Abstract: A layboy conveyor includes a first end and a second end and an upper conveyor having a top and a bottom and a first end and a second end and a lower conveyor having a top and a bottom and a first end and a second end. The lower conveyor top is disposed adjacent to the upper conveyor bottom and defines with the upper conveyor bottom a transport path configured to transport a sheet of material in a direction from the first end of the layboy conveyor to the second end of the layboy conveyor. A drive is operably connected to the upper conveyor and to the lower conveyor, and the drive is configured to drive the upper conveyor bottom and the lower conveyor top in the direction. A length of the lower conveyor top is adjustable.

Abstract: A sheet stacking system for transporting sheets and depositing them in a stack includes a layboy, a transport conveyor downstream of the layboy, and a main conveyor downstream of the transport conveyor, the main conveyor having a frame and being supported by a conveyor support, a discharge end of the main conveyor being movable between a lowered position and a raised position relative to the conveyor support. The main conveyor intake end is configured to move from a first position when the main conveyor discharge end is in the lowered position to a second position when the main conveyor discharge end is in the raised position, and also a variable length conveyor between the transport conveyor and the main conveyor, the variable length conveyor having a discharge end connected to and movable with the main conveyor intake end and movable relative to the transport conveyor discharge end.

Abstract: A conveyor includes a frame having first and second spaced frame elements having outer sides and facing inner sides, first and second drive rollers between the first and second frame elements, a flexible belt mounted on the first and second drive rollers, first and second drive wheels connected to the first and second drive rollers, and a drive operably connected to the first and second drive wheels and configured to drive the belt in a first direction and in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A conveyor includes a frame having first and second spaced frame elements, first and second drive rollers between the frame elements, and a flexible belt mounted between the first and second drive rollers that has a load bearing portion and a return portion, the return portion extending between the first and second frame elements. The conveyor has a first end portion including the first drive roller, a second end portion including the second drive roller and a central portion including a midpoint between the first drive roller and the second drive roller, and the central portion of the conveyor includes a lift-table receiving space between the first drive roller and the second drive roller and between the first frame element and the second frame element, and the return portion of the belt extends between the load bearing portion and the lift-table-receiving space.

Abstract: A stacking apparatus includes a base, a main conveyor pivotably supported on the base that is pivotable between a first, lowered, position and a second, raised, position, an accumulator section downstream of a discharge end of the main conveyor for receiving articles from the main conveyor, where the accumulator section includes a support for supporting a stack of items fed to the accumulator section by the main conveyor. Also, at least one optical sensor detecting the presence of an object in the main conveyor travel path and at least one controller operatively connected to the main conveyor and the optical sensor, the at least one controller receiving signals from the optical sensor and controlling the main conveyor based on the signals and on the direction of movement of the main conveyor.

Abstract: A rotary die cut stacking system for use with a rotary die cutter having a rotary die configured to output die-cut sheets of material, the system including a stacker and a layboy for carrying die-cut sheets of material in a first direction from the die cutter to the stacker, wherein, the layboy has upper arms and lower arms defining a nip region therebetween for receiving the die-cut sheets, at least some of the upper arms and at least some of the lower arms being moveable transversely to the first direction, the layboy including at least one optical beam generator configured to direct an optical beam against a portion of the rotary die cutter so that a position of the arms relative to the rotary die can be determined based on the location of the optical beam on the portion of the rotary die cutter.

Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus includes a conveyor support, a main conveyor connected to the conveyor support and having a discharge end movable between a lowered position and a raised position, a transfer conveyor having a intake end roller support holding the intake end roller in a fixed relationship with respect to the conveyor support and a discharge end roller connected to a main conveyor intake end roller, at least one idler roller, and at least one belt supported by the transfer conveyor intake end roller and the transfer conveyor discharge end roller and passing over the at least one idler roller, the main conveyor discharge end being movable between a lowered position and a raised position, and wherein the transfer conveyor discharge end roller is shifted away from the transfer conveyor intake end roller by the main conveyor discharge end moving from the lowered position to the raised position.

Abstract: A sheet stacking device includes a support frame, a conveyor and an accumulator at a discharge end of the conveyor, the accumulator having a plurality of elongate fingers, at least one of which includes a rack having teeth along a first side, a rotatable drive shaft extending in a width direction of the conveyor, a gear having teeth mounted on the drive shaft and operatively engaging the rack teeth, and a rotary actuator operably connected to the drive shaft, the rotary actuator rotating said drive shaft in a first and second directions to move an end of the elongate fingers toward and away from the conveyor discharge end of the conveyor. Also a method of operating the device.

Abstract: A device for stacking sheets includes a layboy, a transfer conveyor, a main conveyor, a diverting apparatus, and an accumulator. The main conveyor is pivotably mounted to a base to that it may be pivoted between an upper position and a lower position. The diverting apparatus has a plurality of diverting slats pivotably mounted to a support shaft so that the slats may be raised and lowered. When the main conveyor is in the upper position, the diverting slats are not activated, that is, they are not raised. Accordingly, when sheets are transferred along and discharged from the main conveyor, the trajectory of the sheets is basically the same as the angle of the conveyor. In contrast, when the main conveyor is in a lower position, the slats are raised. Accordingly, discharged sheets are diverted so that the trajectory of the sheets is different than the angle of the conveyor. The slats may be placed at any chosen angle.