Patent ID: 6855100

Claim:
Apparatus for use in processing packaging blanks, said apparatus comprising first upstream conveying means comprising two upstream conveyors for conveying in parallel two respective streams of packaging blanks, second downstream conveying means comprising a first downstream conveyor for receiving the said stream of blanks conveyed by one of said two upstream conveyors and a second downstream conveyor for receiving in parallel to said first downstream conveyor the said stream of blanks convey ed the other of said two upstream conveyors and blank transferring means for transferring blanks between the conveyors of said downstream conveying means; wherein at least said first downstream conveyor is arranged to convey the blanks conveyed thereon at a conveying velocity which is great than the conveying velocity of said one upstream conveyor such that the stream of blanks conveyed by at least said first downstream conveyor has a pitch greater than the respective stream of blanks conveyed by said first upstream conveying means, said blank transferring means being adapted to insert the blanks conveyed by said second downstream conveyor into spaces between the blanks of the stream of blanks conveyed by said first downstream conveyor.