Plate feed apparatus
US4822234A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 16, 1987 |
| Grant date | Apr 18, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 16, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65H3/42
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention comprises a rotary carrier which carries a plurality of semi-spherical gripping heads having concave gripping surfaces. The gripping heads are positioned such that the gripping surfaces become flush with the forwardmost plate in a vertically arrayed stack of plates as the carrier rotates. Each gripping head is mounted to the carrier through a hollow bellows and vacuum air drawn into a hole in the gripping face passes through the bellows. When the vacuum increases, due to the forwardmost plate in the stack being pulled up against the gripping head, the bellows collapses and pulls the forwardmost plate away from the stack. Rollers, which extend beyond the periphery of the carrier, urge the stack away from the gripping head immediately before they become aligned. The vacuum then pulls the forwardmost plate away from the stack and into contact with the gripping head before the bellows collapses thereby increasing the gap between them. Vacuum is provided to the gripping head through a passageway which opens out of an opening in the carrier. A first sector plate, which is journaled on the carrier axle but does not rotate with the carrier, has a slot passing through …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.