Conveying of glass sheets

Claim 2

Glass sheet conveying apparatus comprising: a main line conveyor operable to convey glass sheets along a predetermined path, a plurality of branch line conveyors leading from the main line conveyor extending transversely therefrom at junction positions spaced apart along the main line conveyor, a plurality of suction transfer means each located over one said junction of a branch line conveyor with the main line conveyor for lifting a glass sheet from the main line conveyor, feeding the sheet over the junction and then redepositing the sheet on the main line conveyor at the far side of the junction, said main line conveyor on either side of said junction and said suction transfer means being in general alignment along said predetermined path of travel, and diverter means at each junction for diverting sheets from the main line conveyor on to the branch line conveyor extending from that junction.

Claim 3

Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each said suction transfer means is arranged at a height above the main line conveyor just greater than twice the thickness of the thickest sheets to be conveyed, to hold a sheet being conveyed across said junction at a level clear of another sheet at the junction.

Claim 4

Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the main line conveyor is a roller conveyor, and each said suction transfer means includes a plurality of driven rollers spaced apart over said junction and suction means associated with the driven rollers and operable to create a reduced pressure over a sheet which is to continue in the predetermined path, thereby drawing the sheet against the rollers for conveying across the junction.

Claim 5

Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein each said suction transfer means further comprises a pair of prising rollers mounted over the continuation of the main line conveyor beyond the junction over which said suction transfer means is located, which prising rollers extend downwardly below the level of the driven rollers of the suction transfer means to force a sheet downwardly away from said driven rollers.

Claim 6

Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each branch line conveyor is set at a lower level than the main line conveyor, and said diverter means at each junction comprises a vertically moveable table supported at each junction by means operable to lower and raise the table between the level of the main line conveyor and the level of the branch line conveyor.

Claim 7

Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each table includes driven feed rollers arranged to feed a sheet in the same direction as the main line conveyor, feed belts are disposed at each junction between and parallel to said feed rollers to convey a sheet from the table transversely to the branch line conveyor, and each junction further includes means for lowering the table to lower the feed rollers relative to the belts to deposit on the belts a sheet initially carried on said feed rollers.

Claim 8

Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the main line conveyor includeS a group of conveyor rollers just beyond each junction, a vertically movable frame on which said group of rollers is mounted, and means for raising said frame to raise the group of rollers to receive a sheet prised from the suction transfer means and to lower the rollers down to the level of the main line conveyor beyond the junction.

Claim 9

A glass sheet conveying apparatus comprising: a main line conveyor having a plurality of junctions defining breaks in said conveyor and being operable to convey glass sheets along a predetermined path, a plurality of suction transfer means each located over one of said junctions in alignment with the path of travel of said main line conveyor for lifting a glass sheet from the main line conveyor and for feeding the sheet over said junction and then redepositing said sheet on said main line conveyor, a plurality of branch line conveyors extending transversely from the main line conveyor at said junctions of said main line conveyor, diverter means at each junction for receiving sheets directly from said main line conveyor and for directing them along said branch line conveyor, and selectively operable guiding means cooperating with said main line conveyor adjacent said branch line conveyor and having a first position for guiding said sheet to said suction transfer means and a second position for guiding said sheet directly onto said diverting means.

Claim 10

A glass sheet conveying apparatus comprising: a main line conveyor having a plurality of junctions defining breaks in said conveyor and being operable to convey glass sheets along a predetermined path, a plurality of suction transfer means each located over one of said junctions in alignment with the path of travel of said main line conveyor for lifting a glass sheet from the main line conveyor and for feeding the sheet over said junction and then redepositing said sheet on said main line conveyor, a plurality of branch line conveyors extending transversely from the main line conveyor at said junctions of said main line conveyor, diverter means at each junction for receiving sheets directly from said main line conveyor and for directing them along said branch line conveyor, and selectively operable guiding means cooperating with said main line conveyor adjacent said branch line conveyor and having a first position for guiding said sheet to said suction transfer means and a second position for guiding said sheet directly onto said diverting means.

Claim 11

Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said main line conveyor is a roller conveyor and said guiding means includes a group of conveyor rollers just preceding each junction, a vertically movable frame on which said group of rollers is mounted, and a lifting device connected to the frame to lift the frame and a sheet on said group of rollers mounted on the frame into the effective range of the suction transfer device located over that junction.