Patent ID: 8485341

Claim:
A device for grouping of packages that each have a dimensionally stable protruding edge, the device comprising: at least one grouping belt for transporting packages; and a conveying mechanism for moving two adjacent packages, including a preceding package and a following package, towards one another wherein the preceding package has a rear edge extending outwardly from a top side of a rear sidewall and the following package has a front edge extending outwardly from a top side of a front sidewall, and the conveying mechanism operable for overlapping the protruding edges of the packages such that one of the rear edge of the preceding package is located above the front edge of the following package and the rear edge of the preceding package is located below the front edge of the following package by conveying in the following package at a speed greater than a speed of conveyance of the preceding package when at least the preceding package and at least a portion of the following package are located on the grouping belt and wherein one of the front and the rear sidewall limits an overlap distance of the rear edge and the front edge.