Sheet picking mechanism
First Claim
1. An apparatus for removing a sheet from the top of a stack of sheets and transporting it laterally in the direction of a processing station comprising:
- pick means for frictionally engaging the exposed surface of the top sheet and transporting it laterally substantially in the plane of the top of the stack;
angled dam means located adjacent the pick means for slidingly engaging the sheet edge and the sheet surface opposite the surface engaged by the pick means to lift sheets transported by said pick means out of the plane of the top of the stack;
first thickness sensor means for sensing the number of sheets that are transported past the dam; and
brake means responsive to said first thickness sensor means for selectively applying a brake friction surface to the sheet surface opposite the surface engaged by the pick means when more than one sheet is transported past the dam.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus is shown for removing a sheet from the top of a stack of sheets and transporting it laterally in the direction of a processing station. The apparatus comprises a pick mechanism for frictionally engaging the exposed surface of the top sheet in a stack and transporting it laterally substantially in the plane of the top of the stack. An angled dam is located adjacent the pick mechanism for slidingly engaging the sheet edge and the sheet surface opposite the surface engaged by the pick mechanism to lift sheets transported by the frictional engagement device out of the plane of the top of the stack. A first thickness sensor senses the number of sheets that are transported past the dam. A brake responsive to the first thickness sensor selectively apply a friction surface to the sheet surface opposite the surface engaged by the frictional engagement device when more then one sheet is transported past the dam.
49 Citations
15 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for removing a sheet from the top of a stack of sheets and transporting it laterally in the direction of a processing station comprising:
-
pick means for frictionally engaging the exposed surface of the top sheet and transporting it laterally substantially in the plane of the top of the stack; angled dam means located adjacent the pick means for slidingly engaging the sheet edge and the sheet surface opposite the surface engaged by the pick means to lift sheets transported by said pick means out of the plane of the top of the stack; first thickness sensor means for sensing the number of sheets that are transported past the dam; and brake means responsive to said first thickness sensor means for selectively applying a brake friction surface to the sheet surface opposite the surface engaged by the pick means when more than one sheet is transported past the dam. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
Specification