Patent ID: 6468025
Filing Date: 2002-10-22
Classification: B21D,B65H

Abstract:
An apparatus for separating a first blank from a stack of blanks comprising said first blank and a second blank positioned beneath of said first blank, said first blank and said second blank each having a side edge, said apparatus comprising:a first pressure nozzle for providing a pressurized fluid at a first pressure and a second pressure nozzle for providing pressurized fluid at a second pressure that is less than said first pressure; a first source of pressurized fluid in communication with said first pressure nozzle and providing pressurized fluid to said first nozzle to be emitted at said first pressure and a second source of pressurized fluid in communication with said second pressure nozzle and providing pressurized fluid to said second nozzle to be emitted at said second pressure, said first and second pressures being greater than ambient pressure; a pick up assembly having a pick up apparatus mounted thereon and operable to pick up said first blank when located proximate thereto; said first and second pressure nozzles and said stack of blanks being movable relative to each other to bring said first and second pressure nozzles into a position proximate said stack of blanks and oriented so that said first pressure nozzle can direct pressurized fluid at said side edge of said first blank, said first pressure nozzle further adapted to direct said pressurized fluid at said side edge of said first blank at said first pressure and said second pressure nozzle further adapted to direct said pressurized fluid toward said first and second side edges of said first and second blanks at said second pressure; said pick up assembly operable to be positioned proximate said first blank to pick up said first blank, said first pressure nozzle operable to direct said pressurized fluid at said side edge of said first blank at said first pressure and said second pressure nozzle operable to direct said pressurized fluid at said second pressure to assist said pick up apparatus in separating said first blank from said second blank; whereby said first blank can be separated from said second blank by said pick up assembly assisted by pressurized fluid from said first and second nozzles.