US 5,628,612 AGranted

Stacking machine with quick release mounts

AssigneeBaldwin Technology Corporation

InventorsJerry L. Bates, Everardo Garza

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Abstract

An improved stacker apparatus for the formation of aligned stacks of signatures from one or more incoming streams of partially overlapping signatures in shingled form. The stacker has an outer framework having an input end and an output end. A stream of partially overlapping signatures in shingled form is accepted at the input end and is passed to a compression conveyor. The compression conveyor has two conveyor belts in compressed opposition to one other which follow an upward arcuate path along a series of idler rollers. The series of idler rollers is mounted to the outer framework by a quick release inner framework. The conveyor transfers the signatures to a receiving station which guides successive signatures into aligned stacking registry with one another. When a conveyor belt breaks, the inner frame is quick released from the outer frame, a new belt is wound around the inner frame, and the inner frame re-mounted. Drive shaft pulley assemblies are rotably mounting to the outer framework by a quickly releasable bearing such as a two bolt flanged bearing with a screw clamp collar. This arrangement avoids removing each roller to replace a broken belt.

A method for replacing broken conveyor belt means with intact conveyor belt means in a stacker apparatus used for the formation of aligned stacks of signatures from one or more incoming streams of partially overlapping signatures in shingled form, said stacker apparatus having

a.) an outer framework having an input end and an output end;
and
b.) means for accepting at least one stream of partially overlapping signatures in shingled form at the input end and passing said signatures to compression conveyor means;
and
c.) said compression conveyor means being adjacent to and in line with the input end of the outer framework;
said compression conveyor means having first and second floating conveyor belt means in compressing opposition to one another;
said compression conveyor means following an upward arcuate path from the input end to the output end defined by a plurality of idler rollers mounted in juxtaposition to one of said conveyor belt means;
said compression conveyor means being capable of transferring said partially overlapping signatures in shingled form from said input end to said output end between said first and said second conveyor belt means;
and
d.) a receiving station located adjacent to and in line with the compression conveyor means at the output end of the outer framework, said receiving station guiding successive signatures into aligned stacking registry with one another;
and
e.) means for driving the compression conveyor means along said path,
the method comprising mounting said idler rollers to said outer framework by quick release mounting means;
releasing said idler rollers from said outer framework via said quick release mounting means to form a space between said rollers and said outer framework;
removing broken conveyor belt means;
winding intact conveyor belt means through said space and juxtapositioning said intact conveyor belt means with said idler rollers;
and re-mounting said rollers to said outer framework with said quick release mounting means.

14 more elements

Facts

Application

08/323,144Filed 14 Oct 1994 · division

Priority

27 Jan 1993

Granted

13 May 1997

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

B65H 29/66
Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles: advancing articles in overlapping streams
B65H 29/12
Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles: by means of the nip between two, or between two sets of,…
B65H 31/06
With movable end support arranged to recede as pile accumulates: the articles being piled on edge
B65H 2301/42142
Of articles on edge: by introducing articles from beneath

Abstract

Claims9