Method and apparatus for loading a circular sheet pile feeder

Abstract

A method of and apparatus for automatically loading a circular sheet pile feeder with successive splayed piles of sheets removed from a stack of sheets disposed on a pallet are disclosed. A pile of sheets of a given height is separated from the stack on the pallet by means of a separating mechanism which forms a gap beneath the pile of sheets in which gap a roller conveyor table is inserted to pick up the pile. The pile is then conveyed upwardly and transversely to a second conveyor table where the pile is deposited and the sheets thereof are tamped into alignment. The second conveyor table transports the pile of sheets to a splaying mechanism where the pile is splayed by gripping one end of the pile, bending the same about an axis parallel to said end and returning the bent end to its normal, unbent position while clamping the pile intermediate its ends. A transfer mechanism then seizes the splayed pile and positions it on the loading table of the circular sheet pile feeder against a previously deposited splayed pile of sheets.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.