Abstract: A machine for separating single plies of fabric from a stack of fabric plies uses a roller provided with a fabric ply engaging mechanism. The roller engages the top ply of fabric and removes it with a rolling action. The engaging mechanism comprises a pivotable rod mounted on the roller and provided with protruding pins which engage the top ply of fabric from the stack as the rod is pivoted. The machine can be arranged to sort alternate plies of fabric from one stack into separate stacks. The machine can be provided with an adjustable support for holding the stack and with a detector for detecting the presence of a single fabric ply on the roller.

Abstract: A dual-chain sewing machine for aligning the edges and the corresponding seam tracks of pieces of a garment that have different curvatures and for sewing the pieces together along the seam tracks includes two flexible, elongated carriers, which move at approximately the same linear speed and which are mounted and arranged for motion around continuous paths. Each carrier has pins extending from it in a direction transverse to the direction of movement, with the pins of one carrier extending toward the pins of the other carrier. A first fabric piece is applied to the pins of the first carrier when a pin bearing portion of the first carrier is in a path segment corresponding to the seam track on the first fabric piece; a second fabric piece is applied to the pins of the second carrier when a pin bearing portion of the second carrier is in a path segment corresponding to the seam track on the second fabric piece.

Abstract: By means of a first band or belt conveyor an imbricated product stream or formation, formed by product packs, each composed of two overlying printed products, is inputted to a second band or belt conveyor. The conveying velocity of the second band conveyor is twice as large as the conveying velocity of the first band conveyor. Above the second band conveyor there is arranged a retarding or delay device containing an endless transport band. This endless transport band possesses a conveying velocity which is half as large as the conveying velocity of the second band conveyor. The transport band is perforated and travels over a negative pressure chamber operatively connected with a vacuum pump. During movement of a product pack past the negative pressure chamber the uppermost situated product of such pack is seized at its freely exposed region by the transport band and retained thereat by means of the prevailing negative pressure.

Abstract: This gripper is applicable more particularly to textile machines and includes a gripping clamp and an apparatus for opening and closing the clamp. The clamp proper includes a fixed central member provided laterally and on either side with a resilient portion, two arms crossing each other for constituting a pair of gripping jaws, each arm being provided with a key preferably in the outer extension of the resilient portion. The opening and closing apparatus includes a pair of vertically movable fingers, by reason of one per arm, which are adapted in their lower position to depress the keys in order to cause the distortion of the resilient portions and thus modify the degree of crossing of the jaw forming portions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for feeding single bags to automatic bag inserting apparatuses, picking them up and also unsticking the bag being picked up from the underlying ones, in case they are glued to one another because of glue drops during the bag manufacture. The system substantially comprises (see FIG. 3) three units: a first unit provided with suction cups, picking up the bag at its transversal middle portion, where accidental adhesion of bags cannot happen, and lifting it to allow that two unsticking units, including bars being inserted under the bag and unsticking it from the underlying one with a spreading action, are inserted between said bag being picked up and the underlying one. One of the two units is also provided with pincers blocking the bag edges on the open unsticking arms and, in the return stroke of the unit to the starting position, transferring it on to the feeding device of the bag inserting apparatus.

Abstract: In a thermal transfer type recording apparatus, a sheet separation system includes a separator member positioned downstream of a thermal head with respect to a predetermined path which a recording sheet and an ink sheet move in contact with each other. The separator member is selectively controlled to move between an inoperative position above the sheet path and an operative position below the inoperative position and which interferes with the sheet path. In the operative position, the separator member pierces the ink sheet downwardly to push the underlying recording sheet away from the ink sheet.

Abstract: This invention pertains to pins carried by and in a retainer head member with the pins actuated when and as the head member and an associated contact member reaches the outermost portion of a paperboard member whereat the pins are caused to move obliquely to this surface and penetrate the paperboard sufficiently to engage and retain the paperboard. These pin ends by latch members are maintained in the desired penetrating position during transfer. This latch is actuated to release the projected pins when transfer is completed. The paperboard is conventionally of corrugated paperboard construction and the extent of pin end protrusion is carefully controlled so that the pin ends in the penetrating position do not protrude and penetrate the rear panel or wall of the paperboard so that only one penetrated paperboard member is transferred. The embodiments shown are adapted for use with paperboard which is not supple or flexible as is cloth or leather.

Abstract: A device for sensing the removal of workpieces from a stack by a pickup head which, during its intended function, is lowered to engage the upper workpiece in a stack, then elevated to remove the workpiece and then rotated so the workpiece can be deposited in a preselected location. The sensing device is pivotably mounted on the pickup head and movable between positions below the underside of the pickup head when the latter fails to engage a workpiece and at a level even with the underside of the pickup head which is accomplished through its engagement with a workpiece held by the pickup head. Upon engagement and pick up of a workpiece, a signal is given to raise the pickup head and then rotate it so the workpiece can be deposited in a predetermined location. Upon failure to engage and remove a workpiece from a stack, a signal is given for the pickup head to make a plurality of repeated attempts to engage and remove a workpiece from the stack.

Abstract: A sheet deliverer adapted for use with rotary printing machines includes a continuous chain having gripping members carried thereon for gripping the leading edge portions of printed sheets and delivering the printed sheets to a product collection site, at least the downstream section of the continuous chain being substantially horizontally disposed above the product collection site. Guide yokes are provided to supplement a developed air cushion on the undersides of the printed and are adjustable so as to contact the printed sheets only at the print-free margins thereof to prevent destruction of the printed portions of the sheets during conveyance.

Abstract: A device for the delayed piling of sheets in a delivery mechanism of a sheet fed printing press to provide time for the insertion of a temporary receiving tray as a filled pile board is removed and replaced by an empty pile board. A buffer storage device is located immediately above the support for the receiving tray for intercepting sheets entering the receiving space. The buffer storage device includes a front edge support for supporting the front edge of a sheet and a rear edge support for supporting the rear edge of the sheet. At least the rear edge support, which occupies a normal horizontal position, has a hinge mounting but is lightly counterbalanced so that the first few sheets, upon making a pile change, are intercepted providing a time delay for insertion of the receiving tray, but with the accumulated weight of the first few sheets being sufficient to overcome the counterbalancing force so that the intercepted sheets, following the time delay, are automatically dumped as a group upon the tray.

Abstract: A device for inverting a sheet includes an input and output transport means and a sheet receiving tray. Sheet deflectors are provided to deflect portions of a sheet as it leaves the input transport means and moves into the tray. A reversal drive arrangement, including a drive roller within a vacuum plenum, contacts a sheet supplied to the tray and moves the sheet into engagement with the sheet output transport means. This arrangement adds beam strength to a sheet entering the tray and permits a second sheet to be supplied to the tray prior to complete removal of the previously inverted sheet.

Abstract: A simple and effective cloth pickup device including first and second jaws pivotally mounted for movement from a clamping position to an open position. When the jaws are moved into contact with a piece of cloth they are pivoted to clamp the cloth between them, with needles extending from the first jaw piercing the cloth. An overcenter spring holds the jaws in both their first and second positions. When it is desired to release the cloth held by the jaws a plunger is depressed, engaging the jaws and pivoting them to their open position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for separating flexible sheets from a stack wherein the stack is locally compressed and pierced and stack holders are fitted in the holes formed extending through the entire thickness of the stack. The piercing device caan be located inside the frame of the actual separating device or in a second frame linked to the first frame, which frame is then provided with transporting chains to introduce the supporting platforms for the stacks into said frame, and to remove them therefrom after the sheets have been separated from the stack. The apparatus also includes an improved pick-up head wherein a stop for the pricking element is mounted between the pressure shoes.

Abstract: A piling device (11) forms a pile (15) of sheets (12). For pile change, the finished pile (15) is separated from sheets of the subsequent pile by means of a separating finger (22). After the main stop (17) at the front pile edge has been swung away, the pile is horizontally removed by means of a pile removal device (30) having grippers (31, 32). While this is happening, a carrier element (47) in the form of a horizontally located rack follows the rear pile edge (78) in the region of the pile upper surface (101) so that the separated newly forming pile is immediately taken over onto the carrier element (47). A holding device (77) supports the rear edge of the new pile and holds it firm.The new pile is then transferred onto a piling table (14) by lowering the carrier element (47). A second carrier element (48) works in paternoster fashion with the first and, for the next pile, carries out the same functions as the first set.

Abstract: Apparatus for the shingling of cut sheets of paper as they pass between conveyance on a high-speed tape conveyor and a low-speed tape conveyor is provided by a two-stage slowdown arrangement. At the first stage, a slowdown mechanism, comprising two rolls arranged respectively above and below each sheet passing through a drop-off area from the high-speed conveyor to the low-speed conveyor, serves to engage the tail portion of the sheet in a nip such that the sheet is slowed down to a speed approximately 30 to 40% of the speed of the high-speed conveyor. In this manner, the lead edge of a next succeeding sheet overlaps with the trailing edge of the nipped sheet in a drop-off area from the high-speed tape conveyor.

Abstract: Automated handling of fabrics and similar materials is accomplished by an apparatus which includes a first and second container. A pair of hollow and flexible needles are fixed within the first container and a pair of grooves for guiding movement of the needles are located within the second container. The second container is screwably attached to the first container. By screwing the two containers towards one another the points of the needles from the first container will be brought into the grooves or passageways of the second container and eventually will protrude outwardly from the bottom of the second container and extend into one or more layers of material to be separated or removed from a greater number of such layers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for separating a stack of flexible, planar material such as cloth, comprising a fixed set of pins and an adjustable set of pins, where the adjustable set of pins follows a downwardly curved path of motion to create a fold in the top layer of the stack of so that this layer may be conveniently lifted off without lower layers adhering to the top layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating and individually transporting flexible sheets from a stack to at least one processing unit wherein one stack edge is compressed and the topmost sheet is picked-up by pick-up heads at its edge situated at the compressed stack edge, the engaged edge is lifted from the stack, and the lifted edge is gripped by horizontally moving removal elements which remove the partially lifted sheet from under the pick-up heads and carry it away in a horizontal direction at least beyond the pick-up zone whereby the sheet is progressively turned and rolled off the stack and transported to a registering mechanism where the sheet is oriented in a predetermined position for feeding to the processing unit.

Abstract: A cutting machine, especially for foodstuffs such as wurst, forms slices of the product which are picked up on a cylindrical drum which has retractable pins and which, upon take-up of the slices, deposits them upon a plate by swinging downwardly toward the latter. The pins are retracted by the downward swinging movement to release the slices.

Abstract: Attached to revolving traction elements are a number of equidistantly arranged entrainment members having impact surfaces at their leading edges. The impact surfaces engage at trailing edges of the printed products arriving in an imbricated product stream. Between the traction elements there is arranged a suction head connected by means of a connection line or conduit with a negative pressure source. The suction head fixedly retains the printed products moving therepast or delays their forward movement until the engaged printed product can be entrained by one of the entrainment members. Due to the holding back of each second printed product each entrainment member infeeds two superimposed printed products to the individual grippers of a transport device. Since each gripper conveys away two printed products the transport device can be driven at a lower velocity that the infeed velocity of the imbricated product stream, which, among other things, affords quieter travel and reduced wear of the transport device.

Abstract: A vendor issuing a single article at a time from a stack of flat articles such as newspapers or magazines. The vendor has a separator to peel an edge of the end article off the stack, a conveyer to be inserted between the peeled edge and the subsequent article, and ejector structure to aid in issuing the article after it is released at least partially to rest on the conveyer. A coin release enables an actuator such as a handle to operate the vendor only after proper coinage has been supplied.

Abstract: An arrangement for forming a sequence of underlapping sheets when conveying sheets that are cut off a paper web by a sheeter located in front thereof, to the feed table of a machine working the sheets. Suction equipment is located above the sheet web in the area between two draw-off equipments which are driven at different feed rates. A lifting device is located below the sheet web to bring the rear zone of every sheet into action with the suction equipment, so as to form a guide gap for the following sheet. The suction equipment is provided with a suction box connected to a vacuum supply that may be adjusted stationary during operation. The suction box has at the bottom a punched plate which is provided with a width corresponding to the maximum workable sheet width.

Abstract: The size of the gap between the leading and trailing portions of a severed web is monitored with respect to an upper limit. The severed web is cut into box blanks which are transported on a stacker conveyor in shingled relation. The speed of the severed web through the corrugator is continuously controlled to prevent the gap from exceeding the limit when the gap reaches the stacker conveyor. Alternatively, the stacker conveyor is temporarily stopped until the size of the gap falls below the limit, and the stacker conveyor is re-started before the gap can close. In either case, the gap control prevents bumping of consecutive box blanks on the stacker conveyor following a change-over of production runs while insuring that the first blank of the new production run shingles on the last blank of the old production run with sufficient tail to insure retention of the first blank by stacker conveyor suction cups or tail grabbers.

Abstract: A first stream of non-overlapping spaced-apart sheets which move at a high speed is converted into a second stream of partially overlapping sheets by braking successive sheets of the first stream and deflecting the trailing portions of braked sheets laterally to enable the oncoming foremost sheets of the first stream to catch up with and partly overlap the preceding sheets. When the first stream exhibits a gap as a result of the absence of one or more sheets, or independently of the presence or absence of gaps, the deflection of the braked sheet is repeated at a location which is nearer to the braking station to thus insure that the trailing portion of the braked sheet preceding a gap is deflected laterally immediately before the sheet which follows the gap catches up therewith. The deflection of trailing portions which precede gaps in the first stream is effected by suction.

Abstract: Alternate facing plies in a single stack are separated by this apparatus into two separate piles. The apparatus of the invention includes a head for differentiating each top layer from the feed stack and a transporter for transporting the differentiated top layers alternately to a first location and to a second location. The differentiating head includes a movable, rotating element for curling back one or more of the edges of the top layer from the edges of the next underlying layer in the stack and thereafter lifting the layer with the curled edges away from the stack.

Abstract: A suction braking apparatus for the braking and overlapping of sheets coming from a duplex crosscutter is provided which has a single suction chamber and can be quickly changed over to accommodate sheets of a different width. The suction chamber is provided with two groups of suction holes arranged in a row in the direction of travel of the sheets and has cover plates perforated in register therewith and each has a perforated control belt. Each group of suction holes has associated therewith a cover slide which is movable at a right angle to the direction of sheet travel with the two cover slides reciprocally covering a group of suction holes, starting from one of the two side edges and up to a junction extending in the direction of sheet travel.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved transport mechanism for cyclically conveying an original past an optical scanning device in an electrophotographic copying machine of the type in which a gripping unit engages a leading edge of an original during the entire cycling time, which reduces distortion, maximizes utilization of the transport mechanism, and enables the use of lower illumination intensities by optically scanning the original as a planar surface and by providing a pair of transport rollers downstream of the optical scanning device to insure a fast cycling and delivery of the original.

Abstract: A sheet piler for sheets transported end-to-end at high velocity, has a reciprocating suction bar for reducing the sheets' traveling velocity so that their forward travel can be stopped without damaging the sheets, with the stopped sheets forming a pile. Rotating brushes press the sheets' trailing ends momentarily against the suction bar and the latter then reduces the sheets' travel velocity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for taking up and displacing knitted or woven articles which are disposed in a pile, both when folded and not folded. The device is a combination of a first needle type gripping means with a vacuum gripping means and a supplying means. The needle type gripping means raises an edge of an article in the pile and, during a relative movement occurring between the vacuum gripping means and the supplying means, the latter progressively conveys this article towards the vacuum gripping means until said article adheres thereto as a result of a vacuum effect.

Abstract: Grippers pull the leading ends of sheets along a sheet transport path, and a guidance structure facilitates sheet travel. The guidance structure comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending guide bars provided with suction openings, the ribs spaced apart transverse to the sheet-transport direction. Intermediate the bars are large-surface-area plates having suction openings. When guiding sheets printed on only one side, the intermediate suction plates are at about the same level as the longitudinally extending guide bars, and the entire face of the sheet is engaged, with the help of suction force. When guiding sheets printed on both sides, the imtermediate suction plates all drop down out of contact with the sheet, leaving only the spaced apart and narrow longitudinal guide bars to engage the sheet. The guide bars are furthermore transversely shiftable, so that they can be brought into engagement with parts of the sheets bearing no printing.

Abstract: A multi-color printing press including a first press unit and a second press unit with a conveyor interposed between them, the conveyor including a sprocket drum cooperating with a transfer drum on the second press unit. A pair of plenums having apertured faces alined with one another are arranged closely adjacent the feed side of the sprocket drum, the plenums being connected to a source of vacuum. The plenums are cammingly coupled to the press drive for axial spreading movement during passage of a sheet so that the faces of the plenums progressively wipe away any longitudinally extending as well as laterally extending wrinkles in the sheet as the sheet becomes progressively supported on the sprocket drum for sequential passage of the sheet in smooth condition and in accurate register via the sprocket and transfer drums, the action of the plenums being effective both in the recto and verso printing modes.

Abstract: In an apparatus for cutting, decelerating and overlapping sheets of paper, comprising means for feeding a paper web at predetermined speed, means for cutting said web into sheets, suction means for decelerating the sheets, means for adjusting the amount of suction in relation to the feeding speed, and means for stacking the decelerated sheets, the improvement wherein said suction means includes an ejector roller provided with recesses and located directly in front of the stacking means, at least one suction strip provided in a recess of the ejector roller and extending approximately to the apex of the ejector roller, and at least one nozzle provided in the area of the ejector roller directing air toward the stacker so as to form an air cushion between the sheet being stacked and the sheet which had just previously been stacked.

Abstract: A vendor for dispensing a single article at a time from a stack of flat articles such as papers or magazines. The vendor has a separator to separate at least an edge of the top article from the stack, and a conveyor insertable beneath the separated article to convey the separated top article away from the stack. A presser can optionally be provided to press against the separated top article and hold it to the conveyor means while the article is being dispensed. A coin operated release is provided to prevent operation of the device except after some prerequisite condition has been met, for example the insertion of a predetermined number of coins. The invention contemplates the method of lifting the edge, inserting the conveyor underneath it, and issuing the article on the conveyor. Optionally the presser can hold the article firmly to the conveyor to assist the operation.

Abstract: A unique pickup device for single or multiple fabric or sheet layer materials incorporating a plurality of parallel needles which when simultaneously actuated pierce one or more layers to cause pickup, and after transport, stripping means for removal therefrom.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing a layer of predetermined thickness from a bale of fiber material including an array of rigidly secured, juxtaposed, vertically oriented tines and carriers for moving the tines downwardly to a selected depth in the bale and then horizontally to remove a top layer from the bale.

Abstract: A sheet flattener for a sheet-fed printing press or the like in which sheets having a tendency to curl are conveyed edgewise from a source to a receiver along a path of flow. A pair of cylindrical members, or rollers, define between them a receiving space which extends cross-wise with respect to the direction of sheet movement. A vacuum is applied in the receiving space so that a conveyed sheet is drawn against the rollers in a cusped profile, undergoing an abrupt bend at the point of the cusp in a direction opposite to the direction of curling tendency so that the curl is neutralized. At least the downstream one of the roller is mounted for rotational movement at the speed of the sheet thereby to reduce the frictional drag of the sheet. In the preferred embodiment both rollers are mounted for rotation and the surfaces thereof are roughened with a two-dimensional pattern of shallow projections to minimize contact with the surface of the sheet and to prevent relative slippage.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for the continuous stacking of paperboard blanks issuing from a continuously running corrugator capable of producing orders of blanks of different sizes. The stacking apparatus includes a vacuum control box and a variable speed endless conveyor belt which is adapted to speed up and create a gap between the blanks of various sizes. In operation the gap provided allows the blanks of one size to be stacked without interrupting the continuous running of the corrugator.

Abstract: Automatic card embossing apparatus includes a rotatable embossing wheel carrying about its periphery punch and die pairs for all characters available for embossing. Each character position of the wheel defines an address and the wheel is controlled for rotation to a desired address for embossing the character there-located. Data identifying all embossable characters is processed to derive three control numbers for each character, the first control number identifying the corresponding wheel address for the corresponding punch and die pair, the second number identifying the horizontal position on the card where the character is to be embossed, and the third control number identifying the line number on the card. The data is sorted into ascending order of wheel addresses. In operation, a card is transported to a reference position relative to the embossing wheel and the embossing wheel is rotated to the address of the first control number.

Abstract: A device for gripping and transferring a fabric material such as a canvas sack or the wrapper of a bale is disclosed comprising a carriage movable on a rail and on which is mounted a gripping assembly. The gripping assembly includes a disc having engagement tines disposed thereon which is driven by a low torque motor. The operations of lowering the discs for engagement of the fabric, engagement and transfer of the fabric are integrated for sequential action.

Abstract: This specification deals with the stopping, positioning, orienting and redirecting a semiconductor wafer being transported along a track on an air film or bed of air. The stopping mechanism is an air jet located in a groove in the track, wafers passing over this air jet on an air film are sensed by a pneumatic sensor that turns on the air jet to set up an air stream under the transporting surface of the air film. This air stream sucks the fluid in the air film along with it in the groove causing a vacuum in the bed in the area of the nozzle of the air jet. The wafers are then stopped by the suction of the vacuum. Positioning, orienting and redirecting is done using the air jet and pneumatic sensor in combination with special air jet arrangements and operations.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a top ply from a stack of fabric workpieces before removal and depositing the ply at a processing location. The apparatus comprises an air cylinder actuator connected to a friction pad for engaging the top ply, the pad being mounted in a guide member for movement with an impacting force, on application of a pulse of pressure air to the air cylinder, to displace the top ply in a sweeping and lifting action from and across the stack while the guide member is forced downwardly into engagement with the remaining plies in the stack to hold the stack against movement as the displaced ply is removed.

Abstract: Alternate facing plies in a single stack are separated by this apparatus into two separate piles. The apparatus of the invention includes means for differentiating each top layer from the feed stack and means for transporting the differentiated top layers alternately to a first location and to a second location. The differentiating means includes movable, rotating elements for curling back one or more of the edges of the top layer from the edges of the next underlying layer in the stack and thereafter lifting the layer with the curled edges away from the stack.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sheet feeding and shingling apparatus wherein sheets are brought into an apparatus individually to be processed. The sheets are subsequently discharged from the apparatus with an overlapping relationship. This apparatus has utility in situations where sheets are individually processed, as for example in the making of copies, and must be shingled for the purpose of further handling.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus with a cross-cutter in front and an arrangement, following the cross-cutter, for forming a series of underlapping sheets with lifting and holding elements in a region between two withdrawal devices driven at different feed speeds. These elements lift the rear end of each sheet to form a lead-in gap for the following sheet. The lift and holding elements are fastened, furthermore, to continually driven transport elements and are kept on a straight path in the engagement area slightly delayed relative to the following withdrawal device. The lift and holding elements are uniformly distributed across the width of the sheet, and are fastened to a strip picked up by chains located on the side. Several strips are provided spaced at sheet-to-sheet spacing. The track of the lift and holding elements descends slightly in the transport direction. The strips connected to the lateral chains are guided in lateral rails which are adjustable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading forming dies with a mold blanket which comprises providing a lay-up station with simulated die forms outside the forming dies where the mold blanket material may be distributed as it will be in the die and providing a pick-up assembly composed of a plurality of pins distributed around the blanket which pins are pressed in to perforate the blanket and certain of the pins are moved transversely to others to tension the blanket whereby the blanket may be lifted bodily, moved into a die press, and dropped on to the forming dies prior to the pressing cycle.

Abstract: A device for removing curling tendency in sheets, particularly sheets fed to printing presses, in which the sheets are conveyed over two beam-like supporting members arranged transversely with respect to the direction of sheet movement and presenting supporting surfaces which are spaced parallel to one another on one side of the sheet to define a groove in between them. Suction is applied within the groove to draw a passing sheet downwardly into the groove to produce a relatively sharp concave bend in the sheet thereby to counteract the curling tendency. The cross-sectional profile of the groove is variable by a movable member to vary the profile of the groove and hence the degree of sharpness of the bend, thereby permitting the degree of correction to be varied while keeping the suction substantially constant. The device, in both preferred and alternate embodiments, has provision for removing curling tendency in opposite directions.

Abstract: A transporter for a cloth article comprises a body member adopted to be moved up and down. A pair of spaced plates is carried by the body member. Needle members extend downwardly from each of the plates and a first means moves the plates downwardly so that its associated needles can pierce a single cloth article placed thereunder. A second means moves the plates away from and towards each other and a third means moves the body member for selected upward and horizontal distances, respectively.

Abstract: In an electrostatographic copier in which a copy member bearing an unfused and electrically disturbable image is transported on a conductive vacuum guide member and then removed from the conductive guide member, the improvement wherein a smooth conductive baffle is electrically connected and sufficiently closely spaced from said guide member to provide a low electrostatic field zone between the baffle and the guide member for the movement therebetween of the copy member, and its removal from the guide member without electrical disturbance of the image, wherein the opposing baffle and guide member have similar and opposite diverging radii of curvature in the copy removal area. Means for automatically moving the baffle in coordination with the movement of said copy member are also shown.

Abstract: A frame member extends from the last printing unit of a printing machine to a table upon which the freshly printed sheets are piled. A plurality of spaced endless chains are reeved about idler sprockets positioned adjacent the printing unit at one end and about driven sprockets at the other end where the printed sheets are stacked in a pile. Transversely extending gripper bars are secured to the chains and pass with the chains along a continuous path from the printing unit to the pile over a sheet guide assembly. The upper end portion of the sheet guide assembly is supported by bearing assemblies which also support a plurality of suction wheels that are positioned between the upper end of the sheet guide assembly and the pile. Actuating devices advance the bearing assemblies toward and away from the pile to thereby position the sheet guide assembly and the suction wheels for depositing a sheet of a selected size onto the pile.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating a single ply of limp material, such as fabric from a stack of such plies, and transporting the separated ply to a predetermined destination. The apparatus includes a rotatable ply gripping wheel, cooperating with a ply holding shoe. By rotating the wheel in contact with the ply, while restraining an adjacent area, the ply is buckled into a wave, nipped and then picked off of the stack. The gripping wheel and pressing shoe maintain a predetermined geometric relation, while being capable of independent yieldable contact with an uneven ply stack. The gripping wheel and holding shoe are operable in conjunction with an insertable flat plate, which is effective to progressively free the remainder of the ply. Thereafter, the flat plate is utilized to transport the freed ply to a desired destination, while the picking unit independently returns to the ply stack to commence its engagement with the next subsequent ply.