Apparatus for singularizing stacked sheets of paper and the like

Apparatus for singularizing stacked sheets, comprising a source of stacked sheets;

• a rotary withdrawing conveyor having a plurality of equidistant transfer elements and means for transporting said transfer elements in a predetermined direction, at a predetermined speed and along an endless path having a first portion adjacent said source and a second portion, said transfer elements having means for entraining successive sheets of the stack from said source during transport along the first portion of said path and said transporting means including means for orbiting said transfer elements about a predetermined axis, said means for orbiting including two carriers spaced apart in the direction of said axis and said transfer elements being disposed between said carriers, one of said carriers having at least one window affording access to the space between said carriers;
• and means for receiving sheets from successive transfer elements in the second portion of said path, including a plurality of grippers and means for moving said grippers along a second path having a portion adjacent the second portion of said endless path, said moving means including means for advancing the grippers along said portion of said second path at said predetermined speed and substantially in said predetermined direction.

Apparatus for singularizing stacked sheets, comprising a source of stacked sheets;

• a rotary withdrawing conveyor having a plurality of equidistant transfer elements and means for transporting said transfer elements in a predetermined direction, at a predetermined speed and along an endless path having a first portion adjacent said source and a second portion, said transfer elements having means for entraining successive sheets of the stack from said source during transport along said first portion of said path, said entraining means including suction-operated devices for attracting sheets during transport of said elements along the first portion of said path;
• and means for receiving sheets from successive transfer elements in the second portion of said path, including a plurality of grippers and means for moving said grippers along a second path having a portion adjacent the second portion of said endless path, said moving means including means for advancing the grippers along said portion of said second path at said predetermined speed and substantially in said predetermined direction.

The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said transporting means includes means for orbiting said transfer elements about a first axis and each transfer element further comprises at least one rotor rotatable about a second axis which is parallel to said first axis, said entraining means including a flexible element trained over said rotors.

Apparatus for singularizing stacked sheets, comprising a source of stacked sheets;

• a rotary withdrawing conveyor having a plurality of equidistant transfer elements and means for transporting said transfer elements in a predetermined direction, at a predetermined speed and along an endless path having a first portion adjacent said source and a second portion, said transfer elements having means for entraining successive sheets of the stack from said source during transport along said first portion of said path and each of said entraining means including a rotor, said conveyor further comprising an endless flexible element trained over a portion of each rotor, said transporting means including at least one rotary carrier for said transfer elements and said conveyor further comprising pulleys for said flexible element, said pulleys alternating with said rotors and being provided on said carrier;
• and means for receiving sheets from successive transfer elements in the second portion of said path, including a plurality of grippers and means for moving said grippers along a second path having a portion adjacent the second portion of said endless path, said moving means including means for advancing the grippers along said portion of said second path at said predetermined speed and substantially in said predetermined direction.