Method and device for lifting flat products

The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein, immediately prior to the beginning of the raising operation, the products (2) are oriented horizontally or in a manner inclined in relation to the horizontal.

The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein, during the raising operation, the products (2) are pivoted through an angle between 10° and 90°.

The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein, at least during the raising operation, the products (2) are retained, in particular at their leading edge (13), as seen in the conveying direction (A), by supporting means or grippers (20, 21) which cause the products (2) to pivot.

The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein, at the beginning of the raising operation, the products (2) are moved, by way of their leading edge (13), against an in particular stationary stop (19), with the result that the products (2), at least in certain regions, lift off from the conveying means (1) in the pivoting direction.

The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein, during the conveying process, the products (2) are transported in imbricated formation.

The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein, once they have been raised into an at least essentially vertically oriented position, the products (2) are each gripped individually by grippers, in particular at their upwardly oriented edge (5), and fed for further processing.

The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein, once they have been raised into an at least essentially vertically oriented position, the products (2) are pivoted downward, assisted by gravitational force, about the pivot axis (B) of the raising operation, in particular through an angle range of between 90° and 180°, and are thus deposited.

The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein, during the pivoting movement, the products (2) are processed, in particular opened, stapled, cut or addressed.

The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the products (2) are deposited on a further conveying means (6, 11, 12, 14) or a product stack (8).

The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveying direction (F, E) of the further conveying means (11, 14) runs essentially perpendicularly to the direction (A) in which the conveying process is oriented immediately prior to the raising operation.

The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the products (2) are deposited on a pocket and/or saddle conveyor (11) or on a conveying belt (6, 12, 14).

An apparatus for raising sheet-like products, in particular printed products, which are taking part in a conveying process and follow sequentially one after the other, having a conveying means (1) by means of which the products (2) resting on it are to be conveyed in a direction (A), at least in certain regions during the conveying process, which comprises supporting means or grippers (20) which run around an axis (B), running essentially parallel to the direction (A) in which the conveying process is oriented immediately prior to the raising operation, and by means of which, at least during the raising operation, the products (2) are to be retained, in particular at their leading edge (13), as seen in the conveying direction (A), and pivoted about the axis (B).