together the last possibility is most applicable when spreading the edge of the flatwork article a straining of the edge of the flatwork article being thus avoided fig2 is a sectional view of the arrangement for transferring the flatwork article spread out by means of the carriages 8 9 as the place in front of the rail means is taken up by the insertion devices 14 there is no possibility of introducing a bar or another instrument from the front side under the clamps 10 11 thereby brushing the leading edge of the flatwork article on to the conveyor belt 5 with a view to the fact that the next spreading operation is to be started before the trailing edge of the preceding flatwork article has pased the front end of the conveyor belt the front end of the conveyor belt should be positioned somewhat behind the path of the clamps 10 11 during the spreading operation these requirements are met by the arrangement shown in a sectional view in fig2 the figure shows the rail means 7 and a carriage 8 running thereon a clamp 10 is mounted on the carriage 8 said clamp being activated by means of a pneumatic cylinder 20 in front of the rail means and the carriage one of the insertion devices 14 having a slide 16 and a clamp 17 can be seen in the clamp 17 a flatwork article 22 is inserted which by upwards displacement of the slide along the rail means 15 of the insertion device is moved upwards and caught by the clamp 10 which is simultaneously activated by means of the cylinder 20 the slide is moved so much past the clamp 10 that the flatwork article 21 is pulled out of the clamp 17 and after.