Patent ID: 6886826

Claim:
An apparatus for destacking a stack of flat sheet-like articles, comprising a bearing surface for supporting a vertical stack of the articles, a separating arrangement mounted for vertical movement and so that its vertical distance from the uppermost article of the stack is essentially constant during destacking, and with said separating arrangement being configured for repeatedly separating out at least the uppermost article from the stack and transferring it to a removal arrangement, a lifting mechanism for lifting the separating arrangement to a predetermined height above the bearing surface once the destacking of the stack has taken place, and a feed arrangement for feeding a further stack of articles which is to be destacked to the bearing surface, while the lifting mechanism supports the separating arrangement at said predetermined height, and including feeding the further stack which is to be destacked along a feed plane which includes the bearing surface, wherein the removal arrangement includes a transfer region which receives the articles from the separating arrangement, with the transfer region being vertically adjustable and coupled to the separating arrangement so that the height of the transfer region is adapted to the current height of the stack, wherein the removal arrangement comprises a plurality of grippers which are configured for receiving individual articles, with said grippers being individually moveable along a movement path, and wherein the removal arrangement further comprises a closing guide for the grippers which is connected to the separating arrangement so as to be positioned adjacent the transfer region, with the result that the height at which the grippers are closed is adapted to the current stack height.