Abstract:
A sheet diverter apparatus diverts sheets into alternate paths by guiding the leading portion of each sheet through a gap (23) in a horizontal conveyor into alternate diverter belt conveyor units (11, 12) where the sheet is firmly grasped for transfer. The one conveyor unit (11) is a horizontal unit having a top belt conveyor (20) and a bottom belt conveyor (22), one of which is offset downstream to form a diverting gap (23). A diverter (15) is located to successively rotate through the gap (23) and divert the alternate sheet into the angulated conveyor unit (12). The linear or surface speed of the diverter cam (15) is greater than the linear speed of the sheet. The cam surface (16a) is constructed with a low friction surface such as provided by a low friction plastic coating (44). An air cushion (45) may be created between the cam face of the diverter (30) and the sheet.
Abstract:
A sheet delivery unit (10) includes an in-feed conveyor in-line coupled to a plurality of separate receivers. A horizontal conveyor (35) and an inclined conveyor (39) are vertically aligned and each includes a continuous belt run and an interrupted belt run including an upstream common portion and downstream belt forming a diverting gap (36). A pair of diverters are vertically spaced at the opposite sides of the gap and each includes diametrically spaced cam segments with a length about three times the gap length. The diverters are rotatably mounted and the axes (32) are offset with the cam surfaces tangential to the horizontal path and with the one diverter (27) moving into the gap closely adjacent to the upstream gap end to support and carry the sheet into the uppermost two conveyor units and with the second diverter (28) spaced downstream to guide the sheet into the bottom unit.