METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SHEET AND CARTON BLANK ALIGNING USING CASTER EFFECT

摘要

An improved apparatus and method for properly orienting and aligning flat sheets or strip material, such as in the form of folding carton blanks, on a conveying system such as used in carton folders/gluers is disclosed. A moving sheet is engaged on at least one surface by plural non-driven movable casters oriented at an angle relative to the sheet's intended direction of travel, or target direction. The casters apply a lateral force to the sheet so that a linear lateral edge of the sheet is brought into contact with an adjacent guide member aligned with the target direction, with the sheet assuming a predetermined orientation relative to the target direction. Each caster is resiliently biased such as by a spring at a predetermined angle relative to the target direction. With the sheet's lateral edge in intimate contact with the guide member, the moving sheet is in the aforementioned predetermined orientation relative to, and is displaced in, the target direction.

主权项

1. A method for providing a moving sheet with a predetermined orientation and aligning a linear edge of the moving sheet with an intended direction of travel of the sheet, said method comprising:
conveying the sheet generally in the intended direction of travel; providing an elongated linear guide member disposed adjacent the moving sheet and having a guide surface aligned and coincident with the intended direction of travel of the sheet, and displacing said guide surface in the intended direction of travel; and gripping the sheet by at least one pair of deflecting wheels, wherein said wheels are biased at an angle to the intended direction of travel in applying a lateral force to the moving sheet toward said guide member so that the sheet's lateral edge engages the guide member's guide surface and the sheet assumes said predetermined orientation and is displaced in the intended direction of travel.