US3693970A

US3693970A - Sheet handling apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3693970A
Application number: US80370A
Authority: US
Inventors: William Grobman
Original assignee: Harris Intertype Corp
Current assignee: Harris Corp
Priority date: 1970-10-13
Filing date: 1970-10-13
Publication date: 1972-09-26
Anticipated expiration: 1989-09-26
Also published as: GB1307172A; DE2138628C3; DE2138628A1; DE2138628B2

Abstract

Side gauge for sheet handling apparatus such as a printer slotter which has a pneumatically operable auxiliary gauge member to allow for quick processing of oversized paperboard blanks with remote control.

Description

United States Patent Grobman [151 3,693,970 1 Sept. 26, 1972 [5 4] I SHEET HANDLING APPARATUS [72] Inventor: William Grobman, Philadelphia, Pa. [73] Assignee: Harris-Intertype Corporation,

Cleveland, Ohio [22] Filed: Oct. 13, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 80,370

[52] US. Cl. ..27l/59 [51] Int. Cl. ..B65h 9/04 [58] Field of Search ..27l/58, 59, 48, 49, 89, l

[56] I References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,615,590 I 1/1927 Low ...271/4s 3,256,010 6/1966 Buccicone ..271/89 X 1,792,878 2/1931 Wagner ..271/49 X 3,385,457 5/1968 Zinn ..2 71/89 X 3,176,801 4/1965 Huff ..92/9 X 3,198,105 8/1965 Smith ..271/58 X 2,128,316 8/1938 Paul ..271/89 Primary Examiner-Evon C. Blunk Assistant Examiner-Bruce H. Stoner, .lr. Attorney-Seidel, Gonda & Goldhammer [57] ABSTRACT Side gauge for sheet handling apparatus such as a printer slotter which has a pneumatically operable auxiliary gauge member to allow for quick processing of oversized paperboard blanks with remote control.

4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEBsEm I972 SHEET 1 [IF 2 INVENTOR WILL/AM GROBMA/V PATENTED I973 3.693.970

SHEET 2 0F 2 IN VEN TOR WILL/AM GROBMAN A r TORNE Y5 SHEET HANDLING APPARATUS This invention is directed to a sheet handling apparatus, such as a printer-slotter particularly adapted for use in processing sheets such as flat paperboard box blanks. When starting a new production run of blanks, it is common to have approximately ten to twenty excessively over-sized box blanks due to length adjustments in the corrugator machine cut-off. These oversized box blanks are generally mixed with good blanks of the proper size. The over-sized box blanks create a problem in feeding. In order to feed the sheets such as paperboard box blanks in alignment, it has been known to utilize a pair of side gauges. The side gauges are laterally adjustable to accommodate various sizes of box blanks. During feeding of the blanks, one of the side gauages is generally stationary while the other may be manually movable to facilitate accommodation of the excessively over-sized box blanks. The blanks also vary in length slightly due to feeding errors at the cutoff. 1

The detent for the movable gauge is located in a position where it is difficult for an operator to adjust the same, especially when the apparatus is running. It has been suggested heretofore to provide a motorized control for the movable side gauge. However, such motorized controls are slow or they unnecessarily complicate the adjustment of the side gauge or substantially increase the cost of the apparatus.

' In accordance with the present invention, the movable side gauge includes a plate-like member connected to a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder. In addition, the

provision of a pneumatic cylinder for effecting movement of the plate member toward or away from the stationary side gauge permits rapid adjustments to accommodate over-sized sheets. After the excessively oversize sheets are processed, the plate member can be rapidly and positively returned to its initial setting. The pneumatic cylinder is remotely operated so as to permit adjustment while the apparatus is running and containing a full hopper of sheets to be processed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel apparatus for handling sheets such as paperboard blanks to facilitate alignment of the same and to allow for quick processing of over-sized sheets.

It is another object of the present invention to provide apparatus such as a printer-slotter for handling sheets such as paperboard blanks in a manner which provides for remote control of a side gauge in a rapid manner to accommodate over-sized paperboard blanks.

It is another object of the present invention to provide sheet handling apparatus which may be supplied -new or applied to existing equipment in the field.

It is another object of the present invention to provide for retraction of a gauge plate member in a manner which is simple, inexpensive and reliable.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 22.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a partial section of the view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

Referring to the drawing in detail, where like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown a sheet handling apparatus of the present invention designated generally as 10. The apparatus 10 is the sheet gauge portion of a paperboard box blank printer-slotter. The apparatus 10 includes a hopper table or support surface 12 on which the box blanks are supported. A gate bar 16 is supported by a pair of side frames 14 (only one shown) of the printer-slotter."lhe gate bar 16 is provided with a scale 18 having graduations thereon extending along its length to facilitate setting the side gauges to the proper width.

The apparatus 10 includes a first side gauge 20 and a second side gauge 22. The

gauges

20 and 22 are adjustable along the length of gate bar 16. Side gauge 20 is generally maintained stationary after adjustment for blank size while side gauge 22 is mounted for movement toward and away from side gauge 20.

The gate bar 16 supports first and second sheet gates 24 and 26 which are adapted to be moved in an up and down direction to suit the sheet thickness so that one sheet is fed at a time. The means for feeding sheets through the gap between the lower end of the gates 24 and 26 and the table 12 per se forms no partof the present invention.

The feed gate 24 is supported from the gate bar 16 by a bracket 28 in an adjustable manner. Bracket 28 includes a hand wheel 32 for raising or lowering the gate 24. Similarly, gate 26 is supported by bracket which contains a hand wheel 34 for raising or lowering of the gate 26.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the side gauge 22 includes a gauge plate 36 supported from the gate bar 16 by means of a bracket 38. Bracket 38 includes a pair of cars through which extends a pivot pin 40. Pivot pin 40 rotatably supports from the ears a clamp 42. Clamp 42 is utilized to lock the bracket 38 in any desired location along the gate bar 16 and is actuated by means of a hand wheel 44. The hand wheel 44 is threadedly coupled to the clamp 42 and engages an upper surface on the bracket 38.

The side gauge 22 also includes an auxiliary plate member 46 which may be provided with bristles 48 on a side face thereof. Member 46 is supported by the plate 36 as follows.

As shown more clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3, plate 36 is provided with a row of

holes

50, 52, and 54. A boss 56 on the rear surface of member 46 extends through hole 50 and releasably supports a guide pin 58 by means of a set screw or the like. Guide pin 58 extends through and is guided by the bushing 60. Bushing 60 is releasably secured to a rear face of aplate-36.

A boss 62 on the rear surface of member 46 extends through hole 54 and supports a guide pin 64 by means of a set screw or the like. Pin extends through and is guided by a bushing 66. Bushing 66 is releasably secured to a rear surface on the plate 36. The longitudinal axes of

pins

58 and 64 are parallel to the longitudinal'axis of gate bar 16.

A boss 68 on therear surface of member 46 extends through the center hole 52. Boss 68 is threaded with a blind hole so as to threadedly receive one end of a piston rod 70. Piston rod 70 extends through a hole in a bracket 72. Bracket 72 is releasably connected to the rear surface of plate 36 and is connected to a cylinder head 74 on one end of a cylinder 76. A cylinder head 78 is connected to the opposite end of cylinder 76.

The cylinder heads 74 and 78 are supported by a platealike shelf 80 which in turn is connected .to the rear surface of plate 36. A piston 82 disposed within cylinder 76 is connected to the piston rod 70. The opposite sides of the piston 82 within the cylinder 76 are in, communication with one another by way of a manually adjustable valve 88, conduit 86, and refill plug 90. Oil 84 is disposed within the cylinder 76 on both sides of the piston 82, within the cylinder heads, and in the conduit 86. I

A cylinder head 93 on one end of the cylinder 92 is connected to the cylinder head 78. A cylinder head 94 is connected to the opposite end of the cylinder 92. The

cylinders

76 and 92 are coaxial and the piston rod 70 extends throughout the length of cylinder 76 and terminates at a piston 96 within cylinder 92. Air is adapted to be introduced into the cylinder 92 on opposite sides of the piston 96 by way of

flexible conduits

97 and 98 which communicate with the cylinder heads 93 and 94 respectively. The

conduits

97 and 98 communicate with a supply and exhaust valve 100 having a manual actuator 102 anda motorized actuator 108. Pressurized air is supplied from a source by way of conduit 104 and conduit 106 is connected to atmosphere. At the beginning of a production run of paperboard blanks, side gauges 20 and 22 are adjusted on the gate bar l6-to accommodate a correctly sized blank. Movable plate member 46 will be in its fully extended position and will hold the box blank tightly against side gauge 20. Plate member 46 will then be retracted slightly to allow a free flow of blanks through the hopper. When excessively over-size blanks are encountered, plate member 46 is retracted further to allow them to flow through the hopper. After processing of the over-sized sheets the plate member 46 is extended to the normal running position. Bristles 48 on the surface of plate member 46 provide means to align paperboard blanks which vary slightly in length from one another with the fixed side gauge 20.

The supply and exhaust valve 100 and the motorized control 108 are at a remote location and are adapted to be manipulated during operation of the apparatus with the hopper containing a full supply of blanks.

Whenever an oversized blank is being processed, the,

operator need only manipulate actuator 102 to move the supply and exhaust valve 100 from the neutral position shown in FIG. 1 to a position wherein air is supplied from conduit 104 to conduit 97 thereby retracting the plate member 46. As soon as the over-sized blank or blanks are processed, actuator 102 may be manipulated so as to place the supply and exhaust valve 100 in a neutral position or a position wherein conduit 104 is connected to conduit 98. At any time that the supply and exhaust valve 100 is in the neutral position, the piston rod will remain stationary. The oil 84 controls the rate of movement of the piston rod 70 and the plate member 46 connected thereto. Valve 88 controls the rate at which the oil 84 may flow from one side of the piston through conduit 86 to the other side of the piston 82.

The apparatus 10 structurally interrelated as set member 46 attached thereto as illustrated in FIG. 3 may be substituted for the adjustable side gauge on existing equipment. E

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

I claim:

. 1. Sheet handling apparatus comprising first and second side gauges, frame means supporting said gauges for relative movement, said second gauge including a plate member connected to a fluid cylinder, said second gauge includes a vertical plate which supports and guides said plate member, said cylinder and plate member being supported by said plate, means for adjusting said plate together with said plate member and cylinder as a unit toward and away from the first gauge, means including said cylinder for rapid reciprocatory movement of the plate member toward and away from said first gauge when processing oversized sheets, a gauge bar, said gauge bar constituting a part of the frame means which reciprocally supports said second gauge, and feed gates supported by the gauge bar between said first and second gauges.

2'. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said plate member and cylinder are on opposite sides of said plate, said plate having a hole to accommodate a piston rod extending from the cylinder to said plate member.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said cylinder is a dual cylinder having a single piston rod, a piston in each cylinder connected to said piston rod, one of said cylinders being filled with a hydraulic fluid and having a conduit communicating at opposite ends thereof through which the fluid may flow when passing from one side of the piston to the other, the other of said cylinders being a pneumatic cylinder, one end of said piston rod being connected to said plate member.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including brush bristles on a face of said plate member which is juxtaposed to said first gauge.

Claims

1. Sheet handling apparatus comprising first and second side gauges, frame means supporting said gauges for relative movement, said second gauge including a plate member connected to a fluid cylinder, said second gauge includes a vertical plate which supports and guides said plate member, said cylinder and plate member being supported by said plate, means for adjusting said plate together with said plate member and cylinder as a unit toward and away from the first gauge, means including said cylinder for rapid reciprocatory movement of the plate member toward and away from said first gauge when processing oversized sheets, a gauge bar, said gauge bar constituting a part of the frame means which reciprocally supports said second gauge, and feed gates supported by the gauge bar between said first and second gauges.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said plate member and cylinder are on opposite sides of said plate, said plate having a hole to accommodate a piston rod extending from the cylinder to said plate member.