| CPC B65G 47/34 (2013.01) [B65G 47/8815 (2013.01); B65G 2201/0217 (2013.01)] | 4 Claims |

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4. An apparatus for performing a method comprising: transporting elongate workpieces in a transport direction corresponding to a length direction of the elongate workpieces and assembling the elongate workpieces to form a string in the transport direction, wherein end faces of the elongate workpieces facing each other in the string contact each other in the transport direction; removing a leading elongate workpiece from the string and transferring the leading elongate workpiece to a discharge device; accelerating the leading elongate workpiece in the discharge device such that a gap is formed between the leading elongate workpiece and a following elongate workpiece of the string; moving a stop into the gap and preventing the following elongate workpiece of the string from being transported farther; removing the stop when the leading elongate workpiece has left the discharge device and removing the following elongate workpiece from the string; the apparatus comprising:
a feed device comprising a first transport device configured to transport elongate workpieces in a length direction of the elongate workpieces;
a discharge device arranged downstream of the feed device and comprising a second transport device configured to transport the elongate workpieces in the length direction of the elongate workpieces;
a transverse conveyor arranged downstream of the discharge device, the transverse conveyor configured to transport the elongate workpieces in a transport direction transverse to the length direction of the elongate workpieces;
wherein the first transport device and the second transport device are aligned with each other in the transport direction of the elongate workpieces;
wherein the first transport device and the second transport device are configured to be driven independently from each other;
a stop arranged between the feed device and the discharge device and configured to be moved into a transport path of the elongate workpieces from the feed device into the discharge device;
wherein the apparatus is configured to be arranged upstream of a finger jointing device.
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