Apparatus for stacking business forms

Abstract

A succession of individual business forms are fed in a generally horizontal path by a set of burst rolls of a bursting machine, and the side edge portions of each form are directed by corresponding guide ramps into engagement with a pair of inclined cylindrical posts which are effective to curve each form in a lateral direction to increase the longitudinal rigidity of the form. The leading edge of each form is guided downwardly by a sloping guide member towards an adjustable platform which supports a stack of forms. Each of the inclined posts and the corresponding guide ramp are supported with an adjacent auxiliary support surface for lateral adjustment as a unit, and the sloping guide member is supported for pivotal movement in response to a build-up of a stack of forms on the platform.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In machines for separating or bursting a continuous supply of business forms along longitudinally spaced lines of cross perforations such as, for example, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,741,451 which issued to the assignee of the present invention, the business forms are frequently fed by underlying conveyor belts into a shingle-like stack, as illustrated in the patent. The succession of individual forms may also be fed either directly from the burst rolls or by feed belts onto a horizontal platform where the forms settle by gravity into a stack. An example of a gravity stacker is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,516,657. In this patent, the platform on which the forms are stacked is movable downwardly as the stack increases in height so that each form is fed generally horizontally directly from the conveyor belts onto the top of the stack.

In another form of a gravity-type stacker which is used on a bursting machine, the stack supporting deck or platform is positioned substantially below the delivery belts or burst rolls so that a stack of substantial height can be formed without moving the platform. However, when such a gravity stacker is operated at a high speed, it is difficult to direct each form in a precise path from the burst rolls so that the forms will build up in a neat and orderly stack without jamming. For example, with some forms constructed of a lightweight paper, it has been found that the leading edge of each form tends to curl downwardly and slide along the top surface of the uppermost form on the stack. Sometimes, the drag or friction which developes between the forms may cause the form to roll and cause a jam of the stacking operation.

The problem of the forms rolling and jamming increases with an increase in the difference in elevation between the platform and the feed belts or burst rolls and when the speed of the lightweight forms is increased. In addition, a paper or form jam is more likely to occur when the forms have marginal feed holes or crimps since the leading corners of a form tend to engage or hang up on the feed holes or crimps, causing the form to roll. While the problem of paper rolling and jamming can be reduced by elevating the platform to a level closer to the level of the forms as they are fed from the burst rolls, this limits the number of forms which can be accumulated in a stack on the platform and requires the operator to remove smaller stacks of forms more frequently.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an improved apparatus for stacking a succession of individual business forms and which provides for high speed gravity-type stacking onto a stationary platform. The stacker of the invention is particularly suited for conveniently accommodating business forms of various widths and lengths and which are constructed of relatively lightweight paper and have marginal punched feed holes or crimps. The stacker also provides for stacking a substantial number of forms into a relatively high stack by controlling the path of each form, and is effective to minimize any interference with the flow of each form onto the top of the stack.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, after each business form is separated from its succeeding form, the separated form is fed generally horizontally by a set of burst rolls between a set of form curving units each of which is laterally adjustable according to the width of the forms being separated. Each of the form curving units includes a ramp which guides the corresponding edge portion of each form upwardly into engagement with a cylindrical curving member or post, and each post is inclined forwardly and upwardly relative to the generally horizontal path of the form.

The guide ramps cooperate with the inclined posts to curve the corresponding side portions of the form upwardly and thereby impart a lateral curve in the form to increase its longitudinal rigidity. As the laterally curved form is fed generally horizontally between the inclined posts, the leading edge of the form engages a generally straight guide member which slopes downwardly between the posts toward the forward edge of a platform positioned forwardly and below the form curving units. The guide member serves to decelerate each laterally curved form and direct it downwardly to the forward edge of the preceding form supported by the platform. The guide member is also adapted to pivot upwardly in response to an increase of the stack height of the forms on the platform.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawing and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a machine for bursting a succession of continuous business forms and which incorporates a form stacking apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the stacking apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and illustrating the lateral curvature of a business form, as produced by the apparatus; and

FIG. 3 is a somewhat enlarged partial section view of the stacker apparatus taken generally on the line 3--3 of FIG. 2, and also showing the relationship of the stacker apparatus relative to the burst rolls.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawing, a continuous succession of business forms are progressively burst or separated in a machine 10 which is preferably constructed generally as shown in above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,741,451. The machine 10 includes a set of vertically disposed horizontal burst rolls 14 which extend between the inner parallel side walls 15 of the machine 10. Each of the burst rolls 14 has a resilient outer surface which is interrupted by a plurality of axially spaced circumferential grooves 16. The burst rolls 14 are driven in the directions as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 3, and are effective to feed each separated business form F outwardly along a generally horizontal path.

A pair of parallel spaced vertical side plates 18 are supported between the side walls 15 of the burster machine 10 by a set of tubular spacers 19 and a set of screws 21. The plates 18 are connected by a cross plate 23 (FIG. 3) having downwardly formed end tabs which are secured to the side plates 18 by a set of bolts 24. The plate 23 supports a set of laterally spaced fingers 26 which project into the grooves 16 within the lower burst roll 14. As also shown in FIG. 3, the cross support plate 23 slopes downwardly from the nip of the burst rolls 14 and serves to support each form F as it is fed from the burst rolls 14. The side plates 18 are also rigidly connected by a cylindrical rod 28 and a rod 29 having a square cross-sectional configuration.

A pair of opposing form curving assemblies or units 35 are positioned on the cross support plate 23, and each unit 35 includes a plastics U-shaped clip block 37 which is mounted or snap-fits onto the rod 28 for laterally sliding movement. Each of the slide blocks 37 rests upon the cross bar 29 and supports a formed sheet metal support member or plate 39 including an upwardly sloping ramp portion 41 which extends to a base portion 42 sloping downwardly at an angle of approximately 45.degree. from the ramp portion 41. The sliding block 37 of each unit 35 also supports an auxiliary L-shaped support plate or member 44 which is also formed of sheet metal and projects inwardly of the support member 39, as shown in FIG. 2. Both of the sheet metal support members 39 and 44 are secured to the slide block 37 by a set of rivets 46, and the support member 44 also includes a forwardly projecting tab 48 (FIGS. 2 and 3) which has a resilient vinyl coating to provide for conveniently gripping and moving or adjusting the form curving units 35 laterally, as will be explained later.

Each of the form curving units 35 also includes a cylindrical form curving member or post 50 which has its lower end secured to the sloping base portion 42 of the support plate 39 so that the post 50 slopes upwardly and forwardly at an angle of approximately 45.degree. relative to the generally horizontal path of each form F as it is fed from the burst rolls 14. The posts 50 provide a set of opposing curved surfaces which are adapted to engage the corresponding edge portions of each form F.

A rectangular platform 55 is supported generally horizontally between the lower end portions of the side plates 18 by a set of shouldered screws 56 which extend through corresponding slots 58 formed within the side plates. The rearward end portion of the platform 55 engages a set of cylindrical stop members or projections 61 which are secured to the inner surfaces of the side plates 18 directly above the platform 55. As illustrated by the dotted line in FIG. 3, the platform 55 may be elevated to an upper position by tilting the platform 55 and shifting the screws 56 into the upper portions of the corresponding slots 58. In the upper position, the rearward end portion of the platform 55 engages another set of upper stop members or projections 61 which are also secured to the side plates 18.

An elongated tapering channel-like bracket 62 (FIG. 3) is attached to the upper surface of the platform 55 by a set of magnetic strips 64 which are positioned on opposite sides of an elongated rigid track 66 secured to the upper surface of the platform 55. The bracket 62 supports a set of upwardly projecting and laterally spaced sheet metal stop members or fingers 68 which are secured to a cross member 69 pivotally connected to the bracket 62 by a spring-type hinge 71. The fingers 68 are held in a normal vertical position by a torsion spring 72 of the hinge 71, but are pivotable as a unit against the spring 72 in a clockwise direction (FIG. 3) to an approximately horizontal position to facilitate convenient removal of a stack of forms from the platform 55. The platform 55 also supports a pair of L-shaped guide plates 73 each of which is attached to the platform by a magnetic strip 74 secured to the base of the plate.

A formed sheet metal bracket 75 is positioned above the form support plate 23 adjacent the burst rolls 14, and is pivotally supported by a cylindrical cross rod 77 which extends between the parallel inner side walls 15 of the bursting machine 10. The bracket 75 is centered on the support rod 77 by a set of retaining rings 79 and supports the upper ends of an elongated generally U-shaped guide wire or member 80. The lower end portion of the guide member 80 extends between the two center stop fingers 68 (FIG. 2) and is adapted to rest on the cross member 69 when the bracket 62 is positioned on the platform 55 as shown in FIG. 3. The bracket 75 also supports a pair of generally triangular-shaped guide members 84 which are preferably molded of a plastics material and include a downwardly sloping lower surface for guiding the center portion of each form F as it is fed from the burst rolls 14.

The form stacking apparatus operates in the following matter. Before operating the bursting machine 10, each of the form curving units 35 is positioned laterally so that the center of the corresponding form curving member or post 50 aligns generally with the corresponding side edge of the form F as the form feeds through the machine 10. As a business form F is separated from a succeeding form as a result of the higher rotation speed of the burst rolls 14, the form F is fed outwardly onto the support member or plate 23. When the leading edge of the form F moves outwardly onto the plate 23, the side or marginal edge portions of the form engage the ramp portions 41 of the support plates 39 and are guided upwardly into engagement with the lower portions of the posts 50.

The inclined positions of the posts 50 are effective to curl or curve the marginal edge portions upwardly to provide the form with a smooth laterally curved or part cylindrical configuration so that the form has substantial longitudinal rigidity. When the leading edge of the form engages the sloping guide wire or member 80, the form is directed downwardly by the guide member until the leading edge of the form engages the upright stop fingers 68. The initial form then settles by gravity between the guide plates 73 onto the platform 55.

Since multiple copy business forms usually build up at a slightly higher rate along the marginal edge portions of the forms within a stack as a result of glueing and/or crimping operations within the edge portions, the tapering bracket 62 is effective to compensate for the faster build-up along the edge portion by supporting the center portions of the forms within the lower portion of the stack at a higher elevation than the marginal edge portions of the forms. As a stack of forms builds up on the platform 55 between the side guide plates 73, the sloping guide wire or member 80 pivots upwardly on the axis of the cross rod 77, and the outer end portion of the guide member 80 continues to rest on the upper front edge of the stack of forms. Thus the leading edge of each form fed between the curving units 35 is directed downwardly by the guide member 80 into engagement with the stop fingers 68 at the upper forward edge of the stack. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the auxiliary support plates or members 44 provide additional support for especially lightweight forms to assure smooth lateral curvature of each form and prevent sharp bends.

It is apparent from the drawing and the above description that a form stacking apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention provides desirable features and advantages. For example, the inclined guide members or cylindrical posts 50 cooperate with the guide ramps 41 and the guide member 80 to assure that each form is directed in a precise path spaced above the preceding form supported by the platform 55. That is, the guide ramps 41 guide the marginal edge portions of each form into engagement with the posts 50, and the posts are effective to curl or curve the form laterally and thereby strengthen the longitudinal rigidity of the form. As a result, the leading edge of each form remains substantially in contact with the guide member 80 and away from the preceding form until the form is located precisely above the preceding form supported by the platform 55. The curved outer surfaces of the posts 50 also minimize friction with the forms fed therebetween so that each form has sufficient momentum to remain in contact with the sloping guide member 80 and to reach the stop fingers 68 before the form settles onto the top of the stack.

This structure is particularly desirable for lightweight forms which are fed through the bursting machine at a high rate of speed and assures that the leading edge and/or corners of each form do not engage and slide along the top surface of the preceding form supported by the platform 55. As a result, the structure of the stacking apparatus substantially eliminates the chances of a paper jam by rolling forms and thereby increases the efficiency of operation of the bursting machine along with a significant reduction of scrap forms.

As mentioned above, the form curving units 35 may also be conveniently and quickly adjusted laterally on the cross rod 24 according to the width of the forms being processed, simply by gripping each tab 48 and sliding the corresponding unit 35 laterally until the center line or axis of the post 50 aligns generally with the corresponding side edge of the form. The bracket 62 and stop fingers 68 are adjustable longitudinally along the track 66 on the platform 55 to accommodate forms of various lengths, and the platform 55 is adjustable vertically on the side support plates 18 to accommodate forms of relatively shorter lengths such as those having a length within the range of 3 to 6 inches.

While the particular form stacking apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

The invention having thus been described, the following is claimed:

1. In apparatus for bursting a continuous succession of business forms and including a set of upper and lower burst rolls, an improved device for stacking the individual business forms being fed from said burst rolls in a successive manner along a generally horizontal path, said device comprising a set of elongated form curving members spaced from said burst rolls across said path of the forms and having longitudinally extending opposing curving surfaces, means supporting said curving members for independent lateral adjustment and in a position with said opposing curving surfaces sloping upwardly and forwardly relative to said path and on opposite sides of the path for engaging the corresponding opposite marginal edges of each form, the spacing between said opposing curving surfaces being less than the width of the forms, means forming a set of ramp surfaces extending to said curving members and adapted to guide the corresponding edges of each form to said curving surfaces, said ramp surfaces and said curving surfaces cooperating to produce upward curving of the marginal edge portions of each form as the form travels along the path, a generally horizontal platform positioned forwardly and below said curving members for supporting a generally vertical stack of forms, and means for guiding each form with upwardly curving marginal edge portions into a stack on said platform.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said form curving members comprise a generally cylindrical post having an axis disposed substantially within a vertical reference plane.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means for selectively positioning said platform at a plurality of different elevations relative to the path of the forms.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means forming a set of auxiliary ramp surfaces positioned between said curving members for providing auxiliary support of certain forms and to maintain the lateral curvature of each form.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said curving members is supported by the corresponding means forming the adjacent ramp surface, a bar extending laterally across the path of the forms, and means slidably mounted on said bar for supporting each said curving member and the corresponding said ramp surface for infinite lateral adjustment.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said form curving members comprise a cylindrical post having an axis sloping upwardly and forwardly within a generally vertical plane adjacent the corresponding edge of each form.

7. In appratus for bursting a continuous succession of business forms and including a set of upper and lower burst rolls, an improved device for stacking the individual business forms being fed from said burst rolls in a successive manner along a generally horizontal path, said device comprising a set of elongated generally cylindrical form curving posts spaced from said burst rolls across said path of the forms and having longitudinally extending opposing curving surfaces, means supporting said posts for independent lateral adjustment and in a position with said opposing curving surfaces sloping upwardly and forwardly relative to said path and on opposite sides of the path for engaging the corresponding opposite marginal edges of each form, the spacing between said opposing curving surfaces being less than the width of the forms, means forming a set of ramp surfaces extending to said posts and adapted to guide the corresponding edges of each form to said curving surfaces, said ramp surfaces and said posts cooperating to produce upward curving of the marginal edge portions of each form as the form travels along the path, a generally horizonal platform positioned forwardly and below said posts for supporting a generally vertical stack of forms, and a guide member sloping downwardly and forwardly from said posts for guiding each form with upwardly curving marginal edge portions into a stack on said platform.