Feeders for sheetlike articles

Apparatus for feeding sheetlike items into a processing machine having an intake device operative to align each item to a predetermined orientation, the apparatus comprising:

• (a) a frame defining a path having upstream and downstream directions, said frame being adapted for mounting adjacent said processing machine with said downstream end of said path adjacent said intake device;
• (b) supply means for advancing a plurality of sheetlike items one by one downstream along said path to a predetermined ready position with each such item in an orientation corresponding generally to said predetermined orientation;
• and
• (c) assist means for urging each item downstream from said ready position into said intake device without substantially constraining the orientation thereof,
• whereby said intake device can align each item to said predetermined orientation while downstream movement of the item is assisted by said assist means,
• the apparatus further comprising a drive element having a drive surface, said drive element being movably mounted to said frame so that said drive surface is disposed adjacent said path, and drive element movement means for moving said drive element so that said drive surface moves downstream, said assist means including assist bias means for biasing each item against said drive element with a predetermined assist bias force when the item is at or downstream of said ready position,
• said supply means including supply bias means for biasing each item against said drive surface of said drive element with a supply bias force greater than said assist bias force while the item is upstream of said ready position, whereby said drive element will operate both to move each item to the ready position and to urge the item downstream from said ready position,
• said drive element being positioned so that an item in said ready position will be in contact with said drive surface, the apparatus further comprising means for stopping said motion of said drive element when an item is at said ready position and means for restarting movement of said drive element upon operation of said intake device in said processing machine, whereby each item will be advanced to said ready position and will dwell at said ready position until said intake device is actuated,
• said supply means including reservoir means for holding a plurality of items to be fed and picker means for taking a single item from said plurality of items and advancing said single item downstream towards said drive element,
• the apparatus further comprising outfeed detector means for detecting movement of an item downstream from said ready position, generating an outfeed signal in response to such movement and actuating said picker means in response to said outfeed signal to advance the next item towards said drive element,
• said drive element movement means including assist movement means for moving said drive surface at a predetermined assist speed as each item is advanced downstream from said ready position, said reservoir being remote from said drive element, said picker means being operative to advance each item downstream towards said drive element at a speed greater than said assist speed,
• said drive element movement means including supply movement means for moving said drive surface at a predetermined supply speed greater than said assist speed as an item in contact with said drive surface moves downstream towards said ready position,
• said drive element movement means including a power shaft rotatably mounted to said frame, motor means for turning said power shaft either in a predetermined supply direction or in a predetermined assist direction opposite to said supply direction, assist power train means for connecting said drive element to said power shaft only upon rotation of said power shaft in a predetermined assist direction, supply power train means for connecting said drive element to said power shaft only upon rotation of said power shaft in a predetermined supply direction opposite to said assist direction, said assist power train means and said supply power train means providing different ratios between movement of said drive surface and rotation of said power shaft.

Apparatus for feeding sheetlike items into a processing machine having an intake device operative to align each item to a predetermined orientation, the apparatus comprising:

• (a) a frame defining a path having upstream and downstream directions, said frame being adapted for mounting adjacent said processing machine with said downstream end of said path adjacent said intake device;
• (b) supply means for advancing a plurality of sheetlike items one by one dowstream along said path to a predetermined ready position with each such item in an orientation corresponding generally to said predetermined orientation;
• and
• (c) assist means for urging each item downstream from said ready position into said intake device without substantially constraining the orientation thereof,
• whereby said intake device can align each item to said predetermined orientation while downstream movement of the item is assisted by said assist means,
• the apparatus further comprising a drive element having a drive surface, said drive element being movably mounted to said frame so that said drive surface is disposed adjacent said path, and drive element movement means for moving said drive element so that said drive surface moves downstream, said assist means including assist bias means for biasing each item against said drive element with a predetermined assist bias force when the item is at or downstream of said ready position,
• said supply means including supply bias means for biasing each item against said drive surface of said drive element with a supply bias force greater than said assist bias force while the item is upstream of said ready position, whereby said drive element will operate both to move each item to the ready position and to urge the item downstream from said ready position,
• said supply bias means including a carrier mounted to said frame for movement between engaged and disengaged positions, said carrier being closer to said drive surface in said engaged position than in said disengaged position, carrier bias means for urging said carrier towards said engaged position, bias selector means for holding said carrier in said disengaged position, a member mounted to said carrier so that said member is urged towards said drive element when said carrier is urged towards said engaged position by said carrier bias means, said member being remote from said drive element when said carrier is in said disengaged position,
• said assist bias means including an assist bias element mounted to said carrier for movement relative to said carrier towards and away from said drive element and means for urging said assist element towards said drive element so that said assist bias element can engage items advanced between said assist bias element and said drive element when said carrier is in said disengaged position.