US2300863A - Delivery apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 3, 1942. A. P. BAMFoRD 2,300,863

DELIVERY APPARATUS Filed Aug 3, 1940 I INVEN' TOR firm? A fl/wraw ATTORNEY one another in their travel therethrough in a Patented Nov. 3, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DELIVERY APPARATUS Arthur P, Bamford, Millburn, N. 1., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to. Interchemical Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Ohio Application August 3, 1940, Serial No. 350,307

Claims.

This invention relates to delivery apparatus for rotary web printing presses and aims to provide an improved means for stopping and stacking large thin sheets of paper or other material which are cut from a web traveling at high speed.

Rotary intaglio printing presses have been developed recently which are capable of producing wrappers, labels, carton blanks and the like from webs traveling at speeds of from 300 to 600 feet per minute. In one form of delivery apparatus that has been used in conjunction with such printing presses, the sheets are conveyed immediately after cutting to a stacking receptacle and guided during their travel by means of suitable gripping fingers attached to an endless chain. The sheets are released from the gripping fingers by contact with a stop plate positioned directly above the stacking receptacle so that they may be dropped thereinto. However, when the sheets consist of a thin paper stock, the force with which the sheets contact the stopping plate causes them to be bent and wrinkled at least at the front edges thereof. Moreover,

when the speed of operation is increased, the sheets are not of sufiicient weight to drop away it to be released from the gripping fingers and positively moved out of the path of the following sheet so that it may then be dropped into the stacking receptacle.

.The rotating clamping devices which I have provided for this purpose may comprise'a pair of rotating spiral or helical plates arranged in suitable positions at each side .ofthe delivery apparatus and each having a .flared opening at the entrance thereof into which the edge of the sheet may readily-be fed. As the spiral'members continue their rotation, the sheet is posifrom the position -in which they are released from the fingers before a subsequent sheet is fed thereto. Consequently, such delivery apparatus is entirely unsuitable for high speed operation on large thinsheets of paper stock.

I have discovered that these and other diflicultis may be effectively overcome by slowing up e ch sheet as it is released from the gripping fingers and positively moving it out of the tn of a following sheet, and have devised a n vel mechanism for accomplishing this desirable result.

well known manner. During this forward feeding of each sheet, theforward edge thereof is gripped or clamped between one or more suitable spring-like gripping fingers attached to an endless traveling chain or chains and guided thereby to a point adjacent to the stacking receptacle. Prior to reaching the stacking-receptacle, however, each sheet is clamped at the sides thereof. by a rotating clamping device which is adapted .vices.

tively clamped therein by suitable ball clamping v means which are operated at the proper time by means of cams. This causes the sheet to be slowed up or momentarily stopped and thus released from the gripping fingers on the traveling endless chain. The action of the sheet clamping devices associated with the helical members is substantially instantaneous so that by the time the sheet is released from the gripping "fingers, it will have been slowed in its movement and released from the action of said clampin de- Continued rotation of the helical members then forces .the sheet downward out of the path of the following sheet and free from said helical members so that it may drop into a suitable stacking receptacle. The timing of the rotaof each helical member will be in proper position to receive the advancing side edges of the following sheet.

The above and other features and objects of my invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the accompany ng drawing, in which:

Fi 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic Jside elevational view of a delivery mechanism in which one practical form of my invention has been embodied;

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view, taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Fig. l, showing my improved sheet-stopping a d thedepressing mechanism in front elevation; and

Fig. .3 is a fragmentary top, plan view, largely diagrammatic, showing the position of the sheet at the time it is clamped by theclamping devices associated with the rotating helical members. v

As shown in the drawing, a web W of paper or other material which has been printed or otherwise decorated in a rotary web printing to slow the movement of the sheet and cause press P. is fed to'a suitable cutter C (preferably of the rotary type) where it is cut me; individual sheets S. Substantially simultaneously with the cutting of each individual sheet S, said sheet is fed into a delivery apparatus D which carries the sheet through a substantially horizontal path and deposits or releases it in a. suit-- able stacking receptacle R arranged at the exit end thereof.

The delivery apparatus D, in which the essential features of my invention have been embodied, comprises an upper set of endless tapes or belts 5, and a lower set of conveyor tapes or belts 6 cooperating therewith. Upper tapes 5 have an operative reach substantially as long as the delivery apparatus D and extending from a right-hand set of rollers I mounted on a shaft 8 to a left-hand set of larger rollers 9 mounted on a shaft Ill. The tapes 5 also pass over and are guided by a third set of rollers Ii mounted on a shaft l2 and arranged in a position, as shown in Fig. 1, about one-third the distance between the rollers 1 and the rollers 9. Each of the shafts, 8, l and I2, is mounted in suitable bearings provided in side frames l3, l3. Lower set of conveyor tapes Ga has an operative reach extending from a right-hand set of rollers I 4, mounted on a shaft I journaled in the side frames I3, I3 below the cutter C, to a left-hand set of rollers l8 mounted on a shaft II also joumaled in the side frames i3, l3. Rollers Ii are positioned to the left of the rollers II and about half way between the rollers l and 9 so that, as the sheets are fed between the upper and lower sets of conveyor tapes 5 and 6, they will be moved through a substantially horizontal path to a platform l8 located directly adjacent to and in line with the rollers l1. Any one or more of the shafts for the conveyor tape rollers may be driven in any conventional manner at a speed which will cause the upper and lower sets of conveyor tapes Sand 6 to have a surface speed, throughout their operative reaches be.-

tween the rollers i4 and III, which is slightly the chain so that the gripping takes place as the sheet travels between the rollers Ii and the rollers It or the platform I8; and the sheet will be guided thereby until it is released in a manner to be described hereinafter.

It will be understood that the number of tapes 5 and 6 provided throughout the width of the delivery apparatus will depend upon the width of the sheet S and in any event will be sufficient to provide proper support therefor as it travels through the conveyor. Similarly, any desired number of conveyor chains 20 and associated gripper fingers 24 and may be provided to give suitable support and guiding action for the sheets S.

In the delivery mechanism described thus far, which is similar to that disclosed in Irving Gurwick Patent No. 1,981,621, dated November 20, 1934, to which reference may be made for a more detailed description, it has been customary to remove or release the sheet S from a pair of gripper fingers 24, 25 by contacting the forward edge thereof with a suitable projecting stop plate arranged above a forward wall 26 of the stacking receptacle R. However, this has been found to cause bending of the sheets and, particularly when they are composed of thin paper stock, as released sheet will not drop into the stacking receptacle R quickly enough to prevent the next following sheet from bumping into or contacting the rear edge.

In order to prevent any wrinkling or bending of the front edges of the sheets 8 as they are released into the stacking receptacle and further to prevent each following sheet from contacting a previously released sheet or sheets. I have devised and provided a special sheet slowing and depressing means which will now be described.

In addition to the upper and lower sets of conveyor tapes 5 and 6, the delivery apparatus D also includes an endless chain 20 which is mounted for engagement with and movement by a right-hand sprocket 2| mounted on the shaft l2 and a left-hand sprocket 22 mounted on the shaft l0. Suitably spaced throughout the length of the chain 20 and attached to the links thereof are a plurality of outwardly projecting supporting plates 23 having formed therewith or attached thereto a lower rearwardly projecting finger 24 arranged for cooperation with an upper resilient or spring-like finger 25. These gripper fingers 24 and 25 are flared at their outer ends and adapted to grip the front edge of each individual sheet S. It will be noted that the diam"- eter of each sprocket is smaller than the associated rollers mounted on the shafts therewith, so

that the linear speed 'of the chain and gripper fingers will be slower than the surface speed of the conveyor tapes 5 and 0.

Thus, the forward As best shown in Fla. 2, this sheet-slowing and depressing means 30 comprises left and right helical or spiral plate members 3| and 22, .respectively, mounted on the lower ends of suitable stub shafts 23 Journaled in bearing brackets 34 attached to the side frames I I. The shafts 32 are each provided with a gear 25 which is adapted to mesh with and be rotated by a suitable cooperating gear 38 provided on a cross shaft 31 joumaled in the .side frames is and rotated at the desired speed by means of suitable drive gears 38. The speed of rotation of the shafts 33 is timed with and correlated with the speed of operation of the entire deliveryapparatus and is such that one complete revolution will be made each time a sheet 3 is fed thereto by the conveyor tapes and gripper fingers 2d, 25. To accommodate sheets of different size, the stub shafts l3 and associated gears are preferably movable to different positions along the shaft 31, which, in turn, may be moved to any desired position between the shafts HI and I2.

Each of the helical members 3| and 82, which are substantially identical in construction except that one is a mirror image oflthe other, comprises a circular spiral-shaped piece of sheet metal having an upwardly flared or bent en- I exit end IlFThe vertical distance between the during one revolution of the helical members ll and 22. It will be apparent that if a sheets were passed beneath the entrance edge 40, during sition shown in Fig. 3.

rotation of the helical members 3| and 32- in which the edges 40 are moving forward or toward the observer in Fig. 2, the sheet would be moved downwardly and released therefrom when the exit edges 4| pass the edges of the sheet.

In the construction shown, however, each individual sheet S is passed beneath the entrance edges 40 of th helical members as it is held between th gripper fingers 24 and 25 and moving at a relatively high rate of speed. In order to remove each sheet from the gripper fingers 24,

- 25 and slow up its motion so that it may be depressed by the helical members 3| and 32 and caused to drop into the stacking receptacle R, I have provided a clamping device for each of the helical members. In the form of invention shown. this l mping device comprises .a steel ball 42 which is arranged in a circular opening 43 provided in the helical member beyond or below the entrance edge 40 in a position to contact the edge of a sheet during rotation of said helical member. The ball 42 projects through the opening 43 into contact with a small segmental plate 44 having a forward edg 45 substantially in alignment with and spaced below the entrance edge 40 and a rearward edge 45 (Fig. 3) positioned a suitable distance beyond the ball 42 and spaced from the lower side of the helical members. Said ball 42 is loosely held in th aperture 43 and in contact with the lower plate 44 by means of a resilient apertured ball retaining clip 41 which may be secured to the upper surface of the helical member in any convenient manner, such as by means of rivets 48.

It will be apparent that the entrance edges 40.

and 45 of each helical member and the lower segmental plate 44 provide a flared entrance for each sheet, as it is fed thereto by the conveyor tapes and gripper fingers 24 and 25. As the sheet is initially drawn between the entrance edges 40 and 45, the ball clamping devices 42 are not in rotative position to contact the edges of the sheet, as indicated in Fig. 2. However, as the sheet continues its movement and the helical members 3| and 32 continue their rotation, the side edges of the sheet will pass between the lower portion of the ball 42 which projects through the opening 43 andthe top surface of the segmental lower member 44. The arrangement and timing of the apparatus is such that this takes place when about one-half the length of the sheet has passed beneath the helical member and said member has rotated to the po e For releasing or removing the sheet S from the gripper fingers 24 and 25 when it is in the Fi .3 position, -I have provided cams 50 which are arranged to move the balls 42 into firm contact with the edges of the sheet and the lower segmental member 44 so as momentarily to hold the sheet while the conveyor chain 20 and the gripper fingers 24, 25 continue their forward .movement. Each cam 50 consists of a fiat beveled head provided on the lower end of a screw 5| which may be threaded into one of the bear ing brackets 34 for the shafts 33 and maintained 'in proper adjusted position by means of a lock nut 52. It will be apparent that the continued forward movement of the gripper fingers 24, 25 while the sheet is being held at the side edges by the clamping balls 42 will cause said sheet to be freed from said gripper fingers. This momentary stopping or holding of. the sheet definitely slows up it movement when the leading edge" 25 or the stacking receptacle. However, since the helical members continue their rotation, the holding of the sheet will be only momentary for the clamping balls 42 will pass from beneath the cams 50. Continued rotation of the helical members 3| and 32 then forces the sheet downwardly in the manner described above and said sheet, due to its own momentum, continue a brief forward movement into the stacking receptacle R which, if desired,may be suitably jogged to cause the sheets to be properly aligned in the stack.

While I have described a preferred embodiment ofmy invention as used in conjunction with a specific type of delivery apparatus, it will be apparent that certain features thereof may be used generally with any type of horizontal delivery. Moreover, various changes may be made in the construction and certain features thereof may be employed without others without departing from my invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

What I claim is: I g

1. Delivery apparatus, comprising means for feeding sheets successively in spaced relation toward a stacking receptacle, means for gripping an edge of each sheetand guiding it in its movement, and means for releasing each. sheet from said gripping means and positively moving it toward said receptacle and out of .the path of the following sheet, said last mentioned means including a rotating helical member arranged to e g ge an edge of each sheet, and means as-.

sociated with said helical member for momenceptacl and out of the path of the following sheet, said 'last mentioned means including a rotatable shaft arranged substantially perpendicularly to the plane of said predetermined path and having mounted thereon a member rotatable substantially in the plane of the sheet and adapted momentarily to clamp the side edge of a sheet and then force it out of the path of movement of the following sheet.

3. Delivery apparatus, comprising means for feeding sheets successively in spaced relation toward a stacking receptacle, means for gripping an edge of each sheet and guiding it in its movement, and means for releasing each sheet from said gripping means and positively moving it toward said receptacle and out of the path of the following sheet, said last mentioned means comprising a pair of helical members rotating in timed relation with the movement of the feeding and gripping means and having means for clamping the side edge of a sheet to stop said sheet momentarily and thereby cause it to be released from the gripping means.

4. Delivery apparatus, comprising means for feeding sheets successively through a substantially horizontal path toward a stacking receptacle, means for gripping the forward edge of each sheet and guiding it in its movement,

' means for releasing each sheet from said gripthereof is a short distance from the forward wall ping means in a position substantially directly above the stacking" receptacle; and means for positively moving each released sheet down- 4 wardLv toward the stacking receptacle and out of the horizontal path of movement of the fol- 'lowing sheet, said last mentioned means including a pair of rotating helical members adapted to engage the side edges of each sheet and force it downwardly.

, each sheet, andineans associated with said helical members for momentarily clamping said side edges of 'each sheet thereto as it is engaged thereby.

6. In a delivery apparatus for conveying sheets successively from a cutter through a horizontal comprising a pair of rotating helical members path and depositing them in a stacking receptacle and having grippe s for the forwardedge of each sheet for guidin' said sheet in its movement, mean for releasing each sheet from the grippers and positively moving it downwardly out of the path of movement of the following sheet, comprising a pair of rotating helical members arranged to engage opposite side edges of each sheet, means associated with said helical members for gripping the side edges of each sheet, and means for actuating said gripping means each time a sheet is engaged by said helical members.

7. In a delivery apparatus for conveying sheets successively from acutter through a horizontal path and depositing themv in a stacking receptacle and having grippers for the forward edge of each sheet for guiding said sheet in itsmovement, means for releasing each sheet from the grippers and positively moving it downwardly out of the path of movement of the following sheet,

arranged to engage opposite side edges of each sheet, means associated with said helical members for gripping the side edges of each sheet,

and means for actuating said gripping means members.

8. Delivery apparatus, comprising mean for feeding sheets successively in spaced relation toward a stacking receptacle, means for gripping an edge of each sheet and guiding it in its movement, and means for releasing each sheet from said gripping means and positively moving it toward said receptacle and out of the path of the following sheet, said last mentioned-means comprising a pair of rotating helical members arranged to engage opposite side edges of each sheet, means associated with said helical members for gripping the side edges of each sheet, and means for actuating said gripping means each time a sheet is engaged by said helical members.

9. In a delivery apparatus, means for stopping once during each revolution of said helical the feeding movement of a sheet and moving it out of the path of a following sheet, comprising a rotating helical member arranged to engage an edge of said sheet, and means associated with said helical member for momentarily clamping said edge to said helical member as it is engaged thereby. s

10. In a delivery apparatus, means for stopping the feeding movement of a sheetand moving it out of the path of a following sheet, comprising a pair of rotating helical members arranged to engage opposite side edges of the sheet, clamping means associated with said helical members for holding said side edges during the engagement thereof by said helical members, and mean for actuating said clamping means once during each revolution of said helical members. ARTHUR P. BAMFORD.

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