GB1276167A - Improvements in or relating to apparatus suitable for use in transferring plies of fabric material from a stack thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

1276167 Feeding sheets USM CORP 16 June 1969 [17 June 1968] 30363/69 Addition to 1246137 Heading B8R Apparatus for feeding plies of fabric material from a stack to a receiving station comprises a suction member carried on a support movable between pick-up and depositing positions, a plurality of ply-engaging teeth at the end of the suction member which penetrate the ply or plies to the required depth, and a stripper member relatively movable with respect to the suction member for disengaging the ply or plies therefrom at the receiving station. General Arrangement.-The elevator mechanism for a stack, and the workhead and carriage for the separating devices are identical with those disclosed in parent Specification (Fig. 1, not shown). Separating means, Fig. 2.-Each separating device 60 is similar to that disclosed in the abovementioned Specification, comprising essentially an outer casing 166, a tubular support 172 having, at its lower end, a shroud 186 and plygripping means 192 formed from a base portion 194 and a row of pointed teeth in a strip of card cloth 196, and a stripping element 208 having a piston 210 and a pair of downwards-extending legs (272), (214), (Fig. 3, not shown). The shroud 186 effectively limits the depth of the teeth of the card cloth 196 which engage a stack of plies, and adjustment is by rotation of nut 180. Once the surface 188 of shroud 186 contacts the force of the stack S, Fig. 1 (not shown), the consequent vacuum in the conduit provided by casing 166 causes the tubular support 172 to be drawn away from the stack, taking with it the contacting ply or plies.