Sheet separator

Claim 1

In apparatus for separating sheets from a stack, which apparatus includes rotatably mounted transfer belt means having a forward reach for removing individual sheets from the stack, delivery means for receiving each sheet removed from the stack by said belt means and for delivering the sheets to a receiving point, means defining a convex stripping surface adjacent the outlet end of said apparatus, support roller means supporting the rear portion of said forward reach, and drive roller means supporting the front end of the forward reach of said transfer belt means for moving said belt means in a direction to convey sheets from the stack to said delivery means, said belt means having a loose return reach arranged to move in the opposite direction, said drive roller means being positioned for causing said forward reach to be urged against and conform to the shape of, said stripping surface along a portion of its length which subtends an angle of more than about 25*, the improvement wherein said portion of the length of said forward reach which conforms to the shape of said stripping surface is spaced from the parts of said forward reach which bear against said support roller means and said drive roller means, said forward reach of said transfer belt means constitutes the sole sheet contacting surface opposite said stripping surface in the vicinity of said stripping surface during all separation operations, and the region at the opposite side of said forward reach portion from said stripping surface is free of all obstructions, whereby the entirety of said forward reach portion may be deflected away from said stripping surface by a distance equal to at least several thicknesses of the sheets to be separated, and said apparatus further comprises tension means connected to said belt means for maintaining its said return reach under a constant tension force which is independent of changes in the belt configuration.