Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of aligning flimsy sheets of material comprising the steps of: delivering a sheet of flimsy material by means of a transfer head to an alignment station, Placing the transfer head within a small distance of a reference surface on the alignment station and suspending the sheet between opposed pressure zones created by povitive air pressure derived from the transfer head and the reference surface, respectively, moving alignment pins through locator holes provided in the corners of the sheet and reducing the air from the reference surface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of aligning flimsy sheets of material comprising the steps of: delivering a sheet of flimsy material by means of a transfer head to an alignment station, Placing the transfer head within a small distance of a reference surface on the alignment station and suspending the sheet between opposed pressure zones created by povitive air pressure derived from the transfer head and the reference surface, respectively, moving alignment pins through locator holes provided in the corners of the sheet and reducing the air from the reference surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 further including the steps of lowering the sheet to said alignment surface, moving the transfer head away from the alignment station, and picking up the sheet with an output transfer head for movement to another processing location.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said transfer head utilizes vacuum pressure to pick up and retain a sheet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the sheet is lowered by gradually decreasing positive pressure from the alignment station.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
98 words
A system for transporting the aligning flimsy sheets including: an alignment station with input transfer means to pick up and transfer sheet to said alignment station and output transfer means to pick up and transport said sheets away from said station in an aligned state, said alignment station including alignment means for locator surfaces in said sheets, and said system including pressure control means for suspending the sheets between opposed positive pressure zones derived from the input transfer means and the alignment station to permit general engagement of the alignment means with the locator surfaces in the sheet.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
98 words
A system for transporting the aligning flimsy sheets including: an alignment station with input transfer means to pick up and transfer sheet to said alignment station and output transfer means to pick up and transport said sheets away from said station in an aligned state, said alignment station including alignment means for locator surfaces in said sheets, and said system including pressure control means for suspending the sheets between opposed positive pressure zones derived from the input transfer means and the alignment station to permit general engagement of the alignment means with the locator surfaces in the sheet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said input transfer means and said output transfer means include means for applying vacuum pressure to pick up and retain sheets.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 6 wherein the alignment station includes means for selectively lowering said aligned sheet into contact with the alignment station by reducing the positive pressure beneath the sheet after the alignment means are engaged with said locator surfaces.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 6 wherein the alignment means comprise a plurality of pins adapted to be selectively raised into engagement with corresponding locator holes formed in the corners of rectangular flimy sheets.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said locator pins are of elongate bullet-nosed shape and circular cross-section.