Apparatus for separating article groups of predetermined length from a continuously advanced article stack

An apparatus for separating aritcle groups of predetermined length from an article stack of indefinite length, comprising:

• (a) first conveyor means for advancing the article stack in a conveying direction;
• (b) a pickup element arranged for a back-and-forth displacement parallel to said conveying direction and for being periodically abutted by a momentarily leading article of said stack;
• (c) first driving means for imparting said back-and-forth motion to said pickup element;
• (d) a separating assembly situated upstream of said pickup element and including at least two separating elements spaced from one another parallel to said conveying direction and being displaceable as a unit;
• (e) second driving means for moving said separating elements towards said first conveyor means generally perpendicularly to said conveying direction to introduce said separating elements into the article stack for forming a first article group between said two separating elements and a second article group between said pickup element and the separating element adjacent said pickup element and for moving said separating elements in synchronism with said pickup element, in said conveying direction away from said first conveyor means;
• (f) a transfer tray situated immediately downstream of said first conveyor means as viewed in said conveying direction and arranged for receiving said article groups moved by said separating elements during their displacement in said conveying direction;
• (g) second conveyor means situated adjacent said transfertray;
• (h) means for effecting transfer of said article groups simultaneously from said transfer tray to said second conveyor means;
• and
• (i) means situated between said transfer tray and said second conveyor means for maintaining said groups separated from one another during their transfer from said transfer tray to said second conveyor means.