EP1588971B1 - Method and apparatus for handling of printed products - Google Patents

Abstract

The method for transporting and processing printed products (16) uses a conveyor (12) which feeds them to a workstation (2). This can be removed from the path of the conveyor by raising, lowering or swiveling. An independent claim is included for the transportation system.

Description

The invention is in the field of conveyor technology and relates to a method and a device for transporting and possibly processing flexible flat products, in particular printed products, according to the features of the preamble of claim 1 and the features of the preamble of claim 10.

In conveyor technology and in particular the conveying technology for printed products, it is known to promote flexible sheet-like objects or printed products with the help of Greiftransporteuren. In particular, the products are conveyed from one workstation to another workstation with the help of such gripper transporters. Each Greiftransporteur is usually driven and controlled separately. This requires a corresponding number of drive units and control devices, which entails a correspondingly high investment and maintenance costs.

Workplaces with multiple workstations, where the transport between the workstations is done with such Greiftransporteurs, are also quite inflexible in their use. If a work step should be left out, then a new transport route must pass this work station or, if the work station is removed from the work route, a transport path bridging the workstation space with a gripping transporter. A change in the processing can thus be time consuming and costly.

Examples of such, inflexible working distances in EP 0762950 and GB 5861 disclosed. In GB 5861 the print product to be cut is supplied by the gripper of a gripping transporter of the cutting station, delivered to the cutting station and transported away from the cutting station after trimming by the gripper of the same transporter or a second downstream gripper transporter. In EP 0762950 The printed products for the cutting process are handed over to clamping clamps in order to stabilize them for the cutting process and to hold them in a fixed position. The grippers of the gripper transporter remain during the cutting process associated with the printed products in the Einspannklammern, so that the printed products are supplied from each of the same grippers of the cutting station and also led away from it again. In both devices, the cutting stations are a fixed part of the transport device. Today's requirements for a rapid conversion of production, for example, from large daily newspapers to weekly magazines, web brochures and various newspapers, magazines, etc., such devices can not or only partially meet.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device and a method with which the transport and any processing of flat flexible products can be carried out in a cost-effective and flexible manner.

This object is achieved by a method or a device according to the features of patent claims 1 and 10.

In the method according to the invention or on the device according to the invention, the flexible flat products to be transported, in particular printed products, are also conveyed away from the same gripper transporter to a workstation and away from this workstation, with the aid of a control device each having a logical association between flexible planar Products and grippers of gripping transporter takes place. The workstation is inserted as required in the transport or removable from it. In this way, the investment and maintenance costs can be reduced to a single Greiftransporteur and make the work process more flexible. The flexible sheet-like products can be gripped by the grippers of the conveyor on the flower or at the fold.

It is particularly easy to implement this control in the event that the logical assignment is that the same gripper, which has promoted a flexible sheet product towards the workstation, this flexible sheet product promotes away from the workstation again.

It is easiest if the gripper is synchronously carried along with the flexible sheet product during processing of the flexible sheet product, wherein the control of Gripper (14), in particular a control link for the gripper in the field of processing, is variably adjustable so that the gripper can be opened for the processing of flexible sheet-like products or can remain closed. Closed grippers are very useful especially if, for example, as printed products several tabloid folded sheets are inserted into which inserts, for example by stitching or gluing together.

However, the control device is also able to control the method so that by the logical assignment of grippers and flexible sheet products to each other, a gripper that has promoted a flexible sheet product to a workstation out, another flexible sheet product from the workstation promotes away. In this way, speed differences can be mastered.

Where necessary for machining, the flexible sheet products are supported for machining by a support member. Depending on whether the flexible sheet products are gripped by the grippers of the conveyor on the flower or the fold, the products are either deposited with the fold from above on the support elements or the support elements are inserted between the products and support the flexible sheet products at her down-facing fold.

The transport can lead via several workstations, which can be arranged downstream of one another and / or in parallel guided, interconnected by switches interconnected strands of the Greiftransporteurs with respect to the transport path of the gripper transporter.

The fact that the work stations can be removed by pivoting, hydraulic, electric or pneumatic lowering or lifting from the transport path of the gripper transporter, the working distance can be made very flexible and it is possible without great effort to skip or add operations.

If the device according to the invention is designed in such a way that the conveyor is guided with its transport path over the workstation, then the work station comprises preferably a cover. In the event that the corresponding step is omitted, so problems in conveying the flexible sheet products across the workstation away can be avoided.

As workstations connecting devices - in particular staplers, ultrasonic devices, devices for Klebheften - and / or devices for insertion of flexible sheet products, and / or the end of a collection or Sammelheftstrecke and / or the end of a plug and / or Einsteckheftstrecke be provided ,

Further embodiments of the method and the device are described in the further dependent claims.

Fig. 1

eine erste Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung zum Bearbeiten von Druckprodukten am Transporteur;

Fig. 2

eine zweite erfindungsgemässe Vorrichtung zu Bearbeiten von Druckprodukten am Transporteur in einem ersten Arbeitszustand;

Fig. 3

die Vorrichtung aus Fig. 2 in einem zweiten Arbeitszustand;

Fig. 4

eine dritte Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung;

Fig. 5

die Vorrichtung aus Fig. 4 in einem zweiten Arbeitszustand;

Fig. 6

eine vierte Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung;

Fig. 7 und 8

zwei weitere Ausführungsformen der erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung;

Fig. 9

im Detail ein Stützelement mit Umbiegern gemäss Stand der Technik;

Fig. 10

eine erfindungsgemässes Stützelement mit Umbiegern.

In the following the invention will be explained by way of example by way of example. Identical objects are generally identified by the same reference symbols in the figures. The figures show purely schematically:

Fig. 1

a first embodiment of the inventive device for processing printed products at the conveyor;

Fig. 2

a second device according to the invention for processing printed products on the conveyor in a first working state;

Fig. 3

the device off Fig. 2 in a second working condition;

Fig. 4

a third embodiment of the inventive device;

Fig. 5

the device off Fig. 4 in a second working condition;

Fig. 6

A fourth embodiment of the inventive device;

FIGS. 7 and 8

two further embodiments of the inventive device;

Fig. 9

in detail, a support element with benders according to the prior art;

Fig. 10

an inventive support element with benders.

The in the FIGS. 1 to 8 Examples shown relate to the transport of typically folded in Tabloidform sheets that are individually or superimposed several superimposed by a Greiftransporteurs 12 transported and regardless of their number of sheets / layers for the sake of simplicity as printed product 16 are referred to. It is understood that other flexible sheet products 16 can be transported and processed in this way. In addition, in the examples 1 to 8 shown, a stapling device 38 is shown as a workstation 2 for the sake of simplicity. As will be explained below, however, it is also possible to provide other apparatus or devices than workstations 2 depending on the desired work result.

FIG. 1 shows a device 10 according to the invention with a gripping transporter 12, which transports grippers 14 on an endlessly circulating conveying member 15. The grippers 14 are equipped with gripping jaws 13 with which printed products 16 consisting of a plurality of folded sheets can be gripped in the usual way. In the example shown here, the printed products 16 are gripped at their respective fold 18 and transported by the grippers 14 in the conveying direction F. The fold 18 opposite flower 20 of each printed product 16 is following the gravity down

Next, the device 10 according to the invention in this example, an opening device 22 with a rotating Auslenkband 24 an adjoining opening wheel 26 and an adjoining the opening wheel 26 coil 30 on. Further elements of the device 10 shown here according to the invention are a connecting device 36, which in this example is designed as a rotary stapler 38, and a circulation system which has supporting elements 34 at a defined distance from one another at its endlessly circulating conveying member 15 '. at the stapler 38 is a conventional rotary stapler having a plurality of evenly spaced stitching heads 40 on a support plate 39 Such a stapler is eg in WO 02/36474 in Fig. 8 or in EP0606555 and in EP0691215 described. The support elements 34 of the circulation 32 have benders 42, which cooperate with the stitching heads 40 of the stapler 38 for carrying out a stapling operation. But it can also be provided Umbieger, which are separated from the support elements and independently of these are movable.

According to the invention, printed products 16 are now taken over by the transporter 12 of the device 10 according to the invention directly from the rotation, by a buffer device or any other conveying device and conveyed to a work station 2. The printed products may consist of one or more single sheets / layers, and possibly folded in tabloid form and superimposed sheet (not shown here). In this example, the feed dog 12 transports the printed products 16 into the area of the opening device 22, the flowers of the printed products 16 coming to rest on the circulating deflection belt 24 of the opening device 22, by which they are deflected in the conveying direction F, as shown in FIG Fig. 1 As a result of the subsequent opening wheel 26, the printed products 16 are opened on the flower side and kept open during transport in the conveying direction F over the helix 30. In an allocation region 31, the opened printed products 16 are deposited on the support elements 34 of the circulation 32. In the example shown here, the grippers 14 are not actively opened but remain closed and the support elements 34 penetrate against the clamping action of the gripper jaws 13 between the gripping jaws 13 a. Of course, there is also the possibility of penetration by an adapted opening of the gripper 14, for example. to support scenery-controlled.

The distances between the grippers 14 on the feed dog 12 and the distances of the support elements 34 of the circulation 32 and their speed are matched accordingly, so that a problem-free assignment of the gripper 14 - and with them the printed products 16 - can be done to the support members 34 and the gripper 14 with the support elements 34 in the conveying direction F can run substantially synchronously. In the area of the stapling device 38, stapling is effected in the usual way, wherein the benders 42 integrated in the supporting elements 34 ensure the closing of the staples introduced into the printed products 16 by the stapling heads. It is understood that the arrangement of the stitching heads on the support disk 39 of the rotary stapler 38 and the rotational speed of the support disk 39 are matched to the distances between the grippers 14 and the support elements 34 and the conveying speed in the direction F.

If the benders are not integrated in the support elements 34, they are fed separately to the printing products 16 for closing the staples and, if necessary, carried along with them over a corresponding section of the movement path of the printed products 16 so that a qualitatively demanding stapling can take place.

During the actual stapling process d. H. when introducing the staples by the stitching heads 40 in the printed products 16 and the subsequent bending of the wire ends to closed staples, it is possible to keep the gripper 14 closed or open. Keeping the grippers closed is advantageous when stapling takes place, for example, after inserts have already been introduced into the printed products 16. The insertion is described below.

In the FIGS. 2 and 3 is a further embodiment of the inventive device 10 is shown, which essentially of the embodiment of Fig. 1 equivalent. In contrast to the embodiment in FIG Fig. 1 are in the examples of FIGS. 2 and 3 the support elements 34 are not arranged in a circuit 32 on an endlessly circulating conveyor member 15 ', but they are moved in a wheel-shaped arrangement 44 about a central axis of rotation B on a circular path K. The support elements 34 may be in the form of known saddles or pads or only by suitably stable Umbieger trained (see. FIGS. 9 and 10 ). The same applies to the support elements 34 from the embodiment of Fig. 1 , The inventive method as described above in connection with the embodiment of the Fig. 1 has been described, runs in the Fig. 2 shown analogously from.

If the stapling operation is not to be carried out, it is possible to remove the stapler 34 as well as the opening device 22 and the wheel-shaped arrangement 44 from the transport path of the conveyor 12, as shown in FIG Fig. 3 is shown. In the example shown here, the stapler 38 is lifted pneumatically or hydraulically (arrow H), while the wheel-shaped assembly 44 and the opening device 22 are pivoted about the axis of rotation A down and so removed from the transport path (arrow 5). Opening device 22 and wheel-shaped assembly 44 are arranged on a common machine frame (not shown), which is pivotally mounted about the axis A. It is understood that depending on space and a lateral pivoting or pivoting in any other direction from the transport out possible Instead of a pneumatic or hydraulic lift, a lowering of the stapler 38 may be provided. It is also conceivable to accomplish the lifting or lowering electrically, It is also conceivable to pivot the stapler 38 by such electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic means, as well as the opening device 22 and the wheel-shaped arrangement 44 to lower or lower instead of pivoting.

In the Fig. 4, 5 . 7 and 8 Further embodiments of the inventive device 10 and the inventive method are shown, which differ from the embodiments in the Fig. 1 to 3 essentially differ in that the gripper 14 of the conveyor 12 are opened in the assignment to the support members 34, the printed products 16 are deposited on the support members 34 and the grippers 14 then away from the printed products 16 and the support members 34 via the connecting device 36 away become. Behind the stapler 38, the gripper 14 of the same transporter 12 are again merged with the now stapled print products 16 on the support members 34 The grippers 14 of the same transporter 12 take the now stapled supported by the support members 34 printed products 16 and promote them in the direction F on. It depends on the respective one Conditions possible that the gripper 14 of the conveyor 12 has deposited a printed product 16A on a support member 34, this print product 16A after the stitching station 38 again takes hold, or that this gripper 14 takes another printed product 16B Upper a control unit (not shown) the device 10 according to the invention, the logical assignment of the gripper 14 of the conveyor 12 to the coming out of the workstation 2 printed products and in these examples so to the support members 34 of the circulation 32 or a wheel-shaped arrangement 44 made.

In the 4 and 5 embodiment shown also differs from the in Fig. 1 shown device 10 by the geometry of the upper tower of the circulation 32. Instead of the feed dog 12 to aim and then open into an approximately horizontal course, as in Fig. 1 , the upper strand 50 gives way in Fig. 4 downstream of the assignment region 31 with respect to the feed dog 12 back, in order to then proceed approximately into a horizontal conveying path in the region of the connecting device 36 and again strive for the return of the printed products 16 to the feed dog 12 downstream of the connecting device 36. In this way, space is created for the connecting device 36 and the transport path of the carrier 12 experiences less large deflections. Unlike the embodiment, as in FIGS. 2 and 3 is shown, it is in the here in the 4 and 5 shown example, the opening device 22, the circulation 32 and the connecting device 36 by lowering (arrow H) move out of the transport path of the printed products 16 when the workstation "Connect on the conveyor" to be disabled. The situation with the workstation disabled is in Fig. 5 shown. The lowering can be done pneumatically, electrically or hydraulically and for each of these elements individually or via a common machine frame. In this case, in order for the grippers not to deliver the printed products 16 to the support elements 34, it is necessary for the grippers 14 to remain closed. The slide control must be adjusted accordingly. A cover 48 arranged above the connection device 36 prevents complications during the transport of the printed products 16 via the connection device 36.

In Fig. 6 a further embodiment of the inventive device 10 is shown, which is substantially that of the FIGS. 2 and 3 corresponds, the support members 34 are as in the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3 moved in a wheel-shaped arrangement 44 about a central axis of rotation B on a circular path K. In contrast to the embodiment in FIG FIGS. 2 and 3 , in the example shown here, the printed products 16 are gripped at their respective flower 20 and transported by the grippers 14 via the rotary stapler 38 in the conveying direction F. The fold 18 of each printed product 16 opposite the flower 20 is oriented downward in accordance with gravity. The support elements 34 of the wheel-shaped arrangement 44 are formed in this example sword and are introduced before the stapling laterally from above between the tabloid sides of the flexible sheet products. When stapled by the stapler 38 they support the fold 18 against the, in this example, when tacking against the top force. In the embodiment shown here, the opening device 22 is unnecessary. If the stapling operation is not performed, it is possible to shut down the Rotationsheftapparat 38 and / or the wheel-shaped assembly 44 and / or remove from the transport path of the carrier 12.

In Fig. 7 an embodiment is shown which is substantially that of the 4 and 5 corresponds, only that the upper run 50 in this embodiment, viewed in section from the pulleys from an approximately straight line to gain the space for the connecting device 36, the transport path of the carrier 12 is configured correspondingly curved.

In the in Fig. 8 embodiment shown now the opposite principle is realized. The embodiment essentially corresponds again to that of the 4 and 5 , except that here the transport path of the conveyor 12 leads straight across the connecting device 36 away and the geometry of the upper run 50 of the circulation 32 has a correspondingly greater curvature. Advantageously, here the radius of curvature of the strand 50 can be adapted to the radius which the stitching heads 40 - or in other connecting device 36, such as an ultrasonic device, the sonotrodes, etc. - describe. By this adaptation is the common way of supporting elements and associated stitching heads, sonotrodes, etc. longer, which has an advantageous effect on the quality of the connection.

It is understood that in a slightly less compact design than they are in the FIGS. 7 and 8 is shown, the slopes for the gripper conveyor 12 and for the upper run 50 can be kept lower than in Kaufnahme a greater path length.

In FIG. 9 a support member 34 is shown with Umbiegern 42 according to the prior art, as in principle, for example, already in the European Patent Application No. 03025534, filed on 7 November 2003 with Swiss Priority No. 2002 1886/2 of 9 November 2002 in Fig. 7 The support element 34 is configured in the form of a saddle 46, which has a recess 70 in the middle, so that the printed products deposited on the saddle 46 can be grasped without difficulty by a gripper 14 or so that they are never removed by the grippers 14 must be given freely. The benders 42 can be actuated with the aid of a bending device 57 integrated in the support element 34. The bending device 57 is arranged on the side opposite the printed products 16 side of the support members 34. The support member 34 includes in its lateral end portions 64 of the support members 34 about pivot axes 66 pivotable lever means 68, each with two opposing lever arms, which act on a parallel to the longitudinal extent of the support member 34 extending support member 72. On the support element 72, two mutually spaced Umbieger 42 are supported so that they can cooperate with the stitching heads 40 of an associated stapling device 38. With the aid of stitching heads 40, wire staples are known to be pushed through the printed products 16 lying on the support elements. The lever device 68 can be actuated in the manner of a stage (arrow 80) and, when actuated, presses the benders 42 against the stitching heads 40 such that the projecting wire ends are bent over by the benders 42.

To increase the capabilities of the inventive device, the stapling device 38 and the support members 34, as in Fig. 10 shown according to the invention so developed that now the stapling can be adapted to different paper sizes.

For this purpose, instead of the saddle 46, at least two support elements 62 are provided which each stabilize a clincher 42 and provide support for the stored printed products 16. As in Fig. 9 are the Umbieger 42 by means of a lever device 68 backdrop controlled (arrow 80) operable. Instead of a common support member 72 but now act around its axis of rotation 66 pivotable lever 68 directly to the bender 42 a. The lever means 68 are synchronously but individually controlled by scenes during operation. The benders 42 with their lever devices 68 are movably arranged on a support (indicated by arrows 60) parallel to the longitudinal extent of the support element 34. In order to ensure cooperation with the stitching heads 40, these are likewise movable parallel to the longitudinal extent of the support element 34.

In the in Fig. 10 In the example shown, the stitching heads and the benders are connected to one another in such a way that the respectively associated stitching heads 40 and benders 42 are movable together in parallel to the longitudinal extent of the support element 34. If the stapling apparatus consists of a rotary stapler 38, the stapling heads 40 can be displaced, for example, parallel to the longitudinal extent of the supporting element 34, by the carrying discs 39 being displaceable on the axis of the rotary stapler 38 in the axial longitudinal direction. A common displacement with the stitching heads 40 of a support plate 39 associated Umbieger 42 is then carried out by connecting the Umbiegers 42 with the support plate 39, for example via a connecting bar (not shown). However, the benders 42 and the stitching heads 40 or support disks 39 can also be movable independently of one another parallel to the longitudinal extent of the support element 34; the stitching heads 40 and the support disks 39 on a first carrier (for example, the axis of the rotary stapler) and the benders 42 on a second carrier, the in Fig. 10 indicated by the arrows 58. It is understood that in such a configuration parallel to the longitudinal extension of the support member 34 does not necessarily have to be worked with two stitches along the fold 18 of a printed product 16. There may be one, two, or more staples, depending on the need and width of the printed product 16 in the longitudinal extension of the support member 34 are made. These are on the carriers accordingly one, two or more Umbieger 42 provide with their lever means 68 and stitching heads 40 and support disks 39 with stitching heads 40.

It is clear that instead of stapling with staples, other methods of connection and operations can be performed on the feed dog. For example, an adhesive bond of the printed products 16 can also be produced. The inventive device 10 is then instead of a stapling device 38 with a corresponding device for Klebheften, as for example in EP0662440 and EP0628429 disclosed, equipped. The connection by means of ultrasound is conceivable at the conveyor. Accordingly, a device for ultrasonic bonding as it is eg in EP390733 and EP0390734 instead of using the stapling apparatus 38 or the tacking device. The support elements 34 of the circulation 32 and the wheel-shaped arrangement 44 are then designed accordingly.

Another possible step that can be performed on the feed dog 12 is the insertion. For example, stacks that are like in EP1254857 have been formed in printed products 16 are inserted from below by the conveyor via a device, as shown in Fig. 12 and paragraph 45 of EP1254857 is carried away. The procedure is then carried out as described in paragraph 46 of the EP1254857 is described, instead of the cover sheet transported by the grippers 14 of the inventive device 16 printed products placed over the einzustckenden stack and then taken together with the stacks by the gripper 14 of the same carrier 12 again and transported. The printed products 16 may for example also have been connected in a previous step already at the feed dog by stitching, gluing or ultrasound. For insertion, the device according to the invention in the area in which is to be inserted, then simply supplemented by a device as in EP1254857 It is clear that thus supplements and precursors etc. can be inserted without problems.

For the expert, but it is not difficult in EP1254857 to use in Fig. 12 shown device, for example. one more folded or several in the fold on top of each other laid, folded sheet with its fold advancing from below into the, located in the grippers 14 of the inventive device, 16 to insert printed products. The printed sheets inserted in this way may in turn already be connected to one another by stapling, gluing, etc. After inserting this sheet, it is possible with the same feeders to get to another workstation, in which the inserted sheets are then connected, for example, with the already existing in the grippers 14 printed products 16, whether by ultrasound, gluing or other connection method. Of course, products produced by conventional collecting lines, such as collecting drums, saddle stitching drums, insert drums, etc., can be brought together in this way with the printed products 16 in the device 10 according to the invention. According to the invention, it is also possible to use the conveyor according to the invention to pick up further products from circulations 34 or collecting drums. Of course, cutting stations can also be provided as one or more workstations. These can, however, like the other workstations, be removed in a simple and cost-effective manner from the transport route or, if required, be reintroduced into the transport path of the printed products 16.

It is clear to the person skilled in the art that, and in which way, the above-described features and examples of the device according to the invention and of the method according to the invention can be usefully combined with one another. Thus, in the device 10 according to the invention, the feed dog 12 can be guided via workstations following one another in a meaningful manner, the workstations being at the end of a screed stream. Connecting stations (stapling, gluing, ultrasound, etc.), the end of a collecting or insertion section, a device according to FIG. 12, EP1254857 etc. can be. By switching or by the fact that the workstations, for example, by lowering, lifting, pivoting from the transport removable and the support elements in the circulations or in the wheel-shaped arrangements and stitching heads, etc. the paper size are customizable, can be great flexibility in the use of reach entire facility.

Claims (15)

1. Process for transporting and possibly processing flexible laminar products, in particular printed products, in which the flexible laminar products are conveyed to a work station with the aid of a transporter and away from said work station again by means of said transporter, characterised in that the work station (2) is removed from the transport path of the printed products (16), and introduced into said transport path again, in a flexible manner.
2. Process according to claim 1, characterised in that the work station (2) is removed from the transport path of the transporter (12) by swivelling or lowering or raising, these movements being preferably performed electrically and/or hydraulically and/or pneumatically.
3. Process according to claim 2, characterised in that, in the case of multipart work stations (2), the individual parts of the work station (2) are removed from the transport path, or introduced into the latter, by swivelling or lowering or raising, it being possible for said individual parts to be subjected to different movements.
4. Process according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that a logical association between flexible laminar products (16) and grippers (14) belonging to the transporter (12) takes place with the aid of a control arrangement in each case.
5. Process according to claim 4, characterised in that the same gripper (14) that has conveyed a flexible laminar product (16A) to the work station (2) also conveys the said flexible laminar product (16A) away from said work station (2).
6. Process according to either of claims 4 and 5, characterised in that, during the processing of the flexible laminar product (16) in the work station (2), the gripper (14) is synchronously entrained with said flexible laminar product (16), it being possible for said gripper (14) to be opened for the processing operation, or even to remain closed.
7. Process according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterised in that the gripper (14) that has conveyed a flexible laminar product (16A) to the work station (2) conveys another flexible laminar product (16B) away from said work station (2).
8. Process according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the flexible laminar product (16) is supported, for processing purposes, by a supporting element (34).
9. Process according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the flexible laminar products (16) are fed to a number of work stations (2) in the course of their transport by means of the same transporter (12), said work stations (2) being preferably disposed downstream, one behind another, with respect to the transport path of the transporter (12), or being disposed in lines of said transporter (12) which are guided in a parallel manner and are connected to one another via switch points.
10. Device for transporting and possibly processing flexible laminar products, said device having a transporter which conveys said flexible laminar products to a work station and away from said work station again, characterised in that the work station (2) can be removed from the transport path of the flexible laminar products (16), and introduced into said transport path, in a flexible manner.
11. Device according to claim 10, characterised in that a control arrangement is provided, with the aid of which logical association of flexible laminar products (16) and grippers (14) belonging to the transporter (12) is guaranteed at all times.
12. Device according to claim 11, characterised in that the transport path of the transporter (12) is chosen in such a way that, during the processing of the flexible laminar product (16), the grippers (14) of the transporter (12) can be synchronously entrained with said flexible laminar product (16), it being possible to set the control operation of the grippers (14), in particular a control link for said grippers (14) in the region of the processing operation, in a variable manner in such a way that said grippers (14) can be opened for the processing of the flexible laminar products (16), or can even remain closed.
13. Device according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterised in that the transporter (12) is routed with its transport path over the work station (2) or through the latter and said work station comprises, in particular, a cover (48).
14. Device according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterised in that there are provided, along the transport path of the transporter (12), a number of work stations (2) which are preferably disposed downstream, one behind another, or in parallel lines of the transporter (12) which are connected to one another by switch points.
15. Device according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterised in that connecting devices (36) - in particular stitching apparatuses, ultrasound arrangements, devices for adhesive tacking - and/or devices for inserting flexible laminar products, and/or the end of a gathering or gathering/stitching section and/or the end of an inserting and/or inserting/stitching section or a cutting station are provided as work stations.

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