Method and apparatus for forming a spread
US5499564A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 15, 1994 |
| Grant date | Mar 19, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 15, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T83/896
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for forming a spread of generally thin, pliable material from a roll thereof onto a table includes a cradle for holding the roll of the material which is selectively operable to rotate the roll of material for feeding a web of material generally forwardly from the roll. An endless conveyor including a series of flights spaced at intervals therealong with openings between the flights is driven for forward travel, and the web from the roll of the material is received on and carried forward by a flight in the upper reach of the conveyor. A knife is operable to cut the web to separate a first sheet of material from the roll of material. The first sheet of material is thereafter held from forward movement with the supporting flight by grippers selectively operable for gripping the first sheet of material on the supporting flight in the upper reach of the conveyor. Thus, the supporting flight slides out from under the first sheet of material with the first sheet falling onto the table.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.