EP0344716B1 - Apparatus and method for stacking - Google Patents

Apparatus and method for stacking Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0344716B1
EP0344716B1 EP89109741A EP89109741A EP0344716B1 EP 0344716 B1 EP0344716 B1 EP 0344716B1 EP 89109741 A EP89109741 A EP 89109741A EP 89109741 A EP89109741 A EP 89109741A EP 0344716 B1 EP0344716 B1 EP 0344716B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
finger
conveyor
path
stack
products
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 - Lifetime
Application number
EP89109741A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0344716A3 (en
EP0344716A2 (en
Inventor
Steven G. Gould
James E. Hertel
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Paper Converting Machine Co
Original Assignee
Paper Converting Machine Co
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Paper Converting Machine Co filed Critical Paper Converting Machine Co
Publication of EP0344716A2 publication Critical patent/EP0344716A2/en
Publication of EP0344716A3 publication Critical patent/EP0344716A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0344716B1 publication Critical patent/EP0344716B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • B65H33/00—Forming counted batches in delivery pile or stream of articles
    • B65H33/16—Forming counted batches in delivery pile or stream of articles by depositing articles in batches on moving supports
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H29/00—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles
    • B65H29/38—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles by movable piling or advancing arms, frames, plates, or like members with which the articles are maintained in face contact
    • B65H29/40—Members rotated about an axis perpendicular to direction of article movement, e.g. star-wheels formed by S-shaped members
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
    • B65H2701/10—Handled articles or webs
    • B65H2701/19—Specific article or web
    • B65H2701/1924—Napkins or tissues, e.g. dressings, toweling, serviettes, kitchen paper and compresses

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an apparatus and method for stacking and, more particularly, to relatively flexible products such as paper towels and the like.
  • the towels for example, are formed continuously by slitting a wide web into five or six narrow strips of web and then longitudinally folding each strip by passing them over folding boards. These folded strips are then routed to travel combined into a ribbon of stacked strips. The ribbon is cut into towel lengths (about 10") and these substacks of towels are called clips. Apparatus showing this general arrangement can be seen in co-owned British Patent 2,028,774.
  • Final, salable stacks are formed then by stacking a fixed number of clips to yield the package quantity of towels.
  • the final stacking operation is frequently the speed limiting part of the process and requires complicated mechanical assemblies to run at production speeds.
  • the object of this invention is to simplify the final stacking operation while maintaining or increasing the potential speed of the production line.
  • a further object is to provide ease of stack count changes and flexibility for culling off-specification products.
  • slotted wheel means is employed in conjunction with endless chain conveyors in the general arrangement seen in ourearlier, co-owned Patent 4,736,936.
  • the endless conveyors are equipped with diving fingers -- with the fingers on one conveyor being spaced orbitally from the fingers of the other conveyor so as to develop alternate stacks.
  • the numeral 10 designates the machine frame.
  • the frame includes a pair of spaced apart side frames such as are clearly seen at the lower right hand portion of FIG. 2.
  • the side frames are suitably connected to provide a rigid support for the various moving elements, the structure and function of which can be most readily understood by considering the general operation of the apparatus.
  • Individual product clips 11 are carried by a belt conveyor 12 and inserted into individual slots in a slotted wheel 13 rotating in the direction of product travel but slowing the product velocity by a factor of from 1/3 to 1/5 of entrance velocity.
  • Other means such as seen in Patent 4,736,936 may be used for advancing and introducing the product into the slotted wheel.
  • the slotted wheel 13 carries the products 11 around until they impact on stripper fingers 14 which are fixed relative to the frame 10. By this means, the product is stripped out of the slotted wheel 13 and stacked in a continuous manner on top of each other.
  • sets of count finger assemblies 16, 17 and 18, 19 are mounted on multiple parallel continuous chain conveyors 20, 21 respectively.
  • the chains of conveyor 20 are the two outboard ones while the inboard chains constitute the chain conveyor 21.
  • Each chain set 20, 21 with its associated count fingers 16, 17 and 18, 19 is independently driven.
  • chain set 20 is driven at 22 (clearly seen in the upper central portion of FIG. 1) and idles at the lower position 23.
  • set 21 is driven at 23 and idles at 22.
  • the upper sprocket is sized and located and the count finger shaped such that in combination, they form the insertion path 24 (see the upper right hand portion of FIG. 1) for the top of the count finger (shown in dashed line and designated 16') to pass between adjacent product clips 11, thus separating the products into individual stacks 15, 15A, etc.
  • chain 20 When separation is completed (fingers 16' fully inserted), chain 20 is decelerated to a slower speed for stack building at the specific product bulk.
  • chain 21 with the operative count finger 18 supporting a now completed stack accelerates down to a position in alignment with stack removal means 25, drops off the stack 15 at the stack removal platform 26, decelerates and adjusts speed in preparation for insertion of count finger 19 between stacks. This process then repeats itself with subsequent insertion of finger assemblies 19, then 17, then 18 and back to 16.
  • a conveyor paddle 27 provided as part of the means 25 removes that stack for packaging.
  • Chain conveyor 20 includes endless chains 28, 29 (see the upper central portion of FIG. 2). These chains are entrained over upper driven sprockets 30, 31 which rotate about the axis 22 and are also entrained over lower idler sprockets 32, 33 which rotate about the axis 23. Additionally, these chains are entrained about tensioning sprockets 34 -- see the central right hand portion of FIG. 1.
  • the chains 28, 29 are finger assemblies 16, 17 via bars as at 35 seen relative to the fingers 16 in the upper central portion of FIG. 1.
  • the chains 28, 29 are driven about the axis 22 by means of a programmable servo motor 36 operating through a right angled gear reducer 37 (shown schematically) or, alternatively, a cam box in the position of reducer 37.
  • the chain conveyor 21 is similiarly arranged and operated except that it is 180° out of phase to chain conveyor 20. This is because there are two chain conveyors employed.
  • the chain conveyor 21 is driven about the axis 23 by a programmable servo motor or cam box 38 and right angle gear reducer 39 (see the lower portion of FIG. 1) -- and idled about the axis 22.
  • FIG. 3 there are four stepped lines designated 16, 18, 17, 19 which represent the positions of the finger assemblies 16-19 through five cycles of stacked development. For ease of presentation, the curves correspond to a 30 count stack.
  • FIG. 3 Focusing on line 16, the point 40 at the extreme upper left hand portion of FIG. 3 represents the start of the diving function illustrated at 16' in FIG. 1. This is also designated 40 in FIG. 4 which shows the speed of fingers 16 as a function of time. It will be appreciated that the finger assembly 16' when traveling around the axis 22 moves at relatively high speed for the diving function. Additional details on this can be seen in co-owned Patent 4,285,621.
  • FIG. 4 there is a rapid deceleration at 41 which is illustrated by the segment 41 in FIG. 3.
  • the next mode of operation for finger 16 is the stacking function at which time the finger 16 is lowered gradually as illustrated by the segment42 in FIG. 3. This occurs at a constant, lower speed also designated 42 in FIG. 4.
  • the finger 16 After a stack is completed, the finger 16, rapidly accelerates as indicated by the segment 43 in FIGS. 3 and 4 -- which is approximated by the point 43 in FIG. 3. When reaching the higher speed indicated at 44 in FIG. 4, the finger 16 continues downward as indicated also at 44 in FIG. 3.
  • the finger assembly 16 passes through the platform 26 which results in shifting the stack 15 from the finger assembly 16 to the platform 26 for removal by one of the conveyor paddles 27.
  • the conveyor paddles 27 are part of the stack removal means 25 which is powered by motor means 45 seen at the extreme lower left hand portion of FIG. 2. Many variations in the stack removal can be utilized inasmuch as the stack is now complete and free of control of the chain conveyor.
  • finger assemblies 15 and 19 have a velocity profile as seen in FIG. 5 which is shifted relative to the showing in FIG. 4.
  • finger assembly 16 when the stack is completed, this assembly moves upwardly in the non-stacking portion of its orbit -- as illustrated in the left hand portion of FIG. 1. There it travels about the tensioning sprockets 34. During this time the otherfinger assemblies 19,17and 18 follow the same sequence in developing stacks of product. In other words, each cycle of stack production represents one-half the orbit of a given conveyor chains. And the second conveyor chain is 180° out of phase with the first conveyor chain. Also, it will be appreciated from FIG. 4 that while the finger assembly 16 is not operating on product, it still follows the same deceleration-acceleration sequence because its supporting chain is governed by the driven sprockets 30, 31 which at this time is driving the finger assembly 17 through the stacking mode.
  • the slotted wheel 13 which is mounted on the frame 10 for rotation.
  • the slotted wheel is effectively in the first path and receives product adjacent to the zenith of the second generally arcuate path of travel developed by the slotted wheel. From a consideration of the upper portion of FIG. 1, it will be seen that the slotted wheel rotates clockwise and conveys the product sequentially along a path from about 1 o'clock to about 5 o'clock.
  • the outboard chains are entrained about sprockets 30 and 31 at their upper reach and these are driven in the illustration given by means of a servo motor 36 and right angled gear box 37.
  • the lower reach of the chains making up the conveyor 20 is defined by sprockets 32 and 33 which are idler or free running sprockets.
  • the chains making up the inboard conveyor 21 are driven at the bottom and idled at the top.
  • the driving means 38, 39 is positioned in the lower right hand portion of FIG. 2.
  • Each chain of each conveyor is equipped with at least one outwardly projecting finger.
  • the chains of conveyor 20 are equipped with the fingers 16 and 17 seen in the right central portion of FIG. 1.
  • Each finger is part of a supporting bar 35 (referring to the fingers 16) which is rigidly attached to its associated chain.
  • the chains of conveyor 21 are also equipped with outwardly projecting fingers as at 18 and 19 and it will be seen from a consideration of FIG. 1 that these fingers are arranged in longitudinally interlaced relation to the fingers of the conveyor 20.
  • An advantageous feature of the invention is the programming of movement and velocity of the fingers during a traverse around the obround third path.
  • Each finger first serves as a diving finger -- see the dashed line showing designated 16' in the upper right hand portion of FIG. 1 -- for defining the end of a previous stack and the commencement of a developing stack. This is illustrated graphically at the point 40 in FIGS. 3 and 4 relative to the finger 16.
  • the finger thereupon enters its accumulating mode which is designated 42 in FIGS. 3 and 4 and from those views it will be seen that the velocity is constant and the finger moves downward slowly until a complete stack is achieved.
  • the graphs of FIGS. 3-5 are in terms of a 30 count stack so as not to have unduly long abscissae.
  • the chain associated with the supporting finger in that mode is rapidly accelerated as can be appreciated from the portion 43 of the curve of FIG. 4.
  • acceleration stops and a constant velocity of descent is provided in the conveying chains to provide the curve portion designated 44. It is during this constant speed descent that the stack encounters the platform 26 which is indicated in FIG. 3 as the stack drop point.
  • the paddles 27 of the stack removal means 25 remove the stack from the platform 26 -and it will be seen that the succeeding finger assembly 18 provided on the other conveyor 21 is in its stack accumulating mode so there is no interference with the removal operation.
  • the finger assembly 18 is inserted into the second and third paths substantially with the completion of the stack being supported by the finger 16, viz., at the point designated 43.
  • a variety of products can be stacked through the practice of the invention.
  • a diving velocity of the finger in the position 16'
  • the stacking velocity is a function of the product thickness and the rate of product advance -- as by the conveyor belts 12.
  • the lowering velocity is a function of the rate of building the next stack and the time of removal of the first stack.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Attitude Control For Articles On Conveyors (AREA)
  • Forming Counted Batches (AREA)
  • Pile Receivers (AREA)
  • Discharge By Other Means (AREA)
  • Stacking Of Articles And Auxiliary Devices (AREA)
EP89109741A 1988-06-02 1989-05-30 Apparatus and method for stacking Expired - Lifetime EP0344716B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201583 1980-10-28
US20158388A 1988-06-02 1988-06-02

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0344716A2 EP0344716A2 (en) 1989-12-06
EP0344716A3 EP0344716A3 (en) 1990-03-07
EP0344716B1 true EP0344716B1 (en) 1992-07-08

Family

ID=22746424

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP89109741A Expired - Lifetime EP0344716B1 (en) 1988-06-02 1989-05-30 Apparatus and method for stacking

Country Status (8)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0344716B1 (es)
JP (1) JPH0790971B2 (es)
AU (1) AU603953B2 (es)
BR (1) BR8902537A (es)
CA (1) CA1333180C (es)
DE (1) DE68902013T2 (es)
ES (1) ES2034500T3 (es)
MX (1) MX174086B (es)

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5040783A (en) * 1990-09-10 1991-08-20 The Procter & Gamble Company Rotary stacker
US5359929A (en) * 1993-08-25 1994-11-01 Rockwell International Corporation Device for delivering signatures in a printing press
DE19519707A1 (de) * 1994-06-02 1995-12-07 Buehler Optima Maschf Vorrichtung zur Bildung von Stapeln
FR2790251B1 (fr) * 2000-03-30 2003-09-26 Realisations Electr Et Mecaniq Installation pour empiler et constituer des lots avec un nombre determine d'objets sensiblement plats
US6957944B2 (en) 2002-06-25 2005-10-25 Cardinal Fg Company Method and apparatus for stacking small sheets of glass
DE10348233A1 (de) 2003-10-09 2005-05-04 Optima Filling & Packaging Vorrichtung zur Bildung von Stapeln
ITBO20060289A1 (it) 2006-04-14 2007-10-15 Tech S R L S Dispositivo di impilamento per fazzoletti, tovaglioli e simili.
EP2138439B1 (de) * 2008-05-23 2015-05-20 Ferag AG Vorrichtung zum Stapeln von flächigen Produkten, insbesondere Druckereiprodukten
ITRM20130222A1 (it) * 2013-04-12 2014-10-13 Fausto Bruschi Apparato per il confezionamento di elementi laminari ripiegati refrattari alla piegatura

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3254889A (en) * 1962-12-14 1966-06-07 Paper Converting Machine Co Stacking and handling apparatus
GB2028774A (en) * 1978-08-21 1980-03-12 Paper Converting Machine Co Method and apparatus for producing stacks of folded web material
US4285621A (en) * 1979-11-14 1981-08-25 Paper Converting Machine Company Apparatus for stacking product

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH599025A5 (es) * 1976-04-23 1978-05-12 Grapha Holding Ag
JPS5943762A (ja) * 1982-09-03 1984-03-10 Toshiba Corp 紙葉類回収装置
JPS6087161A (ja) * 1983-10-20 1985-05-16 Toshiba Corp 紙葉類の集積装置
JPS61162422A (ja) * 1985-01-08 1986-07-23 エフ・エム・シー・コーポレーシヨン バッグ堆積体の取扱装置
US4736936A (en) * 1987-01-16 1988-04-12 Paper Converting Machine Company Hanky delivery system

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3254889A (en) * 1962-12-14 1966-06-07 Paper Converting Machine Co Stacking and handling apparatus
GB2028774A (en) * 1978-08-21 1980-03-12 Paper Converting Machine Co Method and apparatus for producing stacks of folded web material
US4285621A (en) * 1979-11-14 1981-08-25 Paper Converting Machine Company Apparatus for stacking product

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU603953B2 (en) 1990-11-29
AU3585289A (en) 1989-12-07
EP0344716A3 (en) 1990-03-07
DE68902013T2 (de) 1993-01-14
JPH0228468A (ja) 1990-01-30
EP0344716A2 (en) 1989-12-06
ES2034500T3 (es) 1993-04-01
MX174086B (es) 1994-04-20
BR8902537A (pt) 1990-01-23
DE68902013D1 (de) 1992-08-13
JPH0790971B2 (ja) 1995-10-04
CA1333180C (en) 1994-11-22

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