Patent ID: 6945924

Claim:
A method of conveying sheet elements ( 2 ) folded to comprise at least two superimposed portions ( 5 , 6 , 9 , 10 ) connected along a number of folds ( 7 , 11 , 12 ); the method comprising the steps of engaging the sheet element ( 2 ) by means of suction conveying means ( 19 ); moving the suction conveying means ( 19 ) along a given path for feeding the sheet elements ( 2 ) along the given path; initially bringing the sheet element ( 2 ) in contact with a curved suction surface ( 20 ) of the suction conveying means ( 19 ) for deforming the sheet element ( 2 ) so as to arrange the sheet element ( 2 ) in a curved configuration in which all the folds ( 7 , 11 , 12 ) of the sheet element ( 2 ) have substantially the same curvature; maintaining the sheet element ( 2 ) in the curved configuration by maintaining a first upper portion ( 5 ) of the sheet element ( 2 ) contacting the curved suction surface ( 20 ) of the suction conveying means ( 19 ); and feeding the sheet element ( 2 ) in the curved configuration along the given path when the sheet element ( 2 ) is supported only by the curved suction surface ( 20 ) of the suction conveying means ( 19 ).