Patent attributes
A plate feeding apparatus of this invention includes a storage unit 10 for storing a plurality of plates P with end edges thereof arranged even by a stopper 11, a first and a second nip rollers 12 and 13, a suction device 45 disposed at a distal end of an arm 44 swingable about a moving unit 43 for sucking and holding an upper surface adjacent an end edge of each plate, a moving mechanism for moving the moving unit 43 along the surfaces of the plates, and for swinging the arm 44 about the moving unit 43, thereby to invert a portion adjacent the end edge of each plate sucked and held by the suction device 45, and subsequently to move the portion to a position to be pinched by the first nip roller or second nip roller, and a storage unit moving mechanism 26 for moving the storage unit 10 in directions perpendicular to the axes of the first and second nip rollers 12 and 13.
