Denesting Apparatus Air Jet Sheet Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing denesting apparatuses are inefficient and inflexible in handling multiple stacks of sheets with varying shapes, sizes, materials, and calipers, often resulting in high rejection rates and the inability to maintain continuous in-feed at high speeds.
Innovation Solution
A denesting apparatus featuring closed loop conveying tracks with sets of de-stacking means movingly configured thereon, allowing for selective engagement and discharge of sheets from multiple stacks in any desired order, with adjustable positioning and controlled elevation of the de-stacking means to accommodate varying sheet configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional mechanical pickers or robotic arms are used to de-stack sheets, then individual sheet picking is achieved, but the turn-around time is high and continuous high-speed in-feed is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical pickers and robotic arms with an air jet-based system. Compressed air nozzles direct high-speed air streams onto the sheet stack to blow individual sheets off the stack and onto the conveyor, eliminating mechanical contact and enabling continuous high-speed operation without the inertia and acceleration limitations of mechanical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pneumatic principles by directing compressed air through nozzles at the sheet stack. The air jet creates sufficient force to separate and propel individual sheets horizontally onto the conveyor, providing a non-contact method that operates continuously at high speeds without mechanical wear or slow movement cycles.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fingers or grippers are used to pull sheets from stacks, then sheets can be lifted and pulled away, but the device is limited to fixed size sheets and causes high rejection rates due to sliding contact damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical fingers and grippers that physically grasp and slide along sheets. Instead, compressed air nozzles provide a non-contact method to propel sheets, completely avoiding sliding contact damage and the need for precise mechanical sizing adaptations.
Solution Approach 2:
By using pneumatic air jets, the system provides a universal solution that can handle sheets of any size, shape, or material without mechanical wear or damage. The air stream adapts to different sheet configurations without requiring physical contact or adjustment of mechanical gripping elements.
3Productivity
If air nozzle based side blowing mechanisms are used to separate trays, then de-stacking is achieved, but sheets of different thickness cannot be handled and more than one sheet is uncontrollably dislodged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple nozzles positioned at different locations and angles around the sheet stack. Each nozzle targets a specific zone, allowing precise control over which sheet is propelled and how different thickness variations are handled. The localized air streams can be independently controlled to accommodate varying sheet properties without affecting the entire stack uncontrollably.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus enables efficient and flexible denesting of multiple stacks of sheets with different configurations, reducing rejection rates and allowing for continuous high-speed in-feed, while maintaining the ability to handle varying sheet sizes and materials without changing functional elements.
Implementation Method 1
a stream of air is directed onto the stack so as to blow the top sheet away from the other sheets in the stack
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a denesting apparatus (100, 200), the apparatus comprising: •—one or more closed loop conveying tracks (130, 230), each closed loop conveying track comprising a plurality of sets of one or more de-stacking means (140, 240) movingly configured thereon through one or more de-stacking means moving mechanism (150, 250): •—one or more stacking magazines (120, 220), each adapted to hold a stack of sheets (110, 210) supported thereon: wherein each of the plurality of sets of de-stacking means is adapted to selectively engage an uppermost sheet from at least one of the stacking magazines in any desired order either sequentially and/or simultaneously so as to discharge the picked-up sheets onto an out-feed conveyor (180, 280) in any desired manner either one besides another or otherwise one overlapping the other.