Reciprocating Conveyor Patents (Class 271/14)
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Patent number: 11623422Abstract: A paperboard blank stacker assembly for supplying a stack of paperboard blanks to a container forming machine includes a stacker. The stacker has multiple blank stops arranged to hold a peripheral edge of a bottom blank of the stack of paperboard blanks, with the multiple blank stops defining an interior region. A blank carrier has at least one suction device moveable into a grasp position, where the suction device applies a suction force to the bottom blank, and a removal position, where the suction device is moved to remove the bottom blank from the stack of paperboard blanks by pulling the bottom blank through the interior region.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2020Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: Dart Container CorporationInventor: Luis Enrique Altamirano Paez
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Patent number: 11524853Abstract: A device for separating printing paper sheets comprises a base part and an obstruction element. The base part defines a printing paper accommodating cavity. A deforming mechanism is provided to make sure a middle part of the printing paper sheets can be arched and two edges can get close to the bottom of the printing paper accommodating cavity. The obstruction element is arranged with a middle access portion in cooperation with the deforming mechanism, and on two sides of the middle access portion is arranged with blocking portions through which only one printing paper sheet can pass at a time. The device for separating printing paper sheets makes more than one printing paper sheet that may be transmitted at a time during the transmission of the printing paper sheets. A printer achieves smooth transmission of printing paper sheets and alleviates problems such as downtime and failure of the printer.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2020Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Inventor: Zhiping Liu
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Patent number: 11124363Abstract: Device for temporarily storing plate-shaped workpieces (Wi) having a receiving magazine (1) for the plate-shaped workpieces (Wi), which magazine is formed by storage compartments arranged one above the other, for which it is proposed that the storage compartments have storage surfaces (7) which can each be extended in a first horizontal direction into a storage region and in a second horizontal direction into a removal region and can be retracted into the receiving magazine (1), wherein a receiving device (2) with a receiver (6) for the plate-shaped workpieces (Wi) is arranged in each case in the storage and removal region, which receiving device (2) is movable in the storage or removal region in a plane parallel to the storage surface (7) and in a direction perpendicular to the storage surface (7), and a control and storage unit (9) is provided for controlling the storage and removal movement of the receiver (6) and the movement of the storage surfaces (7) and for storing the storage location of plate-shapedType: GrantFiled: May 15, 2018Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Inventor: Stefan Barbaric
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Patent number: 10500721Abstract: A machine learning device which learns an operation of a laminated core manufacturing apparatus for stacking a plurality of core sheets to manufacture a laminated core, wherein the machine learning device includes a state observation unit which observes states of the core sheets and the laminated core manufacturing apparatus; and a learning unit which updates a manipulated variable for stacking the core sheets, on the basis of a state variable observed by the state observation unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2016Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: FANUC CORPORATIONInventor: Suguru Takamizawa
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Patent number: 8397899Abstract: A stripper of the invention uses flat metal springs (leaf springs) preferably made of spring steel and a flexible polymer based friction material covering the springs on one side so that the friction material contacts an incoming mail piece passing by the stripper along the friction surface presented by the outside of the friction material. A stripper according to the invention has variable stiffness, is quick responding, and is critically damped, meaning that incoming mail pieces will not bounce off it with excessive force likely to cause a misfeed or loss of control of the mail piece.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2010Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventors: Simon Krause, Rajeev Dwidedi
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Patent number: 8028821Abstract: An apparatus is provided for gathering signatures along a conveying section of a circulating conveyor provided with spaced-apart pushers that are attached to a traction mechanism. The apparatus includes a delivery station adapted for being arranged along the conveying section. The delivery station includes a downward slanted conveying path wherein the signatures are supplied via the downward slanted conveying path from the delivery station to the conveyor approximately in synchronism with movement of the circulating conveyor. The conveying path includes a convex conveying section followed by a concave conveying section in the conveying direction for the signatures.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2006Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: Mueller Martini Holding AGInventors: Urs Mösli, Thomas Bechinger
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Patent number: 7792609Abstract: A gripping device for a manipulation system, particularly a robot, for receiving workpieces and feeding them from a readied stack of the workpieces to a manufacturing plant such as a metal sheet folding machine, punching press, welding plant, etc. The device has a gripper head fitted with gripping means such as suction cups, magnets, tongs, etc., and a detection system for detecting characteristics of the workpiece gripped by the gripping means. A pulse emitter excites vibrations in the workpiece and the vibration spectrum of the workpiece is compared to reference vibration data to determine characteristics of the gripped workpiece, such as whether two or more workpieces are stuck together, or whether the workpiece is the correct workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2003Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Trumpf Maschinen Austria GmbH & Co. Kg.Inventors: Hagen Strasser, Gerhard Sperrer
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Patent number: 7766318Abstract: A pickoff system for removal of mail pieces one at a time from the end of a stack includes a pickoff belt mechanism positioned to frictionally engage an outer surface of a mail piece at the end of the stack and transport it transversely, which mechanism includes one or more belts mounted on a drive roller at one end driven by a drive motor and a follower roller at a trailing end. A pivot mechanism permits the trailing end to swing towards and away from the stack. A drive is connected to the pivot mechanism to move the trailing end towards and away from the stack, and a controller is connected to the drive to cause the drive to swing the trailing end towards the stack and swing the trailing end away from the stack in a manner effective to improve operation of the pickoff system.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2008Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventors: Simon Jan Krause, Rajeev Dwivedi
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Patent number: 7744078Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for storing a slip-sheet removed from a stack of interleaved slip-sheets and printing plates. A materials handling system separates a slip-sheet 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. The slip-sheets removed from the stack are stored in a movable slip-sheet holder.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2007Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Jo A. L. Gromadzki, Martin C. Wight
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Publication number: 20090152798Abstract: Various apparatus and methods relating to positioning differently sized sheets on a shuttle for printing are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2008Publication date: June 18, 2009Inventors: John A. Dangelewicz, Geoffrey F. Schmid
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Patent number: 7419153Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2004Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Muller Martini Holding AGInventors: Richard Bürk, Urs Mösli
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Patent number: 6499735Abstract: A method for separating a respective sheet from a sheet pile and transporting it to a sheet processing machine, wherein the respective sheet is lifted by at least one lifting suction device to a transfer level lying above a suction air intake level, and the respective sheet is taken over by at least one forwarding suction device at the transfer level, includes thereafter transporting the respective sheet by the forwarding suction device on the transfer level in a direction towards the sheet processing machine, and after transferring the sheet from the lifting suction device to the forwarding suction device, lifting the lifting suction device to an elevation level above the transfer level; a device for performing the method; and rotary printing machine and method of operation including the foregoing.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2000Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AGInventor: Jürgen Zeltner
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Patent number: 6439566Abstract: Sheet feeder comprising a holder with a guide for guiding a stack of sheets and with an abutment structure which defines an abutment plane for keeping a stack of sheets in a position with an outer sheet positioned against the abutment plane. The abutment structure is provided with a slit for allowing a sheet or a set of sheets to pass therethrough, which slit is movable relative to the guide along the abutment plane, with a directional component transverse to the slit for peeling outer sheets abutting against the abutment structure off a stack of sheets in the holder. Further, a method for separating sheets from a stack is described. Because sheets are peeled off a stack without sliding relative to each other, they can be separated without hindrance due to friction between them.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 1997Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignee: Hadewe B.V.Inventor: Jeichienus Adriaan van der Werff
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Patent number: 6406015Abstract: The invention relates to a labeling machine for wet adhesive labels comprising a gluing and application device which holds and guides the labels. A label magazine is connected upstream from the gluing and application device to which labels are fed from said label magazine. During the processing of multiple labels, the label magazine is configured as a support platform with a support wall that extends over the entire length of the platform, and transporting means for transporting the labels are provided above the support platform in the vicinity of the support wall. Said transporting means transfer the detached label to a label conveyor arranged above the support wall, and a conveyor platform is provided on the label conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2001Date of Patent: June 18, 2002Assignee: Langguth GmbH & Co.Inventors: Rainer Lehmann, Heinrich Eckholt
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Device for measuring the height of a sheet pile by using a reflectively operating radiation detector
Patent number: 6349936Abstract: A device for measuring the height of a sheet pile by using a reflectively operating radiation detector, a sheet separating device and a device for conveying separated sheets to a printing machine being assigned to the pile, comprising a system for measuring the propagation time of a radiation pulse originating from a radiation source and reflected at a sheet surface, the amplitude of the pulse being within a predefined range and lower than the amplitude of the reflection of the same radiation pulse at the surface of the sheet located closest to the radiation source, the radiation detector being connected to the measuring system.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2000Date of Patent: February 26, 2002Assignee: Heidelberger DruckmaschinenInventors: Tobias Müller, Thomas Wolf -
Publication number: 20010004143Abstract: A method for separating a respective sheet from a sheet pile and transporting it to a sheet processing machine, wherein the respective sheet is lifted by at least one lifting suction device to a transfer level lying above a suction air intake level, and the respective sheet is taken over by at least one forwarding suction device at the transfer level, includes thereafter transporting the respective sheet by the forwarding suction device on the transfer level in a direction towards the sheet processing machine, and after transferring the sheet from the lifting suction device to the forwarding suction device, lifting the lifting suction device to an elevation level above the transfer level; a device for performing the method; and rotary printing machine and method of operation including the foregoing.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2000Publication date: June 21, 2001Inventor: Jurgen Zeltner
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Patent number: 5876031Abstract: An apparatus for recording or reading information on or from a sheet is disclosed. The apparatus includes a holding unit for holding a sheet, a first arm which has one end pivotally fixed to the holding unit, a second arm whose one end or a specific point is pivotally fixed to the first arm, a driving system which can integrally move the other end of the first arm and the other end of the second arm, and can change the interval between the other end of the first arm and the other end of the second arm, a posture regulating mechanism for regulating the posture of the holding unit with respect to the first arm, a sheet supply unit provided with the holding unit, the first arm, the second arm, the driving system, and the posture regulating mechanism, and a recording or reading unit for performing information recording or information reading on a sheet supplied to the sheet supply unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 1997Date of Patent: March 2, 1999Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Keiji Ohkoda, Tomohiro Kudo
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Patent number: 5848785Abstract: Apparatus for feeding and unloading sheets of material, including a first sheet attraction device for lifting a topmost sheet from a stack; a device for checking that only a single sheet has been lifted; and a second sheet attraction device movable between operable and inoperable positions, whereby when in the operable position the second sheet attraction device can be attached to a sheet adhering beneath the topmost sheet, the first and second sheet attraction devices can be moved apart to separate the adhering sheets, and the topmost sheet suspended beneath the first sheet attraction device can be carried away.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 1996Date of Patent: December 15, 1998Assignee: Lomir Engineering LimitedInventors: Lionel Charles Hardwick, Malcolm Littlewood
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Patent number: 5752695Abstract: An apparatus for handling and automatically positioning film samples such that individual film samples can be retrieved from a magazine and moved precisely to a position where a subsequent operation can be performed such as the reading thereof by a densitometer. Individual samples are acquired from the magazine by means of a vacuum pad supported on a rotatable arm. Once acquired, the sample is repositioned in a horizontal plane through rotation of the arm. A second arm is moved into position such that clamping jaws grasp one end of the sample. Once the sample has been grasped by the clamping jaws, the sample is released from the vacuum pad. The second arm which is rotatable in a horizontal plane is mounted on a linear slide such that through operation of the linear slide and rotation of the arm, the acquired film sample can be automatically and precisely positioned through computer control thereof.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 1996Date of Patent: May 19, 1998Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Howard Paul Jehan, L. Charles Burgwardt
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Patent number: 5695183Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1995Date of Patent: December 9, 1997Assignee: NuTec Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: James W. Stoub
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Patent number: 5690327Abstract: A system for light-tight handling of a supply of media between a supply station, a workstation and a collecting station, comprises a media handling apparatus defined by a frame and a housing enclosing an internal confine. Within this confine are a supply station and a collecting station disposed at opposite ends of the frame. A positioning drive is suspended above the supply and collecting stations to move media between the supply, collecting and work stations. A lifting shoe is provided as part of the positioning drive and includes a flexible material handling sheet which assumes a first and a second given radius when respectively energized and reverse energized to engage the media supported in curved form. Also, supply and collecting cassettes are provided with a tambour coverings for respectively automatically uncovering and covering the supported media while still maintained in the light-tight confines of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 1996Date of Patent: November 25, 1997Assignee: Gerber Systems CorporationInventors: Alan W. Menard, Larwence S. Wolfson, Joseph Conlan
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Patent number: 5647583Abstract: An apparatus and method for singulating sheets from a stack of sheets and transporting individual ones of them to a conveyor. A picker arm is mounted at its upper end to a rotatable shaft, for reciprocating movement between first and second positions. A lower end of the arm includes a foot and a movable gripper jaw. When the arm is rotated into the first position, it grasps a segregated sheet. As the arm reverses direction and rotates toward the second position, it draws the sheet away from the stack. A sensor, provided within the foot, produces an electrical signal corresponding to the thickness of the sheet. The digital output signal is compared to a reference, or calibration value stored in a computer. If the output signal falls unacceptably outside the reference value, a signal is stored to effect later outsorting. Just before the arm reaches the second position, the jaw is opened, dropping the sheet upon the conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1995Date of Patent: July 15, 1997Assignee: North American Capital L.L.C.Inventors: Jonathan D. Emigh, Raymond P. Porter, Motaz M. Qutub
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Patent number: 5642878Abstract: A stack of sheets or blanks for feeding one by one from the bottom of the stack by a feeding mechanism is supported for high speed feeding to subsequent stations. A feed cylinder rotatably supported beneath the leading edge of the stack includes a suction device. An intermediate portion of the blank leading edge is drawn by the suction device downwardly toward an opening in the periphery of the feed cylinder. Continued rotation of the feed cylinder further bends the blank. For blanks of large size and having a leading edge with an irregular contour the blank leading edge intermediate portion extends forwardly from edge lateral portions. Positioned in spaced relation along the interior of the feed cylinder are a plurality of air manifolds having outlets directed at selected angles upon the lateral portions of the blank leading edge. The manifolds are connected to a source of pressurized air which is directed in a sweeping motion upon the blank leading edge lateral portions upon rotation of the feed cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 1995Date of Patent: July 1, 1997Assignee: F. L. Smithe Machine Company, Inc.Inventors: Eliot S. Smithe, Stephen M. Wagner
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Patent number: 5484139Abstract: A media handling unit is a selfcontained device which is capable of being moved to existing photoplotting structures to transport media sheets from a supply cassette housed within the unit and advanced into the plotter for conducting a plotting operation. The unit also retreives the scanned media from the photoplotter returning it the unit in a light tight environment where the scanned film is deposited onto a collecting tray. The supply of film is provided in a cassette having a semi-cyldrical support surface causing the film to take on a preformed configuration which is generally coincident with the shape of the support surface on the plotter.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1993Date of Patent: January 16, 1996Assignee: Gerber Systems CorporationInventors: Lawrence S. Wolfson, Philip W. Cenedella, Joseph Conlan
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Patent number: 5435804Abstract: A machine for making cups of thermoplastic coated paper, the machine including a frame or housing having a turret rotatably mounted on the frame, a number of work stations mounted on the frame in an equally spaced relation around the turret, a number of mandrels corresponding to the number of work stations mounted on the turret and a curling die mounted on the turret in radial alignment with each of the mandrels. The turret being rotated intermittently to align the mandrels sequentially with the work stations, the work stations being movable radially inwardly into a working relation with each mandrel, the mandrels being moved radially inwardly simultaneously with the work stations to form a tucked curl on the top edge of the cup.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 1994Date of Patent: July 25, 1995Assignee: Paper Machinery CorporationInventor: Daryl R. Konzal
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Patent number: 5430520Abstract: The exposed photosensitive materials are staggered into two lines, while being fed to the developing unit, for higher efficiency in development. The carrier unit B has a staggering unit and a parallel carrier path having a pair of parallel paths. The staggering unit staggers the photosensitive materials into each of two parallel paths alternately while moving in a direction perpendicular to the direction of feed.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 1994Date of Patent: July 4, 1995Assignee: Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akihiko Toki, Eiji Motooka
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Patent number: 5417158Abstract: A reciprocator sleeve for use in a printing machine having an envelope feeder is disclosed which enables the feeder to convey windowed envelopes from a stack and into a pair of pinch rollers without marking the windows of the envelopes. The sleeve is adapted for use with the feeder reciprocator upon which the bottommost envelope in the stack is retained for its conveyance therefrom and into a pair of pinch rollers. The reciprocator has a cylindrical head which is reciprocatingly rotated about its longitudinal axis to provide a generally arcuate feed and return stroke between the stack and the pinch rollers, and a shaft extending from an end of the head to a drive assembly. The head is in fluid communication with a vacuum source and has at least one vacuum port for applying a negative pressure differential to the front face of the bottommost envelope in the stack to retain that envelope for its conveyance on the feed stroke from the envelope stack and into the pinch rollers.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1993Date of Patent: May 23, 1995Assignee: Multi-Plastics, Inc.Inventor: John R. Parsio
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Patent number: 5407187Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 1993Date of Patent: April 18, 1995Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.Inventors: Wilhelm Reil, Udo Liebram, Heiko Bub
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Patent number: 5350166Abstract: Disclosed is a mechanism for separating a sheet one by one from stacked sheets, wherein a sucker is rotatably supported so that the sucker is moved up and down, back and forth. When the sucker is retracted in a state where the sheet is being sucked, the sucker is caused to be rotatively driven and to change the direction of suction surface, so that a front end portion of sucked sheet is lifted up, and one sheet can be separated reliably one by one.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 1993Date of Patent: September 27, 1994Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Satoshi Shimizu, Tomohiro Kudo, Kenichi Suzuki
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Patent number: 5207413Abstract: A vacuum platen serially picks up a sheet of film from a stack of unexposed sheets of film, transports the sheet of film to a large format camera for exposure, retains the sheet of film planar during exposure, transports the sheet of film to a stack of exposed sheets of film and drops the sheet of film upon the stack of exposed sheets of film.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 1992Date of Patent: May 4, 1993Inventor: Stanislav Maron
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Patent number: 5195732Abstract: For the production of packs from (thin) cardboard, blanks (10) are prefabricated and stored as a blank stack (16) in a blank magazine (17) for processing. An extraction member (20) serves for extracting the individual blanks from the underside of the blank magazine (17) and transports the blanks into a discharge-conveyor plane (21). The extraction member (20) is transportable over a small acute angle as a result of a pivoting movement, in order to move the blanks from the blank stack (16) into the discharge-conveyor plane (21). Furthermore, the extraction member (20) is so designed that, immediately after the discharge-conveyor plane (21) is reached, it can be conveyed into an initial position as a result of sideways movements of holding members (23,24) without being disturbed by the blank (10). In the discharge-conveyor plane (21), the blank (10) is fed to drawer rollers (51, 52 etc) by a pushing-off member (pushing fingers 57,58).Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 1991Date of Patent: March 23, 1993Assignee: Focke & Co.Inventor: Heinz Focke
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Patent number: 5183242Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus (10) and method are disclosed that are fast, efficient, easy to set up and involve a minimum number of components. The sheet feeding mechanism (10) includes a first gripping member (20) comprised of two first suction cups (21) and a second gripping member (40) comprised of two second suction cups (41). The first suction cups (21) are moved along a first path (P1) between a first position and a second position by a first guide means (25). The second suction cups (41) are moved along a second path (P2) between a third position and a fourth position by a second guide means (60). Vacuum means (22,42) are connected to the suction cups (21,41) for picking up, holding and releasing sheets (TS). The first suction cups (21) pick up a sheet (TS) and transfer it to the second suction cups (41) which take the sheet (TS) to a lamination unit (LU1,LU2).Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 1991Date of Patent: February 2, 1993Assignee: D&K Custom Machine Design, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Crimmins, Michael D. Flasza
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Patent number: 5137267Abstract: A suction head for a feeder of a sheet-fed rotary printing press for feeding sheets of small format through the press in a given direction, including only one double sucker formed of two juxtaposed suction nozzles connected by a transverse tube and being disposed transversely to the feeding direction of the sheets, the only one double sucker being exchangeably secured at a center location of the printing press.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1990Date of Patent: August 11, 1992Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AGInventors: Arno Wirz, Peter Sobotta, Jochen Renner
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Patent number: 5102113Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1991Date of Patent: April 7, 1992Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AGInventors: Jochen Renner, Peter Sobota
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Patent number: 5087025Abstract: A sheet delivery mechanism for delivering a sheet such as a stimulable phosphor sheet from a sheet storage unit such as a cassette or a magazine to a sheet feed system, includes suction cups movable toward and away from the sheet stored in the sheet storage unit for removing an end of the sheet from the sheet storage unit, and a feed roller pair movably disposed between the suction cups and the sheet feed system, the feed roller pair being movable toward the suction cups for holding the end of the sheet removed from the sheet storage unit, and then operable to feed the sheet to the sheet feed system.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 1991Date of Patent: February 11, 1992Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shingo Hamada
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Patent number: 5082268Abstract: Apparatus for accurately dispensing and positioning a credit card onto a predetermined area of a surface, includes a support tray which supports a stack of cards; a pusher assembly including a pusher plate which pushes out a leading edge of a lowermost one of the cards in the stack; gripper jaws which grip the lowermost edge of the pushed out card; and a control assembly which controls the gripper jaws to grip the lowermost edge of the pushed out card, to move over the predetermined area of the surface and to then release the gripped card so that the latter drops onto the predetermined area of the surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 1988Date of Patent: January 21, 1992Assignee: J.A.D. Enterprises of New York, Inc.Inventor: Robert L. Santoro
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Patent number: 5076565Abstract: In the context of a sheet feeder comprising a suction head, which is provided with separating suckers arranged on a vertically movable support, and at least one row of drag suckers mounted on a support, which is adapted to be reciprocated partly at the same rate as conveyor means for further transport and is preferably able to be pivot for righting oblique sheets, such drag suckers being adapted to be supplied with vacuum on the transfer of a sheet from the separating suckers and to be vented on the release of the sheet to such means for further conveyance thereof, it is possible to ensure a more rapid decrease in the vacuum level on sheet transfer if the drag sucker support, which is able to be reciprocated and is provided with at least one venting opening and a closing member associated with it, such closing member is able to be lifted from its seat within the constant rate range of the drag suckers and the further conveyor means, by means of a control member secured to the suction head.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1991Date of Patent: December 31, 1991Assignee: Georg Spiess GmbHInventor: Rudolf Liepert
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Patent number: 5064184Abstract: In the context of a feeder, more especially a sheet feeder, comprising firstly a suction device which is placed over a stack of items to be fed, and has a separating devicre with at least one telescoping and preferably vertically reciprocable lifting suction holder, which when a sucker is covered over is able to be retracted against the action of a returning force by the action of vacuum present at such sucker, and secondly a conveyor device which has at least one reciprocating entraining sucking device and is adapted to have such item transferred to it from the separating device lifting such item from said stack, the invention seeks to achieve trouble-free operation and simplicity of operation by the provision of on the one hand at least one vacuum hold nozzle adjacent to overlapping surfaces of the telescopically engaging parts of each lifting suction holder and adapted to be turned on and off in accordance with the entraining suction motion in a manner independent of the sucker, and there is furthermore anType: GrantFiled: March 27, 1990Date of Patent: November 12, 1991Assignee: Georg Spiess GmbHInventor: Rudolf Liepert
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Patent number: 5039079Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for superimposing at least two flexible sheets, in particular a back panel and a front panel of an article such as a slip. The process comprises forming a stack of each type of sheets and arranging said stacks on a plate (1), then for each of these stacks: gripping at least one sheet by means of a gripping assembly (12, 14) arranged above the plate (1) and relatively displacing said plate and said gripping assembly between a rest position and a sheet gripping position, displacing the gripping assembly (12, 14) so as to bring it above a deposit member (15) and actuating the assembly so as to release the sheet and spread it on the deposit member, returning the gripping assembly (12, 14) above the plate (1) and causing the plate to rotate a portion of a revolution to position a second stack directly below the gripping assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 1989Date of Patent: August 13, 1991Inventors: Patrick Rouleau, Alain Rouleau, Jean-Pierre Touret
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Patent number: 5031892Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 1990Date of Patent: July 16, 1991Assignee: Elpatronic AGInventor: Othmar Stieger
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Patent number: 5028043Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 1990Date of Patent: July 2, 1991Assignee: Michael Horauf Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Oskar Karolyi
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Patent number: 4974825Abstract: An envelope feeder (20) for use in a photographic order-finishing station, including a base (22) to which a retaining plate (28) is mounted. A stack-holding tray (30) is biased toward the retaining plate to compress a stack (18) of envelopes placed therebetween for feeding. Suction heads (50) move arcuately to contact and grip the outermost envelope (36) on the stack by application of a partial vacuum, and the move back to peel and lift a portion of that envelope from the stack. A shuttle assembly (52) with a plurality of narrow shuttle fingers (108) is included for insertion between the partially lifted outermost envelope (36) and the underlying envelope (68) to split any adhesions formed between them and separate the outermost envelope from the stack.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 1988Date of Patent: December 4, 1990Assignee: Ciba-Geigy CorporationInventors: Milan Bizic, David L. Davis, Charles T. Higgins
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Patent number: 4840366Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1987Date of Patent: June 20, 1989Assignee: Graham Engineering CorporationInventors: Brian J. Johnston, Paul W. Klinedinst
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Patent number: 4815723Abstract: An autofeeding apparatus for automatically transporting exposed photosensitive plates, which may be of different sizes, one by one from a nearly vertical stack to an automatic developing station. The photosensitive plates are placed in a vertical stack on a stack holder, and a supporting device disposed opposite the holder supports the lower ends of the plates. A transport device transfers the lower end of the uppermost one of the photosensitive plates from the holder to the supporting device. A separating device separates the uppermost plate from the holder. A lifting device, driven separately from the separating device, lifts the supporting device to feed the uppermost plate to the automatic developer with the upper end of the plate at the head.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1987Date of Patent: March 28, 1989Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shinji Iizuka
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Patent number: 4787615Abstract: A device for supplying/discharging PS plates in an inclined-type step and repeat machine having a rearwardly inclined exposing table which includes a supplying holder disposed on a side of the exposing table for supplying the PS plate thereto, the holder having a surface thereof rearwardly inclined at the same angle with respect to the horizontal as that of a surface of the exposing table, a pair of endless chains respectivley disposed along both side edges of the holder and adapted to move up and down longitudinally of the holder in synchronism with each other, metal support supported by the chains at both ends thereof, support bars also supported by the chains at respective both ends thereof via metal pieces the chains being driven to move up while carrying the PS plate which is being held by the metal support and support bars, and a guide provided on the top of the supplying holder and bent backwardly for guiding upward the plate being discharged.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 1987Date of Patent: November 29, 1988Assignee: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Fumihiko Nishida, Isamu Itoi, Masaji Mizuta, Koichi Fujii
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Patent number: 4775137Abstract: The backs of a stack of square folded sheets in a gathering apparatus rest on the upper side of the upper reach of an endless belt, and successive sheets of the stack are withdrawn by the gripper of a rotating drum which delivers a succession of discrete sheets into the nip of two rotary opening conveyors serving to deposit opened sheets on the straight upper reach of a chain conveyor. The folded edges of the folded sheets are located ahead of the unfolded edges, as considered in the direction of travel of the upper reach of the chain conveyor, when the sheets are in the process of descending onto the chain conveyor, and the axes of the drum and opening conveyors make acute angles with and slope toward the upper reach of the chain conveyor counter to the direction of travel of the upper reach. The upper side of the belt is parallel to the axes of the drum and opening conveyors and also slopes toward the upper reach of the chain conveyor counter to the direction of travel of the upper reach.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 1986Date of Patent: October 4, 1988Assignee: Grapha-Holding AGInventor: Alfred Glanzmann
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Patent number: 4732376Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus suitable for conveying shaped blanks. This apparatus includes a pair of screw shafts extending in a direction of conveying the blank. Members for holding attracters threadably coupled to these screw shafts are movable along guide shafts. Respectively provided at the ends of the guide shafts on one side are connecting members. Screw shafts threadably coupled to these connecting members drives the attracter holding members to approach or separate from each other on a line connecting the two guide shafts. Pinions provided near the opposite ends of the guide shafts rotatably move on racks, whereby the attracter holding members are synchronously moved in parallel to each other.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1987Date of Patent: March 22, 1988Assignee: Aida Engineering LimitedInventor: Fumiaki Umezawa
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Patent number: 4703925Abstract: A method and apparatus for ensuring sheet separation of a single sheet workpiece from a stack of workpiece sheets which consists of a lifting assembly having at least three spaced sets of sheet workpiece holding suction members with at least a poriton of one set being reciprocatable in a vertical movement to cause flexure of a sheet being raised by the lifting device to cause separation of an underlying sheet which may have adhered to the sheet being lifted.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 1985Date of Patent: November 3, 1987Assignee: Strippit/Di-Acro-Houdaille, Inc.Inventors: Ross R. Jelinek, Robert R. Fraas, Richard M. Stein, Lewis G. James
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Patent number: 4701094Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 1986Date of Patent: October 20, 1987Assignee: Compagnie Generale d'Automatisme CGA-HBSInventors: Francois Courjaret, Gilbert Del Fabbro, Jean-Noel Devic, Michel Divoux, Guy Forella, Jean-Pierre Hamant, Dominique Tubiana, Claude Pavie
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Patent number: 4639207Abstract: An in-mold label dispenser (22) for a blow molding machine is disclosed as including a dispensing head (56) mounted for rectilinear movement along a first axis A between a label magazine (48) and an open mold (28) and having a label carrier (58) mounted on the dispensing head for rectilinear movement between retracted and extended positions along a second axis B transverse to the first axis A. Rectilinear movement of the dispensing head (56) along the first axis A and coordinated extending and retracting rectilinear movement of the label carrier (58) along axis B transfers a label (50) from the magazine (48) to the mold (28) in preparation for the blow molding operation. The label dispenser (22) has particular utility when provided with a pair of the label carriers (58) to simultaneously transfer a pair of labels (50) to the open mold (28) within the confined space limitations involved.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 1984Date of Patent: January 27, 1987Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.Inventors: William A. Slat, Richard C. Darr, Richard L. Dunlap, Craig A. Larson