Paper stack turning apparatus for individual stacks comprising individual sheets and insert for same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a turning apparatus and to an insert for a turning apparatus for at least two individual stacks ( 5 - 7 ) of individual sheets. The turning apparatus according to the invention, or the insert, is characterized by at least three stack-holding plates ( 1 - 4 ) to hold at least two individual stacks ( 5 - 7 ) separately between the stack-holding plates ( 1 - 4 ), in each case in stack-holding areas ( 19, 20 ) of the stack-holding plates ( 1 - 4 ), and by spacers ( 8 ) which are provided between adjacent stack-holding plates ( 1 - 4 ) and are arranged outside the stack-holding areas ( 19, 20 ).

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A turning apparatus for at least two individual stacks of individual sheets, comprising: 
 (a) at least three stack-holding plates, including at least a first central stack holding plate, to hold at least two individual stacks separately between respective pairs of said stack-holding plates, in respective stack-holding areas of the stack-holding plates; and,    (b) spacer means, said spacer means disposed between adjacent stack-holding plates, said spacer means positioned outside the stack-holding areas.    
     
     
         2 . The turning apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said spacer means are positioned in the area of the corners of the stack-holding plates.  
     
     
         3 . The turning apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said spacer means can be fastened detachably to the stack-holding plates.  
     
     
         4 . The turning apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said spacer means can be fastened detachably to the stack-holding plates.  
     
     
         5 . The turning apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said stack-holding plates, in, at least, a portion of the area outside the stack-holding areas, includes ferromagnetic material means, and wherein said spacer means includes magnet means, so that the spacer means can be fastened magnetically to the stack-holding plates.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein at least one end of said spacer means includes ferromagnetic material means, said stack-holding plates, in, at least, a portion of the area outside said stack-holding areas, including magnet means, so that the spacer means can be fastened magnetically to the stack-holding plates.  
     
     
         7 . The turning apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least said first central stack-holding plate includes a hollow cavity and a gas inlet opening means, and further including a gas outlet opening means in a respective stack-holding area, said gas inlet opening means, hollow cavity and gas outlet opening means communicatively connected, whereby gas may pass in through said inlet opening means, through said cavity and out through said outlet opening means.  
     
     
         8 . The turning apparatus according to  claim 7 , characterized in that said gas outlet opening means is provided on both sides of said at least one of said stack-holding plates.  
     
     
         9 . The turning apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including a gripping device to hold said stack-holding plates that are held apart by spacer means, said stack-holding plates, held apart by the spacer means, movable into and out of said gripping device.  
     
     
         10 . The turning apparatus according to  claim 9 , further including a pivoting device, such that said stack-holding plates held by said gripping device can be pivoted at least from a horizontal position into a vertical position, said at least said first central stack holding plate removable from said turning apparatus when said gripping device is in, at least, the vertical position.  
     
     
         11 . The turning apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including a ventilating device for drying the individual sheets.  
     
     
         12 . The turning apparatus according to  claim 7 , further including a ventilating device, said ventilating device adapted to connect to said gas inlet opening means whereby a gas can be blown through said gas inlet opening means and said cavity and out through said gas outlet opening means.  
     
     
         13 . The turning apparatus according to  claim 8 , further including a gripping device to hold said stack-holding plates that are held apart by spacer means, said, stack-holding plates, held apart by the spacer means, movable into and out of said gripping device.  
     
     
         14 . The turning apparatus according to  claim 13 , further including a pivoting device, such that said stack-holding plates held by said gripping device can be pivoted at least from a horizontal position into a vertical position, said at least said first central stack holding plate removable from said turning apparatus when said gripping device is in, at least, the vertical position.  
     
     
         15 . An insert for a turning apparatus for turning at least two individual stacks having individual sheets, comprising: 
 (a) at least three stack-holding plates, including at least a first central stack-holding plate, to hold at least two individual stacks separately between respective pairs of said stack-holding plates, in respective stack-holding areas of the stack holding plates, and,    (b) spacer means, said spacer means disposed between adjacent stack-holding plates, said spacer means positioned outside the stack-holding areas.    
     
     
         16 . The turning apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein said spacer means can be magnetically fastened detachably to the stack-holding plates.  
     
     
         17 . The turning apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein said at least said first central stack-holding plate includes a hollow cavity and a gas inlet opening means, and further including a gas outlet opening means in a respective stack-holding area, said gas inlet opening means, hollow cavity and gas outlet opening means communicatively connected, whereby gas may pass in through said inlet opening means, through said cavity and out through said outlet opening means.  
     
     
         18 . The turning apparatus according to  claim 17 , characterized in that said gas outlet opening means is provided on both sides of said at least one of said stack-holding plates.  
     
     
         19 . The turning apparatus according to  claim 18 , further including a gripping device to hold said stack-holding plates that are held apart by said spacer means, said stack-holding plates, held apart by said spacer means, movable into and out of said gripping device.  
     
     
         20 . The turning apparatus according to  claim 19 , further including a pivoting device, such that said stack-holding plates held by said gripping device can be pivoted at least from a horizontal position into a vertical position, said at least said first central stack holding plate removable from said turning apparatus when said gripping device is in, at least, the vertical position.