Method and apparatus for feeding sheets

Apparatus for feeding corrugated sheets from a stack of corrugated sheets downstream to a box-making machine, the apparatus combining in combination,

• a plurality of feeder elements engageable with the sheets to successively feed the sheets,
• means for urging the sheets on at least one of the feeder elements as the sheets are being fed thereby,
• means for driving one of the feeder elements at a variable velocity, and
• means for driving a second feeder element at a constant velocity, and
• wherein said second feeder element is downstream of said first feeder element and wherein said means for driving said one feeder element accelerates said one feeder element whereby each sheet is accelerated and subsequently driven at a constant velocity, and
• wherein there is further included a transmission means including said means for driving said one feeder element and said means for driving said second feeder element, said transmission means including a constant speed input and a variable speed input.

Apparatus for feeding corrugated sheets downstream to a box-making machine, the apparatus comprising in combination,

• a plurality of feed elements engageable with the sheets to successively feed the sheets,
• means for urging the sheets on at least one of the feeder elements as the sheets are being fed thereby,
• means for driving one of the feeder elements at a variable velocity, and
• wherein said means for driving said one feeder element at variable velocity includes a planetary system.

A sheet feeding apparatus capable of feeding a single sheet from a stack of corrugated sheet that travels from a feed end to a delivery end, comprising:

• a support for the sheet, said support including the feed end and the delivery end and having feed elements;
• said feed elements comprising a first feed element driven at a variable speed and a second feed element driven at a constant speed;
• suction means for holding the sheets against said second feed element while being fed thereby;
• and
• a variable speed generating mechanism for driving said first feed element, said variable speed generating mechanism including a constant speed output segment.

A sheet feeding apparatus capable of feeding a single sheet from a stack of corrugated sheets that travels from a feed end to a delivery end, comprising:

• a support for the sheet, said support including the feed end and the delivery end and having feed elements;
• said feed elements comprising a first plurality of feed elements and a second plurality of feed elements;
• said first plurality of feed elements arranged in a first plurality of rows which extend transverse to the direction of travel of the sheet from the feed end to said second plurality of feed elements;
• said second plurality of feed elements arranged in a second plurality of rows which extend from said first plurality of feed elements to the delivery end;
• suction means for holding the sheet against said second plurality of feed elements while being fed thereby;
• means for driving said first plurality of feed elements at a variable speed;
• and
• means for driving said second plurality of feed elements at a constant speed.

Apparatus for feeding corrugated sheets from a stack of corrugated sheets downstream to a box-making machine, the apparatus combining in combination,

• a plurality of feeder elements engageable with the sheets to successively feed the sheets,
• means for urging the sheets on at least one of the feeder elements as the sheets are being fed thereby,
• means for driving one of the feeder elements at a variable velocity,
• means for driving a second feeder element at a constant velocity, and
• wherein said second feeder element is downstream of said first feeder element and wherein said means for driving said one feeder element accelerates said one feeder element whereby each sheet is accelerated and subsequently driven at a constant velocity, and
• wherein said transmission means includes a planetary system.