Abstract: Apparatus for advancing singularized stacks of paper sheets to a packing machine has an intermittently driven first conveyor which receives groups of abutting stacks at required or fixed intervals and overlaps in part with a continuously or intermittently driven gathering conveyor wherein successive groups are caused to form a continuous row. Successive foremost stacks of the row are taken over by a singularizing conveyor which moves the stacks apart and delivers them cyclically to the packing machine. The gathering conveyor has several sections which are disposed one behind the other in the direction of transport of stacks toward the singularizing conveyor and which can be lifted, individually or jointly, into engagement with stacks above them or lowered below the level of the first conveyor so that the latter can advance the stacks in a direction toward the singularizing conveyor.

Abstract: Two conveyors for stacks of paper sheets are coupled to each other for movement back and forth between a first position in which one of the conveyors receives one or more stacks and the other conveyor is relieved of the stack or stacks thereon, and a second position in which the one conveyor is relieved of the stack or stacks thereon and the other conveyor receives one or more stacks. In order to expel air from the stacks on the conveyors the foremost portions of the stacks are clamped by reciprocable rams to the respective conveyors and the thus clamped stacks are caused to move along stationary squeegees which bear against successive increments of the stacks behind the respective rams while the stacks, the respective rams and the respective conveyors move away from the stack-receiving positions.

Abstract: A cross cutter subdivides a continuous paper web into a file of discrete randomly distributed satisfactory and unsatisfactory sheets which are advanced by a first transporting unit at an elevated first speed into the variable-width clearance between two superimposed conveyors of a second transporting unit which are driven at a lower second speed so that the sheets which enter the clearance are converted into a scalloped stream. Unsatisfactory sheets are removed from the first transporting unit and the width of the clearance is reduced in response to segregation of an unsatisfactory sheet or two or more successive unsatisfactory sheets to prevent the next-following satisfactory sheet from advancing through the clearance without deceleration by the two conveyors.

Abstract: Apparatus for expelling air from pockets between superimposed sheets of successive stacks has a brush or roller which can be lowered onto the topmost sheet of a stack while the leader of the stack is pulled along a stationary support by a tongs. The brush or roller urges successive increments of the lowermost sheet of the moving stack against a stationary or rotary anvil whereby the pockets of air are eliminated in automatic response to forward movement of the stack with the tongs. Expulsion of air from the stacks enhances their shape-retaining ability during transport toward the next processing station or stations as well as at such stations. The brush or roller is mounted on pivotable arms which can be rocked back and forth by one or more levers which are pivotable by a cam and follower assembly receiving motion from the main prime mover of the machine or production line wherein the stacks are formed and/or processed.

Abstract: An arrangement for forming successive layers of sheets of paper and the like from a stream of individual sheets supplied in succession to a collecting station by a supply conveyor, and for transferring the formed layers to a continuously advancing discharge conveyor, includes an abutment capable of interrupting the advancement of the supplied sheets to form a layer from a predetermined number of sheets, and a clamping device which grips the layer of sheets and transfers the same to the discharge conveyor. The arrangement includes a drive including a transmission, particularly a kinematic linkage transmission, causing the abutment and clamping device to perform a preselected succession of movements, and a prime mover which is kinematically separated from the main drive of the machine in which the arrangement is used and thus from the drive of the supply and discharge conveyors.