Patent ID: 6726201
Filing Date: 2004-04-27
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
A method for horizontal positioning of flat objects (1), each flat object having two essentially parallel main surfaces (10, 11), the method comprising the steps of:supplying the flat objects serially in a feeding direction (F.1), each object being held by an upper edge zone (12) and having a lower edge zone (13) freely suspended, one main surface (10) of each object facing downstream and the other main surface (11) facing upstream, the feeding direction being directed toward an onward conveying direction (F.2) at an acute angle from above; during said supplying step, bringing the objects (1) into a position inclined to the vertical by selectively accelerating or retarding the lower edge zones (13) relative to the upper edge zones (12); releasing the upper edge zone (12) of each object (1) when the object is at a release point (E) in their inclined position and, under the influence of gravity, positioning the released objects with selectively either said one main surface or said other main surface facing upwards; and conveying the positioned objects onward in the onward conveying direction (F.2); wherein the objects are horizontally positioned in conveying compartments (2), which conveying compartments (2) are continuously conveyed in the onward conveying direction (F.2); and wherein, for converting from accelerating operation to retarding operation, the synchronization between the supply of the objects (1) and the conveyance of the conveying compartments (2) is modified.