Method and apparatus for stacking discrete planar objects
First Claim
1. A system for forming a plurality of discrete objects into a stack comprising:
- a frame having a top, a bottom and sides;
a conveyor associated with said frame and having an end edge for dispensing discrete objects;
a first support mounted on said frame near said end edge for receiving objects from said end edge and having an opening with a width smaller than the width of said objects;
a first actuator operably connected to said first support for moving said first support between first and second positions relative to said end edge;
a second actuator operably connected to said first support for moving said first support between upper and lower positions relative to said frame;
a second support mounted on said frame beneath said first support having a width less than the width of the opening in said first support;
a third actuator operatively connected to said second support for moving said second support between high and low positions, said second support high position being higher than said first support lower position;
a third support mounted on said frame at a position higher than said second support low position and having an opening wider than the width of said second support;
a fourth actuator operatively connected to said third support for moving said third support between a first position beneath said first support and a second position;
a sensor for determining the number of discrete objects in a stack, said sensor being operatively coupled to said to said third actuator; and
a controller for controlling said first, second, third and fourth actuators.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for forming a plurality of discrete objects into a stack is disclosed which system includes a frame having a top, a bottom and sides; a conveyor associated with the frame and having an end edge for dispensing discrete objects, a first support mounted on the frame near the end edge for receiving objects from the end edge and having an opening with a width smaller than the width of the objects, a first actuator operably connected to the first support for moving the first support between first and second positions relative to the end edge; a second actuator operably connected to the first support for moving the first support between upper and lower positions relative to the frame; a second support mounted on the frame beneath the first support having a width less than the width of the opening in the first support; a third actuator operatively connected to the second support for moving the second support between high and low positions, the second support high position being higher than the first support lower position; a third support mounted on the frame at a position higher than the second support low position and having an opening wider than the width of the second support; a fourth actuator operatively connected to the third support for moving the third support between a first position beneath the first support and a second position; a sensor for determining the number of discrete objects in a stack, the sensor being operatively coupled to the to the third actuator; and a controller for controlling the first, second, third and fourth actuators. A method of using the system is also disclosed.
131 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A system for forming a plurality of discrete objects into a stack comprising:
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a frame having a top, a bottom and sides;
a conveyor associated with said frame and having an end edge for dispensing discrete objects;
a first support mounted on said frame near said end edge for receiving objects from said end edge and having an opening with a width smaller than the width of said objects;
a first actuator operably connected to said first support for moving said first support between first and second positions relative to said end edge;
a second actuator operably connected to said first support for moving said first support between upper and lower positions relative to said frame;
a second support mounted on said frame beneath said first support having a width less than the width of the opening in said first support;
a third actuator operatively connected to said second support for moving said second support between high and low positions, said second support high position being higher than said first support lower position;
a third support mounted on said frame at a position higher than said second support low position and having an opening wider than the width of said second support;
a fourth actuator operatively connected to said third support for moving said third support between a first position beneath said first support and a second position;
a sensor for determining the number of discrete objects in a stack, said sensor being operatively coupled to said to said third actuator; and
a controller for controlling said first, second, third and fourth actuators. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A system for forming a plurality of discrete objects arranged in rows into a plurality of stacks comprising:
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a frame having a top, a bottom, a first side having an inner wall and a second side having an inner wall facing said first side inner wall, said first side inner wall and said second side inner wall each including a guide track;
a first cam and a second cam mounted on said frame;
a drive for rotating said first cam and said second cam;
a conveyor associated with said frame and having an end edge for dispensing rows of discrete objects;
a first support mounted on said frame near said end edge, for receiving objects from said end edge, having a plurality of rods spaced by a distance less than the width of said objects, a guide wheel received in each of said guides on said frame first wall and said frame second wall, and a cam follower movable into engagement with said first cam;
a first actuator operably connected to said first support for moving said first support between first and second positions relative to said end edge;
a second actuator operably connected to said first support for moving said first support between upper and lower positions;
a second support mounted on said frame beneath said first support comprising a plurality of fingers each having a width less than the distance between said first support rods;
a third actuator operatively connected to said second support for moving said second support between high and low positions, said second support high position being higher than said first support lower position;
a third support mounted on said frame at a position higher than said second support low position comprising a frame portion and a tray portion, said tray portion including a bottom wall having a plurality of openings wider than the width of said fingers;
a fourth actuator operatively connected to said third support for moving said third support between a first position beneath said second support and a second position;
a sensor for counting the number of objects passing a point on said conveyor, said sensor being operatively connected to said drive for rotating said first cam and said second cam; and
a controller for controlling said first, second, third and fourth actuators and said drive.
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Specification