# US 9,751,704 B2 · Article feeder with a retractable product guide > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,751,704 B2 - Document ID: US9751704B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/189,918 - Filed: 2016-06-22 - Published: 2016-10-13 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2013-03-12 - Assignees: United States Postal Service - Applicants: United States Postal Service - Inventors: Edward F. Houston; Juan A. Roman; William P. McConnell; Robert E. Hume; Thomas A. Hillerich; Darin Dickey - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9751704B2 ## CPC - B65H 1/30: with means for replenishing the pile during continuous separation of articles therefrom {(B65H1/22 takes precedence)} - B07C 1/025: {Devices for the temporary stacking of objects provided with a stacking and destacking device (interstack device)} - B65H 1/025: {with controlled positively-acting mechanical devices for advancing the pile to present the articles to the separating device} - B65H 1/263: {Auxiliary supports for keeping the pile in the separation process during introduction of a new pile} - B65H 7/02: by feelers or detectors - B65H 2301/422542: emptying or unloading processes - B65H 2301/422544: opening processes - B65H 2405/214: sides - B65H 2511/51: Presence - B65H 2511/515: Absence - B65H 2513/41: Direction of movement - B65H 2701/1916: Envelopes and articles of mail - B65H: HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES - B07C: POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING (specially adapted for a specific purpose covered by another class, see the relevant place, e.g. A43D33/06, B23Q7/12) ## Abstract An automatic stack feeder having a moveable stack or product guide is disclosed. The automatic stack feeder may be configured to receive a stack of articles and a container enclosing a stack of articles. To ensure the stack of articles is properly supported following unloading from the container, the stack guide is moveable between a first and a second position, wherein the stack guide is in contact with the stack of articles while in the first position, and not in contact with the stack when in the second position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A stack feeder comprising: conveyor configured to receive a stack of articles; a stack guide located proximate the conveyor, the stack guide moveable between a first position and a second position; an actuator movably connected to a mechanical linkage, the actuator configured to move the stack guide, via the mechanical linkage, between the first position and the second position, wherein, to move the stack guide, the actuator moves in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of movement of the stack guide; and the mechanical linkage, wherein the mechanical linkage comprises: a piston connected to the actuator and to a first cam; a crankshaft connected to the first cam, the crankshaft extending along a length of the stack guide; one or more second cams operably connected to the crankshaft and to the stack guide; wherein the first cam translates the linear motion of the actuator into rotational motion of the crankshaft, and wherein the one or more second cams translate rotational motion of the crankshaft into linear movement of the stack guide. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The stack feeder of claim 1, wherein the stack guide comprises a continuous, planar surface disposed at a right angle to a plane of the conveyor, the continuous planar surface extending substantially parallel to a length of the conveyor; and wherein the direction of movement of the stack guide between the first and the second position is in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the conveyor and to the continuous planar surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The stack feeder of claim 1, wherein the first cam comprises a ring gear, and the crankshaft comprises teeth configured to engage with the ring gear of the first cam. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The stack feeder of claim 1, wherein the crankshaft is supported by one or more bearings which allow for rotational movement of the crankshaft. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The stack feeder of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a piston operably connected to a motive force generator. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The stack feeder of claim 5, wherein the motive force generator is a pneumatic motor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The stack feeder of claim 5, wherein the motive force generator is an electric motor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The stack feeder of claim 1, comprising a controller configured to operate the actuator to control movement of the stack guide, and to operate the conveyor. ### Claim 9 A method of operating a stack feeder comprising: operating a conveyor to move a stack of articles; moving an actuator in a first direction, the actuator connected to a stack guide located proximate the conveyor via a mechanical linkage, the stack guide moveable between a first position and a second position via the mechanical linkage, wherein the stack guide comprises a continuous planar surface extending substantially parallel to a length of the conveyor; and wherein moving the actuator in the first direction moves the stack guide in a second direction which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction; and wherein the mechanical linkage comprises: a piston connected to the actuator and to a first cam; a crankshaft connected to the first cam, the crankshaft extending along a length of the stack guide; one or more second cams operably connected to the crankshaft and to the stack guide; and wherein moving the actuator comprises moving the piston, which operates the first cam, wherein the first cam translates the linear motion of the actuator into rotational motion of the crankshaft, and wherein the one or more second cams translate rotational motion of the crankshaft into linear movement of the stack guide. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the planar surface of the stack guide. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 further comprising: receiving a container of articles on the conveyor; unloading a stack of articles from the container; and moving the actuator in third direction thereby moving the stack guide in a fourth direction which is in a direction opposite the second direction. ### Claim 12 A stack feeder comprising: means for operating a conveyor to move a stack of articles; means for moving an actuator in a first direction, the actuator connected to a stack guide located proximate the conveyor via a mechanical linkage, the stack guide moveable between a first position and a second position via the mechanical linkage, wherein the stack guide comprises a continuous planar surface extending substantially parallel to a length of the conveyor; and wherein moving actuator in the first direction moves the stack guide in a second direction which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the mechanical linkage comprises: a piston connected to the actuator and to a first cam; a crankshaft connected to the first cam, the crankshaft extending along a length of the stack guide; one or more second cams operably connected to the crankshaft and to the stack guide; and wherein moving the actuator comprises moving the piston, which operates the first cam, wherein the first cam translates the linear motion of the actuator into rotational motion of the crankshaft, and wherein the one or more second cams translate rotational motion of the crankshaft into linear movement of the stack guide. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The stack feeder of claim 12 further comprising: means for receiving a container of articles on the conveyor; means for unloading a stack of articles from the container; and means for moving the actuator in third direction thereby moving the stack guide in a fourth direction which is in a direction opposite the second direction.