Martin M Selak

US Patent:

51333961, Jul 28, 1992

Filed:

Nov 20, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/616104

Inventors:

Martin M. Selak - Mount Prospect IL
George Selak - Streamwood IL
Pawel Pach - Schaumburg IL

Assignee:

Astro Machine Corporation - Elk Grove Village IL

International Classification:

B65H 2600

US Classification:

156361

Abstract:

A label-attaching machine for attaching labels carried on a partially transparent dispensing web for attachment to serially presented envelopes has a two-beam optical sensing unit to govern the synchronization of label feeding by determining the location of the leading edge of the next label to be dispensed. One beam senses the optical transmission of label-bearing regions of the web, and the other beam reads the optical transmission of label-free used web. A comparator circuit balances the signal strengths of the two beams to provide a signal condition indicative of label edge passage. A zip code sort is provided for use in conjunction with the same optical sensor. Labels of a common zip code are serially affixed to the web, and the arrival of a new zip code is flagged by an oversize gap between the last label bearing one zip code and the next label bearing the first of the new zip codes. A feed control system responsive to the optical sensing system responds to the long duration sensing of a long web gap to govern suitable sorting systems. A movable label dispensing head carries one of a pair of label-affixing pinch rollers through an arc to provide a controllable separation between the two pinch rollers, and a resilient biasing spring returns the upper pinch roller into secure contact with the media passing thereby.

US Patent:

45925429, Jun 3, 1986

Filed:

Feb 29, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/584793

Inventors:

Martin Selak - Des Plaines IL

Assignee:

Astro Machine Corporation - Elk Grove Village IL

International Classification:

B65H 344
B65H 308

US Classification:

271 9

Abstract:

Sheet feeding apparatus with an adjustable stack support in confronting relation to a feed opening able to accommodate sheets of various widths, so that one or more stacks of sheets can be supported along the feed opening with the longitudinal center line of any stack being positionable along different selected points along the length of the feed opening. At least about eight selectively controlled suction cups are aligned parallel to the length of the feed opening and encompass most of the opening engaging the bottom surface of the bottom sheet in any stack of sheets and withdraw the sheet from the stack. The spacing between contiguous margins of the suction cups is much less than about two diameters of each cup. The suction cups are preferably supported on the top of a pneumatic tube and are raised with the tube to engage the bottommost sheet in the stack. The pneumatic tube is mounted for pivotal movement upon a rockable carrier framework.

US Patent:

47280921, Mar 1, 1988

Filed:

Mar 21, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/842314

Inventors:

Martin Selak - Des Plaines IL

Assignee:

Astro Machine Corporation - Elk Grove Village IL

International Classification:

B65H 308

US Classification:

271100

Abstract:

Sheet feeding apparatus includes a relatively small number of horizontally adjustable suction cups distributed over the length of a feed opening. The suction cups are raisable to grasp the bottommost sheet in the stack at the most ideal position to assure removal of the sheet from the feed opening. Adjustable guide members align the corners of a stack of sheets above the feed opening. Each suction cup is fed from a separate pneumatic tube extending from a manually switchable control panel where a source of low suction pressure is selectively connectible to the suction cups in various connection combinations.

US Patent:

41283260, Dec 5, 1978

Filed:

Jun 2, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/802812

Inventors:

Martin M. Selak - Des Plaines IL

Assignee:

Astro Engineering Co. - Skokie IL

International Classification:

G03D 304

US Classification:

354317

Abstract:

A chemical dispensing system having its most important use in dispensing flowable developing and finishing chemicals upon exposed lithographic printing plates comprises a supply container for each of the chemicals positioned immediately above the dispensing station therefor, each supply container containing continuously moving stirring means for keeping the chemical continuously in motion to homogenize the same. A number of flexible, laterally spaced dispensing tubes extend downwardly from each supply container, and a flow control valve is provided for each tube which pinches it into a closed position at a point near the container so that the volume of liquid which remains in the tube between the tube pinch point and the container is relatively small. The pinch valve comprises a unique combination of adjusting screws, a pressure-applying member and a spring member to control the closing pressure on each dispensing tube and the limited degree to which the tube is released, to permit small accurately controlled amounts of chemical to be dispensed through the dispensing tube. The spring member, upon release of closing pressure on each tube springs out to shake loose and distribute any particles which have settled out in the tube, to avoid clogging and to homogenize the chemical involved when it flows through the valve.

US Patent:

44376570, Mar 20, 1984

Filed:

Jun 15, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/273573

Inventors:

Martin Selak - Des Plaines IL

Assignee:

Astro Machine Corp. - IL

International Classification:

B65H 308

US Classification:

271100

Abstract:

Sheet feeding apparatus comprises longitudinally and laterally adjustable stacking members for retaining on a support tray one or more stacks of sheets to be fed from a feed opening exposing an end portion of the bottom sheet. Flexible spring lips form an adjustable width support ledge at the front of the feed opening which supports the front end of each stack of sheets. About 8 or more relatively closely spaced suction cups, encompassing the length of the feed opening and preferably supported on the top of a pneumatic tube, are raised with the tube to engage the bottom-most sheet in the stack. The pneumatic tube is mounted for pivotal movement upon a rockable carrier framework. The tube inclination and position relative to the sheet engaged by the suction cups are varied in a manner to ensure reliable removal of only one sheet at a time by the suction cups which pull the sheet with a wiping contact against the deflected ledge-forming spring lips.

US Patent:

47142421, Dec 22, 1987

Filed:

Mar 21, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/842622

Inventors:

Martin Selak - Des Plaines IL

International Classification:

B65H 308

US Classification:

271100

Abstract:

Sheet feeding apparatus comprises suction cups which initially engages the bottom surface of a bottommost sheet in a stack of sheets, with the suction plane thereof parallel to the sheet. The suction cups are then raised a small distance where the cups are tilted in a direction away from a support ledge without any substantial horizontal movement thereof, and following which the suction cups are lowered to pull the front end of the bottommost sheet past the support ledge with a wiping contact and down upon the top and front portions of a drive roller. Adjustable suction cup position control apparatus is provided including a manually progressively adjustable member for varying the peak elevation reached by the suction cups. A stationary cam is provided against which a pivotable follower portion of a suction cup mounting member rides, to vary the inclination of the mounting member and the suctoin cups carried thereby as the elevation of the suction cups is varied. The common gripping plane of the suction cups are maintained at an angle corresponding to the varying tangent lines extending from the varying points of contact of the sheet as it is pulled down upon the drive roller.

US Patent:

39348687, Jan 27, 1976

Filed:

Dec 7, 1973

Appl. No.:

5/422877

Inventors:

Martin Selak - Des Plaines IL

Assignee:

Astro Engineering Corporation - Skokie IL

International Classification:

B65H 128
B65H 308
B65H 906
B65H 910

US Classification:

271 9

Abstract:

Pneumatic means are synchronously coupled to an offset machine or the like in order to positively separate and pull down the bottom sheet in a stack. Movement of the pneumatic means is synchronized with the movement of a pivotal roller that advances the pulled-down sheet onto a conveyor belt for delivery of the sheet to the utilization device. The sheet being fed is automatically aligned in a lateral direction by movable guide means that are synchronized with the feeding of the sheet. The forward edges of the lower most sheets on the stack are separated by a flow of air.

US Patent:

52636992, Nov 23, 1993

Filed:

Jun 3, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/892566

Inventors:

Martin M. Selak - Mount Prospect IL
Vlado Radic - Park Ridge IL

International Classification:

B65H 508

US Classification:

271 15

Abstract:

A side edge alignment system for pre-aligning side edges of sheet stock prior to feeding them into a printing press employs a sheet engaging vacuum suction member driven reciprocatingly across the feed path of the press. As the member travels towards a side alignment stop the engaged sheet is aligned upon engaging the stop. The suction level is adjustable so that the suction member disengages to slide over the top surface of the aligned sheet after engagement with the side alignment stop. Suction is terminated before the return stroke of the suction member. For stack feeding operations the side alignment stop is configured as a rail having planar upper and lower vertical wall surfaces, the upper being offset away from the suction member. Initial stack alignment is secured by lower elements of the stack engaging the lower face of the side alignment stop, leaving upper sheets at a standoff distance from the upper stop surface. Movement of the top sheet by the suction number causes it to move towards and into engagement with the upper surface of the side alignment stop.