US3367549A

US3367549A - Collator stripper belt

Info

Publication number: US3367549A
Application number: US529849A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward M Assony
Original assignee: Western Gear Corp
Current assignee: Western Gear Machinery Co
Priority date: 1966-02-24
Filing date: 1966-02-24
Publication date: 1968-02-06
Anticipated expiration: 1985-02-06

Description

Feb. 6, 1968 Y AVSSQNY 3,367,549

COLLATOR STRIPPER BELT Filed Feb. 24, 1966 fan 420 M lssqwy if/Z;

United States Patent Ofifice 3,367,549 Patented Feb. 6, 1968 3,367,549 COLLATOR STRIPPER BELT Edward M. Assony, La Puente, Calif., assignor to Western Gear Corporation, Lynwood, Calif., a corporation of Washington Filed Feb. 24, E66, Ser. No. 529,849 12 Claims. (Cl. 226-74) The typical web handled in machines of this type consists of a plurality of sheets of paper which have been collated and stacked, one above another. Typical of such a web is one comprising a plurality of business forms which are interleaved with single-use sheets of carbon papergThe individual sheets of papers are in long strips which have been perforated to simplify tearing off each set of the forms. Along at least one longitudinal margin, and often along both margins, there is a longitudinally extending row of spaced holes through the web which are used to advance the web and later to register the forms or web in another machine.

Known types of construction for handling a web of .this character involve a belt having a row of spaced pins which engage the web by passing through the holes therein. The belt is at one edge of, or is exposed through a slot in, a table over which the web is advanced by movement of the belt and pins. At the end of the run engaging the web, the belt passes over a pulley or sprocket, which may be either driven or an idler, while the web continues On the table moving in the general direction of travel of said run of the belt. The travel of the belt around the pulley causes movement of the pins away from the web and retracts the pins from the holes in the web. It is at this point that the problem has arisen with the known devices since the pins, as they leave the web, oftentimes come in contact with the sides of the holes in the web with the result that the sheets in the stack are separated or else the holes are torn. This result apparently occurs because of the direction of relative movement of the pins, as they retract from the paper web, and the web itself. In known types of devices, the web is deprived of full support at the location of pin withdrawal. The result is that the web sags and tends to follow the pins as far as it can instead of being lifted clear of the pins.

Thus it becomes a general object of the present invention to provide a novel construction for stripping the paper web from a set of conveying pins in such a manner 'as to eliminate the damage created by the pins separating the sheets in the web or tearing the holes.

More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel stripping arrangement for a Web of the character described which supports the web as the pins are retracted from it, thereby maintaining a relative motion between the web and the pins such that the pins do not damage the web as they disengage from the web.

These and other objects of the invention are achieved according to the present invention by providing a concoincides in part with the path of saidfirst endless mem-' bet, and means directing the second endless member over a path which diverges from the path of the first member in such a direction that the pins are disengaged from the web holes while the second member is supporting the web and, in effect, lifting it clear of the pins.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the two endless members comprise two conveyor belts, one longer than the other. The shorter belt carries pins which engage the Web and over part of the path of the shorter belt the two belts overlie or engage one another. The longer belt extends on beyond the path of the shorter belt to support the web in such a manner that the web moves in essentially a straight line as the pins are withdrawn from the web.

How the above objects and advantages of the present invention, as well as others not particularly referred to herein, are achieved will be better understood by reference to the following description and to the annexed drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective, partly in vertical section, of a web-handling construction embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical section on line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation and longitudinal section illustrating the two endless members at the location where the web is stripped from the pins.

FIG. 4 is a vertical section through a modified form of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a vertical section through the drive sprocket on line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

Referring now to the drawing, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a stripper belt construction, viewed in longitudinal vertical section, embodying the present invention and adapted to transport a paper web 10 over the top surface of a table T or the like, both indicated in phantom in FIG. 1. The web-handling mechanism comprises a pair of spaced pulleys or sprockets 11 and 12 which are rotatably mounted by any suitable means, not shown in the drawing. These sprockets may be part of a machine which performs various functions on the web, such as assembling and collating the printed sheets which are discharged over table T; but in a broad sense, the stripping mechanism is independent of any other specific mechanism and consequently has been shown here detached from other mechanism. This shortens the present dis-closure by eliminating description of such other mechanism and makes the present invention more readily apparent.

One of pulleys or sprockets 11 or 12 is an idler while the other one is driven by any suitable means, as, for example, electric motor 14. This motor is here shown as being operatively connected to sprocket 11, but it will be realized that either of the sprockets may be the driven one. Passing around the two sprockets 11 and 12 is a first flexible endless member 15 which typically is a metal belt; but the present invention is not limited to any particular material for belt 15. Belt 15 may have any suitable length, depending upon the spacing between pulleys 11 and 12; and it may be of any desired width. For example, it may be substantially the same width as the web 10 in order to support as well as transport the Web.

Web 10 is shown in enlarged detail in FIG. 2 wherein it will be seen that the web comprises a plurality of individual sheets of paper 16 which typically are interleaved by carbon sheets 17. However, a web of this character is merely illustrative of one which is advantageously handled by the present invention since any kind of web may be handled. Web 10 is provided adjacent one margin with a longitudinal row of holes 20 punched through the web either before or after the several sheets 16 and 17 have been stacked and collated. Belt 15 is provided with a plurality of pins 21 which are arranged in a longitudinally extending row and spaced apart by the same distance as holes 20 so that the pins may project upwardly through holes 20 in the web, as shown in FIG. 2. Broadly speaking, belt 15 is but one form of endless member moving the series of pins 21 repeatedly over a closed path or circuit. In this Way, pins 21 serve not only to aid in transporting the web in a forward direction but registration is maintained between the several sheets of the web.

Pins 21 may have heads 22 on the reverse side of the belt that serve as cleats that fit into sockets 23 in sprocket 11 to provide a driving engagement between the driving member and the driven belt. Of course, the cleats for this purpose may be elements unrelated to pins 21.

A second flexible endless member 25 is also provided. It is interposed between web and the upper run of belt 15, as shown particularly in FIGS. 2 and 3, in Which position the paper web rests upon and is engaged by belt 25. Belt 25 is provided with a plurality of holes 26 which are aligned to register with pins 21 so that the pins pass through the belt, as shown, as well as through the web resting upon belt 25.

In a typical construction, the two endless members are exposed through a slit in table T; but the stripper belts may also be arranged at one edge of the table. In either case, the top surface of belt 25 is substantially at the level of the top surface of the table with the web being supported chiefly on the table.

An idler 28 is provided at one end of and beyond the run of belt between sprockets 11 and 12. In this arrangement, the upper run of belt 25 extending from sprocket 12 to idler 28 is substantially straight and is also tangential to sprocket 11, especially that segment between sprocket 11 and idler 28 around which belt 25 passes. Idler 28 thus provides one form of means for directing the second endless belt 25 over a path which diverges from the path followed by the first belt beginning at the position where the first belt follows around sprocket 11.-

As a result of this divergance in the paths of the two belts, pins 21 are retracted from holes in the web and holes 26 in the second belt in the initial portion of this divergence while the web is engaged and fully supported by belt in the immediate vicinity of holes 20, as shown particularly in FIG. 3.

From FIGS. 1 and 3, it will be seen that the two

belts

15 and 25 travel over paths that coincide in part only. Belt 25 is longer and its path extends out beyond the path of belt 15 to pass around idler 28. On its lower run, belt 25 preferably re-engages belt 15 at the lower side of sprocket 12, pins 21 again entering holes 26 in belt 25 to maintain registration between the two belts. However, if desired, the two belts may not be brought together until farther along in their paths. In any event, it will be seen that by virtue of the pins passing through the openings in the belt, the two belts are driven in synchronism with each other at all times.

The operation of the present device will be self-evident from the drawings. The paper web is supported on table T at the level of the upper or outermost belt 25 at its top run. As the belt moves to the left in FIG. 1, the paper web is advanced over the web. Since belt 25 extends in the direction of travel beyond the range of movement of belt 15, the paper web on the belt is engaged by it beyond sprocket 11 and in the zone where the paths of belt 15 and pins 21 diverge. At this zone of divergence, pins 21 are retracted downwardly from the

openings

20 and 26 in the web and belt, respectively; but by virtue of the support for the web, the relative motion of the pins and the paper web is such that the pins are withdrawn without engaging and damaging the sides of web holes 20.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes and modifications in the detailed structure of the preferred embodiment illustrated by be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the two belts may travel together over more or less of their total paths than illustrated. Likewise, while the two belts may be co-equal in width or substantially so, belt 15 may be only a narrow belt as shown carrying a single row of pins 21 While web supporting belt 25 is substantially equal to or wider than the full width of web 10 transported by the outer belt to provide web support. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide means other than holes 26 and pins 21 for maintaining synchronous movement between the two belts; and in this event, belt 25 may terminate closely adjacent pins 21 but not have holes through which the pins pass. In this case, the belt extends sufficiently closely to the row of pins to support the web adequately as it is stripped from the pins in the manner already described.

Both

belts

15 and 25 are endless members and may take other forms than continuous belts. For example, they may be articulated members, like a chain. Also, a more compact arrangement may be made by, in effect, combining both sprockets 11 and 12 into one, in which case belt 25 passes around drive sprocket 11 and idler 28 only.

An example of this last modification is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. The Web 10 is advanced along table T by engagement with a series of equally spaced pins 30 mounted around the periphery of sprocket 31. Sprocket 31 may be a drum extending across the full width of web 10; but is here shown as comprising two sections mounted upon drive shaft 32 which is drivingly connected to electric motor 34 which rotates the sprocket, thus making sprocket 31 the drive sprocket. With this construction, it will be noted that idler sprocket 12 is eliminated, as is also the pin-carrying belt 15, since all of the pins are now mounted on the periphery of the drive sprocket. Accordingly, sprocket 31 now becomes the endless member carrying pins.

Stripper belt 35 passes around drive sprocket 31 and also idler 36. It may be desired to furnish cleats on the inner side of belt 35 to assure a non-slip engagement with drive sprocket 31. Stripper belt 35 is provided with spaced perforations, in the manner already described, through which pins 30 on the drive sprocket pass in order to engage openings 20 in paper web 10.

Belt 35 is here shown as extending across the web for the full width thereof in order to fully support the web in the interval between the two sections of table T which are respectively ahead of and behind the upper horizontal run of stripper belt 35. Although the duration of the engagement of pins 30 with the web is more limited than in the embodiment of the invention first described, it will be understood that this engagement is still adequate to advance the web and that the action of the stripper belt in supporting the web while pins 30 are withdrawn from openings 20 in the web is essentially similar to that already described. As will be seen by reference to FIG. 5, web 10 is illustrated as provided with openings along two parallel margins, as is the case with some printed forms, in contrast with the belt arrangement of FIG. 1 which is adapted to a paper web having holes along one margin only.

Although pins 21 and holes 20 in the paper are shown as circular, the invention is not limited to this particular shape. Other shapes of pins and holes may be used; and the same shape need not necessarily be used for both holes and pins.

For these reasons, it is to be understood that the foregoing description is considered as being illustrative of, rather than limitative upon, the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A construction for handling a web having a row of holes therein, comprising:

a first endless member having a row of pins engaging the web at said holes and moved by the endless member over a closed path;

a @5999! flsXible ndle s member interposed betwee the web and said first endless member and following a path coinciding in part with the path of said first endless member;

means moving said members to advance the web;

and means directing the second endless member over a path diverging from the path of the pins on the first endless member to disengage the pins from said holes while the second member is in supporting engagement with the web in the vicinity of the pins.

2. A construction as in claim 1 which includes means imparting a curvature to a portion of the path of said firstendless member,

and in Which the directing means for the second endless member establishes the path thereof substantially tangential to said curved portion of the path of the first endless member.

3. A construction as in claim 1 in which the second endless member engages the web independently of and beyond the first endless member.

4. A construction as in claim 1 that also includes means driving both endless members in synchronism.

5. A construction as in claim 1 in which the second endless member is longer than the first endless member.

6. A construction as in claim 1 in which the first endless member is a rotary member with the pins mounted on its periphery; and the second endless member is a belt trained over the first member, said belt having a plurality of spaced holes therein receiving the pins.

7. A construction as in claim 1 in which the second endless member extends across the full width of the web.

8. A construction as in claim 1 that includes a table extending parallel to a portion of the second endless member and supporting the web independently of the Web.

9. A collator belt construction for handling a paper Web having a row of holes therein, comprising:

5 a first belt engaging a pair of spaced sprockets;

a plurality of spaced pins on said belt engaging the web at said holes therein;

a second belt interposed between the web and the first belt and moving therewith;

and means extending the second belt beyond one of the sprockets substantially tangential of said one sprocket to support the web to and beyond the point of disengagement of the pins with the web as the first belt passes around the sprocket.

10. A collator belt construction as in claim 9 in which the second belt has a plurality of spaced holes through which pins extend for a portion of the travel of the two belts.

11. A collator belt construction as in claim 9 in which the last-mentioned means includes an idler spaced at one side of the pair of sprockets and around which only the second belt passes.

12. A collator belt construction as in claim 9 which also includes means driving the two belts in synchronism. References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ALLEN N. KNOWLES, Primary Examiner.

Claims

9. A COLLATOR BELT CONSTRUCTION FOR HANDLING A PAPER WEB HAVING A ROW OF HOLES THEREIN, COMPRISING: A FIRST BELT ENGAGING A PAIR OF SPACED SPOCKETS; A PLURALITY OF SPACED PINS ON SAID BELT ENGAGING THE WEB AT SAID HOLES THEREIN; A SECOND BELT INTERPOSED BETWEEN THE WEB AND THE FIRST BELT AND MOVING THEREWITH;