Abstract: A single-sheet lifter includes a base frame arranged in a vicinity of a loading area and extending vertically, a separation unit configured to separate an uppermost workpiece from a plurality of the workpieces loaded in the loading area by means of at least one of an injection pressure of air and a suction force, and a counter balancer configured to reduce a weight acting on the separation unit. The separation unit is provided to the base frame so as to be able to move up and down. The separation unit includes a contact member that comes into contact with a surface of the uppermost workpiece. The separation unit is configured to go up following a lifting operation of a workpiece suction lifter and be retracted from above the loading area when the workpiece suction lifter sucks the surface of the uppermost workpiece to lift the workpiece.

Abstract: Equipment for the logistics of slab-shaped articles comprises supply line(s) of slab-shaped article(s) and outlet line(s) of the slab-shaped article(s); robotic gripping assembly(s) of the slab-shaped article(s) provided with at least three degrees of freedom and positioned between the supply line(s) and the outlet line(s); first movement device/unit/component/etc. of the gripping assembly(s) along a direction(s) of movement; where the supply line(s) and said outlet line(s) are substantially aligned to each other along the direction(s) of movement.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic barrier device including: a plurality of outlets disposed on a surface; a plurality of inlets dispersed among the plurality of outlets and disposed on the surface; and at least one pump in fluid communication with the plurality of outlets and the plurality of inlets, the at least one pump configured to simultaneously pump an operating fluid out of the plurality of outlets and pull the operating fluid back through the plurality of inlets to create a hydrodynamic barrier on the surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selecting and packing articles include an article picking device coupled to a multi-axis movement mechanism, and a high-density storage system for holding a plurality of cartridges, with each cartridge housing a plurality of articles. The article picking device can include one or more suction mechanisms, one or more gripping mechanisms, or both.

Abstract: A feeding apparatus for feeding a sheet-shaped medium includes: a stacking plate on which sheet-shaped media are stacked; a suction transport belt that is disposed above the stacking plate and causes a topmost one of the stacked sheet-shaped media to be sucked onto a belt lower surface and then rotates to carry out the topmost sheet-shaped medium to a destination; and a surrounding member that is provided in a hanging-down manner at least at left and right positions in a carrying-out direction around the suction transport belt so as to be movable up and down, surrounds a space below the belt lower surface, and is moved upward by contact with the sheet-shaped medium that is being sucked.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automated vacuum gripper, a feed unit and a method for conveying flat components (3). The vacuum gripper (1) comprises a support part (5), at least one support part element (7), a plurality of first suction elements (4?), which are arranged at the at least one support part element (7) and define a first suction plane; at least one bearing assembly (28) and at least one actuating assembly (29), wherein the at least one support part element (7) is pivotably mounted at the support part (5) by means of the at least one actuating assembly (29) about the at least one bearing assembly (28). The plurality of second elements (4) is arranged at the support part (5) and defines a second suction plane (19).

Abstract: A plate handling system (500, 600) for transporting printing plates between workstations in a process workflow. A plurality of vacuum gripper end effectors (512) configured to grip the printing plates are mounted to a computer-controlled transporter (514) configured to translate in at least three orthogonal directions and to rotate about at least one rotational axis. At least one sensor (560) detects orientation of the plate relative to a staging location and a controller (630) causes the transporter to move based upon programmed instructions in accordance with information provided by the sensor. A mobile preparation table (1000) may be provided in the staging location. A thickness measurement system (1090) may be included in some embodiments.

Abstract: Apparatus for picking a garment having a front and a back and placing the garment over a pallet such that the front and the back of the garment are on the front and the back sides respectively of the pallet. The apparatus comprises a picking arm to approach the garment and then withdraw towards the pallet; and one or more adherence locations on the picking arm, the adherence location being smaller than the first side, the adherence location for contacting the garment and causing adherence of the garment at the contact location, thereby causing the picking arm to pull the front of the garment over the front of the pallet, the back of the garment sliding under the first side onto the back of the pallet. Adherence may involve freezing.

Abstract: Perforated endless conveying belts are stretched between drive and idle rollers. A suction box is arranged between upper and lower belt portions of the perforated endless conveying belts. Abutment members are attached to positions of a support corresponding to the perforated endless conveying belts and pressed against the perforated endless conveying belts. The upstream of the suction box from the abutment members forms an attracting area, and intake holes are formed therein. Lifting plates extend to at least an intake hole range of the attracting area between the perforated endless conveying belts. The lifting plates move between a first position to vertically open the intake holes and project from conveying surfaces of the perforated endless conveying belts and a second position to close the intake holes and retract from the conveying surfaces of the perforated endless conveying belts.

Abstract: A method and relative sheet handling apparatus apt to pick up sheets from a pack of sheets to be delivered to a cut-ting centre and for removing a separating foil between the sheets is described, including: a lifting and removing unit for a top sheet equipped with upper gripping heads; an air flow generating unit generating an air flow above the pack of sheets; and a control unit of the lifting unit, suitable for arranging the top sheet at a stasis height of up to 70 mm above the pack of sheet to define a suction chamber for the air flow generator.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for the automatic removal of rejected eggs from an incubation tray, whereby the device includes a suction power above the egg to suck up the egg, and the device further includes a blowing power against the bottom of the egg to blow away the egg, whereby the blowing power blows an air flow or overpressure against the bottom of the egg. Also disclosed is a method for the automatic removal of one or more rejected eggs from an incubation tray.

Abstract: A product taking-out apparatus includes a suction part to suck a plate-like metal product and ascend, a touch plate to move between a separate position and a contact position with respect to the product sucked by the suction part, and a vibrator to vibrate the touch plate.

Abstract: A bonding system includes a substrate transfer device configured to transfer a first substrate and a second substrate to a bonding apparatus, a first holding plate configured to hold the first substrate from an upper surface side, and a second holding plate disposed below the first holding plate and configured to hold the second substrate from a lower surface side so that the second substrate faces the first substrate. The substrate transfer device includes a first holding part capable of holding the first substrate from the upper surface side, and a second holding part disposed below the first holding part and capable of holding the second substrate from the lower surface side. The first holding part and the second holding part are configured to receive and hold the first substrate and the second substrate at the same time from the first holding plate and the second holding plate.

Abstract: An insertion assembly for the continuous and automated feeding of laminar elements into a graphic printing station without the involvement of roller elements in the process, allowing the distance between the laminar elements in question to be adjusted such that adjacent laminar elements may be positioned very close to each other regardless of their length. Said assembly comprises an insertion device (1) that includes a rotating belt system on which the laminar elements (3) can be moved horizontally, and suction means, with the insertion device (1) connected to a stacking area (4) and; a pulling device (2) that includes a rotating belt system on which the laminar elements from the insertion device (1) can be moved, and suction means, with the pulling device (2) connected to a graphic printing station, said pulling device adjoining the insertion device (1) in a direction of forward motion.

Abstract: A system for robotic sorting includes a bin system comprising a plurality of bins for holding items to be sorted, where each bin is configured to hold more than one of the items. The system further includes an item handling system configured to travel to each of the plurality of bins. The item handling system utilizes a vacuum force to remove an item held in one of the plurality of bins. The item handling system further utilizes one or more curvature generation devices to enable card manipulation. Additionally, the system includes a drive system coupled to the item handling system. The drive system is configured to move and position the item handling system over each of the plurality of bins. The system also includes a control system coupled to the drive system and the item handling system. The control system controls movement of the item handling system and the drive system.

Abstract: A system for robotic sorting includes a bin system comprising a plurality of bins for holding items to be sorted, where each bin is configured to hold more than one of the items. The system further includes an item handling system configured to travel to each of the plurality of bins. The item handling system utilizes a vacuum force to remove an item held in one of the plurality of bins. The item handling system further utilizes one or more curvature generation devices to enable card manipulation. Additionally, the system includes a drive system coupled to the item handling system. The drive system is configured to move and position the item handling system over each of the plurality of bins. The system also includes a control system coupled to the drive system and the item handling system. The control system controls movement of the item handling system and the drive system.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes: a stacker that stacks sheets of paper; a suction conveyor disposed vertically above the sheets stacked in the stacker for sucking and conveying the sheets; a blower that blows air onto the sheets; and a regulating member disposed on a downstream side of the suction conveyor in a conveyance direction, facing an outlet of the sheets of the suction conveyor and projecting vertically upward, wherein the suction conveyor includes: horizontal portions provided on both ends in a width direction; and a recess provided in an intermediate portion and recessed vertically above the horizontal portions, and a lower limit of a projection height of the regulating member is set so that, when there is a vertical gap between a vertical upper end portion of the regulating member and the horizontal portions, a length of the gap is less than twice a thickness of the sheets.

Abstract: A pickup method and a pickup device which enable to properly lift an individual target bag body among a plurality of conveyed bag bodies are provided. A pickup device includes: a transfer device that holds a target bag body among a plurality of bag bodies by a conveying device while the plurality of bag bodies are conveyed, and lifts a whole of the target bag body after lifting a part of the target bag body; and a pickup control unit that obtains position suggestion data indicating a position of the target bag body, and controls the transfer device on a basis of the position suggestion data, wherein the pickup control unit moves the transfer device according to the position suggestion data, and makes the transfer device liftably hold the target bag body.

Abstract: A vacuum ejector device (2) for generating at least partial vacuum to be supplied to a gripping member (4), comprising a device body (6) having an elongated shape along a longitudinal axis A. A movable sealing and venting element (24) is provided and is structured to selectively substantially close and seal, in a sealing position, a vacuum duct (16) when the air supply is activated, and to open or vent said vacuum duct to release or vent via a venting duct (26), in a venting position, the vacuum within the gripping member (4) when the vacuum source or air supply is deactivated. The sealing and venting element (24) is arranged essentially at the longitudinal axis A, and that the venting duct (26) is arranged and provides for fluid communication between the sealing and venting element (24) and a venting outlet port (28) provided at a long side of said elongated device body (6).

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for detecting multiple workpieces. The present invention provides a mount adaptor connected to a workpiece engaging device for engaging and manipulating a workpiece. A cell body is connected to the mount adaptor, and the cell body has an accelerometer disposed therein for measuring and signaling an acceleration value of the workpiece. A load cell is connected to the cell body and is connectable to a manipulator, wherein the load cell measures and signals a load value of the workpiece. A computer processor receives the acceleration value and the load value of the workpiece for determining the mass of the workpiece and determining whether there are multiple workpieces engaged by the workpiece-engaging device.

Abstract: A device for separating printed products out of a stack, the device including a feed device which defines a substantially horizontal plane, a first stop element which is arranged on a mounting support as well as a transfer device which defines a substantially horizontal plane, wherein the feed device moves the stack against the first stop element, wherein the transfer device accepts and transfers the bottommost printed product out of the stack from the feed device, wherein the feed device includes a vacuum conveyor, by means of which the bottom surface of the bottommost printed product is sucked up at least in portions, as well as to a corresponding method.

Abstract: A substrate unloading system comprising a gripper mounted on a slanted plane and movable along the slanted plane, and a platen onto which the substrate is attached, the platen configured to be moved down in a vertical direction and away from the gripper in a horizontal direction, the gripper and the platen configured to move simultaneously so that the substrate remains substantially horizontal.

Abstract: A substrate peeling apparatus includes a support member and absorption pads. The support member, having a quadrangular shape, includes first and second vertexes diagonally facing each other in a first direction, and third and fourth vertexes diagonally facing each other in a second direction crossing the first direction. The absorption pads is disposed on the support member. The absorption pads are arranged in rows in a direction parallel to the first direction and at least one absorption pad of each row is arranged in a direction parallel to the second direction. An absorption pad of each row includes a hole having an increasing internal diameter as a distance in the first direction between the each row and the first vertex increases. An internal diameter of an absorption pad in a row positioned halfway between the first and second vertexes has a maximum internal diameter.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a stopping device, which includes a first stopping plate and a second stopping plate connected to one end of the first stopping plate and cooperating with the first stopping plate to form an angle which is less than or equal to 90 degrees. The present disclosure further provides a transferring device with the stopping device and a transferring method. With the first stopping plate stopping the bonded spacing pieces, the bonding force between the spacing pieces is broken; with the stop from the second stopping plate, the bonding degree between the spacing pieces is further broken, which separates extra spacing pieces from the suction arm and further avoids fracture of the liquid crystal panel caused by the situation that a number of spacing pieces enter the package of the liquid crystal panel at the same time.

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-handling apparatus is disclosed that reliably separates sheet-like articles and prevents double take-outs, regardless of the thickness of the sheet-like articles that are taken out. The sheet-handling apparatus includes a take-out portion to take out sheet-like articles; a feeding portion to feed the sheet-like articles that have been taken out by the take-out portion; and a separation portion facing the feeding portion across a gap, the separation portion being adapted to separate sheet-like articles that have been taken out by the take-out portion in an overlapping state into individual sheet-like articles; wherein the separation portion is adapted to elastically deform depending on a thickness of the sheet-like articles and vary the size of the gap.

Abstract: Air is taken in through air holes of a paper transfer belt and through air inlets of an air intake duct, and a recording sheet of paper is sucked onto front surfaces of the paper transfer belts, forming the recording sheet of paper into a curved (waved) shape along the front surfaces of the paper transfer belts.

Abstract: A medium feed device includes a suction member that sucks a medium on a stack member, a surrounding member supported movably in directions toward and away from the stack member together with the medium by suction, a stack-member moving mechanism, a suction-member moving mechanism, a transport member that transports the medium, a detected part associated with the surrounding member, a detecting part that is supported at the suction-member body and detects the detected part, a detector that detects a medium surface position based on a detection result of the detected part detected by the detecting part if the surrounding member moves toward the suction-member body from a state in which the medium contacts the surrounding member. The stack-member moving mechanism moves the stack member based on the medium surface position.

Abstract: Empty, flat folded storage bags which may be valve bags are prepared for filling with a flowable material, by seating and stacking a plurality of the bags on a fixed elevation base within a chamber of a bag holding magazine assembly, the resulting stack defining an initial stack rising from a lowermost one the bags on the base to an uppermost one of the bags. In a first cycle of operation, all but the lowermost bag is raised away from the base, the raised bags defining a depleted stack of bags. Then, while the depleted stack remains raised, the lowermost bag is removed from the chamber through a chamber outlet opening. Then, the depleted stack is lowered to seat a new lowermost bag on the base to complete first cycle. The cycle is repeated for each lowermost bag.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus separating a media combination from a stack of interleaved slip-sheets and printing plates and relates to image recording systems such as, for example, computer-to-plate (CTP) systems. Image recording systems include imaging systems that image an image recordable material in response to imaging information. Image recordable materials can include, for example, printing plates. Image recording systems can include integrated systems that additionally process the image forming materials. Additional processing can include, but is not limited to materials punching, materials bending, exposure to non-imaging radiation, chemical development and materials drying. The present invention relates to a materials handling system that separates a media combination from a media stack that includes image recordable materials. A slip-sheet separates each of the image recordable materials from one another in the media stack.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a back end detecting sensor which detects a back end side in a conveying direction of the topmost sheet stacked on the sheet tray, a front end detecting sensor which detects a front end side in the conveying direction of the topmost sheet, and a CPU. The CPU disables start of a sheet feeding operation of a feeding unit in a case where the back end detecting sensor and the front end detecting sensor do not detect the sheet when the sheet tray is lifted toward the feeding unit and then stopped in a predetermined position. Accordingly, a state that a feeding failure is possibly caused is detected before feeding the sheets so as to eliminate the wasteful feeding operation.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatuses are disclosed for handling a sheet, wherein at least one projection extends across a stack of sheets such that corners of the sheet are bent when being lifted from the stack.

Abstract: A method for moving a first combination of media from a media stack including one or more combinations of media. The first combination of media is an uppermost combination of media in the media stack. The method includes gripping the first combination of media and bending along a first axis by moving a first portion away from the media stack. The first combination of media is bent along a second axis by moving a flexing member while in contact with a second portion of the first combination of media, wherein the second axis is not parallel to the first axis. The first combination of media is repeatedly bent along the second axis while pausing movement of the first combination of media between the first bending along the second axis and the second bending along the second axis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus separating a media combination from a stack of interleaved slip-sheets and printing plates and relates to image recording systems such as, for example, computer-to-plate (CTP) systems. Image recording systems include imaging systems that image an image recordable material in response to imaging information. Image recordable materials can include, for example, printing plates. Image recording systems can include integrated systems that additionally process the image forming materials. Additional processing can include, but is not limited to materials punching, materials bending, exposure to non-imaging radiation, chemical development and materials drying. The present invention relates to a materials handling system that separates a media combination from a media stack that includes image recordable materials. A slip-sheet separates each of the image recordable materials from one another in the media stack.

Abstract: A paper sheet feeding device for sequentially feeding, to a conveyance path, mail items simultaneously received includes a suction mechanism provided adjacent to a pickup position. The suction mechanism includes a chamber having an opening opposed to the pickup position, a guide plate provided at the opening of the chamber, and two projections vertically arranged on the surface of the guide plate. When air is drawn from the pickup position through a plurality of suction holes formed in the guide plate, the leading one of the mail items closest to the pickup position is drawn to the pickup position, and is curved between the two projections. A handling nozzle blows air into the space that is formed between the leading mail item and a subsequent mail item when the leading mail item is curved.

Abstract: A method which is capable of completely separating a plate member with a large area without using a peeling member and eliminating a possibility of permanent deformation on the plate member. A plurality of suction pads are suckingly disposed on a surface of a topmost plate member in a substantially lattice shape. Then, while the topmost plate member is held by the suction pads disposed in a zigzag shape among the suction pads disposed in the substantially lattice shape, the topmost plate member is lifted by the remaining suction pads. Finally, the suction pads holding the topmost plate member are lifted.

Abstract: A supply station for positioning enclosures on an enclosure-collating path of a mail-processing installation allows a simple conversion from operation for processing a stack of comparatively flexible, thin enclosures to operation for processing a stack of comparatively thick, essentially inflexible enclosures. The conversion is achieved using a magazine housing inside a supply station housing mounted so that it can be secured in two different pivot positions, whereby in one pivot position the lowermost enclosure of a stack of enclosures is bent using a vacuum arrangement in which the front end of the enclosure in the withdrawal direction can be gripped by a gripper, while in a second pivot position of the magazine housing, the front end in the withdrawal direction of a lowermost, comparatively thick and essentially inflexible enclosure is pushed by means of a pusher arrangement directly into the open claws of the gripper.

Abstract: A sheet feeder (20) and method of operation thereof feeds sheets in a conveyance direction (30). The sheet feeder (20) comprises a sheet hopper (22); a sheet deflector (24); and a sheet extractor (26). The sheet deflector (24) is arranged for deflecting a top sheet-to-be-fed (32) from a sheet stack (28) from a sheet undeflected acquisition position to a sheet deflected position. The sheet deflector (24) has a major axis (34) oriented essentially parallel to a trailing edge the top sheet-to-be-fed from the sheet stack (28). The sheet deflector (24) is arranged to undergo three degrees of motion including selective rotation about its major axis for moving the top sheet-to-be-fed from the sheet undeflected acquisition position to the sheet deflected position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for separating a media combination from a stack of interleaved slip-sheets and printing plates. A media combination is separated from a media stack, including image recordable materials and a slip-sheet, is separated. The media combination is gripped and flexed in a direction, and then flexed in a second direction.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet feeding device including: a tray holding sheets; a chamber having an opening and generating a negative pressure thereinside; a suction belt that suctions and conveys a first sheet from the sheets and that is configured to be rotatable along with the chamber and deformable into a concave shape along with the opening; a regulating member disposed inside the opening to regulate a concaving amount of the suction belt; a sheet gate disposed in a sheet feeding passage to be opposed to the suction belt and configured to retreat when contacted by the suction belt; and a nozzle that blows air toward the sheet and toward the suction belt.

Abstract: A device is provided for singly separating flat objects of different flexibility from a stack preferably being formed of printing plates and flexible interleaves. At least one suction element sucks up an object with a suction air flow. At least one form element at least approximately encloses the at least one suction element. The at least one form element has boundaries being spaced from the at least one suction element. A method of operating the device is also provided.

Abstract: Sheets (12, 14) of a print medium kept in a stack (10) are individually fed into an office machine. The edge of the uppermost sheet (12) is raised off the corresponding edge of the following second sheet (14). At least one band (32) is then inserted into the gap formed in this way, which separates the uppermost sheet (12) from the following sheet (14), reducing thereby the friction between the uppermost sheet (12) and the following sheet (14) when the uppermost sheet (12) is pulled off, and minimizing thereby any electrostatic charge of the sheets (12, 14) caused by such friction. The band (32) can be retracted into a band housing (36).

Abstract: A film sheet feeding mechanism which can be reduced in size, and which can stably conduct a feeding operation, and a thermal development recording apparatus having such a mechanism are provided. A film sheet feeding mechanism that, from a tray on which plural film sheets are stacked, takes out one by one a uppermost film sheet, and that feeds the film sheet toward a downstream side in a direction of transporting the film sheet, includes: a feeding arm having film sucking unit for taking out the film sheet in the tray; arm moving unit for, while supporting the feeding arm, moving the feeding arm between a film taking out position of the tray and a film supplying position on the downstream side in the transportation direction; and a lifting and lowering amplification mechanism which is disposed in the feeding arm, and which lifts and lowers the film sucking unit.

Abstract: A method for producing bound books, magazines or brochures by gathering printed sheets into non-bound book blocks along a conveying section that is supplied by at least one sheet feeder includes separating the lowest printed sheet from a stack of printed sheets by lifting one edge region of the lowest printed sheet from the bottom of the printed sheet stack, withdrawing the separated lowest printed sheet with the aid of a conveying element from the remaining sheet stack by gripping the separated edge region with the conveying element, and subsequently withdrawing the separated lowest printed sheet in a direction parallel to the longitudinal extension of the edge region of the remaining sheet stack. The apparatus includes a separating device that lifts up the printed sheet at the stack front and a conveying element that pulls the printed sheet from the stack where both are arranged jointly on a removal unit.

Abstract: This invention discloses an apparatus and method for separating and feeding flat products from a stack to a gripper drum. The invention employs a specially-positioned pivoting and articulating sucker bar, having several degrees of motion, operating in timed relationship with a reciprocating and articulating pusher blade, to reduce the travel distance of vacuum suckers, to reduce the diameter of the gripper drum, and to increase the speed at which products are separated from the stack and transferred to the gripper drum.

Abstract: A method for measuring substrate bending stiffness and thereby basis weight on a real time basis. Provided is a corrugator having a plurality of parallel ribs, with one or more sheets of the substrate provided below the corrugator wherein a predetermined gap exists between a topmost sheet of the sheets and the corrugator. A vacuum is applied between the corrugator and the topmost sheet, wherein the vacuum is sufficiently large to raise the topmost sheet, thereby deflecting and bending it into a profile corresponding to the arrangement and size of the corrugator ribs and bending stiffness of the substrate. One or more sensors are provided for measuring the deflection of the topmost sheet. The vacuum, an air knife output and/or a fluffer output are then adjusted according to predetermined rules and the measured deflection.

Abstract: A plate supplying apparatus 1 allows, when taking out a plate P from a cassette 2 and transporting the plate toward an image recording apparatus 8, a support section 33 to operate such that the pivot angle of the support section 33 follows an optimum path based on the type of a plate P to be transported. In addition, upon control of the pivot operation of the support section 33, it is not necessary to control the pivot position of the support section 33, and a rotation drive pulse RP is easily generated so as to synchronize with a linear motion drive pulse DP outputted from a control section of the image recording apparatus 8. In the plate supplying apparatus 1, when a plate P stored in the cassette 2 is held via suction, only suction pads 31 are brought into contact with a plate P to be transported, and when the plate P is transported by transport rollers 51 and 52, the suction pads 31 do not contact with the plate P.

Abstract: A sheet separating and feeding system for separating a top sheet from a stack of sheets for sheet feeding, wherein a vacuum feed head has a two dimensional array of multiple vacuum tubes for vacuum engaging the top sheet, and a control system whereby at least a portion of the multiple vacuum tubes are variably positionally controlled relative to the top sheet to engage the top sheet at different levels in a different plane than the external surfaces of the other vacuum tubes so as to provide a variable three dimensional sheet corrugation inducing surface with the multiple vacuum tubes that is variable for different sheet properties.

Abstract: In a sheet sucking/feeding device, actuators are independently and individually connected respectively to plural suction cups. At a point in time when a printing plate is sucked and raised up by a predetermined amount, every other one of the actuators is simultaneously operated such that the suction cups connected to the operated actuators are displaced upwardly. The sucked uppermost printing plate is curved so as to become wavy. Air enters in between the uppermost printing plate and a next printing plate therebeneath such that that printing plate therebeneath is disjoined (separated). Only the uppermost printing plate is stably removed and fed out.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for collating a plurality of separate groups or bundles of similar flats mailpieces arranged in a predetermined delivery point sequence, each mailpiece imprinted with a distinct delivery point or address indicia, to produce a single stream of mailpieces in new groups, where each new group comprises a plurality of mailpieces all addressed to a distinct delivery point. The apparatus comprises a plurality of feed units, each unit configured to process a quantity of similar mailpieces, each with a distinct delivery point indicia on the face of the mailpiece, and to deposit each mailpiece in a distinct pocket on a collation conveyor which traverses all of the plurality of feed units. Each pocket will ultimately contain different mail pieces, all addressed to the same delivery point Multiple new groups of mailpieces are then automatically placed in containers in a sequence corresponding to a predetermined delivery route.