Inventors:
Christopher D. Caron - Longmont CO
Donald W. Schaefer - Lakewood CO
Assignee:
International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY
International Classification:
B65H 2932
Abstract:
A low inertia rotary drum supports flexible sheets of different sizes for transport and processing. A plurality of slots are disposed on the surface of the drum. The slots are configured in spaced relation along the longitudinal and circumferential dimension of the drum. A plurality of holes or communicating ports are disposed in the slots. The holes interconnect the interior of the drum with the surface. The number of holes varies circumferentially and longitudinally. A vacuum system having a relatively low vacuum and a relatively high flow rate is coupled to the interior of the drum. Sheets are loaded onto the drum so that a minimum number of holes are vented to the atmosphere.