Patent ID: 7913621
Filing Date: 2011-03-29
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
1. A plate feeding apparatus for transporting plates loaded therein, in order from an uppermost plate, while inverting the plates, toward a plate takeout unit that holds and takes out the plate, said apparatus comprising: a storage unit for storing a plurality of plates with end edges aligned by a stopper; a moving unit movable along surfaces of the plates stored in said storage unit; a suction unit disposed at a distal end of an arm swingable about said moving unit for sucking and holding an upper surface adjacent an end edge, remote from said plate takeout unit, of each of the plates stored in said storage unit; a moving mechanism for moving said moving unit along the surfaces of the plates stored in said storage unit, from a position remote from said plate takeout unit toward said plate takeout unit, and for swinging said arm about said moving unit, thereby moving said suction unit to invert a portion adjacent the end edge of each plate sucked and held by said suction unit, and subsequently to reach a position for each plate to be held by said plate takeout unit; a pressing member for pressing an inner peripheral surface of a curved portion of each plate which has been curved while being inverted, to locate said curved portion further remote from said plate takeout unit than a vertical line extending from said stopper; and a pressing member moving device for moving said pressing member, wherein the plate feeding apparatus is configured to move said pressing member in a direction away from said plate takeout unit, while said plate takeout unit holds each plate and each plate is in contact with the pressing member.