US Patent:
20050110208, May 26, 2005
Inventors:
Sten Nilsson - Emporia KS, US
Marvin Potter - Emporia KS, US
International Classification:
B65H029/00
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for transporting articles comprising single sheets or short stacks of single sheets from a collating machine to a high speed newspaper and/or commercial inserter utilizes a conveyor apparatus intermediate the collator and inserter that twists or rotates the articles through one-quarter turn as they move in succession and at high speed along their path of travel. The one-quarter turn rotation is carried out around an axis that extends longitudinally of the path of travel of the articles from the collator to the inserter. Special twister belts are utilized to grip and convey the articles as they pass through the article rotating portion of the apparatus. Such quarter-turn rotation orients the articles into a radial orientation for direct insertion into rapidly moving pockets of the inserter machine which are preferably moving in a circular path of travel in a plane that is perpendicular to the inserting path of travel of the articles. The articles may have also been previously upended from a flat stack into an edgewise or upended condition if the initial collator is of the type which dispenses the articles on a horizontal moving conveying surface. At all times throughout their conveyance from the collator to the inserter, the articles are maintained under firm control despite traveling at high speeds and significant distances.
