Patent ID: 7718020
Filing Date: 2010-05-18
Classification: B31F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of manufacturing swatch bearing sheets comprising: sequentially supplying sheets to a first endless vacuum belt conveyor with a sheet feeder; pulling the sheets onto the first endless vacuum belt conveyor with a first suction force, the first suction force pulling through discrete areas of pores in the first endless vacuum belt conveyor from downstream to upstream; holding the sheets on the first endless vacuum belt conveyor with the first suction force as the sheets are transported in a downstream direction on the first endless vacuum belt conveyor; sequentially releasing the first suction force of the first endless vacuum belt conveyor as the sheets approach an adhesive applying station, the vacuum being released sequentially through the pores from the downstream to the upstream direction; applying an adhesive to the sheets at the adhesive applying station; pulling the sheets onto the second endless vacuum belt conveyor with a second suction force pulling through discreet areas of pores of the second endless vacuum belt conveyor from the downstream to the upstream as the sheets emerge from the adhesive applying station, the second suction force engaging the sheets as the first suction force is being sequentially released and as the sheets are proceeding through the adhesive applying station; holding the sheets on the second endless vacuum belt conveyor with the second suction force as the sheets are transported in the downstream direction on the second endless vacuum belt conveyor; sequentially releasing the second suction force pulling through discrete areas of pores of the second endless vacuum conveyor belt as the sheets approach a swatch applying station, the second suction force being released sequentially through the pores from the downstream to the upstream direction; depositing a swatch onto the sheets at the swatch applying station; pulling the sheets onto a third endless vacuum belt conveyor with a third suction force pulling through discrete areas of pores of a third endless vacuum belt conveyor from the downstream to the upstream as the sheets emerge from the swatch applying station, the third suction force engaging the sheets as the second suction force is being sequentially released and as the sheets are proceeding through the swatch applying station, the sequential pulling and releasing of the suction forces allowing the sheets to be in substantially continuous engagement with the first and second endless vacuum belt conveyors during the applying of the adhesive and allowing the sheets to be in substantially continuous engagement with the second and third endless vacuum belt conveyors during the depositing of the swatch.