Abstract: An apparatus for driving a plurality of units, in particular processing units on paper processing machines, which are arranged on the machine in the shape of a star. To allow the drive mechanism to be constructed more simply and more cheaply, but nevertheless to maintain the synchronism, the drive is effected from a shaft via a cam, crank or eccentric drive means and an actuating rod. The actuating rod causes a pivotally mounted actuator which is common to all units to oscillate to and fro, the actuator in turn bearing cams or crank pins and driving the units via tappets or cranks. The cams can be arranged in one or more rows and can also be exchangeable.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for transporting layers of sheets in which the layers of sheets are carried off discontinuously transversely to the direction in which they are supplied and follow the layers of sheets previously carried off. The apparatus comprises a belt conveyor running at a substantially constant velocity, and a belt run with upper and lower belts which is connected in front of the continuously running belt conveyor and overlaps it at least in part. The belt run may be driven intermittently at a velocity varying between standstill and a higher velocity than that of the belt conveyor. The distance between the upper and lower belts may be varied cyclically.

Abstract: A packaging system has a guide at a sealing station which forms the leading end of an elongated wrapping foil into a tube having a closed downstream end. A conveyor feeds a succession of objects spaced apart in a transport direction by gaps into the tube at this station. A pair of grippers can close on the leading edge of the object to be wrapped in the tube and pull it through the sealing station so as to position its rear end immediately downstream of a pair of vertically displaceable welding tools that are closed on the tube in back of the object to weld together the sides of the tube and form a new closed end on the tube.

Abstract: The present specification describes and claims a device for applying binding strips to the backs of stacks of paper layers such as books, pads or the like. The device comprises an application station by means of which a binding strip supplied by a feed device, can be applied to the stacks of paper. A cutting device for cutting the binding strip is arranged to be effective directly behind the trailing edge of each stack of paper. Further, a controllable pressing device is located so as to be able to move the stacks of paper and the application station towards one another in a controlled manner, and to press one against the other.

Abstract: The present specification describes and claims a device for severing a strip which interconnects items conveyed one behind the other and spaced apart from each other. The device is particularly suited to cutting the binding strip for the spine of books, blocks etc. The device comprises a knife mechanically coupled to a follower device which, in use, follows the profile of the individual items. The follower device maintains the knife in a position ready to cut and when the follower device drops down a gap between adjacent items, the movement of the knife activates control means to operate a knife power drive, the knife then cutting the strip and following a working cycle back to a ready position wherein the follower device can engage a subsequent item.

Abstract: A device for spreading glue on articles such as the abutting ends of stacks of sheet paper or book backs, comprising a rotatable glue-spreading roller which projects from above into a glue supply in a glue tank and is wetted with glue, wipers arranged to act on the surface of the roller in the regions where the roller enters and leaves the glue tank and a level regulating device for maintaining a desired glue level in the glue tank.

Abstract: The present specification describes and claims an apparatus for the folding of paper webs or similar materials for the formation of a stack made up of folded layers. The apparatus has a laying arm adapted to perform a reciprocating motion while laying out the layers to form the stack, and at least one folding screw which, in use, is located in the region of a corner of the stack. The folding screw is arranged with its axis extending substantially vertically to the plane of the layers and with its leading edge entering from the side of the stack between layers to be folded. The at least one folding screw is adapted to rotate twice for each reciprocating cycle of the laying arm and a pressing-down element is arranged to, in use, act upon the top layer succeeding the last fold, so as to be effective on the top layer in the region where the leading edge of the folding screw enters in between the layers.

Abstract: A welding apparatus for welding covers to containers, such as battery casings by pressing the cover on to the casing is provided with a testing device which includes a connector adjacent the pressing-on device and adapted to connect with an opening in the cover. The testing device is adapted to monitor the pressure inside the container after the latter has been charged with fluid under pressure at the end of the welding operation. Any fall in pressure is indicative of a leak at the welded seam.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for welding a plurality of flexible, elongated members, such as thermoplastic members, at their respective end points to form a frame. One-half of the members are arranged in receptacles in a holder with all the members being in a generally U-shaped configuration and in side-by-side relationship to one another. The remaining members are arranged in receptacles in a second holder which lies adjacent the first holder, with all members in this holder also being in a generally U-shaped configuration with one member partially surrounding all the other members which are situated in side-by-side relationship to one another within the U-shaped mouth of the member surrounding them.