US4724032A — Sheet separating machine and method

Claim 1

Independent Claim 79 words

A protective sheet stripper for automatic separation and removal of the sheet adhering to a panel and comprising: feeder means carrying said panel through the stripper; stop means interrupting movement of said panel at a predetermined location for a selected time interval; edge separator means for loosening a sheet edge from said panel during said interval; knife means for breaking the bondage between said panel and said sheet; transport means for directing the separated sheet into a film accumulator.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 79 words

A protective sheet stripper for automatic separation and removal of the sheet adhering to a panel and comprising: feeder means carrying said panel through the stripper; stop means interrupting movement of said panel at a predetermined location for a selected time interval; edge separator means for loosening a sheet edge from said panel during said interval; knife means for breaking the bondage between said panel and said sheet; transport means for directing the separated sheet into a film accumulator.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 27 words

The stripper of claim 1, wherein said feeder means comprise a plurality of rollers mounted on rods extending transversely to a line of movement of said panel.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 27 words

The stripper of claim 1, wherein said stop means comprise a moveable stop temporarily blocking said panel displacement during loosening of said sheet edge from said panel.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 27 words

The stripper of claim 1, and synchronization means for controlling the sequence of panel movement, and the operation of said stop means, knife means and transport means.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 30 words

The stripper of claim 1, wherein said edge separator comprises pressure wheels adapted to simultaneously engage and loosen a leading edge of sheets attached to opposite sides of said panel.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 32 words

The stripper of claim 1, wherein said knife means comprise an air container with opening means for providing an air jet pointed towards a separation line between said panel and said sheet.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 29 words

The stripper of claim 1, wherein said transport means include a plurality of bands for conveying the films separated from either side of said panel to said film accumulator.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 26 words

The stripper of claim 7, wherein said transport means further includes rigid guide means for conveying said separated films from said bands to said film accumulator.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 114 words

A film stripper for automatic separation of a panel and film means covering said panel, said stripper comprising: a plurality of rollers carrying said panel through a film separation process; stop means blocking linear movement of said panel for a selected time period; an edge separator, moveable along an edge of said film means and applying multi-angled forces thereto for loosening the adherence of said edge to said panel; air knivse blowing a stream of air toward a separation line between said panel and said film means to separate said film means from said panel; transport means for guiding said film means separated from either side of said panel into a film means accumulator.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 114 words

A film stripper for automatic separation of a panel and film means covering said panel, said stripper comprising: a plurality of rollers carrying said panel through a film separation process; stop means blocking linear movement of said panel for a selected time period; an edge separator, moveable along an edge of said film means and applying multi-angled forces thereto for loosening the adherence of said edge to said panel; air knivse blowing a stream of air toward a separation line between said panel and said film means to separate said film means from said panel; transport means for guiding said film means separated from either side of said panel into a film means accumulator.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 20 words

The stripper of claim 9, wherein said stop means comprise a substantially L-shaped lever pivotally mounted on a stripper frame.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 38 words

The stripper of claim 10, wherein said lever is pivotally linked to and actuated by an air cylinder to move between a first position blocking movement of said panel to a second position permitting movement of said panel.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 67 words

The stripper of claim 9, said separator comprising a carriage assembly moveable across the path of linear movement of said panel by an air cylinder, said carriage assembly having pressure wheels displacing an edge of said film means on either side of said panel; said carriage assembly including air channels providing an air flow for elevation of said edge of said film means away from said panel.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 22 words

The stripper of claim 9, wherein said transport means include a series of rollers reversing the direction of the moving film means.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 20 words

The stripper of claim 12, wherein said pressure wheels include at least one wheel being angled relative to other wheels.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 32 words

The stripper of claim 9, wherein said transport means include a series of bands to remove and carry said film means with variable speed from said panel and to a film accumulator.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 113 words

The stripper of claim 12, said carriage assembly comprising an upper base plate, a lower base plate slidably connected to said upper base plate, and a support platform movably attached to said lower base plate; said support platform connected to a piston actuated in reciprocal lateral directions by said air cylinder; said pressure wheels disposed in corresponding rows on said upper base plate and said lower base plate whereby a nip is formed between said upper and lower base plate rows of pressure wheels to simultaneously engage the upper and lower surfaces of said panel between said rows of pressure rollers as said edge separator moves along an edge of said film means.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 12 words

The stripper of claim 12, wherein said pressure wheels comprise knurled surfaces.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 108 words

The stripper of claim 16, wherein said slidable connection between said upper base plate and said lower base plate includes a second air cylinder mounted on said upper base plate, a second piston attached to said lower base plate and extending through an aperture in said upper base plate and into said second cylinder, said piston and second air cylinder being connected to a source of air pressure whereby air pressure applied to a surface of said piston forces said upper base plate towards engagement with said lower base plate to capture said panel and said film between said corresponding rows of pressure wheels at a predetermined pressure.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 45 words

The stripper of claim 18, including means to vary the amount of air pressure applied to said second piston to adjust the amount of pressure applied to said panel and said edge of said film means to prevent damage to the surface of said panel.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 145 words

The stripper of claim 15, wherein said transport means further includes means to drive said series of bands at a first speed to remove said film means from said panel, and at a second speed to continue to remove and to carry said film means to a film accumulator, sensor means mounted on said film stripper for detecting a predetermined location of the leading edge of said film means after said leading edge and a portion of said film means has been removed from said panel and said film means is moving along said transport means, said sensor means also operatively connected to said drive means whereby said drive means are actuated by a controller actuated by said sensor to accelerate the movement of said film means along said guide means when the leading edge of said film means is detected by said sensor means.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 137 words

The stripper of claim 12, said carriage assembly comprising an upper base plate, a lower base plate slidably connected to said upper base plate, and a support platform fixed to said lower base plate; said air channels being disposed in said upper base plate and said lower base plate, respectively, each said channel having an exit port adjacent a corner chamber formed by said upper and lower base plates whereby air flowing from said exit ports into said corner chamber as said carriage assembly moves across the path of linear movement of said panel creates a turbulent air vortex between said panel and an elevated edge of said film means to augment said multi-angled forces applied to said film means by said pressure wheels when said leading edge of said film means is elevated from said panel.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 62 words

The stripper of claim 16, wherein said moveable attachment between said lower base plate and said support platform is adapted to provide adjustment of the position of said pressure rollers in a direction parallel to the direction of linear movement of said panel to compensate for varying distances between the edge of said panel and the leading edge of said film means.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 82 words

The stripper of claim 15, wherein said transport means further includes means to drive said series of bands at a first speed to remove said film means from said panel, and at a second high speed to continue to remove and to carry said film means from said panel and to a film accumulator, said removal of said film means from said panel by said transport means operating at said second higher speed adds to the separating action of said air knives.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 88 words

The stripper of claim 13, wherein said series of reversing rollers comprises a plurality of roller elements disposed above said transport means in the path of travel of said film means separated from the upper surface of said panel, whereby said film means contact said roller elements as said film means is advanced along an advancing run of said series of bands, and said roller elements direct the movement of said film means into engagement with, and for transportation by, the return run of said series of bands.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 69 words

The stripper of claim 15, wherein said transport means further include guide means attached to said stripper, said guide means adapted to receive said film means after separation of said film means from the upper surface of said panel and after said film means is transported away from said panel, whereby said guide means directs said film means away from said seriees of bands and to said film accumulator.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 87 words

the stripper of claim 25, wherein said transport means further includes air deflector means disposed adjacent the path of travel of said film means along said return run of said series of bands, said air deflector means producing a jet of air directed at the leading edge of said film means to direct said leading edge of said film means away from said series of bands and toward said guide means to prevent said leading edge of said film means from curling into said series of bands.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 143 words

A protective film stripper for automatically removing a dry plastic film from an underlying panel and comprising: a series of feeding rollers carrying said panels through strippers means; a moveable stop means blocking displacement of said panel for a predetermined time interval; an edge separator for detaching a leading film edge from either side of said panel; said edge separator including a series of pressure wheels being self-adjustable to capture varying panel thicknesses and moveable along said film edge; said separator further including air channels providing an air flow cooperating with said pressure wheels for detaching said film edge from said panel; air knife means for directing a jet of air along a separation line between said film and said panel to lift said film off either side of said panel; and transport means for carrying said separated film towards a film accumulator.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 143 words

A protective film stripper for automatically removing a dry plastic film from an underlying panel and comprising: a series of feeding rollers carrying said panels through strippers means; a moveable stop means blocking displacement of said panel for a predetermined time interval; an edge separator for detaching a leading film edge from either side of said panel; said edge separator including a series of pressure wheels being self-adjustable to capture varying panel thicknesses and moveable along said film edge; said separator further including air channels providing an air flow cooperating with said pressure wheels for detaching said film edge from said panel; air knife means for directing a jet of air along a separation line between said film and said panel to lift said film off either side of said panel; and transport means for carrying said separated film towards a film accumulator.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 18 words

The stripper of claim 17, wherein said stop means comprise an L-shaped lever pivotally mounted on said stripper.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 48 words

The stripper of claim 27, wherein said separator comprises an upper base plate reciprocably movable relative to a lower base plate being mounted on a support platform; said plates having said pressure wheels rotatably mounted thereto; said support platform riding along an air cylinder and reciprocally actuated thereby.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 34 words

The stripper of claim 27, wherein said transport means directs said panel and said film to predetermined locations; whereby said transport means move films separated from opposite sides of said panel in opposite directions.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 24 words

The stripper of claim 27, wherein said air knife means comprise a hollow tube with slots for ejecting air therethrough toward said separation line.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 69 words

The stripper of claim 31, wherein said slots each have a longitudinal axis and said air knife means include a forward lateral edge, the longitudinal axes of said slots in said air knife means being disposed at an angle to the forward lateral edge of said air knife means whereby the air ejected from said air knife means impacts said separation line at an angle to said separation line.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 51 words

The stripper of claim 27, and control means for synchronizing movement of said panel and said film with the operation of the remaining mechanical movements of said stripper; said control means including sensors to detect the position of said panel and the leading edge of said film, and a programmable controller.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 41 words

The stripper of claim 27, wherein said transport means include a series of parallel bands running an endless loop about a plurality of shafts; said bands forcing said film to move with an acclerated speed as said film reaches certain locations.

Claim 38

Independent Claim 110 words

A method of stripping a sheet of non-extendable material adhering to a panel comprising the steps of: (a) advancing said panel with said sheet adhered thereto to a first station adjacent an edge separating means; (b) stopping said panel; (c) loosening the leading edge of said sheet from said panel by applying said edge separating means to said leading edge of said sheet; (d) advancing said panel and said sheet beyond said first station; (e) directing a moving current of air between said loosened leading edge of said sheet and said panel to further separate said sheet from said panel; and (f) transporting said loosened sheet into a sheet accumulator.

Claim 39

Independent Claim 110 words

A method of stripping a sheet of non-extendable material adhering to a panel comprising the steps of: (a) advancing said panel with said sheet adhered thereto to a first station adjacent an edge separating means; (b) stopping said panel; (c) loosening the leading edge of said sheet from said panel by applying said edge separating means to said leading edge of said sheet; (d) advancing said panel and said sheet beyond said first station; (e) directing a moving current of air between said loosened leading edge of said sheet and said panel to further separate said sheet from said panel; and (f) transporting said loosened sheet into a sheet accumulator.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 59 words

The method of claim 35, wherein said step of loosening the leading edge of said sheet from said panel includes the step of advancing knurled roller means along the leading edge of said sheet, whereby said knurled roller means bend said leading edge of said sheet to form spaces between said leading edge of said sheet and said panel.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 52 words

The method of claim 36 wherein the step of loosening the leading edge of said sheet from said panel further includes the step of driving air into said spaces to create air turbulence between said sheet and said panel, which air turbulence enhances the step of loosening said sheet from said panel.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 70 words

The method of claim 35 wherein the step of directing a moving current of air between said loosened leading edge of said sheet and said panel includes passing said panel and said sheet with said loosened leading edge adjacent air knife means extending laterally along the length of said leading edge, said air knife means providing an air jet directed at the separation line between said panel and said sheet.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 52 words

The method of claim 35 wherein said step of transporting said loosened sheet into a sheet accumulator includes the further steps of engaging said loosened sheet of film by a plurality of roller mounted bands, and conveying said sheet between said roller mounted bands and adjacent guide means to said accumulator means.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method of claim 39 including the further step of accelerating the speed of said roller mounted bands after said sheet has been engaged by said bands to assist in separating said sheet from said panel.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method of claim 36 whereby knurled roller means apply multi-angled forces to said leading edge of said sheet during the step of loosening said leading edge of said sheet from said panel.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 101 words

A sheet stripping machine for separation of at least one sheet attached to to a panel, said machine comprising: feed means for conveying said panel; guide means for adjustable centering of said panel on said feed means; stop means for intermittent blocking of panel displacement; clamp means for retaining said panel in a fixed position for a selected period of time; edge separating means for detaching an edge of said sheet from said panel; knife means for stripping said sheet off said panel; sheet guiding means for directing the sheet removed from any side of said panel toward a sheet accumulator.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 101 words

A sheet stripping machine for separation of at least one sheet attached to to a panel, said machine comprising: feed means for conveying said panel; guide means for adjustable centering of said panel on said feed means; stop means for intermittent blocking of panel displacement; clamp means for retaining said panel in a fixed position for a selected period of time; edge separating means for detaching an edge of said sheet from said panel; knife means for stripping said sheet off said panel; sheet guiding means for directing the sheet removed from any side of said panel toward a sheet accumulator.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 16 words

The machine of claim 42, and propelling means for moving said panel toward said knife means.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 26 words

The machine of claim 42, wherein said feed means include adjustable guide rails and conveyors which position and move panels having a wide variety of widths.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 27 words

The machine of claim 42, wherein said stop means include an adjustable stop lever reciprocally moving above the panel transversely to the direction of the panel displacement.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 29 words

The machine of claim 42, wherein said clamp means include a pair of bars symmetrically opposing each other and synchronously compressing said panel for temporary retention of said panel.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 36 words

The machine of claim 42, wherein said edge separating means include knurled wheel means rising along the edge of said sheet; and said wheel means comprise outer wheel elements being angled relative to other wheel elements.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 27 words

The machine of claim 42, wherein said knife means comprise air manifolds ejecting air toward said edge of said sheet under an angle relative to said panel.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 25 words

The machine of claim 42, wherein said sheet guiding means comprise a series of belts engaging both sides of the sheet separated from the panel.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 79 words

A sheet separating machine for removal of sheets attached to top and bottom sides of a panel, said machine comprising: feed conveyors initiating movement of the panel; guide rails adjustably positioning the panel on said feed conveyors; a stop lever preventing movement of the panel for a selected period of time; sheet stripping means for removing said sheets from said panel; guide belt means for directing sheets detached from both sides of the panel via a series of belts.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 79 words

A sheet separating machine for removal of sheets attached to top and bottom sides of a panel, said machine comprising: feed conveyors initiating movement of the panel; guide rails adjustably positioning the panel on said feed conveyors; a stop lever preventing movement of the panel for a selected period of time; sheet stripping means for removing said sheets from said panel; guide belt means for directing sheets detached from both sides of the panel via a series of belts.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 36 words

The machine of claim 50, wherein said guide belt means comprise a plurality of belts moving the sheets removed from the top side of the panel and the bottom side of the panel in opposite directions.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 34 words

The machine of claim 50, wherein said guide belt means move the sheet removed from the top side of the panel through the same plane as the sheet removed from the bottom side thereof.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 26 words

The machine of claim 50, wherein said sheet stripping means comprises edge separating means and knife means for air injection between said panel and said sheets.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 48 words

The machine of claim 50, wherein said guide belt means comprise a series of staggered endless belts extending around at least one common shaft for bringing a sheet removed from one side of the panel toward said common shaft and then reversing the direction of the sheet displacement.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 77 words

A sheet stripping machine for removal of films attached to at least one side of a panel, said machine comprising: feed conveyors moving a panel and guide rails automatically positioning the panel on the feed conveyors; an adjustable stop temporarily blocking displacement of the panel; edge separating means for detaching a film edge from said panel; knife means stripping the film from the panel; film guide means moving the film removed from the panel to accumulator means.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 77 words

A sheet stripping machine for removal of films attached to at least one side of a panel, said machine comprising: feed conveyors moving a panel and guide rails automatically positioning the panel on the feed conveyors; an adjustable stop temporarily blocking displacement of the panel; edge separating means for detaching a film edge from said panel; knife means stripping the film from the panel; film guide means moving the film removed from the panel to accumulator means.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 24 words

The machine of claim 55, and propelling means for moving said panel after said edge separating means detaches a film edge from said panel.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 17 words

The machine of claim 55, and exit means for conveying the panel after removal of the film.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 37 words

The machine of claim 55, wherein said guide means comprises: a series of endless belts sequentially pulling said film removed from one side of the panel in a first direction and then in an opposite second direction.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 46 words

The machine of claim 56, wherein said propelling means comprise nip rollers mounted for rotation on parallel shafts, one of said shafts mounted to said machine for reciprocally moving said one shaft in opposite directions for temporary compressing and driving the panel toward said knife means.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 32 words

The machine of claim 55, and contact guides removing static electricity from said film as said film passes between said guides; said guides located at an end of said film guide means.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 22 words

The machine of claim 55, and clamp bars compressing the panel for temporary retention thereof during operation of said edge separating means.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 52 words

The machine of claim 55, wherein said edge separating means comprise two blocks each carrying knurled wheels; one of said blocks adapted to move relative to another; drive means connected to said blocks to reciprocally drive the blocks; and support bars adapted to guide and partially bear the weight of said blocks.

Claim 70

Dependent Claim 118 words

A film stripper for automatic separation of a panel and film means covering said panel, said stripper comprising: a transport means carrying said panel through a film separation process; stop means blocking linear movement of said panel for a selected time period; edge separator means applying forces to an edge of said film means during said selected time period for loosening the adherence of said edge to said panel; air knives blowing a stream of air toward a separation line between said panel and said film means to separate said film means from said panel; said transport means including additional means for guiding said film means separated from either side of said panel into a film means accumulator.

Claim 71

Dependent Claim 118 words

A film stripper for automatic separation of a panel and film means covering said panel, said stripper comprising: a transport means carrying said panel through a film separation process; stop means blocking linear movement of said panel for a selected time period; edge separator means applying forces to an edge of said film means during said selected time period for loosening the adherence of said edge to said panel; air knives blowing a stream of air toward a separation line between said panel and said film means to separate said film means from said panel; said transport means including additional means for guiding said film means separated from either side of said panel into a film means accumulator.

Claim 72

Dependent Claim 23 words

The film stripper of claim 63 wherein said air knives separate said film means from said panel as said panel resumes linear movement.

Claim 73

Dependent Claim 47 words

The film stripper of claim 9, said edge separator means comprising a carriage assembly moveable across the path of linear movement of said panel by an air cylinder, said carriage assembly having pressure wheels displacing an edge of said film means on either side of said panel.

Claim 74

Dependent Claim 35 words

The film stripper of claim 65, said carriage assembly comprising an upper base plate, a lower base plate slidably connected to said upper base plate, and a support platform fixed to said lower base plate.

Claim 75

Dependent Claim 120 words

A protective film stripper for automatically removing a dry plastic film from an underlining panel and comprising: a series of feeding rollers carrying said panels through stripper means; a moveable stop means blocking displacement of said panel for a predetermined time interval; an edge separator for detaching a leading film edge from either side of said panel; said edge separator including a series of pressure wheels being self-adjustable to capture varying panel thicknesses and moveable along said film edge; air knife means for directing a jet of air along a separation line between said film and said panel to lift said film off either side of said panel; and transport means for carrying said separated film towards a film accumulator.

Claim 76

Dependent Claim 120 words

A protective film stripper for automatically removing a dry plastic film from an underlining panel and comprising: a series of feeding rollers carrying said panels through stripper means; a moveable stop means blocking displacement of said panel for a predetermined time interval; an edge separator for detaching a leading film edge from either side of said panel; said edge separator including a series of pressure wheels being self-adjustable to capture varying panel thicknesses and moveable along said film edge; air knife means for directing a jet of air along a separation line between said film and said panel to lift said film off either side of said panel; and transport means for carrying said separated film towards a film accumulator.

Claim 77

Dependent Claim 193 words

The sheet stripping machine of claim 58 wherein said guide means includes a first moving belt system extending between a first shaft located adjacent said knife means whereby said first belt system is adapted to engage said film after said film has been stripped from said panel, and a second shaft located at a preselected distance from said first shaft; a second moving belt system extending between a third shaft located adjacent said first shaft and a fourth shaft located adjacent said second shaft; a third moving belt system extending between said fourth shaft and a fifth shaft located on the opposite side of said first shaft relative to said third shaft; said second and third belt systems forming an offset intersection of belts moving in divergent directions adjacent said second shaft; said film being captured by said intersection after said film is conveyed in said first direction to said intersection by said first and second moving belt systems, the direction of said film being substantially reversed upon contact in said intersection with said third belt system, and said film being conveyed in said second direction by said first and third belt systems.

Claim 78

Dependent Claim 50 words

The stripper machine of claim 68 wherein one run of said first belt system and one run of said second belt system move in the same direction and are in substantial contact with each other to form a path for conveying said film in said first direction to said intersection.

Claim 79

Dependent Claim 50 words

The stripper machine of claim 68 wherein one run of said first belt system and one run of said third belt system move in the same direction and are in substantial contact with each other to form a path for conveying said film from said intersection in said second direction.

Claim 80

Dependent Claim 63 words

The stripping machine of claim 68 wherein each of said second and third belt systems comprise a plurality of belts, said plurality of belts arrayed in a staggered relation as they extend around said fourth shaft, whereby said intersection formed by said second and third belt systems adjacent said second shaft is an alternating intersection formed by said second and third belt systems.

Claim 81

Dependent Claim 43 words

The stripper of claim 5, wherein said edge separator means includes pressure wheel means riding along the edge of said sheet whereby air pockets are formed between said edge of said film and said panel to loosen said film edge from said panel.

Claim 82

Dependent Claim 91 words

The stripper of claim 1 wherein said edge separator means includes first aligned pressure roller means rotatably mounted on a first support means; second aligned pressure roller means rotatably mounted on a second support means, said first and second pressure roller means disposed adjacent each other to form a path between said first and second pressure roller means for passage of said panel and sheet; pressure regulator means disposed between said first and second support means to vary the pressure applied by said pressure rollers to said sheet and said panel.

Claim 83

Dependent Claim 45 words

The stripper of claim 73 wherein said pressure regulator means include additional means to vary the distance between said first pressure roller means and said second pressure roller means to accomodate various thicknesses of panels and sheets between said first and second pressure roller means.

Claim 84

Dependent Claim 44 words

The method of stripping a sheet of non-extendable material adhering to a panel according to claim 35 wherein the step of loosening the leading edge of said sheet from said panel includes driving said edge separating means across said leading edge of said sheet.

Claim 85

Dependent Claim 54 words

The machine of claim 55 wherein said film guide means comprise: a first series of endless belts sequentially pulling the film removed from one side of the panel in a first direction, and a second series of endless belts pulling the film removed from a second side of the panel in a second direction.

Claim 86

Dependent Claim 21 words

The machine of claim 55 wherein said edge separating means is adapted for reciprocal movement along an edge of the panel.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1991-02-08	1991-08-10	1992-02-09	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1995-02-08	1995-08-10	1996-02-09	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1999-02-08	1999-08-10	2000-02-09	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Sheet separating machine and method

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