US3837638A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sheet pick-up and feeding device
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1973-01-15
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Granted: 1974-09-24
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Expires: 1993-01-15
Abstract
Abstract A vacuum picking and feeding mechanism wherein the motion of the picker-foot is interrupted before actual contact with the upper most document of the stack by sensing the proximity of the foot to the upper most sheet in the stack and actuating a stopping means to stop the movement of the foot toward the stack at a position where the negative air pressure is strong enough to attract the upper most sheet. By doing this, air between the upper most sheets will not be forced out. A conventional fluffer is automatically valved by the picker foot.
Inventors
- 👤 T Anderson
- 👤 Konski G O
- 👤 M Zell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 09:42
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H3/00; B65H3/08; B65H3/0808; B65H3/0816; B65H3/36; B65H3/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A sheet separator and feeding device for picking and feeding one sheet from a stack comprising: a vacuum picker foot which can be raised and lowered toward a stack of sheets against which a sheet can be attracted; fluffing means for blowing air through the uppermost sheets in said stack thus causing separation of said sheets; detection means for sensing a pressure change within said foot resulting from the proximity of said sheet towards the picker foot; braking means for interrupting the picker foot motion towards the stack of sheets before contacting the topmost sheet when said pressure change is detected while maintaining the fluffing means effective to keep the uppermost sheets separated; lifting means for raising said foot away from the stack after the topmost sheet has been attracted; and means for moving the sheet attracted to said foot to a further feed means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
A sheet separator and feeding device for picking and feeding one sheet from a stack comprising: a vacuum picker foot which can be raised and lowered toward a stack of sheets against which a sheet can be attracted; fluffing means for blowing air through the uppermost sheets in said stack thus causing separation of said sheets; detection means for sensing a pressure change within said foot resulting from the proximity of said sheet towards the picker foot; braking means for interrupting the picker foot motion towards the stack of sheets before contacting the topmost sheet when said pressure change is detected while maintaining the fluffing means effective to keep the uppermost sheets separated; lifting means for raising said foot away from the stack after the topmost sheet has been attracted; and means for moving the sheet attracted to said foot to a further feed means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
88 words
A sheet separator and feeding device according to claim 1 wherein said rotating means includes: a picker foot roller attached to a bellows which is in turn fixed to the picker foot; an internal cam fixed to a frame to provide a traveling surface for said roller; and means for rotating said roller after a sheet has been lifted from the stack so that said roller follows said internal cam, thereby causing the picker foot and sheet to rotate to feed the sheet to the further feeding device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
76 words
A sheet separator and feeding device according to claim 1 further including an automatic sheet fluffing valve comprising: a vacuum pump which receives input from the picker foot as long as no sheet blocks the flow of air; and a fluffing chamber which receives its input from an output pipe from said pump to cause air to be blown through the stack of sheets at all times except when the sheet is attached to the foot.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of feeding a sheet from a stack, comprising the steps of: a. introducing a partial vacuum into a picker foot having a port capable of engaging one sheet from said stack; b. moving said picker foot toward said stack; c. detecting a predetermined pressure change within said foot, said pressure change resulting from the attraction of a sheet to said port; d. stopping the movement of said foot toward said stack when said predetermined pressure change is detected before contacting said sheet; e. attracting said sheet to said port by means of said partial vacuum; f. moving said picker foot away from said stack so as to remove said one sheet therefrom; and g. rotating said picker foot so as to feed said sheet to a processing station.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of feeding a sheet from a stack, comprising the steps of: a. introducing a partial vacuum into a picker foot having a port capable of engaging one sheet from said stack; b. moving said picker foot toward said stack; c. detecting a predetermined pressure change within said foot, said pressure change resulting from the attraction of a sheet to said port; d. stopping the movement of said foot toward said stack when said predetermined pressure change is detected before contacting said sheet; e. attracting said sheet to said port by means of said partial vacuum; f. moving said picker foot away from said stack so as to remove said one sheet therefrom; and g. rotating said picker foot so as to feed said sheet to a processing station.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 4, wherein step (d) comprises the steps of: h. braking A member coupled to said foot, so as to prevent further movement of said foot toward said sheet; and i. simultaneously clutching said member so as to allow movement of said foot away from said sheet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method of claim 4, comprising: i. pumping air from said picker foot to an outlet so as to introduce said partial vacuum into said foot and to produce a positive pressure at said outlet; and j. introducing said positive pressure into a fluffer adjacent said stack of sheets so as to separate said sheets from each other at all times except when said one sheet has been attracted to said picker foot port.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-23 | 1978-03-25 | 1978-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-23 | 1982-03-25 | 1982-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-23 | 1986-03-25 | 1986-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |