Method and apparatus for developing and handling stacks of web material
First Claim
1. In a method for developing and handling stacks of superposed, rectangular webs, the steps ofdeveloping said stacks at a predetermined speed and advancing said stacks along a first linear path at speed which are at least equal to said predetermined speed with the long dimension of each rectangular web in a stack parallel with said first linear path,sequentially removing at least some of said stacks from said first linear path to transfer said removed stacks sequentially into a second linear path angularly related to said first linear path while maintaining the long dimension of each rectangular web in a stack parallel to said first linear path to provide a sequence of spaced apart stacks in said second linear path,sequentially retarding each stack in said second linear path to reduce the spacing between successive stacks, andthereafter advancing said sequence of stacks in said second linear path at a second speed less than said predetermined speed whereby said stacks can be handling for packaging in equipment subject to a speed limitation while being developed in equipment not subject to said speed limitation.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for developing and handling stacks of web material and, more particularly, to such articles as towels (folded or unfolded), tissues, impregnated non-woven sheets and other relatively flimsy webs which are either normally or desirably provided in the form of a rectangular stack.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. In a method for developing and handling stacks of superposed, rectangular webs, the steps of
developing said stacks at a predetermined speed and advancing said stacks along a first linear path at speed which are at least equal to said predetermined speed with the long dimension of each rectangular web in a stack parallel with said first linear path, sequentially removing at least some of said stacks from said first linear path to transfer said removed stacks sequentially into a second linear path angularly related to said first linear path while maintaining the long dimension of each rectangular web in a stack parallel to said first linear path to provide a sequence of spaced apart stacks in said second linear path, sequentially retarding each stack in said second linear path to reduce the spacing between successive stacks, and thereafter advancing said sequence of stacks in said second linear path at a second speed less than said predetermined speed whereby said stacks can be handling for packaging in equipment subject to a speed limitation while being developed in equipment not subject to said speed limitation.
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7. A method of conveying relatively elongated web stacks comprising:
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advancing sequentially a series of said stacks along a first linear path while said stacks are confined between upper and lower belts traveling at a predetermined speed with the stack long dimension parallel to said first path, applying gripping means serially to certain of said stacks along one longitudinal edge and rotating the same through an arc while maintaining the orientation of each stack so that its long dimension when each stack is in said arc is still parallel to said first path, at a predetermined point in said arc serially releasing the clamping of each stack while simultaneously confining each stack being released between a traveling top belt and a bottom plate, said top belt traveling at a second speed less than said predetermined speed and operative to advance a series of said stacks along a second linear path arranged at an angle to said first linear path, and advancing said stacks serially in second linear path at said second speed while elevating said stacks to permit the means for clamping said stacks to pass under said bottom plate while continuing movement in said arc. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. Apparatus for conveying relatively elongated stacks of relatively flimsy material under continuous control comprising:
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a frame equipped with a first linear path belt conveyor for advancing a series of said stacks traveling at a predetermined speed and with the long dimension of each stack being parallel to said first conveyor, a turntable rotatably mounted on said frame and equipped with a plurality of equally circumferentially spaced apart clamping devices, means on said frame for rotating said turntable and for selectively actuating and deactuating said clamping devices, said clamping devices being so located on said turntable and said turntable so located relative to said first linear path that said clamping devices are adapted to sequentially engage said certain of said stacks along one longitudinal edge and maintain said certain stacks in the same attitude relative to said first linear path while rotating the same through an arc to a second linear path, and a second belt conveyor on said frame for advancing a series of said certain stacks and traveling along a second linear path disposed at an angle to said first linear path and at a speed slower than said predetermined speed, said means for selectively actuating and deactuating said clamping means being arranged and construced to serially release said stacks when the same are engaged by said second belt conveyor. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. Apparatus for developing and handling stacks of superposed, rectangular webs comprising a frame, means operably associated with said frame for
developing said stacks at a predetermined speed and advancing said stacks along a first linear path at speeds which are at least equal to said predetermined speed with the long dimension of each rectangular web in a stack parallel with said first linear path, means on said frame for sequentially removing certain stacks from said first linear path to transfer said removed stacks sequentially into a second linear path angularly related to said first linear path while maintaining the long dimension of each rectangular web in a removed stack parallel to said first linear path to provide a sequence of spaced apart stacks in said second linear path, means on said frame for sequentially retarding each stack in said second linear path to reduce the spacing between successive stacks, and means on said frame for therafter advancing said sequence of stacks in said second linear path at a second speed less than said predetermined speed whereby said stacks can be handled for packaging in equipment subject to a speed limitation while being developed in equipment not subject to said speed limitation.
Specification