GB1055785A - Apparatus for separating a top permeable workpiece from a stack thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

1,055,785. Feeding sheets &c. R. R. WALTON. July 9, 1963 [July 9, 1962], No. 27211/63. Heading B6B. Apparatus for separating the top piece 22, Fig. 1, from a stack 22 of such pieces which are air-permeable, comprises a compressed air duct 14 having mounted slidably thereon a nozzle 16 provided with an integral baffle plate 20, the compressed air issuing from the nozzle lifting a small part C of the top piece 22<SP>1</SP> to stand as a wall at an angle to the face of the stack, the compressed air passing through the wall into an air pocket 39, causing the piece to flutter at 31 to loosen the piece 22<SP>1</SP> and reduce its frictional engagement with the next lower piece. As described, the stack comprises pieces of cloth. Pile tables and supports.-The stack 82, Fig. 4, is supported on a platform 80 and has a guide leg 84 slidable in a frame 86, the position of the platform being controlled by a lifter 87. Separators.-A nozzle 16, Fig. 1, with an integral baffle plate 20, which may be round, rectangular or provided with impermeable extensions (Figs. 2a, 2b and 2c, not shown) is mounted slidably on a compressed air duct 14 the compressed air raising a portion C of the top piece 221 and the air 30 flowing through the raised wall of portion C causing the piece to flutter at 31 thereby loosening the top piece. In another embodiment in Fig. 3a, the baffle plate 20 is replaced by a dished baffle member 50 having an air deflecting surface extending along the face of the stack 54 and terminating in an extension 56 curved upwardly. A blower nozzle 58 discharges air at 60 and moves upwardly in the direction of arrow 62, part of the air passing through a slot 68 lifting a small portion 66. In still another embodiment (in Fig. 3c, not shown) the baffle member is part of a sphere and the air is directed centrally to the inner base, the air moving radially outwardly to pass through a plurality of slots to lift the cloth. In a further embodiment (in Fig. 23, not shown) the baffle member comprises individual tubes, which are flattened at the air outlet ends which ends are provided with said curved extensions 56, each provided with a slot 68. By varying the distance of the extensions from the common supply conduit progressive separation of a piece may be achieved. In still a further embodiment, in Fig. 16, a rectangular baffle plate is provided with depressed portions 20b, which press down on to the stack, a frictional engagement device 140, such as a cylinder covered with shark skin pulling the top piece, which slides under the depressed portions 20b, while the lower pieces remain aligned with the stack. In a final embodiment in Fig. 21 the baffle member 50<SP>1</SP> is integral with an air cylinder 200 and comprises a flat bottom air deflecting surface 55 terminating in a slotted curved extension 56<SP>1</SP> and an upper wall 55a to direct the air into the slots 68<SP>1</SP>. Sheet carriers and forwarders.-The edge 85, Fit. 4, of the loosened top piece 82<SP>1</SP> is engaged by a series of vacuum holes 115 in a drum 98 and assisted by a knife-like member 114 (Fig. 8; not shown) disposed in the direction of rotation and the top piece is fed between the nip formed by the conveyer belts 100 and 102. In another embodiment (in Fig. 9, not shown) the drum 98 may be replaced by an oscillating bail 122, carrying straight pins which spear only the top piece and drag it away from the stack on to a conveyer belt. In a further embodiment, in Fig. 12, a plurality of pulleys 109 are mounted rotatably on a hollow vacuum shaft 106 arid have belts 100<SP>1</SP> trained around them. A corresponding plurality of vacuum tubes 115a are mounted on the shaft 116 between the pulleys 109. To separate pieces of various lengths from a stack, the vacuum tubes 115a are made to rotate at a faster speed during part of the revolution. Thus a variable speed drive 119 may be provided for the shaft 106 and a slip clutch 121 to allow the shaft to rotate at a slower speed when an external force is applied to the shaft, through a bar 123 connected to the vacuum tubes and passing over the periphery of the pulleys. When the tubes turn through an arc X (Fig. 11, not shown), i.e. the bar 123 is not engaged by the belts; the tubes rotate at a faster speed. But when the tubes 115a reach the point where the belts engage the bar 123, the bar is pressed against the pulleys 109 and the clutch 121 is caused to slip and make the tubes move at the speed of the belts 1001 until the belts disengage the bar. When the tubes 115a reach the point Y (Fig. 11, not shown) a valve 115<SP>1</SP> is actuated to cause air to blow against the margin 85 to straighten it in case it has folded back. In a still further embodiment in Figs. 21, 22, the margin 85, 85<SP>1</SP> of the top piece is lifted by the baffle 50<SP>1</SP> and the air cylinder 200 then rotated through half a circle by slidable supports 202 and the leading portion of the top piece deposited on a belt 214. The air cylinder is rotatable by a pair of belt tapes 208 which together with the belt 214 are fixed at 206.