sheet transport apparatus and method for transporting a sheet in a printing machine

A transport apparatus for transporting a sheet in a printing machine, the transport apparatus comprising:

• a transport belt of the suction belt type comprising air permeable openings;
• a drive unit for moving the transport belt along a closed loop path;
• a charge unit for applying electrical charges to the transport belt, wherein the charge unit is oriented in such a manner, that it applies charges to the transport belt in the area of the suction unit
• at least one neutralizing unit for neutralizing electrical charges on the transport belt, wherein the neutralizing unit is arranged along the closed loop path downstream with respect to the charge unit;
• a suction unit adjacent the transport belt in an area, the suction unit being arranged to enable a sheet located on the transport belt to be held thereto through the transport belt such that the suction unit extends along the circulating path at least over a portion extending from the charge unit to the neutralizing unit;
• and
• at least one further suction unit, the further suction unit being arranged, to allow a sheet on the transport belt to be held thereto through the transport belt, and arranged along the circulating path downstream with respect to the one suction unit wherein the further suction unit is arranged in an area in which the neutralizing unit neutralizes charges on the transport belt.