Machine for the manufacture of objects of sheet shape

Claim 1

An apparatus for the transportation of objects formed of sheet material produced from foil webs thereof moving stepwise in a forward direction from a feed station to a discharge station at the end of a conveyor band, comprising a first power means, feeding means for providing stepwise forward movement of the conveyor band and the objects supported thereby, said feeding means, including a clamping device having upper and lower clamping elements adapted to retain said objects on the conveyor band and release same therefrom; said clamping device being moveable in said forward direction and returnable to a predetermined feeding position by said first power means connected thereto, a second power means connected to said clamping device to lower said upper clamping element for movement in the forward direction and elevate said element during its movement in the return direction, discharge means to remove said objects from the conveyor band at said discharge station, said discharge means comprising carrying means connected to said upper clamping element and moveable therewith in the same directions as the latter, said carrying means being provided with suction cups for engaging said objects on the conveyor when moving in the forward direction, means communicating said suction cups with a source of vacuum during said forward movement and disconnecting same from said source when in a position to discharge said objects, said suction cups being disposed to secure each successive object as it nears the end of the conveyor band in stepwise movement while said upper clamping element and suction cups are in a lowered position, and to release each object beyond the end of the conveyor and, at which point said suction cups are elevated with said upper clamping element and returned to a position for feeding another object in the forward direction.

Claim 2

An apparatus for the transportation of objects formed of sheet material produced from foil webs thereof moving stepwise in a forward direction from a feed station to a discharge station at the end of a conveyor band, comprising a first power means, feeding means for providing stepwise forward movement of the conveyor band and the objects supported thereby, said feeding means, including a clamping device having upper and lower clamping elements adapted to retain said objects on the conveyor band and release same therefrom; said clamping device being moveable in said forward direction and returnable to a predetermined feeding position by said first power means connected thereto, a second power means connected to said clamping device to lower said upper clamping element for movement in the forward direction and elevate said element during its movement in the return direction, discharge means to remove said objects from the conveyor band at said discharge station, said discharge means comprising carrying means connected to said upper clamping element and moveable therewith in the same directions as the latter, said carrying means being provided with suction cups for engaging said objects on the conveyor when moving in the forward direction, means communicating said suction cups with a source of vacuum during said forward movement and disconnecting same from said source when in a position to discharge said objects, said suction cups being disposed to secure each successive object as it nears the end of the conveyor band in stepwise movement while said upper clamping element and suction cups are in a lowered position, and to release each object beyond the end of the conveyor and, at which point said suction cups are elevated with said upper clamping element and returned to a position for feeding another object in the forward direction.