US2208994A - Feed band separator for strip feeding mechanism - Google Patents

Description

C. R. MABON July 23, 1940.

FEED BAND SEPARATOR FOR STRIP FEEDING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 28, 1938 Carl E. flazon c. R. MABON July 23, 1940.

FEED BAND SEPARATOR FOR STRIP FEEDING MECHANISM Filed June 28, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 C. R. MABON July 23, 1940.

FEED BAND SEPARATOR FOR STRIP FEEDING MECHANISM Filed June 28, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 1 121114271307; Carl flafion Patented July 23, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FEED BAND SEPARATOR FOR STRIP FEEDING MECHANISM Carl R. Mabon, Niagara Falls, N. Y.,

assignor to Application June 28, 1938, Serial No. 216,374

16 Claims.

This invention relates to the operation of feeding record strips of the manifold record type through a writing machine or the like, and more particularly relates to methods of and means for separating from the record strip during the feeding operation, that part of the strip known as the feed band by which the strip as a whole is propelled through the machine.

An object of the invention is to separate efficiently the feed band portion from the record receiving band portion of one or more strips in a manifold assembly of superposed record strips.

Another object is to produce the separation in such a manner that the edges resulting from the separation are of suitable smoothness and not torn or cut out of line, and in such a manner that the separated portions of the assembly are not subjected to other mutilation or entanglement.

The invention accordingly includes the methods of operating, the construction of the elements and their combination, and the arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the illustrations hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

The nature and objects of the invention will be understood more fully by reference to the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a tabulating machine having one form of strip feeding mechanism and feed band separator.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional elevation taken on line 22, Fig. 1, showing a side view of the strip feeding mechanism and separator.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of part of the feed band separator of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged'sectional View of the Fig. 2 separator taken on the line 4-4, Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section, partly broken away, taken on line 5--5, Fig. 4, showing means for locking the feeder and separator unit.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a manifold type of record strip assembly of a form adapted for use in the machine of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is an elevation, showing a modification of the separator of Figs. 1 to 4.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a selective separator element.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view, corresponding with a portion of Fig. 4 and showing the Fig. 8 separator element mounted therein.

Figs. 10 and 11 are perspective views of different modifications of a arator.

Fig. 12 is a cross sectional view of a detail, taken on line I2l2, Fig. 11.

Figs. 13 and 14 are plan and side views, respec- 3 tively, of a shear type of separator.

Referring to the drawings, Figs. 1 and 2 show a tabulating machine I of conventional form, arranged to feed the manifold assembly 2 of paper record strips, shown diagrammatically in 10 dot-dash lines, from the supply pile 4 to the receiving pile 5. The manifold assembly 2 passes around the platen 6, opposite which are located the character tabulating pins 1 for selectively impressing the desired record on the assembly 16 2, in well known manner.

Strip guiding apparatus of the kind indicated by the dash lines, described more fully in my Patent No. 2,077,428, is preferably provided to guide the strip assembly 2 from the pile 4 to 20 the machine and from the machine to the pile 5.

Fig. 6 shows in more detail, the manifold assembly 2, as an example .of a form suitable for use in the machine I. Between each pair of adjacent record strips 8, or under each record strip, is provided a transfer strip 9, or other suitable means for impressing the record in duplicate form on each strip below the top.

A weakened severance line i0 is provided in each record strip 8 between the feed band II and the record receiving band l2. The line III is shown as made up of a series of narrow dashiike perforations placed end to end closely adjacent to each other, but it will be understood that any other suitable form of weakened line may be used which weakens the strip sufliciently to facilitate easy severance of the bands along opposite sides of the line.

The weakened lines 10 of the superposed record strips 8 are in registration with each other between the feed band portion II and the record receiving band portion of the assembly.

Each transfer strip 9 has an edge l'3, preferably approximately in registration with or just short of registration with the severance lines I0, 45 to avoid interleaving of the transfer strip between the feed bands I l, and to facilitate separation of the feed bands from the record receiving bands without interference of the transfer strips with the separating operation.

The equally spaced perforations l4 extending completely through the feed band portion H, are arranged in a continuous row parallel to the severance lines in and are adapted to mesh with the portion of the Fig. 3 sepfeed pins I5 of the feeding mechanism I6, Figs. 2 and 4.

The record strip 8, if desired, may be arranged in forms ll of equal length and severable from the contiguous forms H at the weakened transverse severance lines I8. The forms H in superposed strips are placed in registration with each other so that the resulting packs of forms may be piled one over the other by folding the assembly 2 on lines l8 in zig-zag relation, as shown. The staples |9 or other suitable securing means may be provided near the middle of the severance lines l8 for securing the strips 8, 9, together arid for maintaining the forms in the desired regis tration for manifolding purposes. The staples l9 thus prevent lateral displacement of the transfer strips 9 relatively to the record strips 3 and prevent encroachment of the transfer strips 9 on the space in registration with the severance lines l0 where they might interfere with the severance operation as referred to above.

Additional staples 20 may be provided at regular intervals along the feed band portion ll between certain of the perforations I4 to supplement the staples |9 in maintaining the desired registration of the record strips with each other and to increase the compactness and stiffness of the feed band portion II when it has been separated from the record receiving band portion |2, thus reducing the tendency of the feed bands to become entangled after severance and loss of the stiffening effect contributed thereto by the record receiving bands.

The strip feeding mechanism or pin feed unit l6, Figs. 1, 2 and 4, is supported on three parallel rods 2|, 22 and 23, which in turn are supported at their opposite ends by the brackets 24 and 25, respectively. Rod 2| serves as a rotatable shaft having bearings in brackets 24, 25, while rods 22, 23 may be held fast in position; Suitable power driving means, not shown, may be provided to rotate one end of the shaft 2|. The pair of spur gears or sprockets 26, Fig. 4 and Fig. 2, on opposite sides respectively of the frame 28, have bearings on the shaft 22, permitting the gears to rotate freely thereon. A similar pair of spur gears 21 (only one shown, Fig. 2) are provided on the shaft 2| and are positioned on opposite sides respectively of the frame 28. A flat side 30 of shaft 2| engages a corresponding flat bearing in gears 21, so that the gears 21 may be rotated by the drive shaft 2| and may slide axially thereon when the feeder I6 is being adjusted transversely of machine The loosely linked chain loop 29 is looped around the two pairs of gears 26, 21 and is meshed therewith, so that the drive gears 21 may feed the chain freely around gears 26 as idlers.

The collar 3| around the shaft 23, is freely slidable axially thereon, but is rigidly fastened'to the frame 28. The lock lever 32, rotatable on the pivot 33 in the recess 34 in collar 3|, Fig. 5, may be depressed at its outer end by the finger of an operator to force the cam 35 into frictional engagement with the shaft 23 to lock the frame 26 and the strip feed mechanism l6 rigidly in place, to prevent movement thereof axially of the shaft 23 and transversely of machine I, after the feed mechanism 6 has been adjusted to its proper position transversely of machine A projecting end of each main link 36 of the chain 29 carries a feed pin I5, so that the row of feed pins IS in the upper span of the chain 29 is adapted to mesh simultaneously with a corresponding row of perforations M in the feed bands N, Fig. 6, and to propel the feed bands and cohsequently the strips 8 as a whole in the feed direction, indicated by the arrow, Fig. 3, parallel with the severance lines In.

The guide plate 31, Figs. 2 and 4, is fastened rigidly to the top of frame 28, and at its upper side has a guide surface upon whichthe projecting ends of the links 36 ride. The plate 31 thus limits the transverse path of the pins l5 and thereby provides an abutment for limiting the movement of the feed bands toward the abutment in a direction normal to the main surfaces of the feed bands, thus serving as a lower guide for the feed bands being fed by the pins |5 of chain 29.

The plate 31, at its left hand edge, Fig. 4, supports a bracket 38, having the pivot 39 on which is hinged the arm 40 which at its free end has the long guide plate 4|, positioned opposite the guide plate 31, and has a guide surface opposite that of guide plate 31. The plate 4| thus provides an abutment for limiting movement of the feed bands toward the abutment in a direction normal to their main surfaces and for guiding the feed bands in the feed direction. The slot 42 in plate 4| is parallel to the feed direction and provides a clearance space for the unobstructed travel of the feed pins |5 along the slot in the feed direction. The leaf spring 43 is secured rigidly at one end to the arm 40, the other end being tensioned to normally press against the bar 44, to urge the free end of arm 40 and the guide plate 4| toward the main or major surfaces of the feed bands being fed between plates 31, 4|, thereby maintaining the feed bands in proper mesh relation with the feed pins i5. The guide plates 31, 4| and the guide surface of each plate are symmetrically disposed with respect to the feed bands fed therebetween. The free ends 45 of the guide plates are diverged away from the course of travel of the feed bands, as shown in Fig. 2, to provide suitably smooth streamlined guide surfaces at the opposite sides of the feed bands H. The slotted upturned ends 45 of the guide plate 4| also serve to make room for the unobstructed passage of the feed pins l5 into and out of the slot 42 in plate 4| when the guide plate 4| or the slot therein is shorter than the span of chain 29 meshed with the feed bands.

In accordance with the present invention, a record strip assembly of the kind shown in Fig. 6, when substantially straight laterally from edge to edge, for example when each strip is in a flat condition, as shown in Fig. 3, may have its feed band portion progressively separated from its record receiving band portion |2 while feeding the strips, by the method of applying to a part of each strip in close proximity to the severance line therein, a gradually increasing force progressively along the severance line and in such a direction as to tend to deflect that part of the strip from lateral alignment with the main surface of the feed band of the strip. This method requires that the feed bands be limited in movement in a direction normal to their main surfaces, in order that the deflecting force may be suitably applied to the part of each strip in the vicinity of the severance line. It is also preferable to have a feeding force applied to the strips at a point at least somewhat in advance of the separator, so that thefeed bands are kept under tension in the zone where separation takes place. The different forms of separators of the present invention are adapted to operate according to this method.

In the case of the Fig. 3 form of separator, the

bracket 46 is rigidly supported from the outer marginal portion of the guide plate 4| at the edge of slot 42, and has a hole at its outer end through which the separator needle 41 projects,- the needle being locked in fixed position by the set screw 48. The separator needle 41 ispositioned laterally adjacent to the guide plates 31, 4|, and is laterally out of alignment with the row of feed pins l5, propelling the feed bands, 8. short spacing being provided laterally between the needle 41 and the guide plates 31, 4| to aid the separating operation and to prevent the clogging of the strips 8 or of particles therefrom between the needle and the guide plates.

From the bracket 46 the needle 41 extends into and through the course of travel of the strips 8, the needle being oblique to guide plates 31 and 4| and intersecting the strips obliquely at the severance lines I0 therein, so that the needle 41 and the guide surface of the plate 4| have an acute angle therebetween, pointing in the feed direction, as indicated by the arrow, Fig. 3. The plane of the acute angle is preferably normal to the guide surfaces of plates 31, 4| and to the main surfaces of the feed bands, and includes the feed direction, but may be laterally inclined slightly.

The described inclination of the separator needle 41 is in such a direction that when the strips at the zone of separation are tensioned and moved by the force propelling them in the feed direction, the needle applies to a part of each strip 8 in close proximity to the severance line of the strip, a gradually increasing force progressing along the severance line and tending to deflect that part of the strip from lateral alignment with the main surface of the feed band whose movement normal to the main surface of the feed band is limited by the guide plate 4|, serving as an abutment against which the feed band is thrust by the deflecting force applied to the strip 8 by the needle 41. The force tending to deflect each strip 8 in the vicinity of the severance line I0, progressively increases as the feed band advances in the feed direction, thus causing the strip to separate progressively along its severance line l0 into component bands I2, as indicated in Fig. 3.

Since the separator needle 41, is cylindrical in shape, the edge thereof functioning in the separating operation is a cylindrical surface and may thus be regarded as being relatively blunt or dull, in comparison with the cutting edge of a knife. It has been found that the relatively blunt, smooth edge presented by the needle 41 efficiently separates the feed bands II from the record receiving bands l2 along the severance lines In, and leaves the edges resulting from the separation relatively smooth and free from objectionable tearing, jamming or cutting out of line, or other mutilation.

It might be considered possible that a knife could be substituted for the needle 41, but experience indicates that the results obtained by such a substitute are usually undependable and unsatisfactory because of the tendency of the knife to cut into the bands on either side of the severance line, thereby losing the benefit of the weakened severance line and imposing so much resistance on the advancing strip as to jam, tear, tangle, or otherwise mutilate or objectionably operate on the bands of the record strip. Furthermore, the needle is relatively inexpensive and requires no'sharpening to render it serviceable or to maintain it in satisfactory operation. Among the advantages of the form of separator described herein is the fact that the present-separator avoids the use of relatively high pressure rollers. or high pressure plates, usually required to hold the manifold strips when separation is accomplished by cutting operations.

By mounting the separator needle 41 on the hinged arm 40, it may be readily withdrawn from the zone of action, as when removing or installing the record strip supply from the feed mechanism l6, by simply lifting the arm 40 by rotation thereof on the pivot 39. The relation of the needle 41 to the guide plate 4| may thus be left undisturbed.

After detachment of the feed bands II from the record receiving bands l2, the relatively narrow feed bands lose the stiffening effect of the relatively wide bands l2 previously connected therewith, and consequently sometimes have a tendency to drop down into or to become entangled with the feed mechanism It or with some other part of the machine, or with the record strips, before the feed bands can be fed to a point clear of the machine.

In order to overcome this difliculty, and to aid the discharge of the detached feed bands I I from the feed mechanism, the deflector plate 50 is provided with an upwardly convexed streamlined surface opposed to the lower surface of the up turned end 45 of the guide 4|. The path of the detached feed bands II is thus kept under control between the opposed surfaces of elements 45, 50, the feed bands being deflected upwardly and out of mesh with the feed pins l5 and away from the record receiving bands l2. The notch 5| in the lower edge of the deflector 50 provides a passage through which the outer ends of the feed pins l5 may pass freely while the feed bands ii are guided out of mesh with the feed pins. Suitable means for securing the feed bands together, such as the staples 2|), referred to above, serve to keep the individual feed bands from spreading out from each other and becoming entangled, and also serve to stiffen the assembly of superposed feed bands into a unitary member which lends itself to more convenient control while being fed, and is more easily discharged from the machine Use of the deflector 50 in connection with the Fig. 3 separator is preferable in cases where the feed bands do not free themselves readily from the feeder I6, and in certain other cases, but it will be understood that its use is optional. The deflector 50 also may be employed optionally for similar reasons in connection with the other separators described herein.

The construction and operation of the 7 separator is similar to that of Fig. 3, except that the needle 41 is supported at its lower end in a hole in the collar shaped support 52 which is fast to the frame 28. The set screw 48 locks the needle 41 rigidly in its proper position in the support 52.

Figs. 8 and 9 show a selective form of separator, adapted to separate the feed band from the record receiving band in only a selected number of strips in a manifold assembly. Fig. 9 shows a part of the elements illustrated in the upper right hand portion of Fig. 4, with the needle 53 substituted for the needle 41 of Fig. 4, and with the superposed record strips 8 shown in cross-seo-' tion, between the guide plates 31, 4|. The lower end of needle 53 has a foot 54 projecting laterally therefrom and laterally of the feed direction. The set screw 48 permits of a selective axial ad edge of guide plate 4|.

justrnent of the needle 53 and holds the needle with its foot 54 at the proper selected level and position for its operation between the sets of strips 55 and 56. The strips 55 above foot 54 are selected to have their feed bands separated from their record receiving bands while the strips 56, below foot 54, are to be left without disturbing the connections between the feed and record receiving bands thereof. The inclination and location of needle 53 is similar to that of needle 41, except for the selective adjustment referred to above. The foot 54 is preferably flattened to adapt it for easy insertion between adjacent strips 8, and has its flattened surfaces substantially parallel with the strips 8.

When the strips 8 are propelled in the feed direction pastthe needle 53, only the selected strips 55 are separated into their respective bands l2, while the strips 56 remain intact without disturbance to the relation of their bands.

The separator of Fig. 10 is similar to that of Fig. 3, except that the guide plate 4| has a guide ear 51 extending laterally over the course of the severance lines in the strips being fed by the feed mechanism.

The lower surface of the car 51 forms a lateral extension of the guide surface of plate 4|. The slot 58 is parallel to the feed direction and makes room for needle 41 to project obliquely therethrough with a clearance space between the needleand the guide surface of the ear to aid the separating operation and to prevent clogging of the strips 8 or of particles therefrom between the needle and the guide car. It will be seen that when the strips move in the feed direction and needle 41 thrusts the strip 8 upward toward plate 4| and ear 51, the guide surface of ear 51 provides an abutment laterally on both the feed hand side of the needle and the record receiving band side, as compared with the Fig. 3 guide plate 4|, providing an abutment on only the feed hand side of the needle.

The Fig. 11 separator is somewhat like that of Fig. 10 but differs therefrom in having the needle 41 supported directly on the upturned end 45 of the plate 4|, the needle being held fast thereto under the head of screw 59. A groove 60, Fig. 12, may be provided in the upper surface of the car 51 to hold the needle 41 rigidly in the desired line extending through the course of travel of the severance lines l0, and in the desired plane normal to the strips 8. In the Fig. 11 separator, the acute angle between the needle 41 and the lower surface of car 51 where the needle projects into the path of the record strips, may be adjusted as desired, by varying the angle of bend between the plate 4| and its bent up end 45. A looped end 6| may be provided for needle 41 to serve as a handle therefor. The operation of the Fig. 11 separator is similar to that of Fig. 10.

The shear type of separator, shown in Figs. 13, 14, may be used in place of that of Fig. 3. The arm 62 projects laterally from the upper end of plate 4| and extends along the laterally adjacent The fissure 63 separates plate 4| from arm 62, and is positioned approximately over and in alignment with the severance lines between the feed bands II and record receiving bands l2 fed past the separator. The free end 64 of arm 62 serves as a separator element, in the form of a preferably flat shear plate having an approximately straight shearing edge which is inclined relatively to the laterally adjacent guide plates 4|, 31, the inclination being similar to that between the separator needle 41 and guide plates 4|, 31, and for similar reasons. The shape of the connection between the shear plate 64 and the main body of plate 4| is relatively unimportant, provided it presents a suitably stream-lined surface to allow of free passage'thereby of the separated portions of the strips. In theform shown, guide plate 4| and shear plate 64 are adapted to be made from a single sheet of metal, thus simplifying the construction and reducing its cost.

At the point 65 where the shear plate 64 is in closest lateral proximity to guide plate 4|, the spacing therebetween is made sufficient to avoid undesirable clogging of the strips or of particles from the strips in the spacing.

The upper surface of shear plate 64 is preferably parallel with the transverse dimension of the guide surface of plate 4|, so that the intersection of the respective planes of these two surfaces constitutes a line transverse to guide plate 4|, shear plate 64, and the feed direction, at approximately the point 65 where shearing takes place. The shearing edge of plate 64 in the vicinity of the shearing point 65 need not be sharp, but is preferably blunt and smooth, as in the case of the needle 41, Fig. 3. The feed bands II are guided in the arrow direction, Fig. 14, by the lower surface of plate 4| as in Fig. 3, while the record receiving bands I2 are directed in a course above the upper surface of shear plate 64. The shear plate 64 thus extends through the course of the strips being fed and is inclined to the guide surface of plate 4| at an acute angle pointing in the feed direction, the plane of the acute angle being normal to the guide surface of plate 4| and normal to the main surfaces of the feed bands. The bands l2 are thrust upward by the shear plate 64 and force the feed bands upward against the lower surface of guide plate 4| as an abutment, with gradually increasing force, so that progressive separation of the bands H, I2, takes place along the severance lines therebetween in the vicinity of point 65 of the separator.

It will be understood that the continuous webs or worksheets in the form of strips 8, for example, as shown in Fig. 6, may be supplied in the form of a roll instead of the pile of folded sections, Fig. 6.

It is further to be understood that the illustration of the tabulating machine is largely conventional, inasmuch as the invention relates more especially to the feed band separator and feeding mechanism adapted for use with the machine, or as an attachment for the machine. The details of the tabulating machine are, of course, such as may be found in commercial machines.

While the invention is intended particularly for use in separating the feed band portion from the record receiving band portion of a manifold assembly of superposed strips, it will be understood that the method and means described herein, may also be useful for separating the feed band from the record receiving band of a single strip of the manifold type unassembled with other strips.

Since certain changes may be made in the different embodiments of the invention described above, without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all the matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having described my invention, what I claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The method of separating the feed band portion of a manifold assembly of superposed record strips from the record receiving band portion of said assembly along weakened severance lines in superposed registration in said assembly between said portions, said method'including propelling the feed bands in a direction parallel with said severance lines while each strip is' substantially straight laterally from edge to edge, applying to a part of each strip in close proximity to the severance line therein a gradually increasing force progressing along the severance line and tending to deflect said part from lateral alignment with the main surface of the feed band while propelling the feed bands in the feed direction, and increasing said force sufficiently to cause the feed band portion of the assembly to separate progressively from the record receiving band portion thereof.

2. In a machine for separating the feed band portion of a record strip from the record receiving portion thereof along a weakened severance line therein, in combination, means for feeding the strip substantially parallel with said severance line, a guide having a surface providing an abutment for limiting movement of the feed band toward the abutment in a direction normal to its main surface and for guiding the feed band in the feed direction, and a separator element laterally adjacent said guide and adapted to intersect said strip at the severance line therein,, said separator element having a separating edge directed along said weakened line and being inclined to said guide surface in such a direction relative to the feed direction as to thrust said feed band toward said guide surface with increasing force until the feed band portion of the strip separates progressively from the record receiving band portion thereof.

3. In a machine for separating the feed band portion of a record strip from the record receiving portion thereof along a longitudinal weakened severance line therein, in combination, means for feeding the strip substantially parallel with said severance line, a guidehaving a surface providing an abutment for limiting movement of the feed band toward the abutment in a direction normal to the main surface of the feed band and for guiding the feed band in the feed direction, and a separator needle laterally adjacent said guide and adapted to intersect said strip at the severance line therein, said needle having a blunt separating edge directed along said weakened line and making with said guide surface an acute angle pointing in the feed direction.

4. In a machine for separating the feed band portion of a record strip from the record receiving portion thereof along a weakened severance line therein, in combination, a pin feed unit having a row of pins for meshing with perforations through the feed band portion of said strip for propelling said strip in a direction parallel with said severance line, a guide adjacent said row of pins for guiding the feed band in proper relation with said pins, and a strip severing device adjacent to but laterally out of alignment with said row of pins and in the path of said severance line for progressively separating said feed band from said strip while said pin feed unit propels the strip in the feed direction.

5. The method of separating the feed band portion of selected strips, less than the whole member, in a manifold assembly of superposed record strips from the record receiving band' portion of said selected strips along weakened severance lines in said assembly between said portions while each strip is substantially straight laterally from edge to edge, said method including feeding the feed bands parallel with the severance lines in said strips, applying to each said selected strip at a part thereof in close proximity to the severance line therein a gradually increasing force progressing along the severance line and tending to deflect said part from lateral alignment with the surface of the feed band while propelling the feed bands in the feed direction, and increasing said force until the feed band portion of each said selected strip progressively separates from the record receiving band portion thereof, and leavingundisturbed the relation between other bands in said assembly.

6. In a machine for separating the feed band portion of a strip along a weakened severance line therein, in combination, means for feeding the strip substantially parallel with said severance line, a guide having a surface providing an abutment for limiting movement of the feed band toward the abutment in a direction normal to the main surface of the feed band and for guiding the feed band in the feed direction, a separator element laterally adjacent said guide and having a blunt separating edge directed along said weakened line, and a deflector in the path of the resulting separated feed band portion of the assembly for deflecting said portion away from the record receiving band portion of said assembly.

7. In a machine for separating the feed band from a strip along a weakened severance line therein, in combination, a pin feed unit having a row of pins for meshing with perforations in the feed band portion of said strip and for propelling the feed band, a feed band guide having a slot therein permitting the unobstructed travel of said pins along the slot, said guide having a surface for guiding the feed band in feed transmitting relation with the pins propelling the feed band, and a separator element laterally adjacent said guide having a blunt separating edge positioned to intersect said strip at the severance line therein, said guide surface and said separator element having an acute angle therebetween pointing in the feed direction, the plane of the acute angle being substantially normal to said guide surface.

8. In a machine for separating the feed band from a strip having a weakened severance line, in combination, means for feeding the strip substantially parallel with said severance line, a guide plate adjacent said mechanism and adapted to guide said feed band in relation with said feeding mechanism, said guide plate having a guide ear extending laterally over the course of the severance line in the strip being fed by said mechanism, a separator element, said ear having an aperture through which said separator element projects into and through the course of the severance line in the strip being fed, said separator element and the guide surface of said ear having an acute angle therebetween pointing in the feed direction, the edge of said aperture being spaced away from said separator element.

9. A separator for strip feeding machines of the character described, including a pair of opposed guide elements having surfaces between which the strips are fed, a shear plate laterally adjacent said elements and extending through the course of strips fed between said elements, one of said guide elements having an elongated slot for the accommodation of traveling feed pins and having a longitudinal edge portion, said shear plate being positioned adjacent to said longitudinal edge portion and cooperating therewith toform a shearing device for shearing the marginal parts from the strips being fed.

10. In a machine of the character described, in combination, feed mechanism for feeding a strip having a longitudinal feed band separated from the strip by a longitudinal weakened severance line, said feed mechanism including a traveling series of feed pins, a plurality of which simultaneously engage with apertures in said feed band at an elongated reach thereof, guide means for guiding said strip and feed band at said elongated reach, and a separator element transecting the course of the strip adjacent to said guide and having a dull blunt separating edge directed in line with said weakened severance line of the advancing strip.

11. In a machine of the character described, in combination, feed mechanism for feeding a strip having a longitudinal feed band separated from the strip by a longitudinal weakened severance line, said feed mechanism including a traveling series of feed pins, a pluralityof which simultaneously engages with apertures in said feed band at an elongated reach thereof, guide means for guiding said strip and feed band at said elongated reach, and a separator element transecting the course of the strip adjacent to said guide and having a cylindrical separating surface directed along the line of said weakened severance line as the strip is fed against the separator element.

12. In a machine for separating during feeding 'of a strip assembly one or more feed bands from the strips of the assembly along weakened severance lines thereof, in combination, means for effecting strip feed, a guide for guiding said feed band or bands during feeding thereof, and a separator element adjacent to said guide and adapted to intersect one or more selected assembly strips, less than the whole number, at the said severance line or lines thereof, said guide and said separator element having an acute angle therebetween pointed in the direction of feed, said separator element having a foot projecting laterally therefrom and laterally of the direction of feed for insertion between said selected strips and the non-selected strips.

13. In a machine of the character described,

in combination, a. pair of strip guide plates having opposed guide surfaces between which strips having feed apertures are fed and guided, strip feed pins running adjacent to one of said guide plates and engaging in said strip feed apertures to effect strip feed, and a strip separator element secured in operative position on one of said guide plates adjacent to said feed pins when in strip feeding engagement and projecting into and through the course of the feeding strips. I

14. In a machine of the character described, in combination, means for guiding and feeding strips having pin feed apertures, said strip feeding means including feed pins positioned to engage in said feed apertures to effect strip feed. and a strip separator element secured in operative position adjacent to said feed pins when in strip feeding engagement and projecting into and through the course of the feeding strip.

15. In a machine of the character described, in combination, means for guiding and feeding a strip having pin feed apertures arranged in a longitudinal series and having a longitudinal weakened severance line adjacent to the feed apertures, said strip feeding means including feed pins positioned to engage in said feed apertures to effect strip feed, and a strip separator element secured in operative position adjacent to said feed pins when in strip feeding engagement, and projecting into and through the course of the feeding strip, said separator element having a blunt separating edge directed along the line of said weakened severance line when the strip is fed by said feed pins against the separator element.

16. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a pair of strip guide plates having opposed guide surfaces between which strips having feed, apertures are fed and guided, means for mounting one of said guide plates for movement into guiding position and into inoperative position away from the strips, strip feed pins running adjacent to said movably mounted guide plate and engaging in said strip feed aperures to effect strip feed,and a strip separator element secured in operative position on said movably mounted guide plate adjacent to said feed pins when in strip feeding engagement and projecting into and through the course of the feeding strips.

CARL R. MABON.

DISCLAIMER 2,208,994.Oarl R. Mabon, Niagara Falls, N. Y. FEED BAND SEPARATOR FOR STRIP FEEDING MECHANISM. Patent dated July 23, 1940. Disclaimer filed July 24, 1947, by the assignee, Moore Business Forms, Inc. Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 4, 10, 14, and 15, and to claim 11 of said patent except as to the limitation cylindrical appearing therein.

[Ofiicial Gazette September 23, 1.947.]

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