US3254887A

US3254887A - High speed blank feeding device

Info

Publication number: US3254887A
Application number: US300318A
Authority: US
Inventors: Roger S Brigham
Original assignee: Continental Can Co Inc
Current assignee: Continental Can Co Inc
Priority date: 1963-08-06
Filing date: 1963-08-06
Publication date: 1966-06-07
Anticipated expiration: 1983-06-07

Description

June 7, 1966 'R- s. BRIGHAM HIGH SPEED BLANK FEEDING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 6, 1963 INVENTOR Roe-E2 SBmc-HAM P0 pg 00.

June 7, 1966 R. s. BRIGHAM 3,254,887

HIGH SPEED BLANK FEEDING DEVICE Filed Aug. 6, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS June 7, 1966 R. s. BRIGHAM HIGH SPEED BLANK FEEDING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 6, 1963 INVENTOR R0652 3B2 \GHQM \\\\\\\\\\\&s

York

Filed Aug. 6, 1963, Ser. No. 300,318 18 Claims. (Cl. 271-11) This invention relates to a novel high speed separating and feeding device for separating and feeding a plurality of relative flat semi-rigid blanks, and in particular, to a high speed separating and feeding device having a fluid actuated member for advancing the blanks along a gate toward a feeding mechanism, the gate including a fluid port opening outwardly thereof toward a forwardmost of the plurality of blanks for pneumatically separating the forwardmost blank from the plurality of blanks and the feeding mechanism thereafter transporting the separated blank along a predetermined path beyond the gate.

There are numerous conventional machines which separate a top or forwardmost blank from a stack of substantially flat semi-rigid blanks. Usually in machines of this type, the top blank in a stack is separated from the stack by a lifting device, such as a reciprocal Vacuum arm, which carries the separated blank into a drive means, such as feed rolls.

- In another conventional separating and feeding machine the top blank is lifted at a leading edge thereof and the trailing edge is contacted by a reciprocal kicker mechanism which pushes the top blank toward a plurality of feed rolls.

In each of these types of conventional feeders, and numerous others, the speed of feed is limited by the reciprocal movement of the lifting device, and in these feeders using a kicker, the speed of feed is further limited by the inertia of the blank being pushed forward and the amount of force that can be sustained by the blank from the kicker and yet remain undamaged.

The novel separating and feeding device of the present invention does not utilize reciprocal lifting and feeding .components of the conventional type and therefore fed blanks are maintained relatively damage-free and the speed of feed is extremely high.

1 There are other types of conventional blank separating and feeding devices which utilize driven feed rolls .to

separate a top blank from a stack by overcoming the coefficient of friction between the top blank and a next succeeding blank. When such feeding devices are used to feed metallic or paperstock blanks of a semi-rigid, partially flexible nature the friction between a top blank and a succeeding blank is not at all times overcome by the feed rolls. This results in blank misfeed and at times in a double-blank feed if the misfeed is not compensated for by the feeding device.

The separating and feeding device of this invention overcomes the disadvantages in feeding devices of the type described above by first breakingthe frictional forces .tending to hold succeeding blanks together and substantially simultaneously therewith feeding a separated blank by friction feed means. Since the frictional forces between the blanks are broken prior to feeding, misfeeding and double feeding of the blanks is virtually eliminated.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a novel high speed separating and feeding device which overcomes disadvantages inherent in conventional feeding mechanism by providing a novel separating and feeding device including a support and a plurality of feed rolls rotatably journalled to the support, a slide for advancing a plurality of relatively flat semi-rigid blanks toward the feed rolls, a fluid cylinder having a first portion secured to the support and a second portion secured to the slide United States Patent whereby the introduction-of fluid into the cylinder causes movement of the second portions and the slide secured 3,254,887 Patented June 7, 1966 thereto toward the feed rolls, a gate located adjacent the feed rolls and a fluid port in the gate opening outwardly of the gate toward the feed rolls for directing fluid toward a forwardmost of the plurality of blanks whereby a forwardmost of the blanks is separated from the plurality of blanks and substantially simultaneously therewith the forwardmost blank is transported by the feed rolls along and beyond the gate.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a novel high speed separating and feeding device of the type above-described wherein the port and the fluid cylinder are in fluid communication with each other, and with a common source of pressurized fluid.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel high speed separating'and feeding device of the type described, and including means for adjusting the gate with respect to the feed rolls.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel high speed separating and feeding device which includes a plurality of rotatable feed rolls, a blank-advancing slide normally positioned at one side of the feed rolls, a fluid cylinder operatively connected between the support and the slide for advancing the slide and a plurality of semirigid blanks toward the feed rolls, and in addition, to provide a gate located adjacent the feed rolls, the gate including a fluid port opening outwardly thereof toward the feed rolls for directing fluid under pressure toward a forwardmost of the blanksadvanced by the slide whereby a forwardmost of the blanks is separated from the plurality of blanks, the gate being secured to the fluidcylinder and the fluid cylinder being adjustable with respect to the feed rolls whereby adjustment of the fluid cylinder causes adjustment of the gate with respect to the feed rolls.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel high speed separating and feeding device of the type immediately above-described, and in addition, to provide the gate with a first guiding surface for guiding a forwardmost blank along and beyond the gate and a second guiding surface for guiding the plurality of blanks along the gate toward the feed rolls.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel high speed separating and feeding device of the type heretofore described wherein the slide is movably and guidably mounted on the fluid cylinder for sliding move- 7 ment toward and away from the feed rolls.

With the above, and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings:

.In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a high speed separating and feeding apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention, and illustrates a plurality of semirigid blanks supported on edge in a holder, a pneumatically advancing slide urging the blanks toward a pair of driven rolls for movement along a predetermined path toward and beyond an adjustable bell crank assembly and a gearing arrangement for driving the plurality of rolls.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary end view taken along line 22 of FIGURE 1 and illustrates the gearing assembly with more clarity, an adjusting mechanism for adjusting the bell crank assembly parallel to the predetermined path of travel of the blanks and a discharge idler roll carried by the bell crank assembly.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 1 and illustrates a starter roll, a gage roll and a discharge roll all driven lay-the gear assembly.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 44 of FIGURE 1, and illustrating the bell crank assembly and the mechanism for adjusting the bell crank assembly parallel to the predetermined path of travel established by theplurality of rolls.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIGURE 1 and illustrates a fluid cylinder adjustably mounted by a dovetail connection to a plate of the separating and feeding apparatus, a slide threadably mounted on the fluid cylinder and a gate having a fluid port in communication through a needle valve with a source of fluid pressure.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 66 of FIGURE 2, and more clearly illustrates the arrangement of the fluid cylinder, the slide and the gate as well as the adjusting mechanism for adjusting the bell crank assembly with respect to the predetermined path established by the rolls.

FIGURE 7 is a schematic top plan view with parts shown in cross-section, and illustrates a plurality of :blanks being urged toward a narrow fluid emitting orifice in the gate and a forwardmost blank just prior to being separated from the plurality of blanks by a blanket of fluid pressure. v

FIGURE 8 is a schematic top plan view with parts shown in section and illustrates the forwardmost blank separated from a next succeeding blank by a blanket of fluid pressure and being urged by the blanket of fluid pressure toward the feed rolls.

The high speed separating and feeding device is generally designated by the reference numeral 10 and includes a mounting plate 11 having a plurality of mounting holes 12 formed therein. The mounting plate 11 is substantially rectangular and is welded or otherwise secured in a conventional manner to a substantially cylindrical drive shaft housing 13. Another plate 14 (see FIGURE 2) is welded to the cylindrical drive shaft housing 13 and is also welded to the plate 11. A substantially triangular reinforcing plate 15 (see FIGURE 3) is welded to the drive shaft housing 13 and the plate 11 to rigidify these latter two elements.

A reinforcing channel 16 (see FIGURE 6) of a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional configuration is welded to a bottom plate 17 and a top plate 18. The reinforcing channel 16 is secured to the plate 14 by a plurality of bolts 20 (only one being illustrated) passing through a leg 21 of the reinforcing channel 16 and a spacer plate 22 positioned between the leg 21 and the plate 14. A reinforcing bar 23 is secured between the bottom plate 17 and the top plate 18 by identical screws 24.

As is best illustrated in FIGURE 2 of the drawings, a main drive shaft 25 is rotatably journalled in a bore 26 of the cylindrical drive shaft housing 13 by a pair of identical anti-friction bearings 27 (only one being illustrated) seated in a counterbore 28 at each end of the shaft housing 13. A retaining ring 30 maintains each of the anti-friction bearings 27 within the ends of the drive shaft housing 13. A main drive bevel gear 31 is secured by a key (not shown) to an end portion 32 of the main drive shaft 25. The bevel gear 31 is driven in a conventional manner to rotate the main drive shaft 25 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 1 of the drawings.

A gear 33 is secured to a collar 34 keyed to an opposite end portion 35 of the main drive shaft 25 by a key 36. A flanged bushing 37 is running-fit on the opposite end portion 35 of the main drive shaft 25.

The flanged bushing 37 is pressed in an opening or bore 38 formed in an apex portion 40 (see FIGURE 1) of an arcuate adjusting plate 41. The arcuate adjusting plate 41 overlies and is spaced from'the top plate 18. The arcuate adjusting plate 41 is free to pivot about the axis of the shaft 25 at the apex portion 40 and may be secured in any adjusted position thereof by a bolt 42 passing through an arcuate slot 43 in the adjusting plate 41 and threadably received in an extension 44 (see FIGURE 2) of the plate 14.

A gear 45 is secured to the arcuate adjusting plate 41 by a bolt 46 and is driven in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 1 by the gear 33. A similar gear 47 in mesh with the gear 45 is secured by a bolt 48 to the arcuate adjusting plate 41 and rotates in a counterclockwise direction.

Gear teeth 49 of a gear 50 are in mesh with the gear 47. The gear 50 is formed from two separate gears which are secured together and journalled to the top plate 18 by a bushing 51 and a bolt 52. The gears 33, 4'5, 47 and 50 constitute a gear assembly, which through the gear 50, rotate three

shafts

53, 54 and 55 journalled between the top plate 18 and the bottom plate 17.

As is best illustrated in FIGURE 3 of the drawings, the shaft 53 is provided with a reduced end portion 56 journalled in a bore 57 of the bottom plate 17 by anti friction bearing 58. An opposite end portion 60 of the shaft 53 is similarly journalled in a bore or aperture 61 of the top plate 18 by an anti-friction bearing 62. A gear 63 is suitably attached to the end portion 60 of the shaft 53 and meshes with a plurality of teeth 64 of the gear 50.

Starter rolls

65 and 66 are press-fit on the shaft 53 and each of these starter rolls carries an identical resilient band 67 which is preferably constructed of plastic or rubber.

The shaft 54 has a reduced end portion 68 journalled in an aperture 70 of the bottom plate 17 by an anti-friction member 71. An opposite reduced end portion 72 of the shaft 54 is journalled in a counter-bored opening 73 of the top plate 18 by an anti-friction bearing 74. A gear 75 press-fit upon a sleeve 76 secured to the reduced end portion 72 of the shaft 54 meshes with the teeth 64 of the gear 50. Gage roll 77 is located centrally of the length of the shaft 54.

The shaft 55 has a reduced end portion 78 journalled in an aperture 79 of the bottom plate 17 by anti-friction member 80. An opposite reduced end portion 81 of the shaft 55 is rotatably journalled in an aperture 82 of the top plate 18 by an anti-friction bearing 83. A gear 84 press-fit upon a sleeve 85 carried by the reduced end portion 81 of the shaft 55 meshes with the gear 75 carried by the shaft 54.

An identical discharge roll 86 is carried by the shaft 55 on each side of a substantially large cylindrical portion 87 of the shaft 55. Each of the discharge rolls 86 includes a metallic sleeve 88 press-fit upon the shaft 55 and three identical rubber rings 90 bonded or otherwise secured to a periphery of each sleeve 88.

A fluid operated blank advancing and separating assembly 91 is best illustrated in FIGURES 1, 2, 5 and 6 of the drawings. The blank advancing and separating assembly 91 includes a housing 92 secured to the bottom plate 17 of the separating and feeding apparatus 10 by a pair of identical threaded bolts 93 in a manner clearly illustrated in FIGURE 5 of the drawings. The housing 92 includes an interior chamber 94 receiving an adjusting screw 95 carried by a shaft 96. The shaft 96 projects outwardly of the housing 92 as viewed in FIG- URES 1 and 2 of the drawings and is provided with a knurled handle 97.

A dovetail guide slot 98 in the housing 92 opens upwardly away from the bottom plate 17 and receives there in a dovetail portion 100 of a fluid cylinder 101. A threaded portion 102 of the dovetail portion 100 opens into the interior chamber 94 of the housing 92. The adjusting screw 95 threadably engages the threaded portion 102 of the dovetail portion 100. Thus, as the knurled handle 97 is turned, the shaft 96 rotates the ad justing screw 95 causing movement of the fluid cylinder 101 with respect to the housing 92 because of the threaded engagement of the adjusting screw 95 and the threaded portion 102 of the dovetail portion 100.

A cylindrical bore or chamber 103 (see FIGURES 1 and 6) is formed in the fluid cylinder 101. A piston head 104 carried by a shaft 105 projecting outwardly of the fluid cylinder 101 as viewed in FIGURE 6 of the drawings is slidably mounted in the chamber 103. The portion of the piston 105 projecting outwardly of the fluid cylinder 101 is secured to a plate 106 by a threaded bolt 107. The plate 106 is secured to a slide 108 by a pair of identical bolts 110, only one of which is illustrated.

The slide 108 is slidably carried by the fluid cylinder 101 for movement toward and away from the starter rolls 65, 66 and the gate roll 77 as is shown in FIG- URES 1 and 6 of the drawings.

The slide 108 includes a body 109 (see FIGURE 5) of a generally H-shaped cross-sectional configuration. A slide portion 111 is secured in a recess 112 of the body 110 by a plurality of identical screws 113 (only one of which is shown). The slide portion 111 of the slide 108 has a forwardmost surface 114 for contacting and urging a plurality of semi-rigid blanks C in a hopper 119 toward the

rolls

65 and 77 as shown in FIGURE 6. Identical oppositely directed

guide portions

115, 115 are each secured to opposite sides of the body 109 of the slide 108 by identical screws 116. The oppositely .directed guide portions 115 of the slide 108 are each received in elongated slots or grooves 117, 117 formed in the fluid cylinder 101; The

guide portions

115, 115 each engage an elongated gate 120 having longitudinal edge portions partially overlapping the guide slots 117, 117 of the fluid cylinder 101. The gate 120 is secured to the fluid cylinder 101 by a plurality of identical screws 121, 121.

It will also be noted that since the gate 120 is secured to the fluid cylinder 101, adjustment of the fluid cylinder 101 by rotating the adjusting screw 95 advances or retracts the gate 120 with respect to the gage roll 77 (see FIGURE 6).

The slide 108 is advanced toward the

rolls

65 and 77 of FIGURE 6 by introducing fluid, such as air under 'pressure, from .a suitable source to a fitting 122 (see FIGURE 5) threaded to the fluid cylinder 101. The fitting 122 opens into a main bore 123 in the fluid cylinder 101. The main bore 123 is in fluid communication with the cylindrical bore or chamber 103 in the fluid cylinder 101 by means of a passage 124 opening through a port 125 in a gasket 126 in the chamber 103. Fluid under pressure, such as air, flows through the fitting 122, the main bore 123, the passage 124 and the port 125 into the cylindrical chamber 103 thereby urging the piston head 104 inwardly as viewed in FIGURES 1 and 6 of the drawings. This movement of the piston head 104 is transmitted to the slide 108 through the portion of the piston .105 extending outwardly of the fluid cylinder 101 and the plate 106 secured to the slide 108.

As the slide 108 advances toward the

rolls

65 and 77, the blanks C in the hopper 119 are urged toward these rolls by the surface 114. As each of the body blanks C i is advanced against the starter roll 65, the rotation thereof urges or ,feeds each blank from left-to-right toward and beyond the gate 120 as viewed in FIGURE 6 of the drawings.

To insure that a single blank of the plurality of blanks C is fed without interference from an adjacent blank, the gate 120 is provided with a relatively, elongated narrow fluid emitting orifice or port 127. The fluid emitting orifice or port 127 is in fluid communication with the main bore 123 of the fluid cylinder 110 by means of an elongated passage 128 in the gate 120 opening through a port 130 in the fluid cylinder 101 into-the rnain bore 123. A threaded bleed valve 131 (see FIGURE 5) is adjustable in a conventional manner to regulate the pressure of the air being emitted through the fluid emitting orifice 127 of the gate 120. In addition, the gate 120 is provided with a guiding surface 132 which is angularly related to the path of travel of the plurality of blanks C.

The operation of the blank advancing and separating j assembly 91 will be best described by referring to FIG- 6 URES 6 through 8 of the drawings. As fluid, such as air, is introduced into the chamber 103 (see FIGURE 6) the slide 108 is advanced toward the

rolls

65 and 77 in the manner heretofore described. During the advancement of the slide 108 the surface 114 thereof advances the plupinges against a leading edge portion 133 of the blank A adjacent the orifice 127 and separates the forwardmost blank A from the remaining blanks by a thin air film or air blanket, (see FIGURE 8). This thin air film urges the forwardmost blank A into contact with the starter rolls and 66, and the gage roll 77. The

rolls

65, 66 and 77 are rotating and the forwardmost blank A is thus fed between a gage surface 134 of the gate and the gage roll 77.

Before the forwardmost blank A is fed beyond the gate 120, the blank succeeding the forwardmost blank A is separated by air emitted from the orifice 127 as the film of air is being dissipated by the movement of the blank A beyond the gate 120. In this manner successive blanks are advanced, pneumatically separated and fed at a rapid speed beyond the gate 120.

A bell crank assembly 135 (see FIGURES 3, 4 and 6) is carried by the support 14 of the separating and feeding apparatus 10. The bell crank assembly 135 comprises a first T-shaped portion 136 having a leg 137 and a pair of oppositely directed

arms

138 and 140. The leg 137 has a dovetail surface 141 guidably received-in a complementary dovetail slot 142 of the support 14. A threaded bore 143 threadably receives a bolt 144 forming part of an adjusting mechanism 145 of the 'bell crank assembly 135. The adjusting mechanism 145 includes a bracket 146 (see FIGURE 6) secured to the support 14 by a pair of identical bolts 147. A leg 148 of the bracket 146 is provided with a slot 150 opening into a recessed portion 151 between the leg 148 and the support 14. The bolt 144 is held captive by .an integral collar 152 thereof received in the recess 151 and a head 153 of the bolt 144 in a manner clearly illustrated in FIGURE 6. As the bolt 144 is turned, the bell crank assembly 135 is shifted parallel to the path of travel of the blanks C as the same are being fed by the plurality of

rolls

65, 66 and 86.

A bracket 155 (see FIGURES 2 and 4) is secured to each of the arms 138- and 140. A shoulder bolt 156 passes through a bore 157 in each of the brackets 155 and is thre-adably received in a threaded bore 158 of each of the

arms

138 and 140. Each of the brackets 155 is thuspivotably or rockably mounted to a respective one of the

arms

138 and 140. An end portion 160 of each of the pivotally mounted brackets 155 is received in an identical recess 161 in each of the

plates

17 and 18. 'A discharge idler roll 162 having identical end portions 163 is freely rotatably journalle'd in opposing bores 164 of the pivotal brackets 155 by identical anti-friction bearing elements 165 receiving a respective one of the reduced end portions 163, as is clearly illustrated in FIGURE 4 I of the drawings.

The purpose of the bell crank assembly 135 is to direct the blanks as they are fed beyond the gate 120. As is best illustrated in FIGURES 7 and 8 of the drawings, the discharge idler roll 162 is normally positioned in spaced relationship to the driven discharge rolls 86 and a plane through the axes of the

rolls

162 and 86 is normal to the path of travel established by the

rolls

65, 66 and 77. In this position of the rolls 162 and 86 a' blank pass- 1ng through the nip of these rolls is directed normally to the plane through the axes of the rolls and parallel to the path of travel established by the

rolls

65, 66 and 77. However, by turning the bolt 144 of the adjusting mechanism 145 the axis of the roll 162 of the bell crank assembly 135 can be moved either forward or backward of the axis of the roll 86. Either of these movements of the I011 162 alters the position of the plane through the axes of the

rolls

162 and 86 from the position normal to the path of blank travel, yet .a blank passing through the

rolls

162 and 86 passes at a right angle to the plane through the axes of the

rolls

162 and 86. Thus by moving the roll 162 either forward or backward with respect to the roll 86, the blanks C can be selectively directed beyond the gate 120 and the

rolls

162 and 86.

The distance between the

rolls

86 and 162 is adjustable to accommodate blanks of varied thicknesses by limiting the pivoting of the discharge idler roll 162. The pivoting of the discharge idler roll 162 of the bell crank assembly 135 is adjustable by a set screw 166 (see FIG- URE 2) threadably received through the support 15 and projecting into abutment with a rear surface 167 of each of the pivotal brackets 155 (see FIGURE 6). As the screws 166 are threaded against the surface 167 of each of the pivotal brackets 155, the brackets 155 are pivoted in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 6 of the drawings to decrease the gap between the discharge idler roll 162 and the driven discharge rolls 86. Conversely, threaded withdrawal of each of the screws 166 limits clockwise pivoting of the discharge idler roll 162 as a blank C is fed between the same and the driven discharge rolls 86.

While the novel separating and feeding apparatus 10 of this invention has been described in a manner in which the blanks C are fed on edge, it is to be understood that this description is merely illustrative of a preferred embodiment of this invention and the separating and feeding apparatus 10 can feed the. blanks C in a horizontal plane. For example, by rotating FIGURE 6 of the drawings 180 degrees it will be readily observed that a plurality of blanks C are being fed in a horizontal plane from right-to-left as viewed in this inverted figure. Since the blanks C are preferably made of a realtively lightweight metal, such as aluminum, the fluid emitting orifice 127 is still effective to separate a now lowermost of the blanks C from the remainder of the blanks to effectively separate the same by a cushion of air in the manner heretofore described in the preferred embodiment of this invention. In such a configuration for horizontal feeding the effect of gravity would replace the necessity for a slide such as that herein disclosed, subject to variations imposed by the stack height. Other means of aiding or supplanting the force of gravity in such an instance could take various forms, such as feeding from an auxiliary stack to a constant height stack, etc.

While the separating and feeding device herein disclosed is specifically constructed for feeding metallic blanks such as are used in the manufacture of can bodies, the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular blanks being fed. Any substantially semi-rigid flat blanks, such as paperstock or plastic material blanks, can be fed by the novel device of this invention and this disclosure is intended to encompass the separating and feeding of all such blanks and their equivalents.

The high speed separating and feeding device illustrated in the drawings embody the invention in a preferred form, but it is intended that the disclosure be illustrative rather than definitive, the invention being defined in the appended claims:

I claim:

1. Apparatus for separating and feeding a plurality of relatively flat blanks comprising a plurality of rolls adapted to transport successive ones of the plurality of blanks along a predetermined linear path, a slide opposing said rolls for advancing the plurality of blanks, means for advancing said slide and the plurality of blanks toward the plurality of rolls, means for directing fluid toward the leading edges of the plurality of blanks whereby a forwardmost of the plurality of blanks is separated from the remaining blanks, said fluid directing means being operative for wholly separating the forwardmost blank from the remaining blanks and urging the forwardmost blank toward and against the rolls by -a fluid cushion created by the fluid directing means, and means for adjusting said fluid directing means relative to said rolls.

2. The apparatus for separating and feeding a plurality of relatively flat blanks as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for directing fluid is a gate provided with a fluid emitting orifice, said gate having a surface in opposed spaced relationship to a peripheral surface of one of said rolls, and means for varying the spacing between said last-mentioned gate and roll surfaces whereby blanks of varying thickness can be fed by said apparatus.

3. The apparatus for separating and feeding a plurality of relatively flat blanks as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for directing fluid is a gate inclined with respect to the predetermined path established by the plurality of rolls, whereby leading edges of the blanks I are advanced instaggered relationship toward said rolls, and said. gate including fluid emitting orifice, means for separating only one of the blanks from the remaining ones of the plurality of blanks by directing fluid from said fluid emitting orifice means only between said one blank and a next adjacent blank.

4. A device for separating and feeding a plurality of relatively flat blanks at a high speed comprising a plurality of rolls adapted to transport successive ones of the plurality of blanks along a predetermined linear path, a slide opposing said rolls for advancing the plurality of blanks, pneumatic means for advancing said slide and the plurality of blanks toward the plurality of rolls, a gate positioned adjacent the plurality of rolls, said gate cooperating with one of the plurality of rolls to form an exit opening for each individual blank fed by the plurality of rolls along the predetermined path, said exit opening ranging in size between slightly greater than the thickness of a blank to slightly less than twice the thickness of a blank, said gate including fluid emitting orifice means for directing fluid toward the leading edges of the plurality of blanks whereby a forwardmost of the plurality of blanks is separated from the remaining blanks and is spaced therefrom by a fluid cushion created by the fluid emitted by the fluid emitting orifice.

5. The device as defined in claim 4 wherein the fluid emitting orifice means is an elongated fluid emitting orifice having a length which is substantially equal to the width of the plurality of blanks- 6. The device as defined in claim 5 wherein the gate includes a surface defining an acute angle with the predetermined linear path whereby the plurality of blanks are guided by said surface in staggered relationship toward said plurality of rolls by the advancement of the slide.

7. The device as defined in claim 4 wherein said pneumatic means is a fluid cylinder having a piston mounted in a chamber of the fluid cylinder, and said piston is connected to the slide whereby retraction of the piston into the chamber causes advancement of the slide toward the plurality of rolls.

8. The device as defined in claim 7 wherein the fluid emitting orifice of the gate and the chamber of the fluid cylinder are in fluid communication with each other and with a common source of pressurized fluid.

9. A device for separating and feeding a plurality of relatively flat banks at high speed comprising a plurality of rolls adapted to transport successive ones of the plurality of blanks along a predetermined linear path, a slide opposing said rolls for advancing .the plurality of blanks, pneumatic means for advancing said slide and the plu rality of blanks toward the plurality of rolls tioned adjacent th lural f 'llsi' s ing with one of the plurality of rolls to form an exit opening for each individual blank fed by the plurality of rolls along the predetermined path, said gate including a substantially elongated narrow fluid emitting orifice for directing fluid toward the leading edges of the plurality of blanks whereby a forwardmost of the plurality of blanks is separated from the remaining blanks and is spaced therefrom by a fluid cushion created by the fluid emitted by the fluid emitting orifice, said pneumatic means being a fluid cylinder having a piston mounted in a chamber of the fluid cylinder, said piston being connected to the slide whereby the movement of the piston in relation to the chamber causes advancement of the slide toward a plurality of rolls, said gate being carried by the fluid cylinder and means are provided for adjusting the fluid cylinder with respect to the plurality of rolls.

10. The device as defined in claim 7 wherein the slide is guidably mounted for advancement upon the fluid cylin der.

11. A device for separating and feeding a plurality of relatively flat banks at high speed comprising a plurality of rolls adapted to transport successive ones of the plurality of blanks along a predetermined linear path, a slide opposing said rolls for advancing the plurality of blanks, pneumatic means for advancing said slide and the plurality of blanks toward the plurality of rolls, a gate positioned adjacent the plurality of rolls, said gate cooperating with one of the plurality of rolls to form an exit opening for each individual blank fed by the plurality of rolls along the predetermined path, said gate including a substantially elongated narrow fluid emitting orifice for directing fluid toward the leading edges of the plurality of blanks whereby a forwardmost of the plurality of blanks is separated from the remaining blanks and is spaced therefrom by a fluid cushion created by the fluid emitted by the fluid emitting orifice, said pneumatic means being a fluid cylinder having a piston mounted in a chamber of the fluid cylinder, said piston being connected to the slide whereby the movement of the piston in relation to the chamber causes advancement of the slide toward a plurality of rolls, said gate being carried by the fluid cylinder and the slide is guidably mounted for advancement upon the fluid cylinder.

12. A device for separating and feeding a plurality of relatively flat banks at a high speed comprising a plurality of rolls adapted to transport successive ones of the plurality of blanks along a predetermined linear path, means opposing said rolls for advancing the plurality of blanks toward the rolls, a gate positioned adjacent the plurality of rolls, said gate cooperating with one of the plurality of rolls to form an exit opening for each individual blank fed by the plurality of rolls along the pre determined path, said exit opening ranging in size between slightly greater than the thickness of a blank and slightly less than twice the thickness of a blank, said gate including fluid emitting orifice means for directing fluid toward the leading edge of the plurality of blanks whereby a forwardmost of the plurality of blanks is separated from the remaining blanks and is wholly spaced therefrom by a fluid cushion created by the fluid emitted by the fluid emitting orifice means.

13. The device as defined in claim 12 wherein the advancing means opposing the rolls includes pneumatic means, said gate being carried by said pneumatic means, and means for adjusting the pneumatic means with respect to the rolls whereby the size of the exit opening between said gate and said one of the plurality of rolls can be adjusted.

14. A device for separating and feeding a plurality of relatively flat banks disposed in a generally vertical plane at high speeds comprising a plurality of rolls having vertical axes, said rolls being adapted to transport successive ones of the plurality of blanks along a predetermined linear path, means for advancing the plurality of blanks toward the rolls, a gate positioned adjacent the plurality of rolls, said gate being in a generally vertical plane and defining an exit opening with one of the plurality of rolls through which each individual blank is fed by the plurality of rolls along the predetermined path, said gate including a surface defining an acute angle with respect to the predetermined linear path whereby the plurality of blanks are guided by said surface in staggered relationship toward the plurality of rolls, and said gate including fluid emitting orifice means for directing fluid between opposed surfaces of the leading edges of forwardmost and adjacent ones of the plurality of blanks for wholly separating the forwardmost and adjacent blanks and forming a fluid cushion between the forwardmost and adjacent blanks.

15. The device as defined in claim 14 including means downstream of said gate for altering the direction of said predetermined linear path.

16. The device as defined in claim 15 wherein said altering means includes a roll arranged on each' side of said predetermined path, a plane passing through the axes of said last mentioned rolls being generally normal to the predetermined path, and means for shifting one of the rolls relative to the other of said rolls to vary the angular relationship between said plane and the linear predetermined path.

17. Apparatus for separating and feeding a plurality of relatively flat blanks comprising a plurality of rolls adapted to transport successive ones of the plurality of blanks along a predetermined linear path, a slide opposing said rolls for advancing the plurality of blanks, means for advancing said slide and the plurality of blanks toward the plurality of rolls, means for directing fluid toward the leading edges of the plurality of blanks whereby a forwardmost of the plurality of blanks is separated from the remaining blanks, said fluid directing means being operative for wholly separating the forwardmost blank from the remaining blanks and urging the forwardmost blank toward and against the rolls by a fluid cushion created by the fluid directing means, means for adjusting said fluid directing means relative to said rolls, means for directing separated blanks in angular relationship to said predetermined path, said directing means including means normally defining a point at right angles to said predetermined path, and adjusting means for altering the angular relationship of said plane and the predetermined path.

18. The apparatus for separating and feeding a plurality of relatively flat blanks as defined in claim 17 wherein a roller is arranged on each side of said predetermined path and said plane is defined by a center line path to the axes of the last-mentioned rolls.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 868,317 l0/l907 Allen 271-36 2,660,113 11/1953 Gullixson 101 144 2,673,168 3/1954 Pascoe 27l54 2,806,696 9/1957 Bishop 27132 2,862,709 12/ 1958 Labombarde 27132 2,902,278 9/ 1959 Bradshaw 27162 2,976,803 3/1961 Van Marie 101236 2,984,349 5/1961 Mathis 20974 3,042,199 7/ 1962 Welchman 20974 3,099,442 7/ 1963 Wendricks 27132 M. HENSON WOOD, JR., Primary Examiner.

ROBERT B. REEVES, R. A. SCHACHER,

Assistant Examiners.

Claims

1. APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING AND FEEDING A PLURALITY OF RELATIVELY FLAT BLANKS COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF ROLLS ADAPTED TO TRANSPORT SUCCESSIVE ONES OF THE PLURALITY OF BLANKS ALONG A PREDETERMINED LINEAR PATH, A SLIDE OPPOSING SAID ROLLS FOR ADVANCING THE PLURALITY OF BLANKS, MEANS FOR ADVANCING SAID SLIDE AND THE PLURALITY OF BLANKS TOWARD THE PLURALITY OF ROLLS, MEANS FOR DIRECTING FLUID TOWARD THE LEADING EDGES OF THE PLURALITY OF BLANKS WHEREBY A FORWARDMOST OF THE PLURALITY OF BLANKS IS SEPARATED FROM THE REMAINING BLANKS, SAID FLUID DIRECTING MEANS BEING OPERATIVE FOR WHOLLY SEPARATING THE FORWARDMOST BLANK FROM THE REMAINING BLANKS AND URGING THE FORWARDMOST BLANK TOWARD AND AGAINST THE ROLLS BY A FLUID CUSHION CREATED BY THE FLUID DIRECTING MEANS,D AND MEANS FOR ADJUSTING SAID FLUID DIRECTING MEANS RELATIVE TO SAID ROLLS.