Abstract: A conveying device for collecting and transporting printed sheets has a first chain conveyor on which the printed sheets are placed astraddle to be conveyed in a conveying direction. A second chain conveyor is arranged downstream of the first chain conveyor in the conveying direction and synchronized with the first chain conveyor. An intermediate conveying device is arranged between the first and second chain conveyors and configured to grip intermediate products of collected printed sheets formed at the end of the collecting process on the first chain conveyor and to transport and transfer the intermediate products onto the second chain conveyor. The intermediate conveying device has a circulating traction mechanism and controllable grippers connected to the traction mechanism. The grippers grip a fold of the intermediate products lifted off the first chain conveyor and transport the intermediate products in an open position to the second chain conveyor.

Abstract: A device for opening and depositing a folded signature onto a moving conveyor for conveying the folded signatures in a conveying direction includes two opening rollers each having a rotational axis that extends essentially parallel to the conveying direction of the conveyor. The opening rollers have a mechanism for opening the signatures and depositing the signatures with an open side first in a downward direction onto the conveyor. A pre-accelerating mechanism is operatively associated with the opening rollers for pre-accelerating the signatures in the conveying direction.

Abstract: In a method for producing folded printed products a paper web is printed by at least one digital printing machine and the paper web is then processed by a sequence of processing steps, wherein full size sheets or web sections having at least four printed pages for a printed product with a multiple of four printed pages are cut from the paper web. The full size sheets or web sections are then folded to a folded state, respectively. The full size sheets or web sections are collected in the folded state and subsequently stitched. A buffer is formed of the full size sheets or the web sections during the sequence of the processing steps and the full size sheets or the web sections coming from the buffer are individualized to decouple the digital printing machine from at least some of the processing steps.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for feeding a processing machine with flat products, such as printed sheets, cards, patterns or the like. Over a conveyor path arranged between a storage unit and the processing machine and forming a product storage unit, the flat products are carried from the storage unit in a stream formed by products arranged in an overlapping configuration. The product stream conveyed on the conveyor path toward the processing machine is followed by a product stream having a higher speed. The apparatus includes a device with a drivable storage unit for removing the flat products, wherein the storage unit is connected through a conveyor unit to a processing machine for processing the products.

Abstract: A gathering and stapling machine includes a gathering chain for conveying printed products and having a variable chain pitch. A stapling device staples the printed products that are conveyed on the gathering chain. A drive device includes a first gear for driving the stapling device, a second gear for driving the gathering chain and a change-over device connected to the first and second gears and having at least two fixed turns ratios.

Abstract: A stapling arrangement of a stapling and gathering machine includes a stapling carriage which is seated on a machine frame and travels with a gathering chain for stapling printed products carried by the gathering chain. At least one stapling head travels with the stapling carriage and with a bending device. A drive mechanism is provided for the stroke of the stapling carriage and the strokes of a shaping element and a punch of the stapling head. The drive mechanism includes a first drive for the stroke of the stapling carriage, and a second drive for the strokes of the shaping element and the punch, and for a movement of the bending device. The first drive can be exchanged independently of the second drive for adaptation to the pitch of the gathering chain. The stapling arrangement can also be converted quickly and easily to a different chain pitch by a semi-skilled operator.

Abstract: To load a gathering segment of a gather-stitcher, a printed sheet feeder includes a conveyor drum that draws printed sheets from the bottom of a stack. A stop apparatus halts the printed sheets at the end of their circulating path at the conveyor drum and is disposed downstream of a guide device which, with the conveyor drum, forms a guide gap. An opening apparatus follows the stop apparatus and is disposed upstream of the printed sheets. The guide gap is adjustable by the conveyed printed sheets.

Abstract: A device for feeding a gathering section of a gather-stitcher includes a rotatingly driven conveyor drum which pulls printed sheets off a stack of a printed sheet magazine with the fold in front. The printed sheets are conveyed around the circumference of the conveyor drum in an approximately circular path to an arresting device and then into a trajectory extending in an opposite direction from the arresting device which trajectory terminates in a functional area of a rotating gripper device of an opening device which opens the printed sheets. A sweeping device comprising a deflection element is arranged for moving into the trajectory of the printed sheets. A guide element is located opposite the sweeping device during its movement, the sweeping device sweeping the respective printed sheets on the oppositely located guide element and into a gripping position associated with the gripper device.

Abstract: A device for processing printed sheets and for feeding processed printed sheets to a machine for further processing the processed printed sheets. The device includes a feeder for separating the printed sheets from a stack of printed sheets and for conveying the printed sheets. The device also includes a conveying device disposed downstream of the feeder for conveying the printed sheets to the machine, and a conveying element disposed between the feeder and the conveying device for conveying and processing the printed sheets. The conveying element is driven to convey the printed sheets in a similar conveying direction and at a similar clock pulse as the feeder and the conveying device.

Abstract: Folded printed sheets are delivered by a first conveyor into the radially extending pockets of a turret-shaped second conveyor for delivery onto successive saddles of a gathering conveyor which transports stacks of superimposed interfitted folded sheets to a stapling apparatus. The fold lines are disposed at the leading ends of sheets which enter the pockets of the second conveyor to engage suitable abutments, and the sheets are thereupon acted upon by centrifugal force to move radially outwardly against stops in their pockets prior to being withdrawn and simultaneously partially spread out for deposition on the oncoming saddles of the gathering conveyor. The second conveyor rotates about a horizontal axis which is located at a level above the gathering conveyor and at the level of or below the discharge end of the first conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting folded sheets has one or two pairs of chain conveyors whose horizontal upper reaches define two spaced-apart portions of a first path for the transport of successive folded sheets of a series of sheets in such a way that the sheets ride on the pairs of conveyors in inverted positions (with the backs on top). An additional chain conveyor has a horizontal upper run defining a second horizontal path between the first and second portions of the first path to transfer the sheets from the first to the second portion of the first pair. The additional chain conveyor advances successive sheets along a stationary ramp which pivots the panels of the sheets apart so that the thus exposed inner sides of the panels are accessible for the application of printed information, labels or the like. The speed of the additional conveyor can slightly exceed the speed of the other chain conveyor or conveyors.

Abstract: Signatures, newspaper sections or like printed products are temporarily stored between two successive processing machines of a production line by convoluting them onto a rotor with a flexible band so that the products are stored between neighboring convolutions of the band. The products are stored when the output of the preceding machine exceeds the requirements of the next-following machine, and the rotor is caused to pay out stored products when the requirements of the next-following machine exceed the output of the preceding machine. The rotor can store printed products in the form of a stream of spaced-apart products or in the form of a scalloped stream wherein the trailing portion of each preceding product overlaps the leader of the next-following product. A stream of spaced-apart products can be converted into a scalloped stream on its way to the reservoir from a conveyor which connects the preceding machine with the next-following machine.

Abstract: A saddle stitching machine wherein the pitch of the chain conveyor which transports successive signatures through the stapling station can be changed by changing the ratio of a transmission which receives torque from the timing shaft of the machine. The conveyor transports the signatures along a straight path and the machine has a reciprocable carriage which is moved back and forth along such path by an adjustable crank drive so that the stroke of the carriage can conform to the selected pitch of the conveyor. The tools which are carried by the carriage are actuated by cams which are movable independently of each other at right angles to the straight path. The cams extend in parallelism with the path of signatures at the stapling station.

Abstract: An apparatus which can store successive sheets of a stream of sheets between the convolutions of bands which are wound onto successive cores has a transporting unit defining for the sheets an elongated path, and a pair of feed screws which are disposed above and extend longitudinally of the path and serve to simultaneously support a core as well as a fully grown roll including a core, a band which is convoluted therearound and a supply of sheets which are confined between the convolutions of the band. The feed screws can be rotated to move the core and/or the roll thereon lengthwise of the path through a distance which at least matches the radius of a core plus the radius of a roll. A lever which is indexible through angles of 180 degrees is mounted below the path and carries a full reel and an expiring or empty reel for the band.

Abstract: Successive sheets of a stream of partially overlapping or immediately following paper sheets are fed onto the upper side of an elastic band whose leader is attached to a horizontal core so that, when the core is driven, the band is convoluted therearound from below and its convolutions confine the sheets. The width of the band is a fraction of the axial length of the core, and that portion of the band which immediately precedes the outermost convolution on the core is caused to swivel back and forth continuously between two end positions which are mirror symmetrical to one another with reference to a plane that is normal to the axis of and halves the core. This ensures that the convolutions of the band are placed immediately next to or partially overlap each other.