Device for collecting endless forms

Abstract

 Device for collecting endless forms of the type which is provided with a positioning element (6) for collecting and positioning the free edge (7) of the first sheet (8) of the endless form (2) to be collected, characterized in that it is further provided with guide means (5) to supply the endless forms (2) and in that these guide means (5) are provided with a freely rotatable guide element (25) from where the endless forms (2) are guided to the positioning element (6) and the stacking space of the device.

Description

[0001] The present invention concerns a device for collecting endless forms.

[0002] It is known that the collection of endless forms from a printing unit or printer often causes problems.

[0003] Although several solutions have already been suggested for the collection of endless forms, it still frequently occurs that the forms are folded in the wrong manner. As the endless forms are usually pre-folded in certain directions, an incorrect folding results in a disorderly packet of sheets.

[0004] The present invention aims a device for collecting endless forms which excludes said disadvantage.

[0005] To this aim the invention concerns a device for collecting endless forms of the type which is provided with a positioning element for collecting and positioning the free edge of the first sheet of an endless form to be collected, characterized in that it is further provided with guide means to supply the endless forms and in that these guide means are provided with a freely rotatable guide element from which the endless forms are guided to the positioning element and the stacking space of the device.

[0006] According to a preferred embodiment this guide element preferably consists of two plates hanging against one another, such that the endless forms pass through these plates.

[0007] In order to better explain the characteristics according to the invention, the following preferred embodiments are described by way of example only and without being limitative in any way, with reference to the accompanying drawings where:

figure 1 shows a device according to the invention;

figure 2 shows a cross-section of an analogous device;

figures 3 and 4 show the parts which are indicated by F3 and F4 in figure 2 to a larger scale;

figure 5 is a schematic representation of the device from figure 2 during the supply of endless forms.

[0008] As shown in figure 1 the invention concerns a device 1 for collecting endless forms 2. In the embodiment shown said device 1 has a frame 3 with a bottom plate 4 and guide means 5 which are situated at a certain distance above the bottom plate 4.

[0009] The device 1 is provided with a positioning element 6 for collecting and correctly positioning the free edge 7 of the first sheet 8 of the endless form 2 to be collected.

[0010] The positioning element 6 is provided with a recess 9 in which the edge 7 of the first sheet 8 can be collected. As a result, the edge 7 of this sheet 8 is kept as it were in a particular place, as a result of which the endless form 2 automatically assumes the right place.

[0011] The positioning element 6 preferably has a V-shaped recess 9. Use can be made to this end of a V-shaped funnel 10, for example made of metal, preferably aluminium sheet.

[0012] As shown in figure 1 the positioning element 6 is preferably at least partly countersunk in the bottom plate 4.

[0013] The positioning element 6 is preferably replaceable, such that positioning elements with different dimensions can be used.

[0014] The positioning element may hereby consist of a funnel 10 which fits loosely in an opening 11 in the bottom plate 4. In the embodiment from figure 1, the funnel 10 is fixed in a holder 12 which rests on the frame 3. The holder 12 makes it possible for the positioning element 6 to be easily removed.

[0015] As shown in the embodiment from figures 2 and 3 the positioning element 6 may also exclusively consist of a V-shaped funnel 10. In this case, the funnel 10 is preferably provided with bent edges 13 and 14 with which it can be suspended in the opening 11. The edges 13 and 14 of the funnel hereby rest on the upper surface 15 of the bottom plate 4.

[0016] In order to suspend the positioning element 6 in the right place in the opening 11, grooves 16 and 17 may be provided in the upper surface 15 for the free ends of the edges 13 and 14.

[0017] As shown in figures 1 and 2, the device may be provided with two vertical guides 18 and 19 in between which the endless forms 2 are stacked in a zigzag manner. These guides 18 and 19 can preferably be moved, such that the mutual distance A can be altered in between as a function of the height H of the sheets of the endless forms 2 to be collected. To this end, the guides 18 and 19 can be attached to or be part of slidable supports 20 and 21 which are provided with bent edges 22 which clutch at the edge 23 of the bottom plate 4.

[0018] In order to set the guides 18 and 19 as a function of a certain sheet height H, positioning means can be provided such as marks or grooves 24 in the upper surface 15 of the bottom plate 4. The positioning element 6 is hereby situated in the central part or the middle of the bottom plate 4.

[0019] As shown in figures 1, 2 and 4, the above-mentioned guide means 5 preferably have a freely rotatable guide element 25 which consists of two bent plates 26 and 27 hanging against one another. These plates have parts 28 hanging down which split at their top side and are bent over almost 135° so as to form parts 29 which hang down in a slanting manner.

[0020] The plates 26 and 27 are freely suspended around supports 30 and 31, such that the parts 28 of the plates 26 and 27, due to the weight of the parts 29, and as a result of the ensuing lever action, are pressed against one another.

[0021] The endless forms 2 are directly supplied to the stacking space from between the plates 26 and 27, without any further guides being provided between these plates and the positioning element 6.

[0022] One or several guides are preferably provided above the guide element 25 in order to guide the endless forms 2 up to in between the plates 26 and 27, such as for example plates 32A and 32B which can be adjusted at an angle, which together can form a funnel-shaped opening.

[0023] Above the guide element 25 and the adjustable plate 32A, another guide 33A can be provided to supply the endless forms 2, such that the device 1 can be placed against the back of a printer or such. Also, a guide 33B can be provided on the adjustable plate 32B, which prevents the forms 2 from going over the collecting system.

[0024] Preferably, the device is also provided with means which make it possible to adjust the guide element 25 in height. In the example shown, these means consist of a telescopic support 34.

[0025] The means for the height adjustment are preferably designed such that the bottommost end 35 of the guide element 25 can be positioned at a height H1 above the lowest point 36 of the recess 9 which is bigger than the height H of one sheet of the endless form 2 and smaller than twice the height H, this in relation to the forms 2 for which the device 1 was designed. Also in the case where the height H1 cannot be altered, it is preferably chosen such that the above-mentioned condition is met.

[0026] As shown in figure 2, the guide element 25 is preferably shifted in relation to the positioning element 6, which is indicated in the drawing by means of the distance D. Tests have proven that such an eccentric erection makes it even more certain that the first sheet 8 drops in the right direction.

[0027] The guide element 25 is preferably shifted in the direction from which the endless forms 2 are supplied.

[0028] The working of the device can be easily derived from the figures. An endless form 2 to be collected slides over the guide 33A and the adjustable plate 32A up to in between the parts 28 of the plates 26 and 27. As represented in figure 5, the free edge 7 of the first sheet 8 is then collected in the positioning element 6, after which the different sheets are stacked in a zigzag manner.

[0029] The present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described by way of example and shown in the accompanying drawings; on the contrary, such a device can be made in various forms and dimensions while still remaining within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Device for collecting endless forms of the type which is provided with a positioning element (6) for collecting and positioning the free edge (7) of the first sheet (8) of the endless form (2) to be collected, characterized in that it is further provided with guide means (5) to supply the endless forms (2) and in that these guide means (5) are provided with a freely rotatable guide element (25) from where the endless forms (2) are guided to the positioning element (6) and the stacking space of the device.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide element (25) mainly consists of two plates (26,27) hanging against one another.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the plates (26,27) have parts (28) hanging down, in that these plates (26,27) are bent away from one another at the top side, such that parts (29) hanging down in a slanting manner are formed, and in that the plates (26,27) are suspended to supports (30,31) at the place where they are bent, such that the parts (28) hanging down, due to the lever action around the supports (30,31) are pushed against one another.

4. Device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the above-mentioned guide element (20) is shifted sideways in relation to the positioning element (6).

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that it is provided with at least one guide (32A,33A) to supply the paper from one side of the device (1) and in that the above-mentioned guide element (25) is shifted sideways in relation to the positioning element (6) in the direction from which the endless forms (2) are supplied.

6. Device according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the height (H1) between the bottom side of the above-mentioned guide element (25) and the lowest point (36) of the positioning element (6) is bigger than once, but smaller than twice the height (H) of the sheets of the endless forms (2) for which the device (1) was designed.

7. Device according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it is provided with means to set the height of the guide element (25) above the positioning element (6).

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the above-mentioned means allow for a height adjustment, such that for all endless forms for which the device was designed a setting is possible whereby the height (H1) between the bottom side of the above-mentioned guide element (25) and the lowest point (36) of the positioning element (6) is bigger than once, but smaller than twice the height (H) of the sheets of the endless forms (2).

9. Device according to any of the above claims, characterized in that it has adjustable vertical guides (18,19) for the stacking of the endless forms (2).

Drawing