EP0626330A2 - Apparatus for use in handling signatures - Google Patents
Apparatus for use in handling signatures Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0626330A2 EP0626330A2 EP94104246A EP94104246A EP0626330A2 EP 0626330 A2 EP0626330 A2 EP 0626330A2 EP 94104246 A EP94104246 A EP 94104246A EP 94104246 A EP94104246 A EP 94104246A EP 0626330 A2 EP0626330 A2 EP 0626330A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- signatures
- stack
- pusher element
- rail
- carriage
- 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.)
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Classifications
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- 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
- B65H31/30—Arrangements for removing completed piles
- B65H31/3081—Arrangements for removing completed piles by acting on edge of the pile for moving it along a surface, e.g. by pushing
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
- B65H2301/40—Type of handling process
- B65H2301/42—Piling, depiling, handling piles
- B65H2301/421—Forming a pile
- B65H2301/4211—Forming a pile of articles alternatively overturned, or swivelled from a certain angle
- B65H2301/42112—Forming a pile of articles alternatively overturned, or swivelled from a certain angle swivelled from 180°
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
- B65H2301/40—Type of handling process
- B65H2301/42—Piling, depiling, handling piles
- B65H2301/422—Handling piles, sets or stacks of articles
- B65H2301/4226—Delivering, advancing piles
- B65H2301/42266—Delivering, advancing piles by acting on edge of the pile for moving it along a surface, e.g. pushing
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2402/00—Constructional details of the handling apparatus
- B65H2402/30—Supports; Subassemblies; Mountings thereof
- B65H2402/35—Supports; Subassemblies; Mountings thereof rotating around an axis
- B65H2402/351—Turntables
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a new and improved apparatus for use in handling signatures and more specifically to an apparatus which conveys stacks of signatures from a platform.
- An apparatus which receives signatures, forms groups or intermediate stacks of signatures and deposits the intermediate stacks of signatures on a main stack of signatures is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,068,567, issued January 17, 1978 and entitled "Combined Ejector-Gate Means for Rotatable Table of an Article Counter-Stacker".
- the apparatus disclosed in this patent includes a stacker which receives newspapers. The newspapers are stacked on cooperating pairs of upwardly angled blades carried on endless chains.
- a stack supporting table is disposed beneath the stacker and receives stacks of newspapers from the stacker.
- the stack supporting table disposed beneath the stacker of the apparatus disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 4,068,567, is rotatable to offset relatively thick folded edge portions of newspapers received from the stacker.
- a pair of combination gate and ejector mechanisms have bars which are moved by a pair of chains to engage the ends of stacks of newspapers on the turntable. The bars push the stack of newspapers onto roller conveyors.
- Apparatus for use in forming stacks of signatures is also disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,532,230; 3,599,807; 4,183,704; and 4,678,387.
- U.S. Patent No. 4,611,533 issued September 16, 1986 and entitled "Tying Apparatus”.
- This apparatus includes an inlet conveyor which receives signatures in a lapped stream.
- the lapped stream of signatures is formed into a loose stack and deposited at a central station in the apparatus.
- a shuttle assembly sequentially moves loose stacks of signatures from the central station to either a right tying station or a left tying station.
- the loose stacks of signatures are bound or tied at the tying stations by strapping machines.
- the bound or tied stacks of signatures are then delivered to a receiving station.
- the present invention relates to a new and improved apparatus for use in handling signatures.
- the apparatus may include longitudinally extending signature support elements, referred to herein as slats.
- One of the slats of a first plurality of slats cooperates with one of the slats of a second plurality of slats to support signatures.
- a jogger assembly may be used to jog signatures supported by the slats.
- a platform may be disposed beneath the slats and jogger assembly to receive the signatures.
- An improved conveyor assembly has pusher elements which sequentially engage stacks of signatures to push them from the platform.
- the pusher elements may move the stacks of signatures into a strapper assembly or other apparatus.
- a leading end portion of the stack of signatures engages a registration surface.
- a pusher element presses the signatures against the registration surface to align opposite ends of the stack of signatures and to locate the stack of signatures relative to the strapper assembly or other apparatus. After the strapper assembly has tied the stack of signatures, the pusher element pushes the stack of signatures away from a tying station in the strapper assembly.
- FIG. 1 An apparatus 10 for use in handling signatures is illustrated schematically in Fig. 1.
- the apparatus 10 receives signatures 12 (Fig. 2) from an infeed conveyor 14 in a stream 16.
- the signatures 12 are conducted in the stream 16 with folded edge portions of the signatures leading and open edge portions of the signatures trailing.
- the signatures 12 are advantageously formed into a group or intermediate stack 18 in a stacker assembly 20.
- While the group or intermediate stack 18 of signatures is supported in the stacker assembly 20, it is preferred to have a jogger assembly 24 (Figs. 1) jog the group or intermediate stack (Fig. 2) of signatures to align opposite edge portions of the signatures in the intermediate stack of signatures.
- the jogger assembly 24 (Fig. 1) is continuously operated to align the edge portions of the signatures.
- the group or intermediate stack of signatures is deposited onto a receiving platform, which, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, is a turntable 26 (Figs. 2 and 3).
- the group or intermediate stack 18 of signatures is received on a main stack 28 (Fig. 2) of signatures on the turntable 26.
- the turntable 26 rotates the main stack 28 through one-half of a revolution.
- the relatively thick folded edge portions of the signatures in the groups or intermediate stacks are offset from each other.
- the main stack 28 of signatures being composed of layers of signatures having folded edge portions in one layer of signatures offset by 180° from the folded edge portions of the next succeeding layer of signatures. Therefore, the upper side of the main stack 28 of signatures is generally horizontal so that the main stack of signatures is relatively stable.
- An improved conveyor assembly 30, constructed and operated in accordance with one of the features of the invention, is provided to sequentially move main stacks 28 of signatures from the turntable 26 to a strapper assembly 31 (Fig. 5).
- a strapper assembly 31 Fig. 5
- the main stack is removed from the turntable 26 for tying in the strapper assembly 31.
- the conveyor assembly 30 may be used to sequentially move stacks 28 of signatures to apparatus other than the strapper assembly 31 if desired.
- a main stack 28 of signatures can be completely removed from the turntable 26 in substantially less time then is required to form a group or intermediate stack 18 of signatures. It is contemplated that it may be desired to eliminate the accumulation of groups or intermediate stacks 18 on the turntable 26 and the formation of a relatively large main stack 28. If this is the case, the turntable 26 may be replaced by a stationary platform.
- the conveyor assembly 30 would be operated to move each group or intermediate stack 18 off of the platform in turn to the strapper assembly 31 or other apparatus before the next succeeding group or intermediate stack is received on the platform.
- the infeed conveyor 14 (Fig. 2) feeds signatures 12 to the stacker assembly 20 in a stream 16 with folded edge portions of the signatures leading.
- the signatures 12 are supported in the stacker assembly 20 until sufficient signatures have accumulated to form an intermediate stack 18 of a desired size.
- a completed intermediate stack 18 of signatures is then transferred from the stacker assembly 20 to the turntable 26 and a next succeeding intermediate stack of signatures started without interrupting the stream 16 of signatures.
- the stacker assembly 20 includes a first plurality 32 (Fig. 1) of longitudinally extending signature support elements 34, hereinafter referred to as slats.
- the stacker assembly 20 also includes a second plurality 36 of slats 34.
- Each of the slats 34 of the first plurality 32 of slats is moved along a circuitous path by a first drive assembly 38.
- Each of the slats 34 of the second plurality 36 of slats is moved along a circuitous path by a second drive assembly 40.
- the first drive assembly 38 moves each of the slats 34 in the first plurality 32 of slats along a first circuitous path, which has been indicated at 44 in Fig. 1.
- the first circuitous path 44 has a vertical left or outer run 46 along which the slats 34 of the first plurality 32 of slats move vertically upwardly.
- the circuitous path 44 has a vertical right or inner run 48 along which the slats 34 of the first plurality 32 of slots move vertically downwardly.
- a lower semi-circular connector portion 52 interconnects the lower ends of the outer and inner runs 46 and 48 of the circuitous path 44.
- a semi-circular upper section 54 interconnects the upper ends of the outer and inner runs 46 and 48.
- the first drive assembly 38 is operable to intermittently move the slats 34 in a clockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 1) along the circuitous path 44 between a loading position, indicated at 58 in Figs. 1 and 3, an intermediate position indicated at 60 in Figs. 1 and 3, and a standby position indicated at 62 in Figs. 1 and 3.
- the first drive assembly 38 is operable to quickly index the slats 34 between loading position 58, intermediate position 60 and standby position 62.
- the longitudinal central axes of the slats 34 are maintained horizontal and parallel to each other at all times during movement of the slats along the first circuitous path 44 (Fig. 1).
- a flat front side surface 66 on the slat 34 is horizontal and faces upwardly.
- the flat front side surface 66 of the slat is also horizontal.
- the front side surface 66 of the slat 34 faces downwardly (see Figs. 1 and 3).
- the flat front side surface 66 on the slat 34 is sloped at an angle of approximately 45° to a horizontal plane (Fig. 3).
- the first drive assembly 38 includes a pair of flexible drive elements or chains 74 and 76 (Figs. 1 and 2).
- the chains 74 and 76 move along a circuitous path which is of the same size and orientation as the circuitous path 44 and which is coextensive with a portion of the circuitous path 44. It should be understood that although chains 74 and 76 have been used in the first drive assembly 38, it is contemplated that the chains 74 and 76 could be replaced by a single relatively wide belt if desired. Of course, a pair of belts could also be used if desired.
- the chains 74 and 76 extend around upper and lower sprocket wheel assemblies 80 and 82 (Figs. 1 and 2).
- the upper sprocket wheel assembly 80 includes a pair of sprockets 86 and 88 (Fig. 4) which are interconnected by a cylindrical hub 90.
- the lower sprocket wheel assembly 82 has the same construction as the upper sprocket wheel assembly 80.
- the sprocket wheel assemblies 80 and 82 are rotatable about horizonal axes which are disposed in a vertical plane.
- the inner end portions 72 of the slats 34 are fixedly connected to the chains 74 and 76 (Figs. 2).
- the chains 74 and 76 support the slats 34 in a cantilevered relationship.
- the slats 34 extend horizontally outwardly from the chains 74 and 76 to free end portions.
- the chains 74 and 76 move along the circuitous path 44 to move the inner end portions 72 of the slats 34 along the circuitous path.
- the slats 34 in the second plurality 36 of slats are moved along a continuous circuitous path indicated schematically at 94 in Fig. 1.
- the continuous circuitous path 94 has the same configuration and orientation as the continuous circuitous path 44.
- the slats 34 are moved along the continuous circuitous path 94 in a counterclockwise direction between a loading position 98, an intermediate position 100 and a standby position 102 (Figs. 1 and 3). These positions correspond to and are horizontally aligned with the loading position 58, intermediate position 60 and standby position 62 for the first plurality 32 of slats 34.
- the longitudinal axes of the slats 34 are maintained horizontal and parallel to the longitudinal axes of the slats 34 in the first plurality 32 of slats.
- a flat front side surface 66 (Figs. 1 and 3) of the slat is horizontal and faces upwardly.
- the front surface 66 is still horizontal. However, at this time, the front surface 66 faces downwardly.
- the surface 66 slopes at an angle of approximately 45° to a horizontal plane.
- a slat 34 which is at the loading position 58 has a horizontal front side surface 66 which is disposed in the same plane as the horizontal front side Surface of a slat at the loading position 98 (Fig. 3).
- the slats 34 at the loading positions 58 and 98 are spaced apart by a horizontal distance which is less than the length of a folded edge portion of a signature 12.
- the signatures 12 are fed into the stacker assembly 20 at a location which is above the slats 34 at the loading positions 58 and 98 (Figs. 2 and 3). Therefore, the signatures are supported on the upwardly facing coplanar front side surfaces 66 of the slats 34 at the loading positions 58 and 98 (Fig. 3).
- the first and second drive assemblies 38 and 40 are operated to quickly index the slats 34 along the circuitous paths 44 and 94 (Fig. 1).
- the slats 34 move downwardly from the loading positions 58 and 98, they are moved away from each other and rotated to deposit an intermediate stack 18 on the main stack 28 of signatures on the turntable 26.
- the vertical outer runs of the circuitous paths 44 and 94 are spaced apart by a horizontal distance which is greater than the length of the folded edge portions of the signatures 12 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3).
- the second drive assembly 40 has the same construction as the first drive assembly 38 and is connected with the slats 34 of the second plurality 36 of slats in the same manner as in which the first drive assembly 38 is connected with the slats of the first plurality 32 of slats.
- the second drive assembly 40 includes a pair of chains 110 and 112 (Fig. 1) corresponding to the chains 74 and 76 in the first drive assembly 38.
- the chains 110 and 112 along a circuitous path which is of the same size and orientation as the circuitous path 94 and which is coextensive with a portion of the circuitous path 94.
- the chains 110 and 112 in the second drive assembly 40 extend around upper and lower sprocket wheel assemblies 116 and 118.
- the sprocket wheel assemblies 116 and 118 are rotatable about horizontal axes.
- the horizontal axes about which the sprocket wheel assemblies 116 and 118 rotate are disposed in a vertical plane which is parallel to a vertical plane containing horizontal axes about which the upper and lower sprocket wheel assemblies 80 and 82 of the first drive assembly 38 are rotatable.
- the end portions 72 of the slats 34 of the second plurality 36 of slats are connected with the chains 110 and 112 in the same manner as previously described for the slats of the first plurality 32 of slats.
- the slats 34 of the second plurality 36 of slats are supported in a cantilevered relationship from the chains 110 and 112 with their longitudinal central axes horizontal and parallel to each other.
- the longitudinal axes of the slats 34 in the second plurality 36 of slats are maintained in a parallel relationship with the horizontal longitudinal axes of the slats in the first plurality 32 of slats and with the horizontal axes about which the sprocket wheel assemblies 80, 82, 116 and 118 rotate during movement of the slats along the circuitous paths 44 and 94 (Fig. 1).
- the slats 34 in the first plurality 32 of slats and drive chains 74 and 76 move in a clockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 1) around the circuitous path 46.
- the slats 34 in the second plurality 36 of slats and drive chains 110 and 112 move in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 1) around the circuitous path 94. Movement of the slats 34 in the first plurality 32 of slats is coordinated with the movement of the slats in the second plurality 36 of slats.
- the slats 34 in the first and second pluralities 32 and 36 of slats simultaneously move downward toward the loading positions 58 and 98 with the front side surfaces 66 of the slats horizontal and disposed in the same plane. This enables a slat 34 in the first plurality 32 of slats and a slat 34 in the second plurality 36 of slats to cooperate with each other to lower signatures as the two slats move downwardly to their respective loading positions 58 and 98.
- the slats are stationary and cooperate with each other to support the signatures while an intermediate stack 18 of signatures 12 of a desired size is accumulated on the two slats.
- a main drive system 128 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) is connected with the drive assemblies 38 and 40.
- the main drive system 128 includes a main drive motor 130 (Fig. 1) which is connected with the drive assemblies 38 and 40 through a single revolution clutch 132.
- the single revolution clutch 132 (Figs. 2 and 3) drives a main drive belt 134.
- the drive belt 134 is intermittently driven to operate the drive assemblies 38 and 40.
- Operation of the drive assemblies 38 and 40 simultaneously indexes the slats 34 in the first plurality 32 of slats and the slats in the second plurality of slats 36 between the loading positions 58 and 98, intermediate positions 60 and 100 and standby positions 62 and 102 (Fig. 3).
- the slats 34 are indexed by the drive assemblies 38 and 40 along the circuitous paths 44 and 94 (Fig. 1).
- the slats 34 are then stopped while an intermediate stack 18 (Fig. 3) of signatures accumulates on a pair of slats 34 disposed at the loading positions 58 and 98.
- the single revolution clutch 132 effects operation of the drive assemblies 38 and 40 to again index the slats 34.
- the slats 34 can be readily moved into the stream 16 (Fig. 2) of signatures 12 from the infeed conveyor 14 with minimum disturbance. This is because the slats 34 are of a relatively small width as measured on the front side surfaces 66 and perpendicular to the longitudinal central axes of the slats.
- single revolution clutch 132 was obtained from Warner Electric and was a Super CB-6 wrap spring clutch. Warner Electric has a place of business at Beloit, Illinois. It should also be understood that an intermittent drive mechanism other than a single revolution clutch could be used if desired.
- the stacker assembly 20 could have many different constructions, the stacker assembly is constructed and operated in the manner disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. , filed March 19, 1993 By Stephen R. Kleinhen and entitled “Apparatus for Stacking Signatures" (Attorney Docket No. PSH-2000, Mailing Label No. GB149430138).
- the jogger assembly 24 (Fig. 1) cooperates with the stacker assembly 20 to jog an intermediate stack 18 of signatures while the intermediate stack of signatures is supported by slats 34.
- the jogger assembly 24 includes a pair of side plates 142 and 144.
- the side plate 142 extends into the central portion of the circuitous path 44 (Fig. 1).
- the side plate 144 extends into the central portion of the circuitous path 94.
- the slats 34 in the first plurality 32 of slats are moved around the side plate 142 along the continuous circuitous path 44 by the first drive assembly 38.
- the slats 34 in the second plurality 36 of slats are moved around the side plate 144 along the continuous circuitous path 94 by the second drive assembly 40.
- the loading positions 58 and 98 (Fig. 3) and the vertical inner runs of the circuitous paths 44 and 94 (Fig. 1) are disposed between the side plates 142 and 144.
- the side plate 142 of the jogger assembly 24 includes a vertical side section 148 (Fig. 1).
- the side section 148 extends parallel to the longitudinal axes of the slats 34 of the first plurality 32 of slats.
- the side section 148 of the jogger side plate 142 has a flat vertical side surface 152 (Fig. 1) which extends parallel to the longitudinal axes of the slats 34 of the first plurality 32 of slats.
- the side surface 152 of the jogger side plate 142 is engageable with one end of an intermediate stack 18 of signatures supported in the stacker assembly 20.
- the side surface 152 is reciprocated toward and away from the end of the intermediate stack 18 of signatures to jog the end portions of the signatures into alignment with each other.
- a vertical end section 156 of the jogger side plate 142 extends perpendicular to the side section 148.
- the end section 156 of the side plate 142 has a flat vertical side surface 158 which is engageable with a side of the intermediate stack 18 of signatures.
- the side surface 158 on the end section 156 engages the side of the intermediate stack 18 of signatures.
- the side surface 158 is reciprocated toward and away from the side of the intermediate stack 18 of signatures to jog the folded edge portions of the signatures into alignment with each other.
- the side plate 144 of the jogger assembly 24 has a construction which is similar to the construction of the side plate 142.
- the side plate 144 includes a side section 168 having a flat vertical side surface 172.
- the side surface 172 on the side section 168 extends parallel to the side surface 152 on the side section 148 of the jogger side plate 142.
- the side surface 172 on the side section 168 of the jogger side plate 144 is parallel to the longitudinal axes of the slats 34 in the second group 36 of slats throughout movement of the slats along the circuitous path 94 (Fig. 1).
- the vertical portions of the circuitous paths 44 and 94 along which the slats 34 move downwardly are disposed between the jogger side plates 142 and 144.
- An end section 176 on the jogger side plate 144 extends perpendicular to the side section 168.
- the end section 176 has a flat vertical side surface 178 disposed in the same plane as the vertical side surface 158 on the end section 156 of the side plate 142.
- the side surface 178 is reciprocated toward and away from the side of the intermediate stack 18 of signatures to jog the folded edge portions the signatures into alignment with each other.
- the flat side surface 172 (Fig. 1) on the side section 168 is engageable with an end of an intermediate stack 18 opposite from the end which is engaged by the side surface 152 on the side section 148 of the side plate 142.
- the side surface 178 disposed on the end section 176 of the side plate 144 is engageable with the side surface of the intermediate stack 18 of signatures which is the same as the side surface of the intermediate stack which is engaged by the side surface 158 on the end section 156.
- the folded edge portions of the signatures 12 are engaged by the end sections 156 and 176.
- the jogger assembly 24 has a pair of back plates 184 and 186 (Fig. 1).
- the back plates 184 and 186 are disposed outwardly from free end portions of the cantilevered slats 34 disposed at the loading positions 58 and 98.
- the back plate 184 has an end section 188 with a flat vertical side surface 190 (Fig. 1) which extends parallel to the flat side surface 158 on the end section 156 of the side plate 142.
- the side surface 190 on the end section 188 of the back jogger plate 184 is engageable with a side of an intermediate stack 18 of signatures supported by the stacker assembly 20.
- the side surface 190 on the jogger back plate 124 is reciprocated toward and away from the side of the intermediate stack 18 opposite from the folded edge portions of the signatures 12 to jog the open edge portions of the signatures into alignment with each other.
- the jogger back plate 186 has an end section 194 with a flat vertical side surface 196.
- the side surface 196 on the end section 194 of the jogger plate 186 is disposed in the same vertical plane as the side surface 190 on the end section 188 of the jogger back plate 184.
- the side surface 196 is engageable with the same side of an intermediate stack 18 of signatures as is the side surface 190.
- the side surface 196 on the jogger back plate 186 is reciprocated toward and away from the side of the intermediate stack 18 opposite from the folded edge portions of the signatures 12 to jog the open edge portions of the signatures into alignment.
- the side surfaces 190 and 196 on the jogger back plates 184 and 186 are engageable with a side of an intermediate stack 18 opposite from a side engaged by the side surfaces 158 and 178 on the jogger side plates 148 and 168.
- the side surface 196 on the jogger back plate 186 extends parallel to the side surface 178 on the end section 176 of the jogger side plate 144 and to the vertical plane 124.
- the side surfaces 190 and 196 on the jogger back plates 184 and 186 are disposed in a vertical plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the slats 34 in the loader assembly 20 and parallel to the vertical plane 124.
- a pair of drive assemblies are provided to oscillate the jogger plates 142, 144, 184 and 186.
- the drive assemblies effect movement of the side sections 148 and 168 (Fig. 1) of the jogger side plates 142 and 144 toward and away from opposite ends of an intermediate stack of signatures supported by the stacker assembly 20.
- the drive assemblies effect movement of the end sections 156 and 176 of the jogger side plates 142 and 144 toward and away from the side of the intermediate stack 18 which extends between the opposite ends of the stack.
- the jogger side plates 142 and 144 are reciprocated toward and away from the jogger back plates 84 and 86.
- the jogger side plates 142 and 144 are also reciprocated toward and away from each other. This enables the jogger side plates 142 and 144 to align signature edges at opposite ends of an intermediate stack and along one side of an intermediate stack closest to the vertical plane 124.
- the jogger back plates 184 and 186 cooperate with the side plates 142 and 144 to align edges of signatures on opposite sides of an intermediate stack of signatures supported in the stacker assembly 20.
- drive assemblies for the jogger plates 142, 144, 184 and 186 could have many different constructions, the drive assemblies are constructed and operated in the manner disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. , filed March 19, 1993 by Stephen R. Kleinhen and entitled "Apparatus for Stacking Signatures" (Attorney Docket No. PSH-2000, Mailing Label No. GB 149439138).
- the turntable 26 is disposed beneath the slats 34 of the stacker assembly 20 and the jogger plates 142, 144, 184 and 186 of the jogger assembly 24.
- the turntable 26 receives groups or intermediate stacks 18 of signatures (Fig. 2) from the stacker assembly 20.
- the turntable 26 rotates a main stack 28 through one-half of a revolution to offset the folded edges of an intermediate stack 18 from the folded edges of the next succeeding intermediate stack. This results in the main stack being relatively level and stable.
- the turntable 26 has a rotatable circular platform 234 (Fig. 2).
- a pair of upstanding, parallel guide walls 236 and 238 (Fig. 1) are disposed on the platform 234.
- the guide walls 236 and 238 engage a main stack 28 of signatures to hold the stack in position on the platform 234 during rotation of the platform.
- the walls 236 and 238 also engage opposite sides of a main stack 28 of signatures to guide the initial portion of movement of the main stack 28 off of the turntable 26 by the conveyor assembly 30.
- pivotal end walls or flaps may be mounted at opposite ends of the guide walls 236 and 238 to retain the main stack 28 of signatures against movement relative to the turntable 26.
- the end wall or flaps (not shown) may be pivoted relative to the guide walls 236 and 238 by suitable pneumatic piston and cylinder assemblies to move the flaps to an open position to enable a stack 28 of signatures to be moved from between the guide walls 236 and 238.
- a drive assembly 242 (Fig. 1) is connected to a central portion of the platform 234 (Figs. 2 and 3).
- the drive assembly 242 is operable to rotate the platform 234 about a vertical axis which extends through the center of an intermediate stack 18 supported in the stacker assembly 20.
- the platform 234 is rotatable about a vertical central axis 244 (Figs. 2 and 3) which extends through the center of the main stack 28 and through the center of the intermediate stack 18 supported by the stacker assembly 20 above the turntable 26.
- the vertical central axis 244 of the circular turntable platform 234 is disposed midway between the circuitous paths 44 and 94 and midway between a pair of slats 34 disposed at the loading positions 58 and 98 (Fig. 3).
- the central axis 244 of the turntable 26 extends parallel to the vertical side surfaces 152 and 172 (Fig. 1) on the side sections 148 and 168 of the jogger side plates 142 and 144.
- the central axis 244 of the turntable is disposed midway between the side surfaces 152 and 172 on the jogger side plates 142 and 144.
- central axis 244 of the turntable 26 extends parallel to and is disposed midway between the side surfaces on the end sections 156 and 176 of the jogger side plates 142 and 144 and the side surfaces 190 and 196 on the jogger back plates 184 and 186.
- the platform 234 has a flat circular upwardly facing side surface 248 which is disposed in a horizontal plane and extends parallel to the longitudinal axes of the slats 34 in the stacker assembly 20 (Fig. 2).
- the flat upper side surface 248 of the turntable 26 supports the main stack 28 of signatures for rotation about the central axis 244 of the turntable.
- the drive assembly 242 is operable to rotate the turntable 26 about the central axis 244 to offset the folded edge portions of succeeding groups or intermediate stacks 18 of signatures deposited on the main stack 28 of signatures on the turntable 26.
- the drive assembly 242 is operable to rotate the platform 234 through 180° immediately after one group or intermediate stack 18 of signatures is deposited on the turntable 26 and before the next succeeding intermediate stack is deposited on the turntable.
- the drive assembly 242 (Fig. 1) could be constructed in such a manner as to sequentially rotate the turntable through 180° increments in the same direction, the drive assembly is constructed so as to sequentially rotate the turntable through 180° increments in opposite directions.
- the drive assembly 242 rotates the platform 234 in a clockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 1) through 180° before one group or intermediate stack 18 of signatures is deposited on the platform.
- the drive assembly 242 then rotates the platform 234 through 180° in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 1) before the next succeeding group or intermediate stack 18 of signatures is deposited on the platform.
- the turntable may be replaced by a stationary platform or the turntable drive assembly 242 may be temporarily rendered inactive.
- the turntable drive assembly 242 could have many different constructions. However, the turntable drive assembly 242 is constructed and operated in the manner disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. Patent Application Serial No. , filed March 19, 1993 by Stephen R. Kleinhen and entitled "Apparatus for Stacking Signatures" (Attorney Docket No. PSH-2000, Mailing Label No. GB149430138).
- the conveyor assembly 30 is operable to move a stack 28 of signatures from the turntable 26 to a work or tying station 300 (Figs. 5 and 6) in the strapper assembly 31.
- the conveyor assembly 30 presses the leading end of a stack 28 against registration surfaces 304 and 306 in the strapper assembly 31 to align the leading edge portions of the signatures (Fig. 7) and position the stack relative to the tying station 300.
- the strapper assembly 31 is then operated to tie a band 310 (Fig. 8) around the stack 28 of signatures.
- the conveyor assembly 30 then moves the tied stack of signatures away from the work or tying station 300 in the strapper assembly 31.
- the conveyor assembly 30 includes a unit 314 and a unit 316 (Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 5).
- the units 314 and 316 of the conveyor 30 are disposed above the turntable 26 and below the stacker assembly 20 and jogger assembly 24 (Fig. 1).
- the units 314 and 316 cooperate to sequentially move main stacks 28 of signatures to the strapper assembly 31.
- the unit 316 of the conveyor assembly 30 will move a first stack 28a (Fig. 5) from the turntable 26 along a linear discharge path to the strapper assembly 31 (Fig. 7).
- the unit 314 of the conveyor assembly 30 will move the next succeeding stack 28b from the turntable 26 along the discharge path to the strapper assembly 31.
- the units 314 and 316 of the conveyor assembly 30 include a pair of parallel linear rails 322 and 324.
- the rails 322 and 324 extend parallel to the discharge path along which the stacks 28 of signatures are moved to the strapper assembly 31.
- the rails 322 and 324 have longitudinal central axes which extend perpendicular to the longitudinal central axes of the slats 34 (Fig. 1) in the first and second pluralities 32 and 36 of slats.
- the longitudinal central axes of the rails 322 and 324 extend perpendicular to the side surfaces 152 and 172 on the side plates 142 and 144 in the jogger assembly 24.
- the longitudinal central axes of the rails 322 and 324 extend parallel to flat vertical inner side surfaces 326 and 328 on the guide walls 236 and 238.
- Pusher elements 338 and 340 are connected with the carriages 332 and 334 for movement therewith along the rails 322 and 324.
- the pusher elements 338 and 340 are movable relative to the carriages 332 and 334 between extended and retracted positions.
- the conveyor assembly 30 is described herein as moving a stack 28 of signatures toward the right (as viewed in Figs. 5-8) from the turntable platform 234, the direction of operation of the conveyor assembly could be reversed to move a stack of signatures toward the left. It is preferred to use the conveyor assembly 30 to sequentially move stacks of signatures into the strapper assembly 31. However, the conveyor assembly 30 could be used to move stacks of signatures in other known stack processing devices, such as a trimmer.
- the pusher element 338 When the pusher element 338 is in the extended position shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the pusher element 338 extends outwardly from the carriage 332. When the pusher element 338 is in the retracted position (Figs. 4, 5 and 6), the pusher element 338 does not extend as far outward from the carriage 332. Similarly, when the pusher element 340 is in the extended position (Figs. 4-8), the pusher element 340 extends outward from the carriage 334. When the pusher element 340 is in the retracted position, the pusher element 340 is adjacent to the rail 324 in the same manner as in which the pusher element 338 is adjacent to the rail 322 when the pusher element 338 is retracted (Fig. 4).
- Suitable rollers are provided on the carriages 332 and 334 to guide movement of the carriages along the rails 322 and 324 and to guide movement of the pusher elements 338 and 340 relative to the carriages.
- guide rollers 344 on the upper side of the carriages 332 and 334 (Fig. 4) guide movement of the carriages along the rails 322 and 324.
- Guide rollers 346 on the lower sides of the carriages 332 and 334 guide movement of the pusher elements 338 and 340 relative to the carriages.
- the pusher elements 338 and 340 When the pusher elements 338 and 340 are in their extended positions, they are utilized to sequentially push stacks 28 of signatures from the turntable 26 into the strapper assembly 31.
- the extended pusher element 340 is movable along the track 324 into engagement with the left (as viewed in Fig. 5) end portion of the stack 28a.
- the extended pusher element 340 along the track 324 Fig. 6
- pushes the stack 28a of signatures into the strapper assembly 31 Fig. 7).
- the leading or right (as viewed in Fig. 7) end portion of the stack 28a engages the registration surfaces 304 and 306 in the strapper assembly 31. Movement of the pusher element 340 is then interrupted. This positions the stack 28a relative to the strapper assembly 31. In addition, engagement of the leading end portion of the stack 28a with the registration surfaces 304 and 306 tends to move any misaligned signatures in the stack into alignment. At the same time, engagement of the pusher element 340 with the trailing end portion of the stack 28a tends to further promote movement of any misaligned signatures into alignment.
- the stationary pusher element 340 Cooperation between the stationary pusher element 340 and the registration surfaces 304 and 306 ensures that the signatures in the stack 28a are in alignment when the band 310 (Fig. 8) is applied to the stack by the strapper assembly 31.
- the pusher element 340 continues to move forward to push the tied stack 28a at least part way out of the strapper assembly 31 (Fig. 8).
- the pusher element 340 remains in engagement with the stack 28a from the time the pusher element engages the stack on the turntable 26 until the stack is pushed out of the strapper assembly 31.
- the pusher element 340 pushes a stack 28a of signatures out of the strapper assembly 31, the pusher element is moved to its retracted position.
- the pusher element 340 is moved to a position closely adjacent to the rail 324, in the manner shown for the pusher element 338 in Figs. 4 and 5.
- the pusher element is then moved back (leftwardly as viewed in Fig. 8) along the rail 324.
- the pusher element 340 When the pusher element 340 has moved to the left (as viewed in Fig. 5) of the turntable 26, the pusher element is again extended. The extended pusher element 340 is then moved back toward the right to the initial or home position shown in Fig. 5. When the pusher element 340 is stopped at the initial or home position (Fig. 5), the pusher element is in its extended position and is adjacent to the turntable 26 in readiness to engage a next succeeding stack of signatures.
- the pusher element 338 moves along the rail 322 in the same manner as in which the pusher element 340 moves along the rail 324.
- the pusher element 338 is moved to the right (as viewed in Figs. 7 and 8) along the rail 322 with the pusher element 338 is in its extended position. This pushes the next succeeding stack 28b of signatures into the strapper assembly 31.
- the pusher element 338 pushes the stack away from the tying station 300. Only one pusher element 338 or 340 engages a stack 28 at a time.
- the pusher element 338 (Figs. 1, 2 and 4) includes a horizontal transverse section 350 which is engaged by the carriage 332.
- the pusher element 338 has a vertical main section 352 which extends downwardly from the transverse section 350.
- the main section 352 of the pusher element is engageable with a stack of signatures.
- the pusher element 340 has the same construction as the pusher element 338.
- the pusher element 340 has a horizontal transverse section 356 which is engaged by the carriage 334.
- a vertical main section 358 extends downwardly from the transverse section 356.
- the main section 358 of the pusher element 340 is engageable with a stack of signatures.
- Lower end portions of the main sections 352 and 358 (Fig. 2) of the pusher elements 338 and 340 are sequentially moved along a channel 362 which extends across the center of the turntable 26 into the strapper assembly 31.
- the channel 362 is disposed midway between and extends parallel to the rails 322 and 324 (Fig. 5).
- the stack 28 of signatures is supported beneath the stacker 20 on raised surfaces 364 and 366 on the turntable platform 234.
- the stack 28 of signatures is held on the turntable platform 234 in a rectangular chamber 368 formed by the side walls 236 and 238.
- the central axis 244 (Figs. 2 and 3) of the turntable 26 extends through the center of the chamber 368 and is disposed halfway between the rails 322 and 324.
- the lower end portion of the main section 352 or 358 of a pusher element 338 or 340 which engages a stack 28 of signatures extends into the channel 362 (Fig. 2) to be certain that the lowermost signature in the stack 28 is engaged by the pusher element.
- the lower end portion of the main section 358 of the pusher element 340 is shown in Fig. 2 aligned with the channel 362.
- the pusher element 340 is moved along the rail 324 to push a stack 28 of signatures, the lower end portion of the main section 358 of the pusher element will move along the channel 362.
- the pusher element 338 cooperates with the channel 362 in the same manner as the pusher element 340.
- the units 314 and 316 of the conveyor assembly 30 have drive assemblies 370 and 372 (Fig. 4) which are sequentially operable to move the pusher elements 338 and 340 and carriages 332 and 334 along the rails 322 and 324.
- the drive assembly 370 includes a continuous chain 376 which extends around a pair of sprocket wheels 378 and 380 which are rotatable about vertical axes.
- a reversible electric motor 382 is connected with the sprocket wheel 378 by a drive belt 384 to rotate the sprocket wheel 378 to thereby move the chain 376 along a continuous circuitous path.
- a connector assembly 388 pivotally interconnects an end of the transverse section 350 of the pusher element 338 and the chain 376.
- the connector assembly 388 includes a generally rectangular base 392 (Fig. 4) which is secured to the chain 376.
- An upstanding pin 394 extends through an opening in the transverse section 350 of the pusher element 338.
- the base 392 and pin 394 are pivotal relative to the transverse section 350 of the pusher element 358.
- the drive assembly 372 includes a continuous chain 398 which extends around a pair of sprocket wheels 402 and 404 which are rotatable about vertical axes by a reversible electric drive motor 406.
- the drive motor 406 is connected with the sprocket wheel 404 by a drive belt 408.
- a connector assembly 412 (Fig. 4) interconnects the chain 398 and the pusher element 340.
- the connector assembly 412 includes a generally rectangular base 414 which is connected to the chain 398.
- An upstanding pin 416 pivotally connects the transverse 414 with the base section 356 of the pusher element 340.
- the chain 376 moves the connector assembly 388 toward the left along a linear run 422 to move the pusher element 338 and carriage 332 toward the left (as viewed in Fig. 4) with the pusher element retracted.
- the linear runs 422 and 426 of the chain 376 extend parallel to the rail 322.
- the connector assembly 388 reaches the sprocket wheel 378 at the left end portion of the linear run 422, the connector element moves along an arcuate run 424 of the chain 336 which extends around the sprocket wheel 378. As this occurs, the connector assembly 388 moves toward the rail 322 and the pusher element 338 is extended.
- the chain 398 (Fig. 4) in the drive assembly 372 moves the connector assembly 412 along a continuous circuitous path having a linear run 432 which extends parallel to the rail 324.
- the pusher element 340 and carriage 334 are moved from a position adjacent to the left end (as viewed in Fig. 4) of the rail 324 to a position disposed adjacent to the right end of the rail as the motor 406 is operated to rotate the sprocket wheel 404 in a clockwise direction.
- the extended pusher element 340 pushes a stack 28 toward the strapper assembly 31.
- An arcuate run 434 of the continuous chain 398 extends around the sprocket wheel 404 and connects the linear run 432 with a second linear run 436.
- the linear runs 432 and 436 extend parallel to the rail 324.
- An arcuate run 440 of the chain 398 extends around the left (as viewed in Fig. 4) sprocket wheel 402 and interconnects the linear runs 436 and 432.
- the connector assembly 412 moves the pusher element 340 from the retracted position to the extended position.
- the connector assembly 412 is then moved through a short distance along the linear run 432 to the initial or home position (Fig. 5) for the pusher element 340.
- the strapper assembly 31 includes guide walls 444, 446, 448 and 450 (Fig. 5) which engage side surfaces of a stack 28 of signatures to position the stacks of signatures relative to a strap chute 452.
- the strap chute 452 has a generally U-shaped cross section.
- the strap chute 452 extends along a path having a generally rectangular configuration.
- the strap chute 452 opens inwardly and extends completely around the tying station 300.
- a strap feed mechanism is operable to feed a strap or band 310 (Fig. 8) around the stack 28. Once the strap has been fed around the stack 28, the strap feed mechanism 454 pulls the strap tight and interconnects the ends of the strap.
- the strapper assembly 31 could have many different constructions, in one specific embodiment of the invention, the strapper assembly 31 was a Model JP-80 MFX supplied by Ovalstrapping Inc. having a place of business at 710 8th Street, Hoquiam, Washington 98550. Of course, other known strapper assemblies provided by other manufacturers could be utilized if desired.
- the registration surfaces 304 and 306 are disposed on doors or flaps 470 and 472 in the strapper assembly 31. When the doors 470 and 472 are in their closed positions (Figs. 5, 6 and 7), the registration surfaces 304 and 306 are parallel to the side surfaces 152 and 172 on the jogger side plates 142 and 144.
- the doors 470 and 472 are pivotal, by a suitable mechanism (not shown), from the closed position of Fig. 7 to the open position of Fig. 8.
- the infeed conveyor 14 (Fig. 2) conducts a continuous stream 16 of signatures 12 to the stacker assembly 20 with folded edge portions of the signatures leading.
- the folded edge portions of the signatures impact against the end sections 156 and 176 (Fig. 1) on the jogger side plates 142 and 144.
- Opposite ends of the signatures 12 are engaged by the side surfaces 152 and 172 on the jogger side plates 142 and 144. This aligns the incoming signatures 12 with a partially formed group or intermediate stack 18 (Fig. 2) of signatures supported on a pair of slats 34 at the loading positions 58 and 98 (Fig. 3).
- the signatures 12 then move downward toward the upper end of the partially formed group or intermediate stack 18 of signatures. As the signatures 12 move downward, the open trailing edge portions of the signatures engage the end sections 188 and 194 (Fig. 1) on the jogger back plates 184 and 186. The end sections 188 and 194 on the back plates 184 and 186 cause the signatures to move into firm abutting engagement with the end sections 156 and 176 on the jogger side plates 142 and 144.
- the turntable drive assembly 242 rotates the turntable platform 234 through 180°. Rotation of the turntable platform 234 results in the folded edge portions of the immediately preceding group or intermediate stack 18 of signatures being moved from a position disposed to the left (as viewed in Fig. 2) of the central axis 244 of the turntable 26 to a position to the right of the turntable axis.
- the folded edge portions of the uppermost group or intermediate stack 18 of signatures on the main stack 28 are moved from a position directly beneath the folded edge portions of the group or intermediate stack 18 of signatures being accumulated in the stacker assembly 20 to a position to the right (as viewed in Fig. 2) of the axis 244 and immediately beneath the open edge portions of the signatures being accumulated in the intermediate stack 18 in the stacker assembly 20.
- the side sections 148 and 168 (Fig. 1) of the jogger side plates 142 and 144 are continuously impacted against opposite ends of the intermediate stack 18 of signatures.
- the end sections 156 and 176 on the jogger side plates 142 and 144 are continuously impacted against the folded edges of the signatures 12 on one side of the group or intermediate stack 18 of signatures.
- the end sections 188 and 194 of the jogger back plates 184 and 186 are continuously impacted against the open edges of the signatures 12 on an opposite side of the group or intermediate stack 18 of signatures.
- the single revolution clutch 132 in the main drive system 128 is engaged.
- the main drive system 128 then operates the drive assembly 38 to index the slats 34 of the first plurality 32 of slats in a clockwise direction along the first circuitous path 44 (Fig. 1).
- the main drive system 128 operates the drive assembly 40 to index the slats 34 in the second plurality 36 of slats in a counterclockwise direction along the second circuitous path 94.
- the jogger assembly 24 continuously jogs the ends and sides of the intermediate stack to maintain the signatures 12 in alignment with each other.
- the jogger assembly 24 functions to promote alignment of the signatures 12 from the time the signatures are fed into the upper portion of the stacker assembly 20, through the formation of an group or intermediate stack 18, and through at least a portion of the depositing of the intermediate stack on the turntable 26.
- the guide walls 236 and 238 maintain the signatures 12 in alignment as they are deposited on the turntable platform 234.
- the main drive system 128 is operable to quickly move the slats 34 downwardly from their standby positions 62 and 102 to a position in which the front surfaces 66 of the slats are immediately beneath the standby positions 62 and 102 and are disposed in a common horizontal plane. Since the slats 34 are relatively long and narrow, the slats can easily move into the stream 16 of signatures with minimal interference.
- the slats 34 are quickly moved to the loading positions 58 and 98 with their upwardly facing front side surfaces 66 disposed in a common horizontal plane.
- the operation of the main drive system 128 is then interrupted and the slats 34 remain stationary at the loading positions 58 and 98.
- the next succeeding slats are moved along the circuitous paths 44 and 94 from the intermediate positions 60 and 100 to the standby positions 62 and 102.
- the turntable drive assembly 242 is again operated.
- the turntable platform 234 is then rotated back through 180° in a clockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 1). This results in the folded edge portions of succeeding intermediate stacks 18 of signatures accumulating in the main stack 28 of signatures with their folded edge portions offset by 180° relative to each other.
- rotation of the turntable 26 may be eliminated and the stacks of signatures accumulated on a stationary platform 234.
- the conveyor assembly 30 may be in the condition shown in Fig. 5.
- the pusher element 340 and carriage 334 are stationary in their home or initial position adjacent to the left (as viewed in Fig. 5) end of the rail 324.
- the pusher element 340 is in the extended position for movement into engagement with the next succeeding stack 28a of signatures.
- the pusher element 338 is retracted and is being moved leftwardly (as viewed in Fig. 5) along the rail 322 by the drive assembly 370.
- the motor 406 (Fig. 4) in the drive assembly 372 (Fig. 5) begins to move the carriage 334 and the extended pusher element 340 toward the right. As this happens, the lower end of the downwardly extending main section 358 of the pusher element 340 enters the channel 362 (Fig. 2).
- the pusher element 338 will have moved leftwardly along the rail 322 from the position shown in Fig. 5 to the position shown in Fig. 6 by the drive assembly 370. During this movement of the pusher element 338, it is in the retracted position. Therefore, the downwardly extending main section 352 (Fig. 4) of the pusher element 338 moves between the rail 322 and an outer side of the guide wall 236 (Fig. 2). At this time, the downwardly extending main section 352 of the pusher element 338 is disposed outside of the channel 362.
- the connector assembly 388 moves around the sprocket wheel 378. As this occurs, the pusher element 338 is moved from the retracted position of Fig. 6 to the extended position of Fig. 7. As the pusher element 338 is extended, the main section 352 of the pusher element 358 moves into alignment with the channel 362.
- the pusher element 340 is pushing the stack 28a along a discharge path toward the strapper assembly 31.
- the trailing portion of the stack is still between the guide walls 236 and 238.
- the leading portion of the stack 28a will have moved between the guide walls 444 and 448 in the strapper assembly 31.
- the guide walls 236 and 238 on the turntable 26 are spaced from the guide walls 444 and 448 of the strapper assembly 31 by a distance which is less than the length of the stack 28a.
- the drive assembly 332 stops the forward movement of the pusher element 340 in the position shown in Fig. 7 with the stack 28a in engagement with the registration surfaces 304 and 306.
- the strapper assembly 31 is then operated to compress and band the stack 28a in a known manner. As this is occurring, the doors 470 and 472 on which the registration surfaces 304 and 306 are disposed are pivoted from the closed position of Fig. 7 to the open position of Fig. 8.
- the drive assembly 372 Upon completion of the tying or strapping of the stack 28a, the drive assembly 372 is operated to move the pusher element 340 to push the tied stack 28a away from the tying station 300 in the strapper assembly 31.
- the drive assembly 372 moves the pusher element 340 toward the right to push the leading or rightward end portion of the tied stack 28a out of the tying station 300 onto suitable conveyor (not shown) which continues the movement of the stack 28a out of the strapper assembly 31 to a receiving location.
- suitable conveyor not shown
- the connector assembly 412 moves around the sprocket wheel 404 and moves the pusher element from the extended position of Fig. 8 to the retracted position. As this occurs, the main section 358 of the pusher element 340 moves through a space 476 between the strap chute 452 and the side wall 448. As the connector assembly 412 moves rightwardly (as viewed in Fig. 8) around the sprocket wheel 404, the pusher element 340 continues to push the tied stack 28a out of the strapper assembly 31.
- the drive assembly 370 moves the pusher element 338 forward to engage the next succeeding stack 28b of signatures.
- the pusher element 338 begins to push the stack 28b of signatures forwardly toward the strapper assembly 31
- the retracted pusher element 340 will have been moved back toward the sprocket wheel 402. Therefore, there is no possibility of interference between the next succeeding stack 28b of signatures and the pusher element 340.
- the stack 28b of signatures is moved forwardly into engagement with the registration surfaces 304 and 306 in the strapper assembly 31 by the pusher element 338 in the same manner as previously explained in conjunction with the pusher element 340 and the preceding stack 28a of signatures.
- the pusher elements 338 and 340 alternate in pushing stacks of signatures from the turntable 26 into the strapper assembly 31 at a rate which is determined by the rate of operation of the stacker assembly 20.
- the direction of operation of the conveyor assembly 30 may be reversed to move the stacks 28 of signatures leftwardly (as viewed in Figs. 5-8) from the turntable platform 234.
- the direction of operation of the motors 382 and 406 (Fig. 4) can be reversed. This enables the conveyor assembly 30 to be used to push stacks of signatures rightwardly (Figs. 5-8) from the turntable platform 234 to the strapper assembly 31 or leftwardly from the turntable platform to a second strapper assembly (not shown).
- the conveyor assembly 30 may be used with stack processing assemblies other than the strapper assembly 31.
- the conveyor assembly 30 could be used to sequentially move stacks of signatures to a work station in any desired type of stack processing apparatus.
- the conveyor assembly 30 advantageously receives signatures from the stacker assembly 20 and jogger assembly 24, it is contemplated that the conveyor assembly 30 could receive signatures from many different types of apparatus. It is also contemplated that the platform 234 could be stationary if desired.
- the present invention relates to a new and improved apparatus 10 for use in handling signatures.
- the apparatus 10 may include longitudinally extending signature support elements 34, referred to herein as slats.
- One of the slats 34 of a first plurality 32 of slats cooperates with one of the slats of a second plurality 36 of slats to support signatures 12.
- a jogger assembly 24 is operable to jog signatures supported by the slats 34.
- a platform 234 is disposed beneath the slats and jogger assembly to receive the signatures.
- An improved conveyor assembly 30 has pusher elements 338 and 340 which sequentially engage stacks 28 of signatures to push them from the platform 234.
- the pusher elements 338 and 340 may move the stacks 28 of signatures into a strapper assembly 31 or other apparatus.
- a leading end portion of the stack of signatures engages a registration surface 304 and 306.
- a pusher element 338 or 340 presses the signatures against the registration surface 304 and 306 to align opposite ends of the stack 28 of signatures and to locate the stack of signatures relative to the strapper assembly 31 or other apparatus.
- the pusher element 338 or 340 pushes the tied stack of signatures away from the tying station 300 in the strapper assembly 31.
Abstract
Description
- This application is a continuation-in-part of Application Serial No. , filed March 19, 1993 by Stephen R. Kleinhen and entitled "Apparatus for Stacking Signatures" (Attorney Docket No. PSH-2000, Mailing Label No. GB149430138). The benefit of the earlier filing date of the aforementioned application has been and hereby is claimed for all common subject matter.
- The present invention relates to a new and improved apparatus for use in handling signatures and more specifically to an apparatus which conveys stacks of signatures from a platform.
- An apparatus which receives signatures, forms groups or intermediate stacks of signatures and deposits the intermediate stacks of signatures on a main stack of signatures is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,068,567, issued January 17, 1978 and entitled "Combined Ejector-Gate Means for Rotatable Table of an Article Counter-Stacker". The apparatus disclosed in this patent includes a stacker which receives newspapers. The newspapers are stacked on cooperating pairs of upwardly angled blades carried on endless chains. A stack supporting table is disposed beneath the stacker and receives stacks of newspapers from the stacker.
- The stack supporting table disposed beneath the stacker of the apparatus disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 4,068,567, is rotatable to offset relatively thick folded edge portions of newspapers received from the stacker. A pair of combination gate and ejector mechanisms have bars which are moved by a pair of chains to engage the ends of stacks of newspapers on the turntable. The bars push the stack of newspapers onto roller conveyors. Apparatus for use in forming stacks of signatures is also disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,532,230; 3,599,807; 4,183,704; and 4,678,387.
- An apparatus for tying loose stacks of signatures is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,611,533 issued September 16, 1986 and entitled "Tying Apparatus". This apparatus includes an inlet conveyor which receives signatures in a lapped stream. The lapped stream of signatures is formed into a loose stack and deposited at a central station in the apparatus. A shuttle assembly sequentially moves loose stacks of signatures from the central station to either a right tying station or a left tying station. The loose stacks of signatures are bound or tied at the tying stations by strapping machines. The bound or tied stacks of signatures are then delivered to a receiving station.
- The present invention relates to a new and improved apparatus for use in handling signatures. The apparatus may include longitudinally extending signature support elements, referred to herein as slats. One of the slats of a first plurality of slats cooperates with one of the slats of a second plurality of slats to support signatures. A jogger assembly may be used to jog signatures supported by the slats. A platform may be disposed beneath the slats and jogger assembly to receive the signatures.
- An improved conveyor assembly has pusher elements which sequentially engage stacks of signatures to push them from the platform. The pusher elements may move the stacks of signatures into a strapper assembly or other apparatus. As a stack of signatures is moved into the strapper assembly or other apparatus, a leading end portion of the stack of signatures engages a registration surface. A pusher element presses the signatures against the registration surface to align opposite ends of the stack of signatures and to locate the stack of signatures relative to the strapper assembly or other apparatus. After the strapper assembly has tied the stack of signatures, the pusher element pushes the stack of signatures away from a tying station in the strapper assembly.
- The foregoing and other features of the invention will become more apparent upon a consideration of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
- Fig. 1 is a highly schematicized illustration of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention and schematically depicting the relationship between a stacker assembly, a jogger assembly, a turntable, and a conveyor assembly;
- Fig. 2 is a side elevational view, taken generally along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, illustrating the manner in which a stream of signatures is fed into the stacker assembly and the relationship of the stacker assembly to the turntable and conveyor assembly;
- Fig. 3 is an elevational view, taken generally along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, further illustrating the relationship between the stacker assembly, turntable, and conveyor assembly;
- Fig. 4 is a partially broken away schematicized pictorial illustration of the conveyor assembly;
- Fig. 5 is a highly schematicized plan view illustrating the relationship of pusher elements in the conveyor assembly to a stack of signatures on the turntable and to a strapper assembly;
- Fig. 6 is a schematic illustration, generally similar to Fig. 5, illustrating the manner in which one of the pusher elements engages a stack of signatures on the turntable to push the stack of signatures toward the strapper assembly;
- Fig. 7 is a schematic illustration, generally similar to Figs. 5 and 6, illustrating the manner in which the pusher element presses the leading end portion of a stack of signatures against registration surfaces in the strapper assembly; and
- Fig. 8 is a schematic illustration, generally similar to Figs. 5-7, illustrating the manner in which the pusher element pushes a tied stack of signatures away from a tying station in the strapper assembly.
- An
apparatus 10 for use in handling signatures is illustrated schematically in Fig. 1. Theapparatus 10 receives signatures 12 (Fig. 2) from aninfeed conveyor 14 in astream 16. Thesignatures 12 are conducted in thestream 16 with folded edge portions of the signatures leading and open edge portions of the signatures trailing. Thesignatures 12 are advantageously formed into a group orintermediate stack 18 in astacker assembly 20. - While the group or
intermediate stack 18 of signatures is supported in thestacker assembly 20, it is preferred to have a jogger assembly 24 (Figs. 1) jog the group or intermediate stack (Fig. 2) of signatures to align opposite edge portions of the signatures in the intermediate stack of signatures. Thus, as the group orintermediate stack 18 of signatures is formed in thestacker assembly 20, the jogger assembly 24 (Fig. 1) is continuously operated to align the edge portions of the signatures. After the group orintermediate stack 18 of signatures has been formed in thestacker assembly 20, the group or intermediate stack of signatures is deposited onto a receiving platform, which, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, is a turntable 26 (Figs. 2 and 3). The group orintermediate stack 18 of signatures is received on a main stack 28 (Fig. 2) of signatures on theturntable 26. - Each time a group or
intermediate stack 18 of signatures is deposited on theturntable 26 by thestacker assembly 20, theturntable 26 rotates themain stack 28 through one-half of a revolution. By rotating themain stack 28 through one-half of a revolution each time a group orintermediate stack 18 of signatures is deposited on the main stack, the relatively thick folded edge portions of the signatures in the groups or intermediate stacks are offset from each other. This results in themain stack 28 of signatures being composed of layers of signatures having folded edge portions in one layer of signatures offset by 180° from the folded edge portions of the next succeeding layer of signatures. Therefore, the upper side of themain stack 28 of signatures is generally horizontal so that the main stack of signatures is relatively stable. - An improved
conveyor assembly 30, constructed and operated in accordance with one of the features of the invention, is provided to sequentially movemain stacks 28 of signatures from theturntable 26 to a strapper assembly 31 (Fig. 5). Thus, after a sufficient number of groups or intermediate stacks 18 (Fig. 2) of signatures have been deposited on theturntable 26 by thestacker assembly 20 to form amain stack 28 of a desired size, the main stack is removed from theturntable 26 for tying in thestrapper assembly 31. It should be understood that theconveyor assembly 30 may be used to sequentially movestacks 28 of signatures to apparatus other than thestrapper assembly 31 if desired. - A
main stack 28 of signatures can be completely removed from theturntable 26 in substantially less time then is required to form a group orintermediate stack 18 of signatures. It is contemplated that it may be desired to eliminate the accumulation of groups orintermediate stacks 18 on theturntable 26 and the formation of a relatively largemain stack 28. If this is the case, theturntable 26 may be replaced by a stationary platform. Theconveyor assembly 30 would be operated to move each group orintermediate stack 18 off of the platform in turn to thestrapper assembly 31 or other apparatus before the next succeeding group or intermediate stack is received on the platform. - The infeed conveyor 14 (Fig. 2) feeds
signatures 12 to thestacker assembly 20 in astream 16 with folded edge portions of the signatures leading. Thesignatures 12 are supported in thestacker assembly 20 until sufficient signatures have accumulated to form anintermediate stack 18 of a desired size. A completedintermediate stack 18 of signatures is then transferred from thestacker assembly 20 to theturntable 26 and a next succeeding intermediate stack of signatures started without interrupting thestream 16 of signatures. - The
stacker assembly 20 includes a first plurality 32 (Fig. 1) of longitudinally extendingsignature support elements 34, hereinafter referred to as slats. Thestacker assembly 20 also includes asecond plurality 36 ofslats 34. Each of theslats 34 of thefirst plurality 32 of slats is moved along a circuitous path by afirst drive assembly 38. Each of theslats 34 of thesecond plurality 36 of slats is moved along a circuitous path by asecond drive assembly 40. - The
first drive assembly 38 moves each of theslats 34 in thefirst plurality 32 of slats along a first circuitous path, which has been indicated at 44 in Fig. 1. The firstcircuitous path 44 has a vertical left orouter run 46 along which theslats 34 of thefirst plurality 32 of slats move vertically upwardly. In addition, thecircuitous path 44 has a vertical right orinner run 48 along which theslats 34 of thefirst plurality 32 of slots move vertically downwardly. A lowersemi-circular connector portion 52 interconnects the lower ends of the outer andinner runs circuitous path 44. A semi-circularupper section 54 interconnects the upper ends of the outer andinner runs - The
first drive assembly 38 is operable to intermittently move theslats 34 in a clockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 1) along thecircuitous path 44 between a loading position, indicated at 58 in Figs. 1 and 3, an intermediate position indicated at 60 in Figs. 1 and 3, and a standby position indicated at 62 in Figs. 1 and 3. Thefirst drive assembly 38 is operable to quickly index theslats 34 betweenloading position 58,intermediate position 60 andstandby position 62. The longitudinal central axes of theslats 34 are maintained horizontal and parallel to each other at all times during movement of the slats along the first circuitous path 44 (Fig. 1). - When a
slat 34 is in the loading position 58 (Figs. 1 and 3), a flatfront side surface 66 on theslat 34 is horizontal and faces upwardly. When theslat 34 has been moved along the firstcircuitous path 44 to theintermediate position 60, the flatfront side surface 66 of the slat is also horizontal. However, at this time, thefront side surface 66 of theslat 34 faces downwardly (see Figs. 1 and 3). When theslat 34 has been moved to thestandby position 62, the longitudinal central axis of the slat is still horizontal. However, at this time, the flatfront side surface 66 on theslat 34 is sloped at an angle of approximately 45° to a horizontal plane (Fig. 3). - Inner end portions 72 (Figs. 1 and 2) of the
slats 34 of thefirst plurality 32 of slats are connected to thefirst drive assembly 38. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, thefirst drive assembly 38 includes a pair of flexible drive elements orchains 74 and 76 (Figs. 1 and 2). Thechains circuitous path 44 and which is coextensive with a portion of thecircuitous path 44. It should be understood that althoughchains first drive assembly 38, it is contemplated that thechains - The
chains sprocket wheel assemblies 80 and 82 (Figs. 1 and 2). The uppersprocket wheel assembly 80 includes a pair ofsprockets 86 and 88 (Fig. 4) which are interconnected by acylindrical hub 90. The lowersprocket wheel assembly 82 has the same construction as the uppersprocket wheel assembly 80. Thesprocket wheel assemblies - The
inner end portions 72 of theslats 34 are fixedly connected to thechains 74 and 76 (Figs. 2). Thechains slats 34 in a cantilevered relationship. Thus, theslats 34 extend horizontally outwardly from thechains chains circuitous path 44 to move theinner end portions 72 of theslats 34 along the circuitous path. - The
slats 34 in thesecond plurality 36 of slats are moved along a continuous circuitous path indicated schematically at 94 in Fig. 1. The continuouscircuitous path 94 has the same configuration and orientation as the continuouscircuitous path 44. Theslats 34 are moved along the continuouscircuitous path 94 in a counterclockwise direction between aloading position 98, anintermediate position 100 and a standby position 102 (Figs. 1 and 3). These positions correspond to and are horizontally aligned with theloading position 58,intermediate position 60 andstandby position 62 for thefirst plurality 32 ofslats 34. - During movement of the
slats 34 of thesecond plurality 36 of slats along the continuous circuitous path 94 (Fig. 1), the longitudinal axes of theslats 34 are maintained horizontal and parallel to the longitudinal axes of theslats 34 in thefirst plurality 32 of slats. When aslat 34 in thesecond plurality 36 of slats is at theloading position 98, a flat front side surface 66 (Figs. 1 and 3) of the slat is horizontal and faces upwardly. When aslat 34 has been moved from theloading position 98 to theintermediate position 100, thefront surface 66 is still horizontal. However, at this time, thefront surface 66 faces downwardly. When theslat 34 is moved to thestandby position 102, thesurface 66 slopes at an angle of approximately 45° to a horizontal plane. - A
slat 34 which is at theloading position 58 has a horizontalfront side surface 66 which is disposed in the same plane as the horizontal front side Surface of a slat at the loading position 98 (Fig. 3). Theslats 34 at the loading positions 58 and 98 are spaced apart by a horizontal distance which is less than the length of a folded edge portion of asignature 12. Thesignatures 12 are fed into thestacker assembly 20 at a location which is above theslats 34 at the loading positions 58 and 98 (Figs. 2 and 3). Therefore, the signatures are supported on the upwardly facing coplanar front side surfaces 66 of theslats 34 at the loading positions 58 and 98 (Fig. 3). - When
sufficient signatures 12 have been accumulated on the slats at the loading positions 58 and 98, the first andsecond drive assemblies slats 34 along thecircuitous paths 44 and 94 (Fig. 1). As theslats 34 move downwardly from the loading positions 58 and 98, they are moved away from each other and rotated to deposit anintermediate stack 18 on themain stack 28 of signatures on theturntable 26. Thus, the vertical outer runs of thecircuitous paths 44 and 94 (Fig. 1) are spaced apart by a horizontal distance which is greater than the length of the folded edge portions of the signatures 12 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3). - The
second drive assembly 40 has the same construction as thefirst drive assembly 38 and is connected with theslats 34 of thesecond plurality 36 of slats in the same manner as in which thefirst drive assembly 38 is connected with the slats of thefirst plurality 32 of slats. Thus, thesecond drive assembly 40 includes a pair ofchains 110 and 112 (Fig. 1) corresponding to thechains first drive assembly 38. Thechains circuitous path 94 and which is coextensive with a portion of thecircuitous path 94. - The
chains second drive assembly 40 extend around upper and lowersprocket wheel assemblies sprocket wheel assemblies sprocket wheel assemblies sprocket wheel assemblies first drive assembly 38 are rotatable. - The
end portions 72 of theslats 34 of thesecond plurality 36 of slats are connected with thechains first plurality 32 of slats. Theslats 34 of thesecond plurality 36 of slats are supported in a cantilevered relationship from thechains slats 34 in thesecond plurality 36 of slats are maintained in a parallel relationship with the horizontal longitudinal axes of the slats in thefirst plurality 32 of slats and with the horizontal axes about which thesprocket wheel assemblies circuitous paths 44 and 94 (Fig. 1). - The
slats 34 in thefirst plurality 32 of slats anddrive chains circuitous path 46. Theslats 34 in thesecond plurality 36 of slats anddrive chains circuitous path 94. Movement of theslats 34 in thefirst plurality 32 of slats is coordinated with the movement of the slats in thesecond plurality 36 of slats. Theslats 34 in the first andsecond pluralities slat 34 in thefirst plurality 32 of slats and aslat 34 in thesecond plurality 36 of slats to cooperate with each other to lower signatures as the two slats move downwardly to their respective loading positions 58 and 98. In addition, once the two slats have reached their respective loading positions 58 and 98, the slats are stationary and cooperate with each other to support the signatures while anintermediate stack 18 ofsignatures 12 of a desired size is accumulated on the two slats. - A main drive system 128 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) is connected with the
drive assemblies main drive system 128 includes a main drive motor 130 (Fig. 1) which is connected with thedrive assemblies single revolution clutch 132. The single revolution clutch 132 (Figs. 2 and 3) drives amain drive belt 134. Thedrive belt 134 is intermittently driven to operate thedrive assemblies - Operation of the
drive assemblies slats 34 in thefirst plurality 32 of slats and the slats in the second plurality ofslats 36 between the loading positions 58 and 98,intermediate positions standby positions 62 and 102 (Fig. 3). Theslats 34 are indexed by thedrive assemblies circuitous paths 44 and 94 (Fig. 1). Theslats 34 are then stopped while an intermediate stack 18 (Fig. 3) of signatures accumulates on a pair ofslats 34 disposed at the loading positions 58 and 98. - After the slats have been stationary for a sufficient length of time to enable a group or
intermediate stack 18 ofsignatures 12 of a desired height to accumulate on the slats at the loading positions 58 and 98, thesingle revolution clutch 132 effects operation of thedrive assemblies slats 34. This results in the group orintermediate stack 18 of signatures being deposited on theturntable 26 as a pair ofslats 34 move away from the loading positions 58 and 98 and a next succeeding pair of slats move quickly from the standby positions 62 and 102 to the loading positions. It should be noted that theslats 34 can be readily moved into the stream 16 (Fig. 2) ofsignatures 12 from theinfeed conveyor 14 with minimum disturbance. This is because theslats 34 are of a relatively small width as measured on the front side surfaces 66 and perpendicular to the longitudinal central axes of the slats. - Although many different types of
single revolution clutches 132 could be used, in one specific embodiment of the invention, thesingle revolution clutch 132 was obtained from Warner Electric and was a Super CB-6 wrap spring clutch. Warner Electric has a place of business at Beloit, Illinois. It should also be understood that an intermittent drive mechanism other than a single revolution clutch could be used if desired. - Although the
stacker assembly 20 could have many different constructions, the stacker assembly is constructed and operated in the manner disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. , filed March 19, 1993 By Stephen R. Kleinhen and entitled "Apparatus for Stacking Signatures" (Attorney Docket No. PSH-2000, Mailing Label No. GB149430138). - The jogger assembly 24 (Fig. 1) cooperates with the
stacker assembly 20 to jog anintermediate stack 18 of signatures while the intermediate stack of signatures is supported byslats 34. Thejogger assembly 24 includes a pair ofside plates side plate 142 extends into the central portion of the circuitous path 44 (Fig. 1). Theside plate 144 extends into the central portion of thecircuitous path 94. Theslats 34 in thefirst plurality 32 of slats are moved around theside plate 142 along the continuouscircuitous path 44 by thefirst drive assembly 38. Similarly, theslats 34 in thesecond plurality 36 of slats are moved around theside plate 144 along the continuouscircuitous path 94 by thesecond drive assembly 40. The loading positions 58 and 98 (Fig. 3) and the vertical inner runs of thecircuitous paths 44 and 94 (Fig. 1) are disposed between theside plates - The
side plate 142 of thejogger assembly 24 includes a vertical side section 148 (Fig. 1). Theside section 148 extends parallel to the longitudinal axes of theslats 34 of thefirst plurality 32 of slats. - The
side section 148 of thejogger side plate 142 has a flat vertical side surface 152 (Fig. 1) which extends parallel to the longitudinal axes of theslats 34 of thefirst plurality 32 of slats. Theside surface 152 of thejogger side plate 142 is engageable with one end of anintermediate stack 18 of signatures supported in thestacker assembly 20. Theside surface 152 is reciprocated toward and away from the end of theintermediate stack 18 of signatures to jog the end portions of the signatures into alignment with each other. - A
vertical end section 156 of thejogger side plate 142 extends perpendicular to theside section 148. Theend section 156 of theside plate 142 has a flatvertical side surface 158 which is engageable with a side of theintermediate stack 18 of signatures. Theside surface 158 on theend section 156 engages the side of theintermediate stack 18 of signatures. Theside surface 158 is reciprocated toward and away from the side of theintermediate stack 18 of signatures to jog the folded edge portions of the signatures into alignment with each other. - The
side plate 144 of thejogger assembly 24 has a construction which is similar to the construction of theside plate 142. Thus, theside plate 144 includes aside section 168 having a flat vertical side surface 172. The side surface 172 on theside section 168 extends parallel to theside surface 152 on theside section 148 of thejogger side plate 142. The side surface 172 on theside section 168 of thejogger side plate 144 is parallel to the longitudinal axes of theslats 34 in thesecond group 36 of slats throughout movement of the slats along the circuitous path 94 (Fig. 1). The vertical portions of thecircuitous paths slats 34 move downwardly are disposed between thejogger side plates - An
end section 176 on the jogger side plate 144 (Fig. 1) extends perpendicular to theside section 168. Theend section 176 has a flatvertical side surface 178 disposed in the same plane as thevertical side surface 158 on theend section 156 of theside plate 142. Theside surface 178 is reciprocated toward and away from the side of theintermediate stack 18 of signatures to jog the folded edge portions the signatures into alignment with each other. - The flat side surface 172 (Fig. 1) on the
side section 168 is engageable with an end of anintermediate stack 18 opposite from the end which is engaged by theside surface 152 on theside section 148 of theside plate 142. Theside surface 178 disposed on theend section 176 of theside plate 144 is engageable with the side surface of theintermediate stack 18 of signatures which is the same as the side surface of the intermediate stack which is engaged by theside surface 158 on theend section 156. The folded edge portions of thesignatures 12 are engaged by theend sections - In addition to the
side plates jogger assembly 24 has a pair ofback plates 184 and 186 (Fig. 1). Theback plates slats 34 disposed at the loading positions 58 and 98. - The
back plate 184 has anend section 188 with a flat vertical side surface 190 (Fig. 1) which extends parallel to theflat side surface 158 on theend section 156 of theside plate 142. Theside surface 190 on theend section 188 of theback jogger plate 184 is engageable with a side of anintermediate stack 18 of signatures supported by thestacker assembly 20. Theside surface 190 on the jogger back plate 124 is reciprocated toward and away from the side of theintermediate stack 18 opposite from the folded edge portions of thesignatures 12 to jog the open edge portions of the signatures into alignment with each other. - The jogger back
plate 186 has anend section 194 with a flatvertical side surface 196. Theside surface 196 on theend section 194 of thejogger plate 186 is disposed in the same vertical plane as theside surface 190 on theend section 188 of the jogger backplate 184. Theside surface 196 is engageable with the same side of anintermediate stack 18 of signatures as is theside surface 190. Theside surface 196 on the jogger backplate 186 is reciprocated toward and away from the side of theintermediate stack 18 opposite from the folded edge portions of thesignatures 12 to jog the open edge portions of the signatures into alignment. - The side surfaces 190 and 196 on the jogger back
plates intermediate stack 18 opposite from a side engaged by the side surfaces 158 and 178 on thejogger side plates side surface 196 on the jogger backplate 186 extends parallel to theside surface 178 on theend section 176 of thejogger side plate 144 and to the vertical plane 124. The side surfaces 190 and 196 on the jogger backplates slats 34 in theloader assembly 20 and parallel to the vertical plane 124. - A pair of drive assemblies (not shown) are provided to oscillate the
jogger plates side sections 148 and 168 (Fig. 1) of thejogger side plates stacker assembly 20. In addition, the drive assemblies effect movement of theend sections jogger side plates intermediate stack 18 which extends between the opposite ends of the stack. - The
jogger side plates plates 84 and 86. Thejogger side plates jogger side plates plates side plates stacker assembly 20. - Although the drive assemblies for the
jogger plates - The
turntable 26 is disposed beneath theslats 34 of thestacker assembly 20 and thejogger plates jogger assembly 24. Theturntable 26 receives groups orintermediate stacks 18 of signatures (Fig. 2) from thestacker assembly 20. Theturntable 26 rotates amain stack 28 through one-half of a revolution to offset the folded edges of anintermediate stack 18 from the folded edges of the next succeeding intermediate stack. This results in the main stack being relatively level and stable. - The
turntable 26 has a rotatable circular platform 234 (Fig. 2). A pair of upstanding,parallel guide walls 236 and 238 (Fig. 1) are disposed on theplatform 234. Theguide walls main stack 28 of signatures to hold the stack in position on theplatform 234 during rotation of the platform. Thewalls main stack 28 of signatures to guide the initial portion of movement of themain stack 28 off of theturntable 26 by theconveyor assembly 30. - It is contemplated that pivotal end walls or flaps may be mounted at opposite ends of the
guide walls main stack 28 of signatures against movement relative to theturntable 26. The end wall or flaps (not shown) may be pivoted relative to theguide walls stack 28 of signatures to be moved from between theguide walls - A drive assembly 242 (Fig. 1) is connected to a central portion of the platform 234 (Figs. 2 and 3). The
drive assembly 242 is operable to rotate theplatform 234 about a vertical axis which extends through the center of anintermediate stack 18 supported in thestacker assembly 20. Thus, theplatform 234 is rotatable about a vertical central axis 244 (Figs. 2 and 3) which extends through the center of themain stack 28 and through the center of theintermediate stack 18 supported by thestacker assembly 20 above theturntable 26. - The vertical
central axis 244 of thecircular turntable platform 234 is disposed midway between thecircuitous paths slats 34 disposed at the loading positions 58 and 98 (Fig. 3). Thecentral axis 244 of theturntable 26 extends parallel to the vertical side surfaces 152 and 172 (Fig. 1) on theside sections jogger side plates central axis 244 of the turntable is disposed midway between the side surfaces 152 and 172 on thejogger side plates central axis 244 of theturntable 26 extends parallel to and is disposed midway between the side surfaces on theend sections jogger side plates plates - The
platform 234 has a flat circular upwardly facingside surface 248 which is disposed in a horizontal plane and extends parallel to the longitudinal axes of theslats 34 in the stacker assembly 20 (Fig. 2). The flatupper side surface 248 of theturntable 26 supports themain stack 28 of signatures for rotation about thecentral axis 244 of the turntable. - The
drive assembly 242 is operable to rotate theturntable 26 about thecentral axis 244 to offset the folded edge portions of succeeding groups orintermediate stacks 18 of signatures deposited on themain stack 28 of signatures on theturntable 26. To offset the folded edge portions of the groups orintermediate stacks 18 of signatures relative to themain stack 28, thedrive assembly 242 is operable to rotate theplatform 234 through 180° immediately after one group orintermediate stack 18 of signatures is deposited on theturntable 26 and before the next succeeding intermediate stack is deposited on the turntable. - Although the drive assembly 242 (Fig. 1) could be constructed in such a manner as to sequentially rotate the turntable through 180° increments in the same direction, the drive assembly is constructed so as to sequentially rotate the turntable through 180° increments in opposite directions. Thus, the
drive assembly 242 rotates theplatform 234 in a clockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 1) through 180° before one group orintermediate stack 18 of signatures is deposited on the platform. Thedrive assembly 242 then rotates theplatform 234 through 180° in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 1) before the next succeeding group orintermediate stack 18 of signatures is deposited on the platform. - It may be desired to eliminate the compensation for the thick folded edge portions of the
signatures 12. In this situation, the turntable may be replaced by a stationary platform or theturntable drive assembly 242 may be temporarily rendered inactive. - The
turntable drive assembly 242 could have many different constructions. However, theturntable drive assembly 242 is constructed and operated in the manner disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. Patent Application Serial No. , filed March 19, 1993 by Stephen R. Kleinhen and entitled "Apparatus for Stacking Signatures" (Attorney Docket No. PSH-2000, Mailing Label No. GB149430138). - The
conveyor assembly 30 is operable to move astack 28 of signatures from theturntable 26 to a work or tying station 300 (Figs. 5 and 6) in thestrapper assembly 31. As thestack 28 of signatures moves into thestrapper assembly 31, theconveyor assembly 30 presses the leading end of astack 28 againstregistration surfaces strapper assembly 31 to align the leading edge portions of the signatures (Fig. 7) and position the stack relative to the tyingstation 300. Thestrapper assembly 31 is then operated to tie a band 310 (Fig. 8) around thestack 28 of signatures. Theconveyor assembly 30 then moves the tied stack of signatures away from the work or tyingstation 300 in thestrapper assembly 31. - The
conveyor assembly 30 includes aunit 314 and a unit 316 (Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 5). Theunits conveyor 30 are disposed above theturntable 26 and below thestacker assembly 20 and jogger assembly 24 (Fig. 1). Theunits main stacks 28 of signatures to thestrapper assembly 31. Thus, theunit 316 of theconveyor assembly 30 will move afirst stack 28a (Fig. 5) from theturntable 26 along a linear discharge path to the strapper assembly 31 (Fig. 7). Theunit 314 of theconveyor assembly 30 will move the next succeedingstack 28b from theturntable 26 along the discharge path to thestrapper assembly 31. - The
units linear rails rails stacks 28 of signatures are moved to thestrapper assembly 31. Therails second pluralities rails side plates jogger assembly 24. When theturntable 26 is stationary in a position to receive a group orintermediate stack 18 of signatures from the stacker assembly 20 (Fig. 1), the longitudinal central axes of therails guide walls - An
inner carriage 332 and anouter carriage 334 are movable back and forth along therails Pusher elements 338 and 340 (Fig. 4) are connected with thecarriages rails pusher elements carriages - Although the
conveyor assembly 30 is described herein as moving astack 28 of signatures toward the right (as viewed in Figs. 5-8) from theturntable platform 234, the direction of operation of the conveyor assembly could be reversed to move a stack of signatures toward the left. It is preferred to use theconveyor assembly 30 to sequentially move stacks of signatures into thestrapper assembly 31. However, theconveyor assembly 30 could be used to move stacks of signatures in other known stack processing devices, such as a trimmer. - When the
pusher element 338 is in the extended position shown in Figs. 7 and 8, thepusher element 338 extends outwardly from thecarriage 332. When thepusher element 338 is in the retracted position (Figs. 4, 5 and 6), thepusher element 338 does not extend as far outward from thecarriage 332. Similarly, when thepusher element 340 is in the extended position (Figs. 4-8), thepusher element 340 extends outward from thecarriage 334. When thepusher element 340 is in the retracted position, thepusher element 340 is adjacent to therail 324 in the same manner as in which thepusher element 338 is adjacent to therail 322 when thepusher element 338 is retracted (Fig. 4). - Suitable rollers are provided on the
carriages rails pusher elements rollers 344 on the upper side of thecarriages 332 and 334 (Fig. 4) guide movement of the carriages along therails Guide rollers 346 on the lower sides of thecarriages pusher elements - When the
pusher elements turntable 26 into thestrapper assembly 31. Thus, theextended pusher element 340 is movable along thetrack 324 into engagement with the left (as viewed in Fig. 5) end portion of thestack 28a. Continued movement of theextended pusher element 340 along the track 324 (Fig. 6) pushes thestack 28a of signatures into the strapper assembly 31 (Fig. 7). - As the
stack 28a of signatures is pushed into thestrapper assembly 31, the leading or right (as viewed in Fig. 7) end portion of thestack 28a engages the registration surfaces 304 and 306 in thestrapper assembly 31. Movement of thepusher element 340 is then interrupted. This positions thestack 28a relative to thestrapper assembly 31. In addition, engagement of the leading end portion of thestack 28a with the registration surfaces 304 and 306 tends to move any misaligned signatures in the stack into alignment. At the same time, engagement of thepusher element 340 with the trailing end portion of thestack 28a tends to further promote movement of any misaligned signatures into alignment. - Cooperation between the
stationary pusher element 340 and the registration surfaces 304 and 306 ensures that the signatures in thestack 28a are in alignment when the band 310 (Fig. 8) is applied to the stack by thestrapper assembly 31. After theband 310 has beep applied to thestack 28a, thepusher element 340 continues to move forward to push the tiedstack 28a at least part way out of the strapper assembly 31 (Fig. 8). Thepusher element 340 remains in engagement with thestack 28a from the time the pusher element engages the stack on theturntable 26 until the stack is pushed out of thestrapper assembly 31. - As the
pusher element 340 pushes astack 28a of signatures out of thestrapper assembly 31, the pusher element is moved to its retracted position. When thepusher element 340 is in its retracted position, it is moved to a position closely adjacent to therail 324, in the manner shown for thepusher element 338 in Figs. 4 and 5. The pusher element is then moved back (leftwardly as viewed in Fig. 8) along therail 324. - When the
pusher element 340 has moved to the left (as viewed in Fig. 5) of theturntable 26, the pusher element is again extended. Theextended pusher element 340 is then moved back toward the right to the initial or home position shown in Fig. 5. When thepusher element 340 is stopped at the initial or home position (Fig. 5), the pusher element is in its extended position and is adjacent to theturntable 26 in readiness to engage a next succeeding stack of signatures. - The
pusher element 338 moves along therail 322 in the same manner as in which thepusher element 340 moves along therail 324. Thus, thepusher element 338 is moved to the right (as viewed in Figs. 7 and 8) along therail 322 with thepusher element 338 is in its extended position. This pushes the next succeedingstack 28b of signatures into thestrapper assembly 31. After thestack 28b has been tied in thestrapper assembly 31, thepusher element 338 pushes the stack away from the tyingstation 300. Only onepusher element stack 28 at a time. - The pusher element 338 (Figs. 1, 2 and 4) includes a horizontal
transverse section 350 which is engaged by thecarriage 332. Thepusher element 338 has a verticalmain section 352 which extends downwardly from thetransverse section 350. Themain section 352 of the pusher element is engageable with a stack of signatures. - The
pusher element 340 has the same construction as thepusher element 338. Thus, thepusher element 340 has a horizontaltransverse section 356 which is engaged by thecarriage 334. A verticalmain section 358 extends downwardly from thetransverse section 356. Themain section 358 of thepusher element 340 is engageable with a stack of signatures. - Lower end portions of the
main sections 352 and 358 (Fig. 2) of thepusher elements channel 362 which extends across the center of theturntable 26 into thestrapper assembly 31. Thechannel 362 is disposed midway between and extends parallel to therails 322 and 324 (Fig. 5). Thestack 28 of signatures is supported beneath thestacker 20 on raisedsurfaces turntable platform 234. Thestack 28 of signatures is held on theturntable platform 234 in arectangular chamber 368 formed by theside walls turntable 26 extends through the center of thechamber 368 and is disposed halfway between therails - The lower end portion of the
main section pusher element stack 28 of signatures extends into the channel 362 (Fig. 2) to be certain that the lowermost signature in thestack 28 is engaged by the pusher element. Thus, the lower end portion of themain section 358 of thepusher element 340 is shown in Fig. 2 aligned with thechannel 362. When thepusher element 340 is moved along therail 324 to push astack 28 of signatures, the lower end portion of themain section 358 of the pusher element will move along thechannel 362. By having themain section 358 of thepusher element 340 extend into thechannel 362, the pusher element is engageable with the lowermost signature in astack 28 of signatures. Thepusher element 338 cooperates with thechannel 362 in the same manner as thepusher element 340. - The
units conveyor assembly 30 havedrive assemblies 370 and 372 (Fig. 4) which are sequentially operable to move thepusher elements carriages rails drive assembly 370 includes acontinuous chain 376 which extends around a pair ofsprocket wheels electric motor 382 is connected with thesprocket wheel 378 by adrive belt 384 to rotate thesprocket wheel 378 to thereby move thechain 376 along a continuous circuitous path. - A
connector assembly 388 pivotally interconnects an end of thetransverse section 350 of thepusher element 338 and thechain 376. Theconnector assembly 388 includes a generally rectangular base 392 (Fig. 4) which is secured to thechain 376. Anupstanding pin 394 extends through an opening in thetransverse section 350 of thepusher element 338. Thebase 392 and pin 394 are pivotal relative to thetransverse section 350 of thepusher element 358. - Similarly, the
drive assembly 372 includes acontinuous chain 398 which extends around a pair ofsprocket wheels electric drive motor 406. Thedrive motor 406 is connected with thesprocket wheel 404 by adrive belt 408. - A connector assembly 412 (Fig. 4) interconnects the
chain 398 and thepusher element 340. Theconnector assembly 412 includes a generallyrectangular base 414 which is connected to thechain 398. Anupstanding pin 416 pivotally connects the transverse 414 with thebase section 356 of thepusher element 340. - During operation of the
motor 382 to operate thedrive assembly 370, thechain 376 moves theconnector assembly 388 toward the left along alinear run 422 to move thepusher element 338 andcarriage 332 toward the left (as viewed in Fig. 4) with the pusher element retracted. The linear runs 422 and 426 of thechain 376 extend parallel to therail 322. When theconnector assembly 388 reaches thesprocket wheel 378 at the left end portion of thelinear run 422, the connector element moves along anarcuate run 424 of the chain 336 which extends around thesprocket wheel 378. As this occurs, theconnector assembly 388 moves toward therail 322 and thepusher element 338 is extended. - Continued operation of the
motor 382 then moves theconnector assembly 388 toward the right along a linear run 426 (Fig. 5) of thechain 376 with thepusher element 338 in the extended position. The linear runs 422 and 426 of thechain 376 extend parallel to therail 322. When theconnector assembly 388 reaches the right (as viewed in Fig. 5) end of thelinear run 426 of thechain 376, theconnector assembly 388 is moved along anarcuate run 428 of thechain 376 extending around the sprocket wheel 380 (Fig. 4). As theconnector assembly 388 moves around thesprocket wheel 380, thepusher element 338 is moved from its extended position back to its retracted position. - The chain 398 (Fig. 4) in the
drive assembly 372 moves theconnector assembly 412 along a continuous circuitous path having alinear run 432 which extends parallel to therail 324. Thus, thepusher element 340 andcarriage 334 are moved from a position adjacent to the left end (as viewed in Fig. 4) of therail 324 to a position disposed adjacent to the right end of the rail as themotor 406 is operated to rotate thesprocket wheel 404 in a clockwise direction. As this occurs, theextended pusher element 340 pushes astack 28 toward thestrapper assembly 31. - An
arcuate run 434 of thecontinuous chain 398 extends around thesprocket wheel 404 and connects thelinear run 432 with a secondlinear run 436. The linear runs 432 and 436 extend parallel to therail 324. As theconnector assembly 412 moves along thearcuate run 434 around thesprocket wheel 404, thepusher element 340 is moved relative to thecarriage 334 from the extended position to a retracted position. Continued operation of themotor 406 moves theconnector assembly 412 along thelinear run 436 of thechain 398 with thepusher element 340 in the retracted position. As this occurs, a retractedpusher element 340 andcarriage 334 are moved from a position adjacent to the right end (as viewed in Fig. 4) of therail 324 back to a position adjacent to the left end of therail 324. - An
arcuate run 440 of thechain 398 extends around the left (as viewed in Fig. 4)sprocket wheel 402 and interconnects thelinear runs connector assembly 412 is moved along thearcuate run 440 of the chain, the connector assembly moves thepusher element 340 from the retracted position to the extended position. Theconnector assembly 412 is then moved through a short distance along thelinear run 432 to the initial or home position (Fig. 5) for thepusher element 340. - The
strapper assembly 31 includesguide walls stack 28 of signatures to position the stacks of signatures relative to astrap chute 452. Thestrap chute 452 has a generally U-shaped cross section. Thestrap chute 452 extends along a path having a generally rectangular configuration. Thestrap chute 452 opens inwardly and extends completely around the tyingstation 300. - A strap feed mechanism, indicated schematically at 454 in Fig. 5, is operable to feed a strap or band 310 (Fig. 8) around the
stack 28. Once the strap has been fed around thestack 28, thestrap feed mechanism 454 pulls the strap tight and interconnects the ends of the strap. Although thestrapper assembly 31 could have many different constructions, in one specific embodiment of the invention, thestrapper assembly 31 was a Model JP-80 MFX supplied by Ovalstrapping Inc. having a place of business at 710 8th Street, Hoquiam, Washington 98550. Of course, other known strapper assemblies provided by other manufacturers could be utilized if desired. - The registration surfaces 304 and 306 are disposed on doors or
flaps strapper assembly 31. When thedoors jogger side plates doors - During operation of the
apparatus 10, the infeed conveyor 14 (Fig. 2) conducts acontinuous stream 16 ofsignatures 12 to thestacker assembly 20 with folded edge portions of the signatures leading. As thesignatures 12 enter thestacker assembly 20, the folded edge portions of the signatures impact against theend sections 156 and 176 (Fig. 1) on thejogger side plates signatures 12 are engaged by the side surfaces 152 and 172 on thejogger side plates incoming signatures 12 with a partially formed group or intermediate stack 18 (Fig. 2) of signatures supported on a pair ofslats 34 at the loading positions 58 and 98 (Fig. 3). - The
signatures 12 then move downward toward the upper end of the partially formed group orintermediate stack 18 of signatures. As thesignatures 12 move downward, the open trailing edge portions of the signatures engage theend sections 188 and 194 (Fig. 1) on the jogger backplates end sections back plates end sections jogger side plates - While a group or
intermediate stack 18 of signatures having a desired height is being accumulated on a pair ofslats 34 in the stacker assembly 20 (Fig. 3), theturntable drive assembly 242 rotates theturntable platform 234 through 180°. Rotation of theturntable platform 234 results in the folded edge portions of the immediately preceding group orintermediate stack 18 of signatures being moved from a position disposed to the left (as viewed in Fig. 2) of thecentral axis 244 of theturntable 26 to a position to the right of the turntable axis. Thus, the folded edge portions of the uppermost group orintermediate stack 18 of signatures on themain stack 28 are moved from a position directly beneath the folded edge portions of the group orintermediate stack 18 of signatures being accumulated in thestacker assembly 20 to a position to the right (as viewed in Fig. 2) of theaxis 244 and immediately beneath the open edge portions of the signatures being accumulated in theintermediate stack 18 in thestacker assembly 20. - While the
signatures 12 are being accumulated in thestacker assembly 20 to form the group orintermediate stack 18 of signatures, theside sections 148 and 168 (Fig. 1) of thejogger side plates intermediate stack 18 of signatures. Theend sections jogger side plates signatures 12 on one side of the group orintermediate stack 18 of signatures. Similarly, theend sections plates signatures 12 on an opposite side of the group orintermediate stack 18 of signatures. By continuously jogging thesignatures 12 in the group orintermediate stack 18 of signatures, the edge portions of the signatures are accurately aligned with each other to form a group or intermediate stack of signatures with well defined and relatively smooth side and end surfaces. - Once a group or
intermediate stack 18 of a desired size has been accumulated on a pair ofslats 34 at the loading positions 58 and 98, thesingle revolution clutch 132 in themain drive system 128 is engaged. Themain drive system 128 then operates thedrive assembly 38 to index theslats 34 of thefirst plurality 32 of slats in a clockwise direction along the first circuitous path 44 (Fig. 1). At the same time, themain drive system 128 operates thedrive assembly 40 to index theslats 34 in thesecond plurality 36 of slats in a counterclockwise direction along the secondcircuitous path 94. - As the
slats 34 are moved downwardly from the loading positions 58 and 98, the front side surfaces 66 of the slats are tipped downwardly and moved sidewardly to release the group orintermediate stack 18 of signatures for downward movement toward theturntable 26. As the group orintermediate stack 18 of signatures begins to move downwardly relative to theslats 34, thejogger assembly 24 continuously jogs the ends and sides of the intermediate stack to maintain thesignatures 12 in alignment with each other. Thus, thejogger assembly 24 functions to promote alignment of thesignatures 12 from the time the signatures are fed into the upper portion of thestacker assembly 20, through the formation of an group orintermediate stack 18, and through at least a portion of the depositing of the intermediate stack on theturntable 26. Theguide walls signatures 12 in alignment as they are deposited on theturntable platform 234. - As the
slats 34 move downwardly and sidewardly away from the loading positions 58 and 98, the next succeedingslats 34 move downwardly from the standby positions 62 and 102. Thus, themain drive system 128 is operable to quickly move theslats 34 downwardly from theirstandby positions slats 34 are relatively long and narrow, the slats can easily move into thestream 16 of signatures with minimal interference. - As the downward movement of the
slats 34 along the inner runs of the first and secondcircuitous paths last signature 12 being fed onto theintermediate stack 18. The downwardly movingslats 34 propel this last signature downwardly toward theintermediate stack 18. At the same time, the horizontalupper sides 66 of theslats 34 move into position to receive the next succeeding signature in the stream of signatures. During continued downward movement of theslats 34 away from the standby positions 62 and 102 toward the loading positions 58 and 98, a few signatures are accumulated on theslats 34. - The
slats 34 are quickly moved to the loading positions 58 and 98 with their upwardly facing front side surfaces 66 disposed in a common horizontal plane. The operation of themain drive system 128 is then interrupted and theslats 34 remain stationary at the loading positions 58 and 98. As a pair of slats in the first andsecond pluralities circuitous paths circuitous paths intermediate positions - As soon as an
intermediate stack 18 of signatures has been deposited on themain stack 28 of signatures on theturntable 26, theturntable drive assembly 242 is again operated. Theturntable platform 234 is then rotated back through 180° in a clockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 1). This results in the folded edge portions of succeedingintermediate stacks 18 of signatures accumulating in themain stack 28 of signatures with their folded edge portions offset by 180° relative to each other. As was previously mentioned, it is contemplated that rotation of theturntable 26 may be eliminated and the stacks of signatures accumulated on astationary platform 234. - As a
stack 28 of signatures is deposited between theguide walls 236 and 238 (Fig. 5) by operation of thestacker assembly 20, theconveyor assembly 30 may be in the condition shown in Fig. 5. At this time, thepusher element 340 andcarriage 334 are stationary in their home or initial position adjacent to the left (as viewed in Fig. 5) end of therail 324. Thepusher element 340 is in the extended position for movement into engagement with the next succeedingstack 28a of signatures. Thepusher element 338 is retracted and is being moved leftwardly (as viewed in Fig. 5) along therail 322 by thedrive assembly 370. - When the
stack 28a is of the desired size, that is, when one or more groups or intermediate stacks 18 (Fig. 2) have been deposited on theturntable platform 234, the motor 406 (Fig. 4) in the drive assembly 372 (Fig. 5) begins to move thecarriage 334 and theextended pusher element 340 toward the right. As this happens, the lower end of the downwardly extendingmain section 358 of thepusher element 340 enters the channel 362 (Fig. 2). - As the
drive assembly 372 continues to move thecarriage 334 andpusher element 340 toward the right (as viewed in Fig. 5), the downwardly extending main section 358 (Figs. 2 and 4) of thepusher element 340 moves into engagement with the left (as viewed in Fig. 5) end of thestack 28a of signatures. Continued operation of thedrive assembly 372 causes thepusher element 340 to push thestack 28a of signatures along the flat parallel inner side surfaces 326 and 328 on theguide walls 236 and 238 (Fig. 6) to begin pushing thestack 28 off of theturntable 26. - At this time, the
pusher element 338 will have moved leftwardly along therail 322 from the position shown in Fig. 5 to the position shown in Fig. 6 by thedrive assembly 370. During this movement of thepusher element 338, it is in the retracted position. Therefore, the downwardly extending main section 352 (Fig. 4) of thepusher element 338 moves between therail 322 and an outer side of the guide wall 236 (Fig. 2). At this time, the downwardly extendingmain section 352 of thepusher element 338 is disposed outside of thechannel 362. - As the operation of the
drive assembly 370 continues, theconnector assembly 388 moves around thesprocket wheel 378. As this occurs, thepusher element 338 is moved from the retracted position of Fig. 6 to the extended position of Fig. 7. As thepusher element 338 is extended, themain section 352 of thepusher element 358 moves into alignment with thechannel 362. - As the
pusher element 338 is moving to the extended position shown in Fig. 7, thepusher element 340 is pushing thestack 28a along a discharge path toward thestrapper assembly 31. As thestack 28a begins to move into thestrapper assembly 31, the trailing portion of the stack is still between theguide walls stack 28a will have moved between theguide walls strapper assembly 31. Thus, theguide walls turntable 26 are spaced from theguide walls strapper assembly 31 by a distance which is less than the length of thestack 28a. This results in the alignment imparted to the signatures in thestack 28a by thejogger assembly 24 being maintained by theguide walls turntable 26 and theguide walls strapper assembly 31. In addition, thepusher element 340 is pressed against the trailing edge portion of thestack 28a of signatures to further maintain the alignment of the signatures in the stack. - Continued operation of the
drive assembly 372 continues the rightward (as viewed in Figs. 6 and 7) movement of thecarriage 334 andpusher element 340. As this occurs, thestack 28a moves out from between theguide walls strapper assembly 31 between theguide walls guide walls - Continued forward movement of the
stack 28a moves the leading end of the stack into abutting engagement with the registration surfaces 304 and 306 to position thestack 28a in thestrapper assembly 31. Engagement of the leading end of thestack 28a with the registration surfaces 304 and 306 tends to move any signatures which may be slightly out of alignment into alignment. At this time, thepusher element 340 is pressing against the trailing edge portion of thestack 28a of signatures to further promote the alignment of the signatures. - The
drive assembly 332 stops the forward movement of thepusher element 340 in the position shown in Fig. 7 with thestack 28a in engagement with the registration surfaces 304 and 306. Thestrapper assembly 31 is then operated to compress and band thestack 28a in a known manner. As this is occurring, thedoors - Upon completion of the tying or strapping of the
stack 28a, thedrive assembly 372 is operated to move thepusher element 340 to push the tiedstack 28a away from the tyingstation 300 in thestrapper assembly 31. Thus, thedrive assembly 372 moves thepusher element 340 toward the right to push the leading or rightward end portion of the tiedstack 28a out of the tyingstation 300 onto suitable conveyor (not shown) which continues the movement of thestack 28a out of thestrapper assembly 31 to a receiving location. As this is occurring, the lower end of themain section 358 of thepusher element 340 moves out of thechannel 362. - As the operation of the
drive assembly 372 continues, theconnector assembly 412 moves around thesprocket wheel 404 and moves the pusher element from the extended position of Fig. 8 to the retracted position. As this occurs, themain section 358 of thepusher element 340 moves through aspace 476 between thestrap chute 452 and theside wall 448. As theconnector assembly 412 moves rightwardly (as viewed in Fig. 8) around thesprocket wheel 404, thepusher element 340 continues to push the tiedstack 28a out of thestrapper assembly 31. - Continued operation of the
drive assembly 372 with thepusher element 340 in the retracted position moves thecarriage 334 and the retractedpusher element 340 leftward (as viewed in Fig. 8) along therail 324 toward thesprocket wheel 402. As this occurs, the downwardly extendingportion 358 of the retractedpusher element 340 moves between theguide wall 238 and therail 324. - Continued operation of the
drive assembly 372 moves theconnector assembly 412 around thesprocket wheel 402 to again move thepusher element 340 to the extended position (Fig. 5). When thepusher element 340 has moved rightward to the initial or home position shown in Fig. 5, operation of thedrive assembly 372 is interrupted. - After the tied
stack 28a of signatures has been moved out of thestrapper assembly 31 and thepusher element 340 has been moved to its retracted position by movement of theconnector assembly 412 around thesprocket wheel 404, thedrive assembly 370 moves thepusher element 338 forward to engage the next succeedingstack 28b of signatures. When thepusher element 338 begins to push thestack 28b of signatures forwardly toward thestrapper assembly 31, the retractedpusher element 340 will have been moved back toward thesprocket wheel 402. Therefore, there is no possibility of interference between the next succeedingstack 28b of signatures and thepusher element 340. - The
stack 28b of signatures is moved forwardly into engagement with the registration surfaces 304 and 306 in thestrapper assembly 31 by thepusher element 338 in the same manner as previously explained in conjunction with thepusher element 340 and thepreceding stack 28a of signatures. Thepusher elements turntable 26 into thestrapper assembly 31 at a rate which is determined by the rate of operation of thestacker assembly 20. - If it should be necessary to interrupt operation of the
strapper assembly 31 for repairs or other reasons, the direction of operation of theconveyor assembly 30 may be reversed to move thestacks 28 of signatures leftwardly (as viewed in Figs. 5-8) from theturntable platform 234. Thus, the direction of operation of themotors 382 and 406 (Fig. 4) can be reversed. This enables theconveyor assembly 30 to be used to push stacks of signatures rightwardly (Figs. 5-8) from theturntable platform 234 to thestrapper assembly 31 or leftwardly from the turntable platform to a second strapper assembly (not shown). - It is contemplated that the
conveyor assembly 30 may be used with stack processing assemblies other than thestrapper assembly 31. Thus, theconveyor assembly 30 could be used to sequentially move stacks of signatures to a work station in any desired type of stack processing apparatus. Although theconveyor assembly 30 advantageously receives signatures from thestacker assembly 20 andjogger assembly 24, it is contemplated that theconveyor assembly 30 could receive signatures from many different types of apparatus. It is also contemplated that theplatform 234 could be stationary if desired. - The present invention relates to a new and
improved apparatus 10 for use in handling signatures. Theapparatus 10 may include longitudinally extendingsignature support elements 34, referred to herein as slats. One of theslats 34 of afirst plurality 32 of slats cooperates with one of the slats of asecond plurality 36 of slats to supportsignatures 12. Ajogger assembly 24 is operable to jog signatures supported by theslats 34. Aplatform 234 is disposed beneath the slats and jogger assembly to receive the signatures. - An
improved conveyor assembly 30 haspusher elements stacks 28 of signatures to push them from theplatform 234. Thepusher elements stacks 28 of signatures into astrapper assembly 31 or other apparatus. As thestack 28 of signatures is moved into thestrapper assembly 31 or other apparatus, a leading end portion of the stack of signatures engages aregistration surface pusher element registration surface stack 28 of signatures and to locate the stack of signatures relative to thestrapper assembly 31 or other apparatus. After thestrapper assembly 31 has tied aband 310 around thestack 28 of signatures, thepusher element station 300 in thestrapper assembly 31.
Claims (37)
- An apparatus comprising platform means for supporting a stack of signatures, strapper means for tying a band around a stack of signatures disposed at a tying station in said strapper means, and conveyor means for moving a stack of signatures, said conveyor means including at least one pusher element for engaging at least one end portion of a stack of signatures, and drive means for moving said one pusher element to push a stack of signatures from said platform means toward the tying station in said strapper means, for interrupting movement of said one pusher element during tying of a stack of signatures at said tying station in strapper means, and for moving said one pusher element to push the tied stack of signatures away from said tying station in said strapper means.
- An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said drive means is operable to maintain said one pusher element in engagement with a stack of signatures from the time said one pusher element engages a stack of signatures on said platform means until said one pusher element pushes at least a portion of the tied stack of signatures out of said tying station.
- An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further including means for rotating said platform means to offset one portion of a stack of signatures relative to an adjacent portion of a stack of signatures, said drive means being operable to move said one pusher element along a path which extends perpendicular to the axis about which said platform means rotates.
- An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further including stacker means disposed above said platform means for forming a stack of signatures, said stacker means including first and second pluralities of longitudinally extending signature support elements having longitudinal axes extending transversely to a path along which said one pusher element is moved by said drive means, second drive means for moving said first plurality of signature support elements along a first circuitous path with said first plurality of signature support elements above the path along which said one pusher element is moved and for moving said second plurality of signature support elements along a second circuitous path with said second plurality of signature support elements above the path along which said one pusher element is moved.
- An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said platform means includes first and second wall sections having inner side surfaces which engage opposite sides of a stack of signatures, said one pusher element including an upright portion and a transverse portion which is connected with said upright portion, said drive means being offset to one side of said first and second wall sections and being connected with said transverse portion of said one pusher element, said drive means being operable to move said upright portion of said one pusher element in a first direction along a first path length which extends between said inner side surfaces of said first and second wall sections to push a stack of signatures from said platform means toward said strapper means, said drive means being operable to retract said upright portion of said one pusher element by moving said upright portion of said one pusher element along a transverse path length extending transversely to the first path length, said drive means being operable to move said upright portion of said one pusher element in a second direction opposite to said first direction along a second path length offset to a side of said first wall section opposite to the inner side surface of said first wall section.
- An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 further including means for moving signatures downwardly from above said first and second wall sections into a space between said inner side surfaces of said first and second wall sections.
- An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said platform means includes surface means for defining a channel into which a lower end portion of said upright portion of said one pusher element extends during pushing of a stack of signatures from between said first and second wall sections.
- An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said drive means includes a rail, a carriage movable along said rail and disposed in engagement with said transverse portion of said one pusher element, first and second rotatable wheels, a flexible drive element disposed in engagement with said first and second wheels, connector means interconnecting said transverse portion of said one pusher element and said flexible drive element, said wheels being rotatable to move said flexible drive element along a circuitous path having a first portion disposed adjacent to said rail and a second portion which is spaced further from said rail than said first portion of said circuitous path, said flexible drive element being movable along said circuitous path to move said connector means along said first portion of said circuitous path and to move said carriage in the first direction along said rail, said upright portion of said one pusher element being moved in the first direction along the first path length by said carriage and connector means during movement of said connector means along said first portion of said circuitous path, said connector means being operable to move said transverse portion of said one pusher element relative to said carriage during movement of connector means from the first portion of said circuitous path to the second portion of said circuitous path to thereby retract said upright portion of said one pusher element during continued movement of said flexible drive element along said circuitous path, said connector means being movable along said second portion of said circuitous path to move said carriage in the second direction along said rail, said upright portion of said one pusher element being moved in the second direction along the second path length by said carriage and connector means during movement of said connector means along said second portion of said circuitous path.
- An apparatus comprising platform means for supporting a stack of signatures, stack processing means for performing an operation on a stack of signatures at a work station in said stack processing means, said stack processing means including registration surface means for engaging a first end portion of a stack of signatures to locate the stack of signatures relative to said stack processing means, and conveyor means for moving a stack of signatures, said conveyor means including at least one pusher element for engaging a second end portion of a stack of signatures disposed on said platform means, and drive means for moving said one pusher element to push the engaged stack of signatures from said platform means toward the work station in said stack processing means to move the first end portion of the stack of signatures into engagement with said registration surface means in said stack processing means, said drive means being operable to press said one pusher element against the second end portion of the stack of signatures to press the first end portion of the stack of signatures against said registration surface means prior to performing of an operation on the stack of signatures by said stack processing means.
- An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 further including stacker means disposed above said platform means for use in forming a stack of signatures on said platform means, said stacker means being operable to drop at least a portion of a stack of signatures at a time onto said platform means, said platform means being rotatable about a vertical axis to offset one portion of a stack of signatures relative to a next succeeding portion of a stack of signatures.
- An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said drive means is operable to move said one pusher element to push the processed stack of signatures away from said work station in said stack processing means.
- An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said drive means maintains said one pusher element in engagement with a stack of signatures from the time said one pusher element engages a stack of signatures on said platform means until said one pusher element presses the stack of signatures against said registration surface means.
- An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said conveyor means includes a rail and a carriage movable along said rail, said one pusher element being movable relative to said carriage between an extended position in which a stack engaging portion of said one pusher element is aligned with a central portion of said platform means and a retracted position in which said stack engaging portion of said one pusher element is offset to one side of the central portion of said platform means and is disposed adjacent to said rail, said drive means being operable to move said carriage and said one pusher element in a first direction along said rail to push a stack of signatures toward said stack processing means when said one pusher element is in the extended position and being operable to move said carriage and said one pusher element in a second direction along said rail with said one pusher element in the retracted position and said stack engaging portion of said one pusher element disposed between said rail and the central portion of said platform means.
- An apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said drive means is reversible to move said carriage and said one pusher element in the second direction along said rail with said one pusher element in the extended position to push a stack in the second direction from said platform means and to move said carriage and said one pusher element in the first direction along said rail with said one pusher element in the retracted position.
- An apparatus comprising first and second pluralities of longitudinally extending signature support elements, signature support elements of said first plurality of signature support elements sequentially cooperating with signature support elements of said second plurality of signatures support elements to sequentially support groups of signatures, jogger means for jogging first and second end portions of each of the groups of signatures in turn while the group of signatures is supported by one of said signature support elements of said first plurality of signature support elements and one of said signature support elements of said second plurality of signature support elements, platform means disposed beneath said first and second pluralities of signature support elements and said jogger means for sequentially receiving groups of signatures from said first and second pluralities of signature support elements, and conveyor means for engaging the first end portion of at least one group of signatures in a stack of one or more groups of signatures to push each of the stacks of signatures in turn with the second end portion of at least one group of signatures leading.
- An apparatus as set forth in claim 15 further including strapper means for tying a band around each of the stacks of signatures in turn at a location between the first and second end portions of the stacks of signatures, said conveyor means including first and second pusher elements, and drive means for moving said first pusher element to push against the first end portion of at least one group of signatures in one stack of signatures to move the one stack of signatures from said platform means into said strapper means with the second end portion of the one group of signatures leading and for moving said first pusher element to push the one stack of signatures away from said strapper means after tying of the one stack of signatures by said strapper means, said drive means being operable to move said second pusher element to push against the first end portion of at least one group of signatures in a stack of signatures next succeeding the one stack of signatures to move the next succeeding stack of signatures from said platform means into said strapper means with the second end portion of the one group of signatures in the next succeeding stack of signatures leading and for moving said second pusher element to push the next succeeding stack of signatures away from said strapper means after tying of the next succeeding stack of signatures by said strapper means.
- An apparatus as set forth in claim 15 further including strapper means for tying a band around each of the stacks of signatures in turn at a location between the first and second end portions of the one group of signatures, said strapper means including registration surface means for engaging the second end portion of at least the one group of signatures in each of the stacks of signatures in turn to locate each of the stacks of signatures in turn relative to said strapper means, said conveyor means being operable to push the second end portion of at least one group of signatures in each of the stacks of signatures in turn against said registration surface means in said strapper means.
- An apparatus as set forth in claim 15 further including drive means for rotating said platform means about a vertical axis which is disposed midway between a longitudinal axis of one of said signature support elements of said first plurality of signature support elements and a longitudinal axis of one of said signature support elements of said second plurality of signature support elements.
- An apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein said jogger means includes a first jogger plate having a first side surface engageable with the first end portion of each group of signatures in turn, a second jogger plate having a second side surface extending parallel to the first side surface on said first jogger plate and engageable with the second end portion of each group of signatures in turn, and jogger plate drive means for moving said first and second jogger plates toward and away from the first and second end portions of each group of signatures.
- An apparatus as set forth in claim 19 further including strapper means for tying a band around each of the stacks of signatures in turn when the stack of signatures is at a tying station in said strapper means, said strapper means including a registration surface extending parallel to said first and second side surfaces on said first and second jogger plates, said conveyor means including at least one pusher element engageable with the first end portion of at least one group of signatures in a stack of signatures, and drive means for moving said one pusher element to push a stack of signatures from said platform means toward the tying station in said strapper means, for pressing said one pusher element against the first end portion of at least the one group of signatures in the stack of signatures to press the second end portion of at least the one group of signatures in the stack of signatures against said registration surface in said strapper means, and for moving said one pusher element to move the stack of signatures away from the tying station after the stack of signatures has been tied by said strapper means.
- An apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein said platform means includes a first wall section having a first upright inner side surface for engaging a side portion of each of the groups of signatures in turn, and a second wall section having a second upright inner side surface for engaging a side portion of each of the groups of signatures in turn, said side portions of each group of signatures extending between the first and second end portions of the groups of signatures, said conveyor means being operable to push each of the stacks of signatures in turn from a location between said first and second wall sections.
- An apparatus as set forth in claim 21 wherein said conveyor means includes a first rail disposed adjacent to said first wall section, a second rail disposed adjacent to said second wall section, a first carriage movable along said first rail, a second carriage movable along said second rail, a first pusher element connected with said first carriage and engageable with an end portion of every other stack of signatures received on said platform means from said first and second pluralities of signature support elements, a second pusher element engageable with an end portion of stacks of signatures on said platform means which are not engaged by said first pusher element, said first pusher element being movable relative to said first carriage between an extended position and a retracted position, said second pusher element being movable relative to said second carriage between an extended position and a retracted position, first drive means for moving said first carriage and said first pusher element in a first direction along said first rail with said first pusher element in the extended position to push a stack of signatures from between said inner side surfaces of said first and second wall sections and for moving said first carriage and said first pusher element in a second direction along said first rail with said first pusher element in the retracted position, and second drive means for moving said second carriage and said second pusher element in the first direction along said second rail with said second pusher element in the extended position to push a stack of signatures from between said inner side surfaces of said first and second wall sections and for moving said second carriage and said second pusher elements in the second direction along said second rail with said second pusher element in the retracted position, at least a portion of said first pusher element being disposed between said first wall section and said first rail during at least a portion of the movement of said first carriage in the second direction along said first rail with said first pusher element in the retracted position, at least a portion of said second pusher element being disposed between said second wall section and said second rail during at least a portion of the movement of said second carriage in the second direction along said second rail with said second pusher element in the retracted position.
- An apparatus comprising a platform, means disposed above said platform for receiving a stream of signatures, for sequentially forming a plurality of groups of signatures and for depositing each of the groups of signatures in turn on said platform, and conveyor means for sequentially moving stacks of signatures formed by one or more groups of signatures relative to said platform, said conveyor means including a first rail, a first carriage movable along said first rail, a first pusher element connected with said first carriage, said first pusher element being movable between an extended position in which said first pusher element extends outward for a first distance from said first carriage and a retracted position in which said first pusher element extends outward from said first carriage for a second distance which is less than said first distance, first drive means for moving said first pusher element and said first carriage along said first rail in a first direction with said first pusher element in the extended position to move a first stack of signatures relative to said platform along a stack discharge path, said first drive means being operable to move said first pusher element and said first carriage in a second direction along said first rail with said first pusher element in the retracted position and with at least a portion of said first pusher element disposed between said first rail and the stack discharge path, a second rail extending parallel to said first rail with said stack discharge path disposed between said first and second rails, a second carriage movable along said second rail, a second pusher element connected with said second carriage, said second pusher element being movable between an extended position in which said second pusher element extends outward for a first distance from said second carriage and a retracted position in which said second pusher element extends outward from said second carriage for a second distance which is less than the first distance which said second pusher element extends outward from said second carriage, second drive means for moving said second pusher element and said second carriage along said second rail in the first direction with said second pusher element in the extended position to move a second stack of signatures relative to said platform along the stack discharge path, said second pusher element being spaced from the first stack during movement of the first stack along the stack discharge path, said first pusher element being spaced from the second stack during movement of the second stack along the stack discharge path, said second drive means being operable to move said second pusher element and said second carriage in the second direction along said first rail with said second pusher element in the retracted position and with at least a portion of said second pusher element disposed between said second rail and the stack discharge path.
- An apparatus as set forth in claim 23 wherein said means for receiving a stream of signatures, for sequentially forming a plurality of groups of signatures, and for depositing each of the groups of signatures in turn on said platform includes first and second pluralities of longitudinally extending signature support elements having longitudinally extending central axes, third drive means for moving said first plurality of signature support elements along a first circuitous path with the longitudinal central axes of said first plurality of signature support elements in a parallel relationship throughout movement of said first plurality of signature support elements along the first circuitous path, and fourth drive means for moving said second plurality of signature support elements along a second circuitous path with the longitudinal central axes of said second plurality of signature support elements in a parallel relationship throughout movement of said second plurality of signature support elements along the second circuitous path, one of said signature support elements of said first plurality of signature support elements cooperating with one of said signature support elements of said second plurality of signature support elements to support a group of signatures, said stack discharge path being disposed below said first and second pluralities of signature support elements and having a longitudinal central axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal central axes of said signature support elements.
- An apparatus as set forth in claim 24 wherein said means for receiving a stream of signatures, for sequentially forming a plurality of groups of signatures, and for depositing each of the groups of signatures in turn on said platform includes jogger means for jogging each group of signatures in turn while the group of signatures is supported on one of the signature support elements of said first plurality of signature support elements and by one of the signature support elements of said second plurality of signature support elements, said jogger means including a first jogger plate which is engageable with a first end portion of each group of signatures in turn and a second jogger plate which is engageable with a second end portion of each group of signatures in turn, said first jogger plate having a first side surface which is engageable with the first end portion of each group of signatures in turn, said stack discharge path being disposed beneath said first jogger plate and having a longitudinal central axis which extends perpendicular to a plane containing the first side surface of said first jogger plate, said second jogger plate having a second side surface which is engageable with the second end portion of each group of signatures in turn and which extends parallel to the first side surface of said first jogger plate, said stack discharge path being disposed beneath said second jogger plate and having a longitudinal central axis which extends perpendicular to a plane containing the second side surface of said second jogger plate.
- An apparatus as set forth in claim 25 said apparatus further including strapper means for tying a band around each of the stacks of signatures in turn at a location between the first and second end portions of the groups of signatures in the stacks of signatures while the stacks of signatures are at a tying station in said strapper means, said strapper means including registration surface means for engaging the second end portion of a group of signatures in each of the stacks in turn to sequentially locate each of the stacks relative to said strapper means, said first drive means being operable to press said first pusher element against the first end portion of a group of signatures in the first stack of signatures to press the second end portion of the group of signatures in the first stack of signatures against said registration surface means in said strapper means, said second drive means being operable to press said second pusher element against the first end portion of a group of signatures in the second stack of signatures to press the second end portion of the group of signatures in the second stack of signatures against said registration surface means in said strapper means.
- An apparatus as set forth in claim 26 wherein said first drive means is operable to move said first pusher element to push the first stack of signatures away from the tying station in said strapper means, said second drive means being operable to move said second pusher element to push the second stack of signatures away from the tying station in said strapper means.
- An apparatus as set forth in claim 23 wherein said first drive means includes a first flexible drive element movable along a first circuitous path having a first path length which extends parallel to said first rail, a second path length which is spaced further from said first rail than said first path length, first connector means for interconnecting said first pusher element and said first flexible drive element, said first connector means being movable along said first path length of said first circuitous path in the first direction by said first flexible drive element to move said first carriage and said first pusher element along said first rail in the first direction with said first pusher element in the extended position, said first connector means being movable along said second path length of said first circuitous path in the second direction by said first flexible drive element to move said first carriage and said first pusher element along said first rail in the second direction with said first pusher element in the retracted position, said second drive means includes a second flexible drive element which is movable along a second circuitous path having a first linear path length which extends parallel to said second rail, a second path length which is spaced further from said second rail the said first path length of said second circuitous path, second connector means for interconnecting said second pusher element and said second flexible drive element, said second connector means being movable along said first path length of said second circuitous path in the first direction by said second flexible drive element to move said second carriage and said second pusher element along said second rail in the first direction with said second pusher element in the extended position, said second connector means being movable along said second path length of said second circuitous path in the second direction by said second flexible drive element to move said second carriage and said second pusher element along said second rail in the second direction with said second pusher element in the retracted position.
- An apparatus as set forth in claim 23 further including strapper means for tying a band around each stack of signatures in turn while the stack of signatures is disposed at a tying station in said strapper means, said first drive means being operable to move said first carriage and said first pusher element in the first direction along said first rail with said first pusher element in the extended position to push at least a portion of the first stack of signatures out of said tying station after said strapper means has tied a band around the first stack of signatures, said second drive means being operable to move said second carriage and said second pusher element in the first direction along said second rail with said second pusher element in the extended position to push at least a portion of the second stack of signatures out of said tying station after said strapper means has tied a band around the second stack of signatures
- An apparatus as set forth in claim 29 wherein said first drive means is operable to maintain said first pusher element in engagement with the first stack of signatures from the time said first pusher element engages the first stack of signatures until said first pusher element pushes at least a portion of the first stack of signatures out of said tying station, said second drive means is operable to maintain said second pusher element in engagement with the second stack of signatures from the time said second pusher element engages the second stack of signatures until said second pusher element pushes at least a portion of the second stack of signatures out of said tying station.
- An apparatus as set forth in claim 23 further including means for rotating said platform relative to said conveyor means about a vertical axis which is disposed midway between said first and second rails to offset one group of signatures relative to a next succeeding group of signatures during the forming of a stack of signatures containing more than one group of signatures.
- An apparatus comprising first means for receiving a stream of signatures and for sequentially forming groups of signatures, turntable means disposed beneath said first means for sequentially receiving groups of signatures from said first means, said turntable means including a platform and means for rotating said platform about an axis which extends through said first means to change the orientation of a group of signatures on said platform reactive to said first means, strapper means for tying a band around a stack of signatures formed by a plurality of groups of signatures while the stack of signatures is disposed at a tying station in said strapper means, and conveyor means for moving a stack of signatures from said turntable means to said tying station in said strapper means, said conveyor means including a first pusher element for engaging at least one end portion of a first stack of signatures on said platform of said turntable means and for pushing the first stack of signatures in a first direction from said platform to the tying station in said stacker means, and a second pusher element for engaging at least one end portion of a second stack of signatures on said platform of said turntable means and for pushing the second stack of signatures in the first direction from said platform to the tying station in said stacker means.
- An apparatus as set forth in claim 32 wherein said platform has a circular configuration and includes surface means for defining a channel extending diametrically across at least a portion of said platform, said first pusher element being movable into one end of said channel and movable along said channel to engage the first stack of signatures on said platform and push the first stack of signatures off of said platform, said second pusher element being movable into one end of said channel and movable along said channel to engage the second stack of signatures on said platform and push the second stack of signatures off of said platform.
- An apparatus as set forth in claim 32 wherein said first pusher element is movable to push at least a portion of the first stack of signatures from the tying station after said strapper means has tied a band around the first stack of signatures, said second pusher element being movable to push at least a portion of the second stack of signatures from the tying station after said strapper means has tied a band around the second stack of signatures.
- An apparatus as set forth in claim 34 wherein said first pusher element is maintained in engagement with the first stack of signatures from the time said first pusher element engages the first stack of signatures on said platform until said first pusher element pushes at least a portion of the first stack of signatures out of the tying station, said second pusher element being maintained in engagement with the second stack of signatures from the time said second pusher element engages the second stack of signatures on said platform until said second pusher element pushes at least a portion of the second stack of signatures out of the tying station.
- An apparatus as set forth in claim 32 wherein said conveyor means includes a first rail, a first carriage movable along said first rail, said first pusher element being connected with said first carriage, said first pusher element being movable between an extended position in which said first pusher element extends outward for a first distance from said first carriage and a retracted position in which said first pusher element extends outward from said first carriage for a second distance which is less than said first distance, first drive means for moving said first pusher element and said first carriage along said first rail in a first direction with said first pusher element in the extended position to move the first stack of signatures relative to said platform along a stack discharge path, said first drive means being operable to move said first pusher element and said first carriage in a second direction along said first rail with said first pusher element in the retracted position and with at least a portion of said first pusher element disposed between said first rail and the stack discharge path, a second rail extending parallel to said first rail, said stack discharge path disposed between said first and second rails, a second carriage movable along said second rail, said second pusher element being connected with said second carriage, said second pusher element being movable between an extended position in which said second pusher element extends outward for a first distance from said second carriage and a retracted position in which said second pusher element extends outward from said second carriage for a second distance which is less than the first distance which said second pusher element extends outward from said second carriage, second drive means for moving said second pusher element and said second carriage along said second rail in the first direction with said second pusher element in the extended position to move a second stack of signatures relative to said platform along the stack discharge path, said second pusher element being spaced from the first stack during movement of the first stack along the stack discharge path, said first pusher element being spaced from the second stack during movement of the second stack along the stack discharge path, said second drive means being operable to move said second pusher element and said second carriage in the second direction along said second rail with said second pusher element in the retracted position and with at least a portion of said second pusher element disposed between said second rail and the stack discharge path.
- An apparatus as set forth in claim 32 wherein said first means for receiving a stream of signatures and for sequentially forming a plurality of groups of signatures includes first and second pluralities of longitudinally extending signature support elements having longitudinally extending central axes, first drive means for moving said first plurality of signature support elements along a first circuitous path with the longitudinal central axes of said first plurality of signature support elements in a parallel relationship throughout movement of said first plurality of signature support elements along the first circuitous path, and second drive means for moving said second plurality of signature support elements along a second circuitous path with the longitudinal central axes of the signature support elements of said second plurality of signature support elements in a parallel relationship throughout movement of said second plurality of signature support elements along the second circuitous path, one of said signature support elements of said first plurality of signature support elements cooperating with one of said signature support elements of said second plurality of signature support elements to support a group of signatures.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US08/066,901 US5392700A (en) | 1993-03-19 | 1993-05-24 | Apparatus for use in handling signatures |
US66901 | 1997-11-20 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0626330A2 true EP0626330A2 (en) | 1994-11-30 |
EP0626330A3 EP0626330A3 (en) | 1995-02-08 |
EP0626330B1 EP0626330B1 (en) | 1998-08-05 |
Family
ID=22072447
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19940104246 Expired - Lifetime EP0626330B1 (en) | 1993-05-24 | 1994-03-18 | Apparatus for use in handling signatures |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0626330B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69412178T2 (en) |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0829441A1 (en) * | 1996-09-11 | 1998-03-18 | Grapha-Holding Ag | Device for ejecting stacked and printed sheets |
EP0895954A2 (en) * | 1997-08-04 | 1999-02-10 | Gämmerler AG | Cross-layer |
EP0919501A2 (en) * | 1997-11-26 | 1999-06-02 | Segbert GmbH & Co. KG | Device for aligning, pressing and ejecting packets of loose stacked printed products |
EP1844864A2 (en) * | 2006-04-14 | 2007-10-17 | Mag Systèmes | Automatic envelope handling device |
EP2192067A1 (en) * | 2008-11-28 | 2010-06-02 | Müller Martini Holding AG | Stacking device for printed products |
WO2012038013A1 (en) * | 2010-09-22 | 2012-03-29 | Bobst Sa | Device for transporting bundles for a strapping machine |
US8356967B2 (en) | 2010-03-15 | 2013-01-22 | Gammtech Corporation | Stacker, stacking system or assembly and method for stacking |
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FR1498021A (en) * | 1966-10-28 | 1967-10-13 | Bunn Co B | Apparatus for automatically tying, more particularly, substantially flat articles |
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US4611533A (en) * | 1985-06-27 | 1986-09-16 | Harris Graphics Corporation | Tying apparatus |
DE3816239A1 (en) * | 1987-05-13 | 1988-11-24 | Rom Srl | Machine for forming signatures and similar products |
-
1994
- 1994-03-18 EP EP19940104246 patent/EP0626330B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1994-03-18 DE DE1994612178 patent/DE69412178T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
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US2964160A (en) * | 1957-12-19 | 1960-12-13 | Bulletin Company | Machine for advancing articles |
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FR1498021A (en) * | 1966-10-28 | 1967-10-13 | Bunn Co B | Apparatus for automatically tying, more particularly, substantially flat articles |
CH645857A5 (en) * | 1980-05-14 | 1984-10-31 | Ferag Ag | Manually loadable apparatus for feeding stacks of sheet-like products to a processing station |
GB2165224A (en) * | 1984-10-01 | 1986-04-09 | Grapha Holding Ag | Stacking and transporting printed sheets |
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DE3816239A1 (en) * | 1987-05-13 | 1988-11-24 | Rom Srl | Machine for forming signatures and similar products |
Cited By (17)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0829441A1 (en) * | 1996-09-11 | 1998-03-18 | Grapha-Holding Ag | Device for ejecting stacked and printed sheets |
US6074161A (en) * | 1996-09-11 | 2000-06-13 | Grapha-Holding Ag | Apparatus for pushing out stacked signatures |
EP0895954A2 (en) * | 1997-08-04 | 1999-02-10 | Gämmerler AG | Cross-layer |
EP0895954A3 (en) * | 1997-08-04 | 1999-10-13 | Gämmerler AG | Cross-layer |
US6149149A (en) * | 1997-08-04 | 2000-11-21 | Gammerler Ag | Cross stacker |
EP0919501A2 (en) * | 1997-11-26 | 1999-06-02 | Segbert GmbH & Co. KG | Device for aligning, pressing and ejecting packets of loose stacked printed products |
EP0919501A3 (en) * | 1997-11-26 | 2000-08-16 | Segbert GmbH & Co. KG | Device for aligning, pressing and ejecting packets of loose stacked printed products |
FR2899877A1 (en) * | 2006-04-14 | 2007-10-19 | Mag Systemes Soc Par Actions S | DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC HANDLING OF ENVELOPES |
EP1844864A2 (en) * | 2006-04-14 | 2007-10-17 | Mag Systèmes | Automatic envelope handling device |
EP1844864A3 (en) * | 2006-04-14 | 2007-10-24 | Mag Systèmes | Automatic envelope handling device |
US7926242B2 (en) | 2006-04-14 | 2011-04-19 | MAG Systemes SAS | Automatic envelope handling device |
EP2192067A1 (en) * | 2008-11-28 | 2010-06-02 | Müller Martini Holding AG | Stacking device for printed products |
US8573920B2 (en) | 2008-11-28 | 2013-11-05 | Mueller Martini Holding Ag | Stacking device for print products |
CN101746637B (en) * | 2008-11-28 | 2015-06-03 | 米勒·马蒂尼控股公司 | Stacking device for printed products |
US8356967B2 (en) | 2010-03-15 | 2013-01-22 | Gammtech Corporation | Stacker, stacking system or assembly and method for stacking |
WO2012038013A1 (en) * | 2010-09-22 | 2012-03-29 | Bobst Sa | Device for transporting bundles for a strapping machine |
US8978870B2 (en) | 2010-09-22 | 2015-03-17 | Bobst Mex Sa | Device for conveying bundles for a strapping machine |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0626330B1 (en) | 1998-08-05 |
DE69412178D1 (en) | 1998-09-10 |
EP0626330A3 (en) | 1995-02-08 |
DE69412178T2 (en) | 1999-02-04 |
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