Importance

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Abstract

A gate station incorporates air pressure flows to direct clips in a production stream through the station and to selectively divert defective clips into a separate reject steam. Mounted on a support plate in the station are an upstream manifold, continuously supplied with low pressure air, and a downstream manifold, having a plurality of downwardly directed air ports and selectively supplied with high pressure air. Air flow from the upstream manifold is directed laterally over the upper surface of a clip so as to enable atmospheric pressure to maintain the clip travelling through the gate station in the production stream. If a clip is to be diverted, the downstream manifold is injected with high pressure air causing blasts of high velocity air through the downwardly directed ports. This high velocity air disrupts the flow from the upstream manifold and forces the leading edge of the defective clip downwards, pressing the clip into the reject stream.

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First Claim