US2224606A - Stacking device - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 10, 1940. E, N. NECKEL sTAcKING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Oct. 16, 1939 Flo-l INVENTOR BEYDMUND N. NECKEL #2% vffgwv ATTO NE 5 FIG.- 2

Dec. 10, 1940. E, N. NECKEL STACKING DEVICE Filed oct. 16, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG-3 INVENTOR EDMUND N. NECKEL BY ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 10, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE STACKING DEVICE Application october 1s., 1939, serial No. 299,621

4 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for stacking iiat folded articles. While the mechanism is usable for any kind of fiat articles, litis more particularly adapted for fabric articles which have been ironed and folded, and more especially those fabric articles which are comparatively large in area and are more or less soft, flimsy or limp, either on account of the texture or character of the material itself or the manner in which it has been dried. Diapers whichhave been tumbler dried or otherwise air dried are in this class. They do not have either the glazelike finish or the body stiffness characteristic of other work such as napkins or table cloths or even handkerchiefs. l

One object of the invention is to provide an improved stacking machine which stacks the articles by supplying them to the bottom of the pile and properly supports them, even though large and iiimsy, while so doing.

A further object is to provide an improved machine of this kind which stacks from the bottom upwardly in a manner to minimize the amount of lift of the pile While adding a new article thereto.

A further object is to provide an improved stacking machine in which the supporting plates for the pile are withdrawn horizontally While the lifting plate raises the next article into proper position for addition to the pile.

Still another object is to provide an improved machine of this kind in which the movement of the stack supporting plates is produced in timed relation with the motion of the lifting plate while elevating the next article.

Another object is generally to improve the mechanism for actuating the several plates and other operating parts to simplify the sameand secure the most efficient and properly coordinated operation.

Further objects of the invention are in part obvious and in part will appear more in detail hereinafter.

In the drawings, which represent one suitable embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a plan view illustrating the stacking mechanism in detail and the casing of a folding machine with which it may be associated;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation;

Fig. 3 is a fragmental elevation, from the right in Fig. 2, illustrating the `stacking mechanism in normal position ready to receive an article to be stacked.

Fig. 4 illustrates the same Yparts in their respective positions when the lifting plate nears the plane of the supporting wings,

Fig. 5 is a similar view, illustrating the parts when the lifting plate has passed above the plane of the Wings, which have then returned to their supporting position. Y

Fig. 6 is a sectional'plan view on the line '6-6, Fig. 4, and

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view on the line 1 1, Fig.: 6.

While the stacking mechanism of the present invention may be used by itself, with the work fed to it by hand or machine, or may be associated with any other cooperating machine, such as an ironing machine or any type of folding machine, the drawings, for purposes of illustration, show stacking mechanism combined With a foldingy machine, all parts yof each thereof being of the same form shown and described in an application for folding machine, Serial Number 299,617, iled of even date herewith by George W. Johnson, to which reference may be had for further illustration or description if desirable or necessary.

The folding machine is illustrated generally at l. It requires no detailed description except to say thatA articles to 'be folded, such as diapers are introduced to it by applying them flatwise to the work receiving belts 2, which feed them to folding devices which produce two folds, one 1ongitudinal and theother transverse, and deliver the twice-folded four-ply article to a curved plate 3 down which they slide by gravity .toward and into the stacking mechanism now to be described.

Plate 3 extends into the stacking mechanism, at the far end of which its edge is turned up to form a stop 4, which stops the article and properly positions it for registration with the lifting plate 5 of the stacking mechanism.

The lifting plate, as shown in Fig. 1, is provided with a plurality of laterally extending 1ingers 6, lying in recesses or slots in that portion of the plate 3 which extends through the stacking device. In other words, that area of the plate 3 which lies within the stacking device is recessed or cut away with an opening of the same shape as the lifting plate 5, so that when plate 5 lies at the same level `as the horizontal portion of plate 3, the two together form a continuous plate along which the article travels to its final position against the stop 4. When in such position, if the lifting plate rises it elevates the article with it.

Above the plates 3 and 5, in the stacking device, are a pair of like stack supporting plates,

respectively marked 1, 8, each provided with inwardly extending lateral fingers 9 which register with the spaces between the fingers 6 of the lifting plate 5, so that free movement of the lifting plate above the stack supporting plates 1, 8 when in their stack supporting position shown in Fig. 3, is possible and is permitted.

The two stack supporting plates 1, 8, have lateral movement toward and from each other, preferably in timed relation with the upward movement of the lifting plate 5, so that as an article upon the plate is lifted with it, theside plates 1, 8, are withdrawn to permit free unobstructed further advance of the article to a level above plates 1,v 8, whereupon plates 1, 8 automatically move inwardly to receive and support the stack as a whole, when the lifting plate descends. The construction and arrangement for this purpose is as follows:

Plates 1, 8 at each end are provided with sleeve portions I9 mounted to slide upon rods 'I I, the two plates being biased toward each other by tension springs I2.

Lifting plate 5 isI provided witha depending operating post I3 which has secured to it a rack I4 meshing with a pinion I5 on a shaft I6, Figs. 2 and 6. Said shaft has pinned to it a lever I1 provided with a pawl I8 normally held in engagement with a ratchet wheel I9, secured to a sleeve 2D in which the shaft I6 is journalled. Also secured to the sleeve is a lever member 2I connected by a link 22 to a sleeve I0 carried by plate 1.

Also secured to the sleeve 20 is a gear 23 meshing with a gear 24 on a stub shaft25 provided with an arm 26 corresponding to arm 2I and similarly connected by a link 21 to the other stack supporting plate 8.

The depending post I3 of the lifting plate 5, at its lower end, is provided with a roller 28 for engagement with a pad or plate 29 on one arm of a lever 30 actuated by suitable mechanism, including a link 3I When a twice folded article reaches and is received by and properly presented on the lifting plate, lever 30 is operated and the plate is elevated, the upward movement thereof, through the rack I 4 and pinion I5, rotating shaft I6 and turning lever I1, which-through its pawl I 8 rotates the ratchet wheel I9 and sleeve 29, and through the geared connection 23, 24 causes the two plates 1, 8 to move outwardly upon the rods I I against the tension of springs I2. Such movement of the plates takes place while the lifting plate 5 is moving from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 4. Continued movement of the lifting plate elevates the freshly folded article abovel the level of the supporting plates 1, 8. When the lifting plate reaches the elevation shown in Fig. 5 the pawl I8 has reached a raised portion on a cam member Ia attached to the frame, which cams the pawl to the out of engagement position with the ratchet wheel, and

the springs I2 thereupon become effective to return the plates 1, 8, links 22 and 21, the levers 2 I, 26 to their original inward positions, with the tongues of plates 1, 8 lying beneath the side edges of the article. Therefore, when the lifting plate 5 is lowered by reverse movement of lever 30 the article and the rest of the pile above it are retained by plates 1, 8 and rest thereon. Suitable guiding posts 33 for the stack may be supported upon the frame or brackets attachedthereto.

The invention provides simple mechanism of improved form, involving minimum stack lift and securing proper timed relation between the lifting and supporting plates as well as other advantages that will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

What I claim is:

1. Stacking mechanism of the character described, comprising a vertically movable lifting plate upon which an article may be fed to be stacked, side plates, horizontally movable slides supporting the same, two interengaging pinions, one fory each slide, operating connections from each pinionv to its slide, and means operatively connected to said lifting plate and to one of said pinions for actuating the same.

2. Stacking mechanism of the character described, comprising a vertically movable lifting plate upon which Van article may be fed to be stacked, side plates, horizontally movable slides supporting the same, two interengaging pinions, one for each slide, operating connections from each'pinion to its slide, and means operatively connected to said lifting plate and to one of said pinions for actuating the same, said means including a pawl `and ratchet connection for operating the said pinion, and means for uncoupling said pawl and ratchet.

3. Stacking mechanism of the character described, comprising a vertically movable lifting plate upon which an article may be fed to be stacked, side plates, horizontally movable slides supporting the same, two interengaging pinions, one for each slide, operating connections from each pinion to its slide, and means operatively connected to said lifting plate and to one of said pinions for actuating the same, said means including a pawl and ratchet connection for operating the said pinion, means biasing said slides to stack supporting position, and means arranged upon elevation of said lifting plate to uncouple the pawl and ratchet to thereby release the slides for movement to stack supporting position.

4. Stacking mechanism of the character described comprising a vertically movable lifting EDMUND N. NECKEL.

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