GB772679A - Improvements in or relating to a method of continuously handling sheets in piles in the production of printed sheets in a printing press and apparatus for carrying out the method - Google Patents

Abstract

772,679. Feeding and delivering sheets. HARRIS-SEYBOLD CO. Nov. 19, 1954 [Nov. 20, 1953], No. 33553/54. Class 100(1) Receivers: pile supports. In a pile raising or lowering device, in order that the pile may be replenished or removed without interrupting the operation of a sheet-feeding or sheet-delivery apparatus, an auxiliary support adapted to be inserted into the main pile comprises top and bottom plates, spacing and stiffening devices between the plates, and means for introducing a film of air on either side of the auxiliary support during the insertion and removal thereof. The auxiliary support 14 has a frame comprising side bars 15, 16, rear bars 17, 18, and three cross bars 19; 20, 21 having small air passages 25 therethrough. Upper and lower plates 23, 22 are provided which are joined to produce a tapered front position 24 in which air parts 46 are provided, this facilitating entry of the support into the pile. The joints between the frame and the plates 22, 23 are sealed to provide an air chamber in advance of the bar 17 to which air is supplied by a valve 29. Each of the plates 22, 23 comprises' a wooden core 31 and inner and outer metal skins 32, 33. At intervals throughout the top plate the core 31 and skin 33 are cut away to form cavities 34, a port 35 being cut in the skin 32. Through port 35 extends a valve stem 36 of a valve 45 which includes a gasket 39 normally sealing the port 35 under the action of a spring 41 against a circular abutment 40 formed on the stem 36. When the support is inserted in the pile the weight of the latter is sufficient to depress the valves 43 to open the ports 35 so that the required film of air is provided. Similar valves are provided on the bottom of the support 14, except that on the valves on the upper side small bleed passages 42 are provided in the event of the weight of the pile being insufficient to operate the valves. The auxiliary support, when used in a sheet feeding machine is supported, when inserted, on angle irons which continue to raise the remnant pile while the main support is being replenished.. Owing to the tapered end of the support 14 it may be used in the front-end separator, the height of the front end of the pile not being materially affected during the insertion or withdrawal. In a simple form of support 14 the ports in the top and bottom plates may consist merely of holes. In. a fourth modification the support may be made solid instead of hollow and be provided with tubular air conductors to the ports.