Patent ID: 6588745
Filing Date: 2003-07-08
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
A method for changing a hold of flat articles (3) being conveyed in a held manner, the method comprising the steps of:feeding-in the articles in to a hold changing station (1) one after the other in a feeding-in direction (Z), the articles being held by feeding-in grippers (5) in a leading first edge zone, pulling each article onto a changing support (10) situated in the hold changing station (1), depositing each article on the changing support (10) by opening the corresponding feeding-in gripper (5), pushing the deposited article across the changing support (10) in a conveying-away direction (W) with the aid of a conveying-away gripper (6) or another pushing means acting on the articles (3) in a trailing second edge zone, taking hold of the article while it is being pushed by closing the pushing conveying-away gripper (6) around a trailing second edge zone or a conveying-away gripper arranged laterally of the pushing means around a lateral third edge zone, and conveying away the articles one after the other in the conveying-away direction (W), wherein the feeding-in direction (Z) and the conveying-away direction (W) intersect in an area of the hold changing station.