Feeder device

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to a feeder device and a sheet-fed processing machine. The feeder device comprises a rotation mechanism, a displacement mechanism, and a feeder flap. The rotation mechanism is configured to cause a rotating movement of the feeder flap for supplying a sheet to be fed into the sheet-fed processing machine towards a reception device of the sheet-fed processing machine. The displacement mechanism is configured to cause a displacement movement of the feeder flap according to a displacement direction.

Description

[0001] Feeder device

[0002] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] The present invention generally relates to a feeder device and a sheet-fed processing machine.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] In sheet-fed processing machines sheets are provided by means of feeder flaps from a stack of a plurality of sheets to be fed. The feeder flap commonly performs a rotation movement while supporting a respective sheet and thereby provides it to a processing device of the processing machine. However, in view of the weight of the sheets to be fed, the feeder flap may at least partially mark the sheet in a sense of stamping or scratching thereby causing irregularities of the sheet surface. The irregularities are caused in an even more pronounced fashion since, during the backward movement of the feeder flap, the feeder flap at least partially moves through the passageway of the sheets which are to be fed into the sheet fed processing machine. Therefore, if the timing is not appropriately adapted, irregularities are caused on the sheet surfaces.

[0006] The degree of marking of the sheets to be fed is also enhanced if the sheets are not ideally flat but represent deformed corrugated sheets since the area onto which the force caused by contact with the feeder flap is acting is reduced. Therefore, the depth of markings caused by the contact of the sheet and the feeder flap is enlarged.

[0007] Overall, known feeder flaps used for providing sheets to be fed to a sheet-fed- processing machine cause a degradation of the sheet quality.

[0008] Accordingly, there is need for providing a feeder device and a sheet-fed processing machine based on which the disadvantages of known feeder flaps maybe avoided or at least reduced.

[0009] In US Patent 2,199,170, a feeder device is described with a feeder flap that moves in an elliptical pattern driven by an eccentric drive. Initially, the feeder flap moves vertically downward to release the top sheet from a stack, enabling it to be removed and transported for further processing. However, during the backward phase of this motion, the edge of the feeder flap is raised higher than during the forward movement, which poses a risk of potentially damaging the underside of the sheet.

[0010] SUMMARY

[0011] The subject matter of the independent claims satisfy the respective need. Preferred embodiments are indicated within the dependent claims and the following description, each of which, individually or in combination, may represent aspects of the disclosure.

[0012] A summary of certain embodiments disclosed herein is set forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide a brief summary of these certain embodiments and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below.

[0013] According to an aspect, a feeder device for a sheet-fed processing machine is provided. The feeder device comprises at least a rotation mechanism, a displacement mechanism, and a feeder flap. The rotation mechanism is configured to cause a rotating movement of the feeder flap for supplying a sheet to be fed into the sheet-fed processing machine towards a reception device of the sheet-fed processing machine. The displacement mechanism is configured to cause a displacement movement of the feeder flap according to a displacement direction.

[0014] In other words, the feeder device according to the present disclosure is configured such that the feeder flap may not only rotate but may be displaced as well. In particular, the displacement movement may be oriented such that the contact between the feeder flap and the sheet to be fed can be avoided since the feeder flap may be removed from the passageway for the sheet to be fed. Hence, the risk of irregularities in the sheet to be fed caused by the feeder flap is reduced since at least for a specific portion of the feeding period a distance between the feeder flap and the passageway for the sheet to be fed is guaranteed. Thus, the surface quality of the sheet to be fed is improved independent of a potential deformed corrugation of the sheet to be fed. Within the present context, a sheet-fed processing machine may be considered a machine for professional purposes, which is used to manipulate sheets, in particular paper or cardboard sheets, such as by cutting, printing, stamping, or the like. For example, the sheet-fed processing machine may represent a hot-foil- stamping machine. In principle, the sheet-fed processing machine is fed by individual sheets of a stack (pile) of sheets.

[0015] Within the present context, the rotating movement may be considered a rotation with respect to a rotation axis. In other words, the rotating movement may follow a substantial circular path around the rotation axis.

[0016] Within the present context, the rotation mechanism may be considered a device, which is configured to cause the rotating movement of the feeder flap based on a mechanical, pneumatic, or electrical actuation.

[0017] Within the present context, the displacement movement may be considered a movement which substantially follows a substantially linear (straight) path. However, the resulting path which the feeder flap follows may not necessarily be linear since several movements of the feeder flap may overlap each other such that the resulting trajectory differs from a linear (straight) path. Rather, a superposed trajectory may be achieved in this case. A curvature of the resulting trajectory may also be caused at least to some extent by the mechanism as to how the movement of the feeder flap is caused. Within the present context, the displacement mechanism may be considered a device, which is configured to cause the displacement movement of the feeder flap based on a mechanical, pneumatic, or electrical actuation.

[0018] Within the present context, the reception device of the sheet-fed processing machine may be considered a device which is configured to capture a sheet which is fed to the sheet-fed processing machine. In particular, the reception device is configured to capture the sheet in a defined fashion such that the sheet may subsequently be processed according to a standard procedure. The defined fashion may for example include a specific orientation of the sheet which is captured. In some embodiments, the reception device may for example comprise a pair of rollers which are configured to capture a sheet in between them such that the orientation of the sheet is guaranteed for further processing.

[0019] The rotation mechanism is configured to cause the rotating movement at least partially during a forward movement and a backward movement of the feeder flap. The displacement mechanism is configured to perform the displacement movement at least partially during the backward movement of the feeder flap. In other words, the feeder flap performs a forward movement for feeding the sheets into the sheet-fed processing machine or towards the reception device thereof. During the forward movement, the displacement mechanism is not required to cause a displacement movement of the feeder flap. However, during the backward movement of the feeder flap, when the feeder flap is moved back to its initial position for the subsequent feeding cycle, the rotation mechanism and the displacement mechanism both cause respective movements of the feeder flap. As a consequence, for enabling the possibility to support the sheet to be fed during the forward movement of the feeder flap, the feeder flap is required to reach or intervene the passageway of the sheets to be fed as otherwise a supporting contact would be impossible. Therefore, during the forward movement of the feeder flap, the displacement movement is not necessarily required. However, since the feeder flap performs an additional displacement movement during the backward movement, a potential intervening of the feeder flap and the passageway of the sheets is advantageously avoided.

[0020] In the forward motion, the displacement mechanism may align the front edge of the feeder flap with the front edge of the sheet, slightly leading it in time. This way, the sheet doesn't have to be carried over this front edge because it moves just ahead of the sheet at a similar speed.

[0021] Additionally, as the feeder flap extends between forward and backward motions, it forms a ramp to prevent the sheet's edge from getting stuck under the reception device during further processing. This ramp is ideally set at a 45-degree angle (100% slope) but should not exceed a 150% slope to function effectively as a ramp rather than a barrier.

[0022] Optionally, during the backward movement of the feeder flap, the rotation mechanism and the displacement mechanism both may cause movements of the feeder flap which at least partially overlap each other in time. This means that the respective movements, at least during the backward movement of the feeder flap, may at least partially be carried out simultaneously.

[0023] The displacement mechanism may be configured to cause a displacement movement of the feeder flap during the forward movement of the feeder flap as well. In this case, a forward movement of the feeder flap may be guaranteed which advantageously is more flat than without the displacement movement being carried out. If the forward movement of the feeder flap is solely based on the rotation mechanism, the front edge of the feeder flap performs a trajectory which substantially follows a circular path. Accordingly, during this trajectory the front edge of the feeder flap comprises different height levels defined by the underlying circular path. If, during the forward movement of the feeder flap, the displacement movement of the feeder flap is additionally carried out as well, the trajectory may be flattened in a sense that the front edge of the feeder flap only reaches a reduced maximum height level as compared to the aforementioned case without the displacement movement. Hence, the forward movement is advantageously more flat. As a consequence, less force is applied to the sheet such that reduced irregularities are caused within the sheet surface. Of course, the displacement mechanism and the rotation mechanism may cause respective movements of the feeder flap during the forward movement of the feeder flap overlapping each other at least partially in time.

[0024] In some embodiments, irrespective of the forward movement or the backward movement of the feeder flap, the rotating movement and the displacement movement may also be carried out subsequent to each other.

[0025] Just as an option, the displacement mechanism is not required to be initiated when the backward movement of the feeder flap starts. Rather, the displacement mechanism may also be initiated prior to or after the point in time when the backward movement of the feeder flap starts. For example, the displacement mechanism may also be initiated slightly before the backward movement of the feeder flip starts, i.e. slightly before the forward movement of the feeder flap is finished.

[0026] Optionally, the feeder flap comprises a front edge. The front edge of the feeder flap comprises a first maximum height level during the forward movement of the feeder flap. The front edge of the feeder flap comprises a second maximum height level during the backward movement of the feeder flap. The second maximum height level is lower than the first maximum height level. This condition is guaranteed since, during the backward movement of the feeder flap, the displacement movement causes a height reduction of the front edge of the feeder flap.

[0027] In this regard, the height level of the front edge of the feeder flap is determined by height above the supporting surface of the passageway of the sheets to be fed into the sheet-fed press processing machine. The maximum height level during each respective movement of the feeder flap may then be considered the highest height level above the supporting surface which the front edge of the feeder flap engages during the respective movement. Since the displacement movement may guarantee that the feeder flap does not even reach the passageway of the sheets to be fed during the backward movement, the maximum height level may also be zero or even negative during the backward movement. In other words, while the front edge of the feeder flap undergoes a trajectory during the forward movement where it engages a positive maximum height level, the maximum height level during the backward movement of the feeder flap may be zero or even negative. As a consequence, a contact between the feeder flap and the passageway of the sheets to be fed is guaranteed to be avoided during the backward movement of the feeder flap.

[0028] Optionally, the displacement direction of the feeder flap is oriented perpendicular to a rotation axis of the feeder flap specified by the rotation mechanism. Therefore, the displacement movement is usable to directly retract the feeder flap out of the space which is required in view of the rotation mechanism. In other words, the displacement mechanism provides an additional degree of freedom in view of the movement of the feeder flap.

[0029] Preferably, the rotation axis of the feeder flap is oriented in a horizontal plane and the displacement direction of the feeder flap is oriented substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane. Whereas the sheets to be fed are usually transported along horizontal routes, the displacement direction is particularly configured to move the feeder flap as directly as possible away from the horizontal plane in which the interaction with the sheets to be fed takes place. Accordingly, the direction used to retract the feeder flap may particularly be adapted to coincide with the direction of gravity.

[0030] In some embodiments, the rotation mechanism and the displacement mechanism are coupled to each other via a control shaft. This offers the possibility to include a joint mechanical coupling such that the different movement mechanisms can be jointly controlled, such as via a control device.

[0031] In particular, the control shaft may be used to harmonize the rotation mechanism and the displacement mechanism with regard to each other such that an overall defined movement scheme of the feeder flap is achieved.

[0032] Preferably, each of the rotation mechanism and the displacement mechanism comprises at least one of a cam device, a pneumatic drive, and an electrical drive. Spoken differently, there are various ways to ensure an appropriate movement of the different mechanisms such as by cam devices which allow to adapt the sequence of the different movement mechanisms with regard to each other depending on the orientations of the cam devices.

[0033] According to preferred embodiments, the rotation mechanism comprises a first cam device and the displacement mechanism comprises a second cam device. The first and the second cam devices are coupled to the feeder flap via respective first and second levers. Thus, the levers represent mechanical connections to transmit the movement of the cam devices directly to the feeder flap. Hence, appropriate movement of the feeder flap depending on the timely varying orientations of the cam devices is ensured.

[0034] Since the displacement mechanism is mediated by at least one lever to the feeder flap the resulting displacement movement is not necessarily linear but may show a small curvature instead. However, the displacement movement may be considered substantially linear in the sense that it only slightly differs from a straight movement.

[0035] Optionally, the first cam device and the second cam device are coupled to a camshaftcamshaft. The camshaftcamshaft may then be directly operated to control the movement of all cam devices. In other words, the actuation of a single component, namely the camshaftcamshaft guarantees an appropriate movement of the feeder flap, including an appropriate sequence of the rotation mechanism and the displacement mechanism which individually depend on the orientation of the cam devices with respect to the camshaft.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the feeder device also comprises a control device configured to actuate the camshaft depending at least on a position of the sheet to be fed into the sheet-fed processing machine. In this regard, at least one sensing device may be coupled to the control device and may provide measurement values based on which the position of the sheet to be fed may be determined by the control device. Thereby, appropriate movement of the feeder flap may be guaranteed with respect to the sheet’s position.

[0037] Optionally, the control device may be coupled to a motor device or the like which is configured to cause a movement, particularly a rotation, of the camshaft based on at least one control signal received by the control device.

[0038] The control device may comprise circuitry to be configured to perform the aforementioned control routines.

[0039] Preferably, the first and second levers are mounted to a support structure in a spring-loaded fashion. Therefore, it can be guaranteed that the spring-loaded levers return to a defined position after a certain sequence of movements, for example, after one turn of the camshaft during which the levers may eventually move against the spring-loaded force acting on them.

[0040] Optionally, the first and second levers are coupled to the control shaft. This offers the possibility to provide a simultaneous anchor point by the control shaft for the various levers. Accordingly, the complexity of the feeder device is reduced since separate anchor points may be avoided.

[0041] Preferably, the first and second levers are at least partially rotatable about the control shaft. This means that no full rotation about the control shaft is required to be provided in view of the levers. However, a fraction of a turn may be possible in both rotation directions for the various levers. Since a single rotation axis is provided, the complexity of the feeder device is further reduced.

[0042] In some embodiments, an additional third lever is mounted distant to and in parallel to the second lever. The additional third lever couples at least the control shaft and the feeder flap. In other words, at least in view of the displacement mechanism several mechanical connections may be provided between the control shaft and the feeder flap. This allows a more uniform displacement movement to be achieved. Especially in view of the lateral dimensions of the feeder flap which can be substantially large (basically depending on the dimensions of the sheets to be fed), a bending of a portion of the feeder flap can thus be avoided or at least be reduced compared to a configuration of a single lever connection.

[0043] Of course, there may also be additional levers provided acting parallel to the second lever or the first lever. In essence, a more uniform movement of the feeder flap can be guaranteed although the feeder flap may comprise large lateral dimensions (along the rotation axis).

[0044] According to another aspect, a sheet-fed processing machine comprising the feeder device as described herein above is provided.

[0045] The sheet-fed processing machine may in particular comprise at least one processing device for cutting, printing, stamping or the like of sheets. Each of these processing devices may comprise a reception device which is used to arrange captured sheets according to required orientations. The sheets may at least partially be provided using the above-described feeder device. Especially, a first processing device (upstream processing device at the entrance of the processing machine) may be fed using a feeder device with sheets being provided generally from a pile of stacks positioned in an introduction station of the machine.

[0046] In this regard, the feeder flap of the feeder device also functions so as to guarantee a straight (vertical) orientation of the remaining sheets of the pile of sheets if the topmost sheet is introduced into the machine.

[0047] All features and embodiments disclosed with respect to any aspect of the present disclosure are combinable alone or in (sub-)combination with any one of the remaining aspects of the present disclosure including each of the preferred embodiments thereof, provided the resulting combination of features is reasonable to a person skilled in the art.

[0048] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] The forgoing aspects and further advantages of the claimed subject matter will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings,

[0050] Fig. 1 is a schematic drawing of a sheet-fed processing machine,

[0051] Fig. 2 is a schematic drawing of an introduction section of the sheet-fed processing machine,

[0052] Fig. 3 is a schematic drawing of a feeder device,

[0053] Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B are schematic side drawings of the feeder flap,

[0054] Fig. 5 is another schematic drawing of the feeder flap, and

[0055] Fig. 6 is another schematic drawing of the sheet-fed processing machine.

[0056] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings, where like numerals reference like elements, is intended as a description of various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and is not intended to represent the only embodiments. Each embodiment described in this disclosure is provided merely as an example or illustration and should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The illustrative examples provided herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the claimed subject matter to the precise forms disclosed. Various modifications to the described embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the described embodiments. Thus, the described embodiments are not limited to the embodiments shown, but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

[0058] All of the features disclosed hereinafter with respect to the example embodiments and / or the accompanying figures can alone or in any subcombination be combined with features of the aspects of the present disclosure including features of preferred embodiments thereof, provided the resulting feature combination is reasonable to a person skilled in the art. For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “at least one of A, B, and C”, for example, means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C), including all further possible permutations when greater than three elements are listed. In other words, the term “at least one of A and B” generally means “A and / or B”, namely “A” alone, “B” alone or “A and B”.

[0059] Fig. 1 is a schematic drawing of a sheet-fed processing machine 10. The machine 10 comprises an introduction station 12, at least one processing device 14, and an output station 16.

[0060] At the introduction station 12, a pile 18 of sheets 20 to be fed into the sheet-fed processing machine 10 is provided.

[0061] At the output station 16, a pile 18 of processed sheets 20 is built up.

[0062] Inside the machine 10, gripper bars 22 are used along chain drives 24 to fetch separate sheets 20 and to transport those through various sections, such as the processing device 14.

[0063] Within the present embodiment, the processing device 14 represents a platen press although other types of processing devices 14 may also be contemplated, such as printing devices, cutting devices or the like.

[0064] Upstream to the processing device 14, a feeder device 26 is provided which is configured to guarantee appropriate feeding of the sheets 20 towards the processing device 14 across a feeding table 28.

[0065] According to the present embodiment, the sheet-fed processing machine 10 comprises a motor 30 to cause a movement of the chain drive 24.

[0066] The feeder device 26 serves two purposes. Firstly, it ensures an appropriate feeding of sheets 20 of the pile 18 of sheets 20 at the introduction station 12 towards the feeding table 28. Secondly, the feeder device 26 guarantees that the sheets 20 of the pile 18 of sheets 20 arranged within the introduction station 12 remain appropriately oriented while the feeding procedure is being carried out. Spoken differently, a stabilizing mechanism is guaranteed by the feeder device 26 during the feeding procedure being performed. Fig. 2 is a schematic drawing of an introduction section 12 of the sheet-fed processing machine 10.

[0067] The pile 18 of sheets 20 to be fed into the machine 10 is arranged on a platform 32 that can be lifted using a motor 34. Accordingly, it is ensured that the topmost sheet 20 is positioned always at a similar height level. Thereby, the feeder device 26 may interact with the pile 18, and in particular the topmost sheet 20, in the same way independent from the number of sheets 20 left within the pile 18.

[0068] A suction device 36 is used to generally lift the topmost sheet 20 and to transport the sucked sheet 20 towards the feeding table 28 along a horizontal direction, indicated by arrow 38.

[0069] This movement of the sheet 20 is assisted by the feeder device 26 prior to a reception device 40 assigned to the most upstream processing device 14 of the machine 10 and configured for capturing the individual sheets 20.

[0070] Within the present embodiment, the reception device 40 comprises a pair of rollers 42 which are arranged and configured to capture a sheet 20 in between of them. Since one roller 42 is arranged above the sheet 20 and the other one below, a rotation of the rollers 42 in opposite rotating directions (rotating senses) causes a movement of the sheet 20 (from right to left as shown here).

[0071] The feeder device 26 acts as an intermediate device between the suction device 36 and the reception device 40 transferring the sheets 20 between those two devices.

[0072] To avoid unwanted waste and to improve the surface quality of the sheets 20 and the production efficiency of the machine 10, the present feeder device 26 comprises multiple movement mechanisms acting in different directions.

[0073] Fig. 3 is a schematic drawing of a feeder device 26. The feeder device 26 comprises a feeder flap 44 having a front edge 45, a control shaft 46, and a camshaft 48. A first cam device 50 and a second cam device 52 are coupled to the camshaft 48. The first cam device 50 is coupled via a first lever 54 to the feeder flap 44. The second cam device 52 is coupled via a second lever 56 to the feeder flap 44. The first lever 54 and the second lever 56 are also coupled to the control shaft 46. A third lever 58 is mounted in parallel but distant to the second lever 56 between the control shaft 46 and the feeder flap 44.

[0074] The first to third levers 54, 56, 58 are at least partially rotatable about the control shaft 46 which acts as an anchor point in this regard. Moreover, at least the first and the second levers 54, 56 are spring-loaded by spring devices 60 coupled between the levers 54, 56 and a support structure of the machine 10.

[0075] The feeder device 26 is generally mounted to a support plate 62 of the sheetfed processing machine 10.

[0076] A motor device 64 is coupled to the camshaft 48 for the possibility to cause a movement of the feeder flap 44.

[0077] According to the present embodiment, the first cam device 50 and the first lever 54 are assigned to a rotation mechanism 66 of the feeder device 26. Depending on the orientation of the first cam device 50 with respect to the camshaft 48 and the first lever 54, a rotation of the camshaft 48 causes a rotation of the first lever 54 about the control shaft 46. As a consequence, a rotation of the feeder flap 44 about a rotation axis 68 occurs. The front edge 45 of the feeder flap follows a trajectory having a circular path in this regard.

[0078] Likewise, the second cam device 52, the second lever 56, and the third lever 58 are assigned to a displacement mechanism 70 of the feeder device 26. Depending on the orientation of the second cam device 52 with respect to the camshaft 48 and the second lever 56, a rotation of the camshaft 48 causes a rotation of the second lever 56 and the third lever 58 about the control shaft 46. As a consequence, a displacement of the feeder flap 44 along a displacement direction 72 occurs. In other words, the displacement movement of the feeder flap 44 represents a linear movement. Accordingly, the front edge 45 of the feeder flap 44 performs a linear movement.

[0079] However, the rotation mechanism 66 and the displacement mechanism 70 may also be initiated at least partially overlapping each other in time. In other words, respective movements of the feeder flap 44 and its front edge 45 may be at least partially caused simultaneously. Therefore, the trajectory which the front edge 45 of the feeder flap 44 performs may comprise a superposition of a circular path and a linear movement. For example, the front edge 45 may follow a trajectory having a elliptic path.

[0080] According to the present embodiment, the rotation axis 68 lies within a horizontal plane and the displacement direction 72 is oriented approximately perpendicular thereto. The displacement is designed to be close to a linear vertical displacement but since it is driven by three levers, it is neither perfectly linear nor perfectly vertical. However, the main component of the displacement of the feeder flap 44 is the oriented vertically. In other words, the displacement direction 72 is oriented substantially along the vertical direction.

[0081] While the sheets 20 to be fed are generally transported parallel to the horizontal plane of the rotation axis 68, the displacement mechanism 70 enables to immediately displace the feeder flap 44 from this horizontal plane such that the contact with the sheet 20 to be fed may be directly stopped once the displacement mechanism 70 is initiated. The displacement movement of the feeder flap 44 may be caused by the displacement mechanism 70 at least partially during a backward movement of the feeder flap 44 while no respective sheet is supported but, instead, the feeder flap 44 returns to its initial position for a subsequent feeding cycle.

[0082] The sequence of the rotation mechanism 66 and the displacement mechanism 70 depends on the orientations of the first cam device 50 and the second cam device 52 with respect to the camshaft 48. Since both cam devices 50, 52 are coupled to a single camshaft, the sole motor device 64 may be used to control the movement of the feeder flap 44.

[0083] According to the present embodiment the sequence of the movement (movement scheme) of the feeder flap 44 may be described as rotating backwards anti-clockwise (transporting the sheet 20 to be fed), displacing downwards (cancelling the contact with the sheet 20 to be fed), rotating forward clockwise (for rotating towards the initial orientation), and displacing upwards (for moving towards the next point of intended contact with the subsequent sheet 20 to be fed). Afterwards, the movement of the feeder flap 44 is repeated for subsequent sheets 20.

[0084] Please note, that for illustrative purposes the sequence of the movement of the feeder flap 44 is described here as non-overlapping with regard to the rotating movement and the displacement movement. However, in general the rotating movement and the displacement movement may be performed at least partially overlapping each other, i.e. simultaneously.

[0085] In other words, the anti-clockwise backwards rotation of the feeder flap 44 may also at least to some extent or fully be executed simultaneous to the downwards displacement of the feeder flap 44. Likewise, the clockwise forward rotation may at least to some extent or fully be executed simultaneous to the upwards displacement of the feeder flap 44. Therefore, the period of a single cycle of the sequence of movements of the feeder flap 44 may be shortened such that a higher throughput of the sheets 20 may be achieved.

[0086] However, the displacement mechanism 70 enables to guarantee that a contact with a sheet 20 is avoided since the feet of flat 44 is removed from the passageway for the sheet 20. Therefore, causing additional surface irregularities with regard to the sheet’s 20 surface may be avoided. Consequently, the quality of the processed sheets 20 is improved and the efficiency of the entire machine 10 as well. The amount of waste is reduced.

[0087] Since the second lever 56 and the third lever 58 are acting in parallel to each other, a more homogenous force distribution is achieved during the displacement movement of the feeder flap 44. Also, less bending of the feeder flap 44 occurs along its width 74.

[0088] Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B are schematic side drawings of the feeder flap 44. A sheet 20 to be fed is already lifted from a pile 18 of sheets 20. However, the sheet 20 is not yet in contact with the feeder flap 44 for better illustration of the height characteristics of the feeder flap 44.

[0089] According to Fig. 4A, the feeder flap 44 is positioned according to a lifted position prior to the displacement mechanism 70 being activated. H1 specifies the maximum height level of the front edge 45 of the feeder flap 44 during the rotating movement of the rotation mechanism 66. H2 specifies the height level of the front edge 45 of the feeder flap 44 at the end of the backwards rotating movement of the rotation mechanism 66 but prior to the initiation of the displacement mechanism 70. Also, in Fig. 4A the feeder flap 44 forms a ramp 47 to prevent the sheet's 20 edge from getting stuck under the reception device 40 during further processing.

[0090] This ramp 47 is set at a 45-degree angle (100% slope)

[0091] According to Fig. 4B, the feeder flap 44 is positioned according to a retracted position after the displacement mechanism 70 was activated and the feeder flap 44 is retracted to a downward position. H2 again specifies the height level of the front edge 45 of the feeder flap 44 at the end of the backwards rotating movement of the rotation mechanism 66 but prior to the initiation of the displacement mechanism 70. In contrast, H3 specifies the height level of the feeder flap 44 after the displacement mechanism 70 was initiated and the feeder flap 44 is displaced downwards away from the sheet 20 to be fed to a lower position.

[0092] Here, again the motion of the feeder flap 44 is described in a sense that the backwards rotating movement and displacement mechanism are actuated one after the other. However, the backwards rotating movement and displacement mechanism 70 may generally overlap in time.

[0093] The height difference between H2 and H3 enables the contact with the sheet 20 to be fed to be cancelled such that surface irregularities within the surface of the sheet 20 may be reduced or even be avoided. Even if the sheet 20 is corrugated, the height difference between H2 and H3 is sufficient to avoid a contact.

[0094] Fig. 5 is another schematic drawing of the feeder flap 44. The feeder flap 44 is simultaneously shown in its so-called open position (solid lines) and its so-called closed position (dashed lines). During the forward movement 76 the front edge 45 of the feeder flap 44 follows an arc due to the rotation mechanism 66. During the forward movement 76 the front edge 45 engages a first maximum height level HMAX1 which is positive and which is higher than the nominal supporting surface 78 of the passageway of the sheets 20 to be fed.

[0095] During the backward movement 80 (dashed lines) the displacement mechanism 70 is initiated and causes a displacement movement of the feeder flap 44. As a consequence, the trajectory of the backward movement 80 is such that the front edge 45 of the feeder flap 44 remains below the supporting surface 78 of the passageway for the sheets 20 to be fed. This means that the maximum height level HMAX2 of the front edge 45 of the feeder flap 44 is zero, namely at the end of the backward movement 80. Therefore, relative to the supporting surface 78 of the passageway of the sheets 20 to be fed, the maximum height level HMAX2 which the front edge 45 of the feet of that 44 engages during the backward movement 80 is lower than the maximum height level HMAX1 of the front edge 45 of the feeder flap 44 during the forward movement 76.

[0096] Hence, a contact between the feeder flap 44 and the passageway of the sheets 20 to be fed is guaranteed to be avoided during the backward movement 80. This is achieved since at least during the backward movement 80 the feeder flap 44 is moved at least partially by the rotation mechanism 66 and the displacement mechanism 70, which may optionally be carried out at least partially simultaneous to each other.

[0097] Fig. 6 is another schematic drawing of the sheet-fed processing machine 10. According to this embodiment, the machine 10 comprises a control device 82 being part of the feeder device 26 comprising circuitry. The control device 82 is coupled to the motor device 64 for controlling a movement of the camshaft 48. Optionally, the control device 82 may be coupled to at least one sensing device such that the movement of the camshaft 48 is adapted to a position of a sheet 20 to be fed. Therefore, appropriate movement of the feeder flap 44 may be guaranteed depending on the sheet’s position.

[0098] Certain embodiments disclosed herein, particularly the respective module(s), utilize circuitry (e.g., one or more circuits) in order to implement standards, protocols, methodologies or technologies disclosed herein, operably couple two or more components, generate information, process information, analyze information, generate signals, encode / decode signals, convert signals, transmit and / or receive signals, control other devices, etc. Circuitry of any type can be used.

[0099] In an embodiment, circuitry includes, among other things, one or more computing devices such as a processor (e.g., a microprocessor), a general purpose computation on graphics processing unit (GPGPLI), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field- programmable gate array (FPGA), a system on a chip (SoC), or the like, or any combinations thereof, and can include discrete digital or analog circuit elements or electronics, or combinations thereof. In an embodiment, circuitry includes hardware circuit implementations (e.g., implementations in analog circuitry, implementations in digital circuitry, and the like, and combinations thereof).

[0100] In an embodiment, circuitry includes combinations of circuits and computer program products having software or firmware instructions stored on one or more computer readable memories that work together to cause a device to perform one or more protocols, methodologies or technologies described herein. In an embodiment, circuitry includes circuits, such as, for example, microprocessors or portions of microprocessor, that require software, firmware, and the like for operation. In an embodiment, circuitry includes one or more processors or portions thereof and accompanying software, firmware, hardware, and the like.

[0101] The present application may reference quantities and numbers. Unless specifically stated, such quantities and numbers are not to be considered restrictive, but exemplary of the possible quantities or numbers associated with the present application. Also in this regard, the present application may use the term "plurality" to reference a quantity or number. In this regard, the term "plurality" is meant to be any number that is more than one, for example, two, three, four, five, etc. The terms "about", "approximately”, "near" etc., mean plus or minus 5% of the stated value.

[0102] Although the disclosure has been illustrated and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In addition, while a particular feature of the disclosure may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.

Claims

Claims1. A feeder device (26) for a sheet-fed processing machine (10) comprising a rotation mechanism (66), a displacement mechanism (70), and a feeder flap (44), wherein the rotation mechanism (66) is configured to cause a rotating movement of the feeder flap (44) for supplying a sheet (20) to be fed into the sheet-fed processing machine (10) towards a reception device (40) of the sheet-fed processing machine (10), and wherein the displacement mechanism (70) is configured to cause a displacement movement of the feeder flap (44) according to a displacement direction (72), wherein the rotation mechanism (66) is configured to cause the rotating movement at least partially during a forward movement (76) and a backward movement (80) of the feeder flap (44), and wherein the displacement mechanism (70) is configured to perform the displacement movement at least partially during the backward movement (80) of the feeder flap (44). wherein the feeder flap (44) comprises a front edge (45), wherein the front edge (45) of the feeder flap (44) comprises a first maximum height level (HMAX1) during the forward movement (76) of the feeder flap (44), wherein the front edge (45) of the feeder flap (44) comprises a second maximum height level (HMAX2) during the backward movement (80) of the feeder flap (44), and wherein the second maximum height level (HMAX2) is lower than the first maximum height level (HMAX1).

2. The feeder device (26) according to claim 1 , wherein, as the feeder flap (44) extends between forward movement (76) and backward movement (80), the feeder flap (44) forms a ramp for preventing the sheet (20) from getting stuck under the reception device (40).

3. The feeder device (26) according to the preceding claim, wherein the ramp (47) has a slope which is smaller or equal to 150%, preferably a slope equal to 100%.

4. The feeder device (26) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the displacement direction (72) of the feeder flap (44) is oriented perpendicular to a rotation axis (68) of the feeder flap (44) caused by the rotation mechanism (66).

5. The feeder device (26) according to claim 4, wherein the rotation axis (68) of the feeder flap (44) is oriented in a horizontal plane, and wherein the displacement direction (72) of the feeder flap (44) is oriented substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane.

6. The feeder device (26) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the rotation mechanism (66) and the displacement mechanism (70) are coupled to each other via a control shaft (46).

7. The feeder device (26) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the rotation mechanism (66) and the displacement mechanism (70) comprises at least one of a cam device (50, 52), a pneumatic drive, and an electrical drive.

8. The feeder device (26) according to claim 7, wherein the rotation mechanism (66) comprises a first cam device (50), wherein the displacement mechanism (70) comprises a second cam device (52), and wherein the first and the second cam devices (50, 52) are coupled to the feeder flap (44) via respective first and second levers (54, 56).

9. The feeder device (26) according to claim 8, wherein the first cam device (50) and the second cam device (52) are coupled to a camshaft (48).

10. The feeder device (26) according to claim 9 comprising a control device (82) configured to actuate the camshaft (48) depending at least on a position of the sheet (20) to be fed into the sheet-fed processing machine (10).11 . The feeder device (26) according to any of claims 8 to 10, wherein the first and second levers (54, 56) are mounted to a support structure in a spring-loaded fashion.

12. The feeder device (26) according to any of claims 8 to 11 inasmuch as depending on claim 6, wherein the first and second levers (54, 56) are coupled to the control shaft (46).

13. The feeder device (26) according to claim 12, wherein the first and second levers (54, 56) are rotatable about the control shaft (46).

14. The feeder device (26) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein an additional third lever (58) is mounted distant to and in parallel to the second lever (56), wherein the additional third lever (58) couples at least the control shaft (46) and the feeder flap (44).

15. A sheet-fed processing machine (10) comprising the feeder device (26) according to any of the preceding claims.

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