Patent ID: 6652217
Filing Date: 2003-11-25
Classification: B21D,B65G

Abstract:
In a system for transporting blanks from a storage station to a workstation comprising a transporter movable between the storage station and the workstation and a blank gripper on the transporter, selectively applying a gripping force or releasing the gripping force on a blank, the improvement comprising the provision of:a double blank separation station mounted in a fixed position, which is accessible by the transporter, the double blank separation station having a double blank gripper selectively applying a gripping force in a direction opposite to the gripping force applied by the blank gripper; and a controller, the controller controlling movement of the transporter from the storage station, then to the double blank separation station and then to the workstation irrespective of the number of blanks being transported by the transporter, the improvement further comprising the provision of the double blank separation station comprising a base, at least one guide connected to the base for directing a blank to a position on the double blank separation station.