Importance

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Abstract

Apparatus for separating sequential batches of overlapping sheets includes a conveyor of laterally spaced belts. Lift bars secured to tubes are mounted for vertical positioning above the belts to raise the sheets from the conveyor and remove the moving force. The lift bars includes spaced vacuum openings coupled to the tube, which is coupled to a vacuum source. The openings are spaced for alignment with the trailing portions of sheets moving through the conveyor. A piston in the tube selectively opens and closes the openings. The tubes are pivotally mounted at the downstream ends and the piston projects from the upstream end of the tube. A cam drive reciprocates the piston and simultaneously raises and lowers the tubes. The cam drive includes an inclined cam rod on which a motor-driven rack is slidably mounted. A link connects the rack to the outer end of the piston. The rack reciprocates on the cam rod and thereby pivots the vacuum tubes about the pivot unit and simultaneously opens and closes the vacuum openings. The apparatus stops the leading sheets with successive sheets moving into increasing overlap. The leading end of a batch is stopped until the vacuum tubes and bars are lowered to place and release the sheets onto the conveyor belts in spaced relation to the preceding batch of sheets. Wheels or other stop devices may be coupled to the top side of the sheets to assist the stopping action.

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First Claim