Method for feeding sheets

Abstract

A method for feeding a plurality of sheets from a stack of sheets into a sheet processing machine includes picking up a first sheet from the stack of sheets using a first feeding device. The sheet is conveyed to a first transfer point of the processing machine. A second sheet is picked up from the stack of sheets using a second feeding device and conveyed to a second transfer point. The first and second transfer points are spatially separated. The sheets alternately move into a sheet conveyor device of the sheet processing machine. A single transfer point can also be used.

1 . A method for feeding a plurality of sheets from a stack of sheets into a sheet processing machine, in particular a digital printing machine, the method comprising:
 picking up a first sheet from the stack of sheets using a first feeding device and conveying the sheet to a first transfer point of the processing machine,   picking up of a second sheet from the stack of sheets using a second feeding device and conveying the second sheet to a second transfer point of the processing machine, the first and second transfer points being spatially separated,   so that the sheets alternately move into a sheet conveyor device of the sheet processing machine.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the steps of picking up include:
 picking up the sheet at a pick-up speed;   accelerating the sheet to an approximate speed of the sheet conveyor device in the processing machine;   transferring the sheet to the sheet conveyor device of the processing machine; and   decelerating the feeding device to the pick-up speed.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the alternating pick-up and transport of the sheets is accomplished by starting the feeding process of the first and the second feeding devices with a time offset. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the sheets of the first feeding device are guided via a first sheet moving path to the processing machine, and the sheets of the second feeding device are guided via a second sheet moving path of a different length to the processing machine;
 wherein the feeding of the sheets with a time offset is accomplished by the simultaneously picking up the sheets and by transporting them with a time offset in the first and second sheet moving paths.   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second feeding devices alternately and with a time offset take the sheets off the same stack of sheets. 
     
     
         6 . A method for feeding a plurality of sheets from a stack of sheets into a sheet processing machine, in particular a digital printing machine, the method comprising:
 picking up of a first sheet using a first feeding device from the stack of sheets and conveying the sheet to a transfer point of the processing machine,   picking up of a second sheet using a second feeding device from the at least one stack of sheets and conveying the second sheet to the transfer point of the processing machine,   so that the sheets alternately move into a sheet conveyor device of the sheet processing machine.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the alternating pick-up and transport of the sheets is accomplished by starting the feeding process of the first and the second feeding devices with a time offset. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the sheets of the first feeding device are guided via a first sheet moving path to the processing machine, and the sheets of the second feeding device are guided via a second sheet moving path of a different length to the processing machine;
 wherein the feeding of the sheets with a time offset is accomplished by the simultaneously picking up the sheets and by transporting them with a time offset in the first and second sheet moving paths.