Devices and methods for flipping a sheet with blowing assistance

Abstract

A rotary sheet flipper may not properly flip certain types of sheets, for example sheets with a low beam strength. The invention relates to devices and methods for flipping a sheet with blowing assistance. According to various aspects of the invention, devices and methods for flipping a sheet are provided comprising receiving an end of the sheet, flipping the end with the sheet otherwise unrestrained; and blowing the sheet to assist flipping the sheet. Numerous variations and modifications are evident in light of the description provided herein.

1 . A sheet handling device for flipping a sheet comprising a sheet end, comprising: 
 a rotary sheet flipper comprising a sheet holder that receives the sheet end and flips the sheet end with the sheet otherwise unrestrained; and,    a blowing source oriented to assist flipping the sheet.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , the sheet holder comprising a wheel mounted on a shaft, the wheel comprising a tongue that defines a slot that receives the sheet end.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , comprising an adjustable mount that permits re-orientating the blowing source.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3 , the adjustable mount comprising a bracket.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , comprising a tamper that traps the sheet end after flipping.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , the sheet holder comprising a surface, and further comprising a tamper that traps the sheet end after flipping, the tamper comprising a tamper shaft, a tamper arm mounted to the tamper shaft that engages the sheet end, and a cam arm mounted to the tamper shaft that interacts with the cam.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , the blowing source comprising a tube perforated with an array of holes.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , the rotary sheet flipper being rotatable about an axis of rotation, the blowing source comprising a tube with a longitudinal axis parallel to the axis of rotation and perforated with an array of holes.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8 , the tube comprising an adjustable mount that permits re-orientating the tube.  
   
   
       10 . A sheet flipping method, comprising: 
 receiving an end of the sheet;    flipping the end with the sheet otherwise unrestrained; and    blowing the sheet to assist flipping the sheet.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , comprising placing the sheet on a stack of sheets.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , comprising orienting and re-orientating the blowing.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , comprising trapping the sheet end after flipping.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10 , comprising placing the sheet on a stack of sheets and trapping the sheet end on the stack of sheets after flipping.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10 , comprising blowing the sheet with a blowing source and orienting the blowing source.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 10 , comprising blowing the sheet with a blowing source and orienting the blowing source by moving it in a first direction, a second direction, and at least a third direction.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 10 , comprising blowing the sheet with a blowing source and orienting the blowing source by rotating it.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 10 , comprising blowing the sheet with a blowing source and orienting the blowing source by translating it and rotating it.  
   
   
       19 . A sheet flipping method, comprising: 
 receiving an end of the sheet in a rotary sheet flipper;    flipping the end of the sheet with the sheet otherwise unrestrained by rotating the sheet flipper about an axis of rotation; and    blowing the sheet with a blowing source to assist flipping the sheet, the blowing source comprising a tube with a longitudinal axis parallel to the axis of rotation and perforated with an array of holes.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , comprising placing the sheet on a stack of sheets, the array of holes being deflected toward the stack of sheets.