Abstract: A diverting system is proposed for diverting boxes from normal production flow. One embodiment comprises a diverter with a diverter surface, a diverter cam in contact with the diverter, a diverter cam shaft connected to the top diverter cam such that rotation of the diverter cam shaft causes rotation of the diverter cam, and an electric motor connected to the diverter cam shaft and configured to rotate the diverter cam shaft. The diverter cam is configured to control position of the diverter as the diverter cam rotates such that rotation of the diverter cam causes the diverter surface to move from a position above normal production flow to a diverting position within the normal production flow.

Abstract: Scrap Scraper technology is an improved Scrap Separation means for separating Loose Scrap from Boxes within a Layboy with minimal, if any, increase in possible Flap bending. A Distinct Intersection Of Action avoids problems inherent in other prior art. A shallow Scraper Funnel while maintaining a steep Scraper Angle Of Action allows effective Scrap Scraping while avoiding Flap bending. The Flexible Scraper results in Active Scrap Ejection of the Loose Scrap from the upper side of the Box down below the Board Line. Means providing the Scrap Scraper Variable Board Line Penetration and Variable Scraper Stiffness allow effective Scrap removal over a wide range of Boxes. Positioning the Scrap Scraper over a Scrap Exit Opening allows the removed Scrap to exit the Board Line area. Scrap shingling provides for subsequent boxes to push down scrap from a current box.

Abstract: A diverting system is proposed for diverting boxes from normal production flow. One embodiment comprises a diverter with a diverter surface, a diverter cam in contact with the diverter, a diverter cam shaft connected to the top diverter cam such that rotation of the diverter cam shaft causes rotation of the diverter cam, and an electric motor connected to the diverter cam shaft and configured to rotate the diverter cam shaft. The diverter cam is configured to control position of the diverter as the diverter cam rotates such that rotation of the diverter cam causes the diverter surface to move from a position above normal production flow to a diverting position within the normal production flow.

Abstract: An automated sheets processing system has a vertical stacks accumulating region (SAR) into which sheets are uninterruptedly fed to build vertical stacks for pre-specified loads including completed loads and newly building nascent loads. A tiltable Stacking Deck has a downstream discharge end from which the sheets can be fed at different elevational levels into the stacks accumulating region. A nascent sheets accumulator system has a plurality of support surfaces that are retractably interjectable into the stacks accumulating region for defining a separation gap between the top of a completed load and the bottommost sheet of a nascent new load. At least one of the support surfaces is retractably interjectable in an upstream direction into the stacks accumulating region while at least two others of the support surfaces are retractably interjectable in a downstream direction into the stacks accumulating region. One of the support surfaces has an anti-scuff feature.

Abstract: A puffer pan comprises a plurality of pan segments and one or more air chambers that include a plurality of groups of nozzles. Each panel segment is associated with a group of nozzles configured to blow scrap across the panel segment to at least a next location. For a subset of panel segments, the next location is an adjacent panel segment. For an end panel segment, the next location is off the puffer pan.

Abstract: An automated sheets processing system has a vertical stacks accumulating region (SAR) into which sheets are uninterruptedly fed to build vertical stacks for pre-specified loads including completed loads and newly building nascent loads. A tiltable Stacking Deck has a downstream discharge end from which the sheets can be fed at different elevational levels into the stacks accumulating region. A nascent sheets accumulator system has a plurality of support surfaces that are retractably interjectable into the stacks accumulating region for defining a separation gap between the top of a completed load and the bottommost sheet of a nascent new load. At least one of the support surfaces is retractably interjectable in an upstream direction into the stacks accumulating region while at least two others of the support surfaces are retractably interjectable in a downstream direction into the stacks accumulating region. One of the support surfaces has an anti-scuff feature.

Abstract: A puffer pan comprises a plurality of pan segments and one or more air chambers that include a plurality of groups of nozzles. Each panel segment is associated with a group of nozzles configured to blow scrap across the panel segment to at least a next location. For a subset of panel segments, the next location is an adjacent panel segment. For an end panel segment, the next location is off the puffer pan.

Abstract: A Stacking Apparatus is proposed that performs the purpose of receiving the boxes being produced by a Rotary Die Cutter and transporting the boxes through the apparatus such that stacks of the boxes are created and exit from the discharge end of the apparatus. It embodies the four functional modules, Layboy Function, Shingling Function, Stacking Function and Hopper Function. These four functions are embodied such that it has the advantages of a fixed position Hopper Function and still provides Die Board Access, Running Layboy Roll Out and Sample Sheets.

Abstract: A Layboy machine for the transportation of corrugated boxes including one or more Scrap Separation devices for improved Scrap separation. The Scrap Separation means include a Compliant Scrap Blocker for Loose Scrap, an Opposing Phase Shift Beater for Trapped Scrap and all types of Hanging Chads, a Chad Wall for stripping Lead Edge Trim, Trail Edge Trim and Side Edge Trim Scrap, a Compliant Scrap Blocker-Wedge Roller for harsher scrubbing of the box and motivating Scrap above the Board Line to move to under the Board Line and Side Edge Trim Chad Stripper which is removes Side Edge Trim Chads. The Wheel Assemblies are superior in allowing the proper configuration of the various Scrap Separation Means. The concept of the staggered Wheel Assemblies also leads to reduced Order Setup Time, better board control and reduced Print Damage and Box Size variation out of the Press.

Abstract: Scrap Scraper technology is an improved Scrap Separation means for separating Loose Scrap from Boxes within a Layboy with minimal, if any, increase in possible Flap bending. A Distinct Intersection Of Action avoids problems inherent in other prior art. A shallow Scraper Funnel while maintaining a steep Scraper Angle Of Action allows effective Scrap Scraping while avoiding Flap bending. The Flexible Scraper results in Active Scrap Ejection of the Loose Scrap from the upper side of the Box down below the Board Line. Means providing the Scrap Scraper Variable Board Line Penetration and Variable Scraper Stiffness allow effective Scrap removal over a wide range of Boxes. Positioning the Scrap Scraper over a Scrap Exit Opening allows the removed Scrap to exit the Board Line area. Scrap shingling provides for subsequent boxes to push down scrap from a current box.

Abstract: A Layboy machine for the transportation of corrugated boxes including one or more Scrap Separation Means for improved Scrap separation. The Scrap Separation means include a Compliant Scrap Blocker for Loose Scrap, an Opposing Phase Shift Beater for Trapped Scrap and all types of Hanging Chads, a Chad Wall for stripping Lead Edge Trim, Trail Edge Trim and Side Edge Trim Scrap, a Compliant Scrap Blocker-Wedge Roller for harsher scrubbing of the box and motivating Scrap above the Board Line to move to under the Board Line and Side Edge Trim Chad Stripper which is removes Side Edge Trim Chads. The Wheel Assemblies are superior in allowing the proper configuration of the various Scrap Separation Means. The concept of the staggered Wheel Assemblies also leads to reduced Order Setup Time, better board control and reduced Print Damage and Box Size variation out of the Press.

Abstract: A flat belt support system with a drive roller and paired pulleys, each pair carrying a continuous flat belt that can be moved laterally along the drive roller axis and angled away from the plane normal to the drive roller axis. Multiple belts, each carried by a pair of pulleys, can be driven by a single drive roller. An additional roller allows the drive roller to be positioned so that it contacts the flat belt cover, rather than the back of the flat belt, improving friction between the drive roller and the flat belt.

Abstract: A flat belt support system with a drive roller and paired pulleys, each pair carrying a continuous flat belt that can be moved laterally along the drive roller axis and angled away from the plane normal to the drive roller axis. Multiple belts, each carried by a pair of pulleys, can be driven by a single drive roller. An additional roller allows the drive roller to be positioned so that it contacts the flat belt cover, rather than the back of the flat belt, improving friction between the drive roller and the flat belt.

Abstract: A storable transfer conveyor system for moving bundles from an upstream conveyor to a downstream conveyor utilizing a storable transfer conveyor which is movable from a first operative position, wherein the bundles are transferred to the downstream conveyor, to a second stored position on top of the downstream conveyor. When the storable transfer conveyor is in the second stored position, nearly all of the floor space occupied by the storable transfer conveyor when it was in the first operative position is vacated and available for another use and for operators to freely traverse the formerly occupied floor space. Transfer of the storable transfer conveyor is preferably nearly entirely by powered conveyors, requiring very minimal manual effort on the part of the operators of the equipment. In some applications, the storable transfer conveyor may be manually pushed or pulled in and out of a stored position.

Abstract: A load change safety system in which a sheet stacker having a stacking deck formed with a discharge end discharges sheet material onto and builds a sheet stack on a conveying sheet stack removal system formed with a receiving means. A variable pinch point gap is formed by relative motion between the discharge end of the stacking deck and the receiving means of the conveying sheet material removal system. The safety system includes redundant means selectively preventing a decrease in the variable pinch point gap. The redundant means of the safety system preferably includes an electro-optical light guard means operably connected to the redundant means with one or more redirections of light beams to create a light guard perimeter guarding portions of the stacker and sheet removal system to guard against access to the pinch point.

Abstract: A load change safety system in which a sheet stacker having a stacking deck formed with a discharge end discharges sheet material onto and builds a sheet stack on a conveying sheet stack removal system formed with a receiving means. A variable pinch point gap is formed by relative motion between the discharge end of the stacking deck and the receiving means of the conveying sheet material removal system. The safety system includes redundant means selectively preventing a decrease in the variable pinch point gap. The redundant means of the safety system preferably includes an electro-optical light guard means operably connected to the redundant means with one or more redirections of light beams to create a light guard perimeter guarding portions of the stacker and sheet removal system to guard against access to the pinch point.

Abstract: An improvement in a bundle breaker having first and second adjacent but longitudinally spaced upper and lower clamping surfaces for breaking progressively a bundle of sheets along a weakened plane from a log. The improvement includes first and second compliance structures positioned between the first and second upper and lower clamping surfaces. The first and second compliance structures include a device for detecting the height of the log and a variation setting device for reducing the distance between the upper and lower clamping surface a selected increment after detecting the height of the log. The compliance structures preferably include fluid pressurized structures which not only detect the height of the highest log when a plurality of logs in side by side relation are broken simultaneously but also apply even pressures to all of the logs and bundles during clamping and breaking even though one or more may have different heights.

Abstract: A safety lock for locking an upstacker conveyor in an elevated position by means of a safety lock having a retractable member which is inserted between elevating members and the frame of the upstacker. Specifically, the safety lock is inserted between elevating members such as link members which rotate with respect to the frame as the frame is lowered and form an ever decreasing angle with the frame as the frame is lowered. By inserting a retractable member so that the angle between the structural member and frame can no longer decrease, the upstacker is effectively prevented from lowering accidentally.

Abstract: A safety lock for locking an upstacker conveyor in an elevated position by means of a safety lock having a retractable member which is inserted between elevating members and the frame of the upstacker. Specifically, the safety lock is inserted between elevating members such as link members which rotate with respect to the frame as the frame is lowered and form an ever decreasing angle with the frame as the frame is lowered. By inserting a retractable member so that the angle between the structural member and frame can no longer decrease, the upstacker is effectively prevented from lowering accidentally.

Abstract: A layboy machine for conveying and selectively varying the lateral spacing between sheets such as sheets of corrugated board. The machine is provided with controlled tugs which automatically, precisely and quickly reposition the conveyors in the machine for different sizes of outputs from a cutter in a corrugator line and different numbers of sheets in each output.