Abstract: An apparatus uses forced air to remove trim from cut sheets during a converting process. The apparatus may include a plurality of wheels, arranged to allow trim to fall between the wheels, and one or more air chambers, configured to propel air toward the sheets as they are conveyed on the wheels in order to remove trim from the sheets. A method may include conveying sheet stock on wheels arranged to allow trim to fall through them, and propelling air toward the sheet stock with air chambers such that trim is removed from the sheet stock by the propelled air.

Abstract: An apparatus uses forced air to remove trim from cut sheets during a converting process. The apparatus may include a plurality of wheels, arranged to allow trim to fall between the wheels, and one or more air chambers, configured to propel air toward the sheets as they are conveyed on the wheels in order to remove trim from the sheets. A method may include conveying sheet stock on wheels arranged to allow trim to fall through them, and propelling air toward the sheet stock with air chambers such that trim is removed from the sheet stock by the propelled air.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking sheet material that may include a trim section and a stacking section, the stacking section being downstream the trim section for receiving the blanks of sheet material, forming bundles each having a plurality of blanks, and transferring the bundles downstream. The apparatus may further include a plurality of longitudinal positioning systems for independently longitudinally positioning a plurality of components in at least one of upstream or downstream directions so as to create an operator access space. In some embodiments, the apparatus may further include an incline conveyor section downstream the trim section and upstream the stacking section, and the trim section may have a takeaway conveyor for conveying the plurality of blanks of sheet material to the incline conveyor. In certain embodiments, the plurality of longitudinal positioning systems can individually longitudinally position at least two of the takeaway conveyor, the incline conveyor, or the stacking apparatus.

Abstract: Sheet deceleration apparatus and methods for decelerating a sheet of material for use in a sheet stacking or other application. The deceleration apparatus includes a rotatable cam nip, rotatable about a first axis and provided on one side of the travel path, such that the sheet of material can pass by the cam nip. The cam nip includes a lobe end, such that when the lobe end is away from the travel path, the sheet of material can pass substantially unimpeded past the cam nip, and when the lobe end is near the travel path, the sheet of material is nipped by the cam nip decelerating the sheet of material from the first speed to a second speed.

Abstract: Sheet deceleration apparatus and methods for decelerating a sheet of material for use in a sheet stacking or other application. The deceleration apparatus includes a rotatable cam nip, rotatable about a first axis and provided on one side of the travel path, such that the sheet of material can pass by the cam nip. The cam nip includes a lobe end, such that when the lobe end is away from the travel path, the sheet of material can pass substantially unimpeded past the cam nip, and when the lobe end is near the travel path, the sheet of material is nipped by the cam nip decelerating the sheet of material from the first speed to a second speed.

Abstract: Sheet deceleration apparatus and methods for decelerating a sheet of material for use in a sheet stacking or other application. The deceleration apparatus includes a rotatable cam nip, rotatable about a first axis and provided on one side of the travel path, such that the sheet of material can pass by the cam nip. The cam nip includes a lobe end, such that when the lobe end is away from the travel path, the sheet of material can pass substantially unimpeded past the cam nip, and when the lobe end is near the travel path, the sheet of material is nipped by the cam nip decelerating the sheet of material from the first speed to a second speed.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking sheet material that may include a trim section and a stacking section, the stacking section being downstream the trim section for receiving the blanks of sheet material, forming bundles each having a plurality of blanks, and transferring the bundles downstream. The apparatus may further include a plurality of longitudinal positioning systems for independently longitudinally positioning a plurality of components in at least one of upstream or downstream directions so as to create an operator access space. In some embodiments, the apparatus may further include an incline conveyor section downstream the trim section and upstream the stacking section, and the trim section may have a takeaway conveyor for conveying the plurality of blanks of sheet material to the incline conveyor. In certain embodiments, the plurality of longitudinal positioning systems can individually longitudinally position at least two of the takeaway conveyor, the incline conveyor, or the stacking apparatus.

Abstract: Sheet deceleration apparatus and methods for decelerating a sheet of material for use in a sheet stacking or other application. The deceleration apparatus includes a rotatable cam nip, rotatable about a first axis and provided on one side of the travel path, such that the sheet of material can pass by the cam nip. The cam nip includes a lobe end, such that when the lobe end is away from the travel path, the sheet of material can pass substantially unimpeded past the cam nip, and when the lobe end is near the travel path, the sheet of material is nipped by the cam nip decelerating the sheet of material from the first speed to a second speed.

Abstract: In one aspect, a programmable load forming system is programmed to perform the method of downloading a calculated path from the computer to the robot controller, moving one or more bundles along the calculated path to position the one or more bundles in a predetermined stacking position of a stacking pattern using the robot, and determining if the robot has completed moving along the calculated path. The calculated path is defined, in part, by the stacking pattern and other parameters such as, for example, bundle geometry, bundle levelness, bundle compressibility, among other parameters. In another aspect, the system is programmed to perform a method of sensing the top of a bundle and controllably placing a bundle. Additional aspects are directed to systems and methods of safely operating the robot and an inventive hopper design for holding bottom/tie sheets.

Abstract: A counter-ejector is described for stacking relatively flat sheet articles. The counter-ejector includes a main frame that is selectively movable about a pivot axis. An infeed conveyor is provided on the main frame defining a forward path of travel for sheet articles. The infeed conveyor includes a discharge end positioned adjacent a stack forming magazine where individual sheet articles from the infeed conveyor accumulate in a stack. An ejector adjacent the stack forming magazine is movable across the stack forming magazine from a stack engaging position adjacent the stack forming magazine to a shifted position at a stack compression station. A stack compressor at the stack compression station is positioned to receive a stack of sheet articles from the ejector. A compression linkage joins the stack compressor and main frame, with links arranged to adjustably open and close the stack compressor responsive to movement of the main frame about the pivot axis.

Abstract: A counter-ejector is described for stacking relatively flat sheet articles. The counter-ejector includes a main frame that is selectively movable about a pivot axis. An infeed conveyor is provided on the main frame defining a forward path of travel for sheet articles. The infeed conveyor includes a discharge end positioned adjacent a stack forming magazine where individual sheet articles from the infeed conveyor accumulate in a stack. An ejector adjacent the stack forming magazine is movable across the stack forming magazine from a stack engaging position adjacent the stack forming magazine to a shifted position at a stack compression station. A stack compressor at the stack compression station is positioned to receive a stack of sheet articles from the ejector. A compression linkage joins the stack compressor and main frame, with links arranged to adjustably open and close the stack compressor responsive to movement of the main frame about the pivot axis.