GB1041892A - Sheet handling method and apparatus e.g. in collating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

1,041,892. Delivering sheets. MIEHLE-GOSS-DEXTER Inc. Aug. 4, 1964 [July 26, 1963], No. 30837/64. Heading B6H. A sheet handling apparatus associated with a sheet or signature collating machine comprises a sheet transfer means 10, Fig. 1, including a plurality of parallel, spaced rotatable discs 11 for sequential feeding of the sheets secured to the discs by grippers 15 to a plate 30. The plate 30 has bevelled surfaces 31, Fig. 2, to facilitate transfer of the sheets from the discs to the plate. The sheets transferred to the plate 30 are then advanced by conveyer belts 32 and pivotally mounted rollers 40 co-operating with the belts to a sheet direction changing mechanism 46 comprising a stationary arm 47 and a rotating arm 48 having attached to its ends revolving forwarding brackets 49. At the end of each of the brackets there is positioned a pair of vacuum operated sheet-engaging means 70, 71, each terminating in a sucker 75. As the trailing edges of the sheets leave the nip formed between the rollers 40 and belts 32, the rotating suckers 75 are lowered to engage the leading portions of the sheets and whilst the arm 48 and brackets continue to rotate the suckers 75 transfer the sheets along a circular path into a gathering conveyer 90, travelling in a direction displaced at 90 degrees to the direction of belts 32, the suckers depositing the sheets between fingers 94 of the conveyer. The arm 48 is driven in a clockwise direction by a chain 61, whereas the brackets 49 are driven anticlockwise by chains 67 and the longitudinal axes of the brackets 49 stay normal to the direction of travel of the sheets along the plate 30 so that the orientation of the sheets during transfer and release on to the conveyer 90 remains unaltered.