Abstract: A device for slowing cut sheets in seriatum flow by nipping the trailing edge of the sheets as they leave a high-speed conveyor system is provided whereby the sheets pass to a stacking pile at a slow speed. The nipping device is provided in several embodiments including a brush carrying roll, an oscillating roll on a lever arm and an air jet. Ream removal apparatus are also provided to remove reams of paper from the bottom of the stacking pile.

Abstract: A gate station incorporates air pressure flows to direct clips in a production stream through the station and to selectively divert defective clips into a separate reject steam. Mounted on a support plate in the station are an upstream manifold, continuously supplied with low pressure air, and a downstream manifold, having a plurality of downwardly directed air ports and selectively supplied with high pressure air. Air flow from the upstream manifold is directed laterally over the upper surface of a clip so as to enable atmospheric pressure to maintain the clip travelling through the gate station in the production stream. If a clip is to be diverted, the downstream manifold is injected with high pressure air causing blasts of high velocity air through the downwardly directed ports. This high velocity air disrupts the flow from the upstream manifold and forces the leading edge of the defective clip downwards, pressing the clip into the reject stream.

Abstract: A divider assembly for dividing adjacent stacks of sheets during stacking in a stacker mechanism including a tray, mechanism for moving the tray from a sheet receiving position to a sheet discharging position, and a pusher for discharging sheets from the tray in its sheet discharging position. The divider itself is positionable on the tray to separte sheets into separate adjacent stacks, and includes a relatively thin central core, with a plurality of flexible feet secured to the core and having free ends extending below the lower edge of the core. The divider also includes a hinge interconnecting the pair of flexible feet so that the feet with the hinge may be collapsed inwardly when the divider is withdrawn from between the adjacent stacks, thereby permitting easy withdrawal of the divider from between the stacks.