Collating means
AssigneeThe Wiggins Teape Group Limited
InventorsRoger A. Allen, Bruce R. Inglis, Kieron P. Green
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Means for collating a flow of rod-like elements moving in a lengthwise direction comprising a rotatable drum arranged to receive the elements on its outer surface and move them transversely to their lengthwise direction, said drum having a porous wall and being rotatable through a reception zone where a fluid bed is created on its outer surface to assist reception of the elements thereon, a holding zone where a vacuum is created to hold the elements on the drum, and a discharge zone where fluid pressure is provided to assist discharge of the elements.
Claims12
An apparatus for collating a flow of rod-like elements moving in a lengthwise direction, comprising:
- (a) a rotatable drum for receiving the rod-like elements and moving them transversely to their lengthwise direction from a reception zone located at the upper part of said drum to a discharge zone angularly spaced from said reception zone through a holding zone located between said reception zone and said discharge zone, said rotatable drum having a cylindrical wall upon the outer surface of which the rod-like elements are received, said cylindrical wall having means throughout the area of said cylindrical wall for permitting fluid flow through said cylindrical wall;
- (b) means for supplying a fluid flow radially outwardly and upwardly through said cylindrical wall throughout the area of said reception zone to create a fluid bed at said reception zone for assisting the reception of the rod-like elements on said drum;
- (c) means for supplying a fluid flow inwardly through said cylindrical wall at said holding zone whereby a vacuum is created for holding the rod-like elements on said drum;
- and,
- (d) means for supplying a fluid flow outwardly through said cylindrical wall at said discharge zone for assisting the discharge of the rod-like elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.