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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to bursters for continuous business forms stationery
assemblies. Relevant prior art includes U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,229,631 to
Peterson; 3,231,268 to Pine et al; and 3,493,156 to Absler et al.
Increasing labor costs have caused a variety of businesses to seek more
automated ways of handling various facets of their operations, including
the handling of paper work, payrolls, etc. As a result, there has been a
considerable upsurge in the popularity of continuous business forms
assemblies by reason of their adaptability to automated equipment.
Typically, continuous business forms assemblies are comprised of one or
more elongated webs of paper provided with transverse lines of weakening
defining individual form lengths. When the continuous business forms
assembly has been substantially processed, as by the imprinting of
information thereon, it is frequently desirable to break the assembly down
into individual form lengths for distribution, mailing, or the like.
As is well known, a burster is employed for the purpose of separating the
assembly into individual form lengths. Bursters commercially available
today have generally been acceptable for their intended purpose and this
is true of the burster described in the previously identified U.S.
patents. However, with the ever-present desire for increased automation,
coupled with present-day desires for maintaining safe conditions for an
operator of such equipment, there remains a real need for a new and
improved bursting apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the principal object of the invention to provide a new and improved
burster. More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a
highly automated burster requiring a minimum of operator supervision to
reduce labor costs, and one which maximizes the safety of operation.
The exemplary embodiment of the invention achieves the foregoing objects in
a burster structure of the type having a housing containing means defining
a path of stationery travel therethrough from an infeed end to an outfeed
end. Adjacent the infeed end there may be provided tractor-trimmer
mechanisms for driving a continuous business forms assembly into the
burster. Along the path of stationery travel from the infeed end, there
may be optionally located an imprinter assembly for printing on the
continuous forms assembly prior to the bursting of the same. Subsequent to
the printing assembly and along the path of stationery travel is a burster
mechanism for separating the business forms assembly into individual form
lengths.
The burster is followed by a conveyor which receives the individual form
lengths in shingled relation and conveys the same to a stacking mechanism
and shelf located at the outfeed end of the burster.
The housing has an opening whereby access to the foregoing components may
be achieved. The opening is provided with a slidable cover and an
interlock is associated with the cover whereby the mechanism cannot be
operated continuously, as during a bursting run, unless the cover is fully
closed.
The printing assembly is removable for optional use and includes latches
for latching the same in place. The latches are manually actuated and
include handle members disposed in the path of the cover so that after the
printer is located in the housing, upon-closing the cover, the latches
will automatically be engaged if they have not been previously manually
engaged.
Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the foregoing
specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a burster made according to the invention
with parts broken away for clarity;
FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the burster with certain components removed
to illustrate drive mechanisms;
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a portion of the infeed end of the burster;
FIG. 4 is a vertical section taken approximately along the line 4--4 of
FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a printing assembly that may be employed with
the invention;
FIG. 6 is a vertical section taken approximately along the line 6--6 of
FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side schematic of an inker assembly;
FIG. 8 illustrates a portion of the burster mechanism and adjustment
structure;
FIG. 9 is a plan view of a conveyor and a portion of a stacking mechanism;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of a control segment of the
stacker mechanism;
FIG. 11 is a rear elevation of the burster with certain parts removed for
clarity; and
FIG. 12 is a schematic of an electrical control system for the burster and
is composed of FIGS. 12A, 12B and 12C, which are to be placed together in
order from left to right.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
An exemplary embodiment of a burster made according to the invention is
seen in the drawings and with reference especially to FIGS. 1 and 2, is
seen to include a housing, generally designated 10, having an infeed end,
generally designated 12, and an outfeed end, generally designated 14.
The housing 10 contains various components to be described in greater
detail hereinafter, which components define a path of stationery travel
from an infeed shelf 16 located at the infeed end 12 to a stacking shelf
18 at the outfeed end 14. Preferably, the shelf 18 is fabricated from a
plurality of bails as disclosed more fully in the previously identified
Absler et al patent.
The housing 10 is open at its top, as best seen in FIG. 1, and opposite
sides thereof are provided with inwardly opening channels 20 (only one of
which is shown) for sliding receipt of a glass cover member 22. By sliding
the cover 22 within the channels 20, the housing 10 may be opened or
closed so as to allow the operator to achieve access to the bursting
components for set-up purposes or, upon such occurrence, clearing a jam.
With reference now to FIG. 1, adjacent the infeed end 12 and within the
housing 10 are two tractor trimmer assemblies, generally designated 24,
which are made according to the teachings of the commonly assigned
Stromberg application Ser. No. 495,065, entitled "Trimmer Blade Throwoff
Mechanism", filed Aug. 5, 1974, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,905,262 issued Sept.
16, 1975.
Preferably, the tractor-trimmer assemblies 24 are fabricated according to
the second embodiment disclosed in the Stromberg application so as to
provide the capability in the burster of margin breaking. Moreover,
provision is made according to the Stromberg application for independent
adjustment of each of the tractor-trimmer assemblies 24 laterally of the
stationary path to accommodate forms of differing widths.
Forms exiting the tractor-trimmer assemblies 24 are directed to a friction
drive infeed roller 26. The roller 26 provides a friction drive for the
forms and is particularly useful when the forms to be burst are not
provided with control punch margins so that they cannot be driven into the
burster by the tractor portion of the tractor-trimmer assemblies 24.
The roller 26 also serves as an impression roller for a removable printing
assembly, generally designated 28. As will be seen, the printing assembly
28 can be easily located in the apparatus when printing on forms is
desired and just as easily can be removed therefrom.
Forming a portion of the printing assembly 28 is a removable inking
assembly, generally designated 30 to be described in greater detail
hereinafter.
After passing over the roller 25, the forms are fed into the bursting
section of the machine which is generally designated 32. In the bursting
section 32, the continuous business forms assembly is separated into
individual form lengths which are directed to a conveyor, generally
designated 34, whereon they are accumulated in shingled relationship. The
conveyor 34 in turn moves the individual forms to a deflecting structure,
generally designated 36, which in turn directs the forms to the stacking
tray 18 for receipt thereon in stacked relation.
Driving power for the tractor-trimmer assemblies 24, the printer 28, and
the bursting section 32 is provided by a main drive motor 40 suitably
mounted within the housing 10. As best seen in FIG. 2, the motor 40 drives
a sheave 42 which, by means of a belt 44, drives a double sheave 46 on a
shaft 48. The shaft 48 in turn provides rotary power to the bursting
section 32.
A belt 50 reeved about the double sheave 46 drives a double sheave 52. A
belt 54 extends from the sheave 52 to a sheave 55 and a sheave 56. The
sheave 56 is mounted on a shaft 58 which in turn mounts a gear 60 in mesh
with a gear 62 on a shaft 64. The sheave 55 is on a shaft 66.
The shaft 66 drives the tractor elements in the tractor-trimmer assemblies
while the shaft 58 drives the trimmers in the tractor-trimmer assemblies
24. As seen in FIG. 3, at the opposite side of the housing, the shaft 66
mounts a sheave 68 which, by means of a belt 70, drives a sheave 72 which
in turn is connected to the infeed drive roller 26 to drive the same.
On opposite sides of the infeed roller 26, and adjacent the sides of the
housing 10 on the interior thereof, gears 74 are disposed for rotation
with the roller 26 and are adapted to be engaged with gears on the
printing unit 28 as will be described in greater detail hereinafter.
Within the housing 10 is a knob 80 which is associated with the shaft 64.
The arrangement is such that the knob is actually movable on the shaft 64
and in one position thereon is in driving engagement with the shaft. In
another position, the knob 80 is declutched from the shaft 64. Switch
means (not shown in FIG. 3) are provided for signalling when the knob 60
is coupled to the shaft 64.
During setup, the knob 80 may be moved to a position wherein it is coupled
with the shaft 64 and then manually rotated to rotate the various driving
components through the foregoing drive system to aid in setup.
As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the infeed end 12 of the burster includes
sheet metal surfaces 84 which, together with components heretofore and
hereinafter described define the path of stationery travel. At one point,
an opening 86 is provided so that a portion of the roller 26 may project
slightly thereabove to engage stationery travelling in the path. It is
desirable that the position of the roller 26 within the opening 86 be
adjustable so as to insure proper engagement of the roller 26 with
stationery travelling the path and, when used in connection with the
printer assembly 28, to regulate the degree of impression of the printer
on the forms. In this connection, it will be recalled that the roller 26
is also employed as an impression roller for the printer.
To this end, roller 26 is journalled in bearing blocks 88 (only one of
which is shown) which in turn are mounted for movement in a vertical
direction by guides 90. A shaft 92 is journalled at opposite sides of the
housing 10 and mounts in a eccentric 94 at each end which is in engagement
with a corresponding one of the bearing blocks 88.
One end of the shaft 92 mounts a spur gear (not shown) which is in
engagement with a worm gear 96 (FIG. 3) mounted on the end of a shaft 98.
The end of the shaft 98 opposite the gear 96 mounts a spur gear 98 in
engagement with a worm gear 100 which in turn is mounted on a shaft 102.
The shaft 102 extends into the interior of the burster and mounts a knob
104. Thus, through rotation of the knob 104, the shaft 92 may be rotated
to rotate the eccentrics 94 and thereby raise or lower the roller 26 with
respect to the opening 86.
With reference now to FIGS. 1 and 3-7, the removable printer assembly 28
will be described in greater detail. The same includes a frame defined by
a pair of end members 110 interconnected by three shafts 112, 114 and 116.
The length of the shafts 112, 114 and 116 is such that the frame spans the
interior width of the burster.
A shaft 118 extends between the end members 110 and is journalled therein.
The shaft 118 mounts a printing roll 120 of any desired construction
which, as seen in FIG. 6, is in sufficient proximity to the roller 26 so
as to sandwich stationery sufficiently to impart the indicia carried by
the cylinder 120 onto the stationery. As will be apparent to those skilled
in the art, printing can be by means of inked indicia on the cylinder 120
or by so-called "crash imprinting".
One end of the shaft 118 mounts a gear 122 which is adapted to engage one
of the gears 74 when the printer 28 is located within the burster.
Each of the end members 110 carries a movable latch assembly defined by a
latch element or lever 130. The lever 130 includes an elongated, arcuate
slot 132 intermediate its ends for receipt of a pin 134. The end of the
lever 130 below the slot 132 includes a hook-like latching portion 136
which is adapted to be latched about a pin 138 secured to the housing when
the lever 130 is in the solid line position illustrated in FIG. 5.
The end of the lever 130 opposite the latch end 136 includes a handle 140
whereby the printing assembly 28 can be manually latched in place.
As seen in FIG. 5, the latch lever 130 is movable to a dotted line position
whereat the handle end 140 extends sufficiently high above the end plate
110 to be engaged by the cover 22 when the latter is moved to the left as
viewed in FIG. 5, i.e., toward the infeed end 12.
As a consequence of this construction, should the printer 28 be placed in
the burster but not firmly latched therein through inadvertence, when the
cover 22 is closed, it will strike the latches and move the same to the
solid line position shown in FIG. 5 thereby firmly latching the printing
assembly in place.
Moreover, as will be seen, the burster cannot be run continuously without
the cover 22 being in a closed condition. Thus, this construction insures
that the printer assembly 28 will be locked in place at all times when the
burster is being operated continuously.
As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, guide channels 150 may be disposed within
the burster housing 10 for receipt of suitable pins (not shown) for
guiding a paper hold-down roller assembly (not shown) into the proper
location when the printing assembly 28 is not used.
FIGS. 1 and 5-7, inclusive, also illustrate the removable inking assembly
30 in greater detail. The same includes a housing 151 having a bulbous
portion for removable receipt of an inking roll 152 journalled on a shaft
154. Any suitable latch 156 pivoted to the housing by a pin 158 may be
employed to bear against the shaft 154 to firmly locate the inking roll
152 within the housing. Preferably, two latches 156 are provided, one on
each side of the housing.
The housing also includes a hook-like formation 160 which may be hooked
about the shaft 114 defining a part of the frame for the printer assembly
128. The housing sidewalls also include a semicircular recess 162 in which
the shaft 112 may be partially received.
A latch member 164 is journalled in the housing in any suitable fashion and
includes a hook-like end 166 disposed for rotation about an axis
concentric with the longitudinal axis of the shaft 112 when the housing
150 is mounted on the printing assembly 28. In such a disposition, the
hook-like end opens downwardly for free receipt of the shaft 112.
The latch member 164 at the end opposite the hook-like member 166 includes
a handle 168. When the handle 168 is disposed in the solid line position
shown in FIG. 7, the hook-like end portion 166 will be disposed about a
portion of the lower side of the shaft 112 to firmly latch the inker 30 in
place. When moved to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 7, the inker
130 may be placed on the frame of the printer 28 or removed therefrom.
It will also be observed from FIG. 7 that when the handle 168 is in the
dotted line position, corresponding to an unlatched condition allowing
removal of the inker 30, it is in a position to be engaged by the cover 22
when the latter is moved to the left toward the infeed end of the burster.
Upon being so engaged, further movement of the cover 22 will cause the
latch 164 to move to the solid line position of FIG. 7. Consequently, the
burster cannot be run continuously with the inker 130 in an unlatched
condition on the printer 28.
Returning now to FIG. 1, as continuous forms exit the printer 28, they are
directed to guide structures 170 forming part of the bursting section 32
of the burster. The guide structures 170 preferably include resiliently
supported bands 172 as is well known.
The stationery is guided by the guide structure 170 to a first set of
bursting rolls 180 which are driven at a first peripheral rate of speed.
From the first set of rolls 180, the guide structure 170 directs the
stationery to a second set of burster rolls 182 which are driven at a
faster peripheral rate of speed than the rolls 180, as is well known. This
relationship causes the continuous forms assembly to separate into
individual form lengths along the transverse lines of weakening therein.
To accomodate continuous forms assemblies having differing form lengths,
one set of the burster rolls is movably mounted with respect to the other
in a direction parallel to the path of stationery travel. In the preferred
embodiment, the first set of bursting rolls 180 is so mounted by means of
a suitably formed carriage 184.
As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 8, the innermost sidewalls of the housing 10
are provided with elongated slots 186 through which shafts mounting the
bursting rolls 180 extend, the slots 186 allowing the aforementioned
movement of the bursting rolls 180. On one side of the structure, the
carriage 184 mounts a motor 188 which drives a worm gear 190 via a
reduction gear train 192. The worm gear 190 is in turn meshed with a spur
gear 192 which is meshed with a rack schematically shown at 194 in FIG. 8.
As a result of the foregoing construction, the bursting rolls 180 may be
moved toward or away from the bursting rolls 182 to accomplish adjustment
for differing form lengths.
As mentioned previously, the burster section 32, and specifically the rolls
180 and 182, are driven by the sheave 42. Any suitable connection may be
established between a shaft 196 driven by the sheave 42 to the shafts
mounting the rollers 180 and 182 such that at least one roller in each
pair is driven with the proper peripheral speed rate relation mentioned
previously. For example, a drive system including a linkage such as that
shown in Absler et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,493,156 may be employed for this
purpose.
Returning again to FIG. 1, as the stationery emerges from the second set of
burster rolls 182, the same will be in individual form lengths and will be
directed to a nip defined by plural rollers 200 overlying continuous belts
202 forming part of the conveyor 34. The rollers 200 are suitably
journalled by brackets 204 which are slideable, for adjustment purposes,
on cross members 206 affixed to the side members 208 of a carriage. The
nip defined by the rollers 200 and the belts 202 functions to properly
locate the individual form lengths in shingled relation on the belts 202
for ultimate conveying to the stacking tray 18.
A carriage including the side members 208 is suitably mounted within the
housing for back and forth movement parallel to the path of stationery
travel therethrough. The purpose is to provide for adjustment of the
conveying section 34 to accommodate differing individual form lengths in
the continuous forms assembly being burst by changing the location of the
nip provided by the rollers 200 and the belts 202 with respect to the
endmost pair of bursting rolls 182.
As seen in FIGS. 2 and 9, an elongated arm 220 is journalled as at 222 to
the housing 10. The upper end of the arm 220 is pivotally and slideably
connected by means including a bolt 224 to one of the side members 208.
Consequently, as the carriage including the side members 208 is moved back
or forward above the conveyor belts 202, the position of the arm 220 will
shift about the pivot point 222.
A link 226 is pivotally connected by a pin 228 to the arm 220 just above
the pivot 222 and in turn is pivotally connected by a pin 230 to a link
232. The link 232 is in turn rigidly affixed to the wiper shaft 234 of a
potentiometer 236 (FIG. 12) for purposes to be described in greater detail
hereinafter.
The conveyor assemblage 34 is completed by rollers 240 suitably journalled
and about which the belts 202 are trained. One set of the rollers 240 is
suitably driven by a motor 242 (FIG. 12) so as to cause the upper runs of
the belts 202 to move from left to right as viewed in FIG. 1.
As mentioned, the carriage defined by the side members 208 is movable
toward and away from the last set of burster rolls 182. According to the
invention, such movement is powered. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 9,
there will be seen sheaves 250 and 252 suitably journalled to the housing
10. With reference specifically to FIG. 2, a cable 253 is secured by any
suitable means to the carriage 184 which, it will be recalled, is movable
with the first set of bursting rolls 180, and is trained about sheaves 250
and 252. A connecting bracket 254 is secured to one of the side members
208 and additionally is connected to the cable 253. Consequently, when the
carriage 184 is driven in one direction or the other by the motor 188, the
carriage side members 208 will be moved in the same direction by an equal
amount.
If desired, suitable provision may be made in connection with the bracket
254 to provide a fine adjustment for orienting the carriage side members
208 with respect to the bursting rolls.
Returning to FIG. 1, it will be seen that one of the side members 208
carries an optical sensor 260 which is a combined light source and photo
cell. With reference to FIG. 9, the opposite side member 208 carries a
reflective surface 262. Consequently, light generated by the optical
sensor 260 will normally be directed across the burster just above the
path of stationery travel to impinge upon reflective surface 262 to be
redirected to the photo cell part of the optical sensor 260. As will be
seen, this structure is employed as a jam detector for the purpose of
sensing when the individual form lengths are not in proper shingled
relation on the conveyor 34.
FIGS. 1, 2 and 9 illustrate the paper deflecting structure 36 in greater
detail. A shaft 264 is journalled in the end members 208 and carries a
vane 266 which is located to engage the top of a stack of individual form
lengths received on the stacking tray 18. Also carried by the side members
208 is a fork-like structure 268 having downwardly extending tines 270. As
the individual form lengths leave the conveyor 34, they impinge against
the vane 266 and the tines 270 and the two act to properly vertically
stack the individual form lengths on the tray 18.
The vane 266, in addition to orienting the forms on the tray 18, serves as
a sensor for determining the position of the topmost one of the forms in
the stack with relation to the end of the conveyor 34 for purposes to be
described in greater detail hereinafter.
With reference to FIG. 10, a portion of the shaft 264 extends through one
of the end members 208 and mounts a pair of cams 274 and 276 for rotation
therewith. Secured to the end member 208 is a first microswitch 280 having
an actuator 282 contacting the cam 274 and a further microswitch 284
having an actuator 286 in contact with the cam 276 is also provided.
The position of the cams 274 and 276 with respect to the actuators 282 and
286, respectively, is such that when the endmost form in the stack is too
close to the end of the conveyor for proper stacking, one of the switches
280 and 284 will be closed by reason of the vane 266 moving upwardly about
the pivot axis defined by the shaft 264. On the other hand, if the topmost
form on the stack is too far from the conveyor for proper stacking, the
vane 266 will shift downwardly thereby rotating the cams 274 and 276 in
the other direction closing the other one of the switches 280 and 284. It
is also to be noted that the cams and switches are arranged such that when
the vane 266 senses that the topmost form in the stack is in the proper
position with respect to the conveyor for optimum stacking, neither switch
280 or 284 will be closed.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 11, a plate 300 is suitably mounted for up and
down movement within the housing 10 adjacent the outfeed end. Suitable
rollers and tracks may be employed in mounting the plate 300 for this
purpose. The stacking tray 18 is secured to the plate 300 by any suitable
means so as to be movable therewith.
A vertical frame member 302 (FIG. 11) journals shafts 304 and 306 at its
opposite ends. The shaft 304 mounts a sprocket 308 while the shaft 306
mounts a sprocket 310 and the sprockets 308 and 310 have a chain 312
trained thereabout. The chain 312 is in turn secured to the plate 300.
The shaft 304 mounts a further sprocket 314 which by means of a chain 316
is connected to a sprocket (not shown) on the output shaft of a reversible
electrical motor 318 suitably mounted on a frame member within the
housing. As a result of the foregoing construction, energization of the
motor 318 in one direction will drive the plate 300, and thus the stacking
tray 18, upwardly while reverse energization will cause downward movement
of the stacking tray 18. As will be seen, the motor 318 is controlled by
the position of the vane 266 to position the stacking tray 18, throughout
a bursting run, in an optimal position so that the uppermost form on the
stack will be in the proper position to receive the next form from the
conveyor and accomplish proper stacking. It is to be noted that both up
and down control modes are provided so that, if in the midst of a bursting
run, the burster is temporarily stopped and forms removed, there will be
automatic repositioning of the stacking shelf 18 by upward movement
thereof for proper receipt of forms once the burster is again energized
without any special attention by the operator.
FIG. 2 also illustrates the provision of means for determining when the
last form in a continuous form assembly is passing through the bursting
section 32. A switch 320 is suitably secured to the frame within the
housing and includes a finger-like actuator 332 which extends into the
path of stationery travel. When stationery is in the travel path, the
actuator 332 will be rotated approximately 90.degree. clockwise from the
position illustrated in FIG. 2 to cause the switch 320 to assume one
condition. When the last form has passed the switch, the actuator 332 will
return to the position shown in FIG. 2 to change the condition of the
switch 320. Preferably, at least two of the switches 320 are employed in
spaced relation across the path of stationery travel. The same are
included in an electrical control circuit to be described hereinafter.
With reference to FIG. 1, near the infeed end 12 of the burster, a switch
324 is mounted so as to have its actuator disposed in the path of the
cover 22. The arrangement is such that only when the cover 22 is fully
closed will the switch 324 be tripped. As will be seen, the switch 304 is
employed in an interlock to preclude continuous running of the burster
except when the cover 22 is fully closed for safety purposes.
FIGS. 1 and 2 also illustrate the provision of a dancer arm in the form of
a bale 326 pivotally connected to the burster housing. When the burster is
employed in line with other business processing equipment, such as a
deleaver, and is receiving a form therefrom, the form will be disposed
below the bale 326 before being directed into the infeed end of the
burster. Consequently, if the burster is running faster than the upstream
equipment, the bale 326 will be pivoted in a clockwise direction as viewed
in FIGS. 1 and 2 by the increasing tautness of the form. On the other
hand, if the burster is processing the form at a lesser rate than the
upstream equipment, the bale 326 will move downwardly to approximately the
position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. By means of an electrical circuit to be
described in greater detail hereinafter, the bale position is employed to
control operation of the burster.
Turning now to FIGS. 12a through 12c, inclusive, there is illustrated a
control schematic for various components of the burster heretofore
described. With reference to FIG. 12a, lines 330 and 332 are adapted to be
connected across a suitable source of alternating current power. The motor
188 is connected across the lines and includes a direction control circuit
having a branch 334 directed through a limit switch 336 to normally open
contacts 338 of a switch 340 to the normally closed contacts 342 of a
switch 344. A second branch 346 passes through a normally closed limit
switch 348, through normally open contacts 350 of the switch 344 to
normally closed contacts 352 of the switch 340. Assuming both limit
switches 336 and 348 are closed indicating that the carriage 184 driven by
the motor 188 for accomplishing form length adjustment is not at either
end of its path of travel, a change of condition of the switch 340 will
cause energization of the motor 188 to drive the carriage in one
direction. Conversely, closing of the switch 344, under the same
conditions, will cause energization of the motor 188 to drive the carriage
in the opposite direction.
Preferably, the switches 340 and 344 are spring loaded to the positions
illustrated in FIG. 12a and it will be appreciated that there is an
interlock between the two branches 334 and 346 whereby both cannot be
energized simultaneously.
Turning now to FIG. 12c, two reversible motors 356 and 358 are connected
across the lines 330 and 332 in identical fashion to the connection of the
motor 188. The motors 356 and 358 may be selectively operated through the
switches illustrated to adjust the position of the tractor-trimmers 24
laterally of the path of stationery travel to accommodate differing widths
of stationery. The means by which energization of the motors 356 and 358
controls the positioning of the tractor-trimmers 28 is described in the
previously identified co-pending application of Stromberg, the details of
which are herein incorporated by reference.
Returning to FIG. 12a, a circuit branch includes a normally closed switch
360 which, as will be seen, is adapted to be momentarily opened to
terminate a bursting run. The switch 360, however, has no effect on the
ability to adjust the apparatus for differing form lengths, operate the
conveyor individually of other parts of the apparatus, or provide for
lateral adjustment of the tractor-trimmers. From the switch 360, the
circuit branches through normally closed contacts 362a operated by a relay
362 to a pair of electrically interlocked switches 364 and 366. Both of
the switches 364 and 366 are normally biased to the position schematically
illustrated in FIG. 12a and the interlocking is accomplished in the same
manner as the interlocking between the switches 340 and 344 described
previously. Normally open contacts of the switch 366 are taken through
normally closed contacts 368a of a relay 368 to a relay 370 and then to
the line 332.
The normally open contacts of the switch 364 are taken through normally
closed contacts 370a operated by the relay 370 to the relay 368 and a
parallel relay 372. As will be seen, the switch 364 can be momentarily
shifted from the position illustrated to jog the main drive motor 40 in a
reverse direction at a relatively low speed while the switch 366 may be
momentarily shifted to jog the main drive motor 40 in the forward
direction at a slow speed. This is accomplished as follows. Normally open
relay contacts 368b and 370b operated by the relays 368 and 370,
respectively, are connected in parallel with each other and in series with
the parallel combination of a relay 374 and a relay 376 across the lines
330 and 332. The relay 374 is a time delay relay of conventional
construction and once energized will preferably delay approximately one
second before changing the condition of its associated contacts.
In any event, upon the shifting of either the switch 364 or the switch 366,
but not both, the resultant closure of one of the contacts 368b or the
contacts 370b will result in both of the relays 374 and 376 being
energized. With reference to FIG. 12b, a circuit branch includes the
normally open contacts 374a of the time delay relay 374. Such contacts are
in series with the parallel combination of normally open contacts 370c and
372a operated by the relays 370 and 372, respectively. The circuit
continues through a normally closed limit switch 378 which may be
positioned to be opened when the tray 18 is in its lowermost position to
shut off the system. Power may be supplied to an electronic control
circuit 380 for the motor 40. Preferably, the control circuit 380 is a
so-called "Graham drive" and is of conventional construction. From the
Graham drive unit 380, power may be directed to the motor 40 through the
circuit elements generally designated 382. The relay contacts of the
circuit elements 382 are operated by the relay 372. Thus, assuming the
switch 366 is shifted to energize the relay 370, the relay 374 will be
energized through contacts 370b of the relay 370 and after the time delay,
contacts 374a will be closed to provide power to the Graham drive unit 380
through the now closed contacts 370c. Power will then flow from the Graham
drive unit 380 through the circuit elements 382, which will remain in the
configuration shown in FIG. 12b, to drive the motor 40 in one direction.
On the other hand, where the switch 364 closed, the time delay relay 374
will be energized through the relay contacts 368b. Power would then flow,
after one second, through the contacts 374a and the contacts 372a, now
closed, to the Graham drive unit 380. From the Graham drive unit 380,
power would be directed to the motor 40 to drive the same in the opposite
direction since the contacts forming the circuit elements 382 will have
changed their conditions from those shown in FIG. 12b by reason of the
simultaneous energization of the relay 372 when the switch 364 was closed.
As generally alluded to previously, it is desirable that when the main
drive motor 40 is jogged in either direction, it be at a relatively low
speed to avoid injury to the operator. To this end, a speed control
potentiometer 390 has its wiper connected to the Graham drive unit through
normally open contacts 376a operated by the relay 376 and its ends also
connected to the Graham drive unit 380. One end is connected via the
normally closed contact 392a of a relay 392 while the other end is
connected through the normally closed contacts 394a of a relay 394 through
either normally open contacts 376b or normally closed contacts 376c of the
relay 376. As will be seen, when the motor 40 is jogged, the contacts 392a
and 394a remain closed while the contacts 376a and 376b will close in
response to energization of the relay 376 through either the contacts 370b
or 368b. Consequently, the potentiometer 390, depending upon the position
of adjustment of its wiper, will provide an electrical speed control
signal to the Graham drive unit 380 which will be such that the motor 40
will be energized during the jogging only at a relatively low rate of
speed.
Returning to FIG. 12a, a normally open switch 400 is provided in series
with the switch 360. It in turn is directed through the normally closed
contacts 374b of the time delay relay 374 to a junction 402 to which the
relays 392 and 362 are connected. In addition, a relay 404 is connected
across the line 332 to the junction 402.
Upon closing of the switch 400, and assuming the time delay relay 374 has
not been energized, power will be applied to the relays 362, 392 and 404.
The relays 392 and 404 will energize immediately while the relay 362 may
energize assuming that contacts 406 operated by the jam detector 260 are
closed (indicating no jam) a switch 408 is closed designating that the
knob 80 has been shifted to a position to decouple the same from the shaft
64 and the switch 324 is closed designating that the cover is fully
closed. Upon the energization of the relay 362, switch contacts 362a in
the jog circuit will be open to preclude operation of the jog circuit. At
the same time, normally open contacts 362b will close to establish a
holding circuit across the switch 400, the holding circuit including
normally closed contacts 410a of a time delay relay 410.
Referring now to FIG. 12b, normally open contacts 362c will be closed to
establish a path of power to the Graham drive unit 380 whereby power will
be directed to the motor 40 through the circuit elements 382 which will
retain the configuration illustrated in FIG. 12b as they are operated only
during operation of the jog circuit. Consequently, the motor 40 can be
energized to drive the apparatus in but a single direction upon closure of
the switch 400.
The motor 40 will remain energized until such time as the switch 360 is
momentarily opened breaking the holding circuit for the relay 362.
Alternately, the circuit may be de-energized if the jam detector 260
determines that a jam exists through the opening of the contacts 406.
Finally, if an attempt is made to open the cover 22 during operation, the
switch 324 will open to halt operation.
It will also be observed that operation of the motor 40 can be terminated
upon opening of the limit switch 378 indicating that the stacking tray 18
has reached its lowermost position.
In addition, the motor 40 can be shut off upon changing condition of the
actuators 322 for the last form switches 320. The last form detecting
switches 320 are connected in series with each other to a relay 412 and to
a relay 410 in parallel with the relay 412 through normally open contacts
412a operated by the relay 412.
Both of the relays 410 and 412 are time delay relays of the type that will,
after being energized for approximately 10 seconds, cause their respective
contacts to change condition from that illustrated.
It will also be recalled that the switches 320 are normally maintained open
by stationery and closed only when stationery is no longer present in the
stationery path. Assuming such an occurrence, both of the switches 320
will close to cause energization of the relay 412. After approximately 10
seconds, the contacts 412a will close to energize the relay 410. After an
additional 10 seconds, the latter will open the contacts 410a forming part
of the holding circuit for the relay 362 thereby de-energizing the motor.
The purpose of the time delay is to provide sufficient time to enable all
forms to clear the bursting section 32 and the conveyor 34 to be stacked
on the tray 18.
It will be recalled that the conveyor is driven by separate motor 242 and
when the burster is operating continuously in response to momentary
closure of the switch 400, the motor 242 should also be energized.
Consequently, contacts 362d which are normally open and operated by the
relay 362 are connected to a power unit 430 for the motor 242. Thus, the
motor 242 will be energized at least whenever the motor 40 is energized.
In this respect, it is sometimes desirable to terminate operation of the
apparatus when used in line with other equipment. Switches 432 and 434 may
be employed in the circuit of both the Graham drive unit 380 and the power
unit 430 and are responsive to movement of the bale 326. When the bale
moves upwardly indicating that the burster is processing the forms faster
than the upstream machines, the switches 432 and 434 will open to stop
both the conveyor and the burster components without altering circuit
conditions until the upstream equipment can "catch up". This will be
indicated by a return of the bale to its usual position and the resultant
closure of the switches 332 and 334 to re-energize the apparatus.
A speed control potentiometer 436 is provided for the motor 40 and is
electrically coupled to the Graham drive unit 380 through the closure of
normally open contacts 392b and 394b operated by the relays 392 and 394
which are energized at this time. At the same time, the jog speed control
potentiometer will be decoupled by reason of simultaneous opening of the
normally closed contacts 392a and 394a.
The position of the wiper 436 may be manually controlled for speed control
purposes by means of a knob or the like and is operative to control the
speed of the motor 40 when the apparatus is being operated continuously.
The arrangement is such that very high rates of speed can be obtained as
desired.
The wiper of the potentiometer 436 is also mechanically coupled to the
wiper of a speed control potentiometer 438 associated with the speed
control and power unit 430 for the conveyor motor 242. The wiper of the
potentiometer 438 is connected to the potentiometer 236 which, it will be
recalled, has its wiper positioned responsively to the form length
adjustment system.
In order to maintain proper shingled relation of the individual forms on
the conveyor, it is necessary that there not be a straight line
correlation between speed of the burster and speed of the | | |
