JPH0417800B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus suitable for receiving and moving sheet material spliced within itself as a continuous strip of tearable paper, such as paper being processed within a data processing center. Regarding.

Recently, electrical computing and processing systems, such as electrical computing stations associated with computers, have brought increasing popularity to the use of preformed forms (sometimes so-called self-enveloping ) is processed by a printing machine, in particular a so-called laser printing machine, into paper packages organized in units as continuous strips folded in accordion-like fashion. is supplied to the printing press.

After processing by the printing press, the sheets are again accordion-folded into packages and then separated into single sheets by the use of weak lines or tear lines between each sheet and an adjacent sheet.

To date, sheets as processed by printing presses have been assembled into packages corresponding to similar packages at a paper supply station, which are then moved by hand to the next operation, clearly a waste of time and effort. Since new high-speed printing machines, such as laser printers, have come into use, packages of 1,000 or more papers can be used up within minutes, which makes it difficult to load and process new paper packages. It is clear that the dead time in the removal of paper packages that have been removed has a significant impact on the utilization of the printing press and therefore of the data processing center.

Regarding the stage of feeding the paper to the printing press, a problem is encountered, and this problem arises between the first paper or sheet of the next package (i.e. the "head" of said strip) and the paper of the bag (particularly is resolved by a device for automatic splicing with the last paper, i.e. sheet (i.e. the "tail" of the paper strip, which is still being fed into the printing press) and thus the baggage being fed. The exhaustion does not require any interruption of the paper supply and therefore any interruption of the operation of the printing press.

The main objects of the invention are: - receiving a strip of sheets or paper coming out of a printing press and folding the package containing a predetermined number of sheets into an accordion shape; - a desired and predetermined number of sheets or paper cutting the strip when stacked in a package to be formed, - the package thus formed is removed, - the cutting and removal operation of the package of paper and sheets interferes with the next sheet and strip of paper; - To provide an apparatus in which the stacking is continued without disturbing the accordion-like folding, - defects caused to the paper and sheets by movement through the printing press and/or other machines are overcome. It is.

Another equally important object of the invention is to provide the above-mentioned characteristics and maximum operational reliability, and to be controllable and to control the operating speed, specificity, and The objective is to provide an apparatus having an operating speed that corresponds to the operating speed of the laser printing press apparatus.

To accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides an apparatus for receiving, packaging, and transporting sheet material, in which the single sheets are fed into the apparatus in a continuous strip defined by a separation line. a fixed frame, a tensioning device adapted to controllably advance said continuous strip, and a tensioning device adapted to receive said strip and to stack it in an accordion-like configuration on a receiving plane; means for temporarily holding the strips stacked on the receiving plane; means for promoting accordion-like stacking of the strips; and means for guiding the strips coming from the guide means. temporarily separating the strip that can be inserted between the strip and the receiving plane;
and means for supporting; cutting blade means for engaging one edge formed by the accordion-folded strip; and a first means for detecting the presence of the strip in the tensioning device. detection means, second detection means for measuring the length of the strip passing through the tensioning device, and second detection means for detecting the accumulation level of the strip accordion-folded onto the receiving plane. third detection means; transport means for removing the packages from the operating surface of the receiving plane after the packages have been formed and separated from the incoming strip; and transport means for raising and lowering the receiving plane; means for temporarily separating and supporting the strips, the means for temporarily separating and supporting the strips including at least one pair of horizontal plates slidable between a retracted position and an operating position; The lower member of the means for temporarily retaining the strip is closed opposite the horizontal plates, the cutting blade means is located between the horizontal plates, and the upper horizontal plate is closed opposite the horizontal plates. A device is provided which is capable of supporting the strips and in which the lower horizontal plate is capable of compressing the stack of strips in cooperation with the lifting movement of the receiving plane by the lifting means.

The main functions of the device according to the invention are as follows: 1. Stacking the continuous strips in an accordion-shaped folded configuration on a receiving plane until a predetermined height is reached.

2 inserting means for temporarily separating and supporting the strips above the stack of said height;
The subsequently supplied strips are thereby stacked on the surface of this temporary separating and supporting means, while the strips are cut at said stacking height.

3. Compacting the stack by applying a compressive force from below to the underside of the means for temporarily separating and supporting the stack formed on the receiving plane.

4. Cut one edge of the accordion-shaped strip just below the plane of said temporary separating and supporting means by a paper knife style cutting action.

Of particular importance is the effect of applying a compressive force to the accordion-folded stack of strips. After compacting the stack by applying compressive forces in this manner, a cut is made at one edge of the strip formed by the two sheets folded together. Another important feature is that the cutting is done in a paper knife fashion, which requires the cutting blade to first engage the sheet at one point and then make the cut.

Particular features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The example of a data processing center printing press, which represents a preferred field of use of the invention, is not intended to have any limiting purpose, but merely represents an exemplary use of the apparatus of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings, the apparatus of the present invention includes a frame having vertical and cross members and generally designated by the reference numeral 10. A sheet of paper 12 joined together as a continuous strip and previously defined by forming cutting lines or perforations.
The paper strip 11 enters the apparatus by passing over an idle roller 13 which is journalled on a shaft 14.

Inserted within the path of motion of the strip 11 is an idle tension roller 15 attached to a pin 16, the ends of which pivot onto the ends of the two arms 17 of the rocker adjustment assembly. Arm 17
is pivoted to the frame 10 at pins 18.

The arm 17 defines a part of a bell crank lever with a fulcrum at 18, the second part 19 of which is connected to two raised parts 2 on the rod 22.
0, 21, said rod carries at one of its ends a friction roller 23 pivotably mounted on the rod 24, whereas the rod The other end of 22 is fixed to a cylinder 25 which is slidably mounted on a piston 26, and the stem 27 of the piston 26 is fixed to the frame 10.

Cylinder 25 includes two apertures 28, 29, so cylinder 25 is double-acting. The rod 22 is guided along its horizontal movement direction by a fixed guide 30 of rectangular cross-section, so that the rod with a corresponding cross-sectional shape is prevented from rotating but can only slide in the axial direction.

The roller 23 together with a cylinder 31 journalled on an axis 32 forms a dragging device which has the purpose of pulling the strip 11 coming from the roller 13 by passing it under the tension roller 15. , and this tensioning device can be automatically controlled as explained below.

The drive means 33 operates the roller 31 via a chain 34 and a pinion 35 wedged to the axis 32.

Below the nip of rollers 31 and 23 there is a vertically divergent guide means formed by two plates 36, 37 which define the angle of change of the vertical position of the strip being pulled by the tensioning device. It is consistent with

The diverging lower outlets of the guide means 36, 37 open towards a stacking and gathering area formed upwardly by two inclined surfaces consisting of an inclined bar 38 extending up to a vertical bar 39; and 39 have threaded holes in the axial direction to form a cage of substantially pentagonal cross section, each of which acts as a worm screw.
A horizontal tie bar fixed to an end block 41 engaged by a bar 42 having two symmetrical counter-threaded sections.
40.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, rotation of bar 42 incidentally via drive belt 43 engaging pulley 44 causes pairs of blocks 41 attached to bar 42 to move synchronously and equidistantly from each other. and as a result, the tie bar 40
The width of the pentagonal basket can be adjusted as a function of the size of the single sheet 12 by moving them closer and further apart.

As seen in FIG. 1, the right-hand bar 40 has a bracket 45 fixed thereto and a cylinder 46 of the cylinder and actuating piston assembly.
is fixed, and the stem 47 of the piston is pivoted at its free outer end in a bracket 48 fixed to a rocker plate 49 which is pivotably mounted on a pin 50' to which a vertical bar 39 is fixed. It's stopped.

As a result, the extension and reversal movement of stem 47 brings rocker plate 49 into a vertical position aligned with a vertical plane as defined by bar 39, and the rocker plate rotates outwardly through 90 degrees (or more). and the inverted position in which the bar 39 is rotated, so that there are no obstacles below the horizontal plane defined by the lower end of the bar 39.

The blade 50 supported by the shaft 51 is attached to the bar 3
9, and the shaft 51 rotates in the direction of the arrow (FIG. 1). It is also evident that the end of the shaft 51 is fastened to the block 41, so that the position of the shaft 51 can be adjusted simultaneously with the position of the bar 40.

The blades 50 are staggered by appropriate angles about the axis 51 so that each blade (or group of blades distributed by similar angles along the axis 51) is aligned with the guide 3.
6, 37 and accompanies its folding by an already existing folding line of a similar package in the feeding section of the printing press.

Blade 50 has a predetermined degree of flexibility.
Preferably, the material is a plastic material that is more flexible and can withstand repeated bending or bending. If necessary, the action of the blade 50 is placed on the two inclined planes defined by the bar 38, suitably inclined to accompany the strip coming from the tensioning device, and directed downwardly. This can be assisted by nozzles, or nozzle bars, which are operated alternately to discharge air jets.

Furthermore, the bar 38 is provided with a symmetrically positioned microswitch 53, the function of which will be explained below. The other shaft 54 is arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane passing through the nip of the rollers of the tensioning device, said shaft carrying a blade 55 similar to blade 50;
Moreover, it has the same function as the axis 51 and has the same function as the arrow 5.
Rotate towards 6.

Corresponding to shaft 54 is a temporary separate plate 57 which is movable between the positions indicated by solid and dotted lines in FIG.

The plate 57 is held by an arm 58 having a suitable curvature, designated by the reference numeral 59, so as not to interfere with the shaft 54;
1 is fixed above to a tie bar 60 which is pivotably mounted to the frame.

The upper end of the tie bar 60 is generally designated by the reference numeral 63.
and is fixed to the free end of the stem 62 of the piston of the cylinder-piston assembly which is fixed to the frame 10 to displace the plate 57 between the two said positions.

Plate 57 is suitably curved and abuts below a plane defined by the upper surface of the temporary separation and cutting plate, indicated by 64. The plate 64 is connected to the lower plate 65
and defining a housing cavity for a cutting blade 66, the assembly formed by plates 64 and 65 being in the rest position shown in FIG.
Plate 6 with beveled portions shown in FIG.
4 and 65 are movable between an operating position in which they abut against the rocking plate 49.

In order to effect the displacement of the plates 64 and 65, the latter is fixed to a conveying chain 68 which passes through a block 67 around toothed pinions 69 and 70, one of which is driven by a motor 71. Ru.

In order to operate the blade 66, the operating jack 71
A mechanism is provided, the stem 72 of which is fixedly fixed by a bell crank arm 73 to a plate 74 containing two slots 75 and 76, the first of which is connected to the stem 72.
The slot 76 has two sections 77, 78 parallel to the direction of extension of the slot 76 and an inclined section 79, while the slot 76 has an inclined section 80 parallel to the section 79 and an inclined section 79.
A portion 82 parallel to and aligned with portion 78 of 9.
It has

In the slots 75 and 76 there are located pins 83 and 84 which are slidable along the slots themselves and cannot be removed from the slots, and these pins are connected to the ends of the two actuating bars 85 and 86. The other ends of the two actuating bars are fastened to the blade 66.

As a result, the return movement of the stem 72 of the jack 71 displaces the plate 74 and thus the inclined portions 79 and 8 of the slots 75 and 76, respectively.
outof pins 83 and 84 by 0.
phase), thereby causing engagement of the blade 66
is advanced until it exits the slit formed between the tapered edges of plates 64 and 65.

The deficiency in the slot 76 of the initial part corresponding to the part 77 of the slot 75 causes the blade to be sloped so that that part corresponding to the slot 76 pre-projects from said slit, so that the cutting action is "paper knife" type. It is.

This result can also be achieved with a blade having a beveled edge that is actuated directly to perform the cutting action.

Furthermore, two corresponding portions 78 and 82 of slots 75 and 76 are provided for terminating the cutting action when the blade is substantially straightened and brought back into a position parallel to the starting position. .

It is clear that a reverse displacement of the jack stem 72 returns the blade to its starting condition.

Third, the assembly consisting of the blade and actuation mechanism is displaced together with the plates 64 and 65.
You will notice this from the diagram. The sheet strip coming from the tensioning device is received on a plane 81 which is vertically movable in a controlled manner and which is fixed at the upper end of the cylinder 87 of the two actuating jacks (FIG. 5).

A curved panel 88 of a material (for example, a metal sheet) that is rotatable about an axis 89 on a plane 81 and has a predetermined flexibility is pivotably mounted, so that a predetermined load is applied. When the panel is straightened and fully abuts the plane 81, a micro-switch 90 (or a parallel one for safety) is inserted for the purpose described below.
Activate the paired micro switch 90).

Finally, the frame 10 fixes thereto a moving mechanism consisting of an arm 91 shaped as a closed polygon, the width of which is less than the width of the final package to be moved, said arm being shown in FIG. are mounted on vertical rods 92 which are movable reciprocatingly by a chain 93 driven by motor means between the position shown in and the last position of travel, in this case stacked on plane 81. The package is displaced to the position indicated by the dashed line and reference numeral 94 in FIG.

To control the operational functions of the device of the invention, a paper strip presence detector (a paper strip presence detector) is installed in the tensioning device.
Control means are provided including a str-ip presence dector), said detector being formed by an assembly comprising a charging tube 94 and a receiver 95, so that the beam emitted by the phototube 94 is directed to the strip 11. It is then blocked.

Reference numeral 96 designates a device for detecting and measuring the length of the strip 11 passing through the tensioning device and, consequently, the number of sheets stacked on the plane 81 to form the package.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device 9
6 consists of a detector of known type, by which the side holes normally provided in the format processed in the data processing center are counted, and a constant number corresponding to the number of holes provided in each shape is counted. divided by a factor of

Finally, two level detectors, typically in the form of phototubes, are designated by reference numbers 97 and 98, having the following functions:

a Photocell 97 is used during package formation to indicate that the highest level of paper has been reached, and to effect a programmed lowering of the receiving plane and at the same time the plane holding the already formed package. b. The photocell 98 is used as a constant reference level for the lowering of the receiving plane 81, which is necessary for the insertion of the plate 57 and the subsequent plates 64 and 65.

The operation of the device according to the invention takes place as follows: The strip 11 is passed around the roller 13 and under the tensioning roller 15 and is then inserted between the tensioning device, i.e. the cylinder 31, and the roller 23. .

It is clear that the actuation of the motor of cylinder 31 causes the forward movement of the strip, the latter being fed from the printing press (not shown) at the operating speed of the printing press. The pulling speed is therefore adjusted based on the operating speed of the printing press.

Therefore, the tension roller 15 assumes a balanced position,
And in the event of a stoppage of the printing press and/or the device according to the invention, the tensioning roller 15 is returned to its original position after each stoppage of the printing press due to its inherent operating characteristics.
back) It is possible to return a certain length to the printing press, corresponding to the length of the strip.

In other words, when the printing press or receiving device stops (e.g. due to a blockage), working fluid is supplied to the opening 28 of the cylinder 25 so that the rod 22
is moved back toward the cylinder itself (towards the left in FIG. 1), thus forming arm 19 around pin 18.
counterclockwise rotation and lifting of the tension roller 15.

On the contrary, if during operation of the device there is a difference between the operating speed of the tensioning device and the operating speed of the printing press (and thus the speed of approach of the strip 11 towards the roller 14). , the position of tension roller 15 changes (by raising or lowering); as a result arm 1
9 acts on the raised portions 20 or 22 respectively and displaces the pressure roller 23. The nip between roller 23 and cylinder 31 is therefore varied to increase or decrease the drawing speed, and thus the speed of the incoming strip is eventually automatically adjusted and adapted to the operating speed of the printing press. .

The strip from the tensioning device passes through the space defined by guides 36 and 37.

Due to the fact that the strip comes out of the package where it is already folded like an accordion, and the passage through the printing press does not remove this form of the strip, the latter strip will tend to fold as well. The strips are also assisted by engaging the blades 50 and 55 alternately so that the folds or edges of the strips are engaged when they assume their configuration again. be done.

At the beginning of the stacking of the strips 11 on the plane 81, the plane 81 is positioned in its uppermost position, and as the layers of sheets become progressively larger on the plane 81, the phototube 98 is actuated, thereby stacking the strip 11 on the plane 81.
1 predetermined descent is controlled. During this time, the sheets or forms thus stacked in the packaging device are counted by a detection device 92 and compared to a predetermined value set in the device's electrical circuitry.

When a predetermined number of sheets is reached, the jack 63 is actuated and the panel 57 is rotated into the operating position shown by the solid line in FIG. are deposited and thus separated from the immediately preceding sheet.

An opening is thus formed in the enlarged package into which the assembly formed by the two plates 64 and 65, which also holds the cutting blade device, can be inserted. Switching on the motor 71 causes forward movement of the two plate assemblies 64 and 65, which are rotated downwardly between them by the actuation of the cylinder and piston assemblies 46, 47. (i.e. towards the position shown in Figure 1)
It stops against the swing plate 49. Panel 57
The rotational action of also causes the assembly formed by plates 64, 65 to move directly downwardly and directly upwardly relative to panel 57, and thus relative to panels 64 and 65, with the bevel edges formed therefrom in the forward section. It makes it possible to precisely fit the fold between each two positioned sheets. The contours of the forward edges of the plates 64, 65 further define the blade 6.
6 is shaped to ensure that, when it emerges from the front slit between the plates 64, 65, it accurately engages the folding edge between the two sheets mentioned above.

By actuating jack 71, blade 66 is actuated as described above while strip 11 continues to be stacked on the upper surface of plate 64.

Before the actuation of the blade 66, the flat part 81 is raised, so that the sheets already stacked on said flat part to form the desired package are compressed before the cutting operation, so that the package itself is cut in a clear cut. It must be pointed out that the desired shape and compactness are achieved in order to obtain -ar cut) and that no tensioning of the sheet by the blade occurs before the cutting operation is started or completed.

Apparently, the blade 66 is preceded by the actuation of the cylinder and piston assemblies 47, 46, rotating outward and disengaging the rocker plate 49, which would otherwise prevent the action of the blade.

At the end of the cutting operation, the flat part 81 is lowered again to its initial position, in which the arm 91 slides together with the chain 93 to remove the completed package.

Then, the plane part 81 is in the uppermost position (plate 6
5) and back to the plates 64 and 65 (during which the blade 66 is already in contact with the jack 7).
1) is also retracted.

Similarly, the panel 57 is retracted by actuation of the jack 63 and the process is started again by the gradual lowering of the plane 81 under the control of the photocell 97. This photocell 97, in addition to controlling the maximum level reached by the deposited stop before the flat surface 81 is lowered a predetermined distance, also acts as a safety device to ensure that the flat surface 81 remains intact during the compaction phase preceding cutting. It also controls the upward stroke of. Also photocell 9
8, in addition to normally controlling the above operations, also controls the height of the paper sheet accumulating on plate 57 before the assembly of plates 64, 65 passes through to assume its cutting operating position. Finally, the micro-switch 90, ie the pair of micro-switches 90, is switched on to control the compression stroke of the cutting blade so as to operate under the best compact condition of the sheet package formed by the strip 11.

It is important to explain the function of the micro-switch 53 when the paper strip passes through the laser printing machine, since the paper strip is subjected to both high temperature action (in the range of 200°C) and significant mechanical stretching. Strip tensioning device and guide 3
During the passing step 6, 37, the strip may develop a deformation known as bourrage, ie abnormal bulking. In such a case, in a short time the strip will become filled in the cage space below the guides 36, 37 with the risk of irreparable damage to the strip itself and a more serious failure of the device. It may happen.

Activation of the micro-switch 53 by the strip causes an instantaneous stop of both the tensioning device and the printing press, so that measures can be taken to restore correct machine operation. In such a case, the cylinder 25 controlling the upward movement of the tensioning roller 15 causes a portion of the strip to be released which is sufficient for the recovery required of the printing press.

Modifications of the device of the invention according to special requirements are furthermore possible and foreseen.

For example, with respect to the inlet roller 13, a metal brush or similar member may be provided for the purpose of removing static electricity that may be carried by the paper.

Similarly, the incoming strip may be subjected to some cooling (either by air or by passing over a long metal surface) to minimize the risk of "blurage" mentioned above.

Furthermore, the cage space defined by the bars 38 and 39 can have an associated rectangular panel, preferably of the vibrating type, which has the purpose of leveling the package cage being formed and controls the periodic lowering of the plane 81. Instead of a phototube for the purpose, in combination with the folding blades, a friction-type device can be provided which acts as a function of and in response to the resistance experienced by the blades themselves during their rotation.

Finally, instead of the blade 66 acting similarly to a paper knife device, it has a substantially triangular shape so that the fold to be cut initially engages at one point and does not follow an extension line. A blade may be provided.

Furthermore, if required by the form of the form strip, the compression operation of the package formed on the plane 81 can be repeated at intervals without being accompanied by a cutting operation;
The regularity of the size of the package and the stretching of a single sheet, the formation of accordion-folded strips, is further ensured.

However, the above discussion is not to be construed as a description of all further embodiments that are possible and foreseeable within the scope of the invention.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 is a partially sectional side view of a device according to the invention; FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are horizontal sectional views taken along lines -, - and - of FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1; 6 is a diagram similar to FIG. 1 showing the device of the invention in different operating states; FIG. 10...Frame, 11...Strip, 12
... Paper (i.e. sheet), 13 ... Idle roller, 15 ... Idle tension roller (tension roller), 17 ... Arm, 22 ... Rod, 23
...Friction roller, 25...Cylinder, 30...
Fixed guide part, 33... Drive means, 34... Chain, 31... Roller, 36, 37... Plate,
38... Inclined bar, 39... Vertical bar, 42
... Bar, 46 ... Cylinder, 49 ... Rocking plate, 50 ... Blade, 53 ... Micro switch, 55 ... Blade, 57 ... Temporary separation plate, 58 ... Arm, 64 ... Plate,
65... lower plate, 66... blade, 7
5, 76...Slot, 81...Plane part, 85,
86... Operating bar, 88... Panel, 90... Micro switch, 91... Arm, 94, 97,
98...Phototube.

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. An apparatus for receiving, packaging, and transporting sheet material into which single sheets are fed in a continuous strip defined by separation lines, comprising: a fixed frame; 10, a tensioning device 23, 31 suitable for advancing the incoming continuous strip in a controlled manner, and a tensioning device 23, 31 on a receiving plane 81 for receiving the strip and stacking it in an accordion-like configuration. guiding means 36, 37 for guiding perpendicularly to the receiving plane; means 38 for temporarily holding the strips stacked on the receiving plane;
39, 49, means 50, 55 for promoting an accordion-like stacking of the strips, and temporarily separating the strips, which can be inserted between the strips coming from the guide means and the receiving plane. means 57, 6 for supporting and supporting
4, 65, cutting blade means 66 for engaging one edge formed by the accordion-folded strip, and a first for detecting the presence of the strip in the tensioning device.
second detection means 96 for measuring the length of the strip passing through the tensioning device and the accumulation level of the strip accordion-folded on the receiving plane. third detection means 97, 98 for detecting;
Transfer means 9 for removing the packages from the operating surface of the receiving plane after they have been formed and separated from the incoming strip.
1 and means 8 for raising and lowering the receiving plane 81.
7, the means 57, 64, 65 for temporarily separating and supporting the strips comprises at least one pair of horizontal plates 64, 65 slidable between a retracted position and an operating position. The lower member 49 of the means 38, 39, 49 for temporarily holding the strip in the operating position is connected to the horizontal plate 6.
4,65 and the cutting blade means 66 is closed opposite the horizontal plates 64,6.
5, the upper horizontal plate 64 can support the strip, and the lower horizontal plate 65 cooperates with the lifting movement of the receiving plane 81 by the lifting means 87 to support the strip. A device characterized in that it is capable of compressing stacks. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the tensioning device includes an advancement cylinder actuated by drive means and a friction roller engaged with the cylinder. 3. Device according to claim 2, in which the friction roller is pressed against the cylinder via adjustable thrust means. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said thrust means includes a double acting cylinder and piston assembly and includes a pair of bars attached to the ends of the shaft of said friction roller. 5 To each said bar is attached the end of the first arm of a bellcrank lever supported on a fulcrum in the frame of the device, the other arm of the bellcrank lever parallel to the tension cylinder. 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the device is fixed to a tensioning roller located upstream of the tensioning cylinder with respect to the direction of advancement of the strip. 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the mounting portion includes a pair of raised portions between which the free end of the first arm is slidably received. 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said first detection means is located upstream of said tension cylinder. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said first detection means includes a photocell and a receiver, positioned such that passage of said strip intercepts the beam emitted by said photocell. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second detection means includes a device for counting the number of side holes provided in the edge of said strip of sheet material. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said guide means includes a pair of planes that diverge downwardly from each other starting from the location where said strip exits said tensioning device. 11. The means for temporarily retaining the strips are spaced from each other and are essentially pentagonal strips formed by inclined bars and vertical bars defining opposite sides of the cage. 2. The device of claim 1, including a cage. 12 The vertical bar on one side of the cage has a rocking plate fixed thereto movable between a retracted, outwardly rotated position and an operating position coplanar with the plane defined by the vertical bar. 12. The apparatus according to claim 11. 13 The rocking plate is moved between the two positions by a jack mounted on the frame and having the free end of the stem of its piston pivoted on the rocking plate. Apparatus according to claim 12. 14. The companion means includes a shaft having two parallel blades, the blades being made of a flexible material and mounted on the shaft at positions staggered by a predetermined angle, the blades being 2. The device of claim 1, which passes between said vertical bars during rotation of said shaft. 15 Attached to the inclined bar of the cage are means for stopping the operation of the device, the means being operable when the strip is received and comes into contact with the strip packed in the cage. 12. The apparatus according to claim 11. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said stopping means comprises a micro-switch. 17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said associated means further comprises air nozzle means mounted for controllingly emitting a blow of air directed according to a predetermined direction. 18. The means for separating and temporarily supporting the strips are slidable between a retracted position and an operating position in which the bottom of the means for temporarily holding the strips is closed. 2. A device according to claim 1, including at least one horizontal plate. 19. Said means for separating and temporarily supporting said strips comprises a pair of horizontal plates spaced from each other and movable together, said plates for separating and temporarily supporting said strips of sheet material to be stacked. 19. The device of claim 18, terminating in a beveled edge effective to accommodate folding. 20 Temporarily open a package of folded sheet material positioned above the plane or plate and at one edge of the sheet material opposite the storage cage, i.e. the rocking plate. 20. A device as claimed in claim 18 or 19, comprising means for acting. 21. The means for temporarily opening the package cage are movable between an operating position in which the panel interferes with the edges or folds of the sheets stacked in the storage cage and a stationary or retracted position. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, comprising a panel. 22. The panel is clamped to the frame and actuated between the operating positions by a jack having a free end of a piston stem pivotably mounted to the panel. Apparatus described in section. 23. The cutting blade means is mounted below the plate or between the two plates for separating and temporarily supporting the strip and is movable with the plate or plates. 20. A device according to certain claims 1, 18, or 19. 24. Apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said cutting means is configured to initially engage at one point of said edge or fold to be cut. 25. Apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the cutting blade means is essentially triangularly shaped. 26. The cutting blade means have a rest position in which they do not protrude relative to the plate or plates for separating and temporarily supporting the strip, and a rest position in which they do not protrude relative to the plate or plates for separating and temporarily supporting the strip. 26. Device according to claims 24 and 25, movable between an operating position projecting from the edge. 27. An actuation mechanism is provided comprising two rigid bars clamped to the blade and a drive jack for the bars for reciprocating and controlled displacement of the blade means between the two positions. 27. The apparatus according to claim 26. 28. The free end of the rigid bar is slidably mounted in a slot formed in a plate immovably fixed to the piston stem of the jack, which slot accommodates the reciprocating displacement of the jack stem and 28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein reciprocating displacement of the plate thereby displaces the rigid bar and the blade between the two positions. 29 The slot is shaped such that the initial advancement of one of the rigid bars is retarded with respect to the corresponding movement of the other of the bars, so that the blade assumes an oblique configuration with respect to its direction of movement. 29. The apparatus of claim 28 constructed. 30. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiving plane is attached to at least one jack for controlled raising or lowering of the plane. 31 A panel of curved shape is mounted on the plane and the flexibility of the panel is such that when a pressure exceeding a predetermined value is applied on the panel, the panel flattens against the upper surface of the receiving plane. 31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the apparatus is adapted to 32. Claim 31, wherein there is provided between the receiving plane and the panel at least one protruding micro-switch operable by the panel when the panel is flattened. The device described. 33. The device of claim 1, wherein the moving means includes an arm movable transversely to the receiving plane between a rest position and a moving position when the receiving plane is in its lowest position. Device. 34. said third level sensing means includes two vertically aligned photocells, the first of which is mounted in alignment with said second cutting blade means;
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second one is aligned to a reference level positioned above said first photocell.