GB1242079A - A device for separating individual flat objects from a stack of such objects - Google Patents

Abstract

1,242,079. Separating Sheets. K. RUNZI. 18 Dec., 1968 [20 Dec., 1967], No. 60121/68. Heading B8R. Sheets are separated from the bottom of a stack by a conveyer, at least one adjustable retaining means being mounted above the conveyer to define a gap which permits the passage of only the lowermost sheet and the conveyer being intermittent in operation in response to sheet detectors. Fig. 1 illustrates apparatus in which a stack 7 of sheets is supported on a table 1; spaced conveyer belts 8 are trained round pulleys 6, and may be driven intermittently through an electromagnetic clutch to separate individual sheets from the stack in response to a sensor 25 and to operations of, e.g. an addressing machine. Supports 32 held to table 1 by magnetic attraction, support the rear ends of the sheets: between the spaced belts. Co-operating with each belt 8 is a retaining finger 10 which can be adjusted vertically by means of knob 14 and threaded spindle 12 in profile member 18, and laterally by displacement along a cross-bar 24 after slackening of knob 26. Two laterally displaceable guide plates (30), Fig. 2 (not shown) support the sides of the stack. The retaining fingers may be provided with coatings (40), Fig. 3 (not shown) which increase the coefficient of friction with respect to the sheet material passing through gap 16 and at least one finger 10 may be provided with a roller (not shown) at its lower end. The belts 8 are preferably of plastics material having high friction coefficients with paper and cardboard.