Abstract: A feeding device includes: a feeder that feeds a first medium disposed on a top of plural media loaded; a detector that detects at least one of a curved state and an inclination of the first medium and following media including a second medium disposed immediately below the first medium; and a modifier that modifies a condition related to a feeding operation of the feeder based on the at least one of the curved state and the inclination detected by the detector.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating individual flat, bendable objects from the underside of a stack of such objects. The apparatus includes a stacking area having a support region, a roller arrangement produced from a plurality of rollers, the roller arrangement supporting the stack from below in the support region, as well as a separating and holding device for separating the objects from the underside of the stack. The rollers of the roller arrangement are guided along a circular path so as to be movable past under the stack in the support region. The apparatus further includes a supporting and stopping device for positioning the supporting and stopping device in a holding position between the stack and the rollers of the roller arrangement.

Abstract: A sheet feeder for separating sheets from a stack and for feeding the sheets to a downstream sheet processing machine includes a first suction wheel and a second suction wheel. The first suction wheel is disposed above the stack and the second suction wheel is disposed downstream of the stack and below a sheet travel plane. The first suction wheel separates a respective sheet from the stack and the second suction wheel accelerates the sheet.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device having: a blowing device configured to blow air toward the stack of sheets placed in a predetermined stacking direction, thereby floating at least a top sheet from the stack; a suction/transportation mechanism that includes a suction belt provided above the mounting portion and configured to attract the top sheet floated by the blowing device to transport the attracted sheet in a predetermined transportation direction; and an image pickup device configured to capture images of the top sheet and the next sheet therebelow, and disposed so as to see through an area where a side of the top sheet and the suction belt, when viewed in a plan view in the stacking direction, are close to each other during the floating of the top sheet, to such an extent that the side of the top sheet essentially does not hang downward.

Abstract: A system for transporting an object between stations, for example, from a magazine to a conveyor is provided having a rotary apparatus having two arms, wherein a first arm rocks back and forth between two positions and a second arm rotates about an axis on the first arm. The second arm can be fixedly connected to a holder having one or more suction heads for grasping the object. Preferably, the holder is arranged parallel to the object and moved in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the object as the object is removed from the magazine. Additionally, the holder is preferably displaced above the conveyor and positioned to be parallel to the conveyor, after which the holder is moved toward the conveyor in a path that is perpendicular to the plane of the conveyor. Therefore, the lateral force, shearing force, and friction exerted on the object during removal from the magazine and deposition onto the conveyor can be minimized.

Abstract: A sheet take-out apparatus includes a supplying structure configured to move a plurality of sheets supplied in a stacking state in a stacking direction and supply a sheet at a leading edge thereof in a movement direction to a take-out position, a take-out structure configured to make contact with the sheet supplied to the take-out position and rotate, thereby taking out the sheet in a direction almost orthogonal to the stacking direction, and move the sheet to a conveying route, a suction structure configured to generate an air current to suck the sheet at the leading edge in the movement direction to the take-out position on an upstream side of a position where the take-out structure makes contact with the sheet in the sheet take-out direction by the take-out structure, and a controller configured to control an operation of the suction structure so as to decrease suction force by the suction structure when the sheet at the leading edge in the movement direction is not taken out by the take-out structure.

Abstract: A sheet supply device including an elevation section for up and down movement of the sheet bundle accommodated on the sheet placement table, blow sections for blowing air to the upper side surface of the sheet bundle to float up the sheet from the aforementioned sheet bundle, and a non-contact sheet detection sensor for detecting the existence or nonexistence of a sheet at the predetermined position of the aforementioned sheet placement table. The elevation drive motor is controlled in such a way as to move the sheet bundle up and down, based on the frequency or ratio of the sheet existence in the detection result of the sheet detection sensor in the operation mode of the blow section.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device is provided to separate a sheet from a plurality of stacked sheets and feed the sheet. The sheet feeding device includes a sheet stacking portion on which the sheets are stacked, a suction conveyance belt which separates the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking portion, one by one and feeds the sheet, and a separation rotating roller which is rotatable upon abutting on a rear portion, in a feeding direction, of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking portion. The separation rotating roller rotates in a direction which returns the sheet in synchronization with sheet feeding operation performed by the suction conveyance belt.

Abstract: A recording device includes a plurality of holes formed in the medium support part, a suction unit configured to suck out air via the holes, closing members configured and arranged to move in a direction away from the holes, an urging unit configured to urge the closing members toward the holes, and a sliding member configured and arranged to slide in a direction intersecting a moving direction in which the closing members move. The holes to be put into an opened state are selected by changing a position of the sliding member in the sliding direction.

Abstract: A feed apparatus for a printing press includes a first sucker device and a second sucker device. The first sucker device includes a guide nozzle, a sucker which is supported by said guide nozzle to be vertically movable and includes a chuck hole at a bottom for chucking the sheet, and a spring which biases said sucker toward a distal end of said guide nozzle. The guide nozzle includes a first air passage for drawing the sheet and a second air passage for drawing said sucker. The sucker includes a closing portion which closes said second air passage when said sucker is located at an upper limit against a biasing force of said spring.

Abstract: A take-out device includes a take-out mechanism which takes out postal matters supplied to a take-out position at one end of a deposit section one by one, a separating mechanism which separates second and subsequent postal matters that are carried along with a postal matter to be taken out from the take-out position, and an auxiliary mechanism which applies a negative pressure to the postal matter on the take-out position so as to feed it in both forward and opposite directions. The separating mechanism applies a negative pressure to the postal matter on the conveyance path via a plurality of adsorption holes of a separating roller so as to adsorb it, and applies a separating torque in an opposite direction to the take-out direction thereto.

Abstract: A method which is capable of completely separating a plate member with a large area without using a peeling member and eliminating a possibility of permanent deformation on the plate member. A plurality of suction pads are suckingly disposed on a surface of a topmost plate member in a substantially lattice shape. Then, while the topmost plate member is held by the suction pads disposed in a zigzag shape among the suction pads disposed in the substantially lattice shape, the topmost plate member is lifted by the remaining suction pads. Finally, the suction pads holding the topmost plate member are lifted.

Abstract: This invention is related to suction nozzles having a center protrusion for stabilizing a continuous web for various web property measurements. Suction nozzles blow air out of the nozzle, yet produce a vacuum proximate thereto. Two nozzles are disclosed, a single sided sheet-contact stabilizer and a non-contact sheet stabilizer. An air-bearing may be formed between the end surface of the center protrusion and the moving web.

Abstract: A feeder head includes suction belts to sequentially feed top sheets from a stack of sheets (e.g., paper). Before the belts receive suction and drive power, a suction cup raises the top sheet at a location between the belts to produce a corrugated shape in the top sheet which induce separation of a second sheet that might be adhered to the top sheet. A double sheet detector includes a pair of rollers forming a nip through which a fed sheet passes, causing the rollers to separate. The amount of separation is transmitted to a transducer which generates a signal proportional to the sheet thickness. Signals from the transducer are frequently sensed and averaged, so that signal variations resulting from irregularities in the shape of the rollers are canceled out.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating printing plates which are separated from one another in a stack, preferably individually by intermediate layers, has a lifting device for raising a printing plate or an intermediate layer from the stack. The apparatus further has a separating device for the intermediate layers, in particular as a constituent part of a loading device of a unit for setting images on printing plates. The separating device is configured as a rocker which can be pivoted onto the lifting device and can be pivoted away from the lifting device and contains suction elements and one drivable transport roller. An adhering intermediate layer is pulled off from the printing plate with the suction elements, and the intermediate layer is transported away with the transport roller.

Abstract: A paper-folding apparatus includes a hopper for holding one or more sheets of paper or other similar foldable media, a discharge feed and stripper assembly, a shuttle associated with the hopper operable to transfer a sheet of paper from the hopper to the discharge feed and stripper assembly, a conveyor that receives one or more sheets of paper from the discharge feed and stripper assembly, and a folding roller assembly that receives the one or more sheets of paper from the conveyor, folds, and then ejects the folded paper(s) from the paper-folding apparatus. A driver assembly including a motor and an arrangement of clutches is provided and is operable to actuate the shuttle, discharge feed and stripper assembly, conveyor, and folding roller assembly. A control panel is also provided to permit a user to manage and otherwise operate the paper-folding apparatus in an efficient manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for collating a plurality of separate groups or bundles of similar flats mailpieces arranged in a predetermined delivery point sequence, each mailpiece imprinted with a distinct delivery point or address indicia, to produce a single stream of mailpieces in new groups, where each new group comprises a plurality of mailpieces all addressed to a distinct delivery point. The apparatus comprises a plurality of feed units, each unit configured to process a quantity of similar mailpieces, each with a distinct delivery point indicia on the face of the mailpiece, and to deposit each mailpiece in a distinct pocket on a collation conveyor which traverses all of the plurality of feed units. Each pocket will ultimately contain different mail pieces, all addressed to the same delivery point Multiple new groups of mailpieces are then automatically placed in containers in a sequence corresponding to a predetermined delivery route.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for grouping a multitude of film-like or sheet-like materials, which are stacked in a magazine (20) and which consist of at least one material layer, using at least one suction apparatus (42), which suctions the film-like or sheet-like materials in a clocked matter while removing them from the magazine, whereby one film-like or sheet-like material at a time directly rests with a portion of its surface that forms a contact surface against the suction device. To this end, one portion of the magazine contents consists of gas-impermeable film-like or sheet-like materials whereas another portion contains film-like or sheet-like materials that are each provided with at least one gas-permeable zone. The invention develops a method for grouping film-like or sheet-like materials during which a number of film-like or sheet-like materials can be grouped without impairing the speed of subsequent processing.

Abstract: A method of feeding porous sheets from a stack is provided in which one or more air outlet nozzles and one or more air inlet nozzles are positioned in a pick-up position proximate a first sheet of the stack, a flow of air from the outlet nozzle(s) sufficient to penetrate the first sheet is generated so that a cushion of air is generated between the first sheet and a second sheet of the stack so as to lift the first sheet from the second sheet, a flow of air into the inlet nozzle(s) is generated so that the lifted first sheet is drawn against a pick-up surface defined by the inlet nozzle, and the inlet and outlet nozzles are reciprocally displaced between the pick-up position and a feed position in which a feed mechanism engages the first sheet.

Abstract: A device for lifting a porous sheet from a stack of such sheets includes a gas stream supply mechanism that is configured to generate a gas stream and is positioned so that, in use, the gas stream impinges on a first sheet of the stack. The gas stream supply mechanism is configured so that the gas stream penetrates the first sheet to generate a cushion of gas between the first sheet and a second sheet, thereby lifting the first sheet from the second sheet. A capturing mechanism captures the first sheet.

Abstract: A method of separating a sheet of print media from a stack of sheets, the sheets being porous, includes blowing fluid on to a top surface of a topmost sheet of the print media on the stack so that the fluid passes through at least the topmost sheet of the stack and capturing at least a part of the topmost sheet for conveyance to a printing station of a printer.

Abstract: A method of feeding porous sheets of media from a stack of such sheets includes the step of applying a gas flow to a first sheet of a stack, via a gas conduit and nozzle so that the gas passes partially through the first sheet and impinges on a second sheet, generating a cushion of air between the first and second sheets to separate the first and second sheets. The gas flow is reversed so that the first sheet is drawn towards a pick-up surface and retained against the pick-up surface. A pick-up device that defines the pick-up surface is displaced along the feed path so that the first sheet is fed from the stack along the feed path.

Abstract: A printing assembly for printing on porous sheets of media from a stack of such sheets includes a retaining structure that is configured to retain the stack in an aligned condition. A pick-up device on the retaining structure includes a gas conduit that is in fluid communication with a gas supply and a nozzle arrangement that is in fluid communication with the gas conduit. The nozzle arrangement is shaped to define a pick-up surface. The pick-up device is displaceable along a feed path relative to the retaining structure. The nozzle arrangement is capable of directing a flow of gas onto a first sheet of the stack such that the gas passes partially through the first sheet and impinges on a second sheet, generating a cushion of air between the first and second sheets to separate the first and second sheets. The gas supply is reversible so that the first sheet can be drawn towards the pick-up surface and retained against the pick-up surface.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for feeding porous sheets from a stack includes an air displacement device having an outlet conduit. Outlet nozzles are connected to the outlet conduit. The outlet nozzles are displaceable between a pick-up position proximate a first sheet of the stack and a feed position. The air displacement device is configured to generate a flow of air from the outlet nozzles sufficient to penetrate the first sheet such that a cushion of air is generated between the first sheet and a second sheet to lift the first sheet from the second sheet. An air extraction device has an inlet conduit. Inlet nozzles are connected to the inlet conduit. The inlet nozzles define a pick-up surface and are displaceable between a pick-up position proximate a first sheet of the stack and a feed position. The air extraction device is configured to generate a flow of air into the inlet nozzles such that the first sheet is drawn against the pick-up surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding porous sheets of media from a stack of such sheets includes a retaining structure that is configured to retain the stack in an aligned condition. A pick-up device is operatively arranged with respect to the retaining structure. The pick-up device includes a gas conduit that is in fluid communication with a gas supply and a nozzle arrangement that is in fluid communication with the gas conduit. The nozzle arrangement is shaped to define a pick-up surface. The pick-up device is displaceable along a feed path relative to the retaining structure. The pick-up device is positioned so that the nozzle arrangement is capable of directing a flow of gas onto a first sheet of the stack such that the gas passes partially through the first sheet and impinges on a second sheet, generating a cushion of air between the first and second sheets to separate the first and second sheets.

Abstract: A printer for printing on porous sheets of media fed from a stack of such sheets includes a gas stream supply mechanism that is configured to generate a gas stream and is positioned so that, in use, the gas stream impinges on a first sheet of the stack. The gas stream supply mechanism is configured so that the gas stream penetrates the first sheet to generate a cushion of gas between the first sheet and a second sheet, thereby lifting the first sheet from the second sheet. A capturing mechanism captures the first sheet and is displaceable between a pick-up position in which the first sheet is captured and a feed position. A displacement mechanism displaces the capturing mechanism between the pick-up and feed positions. A feed mechanism is arranged downstream of the capturing mechanism and is configured to engage the first sheet as the capturing mechanism is displaced from the pick-up position to the feed position and to feed the first sheet along a printing path.

Abstract: A feeding device for feeding a processing line with printed products, including folded or non-folded printed sheets, from a stack of printed products. The printed sheets are held in a magazine. A conveyor defines a circulating path and moves in a conveying direction for conveying the printed products to the processing line. A synchronously driven separating mechanism, which is pivotally attached to the magazine, acts upon a closed fold or an edge of the printed product and operates to partially remove the printed product from the stack of printed products. A gripping arrangement includes a controlled gripping device attached to the conveyor in a feeding region of the processing line and essentially moves along in the conveying direction for taking over the printed product from the separating mechanism by gripping a front edge of the printed product relative to the conveying direction.

Abstract: A method of separating a sheet of print media from a stack of sheets, the sheets being porous, includes blowing fluid on to a top surface of a topmost sheet of the print media on the stack so that the fluid passes through at least the topmost sheet of the stack and capturing at least a part of the topmost sheet for conveyance to a printing station of a printer.

Abstract: The device and method prevents a robot from carrying two blanks stuck together i.e., a double blank, from being transported storage station to a workstation. Suction cups on the robot arm grip the blank. The robot transports the blank to a double blank separation station, which has suction cups facing the opposite side of the blank. If the blank is a double blank, the opposing force from the suction cups pulls the blanks apart. The robot carries the separated single blank to the workstation. Instead of returning to the storage station to obtain another blank, the robot returns to the double blank separation station to pick up the separated blank that remained there.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a sheet of print media from a stack of porous sheets includes a sheet conveyor for conveying a topmost sheet of print media which has been separated from the stack to a printing station of a printer. A separator is associated with the sheet conveyor for separating the sheet of print media from the stack. The separator includes a fluid delivery arrangement for blowing fluid on to a top surface of the stack for effecting separation of the topmost sheet of print media from the stack. A capturing arrangement is carried by the sheet conveyor for capturing at least a part of the topmost sheet and for facilitating conveyance of the topmost sheet by the sheet conveyor to the printing station.

Abstract: A method of separating a sheet of print media from a stack of sheets, the sheets being porous, includes blowing fluid on to a top surface of a topmost sheet of the print media on the stack so that the fluid passes through at least the topmost sheet of the stack and capturing at least a part of the topmost sheet for conveyance to a printing station of a printer.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a sheet of print media from a stack of porous sheets includes a sheet conveyor for conveying a topmost sheet of print media which has been separated from the stack to a printing station of a printer. A separator is associated with the sheet conveyor for separating the sheet of print media from the stack. The separator includes a fluid delivery arrangement for blowing fluid on to a top surface of the stack for effecting separation of the topmost sheet of print media from the stack. A capturing arrangement is carried by the sheet conveyor for capturing at least a part of the topmost sheet and for facilitating conveyance of the topmost sheet by the sheet conveyor to the printing station.

Abstract: A lifting/pull-sucker drive mechanism for a separating element of a sheet-processing machine, having a drivable control cam for moving at least one lifting sucker, and having a drivable control cam for moving at least one pull sucker, respectively, includes a pivotable control cam for synchronizing a lifting movement of the at least one lifting sucker and a pulling movement of the at least one pull sucker.

Abstract: A method for separating a respective sheet from a sheet pile and transporting it to a sheet processing machine, wherein the respective sheet is lifted by at least one lifting suction device to a transfer level lying above a suction air intake level, and the respective sheet is taken over by at least one forwarding suction device at the transfer level, includes thereafter transporting the respective sheet by the forwarding suction device on the transfer level in a direction towards the sheet processing machine, and after transferring the sheet from the lifting suction device to the forwarding suction device, lifting the lifting suction device to an elevation level above the transfer level; a device for performing the method; and rotary printing machine and method of operation including the foregoing.

Abstract: A plate feeding and handling apparatus (10) that includes an improved plate feeder (32) and pick-up (36) that more effectively feed and remove plates from a stack of plates is disclosed.

Abstract: Device for cyclically lifting and lowering at least one lifting sucker in a feeder of a sheet-processing machine, wherein a sheet lifted by the lifting sucker is transferred to at least one pull sucker for further transport, the lifting sucker being operatively connected by a lifting-sucker transmission to a cyclically controlled drive, the lifting-sucker transmission including a coupler having a joint steplessly bringable onto various cam paths in accordance with a selective suction position of the lifting sucker, all of the cam paths having a common intersecting point.

Abstract: A top vacuum corrugation feeder includes articulating suction fingers to assist in raising the top sheet of a stack of sheets to the feedhead of the vacuum corrugation feeder. The suction fingers are rotated down from their interleaved position between feed belts to contact the top sheet in the sheet stack and raises the top sheet to the feed belts. As a result, the feeder can handle heavy sheets, curled sheets, and sheets which are edge welded.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding and unloading sheets of material, including a first sheet attraction device for lifting a topmost sheet from a stack; a device for checking that only a single sheet has been lifted; and a second sheet attraction device movable between operable and inoperable positions, whereby when in the operable position the second sheet attraction device can be attached to a sheet adhering beneath the topmost sheet, the first and second sheet attraction devices can be moved apart to separate the adhering sheets, and the topmost sheet suspended beneath the first sheet attraction device can be carried away.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for loading a sheet-like medium onto a drum without tension. The drum may be a vacuum drum of an imagesetter for example, or a vacuum drum of an input scanning machine.In order to load a sheet-like medium onto a drum without any tension, the sheet-like medium is taken over by take-over means before fixing it on the drum.

Abstract: A suction lifter in a feeder of a sheet processing machine is cyclically reciprocated for separating and picking up sheets from a sheet pile and transferring them to a towing sucker. A suction lifter drive is operatively connected to the suction lifter and the suction height, i.e. the spacing between the lifter and the top sheet on the sheet pile, may be adjusted with the suction lifter drive. The drive is a control cylinder which rotates around a cylinder axis and which is axially shiftable along the axis for the purpose of adjusting the suction height of the suction lifter.

Abstract: A partition inserter has a vacuum assembly which pivots out to contact an end partition in a stack, pivots back to remove the partition, and then moves downwardly to release the partition. The positioning of the vacuum assembly is controlled by a set of cams and a cam follower for controlling the horizontal position of the vacuum assembly and a third cam and cam follower for controlling the vertical position of the vacuum assembly. The vacuum assembly has an upper set of cups which move down with the assembly to lower the partition. The upper vacuum cups are also adjustably mounted to the assembly so that the same assembly may be used for partitions of various sizes. When the partition is released from the vacuum cups, the partition is guided downwardly by a pair of conveyors to a set of shooter wheels. The conveyor and shooter wheels are mounted to a set of plates which are adjustably mounted to the frame of the apparatus.

Abstract: In a production line for manufacturing wooden I-beams in a chords and webs assembly machine, a vacuum belt conveyor system is provided to sequentially feed bottom web members from beneath a web stack into a web run-up and drive system associated with the machine. The vacuum belt conveyor system features a vacuum supply box mounted between the web support rails through a series of vertical screw adjustment assemblies permitting adjustment of the inclination of the conveyor belt relative to the head drive pulley. A system of vacuum supply holes in the top plate of the vacuum box is utilized to apply a greater amount of vacuum to the leading end of the webs than the trailing end to minimize belt wear.

Abstract: An automatic sheet printing and alignment system includes a holding table; a transport system for moving the table through a plurality of stations; a first station for positioning a sheet on the table; a second station for printing features on the sheet positioned on the table; a third station for receiving the printed sheet from its position on the table to compile a stack of sheets with their printed features in predetermined alignment; and a control system for sequentially moving the table through the stations for repeatedly printing and stacking each sheet aligned with prior printed and stacked sheets received, transported and printed by the same table.

Abstract: 1. Apparatus for the storage and extraction of blanks (10) consisting of thin cardboard from a blank magazine (12).2.1. An extraction unit (16) having a sun wheel (17) and planet wheels (18, 19) rotating about the latter serves for the continuous extraction of blanks (10) consisting of thin cardboard from a blank magazine (12). Each planet wheel (18, 19) rotating about its own axis extracts a lower blank (10) of a blank stack (11) in the blank magazine (12) and transfers this onto the sun wheel (17). The blank is transferred from the latter, in conjunction with a transport disc (51, 52), into a blank track (14).2.2. The sun wheel (17) and the planet wheels (18, 19) grasp the blanks (10) solely in a middle region, namely in the region of a blank middle strip (46), with the exclusion of lateral folding tabs (39, 40; 41, 42).

Abstract: A printing press feeder capable of sheet feeding from the rear, sheet feeding from the front, or stream feeding from the rear, using tracks above a stock support for the feeder, the sheet feeder head being movably mounted on these tracks, and a movable drive connection from a power source to the sheet feeder head for driving of the sheet pickup advancers in the different head positions. The sheet feeder has first and second alternate drive mechanisms, on opposite ends of the transverse drive shaft, the first drive mechanism having a variable speed drive for sheet feeding individual sheets and slowing feed of each sheet as the sheet approaches the print cylinder, and the second drive mechanism having a constant speed drive for stream feeding overlapping sheets to the print cylinder. The press has nonprint lift cylinders engaging the squeegee mount and actuable to lift the squeegee out of print position, but still within the stencil screen frame, to allow the stencil screen frame to cycle without printing.

Abstract: A paper feed suction apparatus includes a cylindrical guide nozzle, a cylindrical intermediate nozzle with a collar, a tension coil spring, a bottomed-cylindrical suction port member, a compression coil spring, and a stopper. The cylindrical intermediate nozzle is supported on a frame side and has an inner hole connected to an air source. The cylindrical intermediate nozzle with the collar is fitted on an outer circumferential surface of the guide nozzle to be vertically movable. The tension coil spring has an upper end portion fixed on the guide nozzle side and a lower end portion fixed on the intermediate nozzle side, and biases the intermediate nozzle upward. The bottomed-cylindrical suction port member is fitted on an outer circumferential surface of the intermediate nozzle to be vertically movable and has a suction hole in its lower end face. The compression coil spring is interposed between the suction port member and the guide nozzle, and biases the suction port member downward.

Abstract: A photosensitive lithographic printing plate supplying apparatus includes a first suction device, which sucks an upper surface of an uppermost photosensitive lithographic printing plate of photosensitive lithographic printing plates stacked such that respective photosensitive surfaces thereof face downward and which raises the uppermost photosensitive lithographic printing plate, a second suction device, which sucks the upper surface of the raised uppermost photosensitive lithographic printing plate so as to support the photosensitive lithographic printing plate at one end thereof, and a rotating device which rotates the photosensitive lithographic printing plate supported on one end by the second suction device so that a photosensitive surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate faces upward. Accordingly, the photosensitive lithographic printing plates are supplied to an exposure device without the photosensitive surfaces thereof being contacted.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus (10) and method are disclosed that are fast, efficient, easy to set up and involve a minimum number of components. The sheet feeding mechanism (10) includes a first gripping member (20) comprised of two first suction cups (21) and a second gripping member (40) comprised of two second suction cups (41). The first suction cups (21) are moved along a first path (P1) between a first position and a second position by a first guide means (25). The second suction cups (41) are moved along a second path (P2) between a third position and a fourth position by a second guide means (60). Vacuum means (22,42) are connected to the suction cups (21,41) for picking up, holding and releasing sheets (TS). The first suction cups (21) pick up a sheet (TS) and transfer it to the second suction cups (41) which take the sheet (TS) to a lamination unit (LU1,LU2).

Abstract: A device for locking a suction nozzle of a separating sucker on a suction head of a sheet feeder of a sheet-processing machine, the suction head carrying a device for vertically moving the suction nozzle of the separating sucker, and a drive device for guiding at least one forwarding sucker reciprocatingly in accordance with a working cycle of the sheet-processing machine and substantially parallel to the plane of a sheet supplied to the feeder, including a bearing support laterally disposed on the suction nozzle, a movably arranged abutment device for supporting the bearing support, when the suction nozzle is in a lifted position, until a trailing edge of the sheet supplied to the feeder has left the vicinity of the suction nozzle of the separating sucker, and a member connecting the abutment device to the drive device for the forwarding sucker.

Abstract: In the context of a sheet feeder comprising a suction head, which is provided with separating suckers arranged on a vertically movable support, and at least one row of drag suckers mounted on a support, which is adapted to be reciprocated partly at the same rate as conveyor means for further transport and is preferably able to be pivot for righting oblique sheets, such drag suckers being adapted to be supplied with vacuum on the transfer of a sheet from the separating suckers and to be vented on the release of the sheet to such means for further conveyance thereof, it is possible to ensure a more rapid decrease in the vacuum level on sheet transfer if the drag sucker support, which is able to be reciprocated and is provided with at least one venting opening and a closing member associated with it, such closing member is able to be lifted from its seat within the constant rate range of the drag suckers and the further conveyor means, by means of a control member secured to the suction head.