METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING A SPREAD

摘要

An apparatus for forming a spread of generally thin, pliable material from a roll (R) onto a table (50) includes a cradle for holding the roll which is selectively operable to rotate the roll for feeding the material generally forwardly from the roll. An endless conveyor including a series of flights spaced at intervals therealong with openings (32) between the flights is driven for forward travel, and the web from the roll is received on and carried forward by a flight in the upper reach of the conveyor. A knife (64) is operable to cut the web to separate a first sheet (SH) from the roll. The first sheet is thereafter held from forward movement with the supporting flight by grippers (70) selectively operable for gripping the first sheet on the supporting flight. Thus, the supporting flight slides out from under the first sheet with the first sheet falling onto the table.