Patent · US Expired

Separator for forming discrete stacks of folded web

US5558318A · kind A · utility

30Cited by
92References
51Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 29, 1994
Grant dateSep 24, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 29, 2014

Classification

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

Abstract

A system for conveying folded web and forming discrete stacks of folded web comprising a conveyor that receives a stack of folded output web from a web folder and separator. The conveyor drives the web from an upstream end, adjacent the web folder and separator, to a downstream end. A supporting surface, which can comprise a plurality of pivoting rails biased by a spring, selectively supports the web remote from and off of the conveyor so that a compressed stack can be formed adjacent the folder and separator. At selected times, the stack is moved by the supporting surface into communication with the folder and separator so that it can be conveyed downstream. An elevator platform can be located at the downstream location for receiving successive stacks thereon. The elevator ascends and descends so that the tops of the successive stacks are aligned with the conveyor for receipt of a further stack thereon. The elevator platform can include a drive that enables it to rotate so that successive stacks are deposited on the elevator platform in a rotationally offset orientation relative to each other.

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