Abstract: A method and apparatus for stacking newspapers is disclosed which obviates the need to fasten individual stacks. Once ejected from a stacking device, stacks of newspapers pass through an assembly station where they are arranged into groups of three, called slugs, and compressed. The slug then enters a collector where a layer consisting of four slugs is positioned on a sliding table. This positioning requires lateral movement of slugs. Lateral support is provided throughout this movement to prevent the stacks from toppling over. Once a full layer has been accumulated, the sliding table is retracted, and the layer of newspapers falls onto a floating table below. This floating table, which serves as the bottom floor of the container in which it is housed, is automatically lowered by discrete amounts as layers are received. Extendible cylinders located below the collector vertically move the floating table.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 11, 1996
Date of Patent:
October 27, 1998
Assignee:
Los Angeles Times, a division of Times Mirror Company
Inventors:
Richard E. Kwasniewski, Jose Salinas, Jr., Philip Medina, Edward McLaughlin, Randall Wienke, Vernon Bundy, Klaus Kurz, Lawrence Foster, Gary Fain
Abstract: A method and apparatus for stacking newspapers is disclosed which obviates the need to fasten individual stacks. Once ejected from a stacking device, stacks of newspapers pass through an assembly station where they are arranged into groups of three, called slugs, and compressed. The slug then enters a collector where a layer consisting of four slugs is positioned on a sliding table. This positioning requires lateral movement of slugs. Lateral support is provided throughout this movement to prevent the stacks from toppling over. Once a full layer has been accumulated, the sliding table is retracted, and the layer of newspapers falls onto a floating table below. This floating table, which serves as the bottom floor of the container in which it is housed, is automatically lowered by discrete amounts as layers are received. Extendible cylinders located below the collector vertically move the floating table.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 17, 1996
Date of Patent:
June 23, 1998
Assignee:
Los Angeles Times, a division of The Times Mirror Company
Inventors:
Richard E. Kwasniewski, Jose Salinas, Jr., Philip Medina, Edward McLaughlin, Randall Wienke, Vernon Bundy, Klaus Kurz, Lawrence Fosler, Gary Fain