Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting a plurality of sheets together from a row of sheet stacks. The collection is made in upstanding buckets or trays wherein the sheets can be collected in the upright position standing on their lower edges. The system provides for high-speed collection and the equipment can be compact. The buckets are J-shaped, and they move along a line which is at right angles to the axis of the feeder cylinder.

Abstract: Apparatus for conveying folded sheets along a raceway and in an inverted V-shaped position and moving the sheets to an elevating conveyor which turns the sheets onto their sides where the sheets can then be further moved into a trimmer or stacked or the like. The apparatus provides for safe and accurate transport of the sheets and for movement at a constant velocity so that the sheets can be moved at the high speed of the printing press which is producing these sheets. Also, an orbital type of device is utilized for picking up the sheets from the raceway and like conveyor while maintaining the sheets in their horizontal orientation and then presenting the sheets to the vertical elevating conveyor, all without upsetting the relationship between the sheets in the multiplicity of folded sheets such as a signature.

Abstract: A method and system of routing a signature or stitching, and including taking folded signatures from a raceway and onto support bars or fingers and moving the signatures to a rotary stitcher where they are stitched and then removing them from the bars or fingers to a collection conveyor, all in a high-speed continuous action.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for opening folded sheets which are moved from a stack and by a gripper member to a location between two belts. The belts direct the folded sheets to a guide which causes the sheet to become unfolded and the guide then directs the sheet onto a gatherer or collector chain. A sheet opener can also be used for directing one flap of the folded sheet to the far side of the chain which is running at an acute angle with respect to the direction of movement of the unfolded sheet as it approaches the chain.

Abstract: A crane system sheet feeder method and apparatus employed for depositing collections of bundles of sheets in locations related to specific ones of sheet feeders, such that each collection of bundles can be utilized by an overhead crane to deliver the individual bundles to a specific one of the sheet feeders in accordance with the supply of sheets on that feeder. The bundles are initially bound, and the overhead crane has apparatus for removing the binding and removing the end boards from the bundles so that the bundles are deposited in the feeders free of any bindings.

Abstract: A sheet stacker with a separator plate having a movable stacker table with a stack supporter thereon. A first drive means is utilized for alternately lowering the separator plate and the stacker table, and a second drive means is utilized for alternately raising the separator plate and the stacker table. The second drive means is constantly running and two clutches are respectively interposed between the drive means and the plate and table and that second drive means is constantly running and is overcome by the downward drive means, but is effective upon suitable alternate actuation of the two clutches for the plate and the table.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for stacking bundles of sheets from a pick-up station and onto a pallet and with an overhead crane system. The bundle is produced by a stacker where the crane system picks up the bundle and moves the bundle overhead and deposits the bundle onto a pallet where a collection of bundles is assembled. An electric system is employed for energizing a pick-up clamp and lifting it overhead, and electric elements are utilized for displacing the clamp to the location of the pallet for the deposit of the bundle onto the pallet. Also, a pallet or skid hopper and supply apparatus are employed for continuously presenting the pallet to a location where the bundles are placed onto the pallet, and the loaded pallet is then automatically removed from that location. The method and apparatus of this invention also comprises moving bundles of sheets from a pickup station and to remote locations, such as sheet feeders.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of conveying a sheet in a turning action to alter its path of movement. The operator has the option of conveying the sheet through a bump turn mode or a flow turn mode. In the bump turn mode, the original sheet leading edge on a first conveyor is not the leading edge on the second conveyor but instead the sheet side edge becomes the leading edge. In the flow turn mode, the operator can drive the conveyor members of the first conveyor so that the sheet is rotated ninety degrees on the first conveyor and is then deposited onto the second conveyor so that the sheet leading edge on the first conveyor is also the leading edge on the second conveyor. The apparatus consists of a first conveyor and a second conveyor with the first conveyor having individually driven members for the optional modes mentioned.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for controlling the speed of the conveyor on which a stack of sheets is being collected. A first conveyor moves a stream of sheets into a stacker and onto a second conveyor which moves the stack away from the incoming stream. The stream is moved around a drum which forms a part of the first conveyor and a second conveyor receives the stack and moves at a speed which accommodates the growth of the stack. A sensor detects the thickness of the stream of sheets, and another sensor detects the speed of the first conveyor, and the two sensings are transmitted to the drive for the second conveyor so that the second conveyor is moved at an automatic and appropriate speed to accommodate the incoming stream of sheets.

Abstract: An item accumulator and conveyor for accumulating a row of items and then conveying it off to one side for collection and stacking of the row. A first conveyor brings the items to two other conveyors, or to one conveyor having two sections. One of the two sections supports the items at one elevation and accumulates them in a row, and conveyor supports then permit the first section to lower and thereby transfer the items to the second section at a lower level, and the second section then moves the items off to one side. The two conveyor sections include movable support members and they may be at a declining angle so that the items can move under the force of gravity.

Abstract: Method for handling bundles of sheets and having a pivotal pallet holder which receives the pallet and bundles of sheets in a prone position and which tips them to an upstanding position and onto a conveyor adjacent the holder. The upstanding bundles of sheets are then directed along the conveyor and to selected ones of a plurality of branch conveyors leading to a signature feeder or the like.

Abstract: An automatic palletizer for bundled stacks of sheets wherein bundles of sheets coming from a stacker are positioned on a receiver which collects and supports the stacks in a generally upstanding position. A tiltable pallet holder is adjacent the receiver and supports a pallet in an upright position, and the bundles of sheets are moved onto the pallet holder and against the pallet. Supports and controls are associated with the pallet holder for tilting the pallet holder to position the pallet in a horizontal position and thus have the bundles of sheets in a prone position on the horizontal pallet holder.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling bundles of sheets and having a pivotal pallet holder which receives the pallet and bundles of sheets in a prone position and which tips them to an upstanding position and onto a conveyor adjacent the holder. The upstanding bundles of sheets are then directed along the conveyor and to selected ones of a plurality of branch conveyors leading to a signature feeder or the like.

Abstract: A signature feeder with a stack-supporting conveyor for moving a stack of signatures to a dispensing location. A pick-up conveyor engages the stack and positions the signatures in an imbricated stream and a guide member directs them to a deposit location where the signatures are again placed into a stack from whence they are dispensed to a feeder mechanism. Sensors are disposed at the forward face of the stack and also at the deposit location, and the sensors are connected to electric motors which in turn drive either the stack-supporting conveyor or the pick-up conveyor.

Abstract: A separator for a sheet stacker having a support for receiving a stack of sheets on a stack conveyor. Another conveyor brings a stream of sheets to the support, and a sheet counter counts the sheets and a stack separator plate is controlled by the counter and interrupts the stream when a certain number of sheets have passed into the stack. Drive mechanism connects to the separator plate and the stack conveyor for alternately driving them and thereby separating out a stack of sheets. The separator plate is automatically operated and is under the control of a fluid cylinder.