C.g. Bretting Manufacturing Company, Inc.

C.g. Bretting Mfg. Co., Inc.

Jeffrey A Gendron

James R Michler

Dennis P Couturier

Charles Louis Schmidt, V

Eric J Lumberg

An apparatus and method for creating stacks of sheets. In some embodiments, the sheets separated are those in or issuing from a starwheel assembly. The present invention includes a first separator finger that is inserted between two adjacent sheets to separate first and second sheets. The first separator finger retains the first sheet upstream to begin a first stack upstream of the first separator finger and allows the second sheet to complete another stack downstream of the first separator finger. In some embodiments, the first separator finger is inserted between the two adjacent sheets in a closed position and, after the first separator finger is inserted, the first separator finger moves to an open position to create a gap between the first and second stacks.

Apparatus and method for insertion of separating means into a forming stack of sheets discharged from a starwheel assembly

An apparatus and method for moving stacks of product discharged from a stacking device. The apparatus includes a first conveyor movable at a first speed and a second conveyor movable at a second speed. The first conveyor includes an upstream end adjacent to the stacking device. The first conveyor is positioned to receive product from the stacking device. The second conveyor includes an upstream end adjacent to the stacking device. The second conveyor is positioned to receive product from the stacking device. The running speed of the first conveyor is faster than the running speed of the second conveyor to move stacks of product on the first conveyor away from the stacking device at a faster speed than stacks of product on the second conveyor.

Apparatus and method for stacking sheets discharged from a starwheel assembly

An apparatus and method for discharging sheets from a starwheel assembly and creating stacks of a desired number of sheets without interrupting the rotation of the starwheel assembly. The present invention separates sheets such that one separated sheet completes a stack and the other separated sheet is supported by a separator to begin a new stack. The completed stack is preferably transported away from the starwheel assembly by a conveyor as the new stack supports additional sheets that are discharged from the starwheel assembly. The new stack will preferably move away from the starwheel assembly to provide clearance for the accumulation of additionally discharged sheets. The apparatus can allow for cyclical repetition of the separation of sheets, the stacking of sheets, and the transportation of stacks such that continual rotation of the starwheel assembly is not interrupted.

The conveyor product transfer apparatus of the present invention includes at least one product transfer member mounted for translational (and preferably reciprocating) movement between product conveying surfaces or between a discharge or receiving station and a conveying surface separated by a distance sufficient to provide equipment clearance for an operation performed upon product transferred by the transfer member. Preferably, each transfer member is mounted for reciprocating translational movement between ends of conveying surfaces that are separated a distance apart, and has a sliding member in sliding engagement with a track to facilitate such movement. Each transfer member is coupled to an actuation assembly for movement thereof. The actuation assembly is preferably a camshaft assembly. To support the conveyed product during product processing operations (e.g., product cutting) in the gap, the present invention also preferably includes a kick member mounted for movement into and out of the gap between the conveying surfaces. In product cutting operations, the kick member preferably backs the product being cut adjacent to the saw blade and preferably is timed to move away from the gap after the product has been cut. Most preferably, this motion is reciprocating and is generated by a camshaft and cam assembly. The actuation assemblies of the transfer members and the camshaft and cam assembly of the kick member are preferably coupled to and driven by the same motor driving the log saw so that the transfer members, kick member, and log saw operate in synchronicity.

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Ashland, WI, United States of America

Jeffrey A Gendron