Steven P Lewalski

US Patent:

6460844, Oct 8, 2002

Filed:

Oct 31, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/702497

Inventors:

John W. Clifford - Ashland MA
Steven P. Lewalski - Melrose MA
Matthew D. Bouche - Tyngsboro MA
Bruce J. Taylor - Manchester NH

Assignee:

Roll Systems, Inc. - Burlington MA

International Classification:

B65H 3902

US Classification:

271 913, 271 912, 271251, 271303, 271197, 270 5209, 270 5801, 83934

Abstract:

An apparatus for selectively streaming and merging side-by-side sheets is provided. In general, sheets enter in a side-by-side orientation onto an input feed surface and are directed selectively upwardly or downwardly onto overlying upper and lower feed surfaces by a diverter assembly having two diverter sides. The diverter sides can be independently moved to direct sheets upwardly or downwardly. The upper feed surface and lower feed surface have opposing edge guides. The upper feed surface and lower feed surface can be moved with respect to each other so that the edge guides are placed one sheet width apart or more than two sheet widths apart. By orienting the two diverter halves, and setting the desired distance between the upper and lower edge guides, sheets can pass along each of the upper and lower surfaces in a side-by-side streamed or over-lapping merge orientation. Sheets pass out of each of the upper and lower feed surfaces onto a common output surface through an output ramp at which time they are either side-by-side streamed or merged. Each edge guide can include an offset actuator that moves at selected times to provide an offset to selected sheets as they enter the output feed ramp.

US Patent:

7402130, Jul 22, 2008

Filed:

Sep 29, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/541120

Inventors:

Richard A. Sjostedt - Ashland MA, US
Steven P. Lewalski - Melrose MA, US
Bruce J. Taylor - Manchester NH, US
John M. Fiske - Wakefield MA, US

Assignee:

Roll Systems, Inc. - Burlington MA

International Classification:

B31F 1/08

US Classification:

493413, 493411, 493412, 493414, 270 3901, 270 3902, 270 3905

Abstract:

This invention provides a system and method for separating, folding, stacking and transporting a continuous web that allows stacks of web that are relatively large (four-feet-high or more) to be generated at high speed directly beneath the folding mechanism and to be transferred as complete, discrete stacks to downstream locations and stack utilization devices without interrupting the ongoing, upstream stack-folding and stack-formation process. A zigzag folded web passes by a pair of opposing front and rear compression plate assemblies, with fingers that are extended to selectively project into the folding area, onto a stack supported by a vertically moving supporting mechanism. The supporting mechanism cycles between an ever-lower position in which upper, loose pages of the folded web pass by plate fingers (when retracted) and an upper position in which the stack engages and presses upwardly against the now-extended plate fingers to compress the stack. After the web is separated above the chute, the supporting mechanism eventually travels to the base where the now-completed stack is conveyed to a downstream location. While the supporting mechanism is occupied transferring the completed, old stack, new folded web is deposited on a deployed temporary support that allows a new stack to form thereon until the supporting mechanism has completed the transfer of the old stack, and is ready to receive the new stack from the temporary support.

US Patent:

7654947, Feb 2, 2010

Filed:

Jul 21, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/176967

Inventors:

Richard A. Sjostedt - Ashland MA, US
Steven P. Lewalski - Melrose MA, US
Bruce J. Taylor - Manchester NH, US
John M. Fiske - Wakefield MA, US

Assignee:

Roll Systems, Inc. - Burlington MA

International Classification:

B31F 7/00

US Classification:

493413, 493475

Abstract:

An apparatus for adjusting a swing arc and centering of a swinging director chute during separating, folding, stacking and transporting a continuous web that allows stacks of web that are relatively large (four-feet-high or more) to be generated at high speed directly beneath the folding mechanism and to be transferred as complete, discrete stacks to downstream locations and stack utilization devices without interrupting the ongoing, upstream stack-folding and stack-formation process. The apparatus includes a lever arm, interconnected with the swinging director chute, and a connecting rod having a first pivot end and a second pivot end. The first pivot end is adjustable movable along the lever arm. A drive arm connected to the second pivot end includes a lead screw. The lead screw can be operatively connected to an index wheel having a plurality of directed posts and a movable pawl that advances the index wheel.

US Patent:

7690882, Apr 6, 2010

Filed:

Jul 21, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/176952

Inventors:

Richard A. Sjostedt - Ashland MA, US
Steven P. Lewalski - Melrose MA, US
Bruce J. Taylor - Manchester NH, US
John M. Fiske - Wakefield MA, US

Assignee:

Lasermax Roll Systems, Inc. - Burlington MA

International Classification:

B07C 1/18
B66F 9/18

US Classification:

414763, 414620, 414405, 4147892, 414766, 4147922, 414621

Abstract:

This invention provides a system and method for separating, folding, stacking and transporting a continuous web that allows stacks of web that are relatively large (four-feet-high or more) to be generated at high speed directly beneath the folding mechanism and to be transferred as complete, discrete stacks to downstream locations and stack utilization devices without interrupting the ongoing, upstream stack-folding and stack-formation process. A zigzag folded web passes by a pair of opposing front and rear compression plate assemblies, with fingers that are extended to selectively project into the folding area, onto a stack supported by a vertically moving supporting mechanism. The supporting mechanism cycles between an ever-lower position in which upper, loose pages of the folded web pass by plate fingers (when retracted) and an upper position in which the stack engages and presses upwardly against the now-extended plate fingers to compress the stack. After the web is separated above the chute, the supporting mechanism eventually travels to the base where the now-completed stack is conveyed to a downstream location. While the supporting mechanism is occupied transferring the completed, old stack, new folded web is deposited on a deployed temporary support that allows a new stack to form thereon until the supporting mechanism has completed the transfer of the old stack, and is ready to receive the new stack from the temporary support.

US Patent:

8061709, Nov 22, 2011

Filed:

Oct 10, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/249857

Inventors:

Steven Lewalski - Melrose MA, US
James P. Zamanakos - Dracut MA, US
Bruce J. Taylor - Manchester NH, US
Sean Stewart - Brighton MA, US

Assignee:

Lasermax Roll Systems, Inc. - Burlington MA

International Classification:

B65H 5/00

US Classification:

271225, 271274, 271185

Abstract:

A system and method for rotating sheets receiving cut sheets from a source and providing them to a utilization device. The rotator continually engages sheets with at least one drive component throughout the transport and rotation process. The rotator includes a transport mechanism having a plurality of nip roller pairs along the length of a feed table. The nip rollers (nips) can be selectively engaged with, and disengaged from, the driven rollers using discrete actuators. This allows for feed velocity differentials when entering and exiting the rotator feed table, and also for clearance during sheet rotation. A rotator disk assembly is centered on the table between, and comprises a driven rotator disk and an overriding, freely rotating pressure disk. When sheets enter or pass through the rotator section, the pressure disk is raised to provide a clearance for sheets to pass.

US Patent:

8167293, May 1, 2012

Filed:

Aug 25, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/868289

Inventors:

Steven P. Lewalski - Melrose MA, US
Hans Eliasson - Ljungby, SE

Assignee:

Lasermax Roll Systems, Inc. - Burlington MA

International Classification:

B65H 37/04

US Classification:

270 5217, 270 5807, 83452, 83733, 83256, 83934

Abstract:

This invention provides a system and method for aligning, feeding, trimming, slitting, rotating, cross-slitting and stacking sheets, each containing one or more discrete page images thereon that allows for greater automation of the overall process so that reduced or no manual intervention is required to generate completed book stacks or “blocks” from a stream or stack of printed sheets. Sheets are fed downstream on a feed surface, trimmed at a first, upstream trimming station to remove margin edges and optionally separate the sheets relative to the discrete page images. The sheets are then rotated 90 degrees and fed to a second, downstream trimming station that trims the right-angle edges and optionally separates the sheets into a final group of full-bleed pages, removing margins and gutter strips. The sheets are feed to a stacking assembly to be tacked in page order and any rejected, defective sheets or stacks are removed from the order. Trimming stations can be automatically adjusted to accommodate different numbers and sizes of pages in sheets.

US Patent:

8360948, Jan 29, 2013

Filed:

Apr 5, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/754256

Inventors:

Richard Sjostedt - Ashland MA, US
Steven P. Lewalski - Melrose MA, US
Bruce J. Taylor - Manchester NH, US
John M. Fiske - Winchester MA, US

Assignee:

Lasermax Roll Systems, Inc. - Burlington MA

International Classification:

B31F 1/08

US Classification:

493411, 493356, 493448

Abstract:

This invention provides a system and method for separating, folding, stacking and transporting a continuous web that allows stacks of web that are relatively large (four-feet-high or more) to be generated at high speed directly beneath the folding mechanism and to be transferred as complete, discrete stacks to downstream locations and stack utilization devices without interrupting the ongoing, upstream stack-folding and stack-formation process. A zigzag folded web passes by a pair of opposing front and rear compression plate assemblies, with fingers that are extended to selectively project into the folding area, onto a stack supported by a vertically moving supporting mechanism. The supporting mechanism cycles between an ever-lower position in which upper, loose pages of the folded web pass by plate fingers (when retracted) and an upper position in which the stack engages and presses upwardly against the now-extended plate fingers to compress the stack. After the web is separated above the chute, the supporting mechanism eventually travels to the base where the now-completed stack is conveyed to a downstream location. While the supporting mechanism is occupied transferring the completed, old stack, new folded web is deposited on a deployed temporary support that allows a new stack to form thereon until the supporting mechanism has completed the transfer of the old stack, and is ready to receive the new stack from the temporary support.

US Patent:

8430400, Apr 30, 2013

Filed:

Oct 26, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/281666

Inventors:

Steven P. Lewalski - Melrose MA, US
James P. Zamanakos - Dracut MA, US
Bruce J. Taylor - Manchester NH, US
Sean Stewart - Brighton MA, US

Assignee:

Lasermax Roll Systems, Inc. - Billerica MA

International Classification:

B65H 5/00

US Classification:

271225, 271185, 271273

Abstract:

A system and method for rotating sheets receiving cut sheets from a source and providing them to a utilization device. The rotator continually engages sheets with at least one drive component throughout the transport and rotation process. The rotator includes a transport mechanism having a plurality of nip roller pairs along the length of a feed table. The nip rollers (nips) can be selectively engaged with, and disengaged from, the driven rollers using discrete actuators. This allows for feed velocity differentials when entering and exiting the rotator feed table, and also for clearance during sheet rotation. A rotator disk assembly is centered on the table between, and comprises a driven rotator disk and an overriding, freely rotating pressure disk. When sheets enter or pass through the rotator section, the pressure disk is raised to provide a clearance for sheets to pass.