US3586313A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Article separator
Assignee: Albemarle Paper Manufacturing Co
•
Filing: 1968-05-31
•
Granted: 1971-06-22
•
Expires: 1988-05-31
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for separating stacked, flat articles. Apparatus includes a conveyor assembly for feeding a plurality of stacked, flat articles to a separator assembly for separating the front article from the remainder of the stacked articles. The separator assembly includes a pivoted vacuum arm engaging a corner of the front article and swings it outwardly to initially enable the first separator disc to cut in behind the outermost article. A pair of rotating discs, having segments cut therefrom, enter between the front article and the one immediately behind to bend the top of the article outwardly for withdrawal from the stack. A forwarding assembly engages the outwardly bent top of the first article and withdraws it from the stack. The forwarding assembly includes a set of delivery segment wheels which are periodically actuated to press the forwardly bent top edge of the article against oppositely mounted wheels to withdraw the article from the stack. Continuously rotating matching forwarding wheels then engages the article and conveys it on to a conveyor belt or other suitable device for carrying away the articles in single file. The apparatus is particularly well adapted for separating stacked blanks used in manufacturing gusseted multiwall bags.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas W Ebeling
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 19:54
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H3/00; B65H3/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
In an apparatus for separating stacked flat articles the combination comprising: a. a conveyor assembly for supporting and intermittently advancing a plurality of stacked flat articles; b. an intermittently operating separator assembly for separating the front article from said plurality of stacked flat articles; c. a continuously operating advancing assembly to move said front article away from said plurality of stacked flat articles, said separator assembly including: d. a movable restraining finger durce for holding back said stacked flat articles. e. a pivotally mounted suction arm device for folding outward one corner of said front article; f. a pair of interconnected intermittently rotating discs mounted above said stacked flat articles to bend outwardly the upper part of said front article; g. a clutch-brake device attached to one of said discs to periodically actuate the discs; h. power means to drive said clutch-brake device; i. a segment wheel device rotatably mounted forward of said pair of discs to engage the upper part of said front article and withdraw said article from said stack; and j. power means to drive said segment wheel device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
In an apparatus for separating stacked flat articles the combination comprising: a. a conveyor assembly for supporting and intermittently advancing a plurality of stacked flat articles; b. an intermittently operating separator assembly for separating the front article from said plurality of stacked flat articles; c. a continuously operating advancing assembly to move said front article away from said plurality of stacked flat articles, said separator assembly including: d. a movable restraining finger durce for holding back said stacked flat articles. e. a pivotally mounted suction arm device for folding outward one corner of said front article; f. a pair of interconnected intermittently rotating discs mounted above said stacked flat articles to bend outwardly the upper part of said front article; g. a clutch-brake device attached to one of said discs to periodically actuate the discs; h. power means to drive said clutch-brake device; i. a segment wheel device rotatably mounted forward of said pair of discs to engage the upper part of said front article and withdraw said article from said stack; and j. power means to drive said segment wheel device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
In the apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said rotating discs is provided with a projection on the front face thereof adapted to further bend outwardly the upper part of said front article.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
In the apparatus of claim 1 wherein said suction arm device is provided with means to overcome the vacuum to release said front article.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
In the apparatus of claim 1 wherein said power means to drive said segment wheel device includes a one revolution clutch assembly whereby said segment wheel device may be periodically actuated for one revolution and then stopped.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
162 words
In an apparatus for separating stacked flat articles the combination comprising: a. a conveyor assembly for supporting and intermittently advancing a plurality of stacked flat articles; b. an intermittently operating separator assembly for separating the front article from said plurality of stacked flat articles; c. a continuously operating advancing assembly to move said front article away from said plurality of stacked flat articles, said separator assembly including: d. a pivotally mounted suction arm device for folding outwardly one corner only of said front article; e. a pair of interconnected intermittently rotating discs mounted above said stacked flat articles to bend outwardly the entire upper part of said front article; f. means connected to said discs to periodically actuate the same; g. power means to actuate said last name means; h. means forward of said pair of discs to engage the upper part of said front article and withdraw said article from said stack; and i. power means to drive said last-named means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
162 words
In an apparatus for separating stacked flat articles the combination comprising: a. a conveyor assembly for supporting and intermittently advancing a plurality of stacked flat articles; b. an intermittently operating separator assembly for separating the front article from said plurality of stacked flat articles; c. a continuously operating advancing assembly to move said front article away from said plurality of stacked flat articles, said separator assembly including: d. a pivotally mounted suction arm device for folding outwardly one corner only of said front article; e. a pair of interconnected intermittently rotating discs mounted above said stacked flat articles to bend outwardly the entire upper part of said front article; f. means connected to said discs to periodically actuate the same; g. power means to actuate said last name means; h. means forward of said pair of discs to engage the upper part of said front article and withdraw said article from said stack; and i. power means to drive said last-named means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 5 in which one of said discs engages said one corner of said front article prior to engagement of said article by the other of said discs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
76 words
The structure of claim 5 and in which one of said discs engages said one corner of said front article and increases the size of the portion of the upper edge of the front article bent forwardly from the remainder of said stacked articles and the other disc subsequently engages the upper edge of the front article and completes the separation of the upper edge of said front article from the remainder of said stacked articles.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The structure of claim 5 and including means engageable with said front article intermediate the upper and lower edges thereof throughout the time said front article is completely removed from said stack.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
The structure oF claim 5 and including advancing means engageable with said front article after it has been separated from said stack for advancing said article, and guiding means forwardly of said stack intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof over which said front article is drawn by said advancing means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 9 and in which said guiding means bends said front article as it is advanced by said advancing means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 9 and in which said guiding means comprise rollers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The structure of claim 9 and in which the lower edge of said front article is moved upwardly upon engagement of the upper part of the front article by said advancing means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The structure of claim 5 and in which said suction arm device is pivotally supported on an upright generally vertical axis parallel to the plane of the articles.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-21 | 1974-12-21 | 1975-06-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-21 | 1978-12-21 | 1979-06-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-21 | 1982-12-21 | 1983-06-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |