Michael Still

US Patent:

42993792, Nov 10, 1981

Filed:

Feb 19, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/122510

Inventors:

William C. Preston - Richardson TX
Michael W. Still - Dallas TX

Assignee:

E-Systems, Inc. - Dallas TX

International Classification:

B65H 102
B65H 108
B65H 304
B65H 130

US Classification:

271 31

Abstract:

A device for transporting and buffering a flow of small articles, such as mail pieces, includes a conveyor belt that moves the articles onto a linearly displaceable carriage which delivers the articles into a buffer stack at a constant entrance angle regardless of buffer stack size. Articles in the buffer stack are supported and agitated by a plurality of rotating beater bars. Agitation causes skewed articles to level while the rotation of the beater bars transports the articles toward a moving edging belt that propels them into a feeder output. One of the plurality of beater bars includes screw thread sections for advancing the articles toward the feeder output.