Semi-circular stack sheet feeding apparatus

In a semi-circular sheet feeding apparatus having a supply platform adapted to be loaded with an imbricated stack of sheets and a removal platform, delivery and diverting means including a diverting drum for transporting the imbricated stack of sheets in a first delivery direction along a lowermost periphery of said drum, about the drum and, in a second delivery direction, onto the removal platform and means for driving said delivery and diverting means, and means arranged downstream of the removal platform for removing the uppermost sheet on the removal platform in a direction opposite the second delivery direction, the improvement comprising stop means provided on said removal platform for abutment of the leading edges of the sheets transported to the removal platform and stack height detection and drive control means for sensing the number of stacked sheets lying with their leading edges against said stop means and for maintaining said drive means engaged with said delivery and diverting means until a predetermined number of stacked sheets on the removal platform is sensed.