Linear transport system for transporting articles and method for the linear transport of articles

A linear transport system for transporting articles, wherein the system comprises:

• a linear fixed guide;
• one or more support elements slidingly engaging the fixed guide, wherein each support element comprises a contact surface for receiving at least one portion of an article, and a first electrode and a second electrode in proximity of the contact surface;
• and
• an electric energy generator connected to the first electrode and the second electrode of each support element for reversibly generating an electric field between each first electrode and second electrode at the contact surface for reversibly holding the portion of the article against the contact surface.

A method for the linear transport of articles, wherein the method comprises:

• providing a linear transport system, wherein the linear transport system comprises a linear fixed guide and one or more support elements slidingly engaging the fixed guide, wherein each support element comprises a contact surface for receiving at least one portion of an article, and a first electrode and a second electrode in proximity of the contact surface;
• reversibly generating an electric field between the first electrode and the second electrode of one or more of the one or more support elements at the respective contact surface;
• arranging a portion of an article on the contact surface of at least one of the one or more support elements with the portion subjected to the electric field for reversibly holding the portion of the article against the contact surface by means of the electric field;
• and
• moving the one or more support elements slidingly along the fixed guide for transporting the article.