Patent ID: 6196538
Filing Date: 2001-03-06
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
An apparatus for processing flexible, sheet-like products, having a feed conveyor (12) for delivering the products (14) to a receiving region (16) of an intermediate conveyor (18);said intermediate conveyor (18) having a number of conveying elements (26) arranged one behind the other, and moved in the direction of circulation (U) along a circulatory path (49) running through the receiving region (16) and through a transfer region (50) and which changes the position of the products (14) fed to successive conveying elements (26) in the receiving region (16), such that the sequence of the products remains the same and the mutually facing sides (20, 20') of the products (14) are changed round,said conveying elements (26) including a roller segment (54), which is driven in rotation in a direction of rotation (D) about its roller axis (54'), running at right angles to the circulatory path (49), and a separate mating element (58), which interacts with said roller segment (54),during movement through the receiving region (16), a rear section (82) of the roller segment (54) and the mating element (58) form an introduction gap (24) for the fed product (14),in a further region (49') of the circulatory path (49), said further region (49') following the receiving region (16) in the direction of circulation (U), a circumferentially running lateral-surface section (80) of the roller segment (54), said lateral-surface section (80) following the rear section (82), and the mating element (58) form a conveying gap (90) for said product (14),said intermediate conveyor (18) having a control device (48) for keeping the conveying elements (26) in substantial mutual parallel position to one another; anda removal conveyor (52) which adjoins the intermediate conveyor (18) in the discharge region (50) and receives the products (14) from the conveying elements (26).