GB1347282A - Sheet separating mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

1347282 'Feeding sheets EASTMAN KODAK CO 20 May 1971 [25 May 1970] 15963/71 Heading B8R Sheets are separated from the top of a pile 6, Figs. 2 and 4, supported on a member 8, by a plurality of separating devices spaced across the front end of the pile. Each separating device comprises a suction separator 4, and an air supply tube 18 secured to the member 8. The tube is provided with a longitudinal slot 22 through which passes a finger 26. The finger is movable between a lower position, Fig. 2, in which it rests on the pile and restricts the effective size of the slot, so that as the finger starts to rise, air passes through at high velocity and low volume to separate the front edges of the uppermost sheets. When the finger is in its upper position, Fig. 4, the air passes through at low velocity and high volume to maintain the sheets separated as the separator 4 begins to rise, pulling the front edge of the top sheet from under the fingers. The fingers of all the devices are moved by a common rod 38 driven through a bell-crank 40. In another form, Fig. 8, the finger 62 is formed as the top of a tube 54 fitting in the air supply tube 50 and having a slot 60. In the lowest position, the slot is below the top of the tube 50. When a solenoid valve 64 is opened, air in the tube 50 forces the tube 54 upwards. In another form, Fig. 9, the air supply tube 82 has a narrow slot 84 opening into a wide recess 80. The finger 70 thus in its lower position shuts off air from the recess but not from the slot. The air is guided by a curved surface 88 between spaced flanges 90, 92.