Method and apparatus for the sequential handling and delivery of flexible products

An apparatus for the sequential handling and delivery of individual flexible products comprising:

• means for delivering a series of closely spaced individual flexible products to a transfer point:
• means positioned at said transfer point for transferring said flexible products to a delivery point while maintaining substantially the same spacing between said products, said means including a vacuum transfer drum having a plurality of annular grooves about the periphery thereof, and means for rotating said drum;
• a shaft mounted adjacent said transfer drum for orbital movement, including drive means for orbiting said shaft;
• and
• a plurality of fingers secured to said shaft and extending into said annular grooves for removing said flexible products sequentially from said transfer drum and delivering them to said delivery point;
• and
• means for adjusting the pick off position of said fingers relative to said transfer drum, said means for adjusting the pick off position comprising a phaser, and means for adjusting the output of said phaser to control the orbiting of said shaft and the positioning of said fingers.

An apparatus for the sequential handling and delivery of individual flexible products comprising:

• means for delivering a series of closely spaced individual flexible products to a transfer point;
• means positioned at said transfer point for transferring said flexible products to a delivery point while maintaining substantially the same spacing between said products, said means including a vacuum transfer drum having a plurality of annular grooves about the periphery thereof, and means for rotating said drum;
• a shaft mounted adjacent said transfer drum for orbital movement, including drive means for orbiting said shaft:
• and
• a plurality of fingers secured to said shaft and extending into said annular grooves for removing said flexible products sequentially from said transfer drum and delivering them to said delivery point;
• means for stacking said individual flexible products;
• means for separating a predetermined number of said individual flexible products from the stack:
• and
• means for adjusting the timing between the removal of said predetermined number of flexible products from said stack and the removal of said flexible products from said transfer drum by said fingers, said means for adjusting the timing comprising a phaser having an output for driving said means for separating said individual flexible products.

In an apparatus for the sequential handling and delivery of individual flexible products including

• means for transferring said flexible products to a delivery point while maintaining substantially the same spacing between said products, said means including a vacuum transfer drum having a plurality of annular grooves about the periphery thereof, and means for rotating said drum;
• said vacuum transfer drum including a vacuum source, and a plurality of vacuum ports about the outer periphery of said transfer drum and communicating with said vacuum source for securing the leading edges of said flexible products to the outer surface of said transfer drum;
• and
• means for adjusting the point at which the vacuum at each successive port is terminated, said means comprising a movable slug including means associated with said slug for advancing or retarding the position of said slug, and means for providing an indication of the position of said slug, said means for advancing and retarding the position of said slug being capable of operation while said apparatus is in operation.