Abstract: An infeed alignment device (10) for aligning a carton blank (14) such that a picking device can pick the carton blank. The infeed alignment device comprises an upper alignment member (11) for pushing on an upper part of the carton blank, a lower alignment member (12) for pushing on a lower part of the carton blank, and wherein the upper and/or lower alignment member is configured to push in a push direction on the top and/or the bottom of the carton blank such that the carton blank is in a picking position for the picking device.

Abstract: A corrugated paperboard sheet feeding apparatus comprises: a plurality of sheet feeding rollers; a grate formed with a plurality of opening portions for receiving the sheet feeding rollers and configured to switch between contact and non-contact states of the corrugated paperboard sheet with respect to the sheet feeding rollers; and a suction box configured to suck the corrugated paperboard sheet downwardly by gaps between the sheet feeding rollers and the opening portions, wherein each of the gaps is formed to be 10 mm or less, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a mat switch for detecting an entry of a person into an area in a sheet feeding section, and a control device for stopping movement of the sheet feeding rollers and/or the grate when the mat switch is turned on.

Abstract: A sheet separator machine for cartons for packaging from a warehouse, typically a well warehouse, in which the cartons are stacked. More particularly, a machine for separating sheets of cartons. The machine includes a frame on which a handling station of the cartons, a warehouse for at least one stack of cartons, and a gripping station of the cartons, are mounted, in an operatively contiguous position. The gripping station includes a pair of counter-rotating motorized rolls for withdrawing a carton from the stack of cartons.

Abstract: A sheet separator machine for cartons for packaging from a warehouse, typically a well warehouse, in which the cartons are stacked. More particularly, a machine for separating sheets of cartons. The machine includes a frame on which a handling station of the cartons, a warehouse for at least one stack of cartons, and a gripping station of the cartons, are mounted, in an operatively contiguous position. The gripping station includes a pair of counter-rotating motorized rolls for withdrawing a carton from the stack of cartons.

Abstract: A rotary transfer mechanism for transferring flat sleeve cartons (20) from a magazine (22) to a receiving station (23) on a conveyor (24), with opening of the cartons ready to receive end-loaded product, is characterized in that the path of suction cups (32) for holding the cartons during transfer is basically determined by a continuous stationary cam track (34) permanently engaged by a cam follower (37) on a gear segment (35) pivotally mounted on carrier means (29) rotatable by a drive shaft (26), the suction cups (32) being carried by a support shaft (30) rotatable on the carrier means and coaxial with a pinion (38) meshing with the gear segment. (35), and the support shaft being connected to a bracket (48) carrying a manifold (47) for the suction cups (32) by a crank arm (53), which is connected by a link arm (54) to a rocker arm (55) freely rotatable on the drive shaft (26).

Abstract: A sheet material feeder includes a sheet material holder for holding a pile of sheet material; a sucker bar device having at least one sucker for contacting the sheet material, the sucker bar device having a pivot axis, and an actuator for pivoting the sucker bar device about the pivot axis and having a first position and a second position. When the actuator is in the first position, the sucker pivoting about the pivot axis from a first angle where the sucker contacts the sheet material by a predetermined angle so that the sucker removes the sheet material from the pile; and when the actuator is in the second position, the sucker pivoting about the pivot axis from a second angle where the sucker does not contact the sheet material.

Abstract: In a feeding apparatus for material sheets, package blanks (B) are stored stacked in layers in a hopper (2) that opens downward, for example. A plurality of stopper guides (20) are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the package blanks (B) at the outlet of the hopper (2). Restrainer lugs (24) are located continuous with the guide surfaces (22) of the stopper guides (20). The package blanks (B) are supported in layers on the stopper guides (20), and the lowest one is supported directly on the guide surfaces (22). Since guide surfaces are inclined in the direction of delivery of the package blanks (B), the lowest one of the package blanks (B) deflects to the maximum degree, and a gap is formed between the lowest package blank and the overlying package blank (B). Further, the package blank (B) can be delivered as it gets over the restrainer lugs (24) by elastic deformation.

Abstract: In connection with a method for automatically inserting documents to be displayed on a display device and/or copied in a digitizing device, such as microfiches, microfilm jackets or the like, in which process one document at a time is transported from a stack of documents to be processed to a document support and from there to a deposit magazine for the processed documents, provision is made according to the invention that the top document of a stack of documents contained in the holding magazine is pulled up by suction to about the level of the document support and the remaining stack is subsequently retained by suction acting in the opposite direction; the document pulled up by suction is transported sideways to the document support, and deposited on said support by terminating the suction effect, and the document is then picked up by suction again after it has been processed, and is transported to the deposit magazine.

Abstract: A bag placer magazine such as for feeding flat pleated paper or plastic bags to a bag filling apparatus. The bag magazine accommodates flat pleated bags stacked horizontally on a moveable conveyor platform which circulates around the stacked bags. Bags are removed one at a time from the bottom of the stack. Vacuum operated grippers are sequenced to extend upwardly through sequentially moved openings in the circulating conveyor and pull down an end of the bottom bag and then strip the bottom bag from the stack. The bag falls below the circulating conveyor to a deposit platform where it is indexed to a precise position and then routed to a bag filler station. The bag stack is replenished from the top while bags are being stripped from the bottom so that there is no interruption of the production line process.

Abstract: A procedure for feeding products in sheet form to a conveyor by at least one sheet feeder with a pile of products in sheet form on a loading table includes the following phases. At least one sheet feeder is placed with a free edge of its loading table for the pile of products in sheet form inclined at an angle in relation to a direction parallel to a principal feed axis coinciding with the axis of the conveyor. A pile of products in sheet form is prepared to be placed on the loading table. The pile of products in sheet form is placed with a flat surface of these, provided with ribbing, inclined at an angle in relation to a pick-up assembly of at least one sheet feeder so that one corner or vertex of the products is placed projecting beyond the end edge of the loading table. A pick-up assembly in a sheet feeder uses this procedure.

Abstract: For individually separating outer sheets (9, 109) of a stack (6, 106) in a holder (1, 101), in each case in the area of an outer sheet or an outer set of sheets a suction is generated for sucking at least a portion of an outer sheet or set of sheets (9, 109) from an initial position, away from the stack, to a discharge position. From that discharge position a sheet or set of sheets is discharged away from the stack (6, 106) by a discharge structure engaging the sheet or set of sheets. The suction assembly (12, 112, 212) in each case generates a pulsed suction in a position spaced from the initial position. As a result, the sheets or sets of sheets can be reliably displaced one by one to the discharge position, while the intended operation of the apparatus is little sensitive to the suction strength set.

Abstract: A device for continuous separation of blanks for book cover material, envelopes for brochures or similar bendable sheets of a stack of sheets from a magazine with a conveyor belt with a non-skid surface and openings acted upon by air suction, bearing the stack of sheets, feeding the lowest sheet in each case in timed fashion from the magazine, which has a suction element grasping the lowest sheet and removing it from the stack of sheets, with an air blower for creating an air cushion between the raised sheet and the following sheet and with a removal conveyor system receiving and further transporting the sheet fed with respect to a functionally reliable separation of large-format flexible sheets is characterized by supports (17, 18) on both sides of an open space supporting a stack of sheets (1) in the edge area and by a suction element (14) capable of being driven under the stack of sheets (1), grasping a sheet (1a) in the open space in the edge area, and pulling down from the stack of sheets (1) in order to

Abstract: An automated sheet dispenser for dispensing a single sheet removed from the bottom of a stack formed of a plurality of sheets. The dispenser includes a hopper for supporting the stack of sheets, the hopper having an opening provided in the bottom surface thereof to allow passage of a sheet through the opening; a separator for separating a leading edge of the bottom sheet from the stack through the opening and moving the leading edge to a position below the hopper; and a guide for engaging the leading edge of the sheet separated from the stack by the separator and guiding the sheet to a sheet exit chute. The separator is lowered from the stack to separate the leading edge of the bottom sheet and the guide pivots to engage the leading edge and guide the leading edge between a pair of feed rollers that transport the sheet to the exit chute. The lowering of the separator, the pivoting of the guide and the advancing of the gripping feed roller are actuated by rotation of a main cam.

Abstract: Device for cyclically lifting and lowering at least one lifting sucker in a feeder of a sheet-processing machine, wherein a sheet lifted by the lifting sucker is transferred to at least one pull sucker for further transport, the lifting sucker being operatively connected by a lifting-sucker transmission to a cyclically controlled drive, the lifting-sucker transmission including a coupler having a joint steplessly bringable onto various cam paths in accordance with a selective suction position of the lifting sucker, all of the cam paths having a common intersecting point.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for engaging at least a portion (20b) of a signature (20a) in a hopper (14) and moving the portion relative to a stack of signatures (20) in the hopper includes a stem member (110) and a suction cup (150) mounted on the stem member. The stem member (110) is supported for movement toward and away from the stack of signatures (20) A venturi tube (160) is provided in the stem member (110) for generating a vacuum which is communicated to the suction cup (150). The vacuum in the suction cup (150) causes the portion (20b) of a signature (20a) to be gripped by the suction cup (150) and moved relative to the stack of signatures (20) in the hopper (14) upon movement of the stem member (110).

Abstract: A flat heald drawing method and apparatus that draws an arbitrary flat heald out of a number of stacked flat healds. To the method a drawing pin of a magnetic head is inserted into a guide hole of a front-side ring portion of the lowermost flat heald while the flat healds are vertically stacked. The front-side ring portion of the lowermost flat heald is magnetically attracted to a tip end portion of the magnetic head. The magnetic head is moved horizontally, drawing the lowermost flat heald while hooking the flat heald on the drawing pin. The apparatus includes a magnetic head is located below a guide hole of a front-side ring portion of the lowermost flat heald and a drawing pin which is extended from a tip end face of the magnetic head. The draw pin is inserted into the guide hole of the front-side ring portion of the lowermost flat heald. A driving device holds the magnetic head and moves the magnetic head horizontally.

Abstract: A hopper assembly for feeding literature to a literature dispenser. The literature dispenser and a label dispenser are positioned on opposite sides of a conveyor on which products being furnished with literature and labels are transported. The hopper assembly includes a chute which is designed to have an upstream chute portion adjacent the conveyor. The upstream chute portion is positioned within the reach of an operator who is stationed on the same side of the conveyer as the label dispenser, and a single operator can load both the hopper assembly and the label dispenser without moving from one side of the conveyor to the other. The hopper assembly also includes a literature escapement having a plurality of retaining members mounted on a pair of support elements. The retaining members engage a forward facing surface of a piece of literature and are arranged in spaced relationship to provide an opening through which the piece of literature is removable from the hopper assembly in the forward direction.

Abstract: A paper feed system suitable for use with a portion control machine to provide paper sheets for separating portions, including a paper hopper mountable to a portion control machine and adapted to receive and temporarily retain a stack of paper sheets. The paper hopper has an open end having a front edge spaced opposite from a back edge and defining a ready position where a paper sheet lies in a first plane to be dispensed. The paper feed system further includes a paper support having a length to width ratio of 10 to 1 or greater. The paper support is mounted adjacent the open end of the paper hopper blocking the free exit of paper sheets therefrom, with the support extending from a central location on the back edge partially to a central location on the front edge. An upper surface of the support is substantially parallel with the first plane and is adjacent the first plane for retention of a paper sheet in the ready position.

Abstract: The front bag (12) of a supply of bags (12) stored in a magazine (250) is removed by an unloading device (252) including four linkages (254, 256, 258, 260) which are pivoted to attach suction cups (264) thereto. The unloading device (252) inserts the bag (12) between nip rollers (52, 54) including spaced wheels (56, 58) which drive the bag (12) downward until the closed end (20) rests upon an adjustable stop (72). A tucking plate (90) moves from a retracted position to an extended position generally perpendicular to the bag (12) to drive the bag (12) into a slot (46) of a fixture (32), with the bag (12) having a U-shaped configuration around the tucking plate (90). The bag (12) is prevented from moving from the slot (46) with the tucking plate (90) as the tucking plate (90) moves from the extended position to the retracted position by a compression roller (208) pivotable by a cam (214) movable with the tucking plate (90) to sandwich the side edges of the bag (12).

Abstract: A separating apparatus having a magazine in which stacked sheets made of plastics material or the like are arranged, and having movable suction means for moving the separated sheets to a workplace, where the sheets in the stack are supported in a horizontal position by holding means on the bottom edge of the magazine, and therebetween the bottom most sheet is freely disposed and is accessible to the suction means. The holding means comprises a rotatably driven shaft arranged along the two bottom edges of the magazine, the cross-section of which shaft, in the region of the length of the sheet, is recessed so as to form a shoulder, the depth of the shoulder being equal to the thickness of the sheet to be separated, and arranged approximately in the center between the edges of the magazine are the suction means which are able to move toward and away from the bottom sheet.

Abstract: A sheet placer for use in conjunction with a packaging machine to minimize space along the machine for moving sheets from a supply in a magazine to receptacles moved by the machine. The placer has vertically oriented magazines and suction cup assemblies which move on a vertical path of travel between sheet pick up positions and sheet releasing positions. The assemblies are carried by a block mounted on a vertical track and operated by an air motor. A cam and follower mechanism moves a slide horizontally to cause a rack and pinion arrangement to reverse by the orientation of the vacuum cup assemblies during each up or down movement of the assemblies by the air motor.

Abstract: An assembly is provided for separating a bag from a stack of bags. The assembly comprises a bag magazine having a bottom portion for supporting a stack of bags and a cutout section in the bottom portion. A gripping member is employed for engaging a bag in said magazine adjacent said bottom portion. A moving device is further provided for moving the gripping member between at least first and second positions, wherein the gripping member engages a bag through the cutout section when in the first position and wherein the second position is horizontally displaced from the cutout section. Movement of the gripping member from the first position to the second position while engaging the bag slidably removes the bag from the bag magazine.

Abstract: They consist of an adjustable mechanism to feed the cardboard sheets with which boxes are formed and of a lifting device of the laps that said cardboard sheets have.The purpose of the adjustable mechanism for the feeding of the sheets is to adjust the position of the vacuum suction pads for the feeding of the cardboard sheets, whatever the dimensions thereof are, without the need to stop the assembly machine. For this reason, the groups of suction pads have their supports resting on two split contrary thread spindles, in such a way that with a single manual control and connecting both spindles by chain transmission displacement thereof is obtained all along the guide bars, thus establishing the work position of said suction pads.The purpose of the lap lifting device is to automatically effect the lifting of the laps to the predetermined angular position.

Abstract: In order to avoid disruption of a stack of signatures, particularly when a cyclically operable signature feeding apparatus is temporarily disabled, the utilization of a unique latch arrangement is contemplated. The feeding apparatus will generally include a driven rotary drum having a plurality of signature grippers disposed about the periphery thereof. The signature grippers are adapted to grip signatures seriatim upon receipt from a signature supply hopper. A suction assembly is driven by a cam for shifting signatures seriatim from the signature supply hopper to the rotary drum for gripping by the signature grippers. The suction assembly includes oscillating suction grippers together with a vacuum control valve. The signature feeding apparatus further includes a cam follower operatively associated with the suction assembly to control movement of the oscillating suction grippers and operation of the vacuum control valve.

Abstract: A suction table which, in a machine converting sheets into package, transfers the last, lowermost sheet of a batch to a subsequent processing station. The table is provided with numerous blowing and sucking nozzles and is fitted on a hollow frame movable with regard to a fixed distributory housing which provides sucking and blowing action. The housing comprises a distributory shaft and tubes movable with respect to the table and thereby sliding within corresponding guides formed in the frame. The shaft and tubes are provided with cooperating ducts which will allow the nozzles to suck or blow as required by the angular position of the distributory shaft and the position of the table.

Abstract: A case blank feed device used in case packaging assemblies is disclosed. The device employs a pair of parallel and spaced apart bars rotatably mounted at the bottom of a case blank container having a stack of case blanks. As the bottom blank is pulled from the bottom of the container, the roller bars decrease the friction associated with the weight of the stack. In addition, the blank feed device concentrates the vacuum force along the blank edges located parallel and proximate to the roller bars so that deflection of the blank is minimized.

Abstract: An in-mold labeling apparatus includes a label transfer assembly having a pair of label carriage each with two label heads and two suction cups for engagement with labels from a magazine or a source of labels and placement of the labels in mold cavities of a blow molding machine. A continuously rotating drive member operates a first rotary drive to raise and lower the label transfer assembly between the label pick up and label discharge positions while dwelling the assembly at the two positions during label pick up and transfer. The drive member also operates a second rotary drive to extend and retract the dwelled label transfer heads at the two positions to pick up labels and then place the labels in mold cavities.

Abstract: A device for locking a suction nozzle of a separating sucker on a suction head of a sheet feeder of a sheet-processing machine, the suction head carrying a device for vertically moving the suction nozzle of the separating sucker, and a drive device for guiding at least one forwarding sucker reciprocatingly in accordance with a working cycle of the sheet-processing machine and substantially parallel to the plane of a sheet supplied to the feeder, including a bearing support laterally disposed on the suction nozzle, a movably arranged abutment device for supporting the bearing support, when the suction nozzle is in a lifted position, until a trailing edge of the sheet supplied to the feeder has left the vicinity of the suction nozzle of the separating sucker, and a member connecting the abutment device to the drive device for the forwarding sucker.

Abstract: A stack of blanks is guided between pile guides. Disposed on a support are holding members which can be laid against an exposed blank in the stack in order to grasp it and to be moved, with it, away from the stack. In the course of this, the support is movable over a path which, starting from the stack, extends transversely to the plane of the blanks, then changes over into a direction at least substantially parallel to the plane of the blanks and leading to a pair of conveying members and finally again extends transversely to the plane of the blanks. The conveying members grip the blanks delivered to them by the support, at both sides and convey it onwards.

Abstract: A system for locating a corner of an angularly oriented workpiece on a worksurface includes a gripper and associated two axis transport assembly, and a set of sensors on the gripper for detecting reflected radiation from the workpiece and surrounding work. A controller translates the gripper in the directions of two orthogonal axes until the sensors each overlie an edge of the corner-to-be detected. In the preferred form, the transport assembly includes a pneumatic position control system for each axis. Each pneumatic position control system includes an air cylinder and associated piston, a position valve assembly and a controller, and may further include a velocity valve assembly. The controller may control the position valve assembly to be in a first state during a selected time interval, thereby establishing axial motion of the piston in a first direction during that interval.

Abstract: A feeder for paperboard blanks includes a transport, vertical relationship changing structure to alternately provide active and passive positions for the transport, a suction device, and a transmission with input and output shafts operatively connected so that the output shaft undergoes controlled acceleration during an initial portion of each revolution of the input shaft, whereby the transport engages and grips a blank by static friction and moves accelerates that blank to nip rolls without slippage occurring and so that each blank enters the nip rolls in register whereupon the blank is disengaged from the transport.

Abstract: A device for isolating stacked blanks with at least one blank stop and at least one conveyor belt. The object of the invention is to ensure as complete a contact as possible between even a curved blank and the conveyor belt. An auxiliary suction component, which can be telescoping, is accordingly positioned next to and extending over the conveyor belt and intercepts the undermost blank.

Abstract: An in-mold label transfer apparatus. In a first embodiment transfer devices mounted on an extension device comprise a pair of label applicator heads which move transversely to receive labels and to deliver same to the mold surfaces. This transfer device comprises power actuated mechanical elements including rack and pinion, cam arm scissor and scissors arrangements. Another transfer device comprises a pair of side-by-side opposed piston and cylinder units. Other embodiments include transfer arms having label transfer heads at the ends thereof, the arms comprising rods movable from a first position placing the label applicator head at the mold and a second position completely outside of the mold, and whereat the label applicator heads are positionable relative to label magazines for receiving labels. A special label applicator head constructed resiliently to resiliently urge the label against the interior of a mold surface.

Abstract: A system for applying folded outserts to conveyed products utilizing a pressure sensitive tape for transportation from the magazine type hopper to the products. The tape with a pressure sensitive adhesive is routed in front of the outfeed of the outsert hopper. A reciprocating tape tamping device and vacuum manifold mounted on an air cylinder are used to first bump the adhesive-coated tape in contact with the outsert and then withdraw the outsert from the hopper. The withdrawal occurs after the initial precise placement of the outsert to the tape. The method of withdrawal requires further forward movement of a pair of bellow style cups which contact the outsert after adhesion. The initiation of vacuum on contact and termination on withdrawal permit the outsert to be retained individually on the tape. The outsert is then indexed forward where it is transferred to a conveyed product.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for transferring objects from a gripping station to a depositing station, and is particularly applicable to the loading or unloading of panes of glass. The device includes at least one arm mounted perpendicularly to a shaft which drives it in rotation, with the arm being adapted to slide perpendicularly relative to the shaft. Gripping devices such as suction cups are mounted at each end of the arm, and a motor and indexer are provided for automatically controlling the rotation of the shaft, the sliding and locking of the arm, and the maneuvering of the gripping devices.

Abstract: An in-mold labeling apparatus includes a label transfer assembly carrying a number of label carriages each with a number of label transfer heads. A continuously rotating drive arm raises and lowers the assembly in simple harmonic motion to move the label transfer heads between label magazines for pickup of labels and mold halves of a blow molding machine. Lost motion connections are provided at the top and bottom of the stroke to facilitate pickup of labels and placement of labels in the mold halves.

Abstract: A feeder for paperboard blanks includes a transport, vertical relationship changing structure to alternately provide action and passive positions for the transport, a suction device, and a transmission with input and output shafts operatively connected so that the output shaft undergoes controlled acceleration during an initial portion of each revolution of the input shaft and is stationary during a last portion of each revolution of the input shaft, whereby the transport engages and grips a blank by static friction and moves and accelerates that blank to nip rolls without slippage occurring and so that each blank enters the nip rolls in register whereupon the blank is disengaged from the transport.

Abstract: A label transferring apparatus useable for in-mold label application. In a first embodiment, a transfer device is mounted on a linear actuator having a piston rod extending out a first end and carrying the label transfer device and extending out the other end whereat it is supported on a track means. A stack of labels is supplied by corresponding two pairs of magazines located at a first radial position. In a second embodiment the linear actuator is mounted so as to be cantilevered back over the forward end of the piston and cylinder which comprises the linear actuator. In this embodiment the piston and cylinder may be shortened by excluding that portion of the piston rod extending out the other end of the cylinder.

Abstract: A feeder for paperboard blanks includes a transport, vertical relationship changing structure to alternately provide active and passive positions for the transport a suction device, and a transmission with input and output shafts operatively connected so that the output shaft undergoes controlled acceleration during an initial portion of each revolution of the input shaft and is stationary during a last portion of each revolution of the input shaft, whereby the transport engages and grips a blank by static friction and moves and accelerates that blank to nip rolls without slippage occurring and so that each blank enters the nip rolls in register whereupon the blank is disengaged from the transport.

Abstract: A device for placing articles such as coupons or the like in cartons being conveyed past a work station containing the device. The device includes an upright coupon or the like article supply hopper, a reciprocatory mechanism for inserting the articles into the cartons as they are conveyed past and momentarily stopped adjacent thereto and a reciprocating vacuum or suction mechanism for removing the coupons from the supply hopper and placing them in the path of the inserting mechanism for placement into cartons.

Abstract: A sheet feeder for corrugated paperboard sheets utilizing timed intermittently rotatable belts against which either the top or bottom sheet, depending on the configuration chosen, of a stack is brought into contact to feed such sheet in synchronism with adjacent processing machinery and utilizing continuously applied negative atmospheric pressure to hold such sheet against the belts without the need for valving or otherwise breaking the suction pressure.

Abstract: A sheet separating device for separating flexible disc-shaped sheet materials forming a stack. The sheet materials such as floppy discs have holes in the center thereof in register with each other to define a single hole in the stack. The sheet separating device of the invention includes an outer member having a chamber therewithin and an inner member provided in the chamber. The outer member has a contact surface in facing relation to the stack. The chamber within the outer member has an opening in the contact surface through which the inner member also faces the stack. The chamber is communicated with a vacuum source. The opening and the inner member have diameters larger than the holes in the discs. When the vacuum source operates, the inner edge of the floppy discs is drawn up by suction force from a gap defined by the outer member and inner member until the drawn edge of the floppy disc is blocked by the inner member. As a result, the disc is sucked to the device and separated from the stack.

Abstract: A cam assembly (10) for a carton blank feeder mechanism comprises a cam plate (16) having formed therein a first continuous cam track (44) and a second relatively shallower cam track (46). A cam track follower arm (26) includes a first follower (30,32) for relative movement within only the first continuous cam track and a second follower (28) for relative movement within the first and second cam tracks. Drive means (12,24) are provided for moving the follower arm relative to the cam plate and article pickup means is connected to the cam arm by an eccentric arm (34). The first and second cam tracks includes arcuate portions (44c, 46d) engaged sequentially by respective ones of the first and second followers so that the article pickup means is caused to move to an outwardly extended position and to an inwardly retracted position, respectively, relative to a central axis of the cam plate.

Abstract: A suction device is movable between a receiving position in which it removes a sheet of film from a magazine and a delivery position in which it transfers the sheet to a conveyor. The effective width of the suction device approximates or equals the width of the smallest sheet of film to be transferred. Sheets having a width greater than the smallest width are gripped in the region of one end thereof leaving the remainder of such a sheet free to deflect. In order to permit proper transfer of all sheets into the conveyor, the latter is provided with grooved rollers which lift the deflected portions of larger sheets into the conveyor. In the delivery position, the suction device is located opposite one portion of the conveyor. The conveying force exerted by this portion of the conveyor is smaller than the gripping force which the suction device exerts on a sheet but larger than the conveying force exerted by a laterally adjacent portion of the conveyor.

Abstract: A collator for flexible cards which includes a tray for supporting cards which are fed into a chute by action of a pneumatic puller. Pairs of opposed chutes angularly oriented toward linearly movable bins such that bins can collect cards from opposed chutes and then be indexed to an adjacent pair of opposed, fixed chutes. The pullers are carried by reciprocating arms associated with opposed chutes. A hole in each chute allows a puller to pull a card and then be withdrawn from the card stack, but has a size such that a card is freed from the puller and falls in the chute. Cards are supported in the stack by rubs in a card tray such that the bottommost card is accessible to a puller. First a card drops into a bin from one side, then the other side.

Abstract: This relates to a transfer mechanism for transferring blanks from a hopper to a blank applying mechanism. Most particularly, the transfer mechanism includes an arm which is pivotally mounted and which arm carries at one end a suction head which is also pivotally mounted. A single drive shaft drives an eccentric which effects oscillation of the arm and a cam mechanism which effects oscillation of the suction head relative to the arm. The oscillation of the suction head relative to the arm is in the same direction as that of the arm whereby a blank carried by the suction head will rotate through a relatively great angle while the arm rotates or pivots through only a relatively small angle. For example, the arm pivot through an angle of 45.degree. while the suction head pivots through an angle of 90.degree. relative to the arm and thus through an arc of 135.degree..

Abstract: The leaders of successive topmost sheets of a stack of sheets are lifted by a set of aligned suction cups which move each leader into a horizontal plane including the nip of two advancing rolls. The suction cups insert the leading edge of each leader into the nip and continue to adhere to the leader while the latter is advanced by the rolls so that the leader pulls the suction cups against the opposition of a weak spring tending to move the suction cups and their mobile support to a starting position. The drive for the advancing rolls is thereupon arrested for an interval of time which suffices to ensure the collapse of suction in the cups by arresting the suction pump and by simultaneously opening a valve which connects the interior of each cup with the atmosphere.

Abstract: A sheet feeder for corrugated paperboard sheets utilizing timed intermittently rotatable belts against which either the top or bottom sheet, depending on the configuration chosen, of a stack is brought into contact to feed such sheet in synchronism with adjacent processing machinery and utilizing continuously applied negative atmospheric pressure to hold such sheet against the belts without the need for valving or otherwise breaking the suction pressure.

Abstract: A machine for feeding cards one by one from a vertical stack including a platform for supporting the trailing edge of the stack and a stripper type support for the leading edge corner portion of the stack in the form of a needle having a downwardly angled tip portion extending inwardly under the corner of the stack so that the leading edge of the bottom card rests against the tip portion of the needle. A suction cup is mounted for vertical movement between an upper position in which the cup is in engagement with the bottom card of the stack adjacent the needle and a downwardly retracted position which is below the tip portion of the needle so that the leading edge of the bottom card flicks past the tip of the needle as the card is drawn downwardly.

Abstract: A machine for feeding cards one by one from the bottom of a vertical stack into a receiving nip, the trailing edge portion of the stack being supported on a platform and the leading edge of the stack having a stripper type support in the form of a projection which extends under the corner of the stack, the platform being foreshortened to provide a window adjacent the projection. A suction cup supported on a sucker block faces upwardly into the window. The sucker block is mounted on a block carrier which is reciprocated in forward and retract directions. A cam surface and cam follower are interposed between the sucker block and the carrier and a striker is blockingly arranged in the path of retracting movement of the sucker block so that when the carrier is retracted the sucker block engages the striker causing the sucker block to be cammed upwardly completing an L-shaped path in which the suction cup suckingly engages the underside of the bottom card.