A machine for processing individual sheets comprises at least one processing station, in particular in inkjet printing station, and a transport system (100) for transporting the individual sheets through the processing station, along a transport direction. The transport system (100) comprises at least one gripper conveyor (150) movable along the transport direction, for gripping one of the individual sheets defining a sheet position in transport direction. The transport system (100) further comprises at least one support conveyor (190) movable along the transport direction for supporting a region of the individual sheet, wherein the support conveyor (190) comprises a vacuum system for supporting the individual sheet on an interacting surface of the support conveyor, the vacuum system comprising a plurality of orifices in the interacting surface. The machine allows for efficient and flexible handling of individual sheets, in particular large format sheets of materials such as corrugated cardboard or other materials that have a certain degree of inherent stability.

A method and apparatus for transporting a discrete element is disclosed. A preferably rotatably driven vacuum commutation zone (or internal vacuum manifold), preferably internal to a preferably independently driven porous vacuum roll or drum is disclosed. The vacuum manifold applies vacuum through pores in the driven porous vacuum roll or puck in order to hold material against an external surface of the vacuum roll or puck. By independently controlling the vacuum commutation zone and the driven porous surface, unique motion profiles of the vacuum commutation zone relative to the driven porous surface can be provided. Micro vacuum commutation port structures are also disclosed.

The invention provides a fiber product folding and stacking system comprising at least one folding wheel, a plurality of suction channels, a plurality of valves and a plurality of passages. The folding wheel includes a plurality of protruding wheels and a plurality of recessing wheels. The protruding wheels and the recessing wheels are adjacent to each other, and suction channels are arranged within the protruding wheels. The passages are disposed in the folding wheel and are fluidly connected to the suction channel. The valves are disposed within the recessing wheels of the folding wheel, and include a connecting opening, a valve channel and a valve opening. When the folding wheel rotates, portion of the suction channels will be fluidly connected to the valve channel through the passage and the valve opening to generate a negative pressure thereon for absorbing the fiber product.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for transporting a discrete element. A preferably rotatably driven vacuum commutation zone (or internal vacuum manifold), preferably internal to a preferably independently driven porous vacuum roll or drum is disclosed. The vacuum manifold applies vacuum through pores in the driven porous vacuum roll or puck in order to hold material against an external surface of the vacuum roll or puck. By independently controlling the vacuum commutation zone and the driven porous surface, unique motion profiles of the vacuum commutation zone relative to the driven porous surface can be provided. Micro vacuum commutation port structures are also disclosed.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for transporting a discrete element. A preferably rotatably driven vacuum commutation zone (or internal vacuum manifold), preferably internal to a preferably independently driven porous vacuum roll or drum is disclosed. The vacuum manifold applies vacuum through pores in the driven porous vacuum roll or puck in order to hold material against an external surface of the vacuum roll or puck. By independently controlling the vacuum commutation zone and the driven porous surface, unique motion profiles of the vacuum commutation zone relative to the driven porous surface can be provided. Micro vacuum commutation port structures are also disclosed.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for transporting a discrete element. A preferably rotatably driven vacuum commutation zone (or internal vacuum manifold), preferably internal to a preferably independently driven porous vacuum roll or drum is disclosed. The vacuum manifold applies vacuum through pores in the driven porous vacuum roll or puck in order to hold material against an external surface of the vacuum roll or puck. By independently controlling the vacuum commutation zone and the driven porous surface, unique motion profiles of the vacuum commutation zone relative to the driven porous surface can be provided. Micro vacuum commutation port structures are also disclosed.

In one example, a media support includes a continuous loop belt and multiple suction cups arranged along the outer perimeter of the belt. Each suction cup has a port aligned with a hole in the belt so that air may be evacuated from the suction cup when connected to a vacuum source.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for transporting a discrete element. A preferably rotatably driven vacuum commutation zone (or internal vacuum manifold), preferably internal to a preferably independently driven porous vacuum roll or drum is disclosed. The vacuum manifold applies vacuum through pores in the driven porous vacuum roll or puck in order to hold material against an external surface of the vacuum roll or puck. By independently controlling the vacuum commutation zone and the driven porous surface, unique motion profiles of the vacuum commutation zone relative to the driven porous surface can be provided. Micro vacuum commutation port structures are also disclosed.

The invention relates to a device (100) for transporting and separating blanks (1010) from a material web (1000), comprising a vacuum cylinder (8) for transporting the blanks (1010), a vacuum transport cylinder (7) for further transporting the blanks (1010), and a control unit (9). According to the invention, the vacuum cylinder (8) has a pivotable vacuum segment (82) and a rotary actuator (85) is provided for rotating the vacuum segment during operation. This makes it possible to reduce the effective vacuum region on a surface of the vacuum cylinder (8). The invention also relates to a method for transporting and separating blanks from a material web. A device and method enable a gentler and more accurate transfer of blanks from a vacuum cylinder to a vacuum transport cylinder.