Paper picking system and method

Abstract

A paper picking system and method, the system comprising a roller spanning the width of the paper, clamping unit positioned along the roller and elevating means for elevating the roller and the plurality of clamping units having clamping portions and surface-contact portions, wherein the clamping portions are positioned at a given distance from the roller when the roller and the surface-contact portions are in contact with the surface of the paper, and wherein the clamping portions are in contact with the roller when the roller and the surface-contact portions are not in contact with the surface of the paper.

1 . A slip-sheet picking and discarding mechanism comprising: 
 a roller having a longitudinal dimension spanning the width of said slip-sheet;    rotating means connected with said roller;    at least one clamping means arranged along the longitudinal dimension of said roller, each said at least one clamping means having a clamping portion and a surface-contact portion: and    elevating means for elevating said roller and said at least one clamping means, wherein said clamping portion is positioned at a given distance from said roller when said roller and said surface-contact portion are in contact with the surface of said slip-sheet, and wherein said clamping portion is in contact with said roller when said roller and said surface-contact portion are not in contact with the surface of said slip-sheet.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , additionally comprising disposal means for disposing said slip-sheet.  
   
   
       3 . In a CTP imager, a method of picking a topmost slip-sheet from a stack of plates, comprising the steps of: 
 providing an apparatus comprising: 
 a roller having a longitudinal dimension spanning the width of said slip-sheet;  
 rotating means connected with said roller;  
 at least one clamping means arranged along the longitudinal dimension of said roller, each said at least one clamping means having a surface-contact portion and a clamping-portion; and  
 elevating means for elevating said roller and said at least one clamping means, wherein said clamping portion is positioned at a given distance from said roller when said roller and said surface-contact portion are in contact with the surface of said topmost slip-sheet, and  
 wherein said clamping portion is in contact with said roller when said roller and said surface-contact portions are not in contact with the surface of said topmost slip-sheet;  
   positioning said apparatus in a first position, wherein said roller and said surface-contact portion are in contact with said topmost slip-sheet;    rolling said roller, thereby creating a fold in said topmost slip-sheet and stopping said rolling operation according to predefined criteria; and    lifting said apparatus, thereby clamping said fold between said surface-contact portion and said roller.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , additionally comprising, after said step of lifting, the step of: 
 rolling said roller a second time, thereby releasing said slip-sheet.