Method and apparatus for storing and dispensing thin flexible objects
US5975282A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 8, 1997 |
| Grant date | Nov 2, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 8, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65H2701/1932
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A device is disclosed for storing a stream of a plurality of thin flexible objects, such as newspapers or similar printed materials, which is constructed from a number of generally parallel conveyor sections arranged in a number of vertical columns. The conveyor sections in each column are connected to one another by diverter belts located at the ends of the columns and the last conveyor section in one column is connected to the first conveyor section in an adjacent column by an offset transfer conveyor. In operation, a lapped stream of objects is fed into the input of the storage device travels in a serpentine manner along all of the interconnected conveyor sections in a first column, across the transfer conveyor to a second column where the process is repeated. The remaining columns are traversed in the same manner until the stream reaches the end of the last conveyor. Selected numbers of objects can be dispensed by operating the full unit for short periods of time to cause objects to exit from the discharge end of the unit. A control system for controlling the unit and an input system for creating a suitable lapped stream of papers are also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.