Patent ID: 8100308

Claim:
A separating apparatus for separating interconnected cushions, by breaking weakening lines provided between the interconnected cushions, wherein the separating apparatus comprises: at least one circulating element; and a conveyor for carrying the interconnected cushions along the circulating element, and wherein the circulating element is arranged for engaging the interconnected cushions at least once during a circulating movement, thereby carrying the engaged cushion along over a part of the circulating movement at a carrying speed which is higher than a conveying speed of the conveyor, wherein a carrying direction of the circulating element substantially corresponds with a conveying direction of the conveyor, wherein the circulating element comprises an endless belt guided around one or more rollers, the circulating element comprising at least one carrying cam, the carrying cam extending away from a belt surface, of the endless belt, facing said rollers, and the carrying cam being integrally formed with the endless belt to temporarily engage a cushion to be separated during a circulating movement of the endless belt, and wherein integrally forming the carrying cam with the endless belt is provided by at least one of the set of physical endless belt configurations consisting of: a local thickening of a belt material of the endless belt, and a separate cam element that is fixedly connected with the endless belt.