The invention relates to an apparatus for severing multi-layer form sets or the like comprising separator means for separating the form set into a plurality cf layers and a plurality cf severing devices eacr. arranged to sever the forms of a respective one of the forms.

An apparatus of - this kind, but including a plurality of winding-on devices for carbon paper webs interposed between the web layers, is known from GB-A-1 523 997.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an apparatus of this kind in which the severing devices are located so that the layers travel substantially equal distances to them.

The invention can be conveniently embodied in an apparatus in which the endless form set is drawn upwardly from a stack container by a transporter device onto a generally horizontal path from which successive underlying layers are fed generally downwardly to respective severing devices. The separating means conveniently comprises a plurality of rollers substantially equidistantly spaced along a separator path for the multi-layer set, the distances between the rollers and the associated covering means being successively greater in the feed direction.

Provision is conveniently made for treating a

multi-layer set of four layers, although the invention is not limited to any particular number, and the apparatus can then have an array of four severing devices, which can extend parallel to one another, downwardly from the horizontal path, to respective receptacles for the severed forms. The severing devices are conveniently connected together so as to be both driven and adjusted in common. Where the layers are transversely perforated,- the severing devices may comprise bursters having two spaced transporters and a burster bar between them, the forward transporter advancing the layer at a greater speed than the rear transporter so that the layer tears at the perforations by the impact of the layer on the burster bar under the tension induced by the speed difference between the transporters.

The forward and/or the rear transporters of all of the burster devices, and also the burster bars, can be mounted on a single selectively movable support so that the apparatus can be very readily and conveniently adjusted to deal with forms of different lengths.

The severing devices can instead comprise guillotine devices which effect severance by a cutting action. In either form of severing device, a downward inclination of the path of the layer through it assists movement of the forms outwardly of the device particularly the last form of the set, by gravity.

The invention will be seen to provide an apparatus for severing multi-layer endless form sets or the like which incorporates an advantageous feed path configuration. The apparatus of the invention can be readily used for severance of single layer endless form sets by use of one only of the severance devices.

The invention is further described below, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing,

the single figure of which is a largely schematic side view of an apparatus for severing multi-layer sets of endless forms or the like m accordance with the invention. The illustrated apparatus comprises a frame in which can be received a container 2 for a multi-layer endless form set 4, folded in zig-zag or concertina fashion, which is to be divided into separated forms by the apparatus. The frame supports a guide roller 5 above the container 2 and the form set is unfolded by being drawn upwardly over the guide roller, to move along a generally horizontal path, along which separation of the layers of the set from one another is effected. This movement of the form set is effected by a transporter device which can be of any suitable kind and which is shown here as a pair o driven feed rollers 7 between which the set extends.

The generally horizontal separator path is defined by guides 9 for supporting the form set and by four spaced separator rollers 10,12,14,16. The separator rollers function to direct the lowermost layer, for the time being, of the multi-layer form set from the separator path downwardly by way of guides 17 to respective severance paths containing severing devices described below. Four separator rollers and severing devices are illustrated but any appropriate plural number may be provided according to the desired capacity of the apparatus. Around the last separator roller 16 there is of course guided downwardly only the originally uppermost layer, which is all that remains of the form set 4, downstream of the immediately upstream separator roller 14.

Optionally, provision may be made for the separation from the set 4 of the lowermost layer 20 without severance of its components forms, by means of

a deflector roller 21 , upstream of the separator rollers 10,1 ,1 , 6. This lowermost layer car. be deflected down ardly over this roller intc an underlying receptacle 22 in which the layer resumes the original folded zig-zag or concertina form. A conventional device (not shown) for removing the edges of the set prior to separation of the layers can be provided at a suitable position along the separator path. The illustrated apparatus is intended to treat multi-layer form sets in which a line of perforation or other weakening extends transversely of the set between adjacent forms of each layer, and the four severing devices are accordingly of the burster type. As the burster devices are alike only one is described below.

The burster device comprises an upstream pair of driven rollers 25 between which the separated layer extends. One roller of this roller pair is provided with a flattened portion 26, the effect of which is that the layer is free instead of being drivingly clamped between the rollers when this flat portion is opposite the other roller, to permit any distortion of the layer to even itself out. The flattened portions 26 of the rollers 25 are arranged to operate in synchronism in the four burster devices.

From the upstream pair of rollers 25, the layer is fed downwardly beneath a burster bar 27 which extends transversely across it, to a second pair of driven rollers 29. This second roller pair is driven at a higher speed than the upstream pair 25, so the layer is stressed in tensicr. , with its line of perforations tensed against the burster bar 27. The layer is consequently severed at the perforation line and the leading form is moved downwardly by the pair of rollers 29 and is deposited in a tray or other receptacle 30

from it and the other forms deposited therein car. r.--, removed when required. The remainder of the layer continues to be fed downwardly by the pair of rollers 25 until the leading severed edge is engaged by the rollers 29, so that the portion between the rollers is tensed in stress as before until severance at the next line of perforation takes place.

The four burster devices of the illustrated apparatus are arranged so that the path length for each layer to the leading roller pair 25 is the same. The guides 17 and two pairs of rollers 25,29 of each burster device are aligned on a severance path inclined downwardly and forwardiy with respect to the generally horizontal separator path. To allow adjustment of the apparatus for dealing with form sets comprising forms of different lengths, the apparatus includes means for adjusting the spacing between the upstream and downstream roller pairs 25,29 of the burster devices, and the position of the burster bar 27. To avoid the need for individual adjustment of each device, the severance paths are arranged to be parallel to one another, and the upstream roller pairs 25 are mounted on a common support or carriage 32, which is guided on the frame so that it can be moved parallel to the severance paths and releasably secured at a position corresponding to a spacing from the downstream rollers 29 appropriate to the lengths of the forms of the form set 4.

The four burster bars 27 are likewise mounted on a carriage 34 which is similarly movable on the frame parallel to the severance paths and the downstream roller pairs 29 also can be located on such a carriage if desired. By this means, the spacings of the roller pairs 25,29 and the position of the adjuster bars 27 can be simply and reliably effected, uniformity between

- o - the burster devices being ensured.

In use, the endless form set 4 is placed in tne container 2 and is manually threaded over the roller 5 and between the transport rollers 7. If the lowermost layer is not to oe severed, it is led away from the overlying layers downwardly over the roller 21. The remaining layers are then threaded over the respective rollers 10,12,14 & 16 into the nips of the pairs of rollers 25. The apparatus can then be set in operation and separation and severing continue automatically until the last form of each layer remains between the upstream roller pair 25 of the burster device to which it has been fed. The successful feeding of these last forms to the respective receptacles 30 is ensured in the illustrated apparatus by the downwardly inclined severance path, whereby these forms are fed through to the roller pair 29 under gravity.

It will be evident that the apparatus can be readily used for severing a single layer form set by feeding the set through the transport rollers 7 to any selected one of the burster devices.

Although the invention has been described with reference to an apparatus in which the severing device comprise burster devices, for use with endless form sets having spaced transverse perforations between the forms, the invention can be embodied also in an apparatus having guillotines in place of the burster devices, for use with multi-layer endless form sets which are not provided with perforations. The guillotines can be positioned in the frame along the severance paths in replacement of the bursters and car. also be driven and adjusted collectively.

It will be evident that the invention can be embodied in a variety of ways other than as specifically shown and described.