Gripper drum

Abstract

A gripper drum having in the peripheral surface thereof a number of apertures aligned in rows running parallel to the rotational axis of the drum, the rows defining an active suction zone. Each row of apertures is connected to a duct located below the surface of the drum and each duct is connected by a conduit to a bore in a stationary part of the drum, the bore being connected to a source of suction so that as the drum rotates about the inner stationary part suction is applied to the apertures. Pistons, one for each duct, are mounted on a plate which can be moved to insert the pistons into one end of each duct respectively, the opposite ends of the ducts being closed thereby sealing off the apertures from the suction source and altering the width of the active suction zone on the periphery of the drum. The conduits are connected to positions on the ducts progressively remote from the ends into which the pistons are inserted. The drum can comprise an annular outer part, having the apertures, ducts and conduits, which rotates about a stationary cylindrical part having a groove in its periphery connected to the bore for the suction source. The conduits are aligned with the groove so that on rotation of the outer part suction is applied first to one row of apertures and then to succeeding rows.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.