Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for stacking, aligning and compressing signatures

US5282716A · kind A · utility

9Cited by
3References
31Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 22, 1991
Grant dateFeb 1, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 22, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S414/12
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A stack of signatures are dropped upon the platform halves of a rotatable platform, the platform halves being raised to reduce the free fall distance from the point where the stack of signatures are dropped and a lower stack ejection position. The platform halves are lowered as each stack of signatures is delivered thereto. Eventually, the platform is lowered to the stack ejection position and the pusher is pushed through a gap provided between the platform halves to eject a completed bundle from the platform. The pusher moves through the gap as the platform is being raised or lowered to significantly reduce the cycle time. Stack compressors are selectively movable to a position above the turntable and by selectively raising the platform halves, the accumulated stack of signatures on the platform halves are squeezed between the compression members and the platform halves to form a neat, compressed bundle. The turntable is rotatable through a half-revolution to form compensated stacks. The pusher may be returned to a start position while the platform halves are being raised without fear of collision due to the provision of the gap between the platform halves.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.