BURSTING AND SEPARATING APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUS FORMS

摘要

Apparatus for automatically, continuously bursting and separating individual items at relatively high speed from a continuous series of items such, for example, as manifolded document forms. The invention employs one or more oppositely disposed, substantially rigid, yet deformable members disposed in confronting arrangement in the path of the items to be separated. The deformable members are movable into face contact with the items disposed therebetween so that the items are stretched tautly between the confronting deformable members causing the leading item to be burst apart and separated from the adjoining trailing items. Means adjacent to the deformable members and in the pathway of the items cause the burst item to be rapidly discharged out of the path of the advancing items and into a stacking pocket or hopper or onto a shingling table.