EP1259447B1 - Device for processing flat, flexible objects with one or more pieces - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus has a feed conveyor (12) which is assigned an opening apparatus (18). Located at the downstream end of the feed conveyor (12) is the transfer region (16), through which the movement path (26) of clamps (24) runs. The clamp (24) has two clamp elements (30), which can be moved from an open position into a closed position (60') for gripping and retaining an article (10). The clamp (24) is assigned a holding-open element (28) which, when the article (10) is gripped by means of the clamp (24), ends up between the two parts (22, 22') of the article (10) lifted off from one another by means of the opening apparatus (18), and which is intended for holding the article (10) open when the clamp (24) is closed.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for Processing of two- and multi-part, flat, flexible objects according to the preamble of Patent claim 1.

A device of this kind is disclosed in CH-A-630583 and in US Pat corresponding US-A-4320894. In the area be designed as a belt conveyor feeder the objects accumulating in an imbricated formation, Printed products, so diverted that they downstream end of the feed conveyor in one Scales formation are fed, in which each Object rests on the trailing. A Removal device has a circumferentially driven Tension on, at the same distance one behind the other brackets are arranged. At a The transfer point at the end of the feeder will be the Clamps in the direction of the bottom passed against the top, in each case one supplied object from the leading edge to capture and To record further transport. This known device is exclusively suitable in one Scales formation resulting objects the brackets a staple transporter feed.

EP-A-0518063 and corresponding US-A-5292111 disclose a device for opening and dropping a saddle-shaped pad of folded Printed products. The latter are by means of a Zuförderers, the same distance at a Zugorgan has successively arranged brackets, in Hanging transported. Below the feed conveyor is arranged an opening device intended for this purpose is held by the clips at the fold Printed products at their opposite the fold Edge to open. In the conveying direction of the feed conveyor seen, downstream of the opening device, is a Processing device with saddle-shaped pads arranged on the by opening the clip the previously opened printed products straddled become. Between the opening device and the Processing device are opened Printed products kept open by means of holding-open bars, from one side between each other engage with lifted parts of the printed products. The Holding rods are on a rotating traction element attached, which is arranged laterally next to the feed conveyor is.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a generic device to create the opening and further transporting the opened objects in the open state allowed.

This object is achieved with a device that the Features of claim 1.

Preferred embodiments of the inventive Devices are given in the dependent claims.

Fig. 1

in perspektivischer Darstellung eine Vorrichtung mit einem Zuförderer und einer Klammer mit einem Offenhalteelement einer Wegfördereinrichtung, die bereit ist, einen Gegenstand zu fassen;

Fig. 2

in gleicher Darstellung wie Fig. 1 der dort gezeigte Zuförderer und die Klammer beim Umfassen des Gegenstandes;

Fig. 3

in gleicher Darstellung wie Fig. 1 und 2 den Zuförderer und die Klammer, wobei die Klammer den Gegenstand erfasst hat;

Fig. 4

in gleicher Darstellung wie in den Fig. 1 bis 3 der Zuförderer und die Klammer, wobei diese den erfassten Gegenstand vom Zuförderer wegfördert und wobei das zwischen zwei Teilen des Gegenstandes angeordnete Offenhalteelement zum weiter Oeffnen des Gegenstandes in eine Spreizstellung verbracht wird;

Fig. 5

in gleicher Darstellung wie die Fig. 1 bis 4 einen Teil des Zuförderers mit einer Oeffnungseinrichtung;

Fig. 6

in Aufsicht den in der Fig. 5 gezeigte Teil des Zuförderers;

Fig. 7

in Seitenansicht eine weitere Ausbildungsform der Klammer in Offenstellung und mit Offenhaltestäben;

Fig. 8

in gleicher Darstellung wie Fig. 7 die dort gezeigte Klammer in Schliessstellung;

Fig. 9

eine dritte Ausbildungsform der Klammer in Offenstellung und mit Offenhaltestäben;

Fig. 10

in gleicher Darstellung wie Fig. 9 die dort gezeigte Klammer in Schliessstellung;

Fig. 11

in perspektivischer Darstellung den Zuförderer gemäss den Fig. 1 bis 6 und eine Vielzahl von Klammern, die entlang einer kreisförmigen Bewegungsbahn umlaufen und dazu bestimmt sind, die erfassten Gegenstände einer Verarbeitungseinrichtung zuzuführen und an diese zu übergeben;

Fig. 12

mehrere je einen Gegenstand haltende Klammern mit einem Offenhalteelement in einem als Pufferstrecke ausgebildeten Abschnitt ihrer Bewegungsbahn;

Fig 13

in gleicher Darstellung wie Fig. 12 zwei je einen Gegenstand haltende Klammern mit in Spreizstellung verbrachtem Offenhalteelement;

Fig. 14

einen Teil einer Klammer mit einem von ihr gehaltenen Gegenstand, wobei die Klammer bezüglich der ihr zugewandten Kante des Gegenstandes schräg angeordnet ist.

The invention will be explained with reference to embodiments shown in the drawing. It is purely schematic

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a device with a feed conveyor and a clamp with an open-holding element of a removal device which is ready to grasp an object;

Fig. 2

in the same representation as Figure 1 of the feed conveyor shown there and the bracket when embracing the object.

Fig. 3

in the same representation as Figures 1 and 2, the feed conveyor and the clamp, wherein the clamp has detected the object;

Fig. 4

in the same view as in Figures 1 to 3 of the feed conveyor and the clip, which conveys the detected object away from the feed conveyor and wherein the arranged between two parts of the object holding-open element is moved to further open the object in an expanded position.

Fig. 5

in the same representation as in Figures 1 to 4, a part of the feed conveyor with an opening device.

Fig. 6

in a plan view of the part of the feed conveyor shown in Figure 5;

Fig. 7

in side view another embodiment of the clip in the open position and with hold-open rods;

Fig. 8

in the same representation as Figure 7, the clip shown there in the closed position.

Fig. 9

a third embodiment of the clip in the open position and with retaining rods;

Fig. 10

in the same representation as Figure 9, the clip shown there in the closed position.

Fig. 11

in perspective view, the feed conveyor according to Figures 1 to 6 and a plurality of brackets, which rotate along a circular path of movement and are intended to supply the detected objects to a processing device and to pass to this;

Fig. 12

a plurality of each holding an object holding clamps with an open-holding element in a trained as a buffer section portion of its trajectory;

Fig. 13

in the same representation as Figure 12 shows two each holding an object holding clamps with spent in spread position hold-open element.

Fig. 14

a portion of a clip with an object held by it, wherein the clip is arranged obliquely with respect to the facing edge of the article.

The apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 for Processing of two- and multi-part, flexible, flat objects 10, folded in the present case Printed products, has a feed conveyor 12 and a Removal device 14 on. The feed conveyor 12 is to determined in an imbricated formation S accumulating Objects 10 in the feed Z to a transfer area 16 at the downstream end of the feed conveyor 12th supply. The feed conveyor 12 is at downstream associated with an opening device 18, which is intended to be the objects 10 in one area the leading edge 20 seen in the conveying direction Z to open; that is, in this area two in advance abutting, flat parts 22, 22 'of the Item 10 at least partially from each other withdraw.

The removal device 14 has a plurality of Clamps 24, of which in Figs. 1 to 4 each only one shown along a trajectory 26 arranged one behind the other and circulating and in Arrow direction are driven. Each clip 24 is a as holding means 28 'serving hold-open element 28th assigned, which is meant to be between the two, by means of the opening device 18 from each other lifted parts 20, 20 'intervene and these parts outside the effective range of the clip elements 30 separated from each other and thus the subject in question 10 open.

The feed conveyor 12 has a support wall 32 which is slightly inclined with respect to a vertical and at the arranged in scale formation S objects lie flat. Seen in the feeding Z, everyone is of the objects 10 on the respective trailing on. At the running in the horizontal direction lower edge of Supporting wall 32 adjoins a bottom element 34, on which a Guide bar 36 is attached. This runs parallel to the support wall 32 and forms together with this one Guiding groove for the folded edge 38 of the folded Objects 10, with which these on the bottom element 34th issue. Above the guide rail 36 is an in Feed direction Z circumferentially driven conveyor belt 40th arranged, which together with the support wall 32 a Conveying gap for the objects 10 forms. The Conveyor belt 40 is intended to hold the objects in Feed direction Z to the transfer area 16 to supply.

As can be seen in particular FIGS. 1 to 3 and 6 is, the objects 10 are folded off-center, wherein the support wall 32 facing part 20 on the Folded edge 38 opposite side one over the other part 22 'protruding, so-called pre-fold 42nd having. Each of the parts 22, 22 'may be one or more Have leaves.

On the support wall 32 is seen on, in the feeding direction Z, downstream end of the opening device 18th attached. This has a stop element 44 and an on this attached guide pin 46. This is from the Stop element 44 against the feed direction Z before and is bent so that he is together with the plane Supporting wall 32, seen in the feeding direction Z, a tapering guide gap forms at the downstream located end by means of the stop element 44th is completed.

The support wall 32 has between the bottom element 34 and the opening device 18 a from the downstream lying lying forth forth recess 48, which the Access the clip elements 30 to each in Feeding device Z foremost object of the scale formation S allowed.

The two clip elements 30 are through the legs a V-shaped bent spring steel sheet formed in the Area of its bending on a guide element 50 is attached. On the outside of each clip element 30 is a circular-cylindrical closing body 52 arranged. Each of the closing bodies is at two rigid guide rods 54 attached, wherein the mutually parallel guide rods 54 on the guide element 50, this thorough, stored and on of the Schliesskörpern 52 remote ends by means of a Actuating plate 56 are interconnected. Everyone who Guide rods 54 is encompassed by a compression spring 58, on the one hand on the guide element 50 and on the other supported on the actuator plate 56. In the in Figs. 1 and FIG. 2 shows the open position 60 of the clip elements 30 are the closing body 52 by the compression springs 58 on Guide element 50 held in contact. To spend the Clamping elements 30 in their closed position 60 '- see Fig. 3 and 4 - the actuator plate 56 by means of a Closing control 62 moves toward the guide member 50. As a result, the closing body 52 slide along the Clamping elements 30 on the outer side and they pivot into the closed position 60 '. In this Closing position 60 'are the Schliesskörper 52 approximately in the middle between the guide element 50 and the free one End of the clip elements 30, where they are in one of the Clamping elements 30 molded locking recess 64 to lie come. In this they are held so stable that the compression springs 58, the Schliesskörper 52 not from the Detachable recess 64 can move out. To open the bracket 24 is the actuator plate 56 by means of a not shown opening control 62 from the guide element 50 moved away.

In the position of the clip 24 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 is at the upper end of the guide member 50 a Bearing body 66 attached. This is from a parallel to the guide rods 54 extending shaft 68 penetrated, at the end face on which the feed conveyor 12th facing side, the sword-like hold-open element 28th is attached. This is around his with the shaft 68 coincident longitudinal axis rotatable on the bearing body 66 stored. With respect to the hold-open element 28 another side of the bearing body 66 sits on the shaft 68th a control lever 72, at its free end a control roller 72 'is freely rotatably mounted. By acting on these Control roller 72 'by means of a control element 74 (FIG. 4) can the hold-open element 28 from a Open holding position 76 - Fig. 1 to 3 -, in which the longer extension of the cross section in or parallel to from the in closing position 60 'located Clamping elements 30 defined clip level is approximately 90 ° in a spread position 76 '(Fig. 4) and back again move. The control 74 may be, for example act around fixed scenes when moving the Bracket 24 along its trajectory 26 on the Control roller 72 'acts.

On the side facing away from the bearing body 66 is the Guide member 50 attached to a carriage 78. This is penetrated by two guide rails 80, the parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hold-open element 28 and to run the guide rods 54. The guide rails 80 are attached to a support 82, for example, to a carrier wheel, on a pulling member or on a in a Guide profile guided carriage can be attached.

The device shown in Figs. 1 to 6 operates as follows: The location of the objects 10 in the Scale formation S the conveying speed of the Feed conveyor 12 and the movement of the brackets 24 along its trajectory 26 is so matched to each other, that each clip 24 when passing through the Transfer area 16 can detect an object 10. These mentioned movements are preferably carried out continuously.

The foremost object in the feed direction Z 10 of Scale formation S arrives during advancement by means of the Conveyor belt 40 with his Vorfalz 42 in the of the Supporting wall 32 and the guide pin 46 formed Guide gap and with its leading edge 20 am Stop element 44 to the plant. The conveyor belt 40 however, moves the article 10 in the feeding direction Z continue, so that the support wall 32 facing part 22 of the article 10 at the leading edge 20th and in an area adjacent to it support wall 32 bends away, see FIG. due to the inherent stability of the material of the object 10, the part 22 'at the leading edge 20 of the part 22 lifted. This leads in one from the ground area removed portion of the leading edge and at Vorfalz 42 to an opening 84 in the subject 10th

Once this opening 84 is present, the clip 24 with the located in the open position 60 Hold-open elements 28 in the feed direction Z in the opposite direction to the feed conveyor 12 moves. For this purpose, the closing control 62 acts on the Actuator plate 56 a, Fig. 1.

As a result of the action of the compression springs 58 but for the time being the clip 24 is not closed, but this on the Guide rails 80 with respect to the support 82 on the Feed conveyor 12 moved. This includes the wide open Clamping elements 30 the object 10 of the leading edge 20 ago. At the same time that will Hold-open element 28 in the opening 84 of the article 10 moved in.

Once the carriage 78 is disposed on a support 82 on the Stop comes to the plant, now the Schliesskörper 52 under the further action of the closing control 62 toward the free end of the clip elements 30 which leads to the transfer of these clip elements 30 in the closed position 60 'causes, Fig. 3. This is the object in question 10 along the leading Edge 20 is closed below the hold-open element 70, which leads to an enlargement of the angle of the opening 84 contributes.

As a result of the movement of the bracket 10 along the Movement path 26, in the transfer area 16 at least runs approximately at right angles to the support wall 32, the from the clamp 24 detected object 10 from the feed conveyor 12 moved away. As can be seen in FIG while the Vorfalz 42 under the guide pin 46th pulled out. This figure is also removable, that of each subsequent item 10 opening the leading object 10 assists by the Part 22 is pushed away from the support wall 32.

In the position shown in FIG. 4 is the of the Clamp 24 held object 10 of the support wall 32nd while the fold edge 38 is still moving between the guide rail 36 and the support wall 32nd is; this is the case, because in the example shown the trajectory 26 is circular about an axis, which, at least approximately, at the bottom element 34 between the support wall 32 and the guide rail 36 extends. This As a result, the articles 10, at least approximately, about its folded edge 38 by means of the brackets 24th to be turned around. This is later related to the Fig. 11 further executed. Of course, the Staples 24 also trained differently Trajectories 26 are transported, as further is explained below with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13.

Figs. 7 and 8 show a second embodiment of the Clamp 24 with a serving as a holding means 28 'acting Hold-open element 28; the latter is through two Open holding rods 86 formed in the open position 60 of Clamp 24 abut each other (Fig. 7). Everyone who Hold-open rods 86 is a double-armed lever 88 at the other end of a cross-section circular cylindrical clamp member 30 is arranged. The clamp members 30 are parallel to the Hold-open rods 86 and parallel to the axes of the levers 88. Each lever 88 is rotatably with a gear 90th connected, between which a rack 92 is arranged is that meshes with the two gears 90. Both the Lever 88 and the rack 92 may of a Guide element analogous to the guide element 50 of the next be stored above embodiment. The Rack 92 is for example by means of a Spring element in open or closed position 60,60 ' biased and is by means of a corresponding Control, such as a backdrop or a contrary to other well-known drive means the spring action in the closed or open position 60 ', 60 postponed. The movement of the rack 92 is via the gears 90 on the clamping elements 30 and Open holding rods 86 transferred. Fig. 7 further shows a Item 10, also a multi-leaf, open Printed product, wherein the hold-open rods 86 of the leading edge ago (see Fig. 1 to 4) in the Opening 84 between the two parts 22,22 'engages. Accordingly, the clip elements 30 are in spaced-apart open position 60, in Fig. 7 with solid lines and dash-dotted in Fig. 8 shown.

Are the clip elements 30 in the closed position 60 ' spent, Fig. 8, they clamp between them Item 10 while simultaneously the two Open holding rods 86 transferred to the spread position 76 ' which has the opening 84 between the parts 22,22 'was substantially increased. This happens during the closing process of the clip 24.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show one of the FIGS. 7 and 8 shown training form very similar further Training form. At two also parallelachsig mounted levers 88 are on the one hand the holding rods 86 and on the other hand the clip elements 30 are attached. These, the hold-open rods 86 and axes of the lever 88 run parallel to each other. Each of the levers 88 is with a gear 90 rotatably connected, the two Combine gears with each other. Fig. 9 shows a means the opening device 18 opened object 10, between those in the hold 76 are located Open holding rods 86 intervene, Fig. 9. By appropriate rotation of the gears 90 are the Clamping elements 30 from the open position 60 in the Closing position 60 'moves while the Hold open rods 86 from the open position 76, in the they rest against each other, in the spread position 76 ' Fig. 10. Turning of gears 90 can be done with well-known drive means.

The feed conveyor 12 shown in Fig. 11 is in the Training and functionality are the same as those in 1 to 6 shown feed conveyor. The carriers of a Variety of brackets 24, as shown in Figs. 1 to 4 are shown are at a schematically indicated Carrier wheel 94 evenly distributed. The Rotary axis 94 'of the carrier wheel 94 extends parallel to Supporting wall 32 in the feed direction Z, in the vertical direction seen at the height of the ground element 34. Of the Clamps 24 are only the clip elements 30 and the Open holding element 28 shown .. The direction of rotation of the Carrier wheel and thus the direction of movement of the brackets 24 is indicated by an arrow D. Below the Removal device 14 with the brackets 24 is a Processing device 96 arranged at the parallel mutually extending, not shown traction elements ladder-like arranged Auflagesättel 98 has. The longitudinal direction of the support saddles 98 is parallel to Rotary axis 94 'of the carrier wheel 94.In a transfer area 100 below the carrier wheel 94 corresponds to the Wegführrichtung W, in which the support saddles 98 moves be, the direction of movement D of the brackets 24, wherein the Conveying speed of the support saddles 98 at least approximately the rotational speed of the brackets 24 equivalent. The distances of the support saddles 98 and the Brackets 24 are matched to one another in that Transfer area 100 with each bracket 24 a support saddle 98 meets.

The operation of the shown in FIG. 11 Form of training is as follows: The in Schuppenformation S by means of the feed conveyor 12 to the transfer area 16 supplied objects 10 are by means of Opening device 18 is opened, in each case one Clamp 24 an object 10 from the leading Edge 20 surrounds and the associated Hold-open element 28, the parts lifted apart 22,22 'formed opening 84 retracts. This is done in analogous manner as in connection with FIG. 1 to 6 described. Then, the clip elements 30 closed and the hold-open element 28 of the Open position 76 in the spread position 76 'by 90 ° rotated as per the one object 10th holding brackets 24 is shown. This is the in radial direction outside the effective range of the brackets 24 lying portion of the parts 22,22 'strongly V-shaped, forming an enlarged opening 84, spread. The facing parts 22,22 'of adjacent Brackets 24 held objects 10 can in this Spread position 76 'even touching each other. As a result of Spreizstellung 76, the objects 10 with larger Processing speed with the Auflagesätteln 98 zum Combing be brought. About vertically below the Rotary axis 94 ', the clip elements 30 in the Open position 60 spent and becomes the entire bracket 24 together with the hold-open element 28 in the direction of Fulcrum 94 'from the region of the article 10th moved out so that this straddles the relevant support saddle 98 comes to rest. In Direction of rotation D seen downstream of the transfer area 100, then the hold-open element 28 is again in the Opened hold 76.

The objects 10 held by the clips 24 form almost half a cell wheel, with the individual cells are formed by the objects 10 themselves. In the the manner shown in the scale formation S or individually in succession supplied items 10th a processing device 96 in a simple way and Way are supplied. In Wegführrichtung W can a plurality of feed conveyor 12 with associated removal devices 14 may be present to fold articles 10 to collect.

Will the brackets 24 along their trajectory 26th moved so that the folding edges 38 below the corresponding brackets 24 may, in a known manner and way in the open and spread Items 10 a supplement or a sample be introduced.

It is conceivable that the brackets 24, in Wegförderrichtung W viewed, laterally of the support saddles 98 rotate. In In this case, a portion of the trajectory 26 of the Brackets 24 below the trajectory of the upper edge of the Support saddles 98 pass through.

FIG. 12 shows three objects each viewed from above 10 retaining brackets 24 in the closed position 60 'as in Figs. 1 to 4 are shown. These brackets 24 are located in a downstream of the transfer area 16 arranged portion of the movement path 26, in which the objects 10 with the top folded edge 38th are held. Since the hold-open elements 28 in Open position 76, the brackets 24 save space to touch each other. The relevant section the trajectory 26 forms a buffer path 102. In In this case, the carriers 82 (see FIGS. 1 to 4) preferably arranged on a respective carriage, the car along a rail are freely movable.

FIG. 13 shows two in the same way as in FIG Fig. 12 an object 10 holding brackets 24, wherein now the distance of the brackets 24 increases and the sword-like hold-open element 28 in the spread position 76 'is spent. This is the part of the 22 and 22 'limited opening 84, compared with that in itself in open position 76 befindlichem hold-open element 28, significantly increased what different processing allows.

Fig. 14 shows the closing position 60 'located Clip elements 30 of a clip 24. The dot-dash line Straight 104 indicates the throat of the clip elements 30 formed brackets mouth. This runs at right angles to also indicated by dash-dotted longitudinal axis of the sword-shaped hold-open element 28. Like this is clearly removed from Fig.14, closes the Throat 104 with the edge 20 of the held object 10th an acute angle. This is for example a device according to FIGS. 1 to 4 and 11 characterized achievable that the carrier 82 of the brackets 24 with respect to the feeding direction Z also in a corresponding pointed or obtuse angles are arranged. This with respect to the edges of the article 10 oblique legs of the article 10 causes the article 10, depending more of the clip 24, the more open is. This can for example when depositing the items 10 on support saddle 98 of processing device 96 be of particular advantage.

In the embodiments shown above processed folded printed products. It can, however also multi-leaved stapled or bound Printed products are processed. It is also conceivable two or more parts to process objects 10, the are not interconnected, but in the area of Feed conveyor 12 lie flat against each other.

The opening device 18 shown is suitable in Advantageous for the central opening of off-center folded articles 10. The feeder 12 can well-known differently constructed and be associated with functioning opening devices, as disclosed, for example, in EP-A-0 574 741, US-A-5,441,245, CH-A-641 113, CH-A-644 815 and US-A-4,420,146 are.

There are also other different forms of training the clip with an open-holding element 28 conceivable. In particular, it may not be necessary to do so Open holding element 28 from an open position 76 in to form a spread position 76 'movable.

Claims (11)

1. Apparatus for processing flexible, sheet-like articles, such as printed products, with two or more parts, having a feed conveyor (12) which is intended for feeding articles (10) one after the other to a transfer location (16), and having a removal arrangement (14) with clamps (24) which are arranged one behind the other, are driven along a movement path (26), running past the transfer location (16), and is intended for gripping in each case one article (10) at the transfer location (16) and securing it in order to transport it further, characterized in that the feed conveyor (12) is assigned an opening apparatus (18) which is intended for opening the articles (10), at least in certain regions, by lifting off two parts (22, 22') of the respective article (10) from another, and in that the removal arrangement (14) has holding-open means (28) which are intended for engaging between the parts (22, 22') of the respective article (10) lifted off from one another by the opening arrangement (18), which run along with the clamps (24) and which hold the article (10) open as it is transported further.
2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that each clamp (24) has a holding-open element (28).
3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, characterized in that the holding-open element (28) can be moved from a holding-open position (76) into a spreading position (76') in order for the article (10) retained by the relevant clamp (24) to be opened further outside the region of action of the clamp (24).
4. The apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the opening apparatus (18) is arranged at the downstream end of the feed conveyor (12) and is intended for opening the articles (10) in a section of the leading edge (20), as seen in the conveying direction (Z) of the feed conveyor.
5. Apparatus according to Claim 4, characterized in that the measurement path (26) of the removal arrangement (14) runs past the end of the feed conveyor (12) in a direction transverse to the conveying direction (Z) of the feed conveyor and the clamps (24), at the transfer location (16), are arranged in the direction counter to the conveying direction (Z) of the feed conveyor, in order to grasp the articles (10) from the leading edge (20).
6. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the clamps (24) and the holding-open means (28) or holding-open elements (28) are arranged in a movable manner on a carrier (82), guided along the movement path (26), such that, at the transfer location (16), they can be moved relative to the movement path (26) in the direction of the feed conveyor (12).
7. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the feed conveyor (12) and, in the direction of the movement path (26), the clamps (24) are driven continuously.
8. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the continuous movement path (26) runs in a plane that is arranged at right angles to the conveying direction (Z) of the feed conveyor (12).
9. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a processing arrangement (96) having saddle-like rests (98) is arranged beneath the removal arrangement (14), and in a transfer region (100) the movement direction (D, W) and speed of the clamps (24) and of the saddle-like rests (98) are at least more or less equal, such that the opened articles (10) come into mating engagement with in each case one saddle-like rest (98).
10. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the feed conveyor (12) has a more or less vertical supporting wall (32), the articles (10) being transported in abutment against the latter, and a base element (34), on which the articles (10) rest by way of an edge (38) running in the conveying direction (Z), in that the opening apparatus (18) is spaced apart from the base element (34) and the movement path (26) runs past the downstream end of the supporting wall (32), at least more or less at right angles to the latter.
11. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the clamp (24) has a clamp mouth, of which the throat (104), at the transfer location (16), runs at an acute or obtuse angle in relation to the conveying direction (Z) of the feed conveyor (12).

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