Method for Unstacking Veneer Sheets

Abstract

A method for unstacking veneer sheets ( 14 ), in which an uppermost sheet ( 14 a ) of a stack ( 12 ) is taken off the stack by using a suction device ( 24 ) of a movable gripper, and the sheet is then transferred onto a conveyor ( 16 ) and is transported away, wherein the sheet ( 14 a ), after the sheet has been lifted by a first gripper ( 22 ), is transferred to a second gripper ( 32 ), which transfers the sheet to the conveyor ( 16 ).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for unstacking veneer sheets, comprising the steps of:
 taking off an uppermost sheet of a stack off the stack by using a suction device of a first gripper,   transferring the uppermost sheet to a second gripper, after the uppermost sheet has been lifted by the first gripper, and   transferring the uppermost sheet from the second gripper to a conveyor which transports the uppermost sheet away.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of transferring includes the step of taking over the uppermost sheet by the second gripper in a state in which the uppermost sheet is held in a position lifted off the stack by the first gripper. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus for unstacking veneer sheets, comprising:
 at least one suction device held on a first movable gripper which is arranged upstream of an end of a conveyor and above a stack of veneer sheets,   a second movable gripper which is arranged upstream of the end of the conveyor and above the stack of veneer sheets,   wherein the first and second grippers are movable independently of one another and   wherein movements of the first and second grippers are synchronized such that an uppermost sheet of the stack that has been lifted by the first gripper is adapted to be transferred to the second gripper by switching-off the at least one suction device of the first gripper.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the second gripper has also at least one suction device for holding the uppermost sheet. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the first gripper includes rockers which carry the at least one suction device of the first gripper, and are pivotable about an axis that is fixed relative to the stack. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the second gripper includes rockers pivotable about an axis that is supported in a slide, and wherein the slide is movable relative to the stack in a transport direction of the conveyor.