Method of and apparatus for stacking sheets of paper and the like

A method of converting at least one stream of successive sheets into at least one series of stacks of sheets at a stacking station, comprising the steps of:

• advancing successive sheets of the at least one stream to the stacking station along a predetermined path having a discharge end at the stacking station;
• accumulating the sheets at the stacking station into a growing stack having uppermost sheets constituted by successive sheets of the at least one stream,the uppermost sheets being spaced apart from the discharge end of the predetermined path;
• lowering the growing stack in the course of said accumulating step;
• changing the level of the discharge end of the predetermined path when necessary to ensure that the distance between the discharge end and successive uppermost sheets of the growing stack remains at least substantially constant;
• monitoring the distance between the discharge end of the predetermined path and successive uppermost sheets of the growing stack at the stacking station;
• and
• comparing the monitored distance with a predetermined distance, said level changing step including changing the level of the dishcarge end of the predetermined path when the monitored distance departs from the predetermined distance.

A method of converting at least one stream of successive sheets into at least one series of stacks of sheets at a stacking station, comprising the steps of:

• advancing successive sheets of the at least one stream to the stacking station along a predetermined path having a discharge end at the stacking station;
• accumulating the sheets upon a first support at the stacking station into a growing stack having uppermost sheets constituted by successive sheets of the at least one stream, the uppermost sheets being spaced apart from the discharge end of the predetermined path;
• changing the level of the discharge end of the predetermined path when necessary to ensure that the distance between the discharge end and successive uppermost sheets of the growing stack remains at least substantially constant;
• monitoring the distance between the discharge end of the predetermined path and successive uppermost sheets of the growing stack at the stacking station;
• comparing the monitored distance with a predetermined distance, said level changing step including changing the level of the discharge end of the predetermined path when the monitored distance departs from the predetermined distance;
• lowering the first support and the fully grown stack thereon prior to removing the stack;
• and
• lowering the discharge end of the predetermined path simultaneously with lowering of the first support and the fully grown stack on the first support.

Apparatus for converting at least one stream of successive sheets into at least one series of stacks of sheets at a stacking station, comprising:

• means for advancing successive sheets of the at least one stream to the stacking station along a predetermined path, said advancing means having a discharge end directly over said station;
• means for accumulating the sheets at said station into a growing stack having uppermost sheets constituted by successive sheets of the at least one stream the uppermost sheets being spaced apart from said discharge end;
• and
• means for changing the level of said discharge end when necessary to ensure that the distance between said discharge end and successive uppermost sheets of the growing stack remains at least substantially constant
• wherein said level changing means includes signal generating means for monitoring the distance between said discharge end and succesive uppermost sheets of the growing stack at said station, means for comparing the monitored distance with a predetermined distance, and means for moving said discharge end when the monitored distance departs from the predetermined distance.

Apparatus for converting at least one stream of successive sheets into at least one series of stacks of sheets at a stacking station, comprising:

• means for advancing successive sheets of the at least one stream to the stacking station along a predetermined path, said advancing means having a discharge end above said station;
• means for accumulating the sheets at said station into a growing stack having uppermost sheets constituted by successive sheets of the at least one stream, the uppermost sheets being spaced apart from said discharge end;
• means for changing the level of said discharge end when necessary to ensure that the distance between said discharge end and successive uppermost sheets of the growing stack remains at least substantially constant;
• and
• a removable support located at said station and arranged to carry the sheets of the growing stack, and means for lowering said support with a growing stack thereon wherein said level changing means includes signal generating means for monitoring the distance between said discharge end and successive uppermost sheets of the growing stack at said station, means for comparing the monitored distance with a predetermined distance, and means for moving said discharge end when the monitored distance departs from the predetermined distance.

Apparatus for converting at least one stream of successive sheets into at least one series of stacks of sheets at a stacking station, comprising:

• means for advancing successive sheets of the at least one stream to the stacking station along a predetermined path, said advancing means having a discharge end above said station;
• means for accumulating the sheets at said station into a growing stack having uppermost sheets constituted by successive sheets of the at least one stream, the uppermost sheets being spaced apart from said discharge end;
• and
• means for changing the level of said discharge end when necessary to ensure that the distance between said discharge end and successive uppermost sheets of the growing stack remains at least substantially constant,
• wherein said level changing means includes at least one fluid-operated motor, and
• said motor includes at least one radially expansible and contractible hose.