Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a stack of sheets from a succession of sheets, in which the stack is formed of portions each containing the desired number of sheets and the portions are displaced horizontally in the stack in relation to adjacent portions to facilitate later handling and processing of the portions. Alternate portions of the stack may be in vertical alignment or the horizontal displacement may be only in one direction so that the stack simulates a flight of steps. The displacement may be produced by supporting the top part of the stack and displacing the part of the stack below the support, the operation being repeated each time the support moves up one portion, or by forming each portion at a position displaced from the portion below it.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a stack of sheets from a succession of sheets, in which the stack is formed of portions each containing the desired number of sheets and the portions are displaced horizontally in the stack in relation to adjacent portions to facilitate later handling and processing of the portions. Alternate portions of the stack may be in vertical alignment or the horizontal displacement may be only in one direction so that the stack simulates a flight of steps. The displacement may be produced by supporting the top part of the stack and displacing the part of the stack below the support, the operation being repeated each time the support moves up one portion, or by forming each portion at a position displaced from the portion below it.

Abstract: A stack (S) of sheets is formed on a downwardly moving platform (4), the stack being divided into portions (P) each consisting of a predetermined number of sheets. As each alternate portion is completed, that portion is gripped between two plates (5, 20) and moved horizontally so that it is offset relative to the portion next below it.A completed stack containing the required number of portions is separated from the rest of the stack by inserting a divider (40) at the desired position. The platform (4) is then moved to remove those portions below the divider and, at the same time, an auxiliary support (41) moves beneath the divider (40) to support the stack above. The completed stack is removed from the platform (4) which is then raised level with the support (41). The divider (40), support (41) and platform (4) move together so that the stack is again supported on the platform (4).

Abstract: A paper sheeter for cutting two or more webs simultaneously into sheets has a rotary knife to make the cuts in desired register with marks (e.g. watermarks) carried by the web. A sensor is provided for detecting the marks on each web and a further sensor monitors the knife rotation; signals from the several sensors are fed to a control unit in which the signals from each mark sensor are compared with signals from the knife sensor to produce feed control signals for the respective web. These control signals may be applied to brakes associated with the web supply reels to vary the tension in each web; alternatively one web may be controlled by using the control signals to vary the speed ratio between the knife and pull rolls feeding the webs to the knife.

Abstract: A change-speed gearbox has coaxial input and output shafts. Five intermediate shafts are equi-spaced around the input shaft and each has two gears fixed thereto, one of which meshes with a common gear on the input shaft, the intermediate shafts being movable axially.Five gears of different diameters are fixed to the output shaft around which five secondary shafts are carried by a rotatable cage. The five secondary shafts each have two gears fixed thereto, one of which meshes with a different one of the gears on the output shaft.Any one of a possible twenty five gear ratios between the input and output shafts may be obtained by rotating the cage until a selected one of the secondary shafts is in the same radial plane as a selected one of the intermediate shafts, that intermediate shaft then being moved axially to bring the second gear thereon into mesh with the second gear on the selected secondary shaft.

Abstract: To join the start of a new web to an expiring web a splicing assembly is provided which includes a light source and photoelectric cell. When a splice is to be effected, the splicer is moved towards the new reel and when the light beam is interrupted by the periphery of the reel the splicer is stopped in the correct position for splicing, and the position of the cell used as an indication of the diameter of the reel; a signal from the cell also causing the reel to be driven at such a speed that the speed of the new reel matches the linear speed of the old web so that the splice may be effected properly.

Abstract: A continuous web of paper is fed from a reel by a driven roller and a cooperating pressure roller and cut into sheets by a pair of rotating knives. The shafts on which the driven roller and one of the knives are mounted, are drivingly connected by a presettably variable ratio gear box and the drive is obtained from a main motor which is connected to the driven roller shaft. A differential gear is positioned between the main motor and the driven roller, the shafts of which are connected to two of the input/outputs of the differential gear. The casing of the differential gear is connected to an auxiliary motor which is connected to a speed regulator. The speed of the web and the rotational speeds of the driven roller and the knife shaft are monitored and compared with the desired sheet length and a signal indicative of any error between the desired and actual sheet length is used to control the speed regulator.