Abstract: A record member feeding device is disclosed for feeding record members from a stack, located in a hopper having spaced-apart surfaces positioned at one end thereof defining an opening through which the record members may be fed. A vacuum-operated, solenoid-control picking member grasps one of the record members and shifts it through the opening to a position in which it is contacted by projections on a rotatable feeding element and is moved thereby into engagement with counter-rotating take away rollers which further transport it to its desired destination.

Abstract: The label dispensing system includes an upright label housing which is open at its lower end, a stationary shelf at one side of the opening of the housing for supporting the edge portion of the bottom label in a stack of labels in the housing, a movable platform at the opposite side of the opening of the housing, and pointed instruments movable through slots in the shelf to impale and push the bottom label off the shelf. The platform moves to a level above the shelf to bow the bottom label downwardly as the pointed instruments impale and push the bottom label off the shelf. A suction head is movable from a position immediately beneath the bottom label in the housing through a downward arc to a position above a moving work piece, to grasp and pull the bottom label from the platform and move the bottom label from the stack in the housing to the work piece.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for handling, separating and feeding gusset tubes from stacks thereof is provided which allows continuous, high speed separation and feeding of individual tubes without sagging or hangup problems, and at high operational speeds. The apparatus includes a pickup and feeding mechanism having tube-engaging arms, vacuum tube grippers for positively forming a bowed section in the tubes as they are lifted and upright stop structure for preventing shifting movement of the tube stack at the pickup station and separating any underlying tubes which may adhere to the topmost tube being fed. Stack elevating and lowering apparatus includes electrically controlled lifting mechanism having a pair of interconnected clutch elements for control of vertical movement. A conveying assembly having incrementally driven stack-supporting belts and pusher arms shiftable at a speed different than the belts serves to feed successive stacks to the pickup and feeding mechanism.

Abstract: The operations of the palletizer are automatically controlled by a prerecorded control program. The palletizer includes a vertical shaft, a retractable draw plate located above the shaft and a drive mechanism for moving a hoist along the shaft. After a tier of cartons is formed on the unretracted draw plate, a tier sheet inserter extracts a single tier sheet from a stack and places the sheet on top of the tier. The draw plate is then retracted, placing the tier on the hoist and the hoist is lowered until the tier is aligned with the banding mechanism, which is located within the shaft. The banding mechanism places a strap around the tier, tensions the strap and fastens same. The hoist is then repositioned to accept the next tier as same is deposited thereon by the draw plate.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for removing the top sheet from a stack of sheets and transporting it to a predetermined location includes a vacuum head for displacing and separating the sheet from the stack, a drive arrangement including a threaded shaft supporting the vacuum head for transporting the sheet to the predetermined location and control circuitry for regulating the cyclical operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: A sheet separation device is disclosed for use in a printing press to facilitate the removal of individual paper sheets from a stack to receive printing. The device is employed in cooperation with a supported stack of paper and a contiguous apparatus for lifting sheets from the stack, as for delivery to a printing station. The sheet separation device includes a bracket affixed to the paper supporting structure and defining an elongated spring chamber which extends parallel to the surface of paper in the stack. A torsion or coil spring is affixed to dwell in the spring chamber. A tab is affixed to the spring and incorporates a flat section which extends parallel to the sheets in the stack of paper. The spring-mounted tab permits the withdrawal of a single sheet from the stack, however, impedes the withdrawal of more than one sheet at a time.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding sheets of paper or the like in succession from the top of a stack of sheets. A member extends over a corner portion of the stack, and a vertically movable suction element pulls a corner portion of the top sheet of the stack from beneath said member. After the suction element has released the corner, a suction transfer device sucks the top sheet, starting at said corner portion thereof, progressively against the lower face of the transfer device and then moves the top sheet away from the stack.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing bank notes, of the type operating with a bank identity card. This apparatus requires the simultaneous utilization of a bank identity card and of a cheque the amount of which corresponds to the sum requested. It comprises rotary reading heads for verifying the authenticity and the nonfalsification of the card or cheque, as well as a combined verification device for verifying the correspondence between the card and the cheque for controlling the dispensing of notes.