US3622150A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sheet conveying and stacking apparatus
Assignee: Potlatch Forests Inc
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Filing: 1969-10-20
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Granted: 1971-11-23
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Expires: 1989-10-20
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and process for handling sheets of resilient materials, particularly veneer. The apparatus includes a feeding device for arching each sheet, a conveying device for the sheets while maintained in an arched configuration and a plurality of release devices located along the conveying device for dropping the sheets into vertical stacks. The conveying apparatus maintains each sheet in an arched configuration transversely across the sheet, maintaining the required rigidity in the sheet without intermediate supports along the conveyor area. The present process of sheet handling involves the steps of transversely arching each sheet, conveying the arched sheets and release of the sheets onto a flat stack.
Inventors
- 👤 Leonard L Hayes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:14
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H29/00; B65H29/70; B65G; B65G37/00; B65G2812/00; B65G2812/01; B65G2812/016; B65G2812/018
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
An apparatus for conveying a row of successive normally flat sheets of resilient material having a common width, comprising: longitudinal moving conveyor means having opposed sheet engaging surfaces facing toward one another, said surfaces being spaced apart by a distance slightly less than the sheet width; feed means for placing the sheets in succession between the surfaces of said conveying means with the side edges of each sheet respectively engaged by the surfaces and aligned parallel to the direction of movement thereof; and sheet release means along the length of said conveyor means for selectively moving the sheet edges inwardly of said surfaces to thereby release the sheet from between the surfaces.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
112 words
An apparatus for conveying a row of successive normally flat sheets of resilient material having a common width, comprising: longitudinal moving conveyor means having opposed sheet engaging surfaces facing toward one another, said surfaces being spaced apart by a distance slightly less than the sheet width; feed means for placing the sheets in succession between the surfaces of said conveying means with the side edges of each sheet respectively engaged by the surfaces and aligned parallel to the direction of movement thereof; and sheet release means along the length of said conveyor means for selectively moving the sheet edges inwardly of said surfaces to thereby release the sheet from between the surfaces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus as set out in claim 1 wherein said sheet release means is located at a preselected station along said conveyor means and comprises force applying elements mounted along said conveyor means for urging the side edges of a sheet inwardly of the respective sheet engaging surfaces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as set out in claim 1 wherein the surfaces of said conveyor means are spaced apart horizontally; said sheet release means being operable for selectively moving the sheet edges inwardly of said surfaces to thereby permit the sheet to fall vertically between said surfaces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as set out in claim 3 further comprising: stacking receiving means located below said sheet release means for vertically stacking the sheets as they fall between said surfaces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
125 words
In an apparatus for handling sheets of resilient material having a normal planar configuration and including parallel side edges; a longitudinal conveyor having a pair of endless belts including upright working flights facing toward one another, said working flights being spaced from one another by a distance less than the width of a sheeT; feed means for transversely arching each sheet of material as it is placed in succession between the belts with the respective side edges of the sheet in surface engagement with the working flight of the belts; and sheet releasing means engageable with a sheet adjacent at least one side edge thereof for selectively moving said one side edge inwardly from and out of engagement with the conveyor working flight engaged thereby.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
125 words
In an apparatus for handling sheets of resilient material having a normal planar configuration and including parallel side edges; a longitudinal conveyor having a pair of endless belts including upright working flights facing toward one another, said working flights being spaced from one another by a distance less than the width of a sheeT; feed means for transversely arching each sheet of material as it is placed in succession between the belts with the respective side edges of the sheet in surface engagement with the working flight of the belts; and sheet releasing means engageable with a sheet adjacent at least one side edge thereof for selectively moving said one side edge inwardly from and out of engagement with the conveyor working flight engaged thereby.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
143 words
An apparatus for conveying a row of successive sheets of flexible material having a common width and parallel, transversely spaced side edges, comprising: a conveyor having a pair of endless longitudinal belts including planar upright working flights facing toward one another, the respective working flights of said belts being positioned at a common elevation and being transversely spaced from one another by a horizontal distance less than the width of a sheet; transversely spaced longitudinal guides positioned inwardly adjacent to the respective working flights of the conveyor; and means operatively connected to said belt for driving the belts in unison with the working flights thereof each moving longitudinally in a common direction; and means along said conveyor for urging the side edges of each sheet inwardly of the respective conveyor flights and for permitting the sheets so urged to fall between the belts.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
143 words
An apparatus for conveying a row of successive sheets of flexible material having a common width and parallel, transversely spaced side edges, comprising: a conveyor having a pair of endless longitudinal belts including planar upright working flights facing toward one another, the respective working flights of said belts being positioned at a common elevation and being transversely spaced from one another by a horizontal distance less than the width of a sheet; transversely spaced longitudinal guides positioned inwardly adjacent to the respective working flights of the conveyor; and means operatively connected to said belt for driving the belts in unison with the working flights thereof each moving longitudinally in a common direction; and means along said conveyor for urging the side edges of each sheet inwardly of the respective conveyor flights and for permitting the sheets so urged to fall between the belts.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
163 words
An apparatus for conveying a row of successive sheets of flexible material having a common width and parallel, transversely spaced side edges, comprising: a conveyor having a pair of endless longitudinal belts including planar upright working flights facing toward one another, the respective working flights of said belts being positioned at a common elevation and being transversely spaced from one another by a horizontal distance less than the width of a sheet; transversely spaced longitudinal guides positioned inwardly adjacent to the respective working flights of the conveyor; and means operatively connected to said belt for driving the belts in unison with the working flights thereof each moving longitudinally in a common direction; and a plurality of sheet release means spaced longitudinally along the conveyor for respectively engaging the upper surface of a sheet adjacent the side edges thereof and for urging the side edges of each sheet so engaged inwardly and downwardly so as to cause the sheet to fall between the belts.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
163 words
An apparatus for conveying a row of successive sheets of flexible material having a common width and parallel, transversely spaced side edges, comprising: a conveyor having a pair of endless longitudinal belts including planar upright working flights facing toward one another, the respective working flights of said belts being positioned at a common elevation and being transversely spaced from one another by a horizontal distance less than the width of a sheet; transversely spaced longitudinal guides positioned inwardly adjacent to the respective working flights of the conveyor; and means operatively connected to said belt for driving the belts in unison with the working flights thereof each moving longitudinally in a common direction; and a plurality of sheet release means spaced longitudinally along the conveyor for respectively engaging the upper surface of a sheet adjacent the side edges thereof and for urging the side edges of each sheet so engaged inwardly and downwardly so as to cause the sheet to fall between the belts.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of handling resilient sheets of material capable of being self-supporting in an arched configuration comprising the following steps: arching each sheet across the full sheet width without permanent deformation of the sheet material; subsequently conveying the sheet while maintaining such arched configuration by application of inwardly directed forces to the sheet adjacent its respective side edges, the arching of the resilient sheet serving as the sole support of that portion of the sheet inward of the points of application of the forces; and releasing each sheet by applying thereto forces directed downwardly and inwardly at locations adjacent the respective side edges of the sheet, to thereby form a vertical stack of sheets.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of handling resilient sheets of material capable of being self-supporting in an arched configuration comprising the following steps: arching each sheet across the full sheet width without permanent deformation of the sheet material; subsequently conveying the sheet while maintaining such arched configuration by application of inwardly directed forces to the sheet adjacent its respective side edges, the arching of the resilient sheet serving as the sole support of that portion of the sheet inward of the points of application of the forces; and releasing each sheet by applying thereto forces directed downwardly and inwardly at locations adjacent the respective side edges of the sheet, to thereby form a vertical stack of sheets.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as set out in claim 8 wherein the sheets are permitted to return to their original plane configuration upon release.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
69 words
A method as set out in claim 8 wherein the step of arching each sheet is accomplished by engaging one surface of each sheet along its longitudinal center over the full sheet length for movement along a first path and simultaneously engaging the opposite surface of the sheet at each side of its longitudinal center over the full sheet length for movement along path diverging from said first path.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as set out in claim 8 wherein the sheets are composed of wood veneer having the wood grain oriented transversely across the sheet and having the transverse edges thereof substantially parallel to one another.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of handling resilient sheets of material such as wood veneErs, comprising the following steps: supporting the sheets in moving longitudinal row with each sheet assuming a plane horizontal configuration and with the respective side edges of the row of sheets in substantial longitudinal alignment; aching each sheet while continuing its movement along said row by progressively raising the longitudinal center of the sheet above the elevation of the side edges thereof; supporting each arched sheet during continued longitudinal movement by applying inwardly directed force to the respective side edges thereof by members moving conjointly with the sheets; and releasing each sheet by applying thereto forces directed downwardly and inwardly at locations adjacent the respective side edges of the sheet, to thereby form a vertical stack of sheets.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of handling resilient sheets of material such as wood veneErs, comprising the following steps: supporting the sheets in moving longitudinal row with each sheet assuming a plane horizontal configuration and with the respective side edges of the row of sheets in substantial longitudinal alignment; aching each sheet while continuing its movement along said row by progressively raising the longitudinal center of the sheet above the elevation of the side edges thereof; supporting each arched sheet during continued longitudinal movement by applying inwardly directed force to the respective side edges thereof by members moving conjointly with the sheets; and releasing each sheet by applying thereto forces directed downwardly and inwardly at locations adjacent the respective side edges of the sheet, to thereby form a vertical stack of sheets.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as set out in claim 12 wherein the sheets are permitted to return to their original plane configuration upon release.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-22 | 1975-05-24 | 1975-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-22 | 1979-05-24 | 1979-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-22 | 1983-05-24 | 1983-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |