US3131819A - Shuttle piler - Google Patents

Description

y 5, 1964 K. s. DUCAYET, JR 3,131,819

SHUTTLE FILER Filed April 14, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 K/RBY S. BUG/0'57; JR.

Wm, mm 1 A 1 ATP EYS 1964 K. s. DUCAYET, JR 3,131,819

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INVENIOR MR8) 5. DUCAYETJR ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,131,819 SHUTTLE FILER Kirby S. Durayet, Jr., Stockbridge, Mass., assignor to The Clark-Aiken Company, Lee, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Filed Apr. 14, 1961, Ser. No. 102,969 Claims. (Cl. 214-6) This invention relates to improvements in apparatus used in the handling of sheet material, and more particularly to an improved piler for a layboy.

In the formation of sheets of paper, film, foil, etc., a layboy is usually provided for stacking the sheets as they are discharged from the cutter. The conventional layboy includes a series of joggers which constantly move back and forth against the edges of the sheets as they are being stacked to achieve their vertical alignment, and a mechanism to maintain the top of the stack at a predetermined level. When the desired number of sheets or height is attained, the cutter is shut down and the stack is lowered. The stack is usually received on a skid which, with the stack, is removed from the layboy and replaced by an empty skid. The time lapse which then occurs while the cutter is not operating is significant and consequently the capacity of the cutter and layboy is seriously affected.

In the continuous type of layboy, a temporary support is provided for the stack while the completed stack is removed. But this does not reduce the time lapse while the filled skid is removed and replaced by an empty skid, and in practice with a high-speed cutter, a layboy of this type cannothandle the stack in the time allowed without the close coordination of at least two men in unloading and replacing the skid. For this reason, at high-speed operations the cutter must be shut down periodically to permit the removal and replacement of skids with the resultant limitation on the efiiciency of the cutter and layboy.

The foregoing dificulties are somewhat alleviated by a revolving layboy piler, but it is found with such a piler that centrifugal force on the formed stacks dictates slow rotation of the piler and, as a consequence, the cutter and layboy are shut down for an appreciable length of time. Moreover, the additional space required and type of construction necessary for such a piler make it unsuitable in many existing paper mills.

The object of this invention is to provide. a sheet stacking arangement and system for a layboy which overcomes the above deficiencies and can be adapted to existing mills having either conventional or the continuous type of layboy.

Another object is to provide a novel means for expediting the handling of sheets so that the period during which the cutter is shut down is eliminated or substantially reduced.

An advantage of the invention resides in that not only does it save valuable time in providing a rapid exchange of skids in the layboy, but also it is economical insofar as the eifective utilization of floor space is concerned. Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the disclosure with respect to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing the shuttle piler together with a portion of the layboy;

FIGURES 2 through 6 show a cycle of shuttle pilers in operation. In this respect, FIGURE 2 is a view diagrammatically illustrating the right receiving table in position and starting to receive a stack;

FIGURE 3 is a similar view, showing the stack completed on the right receiving table;

FIGURE 4 is a similar view, showing the left receiving table in position and starting to receive a stack whereas the right receiving table isready to be unloaded;

3,131,819 Patented May 5., 1964 "ice FIGURE 5 is a similar view, showing the left receiving table now loaded and the right receiving table unloaded and ready for another stack;

FIGURE 6 is a similar view, showing the completion of the cycle with the left receiving table in position to be unloaded and the right receiving table in position and starting to receive a stack;

FIGURE 7 is a partly cut-away perspective view of the shuttle piler;

FIGURE 8 is a schematic drawing showing the hydraulic system and its electrical control circuit; and

FIGURE 9 is a diagrammatic view of the stack level detector.

The device relates to two platform lifts or receiving tables 10 and 11 which are linked together by a metal housing 12 which contains a hydraulic pump 49, drive motor 70, and other apparatus to provide lifting power for the tables 10 and 11 and drive the shuttle piler 14. The assembly is basically designed to pile sheets of paper, film, foil, etc. with each table in itself being an elevator. The drive mechanism facilitates the rapid removal of a completed pile of paper on one of the tables while at the same time bringing in the second table.

The embodiment illustrated in the drawings shows the shuttle piler 14 in cooperation with a layboy. 15 which in this case is a conventional layboy although it will be apparent from the disclosure that the shuttle piler 14 may also be used advantageously with other types of layboys such as continuous layboys. No attempt will be made to described layboy 15 in detail except insofar as it cooperates with the shuttle piler 14 inasmuch as the various designs of layboys are well known in the art. FIGURE 1, therefore, only shows the portion of the layboy which extends over the shuttle piler.

The layboy includes a plurality of conveyors 16 which convey the sheet paper to the piler 14. Conveyors 16' i are conventional such as conveyors 19 in US. Patent 2,849,236. It also includes a frame structure 17 which provides support for the terminal end of the conveyors 16. Arms 19 extend over the shuttle piler as shown in FIGURE 1 from the frame structure 17. Joining arms 19 are joggers comprising two horizontal shafts 20 and 21 which slideably carry guides 22 and 24. Guides 22 and 24 may be selectively adjusted and fixed at any desired place along shafts 20 and 21 by securing means 25 and 26. Joining arms 19 at their extremities away fromconveyors 16 is an end guide 27 which acts as a sheet stop for the sheets delivered from conveyors 16. Well known mechanisms for reciprocating the joggers are contained in arms 19.

FIGURE 1 shows a stack 29 which has already been re ceived on a skid 30 which, in turn, is carried by the left receiving table 11. The shuttle piler 14 includes a lefit receiving table 11 and a right receiving table 10 which are each mounted on electric hydraulic lifts of the scissors type. The shuttle piler also includes a frame structure 31 which is rectangular in shape and provided with a plurality of wheels 32'which are adapted to travel on parallel nails 34 which. are laid at right angles to arms 19. It will thus be appreciated that shuttle piler 14 will travel transversely to the layboy 15 so that either table 11 or table 10 can be positioned to receive sheets from layboy 15. The track is bounded at each end so that the travel of shuttle piler 14 is limited to that distance necessary to position first one table and then the other table under layboylS in a manner as will be presently seen. The limitation of travel is accomplished by stops 35 and 36 secured transversely across either end of rails 34.

Referring now to FIGURES 2 through 6, it will be seen that the shuttle piler 14 is in starting position with a stack of sheets 37 already received on skid 39 which is. supported by the right table 10. Left table 11 is in elevated shows the stack 37 as now completed and table 10 with skid 39 is in lowered position. 7 40 remains in position as shown in FIGURE 2. When Left table 11 with skid this occurs the shuttle piler 14 automatically moves into position, shown in FIGURE 4, whereby left table 11 is positioned under layboy 15 and has already commenced receiving a new stack 41. Stack 37 with skid 39 is now ready to be removed from right table 10. FIGURE shows stack 37 and skid 39 removed. A new skid 42 has been placed on right table and the table has been elevated so as to be ready to receive sheets from layboy when the cycle starts anew. In the meanwhile, stack 41 is now completed andv left table 11 together with skid 40 is'in a lowered position. At this time the shuttle piler 14 automatically moves to a position whereby right table 10 and skid 42 begin to receive a new stack 44. The just completed stack 41 and skid 40 are ready for unloading and a replacement of a new skid on left table 11 now is in a loweredposition. When this is accomplished, table 11 is elevated and the cycle shown as starting in FIGURE 2 can begin again It will thus be appreciated that the shuttle piler moves automatically from one side to the other as the stacks are formed in order to permit the loading of a new stack andthe unloading of the old stack. The amount of movement of the shuttle piler 14 is minimal and the loading and unloading can be accomplished by one man with a forklift or by automatic means.

Referring now to FIGURE 7, the structure of the The rectangular frame strucshuttle piler'14 is shown. tiure, 31 is borne by six wheels 32 adapted to travel on rails '34. These wheels are located at positions as shown in FIGURES 2 through 6. A housing 12 is adapted to fit between tables 10 and 11 over a drive and hydraulic section 46. In section 46 is an electric motor 47 which drives a constant capacity hydraulic pump 49 and a fan,

50 for a cooler 51. A sump tank not shown is disposed under pump 49 and cooler. 51. This hydraulic pump provides hydraulic fluid under pressure to cylinders 52 and 80 (see FIGQS) which elevate and lower tables 10 and.

11. For convenience, only the cylinder 52 for the left table 11 is shown in FIGURE 7. This cylinder is secured so as to pivot about a rod 54 which, in turn, is secured to lugs 55 extending downwardly from section 46. The cylinder 52 contains a piston 84 (see FIG. 8) and piston rod 56 which acts against a T-bearing 57. Bearing 57 carries a shaft 59 which extends through scissorlink members 60 and 61. Link member 61 is pivotal-1y secured at wheel axle 62 to the frame structure 31. Link:

member 60 is adapted to roll in a guide 64 on its lower end. Guide 64 in turn is secured to frame structure 31 and provides support for link member 60 through roller 65. Extending transversely from the upper end. of link member 60 is a shaft 66 which extends. between link member 60 andasimilar link member not shown on the opposite side of frame structure 31. A lug 67 attached to the underside of table '11 embraces shaft 66 and secures table 11; in a position relative thereto Several such lugs may be employed for purpose. The inner portion of table 11 rides on roller 69 and a similar roller in a similar scissor link structure opposite thereto. The shuttle piler 14 is moved to and froon tracks 34 by means of an electric, mlotor 70 which turns a-gear 71 which in turn meshes with and turns a gear 72 which is fixed to the proximate wheel 32. In the hydraulic system there is a stop valve 81 and a discharge valve 91. -It will be understood that the mechanism for lifting table 10 is the same as that shown under table 11 in FIGURE 7.

Referring now to FIGURE 8, it be seen that hydraulic pump 49 takes suction through a strainer 76 and discharges through lines 77 and 79 to cylinders 52 and 80 under the left table 11 and the right table 10, re-

spectively' Stop valves 81 and182 are interspersed be-,' tween the pump and the cylinders for each of the respec-v tive lines. The hydraulic pressure in cylinder '52 acts of the scissor-type elevator 85 under table 11. der 80 :a piston 86 is acted upon by hydraulic pressure to move a piston rod 87 in scissor-type lift 89 which controls the elevator of table 10. Connected to the hydraulic fluid in cylinder 52 is a line 90 containing a stop valve 91 and a throttling or flow control valve 92. Line 90 acts to carry hydraulic fluid back to sump 94. Similarly, there is a line 95 which is interconnected with ,the hydraulic fiuidin cylinder 80 to discharge fluid from cylinder 80 into sump 94 through a stop valve 96 and a throttling or fiow control valve. 97. At either end of frame structure 31 are limit switches 99 and 100.

and 70, controller 114, switches 99, 100, 101, 111,

Mounted on layboy 15 is a pile level detector 101 which is operatively connected with [the pile lowering mechanism to maintain the top of the stack of sheets at a substantially constant level. The upper end of detector 101is provided with a portion 102 curved in the direction of the pile and as this upper portion engages the edge of the pile and is held away from the pile it operates switch 194 which momentarily opens stop valve 91 to permit a small amount of hydraulic fluid'to be discharged from cylinder 52 and thus cause a lowering of stack 29:. -.As the stack 29 lowers it permits detector 101 to move in a position overlying the pile (FIGURE 9) and thereby closes the stop. valve 91 to stop the operation of. the pile lowering mechanism.

Each of the stop valves 31, 82, 91 and 96 are controlled by solenoids 105, 106, 107 and 109, respectively. In

operation, when the stack 29 is of sulficient size, a projection 110 extending from the scissor links of mechanism contacts a limit switch. 111 which through solenoid 106 opens stop valve 91. This also actuates switch 120 which causes the cutter mechanism to be shut off. .When

stack 29 lowers a slightly additional amounhprojection contacts a second limit switch 112 which actuates motor controller 114 of motor 70, which, in turn, causes the shuttle piler 14 to travel to the left to such a position whereby table 10 will be ready to receive a new stack and table 11 is ready to be unloaded. When this occurs, limit switch 120 is deactuated and the cutter mechanism is started. Skid 30 and stack 29 are removed from table 11 and a new skid is replaced on the table. The operator then closes the switch 115 which opens valve 81 heretofore, closed, through solenoid 105. Hydraulic fluid then flows into cylinder 52 until limit switch 116 is actuated by the scissor-type elevator 85 which acts to turn 06 switch 115 and close valve 81 through solenoid 105. In this position hydraulic fluid is trapped in cylinder 52unti1 the pile level detector will permit the discharge of the fluid through valve 91 in the manner previously described.

When the shuttle piler 14 reaches the position whereby to go to the hydraulic system which is currently receiving 7 sheets. It will be understood that motor 70 is reversible through control 114 and will run one way and then the other depending uponwhich elevator'component supplies the actuation. The electric system for both elevators is,

of course, the same and it will be appreciated that the I shuttle piler will run automatically to and fro without the.

necessity of human control once the layboycommences the stacking of sheets.

On the right side, limit switches 124,121, 122 and 12 6,

the left. It will be understood that an electrical power is supplied whereneeded, as, for example, to motors 47 115,- 121 and 125.

Once the operation commences, the only manual control required is for the raising of the tables after anew skid has been placed thereon. This also may be performed automatically, if desired, but it is not done here for reasons of economy and safety.

The above description and drawings disclose a single embodiment of the invention, and specific language has been employed in describing the several figures. It will, nevertheless, be understood that no limitations of the scope of the invention are thereby contemplated, and that various alterations and modifications may be made such as would occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

I claim:

1. In combination with a layboy adapted to receive 5 eet material being successively fed thereto and arrange said sheet material in a vertical stack, a piler operatively associated with said layboy to receive sheets therefrom in a vertical stack comprising a rectangular frame structure mounted to move transversely with respect to said layboy, a pair of tables linked by a housing carried by said frame structure, motive means Within said housing to position selectively one of said tables to receive sheets being fed to the layboy, hydraulic means for independently raising and lowering each of said tables, and control means associated with said layboy responsive to the height of the pile of said sheet material being formed to operate said lowering means of the selected one of said tables which is receiving sheets from the layboy so as to gradually lower said table as the height of the pile of sheet material thereon increases and switch means to cause said motive means to position the other of said tables to receive sheets fed to said layboy when the selected one of said tables has lowered a predetermined amount.

2. In combination with a layboy adapted to receive sheet material successively fed thereto and arrange said sheet material in a vertical stack, a piler operatively associated with said layboy to receive sheets therefrom in a vertical stack comprising a frame structure, a pair of parallel, horizontal rails laid transversely to said layboy wheels supporting said frame structure adapted to roll on said rails, a pair of hydraulic elevator means connected to said frame structure, a table carried by each of said elevator means, a housing linking said tables, motive means within said housing associated with said frame structure to move it on said rails and to position selectively one of said tables to receive sheet material being fed to said layboy, pile level control means responsive to the height of said pile of sheet material controlling said elevator means to maintain said pile of sheet material at a substantially constant height by gradually lowering said elevator means, and switch means for said motive means whereby when said table is lowered a predetermined amount said selected table with the pile of sheet material thereon is positioned for unloading and said other table is positioned to receive said sheet material to said layboy.

3. In combination with a layboy adapted to receive sheet material successively fed thereto and arrange said sheet material in a vertical stack, a piler operatively associated with said layboy to receive said sheet material thereh'om in a vertical stack comprising a rectangular frame structure, a pair of parallel, horizontal rails transverse to said layboy supporting wheels mounted on said frame structure adapted to roll on said rails, a pair of independent elevator means carried by said frame structure, a receiving table carried by each elevator means, a housing linking said tables, said elevator means comprising an electric, hydraulic lift of the scissors type, motor means within said housing associated with said frame structure adapted to move it along said rails, stopper means associated with said piler to position selectively one of said receiving tables to receive sheet material fed to said layboy, pile level detector control means responsive to the height of said pile of sheet material relative to said layboy controlling said elevator means whereby to maintain said pile of sheet material at a substantially constant height by gradually lowering said elevator means, and motor switch means for said motor means whereby when said receiving table is lowered a predetermined amount said selected table with said pile of sheet material thereon is positioned for unloading and said other table is positioned to receive said sheet material to said layboy by transversely moving said frame structure along said rails.

4. In combination With a layboy adapted to receive sheet material being successively fed thereto and arrange said sheet material in a vertical stack, a piler operatively associated with said layboy to receive sheets therefrom in a vertical stack comprising a rectangular frame structure mounted to move transversely with respect to said layboy, a pair of tables carried by said frame structure, a housing linking said tables, motive means within said housing to position selectively one of said tables to receive sheets being fed -to the layboy, hydraulic means for independently raising and lowering each of said tables, and control means associated with said layboy responsive to the height of the pile of said sheet material being formed -to operate said lowering means of the selected one of said tables which is receiving sheets from the layboy so as to lower gradually said table as the height of the pile of sheets material thereon increases, and switch means to cause said motive means to position the other of said tables to receive sheets fed to said layboy when the selected one of said tables has lowered a predetermined amount, and further control means associated with the height of the selected one of said tables to discontinue the feeding of said sheet material during the positioning of the other of said tables.

5. The mechanism of claim 4 wherein said piler is mounted on tracks, and additional control means are associated with the position of said piler on said tracks to deactivate said motive means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,797,833 Cash July 2, 1957 2,849,236 Beaulieu Aug. 26, 1958 2,854,153 Rydberg Sept. 30, 1958 2,869,739 Davis Jan. 20, 1959 3,022,904 Shires Feb. 27, 1962

Claims (1)

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A LAYBOY ADAPTED TO RECEIVE SHEET MATERIAL BEING SUCCESSIVELY FED THERETO AND ARRANGE SAID SHEET MATERIAL IN A VERTICAL STACK, A PILER OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID LAYBOY TO RECEIVE SHEETS THEREFROM IN A VERTICAL STACK COMPRISING A RECTANGULAR FRAME STRUCTURE MOUNTED TO MOVE TRANSVERSELY WITH RESPECT TO SAID LAYBOY, A PAIR OF TABLES LINKED BY A HOUSING CARRIED BY SAID FRAME STRUCTURE, MOTIVE MEANS WITHIN SAID HOUSING TO POSITION SELECTIVELY ONE OF SAID TABLES TO RECEIVE SHEETS BEING FED TO THE LAYBOY, HYDRAULIC MEANS FOR INDEPENDENTLY RAISING AND LOWERING EACH OF SAID TABLES, AND CONTROL MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID LAYBOY RESPONSIVE TO THE HEIGHT OF THE PILE OF SAID SHEET MATERIAL BEING FORMED TO OPERATE SAID LOWERING MEANS OF THE SELECTED ONE OF SAID TABLES WHICH IS RECEIVING SHEETS FROM THE LAYBOY SO AS TO GRADUALLY LOWER SAID TABLE AS THE HEIGHT OF THE PILE OF SHEET MATERIAL THEREON INCREASES AND SWITCH MEANS TO CAUSE SAID MOTIVE MEANS TO POSITION THE OTHER OF SAID TABLES TO RECEIVE SHEETS FED TO SAID LAYBOY WHEN THE SELECTED ONE OF SAID TABLES HAS LOWERED A PREDETERMINED AMOUNT.

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