US3807724A - Stacker for continuous form sheets - Google Patents

Stacker for continuous form sheets Download PDF

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Publication number
US3807724A
US3807724A US00285982A US28598272A US3807724A US 3807724 A US3807724 A US 3807724A US 00285982 A US00285982 A US 00285982A US 28598272 A US28598272 A US 28598272A US 3807724 A US3807724 A US 3807724A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
stacking
guide
sheets
continuous
chain
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00285982A
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English (en)
Inventor
W Bartz
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
International Business Machines Corp
Original Assignee
International Business Machines Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by International Business Machines Corp filed Critical International Business Machines Corp
Priority to US00285982A priority Critical patent/US3807724A/en
Priority to IT27097/73A priority patent/IT998286B/it
Priority to FR7328908*A priority patent/FR2198481A5/fr
Priority to JP48087696A priority patent/JPS5137574B2/ja
Priority to GB3879573A priority patent/GB1403475A/en
Priority to CA179,522A priority patent/CA989432A/en
Priority to DE19732344452 priority patent/DE2344452C3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3807724A publication Critical patent/US3807724A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H45/00—Folding thin material
    • B65H45/02—Folding limp material without application of pressure to define or form crease lines
    • B65H45/06—Folding webs
    • B65H45/10—Folding webs transversely
    • B65H45/101—Folding webs transversely in combination with laying, i.e. forming a zig-zag pile
    • B65H45/1015—Folding webs provided with predefined fold lines; Refolding prefolded webs, e.g. fanfolded continuous forms
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
    • B65H2701/10—Handled articles or webs
    • B65H2701/11—Dimensional aspect of article or web
    • B65H2701/112—Section geometry
    • B65H2701/1123—Folded article or web
    • B65H2701/11231—Fan-folded material or zig-zag or leporello

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT Apparatus for folding and stacking continuous form sheet in which the sheets are driven into the stacker at 52 US. Cl 270/61 F, 226/71 a predetermined speed and a continuous chain [51] Int. Cl.'. B65h 45/101 ber is mounted extending into the P of the Continu- [58] Field f S h 270/39, 40, 1 F, 73 79; ous form sheets.
  • the chain member is driven at 2 226/171 111 speed greater than the predetermined speed and the combined action of the chain member and a curved [56]
  • FIG. 1 there is shown web handling ap- This invention relates generally to web handling hanparatus embodying the folding and Stacking apparatus dling apparatus and more particularly to improved apparatus for use in high speed printer applications for folding and stacking continuous paper forms in fanfold configuration.
  • a folding and stacking device which comprises drive means for feeding continuous form sheets of material into a stacking'compartment bounded by first and second guide means at a predetermined speed along an angular path having a continuous chain means extending into the path with the chain means being driven at a speed greater than the predetermined speed so that the continuous form sheets of material are forced to take a continuous curvature when extending toward the first guide means and a curved guide member coacting with the chain means forces the continuous form sheets of material to take a continuous curvature when extending toward the second guide means.
  • FIG. 1 is a front view of the stacking apparatus comprising the invention with some parts cut away to more clearly show the novel structure
  • FIG. 2 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the stacking apparatus embodying the invention with some parts cut away to more clearly show the novel structure;
  • FIG. 3 is a left side view of the embodiment of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 with some parts cut away to more clearly show the novel structure.
  • the apparatus comprises input feeding means 10 which is actuated by suitable drive means to drive the continuous form web 6 into the stacking compartment 16 of the stacking and folding apparatus at a predetermined speed.
  • the drive means comprises drive motor 26 and suitable means such as belts or gears (shown dotted in the drawings) for coupling this power source to drive various components in the machine.
  • Electrical signals to control motor 26 and other components in the printer and stacker are provided by control unit 25.
  • Control unit may comprise wired control circuits or the control signals may be provided by the processor of an associated data processing machine if desired.
  • Stacking compartment 16 is formed by a stacking platform 18, a first guide means 20 and a second guide means 22 arranged so that the sheets 8 of the continuous forms web 6 are placed on the stacking platform between the first and the second guide means.
  • a chain means 12 Overlying the stacking compartment 16 is a chain means 12.
  • Chain means 12 is continuously driven in an enclosed path by suitable driving means 14 at a speed greater than the predetermined speed at which the input continuous form web is driven.
  • Chain means 12 is positioned to frictionally engage the input continuous form web so that the web is positioned and driven by the chain means.
  • chain means 12 comprises a plurality of continuous chain members driven by suitable means 14 and supported by a guide member 64 and idler members 66 and 68.
  • the chain members hang in an arcuate path extending into the entry path of the continuous forms web at an angle approximately 30 to the horizontal.
  • Chain means 12 may comprise any suitable member which produces the effect of weight on the continuous forms without impeding the motion in the desired direction. Rather, the motion in the desired direction is enhanced due to the frictional engagement with the continuous forms.
  • a curved guide member 24 positioned closely adjacent to input driving means 10 and extending adjacent chain means 12 forces the incoming web to assume a curved position which gives the web substantial lateral stiffness so that the web does not buckle across its width.
  • the chain means 12 exerts sufficient force on the continuous form web so that the individual sheets are forced to take a favorable position for reliable stacking in a fanfold configuration.
  • the apparatus is also operable to stack sheets that have been burst from the continuous form Web.
  • sheet input the operation is as described above for sheet 8a until this sheet abuts guide means 20.
  • the second sheet enters the stacking compartment as the trailing edge of sheet 8a is settling and the curvature produced in the sheets insures that the second sheet will be directed toward guide means 20 due to engagement with.
  • the reliable folding and stacking operation is due to the combination of the action of the chain means, the curved guide means and the drive means which provides a higher speed drive to the chain means than to the continuous form web input drive which results in the individual sheets being forced to assume a particular curvature which is continuously changing as the continuous form web is stacked in fanfold configuration in the stacking compartment.
  • first guide means 20 is selectively adjustable so that the distance between guide means 20' and 22 can be set to accommodate any desired size of form.
  • Guide means 20' is selectively movable by adjusting means 30 which is operable to set the distance between guide means 22 and guide means 20' to a selected form size.
  • Adjusting means 30 comprises suitably rotating shaft means 32 to position guide means 20' to accommodate the selected form size.
  • the rotation of shaft 32 can be accomplished manually by an operator if desired, or can be driven by a suitable clutched drive from motor 26 in which the clutch is actuated by an appropriate control signal from the printer control unit.
  • Guide means 20' comprises a suitable support member 34 which extends across the stacking compartment and member 34 is supportedv for movement relative to guide means 22. The movement is provided by rotating shaft 32 and spur gear 36, which is fixed to shaft 32, acting with rack member 38 to position support member 34. If desired, detent means can be provided along rack member 38'to designate each of the standard form lengths.
  • a plurality of guide members 40 extend from support member 34 into recesses in stacking platform 18 to provide a stop to position the leading edge of the continuous form web.
  • an extended ramp portion 42 of support member 34 is provided.
  • Lateral guides 44 are provided to maintain the spacing of chain means 12 as the chains move over the ramp portion 42 and maintain the proper curvature in chain members 12 in the stacking area so that reliable stacking results.
  • apparatus which is adjustable either manually by operator control or through suitable control circuits from the printer control unit to select a particular-form'length for folding and stacking in stacking compartment 16.
  • this function is provided by flexible belt means 50 which is continuously driven adjacent the trailing edge of the stacked sheets so that the form is aided in its downward movement to remove the trapped air between succeeding forms without the form buckling between perforations.
  • Belt means 50 comprise a plurality of belts having flexible fingers projecting into the stacker area to aid in stacking the continuous form web.
  • the belts are driven continuously by driven pulley 54 moving downward against the folded edges of the form.
  • the lower run of the belts is around idler member 56 so mounted that belts 52 are pivotable toward and away from the stack of forms as shown by dotted lines in the drawing.
  • belts 52 were driven at a speed about one-third of the input form speed.
  • the stacking platform 18, on which the forms are stacked is movable relative to guide means 20 and 22 so that the distance between the top of the stack of forms and the chain means can be accurately maintained.
  • stack height sensing means comprising a light source 58 mounted at one side of the stacker near fixed guide means 22.
  • a photoelectric cell 60 is mounted in position to receive light from source 58.
  • a signal is generated as a result and the this signal is used to energize a suitable drive means to lower the height of stacking platform 18.
  • One suitable drive means is a reversible electric motor (not shown) which is coupled to drive lead screw 62 directly. This drive continues until the light from source 58 again impinges on photocell 60. Limit switches are provided to prevent stacking platform 18 from being driven higher or lower than pre-set limits.
  • a mechanism to fanfold transversely perforated elongated sheets of material comprising:
  • a stacking compartment comprising a stacking platform and first and second upstanding guide means
  • continuous chain means having a certain mass and friction characteristic so that said chain means frictionally engages said material and means to mount the chain means for movement around a continuous path having an arcuate portion extending into the path of said material;
  • a curved guide member positioned adjacent to said chain means and having a surface which guides said material, said surface being convex in the direction of said material and extending from said chain means toward said second guide means whereby said material is forced to fanfold into said stacking compartment by the combined action of said chain means and said curved guide member.
  • the apparatus according to claim 2 additionally comprising means movable with said first guide member to adjust the arcuate path of said chain means as said distance between said guide members is adjusted.
  • the apparatus according to claim 5 additionally comprising means movable with said first guide member to adjust the arcuate path of said chain means as said distance between said guide members is adjusted.
  • drive means for adjusting the height of said stack and means in response to a signal from said height sens ing means to energize said drive means to maintain the stack at a predetermined height.
  • the apparatus according to claim 8 additionally comprising means movable with said first guide member to adjust the arcuate path of said chain means as said distance between said guide members is adjusted.
  • the apparatus according to claim 7 additionally comprising a continuous flexible belt member having flexible fingers extending into said stacking compartment adjacent said second guide member, and

Landscapes

  • Folding Of Thin Sheet-Like Materials, Special Discharging Devices, And Others (AREA)
  • Handling Of Continuous Sheets Of Paper (AREA)
US00285982A 1972-09-05 1972-09-05 Stacker for continuous form sheets Expired - Lifetime US3807724A (en)

Priority Applications (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00285982A US3807724A (en) 1972-09-05 1972-09-05 Stacker for continuous form sheets
IT27097/73A IT998286B (it) 1972-09-05 1973-07-26 Raccoglitore per moduli continui
FR7328908*A FR2198481A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1972-09-05 1973-07-30
JP48087696A JPS5137574B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1972-09-05 1973-08-06
GB3879573A GB1403475A (en) 1972-09-05 1973-08-16 Apparatus for fan-folding web material
CA179,522A CA989432A (en) 1972-09-05 1973-08-23 Stacker for continuous form sheets
DE19732344452 DE2344452C3 (de) 1972-09-05 1973-09-04 Anordnung zur Zickzack-Ablage von Endlosbahnen

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00285982A US3807724A (en) 1972-09-05 1972-09-05 Stacker for continuous form sheets

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3807724A true US3807724A (en) 1974-04-30

Family

ID=23096527

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00285982A Expired - Lifetime US3807724A (en) 1972-09-05 1972-09-05 Stacker for continuous form sheets

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US3807724A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS5137574B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CA (1) CA989432A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR2198481A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1403475A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
IT (1) IT998286B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4054283A (en) * 1975-07-17 1977-10-18 Data Products Corporation Fan fold form stacker
US4095779A (en) * 1975-08-01 1978-06-20 Fujitsu Limited Apparatus for stacking a continuous printed paper being folded
US4189133A (en) * 1978-11-03 1980-02-19 International Business Machines Corporation Document stacking table lowering method, apparatus and controlling circuitry therefor
US4226410A (en) * 1978-04-20 1980-10-07 Centronics Data Computer Corporation Stacking system for fanfold paper and the like
US4516761A (en) * 1984-04-23 1985-05-14 Bell & Howell Company Motor driven continuous form folder
US5230454A (en) * 1990-04-18 1993-07-27 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Automatic document feeder capable of handling computer form document
US5350246A (en) * 1992-08-03 1994-09-27 International Business Machines Corporation High speed continuous-forms printer
US6247691B1 (en) * 2000-04-10 2001-06-19 Bell & Howell Mail & Messaging Technologies Company Positive drive mechanism for buckle folder and method
US20160214827A1 (en) * 2013-09-30 2016-07-28 Robert Bosch Gmbh Stacking device

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5438924B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1973-12-24 1979-11-24
JPS51410A (en) * 1974-06-19 1976-01-06 Fuji Electric Co Ltd Kirokusochino kirokushishunosochi
JPS5144018A (ja) * 1974-10-11 1976-04-15 Fujitsu Ltd Yoshioritatamisochi
JPS5146222A (ja) * 1974-10-16 1976-04-20 Fujitsu Ltd Yoshioritatamisochi
NL7505025A (nl) * 1975-04-28 1976-11-01 Oce Van Der Grinten Nv Magazijn voor het opslaan van een stapel zigzag gevouwen bandmateriaal.
JPS54183466U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1978-06-16 1979-12-26
BE1006144A3 (nl) * 1992-08-19 1994-05-24 Atep Systems Nv Inrichting voor het opvangen van kettingformulieren.

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1791569A (en) * 1926-07-15 1931-02-10 Smithe Machine Co Inc F L Delivery mechanism
US3083008A (en) * 1960-09-30 1963-03-26 John L Miller Folding machine for tubular knitted fabrics
US3178172A (en) * 1962-10-22 1965-04-13 Eastman Kodak Co Handling apparatus for folded material
US3627304A (en) * 1969-07-22 1971-12-14 Eastman Kodak Co Apparatus for handling continuous strips of material

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1791569A (en) * 1926-07-15 1931-02-10 Smithe Machine Co Inc F L Delivery mechanism
US3083008A (en) * 1960-09-30 1963-03-26 John L Miller Folding machine for tubular knitted fabrics
US3178172A (en) * 1962-10-22 1965-04-13 Eastman Kodak Co Handling apparatus for folded material
US3627304A (en) * 1969-07-22 1971-12-14 Eastman Kodak Co Apparatus for handling continuous strips of material

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4054283A (en) * 1975-07-17 1977-10-18 Data Products Corporation Fan fold form stacker
US4095779A (en) * 1975-08-01 1978-06-20 Fujitsu Limited Apparatus for stacking a continuous printed paper being folded
US4226410A (en) * 1978-04-20 1980-10-07 Centronics Data Computer Corporation Stacking system for fanfold paper and the like
US4189133A (en) * 1978-11-03 1980-02-19 International Business Machines Corporation Document stacking table lowering method, apparatus and controlling circuitry therefor
US4516761A (en) * 1984-04-23 1985-05-14 Bell & Howell Company Motor driven continuous form folder
US5230454A (en) * 1990-04-18 1993-07-27 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Automatic document feeder capable of handling computer form document
US5350246A (en) * 1992-08-03 1994-09-27 International Business Machines Corporation High speed continuous-forms printer
US6247691B1 (en) * 2000-04-10 2001-06-19 Bell & Howell Mail & Messaging Technologies Company Positive drive mechanism for buckle folder and method
US20160214827A1 (en) * 2013-09-30 2016-07-28 Robert Bosch Gmbh Stacking device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS4963523A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1974-06-20
IT998286B (it) 1976-01-20
DE2344452B2 (de) 1976-01-29
DE2344452A1 (de) 1974-03-28
JPS5137574B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1976-10-16
CA989432A (en) 1976-05-18
FR2198481A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1974-03-29
GB1403475A (en) 1975-08-28

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