Machine and method for successively feeding stacked blanks

Claim 1

A machine for successively feeding blanks from stacks of blanks comprising a conveyor mounted for movement along a conveyor path passing through a receiving station where blanks may be deposited thereon; a plurality of chutes mounted successively above said conveyor path at the receiving station with each chute having an exit lip positioned in spaced relation adjacent said conveyor; means for extracting blanks from the stacks and for depositing them upon said chutes; means for holding blanks deposited upon said chutes comprising stops movably mounted adjacent said chute exit lips; means for substantially simultaneously releasing blanks held on said chutes thereby enabling the blanks to be simultaneously placed upon the conveyor and successively conveyed from the receiving station which includes means for reciprocally cycling said stops between a position for holding blanks on said chutes and a position for releasing blanks from said chutes in timed sequence with movement of said conveyor through the receiving station and means for pushing blanks down said chutes in time relation with cyclic movements of said stops with said pushing means comprising an endless chain having a push lug mounted thereto coupled with and driven by said stops reciprocal cycling means.