Patent ID: 7150454
Filing Date: 2006-12-19
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
1. A method of conveying flat, flexible products, such as printed products, comprising the steps of: conveying the products continuously, in a generally horizontal plane into a transfer region, in a formation in which the products overlap one another at least partially as viewed in the conveying direction, with the trailing edges of the leading products overlapping leading edges of the respective trailing products in the case where there is a partial overlap; providing a gripper conveyor including a plurality of grippers movable along a movement path which passes through said transfer region, each of said grippers including a first gripper jaw and a second gripper jaw; moving the gripper conveyor whereby the grippers are moved in such a way that one of the gripper jaws engages in the manner of a shovel underneath the trailing edge of at least one product while said trailing edge is resting on the trailing product in the transfer region and then raises said one product off of said trailing product; and before or while said trailing edge of the at least one product is being engaged underneath, braking or otherwise stopping the product being raised relative to trailing products.