln convcrge towarcl a lead-irlg center pin 20, reachinK
a posit:ion whe-re the dLstclnce between the outside pins and the center pin is the desired width or diameter of the aligned stack by the time the pins reach position B. The lengths of the chains 46 and 54 are chosen with respect to the spacing between the pins so that one pair of the pins 22 returns to the upstream sprockets 48 and 56 at the same time as one of the center pins 20 returns (See Figures l and 6). Then as the pins move along the top side of the conveyor apparatus from position A to position B, the outside pins 22 gradually progress toward the next most downstream center pin 20. This relative movement is illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 6 for one pair of following pins Z2 and leading pins 20.
The clutch 64 which controls movement of the chains 46 and 54 is associated with an electric eye or other detection means for detecting the presence of a stack 18 at the position shown in Figure 2. Upon detecting the presence of a stack, the electric eye energizes the clutch to drive the chains one incremental distance forward, until the next set of pins 20 and 22 are positioned above the upstream end sprockets 48 and 56. While the pins 20 and 22 are moving intermittently, the conveyor`belts 14 are continuously moving, urging the stacks against the center pins 20. Because the conveyor belts are ciruclar in shape and have only a small area of contact with the stack, they slide freely beneath the stacks ~hen further stack move~ent is prevented by abutment with the pin 20. The repeated starting and stopping of the intermittent motion at production speeds vibrates the slices of the stack, aiding in the formation of the slices into vertical alignment by the pins 20 and 22. The slices 18 are preferably cut from a frozen sausage or loaf, so that they slide against one another more easily than thawed slices.
3~J
~ 5 a further aid in forming the stacks l8, side rails 24 are mounted on opposite sides of the conveyor support frarne 12 to help force any slices which are laterally out of line into vertical alingment. These side rails, as with the dead plate 30, are prefer-ably made of high density polyethylene for sanitary purposes as well as low friction. The side rails preferably extend along substantially the entire length of the conveyor and gradually converge to the location B, at which the pins 20 and 22 are at the selected desired spacing for a vertically aligned stack o slices. At that position, the inside end edges of the side rails 24 are spaced apart a distance slightly less than the normal width of a vertically aligned stack.
Thls results in a lateral compression of the stack with resultant bowing of the slices, as illustrated in Figure 5. This action has been found to help form the slices of the stack into a vertical, uniform arrangement. This compression and the immediate release from the compression as the stack moves past the end edges of the side rails are believed to result in a shuffling and slight lifting of the stack which overcomes frictional resistance between adjacent slices and aids in aligning one slice atop the other. Position B, where the pins 20 and 22 are spaced the selected inal width of the stack, and where the side rails are spaced apart slightly less than the final width of the stack, is located immediately upstream of the point where the leading pin 20 begins to move around the end sprocket 50.
In combination with the lateral compression by side rails 24, a downward containment force is applied to the stack at position B
by roller 26 which is mounted at the end of freely rotatably pivot arm 72 ~see Figure 2) so as to ride over the top of the stack 18 as the stack is being laterally compressed by the side rails. Although the weight of the roller is sufficient to aid in forming the uniform stack, the roller also could be spring biased or otherwise caused to exert downward force on the stack.
The operation of this stack forlning apparatus and method is perhaps best und~rstood by reference back to Figures 1 and 6.
The slices which make up each stack 18 are preferably frozen, haYing been cut by the slicer from a frozen loaf or sausage. The frozen condition not only permits more uniform slicing but, for the purposes of the present invention, permits the slices to slide relatively easily with respect to one another, making alignment of the slices easier~
When the apparatus 10 is in operation, there is a stack 18 (illustrated in dashed lines in Figure 1) position between each set of adjacent stack engaging pins 20 and 22 which are located along the conveyor surface. Before a new stack arrives, the pins 20 and 22 and in a sta~ic condition. At the upline or upstream end A, the pins 20 and 22 are generally aligned side-by-side awaiting the delivery of a new stack 18 from the slicing or weighing operation.
Along the conveyor, stacks which arrived earlier are spaced between adjacent sets of leading and following pins 20 and 22. The farther along the conveyor that the stack is located, the closer each aligned pair of following pins 22 is located to the respective downstream leading pin 20, as the pins 22 gradually converge ~o position B where they are spaced apart the desired width of the finished vertical stack.
As a new stack is moved by the conveyor belts 14 up to and against the mos~ upstream pin 22, which is positioned directly above sprocket 48, the stack trips the electric eye or other deteeting means 70, which energizes the clutch 64, causing the motor means 16 to drive the chains 46 and 54 one increment forward, until a new set -~ of pins 20 and 22 come around the upstream end sprockets. The clutch then disengages and the conveyor chains are static until another stack is moved into position from the slicer or weigher by the conveyor 30 belts 14. Although the conveyor belts 14 are continuously driven, the stacks cannot move beyond the center leading pins 20, and the conveyor belts 14 slide beneath the stack. The circular cross-sectional s}lape of the polyurethane belts 14 and the resulting low frictional contact between the belts and the stacks minimize any harm to the ~eat. As the stacks move from right to left, any sidewardly displaced slices w:ithin the stack engage the side rails 24 which force the slices into a vertically aligned position within the stack.
For the stack 18 which is loca~ed at the position B, when conveyor chains move an increment forward, the leading pin 20 which is positioned in front of the stack moves immediately around its end sprocket 50, releasing the stack for forward movement by the under-lying conveyor belts 14, which are continuously moving at a speed faster than either the pins 20 or 22. With the front pin 20 released, the conveyor belts 14 carry the formed vertical stack away from the rearward pins 22, so that when those pins move around their respective end sprockets 5B, they do not catch or tear the rear edges of the stack. Although the stack may be caused by this action to bump into the next most downstream pair of following pins 2Z, this is not sufficient to disrupt or disarrange the stack alignment.
In forming uniform stacks of bologna having a slice diameter of 4-l/4 inches, the pins 20 are spaced 9 inches apart, and the pins 22 are spaced 8 inches apart. The drive sprockets 56 and 58 for chains 54 which carry the pins 22 have 18 teeth as compared to 16 teeth ~or the drive sprockets 48 and 50 of the center chain 46.
Accordingly, the pins 22 move 9/8 or l.125 times faster than pins 20.
The length of the chains 46 and 54 is such to permit the pins 20 and 22 to converge to a~4-l/4 inch spacing at position B and to provide during the return cycle beneath the conveyor that the pins will regain the in-phase, in-line relationship at the upstream end of the chains.
To -further aid in the formation of an ali~ned stack, the side rails 24 converge ko a spacing of 4-1/8 inches at position B to cause a slight compression of the stack 1~, while a downward containment force is exerted by the weight of the polyethylene roller 26.
Although described in terms of a preferred embodiment, this invention can be embodied in various forms and, therefore, is to be construed and limited only the the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (20)
1. An apparatus for forming a substantially aligned and uniform stack of flat articles which are in at least partial overlapping relationship from a non-uniform stack, the apparatus comprising:
an elongated support structure;
first and second longitudinally movable stack en-gaging means carried by the support structure;
means for moving the first and second stack en-gaging means in the same direction along the support struc-ture between a receiving position, wherein the first and second stack engaging means are spaced apart sufficiently to receive a non-uniform stack, and a stack-formed posi-tion spaced from the receiving position;
the moving means being adapted to move the first and second stack engaging means at sufficiently different speeds that the stack engaging means converge to engage and form the articles into substantial vertical alignment as the stack and the stack engaging means moves toward the stack-formed position; and conveyor means having a generally horizontal upper article conveying run upon which the non-uniform stacks may be received, the conveyor means being carried by the support structure and being movable longitudinally in the same direction as the first and second stack en-gaging means, and the conveyor means being for moving the articles at a speed greater than the speed of either of the first and second stack engaging means.
an elongated support structure;
first and second longitudinally movable stack en-gaging means carried by the support structure;
means for moving the first and second stack en-gaging means in the same direction along the support struc-ture between a receiving position, wherein the first and second stack engaging means are spaced apart sufficiently to receive a non-uniform stack, and a stack-formed posi-tion spaced from the receiving position;
the moving means being adapted to move the first and second stack engaging means at sufficiently different speeds that the stack engaging means converge to engage and form the articles into substantial vertical alignment as the stack and the stack engaging means moves toward the stack-formed position; and conveyor means having a generally horizontal upper article conveying run upon which the non-uniform stacks may be received, the conveyor means being carried by the support structure and being movable longitudinally in the same direction as the first and second stack en-gaging means, and the conveyor means being for moving the articles at a speed greater than the speed of either of the first and second stack engaging means.
2. The apparatus in accordance with Claim 1, further including side engaging means carried by the sup-port structure and positioned to engage opposite sides of the stack to aid in forming the uniform stack as the stack and the stack engaging means move toward the stack-formed position.
3. The apparatus in accordance with Claim 2, wherein the side engaging means include at least a pair of side rails which converge in the direction of movement of the stack and, at a selected position, are spaced apart a distance less than the width of the uniform stack.
4. The apparatus in accordance with Claim 3, further including means to exert a downward containment force against the top of a stack at the selected position where the side engaging rails are spaced apart less than the width of the uniform stack.
5. The apparatus in accordance with Claim 1, further including a plurality of equally spaced first stack engaging means and a plurality of equally spaced second stack engaging means alternately located along the support structure to receive rough stacks between adjacent ones of the first and second stack engaging means, the dis-tance between adjacent ones of the second stack engaging means being greater than the distance between adjacent ones of the first stack engaging means, the moving means moving the second stack engaging means faster than the first stack engaging means.
6. The apparatus in accordance with Claim 5, wherein the moving means moves the first and second stack engaging means in an intermittent motion, stopping the first and second stack engaging means adjacent the re-ceiving position for receiving a stack of articles between each adjacent pair of the first and second stack engaging means.
7. The apparatus in accordance with Claim 1, wherein the flat articles are sliced food products.
8. An apparatus for forming a substantially aligned and uniform stack of sausage slices which are in at least partial overlapping relationship from a non-uniform stack, the apparatus comprising:
elongated support means;
a line of equally spaced first stack engaging members carried by the support means;
a line of equally spaced second stack engaging members carried by the support means and adjacent and parallel to the line of first stack engaging members, the space between adjacent second stack engaging members being greater than the space between adjacent first stack engag-ing members, and the first and second stack engaging mem-bers being generally alternately located along the sup-port means;
means for driving the first and second stack en-gaging members in the same direction between a receiving position, where adjacent of the first and second stack en-gaging members are spaced apart sufficiently to receive a non-uniform stack, and a stack-formed position spaced from the receiving position;
the driving means being adapted to drive the first and second stack engaging members at sufficiently different speeds that each of the adjacent first and sec-ond stack engaging members converge to engage and form the slices into substantial vertical alignment as the stack engaging members move toward the stack-formed posi-tion; and conveyor means having a generally horizontal upper article conveying run upon which the non-uniform stacks may be received, the conveyor means being carried by the support structure and being movable longitudinally in the same direction as the first and second stack en-gaging means, and the conveyor means being for moving the articles at a speed greater than the speed of either of the first and second stack engaging means.
elongated support means;
a line of equally spaced first stack engaging members carried by the support means;
a line of equally spaced second stack engaging members carried by the support means and adjacent and parallel to the line of first stack engaging members, the space between adjacent second stack engaging members being greater than the space between adjacent first stack engag-ing members, and the first and second stack engaging mem-bers being generally alternately located along the sup-port means;
means for driving the first and second stack en-gaging members in the same direction between a receiving position, where adjacent of the first and second stack en-gaging members are spaced apart sufficiently to receive a non-uniform stack, and a stack-formed position spaced from the receiving position;
the driving means being adapted to drive the first and second stack engaging members at sufficiently different speeds that each of the adjacent first and sec-ond stack engaging members converge to engage and form the slices into substantial vertical alignment as the stack engaging members move toward the stack-formed posi-tion; and conveyor means having a generally horizontal upper article conveying run upon which the non-uniform stacks may be received, the conveyor means being carried by the support structure and being movable longitudinally in the same direction as the first and second stack en-gaging means, and the conveyor means being for moving the articles at a speed greater than the speed of either of the first and second stack engaging means.
9. The apparatus in accordance with Claim 8, wherein said conveyor means is parallel to the lines of first and second stack engaging members, and the conveyor means is positioned to underlie and receive stacks deposit-ed at the receiving position.
10. The apparatus in accordance with Claim 8, further including means to downwardly engage the top of a stack as the stack moves to the stack-formed position.
11. The apparatus in accordance with Claim 8, wherein the driving means drives the first and second stack engaging members in an intermittent motion, stopping adjacent first and second stack engaging members at the re-ceiving position to receive a stack.
12. An apparatus for forming a substantially aligned and uniform stack of sausage slices which are in at least partial overlapping relationship from a non-uni-form stack, the apparatus comprising:
conveyor means carried by the support means and movable at a continuous selected speed for transporting stacks of sausage slices between a receiving position, where stacks are deposited onto the conveyor means, and a stack-formed position spaced from the receiving position;
a plurality of first and second stack engaging members spaced alternately along the conveyor means and movable parallel to the conveyor means, each pair of adja-cent first and second stack engaging members defining a stack engaging set, the first stack engaging member of each set being disposed to engage a forward side portion of a stack moving along the conveyor means, and the second stack engaging member of each set being disposed to en-gage a rearward side portion of the same stack;
means for moving the first and second stack en-gaging members in the same direction as the conveyor moves between the receiving position and the stack-formed posi-tion, the first stack engaging members being equally spaced along the conveyor means and the second stack en-gaging members being equally spaced along the conveyor means by a distance greater than the first stack engaging members, the moving means being adapted to move the second stack engaging members at a faster speed than the first stack engaging members such that the first and second mem-bers of each set are spaced sufficiently far apart to re-ceive a non-uniform stack at the receiving position, and converge to engage the slices and form a substantially vertically aligned uniform stack as the stack moves toward the stack formed position.
conveyor means carried by the support means and movable at a continuous selected speed for transporting stacks of sausage slices between a receiving position, where stacks are deposited onto the conveyor means, and a stack-formed position spaced from the receiving position;
a plurality of first and second stack engaging members spaced alternately along the conveyor means and movable parallel to the conveyor means, each pair of adja-cent first and second stack engaging members defining a stack engaging set, the first stack engaging member of each set being disposed to engage a forward side portion of a stack moving along the conveyor means, and the second stack engaging member of each set being disposed to en-gage a rearward side portion of the same stack;
means for moving the first and second stack en-gaging members in the same direction as the conveyor moves between the receiving position and the stack-formed posi-tion, the first stack engaging members being equally spaced along the conveyor means and the second stack en-gaging members being equally spaced along the conveyor means by a distance greater than the first stack engaging members, the moving means being adapted to move the second stack engaging members at a faster speed than the first stack engaging members such that the first and second mem-bers of each set are spaced sufficiently far apart to re-ceive a non-uniform stack at the receiving position, and converge to engage the slices and form a substantially vertically aligned uniform stack as the stack moves toward the stack formed position.
13. A method for forming a substantially aligned and uniform stack of flat articles which are in at least partial overlapping relationship, the method comprising:
positioning a non-uniform stack of flat articles between at least a pair of spaced stack engaging members which are longitudinally movable in the same direction between a receiving position for receiving a non-uniform stack and a stack-formed position;
moving the stack engaging members in the same longitudinal direction between the receiving position and the stack-formed position at sufficiently different speeds that the stack engaging members converge to engage and form the articles into substantial vertical alignment as the stack moves toward the stack-formed position; and wherein the stack is positioned on an underlying conveyor which continuously urges the stack in the same direction as the stack engaging members move, the con-veyor having a speed greater than that of the stack engag-ing members.
positioning a non-uniform stack of flat articles between at least a pair of spaced stack engaging members which are longitudinally movable in the same direction between a receiving position for receiving a non-uniform stack and a stack-formed position;
moving the stack engaging members in the same longitudinal direction between the receiving position and the stack-formed position at sufficiently different speeds that the stack engaging members converge to engage and form the articles into substantial vertical alignment as the stack moves toward the stack-formed position; and wherein the stack is positioned on an underlying conveyor which continuously urges the stack in the same direction as the stack engaging members move, the con-veyor having a speed greater than that of the stack engag-ing members.
14. The method in accordance with Claim 13, wherein the flat articles are sliced food products.
15. The method in accordance with Claim 13, further including the step of compressing the stack later-ally to aid in forming the substantially aligned and uni-form stack.
16. The method in accordance with Claim 15, further including the step of applying a downward contain-ment force to the stack at substantially the same time as the stack is compressed laterally.
17. The method in accordance with Claim 15, wherein said step of compressing is achieved by moving the stack between a pair of fixed side engaging members which are spaced apart slightly less than the normal width of a uniform stack.
18. The method in accordance with Claim 13, wherein the stack engaging members are moved intermittent-ly in the longitudinal direction.
19. The method in accordance with Claim 16, wherein the downward containment force is applied by a roller positioned to engage the top of a stack as the stack moves to the stack-formed position.
20. The method in accordance with Claim 13, wherein the stack engaging members are moved in an inter-mittent motion between the receiving and stack-formed positions.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US30641881A | 1981-09-28 | 1981-09-28 | |
| US306,418 | 1981-09-28 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1196882A true CA1196882A (en) | 1985-11-19 |
Family
ID=23185210
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000411855A Expired CA1196882A (en) | 1981-09-28 | 1982-09-21 | Stack forming method and apparatus |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS5869626A (en) |
| BE (1) | BE894514A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1196882A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3235873A1 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES8401899A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2513610B1 (en) |
| NL (1) | NL8203753A (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE4235413A1 (en) * | 1992-10-21 | 1994-04-28 | Bielomatik Leuze & Co | Positioning device for general cargo |
Family Cites Families (13)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB410817A (en) * | 1932-11-18 | 1934-05-18 | John Henry William Smith | Improvements relating to conveyors or elevators |
| DE617222C (en) * | 1933-09-30 | 1935-08-15 | Koenig & Bauer Schnellpressfab | Device for filing and stacking |
| US2687301A (en) * | 1949-05-24 | 1954-08-24 | Gardner Board & Carton Co | Device for handling printed sheets |
| US2834388A (en) * | 1954-10-04 | 1958-05-13 | Us Slicing Machine Co Inc | Slicing machine slicer, stacker, and weigher |
| US2805757A (en) * | 1955-10-31 | 1957-09-10 | Cutler Hammer Inc | Newspaper conveyors |
| US3516657A (en) * | 1968-08-06 | 1970-06-23 | Moore Business Forms Inc | High capacity stackers |
| DE6918651U (en) * | 1969-05-06 | 1969-09-25 | Hesser Ag Maschf | DEVICE FOR THE ACCURATE INTRODUCTION OF OBJECTS INTO MACHINERY |
| US3842965A (en) * | 1973-03-08 | 1974-10-22 | Sickinger Co H | Sheet pile feeding device |
| US3964598A (en) * | 1974-04-19 | 1976-06-22 | Strachan & Henshaw Limited | Stacking mechanism and method |
| DE2437665C3 (en) * | 1974-08-05 | 1979-01-11 | Windmoeller & Hoelscher, 4540 Lengerich | Device for transporting away a stack of flat workpieces, in particular hose sections or sacks |
| US4015843A (en) * | 1975-10-14 | 1977-04-05 | Tennant James R | Newspaper streamliner |
| US4193489A (en) * | 1977-11-14 | 1980-03-18 | Rockwell International Corporation | Exit conveyor system for newspaper mail room |
| FR2480727A1 (en) * | 1980-04-17 | 1981-10-23 | Mccorquodale Mach Syst | Bookbinding conveyor sheet stacker - in which stacks are advanced by pushing lugs to station after which resilient fingers align leading sheet edge |
-
1982
- 1982-09-21 CA CA000411855A patent/CA1196882A/en not_active Expired
- 1982-09-24 ES ES515941A patent/ES8401899A1/en not_active Expired
- 1982-09-27 FR FR8216204A patent/FR2513610B1/en not_active Expired
- 1982-09-28 BE BE0/209108A patent/BE894514A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1982-09-28 NL NL8203753A patent/NL8203753A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1982-09-28 JP JP16944782A patent/JPS5869626A/en active Granted
- 1982-09-28 DE DE19823235873 patent/DE3235873A1/en active Granted
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPH0371335B2 (en) | 1991-11-12 |
| DE3235873A1 (en) | 1983-04-14 |
| BE894514A (en) | 1983-01-17 |
| NL8203753A (en) | 1983-04-18 |
| ES515941A0 (en) | 1984-01-01 |
| ES8401899A1 (en) | 1984-01-01 |
| FR2513610B1 (en) | 1986-11-14 |
| FR2513610A1 (en) | 1983-04-01 |
| DE3235873C2 (en) | 1992-10-29 |
| JPS5869626A (en) | 1983-04-25 |
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