Device for taking over, storing and delivering paper sheets or folded products

To receive, store and deliver printed products in minimum space, with a device which can, itself, be stored in minimum space when free of products, a steel tape or ribbon (1, 21) is formed with U-shaped cuts (7) to define, within the ribbon, tongues (5, 22). The tape or ribbon is guided in a curved path, typically about a guide roller (4, 23), which causes the tongues to flare out tangentially. When in flared or projecting position, products (8, 33) can be pushed in the space between the extended tongues and the remainder of the tape or ribbon material which, upon then being guided in an essentially linear path, will cause the tongues to close and grip the products, whereupon the tape or ribbon with the products, thereon can be rolled into a storage roll. To release the products, the path of travel of the tape or ribbon or reversed, causing the tongues to open as they pass over the roller (4, 23), and the then empty ribbon can be rolled tightly, since the tongues will fold themselves into the cut-outs from the ribbon and not take up additional space, deflecting in curved position by the pressure of succeeding windings or turns of the rolled ribbon or tape.