Bundle turner
AssigneeTotal Mailroom Support, Inc.
InventorRichard Merwarth
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An assembly for turning bundles includes a planar surface that receives bundles from an upstream station. A sensor detects movement of the bundle toward the surface and initiates a timing sequence. The sequence includes slowing the bundle over the surface so that it does not contact the stop at high speed. The stop is then retracted after the bundle movement is terminated and a portion of the surface is lifted and rotated through approximately ninety degress to re-orient the bundle. After the bundle is lowered to the planar surface, it is then advanced by a drive assembly from the surface toward a downstream station.
Claims17
An apparatus for turning bundles of printed products comprising:
- a planar surface adapted to receive an associated bundle thereon from an upstream station;
- a sensor for detecting movement of an associated bundle on to the surface;
- a timing sequence for synchronizing movement of the bundle based on the sensor detecting an associated bundle;
- a stop adapted to engage an associated bundle and limit further movement thereof on the surface;
- a variable speed driven belt operatively interconnected with the sensor for decelerating the bundle prior to engagement with the stop based on the timing sequence;
- an assembly for rotating the surface through ninety degrees in response to a signal from the sensor;
- and
- a drive assembly for urging an associated bundle from the surface after completion of the rotation.
An apparatus for turning bundles comprised of:
- a planar surface for receiving a bundle from an upstream station;
- a sensor for detecting movement of said bundle onto said planar surface;
- a timing sequence for synchronizing movement of said bundle based on a signal from the sensor;
- a variable speed driven belt operatively communicating with said sensor for decelerating said bundle;
- a stop mechanism for engaging said bundle and to limit further movement of the bundle upon deceleration to a complete stop;
- an assembly for rotating an annular portion of the planar surface in response to the sensor signal;
- and,
- advancing said bundle from the planar surface to a downstream station via the driven belt upon completion of rotation.
A method for turning bundles comprising the steps of:
- receiving a bundle onto a planar surface from an upstream station;
- detecting movement of said bundle on the planar surface via a sensor;
- synchronizing movement of said bundle via a timing sequence based on the sensor signal;
- decelerating said bundle via a variable speed driven belt, operatively connected with said sensor;
- engaging the bundle via a stop mechanism to limit further movement of the bundle;
- rotating a portion of the planar surface in response to a signal from the sensor;
- and,
- moving said bundle from said planar surface via the driven belt upon completion of rotation to a downstream location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.