Decurler device

An improved device for decurling curled sheets in a sheet handling apparatus having means for positively moving successive sheets along a delivery path comprising, in combination, an elongated suction bar disposed across the delivery path substantially transverse to the direction of sheet movement, said suction bar having a substantially M-shaped cross section with two smoothly rounded crests whose curvature is in the same direction as the curl of the sheets and a rounded U-shaped trough between said crests and having a multiplicity of apertures therein, means bridging the legs of said M-shaped cross section below said trough for forming a vacuum manifold closed except for said apertures, means for drawing a vacuum in said manifold, the radius of said trough being substantially less than the radius of said crests so that as a curled sheet is moved across said crests and drawn into said trough by said vacuum it is progressively bent in a compound reverse curvature the sharpest bend of which is opposite the original direction of curl, and said crests and trough being coated with a smooth, hard plastic gel coat containing a dispersion of fine carbon particles and said bar having di-electric properties to electrically destaticize said sheets.