Web-fed sheet stacker and separator

An apparatus for stacking and separating sheets comprising:

• conveyor means for transporting sheets from a source in a first orientation in a stream aligned in a downstream direction to a stacking location;
• kicker means located along the conveyor means that offsets selected of the sheets in a direction substantially transverse to the downstream direction, the kicker means including a reciprocating foot having a frictional surface that engages and withdraws from each of the selected sheets to drive the selected sheets into an offset position transverse to the downstream direction, the kicker means further including a slide having a carriage with the foot mounted thereto, the slide being oriented at a downward angle so that the foot engages each sheet at an angle;
• and
• stacking means positioned at the stacking location that receives each of the sheets from the first orientation in the conveyor means and overlays each of the sheets in a second orientation in a stack extending downstream.

An apparatus for stacking and separating sheets comprising:

• conveyor means that transports sheets from a source in a first orientation in a stream aligned in a downstream direction to a stacking location;
• a drive motor interconnected to the conveyor means;
• kicker means located along the conveyor means for offsetting selected of the sheets in a direction substantially transverse to the downstream direction;
• stacking means positioned at the stacking location that receives each of the selected sheets from the first orientation in the conveyor means and overlays each of the selected sheets in a second orientation in a stack extending downstream;
• and
• central processor means that controls each of the conveyor and the kicker means, the central processor means including controller means that intermittently operates the conveyor means to position each of the selected sheets stationarily relative to the kicker means and the central processor means further including means for determining input sheet size to vary timing of the intermittent operation of the drive motor.

An apparatus for stacking and separating sheets comprising:

• conveyor means that transports sheets from a source in a first orientation in a stream aligned in a downstream direction to a stacking location;
• kicker means located along the conveyor means that offsets selected of the sheets in a direction substantially transverse to the downstream direction, the kicker means including a reciprocating member having a frictional surface that engages and withdraws from each of the selected sheets to drive the selected sheets transverse to the downstream direction into an offset position, the kicker means including a pair of weighted multidirectional roller means for engaging and maintaining stationary against a conveyor means a leading edge of each of the sheets as it is positioned relative to the kicker means;
• and
• stacking means positioned at the stacking location that receives each of the sheets from the first orientation in the conveyor means and overlays each of the sheets in a second orientation in a stack extending downstream.

An apparatus for stacking and separating sheets comprising:

• conveyor means that transports sheets from a source in a stream aligned in a downstream direction to a stacking location;
• kicker means located along the conveyor means that offset selected of the sheets in a direction substantially transverse to the downstream direction, the kicker means including a pair of multidirectionally movable weighted balls that engage and maintain a leading edge of each of the sheets stationarily against the conveyor means as the sheets are positioned relative to the kicker means, the weighted balls each being positioned within an orifice of a plate, the balls being located over each of the sheets when the sheets are each positioned relative to the kicker means;
• and
• stacking means positioned at the stacking location that receives each of the sheets from the first orientation in the conveyor means and overlays each of the sheets in a second orientation in a stack extending downstream.

An apparatus for stacking and separating sheets comprising:

• conveyor means that transports sheets from a source in a stream aligned in a downstream direction in a first orientation to a stacking location;
• kicker means located along the conveyor means that offsets selected of the sheets in a direction substantially transverse to the downstream direction;
• and
• stacking means positioned at the stacking location that receives each of the sheets from the first orientation in the conveyor means and overlays each of the sheets in a second orientation in a stack extending downstream, the stacking means comprising a plurality of diagonally disposed conveyor belts interengaging the conveyor means, the diagonally disposed conveyor belts driving each of the sheets from a horizontal to a vertical orientation and the stacking means further comprising a plurality of vertically disposed conveyor belts positioned above and downstream of the diagonally disposed conveyor belts for driving each sheet into a vertical orientation to form a horizontally disposed stack, the stacking means including a moving surface for spacing sheets in the horizontally oriented stack away from the vertically disposed conveyor belts as each of the sheets passes from the diagonally disposed conveyor belts to the vertically disposed conveyor belts and the reciprocating surface being mechanically interconnected to operate simultaneously and each of the vertically disposed conveyor belts and the reciprocating surface being mechanically interconnected to the diagonally disposed conveyor belts to operate at a different rate than the diagonally disposed conveyor belts.

An apparatus for stacking and separating sheets comprising:

• conveyor means that transports sheets from a source in a first orientation in a stream aligned in a downstream direction to a stacking location, the conveyor means including a conveyor table that supports the sheets thereon;
• kicker means located along the conveyor means adjacent a face of each of the sheets opposite a face that engages the table, that offsets selected of the sheets in a direction substantially transverse to the downstream direction;
• stacking means positioned at the stacking location that receives each of the sheets from the first orientation in the conveyor means and overlays each of the sheets in a stack extending downstream in a second orientation;
• and
• wherein the conveyor means receives a plurality of side-by-side streams of sheets and the kicker means includes a plurality of individually operated sheet-engaging kicker feet for offsetting selected of each of the streams in a direction transverse to the downstream direction each of the kicker feet engaging the face of the selected sheets and moving in the transverse direction to slide the selected sheets transversely along the table.

An apparatus for stacking and separating sheets comprising:

• conveyor means that transports sheets from a source in a first orientation in a stream aligned in a downstream direction to a stacking location, the conveyor means including a table that supports sheets thereon;
• kicker means located along the conveyor means, the kicker means positioned above each of the sheets and the table, that offsets selected of the sheets in a direction unaligned with the downstream direction, the kicker means including a sheet-engaging kicker foot positioned to engage each of the selected sheets positioned relative thereto at a point in which sheet frictional resistance forces between the selected sheets and the table upstream of the foot are unequal to sheet frictional resistance forces between each of the selected sheets and the table downstream of the foot so that each of the selected sheets is translated unevenly, having an angular offset, in a direction unaligned with the downstream direction;
• and
• stacking means positioned at the stacking location that receives each of the sheets from the first orientation in the conveyor means and overlays each of the sheets in a second orientation in a stack extending downstream including vertically positioned stack forming stops that allow the formation of the stacks with angularly-offset sheets positioned therein.

A method of stacking and separating sheets comprising the steps of:

• providing a plurality of sheets from a source;
• conveying each of the sheets in a downstream direction in a first orientation to a stacking location;
• locating each of the sheet upstream of the stacking location at an offset station and translating selected stationarily positioned sheets in a direction substantially coplanar with and transverse to the downstream direction to form an offset in the selected sheets relative to other of the sheets, the step of translating including engaging the selected sheets with a reciprocating surface that grips the sheets to move the sheets in a transverse direction;
• and the step of translating further including engaging an upstream edge of the selected sheets with a weight that enables movement of the sheets in each of the downstream direction and a direction transverse to the downstream direction;
• and
• forming each of the sheets at the stacking location into a stack with each sheet oriented in a second orientation.

A method of stacking and separating sheets comprising the steps of:

• providing a plurality of sheets from a source;
• supporting each of the sheets on a table and conveying each of the sheets on the table in a downstream direction in a first orientation to a stacking location;
• locating each of the sheets upstream of the stacking location at an offset station and translating selected sheets in a direction substantially transverse to the downstream direction to form an offset in the selected sheets relative to other of the sheets, the step of translating including engaging each of the selected sheets while each of the sheets is positioned relative to the offset station with a moving foot that moves in the transverse direction from a position above and remote from the selected sheets to a position in frictional engagement with the selected sheets and that, in frictional engagement with the selected sheets, slides the selected sheets in the substantially transverse direction along the table, wherein the offset of the selected sheets is varied by engaging at least some of the selected sheets a plurality of times with the foot while the selected sheets are each positioned relative to the offset station;
• and
• forming each of the sheets at the stacking location into a stack with each of the sheets oriented in a second orientation.

A method of stacking and separating sheets comprising the steps of:

• providing a plurality of sheets from a source;
• supporting each of the sheets on a table and conveying each of the sheets on the table in a downstream direction in a first orientation to a stacking location;
• locating each of the sheets upstream of the stacking location at an offset station and translating selected sheets in a direction substantially transverse to the downstream direction to form an offset in the selected sheets relative to other of the sheets, the step of translating including engaging each of the selected sheets while each of the sheets is positioned relative to the offset station with a moving foot that moves in the transverse direction from a position above and remote from the selected sheets to a position in frictional engagement with the selected sheets and that, in frictional engagement with the selected sheets, slides the selected sheets in the substantially transverse direction along the table, wherein the foot is positioned at a point of balance upon each of the selected sheets between upstream sheet frictional resistive forces and downstream sheet frictional resistive forces;
• and
• forming each of the sheets at the stacking location into a stack with each of the sheets oriented in a second orientation.

A method of stacking and separating sheets comprising the steps of:

• providing a plurality of sheets from a source;
• conveying each of the sheets in a downstream direction in a first orientation to a stacking location;
• pausing each of the sheets upstream of the stacking location at an offset station and translating selected stationarily positioned sheets in a direction substantially transverse to the downstream direction to form an offset in the selected sheets relative to the other of the sheets, a leading edge of each of the sheets being held in the offset station by means of weighted balls that allow translation of the sheets in both a downstream direction and in a direction transverse to the downstream direction;
• and
• forming each of the sheets at the stacking location into a stack with each of the sheets oriented in a second orientation.

An apparatus for stacking and separating sheets comprising:

• a conveyor that transports sheets from a source in a stream aligned in a downstream direction to a stacking location;
• a kicker located along the conveyor that offsets selected of the sheets in a direction substantially transverse to the downstream direction, the kicker including a reciprocating surface that grips and withdraws from the selected of the sheets to translate the selected of the sheets in the substantially transverse direction;
• support means for supporting a downstream end of the stack, the support means including base means for engaging a means for resisting downstream movement of the stack, the base means being constructed and arranged to disengage from the means for resisting upon downstream movement of the support means;
• a plurality of diagonally disposed conveyor belts interengaging the conveyor and moving simultaneously with the conveyor, the diagonally disposed conveyor belts driving each of the sheets from a horizontal to a vertical orientation, the sheets in the vertical orientation being stacked along a downstream direction;
• and
• a rotating eccentric cam for spacing the stack in a downstream direction from the diagonally disposed conveyor belts so that additional sheets can enter the stack.

An apparatus for separating sheets comprising:

• a conveyor that transports sheets from a source in a stream aligned in a downstream direction to a stacking location;
• a kicker located along the conveyor that offsets selected of the sheets in a direction substantially transverse to the downstream direction, the kicker including a reciprocating gripping surface that contacts and withdraws from the selected of the sheets to translate the selected of the sheets in the substantially transverse direction;
• weighted movable rollers that engage a leading edge of each of the selected of the sheets when each of the selected of the sheets are positioned adjacent the kicker, the weighted movable rollers being mounted so that the rollers enable movement of the sheets in the downstream direction and in the direction substantially transverse to the downstream direction;
• and
• a guide, located downstream of the kicker that guides the sheets to a location remote from the kicker the guide being constructed and arranged to be positionable adjacent to a device for further processing of the sheets so that the sheets on the guide are input to the further processing device.

An apparatus for stacking and separating sheets comprising:

• a conveyor that transports sheets from a source in a first orientation in a stream aligned in a downstream direction to a stacking location, the conveyor including a table that supports the sheets thereon;
• a kicker located along the conveyor, the kicker including a kicker surface positioned over each of the table and the sheets that engages predetermined sheets, the kicker surface moving from a position remote from the sheets in a direction aligned substantially transverse to the downstream direction and frictionally engaging and translating the predetermined sheets in a direction substantially transverse to the downstream direction the kicker surface sliding the sheets in the substantially transverse direction relative to the table;
• a spring that biases the kicker surface toward the table to generate frictional contact with the predetermined sheets as the kicker surface frictionally engages the predetermined sheets;
• and
• a stacker, located downstream of the conveyor, that receives sheets from the conveyor and forms the sheets into a stack, the sheets being oriented in a second orientation.

An apparatus for stacking and separating sheets comprising:

• a conveyor that transports sheets from a source in a first orientation in a stream aligned in a downstream direction to a stacking location, the conveyor including a table that supports the sheets thereon;
• a kicker located along the conveyor that offsets predetermined sheets in a direction substantially transverse to the downstream direction, the kicker including a wheel having a frictional surface the wheel being located above each of the table and the sheets that engages and withdraws from the predetermined sheets at predetermined times, the wheel rotating through a predetermined arc when the wheel engages each of the predetermined sheets to translate the sheets into a substantially transverse direction, the axis of rotation of the wheel being aligned substantially parallel to the downstream direction;
• and
• a stacker, positioned at the stacking location, that receives each of the sheets from the conveyor and that overlays each of the sheets in a stack extending downstream, the sheets being oriented in a second orientation in the stack.

An apparatus for stacking and separating sheets comprising:

• a conveyor that transports sheets from a source in a first orientation in a stream aligned in a downstream direction to a stacking location, the conveyor including a table that supports the sheets thereon;
• a kicker, located along the conveyor at a position over each of the sheets and the table, that offsets predetermined sheets in a direction substantially transverse to the downstream direction, the kicker including a gripping wheel that moves from a position remote from each of the sheets and the table and that engages and withdraws from the predetermined sheets, the wheel rotating continuously during engagement with the predetermined sheets, the wheel having an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the downstream direction, the kicker further including a stop that limits offset of the sheets in the substantially transverse direction, the wheel constructed and arranged to allow slippage of the predetermined sheets relative to the wheel when the predetermined sheets contact the stop;
• and
• a stacker, positioned at the stacking location, that receives each of the sheets from the conveyor and that overlays each of the sheets in a stack extending downstream, the sheets being oriented in a second orientation in the stack.

An apparatus for stacking and separating sheets comprising:

• a conveyor that transports sheets from a source in a first orientation in a stream aligned in a downstream direction to a stacking location;
• a kicker located along the conveyor that offsets predetermined sheets in a direction substantially transverse to the downstream direction, the kicker including a gripping surface that engages predetermined sheets when the predetermined sheets are positioned relative to the kicker, the gripping surface imparting a force to the predetermined sheets in the substantially transverse direction to offset the sheets in the substantially transverse direction;
• a weighted roller located to engage a downstream edge of each of the predetermined sheets when each of the predetermined sheets is located adjacent the kicker, the weighted roller constructed and arranged to enable movement of the sheets in the downstream direction and in the substantially transverse direction;
• and
• a stacker, positioned at the stacking location, that receives each of the sheets from the conveyor and that overlays each of the sheets in a stack extending downstream, the sheets being oriented in a second orientation in the stack.

An apparatus for stacking and separating sheets comprising:

• a conveyor that transports sheets from a source in a first orientation in a stream aligned in a downstream direction to a stacking location, the conveyor including a table that supports the sheets thereon;
• a kicker located along the conveyor at a position over each of the sheets and the table that offsets predetermined sheets in a direction substantially transverse to the downstream direction, the kicker including a gripping surface that moves from a position remote from the sheets and that frictionally engages the predetermined sheets to translate the predetermined sheets into an offset position, the gripping surface being positioned on the sheets so that sheet frictional resistance to offset translation upstream of the gripping surface substantially equals sheet frictional resistance to offset translation downstream of the gripping surface whereby each of the predetermined sheets translates relative to the table along the substantially transverse direction with upstream and downstream edges of the predetermined sheets remaining substantially parallel to the substantially transverse direction;
• a spring that biases the gripping surface against the table to generate friction between the gripping surface and the predetermined sheets;
• and
• a stacker, positioned at the stacking location, that receives each of the sheets from the conveyor and that overlays each of the sheets in a stack extending downstream, the sheets being oriented in a second orientation in the stack.

An apparatus for stacking and separating sheets comprising:

• a conveyor that transports sheets from a source in a first orientation in a stream aligned in a downstream direction to a stacking location;
• a kicker located along the conveyor that offsets predetermined sheets in a direction substantially transverse to the downstream direction, the kicker including a gripping surface that engages the predetermined sheets to offset the predetermined sheets in the substantially transverse direction, the predetermined sheets being offset so that the upstream and downstream edges of the predetermined sheets remain substantially parallel to the substantially transverse direction;
• a movable weighted roller constructed and arranged to engage a downstream edge of each of the sheets when each of the sheets is positioned adjacent the kicker, and the roller being movable to enable movement of the sheets in the substantially transverse direction and the downstream direction;
• and
• a stacker, positioned at the stacking location, that receives each of the sheets from the conveyor and that overlays each of the sheets in a stack, the sheets being oriented in a second orientation in the stack.

A method of stacking and separating sheets comprising the steps of:

• providing a plurality of sheets from a source;
• conveying each of the sheets in a downstream direction in a first orientation to a stacking location;
• locating each of the sheets at an offset station and gripping predetermined sheets with a reciprocating gripping surface that engages and withdraws from the predetermined sheets and that translates each of the predetermined sheets in a direction substantially transverse to the downstream direction;
• retaining a downstream edge of each of the predetermined sheets with a movable surface that maintains a downward pressure on each of the sheets when each of the sheets is located adjacent the offset station and that enables movement of each of the sheets in each of the downstream direction and the transverse direction;
• and
• forming each of the sheets at the stacking location into a stack with each of the sheets oriented in a second orientation.