GB933897A - Improvements in or relating to stacking machines - Google Patents

Abstract

933,897. Delivering sheets. CONSOLIDATED THERMOPLASTICS CO. Oct. 9, 1961 [Oct. 10, 1960], No. 36238/61. Class 100 (1). A machine for removing articles from a continuous relatively high velocity source and stacking the articles at an outlet comprises a plurality of article carriers, means for driving the carriers along a continuous path having an arcuate section and a relatively straight section with the carriers projecting outwardly from the path, whereby the outer ends of the carriers have a higher velocity when traversing the arcuate section than when traversing the straight section, and the carriers passing the article source while traversing the arcuate section and passing the outlet while traversing the straight section, and means on the outer ends of the carriers for gripping an article at the source and carrying it to and releasing it at the outlet. Rectangular polyethylene bags 42, Fig. 5, from a bag-making machine are passed along an endless belt 18, to which they adhere by static electricity until removed therefrom. The carriers are a plurality of U- shaped tubular arms 50, Figs. 3, 4 and 5, having slits 77 in their outer portions and at their ends fittings 60, 59 secured to chain belts 62, 61 running over sprockets 63, 64 on shafts 65, 66, there being separate shapes 65, 66 at each side of the machine for the two belts, the shaft 65 of the belt 62 being driven, and the motion being conveyed by a shaft 56. The shaft 56 is surrounded by a hollow shaft 55 connected to a suction source through a line 93. The interior of the shaft 55 is connected through a manifold plate 87 fixed thereon and a port plate 79 rotating in synchronizm with the carriers to the interior of the carriers through flexible lines 80 in such a way that suction is applied to the slits 77 while the holders pass from the vicinity of the belt 18 to a slow-moving belt 31 on to which the bags are dropped. The shaft 55 can be rotated by a hand-lever 98 to alter the release point. By manipulating the lever 98 the bags can be stacked in vertical piles or staggered formation, and the overlap can be altered as desired to indicate a required number of bags. Air from a line 101 is blown through openings 100 to push the trailing edges of the bags outwards. If the bags are only partially severed from a web, the carriers are caused to move faster than the belt 18 so as to complete the severing by tearing.