Sheet material handling apparatus and method

摘要

The device comprises a conveyor which is operable to convey sheet material articles. A hopper holds sheet material articles. A sheet transfer sequentially transfers sheet material articles from the hopper to the conveyor. The sheet transfer device includes a rotatable drum. A gripper device is disposed on the drum for gripping an edge portion of a sheet material article as the drum is rotated. A creaser device is disposed on the drum for forming a crease in a sheet material article as the drum is rotated and the edge portion of the sheet material article is gripped by the gripper device. The creaser device includes first and second clamp surfaces disposed on the drum and a device for pressing the first and second clamp surfaces against a sheet material article adjacent opposite sides of a location where a crease is to be formed in the sheet material article. The first and second clamp surfaces have longitudinal axes which extend parallel to an axis of rotation of the drum.