Abstract: The invention relates to a suction brake for use with a sheet conveyor configured to convey a succession of flat elements in sheet form along a conveying path between a first location and a second location, the suction brake comprising: a hollow body having an interior cavity and a face that defines a plurality of suction apertures that communicate with the interior cavity; an obturator arrangement coupled to the hollow body and moveable with respect to the suction apertures; the obturator arrangement being moveable between an open position, in which the obturator arrangement exposes the suction apertures to a maximum extent, and a restricted position, in which the obturator arrangement occludes the suction apertures to a maximum extent. The obturator may rotate or be linearly translated in moving between the open and restricted positions.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle includes a chassis, a plurality of tractive elements coupled to the chassis, and a lift assembly including a carriage, a grabber arm selectively repositionable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, a track configured to be coupled to a chassis of the refuse vehicle, and a roller assembly slidably coupling the carriage to the track. In the engaged position, the grabber arm is configured to couple a refuse container to the carriage. The track defines a track groove extending at least partway along a length of the track. The roller assembly includes a base coupled to the carriage, a shaft coupled to the base and extending outward from the base, a roller extending at least partially into the track groove, the roller defining first a central aperture that receives the shaft, and a bushing that rotatably couples the roller to the shaft.

Abstract: A media transport system, includes a transport path, a drive gear at one end of the transport path, a driven gear at an opposite end of the transport path, an endless loop transmission element engaged with the drive gear and the driven gear, a media clamp secured to the endless loop transmission element, and a one-way clutch coupled with the driven gear. The endless loop transmission element is to rotate in one direction to move the media clamp and transport media from the one end of the transport path toward the opposite end of the transport path, and the one-way clutch is to allow rotation of the driven gear in the one direction and resist rotation of the driven gear in an opposite direction.

Abstract: There is described an inspection system (10) for inspecting the quality of printed sheets which are transported by a sheet conveyor system comprising at least one sheet gripper system (3a, 3b) including a plurality of spaced-apart gripper bars (32) for holding the printed sheets by a leading edge thereof. The inspection system (10) comprises an optical quality control apparatus for carrying out inspection of a first side of the printed sheets while the printed sheets are being transported by the sheet gripper system (3b). The optical quality control apparatus includes a line camera (11) for scanning the first side of the printed sheets at an inspection location which is situated at a location proximate to a portion of the sheet gripper system (3b) where the gripper bars (32) transporting the printed sheets undergo a change of direction of displacement while the printed sheets are still being scanned by the line camera (11).

Abstract: A device with a gripper conveyor and with a conveying-away device as well as with means for transferring two-dimensional products fed by the gripper conveyors, to the conveying-away device amid the formation of an imbricate formation, wherein the device forms a transfer region, in which the gripper conveyor is arranged above the conveying-away device. At least two, preferably at least three product release devices which are arranged in series after one another and distanced to one another, are individually activatable and are for the individual release of the products, are assigned to the gripper conveyor in the transfer region.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sheet guide element for use in an apparatus for transporting sheets by means of a gripper system having at least two grippers spaced apart from each other and a sheet guide surface defined by the sheet guide element. Here, the sheet guide element is provided with depressions in the sheet guide surface, running parallel to the transport direction, at least in some sections, in order at least partially to accommodate the grippers, so that the sheet guide surface described by the sheet guide element in the transport direction runs, at least in some sections, at the same height as the movement path of the sheet leading edge fixed in the gripper system.

Abstract: A postal item collating system is disclosed. The system includes a postal item feeding path (3), a plurality of grippers (8) receptive of a postal item (2) from the feeding path (3), and a drive (11) for driving the plurality of grippers (8) along a circulation path (10). A collector (12) is disposed downstream from the postal item feeding path (3) and removes a received postal item (2) from a gripper (8) as it proceeds past the stationary collector (12). A controller (21) in signal communication with the drive (11) is responsive to a property signal (31, 34) based upon a property of the received postal item (2) to adjust a velocity of the string of grippers (8).

Abstract: An apparatus for pulling a paper medium, e.g., a bill or a check in a bundle bill and check acceptor includes a transfer roller unit transferring the paper medium that is vertically introduced into a storage cassette, a transfer belt unit provided to be rotated so that the paper medium that has passed through the transfer roller unit is horizontally transferred to a rear of the storage cassette, and a clamping roller unit having first and second elastic clamps. Each of the clamps is configured to clamp and pull the front end of the paper medium, and release the paper medium at the rear of the storage cassette depending on rotation of the transfer belt unit, so that the paper medium is stacked in the storage cassette.

Abstract: The apparatus for conveying printed products has a feeding device which conveys the printed products to a discharge end. The gripper circulatory path of the gripper conveyor moves with the receiving section past the latter. During movement through the receiving section, the grippers use their gripper mouth to grasp the printed products and convey said products further. If the receiving section is located in the central position with respect to the feeding device, the printed products are grasped centrally and conveyed further. If, by contrast, the receiving section is displaced by means of the adjustment device into a side position, the printed products are grasped eccentrically and guided further.

Abstract: Large-diameter entry rollers, and small-diameter entry rollers pressing against the large-diameter entry rollers via a conveyance belt enter a paper sheet in an accumulation part via an entrance slot. A central upper guide member makes contact with an upper surface of a central portion of the banknote. Both sides lower guide members guide the banknote while causing the banknote to curve in the shape of large U in a direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of the banknote by lifting up both ends of the banknote entered in the accumulation part with the use of an upwardly curved tip. The front end of the banknote does not hang down despite being beaten by vanes, and the banknote goes between the vanes. The banknote is rotationally conveyed, hits the stoppers to stop, is disengaged from a swirling vane wheel, and is accumulated.

Abstract: A multiplexing gathering device includes a first gatherer for forming first gathered printed products on a first line and a second gatherer for forming second gathered printed products on a second line. A collecting device collects the first and second gathered printed products. A first transporter transports the first gathered products from the first line to the collecting device and a second transporter for transports the second gathered products from the second line to the collecting device. At least one controller for controls the first gatherer and second gatherer so that second gathered products are selectively formed as a function of the formation of first gathered printed products. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating at least two bridges, especially gripper bars, of a segmented transport system for printing materials, e.g. sheets of paper in a printing press, include a transport system having a segmented electric linear drive with first and second primary parts constructed as segmented long-stator. The drive has a plurality of secondary parts constructed as carriages. Each secondary part assigned to the first primary part and each secondary part assigned to the second primary part are coupled by a crossmember to form a movable bridge. Two bridges in the same segment are moved jointly. A first bridge, reaching into a further segment due to jointly controlled movement, is moved individually under closed-loop control and separated from a second bridge, for locating the two bridges in different segments during further movement. Electrical and mechanical collisions of the bridges or of the carriages can therefore be eliminated.

Abstract: A device and method for transferring flexible flat objects, in particular printed products, between two conveyors. The device includes a first gripper conveyor with first grippers moved along a first gripper conveyor path for hanging transport of the objects in a conveyor direction by gripping a first object edge, a second gripper conveyor with second grippers moved along a second gripper conveyor path, for receiving the objects by gripping a second object edge which lies opposite the first object edge, and at least one actuation device for opening and closing the first and second grippers such that, in a transfer region, the objects may be transferred from the first grippers to the second grippers. The distances of the first and the second grippers are different to one another in front of the transfer region, wherein the distances of the first grippers are smaller than that of the second grippers.

Abstract: A variable format signature collection apparatus is provided. The variable format signature collection apparatus includes a sprocket and a timing belt traveling about the sprocket. The timing belt includes a plurality of gripper mounts. The gripper mounts include a first set of gripper mounts arranged on the timing belt to support grippers for receiving first signatures of a first cutoff length and a second set of gripper mounts positioned to support grippers for receiving second signatures of a second cutoff length.

Abstract: A device and method for transport of flexible, two dimensional products and performance of associated production processing of those products, by which the flexible, two-dimensional products are serially conveyed to a workstation and are conveyed away from the workstation again by the same gripper transporter, which enables the workstation to be selectively removed from the production process being performed along the transport path of the printed products, and to be selectively re-introduced again the transport path, in a flexible manner.

Abstract: A device and method for the transfer flexible flat articles between two conveyors. The device includes a first gripper conveyor with first grippers moved along a first gripper conveyor track for suspended transportation of the articles in a conveying direction, and a second gripper conveyor with second grippers moved along a second gripper conveyor track. Opening and closing of the grippers is controlled so that a transfer of the articles from the first to the second grippers is able to take place. In doing so, a spacing between the first grippers differs from the spacing between the second grippers such that, in a transfer zone, one gripper conveyor track, the grippers of which include the greater spacing between one another, defines a concave course, and the other gripper conveyor track, the grippers of which have the smaller spacing between one another, defines a correspondingly convex course.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sheet guide element for use in an apparatus for transporting sheets by means of a gripper system having at least two grippers spaced apart from each other and a sheet guide surface defined by the sheet guide element. Here, the sheet guide element is provided with depressions in the sheet guide surface, running parallel to the transport direction, at least in some sections, in order at least partially to accommodate the grippers, so that the sheet guide surface described by the sheet guide element in the transport direction runs, at least in some sections, at the same height as the movement path of the sheet leading edge fixed in the gripper system.

Abstract: An arrangement to turn print products transported in a conveyed flow along a conveying path in a conveying direction that includes a first conveyor having a traction device guided over a reversing wheel. First clamps are attached to the traction device to clamp the respective print products. A second conveyor is arranged downstream the first conveyor includes second clamps arranged to receive the print products from the first conveyor. A curved turning section connects the first conveyor with the second conveyor along which the print products are turned upside down. The transfer device assists to transfer the print products from the first conveyor to the second conveyor and to turn the print products in the turning section prior to being clamped by the second clamps. The transfer device includes transfer tongs to turn the respective print products around an axis transverse to the conveying direction.

Abstract: A sheet stacking device has a discharging portion, a holding portion that holds a downstream end portion of the sheet, a stacking portion and a control portion that controls the discharging portion and the holding portion. The control portion controls at least one of the discharging portion and a holding portion so that the movement velocity of the holding portion is higher than the sheet discharge velocity of the discharging portion, and separates the sheet from the holding portion by using a velocity difference between the movement velocity and the sheet discharge velocity.

Abstract: A method for producing perfect-bound book blocks for books or similar printed products, including driving successively arranged clamps to circulate along an endless path of a perfect binding apparatus, positioning loose book blocks composed of gathered printed sheets inside conveying units of a conveying device, supplying the book blocks upon or prior to reaching the transfer region below the endless path to the clamps of the perfect binding apparatus, the supplying including inserting the book blocks into the clamps pivoted by approximately 90° around a perpendicular axis from a processing position for the book blocks and clamping the book blocks in the clamps with spines facing downwards, and transporting the clamped book blocks in an upright position for further processing in the perfect binding apparatus. An arrangement for producing perfect-bound book blocks is also provided.

Abstract: A system is provided for stacking mail having an escort assembly for handling each mailpiece. The system comprises a containment device, a transport mechanism and a detachment mechanism. The containment device includes a base, vertical walls extending from the base and an open end for accepting the mailpieces therein. The containment device, furthermore, has a slot formed in at least one of the vertical walls thereof. The transport mechanism includes first and second transport segment, the first transport segment conveying escort assemblies and respective mailpieces over an open end of the containment device and the second transport segment lowering the escort assemblies and respective mailpieces into the open end of the containment device. The transport mechanism furthermore aligns the edges of the mailpieces along one of the vertical walls of the containment device and positions the escort assembly through the slot of the containment device.

Abstract: A machine for processing printed sheets includes a sheet delivery having a first conveying device for leading sheet ends, a second conveying device for trailing sheet ends, and a setting device for adjusting one of the two conveying devices relative to the other in a manner dependent on sheet format. The setting device includes a variable ratio gear unit for superimposing two movements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a first product (20) which supports identification information (30) and a second product (22) which, optionally, supports identification information (30?). Said first and second products are maintained and transported together by a clamp (12), such that the second printing product (22) at least partially overlaps the first printing product (20). The identification information (30) of the first printing product (20) is arranged in the edge section (26) and the identification information (30?) of the second printing product (22) is free. The printing products (22, 22) are subjected to an optical-electronic control where an image capturing device (38) captures an image of the identification information (30, 30?), when a control point is passed. The captured image is electronically processed and the result thereof is transformed into control signals.

Abstract: A sheet delivery has an endless conveyor for conveying printed sheets and a secondary gripper with a gripper bar for holding printed sheets received at their trailing edges from the endless conveyor, to be deposited on a delivery stack. A transmission generates an annular circulatory movement of the gripper bar. A first balance weight and a second balance weight are provided for compensating for interference torques and are braced for rotation in relation to one another by a spring.

Abstract: In a device for the transport of sheets in a sheet-processing machine, preferably a printing press, provision is made to transport the sheets on chain-guided gripper bars. The gripper bars are fixed respectively to two chain links arranged indirectly beside each other. The forces acting on the gripper bars are more evenly distributed.

Abstract: This is a media transport apparatus using gripper segments that are connected to conveyor belts. These segments grip the leading edges of paper media and pull the media on a path toward a paper exit. Above the conveyor belts are baffle panels that have at least two panel separations. It is through these separations that the gripper segments move as the endless conveyor belts rotate. The gripper segments are provided with shifting structures that can laterally align the paper sheets. The leading edges of the paper are held between a gripper bar and elastomeric rollers.

Abstract: In a sheet delivery/guide apparatus, a sheet released from a convey device and falling piles on a first pile device. A first blowing device is arranged above the first pile device and blows toward the first pile device. An air controller selectively performs switching between an air supply state and an air supply stop state of the first blowing device for the sheet. A guide member is supported movably and guides the sheet that passes the first pile device while being held by the convey device. A guide member switching unit switches the guide member between a guide position to enter a sheet falling path, extending from the convey device to the first pile device, to guide the sheet, and a retreat position to retreat from the sheet falling path. A controller controls the air controller and the guide member switching unit on the basis of a convey speed of the convey device.

Abstract: The printing products (24) are supplied to the discharge station (16) by receiving elements (32) of the processing device (12). The discharge station has on the one hand a removal conveyor (18) and on the other hand a clamp transporter (20) arranged downstream with respect to the removal conveyor in the direction of circulation (U) .of the receiving elements (32). The gripper tongs (22) of the removal conveyor (18) grip the printing products (24) at the side rim (26) and discharge the printing products from the receiving elements (32). The respectively trailing wall (36) of each receiving element (32) is provided with a guide element (50) which respectively supports the printing product (24) in question and introduces the printing product into an opened clamp (28) of the clamp transporter (20). The clamps (28) grasp the printing products (24) at the edge (30) with which the printing products (24) previously rested against the floor (42) of the receiving elements (32).

Abstract: An abnormal sheet delivery detection device includes a convey device, first pile device, noncontact-type detection unit, and first releasing unit. The convey device includes a sheet holding unit for holding a sheet, and conveys the sheet held by the sheet holding unit. The sheet released from the sheet holding unit is piled on the first pile device at a predetermined sheet release position. The noncontact-type detection unit arranged downstream of the sheet release position in a sheet convey direction detects a presence/absence of the sheet. The first releasing unit selectively switches between a first state wherein the sheet held by the sheet holding unit is released and piled on the first pile device, and a second state wherein the sheet held by the sheet holding unit is conveyed downstream in the sheet convey direction by the first convey device without releasing the sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring printed products conveyed in a shingled flow in a conveying direction by a conveyor to a transporter positioned above the conveyor. The shingled flow is conveyed with circulating clamps. Each printed product respectively projects with a leading end over a front end of a following printed product in the conveying direction and the circulating clamps respectively clamp the leading end of the printed products. Each printed product is lifted from below along one side of the shingled flow in a transfer region formed by the shingled flow and the above-positioned transporter. After the printed products are is lifted up, a trailing end of each printed product is gripped by a clamp of the transporter and then the printed products are further transported.

Abstract: A sheet processing machine for the processing of sheets of paper, cardboard, and the like, includes at least one processing station, one delivery unit, one sheet transport system including circulating gripper carts, which are driven by individually actuated linear drives, a machine control system and braking devices located in the entry zone of processing stations. The back edge of the respective sheet at its stop position in the delivery unit and/or the at least one processing station lies directly above the back edge of the delivery stack and/or the back edge of a tool or die of the processing station.

Abstract: The sheet conveying apparatus includes a first member configured to convey a sheet along a predetermined conveying path while holding the sheet, a second member configured to convey a sheet along the predetermined conveying path while holding the sheet, and a changing unit configured to change a first state in which the first member and the second member convey the same sheet along the predetermined conveying path and a second state in which the first member and the second member convey different sheets in the predetermined conveying path according to a length of a sheet along the predetermined conveying path.

Abstract: An apparatus for stabilizing printed products being transported in a conveying stream over a distance hanging from clamps of a conveying device for transferring the printed products into a processing unit, wherein the clamps are of at least two parts including a clamp part which is movably controlled for opening and closing the clamp, and wherein between spaced-apart printed products a guide arrangement is provided which travels with the printed products and prevents a deflection of the printed products. The guide arrangement which includes the stabilizing elements is fastened at least to an immovable clamp part which interacts with the moveable clamp part, wherein the guide arrangement is moveable from an ineffective position into a support position behind the printed products which are being transported in the conveying direction.

Abstract: A sheet-processing machine, in particular a rotary press, has a first gripper system for transporting sheets onto a sheet stack and a second gripper system following the former for accepting selected sheets from the first gripper system. The second gripper system is oriented substantially vertically and it has a drive that can be actuated separately and independently from the first gripper system.

Abstract: A device for transferring print products comprises a circulating conveying element that includes clamps. A conveyor moves approximately in the same direction and synchronously below the conveying element, which includes grippers. A guide arrangement is provided in a transfer segment where the print products are transferred from the circulating conveying element to the conveyor. The guide arrangement includes spiral rotors having spiral sections respectively extending from opposite sides into spaces between the print products and which are effective in the conveying direction to stably position the print products. Activation devices operatively are arranged to open the clamps and close the grippers to effect the transfer of the print products from one of the clamps on the circulating conveying element to one of the grippers on the conveyor.

Abstract: A conveying arrangement for printed products includes a feed conveyor to successively transport the printed products in a transporting direction to a takeover region, a transporting device having a transfer region to receive the printed products, and a circulating intermediate conveyor to transport the printed products from the takeover region to the transfer region of the transporting device. The circulating intermediate conveyor includes an endless track having a plurality of conveying elements to respectively grip the printed products and transport the gripped printed products from the takeover region to the transfer region where the printed products are transferred to the transporting device. The conveying elements have a swiveling axis that extends transverse to the transporting direction, wherein at least in an area between the takeover region and the transfer region, the conveying elements execute a controlled swiveling movement around the swiveling axis.

Abstract: A gripping device for gripping a printed product including a first gripper arm having a first gripper pad on one end pivotable about a first pivot, a second gripper arm having a second gripper pad on one end pivotable about a second pivot, and an actuator rotating the first and second gripper arms about the first and second pivots respectfully to move both the first and second gripper pads downwardly to grip the printed product. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A system is provided for stacking mail having an escort assembly for handling each mailpiece. The system comprises a containment device, a transport mechanism and a detachment mechanism. The containment device includes a base, vertical walls extending from the base and an open end for accepting the mailpieces therein. The containment device, furthermore, has a slot formed in at least one of the vertical walls thereof. The transport mechanism includes first and second transport segment, the first transport segment conveying escort assemblies and respective mailpieces over an open end of the containment device and the second transport segment lowering the escort assemblies and respective mailpieces into the open end of the containment device. The transport mechanism furthermore aligns the edges of the mailpieces along one of the vertical walls of the containment device and positions the escort assembly through the slot of the containment device.

Abstract: A sheet brake for braking sheets made from a printing material contains circulating brake elements and at least one sheet support that is disposed between the brake elements and forms a blowing device. The sheet support contains a first nozzle array having air nozzles and a second nozzle array having air nozzles. The air nozzles of the first nozzle array are configured to produce blown air volumetric flows, which are smaller than blown air volumetric flows from the air nozzles of the second nozzle array.

Abstract: A method for conveying a sheet includes guiding an electrically charged sheet pneumatically along a desired path, continuously detecting a charge distribution on the sheet, and reducing a positional deviation of the sheet from the desired path by actuating at least one actuating element influencing the position in dependence on the charge distribution. An apparatus for conveying a sheet includes a control device for the position of the sheet and a sensor connected to the control device for detecting an electric field present on the sheet. The method and apparatus permit the sheet to be guided with small deviations from the desired path.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying sheets through a printing machine allows continuous monitoring of the position of a sheet with regard to a guide element over a long time period. There is provided a circulating conveyor element with grippers in which the sheet is held at a leading edge. A device for setting the position of the sheet can adjust the position with regard to a desired position. A measuring configuration measures the position and the presence of the sheet. A control device is connected to the device for setting the position and to the measuring configuration. The measuring configuration is mounted so as to circulate with the conveyor element.

Abstract: A delivery station and a method for unblanked sheet delivery uses a delivery pull-out frame provided with front jogging stops and transverse gripper bars. The ends of the bars are fixedly attached to two respective endless loops flexible drive elements for conveying the sheets in process. The front jogging stops of the delivery pull-out frame are spaced apart to allow the passage between them of grippers of the gripper bar. The gripper bar is inclined around a transverse shaft, for lowering the level of the grippers below the level of the respective upper edges of the front jogging stops, by simultaneously opening the said grippers, in order to separate the sheet from the grippers by bringing the front edge of the sheet against the front stops.

Abstract: A machine for processing a sheet of printing material contains a first chain conveyor having a first gripper bar for holding a leading edge of the sheet, and a second chain conveyor having a rear gripper bar for simultaneously holding a trailing end of the sheet. A processing device is assigned to the chain conveyors for processing the sheet. A distance changing device is provided for temporarily reducing a gripper distance between the two gripper bars and, consequently, producing a sheet sag required for the processing of the sheet carried out by the processing device. The distance changing device defines a first circulation path of the front gripper bar, determined by the first chain conveyor, and a second circulation path of the rear gripper bar, determined by the second chain conveyor, running locally differently from each other. The processing device can be, for example, a sheet smoother.

Abstract: A conveying system to be used in the printing industry, especially in mailroom technology, includes a revolvingly driven conveying member that is provided with supporting elements that are fixed to a traction rope in a stationary and optionally torsion-proof manner. The conveying member can be provided with another rope that has the same length as the traction rope, revolves substantially parallel thereto, and is used as a guide rope or second traction rope. Grippers that are disposed laterally on the belt-shaped conveying member, which is formed by ropes and supporting elements, are arranged on the supporting elements in order to grab and hold individual printed products or groups of printed products. The conveying members is deflected onto different deflection planes via guiding devices while being twisted between such deflections such that the three-dimensional position of the supporting elements and the conveyed printed products can be modified.

Abstract: A transporting mechanism includes a link chain and clamps which are attached to a chain link of the link chain and which are capable of gripping at least one printed product. At least two clamps are attached to each chain link of the link chain, wherein the clamps in the link chain are spaced apart from one another by equal spacings.

Abstract: A machine for processing printing material sheets has a signal generator for position monitoring and a sheet delivery. The sheet delivery has a first conveying device, for example with a holding crossmember, for leading sheet ends and a second conveying device, for example with a holding crossmember, for trailing sheet ends. The signal generator is disposed in the sheet delivery.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a printing material sheet includes a holding crossmember for holding the printing material sheet and a traveling-wave motor for driving the holding crossmember. The traveling-wave motor has a first traveler and a second traveler for mounting the holding crossmember. The holding crossmember is mounted through a spring suspension. The spring suspension can be, for example, a flexible joint in the form of a flexible bellows.

Abstract: Sheets are conveyed through a rotary press with linear travel grippers. The novel conveying apparatus prevents collisions between the grippers and printing unit cylinders. The grippers are fixed to circulating links to convey a sheet through a nip between two cylinders that interact during printing. The links and the cylinders are coupled to drives that can be activated separately. In each case a collision disk is mounted on a shaft journal of at least one cylinder. A slip clutch is provided between the collision disk and the cylinder. A braking element is coupled to the grippers which, in the event of non-synchronous running with the cylinder, runs onto the collision disk and prevents the collision disk from moving.

Abstract: A system is provided for stacking mail having an escort assembly for handling each mailpiece. The system comprises a containment device, a transport mechanism and a detachment mechanism. The containment device includes a base, vertical walls extending from the base and an open end for accepting the mailpieces therein. The containment device, furthermore, has a slot formed in at least one of the vertical walls thereof. The transport mechanism includes first and second transport segment, the first transport segment conveying escort assemblies and respective mailpieces over an open end of the containment device and the second transport segment lowering the escort assemblies and respective mailpieces into the open end of the containment device. The transport mechanism furthermore aligns the edges of the mailpieces along one of the vertical walls of the containment device and positions the escort assembly through the slot of the containment device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of, and an apparatus for, stabilizing and positioning sheet like articles (16), in particular printed products. In order to prevent the products from buckling and fanning out, the position of an edge (20) of the product (16) counter to and/or in the conveying direction (F) is delimited by a respective trailing and/or leading delimiting element (24, 26), a receiving means (27) for the edge (20) being formed between a respective leading delimiting element (24) and a delimiting element (26) which follows the latter in the conveying direction (F). By virtue of at least one further delimiting element (28) being moved into the conveying stream (54) upstream of, or in, the starting region (S1) of a stabilizing portion (S) of the conveying section (11), the position of the edge (20) in and/or counter to the conveying direction (F) is localized such that the edge (20) passes only into the receiving means (27) and not into the intermediate region (29) between two receiving means (27).