Method and device for conveying individually held products

A method for conveying a large number of printed products along first and second conveying paths, the method comprising:

• providing for each conveying path a plurality of respective elements each conveying element being movable along the respective conveying path and comprising a second coupling part, the second coupling part thus defining a respective conveying path therefor;
• providing a plurality of holding elements, each holding element being designed for gripping one printed product and comprising a first coupling part cooperating with a first coupling part;
• conveying holding elements being coupled to conveying elements, along the conveying paths, and
• transferring holding elements from conveying elements associated with the first conveying path to conveying elements associated with the second conveying path during continuous conveyance of the conveying elements through a first transfer location through which transfer location the second coupling parts of conveying elements associated with the first and second conveying paths respectively run in parallel and closely spaced;
• wherein the first coupling parts of the conveying elements associated with the second conveying path are designed as transverse guides oriented substantially perpendicular to the second conveying path and allowing movement of a holding element coupled thereto perpendicular to the conveying path,
• wherein the step of transferring in the first transfer location comprises aligning the second coupling part of one conveying element associated with the first conveying path with one transverse guide associated with the second conveying path, and moving the holding element coupled to the one conveying element associated to the first conveying path laterally relative to the conveying paths to the one transverse guide associated with the second conveying path, and thereby coupling it to the one transverse guide associated with the second conveying path,
• and wherein during conveyance along the second conveying path each holding element is moved along the one transverse guide to which it is coupled.

A method for conveying a large number of printed products along second and third conveying paths, the method comprising:

• providing for each conveying path a plurality of respective conveying elements each conveying element being movable along the respective conveying path and comprising a second coupling part, the second coupling part thus defining a respective conveying path therefor;
• providing a plurality of holding elements, each holding element being designed for gripping one printed product and comprising a second coupling part cooperating with a first coupling part;
• conveying holding elements being coupled to conveying elements, along the conveying paths, and
• transferring holding elements from conveying elements associated with the second conveying path to conveying elements associated with the first conveying path during continuous conveyance of the conveying elements through a first transfer location through which transfer location the first coupling parts of conveying elements associated with the second and third conveying paths respectively run in parallel and closely spaced;
• wherein the second coupling parts of the conveying elements associated with the second conveying path are designated as transverse guides oriented substantially perpendicular to the second conveying path and allowing movement of a holding element coupled thereto perpendicular to the conveying path,
• wherein the step of transferring in the first transfer location comprises aligning the second coupling part of one conveying element associated with the second conveying path with one conveying element associated with the third conveying path, and moving the holding element coupled to the one conveying element associated with the second conveying path laterally relative to the conveying paths to the one conveying element associated with the first conveying path, and thereby coupling it to the one conveying element associated with the first conveying path,
• and wherein during conveyance along the second conveying path each holding element is moved along the one conveying element to which it is coupled.