US3847384A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for collating sheet like elements
Assignee: FL Smithe Machine Co Inc
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Filing: 1973-01-30
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Granted: 1974-11-12
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Expires: 1993-01-30
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for collating sheet like elements that includes initially feeding the sheet elements by a first conveyor in a spaced tandem relation at a high linear velocity into a spiral carrier. The spiral carrier includes a plurality of arcuate fingers having spiral slots formed therebetween. The sheets traveling at the relatively high rate of speed are projected individually into the slots of the spiral carrier also traveling at a relatively high linear speed. As each of the sheets follows the inwardly spiraling path of the slots, their linear velocity is substantially reduced so that when the sheet edges contact a stop plate, they are decelerated from the initial high linear speed. The stop plate directs the sheets radially outwardly from the slots of the spiral carrier into frictional engagement between the endless belts of a second conveyor. The second conveyor traveling at a substantially lower linear speed feeds the sheets in a continuous stream exposing only a marginal edge between adjacent elements for completion of further production operations. The sheet like elements are then supplied by the second conveyor in underlapped relation to a separator conveyor and are discharged therefrom onto a transfer conveyor.
Inventors
- 👤 E Bethke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 13:32
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H29/00; B65H29/66; B65H29/6609; B65H29/38; B65H29/40; B65H2301/00; B65H2301/40; B65H2301/44; B65H2301/447; B65H2301/4474; B65H2301/44765; B65H2701/00; B65H2701/10; B65H2701/19; B65H2701/1916
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
266 words
Apparatus for collating sheet like elements comprising, first conveyor means for conveying a plurality of sheet like elements in spaced tandem relation at a first preselected linear speed, second conveyor means for conveying said sheet like elements in lapped relation as a continuous stream for further processing at a second preselected linear speed, said second conveyor means spaced from said first conveyor means, a collator mechanism positioned adjacent the discharge end of said first conveyor means, said collator mechanism including a plurality of circular spaced disc members having spaced arcuate slots therein, said slots having a configuration of a segment of a spiral, said plurality of spaced disc members coaxially mounted on a shaft for rotational movement therewith at a preselected peripheral velocity, means for rotating said plurality of spaced disc members at a higher speed than said first preselected linear speed of said first conveyor means, stop plate means arranged between said plurality of spaced disc members, said stop plate means terminating within the periphery of said circular spaced disc members, and said collator mechanism arranged to receive said sheet like elements in spaced tandem ralation from said first conveyor means at a first preselected linear speed and said stop plate means arranged to arrest the circular movement of said sheet like elements and move said sheet like elements radially outwardly in said spaced arcuate slots and along the surface of said stop means at a decelerating linear speed to discharge said sheet like elements in lapped relation as a continuous stream at a reduced linear velocity to said second conveyor means for further processing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
266 words
Apparatus for collating sheet like elements comprising, first conveyor means for conveying a plurality of sheet like elements in spaced tandem relation at a first preselected linear speed, second conveyor means for conveying said sheet like elements in lapped relation as a continuous stream for further processing at a second preselected linear speed, said second conveyor means spaced from said first conveyor means, a collator mechanism positioned adjacent the discharge end of said first conveyor means, said collator mechanism including a plurality of circular spaced disc members having spaced arcuate slots therein, said slots having a configuration of a segment of a spiral, said plurality of spaced disc members coaxially mounted on a shaft for rotational movement therewith at a preselected peripheral velocity, means for rotating said plurality of spaced disc members at a higher speed than said first preselected linear speed of said first conveyor means, stop plate means arranged between said plurality of spaced disc members, said stop plate means terminating within the periphery of said circular spaced disc members, and said collator mechanism arranged to receive said sheet like elements in spaced tandem ralation from said first conveyor means at a first preselected linear speed and said stop plate means arranged to arrest the circular movement of said sheet like elements and move said sheet like elements radially outwardly in said spaced arcuate slots and along the surface of said stop means at a decelerating linear speed to discharge said sheet like elements in lapped relation as a continuous stream at a reduced linear velocity to said second conveyor means for further processing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus for collating sheet like elements as set forth in claim 1 in which, said spaced arcuate slots arranged to direct said moving sheet like elements inwardly along the circular path in the spirals of said spaced arcuate slots, said second conveyor means positioned below and at an angle to said first conveyor means, said collator mechanism positioned below the discharge end of said first conveyor means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus for collating sheet like elements as set forth in claim 1 in which, said arcuate slots in said disc members have an enlarged open end adjacent the periphery of said disc member for receiving said sheet like elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus for collating sheet like elements as set forth in claim 1 in which, said second conveyor means includEs endless conveyor belts positioned in abutting, overlying relation, one of said endless conveyor belts positioned closely adjacent to said stop plate means with a portion of said conveyor belt within the periphery of said circular disc members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
102 words
Apparatus for collating sheet like elements as set forth in claim 4 in which, said endless conveyor belts of said second conveyor means driven at said second preselected linear speed less than said first preselected linear speed of said first conveyor means, said endless conveyor belts arranged to frictionally engage the sheet like elements abutting said stop plate means in lapped relation from said spaced arcuate slots, said sheet like elements discharged from said spaced arcuate slots are frictionally engaged by said endless conveyor belts in a continuous stream arranged in lapped relation and moving uniformly at said second preselected linear speed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
Apparatus for collating sheet like elements as set forth in claim 5 in which, said first conveyor means positioned substantially horizontal to the axis of rotation of said collator mechanism, said endless conveyor belts of said second conveyor means are positioned substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said collator mechanism with a portion of said endless conveyor belts within the periphery of said circular disc members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus for collating sheet like elements as set forth in claim 1 which includes, separator conveying means for separating said plurality of sheet like elements having preselected linear speed greater than the linear speed of said second conveyor means, and transfer conveying means for receiving said plurality of sheet like elements from said separator conveying means and transferring said elements, said transfer conveying means being positioned adjacent said separator conveying means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus for collating sheet like elements as set forth in claim 1 which includes, fixed arcuate guide means adjacent the end of said first conveyor means, said fixed arcuate guide means arranged to guide each of said sheet like elements discharged from said first conveyor means into one of said plurality of spaced arcuate slots.
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) | 1977-11-11 | 1978-05-13 | 1978-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-11 | 1982-05-13 | 1982-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-11 | 1986-05-13 | 1986-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |