초록 ▼

A pneumatic sheet material hold-down conveyor system is described in which a frame mounts conveyor having a movable working flight. A first manifold with a support surface movably supports the working flight. Air intake openings are formed through the support surface, connected to a vacuum source fo

A pneumatic sheet material hold-down conveyor system is described in which a frame mounts conveyor having a movable working flight. A first manifold with a support surface movably supports the working flight. Air intake openings are formed through the support surface, connected to a vacuum source for producing suction against the sheet material to draw the sheet material against the working flight. A second manifold is also provided on the frame, with a discharge surface extending along and in spaced relation to the working flight. Air discharge openings formed through the discharge surface is directed toward the working flight. A positive air pressure source is connected to the second manifold and is configured to pressurize the second manifold such that pressurized air is delivered through the air discharge openings toward the working flight and against the sheet material to push the sheet material against the working flight. A flat sheet positioned on the working flight between the first and second manifolds is thereby held against the working flight by positive air pressure on one side and negative air pressure on an opposite side. Thus secured, the sheet material may be moved by the working flight and be folded by the forming mandrel. A forming mandrel is provided on the frame and extends along the working flight to engage and progressively fold sheet material moving along the working flight.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [8.] A pneumatic sheet material hold-down conveyor system, comprising:a frame;a conveyor including a movable working flight;a forming mandrel on the frame and extending along the working flight and configured to engage and progressively fold sheet material moving along the working flight

[ I claim:] [8.] A pneumatic sheet material hold-down conveyor system, comprising:a frame;a conveyor including a movable working flight;a forming mandrel on the frame and extending along the working flight and configured to engage and progressively fold sheet material moving along the working flight;a first manifold on the frame having a support surface movably supporting the working flight;air intake openings formed through the support surface;a vacuum source connected to the first manifold and configured to produce suction against the sheet material to draw the sheet material against the working flight;a second manifold on the frame spaced from the forming mandrel and having a substantially flat discharge surface extending along and in spaced relation to the working flight and defining air discharge openings directed toward the working flight;a positive air pressure source connected to the second manifold and configured to pressurize the second manifold such that pressurized air is delivered through the air discharge openings toward the working flight and against the sheet material to push the sheet material against the working flight;whereby a flat sheet positioned on the working flight between the first and second manifolds in substantial parallel relation to said substantially flat discharge surface, is held against the working flight by positive air pressure on one side and negative air pressure on an opposite side, to be moved by the working flight along the forming mandrel and be folded by the forming mandrel.