Continuous sheet collection and discharge system

A mechanism for the continuous collection and discharge of sheets in a stacker comprising:

• means for supplying a continuous seriatim flow of sheets to said stacker,
• kick-off means for continuously passing said sheets from a delivery end thereof in said stacker,
• reciprocable table means for supporting sheets accumulating in said stacker in a vertical pile, said table means mounted for descent for a first period at a rate corresponding to the rate at which sheets accumulate in said stacker and for a second period for transporting a predetermined sheet pile accumulation out of said stacker for discharge,
• interrupter means for interceding a partition element into said stacker during said first period of descent to segregate said predetermined sheet pile from a succeeding stack accumulation of sheets, and
• divider means for inserting into said stacker to stationarily support said succeeding stack in said stacker during said second period of descent.

An apparatus for separately supporting successive sheet accumulations in a stacker while further means serve to transport a sheet pile previously formed in said stacker away for discharge and until said further means returns to receive said successive sheet accumulations from said apparatus, said apparatus comprising:

• a spear assembly including a lateral array of spaced-apart spears connected at their trailing ends with a frame and extending with their leading ends facing into the stacker,
• said frame being mounted for lateral movement on a fixed base,
• a drive means for linearly reciprocating said common frame into and out of said said stacker parallel to the longitudinal axes of said spears,
• means connecting said drive means to said frame, and
• a release means for selectively detaching individual spears from said common frame, said release means including a stationary bracket for supporting the trailing end of detached spears.

In a stacker receiving a continuous flow of sheets, an improved apparatus for forming a cleft between consecutive sheets adjacent one edge of a sheet pile growing in said stacker on top of a movable table means, said cleft being for subsequent insertion of spear means therethrough to support a succeeding accumulation of sheets in said stacker while a previously predetermined sheet stack is transported out of said stacker by said movable table means comprising:

• a partition plate having a leading end generally facing said stacker and a trailing end,
• a link member having said trailing end mounted at a top portion of said link member,
• a drive means having an actuator arm movable along a line located generally lateral of said stacker, said actuator arm being drivingly connected at a bottom portion of said link member,
• first and second rollers extending sideways from said link member at upper and lower portions of said link member, respectively, and
• first and second cam track means respectively receiving said first and second rollers, whereby said leading end intercedes between successive sheets in the flow of sheets into said stacker when said actuator arm is moved forwardly, said first cam track comprising a generally oval-shaped upper surface and a laterally linear lower surface and said second cam track comprising a laterally linear surface.

Apparatus for high-speed, continuous collection of sheets in a stacker comprising:

• means supplying a continuous seriatim flow of sheets to said stacker,
• kickoff means for continuously delivering said sheets from a discharge end thereof into said stacker,
• table means movable continuously downward in said stacker for accumulating sheets thereon at a rate corresponding to the rate at which sheets accumulate in said stacker,
• interrupter means for segregating succeeding sheets from the top of a predetermined sheet pile formed on said table means by projecting a plate means into said stacker without changing the rate of downward movement of said table means,
• divider means insertable in said stacker for stationarily supporting said succeeding sheets over said table means, and
• elevator means for raising said discharge end upon insertion of said divider means in said stacker.