US 4,423,995 A · Arrangement for automatic changeover between ream and skid loading in a continuous sheeter

Abstract

A continous sheeting machine is formed with a sheet collection area for the accumulation and stacking of sheets into either ream or skid loads. Separate lift table and discharge means are provided for the respective ream collection or skid loading operations. Changeover between skid loading and ream collection is automatic. A ream collection system is stowed in a retracted position beneath the discharge area of the sheeting machine during skid loading. In the skid loading mode, two large scissor-lift tables shuttle concurrently respectively back and forth between the collection area and a discharge station, such that skid load collection is substantially continous. For ream collection, the skid load tables are removed from the collection area and a ream collection framework is shuttled out from beneath the sheeting machine so that a small, high-speed ream lift table is positioned in the collection area. As the ream collection table is passed into the collection area, a skid guard is pivotally moved between its former upstanding, operational position beneath a kick-off assembly in the sheeting machine discharge area to a lowered, stowed position beneath the ream lift table.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A method of automatically changing over a sheeting machine between a skid loading operation for stacking sheets in a large-size pile onto a pallet, and a separate ream collecting operation for stacking sheets in a small-size pile onto a table top, comprising:

discharging sheets in a seriatim flow from a discharge conveyor into a collection area,
transversely moving at least one relatively large skid load lift table means carrying said pallet into and out of said collection area during skid loading,
laterally moving a relatively small ream lift table means having said table top between a stowed position beneath said discharge conveyor and an operational position in said collection area during ream collecting, and
disengaging said skid loading operation from said collection area during ream collecting and disengaging said ream collecting operation from said collection area during skid loading.

1 more element

Apparatus for automatically changing over a sheeting machine between a skid loading operation for stacking sheets in a large-size pile onto a pallet, and a separate ream collecting operation for stacking sheets in a small-size pile onto a table top comprising:

a discharge conveyor means for piling a seriatim flow of sheets into a collection area,
guidetrack means extending transversely through said collection area,
a pair of skid load lift table means carrying pallets mounted for concurrent respective movement along said guidetrack means into and off to a respective opposed side of said collection area during skid loading,
a ream collection lift table means having said table top mounted for lateral movement between a stowed position beneath said discharge conveyor means during skid loading and an operational position in said collection area during ream collecting, and
means for effecting the lateral outfeed of said small-size pile from the ream lift table means,
means for completely disengaging and removing said at least one skid load lift table means from said collection area during ream collecting, and
means for completely disengaging and putting said ream lift table means in said stowed position during skid loading.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Arrangement for automatic changeover between ream and skid loading in a continuous sheeter

Life of this patent

Arrangement for automatic changeover between ream and skid loading in a continuous sheeter

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22