Apparatus and method for loading sheets into a receptacle

An apparatus comprising:

• a receptacle for storing sheets;
• moving means for moving said receptacle between loading and unloading positions in said apparatus;
• said receptacle having a front end and a pusher plate means including a pusher plate for resiliently biasing sheets loaded into said receptacle towards said front end;
• feeding means for feeding said sheets in overlapping relationship between said front end and said pusher plate when said receptacle is in said loading position;
• and
• pusher arm means for pushing sheets fed between said front end and said pusher plate towards said pusher plate;
• said pusher plate means including:
• a removable rack gear located in said receptacle;
• a gear coupled to said pusher plate;
• and
• a one way clutch coupled between said gear and said rack gear to enable said pusher plate to be pushed away from said front end by said pusher arm means.

An apparatus for loading sheets into a receptacle, comprising:

• a receptacle for storing said sheets;
• said receptacle having a front end and a pusher plate means including a pusher plate for resiliently biasing sheets loaded into said receptacle towards said front end;
• moving means for moving said receptacle between loading and unloading positions in said apparatus;
• first feeding means for feeding said sheets in a continuous manner in spaced relationship in a first direction in said apparatus;
• second feeding means for receiving said plurality of sheets from said first feeding means and for feeding said sheets in overlapping relationship in a second direction in said apparatus so as to load said sheets in overlapping relationship in said receptacle between said front end and said pusher plate when said receptacle is in said loading position;
• control means for controlling the energization of said second feeding means;
• said control means being effective to:
• (a) energize said second feeding means when a said sheet from said first feeding means engages said second feeding means;
• (b) deenergize said second feeding means when said sheet from said first feeding means is gripped by said second feeding means;
• and
• (c) energize said second feeding means when a next subsequent sheet being fed by said first feeding means engages said second feeding means to thereby feed said sheets in overlapping relationship in said second direction;
• and
• pusher arm means for pushing sheets fed between said front end and said pusher plate towards said pusher plate;
• said pusher plate means including a one way clutch coupled to said pusher plate and said receptacle to enable said pusher plate to be moved only in a direction away from said front end by said pusher arm means when said receptacle is in said loading position.

An apparatus for loading sheets into a receptacle, comprising:

• a receptacle for storing said sheets;
• said receptacle having a front end and a pusher plate means including a pusher plate for resiliently biasing sheets loaded into said receptacle towards said front end;
• moving means for moving said receptacle between loading and unloading positions in said apparatus;
• first feeding means for feeding said sheets in a continuous manner in spaced relationship in a first direction in said apparatus;
• second feeding means for receiving said plurality of sheets from said first feeding means and for feeding said sheets in overlapping relationship in a second direction in said apparatus so as to load said sheets in overlapping relationship in said receptacle between said front end and said pusher plate when said receptacle is in said loading position;
• control means for controlling the energization of said second feeding means;
• said control means being effective to:
• (a) energize said second feeding means when a said sheet from said first feeding means engages said second feeding means;
• (b) deenergize said second feeding means when said sheet from said first feeding means is gripped by said second feeding means;
• and
• )c) energize said second feeding means when a next subsequent sheet being fed by said first feeding means engages said second feeding means to thereby feed said sheets in overlapping relationship in said second direction;
• and
• pusher arm means for pushing sheets fed between said front end and said pusher plate towards said pusher plate;
• said first feeding means comprising:
• first and second endless belt means including first and second endless belts, respectively, for feeding said sheets in said first direction, with said first feeding means having an entry end and an exit end;
• and
• said second feeding means comprising:
• third and fourth endless belt means including third and fourth endless belts, respectively, for feeding said sheets in said second direction, with said second feeding means having an entry end and an exit end;
• said exit end of said first feeding means being spaced from said entry end of said second feeding means;
• and with said exit end of said second feeding means being positioned in said receptacle when said receptacle is in said loading position;
• said first and second feeding means including a common shaft;
• said second belt means including a first pulley mounted on said common shaft;
• said third belt means including a second pulley mounted on said common shaft;
• said second endless belt being mounted on said first pulley;
• and
• said fourth endless belt being mounted on said second pulley;
• said third endless belt means engaging a portion of the periphery of said second pulley.

A method of loading sheets into a receptacle in an apparatus, with said receptacle having a front end and a pusher plate for biasing sheets fed into said receptacle towards said front end;

• said method comprising the steps of:
• (a) moving the receptacle from an unloading position to a loading position in said apparatus;
• (b) feeding the sheets in overlapping relationship so that a discharge end of said overlapping sheets is positioned between said front end and said pusher plate when said receptacle is in said loading position;
• and
• (c) periodically pushing the overlapping sheets fed into said receptacle towards said pusher plate;
• said pushing step being effected through using a one way clutch to enable said pusher plate to be moved in only one direction away from said front end when said receptacle is in said loading position.