Means for moving an individual sheet from a stack of sheets
or positioning the individual sheet with respect to a location where
the sheet is operated upon or moving or positioning the individual
sheet after having been operated upon.
(1)
Note. Where the mechanism for operating on the sheet is particularly
set forth and the function is not, therefore, merely that of positioning
the sheet, it will be classified in the class provided for the particular
operating mechanism.
SECTION II - LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES AND WITHIN THIS CLASS
In Class 271, a separation of an individual sheet from a stack
of sheets is considered proper even if no specific feeding of the
sheet toward an operation is disclosed. In Class 271, a sheet feeding
or delivering means combines or places the sheets (1) adjacent to
or on top of each other in a random order or (2) to perform the
operation on individually fed sheets.
In Class 270, a sheet material associating apparatus has a
mechanism to place the sheets from plural sources into an operational
specified association onto or against a surface which then groups
the sheets in said specified association or places the sheets in
said specified association. The delivery of the sheet to a stack
from plural sources requires a specific order of associating the sheets
other than mere random stacking. Class 270 accepts putting the sheets
in a logical array or placing the sheets in an associated stack
in order to perform the operation on the sheets in the stack.
An explanatory note on the scope and limitations of this class
is justified by the development of the art.
The line between the art for stacking or unstacking sheets
found in this and the indented subclasses of Class 271 and that
found in Class 414, Material or Article Handling, was at best nebulous
prior to the reclassification of subclasses 788+ in Class
414. During that project the classifier discussed establishing
a line with three examiners expert in the material handling arts
(i.e., Mr. Valenza representing Class 198, Mr. Stoner representing
Class 271, and Mr. Paperner representing Class 414) and the following
line was established:
(a) Class 271 provides for the stacking or unstacking of either
(1) individual sheets of unfolded paper, (2) packets of similar
sheets of paper attached together or individual folded sheets of
paper (e.g., signatures) when the thickness of each packet or folded
sheet of paper is substantially uniform and any variation thereof
is not utilized during the stacking or unstacking operation and
(3) thin, substantially flat, nonfood articles when at least one
of the articles to be stacked or unstacked is temporarily bent or
flexed during the handling thereof;
(b) Class 414 provides for the stacking or unstacking of either
(a) sheetlike food articles (b) nonpaper, sheetlike articles (e.g.,
glass sheets) which are not temporarily bent or flexed during their
handling, and (c) packets of similar sheets of paper when thickness
of the packet or folded sheet varies (e.g., wedge shaped) and this
variation is utilized during the stacking or unstacking operation;
and
(c) Class 414 also provides for the stacking of paper sheets
or sheetlike articles otherwise proper for Class 271 (i.e., in (a)
above) when the stack formed is subsequently handled as a unit and
moved away from the location where it was formed by handling means
other than an endless conveyor surface on which the stack was formed.
All original patents within Class 414, subclasses 788+ have
been placed in compliance with this line.
Wireworking,
subclasses 92.3+ , web for fabric feeding combined with the intercoiling
of helices with each other or with successive loops or apertures.
Conveyors: Power-Driven, for a conveyor of general utility, and
subclass 418.3 and 418.4 for a conveyor on which articles are
piled for further conveyance.
Article Dispensing, for an article dispenser not otherwise provided for, and
see especially
subclasses 33+ for a means for dispensing a flexible sheet, which
sheet is distorted as it is separated from the source of supply.
Advancing Material of Indeterminate Length, for a method of or apparatus for feeding material
without utilizing both the leading and trailing ends thereof.
Winding, Tensioning, or Guiding, for subject matter falling within the scope of this
class (271) in combination with other apparatus, usually winding
or unwinding.
Sheet-Material Associating,
subclasses 52+ , especially subclasses 58+ for mechanism wherein
individual sheets are removed from plural source stacks and the
sheets are assembled into plural finished stacks, each finished stack
comprising at least one sheet from each of the source stacks.
Communications: Electrical, for electrical condition responsive indicating system,
subclass 674 for transporting a discrete article and subclass
675+ for web, film or strip.
X-Ray or Gamma Ray Systems or Devices,
subclasses 167+ for the devices or systems using X-ray or Gamma
ray in combination with a sheet feeding or
delivering.
Electrophotography,
subclasses 16+ and 361+ for document handling (e.g.,
feeding or delivering sheet medium (i.e., originals or copies) within
an electrophotos:graphic device).
Data Processing: Generic Control Systems or Specific
Applications,
subclasses 213 through 244for an article handling or distributing sensor.
SECTION IV - GLOSSARY
CONVEYOR
Refers to "means for moving and placing the
individual sheet with respect to a device for operation on the sheet." Thus,
in the subclasses indented under "Feeding", the "Conveyor" may
be modified by means for orienting, retarding or interrupting the
feed relative to the operation; and in the subclasses indented under "Delivering",
the "Conveyor" should be limited to a means for transporting
the individual sheet from the operation or placing the individual
sheet in a receiver for a stack of such sheets. In either case
the conveyor of Class 271 is distinct from a conveyor of other classes,
wherein material or articles are transported from an input location
to an output location. Class 271 has also for many years included
a device wherein a stack of sheets is moved as an article to a position
at which sheets are removed from the stack by a separator, but has
not included a device wherein a stack of sheets is formed by a delivery
means, and subsequently the stack of sheets is moved as an article
away from the formation position. See References With Other Classes,
above, for the location of patents not proper for Class 271.
DELIVERING
Refers to the "means for removing the individual
sheet from the operation after having been operated on or placing
the individual sheet on a receiver after having been operated on."
FEEDING
Refers to the "means for moving individual sheet
from a stack" and involves use of a "separator
or a conveyor."
SEPARATOR
Refers to "means for setting apart or individualizing
a sheet relative to a stack of sheets, and moving the individual
sheet from the stack, particularly for the purpose of presenting
toward a position at which the sheet will be operated on."
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Means adapted for feeding or delivering sheet-like bodies
or sheets of other than rectangular outline.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter including means for moving an individual
sheet from a pack of sheets and placing the individual sheet toward
an operation and means for removing the individual sheet from the
operation and placing the individual sheet in the same pack of sheets.
This subclass is indented under subclass 3.01. Subject matter including means for positioning the pack
of sheets with respect to a part of a support for the pack or with
respect to a part of the sheet moving means.
This subclass is indented under subclass 3.01. Subject matter comprising a receiver and wherein the individual
sheet is moved from the pack of sheets and collected temporarily
in the receiver before placing the individual sheet toward the operation.
This subclass is indented under subclass 3.01. Subject matter comprising a means for separating apart
a set of sheets from the sheets being delivered to the pack.
(1)
Note. A resettable bail bar or double bar separator or similar
means are included as job divider for the subclass.
(2)
Note. "Job" is an initial number of sheets
forming the pack.
This subclass is indented under subclass 3.01. Subject matter wherein the individual sheet is moved from
the lowermost part of the pack of sheets and placed toward the operation.
This subclass is indented under subclass 3.05. Subject matter including means for sensing an occurrence
of a condition or a change in condition of the device which removes
the individual sheet from the operation and in response thereto
acts to start, stop or change the mode of moving the individual
sheet from the pack of sheets and placing toward the operation.
This subclass is indented under subclass 3.05. Subject matter wherein the sheet is individualized and moved
from the pack of sheets by suction or air blast.
This subclass is indented under subclass 3.01. Subject matter wherein the individual sheet is moved from
the uppermost part of the pack of sheets and placed toward the operation.
This subclass is indented under subclass 3.08. Subject matter including means for detecting an occurrence
of a condition or a change in condition of the device which removes
the individual sheet from the operation and in response acts to
start, stop or change the mode of moving the individual sheet from
the pack of sheets and placing it toward the operation.
This subclass is indented under subclass 3.08. Subject matter wherein the sheet is individualized and moved
from the pack of sheets by suction or air blast.
This subclass is indented under subclass 3.01. Subject matter wherein the pack of sheets is held so that
the sheets derive a substantial amount of support from their outer
borders.
This subclass is indented under subclass 3.01. Subject matter including means for detecting the presence
or absence of the sheet at a designated position along a path of
sheet movement.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter including means for moving an individual
sheet from a position or from a pack of sheets and placing it toward
an operation; and including means for removing the individual sheet
from the operation after having been operated on or placing the
individual sheet on a receiver after having been operated on.
(1)
Note. This subclass may include in the combination a mere
means for operating upon the sheet, provided the invention is limited
to the handling of the sheet and is not a specific system special
to the operations performed on the sheet.
(2)
Note. The term "placing " may include the
act of partially turning the sheet about an axis that passes through
the surface of the sheet so that an edge thereof is accurately
aligned if that edge was previously misaligned. Such turning is
sometimes termed "orienting " in other classes
if applied to articles conveyed in the device of that other class. In
Class 271 it is clear from the total disclosure that the alignment
is applied to the sheet and that the sheet will be operated upon
by some further mechanism (which mechanism, if claimed, is recited only
by its name ). If partial turning occurs, it is incidental to alignment,
but the purpose is to synchronize the feeding of the sheet to the
operation to be performed on that sheet by locating the sheet precisely
prior to feeding.
This subclass is indented under subclass 3.14. Subject matter wherein a detecting means is positioned at
the sheet moving and placing means for regulating the means for
removing the sheet from the operation after having been operated
on or placing the sheet on a receiver after having been operated
on.
(1)
Note. For this subclass the feeding element and the delivering
element are placed on separate paths.
This subclass is indented under subclass 3.15. Subject matter comprising a time recording device wherein
the time recording device is responsive to the sensor for controlling
the delivering of the sheets.
This subclass is indented under subclass 3.14. Subject matter wherein a detecting means is positioned at
the sheet removing and placing means for regulating the means for
moving the individual sheet from the pack of sheets or placing the
sheet toward the operation.
This subclass is indented under subclass 3.14. Subject matter wherein the individual sheet is removed by
a sheet carrying means which discharges the individual sheet to
another sheet carrying means.
This subclass is indented under subclass 3.18. Subject matter wherein the subsequent conveyor carries the
individual sheet at least to two distinct routes.
This subclass is indented under subclass 3.18. Subject matter wherein one of the sheet carrying means consisting
of two elements each of which elements has an endless orbitally-moving
surface rotating in opposite directions, the surface of one element
being opposite to and spaced from the surface of the other element during
at least a portion of their movement and the surfaces moving in
the same direction and engaging opposite surfaces of the sheet lying therebetween
during the portion of their movement.
(1)
Note. The element may be an endless belt cooperating with
another endless belt, a rotating roller cooperating with another
rotating roller or the endless belt cooperating with one or more
rotating rollers; the criterion for placement herein being only
that the conveyed sheet lies between the elements which thereby
cooperates to move the sheet.
This subclass is indented under subclass 3.18. Subject matter wherein one of the sheet conveyors includes
a circumferential surface of a rotating or endlessly orbiting member.
(1)
Note. The conveyed sheet being entirely in contact with the
circumferential surface of the member.
This subclass is indented under subclass 3.21. Subject matter wherein the circumferential surface of the
sheet conveyor engages the sheet by suction or air blast.
(1)
Note. Although in most devices the gaseous fluid is air, either
under suction or under pressure, or both, the use of a special fluid
other than air (e.g., steam) is not barred.
This subclass is indented under subclass 3.18. Subject matter comprising at least one sheet carrying means
for engaging the individual sheet by suction or air blast.
Conveyors: Fluid Current, appropriate subclasses for conveying a solid material
or an article by means of a fluid current. See the search notes under
the class definition for other classes having specialized fluid
current conveying.
This subclass is indented under subclass 3.18. Subject matter including at least two elements having surfaces
located adjacent to and opposite to one another, the element surfaces engaging
opposed surfaces of the sheet located between the element surfaces
with sufficient frictional force to move the sheet.
This subclass is indented under subclass 3.14. Subject matter including means for individualizing a sheet
relative to a pack of sheets and moving the individual sheet from
its position in the pack, and a means for carrying the individual
sheet away from the pack toward the operation.
This subclass is indented under subclass 4.01. Subject matter comprising a detecting means positioned
at the sheet individualizing and moving means for regulating the
sheet carrying means.
This subclass is indented under subclass 4.01. Subject matter comprising a detecting means at the sheet
carrying means for regulating the sheet individualizing and moving
means.
(1)
Note. The sheets must be disengaged from the pack to be considered
for sensing at a conveyor.
This subclass is indented under subclass 4.01. Subject matter wherein (1) a gear and clutch, or (2) a shaft,
roller and cam mechanism or the equivalent; drives the separator
and conveyor at the same time.
This subclass is indented under subclass 4.05. Subject matter wherein the conveyor is a continuous band
of flexible material and the sheet is moved by the separator to
the conveyor.
This subclass is indented under subclass 4.05. Subject matter wherein a conveyor turns about an axis in
an arc of a circle and the individualized sheet from the endless
separator is carried to the conveyor.
Article Dispensing,
subclasses 42+ , for a rotary ejecting means for the concurrent
separation and distortion of flexible articles, subclass 259 for
a surface contact type discharge assistant to remove articles
from a source of supply, and subclass 277 for an article dispenser
having rotary discharge assistants.
This subclass is indented under subclass 4.08. Subject matter wherein the conveyor is a continuous band
of flexible material and the sheet is moved by the separator to
the conveyor.
This subclass is indented under subclass 4.08. Subject matter wherein the conveyor turns about an axis
in an arc of a circle and the individualized sheet from the rotary
separator is carried to the conveyor.
Article Dispensing,
subclasses 36+ for a dispenser for a flexible article including
ejecting means which concurrently separates and distorts the article,
many of such ejecting means having a reciprocating motion, and see
also subclasses 232 and 268+ for an article dispenser
of general type including a reciprocating discharge assistant
means.
This subclass is indented under subclass 4.11. Subject matter wherein the conveyor turns about an axis
in an arc of a circle and the individualized sheet from the endless
separator is carried to the conveyor.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter for moving an individual sheet from a pack
of sheets, or moving the individual sheet toward an operation, or
positioning the individual sheet with respect to a location where
the individual sheet is operated upon.
Article Dispensing, appropriate subclasses for article dispensers not otherwise
provided for, and see especially
subclasses 33+ for dispensers for flexible sheets in which the sheets
are distorted as they are separated from the source of supply.
This subclass is indented under subclass 9.01. Subject matter wherein a means for (a) moving an individual
sheet from a position or from a pack of sheets and (b) placing the
individual sheet toward an operation from one source regulates the
moving and placing of the individual sheets of the other source.
This subclass is indented under subclass 9.02. Subject matter wherein the feeding means includes a device
for sensing depletion or near depletion of one feeding source and
in response thereto controls the feeding from the other source.
Article Dispensing,
subclass 6 for an article dispenser using an empty source
indicating means, and subclasses 103+ for an article dispenser in
which each of the supply source is depleted in turn.
This subclass is indented under subclass 9.02. Subject matter wherein at least two distinct means are operating
one after the other each on its own source of supply for moving
the individual sheet from the position or from the pack of sheets
and placing it toward the operation.
Article Dispensers,
subclasses 112+ for an article dispenser having an arrangement
which assures that the articles are dispensed from several sources
in a mixed order.
This subclass is indented under subclass 9.01. Subject matter wherein the supply includes sheets having
a plurality of unique characteristics and at least one of the feeding
means controls the feeding of the sheet having one specific characteristic
such as a particular color.
This subclass is indented under subclass 9.01. Subject matter wherein only one device is provided for individualizing
and moving sheets from the multiple supplies.
This subclass is indented under subclass 9.01. Subject matter wherein at least one of the feeding sources
comprises a human operated sheet feeding mechanism.
This subclass is indented under subclass 9.01. Subject matter wherein at least one of the feeding sources
provides a sheet having an indefinable length.
This subclass is indented under subclass 9.01. Subject matter wherein the two or more sources, each complete
with its own feeding means, are placed one above the other.
This subclass is indented under subclass 9.01. Subject matter wherein the two or more sources each complete
with its own feeding means are arranged side by side in linear relationship.
This subclass is indented under subclass 9.01. Subject matter wherein an individual flow of sheets from
the two or more feeding sources merge together into a common flow
route.
This subclass is indented under subclass 8.1. Subject matter including means for individualizing a sheet
relative to a pack of sheets and moving the individual sheet from
its position in the pack and a means for carrying the individual
sheet away from the pack toward the operation.
Article Dispensing,
subclasses 224+ for an article dispenser not otherwise provided
for, having means to segregate article from the stack or other source
of supply combined with means to subsequently manipulate such separated
article.
This subclass is indented under subclass 10.01. Subject matter comprising a detecting means at the sheet
individualizing and moving means for regulating the sheet carrying
means.
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