SHEET FEEDING DEVICE COMPRISING A HEATING UNIT

Abstract

A sheet feeding device (1) is provided. The sheet feeding device comprises a storage surface (11) for a stack of sheets (5), a blower arrangement comprising a plurality of side blower units (21) and a front blower unit (22), at least one fan (23) configured to supply one or more air streams (3) to each of the side blower units and the front blower unit. The plurality 5 of side blower units and the front blower unit are configured to direct the one or more air streams towards an upper region (12) of the sheet feeding device for floating a plurality of upper sheets (5a) of the stack of sheets. The sheet feeding device further comprises a vacuum belt feeder (30) configured to grab and feed away an uppermost sheet (5b) of the plurality of floated sheets. The blower arrangement further comprises a heating unit (40) arranged between a first fan (23) of the at least one fan and the front blower unit, and configured to heat the one or more air streams supplied by the first fan to the front blower unit.

Claims

1. Sheet feeding device comprising: a storage surface for a stack of sheets, the storage surface having a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a first side edge and a second side edge and being adapted to move vertically between a lower position and an upper position; a blower arrangement comprising: a plurality of side blower units provided along the first side edge and the second side edge of the storage surface, and a front blower unit provided along the leading edge of the storage surface; at least one fan configured to supply one or more air streams to each of the side blower units and the front blower unit; and wherein the plurality of side blower units and the front blower unit are configured to direct the one or more air streams towards an upper region of the sheet feeding device for floating a plurality of upper sheets of the stack of sheets; and a vacuum belt feeder configured to grab and feed away an uppermost sheet of the plurality of floated sheets; characterized in that the blower arrangement further comprises: a heating unit arranged between a first fan of the at least one fan and the front blower unit, and configured to heat the one or more air streams supplied by the first fan to the front blower unit; and at least one side heating unit arranged between a third fan of the at least one fan and a side blower unit of the plurality of side blower units, and configured to heat the one or more air streams supplied by the third fan to said side blower unit.

2. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the front blower unit is further configured to direct the one or more air streams in a direction substantially perpendicular to the leading edge.

3. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, further comprising a channel configured to guide the air stream from the first fan to the front blower unit; and wherein the heating unit is arranged within the channel.

4. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the heating unit comprises at least one resistive wire configured to generate heat, and wherein the heating unit is further configured to heat the one or more air streams supplied to the front blower unit via the at least one resistive wire.

5. The sheet feeding device according to claim 4, wherein a resistive wire of the at least one resistive wire is extending along and/or across a path of the one or more air streams supplied by the first fan to the front blower unit.

6. The sheet feeding device according to claim 5, wherein at least a portion of the resistive wire of the at least one resistive wire is arranged along a coiling or winding path.

7. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the blower arrangement further comprises: a second heating unit arranged between a second fan of the at least one fan and the front blower unit, and configured to heat the one or more air streams supplied by the second fan to the front blower unit.

8. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, further comprising: a sensor unit configured to measure humidity and/or temperature of at least one of air within the sheet feeding device and ambient air; and wherein the sheet feeding device is further configured to adjust an amount of air supplied by the at least one fan and/or an amount of heat generated by the heating unit based on the measured humidity and/or temperature.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a sheet feeding device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a sheet feeding device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a sheet feeding device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 4 shows cross-section of a sheet feeding device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a sheet feeding device 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] The sheet feeding device 1 comprises a storage surface 11 for a stack of sheets (not shown; see FIG. 3), a blower arrangement comprising two side blower units 21 and a front blower unit (not shown; see FIG. 3), and three fans 23 (out of which two are shown in FIG. 1), and a vacuum belt feeder 30.

[0027] The two side blower units 21 are provided along a respective side edge 11c, 11d of the first and second side edges 11c, 11d of the storage surface 11. The front blower unit is provided along a leading edge 11a of the storage surface 11, below the vacuum belt feeder 30. A first fan 23 of the fans 23 is configured to supply air streams (not shown; see FIG. 3) to the front blower unit and second fans 23 of the fans 23 are configured to supply air streams to the side blower units 21. The front blower unit and the side blower units 21 are configured for directing said air streams towards an upper region of the sheet feeding device 1 for floating a plurality of upper sheets of the stack of sheets.

[0028] The storage surface 11 is adapted to move vertically between a lower position and an upper position, wherein the vacuum belt feeder 30 is configured to grab and feed away an uppermost sheet of the plurality of floated sheets. Thereby, the storage surface 11, the blower arrangement and the vacuum belt feeder 30 works in coordination to maintain a plurality of uppermost sheets within the upper region, by raising or lowering the storage surface 11, and floating the plurality uppermost sheets, by the blower arrangement, and feeding away an uppermost sheet, by the vacuum belt feeder 30.

[0029] The sheet feeding device 1 further comprises a heating unit (not shown; see FIG. 2 or 3) arranged between the fan 23 of the at least one fan and the front blower unit, and configured to heat the one or more air streams supplied by the first fan to the front blower unit.

[0030] The sheet feeding device 1 may comprise a controller (not shown). The controller may be configured to cause the storage surface 11 to move between the lower position and the upper position. The controller may be further configured to control the vacuum belt feeder 30, the fans 23 and the heating unit.

[0031] The sheet feeding device 1 may comprise a sensor unit (not shown) configured to measure humidity and/or temperature of at least one of air within the sheet feeding device 1 and ambient air. The sheet feeding device 1 may be further configured to adjust an amount of air supplied by the at least one fan and/or an amount of heat generated by the heating unit based on the measured humidity and/or temperature, wherein the adjustment may be performed by a controller of the sheet feeding device 1, which may be communicatively connected to the sensor unit.

[0032] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a sheet feeding device 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be noted that FIG. 2 comprises features, elements and/or functions as shown in FIG. 1 and described in the associated text. Hence, it is also referred to FIG. 1 and the description relating thereto for an increased understanding.

[0033] The side view of the sheet feeding device 1 in FIG. 2 shows one side blower unit 21 and a second fan 23 arranged below the side blower unit 21 and configured to supply one or more air streams to the side blower unit 21. Further, FIG. 2 shows a first fan 23 arranged below a front blower unit (not shown; see FIG. 3) and the vacuum belt feeder 30.

[0034] The sheet feeding device 1 as shown in FIG. 2 further comprises a channel 24. The channel 24 is arranged between first fan 23 and the front blower unit. The channel 24 is configured to guide one or more air streams from the first fan 23 to the front blower unit.

[0035] The sheet feeding device 1 comprises a heating unit 40. The heating unit 40 is arranged within the channel 24, and is configured to heat the one or more air streams supplied by the first fan 23 to the front blower unit. The heating unit 40 may comprise at least one resistive wire configured to generate heat. The heating unit 40 shown in FIG. 2 is arranged at a same side of the sheet feeding device 1 as the front blower unit 23 is arranged.

[0036] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a sheet feeding device 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be noted that FIG. 3 comprises features, elements and/or functions as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and described in the associated texts. Hence, it is also referred to FIGS. 1 and 2 and the descriptions relating thereto for an increased understanding.

[0037] The sheet feeding device 1 comprises a heating unit 40 arranged below the front blower unit 22, and thereby on a same side of the sheet feeding device 1. The heating unit 40 may be connected between one or more first fans (not shown; see FIGS. 1, 2 and 4) of the sheet feeding device 1 and the front blower unit 22. Further, the sheet feeding device 1 may comprise one or more channels (not shown; see FIGS. 2 and 4). Furthermore, the heating unit 40 may be arranged within, or form part of, the one or more channels.

[0038] FIG. 4 shows cross-section of a sheet feeding device 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be noted that FIG. 4 comprises features, elements and/or functions as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and described in the associated texts. Hence, it is also referred to FIGS. 1 to 3 and the description relating thereto for an increased understanding.

[0039] FIG. 4 shows a portion of a sheet feeding device 1, in which a stack of sheets 5 are arranged. It is to be understood that the stack of papers 5 is arranged in a storage surface (not shown) of the sheet feeding device 1, which is adapted to move vertically, thereby moving the stack of papers 5 vertically.

[0040] The sheet feeding device 1 comprises a front blower unit 22 which is configured to receive one or more air streams, indicated in FIG. 4 by arrows, from a first fan (not shown; see FIGS. 1, 2, and 3), and to direct the one or more air streams towards an upper region 12 of the sheet feeding device 1 for floating a plurality of upper sheets 5b, 5a of the stack of sheets 5 within the upper region 12.

[0041] The vacuum belt feeder 30 is arranged above the front blower unit 22 and the stack of sheets 5 and is configured to grab and feed away an uppermost sheet 5b of the plurality of floated uppermost sheets 5a, 5b.

[0042] The sheet feeding device 1 further comprises a channel 24. An end of the channel 24 is connected to the front blower unit 22. Another end (not shown) of the channel 24 may be connected to the first fan (not shown; see FIGS. 1, 2, and 3).

[0043] The sheet feeding 1 device further comprises a heating unit 40. The heating unit 40 is arranged within the channel 24. The heating unit 40 is configured to heat the one or more air streams flowing through the channel 24. The heating unit 40 shown in FIG. 4 comprises a resistive wire 41. The resistive wire 41 is arranged along a coiling, or zigzagging, path, and is thereby extending along and across a path of the one or more air streams. The heating unit 40 may comprise, or be connected to, a power source (not shown) configured to supply the heating unit 40 with electrical energy. It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to a heating unit 40 as shown in FIG. 2, and that the heating unit 40 may alternatively comprise an alternative heat source, such as, for example, a conduit or vessel comprising a heated fluid, and/or a radiator.

[0044] While the present invention has been illustrated in the appended drawings and the foregoing description, such illustration is to be considered illustrative or exemplifying and not restrictive; the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the appended claims, the word comprising does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article a or an does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

[0045] In the following, a numbered list of aspects of the present inventive concept is provided. The scope of protection is however defined by the appended claims.

NUMBERED LIST OF ASPECTS

[0046] 1. Sheet feeding device (1) comprising: [0047] a storage surface (11) for a stack of sheets (5), the storage surface having a leading edge (11a), a trailing edge (11b), and a first side edge (11c) and a second side edge (11d) and being adapted to move vertically between a lower position and an upper position; [0048] a blower arrangement comprising: [0049] a plurality of side blower units (21) provided along the first side edge (11c) and the second side edge (11d) of the storage surface, and a front blower unit (22) provided along the leading edge of the storage surface; [0050] at least one fan (23) configured to supply one or more air streams (3) to each of the side blower units and the front blower unit; and [0051] wherein the plurality of side blower units and the front blower unit are configured to direct the one or more air streams towards an upper region (12) of the sheet feeding device for floating a plurality of upper sheets (5a) of the stack of sheets (5); and [0052] a vacuum belt feeder (30) configured to grab and feed away an uppermost sheet (5b) of the plurality of floated sheets (5a); [0053] characterized in that
the blower arrangement further comprises: [0054] a heating unit (40) arranged between a first fan (23) of the at least one fan and the front blower unit, and configured to heat the one or more air streams supplied by the first fan to the front blower unit.

[0055] 2. The sheet feeding device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first blower unit is further configured to direct the one or more air streams in a direction substantially perpendicular to the leading edge.

[0056] 3. The sheet feeding device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a channel (24) configured to guide the air stream from the first fan to the front blower unit; and [0057] wherein the heating unit is arranged within the channel.

[0058] 4. The sheet feeding device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heating unit comprises at least one resistive wire (41) configured to generate heat, and wherein the heating unit is further configured to heat the one or more air streams supplied to the front blower unit via the at least one resistive wire.

[0059] 5. The sheet feeding device (1) according to claim 4, wherein a resistive wire of the at least one resistive wire is extending along and/or across a path of the one or more air streams supplied by the first fan to the front blower unit.

[0060] 6. The sheet feeding device (1) according to claim 5, wherein at least a portion of the resistive wire of the at least one resistive wire is arranged along a coiling or winding path.

[0061] 7. The sheet feeding device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the blower arrangement further comprises: [0062] a second heating unit (40) arranged between a second fan of the at least one fan and the front blower unit, and configured to heat the one or more air streams supplied by the second fan to the front blower unit.

[0063] 8. The sheet feeding device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the blower arrangement further comprises: [0064] at least one side heating unit (40) arranged between a third fan of the at least one fan and a side blower unit of the plurality of side blower units, and configured to heat the one or more air streams supplied by the third fan to said side blower unit.

[0065] 9. The sheet feeding device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising: [0066] a sensor unit configured to measure humidity and/or temperature of at least one of air within the sheet feeding device and ambient air; and [0067] wherein the sheet feeding device is further configured to adjust an amount of air supplied by the at least one fan and/or an amount of heat generated by the heating unit based on the measured humidity and/or temperature.