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US 4,597,573 AGranted
System for handling discrete sheets
AssigneeCrown Zellerbach Corporation
InventorsImants Reba, Rodney E. Pollock
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for handling discrete sheets including a nozzle for simultaneously lifting the sheet from a surface by suction and propelling the sheet in a direction generally corresponding to the plane of the sheet.
Claims21
Apparatus for handling discrete sheets having planar surfaces, said apparatus comprising:
- means defining a support surface;
- nozzle means spaced from said support surface, said nozzle means defining a plurality of spaced air flow outlets for directing air in a predetermined direction and operable to produce a gaseous flow including first and second gaseous flow components, said first component exerting a suction force on said sheets in a direction substantially normal to the planar surfaces of said sheets to lift said sheets from said support surface, and said second component exerting a propelling force on said sheets in a direction substantially corresponding to the plane of the sheet planar surfaces;
- and
- means including plate means extending from said nozzle means defining an air flow surface leading from said nozzle means and forming a passageway with said support surface, said air flow surface adapted to receive said second component and direct said second component away from said nozzle means, said plate means having at least a portion thereof defining an air flow surface portion in general alignment with said air flow outlets in said predetermined direction, said nozzle means and said plate means portion defining a gap therebetween, said nozzle means including a Coanda fluid flow attachment surface leading from said gap away from said predetermined direction whereby some of the air flow exiting from said air flow outlets will be directed away from said predetermined direction due to the Coanda effect and form said first component.
1 more element
Apparatus for handling sheets comprising:
- means defining a support surface and extending between a first location and a second location;
- means defining an air flow surface in registry with at least a portion of said support surface defining means and forming a passageway therewith;
- nozzle means for producing a flow of air operatively connected to said air flow surface defining means and cooperable therewith to direct a component of said flow of air along said air flow surface through said passageway to propel said discrete sheets from said first location to said second location, and said nozzle means and said air flow surface defining means further cooperable to direct another component of said flow of air in a direction away from said support surface whereby said discrete sheets will be lifted away from said support surface as said sheets are propelled;
- and
- Coanda fluid flow attachment surface defining means, said air flow surface defining means and said nozzle means defining a gap therebetween leading to said Coanda fluid flow attachment surface defining means, whereby the Coanda effect is utilized to direct said another component of said flow of air away from said support surface.
2 more elements
A method for handling discrete sheets having planar surfaces, said apparatus comprising the steps of:
- providing a support surface adjacent to a source of discrete sheets;
- supplying discrete sheets seriatim from said source to said support surface;
- at a location spaced from said support surface, producing a gaseous flow, having first and second components, from a nozzle means adjacent a plate means;
- utilizing the Coanda effect to create a suction force with said first component in a direction substantially normal to the planar surfaces of said sheets to lift said sheets from the support surface by directing the first component into a gap between the nozzle means and the plate means;
- using said second component to exert a propelling force on said sheets in a direction substantially corresponding to the plane of the sheet planar surfaces;
- and
- propelling said sheets with said propelling force while lifting said sheets through use of said suction force.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.