Abstract: A printer for printing on porous sheets of media fed from a stack of such sheets includes a gas stream supply mechanism that is configured to generate a gas stream and is positioned so that, in use, the gas stream impinges on a first sheet of the stack. The gas stream supply mechanism is configured so that the gas stream penetrates the first sheet to generate a cushion of gas between the first sheet and a second sheet, thereby lifting the first sheet from the second sheet. A capturing mechanism captures the first sheet and is displaceable between a pick-up position in which the first sheet is captured and a feed position. A displacement mechanism displaces the capturing mechanism between the pick-up and feed positions. A feed mechanism is arranged downstream of the capturing mechanism and is configured to engage the first sheet as the capturing mechanism is displaced from the pick-up position to the feed position and to feed the first sheet along a printing path.

Abstract: The problem of the present invention is to clear the packaging material and the presence/absence detecting method of the residual photothermographic image recording sheet, which are improved so that the concave section or the notched section provided on the bottom plate does not exercise a bad influence, caused by the exhalation of the organic solvent, on the recording sheet stacked on the lowermost position. Packaging material of the recording sheets, having a detecting means of the recording sheet, wherein there is provided the concave section or the notched section on a section where a part of a vacuum head comes into contact with a bottom plate located on a bottom section of the packaging material, and wherein there is arranged a filler formed with a soft material having air permeability and neither absorbs nor transmits organic solvent, in the concave section or the notched section.

Abstract: A rotatable pneumatic feeding head having a vacuum shoe with apertures for picking up an envelope from an envelope stack by negative air pressure. The feeding head has an outer cylinder with holes communicating with the apertures, and an inner cylinder with cutout regions operatively connected to a vacuum pump. The inner cylinder and the outer cylinder are rotated independently of each other such that when they are aligned, a negative pressure is created at the apertures through the cutout regions and the holes. When the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder are out of alignment, the negative pressure is cut off from the apertures. The vacuum shoe is removable so that it can be repaired or replaced when it is damaged or worn.

Abstract: Device for cutting out articles from a long tape and adhering the articles to an adhesive tape comprises a cutting roll, an adhering roll and a transfer device for transferring the cut-out articles to the adhesive tape. The cutting roll carries blade forms for cutting out the articles. The adhering roll carries anvils whose shapes correspond to the shape of the blades. The adhering roll also carries cylinders each of which is disposed adjacent an anvil and has a shaft capable of piston action disposed therein. Each shaft has a suction mouth at its end. The suction mouths are used to transfer the cut-out articles from the cutting roll to the adhesive tape to which they are to be adhered.

Abstract: The invention relates to a delivery device for the sections of a strip of film that are fed in a direction of conveyance, especially in a bead welding machine, comprising a rotor (40) that is driven and rotated around an axis (40) lying parallel thereto on the plane of conveyance with several contact areas that extend radially towards the axis of rotation (40) and which grasp successively fed strip sections in an operational mode, deflect said strip sections from the plane of conveyance and deliver them to a delivery station, whereby each respective contact area (10) of the rotor comprises suction areas (12) that can be subjected to an underpressure to hold said strip sections on the contact areas (10) when the contact areas (10) of the rotor move through the segment of a circle (14) between a first and a second position of rotation (16 or 18). In order to achieve trouble-free delivery of said strip sections, the angle of the circle segment (14) can be adjusted within limits.

Abstract: A method of separating a sheet of print media from a stack of sheets, the sheets being porous, includes blowing fluid on to a top surface of a topmost sheet of the print media on the stack so that the fluid passes through at least the topmost sheet of the stack and capturing at least a part of the topmost sheet for conveyance to a printing station of a printer.

Abstract: A suction gripping unit (7; 107) having a suction head (15; 115), which has a cavity (18; 118) for gripping a blank, is connected to a suction pump (14) by a conduit (20; 120) controlled by a valve (22; 122) housed inside the conduit (20; 120) and reciprocated between an open and a closed position; the suction gripping unit (7; 107 is provided with a venting hole (23; 123) for automatically venting the cavity (8; 118) when the valve (22; 122) is in the closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a sheet of print media from a stack of porous sheets includes a sheet conveyor for conveying a topmost sheet of print media which has been separated from the stack to a printing station of a printer. A separator is associated with the sheet conveyor for separating the sheet of print media from the stack. The separator includes a fluid delivery arrangement for blowing fluid on to a top surface of the stack for effecting separation of the topmost sheet of print media from the stack. A capturing arrangement is carried by the sheet conveyor for capturing at least a part of the topmost sheet and for facilitating conveyance of the topmost sheet by the sheet conveyor to the printing station.

Abstract: Label transfer apparatus (160) and a method for transferring labels (54) from a label stack (164) for in-mold labeling prior to blow molding utilize a transfer head (168) that is movable on a rotary table (186) with additional transfer heads (168), adjacent a label magazine (162) with an exposed end (172) from which the labels are sequentially dispensed. The transfer head includes a pair of vacuum openings (174) to which a vacuum is supplied and an actuator (176) moves the transfer head with a rolling motion to engage the one vacuum opening with the label to initially pull an extremity (180) of the label, to subsequently pull an intermediate portion (182), and to finally engage the other vacuum opening with the label to pull an opposite extremity (184) of the label away from the label stack in a manner that permits high speed labeling.

Abstract: A method of separating a sheet of print media from a stack of sheets, the sheets being porous, includes blowing fluid on to a top surface of a topmost sheet of the print media on the stack so that the fluid passes through at least the topmost sheet of the stack and capturing at least a part of the topmost sheet for conveyance to a printing station of a printer.

Abstract: A conveyor belt for transporting articles having a plurality of apertures therein such that a vacuum applied to the apertures aids in forcing articles to stay on the conveyor belt while the articles are being translated. The conveyor is particularly useful for moving sheet articles such as a sheet feeder removing sheet articles from the bottom of a stack of sheet articles in a sheet feeder. The vacuum adds to the frictional force of the article on the conveyor belt and increases the productivity of the sheet feeder by reducing jams and increasing the frictional contact of the sheet article on the conveyor belt by removing chaff and other material form the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for feeding a currency note into a currency processing machine. This note feeder includes a transporter for transporting notes from a note stack onto a processing belt inside the currency processing machine. The note feeder also includes a mediating transporter that takes the note from the transporter and feeds the note onto the processing belt. The note feeder also includes sensors for determining when the note has left a first feeding area and entered a second feeding area and to determine whether multiple notes have entered the second feeder section. The note feed also includes and a sensor that determines when the note has entered onto the processing belt. Based on information received from the sensors, the transporter starts and stops thus providing uniform spacing between notes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the transport of workpieces (W), in particular of suspended, panel-shaped workpieces (W), such as sheets or plates. This apparatus has at least one rotationally driven conveyor belt (1, 2) for the workpieces (W) to be laid onto the latter and a holding device (3), past which the conveyor belt (1, 2) is led. The holding device (3) retains the workpieces (W) on the conveyor belt (1, 2) by means of a magnetic field passing through the latter (1, 2) and/or by generating a vacuum at suction orifices (4) of the conveyor belt (1, 2). The holding device (3) possesses at least one magnetic device (3a), with a magnetic conveyor belt (1), and at least one vacuum device (3b) separated from this and having a vacuum conveyor belt (2). The magnetic device (3a) and/or the vacuum device (3b) can be displaced with their respective conveyor belt (1, 2) relative to a common reference member (5) and can be brought into contact with the workpieces (W) to be transported.

Abstract: A printing-machine cylinder includes a basic cylinder body and a covering element fitted to the basic cylinder body, one of the basic cylinder body and the covering element being formed with a multiplicity of recesses connectable to one of a suction-air source and a blast-air source and having, in the region of the recesses, through-channels extending from the recesses to the peripheral surface of the covering element and defining blasting/suction sections for acting upon the underside of a sheet conveyed on the peripheral surface of the cylinder; a printing machine Including the cylinder; and a method for producing the cylinder.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a sheet of print media from a stack of porous sheets includes a sheet conveyor for conveying a topmost sheet of print media which has been separated from the stack to a printing station of a printer. A separator is associated with the sheet conveyor for separating the sheet of print media from the stack. The separator includes a fluid delivery arrangement for blowing fluid on to a top surface of the stack for effecting separation of the topmost sheet of print media from the stack. A capturing arrangement is carried by the sheet conveyor for capturing at least a part of the topmost sheet and for facilitating conveyance of the topmost sheet by the sheet conveyor to the printing station.

Abstract: A conveyor belt for transporting articles having a plurality of apertures therein such that a vacuum applied to the apertures aids in forcing articles to stay on the conveyor belt while the articles are being translated. The conveyor is particularly useful for moving sheet articles such as a sheet feeder removing sheet articles from the bottom of a stack of sheet articles in a sheet feeder. The vacuum adds to the frictional force of the article on the conveyor belt and increases the productivity of the sheet feeder by reducing jams and increasing the frictional contact of the sheet article on the conveyor belt by removing chaff and other material form the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A rotatable pneumatic feeding head having a vacuum shoe with apertures for picking up an envelope from an envelope stack by negative air pressure. The feeding head has an outer cylinder with holes communicating with the apertures, and an inner cylinder with cutout regions operatively connected to a vacuum pump. The inner cylinder and the outer cylinder are rotated independently of each other such that when they are aligned, a negative pressure is created at the apertures through the cutout regions and the holes. When the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder are out of alignment, the negative pressure is cut off from the apertures. The vacuum shoe is removable so that it can be repaired or replaced when it is damaged or worn.

Abstract: A suction belt conveyor for a sheet processing machine includes an operationally revolving endless suction belt having, at an outer side thereof a filigree structure formed by indentations, the suction belt being formed with penetrating bores terminating in the indentations. In a variation of the foregoing, the suction belt conveyor for a sheet processing machine includes an operationally revolving endless suction belt formed with pores distributed in longitudinal and transverse directions of the suction belt, so that the suction belt is air permeable.

Abstract: A purpose of this invention is to provide paper money extraction equipment for issuing only one sheet of paper money by surely picking up the top most sheet from a stack in which a plurality of paper money sheets are arranged. The extraction equipment provides a suction box with an opening for adsorbing one sheet of paper money. The paper is moved when the paper money is taken up. A roller device issues the paper money which is taken up on this suction box. The extraction equipment suction box is pivoted at (52).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for feeding a currency note into a currency processing machine. This note feeder includes a transporter for transporting notes from a note stack onto a processing belt inside the currency processing machine. The note feeder also includes a mediating transporter that takes the note from the transporter and feeds the note onto the processing belt. The note feeder also includes sensors for determining when the note has left a first feeding area and entered a second feeding area and a sensor that determines when the note has entered onto the processing belt. Based on information received from the sensors, the transporter starts and stops thus providing uniform spacing between notes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating flexible flat objects from the top of a stack. The objects are lifted upward from the stack one at a time and separated therefrom by progressive adhesive action starting from the trailing end of the object in a transport direction. Once lifted by the adhesion device, the objects are transported in the transport direction by the transport device. The adhesion device may be magnetic for magnetizable articles or may be a suction device. Various techniques for moving suction and/or adhesion progressively along the object to be lifted in the transport direction are disclosed, including progressive application of suction, suction chamber arrangements for accomplishing that and the use of blown air to create a vacuum condition for lifting the sheets. The transport device might comprise a belt for moving the lifted objects. The transport of one object may be occurring while the next object is being lifted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for singling flat material to be conveyed having a suction device, with openings in the suction device defining an area within which the suction device grasps the material to be singled. Known singling devices have in particular the disadvantage that operation of the suction device produces a high noise level which is felt to be very unpleasant. The present invention provides a shifted arrangement of the suction openings which leads at least to partial elimination of the noise during shifted activation of the suction openings.

Abstract: An apparatus for singling sheetlike data carriers is proposed wherein the stack (30) to be singled is located on a rest (5) which is movable relative to a feed device (4) in clocked fashion such that individual data carriers are moved in the direction of a singling gap whose width is variable by a retaining element (13) in synchronism with the clocked motion of the rest (5). This apparatus is able to attain a high throughput even with different sheet qualities while guaranteeing high functional safety.

Abstract: A paper feeder comprises a paper-stacking mechanism having a paper-stacking plate on which the papers are to be stacked, and a width-limiting member for limiting the position of the papers stacked on said paper-stacking plate in the direction of width of the papers; a suction/feed mechanism disposed above the paper-stacking mechanism to feed by suction the uppermost paper stacked on the paper-stacking plate; and an air-blowing mechanism disposed on the front side of the paper-stacking means in the direction in which the papers are conveyed and including an air duct extending in a direction at right angles with the direction in which the paper is conveyed, said air duct having plural nozzles for jetting out the air against an upper portion at the front end of the papers stacked on said paper-stacking means, and a fan connected to an end of said air duct.

Abstract: A method is proposed for separating flat, stacked products, which are preferably fed individually, at a distance from one another and lying one behind another, to a further processing process, first of all the uppermost product being lifted, at least partially and preferably completely, off the stack of products and subsequently transported away in the transport direction to the further processing process, the transport direction forming an angle (&agr;), preferably in the range from 30° to 150° with the vertical axis of the stack of products, wherein the products are transported away in such a way that as a product that still partially overlaps the stack with its trailing edge region is being transported away, a following product is already being lifted off the stack of products, in its trailing edge region, to be transported away.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for controlling the presentation of articles to the singulation head of a system for singulating a stack of edge-mounted articles, for example mixed mail, which mechanism senses the instantaneous pressure at which the lead article of the stack is pressed against the singulation head. A feedback control may be provided responsive to a difference between detected instantaneous pressure and a desired target pressure for controlling at least one drive member in a manner so as to reduce such difference. Where there is a pick window of instantaneous pressure at which singulation can be effectively performed, a control may also be provided to inhibit operation of the singulation head when the instantaneous pressure is outside the pick window.

Abstract: A vacuum holddown for sheet materials has a surface having a field of vacuum ports in which each individual port is gated. When a vacuum is applied to the underside of the holddown, the gates close. When a sheet of material is introduced onto a region of the field, the gates only within vacuum manifold passageway covered by the material are configured to spring open, applying a suction force to the sheet via the now opened ports. The holddown thus automatically adjusts to material size. An implementation for use in an ink-jet printer with cut-sheet print media is demonstrated.

Abstract: A paper feeder is able to properly separate and convey the uppermost sheet of paper from sheets stacked beneath it in a paper bin while effectively preventing multiple paper sheet feeds and other paper feed problems. The paper feeder includes a paper separator for lifting upper sheets, and separating the uppermost sheet from the sheet immediately beneath it by blowing air against an upper-forward end of a stack of paper loaded in a paper bin, and a vacuum paper carrier for holding the uppermost sheet by suction and carrying it. The paper separator has lifting nozzles for lifting side ends of the upper sheets, by blowing air toward side portions, excluding a central portion, of the stack of paper loaded in the paper bin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating flexible flat objects from the top of a stack. The objects are lifted upward from the stack one at a time and separated therefrom by progressive adhesive action starting from the trailing end of the object in a transport direction. Once lifted by the adhesion device, the objects are transported in the transport direction by the transport device. The adhesion device may be magnetic for magnetizable articles or may be a suction device. Various techniques for moving suction and/or adhesion progressively along the object to be lifted in the transport direction are disclosed, including progressive application of suction, suction chamber arrangements for accomplishing that and the use of blown air to create a vacuum condition for lifting the sheets. The transport device might comprise a belt for moving the lifted objects. The transport of one object may be occurring while the next object is being lifted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating flexible flat objects from the top of a stack. The objects are lifted upward from the stack one at a time and separated therefrom by progressive adhesive action starting from the trailing end of the object in a transport direction. Once lifted by the adhesion device, the objects are transported in the transport direction by the transport device. The adhesion device may be magnetic for magnetizable articles or may be a suction device. Various techniques for moving suction and/or adhesion progressively along the object to be lifted in the transport direction are disclosed, including progressive application of suction, suction chamber arrangements for accomplishing that and the use of blown air to create a vacuum condition for lifting the sheets. The transport device might comprise a belt for moving the lifted objects. The transport of one object may be occurring while the next object is being lifted.

Abstract: A device for continuous separation of blanks for book cover material, envelopes for brochures or similar bendable sheets of a stack of sheets from a magazine with a conveyor belt with a non-skid surface and openings acted upon by air suction, bearing the stack of sheets, feeding the lowest sheet in each case in timed fashion from the magazine, which has a suction element grasping the lowest sheet and removing it from the stack of sheets, with an air blower for creating an air cushion between the raised sheet and the following sheet and with a removal conveyor system receiving and further transporting the sheet fed with respect to a functionally reliable separation of large-format flexible sheets is characterized by supports (17, 18) on both sides of an open space supporting a stack of sheets (1) in the edge area and by a suction element (14) capable of being driven under the stack of sheets (1), grasping a sheet (1a) in the open space in the edge area, and pulling down from the stack of sheets (1) in order to

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a carrier portion, a suction belt, a servo motor, a blower, a solenoid valve, a pressure sensor, a position sensor, a belt hole sensor, and a controller. The carrier portion feeds a plurality of sheets of different sizes in a direction of their thickness in an upright state. The suction belt has a belt hole for drawing each sheet fed from the carrier portion by suction, so as to feed out each sheet drawn by suction with the belt hole. The servo motor drives the suction belt. The blower generates a pressure for drawing the sheet by suction in the belt hole. The solenoid valve enables/disconnects supply of the negative pressure from the blower to the belt hole. The pressure sensor measures a pressure in the belt hole. The position sensor detects the sheet fed out by the suction belt. The belt hole sensor detects the belt hole after the sheet is fed out.

Abstract: A sheet feeder for feeding mails includes a mounting table having a slanted top surface for mounting thereon a plurality of sheets in a substantially upright posture thereof, a transfer belt for transferring the sheets in the slanted posture in the direction perpendicular to the surfaces of the sheets, and a take-out section for taking out the sheets in the horizontal direction parallel to the surfaces of the sheets. A mail having an envelope and a belt wrapper covering the envelope can be taken out as it is, without pulling-off of the belt wrapper from the envelope.

Abstract: A stack of sheets or blanks are supported for individual high speed feeding from the bottom of the stack on a table positioned adjacent to a feed cylinder. An air blast from a pivotal nozzle deflects the leading edge of the bottom blank downwardly into engagement by suction force with the surface of the feed cylinder. Rotation of the feed cylinder separates the bottom blank from the stack. A plurality of rocker arms are then oscillated forwardly into the gap between the stack and the separated bottom blank. The rocker arms are independently, rotatably supported transverse to the leading edge of the stack. The position of the rocker arms is adjustable to support the stack as determined by the die cut configuration of the blanks. A fast cam actuates oscillation of centrally positioned rocker arms beneath the central portion of the stack leading edge with an accompanying blast of air between the bottom blank and the stack.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the steady feeding of flat items for separation by suction of material input into a distribution unit by using a feeding device, preferably comprising a separating blade and a conveyor belt underneath it. In accordance with the invention, the thickness of the pulled-off items is measured within a main control circuit (HR). The feeding device conveys the item stack (SS) by the amount of this thickness in the direction of the suction separation system. In a static correction control circuit (KR), the stack pressure is measured outside of the suction separation system and is adjusted via the movement of the feeding device within the limits of the permissible stack pressure range.

Abstract: A sheet feeder for feeding sheets from a sheet stack, having a feed deck for supporting the sheet stack and a pair of spaced apart parallel guide rails on the feed deck for receiving the sheet stack between the guide rails. A sheet feeding assembly is mounted in proximity to a sheet feeding end of the feed deck and is operative to feed individual lowermost sheets from the sheet stack, the sheet feeding assembly including a continuously rotating feed drum having an inner and outer circumference and a plurality of suction openings and a vacuum assembly received in the inner circumference of the feed drum and having at least one rotating cylinder coupled to a vacuum source and movable between an actuated position for drawing air downward through the portion of the feed drum extending above the planar surface of the feed deck and a default position preventing the drawing of air through the feed drum when a vacuum is applied to the at least one rotating cylinder.

Abstract: A cut sheet feeder includes the combination of a top vacuum corrugation feeder mechanism followed by a top active retard feeder roll separation mechanism is noise efficient, highly reliable and provides for great latitude in feeding variations of paper.

Abstract: A leading edge of a leading blank in a series of overlapping envelope blanks is fed at a preselected speed into contact with a rotatably mounted backing roller. The backing roller is mounted in a frame and is selectively adjustable between a first position and a second position. A rotatably mounted segment roller is positioned opposite the backing roller. A pull-out segment is a secured to a radial portion of the backing roller. A plurality of longitudinal slots are provided in the surface of the pull-out segment and are selectively connected to a source of negative pressure. The segment roller is driven at a preselected speed greater than the speed of the series of overlapping blank. In a first mode of operation, the backing roller is adjusted to a first position in the frame so that upon rotation, the pull-out segment frictionally engages the leading edge of the leading blank, separating it from the series of overlapping blanks.

Abstract: An apparatus for sequentially feeding cards from the bottom of a vertical stack, which includes a card transport drum positioned below the stack so as to support the forward edge portion of the bottom of the stack. The drum includes a set of suction openings disposed transversely across the outer peripheral surface of the drum, and the openings are of oval outline. To sequentially feed the cards, the drum is rotated so that the openings move across the bottom of the lowermost card and the suction grips and holds the lowermost card on the surface of the drum, to thereby advance the lowermost card from the stack. The oval outline of the openings helps ensure that only the lowermost card is gripped and advanced by the suction openings.

Abstract: A vertically oriented feeder for a packaging manufacturing system is provided. The feeder supports a stack of blanks in an upright position and in a confronting relationship with a vertical vacuum belt. The vacuum belt draws a front blank off of the stack and pulls it upward past a gate and between the vacuum belt and a friction belt. After the blank is pulled upward past the gate, a lifting device is activated to push the stack away from the vacuum belt and prevent additional blanks from being drawn upward by the vacuum belt until the lifting device is retracted or de-energized. The lifting device ensures that adequate spacing is provided between adjacent blanks and that the timing of the placement of the blanks on the succeeding flighted belt is sufficiently accurate so that downstream operations may be carried out by automated equipment.

Abstract: An automatic document handler having a sheet separator-feeder mechanism for separating a sheet from a stack of such sheets and for forward feeding the separated sheet without damage to an image on the sheet. The automatic document handler includes a stacking tray having a surface for supporting a stack of sheets; air knife means positioned opposite the stack of sheets for separating a sheet at an end of the stack of sheets, and a sheet separator-feeder mechanism including a bi-level support plate having vacuum ports. The sheet separator-feeder mechanism is mounted toward the downstream end of the stacking tray relative to a direction of forward sheet movement, and applies a negative air pressure through the vacuum ports in the support plate.

Abstract: The device for removing flat articles from a stack comprises at least one roller which contacts the uppermost article of a stack and is rotatable about a shaft and whose circumferential surface is covered by a layer consisting of a resilient material. The resilient layer positioned on the circumferential surface of the roller includes a number of suction cups. The roller is designed as a hollow roller which includes a mechanical device by which the suction cups in the resilient layer on the circumferential surface of the roller can be operated by partial deformation of said resilient layer. The suction cups are formed by depressions in the resilient layer on the circumferential surface of the roller, said depressions cooperating with one bore each in the wall of the roller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an air suction type paper feeding device that includes at least one rib 5 formed on a paper supply table, the rib slightly lifting papers P such that the bottommost paper is less likely to be retained by static electricity. The invention also relates to a jogging plate disposed at a rear end of the paper supply table which has an inclined portion which urges the uppermost papers on the paper supply table towards an air supply means. The jogging plate is further formed with an arcuate portion which diverts air from the air supply means downward against a rear end portion of the paper on the paper supply table. The present invention further relates to a paper feeding belt 3 having air permeability disposed above stacked papers on the paper supply table. A vacuum manifold is disposed between portions of the feeding belt 3 to provide vacuum to lift papers. The vacuum manifold is formed with a plurality of suction ports a, b, c.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating handling particularly tab stock in a sheet feeder, having a top feed vacuum corrugated feed head assembly for feeding sheets seriatim from a sheet supply stack. The facilitating apparatus includes a platform adapted to support a sheet supply stack of the tab stock type. A tab stock sheet supply stack is located on the platform in relation to the top feed vacuum corrugated feed head assembly. A force is applied to the tab stock sheet supply stack, such force having at least a component in a direction relative to such tab stock sheet supply stack to prevent individual tab stock sheets in such stack from prematurely moving out of control of the top feed vacuum corrugated feed head assembly.

Abstract: A paper supplying device has a shelf for placing sheets of paper to be supplied and a suction rotor disposed above the shelf. The suction rotor has suction openings on outer peripheral surfaces and can suck up the paper from the shelf by sucking in air through the sucking openings. A belt is passed over a pulley around the suction rotor not only causes the suction rotor to rotate but also serves to guide the sucked paper forward tangentially with respect to the rotor, preventing the paper from becoming wound up around the rotor. The device may also include nozzles for blowing air toward front edge of the sucked paper, gate plates for blocking any overlapping sheet of paper which may be attached to the sucked paper, nozzles for blowing air to separate any overlapping sheet of paper which may be attached to the sucked paper, or a friction pad which has a coefficient of friction smaller than that of the belt and is adjustably disposed so as to be selectably either in contact or not in contact with the belt.

Abstract: For use with an apparatus for feeding sheets seriatim from a stack of sheets, the apparatus including a feed tube, such as an oscillating vacuum feed tube for example, defining a plurality of ports through which vacuum is effective for acquiring a sheet from a sheet stack and transporting such sheet from the sheet stack, a device for improving sheet separation and friction feed assist. The disclosed device includes at least one clip associated with at least one port of the feed tube. A friction member is secured to the clip and extends substantially radially outwardly from the oscillating vacuum feed tube so as to cause an acquired sheet to assume a corrugated shape. Accordingly, a sheet of the sheet stack, acquired by the feed tube, assumes a corrugated shape to readily separate from the remaining sheets in the stack, and the friction member assists in feeding of such acquired sheet from the stack.

Abstract: A method of layering a fibrous web in overlapping layers on a draw-off conveyor along a predetermined layering distance comprises the steps of sub-dividing the fibrous web into layer sections corresponding in length to the layering distance, sequentially aspirating the layer sections by suction force against the force of gravity onto a lower strand of a continuously revolving layering conveyor extending over the layering distance and conveying the layers in a conveying direction, subsequently detaching the layer sections from the lower layering conveyor strand conveying the layer sections by interrupting the suction force, and depositing the detached layer sections only in a layering direction of the draw-off conveyor.

Abstract: A feeding and loading mechanism for use in pulling carton side-seam-sealed blanks from a magazine, opening same into tubes, and loading the latter onto mandrels of an indexing turret on a liquid-carrying container forming, filling, and sealing machine. The feeding and loading mechanism includes a slidably mounted carrier having at least one vacuum cup mounted at each end thereof aligned with oppositely disposed magazines, a forming shoe fixedly secured between each magazine and adjacent mandrel for opening each tubular flat side-seam-sealed blank into a tube as the blank moves therepast, a loading finger for loading each tube onto the respective mandrel, and a drive assembly operatively connected to the carrier for reciprocally moving same to alternately remove blanks from the oppositely disposed magazines to alternately process same.

Abstract: A paperboard processing machine is disclosed for printing and otherwise processing sheets of paperboard, such as corrugated container blanks, and in which the sheets are conveyed from one section of the machine to another section by one or more vacuum transfer systems. Each vacuum transfer system comprises an enclosure which is closed by a closure plate for creating a subatmospheric pressure, which pressure forces the sheets into frictional engagement with the reaches of a plurality of conveyor belts whereby the sheets are transported without contact of the opposite side of the sheet not contacted by the conveyor reach.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet supply apparatus with a sheet supporting unit for supporting sheets, a sheet absorb device for absorbing a sheet supported by the sheet supporting unit to separate the sheet from the other sheets, a conveyer for conveying the sheet absorbed by the sheet absorb means, and a sheet feature detecting device for detecting rigidity of the sheet absorbed by the sheet absorb device.