Patent ID: 6145829
Filing Date: 2000-11-14
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
An apparatus for removing a lowermost flat object from a remaining stack of flat objects and advancing the lowermost flat object along a path to a receiving area, comprisinga hopper for containing the stack of flat objects,a scraper located along the path of advancement of the flat object,a vacuum system configured to downwardly detach at least one edge area running parallel to the advancement direction of the lowermost flat object, enabling advancement of the lowermost flat object underneath the scraper,a conveyor having a flat middle section and adjoining side sections and a timing and a speed and being displaceable along a path in a back and forth motion such that the lowermost flat object is advanced, said conveyor further comprising a front section including a grouped plurality of openings and a back section that is free of openings,wherein said plurality of openings are in fluid communication with said vacuum system,a take-off device having a timing and a speed, said take off device grasping and conveying the lowermost flat object into a receiving area, anda control device, whereby the timing and the speed of the back and forth motion of the conveyor, and the timing and the speed of the take-off device, are controlled such that as the conveyor reaches its retracted position the lowermost flat object comprises a vacuum slide valve covering said grouped plurality of openings so as to prevent the application of vacuum to a flat object thereabove.