US2273162A - Strip separating mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 17, 1942. R. P. WILLARD STRIP SEPARATING MECHANISM Filed July 19, 1940 firm/1e 712%1; Robert P Willard,- MLM 'Patented Feb. 17, 1942 STRIP SEPARATING MECHANISM Robert P. Willard, Lewiston, N. Y., assignor to Gilman Fanfold Corporation, Niagara Falls, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application July 19, 1940, Serial No. 346,408

11 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in mechanism for separating or decollating strips, such as paper and the like that have been assembled in superposed relation with each other. While the improvements may be utilized for separating strips of various natures from the assemblies, they have been devised with particular reference to separation of record and transfer or carbon strips of the long continuous traveler type that have been assembled in manifolding transfer relation, with the carbon strips interleaved with the record strips.

It is a general object of the invention to provide an apparatus of the class mentioned, while being simple in structure and occupying little space, is effective in separating the record and carbon strips from the assembled relation with each other, and for disposing the individual strips in separate and independent parts or packs.

A further object is to provide an improved apparatus of the class mentioned that can be satisfactorily utilized for separating the record and carbon strips as they emerge in assembled relation from writing machines of various types, such, for example, as typewriters, tabulating machines, billing machines, autographic registers and the like. The improved apparatus can also be employed satisfactorily to separate the record and transfer strips from assemblies of the same independently of any writing machine.

A further object is to provide an apparatus of the class mentioned having an improved arrangement of gravity chutes for receiving the individual strips and through which the strips pass under the influence of gravity and are disposed or refolded in separate packs.

Still another object of the invention is to provide in apparatus of the class mentioned an improved arrangement of gravity chutes with accompanying strip guides and strip receiving compartments whereby compactness and simplicity of structure are attained, and the strips satisfactorily separated from each other or decollated and disposed in separate parts or packs.

Other objects of the invention will be in part pointed out in the following detailed description of an illustrative but preferred embodiment of the invention, and will be in part obvious as the disclosure proceeds.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a more complete disclosure of the nature, objects and advantages of the invention reference is had to the following detailed disclosure of the illustrative embodiment and to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a partially diagrammatic side elevation of the improved strip separating mechanism used in connection with a tabulating machine of known construction.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical sectional View of the mechanism, taken substantially centrally thereof.

Fig. 3 is a detailed horizontal sectional View showing the manner of mounting the chute partitions in the supporting panels therefor; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional and elevational view showing details of the structure.

Referring to the drawing for a complete description of the embodiment of the invention there shown the improved strip separating apparatus indicated generally at 6 is shown as used in connection with a tabulating machine 1 of known construction and having a rotary cylindrical platen 8 upon which the assembly 9 of record and transfer strips is received for inscription reception. The tabulating machine is equipped with type bars or similar devices adapted to contact with the assembly of record and carbon strips on the platen 8 to make the inscriptions or printed impressions thereon,the impressions being transferred to the underlying or copy record strips by means of the interleaved carbon or transfer strips.

The assembly 9 of record and transfer strips shown in the illustrative embodiment is of the long continuous traveler type, such, for example, as disclosed in the Mabon Patent 2,171,003 for Strip feeding and aligning mechanism, issued August 29, 1939. While the assembly may include any desired number of record strips and carbon strips interleaved in transfer relation therewith the assembly, as shown, includes three long continuous record strips l0 and two long continuous carbon strips Il folded together in a zigzag supply pack I2.

Attached to the tabulator is a strip assembly guide I3 for guiding the strips to the platen 8, and a strip feeding mechanism I4 arranged for pulling the strip assembly 9 over the platen for effecting line spacing. This strip feeding mechanism is diagrammatically shown and is preferably of the pin type, such as disclosed in the Mabon patent above referred to and it is deemed unnecessary, therefore, to describe it in detail here. A strip guide plate I5 projects in an upwardly inclined position beyond the feeding mechanism Ill and may be supported in any desired manner.

The strip separating unit 6 is preferably structurally independent of the writing machine, as shown, embodying a frame work having upright frame members I6 forming pedestals upon which the apparatus may rest upon the floor. Longitudinal and transverse frame members il are connected to the upright frame members I6, thus forming a frame that is light and suiiiciently rigid to support the mechanism. The frame members may, as shown, be constructed of light metallic flanged members.

Extending above the frame members It and I'I are supporting side panels I8 for the partitions or chute plates I9 forming the gravity chutes 2U. These supporting side panels I8 are connected to the frame members I'I in any desired manner and the main body parts I8 extend above the top frame members Il. There are preferably two side panels I8, one at each of the opposite sides of the separating apparatus, and as shown each panel may be extended downwardly below the upper frame members I1 to form downwardly projecting stepped extensions Ita and Iflb supporting the lower portions of the chute plates I9. As best shown in Figures 3 and 4, the supporting side panels I 8 which are preferably of wood are formed with vertical grooves 2i for receiving in supporting relation the edges of the chute plates I9. Some of these grooves 2I extend downwardly over the panel extensions I8@ and It?) for supporting the rearward chute plates which are longer than those positioned forwardly. The chute plates IS may be additionally supported in any appropriate manner. Supporting tie rods or bars 22 extend transversely between the supporting panels I8 and anchored therein. These supporting bars 22 are positioned adjacent to the entrance passageways to the gravity chutes and are preferably rounded to function as guides for the entering strips.

Strips guides, preferably in the form of guide rollers 23, are mounted adjacent to and just above the entrance passageways to the gravity chutes 2@ for guiding the strips through the guide plate i5 into the chutes. Each of these rollers is mounted upon supporting arms 24! that are adjustably mounted by means of bolt and slot connections 25 provided with wing nuts for tightening and attaching them in position to the supporting panels I6.

Each of the gravity chutes 2i) is of considerable vertical extent so that the weight of the strips in the chutes causes the strips to move downwardly by gravity. Each of the chutes in which a record strip Ill is received has positioned adjacent to its lower extremity a receiving compartment 2% for receiving and housing the record strips. One of the chute plates is deflected forwardly above each of the receiving compartments 26 to provide a tcp wall 2l for the corresponding compartment. The top walls 2'I are forwardly and downwardly inclined and communicate with the chutes in which the carbon strips II are received so as to form guides for deecting the carbon strips to one side of the receiving compartments 26.

Also, a strip deflector plate 28 is provided adjacent to the upper portion of each of the receiving compartments 26 and near to the exit passageway or the point where the record strips emerge from the chutes into the receiving compartments. As shown, the defiector plates 28 may be integral parts of the chute plates I9. Also, as shown in Fig. 2, the deflector plates 23 may be free at the lower edges so they can be adjusted or swung into different operative positions by bending the partitions which may be of sheet metal. These deiiector plates 23 function to deflect the downwardly moving strips to aid in causing them to be folded into zigzag condition in the receiving packs 2S housed within the receiving compartments and supported upon the bottoms 3i) of the compartments. The front walls 3I of the two lower compartments 26 in effect define the inner walls of the gravity chutes for the carbon strips Il which pass downwardly by the receiving compartments and are received in a group or pile at the lower part of the apparatus at which an appropriate receptacle may be provided for receiving them. Since the used carbon strips are ordinarily discarded it is unnecessary to fold them in a compact assembly.

It will be noted that the receiving compartments 2-6 are arranged in superposed relation, one above another, in a single column, thus conserving space and at the same time providing suicient longitudinal extent of the gravity chutes so that the strips can pass satisfactorily into the chutes by gravity action and be refolded zigzag in the receiving compartments.

A supporting shelf 33 is formed at the upper part of the apparatus at one side of the upper parts of the chutes for receiving the zigzag folded supply pack I2 of record and transfer strips. At the rear of this support is a guide plate 3d for guiding the strip assembly into a chute or passageway 35, the lower' end of which has an exit opening lying near to the adjacent end of the strip guide I3. It is very convenient, therefore, for threading the strip assembly from the supply pack I2 through the supply chute 35 into writing position over the platen 8 and thence through the strip feed mechanism ifi to the upwardly inclined guide plate I5.

When the strip assembly has been threaded into operative position on the tabulator, as described, the upper ends of the strips are separated and passed over the guide rollers 23 and into the appropriate gravity chutes 2t. As the writing progresses the strips are fed forwardly by the feeding mechanism passing upwardly for a short distance over the upwardly inclined guide I5 and then downwardly by gravity in the respective chutes. rIhe lower portions of the record strips i9 are received within the appropriate receiving compartments 25 and are caused to be refolded in zigzag condition in the packs 29 by the action of gravity and cooperation of the deector plates 28 and the walls of the adjacent portions of the chutes. When a record strip I0 is being folded at the inner or back end of the pack 29 the strip is in engagement with the deector plate 28, and when it is being folded at the opposite end of the pack 29 it is in engagement with the opposite wall of the chute adjacent to the upper portion of the compartment where the wall is rounded to function as a strip guide. In this manner each strip is effectively reiolded into its pack 29, the refolding being accomplished on the same fold lines as those on which the strips were ordinarily folded in the supply pack I2.

Since certain changes may be made in the above construction and different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a strip separating apparatus, in combination, a plurality of gravity chutes in upright position, side by side, in which strips from an assembly pass downwardly by gravity, dividing partitions between the respective adjacent chutes, receiving compartments with which the lower ends of certain said chutes respectively communicate so as to receive the strips from the chutes, and strip folding means for causing certain of the strips to be folded in zigzag packs in the respective receiving compartments, certain of said receiving compartments having upper walls forming strip guides to which certain other of said chutes lead so as to guide the strips laterally and downwardly past said receiving compartments.

2. In a strip separating apparatus, in combination, a plurality of gravity chutes in upright position, side by side, in which strips from an assembly pass downwardly by gravity, dividing partitions between the respective adjacent chutes, receiving compartments with which the lower ends of certain said chutes respectively communicate so as to receive the strips from the chutes, and strip folding means for causing certain of the strips to be folded in zigzag packs in the respective receiving compartments, said strip folding means including strip delector plates adjacent to the respective receiving compartments and inclining inwardly with reference to the bodies of the compartments.

3. In a strip separating apparatus, in combination, a plurality of gravity chutes in upright position, side by side, in which strips from an assembly pass downwardly by gravity, dividing partitions between the respective adjacent chutes, receiving compartments with which the lower ends of certain said chutes respectively communicate so as to receive the strips from the chutes, and strip folding means for causing certain of the strips to be folded in zigzag packs in the respective receiving compartments, said strip folding means including strip deflector plates adjacent to the respective receiving compartments and inclining inwardly with reference to the bodies of the compartments, certain of said receiving compartments having upper walls forming strip guides to which certain other of said chutes lead so as to guide the strips laterally and downwardly past said receiving compartments.

4. In a strip separating apparatus, in combination, a plurality of gravity chutes in upright position, side by side, in which strips from an assembly pass downwardly by gravity, receiving compartments with which the lower ends of certain said chutes respectively communicate so as to receive the strips from the chutes, strip folding means for causing certain of the strips to be folded in zigzag packs in the respective receiving compartments, and a plurality of independently adjustable strip guides adjacent to the chute entrance passageways for guiding the strips to the latter.

5. In a strip separating apparatus, in combination, a plurality of gravity chutes in upright position, side by side, in which strips from an assembly pass downwardly by gravity, receiving compartments with which the lower ends of certain said chutes respectively communicate so as to receive the strips from the chutes, said receiving compartments being arranged in relatively superposed relation in a single column, and strip deilector plates adjacent to the respective receiving compartments and adjacent to the points of communication of the chutes therewith, said deflector plates being inclined to the general courses of the respective chutes and positioned for engagement with certain of said strips to cause them to be folded in the respective compartments.

6. In a strip separating apparatus, in combination, a plurality of gravity chutes in upright position, side by side, in which strips from an assembly pass downwardly .by gravity, receiving compartments with which the lower ends of certain said chutes respectively communicate so as to receive the strips from the chutes, said receiving compartments being arranged in relatively superposed relation in a single column, strip deector plates adjacent to the respective receiving compartments causing certain of the strips to be folded in the respective compartments, and a plurality of independently adjustable strip guides adjacent to the chute entrance passageways for guiding the strips to the latter.

7. In a strip separating apparatus, in combination, a plurality of gravity chutes in upright position, side by side, in which strips from an assembly pass downwardly by gravity, receiving compartments with which the lower ends of certain said chutes respectively communicate so as to receive the strips from the chutes, said receiving compartments being arranged in relatively superposed relation in a single column, strip deiiector plates adjacent to the respective receiving compartments causing certain of the strips to be folded in the respective compartments, certain of said receiving compartments having upper walls forming strip guides to which certain other of said chutes lead so as to guide some of the strips laterally and downwardly past said receiving compartments, and a plurality of independently adjustable strip guides adjacent to the chute entrance passageways for guiding the strips to the latter.

8. In a strip separating apparatus, in combination, a plurality of gravity chutes of varying length in upright position, side by side, in which strips from an assembly pass downwardly by gravity, receiving compartments with which the lower ends of certain said chutes respectively communicate so as to receive the strips from the chutes, said receiving compartments being arranged in relatively superposed relation in a single column, and strip deflector plates adjacent to the respective receiving compartments causing certain of the strips to be folded in the respective compartments, certain of said receiving compartments having upper walls forming strip guides to which certain other of said chutes lead so as to guide some of the strips laterally and downwardly past said receiving compartments.

9. In a strip separating apparatus, in combination, a plurality of gravity chutes in upright position, side by side, in which strips from an assembly pass downwardly by gravity, receiving compartments with which the lower ends of certain said chutes respectively communicate so as to receive the strips from the chutes, strip folding means for causing certain of the strips to be folded in zigzag packs in the respective receiving compartments, a support for a supply pack of strips positioned at one side of the ends of said chutes, and a strip assembly guiding passageway adjacent to said chutes for guiding the strip assembly to a Writing machine.

10. In a strip separating apparatus, in combination, a plurality of gravity chutes in upright position, side by side, in which strips from an assembly pass downwardly by gravity, receiving compartments with which the lower ends of certain said chutes respectively communicate so as to receive the strips from the chutes, said receiving compartments being arranged in superposed relation in a single column, strip deector plates adjacent to the respective receiving conipartments causing certain of the strips to be folded in the respective compartments, certain of said receiving compartments having upper walls forming strip guides to which certain other of said chutes lead so as to guide the strips laterally and downwardly past said receiving com- I partrnents, a support for a supply pack of strips positioned at one side of the ends of said chutes,

and a strip assembly guiding passageway adjacent to said chutes for guiding the strip assembly to a writing machine.

11. In a strip separating apparatus, in combination, a plurality of gravity chutes of varying length -in upright position, side by side, in which strips from an assembly pass downwardly by gravity, receiving compartments with which the lower ends of certain said chutes respectively communicate so as to receive the strips from the chutes, said receiving compartments being arranged in relatively superposed relation in a single column, adjustable strip deector plates adjacent to the respective receiving compartments causing certain of the strips to be folded in the respective compartments, a support for a supply pack of strips positioned at one side of the ends of said chutes, and a strip assembly guiding passageway adjacent to said chutes for guiding the strip assembly to a writing machine.

ROBERT P. WLLARD.

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