Apparatus for converting a stream of sheets into discrete stacks

Abstract

Apparatus for conversion of a stream of partially overlapping imprinted sheets into discrete stacks each of which contains a fixed number of fully overlapping sheets has a chute one side wall of which arrests successive foremost sheets of the stream and causes such sheets to descend in the chute and to pile up on top of each other. A rotary separating device has three prongs which are moved seriatim from an upwardly inclined first position above the path of the stream to an upwardly inclined second position in which the respective prong intercepts the oncoming sheets of the stream. In to a horizontal third position, the respective prong continues to intercept the oncoming sheets and supports the lowermost intercepted sheet from below while the respective prong allows the intercepted sheets to descend in the chute in a fourth position. The stacks of piled-up sheets are removed during the intervals between movements of successive prongs between their second and fourth positions. The drive which indexes the separating device is braked by a shock absorber during movement of successive prongs between the second and third positions. A counter transmits signals for operation of the drive when it receives a fixed number of signals from a sensor which furnishes signals in response to detection of successive sheets forming the stream.