Patent ID: 6978716
Filing Date: 2005-12-27
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
1. A plate supplying apparatus for supplying a plate which is transferred such that its faces are reversed, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of storage sections each provided for storing a pile of plates; a plate suction section for sucking a proximal end portion of a plate present at the top of the pile of plates stored in a storage section, the proximal end portion being nearer to the plate suction section; a base member for supporting the plate suction section; a moving and pivoting mechanism for moving the plate suction section and the base member in a direction toward a portion of the plate opposite to the proximal end portion by driving a first motor, while causing at least the plate suction section to pivot, thereby transferring the plate sucked by the plate suction section such that its faces are reversed; a distance adjusting mechanism for adjusting a distance between the base member and the plate suction section by driving a second motor different than the first motor; a supplying section for supplying the plate transferred by the moving and pivoting mechanism toward another equipment device, and a control section for controlling the plate suction section, the second motor of the distance adjusting mechanism, and the first motor of the moving and pivoting mechanism, wherein after the second motor of the distance adjusting mechanism is controlled so as to move the plate suction section with respect to the base member to cause a portion of the plate suction section which sucks the plate to be in contact with the plate present at the top of the pile of plates stored in the storage section, the plate suction section is controlled so as to suck the proximal end portion of the plate present at the top of the pile of plates, and thereafter the moving and pivoting mechanism is controlled so as to transfer the plate to the supplying section while turning over the plate.