Patent ID: 8763873
Filing Date: 2014-07-01
Classification: B26D,B26F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for separating a stack of sheets from a pile of sheet material, each sheet having at least one tear path, the pile of sheet material being arranged so that the tear paths of a plurality of sheets form a tear surface, the apparatus comprising: a first clamp for clamping the pile at a first side of the tear surface, the first clamp comprising a sustaining member and an upper member and being adapted to change between an opened and closed condition, wherein the sustaining member has a sustaining member surface for supporting the sheet material; a second clamp for clamping the pile at a second side of the tear surface; a stationary frame supporting the first and second clamps; and an axis about which the sustaining member of the first clamp is rotatable relative to the second clamp, the rotation bringing about the separation of a stack of sheets from the pile of sheet material along the tear surface, the axis being moveable relative to the stationary frame and the sustaining member along one or more guide bars defining a path that is generally perpendicular to the sustaining member surface, such that the distance between the axis and the sustaining member is adjustable, wherein movement of the axis along the guide bars occurs during the operation of clamping the pile so as to adjust a position of the upper member as a function of a height of the pile of sheet material.