A system for handling sheets of flexible material. The system comprises a first roller (5.2) which comprises a plurality of first releasable connectors (3.2) and a second roller (5.3) which comprises a plurality of second releasable connectors. The system further comprises an array of third releasable connectors (2.1) which is displaceable between at least the first and second rollers (5.2, 5.3). The first, second and third releasable connectors releasably attach to a sheet of flexible material in use.

A bonding apparatus includes a first holder, a first transforming device, a second holder, a second transforming device, a suction device and a control device. The first holder attracts and holds a first substrate from above. The first transforming device transforms the first substrate held by the first holder such that a central portion of the first substrate is protruded downwards. The second holder is provided under the first holder, and attracts and holds a second substrate, which is to be bonded to the first substrate, from below. The second transforming device transforms the second substrate held by the second holder such that a central portion of the second substrate is protruded upwards. The suction device generates different attracting forces in multiple division regions included in an attraction region of the second substrate. The control device controls the suction device.

A sheet suction device includes a drum having multiple suction ports in a circumferential surface of the drum, the drum configured to bear a sheet on the circumferential surface and rotate in a circumferential direction of the drum, and a suction device configured to suck the sheet through the multiple suction ports to attract the sheet on the circumferential surface. The drum includes multiple suction regions aligned in the circumferential direction on the circumferential surface, each of the multiple suction regions includes the multiple suction ports aligned in the circumferential direction and in an axial direction of the drum on the circumferential surface, the multiple suction regions include an upstream region, a middle region, and a downstream region in the circumferential direction, and the middle region has the multiple suction ports at both outer sides in the axial direction of the drum.

Disclosed is a transfer wheel, a transfer device and a method for transferring a strip, in particular a run-flat reinforcement strip or a sidewall strip, to a tire building drum, wherein the transfer wheel defines a retaining area that is divided into a first end section for retaining the leading end, a second end section for retaining the trailing end and a main section for supporting the strip body. The transfer wheel has a first mounting member that defines first mounting positions for receiving a first group of retaining segments at the first end section, wherein the first group of retaining segments includes first body retaining segments for retaining the strip body and a first end retaining segment for retaining the leading end, wherein the first mounting member is arranged for interchangeably receiving one first body retaining segment or the first end retaining segment in each first mounting position.

A printing system comprises an ink deposition assembly, a media transport device, and an airflow control system. The ink deposition assembly comprises printheads to deposit a print fluid, such as ink, on print media, such as paper, transported through a deposition region. The media transport device holds the print media against a movable support surface, such as a belt, by vacuum suction through holes in the media transport device and transports the print media though the deposition region. The airflow control system comprises one or more valves that are actuatable between an open state and a closed state, each valve blocking a subset of the holes in the closed state. The airflow control system also comprises one or more actuators to actuate the valve(s). The actuator(s) selectively actuate the valve(s) between the open and closed states based on a position of an inter-media zone between adjacent print media.

A sheet suction device includes a bearing member configured to bear a sheet on a circumferential surface of the bearing member and rotate in a first direction, a plurality of suction holes in a bearing region in the circumferential surface of the bearing member, a suction device connected to the plurality of suction holes, the suction device configured to suck the sheet through the plurality of suction holes, and a first member between the plurality of suction holes and the suction device, the first member rotatable in a second direction different from the first direction to change a suction region of the suction device connected to the plurality of suction holes. A rotation of the first member in the second direction expands the suction region of the suction device in the bearing region of the bearing member.

A device (10) for optically controlling a face (13) of a blank (12) has a vacuum conveyor (20) capable of transporting the blank (12) along a path of travel (15) and which includes a conveyor belt (22) having an apertured structure of which the conveying path follows the path of travel (15) of the blank (12). A suction device (40) is suitable for pressing the blank (12) against the conveyor belt (14). An inspection device (30) inspects the face (13) of the blank (12) during its conveyance by the vacuum conveyor (20). The inspection device is located on the side opposite the vacuum conveyor (20). The suction device (40) delimits three separate successive suction sections (41, 42, 43) along the path of travel (15), including a central suction section (42) that extends opposite the inspection device (30), an upstream suction section (41) and a downstream suction section (43).

A sheet conveying device includes: a holding mechanism configured to hold suction members; and a driving device including a rotary shaft which is rotatable about a second axis parallel to the first axis and a connecting mechanism configured to connect the rotary shaft and suction members to each other; and a support mechanism configured to support the holding mechanism and the drive device. The connecting mechanism is connected to the suction members in a state where the suction members are movable in a radial direction of the circle about the first axis. The support mechanism supports the holding mechanism and the drive device such that the holding mechanism and the drive device are relatively movable from each other in a direction orthogonal to the first axis.

Disclosed is a transfer wheel, a transfer device and a method for transferring a strip, in particular a run-flat reinforcement strip or a sidewall strip, to a tire building drum, wherein the transfer wheel defines a retaining area that is divided into a first end section for retaining the leading end, a second end section for retaining the trailing end and a main section for supporting the strip body. The transfer wheel has a first mounting member that defines first mounting positions for receiving a first group of retaining segments at the first end section, wherein the first group of retaining segments includes first body retaining segments for retaining the strip body and a first end retaining segment for retaining the leading end, wherein the first mounting member is arranged for interchangeably receiving one first body retaining segment or the first end retaining segment in each first mounting position.

A sheet suction device includes a sheet carrier, a suction unit, and a rotary body. The sheet carrier has a carrying region. The carrying region includes a plurality of suction openings. The sheet carrier is configured to rotate while holding a sheet. The suction unit is configured to communicate with the plurality of suction openings and suck air via the plurality of suction openings. The rotary body is disposed between the plurality of suction openings and the suction unit. The rotary body is configured to rotate to change a number of suction openings that communicate with the suction unit, among the plurality of suction openings of the sheet carrier.