Apparatus for Feeding Sheets to a Processing Machine and Method for Loading the Apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for feeding sheets made from paper, paperboard and the like to a processing machine, includes a stacking table with a delivery device, by way of which the sheets disposed upright on one of their edges are fed to a separating apparatus. The stacking table is divided and has a fixed part and a part mounted in such a way that it can pivot about a rotational axis. A method for feeding a stack or bundle of sheets into the apparatus is also provided.

1 . An apparatus for feeding sheets made from paper, paperboard and the like to a separating apparatus of a processing machine, the apparatus comprising:
 a stacking table having a delivery device for feeding the sheets standing upright on one of their edges to the separating apparatus;   said stacking table being divided into a fixed part and a part mounted to be pivotable about a rotational axis; and   said pivotable part of said stacking table being pivotable through a pivoting movement between an upper position, in which said pivotable part forms substantially one plane with said fixed part of said stacking table, and a lower position at a lower height.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said pivotable part of said stacking table includes receptacles being pivotable about said rotational axis and a table to be received in said receptacles. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said fixed part of said stacking table adjoins the separating apparatus of the processing machine. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said pivotable part of said stacking table is lockable in at least one upper position and at least one lower position. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , which further comprises at least one of a spring, an actuator or a motor for assisting pivoting movement of said pivotable part of said stacking table. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said pivotable part of said stacking table has a holding support for supporting a stack or bundle of sheets in said lower position of said pivotable part of said stacking table. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , which further comprises a pile holder attached to said fixed part of said stacking table. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said stacking table has at least one groove formed therein in a delivery direction. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said delivery device has a feed system with chains, toothed belts or conveyor belts. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein said feed system of said delivery device has a free wheel. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said delivery device is driven by at least one of a motor or mechanically. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said delivery device has a variably controllable feed speed. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , which further comprises a drive for said delivery device. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said delivery device has a drive for said pivotable part of said stacking table and a drive for said fixed part of said stacking table. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein said delivery device has a variably controllable feed speed, a sensor determines a size of a residual pile, and a regulating circuit including said sensor and said drive of said delivery device controls the feed speed. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein said delivery device has a variably controllable feed speed, a sensor determines a size of a residual pile, and a regulating circuit including said sensor and at least one of said drives controls the feed speed. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus for feeding sheets made from paper, paperboard and the like to a separating apparatus of a processing machine, the apparatus comprising:
 a stacking table having a delivery device for feeding the sheets standing upright on one of their edges to the separating apparatus; and   a magazine extension to be plugged onto said stacking table with said magazine extension and said stacking table forming one plane.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the processing machine is a gathering and stitching machine. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the processing machine is a gathering and stitching machine. 
     
     
         20 . A method for feeding a stack or bundle of sheets into an apparatus for feeding sheets made from paper, paperboard and the like to a processing machine, the method comprising the following steps:
 a) moving a pivotable part of a stacking table into a lower position;   b) placing a stack or bundle of sheets onto the pivotable part of the stacking table and supporting the stack or bundle on a holding support;   c) moving the pivotable part of the stacking table into an upper position;   d) displacing the stack or bundle in a delivery direction until a residual pile and the sheets of the stack or bundle form one new pile;   e) pivoting a pile holder outward, displacing the pile holder to an end of the new pile, and pivoting the pile holder inward; and   f) removing a band from the stack or bundle.