GB653225A - Sheet feeding method and apparatus therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

653,225. Feeding sheets. BELLUCHE, F. R. Nov. 26, 1948, No. 30736. [Class 100 (i)] A method of feeding sheets from a stack 7 or a fanned-out bank includes the steps of lifting and forwarding the rear edge portion of the top sheet, by means such as a combing- roller 8, vertically-reciprocating sucker 10, and a forwarding sucker 11, blowing air under the top sheet from a presser foot 9 &c. as the sheet is moved forward, continuing forward movement of the sheet, by means such as a registering gripper 13 or sucker, and simultaneously lifting and forwarding the rear edge of the next sheet. Also, simultaneously, air is blown, from a device such as 12, under the top sheet as the latter is forwarded, and under the next sheet as its rear edge is forwarded to uncover the rear edge of the following sheet. In this method, air is blown for sheet separating and forwarding for a substantial part, e.g. 460 degrees of two cycles of the sheet feeding means, and ensures complete separation of the sheet from the stack. As shown, the roller 8 first buckles the top sheet against the presser foot 9, the sucker 10 lifts the sheet vertically, and the foot 9 moves out and back on to the top of the next sheet during the 180 degrees of the first feed cycle ; then the forwarding sucker 11 comes to the side of the sucker 10, to group the sheet and advance it a short distance, and the roller 8 descends to the next sheet to complete the first feed cycle of 360 degrees. During the first cycle, at 220 degrees, air is discharged from the hollow foot 9 under the first sheet, and continues until the end of the cycle. At the end of the first cycle, air is blown from the nozzle 12 connected to the gripper 13, and continues for 240 degrees in the next cycle, when the sheet enters the bight of feed rollers. The cam and other mechanism, including the grippers 13, may be as described in Specification 546,649.