Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
An apparatus for flattening a sheet workpiece having and edge bent over on one face of said workpiece toward the center thereof and being continuously displaced in a transport direction generally parallel to the bent-over edge, said apparatus comprising: a flat support surface lying against the other face of said workpiece at said bent-over edge; a guide surface juxtaposed with and generally parallel to said support surface and spaced therefrom to overlie said one face of said workpiece; a two-dimensional array of orifices formed in said guide surface and inclined in a flow direction extending transversely to said transport direction, outwardly from said center, said orifices forming nozzles trained toward said support surface for directing respective jets of air against the bent-over edge for unfolding same; and means for supplying air under pressure to said array of orifices in common for forming an air current passing over said edge in said flow direction.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
153 words
An apparatus for flattening a sheet workpiece having and edge bent over on one face of said workpiece toward the center thereof and being continuously displaced in a transport direction generally parallel to the bent-over edge, said apparatus comprising: a flat support surface lying against the other face of said workpiece at said bent-over edge; a guide surface juxtaposed with and generally parallel to said support surface and spaced therefrom to overlie said one face of said workpiece; a two-dimensional array of orifices formed in said guide surface and inclined in a flow direction extending transversely to said transport direction, outwardly from said center, said orifices forming nozzles trained toward said support surface for directing respective jets of air against the bent-over edge for unfolding same; and means for supplying air under pressure to said array of orifices in common for forming an air current passing over said edge in said flow direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said nozzles are arrayed in respective parallel rows.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said support surface is provided with at least one nozzle directed in said flow direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said surfaces converge in said transport direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said surfaces converge away from said center.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said means includes a hollow manifold plate having said guide surface and formed with throughgoing holes constituting said nozzles.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus defined in claim 6 wherein said nozzles are plugs inset in said plate, rotatable about respective plug axes perpendicular to said surface, and having said passages inclined to said plug axes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus defined in claim 7 wherein said plate is formed with a plurality of throughgoing bores at said guide surface each receiving one of said plugs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus defined in claim 8 wherein each plug is at least partially threaded and provided with a nut for locking the respective plug to said plate.