Singulation module/belt for separating sheet material

Abstract

A singulating module / belt including a conveyor belt for moving a stack of sheet material toward a pair of take-away rollers in one direction and a singulation belt moving in an opposing direction for retarding the motion of the upper sheets of the stack. The singulation belt is characterized by a compliant face surface which separates sheet material without damaging or tearing the sheets during singulation. In the described embodiment, the cross section of the belt includes a plurality of grooves defining a plurality of longitudinal ribs therebetween. The ribs define a cumulative width dimension in contact with the sheet material which is within a range of between about 0.55 to about 0.85 of the width dimension of the belt. Furthermore, the height dimension of each rib is within a range of between about 0.20 to about 0.8 of the height dimension of the belt. Moreover, each rib thereof defines an aspect ratio (RW / RH) including a width dimension RW in contact with the sheet material and a height dimension RH measured from a core of the singulation belt. The aspect ratio is within a range of between about 0.5 to about 2.0.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001]This invention relates to belts for handling / singulating sheet material, and more particularly, to a new and useful singulation belt useful for separating sheet material in automated material handling equipment.BACKGROUND ART [0002]Material handling apparatus such as mailing machines commonly employ belts for transporting and separating sheet material. Oftentimes, a plurality of belts are employed, one set of belts opposing another set, to separate individual sheets from a stack of sheet material. That is, as a first set of horizontal belts transport a stack of sheet material, e.g., envelopes, postcards or other sheet stock, in one direction, a second set of belts, disposed above the first set, shingles the stack thereby causing a single sheet to pass through a predefined gap or opening between the belts. Oftentimes, the belts are arranged in a V-shaped configuration (i.e., from a side or profile view) to progressively close the gap therebetween. As the stack a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]A singulating module / belt is provided including a conveyor belt for moving a stack of sheet material toward a pair of take-away rollers in one direction and a singulation belt moving in an opposing direction for retarding the motion of the upper sheets of the stack. The singulation belt is characterized by a compliant face surface which separates sheet material without damaging or tearing the sheets during singulation. In the described embodiment, the cross section of the belt includes a plurality of grooves defining a plurality of longitudinal ribs therebetween. The ribs define a cumulative width dimension in contact with the sheet material which is within a range of between about 0.55 to about 0.85 of the width dimension of the belt. Furthermore, the height dimension of each rib is within a range of between about 0.20 to about 0.8 of the height dimension of the belt. Moreover, each rib thereof defines an aspect ratio (RW / RH) including a width dimension RW in contact with the sheet material and a height dimension RH measured from a core of the singulation belt. The aspect ratio is within a range of between about 0.5 to about 2.0.

Problems solved by technology

A variety of factors associated with the geometry and arrangement of the opposing belts can be difficult to control and / or anticipate the effectiveness regarding singulation of the sheet material.

In particular, sheet material used for producing postcards can present unique difficulties due to their relatively thick, single-sheet construction.

When opposing belts contact the face surfaces of the postcard stock, the resin matrix, which exhibits relatively low tensile and shear strength, can fail, resulting in delamination along the free edge of the postcard.

The resulting damage can render the card unusable for subsequent printing and / or postage.

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