Patent GB-1248758-A (GB)
Title: Automatic apparatus for separating the top workpiece from a stack of fabric workpieces and for delivering the separated workpieces
IPC: B65H3/22
Filed: 1968-12-10
Abstract: 1,248,758. Separating sheets. IVANHOE RESEARCH CORP. (Ivanhoe Research Corp.).  10 Dec., 1968, No. 58715/68. Heading B8R. Apparatus for separating fabric workpieces from a stack comprises a friction roller which buckles the top workpiece against a first clamp means, thus exposing part of the remainder of the stack, second clamp means which retain this remainder of the stack, and delivery means for the partly separated top workpiece. General arrangement, Fig. 1.-Workpieces 12 in a stack 10 on a support table 14 are individually separated by a friction roller described below, and delivered to a processing station 16 by a device 28 mounted on a travelling carriage 130. A workpiece 12a is shown being delivered. Sheet separation, Fig. 4.-A first clamp means 20, comprising a pressure plate (40), Fig. 2 (not shown), having a projecting edge 41, and a friction roller 22 are lowered into contact with the top workpiece 12a; rotation of the roller 22 in a clockwise direction as shown by the arrow in Fig. 4 causes a localized region of the workpiece to buckle between the roller 22 and edge 41. When an area of the next workpiece 12 in the stack 10 has been exposed, a second clamp means 26 is lowered into contact therewith, thus retaining the remainder of the stack, Fig. 5 (not shown). The clamp means 20 and friction roller 22 are now lifted, and delivery means 28 including suction cups 114 is brought into contact with workpiece 12a; the delivery means is lifted and then travels horizontally on carriage 130 to a position over station 16 where the means 28 is again lowered. The pressure plate 40 of the first clamp means 20 is carried on adjustable supports 42 in a head unit 44 which also mounts the friction roller 22, the desired movement of unit 44 being obtained through a cam-controlled linkage 48, 52 ; further cams and timing belts control the movement of the second clamp means 26, and the friction roller is rotated through motor (20), Fig. 2 (not shown), and gear 72. The friction roller 22 is provided with smooth areas, and areas provided with wire bristles and emery cloth which stand out from the smooth areas; it is also adjustable in position with respect to the pressure plate edge (41), Fig. 11 (not shown), to take account of buckling characteristics of different fabrics. Sheet conveying, Fig. 1.-A motor 162 is controllable to drive chain 160 which operates a rack 158 and pinion 156 to rotate a cam (152). Fig. 10 (not shown) connected to elevating mechanism for the delivery means 28; drive chain 160 also causes carriage 130 to reciprocate along a guide rail 134 under the control of electrical limit switches (not shown). The switches also control the supply of suctionthrough hose 112 to manifold 110 and hence to suction cups 114. The cups 114 are carried on tubular supports 118 which connect with mounting ports (119), Fig. 8 (not shown), in the manifold, those parts which are not in use are plugged by caps 120. The suction cups 114 include wire bristles arranged in two segments, Fig. 9 (not shown), to prevent lateral movement of a workpiece.