GB1130202A - Apparatus for and method of supporting and transporting sheet material - Google Patents

Abstract

1,130,202. Feeding sheets. CALEDEX MACHINE CO. Ltd. 28 Dec., 1966 [29 Sept., 1965], No. 41298/65. Heading B6B. Sheet material (e.g. paper, cardboard, strawboard, and hard-board) is supported and transported by disposing the surface of a movable transporter 12 in close proximity to the surface of the material such that there is a gap between the surfaces, blowing divergent air streams through the gap from at least one blowing orifice 10 in the transporter and thereby creating a reduced pressure at a zone between the streams, whereat the material is attracted towards the transporter, reducing or terminating the blowing operation and applying to the zone an air suction through at least one suction orifice 15 in the transporter, thereby holding the sheet material to the transporter and moving the transporter to transport the held sheet. The blowing orifice may be annular, a slot or a series of holes. Separators.-Sheets 17<SP>1</SP> are separated from file 17 by a transporter 12 (constructed as set out above) which is slidably guided to reciprocate along guide bars 28. Reciprocation is brought about by lever 29 having a follower 32 engaged in cam track 33 of a continuously rotating cam assembly 34 driven by motor 35 which also drives air pump 36. The output of pump 36 is connected by line 37 to valve 41 and then to blowing orifice 10 by line 38. The intake of pump 36 is connected to valve 41 and then by line 40 to the stem 14 of transporter 12. Valve plunger 43 reciprocated by lever 44 which follows cam 34 such that when transporter 12 is at the delivery end of its travel the intake and output sides of pump 36 are connected to the atmosphere by ports 48. At the other extremity of travel of transporter 12 parts 48 are sealed to render the air blast and suction orifices operative. Sheet-forwarders. Transporter 12 feeds the sheet into the nip of rollers 49 and 50 driven from motor 35. Pile tables.-Plate 27 on which the pile rests is progressively raised through the oscillation of lever 44 which reciprocates bar 53 thus stepping round the ratchet wheel 56 which wheel is connected by a worm and worm-wheel mechanism 65 and chain drive 57 to the shaft 18. Rotation of shaft 18 causes sprockets 21 and 22 to move endless chains 25 and 26 which chains carry brackets 26 on which is mounted plate 27. The raising of plate 27 is controlled by micro switch 59 which, when closed through feeler 58 no longer engaging the top sheet of the pile, operates solenoid 60 to lift detent 51. and allow bar 53 to be reciprocated by lever 44. Sheet guides.-Edge guide 63 is provided at the rear face of the pile and is adjustable horizontally.