Flat objects are distributed by a device which includes a transport section that is used to transport a stream of flat objects to be distributed, and a plurality of sequentially arranged paddle wheels or delivery fans, each of which has at least one component that is configured to receive an object from the transport section. Each paddle wheel delivers its object to a distribution point. The paddle wheels can be rotated, with respect to each other, to provide a phase shift which permits each of a number of objects, which corresponds to the number of paddle wheels in the sequence, to be received by a compartment of a different one of the number of paddle wheels.