SHEET FEEDER

The invention concerns an apparatus for forward transferring sheet-like objects from a stack, said apparatus including separate lifting elements gripping by suction to the upper surface of the sheet-like object situated top-most on the stack. The gripping elements are positioned in a row extending over the stack of the sheet-like objects in transversal direction with respect to the forward direction of the sheet-like object. The suction effect of the lifting elements is individually controlled by means of a control device including a light source creating a substantially line-shaped illumination pattern over the top of the stack. The illumination of the light source is focused substantially parallel to the lifting element row, at an inclined angle to the surface plane of the sheet stack. Camera means for observing the illumination pattern forwards information about the uniformity of the uppermost layer of the stack for controlling the gripping elements.