Patent ID: 7108122

Claim:
A method of transferring packets; the method comprising a feed step of feeding a continuous line ( 29 ) of packets ( 2 ) at a traveling speed of other than zero in a first direction (A); a transfer step of transferring at least one lead packet ( 2 a ) of said line ( 29 ) in said first direction (A) in a second direction (B) substantially perpendicular to the first direction (A) by means of mechanical transfer means ( 5 ), so as to separate said lead packet ( 2 a ) from the line ( 29 ); wherein said transfer step is performed during said feed step; a conveying step subsequent to the transfer step, to convey the lead packet ( 2 a ) along an output path; and a varying step to vary said traveling speed of the continuous line ( 29 ) of packets ( 2 ) as a function of the movements of the mechanical transfer means ( 5 ); wherein the mechanical transfer means ( 5 ) has a lift head ( 21 ) which is moved up and down, and during the conveying step lifts the lead packet ( 2 a ) in the second direction (B) for conveying along the output path whereafter the lift head ( 21 ) returns to a lowered position beneath the line of packets for subsequently moving upwards again to convey the next lead packet ( 2 a ) in the line; the traveling speed of the continuous line ( 29 ) is varied in the first direction (A) as a function of the position of the lift head ( 21 ) such that during downward movement of the lift head ( 21 ) the traveling speed of the continuous line ( 29 ) is reduced whereas when the lift head ( 21 ) begins moving upwards the traveling speed of the continuous line ( 29 ) is increased.