US2392403A - Sheet separating and feeding mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 8, 1946. w. PECHY 2,392,403

SHEET SEPARATING AND FEEDING MECHANISM m/Yv A T TOE/V675 .ot blanks.

Patented Jan. 8; 1946 W i .r i Meiiesquehiili f I 'erlca'nflan Company, New OI'RKN- corporatlonof-lflew Jers y" This-invention relates to .mechanisni-ior ,LsepI- arating and feedlngvmaterial sheetsfrom which container parts 'are made and has particular reference to acontrolled/suction:cupparriedQn a swinging arm so that the en'g aging ,,suriace ot the cup at all times is parallelzoto the:surfac of the Sheets within a magazine, 1

In the feeding of'sheets or blanks il'bil i ii 11in.

ply-magazineinto a can making machine for e ample, the sheets usually; are separatcd by -s'uc- :tlon cups which engagethe surface o f the oiitermost sheet in the stackandsuch cups,are,,carrled on swinging arms or leverswhich by reason of their required. arcuate path of moyernentcannot be depended on tocause the cups to engage the sheetsuniformly.

EPARATING ANQEEEDING "an automatically operated" v lin s 132m t l temwcfi l ism e ro j t a Fig. 5.; 181a; sec .nal showing the parts in Flg jaf'is, eniar ed nismr. as .yiewed isuh t ti ll The instant invention contrnplatesoterc m in' such difllculties by providing acontrolledffloati g suction cup carriedyon a;swinging arm 'which always engages the surface ofi the, sheet funiiormly for the. entire periphery oil" th' cup thereby increasing its holdingotgrippinDowenand: a

maintaining the same while shifting; the f'hl ank An object ofthe invention is the pr evisi tr a sheet or containerhlank separating mechanism to someother plane-orlevel.v

.wherein a sheet; or. blanksis. separated iron a stackrof sheets or blanks in a supply; magazine by a yieldable floatingfsuction cupfwhichj's rnaintained in--a desired position throughout its movements to insure parallell engagement "of the suction cup with a surface otthe sheet ,oriblankfi Another object is the provision in such a; mechanism having a floating suction cup carried on an actuated lever or swinging arm of deyices Ior controlling the position of the suctioncup so that it willlenga'ge a flat sheetortbflank normal; to, p

the surface thereof, to grip andv flexthe sheet or blank preparatory to separating it frame/ upply Afurther object istii provision 111 efs e ting" and Ieeding rnechanisrn oif a valvecarrled in a swinging arm which operates sin ultaneousmac i e; the" Pr ncip 3 to U mechanism locate a nee t e es In the operationof the ma uum for releasing its hold jonthe sheet, this,

being in timed relation withfthe action of strip v oil fingers in a can making'machine.

Numerous other objects and adranteg ges o f the invention will be apparentasit' is better-"understood from the following description, which; taken in connection with the accompanying drawing discloses a preferred embodiment'thereot,

Referring to the'drawings:

" gurenl is an elevationin section througha the magazine is supported"ofi spacedparallel bars i S which arernounted on-themach-lne'niaiwframe 55 extend inward! v the when the lowermost sheet or blank A the stack has been drawn down by a suction cup D into a bowed position at its center (Fig. 1), it

. free from the suction cup.

The separating and feeding mechanism (Fig. 4) includes a bell crank lever shaped member 22, having a laterally extended arm 23 and 9. depending or rocker arm 24. This member is carried on studs 28, 28 mounted in bearings 21,

28 (Fig. 1) of the main frame. The mechanism 0 is located at the feed-in end of the machine hereinbefore mentioned, so that the automatically operated suction cup D is centrally of and is directly beneath thestack magazine 13.

The arm 23 of the mechanism is rocked between stationary arms or brackets 32, 33 which latter extend outwardly as integral parts of the main frame; These arms are connected at their outer ends by anend plate 34 which is secured to each arm '(Figs. 1, 4 and 7), thus forming a stationary yoke 38. 1

Each of the stationary arms 32, 33 of the yoke carry feathers 38. 31 (Figs. 4. 6 and 7) which are secured in vertically disposed slots in these arms for guiding a slide piece or member 38. This sli e piece is moved up and down by the arm 23 for eifecting the movement of the suction cu D. a

The suction cup D is conical in shape having the peri heral edge or rim in a substant ally horizontal plane. The cup is made of resilient material such as rubber or the like. The cup D ismounted on a tapered'seat in the upper nart of the slide niece 38 and is held to the desired conical shape by ascrew or angularly shaped plug 42 (Figs. 5 and 6).

The central part of the slide niece 33 is hollowed and is provided with a seat 43 for a balllikeelement 44. This forms a ball and socket or universal joint which imparts flexibility between the narts. The ball element 44 is retained in the seat 43 of the slide piece 38 by a hollowed screw element 48. I V

The ball element is carried on a sleeve 48 which is secured in a longitudinal bore 41 of the arm 23 (Fig. 5) by a pin as at 48. This ball element is free to slide along the sleeve 48 as the arm 231s swung up and down, as during a separating operation. This sliding connection compensates for the arcuate path traveled by the end of the arm. The suction cup D during the swinging of the arm 23. is raised and lowered along a vertical path and thus is maintained normal to the surface of a sheet or blank in the magazine.

The longitudinal bore 41 of thearm 23 is closed the central opening of the sleeve 48 which thus 7 provides a valve seat 58.

The valve element 54 is operated by a rocker arm 89 having a connection with the head 55. The vvalve element is maintained in a normally closed position by a spring 82 which is located in the chamber 41 and which surrounds the stem 51. An air passage or port 63 (Fig. 5) is cut in the end of the valve stem and communicates with the suction chamber at one end and in the closed position of the valve is sealed off by the wall of the valve seat 58 at the other end.

When the swinging arm 23 is raised for lifting the suction cup D, up to an engaging position with a sheet A in the stack magazine, the valve element 54 is moved simultaneously to the right, as viewed in Fig. 3, to an open position. In this position the air assage 63 at one end is in registration with an opening 64 in the sleeve 48. Such an opening may include an annular channel cut in the inside wall of the sleeve. The opening 84 is in registration with a port 68 formed in the ball element 44 andia bore 88 extending through the plug 42. In this manner communication is established between the suction chamber and the suction cup. -Thus suction is on the cup when it engages the surface of the sheet A.

The valve E is kept in its open position (Fig. 3) as the arm 23 swings down and thesuction cup continues its grip on the sheet A while drawing the sheet into a bowed position (Fig. 1). After a sheet A is in this bowed position the valve stem moves to the left, as viewed in Fig. 5, and this closes the valve and shuts off the cup from the vacuum source. Asthe valve elementcontinues moving, the terminal end of the stem 51 gradualiy uncovers the opening 84 in the sleeve wherethe cup hold on the sheet.

' is timedwith the movement ofthe feed bars I! in part atone end by the sleeve 48 and at the a cup D, a valve E is employed and is operated in the suction chamber in time with the movements of the swinging arm. Thisvalve includes a valve element" operative in the sleeve 48. The valve element comprises a head 88, an intermediate part 58 and a stem 51. The intermediate part slides in the bushing 82 and the stem moves in to facilitatestripping the bowed sheet or blank free of the suction cup D vwhilemoving it from beneath the stack magazine. The valve E then remains closeduntil the arm 23 again is raised for engaging another sheet or blank preparatory to gripping and bowing it, when the cycle of operation is repeated.

' The head 55 includes a pair of spaced collars 81 having a reduced section 88 of desired shape therebetween. Connecting bearing blocks 12 engage the section 88 on opposite sides and are carried in an upper forked end 13 of the rocker arm 59 on studs 14 I (Figs. 4 and 5).

The rocker arm 83 oscillates on studs IS an-. chored in a bracket 18 which ismounted on the main frame (Figs. land 4). The lower end of the arm 58 carries a cam roller 1'! which cooperates with one face of a cam 18 mounted on a shaft 82 journaled in bearing 83 carried on the main frame. p

The arm 24 of thelever 22 carries a cam roller 84 at its lower end. This roller cooperates with an opposite face of the cam 18. This cam is a double face cam which simultaneouslyoperates the valve in time with the swinging arm. The

roller 84 is-retained in. contact with the cam face by means of a spring 85 having one end hooked to the machine main frame and the other to a fork connection 88 carried on the arm 24. The spring 82 (Fig. 5) hereinbefore mentioned, by its'action keeps the roller 11 in contact with the cam 18.

The shaft 02 (Fig. 1 carries'a bevel gear I! which meshes with a bevel gear mounted on a main drive shaft "carried in bearing 03 of the frame I3. The shaft 02 may be driven in any convenient manner.

Provision has been made in the instant invention to stop the feeding of sheets or blanks in the event of abnormal working conditions such as a jam which may occur inthe machine or in an adjoining machine. For this purpose anelectrically operated solenoid 94 is provided. This solenoid may be operated through suitable lead wires by a series of electrical stops or other detecting devices which will stop further feeding of sheets or blanks.

The solenoid04 is connected in a normally closed circuit, which under normal operating conditions permits the mechanism C tofunction. If for any reason the solenoid circuit is opened, the solenoid is deenergized and the rocker arm 24 of the lever 22 is locked in an inoperative position (Fig. 2). g

Under normal operating conditions when the solenoid 94 is energized, the forked end of a lever 00 is drawn up by the solenoid through a link 90. This lever is carried on a stud ,9! mounted on the main frame. The opposite end of the lever 95 as at 08 engages against a depressible locking finger I02 carried in a bracket I03 mounted on the main frame. The end 08 of the lever thus holdsthe finger down in a recess I04 of the bracket and permits the rocker arm 24 to operate.

In the event of a jam or stoppingof the machine, the solenoid 94 is deenergized and the forked end of the lever 85 drops down and the end 00 is raised (Fig. 2). Thispermits the looking finger I02 to spring up and engage against a lug I 00 at the lower end of the rocker arm 24, as the arm moves into the path of the finger I02 during the next lifting stroke of the swinging arm 23; The locking finger I02 then holds the rocker arm 24 back in an inoperative position against the spring 05, thus pr; venting the cam roller 04 from engaging against the double face cam 18 to function therewith. The separating mechanism C then is locked in this stopped condition and remains so until the solenoid 94 is again energized to depress the locking finger I02 out of the path of movement of the rocker arm 24 It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. A mechanism for separating an individual sheet from a stack of sheets in a magazine, comprising a stationary yoke having a pair of spaced parallel arms located adjacent said magazine, an arm movable between the arms of said yoke, a slide member mounted on said am between the arms of said yoke and having straight sliding movement toward and away from said magazine,

means carried by said slide member for engaging andv separating a said sheet from the stack of sheets'within the magazine, 'an apertured unlversal joint interposed between said arm and said slide member for insuring flexible action therebetween, and devices carried by said yoke for said slide member for insuring flexible action be prising a stationaryyoke located adjacent said magazine, a slide member mounted between the arms of said yoke and having straight sliding movementtoward and away from said magazine a suction cup secured to said slide member and movable therewith for engaging a said sheet in the stack of sheets within the magazine, a swinging'arm located'between the arms of said yoke extending through said slide member and having a universal joint connection therewith for moving the slide member while maintaining the face of said suction cup parallel to'the surface of the sheet being engaged, there being communicating suction passages formed in said swinging arm and said slide member connected toa source of vacuum for energizing said suction cup when it engages said sheet. I

3. A. mechanism for separating an individual sheet from a stack of sheets in a magazine, comprising a stationary yoke located adjacent said magazine, .a'slide member mounted between the arms "of said yoke and having straight sliding movement toward and away from said magazine, a suction cup secured to said slide member and movable therewith for engaging a said sheet in the stack of sheetswithin theina'gazine, a swinging arm located between the'arms of said yoke and extending through said slide memberfor moving the latter while maintaining the face of said suction cup parallel to the surface oi the sheet being engaged, an apertured ball and socket joint interposed between said arm and tween the parts, there being communicating suction passages formed in said swinging arm and said slide member passing through said ball and socket joint; and a vacuum valve carried in said arm and utilizing said suction passages for effecting a vacuum condition in said suction cup and for breaking the suction therein.

4. In a mechanism for separating an individual sheet from a stack of sheets in a magazine, the combination of a stationary yoke having a pair of spaced supporting arms located adjacent said magazine, a swinging arm movable between the arms of said yokeand having a hollow section located within said chamber, a slide member having a suction cup carried thereon i'or en ing a sheet within the magazine, said slide member being mounted on and slidable along said arm while being guided by the said yoke for aligning the suction cup normal to the surface of a said sheet preparatory to engaging the sheet within the magazine, and means for operating said valve .to connect said cup with the suction chamber for gripping the surface of a sheet so engaged. I

5. A mechanism for separating an individual sheet from a stack of sheets in a magazine, comprising a stationary yoke having a pair of spaced supporting arms located adjacent said magazine, an arm movable between the arms of said yoke, a slide member mounted on said arm between the arms of said yoke and having straight sliding movement toward and away from said magazine, a suction cup carried by said slide member for engaging a sheet in said magazine, an apertured ball and socket joint interposed between said 6. A mechanismv for separatingan individual sheet from a stacker sheets in a magazine, comprising a stationary yoke having a pair of spaced supporting arms located adjacent said magazine,

an arm movable between the armsjof said yoke, a slide member vmounted on said arm between the arms of said yoke'and having straight slid- 7 ing movement toward and away from said magazine, a suction cup carried by said slide member for engaging a sheet in said magazine, an aper- I tured ball and socket joint interposed between said arm and said slide member for giving flexibleaction" to the parts, a vacuum valve carried in said'arm for controllingthe passage of air through said joint and to and from the suction cup'during the movement ofsaidarm, devices carried by said yoke for guiding said slide member during its movement with said arm to maintain the face of the suction cup parallel tothe surface of a sheet within the magazine, and means for operating said valve to vacuumize said suction cup when it first engages the sheet and to break the vacuum when the engaged sheet has been. separated from said magazine.

7. In a mechanism for separating and feeding an individual sheet from a stack of sheets in a magazine, the combination of a stationary yoke having a pair of spaced supporting arms located adjacent said'magazine, a swinging arm movable between the arms of said yoke and having a hollow section providing a suction chamber, a valve located in the said suction chamber, a slide member mounted on said arm between the, arms of said yoke and having straight sliding movement toward andaway from said magazine, a suction cup carried by said slide member for engaging and bowing a said sheet, devices carriedby-said yoke for guiding said slide member during its movement by saidarm to maintain the said suction cup normal to the surface of the sheet preparatory to its engagement, said valve and said slide member having air passages for communication between said suction chamber and said suction cup, means for operating thesaid valve to bring the said passages into registration whereby the suction cup grips thelengaged sheet and hows it, and feed means located adjacent I said sheet magazine for stripping the bowed sheet from said suction cup toseparate it from the said magazine. Y

8. A mechanism for separating anindividual sheet'from a stack of sheets in a magazine, comprising a stationary yoke located adjacent said magazine, an arm movable within saidyoke, a floating suction'cup carried by said arm and having a sheet engaging face for engaging a sheet within the magazine, devices carried by said yoke for guiding said floating cupduring its movement toward said magazine sothat itsengaging face at such time is parallel tothe surface of a sheet within the magazine, a vacuum valve carried in said arm for controlling the vacuum in said floating cup, and stopsdevices operable in the event of abnormal working conditions for preventing movement of the said arm without terminating said .valve operations.

PECHY. a

Images