# US 4,395,035 A · Air shingler

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- Number: US 4,395,035 A
- Document ID: US4395035A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/219,624
- Filed: 1980-12-24
- Granted: 1983-07-26
- Earliest claimed: 1980-12-24
- Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation
- Inventors: Ronald E. Hunt
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4395035A

## CPC

- B65H 3/08: using pneumatic force {(B65H3/40, B65H3/42 take precedence)}
- B65H: HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES

## Abstract

There is disclosed apparatus for implementing a technique of shingling a stack (10) of cut sheets using fluid jets. Air (34), or other fluid under pressure, travels through a drum having exit holes arranged about its periphery. The passage of the air causes the drum (30) to self-propel. As each fluid jet contacts the uppermost sheets in the stack, a roll-wave is created. Continued rotation of the drum causes a fluid jet to describe a linear path relative to the stack surface.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of separating sheets in a stack for feeding seriatim to an operating station including the steps of:
(1) downwardly directing a fluid jet to the topmost sheet such that the jet includes a force component normal to the topmost sheet; and
(2) moving the jet in the feed direction whereby uppermost sheets are shingled.

### Claim 2

In combination, apparatus for separating documents in a stack comprising:
(1) a source of fluid under pressure;
(2) means for directing at least one jet of fluid under pressure toward the top of the stack;
(3) means for moving the contact point of the jet linearly along the surface of the stack, whereby a roll wave is generated and propagated to the edges of the stack;
(4) nip means for engaging the leading edge of the uppermost sheet; and
(5) means for controlling the flow of fluid under pressure.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2 where said means for directing comprises a hollow drum having evenly spaced about its periphery a plurality of nozzles;
(1) the source of fluid under pressure is connected to said hollow drum; and
(2) said hollow drum is rotatably supported adjacent said stack of documents.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claims 2 wherein said means for moving the contact point of the jet includes nozzles structured so that fluid is emitted at an acute angle relative to a line perpendicular to the surface of the drum whereby the flow of fluid under pressure causes the drum to rotate.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said means for moving the contact point of the jet includes nozzle structured so that fluid is emitted at an acute angle relative to a line perpendicular to the surface of the drum, whereby the flow of fluid under pressure causes the drum to rotate.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The above apparatus of claims 2 3, 4 or 5 wherein said fluid flow control means includes
(1) a means for detecting when a sheet is engaged in said nip means,
(2) and said fluid flow control means is responsive to said detecting means to block the flow of fluid under pressure.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2, 3, 4, 5)

The apparatus of claims 2, 3, 4 or 5 wherein said means for engaging the leading edge of the uppermost sheet in the stack comprises:
(1) a nip formed by a first notched roller;
(2) and a second backup roller, said backup roller being biased toward said notched roller.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said fluid flow control means includes (1) a means for detecting when a sheet is engaged in said nip means, (2) and said fluid flow control means is responsive to said detecting means to block the flow of fluid under pressure.