GB1082170A - Improved method of and apparatus for stacking sides of leather or similar sheet material - Google Patents

Abstract

1,082,170. Delivery apparatus. SWIFT & CO. Nov. 25, 1965 [July 19, 1965], No. 50098/65. Heading B6H. A stacking apparatus for hides and the like comprises an inclined conveyer 17 carrying hides to a terminal position at the top end where they are dropped across a horse-like receiver; a first sensing position towards the top of the incline which detects the presence of a hide and operates a device to direct a stream of air to carry the leading edge of the hide to the far side of the horse; and a diverting means, shown as soft rollers 46, which engage the trailing edge of the hide to direct it over the near side of the horse. The sensing means comprise a number of photo-cells 36. located between ribbons 24 of the conveyer 17. When activated a solenoid valve directs the air to a manifold 41, Fig. 4, which carries the hide from the terminal end of the conveyer. The air is cut off after a predetermined delay and the rollers 46, carried on rotatable arms 48 pivot clockwise and tuck the trailing edge downwardly (see Fig. 5). The inclination of the conveyer is automatically raised by legs 19 attached to chains 78 trained over sprockets 76 to a counterweight 80. The sprocket 76 is driven by a motor energized upon the closure of contacts 62 which are mounted on a dog 63 on the shaft of the rollers 46. The contacts close if they engage the top of the pile on the horse and automatically opens when the conveyer is raised sufficiently. In a modification, Fig. 7, the conveyer is in two parts, a section at a fixed inclined angle and a section pivoted thereto. The elevation of the pivotal section to accommodate the rising pile height comprises a pneumatic cylinder 96 with extendable piston rod 97 mounted on a parallel linkage 98, 99. When diverting rolls 94 (equivalent to rolls 46 in Fig. 1) operate, the cylinder 96 is actuated to extend the piston to its full length thus raising the conveyer section. A non-return pawl 105 and ratchet 103 maintains the conveyer in raised position.