Patent ID: 8480072
Filing Date: 2013-07-09
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
1. A flat-article feed device, said device comprising: a supply magazine on which flat articles are moved in a stack on edge in a first transfer direction, separator means for separating a leading flat article of the stack from a remainder of the stack and for driving the leading flat article in a second transfer direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first transfer direction, unstacker means for taking a flat article that is being unstacked and that is separated from the stack and bringing the flat article in said second transfer direction to an inlet of a conveyor, and retaining means for exerting a retaining force perpendicular to said second transfer direction on the flat article being unstacked, which force opposes movement of said article towards the conveyor in said second transfer direction, said article being moved in said second transfer direction, wherein said unstacker means are separate in said second transfer direction from said separator means by a belt conveyor segment suitable for moving said flat articles on edge by friction on one face and offset from said separator means by a distance not less than the maximum length of a flat article in said second transfer direction, and wherein said retaining means is provided facing the unstacker means.