Patent Publication Number: US-2020277150-A1

Title: Pile sheet remover

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a pile sheet remover system (PSR) for preparing a pile of sheets with a height, a free end, and a side of sheet edges for processing in a pile preparation unit (PPU). The PSR comprises a sheet removing unit having a support frame supporting a moving frame, configured for a linear movement in an attack direction towards the side and the free end of the pile of sheets. The moving frame comprises a side support plate with a side support face arranged to face and apply to the side of the pile of sheets. The PSR comprises a grab plate arranged with a grab face essentially perpendicular to the side support face and extending beyond the side support face in the attack direction, configured with a grab actuator for a grab movement towards the free end of the pile of sheets. The PSR comprises one or more attack knives arranged below the grab plate to face the side of the pile of sheets, and configured with one or more attack actuators for a first attack movement in the attack direction for insertion of the one or more attack knives between a pair of sheets, i.e. between two adjacent sheets. 
     The invention also relates to a method of preparing a pile of sheets for processing in the PSR. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Preparation of a pile of sheets for processing, such as a pile of sheets for printing, may require removal of a number of sheets from the pile. There may be damaged sheets that need to be removed before processing. The damaged sheets may be at a top or free end of a pile. The damaged sheets may be at the bottom side of a pile. The damaged sheets may be the bottom sheets of a pile standing on a pallet. 
     Removal of sheets has often been performed manually. 
     Attempts to remove a number of sheets may result in altering an otherwise prepared for processing pile of sheets. The alteration may shift or disturb the pile of sheets otherwise perfectly or sufficiently aligned. 
     EP 1,484,270 A2 discloses a pile sheet remover system of the type mentioned by way of introduction. U.S. Pat. No. 5,102,293 A also discloses a pile sheet remover system of the type mentioned by way of introduction and which describes the method of preparing a pile of sheets for processing. 
     These systems disclose the use of an attack knife with an attack actuator for a first attack movement in the attack direction for insertion of the attack knife between a pair of sheets. The attack knife cooperates with a gripper jaw for gripping seizing and retaining a partial stack. The seized partial stack is lifted and tabletop inserted between said pair of sheets. This requires that the attack knife is large to be able to support the seized partial stack. However this makes it difficult to have a secure insertion between a pair of sheets without the risk of damaging the sheets. 
     In these documents there are no disclosures of marking units for marking a sheet on an uncovered free end of the pile of sheets. Therefore there is no secure knowledge of which sheet is the last sheet in a pile. 
     OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to overcome one or more of the before mentioned limitations. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     An object is achieved by a pile sheet remover system (PSR) for preparing a pile of sheets with a height, a free end, and a side of sheet edges for processing in a pile preparation unit (PPU). 
     The PSR comprises a sheet removing unit having a support frame supporting a moving frame, configured for a linear movement in an attack direction towards the side and the free end of the pile of sheets. 
     The moving frame comprises a side support plate with a side support face arranged to face and apply to the side of the pile of sheets. 
     The PSR comprises a grab plate arranged with a grab face essentially perpendicular to the side support face and extending beyond the side support face in the attack direction, configured with a grab actuator for a grab movement towards the free end of the pile of sheets. 
     The PSR comprisesone or more attack knives arranged below the grab plate to face the side of the pile of sheets, and configured with one or more attack actuators for a first attack movement in the attack direction for insertion of the one or more attack knives between a pair of sheets, i.e. between two adjacent sheets. 
     The PSR comprises a first attack knife for a first attack movement and a second attack knife for a second attack movement. The first attack knife is a smaller knife with a blade in the attack direction. The first knife may be a razor blade type of knife. The second attack knife is larger than the first knife and with a sharp and point type of form in the attack direction. 
     The knife may also be a stylus type of shape. 
     It is thereby achieved that top sheets can be removed automatically. Furthermore the arrangement can be adjusted according to different characteristics of a pile of sheets. 
     The use of the smaller and the larger knife ensures that the first knife divide the pair of sheets without damaging them in the first attack movement. The second and larger attack knife for the second attack movement ensures that there is sufficient strength to support the number of sheets above the attack knives. 
     The PSR may further comprise a marking unit arranged to mark the sheet on an uncovered free end of the pile of sheets. 
     Thus providing means for marking the uncovered sheet. 
     A further advantage is that the system can be arranged in a pile preparation unit, which in other aspects such are turning the pile, airing the pile or changing of a pallet or the location of the pallet. 
     In an aspect one or more second attack knives are configured with one or more transverse actuators for a movement transverse to the line of attack direction and parallel to the sheet edges. 
     The knives used for the transverse movement may be second attack knives. There may be one knife for a transverse movement from a center area to a periphery. There may be another knife for a transverse movement from the center area to a periphery on the other side. There may be two second attack knives, each being configured with individual transverse actuators. 
     This effectively separates sheets to be removed from the remaining sheets. A further advantage is that the transverse movement leaves the knives in a favorable position when the actual removal takes place and thus decreases the risk of destroying the sheets. 
     In an aspect one or more first attack knives are configured with one or more edge lift actuators for a lift movement transverse to the line-of-attack direction and perpendicular to the sheet edges. 
     The lift movement lifts the edge of the sheets upwardly and thus makes it possible for a further insertion into the sheets. 
     Advantageously the movement is performed swiftly to increase the separation of sheets. 
     The lift actuators may be pneumatic actuators. The actuators may be adjustable in action length or speed. 
     In an aspect one or more attack knives are configured for a second attack movement extending the first attack movement in the attack direction for further insertion of the one or more attack knives between the pair of sheets. 
     This second movement may be provided by the same actuator used for the first movement. The second movement may also be provided by additional actuators. Thus there may be a first set of actuators and a second set of actuators. 
     The first type of actuators may be fast bi-state actuators for a short sharp attack. 
     The second type of actuators may be slower and continuous type of actuators that can move more slowly and controlled. The second type of actuators may also be controlled to reverse if a faulty insertion or resistance is detected. 
     In an aspect one or more attack knives are configured with an upwardly one-sided Chisel-type of edge and optionally a substantially linear edge extending opposite to the attack direction. 
     Such knife-forms provide a stylus or tip edge shape and an edge shape favorably in a transverse movement. 
     In an aspect the PSR may be arranged in a pallet change module comprising a pallet portal with movable pallet engagement means for engaging with a pallet for extraction and/or insertion of a pallet. 
     Such arrangement results in an integrated and fully automated preparation of the pile of sheets to be processed. 
     In an aspect the PSR is arranged cooperatively with a PPU that is configured to receive a pile of sheets on a pallet, turning the pile of sheets on the pallet up-side-down, releasing the pallet from the pile of sheets, creating a free end, which relative position of the free end between the sheet removing unit and the PPU is adjustable for engagement of the side support plate and adjustable for the insertion or attack of one or more attack knives. 
     Such cooperatively arrangement advantageously allows for the removal of sheets that may have been damaged by interfacing the whole pile of sheets and the pallet on which the pile previously has been handled on. 
     An object of the invention may be achieved by a method of preparing a pile of sheets for processing. The method comprises one or more of the following acts. 
     There may be an act of providing a pile of sheets to be processed and having a free end and a side of sheet edges. 
     There may be an act of inserting one or more attack knives in a first attack movement in the attack direction and in between a pair of sheets. 
     There may be an act of lifting one or more attack knives. The act of lifting may the lifting of a small razor shaped first attack knife. 
     There may be an act of inserting one or more attack knives deeper in a second attack movement. 
     Before the act of inserting the first attack knife the method comprises the following acts. 
     An act of providing a pile remover system comprising a marking unit arranged to mark the sheet on an uncovered free end of the pile of sheets 
     An act of marking the sheet on an uncovered free end of the pile of sheets with said marking unit. 
     An act of engaging a side support face on a sheet removing unit in an attack direction to the side of the sheet edges at the free end. 
     Optionally there may be acts of performing one or more of the following acts. 
     There may be an act of traversing one or more of the interested attack knives in a transverse movement that is transverse to the line of attack direction and parallel to the sheet edges. 
     There may be an act of grapping a number of sheets from the free end of the pile of sheets. 
     There may be an act of removing the number of sheets from the free end. 
     An object may further be achieved by a method of preparing a pile of sheets for processing, where the act of providing a pile of sheets is performed in a PPU. 
     The PPU may be configured to receive and rotate a pile, of sheets on a pallet. 
     The use of a PPU may involve the following acts. 
     There may be an act of rotating the pile of sheets on the pallet up-side-down. 
     There may be an act of releasing the pallet from the pile of sheets creating a free end. 
     There may be an act of adjusting the position repeatedly of the created free end for the acts of engaging and inserting. 
     There may be an act of applying the released pallet or another pallet to the created free end. 
     There may be an act of rotating the pile of sheets with the applied pallet. 
     The invention can advantageously be combined with one or more of the following five independent inventions and the following five inventions can be combined with each other. 
     A first independent invention may be a conveyor with a belt for transporting an object between a first end and a second end of the conveyor. The conveyor comprises a first belt drive transmission at the first end and a second belt drive transmission at the second end. The drive transmission may be configured as freewheel-types in respective directions. 
     The conveyor comprises an intermediate transmission system arranged between the first end and the second end and having a first communication with the first belt drive transmission and having a second communication with the second belt drive transmission. 
     The conveyor comprises drive system in communication with a drive shaft in the intermediate transmission system, and may be configured to turn the drive shaft bidirectional in a first drive direction and a second drive direction. 
     The conveyor may be configured with the drive shaft having an intermediate communication with the first communication through a first intermediate transmission and the second communication through a second intermediate transmission. 
     The disclosed conveyor is compact and low weight, which allows for installation with in industrial process equipment. The conveyer may be adapted to be rotated in a pile preparation unit. The conveyor is reversible, and has a single centre positioned drive system. The conveyor may transport heavy loads and with an equal load and equal torque in the forward and reverse directions. The conveyor eliminates or counteracts any “push” forces on the belt. 
     In an aspect, the first intermediate transmission is configured for engagement and force transmission at a first engagement position in the first drive direction and a second engagement position in the second drive direction and in-between having a first path of un-engagement. 
     In an aspect, the second intermediate transmission is configured for engagement and force transmission at a first engagement position in the first drive direction and a second engagement position in the second drive direction and in-between having a second path of un-engagement. 
     In an aspect, the intermediate communication is arranged so that for the first drive direction, the first intermediate transmission is enabled for engagement at the first engagement position whilst the second intermediate transmission is in the second path of un-engagement. For the same aspect and for the second drive direction, the second intermediate transmission is enabled for engagement at the second engagement position whilst the first intermediate transmission is in the first path of un-engagement. 
     Thereby is achieved that the conveyor for the first drive direction, engages the first belt drive transmission for a first pull of the belt towards the first end whilst free-wheeling the second belt drive transmission. For the second drive direction it is achieved that the second belt drive transmission engages for a second pull of the belt towards the second end whilst free-wheeling the first belt drive transmission. 
     Such conveyor will pull towards the respective first and second end whilst releasing tension in respective opposite ends. By pull is understood that traction power or a traction force is applied from the respective first or second end of the conveyor. This will allow the conveyor to transport heavy objects back and forth without building-up tension. A further advantage is that tensions are released during use situations of “asymmetric load” where a heavy object is transported in one direction, substantially offloaded and then reversed as a light object. A further advantage is that the configuration results in a flat structure of the conveyor in a direction transverse to the face of the belt for engaging with the object. 
     In an aspect the intermediate communication comprises an intermediate chain engaging with a drive cogwheel on the driveshaft, a first intermediate drive cogwheel on the first intermediate transmission and a second intermediate drive cogwheel on the second intermediate transmission. In an aspect the first and second communications comprise respective first and second communication chains engaging respective first and second belt cogwheels in the respective first and second belt drive transmissions with respective first and second communication cogwheels in the respective first and second intermediate transmissions. In an aspect the respective first and second intermediate transmissions each has a respective first and second intermediate drive cogwheel and a respective first and second communication cogwheel sharing respective common first and second intermediate shafts. Furthermore, the respective first and second intermediate transmission may be configured with engagement means to transmit force at least from the respective first and second drive intermediate cogwheels to the respective first and second communication cogwheels. 
     Hereby is achieved that the intermediate transmission can apply a pull or traction force to the respective first and second ends of the conveyor. The engagement or appliance of a force then depends on the direction of rotation so that a pull or traction force is from one end of a conveyor for one direction of rotation of the drive and that a pull or traction force is from the other end of the conveyor for an opposite direction of rotation of the drive. 
     A second independent invention may be a Pile preparation unit (PPU) for preparing a pile of sheets. The pile of sheets has a first end, which first end is optionally standing on a pallet, and opposite a free second end, a front edge side and a side edge side. 
     The PPU comprises a rotation base configured for standing on a floor and for supporting a rotation unit, configured with an infeed side for receiving a pile of sheets in a feed direction. The pile of sheets may optionally be on a pallet. The rotation unit comprises a rotation unit frame with a rotation unit frame cross section. The rotation unit may be configured with an edge side support unit, configured with an edge side support face to support an edge side of the pile of sheets when the pile of sheets is in a rotated position to lean on the edge side support face. The rotation unit comprises a lift unit configured to engage a lift plate to the free second end of the pile of sheets in the pile preparation position and to lift a pile of sheets. 
     In an aspect of the pile preparation unit (PPU), the rotation unit frame comprises two guides shifted in the feed direction relative to each other and each fixed to the rotation base and guiding a belt driven by a rotation unit drive system in the rotation base. The belt may be a timing belt. The belt may be a chain. 
     It is understood that the pile of sheets does not form part of the invention. However for clarity and understanding, the pile of sheets is an object to which the pile preparation unit is directed to. A person skilled in the art will thus appreciate modifications of the PPU according to variations in a size or shape of a pile of sheets. 
     Thus the PPU provides an effective and automated apparatus for preparing a pile of sheets for processing. The disclosed PPU may handle piles of sheets of a multiplicity of types of pile-shapes and -sizes as well as a multiplicity of sheet types and weights. 
     The disclosed PPU saves time, the PPU allows for a quick setup for a new material in a pile of sheets. Piles prepared by the PPU will be more identical and PPU will provide a substantially constant throughput. The PPU may be fully integrated in an ERP system. 
     The rotation unit may rotate about a rotational axis, which axis may the feed direction. The rotation unit may be configured to rotate a conveyor about the feed direction. The conveyor may be configured to transport a pallet with a pile of sheets from the infeed side in the feed direction to a pile preparation position. In an aspect the belts encircle the conveyor. 
     A third independent invention may be related to changing the location of a pallet from one side of a pile of sheets to the opposite side of the pile of sheets, the following aspects of the invention is disclosed. The changing of the location of a pallet may also involve the exchange of a first pallet with a second pallet. The first pallet may be a disposable pallet such as a EUR-pallet and the second pallet may be a process pallet. A process pallet may be a type of pallet that is used in a specific clean environment. 
     In an aspect the rotating unit comprises a first conveyor configured to rotate with the rotating structure and the lift unit comprises a second conveyor configured as a second lift plate. This allows automatic handling and to extract existing process pallet and reuse it and apply on same pile of sheets after turning the pile 180 degrees. 
     In an aspect the lift unit comprises a first lift plate and a second lift plate, each configured to move and position in the lift structure to engage to the respective first end and second end of the pile of sheets. 
     Thereby providing a plate or face which position can be changed to support or carry a pile of sheets at the bottom and/or be removed from the top to generate the portal or space or volume required. 
     In an aspect the pile preparation unit may be for exchanging a first pallet with a second pallet. The pallet change module comprises a first pallet portal with movable first pallet engagement means arranged to extend to an extraction position in the rotation unit. The pallet change module comprises a second pallet portal with movable second pallet engagement means, arranged to extend to a delivery position in the rotation unit the first and second pallet portal vertically separated. 
     The lift unit may be configured to move and position the lift plate for the pallet end of the pile of sheets to be positioned at the respective extraction position and delivery position. 
     A fourth independent invention may be a pile preparation unit for changing a first pallet with a second pallet, the pallets for supporting a pile of sheets with a first end and second end where the pallet has a support side, supporting the pile of sheets at the first end and an opposite base side. 
     The pile preparation unit comprises a rotation unit configured with an infeed opening for receiving a pallet with a pile of sheets. The rotation unit is configured with a rotating structure to rotate a lift unit about a rotational axis. 
     The lift unit may be configured with a lift structure fixed to the rotating structure and has a lift plate movable along the lift structure to engage with the second end of the pile of sheets and to move and position the pile of sheets transverse, relative to the rotational axis, providing a portal for changing a pallet. 
     The pallet preparation unit comprises a pallet change module comprising a pallet portal with movable pallet engagement means for engaging with a pallet, for extraction from and/or insertion into the portal formed in an upper section of the rotation unit, when the lift plate is in the lower section of the rotation unit. 
     By a portal is understood a space or volume created where further actions or preparations can be performed. In particular this may involve actions or preparations where the pile of sheets being is to be prepared on a free end of the pile. Such actions may be a removal or extraction of a pallet, the insertion or delivery of a pallet, or both. Actions may also be a removal of sheets from the established free end of the pile. 
     The pallet preparation unit may thus receive a pile of sheets and exchange one pallet with another pallet in an automated fashion. The rotation unit comprises a unit frame with a rotation unit frame cross section. The rotation unit may be configured to rotate a conveyer about the feed direction. The conveyer may be configured to transport a pallet with a pile of sheets from the infeed side in the feed direction to a pile preparation position. 
     In an aspect the pallet change module comprises a first pallet portal with movable first pallet engagement means arranged to extend to an extraction position in the rotation unit. 
     The pallet change module comprises a second pallet portal with movable second pallet engagement means arranged to extend to a delivery position in the rotation unit, where the first and second pallet portals are vertically separated. 
     The lift may be configured to move and position the lift plate for the pallet end of the pile of sheets to be positioned at the respective extraction position and delivery position. 
     In an aspect the pallet change module is arranged on the side of the rotation unit and to extend the pallet engagement means, the first or second or both pallet engagement means into the rotation unit from a transverse direction to the rotational axis. The direction of insertion may be essentially horizontal and the pallet change module may be arranged on the side of the rotation unit relative to the infeed on a front. The pallet change module comprises guides and supports as required to achieve a horizontal movement of a pallet. Likewise the engagement means are complementary in shape to the pallets. The engagement means may be adjustable to enable a fit to pallets of different types. A person skilled in the art will appreciate a need to perform adjustments and balance or dimension the construction as required for a pallet of a specific type to be moved in the pallet portal. Counterweights may be required. Similarly actuators may be required to adjust the position and the placement of the engagement means and thus the positioning of the pallet. The drive system may be a belt drive type of system that drives the movement. In one embodiment the first and second pallet engagement means may be identical. 
     In an aspect the pile preparation unit may further comprise a pallet loading unit arranged on the opposite side of the pallet change module and with a pallet loading arm fixed to the rotation unit. The pallet loading arm is configured to engage with and support a second pallet during rotation of the rotating unit and to release the second pallet on the second pallet engagement means. The pallet loading unit is configured to engage with and support a second pallet-during rotation of the rotating unit and to release the second pallet on the second pallet engagement means. The pallet loading unit may be configured with a pallet loading arm fixed to the rotating structure of the rotation unit and for engaging with a second pallet so that when the rotating unit rotates the pile of sheets the loading arm transports the second pallet, and turns it upside-down for delivery of the second pallet on the second pallet engagement means in the correct orientation for immediate insertion into the portal. 
     A fifth independent invention may be a pile sheet remover system (PSR) for preparing a pile of sheets with a height, a free end, and a side of sheet edges for processing in a pile preparation unit (PPU). 
     The PSR comprises a sheet removing unit having a support frame supporting a moving frame, configured for a linear movement in an attack direction towards the side and the free end of the pile of sheets. 
     The moving frame comprises a side support plate with a side support face arranged to face and apply to the side of the pile of sheets. 
     The PSR comprises a grab plate arranged with a grab face essentially perpendicular to the side support face and extending beyond the side support face in the attack direction, configured with a grab actuator for a grab movement towards the free end of the pile of sheets. 
     The PSR comprises one or more attack knives arranged below the grab plate to face the side of the pile of sheets, and configured with one or more attack actuators for a first attack movement in the attack direction for insertion of the one or more attack knives between a pair of sheets, i.e. between two adjacent sheets 
     It is thereby achieved that top sheets can be removed automatically. Furthermore the arrangement can be adjusted according to different characteristics of a pile of sheets. A further advantage is that the system can be arranged in a pile preparation unit, which in other aspects such are turning the pile, airing the pile or changing of a pallet or the location of the pallet. 
     In an aspect there is a first attack knife for a first attack movement and a second attack knife for a second attack movement. The first attack knife may be a smaller knife With a blade in the attack direction. The first knife may be a razor blade type of knife. The second attack knife may be larger than the first knife and with a sharp and point type of form in the attack direction. The knife may also be a stylus type of shape. 
     In an aspect one or more second attack knives are configured with one or more transverse actuators for a movement transverse to the line of attack direction and parallel to the sheet edges. The knives used for the transverse movement may be second attack knives. There may be one knife for a transverse movement from a center area to a periphery. There may be another knife for a transverse movement from the center area to a periphery on the other side. There may be two second attack knives, each being configured with individual transverse actuators. 
     This effectively separates sheets to be removed from the remaining sheets. A further advantage is that the transverse movement leaves the knives in a favorable position when the actual removal takes place and thus decreases the risk of destroying the sheets. 
     In an aspect one or more first attack knives are configured with one or more edge lift actuators for a lift movement transverse to the line-of-attack direction and perpendicular to the sheet edges. The lift movement lifts the edge of the sheets upwardly and thus makes it possible for a further insertion into the sheets. Advantageously the movement is performed swiftly to increase the separation of sheets. The lift actuators may be pneumatic actuators. The actuators may be adjustable in action length or speed. 
     In an aspect one or more attack knives are configured for a second attack movement extending the first attack movement in the attack direction for further insertion of the one or more attack knives between the pair of sheets. This second movement may be provided by the same actuator used for the first movement. The second movement may also be provided by additional actuators. Thus there may be a first set of actuators and a second set of actuators. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       Embodiments of the invention will be described in the figures, whereon: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a pile of sheets inside a pile preparation unit and part of a pile sheet remover; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the pile sheet remover system; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the removal of a sheet; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the marking unit; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a close-up of the marking unit; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a pile sheet remover cooperating with a marking unit; and 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a pile sheet remover system connected with a pile preparation unit. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a method of preparing a pile of sheets for processing including removing a number of sheets from the pile; and 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a method of preparing a pile of sheets for processing further including rotating the pile of sheets before removing a number of sheets from the pile. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a pile of sheets  210  inside a PPU  500 . The pile of sheets  210  has a height  240 , a free end  250  and a side  230  of sheet edges  260 . A PSR  100  is positioned next to the free end  250  of the pile of sheets  210 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the PSR  100 . 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates a top view of the PSR  100  having a sheet removing unit  110  with a support frame  120  supporting a moving frame  130 . 
     The moving frame is configured for a linear movement in an attack direction  440  towards the side  230  and the free end  250  of the pile of sheets  210 . The moving frame  130  has a side support plate  150  with a side support face  160  arranged to face and apply to the side  230  of the pile of sheets  210 . 
     The PSR  100  has a grab plate  300 . The grab plate  300  is arranged with a grab face  310  essentially perpendicular to the side support face  160  and extending beyond the side support face  160  in the attack direction  440 . The grab plate  300  is configured with a grab actuator  320  for a grab movement  420  towards the free end  250  of the pile of sheets  210 . 
       FIG. 2B  illustrates a close-up of the PSR  100  front. 
     In the figure the PSR 100  has two attack knives  170  arranged, below the grab plate  300 , to face the side  230  of the pile of sheets  210 . The two attack knives  170  are configured in an attack knives support  175  movable in an attack knives support guide  176  in the moving frame  130  with one or more attack actuators  184 ,  186  (see  FIGS. 2C and 2D ) for at least an attack movement and here first attack movement  410  and a second attack movement  412  in the attack direction  440  for insertion of two attack knives  170  between a pair of sheets  220 . 
     In this embodiment the PSR  100  has two attack knives  170  and two attack actuators, a first attack actuator  184  and a second attack actuator  186  (see  FIGS. 2C and 2D ). 
     In  FIG. 2B  the PSR  100  has two attack knives  170  configured with two transverse actuators  180  for a transverse movement  400 . The transverse movement  400  is transverse to the line of the attack direction  440  and parallel to the sheet edges  260 . 
     In another embodiment the PSR  100  may have one or more attack knives  170  and one or more transverse actuators  180 . 
     In  FIG. 2B  the PSR  100  has two attack knives  170 , which are configured with an edge lift actuators  190  (see  FIGS. 2C and 2D ) for a lift movement  430  transverse to the line of attack direction  440  and perpendicular to direction the sheet edges  260 , i.e. the lift movement  430  is perpendicular to the line of attack direction  440  and the transverse direction  400 . 
     In another embodiment the PSR  100  has one or more attack knives  170  and one or more edge lift actuators  190 . 
     In  FIG. 2B  the PSR  100  has two attack knives  170 , which are configured for a second attack movement  412  extending the first attack movement  410  in the attack direction  440  for further insertion of the two knives  170  between the pair of sheets  220 . The second attack movement  412  may be a result of activation of second attack actuators  186  (see details in  FIGS. 2C and 2D ). 
     In one embodiment the PSR  100  has one or more attack knives  170  configured with an upwardly one-sided Chisel-type of edge and optionally a substantially linear edge extending opposite to the attack direction  440 . 
       FIGS. 2C and 2D  illustrate a cross-section of the front end of a PSR  100  from  FIGS. 2A and 2B . The cross section is in the center of the PSR  100  in the transverse direction. 
     In particular the figure illustrates exemplary details of the configuration of the lift actuator  190  connected to the side support plate  150  and for activating the lift movement  430  of the attack-knives  170 . 
     The first attack actuator  184  is here a pneumatic-type actuator for a possible distinct sharp movement. The lift actuator  190  is here a pneumatic-type actuator for a possible distinct sharp movement. The second attack actuator  186  is here an actuator for a continuous and slower linear motion as compared to the distinct sharp movement.  FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate the removal of a sheet  200 . 
     In  FIG. 3A  the side support face  150  is connected to the side  230  of the pile of sheets  210  and the two attack knives  170  have performed a first attack movement  410  in the attack direction. The attack knives  170  may perform a second attack movement  412 . 
     The attack knives  170  are inserted between a pair of sheets  220 . 
     The grab plate  300  makes a grab movement  420  between  FIGS. 3A and 3B  and the PSR  100  moves in the reverse attack direction  440 . 
     In  FIG. 3B  a single sheet  200  is removed from the pile of sheets  210 . 
     Adjusting the position of the pile of sheets will regulate the position of attack into the pile of sheets and more sheets may be removed from the pile of sheets  210 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the marking unit  510  arranged to mark the sheet on the uncovered free end  250  of the pile of sheets  210 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a close-up of a marking unit  510 . The marking unit  510  is configured to position a marker and to mark a sheet (not seen). The position of the marker, before marking, can be adjusted as is evident from the figure. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a pile preparation unit implementation with a marking unit  510  and a pile sheet removal unit  100  arranged for marking of a sheet  200  laid free after removal of one or more sheets and thus establishing a new free end  250 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a PSR  100  connected with a PPU  500 . The sheet removing unit  110  is arranged cooperatively with the PPU  500  that is configured to receive a pile of sheets  210  on a pallet  270  and for turning the pile of sheets on the pallet upside down. The PPU  500  is configured for releasing the pallet  270  from the pile of sheets  210  creating a free end  250 . The free end  250  has a relative position between the sheet removing unit  110  and the PPU  500  that is adjustable for engagement of the side support plate  150  and adjustable for the insertion or attack of one or more attack knives  170 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a method  700  of preparing a pile of sheets  210  for processing 
     The method comprises the following acts. 
     There is an act of providing  710  a pile of sheets  210  to be processed and having a free end  250  and a side  230  of sheet edges  260 . 
     There is an act of engaging  720  a side support face  160  on a sheet removing unit  110  in an attack direction  440  to the side  230  of the sheet edges at the free end  250 . 
     There is an act of inserting  730  one or more attack knives  170  in a first attack movement  410  in the attack direction  440  and in between a pair of sheets. 
     Optionally there are one or more of the following optional acts. 
     There is an optional act of lifting  740  the attack knives  170 . 
     There is an optional act of inserting  730  deeper one or more attack knives  170  in a second attack movement. 
     There is an optional act of traversing  750  one or more of the interested attack knives in a transverse movement  400  transverse to the line of attack direction  440  and parallel to the sheet edges  260 . 
     There is an act of grapping  760  a number of sheets from the free end  250  of the pile of sheets  210 . 
     There is an act of removing  770  the number of sheets from the free end  250  by performing a movement in the reverse direction of the attack direction. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates further method with additional acts as disclosed in  FIG. 8 . 
     The method  700  of preparing a pile of sheets  210  for processing as disclosed and wherein the act of providing  710  a pile of sheets is performed in a pile preparation unit  500  that is configured to receive and rotate a pile of sheets on a pallet  270 . The method  700  has further comprising acts as follows. 
     There is an act of rotating  780  the pile of sheets on the pallet up-side-down. There is an act of releasing  790  the pallet from the pile of sheets creating a free end  250 . There is an act of adjusting  800  the position repeatedly of the created free end  250  for the acts of engaging and inserting. There is an act of applying  810  the released pallet or another pallet to the created free end  250 ), and there is an act of rotating  780  the pile of sheets with the applied pallet. 
     The acts may be performed by a pile preparation unit  500  illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Item 
                 No 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Pile sheet remover system 
                 100 
               
               
                   
                 Sheet removing unit 
                 110 
               
               
                   
                 Support frame 
                 120 
               
               
                   
                 Moving frame 
                 130 
               
               
                   
                 Side support plate 
                 150 
               
               
                   
                 Side support face 
                 160 
               
               
                   
                 Attack knives 
                 170 
               
               
                   
                 First attack knife 
                 171 
               
               
                   
                 Second attack knife 
                 172 
               
               
                   
                 Attack knife support 
                 175 
               
               
                   
                 Attack knife support guide 
                 176 
               
               
                   
                 Transverse actuators 
                 180 
               
               
                   
                 First attack actuator 
                 184 
               
               
                   
                 Second attack actuator 
                 186 
               
               
                   
                 Lift Actuators 
                 190 
               
               
                   
                 Sheet 
                 200 
               
               
                   
                 Pile of sheets 
                 210 
               
               
                   
                 Pair of sheets 
                 220 
               
               
                   
                 Side 
                 230 
               
               
                   
                 Height 
                 240 
               
               
                   
                 Free end 
                 250 
               
               
                   
                 Sheet edge 
                 260 
               
               
                   
                 Pallet 
                 270 
               
               
                   
                 Grab plate 
                 300 
               
               
                   
                 Grab face 
                 310 
               
               
                   
                 Grab actuator 
                 320 
               
               
                   
                 Transverse movement 
                 400 
               
               
                   
                 Attack movement 
                 410 
               
               
                   
                 First attack movement 
                 411 
               
               
                   
                 Second attack movement 
                 412 
               
               
                   
                 Grab movement 
                 420 
               
               
                   
                 Lift movement 
                 430 
               
               
                   
                 Attack direction 
                 440 
               
               
                   
                 Pile preparation unit 
                 500 
               
               
                   
                 Marking unit 
                 510 
               
               
                   
                 Control unit 
                 520 
               
               
                   
                 Pallet change module 
                 600 
               
               
                   
                 Pallet portal 
                 620 
               
               
                   
                 Movable pallet engagement means 
                 630 
               
               
                   
                 Method 
                 700 
               
               
                   
                 Providing 
                 710 
               
               
                   
                 Engaging 
                 720 
               
               
                   
                 Inserting 
                 730 
               
               
                   
                 Lifting 
                 740 
               
               
                   
                 Traversing 
                 750 
               
               
                   
                 Grapping 
                 760 
               
               
                   
                 Removing 
                 770 
               
               
                   
                 Rotating 
                 780 
               
               
                   
                 Releasing 
                 790 
               
               
                   
                 Adjusting 
                 800 
               
               
                   
                 Applying 
                 810