US3616718A

US3616718A - Sheet supply apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3616718A
Authority: US
Inventors: Albert J Di Giulio; Frank B Naujokas
Original assignee: Multigraphics Inc
Current assignee: AB Dick Co
Priority date: 1969-06-30
Filing date: 1969-06-30
Publication date: 1971-11-02
Anticipated expiration: 1988-11-02
Also published as: CA927951A

Abstract

A SHEET SUPPLY APPARATUS INCLUDES A SUPPORT FOR A WEB OF MATERIAL AND A DRIVE MEANS FOR ADVANCING THE WEB ALONG A PATH PAST A WEB CUTTING DEVICE. THE LEADING EDGE OF THE ADVANCING WEB INTERRUPTS A LIGHT PATH BETWEEN A LIGHT SOURCE AND A LIGHT SENSITIVE ELEMENT. THE OPERATION OF A CONTINUOUSLY ADJUSTABLE TIME DELAY RELAY IS INITIATED WHEN THE LIGHT PATH IS BROKEN, AND AFTER A PREDETERMINED PERIOD OF TIME THE WEB IS STOPPED AND CUT THEREBY TO SEVER A SHEET OF DESIRED LENGTH FROM THE WEB. THE APPARATUS CAN ALSO CARRY OUT A MULTIPLE SHEET SUPPLY OPERATION WHEREIN A PRESELECTED NUMBER OF SHEETS OF A DESIRED LENGTH IS SUPPLIED.

Description

NOV. 2, 1971 A, J, Dl GlULlQ EI'AL 3,616,718

SHEET SUPPLY APPARATUS Filed June 30. 1969 32 30 MQ# ,is zo 38 QQ 2.0 fg mi2 2f we 26 g2 gg g8 M541 @am #img/Mw@ United States Patent O 3,616,718 SHEET SUPPLY APPARATUS Albert J. Di Giulio and Frank B. Naujokas, Arlington Heights, Ill., assignors to Addressograph-Multigraph Corporation, Mount Prospect, Ill.

Filed June 30, 1969, Ser. No. 837,806 Int. Cl. B26d 5/40 U.S. Cl. 83-210 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A sheet supply apparatus includes a support for a web of material and a drive means for advancing the web along a path past a web cutting device. The leading edge of the advancing web interrupts a light path between a light source and a light sensitive element. The operation of a continuously adjustable time delay relay is initiated when the light path is broken, and after a predetermined period of time the web is stopped and cut thereby to sever a sheet of desired length from the web. The apparatus can also carry out a multiple sheet supply operation wherein a preselected number of sheets of a desired length is supplied.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to sheet supply apparatus, and more particularly, to apparatus for severing sheets of selected lengths from a web of sheet material.

In connection with various types of sheet utilizing apparatus such as automatic copy making machines and the like it is desirable to supply copy sheet material in the form of a web and to sever individual copy sheets of diiferent lengths from the web as needed. This approach has advantages over apparatus of the type adapted to supply individual sheets from stacks of Sheets because when a web is used sheets of different lengths may be conveniently supplied without changing the supply of sheets. In Patent No. 3,418,047, issued on Dec. 24, 1968 to Richard G. Lee et al. there is disclosed an automatic copy making machine including sheet supply apparatus capable of supplying sheets of various selected lengths from a web of copy sheet material. In the arrangement there disclosed, a manually operated switch is movable to a discrete number of positions, each of Which represents a particular copy sheet size. The web of sheet Imaterial is advanced past a cutter until the leading edge of the web engages and operates a switch corresponding to the selected size, at which time the web is stopped and an individual copy sheet of the desired length is severed from the end of the web. Although the sheet supply apparatus disclosed in the above-identied patent has proven highly satisfactory for its intended purposes, it would be desirable to provide a sheet supply apparatus capable of supplying sheets of any desired length without the necessity for a series of switches operated by physical contact with the advancing web.

Among the important objects of the present invention are to provide an improved sheet supply apparatus suitable for use with automatic copy making machines and with other sheet utilizing equipment; to provide a sheet supply apparatus capable of providing sheets of any desired length and not limited to a plurality of discrete sheet sizes; to provide a sheet supply apparatus wherein interference with the movement of the web is minimized; and to provide an improved sheet supply apparatus which is both simple and economical.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In brief, the above and other objects of the present invention may be realized through the provision of a 3,616,718 Patented Nov. 2., 1971 'ice sheet supply apparatus including a support for a web of sheet material and drive means for advancing the web of material along a path away from the support. A cutter assembly is disposed along the path and serves to sever individual sheets from the web. In accordance with an important feature of the invention, a light source and a light sensitive device are located along the path on opposite sides of the advancing web, and when the leading edge of the web interrupts the light path, a control circuit including a time delay relay device serves to operate the cutting assembly after a predetermined time delay period in order to sever a single sheet of desired length. The time delay period of the time delay relay device is manually adjustable in a continuous fashion between maximum and minimum time settings so that the apparatus can supply sheets of any desired length between the maximum length and the minimum length.

The invention together with its objects and advantages may best be understood from consideration of the following detailed description of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing. v

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is 'a diagrammatic illustration of sheet feeding apparatus of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the circuit for controlling the sheet supply apparatus of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT Having reference now to the drawing, FIG. 1 illustrates in diagrammatic fashion a sheet supply apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and designated as a whole by the reference numeral 10. The sheet supply apparatus 10, for example, may be used with an automatic copying machine or other sheet utilization device, and serves to sever individual sheets of desired lengths from a web 12 of sheet material conveniently provided in the` form of a roll 14. For example, the sheet material may comprise copy sheet material of any suitable nature upon which copies are to be produced of lgraphic originals of various sizes by an electrostatic or other process.

In general, the sheet supply apparatus 10 includes a support 16 for the roll 14 of sheet material, together with a drive system generally designated as 18 for advancing the web 12 away from the support 16 along a path which may be dened in part by

suitable guides

20 and 22. The drive system 18 includes a drive motor 24 drivingly coupled to a sheet drive roller 26 by means of an electromagnetically operated clutch 28. The web 12 is advanced between the drive roller 26 and a pressure roller 30. An electromagnetically operated brake 32 is coupled between the drive roller 26 and a fixed portion of the housing of the apparatus 10 for preventing rotation of the roller 26 thereby to stop the movement of the web 12. An add paper switch 34 normally held in an operated condition by contact with the web 12 provides an indication when the supply of web material 12 becomes exhausted.

In order to cut the web 12 and sever individual sheets from the web, the apparatus 10 includes a cutting assembly designated as a whole by the reference numeral 36 disposed along the path of movement of the web 12. The cutting assembly 36 includes a rotatable assembly 38 supporting a movable cutting blade 40 normally spaced from and engageable with a stationary cutting blade 42. Movement is imparted to the rotatable assembly 38 by means of a mechanical linkage represented in the illustrated embodiment of the invention as a lever 44. The assembly 38 is normally held in its illustrated position by means of -a spring 46, and in this position the advancing web is free to move between the blades 40 and 42 and beyond the cutter assembly 36. In order to operate the cutter assembly, a cutter solenoid 48 is energized to move the lever 44 against the force of the spring 46 and rotate the assembly 38 to bring the movable cutting blade 40 into engagement with the stationary cutting blade 42. For purposes described hereinafter, a cutter switch S is operated in response to rotation of the assembly 38 by the cutter solenoid 48.

In accordance with important features of the present invention, the sheet supply apparatus is controlled automatically to produce copy sheets of any desired length between pre-set minimum and maximum lengths. Advantageously, the automatic sheet supply operation does not require the presence of a plurality of separate switches operated by physical contact with moving web 12, but rather is carried out under the control of a single sensing arrangement comprising a light source 52 and a light sensitive device 54 disposed on opposite sides of the path of movement of the web 12. As described in further detail hereinafter, there is provided an adjustable time delay device for operating the cutter assembly 36 a predetermined time after the leading edge of the web 12 interrupts the light path between the light source 52 and the device 54. Consequently, it is possible to use only a single sensing arrangement rather than a plurality of sensing switches. Furthermore, since the sensing arrangement of the present invention does not require physical contact with the web 12, interference with the movement of the web is minimized.

In order to control the operation of the sheet supply apparatus 10 to provide either a single sheet or a predetermined number of sheets of selected length, there is provided a control circuit designated as a whole by the reference numeral 60 and illustrated in schematic form in FIG. 2. The control circuit 60 includes a pair of

power supply terminals

62 and 64 adapted to be connected to a source of AC supply either directly or under the control of a control circuit associated with an automatic copy making machine or other sheet utilization equipment with which the sheet supply apparatus 10 is used.

More specifically, the circuit 60 includes a relatively low voltage DC network 66 supplied by a full wave rectiiier circuit 68, the network 66 including the operating coil of the electromagnetic clutch 28. In order to assure rapid operation of both the brake 32 and the cutter assembly 38, the operating coils of the electromagnetic brake 32 and of the cutter solenoid 48 are included in a relatively high voltage DC network 70 supplied by a rectifier circuit 72.

The circuit 60 is illustrated in FIG. 2 in the initial or standby condition ready to supply a single sheet or multiple Isheets. In the initial condition, a circuit is completed for energization of a feed lamp 74 providing an indication that a sheet supply operation may be commenced. In addition, a circuit is completed for the energization of the Winding of a relay 76 associated with a time delay circuit generally designated as 78. Consequently, a pair of normally open relay contacts 76A are maintained in their closed conditioned, and a pair of normally closed relay contacts 76B are maintained in their open condition. Thus in the standby condition the windings of the electromagnetic clutch 28, the electromagnetic brake 32 and the cutter solenoid 48 are all deenergized, and the web is stationary in the supply apparatus 10.

When it is desired to supply a single sheet from the web 12, the sheet supply operation is commenced by momentarily depressing a start switch 80. Closure of switch 80 completes a circuit for energization of the winding of a web feed relay 82 thereby to open a normally closed set of relay contacts 82A and to close a normally open set of contacts 82B. Closure of contacts 82B completes a holding circuit for maintaining the relay 82 energized despite the fact that the switch 80 closes only momentarily. Although opening of the relay contacts 82A dis- 4 continues the circuit for energization of the relay 76, the relay 76 is maintained in an energized condition throughout a predetermined time delay period by the voltage existing across a capacitor 84 of the time delay circuit 78.

Energization of the web feed relay 82 also results in opening of a normally closed set of relay contacts 82C to disconnect the circuit for energization of the indicator lamp 74. Simultaneous closure of a normally open set of contacts 82D completes a circuit for energization of the winding of the electromagnetic clutch 28. As a result, a drive coupling is completed between the drive motor 24 and the drive roller 26 whereupon the web 12 is fed from the roll 14 through the cutter assembly 36.

The light sensitive device 54 may comprise a light sensiti've varia-ble resistance device having a resistance characteristic variable in relation to the level of incident light. Initially, the device 54 is fully illuminated by the light source 52 and is in a high resistance condition. After the web 12 has been advanced from the cutter assembly 36 to the device 54, its leading edge interrupts the light path between the light source 52 and the light sensitive device 54. At this time, the resistance level of the light sensitive device 54 drops abruptly to a low value, thereby to energize the winding of a relay 86 illustrated as connected in series circuit relation with the device 54. It Will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that other circuit arrangements may be used for controlling the energization of the relay 86 in accordance with the level of incident light striking the device 54.

Upon energization of the relay l86 when the leading edge of the advancing web 12l interrupts the light path between the light source 52 and the device 54, a normally open set of relay contacts 86A are closed to complete a circuit to begin the operation of a time delay relay device illustrated in block form in broken lines and designated generally by the reference numeral 88. The time delay relay device 88 includes the winding of a relay 90 together with a time delay circuit arrangement including a variable resistor 92. The time delay relay device 88 may be any commercially available device such as a solid state time delay relay commercially available from Clare Electroseal Corp. of Des Plaines, Ill. The operation of the device 88 is such that a time delay period having a duration determined bythe setting of the variable resistor 92 takes place between the time the circuit is completed for energization of the device 88 and the time the winding of relay 90 is energized.

Due to the use of the time delay relay device 88, it is possible to provide individual sheets of any desired length using only the single web position sensing structure including the light source 52 and the light sensitive device 54. Since the resistor 92 is continuously adjustable, it is possible to provide sheets of continuously Variable lengths between a minimum length and a maximum length.

Returning now to the description of the operation of the circuit 60 in producing a single copy, after the light path between the light source 52 and the light sensitive device 54 is interrupted, the time delay period of predetermined duration takes place during which period the web -12 continues to advance past the cutter assembly 36. When the time delay period expires, a normally closed set of relay contacts 490A are moved to the open condition to interrupt the circuit for energization of the winding of the electromagnetic clutch 28. Simultaneously, a normally open set of contacts 90B are closed in order to complete a circuit for energization of the winding of the electromagnetic brake 32 and the winding of the cutter solenoid 48. Consequently, the web is stopped with a predetermined length of web having passed the cutter assembly, and the cutter assembly is operated to sever the web to provide an individual sheet.

Operation of the cutter assembly when a single sheet is'to be supplied serves to return the circuit 62 to its initial standby condition. More specifically, operation of the cutter assembly 36 serves to operate the cutter switch 50 to its alternate position, thereby to inerrupt the circuit for holding the web feed relay 76 in an energized condition. As a result, the contacts `82A reclose and the contacts 82B open to discontinue the holding circuit for the relay 82, which remains deenergized even after the cutting assembly 36 returns to its initial condition. In addition, the contacts 82D interrupt the circuit for energization of the winding of the electromagnetic clutch 28 so that the cluch remains deenergized afer deenergization of the relay winding 90. Contacts 82C reclose to prepare a circuit for the energization of the indicator lamp 74.

When the individual sheet severed by the cutting assembly 36 from the web 12 is advanced from the apparatus by suitable means (not shown) associated with a sheet utilization device or the like, the light path between the light source 52 and the light sensitive device 54 is reestablished, at which time the light sensitive device 54 returns to its high resistance condition thereby discontinuing the energization of the winding of relay 86. Consequently, contacts 86A reopen interrupting the circuit for energization of the time delay device 88. As a result, contacts 90B move to their open condition discontinuing the circuit for energization of the windings of the brake 32 and the solenoid 48, while contacts 90A are once again closed to energize the indicator lamp 74 and to reestablish the circuit for energization of the clutch 28 upon reoperation of the feed switch 80. It should be noted that when relay contacts 82A reclose, the capacitor 84 associated with time delay circuit 78 is once again returned to a full charge level by a charging current owing through a resistor 94 so that relay 76 remains in its energized condition.

As indicated above, the sheet supply apparatus 10 of the present invention is capable of supplying a predetermined number of sheets of any desired length. The control circuit 60 includes a multiple Sheet section generally designated as 96, and a multiple sheet supply operation is initiated by closing a multiple sheet switch 98. A suitable manually operated multiple sheet selector control (not shown) is associated with the switch 98. In its normal or home position, the control maintains the switch 98 in its open condition so that single sheets are supplied. When the control is moved away from its home position to a position corresponding to a selected number of sheets to be supplied, the switch 98 is closed and is maintained closed until the control returns to its home position. Apparatus including a stepping solenoid 100 is provided for stepping the manually operated control one step toward its home position each time a sheet is supplied during a multiple sheet operation.

When the multiple sheet switch y98 is closed to begin a multiple sheet supply operation, a circuit is completed for energization of the winding of a multiple sheet relay 102'. Consequently, a normally open set of relay contacts 102A are moved to their closed condition, thereby completing a circuit for energization of the web feed relay 82, and a sheet is supplied in much the same manner as described above in connection with the supply of a single sheet.

More specifically, energization of relay 82 results in opening of relay contacts 82A and 82C and simultaneous closing of

relay contacts

82B and 82D, whereupon feeding of the web 12 through the cutter assembly 38 is begun. When the advancing web interrupts the light path between the light source 52 and the light sensitive device 54, the relay 86 is energized and contacts 86A close to initiate the adjustable time delay period. When the winding of relay 90 is energized at the end of the delay period, contacts 90A open to energize the winding of the electromagnetic clutch 28, while contacts 90B close to operate the brake 32 and the cutter solenoid 48 whereupon a sheet is severed from the web 12 and delivered from the apparatus 10.

At this time, an additional normally open set of relay contacts 90C close to energize the stepping solenoid 100 and return the manual selector control one step toward its home lposition. In addition, a normally closed set of relay contacts D are opened so that the closed contacts 102A are incapable of immediately reenergizing the winding of the web feed relay 82 when the cutter switch 50 returns to its closed condition.

When the sheet severed from the web 12 is moved from the sheet supply apparatus 10 and clears the light path between the light source 52 and the light sensitive device 54, the winding of relay 86 is deenergized and contacts `86A return to their open position thus deenergizing the winding of relay 90. At this time, contacts 90A reclose to prepare a circuit for operation of the winding of clutch 28 when the relay 82 is energized, and contacts 90B open to deenergize the windings of the brake 32 and the cutter solenoid 48. Contacts 90C reopen to deenergize the stepping solenoid 100, and contacts 90D reclose. Closing of the contacts 90D serves to initiate another cycle of operation by completing a circuit through the closed cutter switch 50 and contacts 102A for energization of the web feed relay 82.

The supplying of individual sheets continues in this manner until the final sheet of the selected number of sheets is supplied at which time the stepping solenoid returns the manual selector control to its home position and the multiple sheet switch 98 is returned to its open condition to deenergize the winding of relay 102. Consequently, at the end of the operation of feeding of the final sheet, the circuit 60 is returned to its illustrated initial condition wherein either a single sheet or a number of sheets may be supplied.

In many applications it may be desirable to limit the possible sheet size by an independent circuit not affected by the adjustable time delay device 88. For example, if sheets are fed to an automatic copying machine, the maximum sheet size may be determined by the capabilities 0f the machine. It is desirable to limit the sheet size to a predetermined limit in case of interference with or malfunction of the sheet size adjusting arrangement including the light source S2, the light sensitive device 54, and the time delay device 88. In the illustrated arrangement, this is accomplished by means of the time delay circuit 66 controlling the relay 76.

More specifically, in normal operation the contacts I82A of the web feed relay -82 remain open throughout the period of time beginning with the feeding of the web 12 and ending with the operation of the cutter assembly 36 when the cutter switch 50 opens. The time delay device y88 is preferably arranged so that the sheet length is variable between limits no longer than the maximum acceptable sheet size. In the event that the device 88 fails to operate, or that the light sensitive device 54 is exposed to an extraneous light source or the like, relay 90 does not operate to discontinue feeding of the web 12 and to sever a sheet from the web.

The time delay characteristics of the circuit including the winding of relay 76 and the capacitor 84 are such that relay 76 becomes deenergized when the maximum sheet length has passed the cutter assembly 36. At this time, contacts 76B move to their normally closed position to operate the brake 32 and the cutter solenoid 48. As a result, the web is immediately severed, and the cutter switch 50 is opened to terminate the sheet supply operation and return the control circuit to its initial condition. If the time delay circuit 78 should operate during a multiple sheet supply operation, the contacts 76A return to their normally open condition to deenergize the multiple sheet relay 102 and halt the multiple sheet supply operation. After the cause of the excess sheet length has been determined, the multiple sheet operation continues without the necessity for resetting the manual selector control.

In the event the supply of web 12 becomes exhausted at any time, the switch 34 is operated to interrupt the circuit for energization of the clutch 28 and the indicator 74. In addition, operation of the switch 34 serves to complete a circuit for energization of an indicator lamp 104 providing an indicationto the operator that additional web material must be supplied.

Under some circumstances it may be desirable manually to feed the web 12 from the roll 14. In order to accomplish a manual feeding operation, a switch 106 is closed to energize the windingv of a manual feed relay 108. A normally closed set of relay contacts 108A open to interrupt the power supply to the rectifier 72 to the end that the brake 32 and cutter solenoid 48 are disabled. Simultaneously, a normally closed set of relay contacts 108B are opened to disable the clutch 28 together with the automatic sheet feeding circuitry, and the web 12 may be advanced manually from the roll 14.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. Apparatus for providing individual sheets from a web supply of sheet material comprising a roll supply of said web material, means for advancing the web along a path away from said roll at a xed speed comprising a set of rollers in frictional engagement with one another, one of said rollers being coupled to drive means through electromagnetic clutch and brake means for respectively advancing the web along the path away from said roll and stopping the web, a sensing device located at a point along said web for sensing the presence of the lead edge of the web at said point as it advances along the path, a solenoid actuated cutter assembly disposed along said path between the feed rolls and said sensing device for severing a sheet from the web, a rst time delay control circuit which is energized in response to the sensed presence of the lead edge of the sheet by said sensing device, said control circuit including a lvariable resistor for manually adjusting the time delay to a rst period of time and a second time delay control circuit which is actuated after a period of time greater than said rst period of time whereby the length of the sheet to be cut can be varied not to exceed a length governed by said second time control circuit, and power supply means for applying a high D.C. voltage to said electromagnetic brake, and solenoid means for respectively stopping said drive roller and operating said cutter assembly in order to assure rapid operation of said brake and cutter assembly whereby the variation in size of the sheets severed from said web is minimized.

2. The system of claim 1, said adjustable means being continuously variable between positions corresponding to maximum and minimum sheet lengths.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said sensing device comprising a light sensitive device disposed on one side of the path of movement of the web, and a light source disposed on the opposite side of the path of movement of the web.

4. Apparatus for providing the automatic feeding of a predetermined number of individual sheets from a web supply of sheet material comprising a roll supply of said web material, means for advancing the web along a path away from said roll at a xed speed comprising a set of rollers in frictional engagement with one another, one

of said rollers being coupled to drive means through electromagnetic clutch and brake means for respectively advancing the web along a path away from said roll and stopping the web, a sensing device located at a point along said web for sensing the presence of the lead edge of the web at said point as it advances along the path, a solenoid actuated cutter assembly disposed along said path between the feed rolls and said sensing device for severing a sheet from the lweb after it is stopped, a irst time delay control circuit Which is energized in response to the sensed presence of the lead edge of the sheet by said sensing device, said control circuit including a variable resistor for manu-` ally adjusting said time delay to a first period of time and a second time delay control circuit which is actuated after a period of time greater than said first period of time whereby the length of the sheet to be cut can be varied not to exceed a length governed by said second time control circuit count recording means preset to record said predetermined number of sheets being responsive to the energization of the cutter for recording the severing of a sheet length from the web, control means responsive to the energization of the count recording means for reenergizing said drive means, power supply means for applying a high DC voltage to said electromagnetic brake and solenoid means for respectively operating said drive roller and cutter assembly in order to assure rapid operation of said brake and cutter whereby variations in size of sheets severed from said web is minimized, said sequence of cutting and feeding continuing until said predetermined number of sheets is recorded in said count recording means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,110,716 3/1938 Rhea 83-362 2,389,783 ll/l945 Kennedy 83-241 X 2,458,612 ll/l949 Luzzatto et al 83-210 2,655,994 10/ 1953 Vandenberg 83-363 X 2,705,466 4/1955 Sargrove et al 83-362 X 2,742,087 4/1956 Smith et al 83-365 X 2,939,354 6/1960 King 83-365 X 2,978,943 4/ 1961 Balint 83-362 3,469,482 9/1969 Lee 83-210 3,504,586 4/ 1970 Acquaviva 83-241 X FRANK T. YOST, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 83-24l, 363