US3063577A - Counting means - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 13, 1962 A. F SHIELDS 3,063,577

COUNTING MEANS Filed May 12, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. 1455,97 E J/fi'los Nov. 13, 1962 s s 3,063,577

COUNTING MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 12, 1959.

- INVENTOR. 4455a? A 5/05405 United States Patent 3,063,577 COUNTWG MEANS Albert F. Shields, Forest Hills, N.Y., assignor to 8; S Corrugated Paper Machinery Company, Inc., Brooklyn, NY.

Filed May 12, 1959, Ser. No. 812,703 12 Claims. (Cl. 214-6) The instant invention is an improvement of the stacking, straightening and delivery device described in my copending application Serial No. 775,199, filed November 20, 1958, now Patent No. 2,931,520, and assigned to .the assignee of the instant invention. More particularly, this invention is directed to novel means for delivering stacks having equal numbers of folded tubular boxes from the device of my aforesaid copending application.

In the device of my aforesaid copending application two sets of horizontally spaced continuously moving belts are utilized as the stacking and straightening means for box blanks which have been operated upon by a high speed folding and gluing machine. As the folded and glued boxes leave the folding machine they are traveling at high speed in a horizontal path. The moving belts are positioned with upwardly moving flights disposed to intercept the boxes as they move in this horizontal path thereby arresting their horizontal movement and imparting an upward vertical movement thereto. Thus, the leading and trailing edges of the folded, glued blanks are engaged by the upwardly moving belt flights so that the blanks remain in a horizontal position and form a stack which is fed from below.

A delivery device, coordinated with the operation of both the folding machine and stacking device, is included to periodically remove a pile of blanks from the top of the stack and deliver the pile to a horizontal conveyor.

It has been found that in large runs, say of 10,000 boxes, the delivery device will have delivered the desired total number within the limits of plus or minus one blank. While this is an extremely small overall error, it has been found that the individual piles, say of 20 blanks each, which go to make up the total of 10,000 blanks may also be off by plus or minus one blank. The one blank error in 20 can be extremely annoying and must be eliminated.

The counting error at the delivery device is attributable to the fact that the folded blanks leaving the folding machine are not all in the same condition. That is, some blanks require more straightening than other blanks. Because of this the engagement of the leading and trailing edges of each blank by the upwardly moving belt flights does not occur at the same time so that the blanks in the straightening device stack are not uniformly spaced. Since the delivery device merely removes say the top 12 inch portion of the stack rather than a predetermined number of blanks, the pile removed from the stack does not necessarily contain the desired number of blanks.

The device of the instant invention overcomes the undesirable characteristic which has previously been noted by including novel means for maintaining a predeter mined spacing between the blanks of the stack. This is accomplished by providing a set of screws which are arranged in a manner such that the longitudinally extending edges of the folded tubular boxes are engaged by the screw threads as the blanks emerge from the folding machine into the straightening device. The screws are single threaded and are rotated at a speed whereby they make a single revolution for each blank delivered by the folding machine. The screws are vertically arranged so that they move one box upwardly one pitch per revolution. This upward movement of the boxes is independent of whether or not the leading and trailing edges thereof are engaged by the upwardly moving belt flights.

At the top of the set of screws which corresponds with the top of the straightening section, the straightened boxes are pushed off by the delivery device as in my aforesaid copending application. However, now since there is .a precise number of boxes rising in the straightening section there will also be an exact number of boxes in the pile that is being delivered from the top of the stack.

The screw threads are of uniform pitch from the tops thereof downward for substantially the entire lengths thereof. However, the thread pitch in the area which initially engages the folded tubular boxes is considerably greater than the pitch of the remaining screw. length. The Wide pitch provides a wide entrance for the folded boxes entering the straightening device. Thus, any slight variation or lack of coordination between the folding and straightening device Will not interfere with the operation of the device.

The addition of the vertically extending screws pro vides an additional advantage of which accrues from lifting each blank as it arrives in the straightening device prior to the arrival of the next succeeding blank. That is, in the device of my aforesaid copending application the initial lift of the blank is supplied by the next succeeding blank forcing its way to the bottom of the stack. Thus, the bottom blank rubs against the blank thereabove and in so doing very often causes the smearing of ink, forming printed matter, which has not fully dried. Smearing of undried ink will not occur in the device of the instant invention since no rubbing takes place between blanks as the blocks enter the stacking section.

Accordingly, a primary object of the instant invention is to provide novel means for assuring that the piles delivered from a box straightening device will each contain a predetermined number of boxes.

Another object is to provide novel means for raising the blanks of a blank stacking and straightening device.

These as well as other objects of the instant invention shall become readily apparent after reading the following description of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation in schematic form of a stacking, straightening and delivery device which in cludes applicants novel screw means for assuring uniformity in the number of blanks which comprise the piles delivered by the device.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary view of the device of FIGURE 1 illustrating the manner in which motion is imparted to the lifting screws.

FIGURE 3 is a rear view of the pusher plate.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the flexible front guide means.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a blank folded to form a collapsed tubular box.

Now referring to the figures, driving power is supplied to the mechanism illustrated in FIGURE 1 by variable speed electric motor 10 which may also drive the preceding mechanism such as folding and gluing machine 11. Drive sprocket 12 keyed to the output shaft of motor 10 acts through chain 13 to drive sprocket 14. Sprockets 14 and 15 are keyed to the same shaft (not shown) so as to rotate in unison. Rotation of sprocket 15 causes movement of chain 16 which passes over sprocket 17, beneath sprocket 18, over sprocket 1?, to the left and below sprocket 20, and above sprocket 21.

Sprockets 18 and 22 are keyed to a common shaft (not shown). Chain 24 driven by sprocket 22 drives sprocket 2S, keyed to the same shaft as drive sprocket 26 which drives conveyor belt 27. Belt 27 is generally horizontal in the region between drive sprocket 26 and idler sprocket 28. After passing over sprocket 28 conveyor belt 27 takes a pronounced dip by passing beneath idler 29 and thence upwardly around idler 30, Conveyor 27 is generally horizontal in the region between idlers 30 and 31 and is slightly raised above the horizontal portion of belt 27 between sprocket 26 and idler 28. After passing to the right (with respect to FIGURE 1) of idler 31, belt 27 passes beneath idlers 31 and 32 thereafter moving upwardly and to the left about drive sprocket 26.

Sprocket 23, keyed to the same shaft (not shown) as sprocket 20, drives chain 33 which in turn drives sprocket 34. Sprocket 35, keyed to the same shaft (not shown) as sprocket 20, drives chain 33 which in turn drives sprocket 34. Sprocket 35, keyed to the same shaft (not shown) as sprocket 34, drives chain 36 which supplies driving power to variable speed drive unit 37. Unit 37 in turn supplies the driving power to the delivery mechanism 40 as fully explained in my copending application 645,801.

Sprocket 41 keyed to the output shaft of motor drives chain 42 which in turn drives fly wheel 43. Chain '44 is driven by sprocket 45 which is keyed to a common shaft (not shown) with fly wheel 43. Chain 44 passes upwardly to the left from drive sprocket 45 around to the left of sprocket 46, upwardly and around the top of sprocket 47 then downwardly beneath sprocket 48.

tively, which are keyed to screws 72, 73, respectively, at the lower ends thereof. Thus, the rotation of transverse shaft 74 causes screws 72, 73 to rotate in unison. The lower ends of screws 72, 73 are journalled by bearings 79, 30, respectively, which are mounted within brackets 81, 82, respectively, extending inwardly from transversely adjustable frame members 83, 84, respectively. The up- Between idler sprockets 48 and 49 chain 44 is generally horizontal. Chain 44 then passes upwardly and to the right of idler 49 and another sprocket 50. In passing between sprockets 49 and 50 chain 44is in operative engagement with sprocket 51 so as to cause rotation thereof. Chain 44 passes downwardly from the right side of sprocket 50 to the left and beneath sprocket S2 thence to the right around sprocket 53. Chain 44 is generally horizontal in the region between sprockets 53 and 54 and after passing above and to the left of sprocket 54 chain 44 passes to the right and beneath drive sprocket 45.

The rotation of sprocket .47 causes rotation of shaft 55 having sprocket 56' keyed thereto. Sprocket 56 imparts motion to rear belt means 57 as fully explained in my copending application Serial No. 775,199, filed November 20, 1958, and entitled Accumulating and Straightening Device. Similarly, sprocket 51 is mounted to shaft 58 having sprocket 59 keyed'thereto with sprocket 59 imparting motion to the forward belt means 60.

V Belt means 57 and 60 include upwardly moving flights 61, 62, respectively, which engage the trailing 62 and leading 63 edges of folded tubular box 64 as folded and glued box blank 64 moves through the mechanism from left to right with respect to FIGURE 1, or in the direction indicated by. arrow A of FIGURE 5. The region between belt means 57 and 60 is designated as the stacking region since the folded tubular boxes 64 after moving horizontally on conveyor 27 have the horizontal movement thereof arrested and changed to a vertical movement whereby stack'65 is formed. Straightening of boxes 64 occurs in the stacking region since flights 61, 62 converge slightly as from bottom to top as fully explained in my aforesaid copending application 775,199.

Periodically, pusher device 66, which includes pusher plate 67, as it moves from left to right (with respect to FIGURE 1) in a lowered position engages the top portion of stack 65 so as to remove a pile of blanks 65a therefrom.

Chains 6 8 and 69, driven by variable speed drive 37 through chain 70, impart oscillatory motion to pusher means 66 whereby pusher 66 moves from left to right in a lowered position and from right to left in a raised position as fully explained in my aforesaid copending applicaper ends of screws 72, 73 are journalled in bearings 85, 86 carried by brackets 87, 88, respectively, extending inwardly from frame members 83, 84, respectively;

As is apparent from FIGURE 2 the threads which accupy a majority of the length of each of the screws 72, .73 are of a uniform pitch B. However, at their lower ends the threads of screws 72, 73 are opened out to a pitch C which is considerably larger than pitch B.

As a blank 64 is fed from mechanism 11 to the right, blank 64 is engaged by upper pressure roller 89 which is keyed to a common shaft with sprocket 19. The cooperation of roller 89 and conveyor belt 27 moves blank 64 to the right through the space formed between the lower end of rear belt means 57 and conveyor 27 with the side edges 90, 91 of blank '64 thereafter entering the spaces between the threads of wide pitch C. Screws 72 and 73 are rotating in such a direction that the threads thereof will impart a lifting action to blanks 64 as they enter the stacking region even before the leading and trailing edges 63, 62 are engaged by upwardly moving belt flights 62, 61.

Typically, each of the screws 72, 73 are of five inch diameter with thread pitch B being equal to of an inch and the opened thread pitch C being equal to 2% inches so as to be capable of accepting severely warped blanks 64. Flights 61, 62 of belt means 57, 60, respectviely, are then operated to rise at a rate of Vs of an inch for each blank 64 received from machine 11. Screws 72, 73 rotate through one revolution for each blank 64 received from machine 11. In this manner screws 72, 73 cooperate to raise the blanks 6.4 at the same rate as they are being raised through the cooperation of flights 61, 62.

As blanks 64 move upwardly in stack 65 they are substantially equally spaced apart by the thread pitch distance B. Because of this a predetermined number of blanks will move post the top of lift screws 72, 73 in a given time so that pusher means 66 will always remove a pile 65a containing a predetermined number of blanks 64, The expression past the top of lift screws refers to the region above the top of'the screw threads.

Pusher plate 67 has pivotally mounted thereto peripherally grooved wheels 101-104. The grooves of Wheels 101 -104 receive the longitudinal edges of support plate 105 and'because of this pusher plate 67 may be moved vertically relative to support plate 105. Bars 106, 107- extending outwardly from support plate 105 at the bottom thereof limit the downward movement of pusher plate 67. Aligned grooves 108, 109' in support plate 105 and pusher plate 67, respectively, provide a clearance opening for flexible hold-down strips 110, 111 which apply a downward pressure to stack 65 even while pile 65a is being removed from the top thereof.

Rearward extensions 112, at the bottom of pusher plate 67, are adapted to ride upon fixedly mounted guide members 113 which are positioned rearwardly of belt flight 61 in line with the tops of the threaded portions of screws 72, 73. The cooperation of members 112, 113 further assures that the initial engagement between pusher plate 67 and'stack 65 occurs at a timewhen the top portion 65a thereof, which is to be removed, is comprised of a predetermined number of blanks 64.

As explained in my aforesaid copending application Serial No. 645,801, now Patent No. 2,963,177, flexible front guide means'2ll0, comprising flexible strips 201- 203 secured to frame member 204, is positionedat the leading edge of the stack at approximately the level of the continuously driven by means of sprocket 17. Sprocket 7 His keyed to transverse shaft 74 having bevelled gears 75, 76 keyed thereto driving bevelled gears 77, 78, respectop of lift screws'72, 73. Front guide means 200 acts to effectively holdback the portion of stack 65 not being removed by pusher plate 67.

Thus, I have provided novel means, including rotatable lift screws, for raising blanks in a stacking, straightening device in a manner such that each pile 65a delivered from the device will be comprised of a precise number of blanks.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with exemplary embodiments thereof, variations and modifications thereof within the broader spirit and scope of the invention will now be apparent to those skilled in the art, and it is not intended to be limited except as set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A stacking, straightening and delivery mechanism adapted for use with a machine for operating on box blanks; said mechanism comprising a horizontal conveyor operable in synchronism with said machine to receive blanks issuing therefrom in a flat position; an intercepting and accumulating device operatively positioned above said conveyor to form said blanks into a stack which is fed from the bottom thereof; said accumulating device including a first and a second belt means each having upwardly moving flights operatively positioned at a stacking region to engage the leading and trailing edges, respectively, of said blanks thereby imparting upward movement to said blanks; and means continuously operated in a single direction and disposed at said stacking region operatively positioned to engage said blanks as they enter said stacking region; said last recited means being constructed to impart upward movement to each individual one of said blanks prior to and during the upward movement attributable to the cooperation of said first and said second belt means.

2. A stacking, straightening and delivery mechanism adapted for use with a machine for operating on box blanks; said mechanism comprising a horizontal conveyor operable in synchronism with said machine to receive blanks issuing therefrom in a fiat position; an intercepting and accumulating device operatively positioned above said conveyor to form said blanks into a stack which is fed from the bottom thereof; said ac cumulating device including a first and a second belt means each having upwardly moving flights operatively positioned at a stacking region to engage the leading and trailing edges, respectively, of said blanks thereby imparting upward movement to said blanks; and means continuously operated in a single direction and disposed at said stacking region operatively positioned to engage said blanks as they enter said stacking region; said last recited means being constructed to impart upward movement to each individual one of said blanks prior to and during the upward movement attributable to the cooperation of said first and said second belt means; said last recited means comprising a set of vertically extending rotatable screws positioned to receive said blanks in the spaces between screw threads.

3. A stacking, straightening and delivery mechanism adapted for use with a machine for operating on box blanks; said mechanism comprising a horizontal conveyor operable in synchronism with said machine to receive blanks issuing therefrom in a flat position; an intercepting and accumulating device operatively positioned above said conveyor to form said blanks into a stack which is fed from the bottom thereof; said accumulating device including a first and a second belt means each having upwardly moving flights operatively positioned at a stacking region to engage the leading and trailing edges, respectively, of said blanks thereby imparting upward movement to said blanks; and means disposed at said stacking region operatively positioned to engage said blanks as they enter said stacking region; said last recited means being constructed to impart upward movement to said blanks prior to and during the upward movement attributable to the cooperation of said first and said second belt means; said last recited means comprising a set of vertically extending rotatable screws positioned to receive said blanks in the spaces between screw threads; each screw of said set of screws having a uniform first thread pitch for a majority of the length thereof; each of said screws having a second thread pitch substantially greater than said first thread pitch; said second thread pitch being in the portion of the screw length which initially contacts said blanks as they enter said stack from below.

4. A stacking, straightening and delivery mechanism adapted for use-with a machine for operating on box blanks; said mechanism comprising a horizontal conveyor operable in synchronism with said machine to receive blanks issuing therefrom in a flat position; an intercepting and accumulating device operatively posi: tioned above said conveyor to form said blank-s into a stack which is fed from the bottom thereof; said accumulating device including a first and a second belt means each having upwardly moving flights operatively positioned at a stacking region to engage the leading and trailing edges, respectively, of said blanks thereby imparting upward movement to said blanks; and means disposed at said stacking region operatively positioned to engage said blanks as they enter said stacking region; said last recited means being constructed to impart upward movement to said blanks prior to and during the upward movement attributable to the cooperation of said first and said second belt means; said last recited means comprising a set of vertically extending rotatable screws positioned to receive said blanks in the spaces between screw threads; each screw of said set of screws having a uniform first thread pitch for a majority of the length thereof; each of said screws having a second thread pitch substantially greater than said first thread pitch; said second thread pitch being in the portion of the screw length which initially contacts said blanks as they enter said stack from below; said set of screws being operatively positioned to engage said blanks at the side edges thereof.

5. A stacking, straightening and delivery mechanism adapted for use with a machine for operating on box blanks; said mechanism comprising a horizontal conveyor operable in synchronism with said machine to receive blanks issuing therefrom in a flat position; an intercepting and accumulating device operatively positioned above said conveyor to form said blanks into a stack which is fed from the bottom thereof; said accumulating device including a first and a second belt means each having upwardly moving flights operatively positioned at a stacking region to engage the leading and trailing edges, respectively, of said blanks thereby imparting upward movement to said blanks; and means disposed at said stacking region operatively positioned to engage said blanks as they enter said stacking region; said last recited means being constructed to impart upward movement to said blanks prior to and during the upward movement attributable to the cooperation of said first and said second belt means; said last recited means comprising a set of vertically extending rotatable screws positioned to receive said blanks in the spaces between screw threads; each screw of said set of screws having a uniform first thread pitch for a majority of the length thereof; each of said screws having a second thread pitch substantially greater than said first thread pitch; said second thread pitch being in the portion of the screw length which initially contacts said blanks as they enter said stack from below; said set of screws being operatively positioned to engage said blanks at the side edges thereof; said set of screws being rotated through one revolution for each blank issuing from said machine.

6. A stacking, straightening and delivery mechanism adapted for use with a machine for operating on box blanks; said mechanism comprising a horizontal conveyor operable in synchronism with said machine to receive blanks issuing therefrom in a flat position; an intercepting and accumulating device operatively positioned above said conveyor to form said blanks into a stack which is fed from the bottom thereof; said accumulating device including a first and a second belt means each having upwardly moving flights operatively positioned at a stack ing region to engage the leading and trailing edges, respectively, of said blanks thereby imparting upward movement to said blanks; and means disposed at said stacking region operatively positioned to engage said blanks as they enter said stacking region; said lastrecited means being constructed to impart upward movement to said blanks prior to and during the upward movement attributable to the cooperation of said first and said second belt means; said last recited means comprising a set of vertically extending rotatable screws positioned to receive said blanks in the spaces between screw threads; each screw of said set of screws having a uniform first thread pitch for a majority of the length thereof; each of said screws having a second thread pitch substantially greater than said first thread pitch; said second thread pitch being in the portion of the screw length which initially contacts said blanks as they enter said stack from below; the upward movement of said belt, the rotational speed of said set of screws, and the first thread pitch being proportioned in a manner such that said upwardly moving flights move said blanks upward at the same rate as the portions of said set of screws having the first thread pitch.

7. A stacking, straightening and delivery mechanism adapted for use with a machine for operating on box blanks; said mechanism comprising a horizontal conveyor operable in synchronism with said machine to receive blanks issuing therefrom in a flat position; an intercepting and accumulating device operatively positioned above said conveyor to form said blanks into a stack which is fed from the bottom thereof; said accumulating device including a first and a second belt means each having upwardly moving flights operatively positioned at a stacking region to engage the leading and trailing edges, respectively, of said blanks thereby imparting upward movement to said blanks; and means disposed at said stacking region operatively positioned to engage said blanks as they enter said stacking region;'said last recited means being constructed to impart upward movement to said blanks prior to and during the upward movement attributable to the cooperation of said first and said second belt means; said last recited means comprising a set of vertically extending rotatable screws positioned to receive said blanks in the spaces between screw threads; each screw of said set of screws having a uniform first thread pitch for a majority of the length thereof; each of said screws having a second thread pitch substantially greater than said first thread pitch; said second thread pitch being in the portion of the screw length which initially contacts said blanks as they enter said stack from below; a pusher plate positioned above said first and said second belt means and periodically engageable with a top portion of said stack for removal thereof.

8. A stacking, straightening and delivery mechanism adapted for use with a machine for operating on box 7 blanks; said mechanism comprising a horizontal conveyor operable in synchronism with said machine to receive blanks issuing therefrom in a flat position; an intercepting and accumulating device operatively positioned above said conveyor to form said blanks into a stack which is fed from the bottom thereof; said accumulating device including a first and a second belt means each having upwardly moving flights operatively positioned at a stacking region to engage the leading and trailing edges, respectively; of said blanksthereby imparting upward movement to 'said blanks; and means disposed at said stacking regionoperatively positioned to engage said blanks-as they enter said stacking region; said last recited means being constructed to impart upward movement to said blanks priorto and during the upward movement attributable to the cooperation of said first and said second belt means; said last recited means comprising a set of vertically extending rotatable screws positioned to receive said'blanks in the spaces between screw threads;

each screw of said set of screws having a uniform first thread pitch for a majority of the length thereof; each of said screws having a second thread pitch substantially greater than'said first thread pitch; said second thread pitch being in the portion of the screw length which initially contacts said blanks as they enter said stack from below; a pusher plate positioned above said first and said second belt means and periodically engageable with a top portion of said stack for removal thereof; said top 7 portion of said stack comprising blanks which have risen above the top of said set of screws. i

9. A stacking, straightening and delivery mechanism adapted for use with a machine for operating on box blanks; said mechanism comprising a horizontal conveyor operable in synchronism with said machine to receive blanks issuing therefrom in a fiat position; an intercepting and accumulating device operatively positioned above said conveyor to form said blanks into a stack which is fed from the bottom thereof; said accumulating device including a first and a second belt means each having upwardly moving flights operatively positioned at a stacking region to engage the leading and trailing edges, respectively, of said blanks thereby imparting upward movement to said blanks; and means disposed at said stacking region operatively positioned to engage said blanks as they enter said stacking region, said last recited means being constructed to impart upward movement to said blanks prior to and during the upward movement attributable to the cooperation of said first and said second belt means; said last recited means comprising a set of vertically extending rotatable screws positioned to receive said blanks in the spaces between screw threads; each screw of said set of screws having a uniform first thread pitch for a majority of the length thereof; each of said screws having a second thread pitch substantially greater than said first thread pitch; said second thread pitch being in the portion of the screw length which initially contacts said blanks as they enter said stack from below; a pusher piate positioned above said first and said second belt means and periodically engageable with a top portion of said stack for removal thereof; a fixedly mounted member positioned adjacent to the top of said second belt means; said pusher plate including a rearwardly extending portion movable into engagement with said fixedly mounted member for guidance thereby during the initial engagement between said pusher plate and said top portion of said stack.

10. A stacking, straightening and delivery mechanism adapted for use with a machine for operating on box blanks; said mechanism comprising a horizontal conveyor operable in synchronism with said machine to receive blanks issuing therefrom in a flat position; an intercepting and accumulating device operatively positioned above said conveyor to form said blanks into a stack which is fed from the bottom thereof; said accumulating device including a first and a second belt means each having upwardly moving flights operatively positioned at a stacking region to engage the leading and trailing edges, respectively, of said blanks thereby imparting upward movement to said blanks; and means disposed at said stacking region operatively positioned to engage said blanks as they. enter said stacking region; said last recited means being constructed to impart upward movement to said blanks prior to and during the upward movement attributable to the cooperation of said first and said second belt means; said last recited means comprising a set of .verticallyextending rotatable screws positioned to receive said blanks in the spaces between screw threads; each screw of said'set of screws having a uniform first thread pitch for a majority of the length thereof; each of said screws having a second thread pitch substantially greater than said first thread pitch; said second thread pitch being in the portion of the screw length which initially contacts said blanks as they enter said stack from below; a pusher plate positioned above said first and said second belt means and periodically engageable with a top portion of said stack for removal thereof; driving means synchronizing the operation of and imparting con tinuous movement to said first belt means, said second 'belt means, said set of screws, and said pusher plate.

11. In combination a first means, and a second means for conveying articles in single file in a generally horizontal delivery path to said first means; said first means comprising a first screw disposed on one side of the center of said delivery path and a second screw disposed on the other side of the center of said delivery path; means connected between said first and said second means for rotating said screws and operating said second means in a coordinated manner; said screws being vertically extending and operatively positioned to receive side edges of articles, delivered by said second means, in the spaces between screw threads; said screws after receiving an article imparting an upward movement thereto forming said articles into an underfed stack; each of said screws having a uniform first thread pitch for a majority of the length thereof; each of said screws having a second thread pitch substantially greater than said first thread pitch; said second thread pitch being in the position of the screw length which initially contacts articles fed by said second means; and a delivery device connected to said first and said second means for coordinated operation therewith; said delivery device periodically passing over said first means from rear to front and thereby engaging and removing from the top of said stack a portion thereof which has cleared the tops of said screws, guide means positioned at the tops of said screws to the rear of said stack; said guide means being engaged by said de livery device to form a support therefor at the time when said feed delivery device initially engages said portion of said stack. I

12. The combination of claim 11 in which the delivery device is in continuous operation moving from rear to front in a first path which is lower than a second path in which said delivery device moves from front to rear.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,006,844 Smith July 2, 1935 2,072,318 Stand-e Mar. 2, 1937 2,338,055 Pearson et al. Dec. 28, 1943 2,498,071 Dalziel et al. Feb. 21, 1950 2,556,214 Pottle June 12, 1951 2,569,039 Berthelot Sept. 25, 1951 2,634,001 Grifiin Apr. 7, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 38,185 Denmark Nov. 16, 1927

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