Patent ID: 7172191
Filing Date: 2007-02-06
Classification: B41J,B65H

Abstract:
1. A method of feeding porous sheets from a stack, comprising the steps of: positioning at least one air outlet nozzle and at least one air inlet nozzle in a pick-up position proximate a first sheet of the stack; generating a flow of air from the, or each, outlet nozzle sufficient to penetrate the first sheet such that a cushion of air is generated between the first sheet and a second sheet of the stack so as to lift the first sheet from the second sheet; generating a flow of air into the, or each, inlet nozzle such that the lifted first sheet is drawn against a pick-up surface defined by the inlet nozzle; and reciprocally displacing the inlet and outlet nozzles between the pick-up position and a feed position, wherein a feed mechanism engages the first sheet in the feed position, wherein said flow of air is directed to strike said first sheet perpendicularly with respect to said first sheet.