U.S. PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
Information Products Division |
U.S. Patent Classification System - Classification Definitions
as of June 30, 2000
Patents classified in a subclass may be accessed by either clicking on
the subclass number
preceding each subclass definition or on the
" " icon, below.
( please note that patents for some subclasses may not be available )
For classification search strategies, please refer to the
Classification Index
Explanation of Data web page.
(definitions have been obtained from the
Patents ASSIST CD-ROM which
is produced by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Electronic Products Branch)
Class 271
SHEET FEEDING OR DELIVERING
Class Definition:
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.
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.
REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
19, Textiles: Fiber Preparation.
26, Textiles: Cloth Finishing.
34, Drying and Gas or Vapor Contact With Solids, particularly
110, 143+, 306, 443+, 444, 466, 556, and 611+.
40, Card, Picture, or Sign Exhibiting.
53, Package Making, especially 389.1 for a package making
apparatus with means to convey cover material.
72, Metal Deforming.
84, Music.
101, Printing.
112, Sewing.
140, Wireworking, 92.3, web for fabric feeding combined with
the intercoiling of helices with each other or with
successive loops or apertures.
156, Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture,
for sheet or web feeding combined with laminating.
194, Check-Actuated Control Mechanisms.
198, 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.
221, Article Dispensing, for an article dispenser not
otherwise provided for, and see especially 33 for a means
for dispensing a flexible sheet, which sheet is distorted as
it is separated from the source of supply.
226, Advancing Material of Indeterminate Length, for a method
of or apparatus for feeding material without utilizing both
the leading and trailing ends thereof.
242, Winding, Tensioning, or Guiding, for subject matter
falling within the scope of this class (271) in combination
with other apparatus, usually winding or unwinding.
250, Radiant Energy, 559 for photocell with circuit for
evaluating web, strand, strip, or sheet.
270, Sheet-Material Associating, 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.
279, Chucks or Sockets, subclass 3 for a vacuum operated
chuck mechanisms, and see the notes therein for other,
similar subject matter.
340, Communications: Electrical, for electrical condition
responsive indicating system, subclass 674 for transporting
a discrete article and subclass 675+ for web, film or strip.
346, Recorders, 134 for sheet feeding and delivering in
combination with a record receiver or driving means.
358, Facsimile and Static Presentation Processing, 400 for a
facsimile apparatus including document handling.
378, X-Ray or Gamma Ray Systems or Devices, 167 for the
devices or systems using X-ray or Gamma ray in combination
with a sheet feeding or
delivering.
396, Photography, appropriate subclasses for combinations
with a sheet feeding or delivering.
399, Electrophotography, 16 and 361+ for document handling
(e.g., feeding or delivering sheet medium (i.e., originals or
copies) within an electrophotos:graphic device).
400, Typewriting Machines, 624, for a machine of that class
having a sheet or web feeding means for feeding sheet from a
stack or pack holder.
414, Material or Article Handling, 788 for apparatus which
places or removes articles from an intersupporting group,
(e.g., from a stack).
493, Manufacturing Container or Tube From Paper; or Other
Manufacturing From a Sheet or Web, for a combination of that
class with sheet feeding means.
700, Data Processing: Generic Control Systems or Specific
Applications, subclasses 213-244 for an article handling or
distributing sensor.
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."
SUBCLASSES
Subclass:
1
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Means
adapted for feeding or delivering sheet-like bodies or sheets
of other than rectangular outline.
Subclass:
2
This subclass is indented under subclass 1. Means adapted to
handle unsealed envelopes and the like.
Subclass:
3.01
DELIVERING TO STACK AND FEEDING THEREFROM:
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.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
3.14 for feeding and delivering the individual sheet to and
from separate locations.
Subclass:
3.02
Aligning at stack:
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.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
13 15, 17, for a side-edge aligner combined with a conveyor.
226 for aligning a sheet being fed along a conveyor path.
Subclass:
3.03
Intermediate tray:
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.
Subclass:
3.04
With job divider (e.g., resettable bail bar or double bar
separator):
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.
Subclass:
3.05
Feeding from bottom of stack:
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.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
3.12 for sheets in a pack deriving substantial support from
their edges.
23 35, 131+, for other types of separators feeding from the
bottom of the stack.
Subclass:
3.06
Control for feeding responsive to delivering:
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.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
3.09 for a control for feeding the individual sheet from the
top of the stack.
Subclass:
3.07
Pneumatic separating:
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.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
3.11 for a pneumatic separator feeding the individual sheet
from the top of the stack.
90 for a sheet removing means engaging the individual sheet
by a pneumatic medium.
Subclass:
3.08
Feeding from top of stack:
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.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
3.12 for sheets in a pack deriving substantial support from
their edges.
Subclass:
3.09
Control for feeding responsive to delivering:
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.
Subclass:
3.11
Pneumatic separating:
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.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
3.07 for a pneumatic separator feeding the individual sheet
from the bottom of the stack.
90 for a sheet removing means engaging the individual sheet
by a pneumatic means.
Subclass:
3.12
Sheets on edges:
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.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
149 for a pack advancer holding sheets on edge.
Subclass:
3.13
With sheet sensor for selective location:
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.
(1) Note. "Path" includes the pack.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
9.06 111, 227+, and 258.01+, for other sheet detecting
means.
Subclass:
3.14
FEEDING AND DELIVERING:
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.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
3.01 for delivering the sheet to the same stack from where
the sheet is moved toward the operation.
145 for supporting or holding a stack of sheets in a
position for removal of the individual sheets.
207 for means to hold the delivered sheets in a stacked
array.
Subclass:
3.15
Sensor located at the feeder and controls the delivering:
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.
Subclass:
3.16
Having timer:
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.
Subclass:
3.17
Sensor located at the delivering and controls the feeding:
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.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
3.06 and 3.09, for a sheet feeding control responsive to a
sheet delivering.
Subclass:
3.18
Conveyor releases to subsequent conveyor:
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.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
264 for a means to convey the sheet from the pack to the
operation.
Subclass:
3.19
With alternate conveying path:
This subclass is indented under subclass 3.18. Subject
matter wherein the subsequent conveyor carries the individual
sheet at least to two distinct routes.
Subclass:
3.2
Including conveyor couple:
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.
Subclass:
3.21
On peripheral face of drum or belt:
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.
Subclass:
3.22
Pneumatic:
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.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
5 11+, 20, for a device using a pneumatic feeding means.
94 for a separator having a unidirectionally moving suction
member or surface.
112 and 132, for a device wherein a suction assists a
feeding means.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
221, Article Dispensing, subclass 211 for an article
dispenser using a suction separator.
Subclass:
3.23
Including pneumatic conveyor:
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.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
406, 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.
Subclass:
3.24
Including gripper couple:
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.
Subclass:
4.01
Separator and conveyor:
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.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
10.01 for a separator and a conveyor in which the feeding of
the sheet being claimed.
Subclass:
4.02
Sensor located at the separator and controls the conveyor:
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.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
10.02 for a sensor at a separator controlling a conveyor
having only the feeding of the sheet being claimed.
Subclass:
4.03
Sensor located at the conveyor and controls the separator:
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.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
10.03 for a sensor at a separator controls a conveyor having
only the feeding of the sheet being claimed.
Subclass:
4.04
Mechanically linked for simultaneous operation:
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.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
10.04 for a mechanical sensor at a separator controls a
conveyor having the feeding of the sheet being claimed.
Subclass:
4.05
Endless belt separator:
This subclass is indented under subclass 4.01. Subject
matter wherein the separator is a continuous band of flexible
material.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
10.06 for a sensor at a separator controls a conveyor in
which only the sheet feeding being claimed.
Subclass:
4.06
To endless belt conveyor:
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.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
10.07 for a sensor at a separator controlling a conveyor in
which only the feeding of the sheet being claimed.
Subclass:
4.07
To rotary 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.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
10.08 for a sensor at a separator controls a conveyor having
only the feeding of the sheet being claimed.
21 for a sheet-buckling rotary separator.
94 for a suction separator having a rotational movement.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
221, Article Dispensing, 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.
Subclass:
4.08
Rotary separator:
This subclass is indented under subclass 4.01. Subject
matter wherein the separator turns about an axis in an arc of
a circle.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
4.07 for a rotary conveyor.
10.09 for a sensor at a separator controls a conveyor
wherein only the feeding being claimed.
Subclass:
4.09
To endless belt conveyor:
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.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
10.1 for a rotary separator with endless belt conveyor.
Subclass:
4.1
To rotary 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.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
4.07 for moving the sheet by an endless separator and
carrying it by a rotary conveyor.
10.11 for a sensor at a separator controlling a conveyor
wherein only the feeding being claimed.
Subclass:
4.11
Reciprocating separator:
This subclass is indented under subclass 4.01. Subject
matter wherein the separator undergoes a to and fro movement
during its operation.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
10.14 for a reciprocating separator where feeding being
claimed.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
221, Article Dispensing, 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.
Subclass:
4.12
To rotary conveyor:
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.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
10.16 for a reciprocating separator having a rotary
conveyor.
Subclass:
5
The separator under subclasses 4.01+ having means for
engaging the sheet by suction or air blast.
(1) Note. Compare this class, subclass 90, and indented
subclasses.
Subclass:
6
The same endless band or bands under subclasses 4.01+
carrying the sheet to and taking it from operative position.
Subclass:
7
This subclass is indented under subclass 3.14. The same
endless band or bands carrying the sheet to and carrying it
from operative position.
Subclass:
8.1
FEEDING:
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.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
221, Article Dispensing, appropriate subclasses for article
dispensers not otherwise provided for, and see especially 33
for dispensers for flexible sheets in which the sheets are
distorted as they are separated from the source of supply.
Subclass:
9.01
Multiple supplies:
This subclass is indented under subclass 8.1. Subject matter
including two or more feeding sources.
Subclass:
9.02
Sheet feeding from one supply controls feeding from another
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.
Subclass:
9.03
Responsive to empty supply:
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.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
221, 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.
Subclass:
9.04
Alternate feeding:
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.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
221, Article Dispensers, 112 for an article dispenser having
an arrangement which assures that the articles are dispensed
from several sources in a mixed order.
Subclass:
9.05
Supply selection (e.g., sheet color):
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.
Subclass:
9.06
Size selection:
This subclass is indented under subclass 9.05. Subject
matter wherein one of the characteristics is a particular
dimension of the sheet.
Subclass:
9.07
Single separator acts on multiple supplies:
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.
Subclass:
9.08
Movably mounted supply:
This subclass is indented under subclass 9.07. Subject
matter wherein a support for at least one of the sources
moves relative to the separator.
Subclass:
9.09
Including manual supply:
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.
Subclass:
9.1
Including continuous web supply:
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.
Subclass:
9.11
Superposed supplies:
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.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
221, Article Dispensing, subclass 130 for a superposed
article dispenser.
Subclass:
9.12
Juxtaposed supplies:
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.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
221, Article Dispensing, subclass 131 for an article
dispenser in a juxtaposed alignment.
Subclass:
9.13
With convergence to single path:
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.
Subclass:
10.01
Separator and conveyor:
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.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
4.01 for a separator and a conveyor in combination with
sheet delivering.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
221, Article Dispensing, 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.
Subclass:
10.02
Sensor located at the separator and controls the conveyor:
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.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
4.02 for a sensor at a separator controlling a conveyor
having the delivery of the sheet being claimed.
Subclass:
10.03
Sensor located at the conveyor and controls the separator:
This subclass is indented under subclass 10.01. Subject
matter comprising a detecting means at the sheet carrying
means for regulating the sheet individualizing and moving
means.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
4.03 for a sensor at a separator controlling a conveyor
having the delivery of the sheets being claimed.
Subclass:
10.04
Mechanically linked for simultaneous operation:
This subclass is indented under subclass 10.01. 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.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
4.04 for a mechanical sensor at a separator controlling a
conveyor having the delivery of the sheet being claimed.
Subclass:
10.05
Selective drive (e.g., number of degree of rotation):
This subclass is indented under subclass 10.01. Subject
matter includes a device for permitting a certain amount of
movement of the separator or the conveyor such as a number of
degree of rotation of the separator.
Subclass:
10.06
Endless belt separator:
This subclass is indented under subclass 10.01. Subject
matter wherein the separator is a continuous band of flexible
material.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
4.05 for a sensor at a separator controlling a conveyor
having the delivery of the sheet being claimed.
Subclass:
10.07
To endless belt conveyor:
This subclass is indented under subclass 10.06. Subject
matter wherein the conveyor is a continuous band of flexible
material and the individualized sheet is moved by the
separator to the conveyor.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
4.06 for a sensor at a separator controlling a conveyor in
which the delivery of the sheet being claimed.
Subclass:
10.08
To rotary conveyor:
This subclass is indented under subclass 10.06. 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.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
4.07 for a sensor at a separator controlling a conveyor in
which the delivery of the sheet being claimed.
Subclass:
10.09
Rotary separator:
This subclass is indented under subclass 10.01. Subject
matter wherein the sheet individualizing and moving means
includes a surface or an element that turns about an axis in
an arc of a circle.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
4.08 for a sensor at a separator controlling a conveyor
having the delivery of the sheet being claimed and subclasses
109+, for a rotary separator not claimed in combination with
the conveyor.
Subclass:
10.1
To endless belt conveyor:
This subclass is indented under subclass 10.09. Subject
matter wherein the individualized sheet is carried from the
rotary separator by a continuous band of flexible material.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
4.09 for a sensor at a separator controls a conveyor in
which the delivery of the sheet being claimed.
Subclass:
10.11
To rotary conveyor:
This subclass is indented under subclass 10.09. 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.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
4.1 for a sensor at a separator controls a conveyor in which
the delivery of the sheet being claimed.
Subclass:
10.12
With aligning:
This subclass is indented under subclass 10.11. Subject
matter including means for positioning or locating the
sheet with respect to the location of the rotary conveyor.
Subclass:
10.13
With clutch:
This subclass is indented under subclass 10.11. Subject
matter wherein the rotary separator and conveyor arrangement
combined with a mechanism which selectively engages and
disengages an arrangement of the driving parts of the
separator and the conveyor.
Subclass:
10.14
Reciprocating separator:
This subclass is indented under subclass 10.01. Subject
matter wherein the separator undergoes a to and fro movement
during its operation.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
4.11 for a sensor at separator controls a conveyor in which
the delivery of the sheet being claimed.
Subclass:
10.15
To endless belt conveyor:
This subclass is indented under subclass 10.14. Subject
matter wherein the individualized sheet is carried from the
reciprocating separator by a continuous band of flexible
material.
Subclass:
10.16
To rotary conveyor:
This subclass is indented under subclass 10.14. Subject
matter wherein the conveyor turns about an axis in an arc
of a circle and the individualized sheet from the
reciprocating separator is carried to the conveyor.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
4.12 for a sensor at a separator controls a conveyor in
which the delivery of the sheet being claimed.
Subclass:
11
The separator having means for engaging the sheet by suction
or air-blast.
(1) Note. Compare this class, subclass 90, and indented
subclasses.
Subclass:
12
The sheet being carried from the separator by one or more
endless bands.
Subclass:
13
With means for positioning the lateral edge of the sheet
parallel to the line of travel.
Subclass:
14
The sheet being carried away from the separator by a member
moving to-and-fro in a straight path.
Subclass:
15
With means for positioning the lateral edge of the sheet
parallel to the line of travel.
Subclass:
16
With means for forcing an intermediate portion of the sheet
away from the pack, while the ends remain in contact
therewith, and one or more endless bands for then carrying
the sheet therefrom.
Subclass:
17
With means for positioning the lateral edge of the sheet
parallel to the line of travel.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
38, Textiles: Ironing or Smoothing, subclass 143 for
spreading out and piling on one another laundry sheets
preparatory to ironing the same or to smooth the same.
Subclass:
18
Means for removing an individual sheet from its position in a
pack.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
221, Article Dispensing, 208 for article dispensers not
otherwise provided for having means to assist the discharge
of articles from a source of supply which may be a stack or
pack of aligned articles.
Subclass:
18.1
This subclass is indented under subclass 18. Device wherein
the removal of the sheet is effected or facilitated by an
element or mechanism that generates lines of magnetic flux or
static electricity.
(1) Note. This subclass is for a device wherein a stack of
ferrous sheets moves through a magnetic field, which causes
partial separation of the sheets to facilitate individual
feeding of the sheets from the stack. Movement of the magnet
is for adjustment purposes only. An electrostatic zone can
act in a similar way to cause partial separation of paper
sheets.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
193 for a magnetic or electrostatic sheet delivery
conveyor.
Subclass:
18.2
This subclass is indented under subclass 18.1. Device
wherein the element or mechanism is periodically moved
relative to the pack to effect the removal of individual
sheets from the pack.
(1) Note. This subclass is for a device wherein one magnet
causes removal of the sheet from the pack and another magnet
causes partial separation of the sheets while still in the
pack.
Subclass:
18.3
This subclass is indented under subclass 18. Device wherein
the sheet-removal means includes one or more sharp pointed
members, the point of which penetrates the face of the sheet
that is to be removed.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
141 for a reciprocating separator using pin means.
Subclass:
19
Adapted to force an intermediate portion of the sheet away
from the pack while the ends remain in contact therewith.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
16 and indented subclass.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
221, Article Dispensing, 33 for article dispensers not
otherwise provided for in which flexible articles are
distorted as they are separated from the source of supply.
Subclass:
20
Wherein the sheet is engaged by suction or air-blast.
Subclass:
21
Wherein the sheet is engaged by a member moving in the arc of
a circle.
Subclass:
22
Having means for keeping top or side feed packs forced into
position for separating.
Subclass:
23
The pack being so held as to permit it to fall into position
for separating a sheet.
Subclass:
24
Having means for keeping top or side feed packs forced into
position for separating.
Subclass:
25
Having means contacting with a portion of the pack to control
the action of the advancer.
Subclass:
30.1
Pack advancer:
This subclass is indented under subclass 90. Device provided
with means to urge a stack of sheets in a direction such that
the foremost sheet of the stack is in a position appropriate
for removal of a single sheet.
(1) Note. The device of this and indented subclasses is
usually for feed from the top of a stack, or for feed from a
stack of on edge or imbricated sheets. A device of this and
indented subclasses is usually for feed from the bottom of
the stack and would not be found herein (since a bottom-feet
mechanism does not have a stack urging means) unless the
patent thereto also claimed a weight for urging the stack
toward the bottom of the hopper.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
22 24+, 37+, 126+, and 128+, for a device including a pack
advancer in combination with a separator of a type
appropriate to the subclass under which the pack advancer is
indented.
147 for a pack advancer of general utility.
Subclass:
31
Having means contacting with a portion of the pack to control
the action of the advancer.
Subclass:
31.1
Stack on Edge:
This subclass is indented under subclass 30.1. Devices
wherein a stack holder is provided and arranged to support
the stack so that the individual sheets derive a substantial
amount of their support from their edges.
(1) Note. Many of the devices herein includes a spring or
weight to move a backstop that advances the stack.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
129 for a pack advancer which supports sheets on edge in
combination with a reciprocating feeder.
149 for a pack advancer of general utility which supports
sheets on edge.
Subclass:
33
The sheet-engaging means supplied with a substance to which
the sheet will adhere.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
221, Article Dispensing, 210 for article dispensers not
otherwise provided for including article adhering discharge
assistant means.
Subclass:
34
The sheet engaged by one or more endless bands.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
221, Article Dispensing, 42 for rotary ejectors including
friction roller means for the concurrent separation and
distortion of flexible articles, subclass 253 for endless
belt carried discharge assistants for general utility article
dispensers, and particularly subclass 259 for article
dispensers in which the article is engaged by discharge
assistant means which contacts the surface of the article
only, many of these devices being an endless belt type of
friction device.
Subclass:
35
The pack being so held as to permit it to fall into position
for separating.
Subclass:
37
Each sheet being slightly projected from the pack prior to
its engagement by the rotary separator.
Subclass:
38
Having means contacting with a portion of the pack to control
the operation.
Subclass:
42
The sheet being engaged by a member moving to and fro in a
straight path.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
221, Article Dispensing, 36 for dispensers for flexible
articles including ejecting means which concurrently separate
and distort the articles, many of such ejecting means having
a reciprocating motion, and see also subclasses 232 and 268+
for article dispensers of general types including
reciprocating discharge assistant means.
Subclass:
65
This subclass is indented under subclass 278. Apparatus
wherein means are adapted to deliver the sheet either side
up.
Subclass:
66
This subclass is indented under subclass 65. Apparatus
wherein the sheet is carried by endless bands to fingers
which bear against one side of the sheet and rotate to turn
it over.
Subclass:
67
This subclass is indented under subclass 278. Apparatus
wherein the sheet is carried by endless bands and deposited
on bands adapted to be rolled up and permit the sheet to
fall.
Subclass:
69
This subclass is indented under subclass 278. Apparatus
wherein the sheet is carried by endless bands to another type
of carried which continues the delivery.
Subclass:
70
This subclass is indented under subclass 69. Apparatus
wherein the final conveyor is composed of fingers which bear
against one side of the sheet and rotate to turn it over.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
65
Subclass:
72
This subclass is indented under subclass 278. Apparatus
wherein means are provided which move in the arc of a circle
to deliver the sheets to fingers which bear against one side
of the sheet and rotate to turn it over.
Subclass:
73
This subclass is indented under subclass 278. Apparatus
wherein bands are provided which receive the sheet and are
adapted to be rolled up and permit the sheet to fall.
(1) Note. The bands may or may not serve as conveyors.
Subclass:
81
This subclass is indented under subclass 314. Apparatus
wherein the conveyor has a bodily movement in addition to the
rotary movement.
Subclass:
82
This subclass is indented under subclass 314. Apparatus
wherein the rotary conveyor has means for carrying the sheet
suspended from the edge.
Subclass:
83
This subclass is indented under subclass 314. Apparatus
wherein means are adapted to bear against one side of the
sheet and rotate to turn it over.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
66 70 and 72.
Subclass:
84
This subclass is indented under subclass 278. Apparatus
wherein the delivering means moves to and fro in a
rectilinear path.
Subclass:
85
This subclass is indented under subclass 84. Apparatus
wherein the conveyors are provided with means for carrying
the sheet suspended from one edge.
Subclass:
90
This subclass is indented under subclass 8.1. Device wherein
the sheet-removing means engages an individual sheet by a
gaseous fluid medium under subatmospheric or
above-atmospheric pressure.
(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, if the fluid is for the purpose of preconditioning a
stack of sheets (e.g., fluffing the sheets of the stack with
the hot, moist steam) to facilitate subsequent separation of
the sheets from the stack.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
5 11+, 20, for a device using pneumatic feed means;
112 132, for a device wherein suction assists a feed means.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
221, Article Dispensing, subclass 211 for article dispensers
not otherwise provided for in which suction carrier means is
effective to engage and remove articles from a source of
supply, and subclass 278 for fluid pressure discharge
assistants for articles.
Subclass:
91
This subclass is indented under subclass 90. Device wherein
the sheet-removing means comprises at least two vacuum
elements, each of which is movable relative to the stack, and
each of which is also movable relative to the other.
(1) Note. This subclass is for a device wherein plural cups
bend the margins of corners of a sheet toward each other to
facilitate separation of that sheet from the stack.
Subclass:
92
This subclass is indented under subclass 91. Device wherein
at least two of the elements that are in engagement with a
sheet move away from each other in a direction that is
transverse to the direction of feeding of the sheet so
engaged, thereby tending to tension an area of the sheet that
is between the elements.
Subclass:
93
This subclass is indented under subclass 91. Device wherein
at least one of the elements moves to and from the stack of
sheets in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of
the foremost sheet to engage and move the foremost sheet away
from the stack, and wherein another of the elements moves in
a direction generally parallel to said plane, whereby said
one element initiates the movement of a foremost sheet and
transfers said foremost sheet to the other of the elements to
continue the movement of the foremost sheet away from the
stack.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
11 for a device using a pneumatic separator and a conveyor
forwarding the foremost sheet.
Subclass:
94
This subclass is indented under subclass 90. Device wherein
the sheet-removing means comprises an element that turns
continually in the same direction, through the surface of
which element vacuum is applied to engage and remove a sheet
from a stack.
(1) Note. The shape of the suction member of this subclass
may vary. Included herein is a drum or a belt having
apertures therein or a wheel or chain having orbiting cups
mounted thereon. What is common to all the devices is the
presence of suction through the suction member and the
movement in one direction of the suction member.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
196 for a delivery conveyor having similar structure.
Subclass:
95
This subclass is indented under subclass 94. Device wherein
motion is imparted to said element, which motion is
supplemental to the turning of the element.
(1) Note. Included in this subclass is a device wherein a
continuously turning suction member has additional movement
to and from the stack, and a device wherein a one or more
suction cups rotate or oscillate on their own axis and
simultaneously revolve within a carrier about a second axis.
The latter arrangement permits the suction cup to be retarded
in its motion so that it is momentarily stationary with
respect to the sheet which it will engage, even though the
carrier in which it is mounted continues to rotate.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
120 for a friction separator having similar compound rotary
movement.
Subclass:
96
This subclass is indented under subclass 94. Device provided
with means to vary the zone or area on the foremost sheet
where vacuum is applied, or to vary the degree of vacuum
applied, or vary the effect of the vacuum applied.
(1) Note. The adjustments noted in the definition above may
be performed, for example, by adjusting the position of a
nozzle that applies suction through the periphery of an
apertured drum or belt, or by use of a valve that regulates
the amount of suction applied, or by adjusting the speed of
rotation of the drum or belt.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
108 for a pneumatic separator including a valve means.
Subclass:
97
This subclass is indented under subclass 90. Device wherein
the sheet-removing means includes a source of air or other
gaseous medium subjected to above-atmospheric pressure.
(1) Note. A distinction should be made between a device
using pressurized gas for the purpose of causing or aiding
removal of a sheet from a stack (found in this and indented
subclasses), a device using pressurized gas for the purpose
of restraining feeding of sheets other than the foremost
sheet (found in subclass 104), and a device using pressurized
gas for the purpose of fluffing or riffling the sheets of a
stack while the sheets remain in the stack (found in subclass
105).
(2) Note. Some patents in this subclass disclose the use of
Bernoulli's Principle for the movement of sheets. That
principle includes the use of air under relatively high
pressure and velocity to generate an area of low pressure
adjacent a surface.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
104 and 105, and see (1) note above.
195 for a sheet conveyor using pressurized gas.
Subclass:
98
This subclass is indented under subclass 97. Device wherein
the sheet-removing means also includes a vacuum element
operating in conjunction with the pressurized air.
Subclass:
99
This subclass is indented under subclass 90. Device wherein
a stack of sheets is held so as to permit the sheets thereof
to fall into position at which the sheet-removing means
engages the lowermost sheet of the stack, and wherein the
sheet-removing means comprises a vacuum element.
(1) Note. Included in this and indented subclasses is a
device wherein the stack of sheets is supported partly on the
edges of the sheets and partly by means extending in the
plane of the lowermost sheet and below said lowermost sheet.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
165 for a pack holder for use with a bottom-feed device, and
see the search notes of subclass 165 for reference to other
subclasses involving bottom-feed.
Subclass:
100
This subclass is indented under subclass 99. Device wherein
the vacuum element moves to and from the stack, and during
its movement away from the stack engages a portion of the
lowermost sheet adjacent one of the edges or corners thereof
to move that portion away from the undisturbed residue of the
stack.
(1) Note. Although most devices of this and the indented
subclasses include a suction member that oscillates by
pivoting in the arc of a circle, a few such devices include a
suction member that oscillates by reciprocating in a straight
line to perform the same type of bending of the sheet
margin.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
106 for a device wherein a suction member bends a portion of
the foremost (usually the topmost) sheet of a stack prior to
removal.
Subclass:
101
This subclass is indented under subclass 100. Device
provided with at least one component that is moved from a
position outside the stack to a position between the bent
portion of the lowermost sheet of the stack and the
undisturbed portion of the next-to-lowermost sheet of the
stack, thereby to hold the undisturbed residue of the stack
against feeding movement during separation of the lowermost
sheet from the stack.
(1) Note. Included in this subclass are some devices
wherein the stack is moved in a direction parallel to the
plane of the sheets thereof as the lowermost sheet is
separated therefrom. The relative movement between support
segment and remainder of stack has been considered sufficient
for placement herein.
Subclass:
102
This subclass is indented under subclass 99. Device wherein
the vacuum element moves to and from the stack in a direction
generally normal to the plane of the lowermost sheet of the
stack.
(1) Note. Although in most devices of this subclass the
motion is straight line reciprocation, and in a few such
devices the motion is a pivotal oscillation, with either
motion, the suction member pulls the foremost sheet away from
the stack in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the
sheet.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
132 for a device wherein a member reciprocating in a
direction generally parallel to the plane of the sheet, and a
suction means that does not move but is located adjacent the
lowermost sheet is activated to ensure that the reciprocating
member will engage the lowermost sheet.
Subclass:
103
This subclass is indented under subclass 90. Device wherein
the sheet-removing means includes a vacuum cup mounted on an
array of telescopically projectable and retractable elements,
through which array a source of vacuum is applied, and
wherein the projection of the vacuum cup toward the foremost
sheet of a stack causes a sheet-engaging orifice of the
vacuum cup to be sealed by the foremost sheet, whereupon the
increase in vacuum (i.e., decrease in pressure) within the
array following the sealing causes the array and the cup
mounted thereon to be retracted from the stack with the
foremost sheet attracted to the cup.
Subclass:
104
This subclass is indented under subclass 90. Device provided
with means to retard the removal of the sheet adjacent to and
succeeding the foremost sheet of the stack.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
121 137 and 167, for a similar sheet-retarding device
associated with a different sheet-separating means or a pack
holder.
Subclass:
105
This subclass is indented under subclass 90. Device
including a means using a gaseous fluid medium under
subatmospheric or above-atmospheric pressure, which means
acts on any of the sheets of a stack to separate at least a
portion of a sheet from a corresponding portion of an
adjacent sheet, but without removing any of the sheets from
the stack.
(1) Note. This subclass provides for a device which is a
subcombination of a sheet-feeding machine, the device
performing an operation that prepares the stack for feeding
or removal of sheets therefrom. Examples of such device
include, a nozzle issuing a blast of steam or heated air or
ionized air, a suction device for removing dust from the
sheets of a stack, and means to bend, flex or riffle the
margins of the sheets prior to removal.
Subclass:
106
This subclass is indented under subclass 105. Device wherein
the means is a vacuum element that bends all or a part of the
foremost sheet prior to removal of said sheet from a stack.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
100 for a device wherein an oscillating suction member
operates on the bottom of a stack to flex the lowermost sheet
prior to removal.
Subclass:
107
This subclass is indented under subclass 90. Device wherein
the sheet-removing means is a vacuum element that moves to
and from the stack in the arc of a circle.
Subclass:
108
This subclass is indented under subclass 90. Device wherein
the flow of gaseous medium to or from the sheet-removal means
is regulated by mechanism to vary or stop such flow.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
96 for a device wherein a rotating suction element includes
means for varying the suction therein.
Subclass:
109
This subclass is indented under subclass 8.1. Device wherein
the sheet-removing means engages an individual sheet by a
surface or element that turns about an axis in an arc of a
circle.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
21 for a sheet-buckling rotary separator 94+, for a suction
separator having rotational movement.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
221, Article Dispensing, 42 for rotary ejecting means for
the concurrent separation and distortion of flexible
articles, subclass 259 for surface contact type discharge
assistants to remove articles from a source of supply, and
subclass 277 for article dispensers having rotary discharge
assistants.
Subclass:
110
This subclass is indented under subclass 109. Device
provided with means to detect the absence or presence of a
sheet from the pack or stack of sheets, and further provided
with means to activate or deactivate the sheet-removing means
as a result of such detection.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
25 31, 38, and 152+, for a device wherein a feeler or sensor
is associated with a pack advancer, and 258+ for a device
wherein a feeler or sensor is associated with a feed
interrupter.
Subclass:
111
This subclass is indented under subclass 110. Device
provided with two or more sheet-removing means or provided
with two or more detectors.
Subclass:
112
This subclass is indented under subclass 109. Device
provided with means in addition to the turning surface or
element, which means includes a source of vacuum or
subatmospheric pressure that facilitates the operation of the
sheet-removing means.
(1) Note. The suction means must be a stationary suction
member that does not by itself remove a sheet from the stack.
Rather, it is separate from the rotating separator and pulls
the sheet into a position that will ensure the engagement of
the sheet by the separator. For a suction member that
reciprocates to separate a sheet from a pack, see subclass
102, and for a suction member that assists a reciprocating
bottom-feed member, see subclass 132.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
102 and 132, and see (1) Note, above.
Subclass:
113
This subclass is indented under subclass 109. Device wherein
the axis of turning is perpendicular to the surface of the
sheet that is nearest the sheet-removing means, whereby the
means turns in a zone that is parallel to said surface.
(1) Note. In exemplary operation, the separator "peels" the
foremost sheet from the stack by interposing a rotating
finger between the surfaces of the foremost sheet and the
next sheet.
Subclass:
114
This subclass is indented under subclass 109. Device wherein
the sheet-removing means is impelled to be turned by
mechanism that imparts changeable turning speeds to the
means, or imparts different turning speeds to different
sheet-engaging portions of the means, or imparts a
discontinuous turning motion to the means.
Subclass:
115
This subclass is indented under subclass 114. Device wherein
the sheet-removing means turns partially to-and-fro about an
axis, whereby the means feeds a sheet during one direction of
its turning and retracts to its initial position during its
reverse direction of turning.
Subclass:
116
This subclass is indented under subclass 114. Device
provided with a clutch mechanism that imparts a turning
motion to the sheet-removing means during only a portion of
the time required for removal of a sheet, and thereafter
permits the sheet-removing means to be turned by continued
movement of the sheet past said means until the sheet is
fully removed.
Subclass:
117
This subclass is indented under subclass 109. Device wherein
the sheet-removing means is mounted on structure that permits
the position of said means to be varied with respect to the
stack of sheets or permits said means to be moved away from
the stack, or wherein the stack of sheets is mounted on
structure that permits the stack to be moved away from the
sheet-removing means.
(1) Note. Subclasses 126+ provide for a device wherein the
stack of sheets is urged toward the separator. This subclass
(117) provides for a device wherein the stack of sheets may
be moved away from the separator, usually for the purpose of
replenishing the stack. In this subclass will also be found
a device wherein the separation of sheets from a stack is
stopped at will by retracting the stack from the separator.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
126 and see (1) Note above.
136 for a reciprocating feeder wherein operation may be
stopped at will by moving the feeder and the stack apart.
Subclass:
118
This subclass is indented under subclass 117. Device wherein
the sheets are sequentially removed from the stack by
alternately bringing together and moving apart the
sheet-removing means and the stack in continuous sequence of
operations.
(1) Note. Either the sheet-removing means may be moved to
and from the stack, or the stack may be moved to and from the
sheet-removing means.
Subclass:
119
This subclass is indented under subclass 109. Device wherein
the surface or element that turns about an axis is not
circular or is not regular in its circumference.
(1) Note. Included herein is a device wherein the rotating
separator includes one or more pins or lugs projecting
radially from the axis of rotation, or a device wherein the
separator comprises a roughened surface or a helicoidal
projection.
Subclass:
120
This subclass is indented under subclass 119. Device wherein
the surface or element that turns about an axis is mounted so
as to have an additional motion with respect to the axis of
turning.
(1) Note. Included herein is a device wherein a roller is
mounted so as to rotate about its own axis as well as revolve
about the axis of rotation of the separator, or a device
wherein a separator has a surface portion that is adjustable
radially or circumferentially relative to the axis of
rotation.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
95 for a suction separator wherein a suction element
revolves about an external axis and has additional movement
(e.g., rotation or oscillation) about its own axis.
Subclass:
121
This subclass is indented under subclass 109. Device
provided with means to retard the removal of the sheet
adjacent to and succeeding the foremost sheet of the stack.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
104 137 and 167, for a similar sheet-retarding device
associated with a different sheet-separating means or a pack
holder.
Subclass:
122
This subclass is indented under subclass 121. Device wherein
a face of said retarding means adjacent to the foremost sheet
has motion imparted thereto, which motion is in a direction
opposite to the direction of movement of the foremost sheet
during separation thereof.
Subclass:
123
This subclass is indented under subclass 121. Device wherein
said sheet-retarding means engages a margin or edge of the
foremost sheet or the sheets adjacent to the foremost sheet,
which margin or edge is that which is opposite to the
direction of movement of the foremost sheet during separation
thereof.
Subclass:
124
This subclass is indented under subclass 121. Device wherein
the sheet-retarding means is located adjacent the
sheet-removing means to form an opening that permits the
foremost sheet to be moved out of a stack holder, and the
extent of the opening is variable.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
138 for a device having a reciprocating bottom-feed
separator and an adjustable sheet-restraining throat.
Subclass:
125
This subclass is indented under subclass 124. Device wherein
one of the elements comprising the sheet-retarding means is a
cylindrical member which may rotate.
(1) Note. Usually the restraining roller is located
adjacent to the feeding roller and diametrically opposite
thereto so that the sheet being fed passes between the
rollers. The rotation of the restraining roller is
regulated, or the gap between the rollers is adjusted, thus
the movement of the next-to-foremost sheet is restrained.
Subclass:
126
This subclass is indented under subclass 109. Device
provided with means to force a stack of sheets in a direction
such that the foremost sheet of the stack is in a position
appropriate for removal of single sheets.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
147 for a pack advancer of general utility, and see the
search notes of subclass 147 for reference to other pack
advancer subclasses.
Subclass:
127
This subclass is indented under subclass 126. Device
provided with a structure to hold a stack of sheets, which
structure is permitted to turn toward the sheet-removing
means to a limited extent about an axis.
Subclass:
128
This subclass is indented under subclass 42. Device having
means for urging top and side feed packs into position
appropriate for removal of single sheets.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
147 for a pack advancer and see the search notes of subclass
147 for reference to other pack advancer subclasses.
Subclass:
129
This subclass is indented under subclass 128. Device wherein
the pack is held so that the sheets thereof derive a
substantial amount of their support from their edges.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
149 for a pack advancer holding sheets on edge.
Subclass:
130
This subclass is indented under subclass 128. Device
provided with means to detect the absence or presence of a
sheet adjacent a sheet-removal zone, and further provided
with means to activate or deactivate the stack-urging means
as a result of such detection.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
152 for a pack advancer controlled by a feeler, and see the
search notes of subclass 152, for reference to other such
subclasses.
Subclass:
131
This subclass is indented under subclass 42. Device wherein
the stack of sheets is held so as to permit the sheets
thereof to fall into position at which the reciprocating
member engages the lowermost sheet for separation of the
lowermost sheet from the stack.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
165 for a pack holder for use with a bottom-feed device, and
see the search notes of subclass 165 for reference to other
subclasses involving bottom feed.
Subclass:
132
This subclass is indented under subclass 131. Device
provided with means in addition to the reciprocating member,
which means include a source of vacuum or subatmospheric
pressure that facilitates the operation of the reciprocating
member.
(1) Note. The suction means must be a stationary suction
member that does not by itself remove a sheet from the stack.
Rather it is separate from the reciprocation separator and
pulls the sheet into a position that will ensure the
engagement of the sheet by the separator. For a suction
member that reciprocates to separate a sheet from a pack, and
for a suction member that assists a rotating feed means, see
search notes below.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
102 for a suction member that reciprocates to separate a
sheet from a pack, and see (1) Note, above.
112 for a suction member that assists a rotating feed means,
and see (1) Note, above.
Subclass:
133
This subclass is indented under subclass 131. Device
provided with means that acts on a stack of sheets or on the
lowermost sheet of the stack while the stack is in its
holder, which means makes the stack or the lowermost sheet
ready for feeding of an individual sheet therefrom.
(1) Note. Included herein are such exemplary devices as one
wherein the pack is vibrated to loosen the sheets, or one
wherein the edges of the sheets are riffled, or one wherein
the sheets pass a diverter which shifts the sheets parallel
to their surfaces to break the surface adhesion of one sheet
against another.
Subclass:
134
This subclass is indented under subclass 133. Device wherein
the means acts to support a portion of the stack above the
lowermost sheet, thereby to facilitate feeding of the
lowermost sheet unburdened by the downward force of sheets
thereabove.
(1) Note. In most devices of this subclass it is not the
entire weight of the sheets above the lowermost that is
supported. Rather, the hopper containing the stack is
provided with fixed or moveable projections into the downward
travel of the stack such that at least one edge of a sheet
(and the stack above the sheet) is partially and temporarily
supported.
Subclass:
135
This subclass is indented under subclass 133. Device wherein
the means acts on the lowermost sheet and moves that
lowermost sheet in its own plane to pre-feed or to
individualize that lowermost sheet prior to the action of the
reciprocating feed member in fully separating the sheet from
the stack.
(1) Note. Included herein a device wherein a pusher having
steps simultaneously engages a plurality of sheets to push
those sheets in repeated increments along the feed direction
until the lowermost sheet is fully ejected, as well as a
device in which the lowermost sheet is partially moved in a
direction other than the feed direction so that it will be
subsequently engaged by the reciprocating feed member.
Subclass:
136
This subclass is indented under subclass 131. Device
provided with means to prevent the feeding of a lowermost
sheet temporarily or under control of a user of the device.
(1) Note. Included herein is a device wherein the feed of
sheets will be skipped at regular intervals, for example a
sheet will be fed on a regular feed stroke, but on the next
regular feed stroke a sheet will not be fed, and also
included is a device wherein the operator of the device, or a
signal from another part of the device, will effect nonfeed
of the reciprocating member until feed is again desired.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
117 for a rotating feeder wherein operation may be stopped
at will.
Subclass:
137
This subclass is indented under subclass 131. Device
provided with means to retard the removal of the sheet
adjacent to and succeeding the foremost sheet of the stack.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
104 121 and 167, for a similar sheet-retarding device
associated with a different sheet separating-means or a pack
holder.
Subclass:
138
This subclass is indented under subclass 137. Device wherein
the sheet-retarding means is located at an opening of a stack
holder that permits the foremost sheet to be moved out of the
holder, and the extent of the opening is variable.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
124 for a device having a rotary separator and an adjustable
sheet-restraining member.
Subclass:
139
This subclass is indented under subclass 131. Device
provided with means to effect to-and-fro movement of the
sheet-engaging member, wherein the member may be adjusted
relative to the means, or the means may be adjusted relative
to the stack, or wherein the means or the member may be moved
to-and-fro in other than a straight line.
Subclass:
140
This subclass is indented under subclass 139. Device wherein
the means or the member may be moved in other than a straight
line.
(1) Note. In a device of this subclass the pusher movement
is usually as follows: an initial movement toward the bottom
surface of the bottom sheet, a feeding movement in engagement
with the sheet and in the direction of feed parallel to the
plane of the sheet, a withdrawal movement away from the
surface of the sheet, and a retraction movement parallel to
the plane of the sheet and opposite to the feed direction,
thus ending in a position ready for the initial movement.
Subclass:
141
This subclass is indented under subclass 131. Device wherein
the sheet-engaging member includes an element having a
pointed end that partially pierces the sheet to be fed.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
18.3 for a separator having surface-piercing elements.
Subclass:
142
This subclass is indented under subclass 131. Device wherein
the sheet-engaging member includes an element projecting
toward the stack, and is provided with means to permit or
cause change in the extent of projection of the element.
Subclass:
143
This subclass is indented under subclass 131. Device
provided with a plurality of sheet-engaging members, each of
which members is mounted for movement toward the stack to the
extent necessary to properly engage the bottom sheet of the
pack for feeding thereof.
(1) Note. Included herein are devices wherein sheets that
may be warped are to be fed. The pusher members are mounted
to partake of the same reciprocator movement, but are spaced
laterally of the direction of feed and are independently
urged toward the plane of the sheet so that they accommodate
themselves to the warpage to engage the sheet for proper
feed.
Subclass:
144
This subclass is indented under subclass 131. Device wherein
the stack is held in a hopper which can be varied in
dimension to accommodate the length and width dimensions of
the sheets of the stack.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
171 and 223, for a sheet holder that is adjustable to the
size of sheets therein.
Subclass:
145
This subclass is indented under subclass 8.1. Device for
supporting or holding a stack (i.e., a regularly-arranged
collection) of sheets in position for removal of individual
sheets therefrom.
(1) Note. Included in this subclass are feed tables that
are capable of holding a stack of sheets, but which (as
disclosed) hold a single sheet for feeding from the table.
Subclass:
146
This subclass is indented under subclass 145. Device
provided with mechanism for moving the holder to-and-fro with
a low amplitude of movement but a high frequency of
movement.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
210 for a vibrating sheet delivery receiver.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
198, Conveyors: Power-Driven, subclass 521, 594+, 609, and
752+ for a vibratory conveyor.
Subclass:
147
This subclass is indented under subclass 145. Device
provided with means to urge a stack of sheets in a direction
such that the foremost sheet of the stack is in a position
appropriate for removal of single sheets.
(1) Note. The device of this and indented subclasses is
usually for feed from the top of a stack, or for feed from a
stack of on-edge or imbricated sheets. A device for feed from
the bottom of the stack would not be found herein (since a
bottom-feed mechanism does not have a stack-urging means)
unless the patent thereto also claimed a weight for urging
the stack toward the bottom of the hopper.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
22 24+, 30.1+, 37+, 126+, and 128+, for a device including a
pack advancer in combination with a separator of a type
appropriate to the subclass under which the pack advancer is
indented.
217 for a pile-lowering means for received sheets.
Subclass:
148
This subclass is indented under subclass 147. Device wherein
the urging means is provided with areas thereon capable of
moving at a rate of speed greater than or lesser than other
areas on the urging means, or said means can be adjusted to
lie at different levels, thus permitting the foremost sheet
to be equally presented to the sheet-removal means even
though the individual sheets are thinner at one portion
thereof than at another.
Subclass:
149
This subclass is indented under subclass 147. Device wherein
the stack holder is arranged to support the sheets of the
stack so that the individual sheets derive a substantial
amount of their support from their edges, or wherein the
sheets are arranged in overlapped array, the margin of one
sheet lying beyond the edge of an adjacent sheet relative to
the direction in which the stack is urged.
(1) Note. Many of the devices herein include a spring or
weight to move a backstop that advances the stack.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
216 for a receiver on which sheets are deposited in
imbricated array.
Subclass:
150
This subclass is indented under subclass 149. Device wherein
the stack rests on a surface that moves toward the
sheet-removing means.
(1) Note. Some devices herein include a plurality of plates
or backstops arranged to support the sheets in their on-edge
condition and urge the stack to sheet-removal position.
Subclass:
151
This subclass is indented under subclass 150. Device wherein
the sheets are arranged in overlapped condition.
(1) Note. Although it is not quickly evident from the title
thereof, most of the devices found in the search notes below
feed sheets from an imbricated array of sheets.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
37 and 38, for feeding sheets from an imbricated array of
sheets, and see (1) Note above.
Subclass:
152
This subclass is indented under subclass 147. Device
provided with means to detect the absence or presence of a
sheet adjacent a sheet-removal zone, and further provided
with means to activate or de-activate the stack-urging means
as a result of such detection.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
25 31, 38, and 130, for a device wherein a feeler or sensor
is associated with a pack advancer.
176 199, 215, for sheet delivery means including sheet
sensing means.
258 and 110+, for a device wherein a feeler or sensor is
associated with a feed interrupter.
Subclass:
153
This subclass is indented under subclass 152. Device which
is provided with a means to remove the foremost sheet of a
stack, and wherein the detecting means is a part of said
removing means.
(1) Note. In patents of this subclass, the sheet separator
is claimed in general terms not justifying placement in one
of the specific separator subclasses higher in the class
schedule. The emphasis in the claimed invention is in the
sensor, which is either (a) integral with the separator, or
(b) mounted on the same subassemblage that supports the
separator so that the sensor partakes of separator movement
at least in part, or (c) activated by a moving element that
partakes of movement of the separator.
Subclass:
154
This subclass is indented under subclass 152. Device wherein
the detecting means is included in a system of wiring or
tubing that carries a flow of electricity or fluid
respectively, and wherein said detecting means regulates said
flow to activate or deactivate the urging means.
(1) Note. Among the sensers found in devices of this
subclass are: magnets, photoelectric cells (for which, per
se see search notes below), fluidic devices (for which, per
se, see search notes below), and valve operators.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
137, Fluid Handling, 803 for fluidic devices, per se, and
see (1) Note above.
250, Radiant Energy, 216 for photoelectric cells, per se,
and see (1) Note above.
Subclass:
155
This subclass is indented under subclass 154. Device wherein
the flow is applied directly to motive means that energizes
the urging means.
(1) Note. In devices of this subclass the motor, whether
electric or hydraulic, is connected directly to the advancer
rather than through an intermediate clutch or transmission,
and the stopping or starting of the motor is directly
responsive to the senser.
Subclass:
156
This subclass is indented under subclass 152. Device wherein
the stack-urging means that is activated and deactivated by
the detecting means comprises a mechanical movement that is
known in the art as "pawl and ratchet" and is further
explained in (1) Note below.
(1) Note. A pawl is a pivoted element having a free end
that interengages with teeth on a mating wheel or bar known
as a ratchet. As the pivot of the pawl oscillates arcuately
or reciprocates rectilinearly its movement in one direction
will cause the free end to engage a ratchet tooth to move the
ratchet an increment in said direction, but the movement of
the pawl in the reverse direction will permit the pawl to
slide over the adjacent tooth (or teeth) of the ratchet,
since reverse movement of the ratchet is prevented. Thus
oscillatory or reciprocatory movement of the pawl is
converted into intermittent one-way movement of the ratchet
wheel or ratchet bar.
Subclass:
157
This subclass is indented under subclass 147. Device
provided with means to cause or to permit a stack of sheets
to be placed or replaced in position for feeding, or provided
with a support for a stack of sheets, which support normally
urges the stack toward a sheet-removal position but is
provided with means to withdraw said support away from the
sheet-removal position.
(1) Note. The title and definition of this subclass have
been written to accommodate the various ways in which the
patents of this and indented subclasses have been disclosed
and claimed. The intent of these subclasses is to provide a
locus for patents disclosing "continuous" feeders, that is,
devices wherein sheets may be individually separated from the
top of a stack while a new stack of sheets is added to the
bottom of the stack. The claims of some of the patents
sometimes recite the replenishment in terms of function and
sometimes recite the structure inherently capable of
performing the function, but the intent is the same.
(2) Note. Due to the nature of the arrangement of sheets on
edge, a device feeding sheets from an on-edge advancer is
inherently capable of having the stack of sheets replenished.
Search in the referenced subclass below for structure
similar to that of this subclass is sometimes advisable.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
149 for structure similar to that of this subclass (157),
and see (2) Note above.
Subclass:
158
This subclass is indented under subclass 157. Device
provided with at least two supports alternately or
alternatively usable for urging a stack toward the
sheet-removal position whereby the sheet removing means may
function without stopping for replenishment of the stack.
(1) Note. In some devices plural platforms are mounted on
continuously-moving chains so that sheets are fed from the
topmost stack while a new stack is loaded on the bottom most
platform. In other devices, one platform is held temporarily
at the sheet-removal zone while another platform is retracted
for reloading of a new stack.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
149 for a device wherein a stack of sheets on-edge is
advanced by plural plates mounted on continuously-moving
chains.
Subclass:
159
This subclass is indented under subclass 158. Device wherein
a mechanism is provided for each of said supports, each said
mechanism being capable of moving its support independently
of the other(s).
(1) Note. In some devices a single power source is split
into two power drive trains, and in some devices two separate
power drive trains are provided. In either case, one
platform is retracted for reloading of a stack thereon, while
another platform continues to advance the old stack to the
feed means.
Subclass:
160
This subclass is indented under subclass 147. Device wherein
the stack-urging means includes a yieldable resilient member,
or includes a mass moved under the influence of gravity.
Subclass:
161
This subclass is indented under subclass 145. Device
provided with means to hold the stack such that the sheets
therein are in a non-planar condition.
(1) Note. In some devices the sheets are bowed to stiffen
them for easier feeding. In others the sheets are bowed to
break the adhesion between the adjacent surfaces of adjacent
sheets.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
209 for receiver having means to bow the delivered sheets.
Subclass:
162
This subclass is indented under subclass 145. Device
provided with means permitting the stack-holding or
stack-supporting means to be moved with respect to the
sheet-removing position.
(1) Note. Although the definition above is sufficiently
comprehensive to include the movement of a pack advancer, it
is obvious from the position of this subclass in the schedule
that the movement referred to in the definition of this
subclass is other than in the pack advancing direction. A
device of this subclass will, for example, permit movement of
a feed table away from the feeder in order to permit access
of an operator to the feeder.
Subclass:
163
This subclass is indented under subclass 162. Device wherein
the stack-holding means can be moved from a location at which
it permits sheets to be removed from the stack to a location
at which it permits sheets to be added to the stack.
Subclass:
164
This subclass is indented under subclass 162. Device wherein
the movement is along a direction coincident with a
lengthwise or widthwise dimension of a sheet of the stack.
(1) Note. The movement referred to permits a platform that
is advancing a stack along a direction to be adjusted
perpendicularly to that direction, or permits movement of a
stack-holding tray that slides out of the machine for
replenishment of the stack therein.
Subclass:
165
This subclass is indented under subclass 145. Device wherein
the holder supports the stack so as to permit the sheets
thereof to fall into position at which a sheet-removing means
engages the lowermost sheet for separation of the lowermost
sheet from the stack.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
23 35, 99+, and 131+, for a device feeding from the bottom of
a pack holder, the feeder being of the type appropriate to
the subclass under which the bottom-feed subclass is
indented.
Subclass:
166
This subclass is indented under subclass 165. Device
provided with means to support at least a portion of the
stack above the lowermost sheet thereof, thereby to
facilitate removal of the lowermost sheet.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
134 for a bottom-feed separator and means to relieve the
weight of the pack.
Subclass:
167
This subclass is indented under subclass 145. Device
provided with means to retard movement of the sheet adjacent
to and succeeding the foremost sheet of the stack.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
104 121+, 137+, for a sheet-retarding device associated with
a sheet-separating means.
Subclass:
168
This subclass is indented under subclass 167. Device wherein
the retarding means comprises an element that penetrates the
surface of at least the foremost sheet.
(1) Note. The sheet-impaler is usually a pointed pin, but
can also comprise a rod that passes through aligned holes
that are present in all the sheets of the stack.
Subclass:
169
This subclass is indented under subclass 167. Device wherein
the means comprises elements that contact those edges or
margins of the foremost sheet that are parallel to the
direction in which the sheet is to be removed, and wherein
the elements are spaced apart from each other a distance
equal to or slightly less than the width dimension of said
sheet.
Subclass:
170
This subclass is indented under subclass 169. Device wherein
the elements are located at the junctions of the front edges
and side edges of the foremost sheet.
Subclass:
171
This subclass is indented under subclass 145. Device wherein
the stack-holding means can be varied in its dimensions to
accommodate the length and width dimensions of the sheets
comprising the stack.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
144 and 223, for a sheet holder that is adjustable to the
size of sheets therein.
Subclass:
175
This subclass is indented under subclass 306. Device
provided with a sheet receiver that comprises a narrow
support having one dimension that is coextensive with the
width dimension of the individual received sheets and another
dimension that is very short compared to the length dimension
of said sheets whereby one portion of each received sheet
will hang generally vertically on one side of the support and
another portion of each received sheet will hang generally
vertically on the other side of the support, in which device
the transfer mechanism comprises means to cause each sheet to
be deposited on said support with the sheet portions hanging
as described.
Subclass:
176
This subclass is indented under subclass 306. Device
provided with means to detect the presence of a sheet moving
toward the receiving means, and further provided with means
to activate the transfer means as a result of such
detection.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
152 199 and 215, for a device wherein a feeler or senser is
associated with a feeding or a delivering means indicated by
the title of the subclass, and see the Search Notes to
subclass 152 for feeding subclasses including feeler means.
Subclass:
177
This subclass is indented under subclass 306. Device wherein
the removing means conveys a succession of individual sheets
along a direction parallel to their surfaces, and wherein
said transfer mechanism urges each of said sheets in
succession to be moved in a direction perpendicular to its
surface.
(1) Note. In this subclass the packer usually is an air
blast directed toward the surface of the sheet being
conveyed, thus the air blast changes the direction of
movement from edgewise to broadside. For other air blast
means, see the search notes below.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
195 for a device using an air blast to help convey the sheet
edgewise, and see (1) Note above.
211 for an air blast that helps cushion the dropping of the
sheet into a receiver (and see (1) Note above).
Subclass:
178
This subclass is indented under subclass 177. Device wherein
the transfer mechanism includes a member turning about an
axis, at least a portion of the turning member contacting at
least a portion of the surface of each sheet.
(1) Note. In this subclass the axis of the packer is
usually parallel to the surface of the sheet and the packer
pushes each sheet away from the packer axis.
Subclass:
179
This subclass is indented under subclass 178. Device wherein
the member includes a surface that simultaneously winds
around said axis and progresses axially along said axis.
(1) Note. In this subclass the axis of the packer is
usually perpendicular to the surface of the sheet and the
packer pushes each sheet along the packer axis.
Subclass:
180
This subclass is indented under subclass 177. Device wherein
the transfer mechanism includes a member moving to-and-fro in
a direction perpendicular to the surface of a sheet that is
contacted by the member.
(1) Note. In this subclass the to-and-fro motion of the
packer can be rectilinearly reciprocating or arcuately
oscillating.
Subclass:
181
This subclass is indented under subclass 180. Device wherein
the member pushes the individual sheets into a stackholder
that is arranged to support the sheets thereof so that said
sheets derive a substantial amount of their support from
their edges.
Subclass:
182
This subclass is indented under subclass 306. Device wherein
the transfer mechanism acts to restrain or hold back the
forward movement of each of the succession of sheets that are
being conveyed, the action of the transfer mechanism being
timed to occur on each successive sheet just as that sheet is
at the receiver.
(1) Note. The words "restrain" and "hold back" require (but
do not limit the concept to) structure for positively
gripping a sheet or for enhancing the frictional hold back
characteristics of a retarding surface contacting a sheet.
Thus a device having a conveyor belt moving at a relatively
reversed or reduced surface speed would not be in this
subclass. See search notes below for such a device.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
191 and 202, for a device having a conveyor belt moving at a
relatively reversed or reduced surface speed (see (1) Note
above).
Subclass:
183
This subclass is indented under subclass 182. Device wherein
the restraint or hold back is effected by a surface or member
moving at a speed slower than that of each of the sheets and
contacting the sheet surface frictionally, the frictional
contact being enhanced by subatmospheric pressure urging the
sheet toward the surface or member.
Subclass:
184
This subclass is indented under subclass 306. Device wherein
the transfer mechanism acts to alter either the direction in
which the surface of each successive sheet faces or the
direction in which each successive sheet moves, the
alteration occurring just before or while the sheet is moved
into the receiver.
Subclass:
185
This subclass is indented under subclass 184. Device wherein
the transfer mechanism acts to alter the direction in which
the surface of each successive sheet faces.
Subclass:
186
This subclass is indented under subclass 185. Device wherein
the transfer means alters the orientation of each successive
sheet from an orientation in which a particular surface is
facing in a particular direction to an orientation in which
said surface is facing in a direction opposite to said
direction.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
65 for a device wherein successive sheets are deposited face
up or face down optionally.
Subclass:
187
This subclass is indented under subclass 185. Device wherein
the transfer mechanism includes a turning means provided with
one or more receptacles for the temporary holding of
successive sheets, each receptacle lying in or adjacent a
peripheral portion of the turning means.
(1) Note. In use, successive sheets are inserted
tangentially into successive pockets of the turning means
while the pocket is aligned with the direction of movement of
the successive sheets. As the turning means rotates, the
pockets hold and carry the sheets circumferentially, and the
sheets are released to the receiver at a location different
from the insertion location, thereby changing the orientation
of the sheets.
Subclass:
188
This subclass is indented under subclass 306. Device wherein
the transfer mechanism causes the successive sheets to be
curved or corrugated temporarily, thereby imparting a
temporary stiffness to the sheets that facilitates forward
propulsion of the sheets into the receiver.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
209 for a device wherein sheets within the receiver are
bowed or curved.
Subclass:
189
This subclass is indented under subclass 306. Device wherein
the transfer mechanism includes means that may be placed in
the path of movement of the successive sheets for a short
time, or may be removed from such path, said means being
located at the discharge end of the conveying means and just
before the receiving means.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
218 for a temporary sheet support associated with lowering
sheet receiver, which support is used to accumulate sheets
thereon while a previously-formed stack is removed from the
receiver.
Subclass:
190
This subclass is indented under subclass 189. Device wherein
the transfer mechanism includes one or more platforms
extending across and moving along with the direction of
movement of the succession of sheets, while supporting said
sheets the plat-form(s) being mounted for such movement in a
closed-loop orbit and being spaced one trailing end from a
succeeding leading end to permit successive sheets to pass
through the space between said ends.
(1) Note. In using this device, each successive sheet is
placed by its conveyor on one of successively-appearing
platforms, each platform carrying its sheet to a position
over the receiver. The sheet is then stopped by means
auxiliary to or integral with the platform while the platform
continues to move from under the sheet, thus permitting the
sheet to pass into the gap between platforms and be deposited
onto the receiver.
Subclass:
191
This subclass is indented under subclass 189. Device wherein
the transfer mechanism includes a closed-loop band encircling
two or more pulleys mounted on a support that moves
to-and-fro between a first position where the bend extends
under the discharge end of the conveyor of successive sheets
and a second position where the band extends over the
receiver.
(1) Note. In using this device, each successive sheet is
placed by its conveyor onto the endless belt, the top run of
which moves toward the receiver. The movement of the belt
carrier toward the receiver thus moves the sheet at a speed
equivalent to belt speed plus carrier speed. When the sheet
is entirely over the receiver the carrier retracts at a
rearward speed effectively equal to the forward speed of the
belt, thus the net speed of the sheet is zero, and the sheet
falls into the receiver as its belt support retracts.
Subclass:
192
This subclass is indented under subclass 189. Device wherein
the transfer mechanism includes two means disposed to receive
one or more successive sheets and temporarily hold such sheet
(s) by contacting the two side borders of the sheet (s) that
extend in a direction parallel to the direction of travel
thereof, which means releases the sheet (s) so held by
turning one of the means in one rotational direction and
simultaneously turning the other of the means in the opposite
rotational direction.
(1) Note. For the purposes of this subclass oscillation
(i.e., to-and-fro partial rotation) of two opposite members
is equivalent to unidirectional rotation, provided that the
members oscillate in opposite directions simultaneously.
Subclass:
193
This subclass is indented under subclass 278. Device wherein
the removing means includes mechanism to generate static
electricity or lines of magnetic flux, which mechanism
cooperates with the removing means to facilitate delivery of
a succession of individual sheets to a receiver.
(1) Note. This subclass is for a device wherein an
endlessly orbiting belt conveys a succession of individual
sheets by frictional contact of the surface of the belt with
the surface of the sheets and magnetic or electrostatic
forces attract the sheets to the belt to increase the
frictional contact.
Subclass:
194
This subclass is indented under subclass 278. Device wherein
the removing means includes a gaseous fluid medium under
subatmospheric or above-atmospheric pressure.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
406, Conveyors: Fluid Current, appropriate subclasses for
conveying solid material or articles by means of a fluid
current. See the search notes under the class definition for
other classes having specialized fluid current conveying.
Subclass:
195
This subclass is indented under subclass 194. Device wherein
the removing means includes a gaseous fluid medium under
above-atmospheric pressure.
(1) Note. This subclass is for a device wherein pressurized
gas urges the sheet into close frictional contact with an
endlessly orbiting belt, or for a device wherein pressurized
gas strips the sheet from a suction-belt conveyor, or for a
device wherein pressurized gas is blown in a direction having
a component in the direction of movement of the sheet.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
97 for a sheet-feeding means using pressurized gas.
177 for a sheet-delivery means using an air blast to push
sheets broadside into a receiver.
211 for a sheet-delivery means wherein an air blast cushions
the dropping of a sheet into a receiver.
Subclass:
196
This subclass is indented under subclass 194. Device wherein
the removing means includes an element that turns continually
in the same direction, through the surface of which element
vacuum is applied to engage and deliver a sheet to a
receiver.
(1) Note. The shape of the suction member of this subclass
may vary. Included herein is a drum having apertures therein
or a wheel or chain having orbiting cups mounted thereon.
Common to all the devices is the presence of suction and the
movement in one direction of the suction member. See
subclass 197 below for a device having an apertured surface
comprising an endless belt.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
94 for similar structure used for feeding individual sheets
from a stack.
Subclass:
197
This subclass is indented under subclass 196. Device wherein
the surface is that of a closed-loop band which encircles two
or more pulleys and moves adjacent a vacuum box that connects
with a source of the vacuum that is applied to the surface of
the band.
Subclass:
198
This subclass is indented under subclass 278. Device wherein
the removing means includes a closed-loop belt or chain
unidirectionally orbiting about two or more pulleys or
sprockets.
Subclass:
199
This subclass is indented under subclass 198. Device
provided with means to detect the presence of a sheet moving
toward the receiving means, and further provided with means
to activate or deactivate the orbiting closed-loop belt or
chain.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
152 176 and 215, for a device wherein a feeler or senser is
associated with a feeding or delivering means indicated by
the title of the subclass, and see the Search Notes to
subclass 152 for feeding subclasses including feeler means.
Subclass:
200
This subclass is indented under subclass 198. Device wherein
that portion of the endless conveyor closest to the receiving
means may be displaced with relation to the receiving means.
(1) Note. This subclass is for a machine wherein the
operator thereof wishes to move a portion of the conveyor
aside for inspection or repair of the machine, or for removal
of the stack of delivered sheets. For a machine wherein the
delivery end of a conveyor moves, thus serving as a mechanism
to transfer the successive sheets to a receiver as well as
means to convey the sheets, see search notes below.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
175 190 and 191, for a machine wherein the delivery end of a
conveyor moves, thus serving as a mechanism to transfer the
successive sheets to a receiver as well as means to convey
the sheets, and see (1) Note above.
Subclass:
201
This subclass is indented under subclass 200. Device wherein
the endless conveyor delivers successive sheets into a stack
of sheets that grows in size of stack as a result of such
delivery, and provided with means to move the delivery end of
said conveyor in a direction that will permit and not
interfere with such growth.
Subclass:
202
This subclass is indented under subclass 198. Device
provided with one conveyor or a succession of conveyors for
removing a succession of sheets to a receiver, and further
provided with means to change the rate of movement of the
succession of sheets moving thereon.
(1) Note. This subclass is for a device wherein a
succession of conveyors is provided, a downstream conveyor
moving sheets at a speed different (usually slower) than an
upstream conveyor.
Subclass:
203
This subclass is indented under subclass 202. Device
provided with means whereby said conveyor or at least one of
the conveyors is caused to increase its speed and decrease
its speed in regular sequence.
(1) Note. This subclass is for a machine wherein the
cyclically vary-speed conveyor takes each of the succession
of sheets at a high speed corresponding to its speed through
the machine and slows each sheet as that sheet is adjacent
the receiver therefor.
Subclass:
204
This subclass is indented under subclass 198. Device
provided with means for frictionally engaging opposite
surfaces of each successive sheet adjacent at least one of
the margins thereof, said means being mounted on a
closed-loop belt or chain.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
82 for a similar suspension gripper mounted on a rotating
drum.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
198, Conveyors: Power-Driven, subclass 803.3 for a sheet
gripper, per se, or a sheet gripper mounted on a conveyor,
per se.
Subclass:
205
This subclass is indented under subclass 204. Device wherein
said means engage two of said margins of each successive
sheet, the engaged margins being those which extend in the
direction of movement of the sheets.
Subclass:
206
This subclass is indented under subclass 204. Device wherein
said means may be varied in operation, position or
condition.
Subclass:
207
This subclass is indented under subclass 278. Device
provided with means to hold the delivered sheets in a
stacked, (that is, regularly aligned) array.
Subclass:
208
This subclass is indented under subclass 207. Device
provided with means to remove, or permit the removal of, any
electrical charge that may have accumulated on the delivered
sheets prior to the stacking thereof.
Subclass:
209
This subclass is indented under subclass 207. Device
provided with means to cause the sheets to be curved into a
nonplanar condition.
(1) Note. The nonplanar condition may be imparted to the
entire pack within the receiver for the purpose of
facilitating alignment of the sheets or handling of the
pack.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
161 for a feeding pack holder provided with bowing means.
188 for means to bow sheets during delivery.
Subclass:
210
This subclass is indented under subclass 207. Device
provided with means to move the holder to-and-fro with a low
amplitude of movement but a high frequency of movement.
(1) Note. The vibrating receiver is used to jog or align
the sheets stacked in the receiver. For other means to jog
sheets within a receiver, see search notes below.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
146 for means to vibrate a holder from which sheets will be
fed.
221 for other means to jog sheets within a receiver, and see
(1) Note above.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
198, Conveyors: Power-Driven, subclass 521, 594+, 609, and
752 for a vibratory conveyor.
Subclass:
211
This subclass is indented under subclass 207. Device wherein
sheets are successively delivered onto the top of a stack of
delivered sheets, and wherein a layer of ambient atmosphere
is caused to form below the sheet last delivered and above
the top of the stack, which layer of air permits the last
delivered sheet to float down onto the top of the stack.
(1) Note. Exemplary of the manner in which the layer of air
is formed are: (1) air blast nozzles located above the stack
and directed upwardly, and (2) a wall confining the edges of
sheets at the top of the stack and extending to also confine
the edges of the sheet last delivered and the wall having
perforations that permit the controlled escape of air trapped
between the sheet last delivered and the top of the stack.
Subclass:
212
This subclass is indented under subclass 207. Device wherein
the sheets are delivered to the holder from a location
underneath the holder and the stack is formed by moving the
sheets upwardly into the holder.
(1) Note. The use of a packer to push the delivered sheet
up into the receiver is common. A patent that claims a
conveyor for moving successive sheets edgewise as well as a
packer to push the sheets broadside is properly placed into
the subclasses referenced in the search note below as an
original and properly cross-referenced into this subclass.
This subclass is for a patent wherein the claim is directed
to the means (whether by a packer or otherwise) for stacking
from below.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
177 for patents that claim a conveyor for moving successive
sheets edgewise as well as a packer to push the sheets
broadside, and see (1) Note above.
Subclass:
213
This subclass is indented under subclass 207. Device
provided with a platform or backing for holding a stack of
sheets, which backing extends in the length and width
dimension of a sheet and is contiguous with the sheet
adjacent thereto, and which backing is capable of being
moved, thereby moving or permitting movement of, the stack
held thereby.
(1) Note. This subclass provides for a movable support
including, for example, an endless conveyor, on which
conveyor a plurality of sheets is delivered to form a stack,
which conveyor is subsequently actuated to move the formed
stack. Temporary removal of one or more walls that serve to
confine the sheets during formation of the stack will not bar
a patent from original placement in this subclass. However,
further provision of structure other than the above-mentioned
conveyor, which other structure moves, or helps to move, the
stack as a stack will justify placement of a patent reciting
such other structure in class (198).
Subclass:
214
This subclass is indented under subclass 213. Device wherein
the movement of the backing is in a direction away from the
source of the delivered sheets.
Subclass:
215
This subclass is indented under subclass 214. Device
provided with means to detect growth in the accumulation of
the stack of sheets on or held by the platform or backing,
and further provided with means for causing movement of the
platform or backing away from the source of delivered sheets
as a result of such detection.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
152 176, and 199, for a device wherein a feeler or senser is
associated with a feeding or delivering device indicated by
the title of the subclass, and see the Search Notes to
subclass 152 for feeding subclasses including feeler means.
Subclass:
216
This subclass is indented under subclass 214. Device wherein
the direction of movement of the backing is simultaneously
parallel to the surface of the sheet adjacent thereto and
away from the delivered sheets, whereby the sheets are
arranged in overlapped array, the edge of a previously
delivered sheet lying beyond the edge of a next delivered
sheet.
(1) Note. Included in this subclass is a device wherein a
circular table rotates circumferentially as sheets are
deposited thereon as well as a device wherein an endless belt
conveyor moves about its carrying pulleys as sheets are
deposited thereon. In both instances the sheets are
imbricated on the conveyor, their margins exposed by an
amount equivalent to the amount of movement of the conveyor
surface during successive depositings of successive sheets.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
149 for a stack holder wherein sheets are arranged in
imbricated array for feeding therefrom.
Subclass:
217
This subclass is indented under subclass 213. Device wherein
the direction of movement of the backing or platform is
vertical and downward and such movement occurs in synchronism
with the delivery of sheets thereto, whereby the platform
recedes in relation to the growth of the stack of sheets
accumulating thereon.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
147 for a device having similar structure used for advancing
a pile to a sheet feeder, and see the Search Notes therein
for other pile advancer subclasses.
Subclass:
218
This subclass is indented under subclass 217. Device further
provided with at least one additional platform that is usable
for temporary accumulation of delivered sheets thereto.
(1) Note. In this subclass the stack lowering device
includes a temporary support to which the sheets are
delivered during the time necessary to remove a stack from
the main lowering platform and to replace the main lowering
platform into sheet receiving position. See search notes
below for a temporary support not related to a stack lowering
means.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
189 for a temporary support not related to a stack lowering
means, and see (1) Note above.
Subclass:
219
This subclass is indented under subclass 217. Device wherein
the platform is urged upwardly under the influence of a
yieldable member, whereby the weight of the growing stack of
sheets is resisted by the yieldable member.
Subclass:
220
This subclass is indented under subclass 207. Device
provided with means that confine the individual sheets to
cause them to be formed into a stack, or align the sheets
within a stack receiver, or direct the sheets into the
receiver, or ensure that the sheets will remain within the
receiver after being directed thereto, said means being
capable of movement.
(1) Note. In this subclass the device includes a movable
guide means or a movable sheet hold-down means.
Subclass:
221
This subclass is indented under subclass 220. Device further
provided with linkage powered from a source other than the
kinetic energy of the moving sheet itself, which linkage
effects periodic movement of the confining or aligning means
against peripheral portions of the delivered sheets.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
224 for a device wherein the kinetic energy of a moving
sheet displaces a movable energy-absorber, and the
replacement of the energy-absorber into its original position
tends to jog or align the sheet.
Subclass:
222
This subclass is indented under subclass 221. Device wherein
the linkage includes a resilient element, whereby one portion
of the linkage may move whereas another portion of the
linkage does not move.
Subclass:
223
This subclass is indented under subclass 220. Device wherein
the confining means may be moved to vary the dimensions
thereof to accommodate the length and width dimensions of the
sheets comprising the stack.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
144 and 171, for a sheet-feeding holder that is adjustable
to the size of the sheets therein.
Subclass:
224
This subclass is indented under subclass 223. Device wherein
the confining means is further movable under the influence of
the kinetic energy of the moving sheet delivered thereto,
thereby to absorb the energy of the sheet.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
221 for a sheet jogger powered from a source other than the
kinetic energy of the sheet itself.
Subclass:
225
This subclass is indented under subclass 8.1. Device wherein
the individual sheets move along a particular path or line of
movement and provided with means to cause the individual
sheets to move along a different path or line of movement.
Subclass:
226
This subclass is indented under subclass 8.1. Device
provided with means for positioning or locating a sheet with
respect to some part of the device or with respect to some
part of a mechanism that will operate on the sheet.
(1) Note. The term "positioning" 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 a 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.
(2) Note. Implicit in a device for the subclasses indented
herebelow is the concept of sheet movement along a direction
of sheet travel. The movement is caused by one or more
conveyors which move the successive sheets to an aligner and
move the sheets away from an aligner. The conveyor structure
is different from the aligner structure, except in the
following subclasses: 233, where a rear-edge aligner may
also serve to push a sheet by its rear-edge; and 242, where a
conveyor includes an aligner (usually for the front edge)
therewith.
(3) Note. For purpose of facilitating the definition of the
subclasses indented herebelow, the following discussion and
definition of terms used is herein presented. A "sheet" is a
thin, usually flexible object having length and width
dimensions. The boundary of these dimensions is the "edge"
of the sheet. The sheet is moved along a direction of
travel, and the term "side-edge" is applied to that edge
which is generally parallel to the direction of travel, while
the terms "front edge" and "rear edge" are applied to those
edges which are generally perpendicular to the direction of
travel, at the leading and trailing ends respectively. The
term "gripper-couple" is applied to a mechanism comprising
two elements having opposed surfaces, between which surfaces
a sheet is placed; whereby as the elements are urged toward
one another the sheet is firmly contacted by the surfaces so
that as the surfaces move together in any direction the sheet
will be moved correspondingly, until the elements are urged
apart to release sheet. The surface may be on the
peripheries of roller which rotate in opposite directions.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
13 15, and 17, for a side-edge aligner combined with a
conveyor as indicated in the title.
Subclass:
227
This subclass is indented under subclass 226. Device
provided with means to detect the presence of a sheet, or of
an index mark on said sheet, at a particular location of the
device, and further provided with means to activate the
sheet-positioning means as a result of such detection.
(1) Note. Included within the meaning of the term
"sheet-positioning means" is (a) an abutment against which a
sheet edge is stopped to align that edge, and (b) a conveyor
for moving the sheet so that its edge is aligned against the
abutment.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
258.01 265.01+, for a device responsive to a sheet senser to
perform its function.
Subclass:
228
This subclass is indented under subclass 227. Device wherein
the sheet-detecting means regulates the operation of a
gripper-couple to move the sheet into aligned position.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
226 see the (3) Note for the definition of the term
"gripper-couple".
268 and 277, for a device wherein a gripper-couple causes
sheet movement.
Subclass:
229
This subclass is indented under subclass 226. Device
provided with first means for slowing the speed of movement
of each sheet, which first means is in addition to a second
means for positioning or locating each sheet, the first means
acting before the second means.
Subclass:
230
This subclass is indented under subclass 229. Device wherein
the first means is an element that moves in the same
direction as that of the sheet to be retarded, but at a
slower speed.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
243 for a front-edge aligner that moves with the sheet and
may also serve to retard its movement.
Subclass:
231
This subclass is indented under subclass 230. Device wherein
the slowing is effected by a surface that contacts the sheet
surface frictionally, the frictionally contact being enhanced
by subatmospheric pressure urging the sheet toward the
surface.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
183 for a suction retarder in a sheet delivery device.
Subclass:
232
This subclass is indented under subclass 226. Device wherein
each sheet to be positioned includes a slit or opening in the
surface thereof, and the positioner includes an element that
penetrates the slit or opening.
Subclass:
233
This subclass is indented under subclass 226. Device wherein
the means for positioning sheets contacts the trailing end of
a travelling sheet.
(1) Note. This subclass is for a device having a member
that contacts the rear-edge of a sheet for the specifically
disclosed purpose of aligning that rear-edge. The structure
of the rear-edge contacting means may be similar to the
structure of the rear-edge pusher found in subclass 269 or
271 below, but the difference in placement of a patent to the
device is in the intent and function of the device. In this
subclass (233) the function is to align the sheet in accord
with its rear-edge; in the other subclasses (269 and 271) the
function is to transport the sheet by pushing its rear-edge.
Subclass:
234
This subclass is indented under subclass 226. Device
provided with more than one sheet-positioning means.
(1) Note. For the purposes of this and indented subclasses,
a plurality of elements is considered to be one means if all
the elements function in the same way at the same time.
Thus, two elements that contact the "front-edge"
simultaneously comprise one assemblage, but another two
elements that either contact the "side-edge" or contact the
"front-edge" at a different time comprise another
assemblage.
Subclass:
235
This subclass is indented under subclass 234. Device wherein
the sheet moves in a particular path or line of movement, the
movement being effected step-by-step due to the action of the
plural positioners which act one after another on the sheet.
Subclass:
236
This subclass is indented under subclass 234. Device wherein
at least one of the positioners contacts the "front-edge" of
the sheet and at least another of the positioners contacts a
"side-edge" of the sheet.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
226 see the (3) Note for the definition of the terms
"front-edge" and "side-edge".
Subclass:
237
This subclass is indented under subclass 236. Device wherein
the sheets to be positioned are arranged in overlapped
condition.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
151 for a device for advancing a pile of imbricated sheets.
Subclass:
238
This subclass is indented under subclass 236. Device wherein
one of the "side-edge" positioners is adjacent one
"side-edge" of the sheet and another of the "side-edge"
positioners is adjacent an edge on the other side of the
sheet, whereby the sheet is caused to travel between the two
"side-edge" positioners.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
226 see the (3) Note for the definition of the term
"side-edge".
240 for a device comprising opposite side-edge aligners.
Subclass:
239
This subclass is indented under subclass 234. Device wherein
the operator of the device may use any of the plural
positioners at will.
Subclass:
240
This subclass is indented under subclass 234. Device ...
wherein one of the positioners is adjacent one "side-edge" of
the sheet and another of the positioners is adjacent and edge
on the other side of the sheet, whereby the sheet is caused
to travel between the two positioners.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
226 see the (3) Note for the definition of the term
"side-edge".
238 for device comprising a "front-edge" aligner and
opposite "side-edge" aligners.
Subclass:
241
This subclass is indented under subclass 226. Device
provided with first means to which the sheet is firmly
secured and by which the sheet is carried; and further
provided with means for positioning said first means, whereby
the sheet carried thereby will also be positioned.
(1) Note. In this subclass the sheet-holder usually
comprises a gripper-couple assemblage (for the definition of
which, see (3) Note of subclass 226), but the sheet-holder of
this subclass may also include a suction plate to which the
sheet may be held by vacuum.
(2) Note. See (1) Note of subclass 242 for the difference
between the subject matter of this subclass (241) and
subclass 242.
Subclass:
242
This subclass is indented under subclass 226. Device wherein
the means for positioning sheets is integral with a means for
moving individual sheets, and wherein the sheet-moving means
is halted during the time the sheet is positioned relative
thereto.
(1) Note. In this subclass the sheet conveyor usually
comprises a gripper-couple assemblage (for the definition of
which see (3) Note of subclass 226), which is similar to the
device of subclass 241. The difference between the two
subclasses is that in this subclass the sheet is aligned
against a temporarily-stopped conveyor which may comprise a
gripper, whereas in subclass 241 the sheet is gripped by a
conveyor member, which conveyor member may be stopped so that
the member, and the sheet carried thereby, will be aligned.
Subclass:
243
This subclass is indented under subclass 226. Device wherein
the individual sheets are transported along a particular
path, and provided with a sheet positioner for the
"front-edge" of a sheet, which positioner is shifted along
the same path as the sheet.
(1) Note. This subclass is for a device wherein the same
instrumentality performs two functions, that is, the
"front-edge" aligner travels with the sheet but at a speed
slower than that of the conveyor for the sheet; thus the
aligner both retards the sheet speed and aligns the
"front-edge" of the sheet. For a device wherein one device is
used to retard sheet speed and another device is used to
align the "front-edge" thereof, see search notes below.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
226 see the (3) Note for the definition of the term
"front-edge".
230 for a device wherein one device is used to retard sheet
speed and another device is used to align the "front-edge"
thereof, and see (1) Note above.
Subclass:
244
This subclass is indented under subclass 243. Device wherein
at least part of the shifting movement of the positioner is
along the same path of movement as the sheet movement but in
a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the
sheet.
Subclass:
245
This subclass is indented under subclass 226. Device wherein
the individual sheets are transported along a particular
direction of travel, and provided with a sheet positioner for
the "front-edge" of a sheet, which positioner is moved so as
to intersect the direction of sheet travel and intercept the
travel of the sheet momentarily.
Subclass:
246
This subclass is indented under subclass 245. Device wherein
the sheet-transporting means includes a gripper-couple that
operates at recurrent intervals and in timed relation to the
operation of the "front-edge" positioner.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
226 see the (3) Note for the definition of the term
"gripper-couple".
Subclass:
247
This subclass is indented under subclass 246. Device wherein
the gripper-couple contacts an area of the sheet adjacent an
edge thereof.
Subclass:
248
This subclass is indented under subclass 226. Device wherein
the positioning means includes a guide surface that is
intended to contact one of the "side-edges" of a traveling
sheet, which guide surface is generally parallel to the
direction of movement of the sheet.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
226 see the (3) Note for the definition of the term "side
edge".
Subclass:
249
This subclass is indented under subclass 248. Device
provided with both a positioning means and a gripper-couple
mechanism that move together with a relatively small degree
of movement, the direction of movement being transverse to
the direction of sheet movement.
(1) Note. In the device of this subclass, an open
sheet-gripper, together with the aligner, move toward a
sheet, the side edge of which is contacted by the aligner,
after which action the sheet- gripper closes and the
mechanism returns to a position at which the sheet is
aligned, at which point the sheet- gripper is opened to
release the aligned sheet and the sequence is repeated on a
next sheet. Compare this with the device of subclass 252.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
226 see the (3) Note for the definition of the term
"gripper-couple".
252 see (1) Note above.
Subclass:
250
This subclass is indented under subclass 248. Device
provided with means for imparting to the sheets an additional
movement (i.e., additional to the direction of sheet travel),
which additional movement is in a direction transverse to the
direction of sheet travel and toward the positioning means
and is a relatively small degree of sheet movement.
Subclass:
251
This subclass is indented under subclass 250. Device
provided with a sheet moving means that moves successive
sheets along a resultant direction that is composed of a
large vector direction along the direction of sheet travel
and a small vector direction transverse to said direction of
sheet travel toward the side-edge positioner.
(1) Note. It is clear that the sheet will at first move in
a direction at an acute angle to the side aligner, and after
contact of the side edge with the aligner, the sheet will
then move parallel to the side aligner.
Subclass:
252
This subclass is indented under subclass 250. Device wherein
the means to impart additional movement to the sheets
comprises a gripper-couple mechanism that moves transverse to
the direction of sheet travel.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
226 see the (3) Note for the definition of the term
"gripper-couple".
Subclass:
253
This subclass is indented under subclass 226. Device
provided with means to vary the placement of the positioning
means with respect to the device.
Subclass:
254
This subclass is indented under subclass 253. Device wherein
the placement of the positioning means may be varied while
the sheet feeder continues to operate.
(1) Note. For proper original placement of a patent into
this subclass, the specification of the patent should clearly
disclose continued operation of the sheet feeder or the sheet
operating device during the act of adjusting the aligning
means.
Subclass:
255
This subclass is indented under subclass 253. Device further
provided with means to show, by visible index markings, the
relationship between the positioning means and the structure
of the sheet feeder.
Subclass:
256
This subclass is indented under subclass 8.1. Device
provided with means to discontinue, suspend or alter the
normal flow or travel of sheets from a stack to an operation
station.
(1) Note. A distinction should be made between the
temporary stopping of a sheet during the period of time
necessary to align that sheet, (which temporary stopping is
found in the patents of subclasses 226+, as appropriate) and
the stopping of the normal travel of a succession of sheets
(which latter stopping is found in the patents of this and
indented subclasses).
(2) Note. This subclass is for a device wherein a condition
of the device itself, or a machine associated with the device
is sensed, and feed is interrupted in response thereto.
Subclass:
257
This subclass is indented under subclass 256. Device wherein
the interruption of feeding is the direct result of a willful
act of an operative.
(1) Note. This subclass is for a device wherein it is
desired to change from a condition during which sheet feed
occurs during every cycle of operation of the feeder, to a
condition during which sheet feed occurs only during every
second (or every third or fourth) cycle of operation of the
feeder. The feed is interrupted during the "non-feed" cycles
at the will of an operative. This subclass is also for a
device wherein it is desired to manually override the
interrupted feed so as to operate the feeder for the purpose
of clearing any jammed or excess sheets.
Subclass:
258.01
Responsive to sheet sensor:
This subclass is indented under subclass 256. Subject matter
wherein the feeding interrupting means includes a device for
detecting the absence of the sheets or presence of a
particular condition of the sheets adjacent to the feeding
interrupting means and in response thereto discontinue,
suspend or alter the normal flow or travel of the sheet from
the stack to the operation station.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
3.13 for a sheet feeding and delivering having a sheet
sensor.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
192, Clutches and Power-Stop Control, 126 for a clutch
controlled by a sheet detector.
221, Article Dispensing, 13 for an automatic control of a
discharge assistant operation in response to the depletion of
supply.
235, Registers, 375 for various systems controlled by the
data bearing records.
902, Electronic Funds Transfer, subclass 16 for a cash
dispenser sensitive to an erroneous passage of plural bills.
Subclass:
258.02
Interrupts feeding upstream only:
This subclass is indented under subclass 258.01. Subject
matter wherein the detecting device in response to a
particular condition detected discontinue, suspend, or alter
the normal flow or travel of the sheet from the stack to the
operation station only at a location ahead of the location of
the detecting device.
Subclass:
258.03
Single sensor with timer:
This subclass is indented under subclass 258.01. Subject
matter in combination with a timer wherein the timer is
actuated by the detecting device.
Subclass:
258.04
Sensor operates warning indicator:
This subclass is indented under subclass 258.01. Subject
matter comprising a means for producing a humanly perceptible
signal in response to the sensing of malfunction by the
detecting means.
Subclass:
258.05
Mechanical linkage:
This subclass is indented under subclass 258.01. Subject
matter wherein the sheet sensor is a mechanically driven
device and comprising a means for driving the sheet sensor
and the feeding means in a timed relationship with each
other.
(1) Note. An electrically powered sensor is excluded from
this subclass.
Subclass:
259
This subclass is indented under subclass 258. Device
provided with two or more of said detecting means.
(1) Note. This subclass is for a device wherein a plurality
of sensers are located longitudinally along the direction of
travel of successive sheets and detect a condition of jamming
or a condition of rate of travel of the successive sheets as
the successive sensers are activated.
Subclass:
260
This subclass is indented under subclass 259. Device wherein
the detecting means utilize air pressure or suction in their
activating circuitry.
(1) Note. This subclass is for a device wherein two sensers
are opposed to each other, and are located so that a
succession of sheets pass between the sensers with the
surfaces of the sheets adjacent to the sensers. Air, usually
suction, applied to the sensers will detect the presence of a
single passing sheet by activating one senser, but will
detect the presence of superposed (i.e., doubled) sheets by
activating both sensers.
Subclass:
261
This subclass is indented under subclass 259. Device wherein
the detecting means are located across the direction of
travel of the sheets.
(1) Note. This subclass is for a device wherein a
succession of rectangular sheets are travelling along a
direction perpendicular to their front or leading edges. If
the front edge is inclined to that direction rather than
perpendicular thereto, one corner of the front edge will pass
one of the detectors before the other corner passes a
respectively located detector, and this will activate the
feed-interrupter so that misalignment can be corrected. This
operation is distinguishable from front alignment provided
for in another subclass (see search note below).
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
226 providing for front alignment of sheets, and see (1)
Note above.
Subclass:
262
This subclass is indented under subclass 258. Device wherein
the detecting means detects the presence of two or more
sheets, or detects a sheet that is thicker than that for
which the detector is adjusted.
(1) Note. This subclass is for a device wherein the flow of
unwanted (due to double thickness) sheets is diverted to
another path, as well as a device wherein the flow is
stopped.
Subclass:
263
This subclass is indented under subclass 262. Device wherein
the detecting means is included in a system of wiring that
carries a flow of electricity, and wherein said detecting
means regulates said flow to activate the sheet-interrupter.
Subclass:
264
This subclass is indented under subclass 8.1. Device
provided with means for moving individual sheets to a
particular position.
(1) Note. See the glossary entry for "conveyor" in the
Class Definition wherein the difference between a "conveyor"
of this class (271) and a conveyor of other classes is
discussed. It should be emphasized that in a typical patent
for this class (271) and this group of subclasses (264+) the
total disclosure of the patent and the environment in which
the device is to be used is of importance in proper placement
of the patent. Thus, although a typical claim of a patent in
this and indented subclasses may recite only a conveyor
structure, it is clear from the patent that the conveyor is
feeding a sheet to an operation that will change the
characteristics of the sheet, or is feeding a sheet that
originated from a stack of sheets, or both. In other words,
the device does more than move an article from one location
to another.
Subclass:
265.01
Responsive to sheet sensor:
This subclass is indented under subclass 264. Subject matter
comprising a device which detects the presence or absence of
the sheet at a designated location or a sheet thickness and
in response thereto continue moving the individual sheet
toward a desired location.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
3.13 110+, 227+, and 258.01+, for other detector means.
Subclass:
265.02
Plural sensors:
This subclass is indented under subclass 265.01. Subject
matter including two or more detecting devices.
Subclass:
265.03
Laterally spaced sensors:
This subclass is indented under subclass 265.02. Subject
matter wherein the detecting devices are located at different
locations at a distance from each other and along the
direction of travel of the sheet.
(1) Note. This subclass is for a device wherein a succession
of sheets are travelling along a direction perpendicular to
their front or leading edges and the detecting means are
located across from the line of travel of the sheets.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
226 for a feeding with means to align a sheet.
Subclass:
265.04
Thickness sensor:
This subclass is indented under subclass 265.01. Subject
matter wherein the detecting device detects combined
thickness of two or more sheet layers or detects depth of the
individual sheet.
Subclass:
266
This subclass is indented under subclass 264. Device wherein
the conveyor causes the sheet to move intermittently or
step-by-step.
(1) Note. This subclass is for a feeder wherein a
particular sheet is to be moved through an operating station
whereat a plurality of operations is to be performed on the
same sheet, but each operation will be performed at a
different location on that sheet. The feeder moves the sheet
through the machine in successive steps.
Subclass:
267
This subclass is indented under subclass 264. Device wherein
the sheet-moving means comprises mechanism that itself moves
to and fro but imparts movement to the sheet in only one
direction.
(1) Note. The to-and-fro movement can be arcuate
oscillation or rectilinear reciprocation.
Subclass:
268
This subclass is indented under subclass 267. Device wherein
the sheet-moving means comprises a gripper-couple that
contacts an area of the sheet adjacent an edge thereof.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
226 see the (3) Note for the definition of the term
"gripper-couple".
Subclass:
269
This subclass is indented under subclass 267. Device wherein
the sheet-moving means comprises a member that contacts the
trailing end of the travelling sheet.
(1) Note. For the difference between this subclass (269)
and subclass 233, see (1) Note of subclass 233.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
233 and 271, for a device including a rear-edge pusher, and
see (1) Note above.
Subclass:
270
This subclass is indented under subclass 264. Device
provided with means to adjust parts of the sheet-moving means
relative to each other or their supporting mechanism, or
provided with means to change the speed of movement of the
sheet moved thereby, or provided with means to cyclicly
change the speed of movement of the sheet-moving means (i.e.,
change from fast to slow repetitively).
Subclass:
271
This subclass is indented under subclass 264. Device wherein
the sheet-moving means comprises a member that contacts the
trailing end of the travelling sheet.
(1) Note. For the difference between this subclass (271)
and subclass 233, see (1) Note of subclass 233.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
233 and 269, for a device including a rear-edge pusher, and
see (1) Note above.
Subclass:
272
This subclass is indented under subclass 264. Device wherein
the sheet-moving means comprises two elements, each of which
elements has an endless, orbitally-moving surface, 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 a sheet lying therebetween
during said portion of movement.
(1) Note. The element may be an endless belt cooperating
with another endless belt, a rotating roller cooperating with
another rotating roller or an 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 cooperate to move the sheet.
Subclass:
273
This subclass is indented under subclass 272. Device
provided with structure whereby the two elements may be moved
away from one another.
(1) Note. This subclass provides for a feeder wherein one
part of the conveyor couple may be separated from the other
part to remove sheets that may have become jammed between the
parts.
Subclass:
274
This subclass is indented under subclass 273. Device wherein
the two elements are normally biased toward one another by
yieldable means and the movement away from one another is
resisted by the yieldable means.
Subclass:
275
This subclass is indented under subclass 264. Device wherein
the sheet-moving means comprises a circumferential surface of
a rotating or endlessly-orbiting member, the conveyed sheet
being entirely in contact with said surface.
Subclass:
276
This subclass is indented under subclass 275. Device wherein
the contact between the sheet and the conveyor surface is
caused by vacuum means or air pressure means.
Subclass:
277
This subclass is indented under subclass 275. Device
provided with 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 as the elements are moved by the drum or endless belt
or chain on which the elements are mounted.
Subclass:
278
DELIVERING:
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus wherein means are provided limited to removing or
conveying individual sheets from a work station to a
receiver, stack, or some determined position.
Subclass:
279
Multiple discharge:
This subclass is indented under subclass 278. Apparatus
having means to deliver the sheets to a plurality of
receivers.
Subclass:
280
For separating sheet from moving assemblage of sheets:
This subclass is indented under subclass 279. Apparatus
wherein the sheets to be delivered comprise a set of two or
more sheets that are being conveyed toward two or more
receivers, the apparatus being provided with means for
disassociating one of said sheets from one or more other
sheets and for concurrently delivering said one sheet to one
receiver and the one or more other sheets to one or more
other receivers.
(1) Note. This subclass and the indented subclasses are for
a device wherein a "master" or "original" sheet has been
superimposed onto a "copy" sheet and the so-formed set passed
through a photocopying machine. After processing, the moving
assemblage or set of superimposed sheets is separated, the
"master" being delivered to one location and the "copy" being
delivered to another location. The characteristics of this
operation that distinguish it from feeding separators of this
class, subclass 8 are that in this and the indented
subclasses (a) the set is moving in a direction parallel to
the surfaces of the sheets and (b) two receivers are provided
for the two parts of the set.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
8.1 for a device for feeding sheets from a stack of sheets.
Subclass:
281
By separating member moving in direction opposite of
assemblage:
This subclass is indented under subclass 280. Apparatus
wherein the means for disassociating includes a member which
moves in a direction counter to the direction in which the
assemblage is being conveyed to effect relative movement
between the sheet and the remainder of the assemblage.
Subclass:
282
By sheet attracting means:
This subclass is indented under subclass 280. Apparatus
wherein the means for disassociating includes means capable
of drawing toward itself one or more of the sheets, e.g., by
magnetism, suction, etc.
Subclass:
283
Pneumatic attracting means:
This subclass is indented under subclass 282. Apparatus
wherein the attracting means includes pneumatic means for
causing the attraction.
Subclass:
284
Opposed pneumatic attracting means:
This subclass is indented under subclass 283. Apparatus
wherein oppositely located pneumatic attracting means are
provided to act on opposite sides of the assemblage.
Subclass:
285
With leading edges of sheets offset:
This subclass is indented under subclass 280. Apparatus in
which the assemblage is conveyed to disassociating means with
the leading edge of one sheet in advance of the leading edge
of another sheet.
Subclass:
286
With means to cause offset:
This subclass is indented under subclass 285. Apparatus in
which means are provided to create the offset relation of the
leading edges.
Subclass:
287
Of successive sheets to plural receivers in succession:
This subclass is indented under subclass 279. Apparatus
wherein the sheets to be delivered comprise a sequence of two
or more sheets that are being conveyed one after the other
toward two or more receivers, the apparatus being provided
with means for diverting a first of said sheets into a first
receiver, a second of said sheets into a second receiver, the
sequence continuing until a sheet is diverted into the last
receiver whereupon the next sheet is diverted into the first
receiver and the operation is repeated.
(1) Note. A machine for this subclass and the indented
subclasses differs from a machine for Class 270, subclasses
58.01+ in that this and the indented subclasses provide for
the stacking into plural receivers of sheets from a single or
an undetermined source, whereas Class 270, subclasses 58.01+
provides for the stacking into plural receivers of sheets
from a plurality of source stacks, the sheets of which are to
be collated into a plurality of finished stacks. See the
search class notes in the class definition of Class 271 for
further discussion. In this and the indented subclasses will
also be found a machine which is programmed so that one or
more of the receivers is "skipped" to form special stacks.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
209, Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids, the
appropriate subclasses for a machine wherein sheets are
assorted into plural receivers in accordance with
characteristics of the respective sheets.
270, Sheet-Material Associating, 58.01, and see (1) Note
above.
Subclass:
288
With control means to vary mode of operation:
This subclass is indented under subclass 287. Apparatus
having means to alter the normal sequence of delivery.
(1) Note. Programming means to skip one or more receivers
or means to deliver all sheets to a single receiver until the
receiver is filled, or to deliver all sheets or sheets in
excess of capacity of the receivers to an additional receiver
are included here.
Subclass:
289
To bypass array of receivers:
This subclass is indented under subclass 288. Apparatus
wherein the control means causes the sheets to be delivered
to a location other than the receivers involved in the normal
sequence of delivery.
Subclass:
290
To route sheets to subsequent array of receivers:
This subclass is indented under subclass 289. Apparatus
wherein the other location is an additional group of
receivers into which these sheets are successively
delivered.
Subclass:
291
With selective actuation of means for inverting duplex
sheets:
This subclass is indented under subclass 287. Apparatus
including means to selectively deliver sheets having copy on
both sides thereof in oppositely faced relation to that of
sheets having copy on single sides thereof.
Subclass:
292
With movable receivers or receiver portions:
This subclass is indented under subclass 287. Apparatus in
which at least a part of each receiver is movable, e.g.,
relative to another receiver part, the delivery location,
etc.
Subclass:
293
With means to increase spacing between receiver defining
portions:
This subclass is indented under subclass 292. Apparatus in
which the means defining the boundaries of each receiver are
relatively movable to increase the dimension of the entrance
thereto.
Subclass:
294
Receivers moving into registry with delivery zone:
This subclass is indented under subclass 292. Apparatus in
which the entrance of each receiver is successively moved
into alignment with a stationary exit of the means delivering
the sheets.
Subclass:
295
Receivers arranged in rotary array:
This subclass is indented under subclass 294. Apparatus in
which the receivers are arranged in an array rotatable about
an axis to align each receiver entrance with the delivering
means exit.
Subclass:
296
By diverter or conveyor moving past receivers:
This subclass is indented under subclass 287. Apparatus in
which the means delivering the sheets or a means for
deflecting the sheets from the conveyor is successively moved
into alignment with the entrance to each receiver.
Subclass:
297
By individual diverter for each receiver:
This subclass is indented under subclass 287. Apparatus in
which an individual deflector is located adjacent the
entrance to each receiver to direct conveyed sheets into that
receiver.
Subclass:
298
With means to program discharge destination:
This subclass is indented under subclass 279. Apparatus
wherein a means is provided by which an operator can feed
precoded instructions into the machine to select the delivery
sequence or discharge destination.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
209, Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids, the
appropriate subclasses for a machine wherein sheets are
assorted into plural receivers in accordance with
characteristics of the respective sheets.
Subclass:
299
To laterally spaced receivers:
This subclass is indented under subclass 279. Apparatus in
which sheets are delivered to side-by-side receivers.
Subclass:
300
By release from conveyor at plural locations:
This subclass is indented under subclass 279. Apparatus in
which a means to convey the sheets has a means to temporarily
hold the sheets and then selectively discharges the sheets at
one of the plurality of receivers.
Subclass:
301
Selectively to recirculating path or exit:
This subclass is indented under subclass 279. Apparatus in
which an endless loop conveying path is provided and in which
a selectively operable means is provided which in one
condition maintains the sheet in the endless loop and in
another condition causes the sheets to exit the loop.
Subclass:
302
By conveyor section movable to direct sheets along alternate
paths:
This subclass is indented under subclass 279. Apparatus
wherein the sheet delivering means is a conveyor that can be
shifted or has a portion that can be shifted to divert the
sheet into the receiver.
Subclass:
303
With movable diverter:
This subclass is indented under subclass 279. Apparatus
having movable means to deflect a sheet from a conveying path
to a receiver or receivers.
Subclass:
304
Bidirectionally rotating diverter roller:
This subclass is indented under subclass 303. Apparatus in
which the diverter is a revolving wheellike member which can
selectively revolve in opposing directions depending upon the
desired destination of the sheet.
Subclass:
305
Individual diverter for each receiver:
This subclass is indented under subclass 303. Apparatus
wherein a separate diverter is located adjacent the entrance
to each receiver to direct conveyed sheets into that
receiver.
Subclass:
306
With transfer means between conveyor and receiver:
This subclass is indented under subclass 278. Apparatus
provided with means additional to the removing means and a
receiving means, which additional means (i.e., transfer
mechanism) is located adjacent a receiving means and which
additional means facilitates or effects the passage of
individual sheets from said removing means to said receiving
means.
(1) Note. In this and the indented subclasses the delivery
means includes a conveyor for merely moving a succession of
individual sheets (usually in a direction parallel to their
surfaces) from an operating station, and a receiver wherein
the individual sheets are stacked (usually in
surface-to-surface contact). The additional transfer
mechanisms of these subclasses do more than merely convey the
sheets in one direction. It is a positively acting mechanism
that effects a change in position, orientation, speed, or
other condition of the sheets just prior to the receipt of
such sheets by the receiver.
Subclass:
307
Means to strip sheets from engagement with moving conveyor:
This subclass is indented under subclass 306. Apparatus in
which the removing means comprises a moving conveyor and in
which the transfer means includes means to separate sheets
from engagement with the conveyor.
(1) Note. The strippers herein are to be distinguished from
mere release means provided as an adjunct to the conveyor to
terminate the conveying effect, e.g., cams for opening
grippers of a gripper conveyor, means for terminating
operation of a suction box for a suction conveyor, etc., and
from the guide means commonly provided to guide an already
released sheet from the conveyor to the receiving means.
Subclass:
308
Stripper cyclically movable between stripping and
nonstripping position:
This subclass is indented under subclass 307. Apparatus in
which the stripping means is cyclically movable, either in
response to the need for removing a sheet or as a result of
the stripping operation, between a position in which it is
operative to separate a sheet from the conveyor and a
position at which it would be incapable of initiating
separation of a sheet.
Subclass:
309
By air blast:
This subclass is indented under subclass 307. Apparatus in
which the means for stripping the sheet from the conveyor
includes means for applying a pneumatic discharge to the
sheet.
Subclass:
310
By means to attract sheet from conveyor:
This subclass is indented under subclass 307. Apparatus
wherein the means for separating the sheet from the conveyor
includes means capable of drawing the sheet toward itself,
e.g., by suction, electrical attraction, etc.
Subclass:
311
Stripper normally in contact with conveyor surface:
This subclass is indented under subclass 307. Apparatus
wherein the means for separating is retained in touching
relation with the surface of the conveyor.
Subclass:
312
Stripper normally in spaced relation to conveyor surface:
This subclass is indented under subclass 307. Apparatus
wherein the means for separating is normally retained in a
position away from the conveyor surface even during the
separating operation.
(1) Note. The spacing can be provided at the side of the
conveyor or even below the conveyor surface as long as there
is no contact between the stripper and the conveyor surface.
Subclass:
313
With means to maintain constant spacing of movable stripper:
This subclass is indented under subclass 312. Apparatus in
which the stripper is mounted for movement toward and away
from the conveyor surface during normal operation of the
conveyor and in which means are provided to maintain a
predetermined spacing between the stripper and the conveyor.
(1) Note. This device is to be distinguished from an
adjustable separator which is locked in a predetermined
position at a nominal spacing from the conveyor.
Subclass:
314
Rotary conveyor:
This subclass is indented under subclass 278. Apparatus in
which the removing means includes means traveling in the arc
of a circle for delivering the sheets.
Subclass:
315
With circumferential pocket members:
This subclass is indented under subclass 314. Apparatus in
which the means moving in the arc of a circle includes one or
more receptacles for the temporary holding of successive
sheets, each receptacle lying in or adjacent to a peripheral
portion of the means moving in the arc of a circle.
CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS
Subclass:
900
STRIPPER:
Device which separate a sheet from a moving conveyor.
Subclass:
901
MAGNETIC OPERATION:
Device which handle sheet material and which use a magnetic
force in their operation.
Subclass:
902
REVERSE DIRECTION OF SHEET MOVEMENT:
Device which change the direction of sheet movement so that
the leading edge of the sheet becomes the trailing edge of
the sheet.
Subclass:
903
TRAVELING WICKET (FOR STACK ON EDGE):
Device which convey sheets by means of rotating or orbiting
racks that support the stack on edge.
Information Products Division -- Contacts
Questions regarding this report should be directed to:
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Information Products Division
PK3- Suite 441
Washington, DC 20231
tel: (703) 306-2600
FAX: (703) 306-2737
email: oeip@uspto.gov
Last Modified: 6 October 2000