DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SEPARATING AND TRANSPORTING GROUPS OF FLAT ITEMS

摘要

A device (10) and a method for separating and transporting groups of flat items, in particular paper sheets moving on a feeding support (28) of a folding machine of the type comprising contra-rotating rolls (12, 14) which fold a paper ribbon (16) to generate borders (18) that are cut to form individual folded sheets (26) are described. The device (10) comprises a plurality of finger elements (30) each mounted onto a support (32) movable along a closed path (34). The closed path (34) in turn comprises a first going portion (36), disposed side-to-side and parallel to the feeding support (28), along which the finger elements (30) can engage with the folded sheets (26) to group them, and a second return portion (38), along which the finger elements (30) are returned to the starting position in order to engage with new groups of folded sheets (26). The finger elements (30) and the relative supports (32) are moved along the going (36) and return (38) portions through powered movement means. The powered movement means present at least along the going portion (36) consist of two side-to-side conveyor belts (42, 44), operated at different speeds one from the other and each provided inside with engaging and disengaging elements (40) which are selectively activable to drag the finger elements (30) and the relative supports (32) on the first (42) or on the second (44) conveyor belt according to the feeding position of the groups of folded sheets (26).