GB2068612A

GB2068612A - Counting sheets in a stream

Info

Publication number: GB2068612A
Application number: GB8035847A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1980-01-14
Filing date: 1980-11-07
Publication date: 1981-08-12
Also published as: SE8007578L; FR2473760A1; JPS56105589A

Abstract

For determining the number of sheets in a stream of sheets moving along on a conveyor or the like, for example from a folder to a stacker, the sheets are counted by measuring physical characteristics representative of the stream of sheets, for example the thickness and the speed thereof or the weight of the stream passing a certain location. Electric signals taken from such measurements of the stream are fed into a calculator which compares the measurements with standard measurements obtained from a single sheet to produce a value of the number of sheets passing that location in the stream. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus and method for counting sheets in a stream This invention relates to apparatus and a method for counting sheets in a stream of sheets which are moving on a conveyor and generally move from a sheet folder to a sheet stacker.

Background of the invention The graphic arts industry is well aware of apparatus which receives paper from a printing press, such as in web form, and which is then cut into length and folded. That process takes place in a commonly provided folder. The sheets are then deposited onto a conveyor, and they are commonly placed thereon in an imbricated or shingled form, and the sheets move to a stacker or the like where they are placed into a stack. Examples of this type of prior art utilizing a folder and a stacker are seen in US Patents 2,435,881 and 3,781,005.

The prior art is also aware of apparatus and methods for counting sheets which are handled in a stream of sheets, and this usually requires accounting for an edge of the sheets so that the discrete edge can be observed or accounted for and thus the sheets can be counted in that manner. US Patent 3,969,993 is one example of utilizing a counter where the discrete sheet in the stream must be accounted for in order to get an accurate count of the total number of sheets moving past a fixed location in the stream.

The present invention provides an improved apparatus and method for counting sheets of uniform size moving in a stream and it does so by measuring a physical characteristic of the stream, such as the speed and thickness of the stream or the weight of the sheets of the stream at a predetermined location in the stream and generating an electrical signal representative of this measurement which is fed into a comparator which compares the measurement with a corresponding standard measurement obtained from a representative single sheet, for example the length and thickness of the standard sheet or the weight of the standard sheet, to thereby produce a count of the number of sheets passing that predetermined location.In that manner, the discrete sheet and its particular edge need not be observed or accounted fors and thus the apparatus and method ofthis invention is simplified and is useful in locations and installations where the edge of each and every sheet need not or cannot be accounted for.

Itwill be further seen and understoodthatthe present invention does not require that the sheets in the stream be uniformly spaced therealong or that they be of any precise disposition in the stream. That is, the prior art counters require that the edges or the like of the-sheets be detectable and that they be arranged so that an electronic or photocell type of counter can observe the sheets and thus obtain the count. In the present invention, the precision in the sheets in the stream is not required and thus an accurate count of the sheets in the stream can be obtained even though the stream is not precisely arranged and that imprecision is of common occurrence in the industry where the sheets are dropped from the folder and onto a conveyor, all in an automatic and fast manner.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the linear speed and thickness of the stream of sheets is measured and compared with the thickness and length of a single sheet representative of those -moving in the stream. This embodiment may be carried out by apparatus which comprises a first mechanism for measuring the length and thickness of one of the sheets moving in the stream, first electrical means connected with said first mechanism for transmitting an electric signal in accordance with the respective length and thickness of one of the sheets, a second mechanism disposed adjacent the stream of sheets at a location therealong for measuring the linear speed of the stream of sheets, second electric means connected with said second mechanism for transmitting an electric signal in accordance with the linear speed of the stream of sheets, a third mechanism for measuring the thickness of the stream of sheets, third electric means connected with said third mechanism for transmitting an electric signal in accordance with the thickness of the stream of sheets, an electric signal receiver electrically connected with all three said electric means for receiving all said signals and processing same for determining the count of the sheets in the stream and moving past said second mechanism at said location, and a counter mechanism connected with said receiver for displaying the count ofthe sheets moving in the stream.

In another embodiment of the present invention the weight of the sheets moving in the stream is measured and compared with the standard weight of a single sheet.

One skilled in the art will also see and understand the improvements and benefits derived by the present invention, as compared to the prior art, when one reads the following description in light of the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevational view of part of an apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention; Figure2 is a side elevational view of a further part of the apparatus of this embodiment; and Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of the electric connections and components which can be utilized in this invention.

Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a conventional signature or sheet folder 10 and a conventional stacker 11, and these items are only graphically represented since anyone skilled in the art will readily understand the construction of the folder 10 and the stacker 11 and they may be of any conventional arrangement, for example they may be of the nature shown in the patents cited herein. The folder 10 receives paper and forms it into a fold, such as in a signature form for use in a book or magazine, and the folded sheets or signatures are dropped onto a conveyor 12 which is disposed intermediate the folder 10 and the stacker 11, such as indicated in Figure 1. The conveyor 12 has a conveyor belt 13 onto which the signatures 14 are dropped in a stream relationship while the belt 13 moves in the direction of the arrow designated D.Thus the signatures 14 form an imbricated stream designated S, and they move from the folder 10 to the stacker 11. The conveyor 12 is shown to include rollers or the like 16 and 17, and also there is a support member 18 disposed underneath the upper extent of the belt 13.

Figure 2 shows a folded signature 14 having a folded edge 18, and it is shown to be composed of a plurality of folded sheets, all in the usual disposition of a folded signature. The sheet 14 is horizontally disposed on a floor member 19 and abuts an upright wall member 21, and thus the length of the sheet from the wall 21 to a movable abutment 2 can be ascertained. That is, the abutment 22 is slidable horizontally along suitable supports, such as the shown supports 23, and thus the abutment 22 can contact the edge 24 of the signature 14 while the signature fold 18 is against the upright wall 21. In that manner, the overall length of the signature 14 is determined by the spacing between the wall 21 and the abutment 22.

The thickness of the signature 14 is determined by a sensor 26 which is disposed above the signature 14 and may be pivotal on the pin 27 so that the sensor head 28 can come into contact with the signature 14, as shown in Figure 2. That is, the member 26 includes on arm 29 which is pivotally supported on the frame piece 31 by means of the pivot pin 27, and thus the head 28 can come down to a position equivalent to the thickness of the signature 14 relative to the support floor 19, as shown. An adjustment member 32 is in contact with the sensor 26, and a spring 33 bears downwardly on the arm 29 to properly position the sensor head 28 to accurately determine the thickness of the signature 14.

Thus, there is actually a sensor determining the length of the signature 14 and there is a sensor determining the thickness of the signature 14, in the Figure 2 position and showings. That is, the member 22 is part of a sensor and it is of an electric nature in that it has an electric means 34 which is in contact with the upper end of the arm 22, and an electric wire 36 is connected to the member 34 and another electric wire 37 is connected to the arm 22, as indicated. Thus, an electric signal is generated in accordance with the position of the arm 22 in its horizontal direction as shown in Figure 2 and that is in the direction along the member 34 and in the direction of the arrows designated A in Figure 2.

Likewise, the sensor 26 is of an electric type, and it too has an electric member 38, and the end 39 of the pivot arm 29 is in contact with the member 38 and thus the position of the arm 39 determines the electric signal passing through the arm 39 and the member 38 and into the wires 41 and 42, in the electric connection shown. Thus, the arm portion 39 will of course move in the direction of the arrow B shown in Figure 2 and thus a signal will be generated in the electric wires 41 and 42 in accordance with the position of the arm 39 on the grid or electric member 38. That is, the members 34 and 38 can be in the nature of electric bridges of the well known construction and thus provide electric resistance and therefore an electric signal, all with respect to and in accordance with the position of the arm 22 and arm 29 relative to the respective electric elements 34 and 38.

Figure 1 further shows that there is a rotatably mounted roller 43 supported on an upright member 44 and rotatable on the pin 46 extending therebetween. The roller 43 rotates in the direction of the arrow designated R in Figure 1, and it is in contact with the upper surface of the stream Sand thus moves in direct synchronization with the movement of the stream S as it is in rolling contact with the stream, as shown and as being described. There is,a fixed support 47 through which the upright 44 passes, and a spring 48 is disposed between the support 47 and the roller shaft 46 to bear downwardly on the roller 43 and thus keep it in rolling contact with the stream S, however the arm 44 can move up and down according to the irregularities of the thickness in the stream S as it passes underneath the roller 43.The upper end of the member 44 has an extension 49 which extends in contact with an electric member 51, and this may be in the nature of the members 34 and 38 previously described, and thus the up and down movement of the roller 43, all in accordance with the variation in thickness of the stream S, will be recorded in the electric member 51 and will be conducted in the electric wires 52 and 53 which connect with the member 51.

Further, the rotation of the roller 43 is imposed upon a rod 54 which in turn transmits the rotation to an electric recorder 56 which has electric wires 57 and 58 connected therewith. Thus, the rotation of the roller 43 is sensed by the member 56, which is an electric sensor, and likewise the up and down movement of the roller 43 is sensed by the member 51 which is an electric sensor. Also, in those instances, it will be noticed that the electric signals are generally respectively designated C and B'.

Figure 3 shows that the various electric signals generated and described in connection with Figures 1 and 2 are fed into an electric receiver or compara- tor 59 by means of the previously described four sets of electric wires which are connected with the comparator 59. Also, a counter 61 is connected with or a part of the comparator 59 and it shows the number of signatures 14 passing the fixed location which is at the wheel or roller 43. The electric components and the like which are shown and described herein can all be of a conventional nature and they can therefore perform the functions respectively described forthem. Further, the method of carrying out the invention is inherent in the description of the construction shown in Figures 1,2, and 3, and thus anyone skilled in the art will readily understand the method which is described herein.

Thus, Figure 3 diagrammatically indicates that the sensor 34 generates the signal A, and the sensor 38 generates the signal B, and the sensor 51 generates the signal B' and the sensor 56 generates the signal C. Thus, there is a comparison made in the electric receiver or conventional computer or comparator 59, which is of any conventional construction, and the signals B and B' are compared and the signals A and C are compared, and the accurate count is thus revealed on the counter 61.

Thus, a sample signature 14 is placed in the special container defined by the floor 19 and wall 21 and the sensor 34 and sensor 26 determines the length and thickness of the standard signature 14 which is of a uniform size as it is deposited in the stream S. The counter head which includes the roller 43 and the sensor 51 and the sensor 56 thus determine the stream thickness and surface speed, and this is compared to the standard signature 14to produce the count of signatures, as desired.

Also, the arrangement could be such that the floor 19 is a weight scale which would weigh a standard or uniform size signature 14, and the support 18 under the stream S could also be a weight scale and thus the number of signatures passing the fixed location of the weight scale 18 could be determined by means of weighing the stream S at the scale 18. This is thus another shown embodiment for determining the accurate count of signatures 14 in the stream S as they pass the fixed location.

In the first embodiment described, there is the mechanism for measuring the length and thickness of one signature or sheet 14, and that is as shown and described on the left half of Figure 2, and there is also the first electrical means connected with that mechanism, and that is the electrical elements 34, 36, and 37. Also there is a second mechanism, and that is shown on the right half of Figure 2, and that is connected with the second electrical means which is the elements 38, 41,42, and 39. Further, there is a third mechanism which is shown in Figure 1 and includes the roller 43 and the movable support 44, and it is connected with the third electric means which is the sensor 51 and the member 49 and the wires 52 and 53.Additionally, there are the electric components shown in Figure 3 and those are, and can be of, any standard and well-known construction such as an electronic computer or an electric signal receiver or what is termed a comparator for making the comparisons described and mentioned above. In those instances, there are feeler members 22 and 28 and 43 which are actually in contact with the sheet or signature 14forthe respective purposes mentioned.

In the second embodiment described, it will be seen and understood that the member designated 18 is a weight scale, rather than a fixed shelf which it is in the first embodiment. As such, there can be an electric sensor attached to the member 18 for passing a signal to a comparator, such as the comparator 59, in accordance with the weight of the stream passing the then scale 18. In that manner, the apparatus can compare the weight of one signature 14 to the weight of the stream as it passes the fixed location at 18, and that result can produce a count when it is processed in the comparator, such as the comparator 59.

Claims

1. Apparatus for counting sheets of a uniform size while they are moving in an imbricated stream of sheets, comprising a first mechanism for measur ing the length and thickness of one of the sheets moving in the stream, first electrical means con nected with said first mechanism for transmitting an electric signal in accordance with the respective length and thickness of one of the sheets, a second mechanism disposed adjacent the stream of sheets at a location therealong for measuring the linear speed of the stream of sheets, second electric means connected with said second mechanism for trans mitting an electric signal in accordance with the linear speed of the stream of sheets, a third mechan ism for measuring the thickness of the stream of sheets, third electric means connected with said third mechanism for transmitting an electric signal in accordance with the thickness of the stream of sheets, an electric signal receiver electrically con nected with all three said electric means for receiv ing all said signals and processing same for deter mining the count of the sheets in the stream and moving past said second mechanism at said loca tion, and a counter mechanism connected with said receiver for displaying the count of the sheets moving in the stream.

2. Apparatus for counting sheets of a uniform size while they are moving in an imbricated stream of sheets, comprising a first and a second electronic sensor for respectively measuring the length and width of one of the sheets by generating an electric signal, a third electronic sensor disposed adjacent the stream of sheets at a fixed location for measur ing the speed of the stream of sheets moving past said location by generating an electric signal, a fourth electronic sensor for measuring the thickness of the stream of sheets by generating an electric signal, an electronic comparator electrically con nected with all said sensors for comparing said electric signals, and an electronic counter electrically connected with said comparator for the count of the sheets moving past said location.

3. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the apparatus for measuring the thickness of the stream of the sheets is at said location.

4. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the apparatus for measuring the speed of the stream of sheets includes a roller in rolling contact with the stream of sheets.

5. The apparatus as claimed in Claims 1,2,3 or 4, wherein all the apparatus for all the aforesaid measuring includes a feeler member for contacting the sheet.

6. A method for counting sheets of a uniform size while they are moving in an imbricated stream of sheets, comprising the steps of measuring the length and thickness of one of the sheets, measuring the thickness and speed of the stream of the sheets when they move past a fixed location, generating a respective electronic signal in accordance with each of the aforesaid measuring, and electronically pro cessing said signals and thereby determining the count of the sheets passing said fixed location.

7. A method for counting sheets of a uniform size while they are moving in an imbricated stream of sheets, comprising the steps of measuring the thickness and the speed of the stream of sheets when they move past a fixed location, determining the number of sheets required to generate the measured thickness of said imbricated stream, and thereby determining the total count of the sheets moving past said fixed location.

8. The method as claimed in Claim 7, including the steps of measuring the size of one of the sheets and comparing said size with the measured thickness and speed of the stream of sheets to obtain the count.

9. Apparatus for counting sheets of a uniform size while they are moving in an imbricated stream of sheets, comprising a conveyor for supporting the stream of sheets, a weight scale disposed adjacent said conveyorata location therealong for receiving the weight of the stream of sheets passing said location and thereby determining the count of the sheets passing said location.

10. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 9, wherein said conveyor is a belt conveyor, and said weight scale is disposed below said conveyorto have said conveyor slide over said scale for weighing the sheets in the stream.

11. A method for counting sheets of a uniform size while they are moving in an imbricated stream of sheets, comprising the steps of weighing one of the sheets, and weighing the sheets in the stream at a location along the stream and while the sheets pass said location, and thereby calculate the count of sheets in the stream passing said location.