Device for unstacking relatively flat objects such as letters or postal packets
US4867430A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 26, 1988 |
| Grant date | Sep 19, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 26, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65H3/0808
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A device for unstacking relatively flat objects such as letters or postal packets of various different lengths, widths, and thicknesses. The device includes: a conveyor for conveying stacks of objects as well as an object separating and grasping mechanism for separating and grasping the objects one-by-one, and a transport conveyor for transporting the objects one after another. The object separating and grasping mechanism has retainer and guide for retaining and guiding a stack of objects, for example a wall against which one of the edges of each object is pressed and object-grasping suction cup for engaging the first object of the stack as well as a displacement mechanism for displacing the cups initially in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of stack advance and substantially parallel to the plane of the retainer and guide means, and then in a second direction which is substantially perpendicular to the movement of the first direction, in order to convey the object towards the transport conveyor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.