Para, Giovanni (Via Capezzana, 20 Carmignano, I-59015, IT)
| 1. | Device for feeding a pallet and doubling piles of sheets of paper, cardboard and the like, characterized in that it comprises: a motordriven rollerbelt (1) for accommodating one or more (2 ; 20,21) succeeding piles of material in sheets and for the removal of the pile (2) after completing the operations of insertion of a pallet (6) and/or doubling the pile (22), means for raising and lowering the pile (2) comprising at least one forktype rack (3), provided with motordriven means designed to move them horizontally, parallel to the rollers of the rollerbelt (1), and vertically over the rollerbelt (1), squaring means (4,4a) of the pile (2 ; 20,21) acting on the sides at rightangles to the rollers (1), conveying means (5,5') to transfer a pallet (6) from a parking place (7) above the rollerbelt (1). |
| 2. | Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said means for raising and lowering the pile (2 ; 20,21) include two forktype racks (3) facing each other and that said motordriven means of moving each rack (3) comprise a supporting cart (12) horizontally mobile on a carriage (10) vertically mobile, the racks (3) moving simultaneously and the arms of the racks (3) being able to pass between the rollers of the rollerbelt (1). |
| 3. | Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said squaring means consist of a pair of aligning elements (4) each of which is carried on one of said carriages (10) and is horizontally mobile on it. |
| 4. | Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said aligning elements (4) are vertically mobile to align two stacked piles (20,21). |
| 5. | Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said squaring means include a second aligning element (4a) adjacent to the first aligning element (4) and able to slide vertically with respect to it to align two piles (20,21) stacked one on top of the other. |
| 6. | Device according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that said conveying means (5,5') of the pallet (6) comprise a first pair of motordriven chains (5) equipped with a thrusting element (15) and a second pair of motordriven chains (5') equipped with a rabbet element (16), said pairs of chains being consecutive and transversal to the direction of the rollers, said first pair of chains (5) extending from the parking place (7) of the pallet (6), beneath one of said carriages (10) and between the rollers (1) to their midline area, said second pair of chains (5') extending from the midline area of the rollers (1), between the rollers (1) and beneath the second carriage (10). |
Background Art In the technical paper industry, special devices are used for feeding pallets, that are inserted under a pile of sheets of paper or cardboard. Other separate devices are used to double piles and stack two piles of sheets one on top of the other.
Disclosure of Invention The object of this invention is to provide a single device that performs both operations of inserting the pallet under a pile of sheets and stacking one or more piles of sheets on top of it.
Said object is achieved with a device in accordance with the accompanying claims.
The technical features and advantages of this invention will appear clear from the detailed description that follows of an example, without limitation, of its implementation.
Brief Description of Drawings In the drawings: - Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic plan view of a device in accordance with the invention; - Fig. 2 illustrates a side view according to the 11-11 layout of Fig. 1; - Fig. 3 illustrates in greater detail a partial side view of the raising-squaring means which are part of the device; - Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration of an operating sequence as performed by the device.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention With reference to Figures I and 2, a device according to the invention mainly includes: - a motor-driven rollerbelt 1 for accommodating a pile 2 of sheets of material such as paper, cardboard or the like, and removing the pile after completing the operations of
insertion of the pallet and/or double the pile, as specified more in detail hereafter; - a pair of facing fork-type racks 3, equipped with motor-driven means designed to produce their simultaneous movement in a horizontal direction, parallel to the rollers on the rollerbelt 1, and also their vertical movement over rollerbelt 1 ; - a pair of aligning elements 4 to square the pile 2 on the sides at right angles to the rollers; - chain conveyor 5,5' used to convey a pallet 6 from its parking place 7 to the rollerbelt 1.
More in detail, for the support and motion of the racks 3 two structures 8,8' are provided, located at the sides of the rollerbelt 1 and each consisting of a vertical guide 9 for a carriage 10 that glides on it in both directions. As better illustrated in Fig. 3, on each of these carriages 10 there is a horizontal guide 11 for a cart 12 bearing the rack 3. The vertical movement of each carriage 10 is achieved by a chain 13 driven by an electric motor 14 installed on the structure 8,8'. The horizontal movement of each cart 12-and thus of each rack 3-is produced by means of an electric motor (not shown) and a chain 13'installed on the carriage 10.
The arms of the racks 3 can pass between the rollers of the rollerbelt 1, enabling the racks to be lowered under the level of the rollerbelt.
Each carriage 10 also holds one of the aligning elements 4 designed to square the pile of sheets. More specifically, each aligning element 4 can be moved horizontally with respect to the carriage 10 for example by a chain or rack 40 driven by another electric motor (not shown) by means of a gear 41.
In order to obtain a perfect vertical alignment of two piles stacked one on top of the other, the aligning element 4 is advantageously designed to move vertically as well or, alternatively, a second aligning element 4a can be installed adjacent to the first aligning element 4 and can slide vertically with respect to it by means of a pneumatic driver (not shown).
To transfer a pallet 6 from a parking place 7 to the rollerbelt 1, on this device two consecutive chain conveyors 5,5' have been provided and arranged transversally with respect to the direction of rotation of the rollers 1. More in particular, the parking place 7
is located adjacent to one of the structures 8 on the opposite side from the rack 3 that moves onto it. Externally to the parking place 7 there is a first pair of motor-driven chains 5 that are prolonged underneath the carriage 10 and between the rollers 1 to the midline area of the rollers. A second pair of motor-driven chains 5'is installed consecutive to the first pair of chains 5, between the rollers 1 and beneath the second structure 8'. Thrust elements and rabbet elements 15,16 are provided, carried by the chains 5 and 5', for accurate centering of the pallet 6 on the rollerbelt 1.
The operation of the device when used to stack two piles of sheets and insert a pallet under the pile thus formed is described hereafter with reference to Fig. 4.
A) A first pile 20 of sheets is fed into the device from a preceding station 50 by means of rollerbelt 1. In this stage the racks 3 are placed (or are brought) underneath the pile 20 with the aligning elements 4 drawn back. The aligning elements 4 are then brought forward simultaneously so as to square the pile, centering it on the rollerbelt 1.
B) The racks 3 are moved upward so as to lift the pile 20 to a sufficient height to permit a second pile 21 to be fed in.
C) The second pile 21 is conveyed onto the rollerbelt 1 underneath the first pile 20 which has been raised.
D) When the racks 3 move downward, the first pile 20 is stacked on the second pile 21 ; and the aligning elements 4, or the vertically mobile aligning elements 4a, are partially lowered so as to maintain the two piles in vertical alignment; the racks 3 are withdrawn.
E) The racks 3, after being lowered and inserted under the pile 22 thus formed, are raised again to permit insertion of a pallet 60.
F) By lowering the racks 3 the pile 22 is placed on the pallet 60; the racks 3 are withdrawn and the pallet 60 with the pile 22 is conveyed to the next station; a third pile 23 is fed into the device.
It is obvious that a device according to the invention offers the advantage of being usable also only as a pallet feeder or only as a pile doubler. The device can also be used to double piles with one pallet each.
The invention thus conceived is susceptible to several modifications and variants, all falling within the scope of the inventive idea. Furthermore, all the details can be . substituted with technically equivalent elements.
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