Methods and apparatus for separating image recordable materials from a media stack
AssigneeEastman Kodak Company
InventorWilliam Yuen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for separating an image recordable material from a stack of slip-sheets and printing plates. A slip-sheet separates each of the image recordable materials from one another in the media stack and is moved to expose the portion of the image recordable material. The image recordable material and the slip-sheet are gripped and the image recordable material is separated from the stack while being contacted by the slip-sheet.
Claims29
A method for separating an image recordable material from a media stack, wherein a slip-sheet is on top of a surface of the image recordable material, and the media stack comprises a plurality of image recordable materials and slip-sheets, the method comprising:
- moving a portion of the slip-sheet to expose a portion of surface of the image recordable material, the portion of the slip-sheet being less than the entirety of the slip-sheet;
- gripping the image recordable material;
- gripping the slip-sheet;
- separating the image recording material from the media stack after the portion of the surface of the image recordable material has been exposed, wherein the image recordable material is contacted by the slip-sheet while being separated from the media stack;
- and
- wherein gripping the image recordable material comprises gripping the exposed portion of the surface of the image recordable material.
A method for separating an image recordable material from a media stack, wherein a slip-sheet is on top of a surface of the image recordable material, and the media stack comprises a plurality of image recordable materials and slip-sheets, the method comprising:
- moving a portion of the slip-sheet to expose a portion of surface of the image recordable material, the portion of the slip-sheet being less than the entirety of the slip-sheet;
- gripping the image recordable material;
- gripping the slip-sheet;
- separating the image recording material from the media stack after the portion of the surface of the image recordable material has been exposed, wherein the image recordable material is contacted by the slip-sheet while being separated from the media stack;
- and
- wherein separating the image recordable material comprises separating the gripped image recordable material.
A method for separating an uppermost image recordable material from a media stack comprising a plurality of image recordable materials and slip-sheets, the method comprising:
- supporting the media stack such that the plurality of image recordable materials and slip-sheets are substantially horizontal and a slip-sheet is on top of the uppermost image recordable material;
- moving a portion of the slip-sheet to expose a portion of the uppermost image recordable material, the portion of the slip-sheet being less than the entirety of the slip-sheet;
- gripping uppermost image recordable material;
- gripping the slip-sheet;
- separating the uppermost image recordable material from the media stack after the portion the uppermost image recordable material has been exposed;
- separating the slip-sheet from the uppermost image recordable material during, or after the separation of the uppermost image recordable material from the media stack;
- and
- wherein gripping the image recordable material comprises gripping the exposed portion of the surface of the image recordable material.
An apparatus for separating an uppermost image recordable material from a media stack of image recordable materials and slip-sheets, wherein slip-sheet is on top of the uppermost image recordable material, the apparatus comprising:
- a picking assembly comprising:
- a slip-sheet moving member for buckling the slip-sheet;
- a slip-sheet gripping member for gripping the slip-sheet;
- a picking member for gripping the uppermost image recordable material;
- and
- a controller configured to:
- effect relative motion between the picking assembly and the slip-sheet so as to position the picking assembly in the vicinity of the slip-sheet;
- operate the slip-sheet moving member to expose a portion of the uppermost image recordable material by moving a portion of the slip-sheet while not moving an additional portion of the slip-sheet;
- operate the slip-sheet gripping member to grip the slip sheet;
- operate the picking member to grip the uppermost image recordable material;
- and
- operate the picking assembly to separate the uppermost image recordable material from the media stack after the portion of the slip-sheet has been moved.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.