SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FEEDING SINGLE SHEETS
First Claim
1. A machine for feeding single sheets of material comprising:
- a first product tray for holding a plurality of sheets of material in a first stack;
a first angled slot comprising a special cutout located at a first end of the slot;
a first suction cup for reciprocating proximate the special cutout for pulling a single sheet from the bottom of the first stack through the special cutout; and
a device for creating relative motion between the first stack and the first angled slot;
wherein the relative motion between the first angled slot and the first stack removes a single sheet of material from the bottom of the first stack.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sheet feeder for feeding a single sheet of sheet material is disclosed. The sheet feeder can utilize a specially designed cutout and a suction cup to feed difficult, thin, or flimsy material one sheet at the time. The cutout can be located on a shuttle table, endless belt, or carousel, for example, and can be used in conjunction with one or more suctions cups. The cutout can be angled with respect to the sheet so that the leading edge of the sheet is substantially supported. A slot in the cutout can enable the suction cup to pull down the corner of the sheet. The slot can then continue to slice, or peel, the sheet of the bottom of a stack of sheets. The ability to pull only the corner of the sheet down initially prevents stiction from a variety of sources and enables a single sheet to be pulled from the stack.
2 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A machine for feeding single sheets of material comprising:
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a first product tray for holding a plurality of sheets of material in a first stack; a first angled slot comprising a special cutout located at a first end of the slot; a first suction cup for reciprocating proximate the special cutout for pulling a single sheet from the bottom of the first stack through the special cutout; and a device for creating relative motion between the first stack and the first angled slot; wherein the relative motion between the first angled slot and the first stack removes a single sheet of material from the bottom of the first stack. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A machine for feeding single sheets of material comprising:
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a chassis; a product tray for holding a plurality of sheets of material in a stack; a shuttle table comprising; an angled slot comprising a special cutout; one or more rollers for supporting the shuttle table in rolling engagement with the chassis; and a spring-loaded pinch roller disposed on the underside of the shuttle table; a suction cup, reciprocating proximate the special cutout, for pulling a single sheet from the bottom of the stack through the special cutout; and a transport belt for pulling the single sheet off the bottom of the stack; wherein when the suction cup pulls the single sheet through the special cutout, the single sheet becomes trapped between the spring-loaded pinch roller and the transport belt and is removed from the bottom of the stack. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A machine for feeding multiple, single sheets of material comprising:
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a chassis; a carousel comprising; a plurality of angled slots, each angled slots comprising a special cutout; a plurality of spring-loaded pinch rollers disposed on the underside of the carousel; one or more product trays, each tray for holding a plurality of sheets of material in one or more stacks; and a plurality of suction cups reciprocating proximate each of the special cutouts, each suction cup for pulling a single sheet from the bottom of the one or more stacks through the a plurality of special cutouts; wherein, when each of the plurality of suction cups pulls a single sheet through one of the a plurality of special cutouts, the single sheet becomes trapped between a spring-loaded pinch roller and the carousel and is dropped below the carousel. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A machine for feeding multiple, single sheets of material comprising:
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a chassis; a rotating belt comprising a plurality of angled slots, each angled slots comprising a special cutout; one or more product trays, each tray for holding a plurality of sheets of material in one or more stacks, and disposed proximate a top surface of the rotating belt; and a plurality of suction cups reciprocating proximate each of the special cutouts, each suction cup for pulling a single sheet from the bottom of the one or more stacks through the a plurality of special cutouts; wherein, when each of the plurality of suction cups pulls a single sheet through one of the a plurality of special cutouts, the belt removes a single sheet from the bottom of the one or more stacks to be dropped below the belt. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification