Systems and methods for inverting sheet-like materials

Abstract

According to the invention, a system for inverting a stack of sheet-like materials is disclosed. The system may include a frame, first element, a second element, a compression mechanism, and a rotational device. The first element may be movably coupled with the frame. The second element may also be movably coupled with the frame. The compression mechanism may be configured to compress the stack of sheet-like materials between the first element and the second element. The rotational device may be configured to rotate the frame between the first position and the second position, where in the second position the stack of sheet-like materials is inverted relative to the first position.

1 . A system for inverting a stack of sheet-like materials, wherein the system comprises:
 a frame;   a first element movably coupled with the frame;   a second element movably coupled with the frame;   a compression mechanism configured to compress the stack of sheet-like materials between the first element and the second element; and   a rotational device configured to rotate the frame between a first position and a second position, wherein in the second position the stack of sheet-like materials is inverted relative to the first position.   
     
     
         2 . The system for inverting a stack of sheet-like materials of  claim 1 , wherein the stack of sheet-like materials comprises a stack of fanfold paper. 
     
     
         3 . The system for inverting a stack of sheet-like materials of  claim 1 , wherein the first element and the second element each comprise a pair of forks. 
     
     
         4 . The system for inverting a stack of sheet-like materials of  claim 1 , wherein the first element comprises a shaped support surface configured to alter the shape of the stack of sheet-like materials. 
     
     
         5 . The system for inverting a stack of sheet-like materials of  claim 1 , wherein the compression mechanism is configured to move at least one of the first element and the second element relative to the other. 
     
     
         6 . The system for inverting a stack of sheet-like materials of  claim 1 , wherein the compression mechanism comprises:
 a motor operably coupled with a first screw and a second screw, wherein the first screw and the second screw rotate when the motor is active;   the first screw operably coupled with the first element, wherein the first element moves relative to the second element when the first screw rotates; and   the second screw operably coupled with the second element, wherein the second element moves relative to first element when the second screw rotates.   
     
     
         7 . The system for inverting a stack of sheet-like materials of  claim 1 , wherein the compression mechanism comprises a limiting mechanism configured to limit the compression of the stack of sheet-like materials. 
     
     
         8 . The system for inverting a stack of sheet-like materials of  claim 7 , wherein the limiting mechanism comprises a clutch. 
     
     
         9 . The system for inverting a stack of sheet-like materials of  claim 1 , wherein the rotational device comprises a motor operably coupled with the frame, wherein the frame rotates between the first position and the second position when the motor is active. 
     
     
         10 . The system for inverting a stack of sheet-like materials of  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises a transport assembly configured to:
 receive the stack of sheet-like materials after they are inverted; and   support the stack of sheet-like materials after they are inverted.   
     
     
         11 . A system for inverting a stack of sheet-like materials, the system comprising:
 a first means for supporting the stack of sheet-like materials in a first position;   a second means for securing the stack of sheet-like materials in the first position and supporting the stack of sheet-like materials in a second position;   a means for compressing the stack of sheet-like materials between the first means and the second means; and   a means for rotating the stack of sheet-like materials between the first position and the second position, wherein in the second position the stack of sheet-like materials is inverted relative to the first position.   
     
     
         12 . The system for inverting a stack of sheet-like materials of  claim 11 , wherein the first means and the second means each comprise a pair of forks. 
     
     
         13 . The system for inverting a stack of sheet-like materials of  claim 11 , wherein the system further comprises a means for altering the shape of the stack of sheet-like materials. 
     
     
         14 . The system for inverting a stack of sheet-like materials of  claim 11 , wherein the means for compressing is configured to move at least one of the first means and the second means relative to the other. 
     
     
         15 . The system for inverting a stack of sheet-like materials of  claim 11 , wherein the means for compressing comprises:
 a motor operably coupled with a first screw and a second screw, wherein the first screw and the second screw rotate when the motor is active;   the first screw operably coupled with the first means, wherein the first means moves relative to the second means when the first screw rotates;   the second screw operably coupled with the second means, wherein the second means moves relative to first means when the second screw rotates.   
     
     
         16 . The system for inverting a stack of sheet-like materials of  claim 11 , wherein the means for compressing comprises a means for limiting the compression of the stack of sheet-like materials. 
     
     
         17 . The system for inverting a stack of sheet-like materials of  claim 11 , wherein the means for rotating comprises a motor operably coupled with the first means and the second means, wherein the first means and the second means rotate between the first position and the second position when the motor is active. 
     
     
         18 . A system for inverting a stack of sheet-like materials, the system comprising:
 a delivery apparatus configured to deliver a plurality of sheet-like materials to a location;   a frame;   a first element movably coupled with the frame and configured to receive the plurality of sheet-like materials from the delivery apparatus, wherein each sheet-like material is received on top of a previously received sheet-like material to form the stack of sheet-like materials;   a second element movably coupled with the frame;   a compression mechanism configured to:
 lower the first element as the plurality of sheet-like materials are received such that a top of the stack of sheet-like materials is substantially at or below the location; and 
 compress the stack of sheet-like materials between the first element and the second element; 
   a movement device configured to move at least a portion of the delivery apparatus such that the location is substantially at or above the top of the stack of sheet-like materials; and   a rotational device configured to rotate frame from a first position to a second position, wherein in the second position the stack of sheet-like materials is inverted relative to the first position.   
     
     
         19 . The system for inverting a stack of sheet-like materials of  claim 18 , wherein the delivery apparatus comprises a conveyor belt. 
     
     
         20 . The system for inverting a stack of sheet-like materials of  claim 18 , wherein the movement device comprises:
 a motor operably coupled with a threaded element, wherein the threaded element is operably coupled with a screw, and wherein the threaded element rotates and moves along a length of the screw when the motor is active; and   the threaded element operably coupled with at least a portion of the delivery apparatus, wherein at least a portion of the delivery apparatus moves when the threaded element moves along the length of the screw.   
     
     
         21 . A method for inverting a stack of sheet-like materials, wherein the method comprises:
 receiving, on a first element, sheet-like materials in a sequence to form the stack of sheet-like materials, wherein a first received sheet-like material is at a bottom of the stack of sheet-like materials, and wherein a last received sheet-like material is at a top of the stack of sheet-like materials;   compressing the stack of sheet-like materials between the first element and a second element; and   rotating the compressed stack of sheet-like materials, wherein after rotation, the first received sheet-like material is at the top of the stack of sheet-like materials, and wherein the last received sheet-like material is at the bottom of the stack of sheet-like materials.   
     
     
         22 . The method for inverting a stack of sheet-like materials of  claim 21 , wherein the sheet-like materials are received at a location, and wherein the method further comprises altering the location where the sheet-like materials are received.