GB1471848A - Collating system - Google Patents

Abstract

1471848 Collating sheets HARRIS CORP 3 March 1975 [7 March 1974] 8781/75 Heading B8R Signatures from presses 10, 11, Fig. 1, are selectively delivered either to stackers 56, 56a, or, by the actuation of a diverter such as 52a, comprising gates 53a, 57a, Fig. 4, and conveyers 54a, to a conveyer 55, and thence to hoppers 20, 21, 22, 23 of stuffers 12, 13, 14, 15. Each stuffer is arranged as a 180 degree sector and comprises the hopper as 20 for freshly-printed sheets and a plurality of hoppers for preprinted sheets, together with a plurality of pockets moving in an arcuate path below the hoppers, and means for separating a signature from the bottom of each hopper and depositing it in a passing pocket, so as to form collated stacks in each hopper. The conveyer 55 travels in a closed path over the hoppers 20-23 in turn, and before each hopper as 20 there is a counter 62, Fig. 2, which actuates a stop 65 to create gaps between batches of predetermined numbers of signatures in overlapping stream thereof. A deflector 73 is controlled by a switch 70 detecting a minimal level of signatures in the hopper, and by a gap sensor 66, so that if the hopper requires signatures they are deflected into it in batches, and if not they pass on along the conveyer 55. Surplus signatures can be diverted out of the circuit to an overflow, e.g. by the gate 57a. The apparatus can be set so that signatures from the press 10 go to hoppers 20, 21 and from the press 11 to hoppers 22, 23, or so that signatures from press 10 or 11 go to all four hoppers. Fig. 5 (not shown) illustrates an arrangement of two presses and two stuffers. Fig. 6 (not shown) illustrates an arrangement of two presses and four stuffers, wherein signatures from press (A) can be directed to hoppers (200) and (201) or (200) and (202), while those from press (B) can be delivered to hoppers (203) and (202) or (203) and (201).