Patent GB-929519-A (GB)
Title: Feeder device for partition strips
IPC: B65G59/06
Filed: 1961-06-21
Abstract: 929,519. Feeding sheets. D. F. CUNNING- HAM. June 21, 1961, No. 22426/61. Class 100 (1). An automatic feeder device for pre-formed partition sheets comprises means for holding a number of stacks of sheets, means for separating simultaneously the bottom sheet of each stack, swinging it into a vertical position, and dropping it, and means for receiving all the sheets on edge and moving them towards an assembly zone. Pile supports.-As shown, there are five stacks 95 of sheets 106 arranged between adjustable sides 65 which are slidable along undercut grooves in a back-plate 60 and lockable by cams 90 operable by levers 92. The whole structure on which the stacks are supported is inclined to the horizontal, and each stack 95 has a depending partition plate 96 therein mounted for adjustment on a track 98. Each stack side 65 is made of spaced plates, and the stack rests on a ledge 115 at one side, and a cam 105 at the other, the cam being ribbed to reduce friction when a sheet is separated, and being adjustable to a limited extent to allow for sheets 106 of different sizes. Sheet separators.-Each stack side member 65 supports a cross-shaft 118, Fig. 30, carrying three arms 120 which support suckers 121, and when each shaft is oscillated, a sheet 106 is separated from each stack by the suckers and brought to a substantially vertical position for release between guides 207. Simultaneous oscillation of all the shafts 118 is effected by a longitudinal bar 123, Fig. 1, which rocks levers secured to each shaft, and is reciprocated by means actuated by an air cylinder 162. This air cylinder is supplied with air to alternate sides of the piston by a valve 165 controlled from poppets 168, 169, Fig. 2, on a shaft 170 driven from the sheet conveyer unit. The air cylinder 162 also controls a valve 145 in the source of suction to a manifold 140 to which the suckers 121 are connected, and causes the manifold to be connected to atmosphere for quick release of the sheets 106 after separation. Suction in the manifold is provided by a rotary pump 151 driven by a variable-speed motor 152, and each sucker 121 is connected to the manifold through a needle valve. Sheet forwarders, stops, and guides.-All the sheets 106 separated from the stacks 95 fall vertically through fixed guides 207 on to a horizontal conveyer belt 203, and are fed to a vertically reciprocating registration stop (235, not shown) which is operated by a composite cam on a shaft 240. The belt 203 is mounted on an adjustable roller 200 and a roller secured to a shaft 177, and the latter is driven intermittently by a flexible drive-shaft 227 connected to a power-driven gear case 225. The shaft 177 drives the shafts 170 and 240 by chains 175, 249, respectively. Each of the five sheets is guided and maintained vertical on the conveyer belt 203 by opposed sets of cords 217 mounted on vertical grooved rollers 216, 218, Fig. 2, the rollers 218 being power-driven from a unit A at the same speed as the conveyer belt, and the rollers 216 being mounted for adjustment on a frame 210, 211. The whole conveyer structure is adjustable vertically by an air cylinder 197, and is supported for vertical movement by four vertical shafts 193 mounted in sleeves 194.