EP2399854A2 - Switching device for flat products - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (10) has a feeder (12) for feeding flat products (18) in a transport direction, and conveying units for retaining and forwarding the products in another transport direction. The conveying units comprise a set of guiding elements. The flat products are accommodated between the guiding-elements that are in holding engagement, where flat sides of the products are transported in the latter transport direction. The guiding elements gradually move out of the holding engagement during transporting the products in latter transport direction. An independent claim is also included for a method for transporting flat products.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for transporting sheet-like products with at least one feed for feeding the sheet-like products in a first transport direction and at least two conveyor units for receiving and transferring the sheet-like products in a second transport direction.

Such devices are used, for example, by larger companies with a high volume of correspondence. These companies include, for example, large telecommunications companies with a large number of invoices to be sent, insurance companies, large companies that have a high volume of mail to be sent, which is to be automatically created, enveloped and sent.

For this purpose, after the letters have been printed, they are automatically transferred into envelopes in a so-called inserter and then sealed. In this form, the envelopes come with different content, that is, both letters with a lot and with little pages, brochures with a thick seam and the like, from the inserter.

After that, the letters are usually already on a conveyor belt, after which they are manually recorded by standing on this conveyor belt people according to certain criteria and transferred to transport crates.

These transport boxes are then delivered to the respective letter carrier or delivery company, which then takes care of sending the corresponding letters. Thus, the effort is kept as low as possible at the appropriate letter carrier, is carried out by the aforementioned persons already pre-sorting in the corresponding transport baskets. This is done, as previously mentioned, according to appropriate criteria. These criteria may in particular be related to the address information, so that, for example, a pre-sorting according to postal code areas can already take place. This sorting can be designed differently differentiated, so that even a very fine sorting, depending on the size of the letter set, can take place.

In order to be able to carry out the division into, for example, corresponding postal code areas, in the simplest case the persons who perform the sorting proceed in such a way that they read off the corresponding postcodes on the enveloped letters. In order to facilitate this rather arduous and exhausting work, often corresponding markers are inserted in the address field of the letters, depending on the postal code areas. These markers can either then help the corresponding sorting person to more quickly recognize different zip code areas or be configured to be electronically recognized by a scanner. This then ensures through a separate unit that, for example, the letters in the continuous stream be transported with a slight offset on the tape, where a transition from the one to the next postal code area occurs. This offset can then be easily recognized by the sorting persons, so that they need to pick up the letters between one and the next offset, for example, without having to concentrate further on the respective address fields. In addition to the separate markings, such a scanner can of course also read the postal codes directly by means of character recognition.

Such transporting and sorting processes may also be necessary for other sheetlike products such as cartons, blanks, folding cartons, plates, separating plates, for example made of plastic, paper, cardboard or metal, if these are supplied in larger numbers from a preliminary station, but in different package sizes should be further processed.

All such flat products have, viewed over the surface, opposite side edges. These do not necessarily have to be rectilinear, but may also be curved.

This manual sorting and transfer to appropriate transport containers is relatively expensive and error prone. An alternative in which this transfer of the product coming from an upstream station into a transport container is automatically carried out is thus highly desirable.

For this purpose, however, it is necessary that the generally horizontally lying flat products are sorted and in particular brought into a standing, preferably vertical position. In such an orientation, the products are later also present in the respective transport container.

The transfer of entire packages, that is to say of accumulations of products which are transported on a conveyor belt and preferably already pre-sorted, are transported into a transport container by separate devices with, for example, grippers offers little advantage over the manual method, as it is currently operated. Here, too, slipping and confusion of the envelopes, which may have been previously sorted, may occur.

These problems can be found not only in the handling of envelopes described in detail above, but generally in all flat products that are to be sorted.

The present invention is therefore based on the object, regardless of whether in a horizontally oriented stream of products or in a standing oriented stream of products sorting of the products takes place, to provide a way a corresponding horizontal stream of products, such as from a Inserting machine comes to be able to transfer in a standing, preferably vertical position, in which case for the purpose of accuracy and reduction of error sources an isolated further transport of the sheet products is to be made possible.

According to the invention, the object is achieved by a device for transporting sheet-like products with at least one feed for feeding the sheet-like products in a first transport direction and at least two conveyor units for receiving and transferring the sheet-like products in a second transport direction which is perpendicular to the first transport direction wherein the conveyor units are formed symmetrically with respect to a plane spanned by the first and second transport direction and each having a plurality of vanes, which can be applied to the flat sides of the products, wherein each a guide element of a conveyor unit with a symmetrically arranged guide element the other conveyor unit forms a pair of guide elements, and wherein the sheet-like products between each two adjacent Leitelementpaare be received and can be gripped by this and thereby standing in the second transport direction transportable si nd, and wherein the guide elements when moving in the second transport direction are gradually extended from a holding engagement with the sheet products.

This device designed in this way initially allows a singular recording of the sheet-like products by the corresponding adjacent guide element pairs.

By the applicability of the guide elements of the Leitelementpaare to the flat sides of the products in addition to the substantiated ability to take the sheet products and thus weiter¬ transport further standing, also given a flexibility in terms of the width of the sheet products, seen when looking at these flat products in Direction of the second transport direction.

According to the statements made at the outset, the first transport direction has a substantially horizontal transport of the flat products, whereas in the second transport direction they are transported standing upright.

The extensibility of the guide elements such that a holding engagement with the sheet products is ultimately terminated, has the advantage that a continuous transition to further downstream transport devices is provided, which can accommodate the sheet products from this moment of stopping the holding engagement with the guide elements ,

The symmetrical design of the two conveyor units has the advantage that they can be constructed essentially of the same components.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the two-dimensional products can be received at two opposite ends between each two guide elements of a conveyor unit.

These ends may be the left and right or the top and bottom. The selection of these opposite ends depends on the subsequent transport device.

This embodiment has the advantage that the interaction between the conveyor units and the flat products to be transported is minimized by the reception at opposite ends. This has a positive effect on the time required as well as on a reduction of the impairment of the material and the surfaces of the sheet-like products by the conveyor units.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the two conveyor units are aligned with each other so that the two vanes of a Leitelementpaars are further spaced in position in the transfer of the products from each other than when receiving the products, and when transporting the products gradually laterally from a holding engagement with the sheet products are extendable.

This embodiment is advantageous in that the previously mentioned extension from the holding engagement by a lateral movement of the holding guide elements takes place in each case to the outside. As a result, the flat products are less and less in contact with the guide elements when being transported in the second transport direction. This goes so far until the contact in the transfer of the products is preferably such that at least the front guide elements seen in the transport direction are no longer involved in a holding engagement with the flat products. Thus, a corresponding sheet product can be passed on to a subsequent transport device unhindered. The progressive lateral extension during the transition from the position of the receptacle to the position of the transfer of the flat products has the further advantage that there is a continuous process of releasing the products, which can be used in a continuous transport process of a larger overall device.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the guide elements on a plate-shaped element and at least on one side of this plate-shaped element a resilient clamping element.

This embodiment has the advantage that plate-shaped elements represent an easy to manufacture and to be mounted embodiment of guide elements. Between these very well flat products can be arranged. The provision of resilient clamping elements on at least one side moreover has the advantage that the flat products can also be transported between the corresponding guide elements. It is not additionally necessary to provide a support down, since the holding engagement is preferably sufficient for the weights of common flat products and thus carries them.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the conveyor units each have at least one chain on which the guide elements are arranged, the guide elements are preferably arranged on the chain via brackets, wherein the brackets preferably each connect a guide element with a chain link.

This embodiment is particularly advantageous for the previously mentioned continuous operation. A corresponding chain according to the invention represents in this context an endless belt on which the corresponding guide elements are arranged. Due to the mounting, the guide elements on the chain can be arranged in such a way that the guide elements present on the side facing the planar products are ideally aligned for receiving the invention and gripping the flat products according to the invention. Furthermore, they can thereby provide a possibility for receiving the sheet-like products even when swiveling in this area, just as when releasing the flat products release them again. Such a chain also offers good opportunities for the arrangement of the corresponding due to their chain links Guide elements via holders according to the invention. Furthermore, a chain can also be precisely controlled by, for example, gears. In addition, chains are also ideal to adjust their length according to the needs of the device according to the invention. In addition, their course can also be adapted to the wishes and needs by selecting appropriate gears and deflection.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the chains have an oval circulation contour, wherein the longer axes of the oval circulation contours of the respective chains diverge in the direction of the second transport direction.

This arrangement of the chains to one another makes it possible in a simple manner that two guide elements of a Leitelementpaars, which are arranged on each of a chain and can hold the flat products are moved apart by a movement with the chains simultaneously. The construction of the device according to the invention is thus kept very simple and cheap.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the chains of the conveyor units each have at least one rectilinear section on the sides facing each other.

This arrangement of the respective chains allows a parallel arrangement of the guide elements, which are located in this section to each other and, consequently, a parallel alignment of the flat products to each other, which are held by the respective guide elements. This thus makes it possible in a simple way that the products can be transported optimally aligned from recording to passing and can be passed to further subsequent transport devices accordingly.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the guide elements of the two conveyor units are synchronously movable.

The synchronous movement makes it possible for just one pair of guide elements, which consists of two opposing guide elements, to be moved in coordination with one another in the transport direction. This ensures a parallel transport of the flat products within the present device. Furthermore, a kinking and tilting of the sheet-like products is avoided.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the device further comprises at least one transport unit with at least one transport element for further transporting the sheet-like products through which the sheet-like products can be received in the transfer of the conveyor units.

This embodiment has the advantage that a continuous recording of the shared flat products to be transported is ensured by the transport unit immediately following the conveyor. This transport unit can then be designed so that it can take place, for example, a sorting as described above. Furthermore, this transport unit can also be designed such that a transfer of the flat products into corresponding transport containers can take place via them or another subsequent transport unit.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the conveyor units and the at least one transport element of the at least one transport unit are synchronously movable.

This synchronous configuration has the advantage that, in particular, the release of a respective flat product by the two conveyor units can take place simultaneously with the reception of the flat product by the downstream transport unit. As a result, both damage to the sheet product and a loss of this sheet product, for example by falling down, prevented.

• Aufnahme der flächigen Produkte aus einer ersten Transportrichtung zwischen zwei Leitelementpaare,
• Transportieren der zwischen den Leitelementpaaren gehaltenen flächigen Produkte in eine zweite Transportrichtung, die senkrecht zur ersten Transportrichtung verläuft,
• fortlaufendes seitliches Auseinanderbewegen der jeweils zwei Leitelemente eines Leitelementpaars beim Transportieren in die zweite Transportrichtung,
• Freigabe eines jeweiligen flächigen Produktes durch ein komplett auseinanderbewegtes, in zweite Transportrichtung gesehen vorderes Leitelementpaar und dadurch Weitergeben des flächigen Produktes an eine nachfolgende Transporteinheit.

The object mentioned at the outset is further achieved by a method for transporting sheet-like products with a device according to the previously described embodiments, comprising the following steps:

• Receiving the flat products from a first transport direction between two pairs of guide elements,
• Transporting the sheet-like products held between the guide element pairs in a second transport direction, which runs perpendicular to the first transport direction,
• continuous lateral movement apart of the two guide elements of a Leitelementpaars when transporting in the second transport direction,
• Release of a respective flat product by a completely moving apart, seen in the second direction of transport front pair of guide elements and thereby passing the sheet product to a subsequent transport unit.

Due to the basic principle, which can be found in this inventive method, it is now possible, for example, in a horizontal direction transported flat products, such as envelopes, isolated or redirect in small packages in a second transport direction. This second transport direction may then preferably have a standing, preferably vertical, further transport of the flat products. In this case, it is ensured in this method that a uniform transfer of the flat products takes place by the moving apart of the guide elements takes place, whereby the products are released and then the respective sheet product is thus transferred at the end continuously to another transport unit.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the particular combination given, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Fig. 1

eine Gesamtansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung in einer Seitenansicht,

Fig. 2

eine ausschnittsweise Detailansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung samt einer nachgeschalteten weiteren Transporteinheit in einer Draufsicht,

Fig. 2a

eine ausschnittsweise vergrößerte Ansicht der Vorrichtung aus Fig. 2,

Fig. 3

eine ausschnittsweise Schnittansicht entsprechend der Darstellung in Fig. 1, und

Fig. 4

eine ausschnittsweise vergrößerte Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Fördereinheit aus Fig. 2.

The invention will be described and explained in more detail below with reference to a selected embodiment in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

an overall view of a device according to the invention in a side view,

Fig. 2

1 a detail view in detail of a device according to the invention together with a downstream further transport unit in a plan view,

Fig. 2a

a fragmentary enlarged view of the device Fig. 2 .

Fig. 3

a fragmentary sectional view corresponding to the representation in Fig. 1 , and

Fig. 4

a detail enlarged view of a conveyor unit according to the invention Fig. 2 ,

A device explained in more detail in the following description and shown in the figures is indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 10.

This device 10 has a feed 12, a linear conveyor 13, a first transport unit 14 and a second transport unit 16. This is in particular the representation of the Fig. 1 refer to.

The feed 12 receives planar products 18, as described in more detail in particular in connection with the following figures, which come from an upstream station. Taking as an example an inserter, this serves to transfer machine-printed letters in envelopes and to close them. This is the letter envelopes then usually lying horizontally on a conveyor belt according to the representation of Fig. 1 out. So they get into the feeder 12 according to a feed direction shown there by an arrow 30.

The feeder 12 further comprises a conveyor belt 32. This conveyor belt 32 receives the sheet-like products 18 from the feed direction 30 and moves them according to his in Fig. 1 to be recognized curved course in a standing position. There they are taken up by the linear conveyor 13.

This linear conveyor 13 ensures that the now-standing flat products 18 are transferred to the first transport unit 14. According to the presentation of Fig. 1 the sheet-like products 18 are preferably vertical.

In the Fig. 1a and 1b one sees an exemplary sheet-like product 18. In this embodiment, this sheet-like product 18 is an envelope 20. This sheet has a front side 26 and a back side 27. Furthermore, it has an upper edge 28 and a lower edge 28 'and side edges 29 and 29'. These side edges 29 and 29 'form the respective outermost edge of opposite ends 31 and 31' of the flat product 18 or envelope 20.

It is understood that these terms are to be understood primarily as relative statements with reference to the usual use and the normal operation of a device according to the invention and the associated alignment of the sheet-like products 18. An orientation-independent determination to the designations shown for the envelope 20 is hereby not desired, but rather a corresponding adaptation of the terms when the envelope 20 is present, for example, in a rotated by 180 ° orientation in the device to make. So then, for example, the upper edge shown here to the lower edge and vice versa, and the front corresponding to the back and vice versa.

If previously or in the following of envelopes 20 is mentioned, this is merely illustrative of an embodiment. In general, and based on the concept of the invention, it is of course also generally possible to use all flat products 18 for this purpose.

How the transmission from the linear conveyor 13 into the first transport unit 14 proceeds, is in particular from the Fig. 2 . 2a and 3 seen.

Here is related to Fig. 2 to recognize that the linear conveyor 13 has two conveyor units 36 and 36 '.

These conveyor units 36 and 36 'themselves each have guide elements 38, wherein two opposing guide elements 38 and 38' form a pair of guide elements 40. The conveyor units 36 and 36 'further each have a chain 42, to which the guide elements 38, 38' are arranged.

These chains are as shown in FIG Fig. 2 and 2a an oval shape. They thus show an oval circulation contour. They are aligned with each other so that the respective longer axes, the Fig. 2a are indicated by the dashed lines 43 and 43 ', seen diverge in the transport direction 54.

As especially related to Fig. 3 can be seen, the sheet products 18 are introduced from a first transport direction 52 between the conveyor units 36 and 36 '.

The further transport within the conveyor units 36, 36 'and in the further course also in the transport units 14 and 16 then takes place in a second transport direction 54.

For this purpose, the flat products introduced between the conveyor units 36 and 36 ', for example envelopes 20, are held in a holding manner between a first guide element pair 40 and a second guide element pair 40' in the transport direction 54. This happens in particular in that the respective guide elements 38, 38 'are applied to the flat sides of the products 18, preferably in the region of the respective opposite ends 31 and 31'. In this case, therefore, the front side 26 and the back side 27 of a respective product 18 are to be understood as the flat sides.

When the envelope 20, or the flat product 18, in which the front side 26 also faces in the second transport direction 54, then the guide elements 38, 38 'of the front guide element pair 40' are located on the front side 26 and the guide elements 38 , 38 'of the rear Leitelementpaars 40 on the back 27 at.

In a next step, the chains 42 move in the directions indicated by arrows 44 to 50 directions. In this case, take the Leitelementpaare 40 and 40 'the corresponding envelope 20 in the second direction of transport 54 holding.

In accordance with the remarks made above, such a flat product 18 is transported further and released by the outwardly moving guide elements 38 more and more of these. This is based on the Fig. 2 . 2a and 3 easy to follow with the envelopes 20 to 24 shown there. Each of these Envelopes 20 to 24 are arranged at a different stage in the transport direction 54 up to the transfer to a subsequent transport unit 14.

While envelope 20 is still exposed as fed directly through the feed 12 envelope at the time of recording, the front envelope 21 is already a step further and is held between the Leitelementpaaren 40 and 40 'supporting.

As in particular from Fig. 2 can be seen, the forward direction of the guide elements 38 seen in the transport direction 54, each holding the following envelopes 22 and 23, gradually extended laterally from the holding engagement with these envelopes. At the same time, the guide element pair 40 ", which has previously bounded the envelope 24 in the transport direction 54 to the front, but now completely extended out of the holding engagement, forms the conclusion. This is additionally opened slightly in the present exemplary embodiment.

The envelope 24 is at this time no longer in holding engagement with the conveyor units 36 and 36 '. In contrast, it is now in holding engagement with transport elements 55 and 57 of the first transport unit 14.

In the sectional view of Fig. 3 is particularly well recognized for this inclusion and dissemination of the envelopes 20 by the conveyor units 36 and 36 'that the envelopes 20, or generally the sheet products 18 are held between the vanes 38 so that no additional support with respect to the representation from Fig. 3 down is needed. The sheet-like products 18 are clamped here between the guide elements 38 of the conveyor units 36 and 36 'under tension.

This is made possible by the construction of the guide elements 38, which will be described below with reference to FIGS Fig. 3 and 4 is explained in more detail.

A guide element 38 has, as in Fig. 4 good to see, inter alia, a plate-shaped member 60 and a resilient clamping member 62 on. With reference to the second transport direction 54 and the guide elements 38 involved in the respective transport of the in Fig. 4 shown conveying unit 36 'is arranged in this embodiment, the resilient clamping element 62 on the back of the plate-shaped member 60. Apart from this embodiment chosen here, it is also provided that the resilient clamping element 62 can be arranged correspondingly on the front side of the plate-shaped element 60. Furthermore, it is also conceivable within the scope of the present invention that two resilient clamping elements 62 are arranged on the front and rear sides of the plate-shaped element 60. These resilient clamping elements 62 may be manufactured as an example as thin plate-like elements made of elastic materials so that the products 18 can be clamped and held. For example, plastic or metal sheets are conceivable as resilient clamping elements, for example in the form of a leaf spring.

The chain 42, on which the guide elements 38 are arranged, has a plurality of contiguous chain links 64. At these chain links 64 brackets 66 are arranged. About these brackets 66, in turn, the plate-shaped elements 60 of the guide elements 38 are arranged.

As especially good in Fig. 4 As can be seen, the plate-shaped elements 60 are arranged obliquely on the chain links 64. This is exemplary in Fig. 4 for the chain link 64 'and the plate-shaped element 60'. In this case, an arrow 68 indicates an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chain link 64 '. In contrast, an arrow 70 represents the longitudinal axis of the plate-shaped element 60 '. In comparison of the arrows 68 and 70, it can be seen that the arrangement of the plate-shaped element 60 and thus also of the entire guide element 38 takes place obliquely on the respective chain links 64.

This oblique arrangement described above ultimately leads, despite the oblique course of the chain 42 on the sheet-like products 18th facing side, as indicated by the arrow 48, the guide elements 38 are aligned with their plate-shaped elements 60 perpendicular to the second transport direction 54. This vertical alignment then allows the recording of the sheet-like products 18 between two guide elements 38, as was explained in more detail above.

The oblique course according to the arrow 48 on the sheet-like products 18 side facing is provided to the also previously described in detail already extending the guide elements 38 laterally and perpendicular to the transport direction 54 according to the direction of arrow 58 'for the conveyor unit 36' and an arrow 58 allow for the conveyor unit 36.

The back course of the chain 42 on the side facing away from the sheet-like products 18 takes place according to the previous hint in the present embodiment simply opposite to the sheet products 18 side facing instead. This is indicated by an arrow 50 or 46. Apart from the present embodiment, however, it is also conceivable that an arbitrary course of the chain 42 can be selected, especially on the side facing away from the sheet-like products, since these guide elements 38 located on the side facing away from the sheet-like products 18 have no effect on the sheet-like products 18 or have the transport described above.

The resilient clamping elements 62 described above are, as related to Fig. 3 is clearly seen, arranged on the plate-shaped elements 60 so that they have a barb function. A flat product 18 arriving from the first transport direction 52 can thus be described with reference to FIG Fig. 3 Coming from below are introduced against a spring tension of the resilient clamping member 62 of the plate-shaped member 60. Thereupon, this resilient clamping element 62 presses the flat product 18 against the subsequent plate-shaped element 60 '. The barb-like configuration or arrangement of the resilient clamping element 62 on the plate-shaped element 60 thus enables a Falling or slipping of the sheet product 18 in the direction opposite to the first transport direction 52 direction does not take place.

As can be understood according to the description made above, is in the Fig. 1 to 4 illustrated device designed so that the two conveyor units 36 and 36 'are synchronously movable. This means that when operating the respective chains 42, they are operated at the same speed on the one hand, but on the other hand, it is also ensured that the orientation of two guide elements 38 and 38 'of a pair of guide elements 40 is always such that they, on which the planar side facing 18, are arranged so that the guide elements 38 and their associated plate-shaped elements 60 form a plane which is perpendicular to the second transport direction 54. As a result, a flat product 18 can then be received in a standing position and preferably transported vertically in the transport direction 54.

The conveyor units 36 and 36 'are further designed so that they are symmetrical to each other with respect to a plane which is spanned by the transport directions 52 and 54 and aligned. This then also applies to a pair of guide elements 40, that is to say for respective guide elements 38 and 38 ', which together form such a pair. Thus, a uniform and mutually parallel transport of the sheet products 18 and the envelopes 20 is guaranteed and implemented.

This is further facilitated by the fact that the chains 42, as in the Fig. 2 and 2a can be seen, in a respective section 72, 72 ', in which the sheet products 18 are received and transported by the conveyor units 36 and 36', have a straight course.

With reference to the statements made above, the method according to the invention will briefly be described briefly below.

In this case, initially a flat product 18 is received coming from a first transport direction 52 between two pairs of guide elements 40 and 40 '. These guide element pairs 40 and 40 ', due to the movement of the chains 42, represented by the arrows 44 to 50, continue so that the flat products 18 received between them are taken along in a second transport direction 54 and transported.

The transport direction 54 runs essentially perpendicular to the first transport direction 52.

As already described above, the guide elements 38 and 38 'of a respective guide element pair 40 move further and further apart as they progress in the transport direction 54, as indicated by the arrows 58 and 58'. As a result, the sheet-like products 18, or in this case envelopes 20, are finally released by the guide elements 38, 38 '. This is for example in Fig. 2 and Fig. 2a for the front guide element pair 40 ", which has now released the envelope 24 in the situation shown there Fig. 2 and 2a can be seen, takes place at this point ideally equal to a takeover of the sheet product 18, here the envelope 24, in a subsequent first transport unit 14, which has the transport elements 55 and 57 in the present example. The envelope 24 is received here by the transport elements 55 and 57, which are preferably conveyor belts, by applying these transport elements 55 and 57 to the side edges of the envelope 24 holding.

This is followed by a continuous further transport of the sheet product 18, in this case of the envelope 24, in the second transport direction 54. In this case, the flat product 18 is aligned vertically and preferably vertically.

Claims (12)

Device for transporting flat products (18) with at least one feed (12) for feeding the flat products (18) in a first transport direction (52) and at least two conveyor units (36, 36 ') for receiving and transferring the flat products ( 18) in a second transport direction (54) which is perpendicular to the first transport direction (52), wherein the conveyor units (36, 36 ') are formed symmetrically with respect to a plane spanned by the first and second transport direction (52, 54) plane and each have a plurality of guide elements (38, 38 ') which can be applied to the flat sides (26, 27) of the products (18), wherein each one guide element (38) of a conveyor unit (36, 36') with a thereto symmetrically arranged guide element (38 ') of the other conveyor unit (36', 36) forms a pair of guide elements (40, 40 '), and wherein the sheet products (18) between each two adjacent pairs of guide elements (40, 40') can be received and by the se are grippable and thereby in the second transport direction (54) are transported vertically, and wherein the guide elements (38, 38 ') when moving in the second transport direction (54) gradually from a holding engagement with the sheet products (18) extendable are. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the flat products (18) at two opposite ends (31, 31 ') between each two guide elements (38, 38') of a conveyor unit (36, 36 ') are receivable. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the two conveyor units (36, 36 ') are aligned with each other so that the two guide elements (38, 38') of a Leitelementpaars (40, 40 ', 40 ") in position the transfer of the products (18) are spaced from each other further than when receiving the products (18), and when transporting the products (18) are gradually extendable laterally from a retaining engagement with the sheet products (18). Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the guide elements (38, 38 ') have a plate-shaped element (60) and at least on one side of this plate-shaped element (60) has a resilient clamping element (62). Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the conveyor units (36, 36 ') each have at least one chain (42) on which the guide elements (38, 38') are arranged. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the guide elements (38, 38 ') via holders (66) on the chain (42) are arranged, wherein the holders (66) preferably each have a guide element (38, 38') with a chain link (64) connect. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the chains (42) have an oval circulation contour, wherein the longer axes (43, 43 ') of the oval circulation contours of the respective chains (42) in the direction of the second transport direction (54) diverge. Device according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the chains (42) of the conveyor units (36, 36 ') on the mutually facing sides each have at least one rectilinear section (72, 72'). Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the guide elements (38, 38 ') of the two conveyor units (36, 36') are synchronously movable. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the device further comprises at least one transport unit (14, 16) with at least one transport element (55, 57) for further transporting the flat products (18), by which the sheet products (18) in the transfer of the conveying units (36, 36 ') are receivable. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the conveyor units (36, 36 ') and the at least one transport element (55, 57) of the at least one transport unit (14, 16) are synchronously movable. Method for transporting flat products (18) with a device according to one of Claims 1 to 11, comprising the following steps: Receiving the flat products (18) from a first transport direction (52) between two pairs of guide elements (40, 40 '), Transporting the flat products (18) held between the guide element pairs (40, 40 ') in a second transport direction (54) which is perpendicular to the first transport direction (52), - Continuous lateral moving apart of each two guide elements (38, 38 ') of a Leitelementpaars (40, 40') during transport in the second transport direction (54), - Releasing a respective sheet product (18) by a completely moving apart, in the second transport direction (54) seen front pair of guide elements (40 ") and thereby passing the sheet product (18) to a subsequent transport unit (14, 16).

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