DE102009039182A1 - Device for aligning sheet pile in sheet feeder of printing press, has support receiving sheet pile, and bearing unit bearing support in region of middle axes or points of support with respect to horizontal rotation and tilt of support - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (7) has a support (36) receiving a sheet pile, and a bearing unit bearing the support in a region of middle axes or middle points of the support with respect to horizontal rotation and tilt of the support. The bearing unit includes a rotatable axle (30), and supporting position of the bearing unit is adjusted perpendicular to the middle axis of the support. A lifting unit (5) is coupled with the support and includes a lifting plate (12), where the bearing unit is arranged on the lifting plate over a mounting unit (24). Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a sheet feeder comprising a sheet feeding unit (2) a method for aligning a sheet pile.

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for aligning a sheet stack, and a sheet feeder with a sheet conveying unit, which is suitable for applying sheets from a stack of sheets to a downstream device, such as a printing press.

In printing technology, it is known to separate sheets from a stack of sheets and apply them to a printing press. For this purpose, a variety of configurations of sheet feeders are known, which create usually arches with a uniform thickness. A common configuration in this case has a lifting device with a substantially flat support for receiving a sheet pile, as well as a conveying device arranged above. About the lifting device, the sheets of sheet stack are raised in the region of the conveyor and then taken up and transported away.

However, in some applications, the sheets to be applied have different thicknesses in their end regions. Such sheets may, for example, carry a substrate to be printed. It is also possible that the sheet has a punched-out area, the z. B. is held in position by means of an adhesive strip, wherein the sheet has a different thickness in the region of the adhesive strip compared to the rest of the sheet. If such a sheet is to be applied with different thicknesses in the end regions, conventional sheet feeders can not be used as a rule, since the top of the sheet stack, if it would rest on a horizontal support, would be inclined. Therefore, special sheet feeders have been developed for such applications in the past.

For example, shows the US Pat. No. 7,559,547 B2 a curved sheet support capable of accommodating a sheet stack consisting of sheets having different thicknesses in their end portions so that the uppermost sheet is substantially flat. By a special pivoting of the support, which is controlled by a control curve, it is achieved that the thicker end portion of the sheet stack is raised faster than the thinner end portion to hold the topmost substrate each level and horizontal. The structure of the device is complicated, and the control curve designed for specific substrates, so that it is not readily possible to create different substrates.

From the US 6,283,469 B1 In turn, a sheet feeder is known, which has a fixed horizontal support part, as well as a second support part which can be pivoted for this purpose. The pivotable part is pivotable below the plane of the horizontal part to accommodate the area of the sheets of greater thickness. By pivoting the pivotable member relative to the horizontal member, it is possible during the sheet loading operation to lift the thicker portion of the sheet stack faster than the horizontally held portion. As a result, a substantially planar and horizontal alignment of the respective uppermost arc of the sheet stack can be provided.

Based on this prior art, the present invention seeks to provide an alternative device and a corresponding method for aligning a sheet stack for sheets with different thicknesses in their end regions.

According to the invention this object is achieved by a device according to claim 1, a sheet feeder according to claim 11 and a method for aligning a sheet stack according to claim 22. Further embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the respective dependent claims.

According to one aspect, a device for aligning a sheet stack with a support for receiving the sheet stack is provided, which has at least one bearing unit, which supports the support in the region of a central axis or a center thereof with respect to a horizontal rotatable or tiltable. By the rotatable or tiltable carrying the support on the at least one storage unit in the region of the central axis or a center of the support the support is mounted in the manner of a rocker, and can hereby provide a simple alignment of a sheet stack with different thickness end. In particular, the bearing unit on an axis of rotation, which allows rotation in a predetermined direction, so as to be able to provide a specific orientation of the sheet stack. In this case, preferably a support position of the bearing unit is adjustable transversely to the central axis of the support, for example, to provide an adjustment of the support position with respect to a center of gravity of a sheet pile. This results in a lighter alignment of an uppermost arc of the sheet pile.

In a further embodiment, the bearing unit has a ball joint in order to provide for turning or tilting in several dimensions. Such a bearing unit preferably carries the support in the region of a center thereof, and is preferably adjustable in the region of the center of the support. In this way, in turn, an adaptation of the supporting position with respect to a center of gravity of a sheet stack can be provided.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device comprises a lifting unit which is coupled to the support to selectively raise or lower it. By way of this, a stack of sheets located on the support can, for example, be brought into the vicinity of a conveyor unit. Preferably, the lifting unit has a lifting table, and the storage unit is arranged on the lifting table via a carrier. The carrier should space the bearing unit sufficiently from the lift table, so as not to interfere with a rotation or tilting of the support within a certain range. Preferably, the position of the carrier for the storage unit on the lifting table is adjustable.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one abutment is provided, which is arranged for contacting an uppermost sheet of a stack of sheets on the support in order to provide an alignment of the sheet stack. In particular, contacting the uppermost sheet with the anvil may cause the support to rotate or tilt about the storage unit to align the uppermost sheet as desired. For this purpose, preferably, the support and / or the abutment to the respective other element and away from it movable.

The object underlying the invention is also achieved by a sheet feeder with a sheet conveying unit and a device arranged underneath of the type described above, wherein adjacent to the sheet conveying unit preferably at least one counter-bearing is provided, which is arranged so that it contacts a stack of sheets located on the pad before the sheet stack contacts the sheet conveying unit. By means of a corresponding alignment device in combination with an abutment, a sheet stack can be aligned with differently thick end regions of the sheets with respect to the sheet conveying unit, in order to enable good removal by the sheet conveying unit. Preferably, the at least one abutment is arranged so that it aligns a pile of sheets on the support to the sheet conveying unit. In order not to impair a removal of an uppermost sheet of the sheet pile, the abutment preferably has at least one element contacting the sheet stack, which is rotatable in a sheet conveying device of the sheet conveying unit. In this case, the at least one element preferably has a rotatably mounted roller for a simple construction.

Advantageously, at least one sensor is provided which senses the position of an uppermost sheet of a stack of sheets on the support in order to ensure a good removal of the uppermost sheet by the sheet conveying unit. In this case, the at least one sensor is preferably provided in or on at least one abutment. Advantageously, at least two sensors are provided at spaced-apart positions in order to be able to determine the position of the uppermost sheet of the stack at different positions, and thus its orientation.

In one embodiment of the invention, the sheet conveying unit has a suction-belt-type conveying mechanism. In this case, the at least one abutment is preferably arranged such that it aligns an uppermost sheet of a sheet stack located on the support substantially parallel to a conveying strand of the suction belt mechanism.

In one embodiment of the invention, the sheet conveying unit defines a conveying direction which is transverse to a direction of rotation of the bearing unit. Preferably, the conveying mechanism is arranged above a longitudinal or transverse central axis of a sheet stack located on the support. As a result, the uppermost sheet of a stack of sheets can usually be securely centered contacted and transported away.

The object underlying the invention is also achieved by a method for aligning a sheet stack, in which the sheet stack is first placed on a first support, and the support and the stack of sheets thereon about an axis of rotation or a pivot point or in the region of Center axis or a center of the support is rotated or tilted to the horizontal, to bring the uppermost sheet in a desired orientation. This results in the advantages already mentioned with reference to the device. Preferably, the uppermost sheet is aligned substantially horizontally.

In one embodiment of the invention, a position of the rotation axis or the fulcrum of the first edition is adjusted in dependence on the properties of the sheets forming the sheet pile in the region of the central axis. In one embodiment of the invention, the support and the stack of sheets located thereon are lifted by means of a lifting unit in order to bring the sheet stack, for example, into the region of a sheet conveying unit. Preferably, the uppermost sheet of the sheet stack is brought into contact with at least one abutment to effect the rotation or tilting of the support. Preferably, the position of an uppermost sheet of the sheet stack is sensed to control movement thereof.

According to the invention, a method for applying a sheet to a downstream unit is provided in which a sheet stack by the method described above is aligned and raised in the area of a sheet conveying unit, and then applied to the downstream unit by the sheet conveying unit. Preferably, in this case, the uppermost sheet of the sheet stack is brought in its central region with the sheet conveying unit in contact to promote it safely. In order to ensure a good contact between the sheet conveying unit and the uppermost sheet of the sheet stack, preferably the position of the uppermost sheet is sensed on both sides of the sheet conveying unit.

In one embodiment of the invention, the sheet conveying unit conveys the uppermost sheet transversely to a direction of rotation of the support.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings.

In the drawings shows:

1 a schematic side view of a sheet feeder according to a first embodiment;

2 a schematic front view of the sheet feeder according to 1 ;

3 a schematic side view of the sheet feeder according to 1 with a sheet pile in a first position;

4 a schematic side view of the sheet feeder with sheet stack according to 3 in a second position;

5 a schematic side view of an alternative sheet feeder with sheet pile.

The direction or position given in the following description refers to the illustration of the drawings and is not intended to be limiting. However, you can also refer to a preferred arrangement of individual elements. If the following is spoken of middle areas, a maximum deviation of ± 25%, in particular ± 10% and preferably ± 5%, of a dimension of the relevant element with respect to the center of the respective dimension is permissible in each case.

A first embodiment of a sheet feeder will be described below with reference to 1 to 4 explained in more detail.

1 shows a schematic side view of a sheet feeder 1 without a stack of sheets, as it is suitable for example for the creation of sheets in printing presses. 2 shows a schematic front view of the sheet feeder 1 according to 1 while the 3 and 4 schematic side views of the sheet feeder 1 with a sheet stack on it 2 show in different positions. The sheet feeder 1 As will be explained below, it is especially suitable for sheets which have different thicknesses in their end regions and thus an uneven sheet stack 2 form as in the 3 and 4 is shown.

The sheet feeder 1 has an overhead sheet conveying unit 3 , an underlying lifting unit 5 and an alignment unit 7 for receiving and aligning the sheet pile 2 ,

The sheet pile 2 consists, as stated above, of individual sheets which have different thicknesses in their end regions, so that they form an uneven stack. In the representation according to the 3 and 4 is the bow pile 2 thicker at its left end than at its right end. This results in that in particular the uppermost arc is not flat, but has a slightly curved contour. This top sheet of the sheet pile 2 should, as will be explained in more detail below, the sheet conveying unit 3 be aligned.

The sheet conveying unit 3 has a conveyor mechanism with suction belt. The conveyor mechanism with suction belt 9 is arranged such that it transversely to its conveying direction approximately centrally above the sheet pile 2 lies, ie that it lies above a transverse axis of the sheet pile. The conveyor mechanism with suction belt 9 is constructed so that it has a topmost arc of the sheet pile 2 record and according to the 1 . 3 and 4 can move to the right. Such a conveying mechanism 9 of the Saugbandtyps is well known in the art and will therefore not be explained in detail.

The sheet conveying unit may include an unillustrated nozzle assembly for directing an air jet to a leading edge in the sheet conveying direction of the uppermost sheet of the sheet stack 2 own, in order to provide a better release of the top sheet. There are also other means conceivable for a better release of the upper arc of the sheet pile 2 to enable.

The lifting unit 5 owns a lift table 12 which is movable up and down via a suitable lifting mechanism. In the illustrated embodiment, the lift table 12 over two threaded rods 14 stored movable up and down. One of the threaded rods 14 is directly with a rotary motor 16 coupled while the other threaded rod 14 over the first threaded rod 14 and a V-belt 18 with the rotary motor 16 coupled to a synchronous rotation of the threaded rods 14 provided. Of course, other suitable lifting mechanisms for the lift table 12 be provided.

The alignment unit 7 consists of a rocker unit 20 and an abutment unit 22 , The rocker unit 20 consists of two straps 24 a turntable 26 , as well as a circulation 28 , The carriers 24 are on the lift table 12 slidably mounted, as indicated by the double arrow A in 1 is indicated. The carriers 24 can do this, for example, in corresponding rails of the lift table 12 be arranged, which allow a lateral displacement according to the double arrow A. The carriers 24 have a triangular configuration as shown, but may also have a different configuration. At their end remote from the lifting table they have a bearing receptacle for receiving a bearing, not shown, of the rotary unit 26 ,

The turntable 26 consists essentially of the bearings, not shown, in the carrier 24 are included, as well as a rotation axis 30 , which has at its opposite ends in each case a thread for receiving clamping screws 32 ,

The rotation axis 30 extends between the two straps 24 , stands out about this and is freely rotatable about the corresponding pivot bearing with respect to the carrier 24 stored. Of course it is also possible, instead of a continuous axis of rotation 30 two separate axes of rotation in the region of the respective carrier 24 provided.

The support unit 28 consists essentially of a flat edition 36 with a flat support surface 38 , as well as two lateral flanges 40 , The flanges 40 are on the side of the support 36 attached and extend over a bottom of the pad 36 away down. Of course it is also possible the flanges 40 in one piece with the support 36 train.

The flanges 40 each have an elongated recess 42 which is responsible for a rotation axis 30 is dimensioned. The elongated recesses 42 allow lateral displacement of the support 36 with respect to the axis of rotation 30 , As one skilled in the art can appreciate, the edition 36 over the flanges 40 and the clamping screws 32 be fixed with respect to the axis of rotation. As mentioned, the rotation axis 30 through the elongated recess 42 in different positions regarding the edition 36 be fixed. This limits the elongated recess 42 an adjustment of the position of the axis of rotation relative to the support 36 on a longitudinal center region thereof. As a central area is an area around the longitudinal central axis of the support 36 +/- 25% of the total length of the edition 36 to understand. Preferably, the adjustment of the axis of rotation through the elongated recess 42 be limited to a range of the longitudinal center axis of the support +/- 10%, in particular +/- 5% of the total length thereof.

By doing that the carrier 24 with respect to the lift table 12 are adjustable, it is possible the position of the rotation axis 30 relative to the longitudinal center axis of the support 36 to adjust without the location of the pad 36 with respect to the sheet conveying unit 3 to change.

The counter-bearing unit 22 consists essentially of four roller elements 46 that are above the pad 36 are positioned in the four corners thereof. The rolling elements 46 are rotatably mounted on non-illustrated bearing units, wherein the direction of rotation with the conveying direction of the sheet conveying unit 3 is aligned. The counter-bearings 46 are each about springs 48 suspended resiliently. The spring travel of the springs may be short and, for example, in the range of 1 to 5 mm. A sensor unit is provided, which determines the position of the counter bearing 46 can recognize in the range of the spring travel to this over the topmost position of an arc of a sheet pile 2 to be able to capture, as will be explained in more detail below.

The information about the position of the roller elements 46 can then be passed to a control unit, not shown, which, for example, with the rotary motor 16 and the sheet conveying unit 3 is connected to control these in response to the position signal.

The operation of the sheet feeder 1 is described below with reference to the 1 to 4 explained in more detail.

The lift table 12 is initially in a lowered position, and the pad 36 is rotatably mounted on its longitudinal central axis. As a result, the overlay is substantially balanced and would assume a substantially horizontal position, as in FIG 1 is shown. Below is now a sheet pile 2 on the edition 36 placed. As in 3 is shown, has the sheet pile 2 a thin (right) end portion and a thicker (left) end portion, resulting in the corresponding bends of the sheet stack 2 is conditional. As a rule, the thicker end portion of the sheet pile is 2 heavier than the thin end area and therefore will the pad 36 around the axis of rotation 30 turned, as in 3 is shown. Depending on the bows used, it may make sense to position the axis of rotation 30 with respect to the longitudinal center axis of the support 36 to adjust the weight ratios on both sides of the axis of rotation 30 to balance something. In the presentation according to 3 For example, it might be appropriate to the axis of rotation 30 slightly to the left with respect to the longitudinal center axis of the support 36 to move.

Subsequently, now the lift table 12 and here's the edition 36 with the sheet pile 2 in the direction of the sheet conveying unit 3 raised. This will be the topmost sheet of the sheet pile 2 first the right-hand roller elements 46 contact, which serve as an abutment and a pivoting of the support 36 with respect to the axis of rotation 30 cause. The skilled artisan will recognize that for turning the pad 36 Required force is less when the pad is balanced with the sheet pile. If the overlay is not balanced, the force required to rotate the overlay increases.

Through the contact of the sheet pile 2 with the rolling elements 46 its position is against the force of the springs 48 changed. This position change is detected by the corresponding sensors. The lifting movement is continued until the stack of sheets 2 also the left rolling elements 46 contacted, and a position change thereof is detected. When the roller elements 46 are in predetermined positions, this means that the top sheet of the sheet pile 2 by turning the pad 36 around the axis of rotation 30 to the sheet conveying unit 3 is aligned. At this time, the lift table remains 12 stand, and the sheet conveying unit 3 can be accessed to the top sheet of the sheet pile 2 as known in the art. After conveying some sheets in this way, the position of at least one of the roll elements will usually become 46 change again what is detected by the sensors. Then, the lifting unit 5 again driven to the lift table 12 lift up to the roller elements 46 return to a predetermined position in which the top sheets of the sheet pile 2 can be carried away. Lifting the lift table 12 After each bow is usually is not required. Although, in the above description, the position of the sheet stack is due to movement of the roller elements 46 is detected, it is also possible to provide these non-movable and to detect the position of the sheet stack via other sensors, as are known in the art.

In the manner described above, the topmost sheets of the sheet pile become 2 each to the sheet conveying unit 3 aligned. As those skilled in the art will recognize, orientation will be regardless of whether the sheet stack has different thickness end portions or not.

5 shows an alternative embodiment of a sheet feeder 1 of the present invention. In 5 the same reference numerals are used as in the 1 to 4 ,

The sheet feeder 1 in turn has a sheet conveying unit 3 , a lifting unit 5 and an alignment unit 7 , The sheet conveying unit 3 is in turn the Saugbandtyps, which defines a particular conveying direction. The lifting unit has the same structure as in the previous embodiments and has a lifting table 12 , which has threaded rods 14 is movable up and down. The alignment unit 7 has in turn carrier 24 that with the lift table 12 are connected, and a rotation axis 30 that a circulation 24 rotatably supports. Again, there are four roller elements 46 above the corner areas of the overlay 36 intended. The orientation of the sheet conveying unit 3 and the rolling elements 46 However, compared to the embodiment of the 1 to 4 turned by 90 degrees. In particular, there is a central axis of the sheet conveying unit 3 above a longitudinal central axis of the support 36 ,

On the pad 36 Arcs are thus perpendicular to the leaf level according to 5 removed.

The operation of the sheet feeder 1 according to 5 similar to the above with reference to the 1 to 4 described operation.

The illustrated embodiments each show an axis of rotation 30 to make a rotation of the pad 36 to allow in the region of the longitudinal center axis. Alternatively, it is also possible, instead of a rotation axis 30 to provide a ball joint, the support 36 in the region of a center of the same carries. As a result, the degrees of freedom for a rotation or tilting of the support 36 increased, which may be particularly advantageous for sheets that have a thickening, for example, only in an edge region. The arrangement of the roller elements 46 as an abutment could remain unchanged in this arrangement.

Furthermore, in each case four counter bearings are provided in the illustrated embodiments. However, it is also conceivable to manage completely without an abutment, and a compensation of a sheet pile with different thickness end portions substantially via an adjustment of the axis of rotation with respect to a longitudinal center axis of the support 36 provided. This could be the conveyor unit 3 a certain counter bearing function occur when the top sheet of the stack is moved in contact herewith. However, it is presently preferred that the topmost sheets of the sheet stack not against the sheet conveying unit 3 to move but through the roller elements 46 spaced to keep this.

The invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments of the invention, without being limited to the specific embodiments shown.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 7559547 B2 [0004]
• US 6283469 B1 [0005]

Claims (31)

Contraption ( 7 ) for aligning a sheet pile ( 2 ) with a condition ( 36 ) for receiving the sheet pile ( 2 ), characterized by at least one storage unit ( 26 ), which the edition ( 36 ) carries in the region of a central axis or a center thereof with respect to a horizontal rotatable or tiltable. Contraption ( 7 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the storage unit ( 26 ) a rotation axis ( 30 ) having. Contraption ( 7 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a carrying position of the storage unit ( 26 ) transversely to the central axis of the support ( 36 ) is adjustable. Contraption ( 7 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the bearing unit comprises a ball joint. Contraption ( 7 ) according to claim 4, characterized in that a carrying position of the bearing unit in the region of the center of the support ( 36 ) is adjustable. Contraption ( 7 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a lifting unit ( 5 ), with the condition ( 36 ) to selectively raise or lower it. Contraption ( 7 ) according to claim 6, characterized in that the lifting unit ( 5 ) a lift table ( 12 ), wherein the storage unit ( 26 ) via a carrier ( 24 ) on the lift table ( 12 ) is arranged. Contraption ( 7 ) according to claim 7, characterized in that the position of the carrier ( 24 ) for the storage unit ( 26 ) on the lift table ( 12 ) is adjustable. Contraption ( 7 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one abutment ( 46 ) that for contacting an uppermost sheet of a sheet stack on the support ( 2 ) is arranged over this the sheet pile ( 2 ). Contraption ( 7 ) according to claim 9, characterized in that the support and / or the abutment to the respective other element and away from it is movable. Sheet feeder ( 1 ) with a sheet conveying unit ( 3 ) and a device arranged underneath ( 7 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein adjacent to the sheet conveying unit ( 3 ) at least one counter bearing ( 46 ) is provided, wherein the at least one abutment ( 46 ) is arranged so that there is one on the support ( 36 ) sheet pile ( 2 ) contacted before the sheet pile ( 2 ) the sheet conveying unit ( 3 ) contacted. Sheet feeder ( 1 ) according to claim 11, characterized in that the at least one abutment ( 46 ) is arranged so that there is one on the support ( 36 ) sheet pile ( 2 ) to the sheet conveying unit ( 3 ). Sheet feeder ( 1 ) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the abutment ( 46 ) At least one sheet pile ( 2 ) contacting element, that in a conveying direction of the sheet conveying unit ( 3 ) is rotatable. Sheet feeder ( 1 ) according to claim 11, characterized in that the at least one element has a rotatably mounted roller. Sheet feeder ( 1 ) according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that at least one sensor is provided, which detects the position of an uppermost sheet of a on the support ( 36 ) sheet pile ( 2 ) feels. Sheet feeder ( 1 ) according to claim 15, characterized in that the at least one sensor in or on at least one abutment ( 36 ) is provided. Sheet feeder ( 1 ) according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that at least two sensors are provided at spaced-apart positions. Sheet feeder ( 1 ) according to one of claims 11 to 17, characterized in that the sheet conveying unit ( 3 ) has a suction belt type conveying mechanism. Sheet feeder ( 1 ) according to claim 18, characterized in that the at least one abutment ( 46 ) is arranged so that there is a top sheet of one on the overlay ( 36 ) sheet pile ( 2 ) is aligned substantially parallel to a conveying run of the suction belt mechanism. Sheet feeder ( 1 ) according to one of claims 11 to 19, characterized in that the sheet conveying unit defines a conveying direction which is transverse to a direction of rotation of the bearing unit. Sheet feeder ( 1 ) according to one of claims 11 to 20, characterized in that the sheet conveying unit ( 3 ) above a longitudinal or transverse central axis of a on the support ( 36 ) sheet pile ( 2 ) is arranged. Method for aligning a sheet pile ( 2 ), in which the sheet pile ( 2 ) first on a circulation ( 36 ), characterized in that the support ( 36 ) and the sheet pile ( 2 ) about an axis of rotation or a fulcrum, which in the region of a central axis or a center of the support ( 36 ) is rotated or tilted to the horizontal to bring the uppermost sheet in a desired orientation. A method according to claim 22, characterized in that the uppermost sheet is aligned substantially horizontally. A method according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that a position of the axis of rotation or the fulcrum of the support ( 36 ) depending on the properties of the sheet stack ( 2 ) forming sheets is set. Method according to one of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that the support ( 36 ) and the sheet pile ( 2 ) via a lifting unit ( 5 ) be raised. Method according to one of claims 22 to 25, characterized in that the uppermost arc of the sheet pile ( 2 ) in contact with at least one abutment ( 46 ) is brought to rotate or tilt the pad ( 36 ) to effect. Method according to one of claims 22 to 26, characterized in that the position of an uppermost sheet of the sheet stack ( 2 ) is sensed to a movement of the sheet pile ( 2 ) to control. Method for applying a sheet to a downstream unit, characterized in that a sheet stack ( 2 ) by a method according to any one of claims 22 to 27 in the area of a sheet conveying unit ( 3 ) is lifted and aligned and then through the bow conveyor unit ( 3 ) is applied to the downstream unit. A method of applying a sheet according to claim 28, characterized in that the uppermost sheet of the sheet stack ( 2 ) in the region of a longitudinal or transverse center axis thereof with the sheet conveying unit ( 3 ) in order to promote it. A method of applying a sheet according to claim 29, characterized in that the position of the uppermost sheet on both sides of the sheet conveying unit ( 3 ) is sensed. Method according to one of claims 28 to 30, characterized in that the sheet conveying unit ( 3 ) the uppermost arc transverse to a direction of rotation of the support ( 36 ) transported away.

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