Patent ID: 7017640
Filing Date: 2006-03-28
Classification: B65H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus far adhering paint chips on sheets at predetermined locations thereon, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of stations including at least one adhesive applying station upstream from swatch applying stations that deposit paint chips onto adhesive transferred to the sheets at the adhesive station; a conveyor for advancing the sheets from upstream to downstream through the plurality of stations; a sheet feeder upstream of the conveyor for sequentially supplying the sheets to the conveyor; at least two gripping mechanisms connected to the conveyor and having an open state facing upstream for receiving sheets and a closed state for holding sheets received therein, the gripping mechanisms laterally disposed from each other along an axis perpendicular to the direction of the downstream advancement of the sheets; an elongated support surface extending from the sheet feeder downstream; and a drive system for the conveyor and sheet feeder that coordinates timing of the supply of the sheets by the sheet feeder to the gripping mechanisms so that the gripping mechanisms shift between the open and closed states as an individual sheet is received therein with the gripping mechanisms closing onto a downstream edge of the received sheet for substantially reducing sheet float when the individual sheet is pulled generally in a plane over the support surface from upstream to downstream without opening the mechanisms as the individual sheet is pulled through the stations.