Abstract: An inkjet printing device includes a vacuum-belt and vacuum-table including a flat area positioned between a first and second air-groove aligned along a conveying direction. The vacuum-belt includes a first column of vacuum-belt-air-channels connected to the first air-groove a second column of vacuum-belt-air-channels connected to the second air-groove, and a third column of vacuum-belt-air-channels connected to the flat area by a plurality of air channels formed by a rough layer at the back-side of the vacuum-belt and/or a rough layer on the flat area.

Abstract: Embodiments include a carton feeding device for feeding cartons to a conveyor track, comprising a pick-up head with a plurality of vacuum cups, an erecting finger pivotally suspended at the pick-up head, where the pick-up head has a pick-up position (P1) and an insertion position (P2), where the carton is held with an angle ? between the holding plane of the pick-up head and the bearing surface of the erecting finger, wherein the angle ? differs from 90 degrees with at least 10 degrees in the insertion position (P2), where the carton is inserted between two parallel teeth of the conveyor track, and where the distance between the teeth is substantially equal to the width of the upper wall of the carton.

Abstract: A device for separating of individual, flat objects from the underside of a stack of this kind of objects (2) includes a roll bed conveyor consisting of a plurality of circulating rollers (9) and supporting the stack from beneath, wherein the rollers (9) are respectively rotatable around their longitudinal axis (10) and are moved along an orbit (11). Hereby the rollers (9) are coupled by a coupling (8) to at least one roller wheel (7) and, by means of this coupling, the longitudinal axes (10) of the rollers (9) are respectively pivotable in relation to the roller wheel (7). The rollers (9) are pivoted in a releasing region (13) of the orbit (11), through which an opening of the roll bed conveyor is created. Thus, the flat objects (2) can individually be conveyed from beneath the stack and transported away through the opening.

Abstract: A feeder head assembly is provided for transporting a material in a printing apparatus. The feeder head assembly includes a housing and a cap. The housing is at least partially rotatable about a longitudinal axis. Also, the housing includes an inner hollow chamber and an opening into the chamber. The inner hollow chamber is adapted to be in fluid communication with a vacuum source for decreasing pressure within the chamber. The opening is defined by a rim. The cap is removeably secured to at least a portion of the rim. The cap includes at least one aperture passing therethrough, wherein the at least one aperture is in fluid communication with the vacuum source.

Abstract: In a device for isolating and feeding the lowest sheet (1) in each case from a stack (2), with pushing-out elements (9) which grip the rear edge (3a, 3b) of the sheet (1) and transport it through, under a front-edge stop (5), into a pair of drawing-off rollers (6), can be moved forwards and backwards, are mounted on a cross-member (7) and have faces (9a), which are optionally front-mounted, for supporting the rear region of the stack (2) and also have bearing elements (11, 12) supporting the stack (2), and lateral abutment strips (13), the front edge (4) of the said stack being constant with respect to the sheet length (H), provision is made, in order to achieve high isolating outputs and faultless feeding of the sheets (1) with a device of simple design, for the cross-member (7) which receives the pushing-out elements (9) to be guided so as to be capable of travel in a linear guide (14), and for there to be directly associated with the said cross-member (7), for the driving movement of the latter, a linear m

Abstract: There is provided a recording medium transportation apparatus providing air suction to adhere a recording medium to a belt while the recording medium is being transported thereby, wherein the belt can have an optimized surface roughness and adjacent suction holes provided therein can be spaced by an optimized distance to provide an optimized level of force allowing the belt to adhere to the recording medium to transport the recording medium with high precision. The belt transporting a sheet of paper adhered thereto through air suction has a surface roughness (Ra) set in a range obtained by substituting an equivalent adhesion diameter (Dx) defined by: 0.5 × D ⁢   ⁢ 0 2 ⁢   ⁢ e c0 / c1 ≦ Dx ≦ 0.

Abstract: A process for selecting a single stacked flat object from a stack of flat objects. The lowermost flat object is downwardly detached from the rest of the stack of flat objects by negative pressure on at least one of its edge areas) running parallel to the take-off direction. In at least one suction area, the flat object is held by negative pressure onto a conveyor that can move back and forth. The flat object is advanced underneath a scraper and then further conveyed. The device for carrying out this process has a hopper for the stack of flat objects, a scraper, at least one suction device to partially detach the lowermost flat object, a conveyor, and a take-off device.

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: A Sheet Feeding System (10) having a reciprocating vacuum shuttle plate (52) includes a knife gate (112) and high-friction rollers 118 and 120 position between the knife gate and an additional conveyor formed by a driven feed roller 94 and an idler feed roller 96. The high-friction rollers form a singulator gap (188) with shoulders 184 of a vacuum-groove (186) on a sheet-engaging surface of the reciprocating shuttle plate. The sheet feeding system includes a transition tray (14) downstream of the additional conveyor for providing a transition to clamps of an endless chain (178). The transition tray comprises an endless conveyor belt (156) with a floating feed roller (160) biased thereagainst. The position of the floating feed roller can be adjusted so as to space it approximately a sheet length from a stationary clamp (176) on the endless chain.

Abstract: A base for operative association with an operating mechanism sensitive to horizontal vibration, such as an ink jet printer, supports a horizontal document feeder plate and associated drive operative to advance documents in sequential fashion from a stack toward the operating mechanism. A drive linkage interconnects a rotatable drive shaft to the feeder plate to effect horizontal reciprocating movement thereof. A counterweight is associated with the drive so as to substantially offset or nullify horizontal inertia forces imparted to the base by the feeder plate whereby to minimize horizontal vibration of the base. In an embodiment utilized for intermittent feeding of documents to the operating mechanism, a balance arm and associated counterweight cooperate with the feeder plate to offset horizontal inertia forces imparted to the base, and also minimize start-up torque required to initiate reciprocating movement of the feeder plate after stoppage.

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 Sheet Feeding System (10) having a reciprocating vacuum shuttle plate (52) includes a knife gate (112) and high-friction rollers 118 and 120 position between the knife gate and an additional conveyor formed by a driven feed roller 94 and an idler feed roller 96. The high-friction rollers form a singulator gap (188) with shoulders 184 of a vacuum-groove (186) on a sheet-engaging surface of the reciprocating shuttle plate. The sheet feeding system includes a transition tray (14) downstream of the additional conveyor for providing a transition to clamps of an endless chain (178). The transition tray comprises an endless conveyor belt (156) with a floating feed roller (160) biased thereagainst. The position of the floating feed roller can be adjusted so as to space it approximately a sheet length from a stationary clamp (176) on the endless chain.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for the extraction of pack blanks (10) from a blank magazine (25). A special problem with high-performance packing machines is the extraction of blanks from the blank magazine (25) of the packing machine, especially thin cardboard blanks which are produced outside the packing machine. The "transfer rollers" so far mainly used herefore take a lot of time and are ponderous due to their complex motions. In order to extract respective lowermost blanks (10) from a blank magazine (25), there is provided an extractor in the form of a blank segment (39) which grasps a blank at one side and leads the blank (10) with slight deformation, namely in an acute angle, to the plane of a conveyor track (38). Because of the very sparse movements of the blank (10) during extraction, the extraction process can be performed within short strokes.

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 device for gripping and decollating a bottom blank comprises a rotary shaft with a flat outer peripheral portion. Suction orifices in the shaft extend through the flat surface portion and communicate with suction cups carried by the shaft. Free outer edges of the suction cups contact the bottom blank, whereupon the application of suction causes the suction cups to contract. The suction orifices include enlarged outer portions for receiving the contracted suction cups such that the bottom blank is pulled flush against the flat surface portion of the shaft for a more effective application of suction forces.

Abstract: A device for sequentially introducing sheets placed in a stack into the nips of a pair of introduction rollers comprising at least one linear member having ends secured to a control pulley or roller and passing around a return pulley or roller which is adjacent the nips of the introduction rollers. A plurality of cams mounted on rotating shafts for engaging a run of the linear member to shift it from a retracted position to a position for engaging a bottom sheet in a stack disposed above the linear member, a vacuum chamber disposed along each linear member for holding the sheet on the members as they engage the sheet and carry it toward the nips.

Abstract: A label injector for placing labels in the hems of towels, or the like, is disclosed. The labels are extracted from a vertical magazine onto the surface of a wheel by a combination of suction into openings on the surface of the wheel and upward movement of the magazine. The wheel is then rotated until the extracted label passes through a slot in the adjacent hemming track into the hem being folded. Suction is terminated, releasing the label, and the wheel is returned to its original orientation to receive another label. Other embodiments disclose a magazine for double thickness labels, and an applicator carrying a belt in a peripheral groove to assist in moving the labels.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding boards (10) sequentially in one direction from the base of the stack through a feed gate (11) at the base of a front stack retaining wall (12) comprising a transverse series of perforated reciprocating conveying straps (14) mounted on driven pulleys (15) and interposed between a transverse series of lifting bars (13) with a drive mechanism for lowering and raising the lifting bars (13) sequentially and in synchronization with forwards and rearwards movement respectively of the conveying straps (14). A suction box (17) causes the lowermost board to be held in frictional driving contact with the upper surfaces of conveying straps (14) as the board is conveyed forwards into the nip of a pair of feed rolls (40) of, for example, corrugated board handling machinery.

Abstract: A document feeding apparatus feeds a document (18) from the endmost position (22) of a stack of documents (10) into a document path (34) using a vacuum suction head operating through an aperture (36) in a baseplate (16). A vacuum source (38) attracts a document (18) to the suction head (40) during a return stroke (50). No vacuum is applied during a forward stroke (48). The vacuum source (38) comprises a reciprocal air pump (54,108) having a potential energy store (66,90) used to power a rapid vacuum-creating return stroke despite a low-power drive source (44,96) to power the forward stroke. A barrel-pump (54) or bellows device (108) can be used as the reciprocal air pump. The vacuum-creating return stroke can be initiated either by solenoid (78) release or by operation of a cam (98) beyond a first angular position.

Abstract: A rotary feeder feeds sheets or board-like articles to nip rolls in a box-making machine. The boards are successively and individually fed from the bottom of a stack whose forward edge engages a gate below which the boards are fed by driven feed members such as wheels, rolls or endless belts which engage the underside of the lowermost board. To raise and lower the boards relative to the surface of the feed members, a vertically reciprocable grate is provided between the drive members. The grate and drive members are mounted in a vacuum box in which a vacuum is established to hold the boards in proper position on the feed members when the grate is lowered. The vacuum is also utilized to hold the boards with sufficient force to produce necessary friction between the boards and the feed members for feeding.

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 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 device is provided for the removal of the lowermost sheet from a stack of sheets in a tray wherein part of the tray consists of a removal element having a top surface with a first set of grooves through which an air stream can be blown to produce a static partial vacuum and a second set of grooves outside the air stream, each connected to at least one of the grooves in the first set. As a result of the air stream in the first set of grooves, the lowermose sheet is drawn against the top surface of the removal element and air is sucked out of the second set of grooves, the sheet thereby being more forcibly sucked against the removal element. By moving the removal element away from the stack, the lowermost sheet is removed from the stack using only a small amount of air in the air stream.

Abstract: A paperboard sheet feeder for feeding paperboard blanks to the feed rolls of processing equipment includes a support table and a pair of roller assemblies mounted on the support table. A drive includes gears connected to the roller assemblies through one-way clutches. A drive belt has ends secured to a slide block. The belt engages the gears. The slide block is mounted on guide bars for reciprocating movement. The drive belt, gears and one-way clutches convert reciprocating movement of the slide block into rotary movement of the roller assemblies. A source of vacuum communicates with the support table to draw a paperboard sheet into contact with the roller assemblies.

Abstract: The article separator comprises at least one transfer station (20) receiving the articles to be transferred to the entrance of at least one delivery conveyor (4). Each transfer station is equipped with at least one pickup arm (21) with a suction head (22) at one end, driven between the transfer station and the delivery conveyor and having a plurality of orifices (23) which can be selectively connected to a vacuum source or a blown air source under the control of a video processing circuit (33) coupled to a camera (32) that registers the scene at the front of the transfer station. The separator can handle mail deemed to be non-mechanically-sortable hereto.

Abstract: The known delivery device for sheet bodies in which sheet bodies stacked at a standby position are successively delivered one by one as kicked by a kicker, is improved in that the delivery device is additionally provided with a suction plate which sucks and conveys each sheet body as moved jointly with the kicker only during the period when the kicker moves for a predetermined distance after it has been started.

Abstract: A bottom sheet feeding apparatus including a sheet separator and feeder and a sheet stacking tray which has a planar base portion defining a base plane, the front of the base portion having an opening within which the bottom sheet separator and feeder is positioned, the tray further including two sloping planar side wings, one at each side of the opening in the base portion. In a preferred embodiment, the sheet separator and feeder includes a slide plate with a vacuum applied thereto. The slide plate has a sloping front portion for more positively separating the bottom sheet in a sheet stack from the remaining sheets.

Abstract: A machine design is taught for automatically applying adhesive coated labels to folded cartons at a precisely adjusted location on a carton. Both labels and cartons are supplied singularly from bottom feed magazines. A cam oscillated vacuum picker curls one end of a label out of the magazine to be vacuum gripped to the peripheral surface of a rotating transfer drum. Continued rotation of the drum withdraws the remainder of the label from the magazine stack bottom and lays it to the drum periphery surface. A singular carton is slidably removed from the bottom of a respective magazine stack by a lugged conveyor belt and pushed into a timed nip proximity with the label carrying transfer drum. Between the label receiving and delivery positions, the label is carried past a fountain roll for surface coating of water or adhesive.

Abstract: Feeder with a movable suction box, intended more particularly for equipping a magazine supplying sheets to a machine for making cases consisting of corrugated cardboard. The suction plate (10) of its suction box (6) is surrounded by a frame (17) made of flexible material, the assembly being designed in such a way so as to form a suction cup with flexible edges (26).

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for splicing together successive sections of single facer corrugated board having planar and corrugated fibrous layers, which sections are initially conveyed colinearly in spaced relation at uniform speed with the flutes extending in the direction of travel of the sections, characterized by the provision of a reciprocatory vacuum bar feed member operable initially to accelerate a subsequent section relative to a preceding section to a position in which a protruding layer portion at the trailing end of the preceding section is in superposed relation relative to a protruding layer portion at the leading end of the subsequent section, and subsequently to displace the section at the lower uniform speed at the moment at which the adjacent ends of the sections are in overlapping relation, whereupon the superposed portions may be bonded together to connect the sections to form a continuous web having longitudinally extending flutes.

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.

Abstract: Individualized sequenced sheets are carried along a conveyer to a predetermined location where an adhesive pattern is applied prior to reaching a card-affixing station where a corresponding individualized sequenced card is attached. A reciprocating carriage removes the lowermost card from a stack of cards in a magazine and feeds the card into the nip between a driven squeeze roller and the conveyer whereby the card is affixed via the adhesive pattern.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a machine for applying indicia, preferably decalcomanias (decals), to felts that form part of tennis balls. A stack of the felts is placed in the machine, and a destacking mechanism separates each felt from the stack and places them on a conveyor which moves the felts to a decal applicating machine. After a decal is applied to each felt, the conveyor moves the felts to a restacking mechanism which lifts the felts off the conveyor and restacks them. The machine is preferably equipped to handle the felts in pairs in order to double the speed of operation.

Abstract: Sheet feeding equipment is provided with suction means to assist a mechanical feeder that engages the trailing edge of the bottom blank in a stack and drives this bottom blank forward through a feed slot formed between a front gauge at the front of the stack and the horizontal surface which supports the stack. The suction assist means is provided with a chamber means having communicating front, intermediate and rear portions. The intermediate portion is relatively deep and the front and rear portions are relatively shallow. A suction device is connected to the intermediate section so that air is sucked rearward through the front section through its open front end and air is sucked forward through the rear section through its open rear end to produce a Bernoulli effect which acts on the bottom sheet to draw it downward against the support surface. The front section is relatively short and is substantially shallower than the rear section so that the Bernoulli effect is specially strong at the front section.

Abstract: A reciprocable feeder arm (10) includes a projecting portion (12) for engaging an edge of a collapsed carton (C) in a hopper (1) and with the aid of a suction cup (13) removes the collapsed carton (C) from the hopper (1) and into a position adjacent but spaced from fixed suction cup means (3) into engagement with which one side wall (A1) of the carton is driven by movable suction cup means (4) which engages the opposite side wall (A) of the carton so that subsequent movement of the movable suction cup means (4) away from the fixed suction cup means (3) moves the carton side walls apart and tends to manipulate the carton into set-up condition during which movement a pair of spaced guides (6) engage end wall panels (B,D,B1,D1) at each end of the carrier and aid further in setting the carrier up while an arcuate fixed guide (6a) disposed adjacent the path of movement of the carton engages its bottom wall (E) so as to hold a pair of end flaps (F,G) foldably joined to the ends of the bottom wall are moved into app

Abstract: In a device for the synchronized introduction of sheets into a treatment machine, e.g. a printer-slotter or cutter for processing corrugated cardboard sheets, in which a reciprocating pusher pushes forward the lowermost sheet of a stack in a magazine between two stops and into engagement with feed rollers, the stack rests on the upper run of a set of endless belts, which upper run extends over a suction box which is maintained continuously under suction during forward movement of the pusher, the belts are driven forwardly to facilitate movement of the lowermost sheet from the bottom of the stack, and belts being immobile during the return movement of the pusher.

Abstract: There is described apparatus for selectively feeding leaflets or the like from a stack into or onto rapidly moving articles such as open packages, which apparatus employs a reciprocable vacuum head which removes the leaflets seriatem from the stack and places them between continuously moving belts which transport the leaflets to the articles.

Abstract: A card inserter for inserting post cards in a series of bound volumes in motion in a production line which includes a pair of horizontally reciprocated feed plates and associated hoppers arranged on opposite sides of a substantially vertical feed plane. A conveyor is provided in the form of a pair of flat endless belts positioned face to face, the belts being trained about a pair of driven pulleys at the inlet end to define a nip at the feed plane as well as pulleys for maintaining the belts in face to face relation along an angular conveyance path. A V-shaped diverter extends downwardly into the nip. The feed plates are reciprocated inwardly and outwardly in synchronism and have one-way frictional driving connection for simultaneous feeding of the lowermost cards against the diverter and thence into the nip so that the cards are delivered to the volume in register with one another.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sheet feed apparatus suitable for feeding an original into a copying machine at an intake position and through the machine past an exposure station, the apparatus comprising a rotary support having a surface for supporting the original, means rotatable with the rotary support for gripping the leading edge of the original, means for selectively coupling and decoupling the gripping means with the support, means in advance of the exposure station for pressing the original against the supporting surface, means associated with the rotary support for conveying the original in contact with the supporting surface when the gripping means is stationary and means for releasing the original from the gripping means at a discharge position after the support has made a predetermined number of revolutions.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding corrugated blanks to processing machinery which comprises roller members mounted above a vacuum chamber which enables each advancing blank to be held flat while minimizing friction between the advancing blank and the feed bed comprised of the rollers. Improved vacuum chamber construction is utilized in which an adjustable back stop includes improved sealing means to minimize vacuum loss.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for facilitating the filling and sealing of bags for shipping or mailing. The bag supply preferably is in web or strip form, i.e. the bags are joined along successive closed sides of the bags to form a continuous web with the bag bottoms along one edge and the unsealed bag top ends along the other edge of the web. Means are provided to advance the web one bag length each cycle to a cutting station which severs the bag from the web. A vacuum picker and pusher bar convey the separated bag from the cutting station to a carrier comprised of a series of continuously moving chains having lugs between which the bags are first inserted and then retained for travel with the chains. The pusher bar and the spacing between the lugs cooperate to maintain the unsealed end of the bag open sufficiently to receive an article inserted while the bag is moved by the carrier. At the end of the carrier run, sealing means close the open end of the bag.

Abstract: A mechanism for feeding blanks of corrugated cardboard and the like into a printing and container forming machine. The feeding mechanism includes a perforated suction head for moving individual sheets from a stack of sheets into the machine. The suction head includes a perforated plate and plenum chamber mounted on a tubular member which is telescopingly received over an open ended tubular support member, mounted on a hollow reciprocating shuttle. A valve is disposed at the shuttle end of the tubular support for connecting the shuttle to an evacuator and is actuable by a cam contoured such that the valve is actuated each time the suction head cycles. The blanks are supported with their forward ends at the shuttle and at their opposite ends by a universally adjustable support which compensates for warped blanks. A dump valve for venting the shuttle to atmosphere is operable in timed relation to the vacuum valve by means of a linear cam located adjacent the shuttle.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated mechanism for feeding envelopes or other similar stacked articles from a stacked position into a second position where stamping, gluing or the like may be performed. The feed mechanism includes a pneumatic cylinder having a fixed piston rod and a movable cylinder driven by a slide wheel mechanism in such a manner as to create a vacuum at a reciprocating, article engaging, slide shuttle when the cylinder is moved in one direction. When the cylinder is moved in a reverse direction the vacuum is released, allowing the article engaging shuttle to return to the stacked articles for reapplying the vacuum for removing an article.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, feeding corrugated blanks from a stack in which the lowermost blank is advanced to processing machinery on a feed bed which comprises rollers mounted above a vacuum source in such manner as to enable the advancing blank to be held flat while minimizing friction between the advancing blank and the feed bed. In one preferred embodiment, a kicker feed bar is utilized which is depressed with respect to the rollers to enable the lowermost blank to be advanced while maintaining substantially the same vertical height in a flat plane until reaching the proximity of the processing machinery.

Abstract: A mechanism for feeding blanks or corrugated cardboard and the like into a printing and container forming machine. The feeding mechanism includes a perforated suction head for moving individual sheets from a stack of sheets into the machine. The suction head is mounted on a hollow reciprocating shuttle. A valve connects the shuttle to an evacuator and is actuable by a cam contoured such that the valve may be actuated each time the suction head cycles, during alternate suction head cycles or may remain inactive by varying the angular orientation of the cam and the cam follower coupled to the valve. In an alternate embodiment these variations of vacuum application to suction head cycling are provided by a valve having rotating members wherein the relative speed of the members may be adjusted to provide the control functions.

Abstract: A feed apparatus for the input of a printing machine or the like having stationary and movable platform portions and upwardly extending adjustable guides, the forward end of the movable platform portion including a cavity portion which communicates with a source of suction pressure for gripping an article to be printed, and a guide member spaced from the cavity to form a space through which the forward edge of an article to be fed moves toward the printing machine. The subject feed unit also includes a drive for reciprocating the movable bed portion, and a timed valve for communicating the cavity to the source of suction pressure and an adjustable rod member to adjust the timing of the suction producing valve.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling sheet material incorporates a suction member for engaging and lifting individual sheets in order to separate and feed them. The suction member is mounted on a telescopic structure adapted to move outwardly to engage a sheet and to retract the sheet, once engaged, into a feeding position. The head of the suction member is mounted on a swivel arrangement to permit it to adapt to the plane of the sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for setting up folded cartons in which a frame has a folded carton magazine attached thereto adjacent a carton conveyor. A carton set-up station is mounted at one end of the conveyor adjacent the magazine, and the bottom carton in the magazine is grasped by suction cups and moved to the set-up station. The carton is set-up in the set-up station and fed to the conveyor as the minor flaps are folded, glued, and the major flaps folded, and finally, the major and minor flaps compressed for the glue to dry and the carton discharged.